Synthesis and potential applications of cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks: a review

Metal–organic frameworks are porous polymeric materials formed by linking metal ions with organic bridging ligands. Metal–organic frameworks are used as sensors, catalysts for organic transformations, biomass conversion, photovoltaics, electrochemical applications, gas storage and separation, and photocatalysis. Nonetheless, many actual metal–organic frameworks present limitations such as toxicity of preparation reagents and components, which make frameworks unusable for food and pharmaceutical applications. Here, we review the structure, synthesis and properties of cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks that could be used in bioapplications. Synthetic methods include vapor diffusion, microwave-assisted, hydro/solvothermal, and ultrasound techniques. The vapor diffusion method can produce cyclodextrin-based metal–organic framework crystals with particle sizes ranging from 200 nm to 400 μm. Applications comprise food packaging, drug delivery, sensors, adsorbents, gas separation, and membranes. Cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks showed loading efficacy of the bioactive compounds ranging from 3.29 to 97.80%.

     

Assessment of Hg accumulation in fish and scalp hair in fishing communities along river Swat,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in fish poses severe threats to the food safety and human health. This study was conducted to assess Hg bioaccumulation...     

Utilization of different plant species for dewatering of sewage sludge

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Bench-scale and pilot-scale experiments were conducted in an outdoor environment to study the ability of some plant species in dewatering of sewage...     

Magnetic nanocomposites for sustainable water purification—a comprehensive review

Numerous contaminants in huge amounts are discharged to the environment from various anthropogenic activities. Waterbodies are one of the major receivers of these contaminants. The contaminated water can pose serious threats to humans and animals, by distrubing the ecosystem. In treating the contaminated water, adsorption processes have attained significant maturity due to lower cost, easy operation and environmental friendliness. The adsorption process uses various adsorbent materials and some of emerging adsorbent materials include carbon- and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites. These hybrid magnetic nanocomposites have attained extensive applications in water treatment technologies due to their magnetic properties as well as combination of unique characteristics of organic and inorganic elements. Carbon- and polymer-related magnetic nanocomposites are more adapted materials for the removal of various kinds of contaminants from waterbodies. These nanocomposites can be produced via different approaches such as filling, pulse-laser irradiation, ball milling, and electro-spinning. This comprehensive review is compiled by reviewing published work of last the latest recent 3 years. The review article extensively focuses on different approaches for producing various carbon- and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites, their merits and demerits and applications for sustainable water purification. More specifically, use of carbon- and polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites for removal of heavy metal ions and dyes is discussed in detail, critically analyzed and compared with other technologies. In addition, commercial viability in terms of regeneration of adsorbents is also reviewed. Furthermore, the future challenges and prospects in employing magnetic nanocomposites for contaminant removal from various water sources are presented.

     

The efficacy of an oxidation pond in mineralizing some industrial waste products with special reference to fluorene degradation: a case study

The efficacy of the oxidation pond on the outskirts of the 10th of Ramadan, the main industrial city, in Egypt was examined. Samples of wastewater collected from the inlet and the outlet were screened for some priority pollutants. Acenaphthene and fluorene were the most frequently detected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, while dimethyl phthalate was the most frequently detected phthalate ester. The spectrum of pollutants, their concentrations and frequencies were similar in the inlet and the outlet, indicating an inferior mineralization capability of the pond. Several degradative bacterial strains were isolated from the pond and grown on M56 minimal media supplemented with different pollutants as the carbon source. The efficacy of pure and mixed cultures to break down fluorene, the most frequently detected pollutant was examined. Fluorene degradation was fast in the first 10 days, then followed by a slow phase. Mixed culture had a higher rate of fluorene degradation in comparison to pure cultures. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of fluorene degradation showed three degradative metabolites. But GC/MS analysis detected one compound, identified as acetamide. The present work has indicated the poor efficacy of the pond. Lack of primary treatment of industrial effluent at factory level, coupled with shock loads of toxicants that may damage the microorganisms and their degradative capabilities are presumably main factors behind such inferior performance. Moreover, the type of pollutants discharged into the pond tend to fluctuate and change depending on the rate from the factories discharge and work shifts. Such irregular feeding of persistent pollutants may have led to a wash out of specialized strains of bacteria capable to degrade such persistent pollutants.     

Levels of selected essential and toxic elements in the foodstuffs of Islamabad as analyzed by DPASV

Typical dietary components such as vegetables, wheat flour, milk, chicken and drinking water samples have been analyzed for the quantification of essential trace elements like Zn and Cu and potentially toxic trace elements like Pb and Cd. The sensitivity, selectivity and cost effectiveness of Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetric method at Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode has been evaluated and used for the analysis. A database covering the adequacy and safety of trace elements through common food articles was first contrived for the Islamabad region. This was followed by assessment of the mobility rate of the heavy metals in the soil, plant system for evaluation of the environmental impact. The method used was also validated using appropriate certified reference materials.     

Toxicological effects of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine on electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) acetylcholinesterase and human serum butyrylcholinesterase

This study examined the adverse effects of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) on electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Data show that TEMED inhibited AChE in electric eel as well as human serum BChE. Kinetic studies indicated that the inhibition produced by TEMED in both sources was of mixed type, i.e. K_m increased and V _max decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. K_I (constant of ChE–substrate–TEMED complex into ChE–substrate complex and TEMED) was estimated to be 0.674 mM for electric eel and 0.024 mM for human serum BChE. The γK_m (dissociation constant of ChE–substrate–TEMED complex into ChE–TEMED complex and substrate) was 0.083 and 0.2 mM for electric eel AChE and human serum BChE, respectively. The IC₅₀ for electric eel and for human serum ChE was 1.57 and 0.043 mM, respectively. The present results suggest that TEMED produced adverse effects on electric eel and human serum via inhibition of ChE.     

Potential histopathological and molecular changes in rat vas deferens inhaled by Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii

Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii released from smoke contaminate indoor environment and consequently adversely affect humans as evidenced by respiratory disturbances. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of these plants on pathological and biochemical changes in vas deferens of albino rats. Animals were administered 4 g/kg body weight B. papyrifera and B. carterii daily for 120 days along with controls. Significant changes were observed in epithelial cell types and some cells showed signs of degeneration. The ultrastructural studies revealed marked changes in cytoplasmic organelles. Microvilli were missing and lysosomes were found in the cytoplasm. In addition, all treated groups plasma fructose and other biochemical parameters were decreased indicating reduced energy necessary for motility and contractility of spermatozoa. Many spermatozoa were disorganized and agglomerated. Data suggest that smoke from these plants adversely affects vas deferens.     

Determination of pesticide residues in muscle of Cyprinus carpio from River Ravi

The levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, carbofuran, and cartap were determined in muscles of Cyprinus Carpio sampled from 10 different sites of River Ravi between Shahdara to Balloki Headworks to assess level of contamination of these pesticides by GC-ECD (gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector) method. All fish samples were found contaminated with different concentrations of DDT, DDE, endosulfan, and carbofuran. DDT and DDE concentrations were higher than maximum residue limits (MRL) in food standards, while endosulfan sulfate and cartap were not detected. These findings indicate that pesticide concentrations in fish muscles decreased in the order: DDT > DDE > carbofuran > endosulfan. Furthermore, the sampling sites after Degh fall and beyond Hudiara Nulla Fall river sampling sites were more polluted. It is proposed that constant monitoring programs are needed to assess potential exposure risks.     

Pharmacological evaluation of crude methanolic extract of Kalanchoe pinnata leaves

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in maintaining human health. Kalanchoe pinnata has been used for treatment of different ailments like infections, rheumatism, and inflammation. Data showed that Kalancho pinnata methanolic extract (100 or 1000 μg/ml) significantly inhibited growth of shoots (hypocotyls) and roots (radicals) of rice compared to control after 3 or 7 days treatment. Further, the Kalancho pinnata methanolic extract (50–1000 μg/ml) exhibited antioxidant properties and scavenged free radicals in dose-dependent manner compared with a standard antioxidant (ascorbic acid). Kalancho pinnata methanolic extract also possesses antifungal property that inhibited approximately 76% and 51% growth of Aspergillus flavous and Aspergillus niger, respectively, using the extract at 200 μg/ml.