[신간의 별자리x] 우리/미술, 그리고 ‘슬픔의 박물관’

Heavy metals are natural constituents of the environment, but indiscriminate use for human purposes has altered their geochemical cycles and biochemical balance. This results in excess release of heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc etc. into natural resources like the soil and aquatic environments. Prolonged exposure and higher accumulation of such heavy metals can have deleterious health effects on human life and aquatic biota. The role of microorganisms and plants in biotransformation of heavy metals into nontoxic forms is well-documented, and understanding the molecular mechanism of metal accumulation has numerous biotechnological implications for bioremediation of metal-contaminated sites. In view of this, the present review investigates the abilities of microorganisms and plants in terms of tolerance and degradation of heavy metals. Also, advances in bioremediation technologies and strategies to explore these immense and valuable biological resources for bioremediation are discussed. An assessment of the current status of technology deployment and suggestions for future bioremediation research has also been included. Finally, there is a discussion of the genetic and molecular basis of metal tolerance in microbes, with special reference to the genomics of heavy metal accumulator plants and the identification of functional genes involved in tolerance and detoxification.

Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Soil and Aquatic Environment: An Overview of Principles and Criteria of Fundamental Processes

A review on green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles – An eco-friendly approach

There are number of water purification techniques but the adsorption is one of the most simplest, effective and economical method for wastewater purification. In this article a large number of solid adsorbents such as Natural adsorbents, Agricultural Wastes, Industrial wastes, Biomass, Nanoadsorbents: Carbon based nanomaterials, Nobel metal based nanomaterials, Metal oxide based nanomaterials, Spinel ferrite based nanomaterials, Nanocomposites, Dendritic polymers; Geopolymer cement have been discussed for the removal of different pollutants from waste water. Removal of Fluoride, Phosphate, Nitrate and Radionuclides from wastewater has also been reviewed in this article. Adsorption isotherm models, kinetic models, thermodynamic parameters and adsorption mechanism have also been discussed. The present article lists different type of adsorbents and reviews state-of-the-art of the removal of different pollutants from water. The efforts have been made to discuss the sources of contamination and toxicities of pollutants. Adsorption mechanisms responsible for pollutants removal by different adsorbents have been reviewed. Attempts have also been made to point out the advantages and drawbacks of adsorbents and the future research needs in the area of water purification by adsorbents.

Water purification by using Adsorbents: A Review

Bacterial Exopolysaccharide mediated heavy metal removal: A Review on biosynthesis, mechanism and remediation strategies.

Investigating the microbial-influenced corrosion of UNS S32750 stainless-steel base alloy and weld seams by biofilm-forming marine bacterium Macrococcus equipercicus.

Graphene which is an allotrope of carbon has become focus of attention due to its unique 2-D structure, and exceptional physio-chemical properties. It has been established to have a wide range of application in the nanomedicine and biomedical field. Recently graphene and the other members of the family including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO) have emerged as a novel and competitive drug delivery system. Graphene has been functionalized with different conjugates like polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP), folic acid (FA) and ammonia (NH2) to enhance its solubility and biocompatibility. When combined with anticancer drugs, graphene and its derivatives have been reported to increase the efficacy of the drug simultaneously reducing its side effects. Herein we present a summary of the studies carried out using graphene and its conjugates in the field of drug delivery and cancer therapy.

Graphene Mediated Drug Delivery - A Boon to Cancer Therapy

The present study focuses on the development of an in vitro model system for biofilm growth by Pseudomonas aerouginosa onto small discs of foley catheter. Catheter disc used for the study was coated with graphene oxide–titanium oxide composite (GO–TiO2) and titanium oxide (TiO2) and characterized through XRD, UV–visible spectroscopy. Morphological analysis was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biofilm formed on the catheter surface was quantified by crystal violet (CV) staining method and a colorimetric assay (MTT assay) which involves the reduction of tetrazolium salt. The catheter coated with GO–TiO2 showed reduced biofilm growth in comparison to the TiO2-coated and uncoated catheter, thus indicating that it could be successfully used in coating biomedical devices to prevent biofilm formation which is a major cause of nosocomial infection.

Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas Species Onto Graphene Oxide–TiO2 Nanocomposite-Coated Catheters: In vitro Analysis

Studies have shown that fungal organisms possess the capacity of heavy metal removal. In the present investigation, a study in batch system was conducted using the macrofungus, Agaricus bisporus as biosorbent for evaluating its potentiality to adsorb lead (II) ions from aqueous solution. To improve the bioadsorption capacity, the biosorbent was pretreated with NaOH, Na 2 CO 3 and NaHCO 3 . Pretreatment with NaOH resulted in a significant improvement in bioadsorption capacity. The experimental equilibrium data were adjusted by adsorption isotherms from Langmuir and Freundlich models and their equilibrium parameters were determined. For the untreated biosobent, the Langmuir model supplied q max = 28.8 mg/g and b = 0.02 L/mg and for the Freundlich model parameters are K f = 1.7 and n =1.8. For the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated biomass, the parameters were q max = 34.6 mg/g, b= 0.08 L/mg, K f = 5.3 and n = 2.3. The best adjusted model to the experimental equilibrium data for both untreated and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated biosorbent was the Langmuir model.

R. Vimala

Papers

Investigating the microbial-influenced corrosion of UNS S32750 stainless-steel base alloy and weld seams by biofilm-forming marine bacterium Macrococcus equipercicus.

Graphene Mediated Drug Delivery - A Boon to Cancer Therapy

Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas Species Onto Graphene Oxide–TiO2 Nanocomposite-Coated Catheters: In vitro Analysis

Langmuir and Freundlich Isotherms for Describing Lead (II) Adsorption on Pretreated Macrofungus (Agaricus bisporus)

Cytotoxic Activity of Extracellular Green Synthesized Nanoparticles by Actinobacteria