North Maharashtra University

About: North Maharashtra University is a education organization based out in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The organization has 962 authors who have published 1678 publications receiving 28485 citations.

Advances in science and technology of modern energetic materials: an overview.

Abstract: Energetic materials such as explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics are widely used for both civilian and military explosives applications. The present review focuses briefly on the synthesis aspects and some of the physico-chemical properties of energetic materials of the class: (a) aminopyridine-N-oxides, (b) energetic azides, (c) high nitrogen content energetic materials, (d) imidazoles, (e) insensitive energetic materials, (f) oxidizers, (g) nitramines, (h) nitrate esters and (i) thermally stable explosives. A brief comment is also made on the emerging nitration concepts. This paper also reviews work done on primary explosives of current and futuristic interest based on energetic co-ordination compounds. Lead-free co-ordination compounds are the candidates of tomorrow's choice in view of their additional advantage of being eco-friendly. Another desirable attribute of lead free class of energetic compounds is the presence of almost equivalent quantity of fuel and oxidizer moieties. These compounds may find wide spectrum of futuristic applications in the area of energetic materials. The over all aim of the high energy materials research community is to develop the more powerful energetic materials/explosive formulations/propellant formulations in comparison to currently known benchmark materials/compositions. Therefore, an attempt is also made to highlight the important contributions made by the various researchers in the frontier areas energetic ballistic modifiers, energetic binders and energetic plasticizers.

Recent advances in solid-state fermentation.

Abstract: Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has built up credibility in recent years in biotech industries due to its potential applications in the production of biologically active secondary metabolites, apart from feed, fuel, food, industrial chemicals and pharmaceutical products and has emerged as an attractive alternative to submerged fermentation Bioremediation, bioleaching, biopulping, biobeneficiation, etc are the major applications of SSF in bioprocesses which have set another milestone Utilization of agro-industrial residues as substrates in SSF processes provides an alternative avenue and value-addition to these otherwise under- or non-utilized residues Innovation is the key to success and it is imperative to be up-to-date with the changing demands of the industries and meet their needs for better product and services Better understanding of biochemical engineering aspects, particularly on mathematical modeling and design of bioreactors (fermenters) has made it possible to scale-up SSF processes and some designs have been developed for commercialization, making the technology economically feasible In future, SSF technology would be well developed at par with SmF if rationalization and standardization continues in current trend This review describes the state-of-art scenario in totality on SSF although the focus is on the most recent developments of last 5 years or so on SSF processes and products developments

Synthesis and Drug-Delivery Behavior of Chitosan-Functionalized Graphene Oxide Hybrid Nanosheets

Abstract: Chitosan-functionalized graphene oxides (FGOCs) were successfully synthesized. FGOCs were found to significantly improve the solubility of the GO in aqueous acidic media. The presence of organic groups was confirmed by means of XPS and TGA. Restoration of the sp2 carbon network and exfoliation of graphene sheets were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and WAXD. The SEM and AFM investigations of the resultant FGOCs showed that most of the graphene sheets were individual and few were layered. Controlled release behavior of Ibuprofen and 5-fluorouracil was then investigated. We found that FGOCs are a promising new material for biological and medical applications.

Natural products – antifungal agents derived from plants

Abstract: A new spectrum of human fungal infections is increasing due to increased cancer, AIDS, and immunocompromised patients. The increased use of antifungal agents also resulted in the development of resistance to the present drugs. It makes necessary to discover new classes of antifungal compounds to cure fungal infections. Plants are rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites of wide variety such as tannins, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and other compounds, reported to have in vitro antifungal properties. Since the plant kingdom provides a useful source of lead compounds of novel structure, a wide-scale investigation of species from the tropics has been considered. Therefore, the research on natural products and compounds derived from natural products has accelerated in recent years due to their importance in drug discovery. A series of molecules with antifungal activity against different strains of fungus have been found in plants, which are of great importance to humans. These molecules may be used directly or considered as a precursor for developing better molecules. This review attempts to summarize the current status of important antifungal compounds from plants.

Screening of cyanobacteria and microalgae for their ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activity.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of selected strains of cyanobacteria and microalgae to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) by using two procedures; (i) suspending the live and washed biomass of microalgae and cyanobacteria into the AgNO3 solution and (ii) by adding AgNO3 into a cell-free culture liquid. Ag-NPs were biosynthesized by 14 out of 16 tested strains. In most of the cases Ag-NPs were formed both in the presence of biomass as well as in the cell-free culture liquid. This indicates that the process of Ag-NPs formation involves an extracellular compound such as polysaccharide. TEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles were embedded within an organic matrix. Ag-NPs varied in shape and sizes that ranged between 13 and 31 nm, depending on the organism used. The antibacterial activity of Ag-NPs was confirmed in all but one strain of cyanobacterium (Limnothrix sp. 37-2-1) which formed the largest particles.