SRM University

About: SRM University is a education organization based out in Chennai, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Population. The organization has 10787 authors who have published 11704 publications receiving 103767 citations. The organization is also known as: Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University.

Synthesis and characterization of nanoscale-hydroxyapatite-copper for antimicrobial activity towards bone tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: The bacterial infection is one of the major problems associated with implant and reconstructive surgery of bone. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop biomaterials having antibacterial activity for bone tissue engineering. The hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) improve the mechanical properties and incorporate nanotopographic features that mimic the nanostructure of natural bone. We report here for the first time the synthesis and characterization of nHAp and nHAp soaked with copper (nHAp-Cu) using SEM, AFM, FTIR and XRD. The antibacterial activity of nHAp and nHAp-Cu was determined using Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. To have accelerated antibacterial activity, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), a synthetic biodegradable polymer was also added along with nHAp-Cu. The nHAp-Cu/PEG 400 had increased antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacterial strains. The cytotoxicity of nHAp-Cu/PEG 400 was determined using MTT assay with rat primary osteoprogenitor cells and these biomaterials were found to be non-toxic. Hence, based on these results we suggest that the biomaterials containing nHAp-Cu/PEG 400 can be used as antibacterial materials in bone implant and bone regenerative medicine.

A study on some durability properties of coconut shell aggregate concrete

Abstract: In this study, coconut shell was used as recycled lightweight aggregate in concrete. For coconut shell aggregate concrete (CSAC) to be used in realistic situations, its strength, durability and its temperature resistance need to be examined. Therefore, this study investigated the durability performance of CSAC in three curing conditions and resistance at elevated temperatures. The durability properties investigated include the absorption, volume of permeable voids, sorptivity, rapid chloride penetration test, salt ponding test, and temperature resistance. The test results showed that the durability properties of CSAC are comparable to that of other conventional lightweight concretes (LWCs) and convenient curing is necessary for CSAC to achieve better durability. Temperature resistance of CSAC at elevated temperature, color changes; residual strength is comparable with LWCs.

Effects of Essential Oil Vapour Treatment on the Postharvest Disease Control and Different Defence Responses in Two Mango ( Mangifera indica L.) Cultivars

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of essential oils (thyme, clove and cinnamon) in vapour phase against the major fungal diseases of mango in vitro and in vivo. Thyme oil vapour (5 μL/Petri plate) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Lasiodiplodia theobromae under in vitro condition. Thyme oil vapour at 66.7 μL L−1 significantly reduced artificially inoculated C. gloeosporioides and L. theobromae in mangoes for 4 days. GC/MS analysis revealed thymol, eugenol and benzofuran, 3-methyl as the dominant compounds in thyme, clove and cinnamon oils, respectively. The activities of defence and antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase, chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were enhanced by thyme oil (66.7 μL L−1) treatment and also help to maintain the phenolic content. Hence, postharvest thyme oil vapour treatment may prove to be an alternative means of controlling disease in mangoes.