Blue-Light Photoactivated Curcumin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Prepared by Nanoprecipitation and Ionic Gelation: A Promising Approach for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation.

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) represents a promising alternative strategy for combating bacterial infections. This study investigates the potential of curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CurChNPs) as novel nanoenabled photosensitizer agents for bacterial photoinactivation. CurChNPs were synthesized using an innovative dual synthesis approach by combination of nanoprecipitation and ionic gelation methods; their physicochemical properties were also characterized.

Nanoparticles and plants: A focus on analytical characterization techniques.

Nanotechnology has brought about significant progress through the use of goods based on nanomaterials. However, concerns remain about the accumulation of these materials in the environment and their potential toxicity to living organisms. Plants have the ability to take in nanomaterials (NMs), which can cause changes in their physiology and morphology.

Assessing toxicity mechanism of silver nanoparticles by using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) as model.

The acute toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in Artemia salina is primarily attributed to the interaction between silver ions (Ag) and chitin, which constitutes the main structural component of the organism's cuticle. To investigate this interaction and gain a deeper understanding of its nature, geometric optimization calculations and symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0) analysis were performed. These calculations aimed to determine the most favorable conformation based on the binding energies of silver ions with chitin and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of their interaction.

Effects of substrates containing different concentrations of sewage sludge on physiological parameters and quality of Alibertia edulis (Rubiaceae) seedlings.

Sewage sludge (SS), a solid residue of effluent treatment, is rich in organic matter and nutrients, while also containing heavy metals and other potential contaminants. The feasibility of employing SS as a substrate component for seedling production depends on its composition and dose, as well as on the tolerance limit of individual plant species. To expand the knowledge base on the use of SS in the production of plants native to the Brazilian Cerrado biome, we evaluated the physiological responses and quality of Alibertia edulis seedlings grown under distinct SS concentrations.

Physiological mechanisms and phytoremediation potential of the macrophyte Salvinia biloba towards a commercial formulation and an analytical standard of glyphosate.

Glyphosate (Gly) is the most widely used herbicide in the world and has broad-spectrum and non-selective activity. Its indiscriminate use hence risks contamination of water bodies and can affect living organisms, especially sensitive or resistant non-target plants. Despite this, studies on physiological mechanisms and Gly remediation in Neotropical aquatic plants remain limited.