Polycyclic Hydrocarbons Vol. 1. Pp. xxvi + 487. 126S. (With a chapter on carcinogenesis by Regina Schoental.) Vol. 2. Pp. lvii + 487. 140s. By E. Clar. (London and New York: Academic Press; Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1964.)

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

A chimeric gene was constructed consisting of the promoter of the nopaline synthase gene of Agrobacterium and the structural gene of the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase of Tn5. This chimeric gene was recombined into the T-DNA of Agrobacterium. When this strain was used in a cocultivation experiment, transformed calli could be selected out of a pool of non-transformed calli when kanamycin was added into the growing medium

Chimeric genes as dominant selectable markers in plant cells

Nanotechnology is a promising field of interdisciplinary research. It opens up a wide array of opportunities in various fields like medicine, pharmaceuticals, electronics and agriculture. The potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. The current global population is nearly 7 */billion with 50% living in Asia. A large proportion of those living in developing countries face daily food shortages as a result of environmental impacts or political instability, while in the developed world there is surplus of food. For developing countries, the drive is to develop drought and pest resistant crops, which also maximize yield. The potential of nanotechnology to revolutionise the health care, textile, materials, information and communication technology, and energy sectors has been well publicized. The application of nanotechnology to agriculture and food industries is also getting attention nowadays. Investments in agriculture and food nanotechnologies carry increasing weight because their potential benefits range from improved food quality and safety to reduced agricultural inputs and improved processing and nutrition. While most investment is made primarily in developed countries, research advancements provide glimpses of potential applications in agricultural, food, and water safety that could have significant impacts on rural populations in developing countries. This review is concentrated on modern strategies used for the management of water, pesticides, limitations in the use of chemical pesticides and potential of nano-materials in sustainable agriculture management as modern approaches of nanotechnology. 
 
   
 
 Key words: Agriculture, nanotechnology, nanofertilizer, nanoencapsulation, nanoherbicides.

Nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture: Present concerns and future aspects

Nanotechnology in agriculture: Current status, challenges and future opportunities

In recent years, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have gained tremendous attention attributed to their unique properties. Notably, evidence has shown that zinc is an important nutrient in living organisms. As such, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes including bacteria, fungi and yeast are exploited for the synthesis of ZnO NPs by using microbial cells or enzyme, protein and other biomolecules compounds in either an intracellular or extracellular route. ZnO NPs exhibit antimicrobial properties, however, the properties of nanoparticles (NPs) are depended upon on their size and shape, which make them specific for various applications. Nevertheless, the desired size and shape of NPs can be obtained through the optimization process of microbes mediated synthesis by manipulating their reaction conditions. It should be noted that ZnO NPs are synthesized by various chemical and physical methods. Nonetheless, these methods are expensive and not environmentally friendly. On that account, the microbes mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs have rapidly evolved recently where the microbes are cleaner, eco-friendly, non-toxic and biocompatible as the alternatives to chemical and physical practices. Moreover, zinc in the form of NPs is more effective than their bulk counterparts and thus, they have been explored for many potential applications including in animals industry. Notably, with the advent of multi-drug resistant strains, ZnO NPs have emerged as the potential antimicrobial agents. This is mainly due to their superior properties in combating a broad spectrum of pathogens. Moreover, zinc is known as an essential trace element for most of the biological function in the animal’s body. As such, the applications of ZnO NPs have been reported to significantly enhance the health and production of the farm animals. Thus, this paper reviews the biological synthesis of ZnO NPs by the microbes, the mechanisms of the biological synthesis, parameters for the optimization process and their potential application as an antimicrobial agent and feed supplement in the animal industry as well as their toxicological hazards on animals.

/pdf/microbial-synthesis-of-zinc-oxide-nanoparticles-and-their-58qajgqkov.pdf

Microbial synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and their potential application as an antimicrobial agent and a feed supplement in animal industry: a review

A major environmental problem on a global scale is the contamination of water by dyes, particularly from industrial effluents. Consequently, wastewater treatment from various industrial wastes is crucial to restoring environmental quality. Dye is an important class of organic pollutants that are considered harmful to both people and aquatic habitats. The textile industry has become more interested in agricultural-based adsorbents, particularly in adsorption. The biosorption of Methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions by the wheat straw (T. aestivum) biomass was evaluated in this study. The biosorption process parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach with a face-centred central composite design (FCCCD). Using a 10 mg/L concentration MB dye, 1.5 mg of biomass, an initial pH of 6, and a contact time of 60 min at 25 °C, the maximum MB dye removal percentages (96%) were obtained. Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling techniques are also employed to stimulate and validate the process, and their efficacy and ability to predict the reaction (removal efficiency) were assessed. The existence of functional groups, which are important binding sites involved in the process of MB biosorption, was demonstrated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. Moreover, a scan electron microscope (SEM) revealed that fresh, shiny particles had been absorbed on the surface of the T. aestivum following the biosorption procedure. The bio-removal of MB from wastewater effluents has been demonstrated to be possible using T. aestivum biomass as a biosorbent. It is also a promising biosorbent that is economical, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective. 

/pdf/introducing-machine-learning-model-to-response-surface-31eigmnq.pdf

Introducing machine learning model to response surface methodology for biosorption of methylene blue dye using Triticum aestivum biomass

A comprehensive review on mitigating abiotic stresses in plants by metallic nanomaterials: prospects and concerns

There have been very few comparative studies on male rats evaluating the negative consequences predicted to result from repeated exposure in two separate routes of the herbicide Penoxsulam, which is used on crop soil, due to the ecosystem impact. This study was carried out to examine the repeated toxicity potential of Penoxsulam on male Wistar rats using a dermal topical patch application and oral ingestion route. Five male wistar rats per group of young adults, 12 to 14 weeks old, weighing 200 to 300 grams, were subjected to recurrent topical exposure in this comparative study. While 10 healthy male Wistar rats per group, aged 6 to 8 weeks, and weighing 130 to 190 grams, were utilised for repeated oral exposure. In both investigations, No alteration in body weight, organ weight, feed consumption, biochemical parameters were seen in repeated dermal exposure after post dosing in all male rats While, Penoxsulam herbicide disturbed the physiology of male rats and having significant changes in bodyweight, organ weight, feed consumption, biochemical parameters during the course of repeated 90 days oral exposure. Withall together findings the data agreed that Penoxsulam herbicide (used on crop soil) completely not produce dermal toxicity to the skin after repeated topical patch application to the male rats; However it was deleterious to the male wistar rats and appears to be unsafe for repeated oral ingestion on environment.

/pdf/toxicological-evaluation-on-male-rodents-against-penoxsulam-26zii3zu.pdf

Toxicological evaluation on male rodents against penoxsulam herbicide used on soil ecosystem

/pdf/author-correction-ann-ga-based-biosorption-of-as-iii-from-3f2b3xmf.pdf

Vishnu D. Rajput

Papers

Introducing machine learning model to response surface methodology for biosorption of methylene blue dye using Triticum aestivum biomass

A comprehensive review on mitigating abiotic stresses in plants by metallic nanomaterials: prospects and concerns

Toxicological evaluation on male rodents against penoxsulam herbicide used on soil ecosystem

Author Correction: ANN-GA based biosorption of As(III) from water through chemo-tailored and iron impregnated fungal biofilter system

Investigating the Biochemical Responses in Wheat Cultivars Exposed to Thermal Power Plant Emission