Department of Biotechnology

About: Department of Biotechnology is a government organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Silver nanoparticle. The organization has 4800 authors who have published 5033 publications receiving 82022 citations.

Study on the effect of the concentration of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract: This work evaluates the effects of different concentrations of Hibiscus sabdariffa flower (Jamaica) extracts on the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO), for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). Zinc nitrate is used for the synthesis of ZnO as a source of the zinc ions. Extracts of 1%, 4% and 8% (% weight-volume) of Hibiscus sabdariffa, in an aqueous medium, were used as reducing and stabilizing agents. In FTIR characterization, the Zn O bond was observed at 618 cm−1. By means of XRD, the material was observed to have a hexagonal crystalline phase (Wurzite). Through XPS, the energy values of 1022 eV for Zn and 531 eV for O were observed, showing the chemical state of Zn+2. The morphology of the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) varies in its semicircular shape and size distributions depending on the extract used, which range from 30 to 8 nm. The values of the band gap decreased from 2.96 to 2.77 eV as the concentration of extract increased. These materials presented good photocatalytic activity, degrading 97% of MB in 150 min, which are efficient results comparable to ZnO NPs green synthesized via other extracts and other methods.

Mass Loadings of Triclosan and Triclocarbon from Four Wastewater Treatment Plants to Three Rivers and Landfill in Savannah, Georgia, USA

Abstract: Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarbon (TCC) are bactericides used in various consumer and personal-care products. Recent studies have revealed considerable levels of these bactericides in wastewater, aquatic wildlife, and human samples. Consequently, in this study we measured TCS and TCC in influent and effluent, sludge, and pond water/sediment samples from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and three major rivers in Savannah, Georgia (USA). Among these treatment plants, the Wilshire plant showed elevated concentrations of TCS (influent, 86,161; effluent, 5370 ng/L), whereas TCC was greater in the Georgetown plant (influent, 36,221) and the Wilshire plant effluent (3045 ng/L). Clearance of TCS and TCC were 95 and 92%, respectively, in the President Street plant, 94 and 85%, respectively, in the Wilshire plant, 99 and 80%, respectively, in the Travis Field plant, and 99 and 99%, respectively, in the Georgetown plant. Based on the mass flow estimate, 138 g/day of TCS and 214 g/day TCC are released into the Savannah River from the President Street, Travis Field, and Wilshire plants and 1.60 g/day TCS and 1.64 g/day TCC are released to the Ogeechee River from the Georgetown plant. Based on the sludge data, the loading estimate can be calculated that 32 and 0.004 g/day TCS and 53 and 0.01 g/day TCC (nonincinerated and incinerated, respectively) are deposited in landfill from the President Street plant alone, whereas 4.6, 26, and 6.8 g/day TCS and 3.8, 23, and 5.9 g/day TCC (wet sludge) were produced and dumped in landfill from the rest of the WWTPs. Incineration of wet sludge can eliminate 99.99% of TCS and TCC. Concentrations of TCS and TCC in water and sediment were greater in the Vernon River, followed by the Savannah River and the Ogeechee River.

The nutritional value of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.:Fr.) kumm cultivated on different lignocellulosic agrowastes.

Abstract: Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on different agro wastes viz soybean straw, paddy straw, wheat straw alone or in combination of 1:1 ratio. Maximum yield of P. ostreatus was recorded on soybean straw. Maximum protein, fat, ash, P, K and Na content was recorded when P. ostreatus was cultivated on soybean straw alone whereas maximum Ca and Fe content was recorded when P. ostreatus was cultivated on combination of soybean and paddy straw. Amino acid profile showed P. ostreatus proteins are rich in glutamic acid, aspartic acid and lysine content whereas vitamin C and folic acid were also recorded. Biochemical changes take place in the substrates because of the mushroom growth. A decrease in cellulose, hemicellulose, crude fibre, carbohydrate lignin and tannin content was observed, while an increase in protein, ash and mineral content in spent straw was recorded.