Aqueous extract of broccoli mediated synthesis of CaO nanoparticles and its application in the photocatalytic degradation of bromocrescol green
CaO nanoparticles have been prepared using CaCl2 and aqueous extract of broccoli as a precursor and reducing agent, respectively. Different volumes of the aqueous broccoli extract were utilised to obtain Ca(OH)2 and subsequent calcination gave CaO nanoparticles. The synthesised CaO was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology was studied using transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), and the surface composition of Ca(OH)2 was explored using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The major functional groups present in the capping material responsible for the reduction of the metal salt and the surface p...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 4, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Biosynthesis of bimetallic and core–shell nanoparticles: their biomedical applications – a review
Recently, researchers succeeded in designing and manufacturing a new class of nanoparticles (NPs) called hybrid NPs. Among hybrid NPs, bimetallic and core–shell NPs were a revolutionary step in NPs science. A large number of green physiochemical and methods for nanostructures synthesis have been published. Eventually, physiochemical methods are either expensive or require the use of chemical compounds for the synthesis of bimetallic and core–shell nanostructures. The main challenges that scientists are facing are making the process cheaper, facile and eco-friendly efficient synthesis process. Green synthesis ...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 4, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Plant-based metallic nanoparticles as potential theranostics agents: bioinspired tool for imaging and treatment
This article highlights the theranostic role of NPs with emphasis on potential of plants to produce these NPs through ecofriendly approach that is called ‘Green synthesis’. Biosynthesis, advantages, and disadvantages of plant-based theronostics have been discussed for better understanding. Moreover, this article has highlighted the approaches required to optimise the plant-mediated synthesis of NPs and to avoid the toxicity of these agents. Anticipating all of the challenges, the authors expect biogenic NPs can appear as potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents in near future. (Source: IET Nanobiotechnology)
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 4, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Nanohexaconazole: synthesis, characterisation and efficacy of a novel fungicidal nanodispersion
Here, the authors describe a simple method to formulate the nanodispersion of hexaconazole (hexa); henceforth, referred to as nanohexaconazole (N-hexa) that is water soluble and effective against several species of Aspergillus. Size and shape of the prepared nanocomposite was determined with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Nanohexaconazole structure was further confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The antifungal efficacy of nanohexaconazole (N-hexa) was studied in vitro, compared with micronise...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Fungal xylanases-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for catalytic and biomedical applications
This study has demonstrated the potential of xylanases to synthesise AgNPs which is to the best of our knowledge the first record of such. The present study underscores the relevance of xylanases in nanobiotechnology. (Source: IET Nanobiotechnology)
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles with enhanced antimicrobial, antioxidant, and catalytic activities
The present work is emphasised on the bio-fabrication of silver and gold nanoparticles in a single step by a microwave-assisted method using the leaf extract of Synedrella nodiflora as both reducing and stabilising agent. The synthesised nanoparticles are highly stable and show surface plasmon resonance peak at 413 and 535 nm, respectively, for silver and gold nanoparticles in UV–Vis spectrum. The functional group responsible for the reduction of metal ions were obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The crystalline nature of nanoparticles with face-centred cubic geometry was confirmed by the ...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Synthesis and characterisation of liposomal doxorubicin with loaded gold nanoparticles
Developing nanostructures for cancer treatment is growing significantly. Liposomal doxorubicin is a drug that is used in the clinic and represents a lot of benefits over doxorubicin. The development of multifunctional liposomes with different cancer treatment capability enables broader applications of doxorubicin chemotherapy. Many efforts were carried to prepare more effective liposomal formulation through loading gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the formulation. Here, GNPs with an average size of 6 nm were loaded in liposomal formulation alongside doxorubicin. The hydrodynamic diameter of final formulation was 177.3&#...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Laser-induced heating for in situ DNA replication and detection in microchannels
This study proposes a method for in situ local deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication and detection in a long DNA strand through laser-induced heating and strong avidin–biotin binding. To achieve the target DNA replication, dielectrophoresis was generated to stretch and immobilise DNA strands on both ends of the electrode. Subsequently, local DNA sequences were replicated using thermal cycles generated by laser-induced heating. Replicated double-stranded DNA products were captured in situ on a solid surface and detected using the fluorescence intensity of quantum dots (Qdots). The results revealed that after six la...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

FSE–Ag complex NS: preparation and evaluation of antibacterial activity
Silver (Ag) complexes of drugs and their nanosystems have great potential as antibacterials. Recently, an Ag complex of furosemide (Ag–FSE) has shown to be a promising antimicrobial. However, poor solubility of Ag–FSE could hamper its introduction into clinics. Therefore, the authors developed a nanosuspension of Ag–FSE (Ag–FSE_NS) for its solubility and antibacterial activity enhancement. The aim of this study was to introduce a novel nanoantibiotic with enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Ag–FSE_NS was prepared by precipitation–ultrasonication technique. Size, polydispersity index (...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Biological synthesis and characterisation of silver nanoparticles using Pseudomonas geniculata H10 for pharmaceutical activity
In the present study, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were synthesised for the first time using Pseudomonas geniculata H10 as reducing and stabilising agents. The synthesis of SNPs was the maximum when the culture supernatant was treated with 2.5 mM AgNO3 at pH 7 and 40°C for 10 h. The SNPs were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction and UV–vis spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of proteins, suggesting they may have been responsib...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Optimisation of green synthesis of MnO nanoparticles via utilising response surface methodology
This study concerns the optimisation of green synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO NPs) with Dittrichia graveolens (L.) extract via response surface methodology (RSM). Central composite design was used to evaluate the effect of pH, time, and the extract to the metal ratio on the synthesised nanoparticles (NPs). Nine runs were designed to investigate the effect of each parameter while NPs were synthesised under different conditions. Considering the p-values (p-value < 0.05), it is indicated that the extract to the metal ratio was the most effective parameter. The synthesised NPs were characterised using...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Core/shell nanoassembly of amphiphilic naproxen-polyethylene glycol: synthesis, characterisation and evaluation as drug delivery system
Small molecule-based amphiphiles self-assemble into nanostructures (micelles) in aqueous medium which are currently being explored as novel drug delivery systems. Here, naproxen-polyethylene glycol (N-PEG), a small molecule-derived amphiphile, has been synthesised, characterised and evaluated as hydrophobic drug carrier. 1H, 13C Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of N-PEG and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed the formation of nano-sized structures of ∼228 nm. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis s...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Fabrication of cellulose nanoparticles through electrospraying
This study reports the fabrication of cellulose nanoparticles through electrospraying the solution of cellulose in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride solvent as well as investigating the effect of electrospraying conditions and molecular weight on the average size of electrosprayed nanoparticles. Electrospraying of cellulose was carried out with the following range for each factor, namely concentration = 1–3 wt%, voltage = 15–23 kV, nozzle–collector distance = 10–25 cm, and feed rate = 0.03–0.0875 ml/h...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Efavirenz oral delivery via lipid nanocapsules: formulation, optimisation, and ex-vivo gut permeation study
Present investigation aimed to prepare, optimise, and characterise lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) for improving the solubility and bioavailability of efavirenz (EFV). EFV-loaded LNCs were prepared by the phase-inversion temperature method and the influence of various formulation variables was assessed using Box–Behnken design. The prepared formulations were characterised for particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and release efficiency (RE). The biocompatibility of optimised formulation on Caco-2 cells was determined using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazo...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Synthesis of Co3O4/graphene nanocomposite using paraffin wax for adsorption of methyl violet in water
This study discusses the use of Co3O4 impregnated graphene (CoOIG) as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of methyl violet (MV) dye from wastewater. CoOIG nanocomposites have been prepared by pyrolyzing paraffin wax with cobalt acetate. The synthesised nanocomposite was characterised by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, Raman spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm studies. The above studies indicate that the composites have cobalt oxide nanoparticles of size 51–58 nm embedded in...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 17, 2018 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research