Toxic Effects of Nanoparticles on Fish Embryos

Nanoparticles are used widely in the in-drug delivery, diagnostics, cosmetics, paints, electronics, fabrics, solar cells, medicines etc. Their wide application is due to their special properties which include minute size, high reaction rate, increased surface area and quantum effect. Despite their multiple applications, nanoparticles have harmful effects too due to their improper disposal causing their entry into the aquatic environment greatly threatening the ecological security as well as our health. Zebra fishes (Danio rerio) are used more commonly for the evaluation of toxicity and are considered a promising animal model. Studies on Salmon and Labeo rohita have also been used for toxicity evaluation. Nanoparticles affect the embryo more easily than the adult since the embryo are more sensitive. Hence it becomes important for us to study the effect of the nanoparticles on the embryo of the fishes. These nanoparticles have the ability to cross the chorion layer and affect the developing embryo. Since the fishes are a part of the food chain, when these organisms get affected they will eventually harm the humans too. This review focuses on the effect of metal nanoparticles (NPs) like gold(Au), silver(Ag), copper(Cu), platinum and metal oxides nanoparticles like titanium dioxide, aluminium oxide, copper oxide, nickel oxide zinc oxide on the embryonic development of fish embryos. When compared to the other nanoparticles (NPs) like silver, copper and platinum, it has been observed that the gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) showed no toxicity to embryos of zebrafish though few studies contradict this. Aluminium nanoparticles showed no toxicity and role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in enhancing the toxicity of nanoparticles have also been discussed.

Synthesis of a precursor of D-fagomine by immobilized fructose-6-phosphate aldolase

Fructose-6-phosphate aldolase (FSA) is an important enzyme for the C-C bond-forming reactions in organic synthesis. The present work is focused on the synthesis of a precursor of D-fagomine catalyzed by a mutant FSA. The biocatalyst has been immobilized onto several supports: magnetic nanoparticle clusters (mNC), cobalt-chelated agarose (Co-IDA), amino-functionalized agarose (MANA-agarose) and glyoxal-agarose, obtaining a 29.0%, 93.8%, 89.7% and 53.9% of retained activity, respectively. Glyoxal-agarose FSA derivative stood up as the best option for the synthesis of the precursor of D-fagomine due to the high reaction rate, conversion, yield and operational stability achieved. FSA immobilized in glyoxal-agarose could be reused up to 6 reaction cycles reaching a 4-fold improvement in biocatalyst yield compared to the non-immobilized enzyme.

High NH3-SCR reaction rate with low dependence on O2 partial pressure over Al-rich Cu–*BEA zeolite

It was revealed that Al-rich Cu–*BEA zeolite exhibit high reaction rate for NH3-SCR at 473 K in low PO2 reaction condition.

Selective addition of C-PVAm to improve dry strength of TMP mixed tissue paper

During the manufacture of low basis weight tissue paper, it is difficult to efficiently use the dry strength agent (DSA) because a large amount of DSA adsorbed fines releases in forming roll by centrifugal forces. In this study, cationic polyvinylamine (C-PVAm) was used as a DSA in an environment where the retention of fines was weak. Addition of C-PVAm to the thermomechanical pulp (TMP) or TMP mixed with softwood bleached kraft pulp (SwBKP) improved the turbidity of filtrate from sheet former, however, the strength of handsheet paper was similar to that without C-PVAm. When C-PVAm was selectively added to SwBKP as much as 4 %, the tensile index could be improved by approximately 10.6 % without changing the retention of fines. In addition, C-PVAm added before the beating of SwBKP showed better results than C-PVAm added after the beating in terms of fines retention, tensile index, and formation. In particular, the tensile index was improved about 7.7 % by adding of C-PVAm 4 % as is before beating of SwBKP. Consequently, it was found that C-PVAm with a high reaction rate can be added before beating of SwBKP to improve the physical strength.

Fabrication of Colorimetric Textile Sensor Based on Rhodamine Dye for Acidic Gas Detection

For the immediate detection of gaseous strong acids, it is advantageous to employ colorimetric textile sensors based on halochromic dyes. Thus, a rhodamine dye with superior pH sensitivity and high thermal stability was synthesized and incorporated in nylon 6 and polyester fabrics to fabricate textile sensors through dyeing and printing methods. The spectral properties and solubility of the dye were examined; sensitivity to acidic gas as well as durability and reversibility of the fabricated textile sensors were investigated. Both dyed and printed sensors exhibited a high reaction rate and distinctive color change under the acidic condition owing to the high pH sensitivity of the dye. In addition, both sensors have outstanding durability and reversibility after washing and drying.

N-Lipidated Amino Acids and Peptides Immobilized on Cellulose Able to Split Amide Bonds

N-lipidated short peptides and amino acids immobilized on the cellulose were used ascatalysts cleaved amide bonds under biomimetic conditions. In order to select catalytically mostactive derivatives a library of 156 N-lipidated amino acids, dipeptides and tripeptides immobilizedon cellulose was obtained. The library was synthesized from serine, histidine and glutamic acidpeptides N-acylated with heptanoic, octanoic, hexadecanoic and (E)-octadec-9-enoic acids.Catalytic efficiency was monitored by spectrophotometric determination of p-nitroaniline formedby the hydrolysis of a 0.1 M solution of Z-Leu-NP. The most active 8 structures contained tripeptidefragment with 1-3 serine residues. It has been found that incorporation of metal ions into catalyticpockets increase the activity of the synzymes. The structures of the 17 most active catalysts selectedfrom the library of complexes obtained with Cu2+ ion varied from 16 derivatives complexed withZn2+ ion. For all of them, a very high reaction rate during the preliminary phase of measurementswas followed by a substantial slowdown after 1 h. The catalytic activity gradually diminished aftersubsequent re-use. HPLC analysis of amide bond splitting confirmed that substrate consumptionproceeded in two stages. In the preliminary stage 24–40% of the substrate was rapidly hydrolysedfollowed by the substantially lower reaction rate. Nevertheless, using the most competentsynzymes product of hydrolysis was formed with a yield of 60–83% after 48h under mild andstrictly biomimetic conditions.

A ruthenium-based plasmonic hybrid photocatalyst for aqueous carbon dioxide conversion with a high reaction rate and selectivity

A cis-ruthenium complex fixed on a plasmonic Au/TiO2 nanostructure efficiently converts CO2 into formic acid even in low pH water.

Green synthesis of Au nanoparticles using an aqueous extract ofStachys lavandulifoliaand their catalytic performance for alkyne/aldehyde/amine A3coupling reactions

High reaction rate and easy availability make green synthesis of metal nanoparticles noticeable.

The Experiment Research of Gas-Assisted Ion Etching Nanograting

By using scanning electron microscope and focused ion beam (SEM-FIB) dual beam system which was self-assembled, with xenon diflouride, nanograting structure has been successfully processed on the gilded silicon wafer. The grating period is 950 nm, and the width of single etched groove is 652 nm. Gas-assisted ion etching is also known as focused ion beam assisted etching (FIBAE). The working principle of FIBAE was analyzed firstly. The different experimental results of nanograting structures which were fabricated by FIBAE and FIB alone were investigated. And the effect of exposure time on nanograting structures was also studied detailed in the FIBAE process. The Results showed that FIBAE has the technology advantage of high reaction rate, saving time, reducing costs, and deep etching, and it provides an effective method for processing nanograting of high depth in the future.