Nirmala College

The last several years have seen a notable surge in the demand for nanotechnology. Two primary techniques- bottom-up and top-down approaches, are employed for nanostructure fabrication. The former concentrates on creating nanoscale structures using atomic and molecular components and the latter deals with creating nanomaterials from bulk structures. This approaches can be further classified into physical, chemical, and biological methods, encompassing a variety of techniques such as mechanical milling, sputtering, electro-explosion, laser ablation, chemical vapor deposition, solvothermal and hydrothermal methods, sol–gel synthesis, reverse micelle methods, and harnessing plants and microorganisms. During the production of nanomaterials, certain properties such as morphological features, topography, surface chemistry, composition, agglomeration, solubility, and hydrophilicity are crucial factors to examine. There are many useful applications for different kinds of nanomaterials. However, because of toxic nature and possible adverse effects, their usage is restricted. In an effort to mitigate the hazards related to nanomaterials, scientists are focusing on synthesizing them using green, or biological resources. Green nanotechnology describes the implementation of eco- friendly synthetic approaches to create particles that have fewer harmful effects and are sustainable. In addition to offering practical methods for product recycling, this drastically reduces waste production. Furthermore, the exceptional specificity of the biomolecules used in the biosynthesis process may allow for an extensive amount of regulation on characteristics of the generated nanoparticles. Sustainable development is becoming more and more popular in modern society, and innovative green nanoparticles are finding broad applications in the sectors of biomedicine, agriculture, and environment.

Nanotechnology is a scientific approach involves the manipulation of novel materials with chemical and physical properties in the nanoscale (1 to 100 nm). Their distinct physical, chemical and biological properties set them apart from bulk materials, rendering them ideal for an array of applications such as medicine, electronics and energy. The impact of nanoparticle on plants and animals has been an area of active research, and it encompasses both potential advantages and concerns. Nanoparticles have wide range of applications in the field of agriculture in terms of growth and development of crops. Nanotechnology is potent to transform the food and agricultural industry by increasing the absorption capacity of nutrients and rapid disease management in plant system. Nanoparticles play a vital role in the growth and promotion of plants due to its large surface area, high reactivity and scalable pore size. These particles also known as magic bullets because they contain nanofertilizers, pesticides, genes or herbicides. Engineered nanoparticles also show impacts on plant systems based on their physical and chemical properties as well as plant species. On the other side, there are several concerns regarding the incorporation of nanomaterials in plant system. Certain nanomaterial is found to exhibit toxicity in plants, which might affect their growth and development. This chapter mainly focuses on the impact of nanoparticles like Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Graphene Oxide (GO) and Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), Fullerenes, Gold nanoparticles, Silver nanoparticles, Zinc oxide nanoparticles, Silicon dioxide nanoparticles, and Titanium dioxide nanoparticle on plant growth and development.

Thinking out of the box is an analogy often used to portray diverse, unrestricted, novel or creative thinking. In order to come up with an innovative elucidation, we need to unravel exigent tribulations. In this book chapter, we introduce the outset called Plithogenic cubic offset, underset and overset for fuzzy, intuitionistic fuzzy and neutrosophic sets which helps to what we can accomplish except the limits we place on our own belief.

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as a valuable source of human health due to their therapeutic potential in treating a variety of diseases. Tarenna alpestris, a plant native to the Megamalai Hills in the Western Ghats of India, has traditionally been used for numerous medicinal purposes. However, despite its extensive use in folklore, scientific validation of its therapeutic properties remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition of Tarenna alpestris, assess its antioxidant properties, and explore its potential anticancer effects against HT-29 colon cancer cells. The phytochemical profile was determined using preliminary screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antioxidant activity was measured through DPPH, FRAP, H₂O₂, and N₂O₂ assays. The anticancer effects were investigated using the MTT assay for cell viability, AO/EtBr staining for apoptosis detection, DAPI staining for nuclear fragmentation analysis, and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis. The phytochemical analysis identified several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. Sixteen phytocomponents were detected from the extract by GCMS analysis, the major compounds are 9-octadecynoic acid (21%), N-hexadecanoic acid (16%), methylene diamine, N,N′-diacetyl (15%), 1-allyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diol (11%) 2-methyl-6-methylene-octa-1,7-dien-3-ol (5%), squalene (4%), and lupeol (3%) respectively. The antioxidant assays demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activity, with IC50 values comparable to known antioxidant standards. The antioxidant enzymatic activity of Tarenna alpestris extract suggests a potent ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect against oxidative damage. In vitro studies revealed that Tarenna alpestris extract significantly inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 colon cancer cells and induced apoptosis, based on concentration dependent manner. The concentration needed to inhibit 50% of cell growth, known as the IC50 value, was found to be 26 ± 0.20 μg/mL. Additionally, cell cycle analysis showed G0/G1 phase arrest in treated cells. Tarenna alpestris exhibits a robust phytochemical profile with substantial antioxidant and anticancer properties. These findings support its potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer prevention and treatment. Further research, including in vivo studies, is warranted to fully elucidate its therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action.

Here we study some important properties of the two-tailed Lindley distribution (TLD) and propose a location-scale extension of the TLD. Several properties of the extended TLD are also obtained and an attempt has been made for estimating its parameters by the method of maximum likelihood, along with brief discussion on the existence of the estimators. Further, the distribution is fitted to certain real life data sets for illustrating the utility of the model. A simulation study is carried out for assessing the performance of likelihood estimators of the parameters of the distribution.

New developments and innovation in science are associated with cross-disciplinary interventions. Synthetic organic chemistry involves the transformation of one organic functional group into the other. But some of the transformations in organic chemistry are capricious and challenging. Biocatalysis involves the utilization of biological systems or their fragments to speed up chemical transformations. In the process of biocatalysis, natural catalysts such as enzymes perform a chemical reaction on organic compounds and transform or degrade them to new chemical species or to simple building blocks that are easily biodegradable. Isolated enzymes as well as those enzymes residing inside the living organisms are utilized for this purpose. Biotechnology has introduced the nonnatural enzymes for chemical compound conversion. Thus, biotechnology has enabled the development of enzymes that can catalyze organic transformations that are challenging using classical synthetic organic chemistry. Mangroves are plants that includes both shrubs and trees that grow in a saline environment in the coastal areas and tidal river sides and have specialized mechanism to remove excess salt content in their body which enables them to survive in harsh saline conditions. A biome is a special geographical region with specific climatic conditions and home to a variety of plants and biological species. The biological community formed in a biome is a consequence of its physical environment and regional climate. A microbiome is a mixture of community of microorganisms that cohabit in a distinct space in a much small area. Members of a microbiome include algae, fungi, bacteria, archaea, and small protists. Mangrove-associated microbiomes are of paramount importance because of their diverse and versatile enzyme production and its specific properties. A few enzymes isolated from mangrove microbiomes include amylase, cellulase, chitinase, phosphatase, protease, and urease. These mangrove-associated bacteria have a critical role in maintaining a pristine ecosystem. In addition, the full spectrum of microbial enzyme application covers food processing, detergents, textiles, agriculture, pharmacy, medical therapy, and molecular biology.

The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to many drugs, posing threats to food safety and public health. Metal oxide nanoparticles, particularly titanium dioxide (TiO2), have gained attention as promising antimicrobial agents due to their photocatalytic properties. In this study, TiO2 was synthesized using Justicia adhatoda and Cissus quadrangularis. XRD analysis revealed a mixed anatase-rutile phase with crystallite sizes of 8.7 nm and 8.5 nm. FESEM confirmed nanorod structures (20–80 nm wide), while EDX showed Ti and O with minimal impurities. UV-Vis spectra showed absorption peaks at 308 nm and 309 nm. The nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, along with photocatalytic activity, reducing methylene blue absorption peaks under UV light within 25 min. These findings highlight TiO2’s potential for wastewater treatment and antibacterial applications.

Defined as the application of mathematical models and methods for the study of disease spread and control, Mathematical epidemiology has now emerged as a very important area for understanding public health dynamics. The paper presents an overall bibliometric analysis of research in mathematical epidemiology using the Scopus database. This overview comprises 1,787 documents: journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers from 819 sources. From 1916 to 2024, it has been possible to identify key trends, influential authors, and central themes through the application of the PRISMA methodology. The results reflect that since 2000, there has been a significant growth in research production; most of it was during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also determined trends in international collaboration, leading funding sponsors, and the dynamics underlying major research topics. According to this study, the role of mathematical models in epidemiology is becoming increasingly prominent, driven by the need to address complex global health challenges and an expanding influence on public health strategies.

Development of new probes RR1((1E)-1-(1-(6-bromo-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) ethylidene)ethyl thiosemicarbazone) and RR2 ((1E)-1-(1-(6-bromo-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) ethylidene)phenyl thiosemicarbazone) selectively showed fluorescence turn ‘OFF’ response towards Cu2+ and Al3+. Further, the complexes formed between RR1-Cu2+ and RR2-Al3+,...

Mangroves are unique ecosystems predominantly consisting of salt-resistant trees or shrubs thriving in the tropical and subtropical regions and function as a buffer between terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. Nestled in the embrace of the backwaters of Kochi, the Kadamakudy-Vypeen Islands located in the south Indian state of Kerala stand as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of nature and agriculture. Among the key ecological wonders that contribute to the resilience of this region are the mangroves, which prevent soil erosion to a great extent during floods and harbour diverse waterbird species. The mangroves of these region having 69 mangrove and mangrove associate plants serve as a crucial breeding area for shrimps, contributing to the vibrant aquatic ecosystem of the region. A total of eight commercially important shrimp species have been reported from the area. Mangrove proved an excellent habitat for birds, and 62 species have been recorded. Mangroves play a pivotal role in the traditional agricultural practices and set an ideal environment for the cultivation of Pokkali paddy, a traditional salt-resistant rice variety well-suited for the region. The harmonious coexistence of traditional agro-farming and ecological preservation of mangroves serves as an inspiration for sustainable development, offering a blueprint for safeguarding these vital ecosystems and ensuring a prosperous future for the islanders.

Stochastic models play a pivotal role in disease prediction by accounting for randomness and uncertainty in biological systems. This study offers a visualization of trends in the application of stochastic models for disease prediction from 1990 to 2024, based on a bibliometric analysis of Scopus data. Key findings reveal a significant growth in research post-2014, largely driven by global health challenges like COVID-19. Despite these advancements, gaps remain in applying these models to non-communicable diseases and low-resource settings. By integrating computational techniques like machine learning, stochastic models hold promise for improving predictive accuracy. This study highlights the need for further international collaboration and interdisciplinary research, offering practical insights for researchers and public health professionals aiming to enhance disease prediction and intervention strategies.

A major threat to environment and human health is the increasing hazardous metal poisoning of water resources. Toxic metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, disrupt ecosystems by impairing the health of aquatic organisms and altering food chains. Exposure to these harmful substances can cause a number of health problems in people. In addition, there are significant financial expenses related to ecological restoration and water purification. Toxic metals are removed from water using a variety of conventional techniques, including adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, electrochemical treatments, membrane filtration, flotation, and oxidation. However, these traditional methods are expensive, non-renewable, and have additional drawbacks like insufficient metal removal, massive reagent and energy requirements, and the generation of residual contaminants. To remove dangerous metal ions from aqueous solution in an economical and sustainable manner, researchers have been investigating various strategies. Biosorption seems to be the most effective substitute option in this regard. This technique uses inexpensive alternative biological materials or biosorbents which eradicate toxic meals through various mechanisms like ion exchange, surface complexation, adsorption and precipitation. Because of their abundance, renewable nature, minimal environmental impact, and possible cost-effectiveness, microbe and plant biomasses, including agricultural leftovers and biomass-derived substances, have emerged as viable biosorbents for the removal of hazardous metals. This chapter includes a review of various techniques used to remove hazardous metals from solution, mechanisms and variables influencing biosorption, and the application of biomass and biomass derived materials for toxic metal removal.

Hole transport materials (HTMs) used in third-generation perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have a significant role in enhancing power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this work, low-molecular-mass indolocarbazole-based HTMs (CRICs) are developed as alternatives to the expensive benchmark HTM spiro-OMeTAD. These indolocarbazole-based HTMs (CRICs) are prepared by a two-step synthesis strategy and have structural elements to control hydrophobicity, solubility, and thermal stability. The ground-state oxidation of CRICs (−5.40 eV) matches well with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the perovskite (PVSK) material for efficient hole extraction similar to spiro-OMeTAD. Interestingly, the developed CRICs exhibit excellent gelation properties in the presence of traces of water at room temperature. The gelation properties of CRICs are expected to protect the perovskite material from deterioration by trapping the moisture when used as the HTMs in PSC devices.

This reference is a comprehensive review of genome editing in bacteria. The multi-part book meticulously consolidates research findings and insights on the applications of bacteria across several industries, including food processing and pharmaceutical development. The book covers four overarching themes for readers: a historical perspective of genome editing, genome editing in probiotics, applications of genome editing in agricultural microbiology and genetic engineering in environmental microbiology. The editors have also compiled chapters that provide an in-depth analysis of gene regulation and metabolic engineering through genome editing tools for specific bacteria. Key topics in part 2: - Targeting pathogenic microbes for plants and animals using CRISPR-CAS - Genome editing microbes to improve crop yield plant growth for sustainable agriculture - Applications of genome editing for bioremediation - Microbial genome editing for environmental bioprocessing - Genetic engineering for methanotrophs - Genome engineering in Cyanobacteria - Genome editing in Streptomyces Genome Editing in Bacteria is a definitive reference for scholars, researchers and industry professionals navigating the forefront of bacterial genomics.

This study aims to develop and assess a herbal sunscreen formulation for skin protection against sun damage, utilizing ingredients from plant extracts such as Mangifera indica (mango seed kernels) and animal extract from Sardinella longiceps (pearl essence extracted from fish scales). Mango seed kernels, known for their high stability and antioxidant activity, offer a valuable commodity by repurposing waste. The pearl essence, derived from fish scales, contains guanine, an iridescent substance found in the epidermal layer and scales. The herbal sunscreen formulation incorporates fixed oils, medicinal plants, and animal materials. Mango seed kernels are extracted using a soxhlet apparatus, while pearl essence is obtained through a solvent diffusion method. Regular use of sunscreen has been shown to reduce the development of actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma by absorbing or reflecting the sun's ultraviolet radiation, protecting the skin. The escalating incidence of skin cancers and the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation have amplified the use of sunscreening agents, demonstrating their efficacy in mitigating symptoms. The prepared sunscreen, enriched with mango kernel extract and pearl essence, as well as curcumin microsponge, offers a multifaceted sunblocking action due to high antioxidant activity and imparts a shimmering effect on the skin. The inclusion of curcumin microsponge aids in the penetration of the lotion into the skin, ensuring a comprehensive effect. Evaluation of the sunscreen lotion encompassed parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadability, and stability, confirming the safety of the herbal sunscreen for skin use. Key words: Herbal sunscreen, Mango kernal, Pearl essence, Microsponge drug delivery system, Antioxidant activity.

Adsorption processes are crucial in various applications, especially water and wastewater treatment. The research is focused on improving and developing adsorbent materials. An in-depth evaluation of a recently suggested adsorbent is essential to determine its characteristics, confirm its suitability, and understand its effectiveness in the intended process. Various approaches can be engaged to collect multiple physico-chemical data, with the selection of the methodology contingent on the substance under investigation and the instruments at hand. The accessible procedures include, FTIR, Raman, XPS, EDX, XRD, SEM/FESEM, TEM, AFM, VSM, DLS, and thermoanalytical techniques (TGA, DSC). These methods aid in identifying, locating, and quantifying chemical components. They also enable the analysis of the structure, topography, morphology, magnetic properties, and size, as well as other physical characteristics of materials. This information is valuable for assessing the manufacturing and modification of adsorbent materials and studying the adsorption process by examining the interactions between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. This work aims to offer an inclusive resource for investigators exploring adsorbent resources. It attempts to help them choose the most suitable characterization methods according to their specific needs.

Oxidative stress is a phenomenon caused by an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells and tissues and the ability of the biological system to detoxify these reactive products. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is one of the most common targets of oxidative stress, and the oxidation of the enzymes causes the inactivation of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and the formation of disulfide bonds between molecules, leading to aggregates, and eventually to cell death. Inhibition of GAPDH enzymatic activity was due to the formation of a disulfide bond between Cys-149, Cys-152, and Cys-156, which forms a structural reorganization of GAPDH. In addition, Cys-152 specifically prevents oligomerization and aggregation of GAPDH by blocking the cysteine residue and counteracting its oxidative modifications. The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of methanolic solvent and the essential oil extracted from the aerial part of Endostemon viscosus by GC-MS, and to evaluate its antioxidant properties against Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) aggregation through molecular docking. The volatile chemical compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the metabolites prepared for molecular docking analysis against the GAPDH protein were done using Schrödinger software. According to the results of molecular docking, DFT analysis, ADME and MD simulation for the compounds, p-Methoxyheptanophenone (methanolic extract) and sclareol (essential oil extract) interacted with Cys-152 residues with a better glide score and obtained fine stability through MD studies. Overall, the study suggests that the GC-MS compounds from the methanolic solvent and oil from Endostemon viscosus exhibited prominent antioxidant properties against GAPDH. Graphical abstract

Bio-retention is a simple bio filtration method. It is a terrestrial based, water quality control practice using the chemical, biological and physical properties of plants, microbes and soil for removal of pollutants from water. In this paper we are evaluating whether this method is suitable for river water. River is the main source of water for several purposes such as drinking water, irrigation etc. However, river is also used as a point where to dump wastes too. Source of pollution in river water is generally categorized to agricultural runoff, industrial effluents and domestic waste from residential areas. Using pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural lands contributes to the pollutant runoff to rivers. Most of the industries are releasing their treated effluents to rivers. Hence it is treated effluent; still it creates pollution problems in some cases. ChalakudyRiver is the main source of water for several panchayats. However, the presence of agricultural land, residential areas and industrial areas increases the chance of pollution. So, we selected Kathikudam Region, which consists of agricultural lands, residential areas and industries as our source of water. We collect water from near to KCPL Kadavu in Kathikudam village and it is used as raw water for our filtration unit. The quality analysis for raw water and filtered water will be conducted and it will be compared with IS standards and analyze whether the filtration unit is suitable or applicable to river water