Adsorptive Removal of Copper from Waste Water Using Biomass & Biochar Based Materials

Heavy metal contamination has been one of the primary environmental concerns for many years in most developing countries. As the industries continue to search for low-cost and efficient adsorbents to treat their effluents contaminated with these toxic metal ions, biomass-based adsorbents have gained much attention. This work exploits such ten different biomass-based adsorbents (namely, Karanja de-oiled cake, Neem de-oiled cake, Neem leaves, Moringa Leaves, Bagasse, Mango Kernel, Wheat Bran, Eucalyptus, Fly ash, and Corn cob) for adsorption of copper ions in particular. Further, selected adsorbents (namely Karanja de-oiled cake, Neem de-oiled cake, Bagasse, Wheat Bran and Mango Kernel) were taken to the next stage and modified to biochar and tested again for copper removal. Among the biomass-based adsorbents, the highest adsorption capacity was observed for Neem de-oiled cake (equal to 9.6 mg/g). While for biochar-based adsorbents, Bagasse showed the highest adsorption capacity for copper (equivalent to 13.0 mg/g).

Neutralizing TNT Acidic Wastewater With Neem Leaves Powder

This study conducted to substituting of NaOH used as a neutralizing agent for acidic wastewater generated from manufacturing of TNT in factory of Sudanese Military industries by natural material such as Neem leaves powder. The requirement for pH values of astewater to be disposed over 6. Four weights (5 , 7.5, 10 and 12.5 ) g of dry Neem leaves powder prepared and added to four samples of acidic wastewater with volume of 100 ml for each samples, the pH values of wastewater measured after four periods (1 ,2,3 and 4) hr for each weight added. The results showed the pH values raised from 1.7 to 6.94 and no any residual salts observed. The Neem leaves powder is effective alternatives for sodium hydroxide to neutralizing acidic wastewater at TNT plant.

EFFICIENCY OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC PESTICIDES AGAINST STORED GRAIN INSECT PESTS

The insect pests cause substantial loss of grains in the field and during storage of food grains that worth millions of rupees. Hence, in order to manage stored grain insect pests a combination of organic and inorganic pesticide control materials was selected to check the efficiency against red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis). Total 10 treatments were used, eight different organic bio-pesticides (neem seed, neem leaves, naswar, tobacco, eucalyptus, citrus, dhatura and mint) and one inorganic (naphthalene balls) and control used at 32 ± 2°C and 70 ± 5% RH. The results indicated that three doses of all treatments were used as 5, 10 and 20gm in 50gm grains. Overall, maximum (4.33 ± 1.00%) mortality of red flour beetle was observed using neem seed powder and no (0.0 0 ± 00%) mortality was observed in minte leaves powder. In case of pulse beetle, the maximum (5.07 ± 0.87%) mortality was observed using neem seed powder and minimum (0.66±0.22%) using citrus leaves powder. Maximum (16.26 ± 0.03) antifeedant efficiency of red flour beetle was observed in control group and minimum (6.46±0.65) antifeedant efficiency of red flour beetle was found in dhatura leaves powder at all tested concentrations. Maximum (14.23 ± 0.13) antifeedant efficiency of pulse beetle was determined in control group and and minimum (1.00 ± 0.04) was observed for naphthalene balls at all tested concentrations. Maximum (94.67%) repellency against red flour beetle was observed using neem seed powder and minimum (62.00%) was found in naphathalene balls as compared with their controls. Maximum (81.32%) repellency against pulse beetle was observed using naswar powder and minimum (63.34%) repellency was determined using neem leaves powder as compared with their control group. We concluded that 20% of neem seed powder concentration proved effective to suppress the population of both red flour beetle and pulse beetle.

Efficacy of Herbal Medicine Administration using Neem (Azadirchta indica L) Leaves as Case Study

Plants used for treatment of diverse ailments primitively are concocted and used indiscriminately. The efficacy of "Herbal medicine" which is an ancient tradition, used in some parts of Nigeria was investigated to establish herbal applications of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves. Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) was popularly recognised for the treatment of malaria fever. The leaves were plucked at appropriate peak period of the day when oil and moisture contents were recorded maximum. The peak period of contents was found to occurred between 8am-10am on a very sunny days, 10am to 12 on cool days, and 3:00pm to 5:00pm on cloudy days. Aqueous extract from macerated Neem leaves was subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis. Available phytochemicals evaluated include; saponin (34.89mg/g), tannin (31.715mg/g), flavonoid (31.835mg/g), phenol (43.59mg/g), terpernoid (14.585mg/g), cardiac glycosides (39.335mg/g), steroid (16.185mg/g) and alkaloid (28.76mg/g). These values differ significantly to recommended oral dosage formulation for human consumption: Saponin (1.433ml), Tannin (1.418ml), Flavonoid (13.91ml), Phenol (2.29ml), Terpernoid (8.23ml), Cardiac Glycosides (0.003177ml), Steroid (0.62mg/g). Consequently, local consumption of herbal resources should be regulated to avoid abuse and long or short-term effects of drug contents as proven in the neem leaves as local herbs.

The valorization of neem leaves infused coconut oil at various concentrations for the production of natural liquid shampoo

The liquid shampoo is a product that is generally used to clean hair and scalp. The additional active ingredient used in the liquid shampoo is neem leaves which contain polyphenols that have antibacterial effects. Neem leaves extract was made by hot infusion method with coconut oil as a solvent. The purposes of this research were to find the best concentration of neem leaves infused oil for liquid shampoo material and compare the qualities of liquid shampoo with Indonesian National Standard (SNI) of Shampoo 06-2692-1992. The method of this research was a laboratory experiment with descriptive analysis. This research was conducted in five treatments. Concentration neem leaves infused oil for liquid shampoo materials were ratio between coconut oil and neem leaves in sample A = 720:0 (w/w); B = 720:22,5 (w/w); C = 720:30 (w/w); D = 720:45 (w/w); and E = 720:90 (w/w). The result showed that all of the shampoos met the SNI of Shampoo 06-2692-1992 according to organoleptic, moisture content, and pH. The best shampoo based on organoleptic observation was shampoo C (720:30 (w/w)) with a hedonic percentage of 40%, moisture content of 69.89%, pH 7.03, and specific gravity of 1.0223 g/g. The highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus was shampoo E (720:90 (w/w)) with an inhibition zone diameter was 9.5 mm. Shampoo with the highest antibacterial activity resulted from the highest addition of coconut oils infused Neem leaves. It proved that neem leaves were effective as an additive in making shampoo to boost its antimicrobial properties.

Potentials of compost, compost tea and aqueous neem leaves extract in reducing some diseased plants and boosting onion (Allium cepa L.) production in the field at Gapring-Lara in t he Department of Mayo Kani (Cameroon)

With a view to promoting the onion sector, we studied the behavior of onion following the application in fields of Cow Dung compost, compost tea and the aqueous extract of neem leaves during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons. The device used was a complete randomized block comprising 10 treatments including compost (Cp), compost tea (CpT), Neem extract (Nex), compost + compost tea (Cp+CpT),compost+Neem extract (Cp+Nex), compost tea+Neem extract (CpT+Nex), compost+Compost Tea+NeemExtract (Cp+CpT+Nex), Control (Ctrl), Chemical Pesticide (ChP) and Chemical Fertilizer (ChF) with 3 repetitions each. The work focused on agronomic and phytopathological parameters. The results reveal that Cp+CpT+Nex treatment had a highly significant influence on the germination rate (92.33%) than Ctrl treatment (44%). He was significantly increased the number of leaves, size and yield compared to other treatments with 22.16 leaves, 52 cm and 114.74 t/ha (2018/2019) and 20.83 leaves and 53.84 cm; but yield was higher by ChF with 47.49 t/ha (2019/2020). Nex, Cp+Nex and CpT+Nex treatments reduced attack of Delia antiqua compared to control. And significant reduction in number of plants attacked by onion mildew was observed in Cp+CpT+Nex treatment. In view of the results obtained, organics fertilizers can be used in onion production.

Bactericidal effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract on Helicobacter pylori

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of ethanolic extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf against Gram-negative, gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Methodology: Extracts of neem leaf were prepared in different solventslike hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol. Antibacterial activity was estimated in terms of zone of inhibition by performing Agar cup diffusion assay. Depending on the diameter of zone of inhibition, ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extract of neem leaves were selected for Thin Layer Chromatography. The presence of photochemicals were detected using iodine fumigation. Elution Assay was done to detect the bioactive components of the ethanol extract. Results: Out of sixsolvents used, ethanol extract of neem leavesshowed the maximum zone of inhibition against H. pylori. TLC separation of ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extract of plant products showed dark brown bands of phytochemicals on silica-gel G 60 plates. The contact bioautography assay showed a zone of 15 mm. Elution assay and agar cup bioassay was performed against H. pylori and the loading spot showed a zone of 11 mm. Interpretation: The findings of the present study revealed the anti-bacterial potency of ethanolic extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf against Gram-negative gastric pathogen H. pylori. The ethanolic extract of neem leaf can be used as an effective natural remedy in combating H. pylori infection.

Clinical Application of Silver Nanoparticles Coated by Benzalkonium Chloride

The present study investigates the surface modification of AgNPs (synthesized by neem leaves) by benzalkonium chloride (BAC). It was observed that 22 × 109 CFU were formed at 0.25 mM AgNPs concentration. However, it was reduced to 14 × 109 CFU for BAC-coated AgNPs at similar experimental conditions. The enzymatic activity of β-glucosidase was significantly enhanced from 0.0625 mM to 0.5 mM concentration of AgNPs, as well as BAC–AgNPs. However, there was no further change of activity beyond this concentration. ZOI of AgNPs and BAC–AgNPs was measured against E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, and S pneumoniae at 0.25 mM and 0.50 mM concentrations of these bioactive agents. ZOI was 3.45 cm and 3.56 cm for AgNPs and BAC–AgNPs at 0.25 mM of these bioactive agents, respectively, against E. coli. However, these values were 4.28 cm and 4.40 cm, respectively, against B. subtilis. ZOI was obtained at 3.36 cm and 3.47 cm, respectively, against P. aeruginosa under similar experimental concentrations. However, ZOI was achieved at 3.44 cm and 3.62 cm, respectively, against S. pneumonia, under similar experimental conditions. Hence, such research findings can be exploited for potential applications in numerous environmental and biomedical fields.