A review on the use of nanomaterials in agriculture: benefits and associated health risks

Background: The present world population is about 7.9 billion and it is increasing continuously. Thus, there is an urgent requirement to enhance the agricultural output sustainably. Agricultural approaches such as the use of advanced agriculture methods, high productivity varieties, and enhanced application of fertilizers and pesticides have significantly increased food grain production but in an unsustainable way. Chemical-based conventional fertilizers and pesticides have been found associated with environmental pollution and other unwanted effects on the ecosystem, soil quality, and soil microflora, etc. Nanomaterials may be used to replace conventional fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide information about the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the use of nanomaterials in agriculture. Including this, the health risks of nanomaterials are discussed. Method: This review article includes a survey of literature from different online sources (for example, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, etc.). Results: The improvement in agricultural output using chemical fertilizers and pesticides is considered unsustainable as it is increasing the cost of production, affecting the soil quality, disturbing nutrient availability in crops, and causing environmental pollution. Nanotechnology is a potent innovative practice and nanomaterials may be used in agriculture as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nanosensors. Although these approaches have the potential to enhance agricultural productivity in a sustainable way, nanomaterials are also assumed to exhibit potential health risks to humans. Reports have indicated that nanomaterials have been found associated with many systematic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurotoxicity, and toxicity to the reproductive system, etc. Conclution: It is well accepted that chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture cause environmental toxicity and affect ecosystem activity. Nanomaterials have the potential to enhance agricultural output, but these are also associated with health risks. Thus, detailed scientific studies must be conducted about the potential health risk of nanomaterials before their commercial applications in agriculture.

Future trends in carbon nanotubes: Process towards a viable biomedical solution

Background: Recently, Nanomaterials based nano-composite materials play the role of various field. Especially, Carbon nanotube based materials are involved in the bio-medical applications.Since, their exclusive and exciting property, researchers worldwide have extensively involved in trans-modulating the carbon nanotubes into a viable medico-friendly system. Objective: These active researches paved the path towards targeted drug delivery, diagnostic techniques, and bio-analytical applications. Despite these exciting properties, which accomplish the probable for biomedical applications, they hold Biosafety issues. Methods: This broad-spectrum review has discussed different aspects of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube-based systems related to biomedical applications. Results: Adding to this, a short chronological description of these tiny yet powerful particles given, followed by a discussion regarding their types, properties, methods of synthesis, scale-up, purification techniques and characterization aspects of carbon nanotubes. Conclusion: In the later part, the functionalization of carbon nanotubes was reviewed in detail, which is important to make them biocompatible and stable in biological systems and render them a great property of loading various biomolecules diagnostic and therapeutic moieties. Lastly, an inclusive description of the potential biomedical applications has been given followed by insights into the future.

Solution combustion synthesis, characterization, photocatalytic activity and electrochemical studies of yttrium stabilized zirconia ( Zr0.72 Y0.28 O1.862 ) nanopowder.

Background: In our work, we effectively synthesized Yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) Zr0.72 Y0.28 O1.862 nanopowder by solution combustion method using yttrium nitrate (Y(NO3)3.6H2O), zirconyl nitrate (ZrO(NO3)2.XH2O) as oxidizers and ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as a fuel. The as-synthesized nanopowder was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Breauner Emmet Teller (BET) surface area, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV-DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) technique. The phase formation of YSZ nanopowder was analysed by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) revealed the formation of pure cubic phase of YSZ (Zr0.72 Y0.28 O1.862) nanopowder and the crystallite size of 15.4 nm was calculated by using Scherrer’s formula. Methods: The porous morphology of the product was observed by SEM images. The relatively larger surface area of 87.17 m2g–1 was measured by BET surface area. TEM analysis revealed uniform particle size distribution with average particle sizes varying in the range of 20-100 nm. The UV-Vis DRS spectrum was used to calculate the absorption wavelength (339 nm) and the corresponding band gap (3.72 eV) using Tauc plot. The photoluminescence spectrum of YSZ nanopowder showed an emission peak at 339 nm. Results: The photodegradation (decolourisation) of methylene blue (MB) dye was increased from 75-90% with increase in the concentration of YSZ photocatalyst from 100 mg to 400 mg due to availability of OH radicals in the presence of UV radiation. Conclusion : The electrochemical studies using cyclic voltammetry reveal a substantial increase in current density of YSZ electrode from 0.0001A to 0.0005A when compared with bare carbon electrode and the instantaneous rise in redox current for the YSZ electrodes from 0.0001A to 0.0005A with increasing scan rate from 10 mVs-1 to 90 mVs-1.

Green synthesis of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles pertinent to Catharanthus roseus and Moringa oleifera-A Review

Background: Biological synthesis via greener route attained eclectic interest for research investigators due to their reliable, sustainable, ecofriendly, and non-toxic nature since numerous efforts are made laterally with reflective applications by synthesizing diverse nanomaterials embraces, metals/metal oxide, hybrid, and bioinspired materials during past era. Objective: The present review reports and aimed to update and uncover all the minutiae regarding two medicinal plants sources allied with diversified metal and non-metal nanoparticle synthesis thru greener approach. Methods: The ornamental, medicinal plants such as Catharanthus roseus and Moringa oleifera have been broadly sightseen for the synthesis of varied nanoparticles due to existence of their innumerable phytochemical configuration which may act as bio-reducing and stabilizing agent by metallic/metal oxides, and non-metallic precursors such as silver, gold, sulphur, copper oxide, iron oxide, ruthenium oxide nanoparticles using either leaves infusions or part/whole plant. Conclusion: This report highlights with a phenomenon of using different parts of these two plants and their applications in varied scientific domains which may act as a promising drug candidates for drug delivery mechanism by means of nano approach.

Curcumin-based nanoformulations to target breast cancer: current trends and challenges

: Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers in women worldwide, and despite significant improvements in treatment modalities, the prognosis of this cancer is still poor. Herbs and plant extracts have been associated with various health benefits, and traditional folk medicine is still receiving great interest among patients as proven by accumulated records, tolerable side effects of herbal compounds compared to their synthetic counterparts, and low cost. Curcumin is a polyphenol identified as the main active ingredient in turmeric and has been used in the treatment of various diseases and ailments. Additionally, the pharmacological activities of curcumin on many cancers have been investigated substantially due to its ability to regulate many signaling pathways involved in cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the low solubility and bioavailability of curcumin limit its benefits, urging the need for new curcumin formulations and delivery systems. Nanotechnology has been widely publicized in cancer treatment not only to overcome the limitations of poorly soluble and physiologically unstable compounds but also to improve the delivery of the drug to the diseased site and cellular uptake. In this review, we summarized the main anti-tumor effect of curcumin and its mode of action on breast cancer and focused on the anticancer efficacy of various and recent curcumin nanoformulations and delivery systems. Such nanotechnological systems could pave the way to address a new future direction in this research area, enhancing the therapeutic potential of curcumin in the treatment of breast cancer. In the next few years, there will be more focus on developing curcumin-based materials for breast cancer treatment.

Graphene-Based Nanocarriers: A Review On Characterization, Ph-Light Sensitivity And Molecular Bio-Compatibility For Targeted Drug Delivery

Background: Graphene-based nanomaterials is a carbon material with different properties made from graphene. As chemical modifications are done such as oxidation is done to form graphene oxide which on reduction form reduced graphene oxide and also graphene quantum dots nanosheets. This enables the broad selectivity for a researcher to study graphene material in the biomedical application and targeted drug delivery. Objective: The objective is to elaborate briefly on the graphene nanomaterials and their derivatives. Along with their appropriate synthesis, and characterization. The different parameters were evaluated using FT-IR, SEM-TEM, AFM and UV Spectroscopy. Also having biomedical applications with various treatments and scanning techniques. Methods: The methods used for the synthesis of graphene nanomaterial such as Hammers and its modified method, Brodie’s method, Staudenmaier’s Method, Tour’s method was termed accordingly. Various characterization parameters are categorized with specifications related to graphene and its modified forms which determines the assurance and safety parameters. Results: Graphene-based material and nanocarriers are promising agents in targeting the site and control the release rate of the drug in DDSs. It has gain superior results in the field of biomedical and compatibility in gene delivery as vector and cancer treatment. Conclusion: This review mentions various graphene-based materials, with their unique properties that make changes in their own characteristic’s features, also the compatibility surface modification done by a variety of synthesis methods; it is a good vector or nano-carrier for the drug delivery, and safety data studies. Various characterization parameters are categorized with specifications related to graphene and its modified forms which determines the assurance and safety parameters.