Molecular docking analysis on antifungal properties of acid condensate produced from palm kernel shell

The rise in the number of fungi that resisted antifungal action is of serious concern nowadays. In this study, the potential of acid condensate (AC) produced from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of palm kernel shell (PKS) was investigated for its antifungal properties through molecular docking evaluation. The phenolic-rich AC was determined for its chemical compositions using the GC–MS analysis where compounds with the highest phenolics content were further evaluated (using the Autodock Tools 1.5.7) for its potential enzymes/protein binding properties. From the GC–MS analysis, catechol, guaiacol and syringol were present at highest percentages. This directly correlates with results obtained from the molecular docking works where all these ligands managed to bind (indicated by H-bond, π-stacking, hydrophobic interaction) with some of the amino acid at the active sites which indicate its potential to inhibit substrate binding of this enzyme. As a conclusion, this study demonstrated the potential use of AC from agricultural biomass such as PKS as a natural-based antifungal agent that can reduce environmental and health impacts.     

Polymeric Nanocomposite-Based Herbicide of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Coated-Zinc/Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide-Quinclorac: A Controlled Release Purpose for Agrochemicals

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In this work, the use of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is highlighted in enhancing the controlled release behaviour of zinc/aluminium layered double...     

The role of halophytic nanoparticles towards the remediation of degraded and saline agricultural lands

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Salinity is one of the major causes of abiotic stress that leads to a reduction in crop yield. One strategy to alleviate and improve crop yield is to...     

Key indicator tools for shallow slope failure assessment using soil chemical property signatures and soil colour variables

Slope failure has become a major concern in Malaysia due to the rapid development and urbanisation in the country. It poses severe threats to any highway construction industry, residential areas, natural resources and tourism activities. The extent of damages that resulted from this catastrophe can be lessened if a long-term early warning system to predict landslide prone areas is implemented. Thus, this study aims to characterise the relationship between Oxisols properties and soil colour variables to be manipulated as key indicators to forecast shallow slope failure. The concentration of each soil property in slope soil was evaluated from two different localities that consist of 120 soil samples from stable and unstable slopes located along the North-South Highway (PLUS) and East-West Highway (LPT). Analysis of variance established highly significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the locations, the total organic carbon (TOC), soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil texture, soil chromaticity and all combinations of interactions. The overall CIELAB analysis leads to the conclusion that the CIELAB variables lightness L*, c* (Chroma) and h* (Hue) provide the most information about soil colour and other related soil properties. With regard to the relationship between colour variables and soil properties, the analysis detected that soil texture, organic carbon, iron oxide and aluminium concentration were the key factors that strongly correlate with soil colour variables at the studied area. Indicators that could be used to predict shallow slope failure were high value of L*(62), low values of c* (20) and h* (66), low concentration of iron (53 mg kg^?1) and aluminium oxide (37 mg kg^?1), low soil TOC (0.5%), low CEC (3.6 cmol/kg), slightly acidic soil pH (4.9), high amount of sand fraction (68%) and low amount of clay fraction (20%).     

Levels of dioxins in soil and corn tissues after 30 years of biosolids application

Detectable levels of dioxins have been reported in biosolids, but very little information is available on the effect of long-term application of biosolids on dioxins accumulation in soil and uptake by plants. We analyzed dioxins in soil and corn tissue samples from field plots after 30 continuous applications of biosolids at 0 (Control), 16.8, and 67.2 Mg biosolids ha(-1) yr(-1) resulting in 0, 504, and 2016 Mg ha(-1) cumulative loadings of biosolids, respectively. The levels of dioxins in soil were only 79.9, 115.5, and 247.5 ng toxic equivalents (TEQs) kg(-1) in the 0, 504, and 2016 Mg biosolids ha(-1) plots, respectively. Dioxins were not detected in the corn grain, and only trace levels (6.8-7.5 ng TEQs kg(-1)) were found in the corn stover; however, these values were not statistically different between control and biosolids-amended soils. These observations suggest that although long-term application of biosolids may increase the levels of dioxins in soil, it does not affect dioxins uptake by corn.     

Characterization and antiinflammatory properties of fractionated pyroligneous acid from palm kernel shell

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Pyroligneous acid (PA) obtained from slow pyrolysis of palm kernel shell (PKS) has high total phenolic contents and exhibits various biological...