Heterogeneous photocatalysis for removal of microbes from water

Increasing water pollution by microbes has become a source of serious health concern across the globe. Production of potentially carcinogenic disinfection by-products has marred credibility of traditional water purification techniques like chlorination. Photocatalysis has emerged as a promising alternative technique for the disinfection of water with minimal risk of harmful by-products. The process involves a wide band gap semiconductor material which, upon irradiation of light, produces electrons and holes with high redox potential to degrade organic contaminants and microbes. In this review, we analyze the research trends in photocatalytic inactivation of water borne microorganisms. This report analyzes the major factors that affect the disinfection efficiency using this process. The discussion also includes plausible mechanisms of microbial degradation as well as a kinetic model of the inactivation process. Different approaches, like doping of semiconductors or energy band engineering or plasmon coupling, have been reported for the enhancement and utilization of ambient solar light. Photocatalysis could be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly water purification technique though further research is required to enhance its efficiency with the use of solar light.     

Elevated blood lead levels and cytogenetic markers in buccal epithelial cells of painters in India

Background, aim, and scope  

Lead, a major contaminant, is highly used in paint manufacturing due to its anticorrosive properties. Recent reports indicated high lead content among Indian paints used for commercial purposes. Painters are continuously exposed to these lead containing paints during painting of both commercial as well as residential buildings. Lead is well-known for its genotoxicty in occupational workers; however, in Indian painters the genotoxic effects of lead have not been reported to date. Therefore we aimed to study the genotoxic end points in painters due to their long-term exposure to these high lead-containing Indian paints.     

Foliar uptake of arsenic nanoparticles by spinach: an assessment of physiological and human health risk implications

Atmospheric contamination by heavy metal(loid)–enriched particulate matter (metal-PM) is highly topical these days because of its high persistence, toxic nature, and health risks. Globally, foliar uptake of metal(loid)s occurs for vegetables/crops grown in the vicinity of industrial or urban areas with a metal-PM-contaminated atmosphere. The current study evaluated the foliar uptake of arsenic (As), accumulation of As in different plant organs, its toxicity (in terms of ROS generation, chlorophyll degradation, and lipid peroxidation), and its defensive mechanism (antioxidant enzymes) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) after foliar application of As in the form of nanoparticles (As-NPs). The As-NPs were prepared using a chemical method. Results indicate that spinach can absorb As via foliar pathways (0.50 to 0.73 mg/kg in leaves) and can translocate it towards root tissues (0.35 to 0.68 mg/kg). However, health risk assessment parameters showed that the As level in the edible parts of spinach was below the critical limit (hazard quotient <?1). Despite low tissue level, As-NP exposure caused phytotoxicity in terms of a decrease in plant dry biomass (up to 84%) and pigment contents (up to 38%). Furthermore, several-fold higher activities of antioxidant enzymes were observed under metal stress than control. However, no significant variation was observed in the level of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which can be its possible transformation to other forms of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is proposed that As can be absorbed by spinach via foliar pathway and then disturbs the plant metabolism. Therefore, air quality needs to be considered and monitored continuously for the human health risk assessment and quality of vegetables cultivated on polluted soils (roadside and industrial vicinity).

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Microbial phytotoxins as potential herbicides

Abstract

Microbes are sources of a diverse array of phytotoxic compounds. These compounds are generally structurally different from commercial herbicides, targeting different molecular sites of action within the plant. These novel structures and sites can be excellent leads for the discovery and development of safer synthetic herbicides. Microbial phytotoxins are often more environmentally benign than synthetic herbicides. Examples of phytotoxins from fungi (AAL‐toxin, cornexistin, cyperin, and tentoxin) with novel structures and sites of action are discussed. AAL‐toxin is toxic to a wide variety of weeds at very low dose rates. AAL‐toxin and many of its analogues kill plants by inhibiting a ceramide synthase‐like enzyme, causing rapid accumulation of free sphingoid bases that disrupt membranes. Cornexistin appears to be metabolically cnverted to an inhibitor of certain aspartate amino transferase isoenzymes. Its activity can be reversed by feeding aspartate and glutamate or with tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Its activity is much like that of (aminooxy)acetate. Cyperin is a diphenylether phytotoxin that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase, but does not kill plants by this mechanism. It appears to have other effects on porphyrin metabolism. Tentoxin is toxic by two mechanisms. It disrupts chloroplast development by inhibiting the processing of a nuclear‐coded plastid protein, and it also inhibits photophosphorylation by acting as an energy transfer inhibitor of coupling factor 1 ATPase. Other examples of phytotoxins from microbes with promise as herbicides will be mentioned.     

Deltamethrin-induced alteration of iron metabolism in Wistar rats

Abstract

The impact of sub-lethal exposure to deltamethrin on the expression of hepcidin, ferroportin and transferrin genes in Wistar rats was studied. A dosage of 30?mg/kg per day for five days was found to modify the hepcidin-ferroportin axis that primarily governs iron homeostasis. Significant variations in erythrocyte, leukocyte, lymphocyte, platelet and monocyte counts, as well as the reduced serum protein profile, suggested anemia. The results collectively demonstrated the novel finding of deltamethrin’s disruptive effect on iron homeostasis.     

Challenges in building resilience engineering (RE) and adaptive capacity: A field study in a chemical plant

Safety issue in a chemical plant is absolutely critical because loss of control can result in a catastrophic consequence which is not limited to the boundaries of the plant. Thus, a risk assessment system is required for (a) preventing accidents by anticipation, (b) surviving disturbances by recovery, and (c) handling disruptive events by adaptation. RE is a proactive approach claiming to achieve all these objectives. The present research tries to identify challenges in the procedure of building RE and its adaptive capacity in a chemical plant. Primary data were collected through on-site observations and interviewing personnel. The results indicated the main challenges could be classified into nine categories of: lack of explicit experience about RE, intangibility of RE level, choosing production over safety, lack of reporting systems, ‘religious beliefs’, out-of-date procedures and manuals, poor feedback loop, and economic problems. Finally, it is concluded that the management insight about safety in such systems should avoid hindsight bias and tend to create foresight. Changing this insight can lead to achieve high reliability and resilience in the plant.     

Endosulfan is toxic to the reproductive health of male freshwater fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinion watsoni</Emphasis>

Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide that is toxic to aquatic life. Endosulfan might hamper the reproductive health of indigenous fish in agricultural areas of Pakistan where this pesticide is sprayed widely. The aim of the current study is to investigate the toxic effects of endosulfan on selected reproductive parameters of male freshwater fish, Cyprinion watsoni. Two concentrations of endosulfan (0.5 and 1 ppb for 30 days exposure) were tested for their effects on body weight, body length, and testicular weight, length, and width. Testicular testosterone was assayed from tissue extracts using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A significant increase in the mortality rate was observed in both treated groups during both spawning and quiescent seasons. The overall behavior of fish in the aquarium was normal in all control and treated groups. However, the treated fish exhibited anxiety after treatment with endosulfan. The body weight and length, and testicular weight, length and width were not significantly different to the control group. The testicular testosterone concentrations were significantly lower in both endosulfan-treated groups compared to the control. The decrease was dose-dependent, with a significant difference between the two treated groups. The histomorphological results demonstrated various testicular alterations in the treated groups. These alterations included an increase in interlobular areas and clumping patterns in spermatocytes/spermatids. Because spermatids eventually differentiate into sperms, their low count will directly result in lower sperm count. Taken together, these results suggest that endosulfan is a toxicant that at least disturbs testosterone levels (possibly others) and negatively impacts the reproductive health of male freshwater fish.     

One-step synthesis of N-doped metal/biochar composite using NH3-ambiance pyrolysis for efficient degradation and mineralization of Methylene Blue

A series of new biochar-supported composite based on the combination of biochar and metallic nanoparticles(NPs)were produced through single-step pyrolysis of FeCl_3–Ti(OBu)_4 laden agar biomass under NH_3 environment.The physiochemical properties of composites were characterized thoroughly.It has found that heating temperature and N-doping through NH_3-ambiance pyrolysis significantly influence the visible-light sensitivity and bandgap energy of composites.The catalytic activities of composites were measured by degradation of Methylene Blue(MB)in the presence or absence of H_2O_2 and visible-light irradiation.Our best catalyst(N–TiO_2–Fe_3O_4-biochar)exhibits rapid and high MB removal competency(99.99%)via synergism of adsorption,photodegradation,and Fenton-like reaction.Continuous production of O_2U~-and UOH radicles performs MB degradation and mineralization,confirmed by scavenging experiments and degradation product analysis.The local trap state Ti~(3+),Fe_3O_4,and N-carbon of the catalyst acted as active sites.It has suggested that the Ti~(3+)and N-doped dense carbon layer improve charge separation and shuttle that prolonged photo-Fenton like reaction.Moreover,the catalyst is highly stable,collectible,and recyclable up to 5 cycles with high MB degradation efficiency.This work provides a new insight into the synthesis of highly visible-light sensitized biocharsupported photocatalyst through NH_3-ambiance pyrolysis of NPs-laden biomass.