Ulva lactuca was used to produce edible films containing its methanolic extract, based on cellulose (C), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), or their mixture (C/CNC). FT-IR analysis showed hydrogen bonding interactions among the film components. The C/CNC film exhibited reduced thickness (0.058 mm), oxygen permeability (3.11 × 10⁻³ g/100 µm m² s), water vapor permeation (0.97 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mm m⁻² s⁻¹), and higher lightness (87.12) with blocking over 99% of light at 280–600 nm with low Pa⁻¹. Moisture uptake followed Peleg’s model, showing lower sorption for the C/CNC film. Antioxidant assays revealed significant differences between films and the influence of food simulants.

Increasing the productivity and thermostability of phycocyanin (PC) are key challenges in its industrial production. This study utilized aqueous and acidic hydrolysates derived from the seaweed Ulva lactuca for fed-batch mixotrophic cultivation of Synechocystis sp. AUPL1. The acidic hydrolysate contained higher levels of nutrients and reducing sugars (0.08 mg mL− 1 ) compared to the aqueous hydrolysate (0.03 mg mL− 1 ). Supplementing the cyanobacterial culture with 3 % (v/v) acidic hydrolysate every three days significantly increased biomass productivity, PC content, and PC productivity, achieving approximately 2-, 3-, and 6.5-fold improvements, respectively, compared to the autotrophic control. Additionally, ulvan polysaccharide, extracted from the same seaweed, was tested as a natural preservative to prevent PC degradation at elevated temperatures. Ulvan at 3 % (w/v) significantly extended the PC half-life at 60 ◦C to 293.21 min, compared to 101.65 min in the control. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the thermostabilizing effect of the PC-ulvan mixture, revealing that the thermal degradation process was endothermic and non-spontaneous. This study underscores the potential of U. lactuca biomass as a low-cost, sustainable nutrient source for enhancing PC productivity, while also demonstrating that ulvan effectively improves PC thermostability.

The aqueous ethanolic extract of Salsola imbricata (AEESI) demonstrated significant protective effects against UV-C radiation damage, using earthworms and isopods as models for human skin and eyes, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified 15 bioactive polyphenolic compounds in AEESI, with chlorogenic acid (55.51 µg/ml) and gallic acid (46.69 µg/ml) as the dominant phenolic acids, and naringenin (40.42 µg/ml) as the primary flavonoid. The extract effectively mitigated histological and ultrastructural damage caused by UV-C radiation in both models. Additionally, quality control parameters, including moisture content, pH, acidity index, ash content, and elemental composition, were determined for the first time. These findings highlight the potential of S. imbricata extract as a protective agent against UV-C radiation-induced damage, attributed to its rich polyphenolic content.

Camel whey protein (CWP) is rich in potent antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, while the iron-based metal–organic framework (MOF)-235 offers high biocompatibility for drug delivery. This study synthesised and characterised CWP/MOF-235 nano-conjugates to enhance CWP stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy. GC–MS analysis confirmed the presence of hepatoprotective and antimicrobial fatty acids in CWP, including oleic acid, palmitic acid methyl ester, and cis-vaccenic acid. Antimicrobial assays revealed that CWP/MOF-235 exhibited greater activity against Candida albicans than CWP or MOF-235, achieving a maximum inhibition zone of 36.3 mm. Using earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa), cobalt chloride-induced chloragogen cell toxicity was effectively ameliorated by CWP/MOF-235, restoring normal intestinal histoarchitecture and reducing cellular necrosis as confirmed by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. These findings demonstrate that CWP/MOF-235 nano-conjugates synergistically combine the bioactivity of camel whey proteins with the delivery potential of MOF-235, offering a promising eco-friendly strategy for managing heavy metal toxicity and microbial infections.

The current study aimed to investigate the molecular toxic effects of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-NPs) on rat skeletal muscle tissue. It also explored the forensic implications of ZnS toxicity on postmortem carrion infestation, particularly its potential impact on postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, ZnS-treated, and ZnS-NP–treated (both administered at the LD50 dose of 2000 mg/kg). Muscle tissues were harvested for histopathological, ultrastructural, and acridine orange staining analysis. Arthropods were col lected and identified across five decomposition stages to assess changes in carrion infestation patterns. Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis showed marked deformation, necrosis, and degeneration of muscle fibers, more severe in the ZnS-NP group. Collagen deposition significantly decreased in both treatment groups. Electron microscopy revealed dis sociation and degradation of myofibrils with increased interfibrillar spacing. Arthropod analysis indicated altered coloniza tion patterns, with decreased adult abundance and disrupted succession stages, especially during the active decay phase. ZnS and ZnS-NPs induce significant skeletal muscle toxicity that may mimic postmortem autolysis and lead to PMI misinterpretation. ZnS-NPs exert more severe effects than bulk ZnS. The observed entomological disruption highlights the forensic relevance of ZnS exposure and underscores the need for integrated toxicological and entomological analyses in PMI estimation8

Background and aim: Environmental stressors, such as heavy metal pollution, can have devastating effects on biological organisms, leading to conditions like liver toxicity. This study explored the therapeutic potential of a novel iron-based metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF) in mitigating cobalt chloride-induced liver toxicity in rats. Methods: Utilizing a solvothermal synthesis method, CWP/MOF was created and characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Adult male rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of six rats. The groups were treated as follows: Group 1 (Control): Received 0.5 mL/day of distilled water only. Group 2 (CoCl₂): Treated with cobalt chloride (100 mg/kg/day) dissolved in distilled water. Group 3 (CoCl₂ + Fe-MOFs): Treated with cobalt chloride (100 mg/kg/day) and FeMOFs dissolved in distilled water. Group 4 (CoCl₂ + CWP/MOF): Treated with cobalt chloride (100 mg/kg/day) and CWP/MOF, dissolved in distilled water. All groups received treatment for a duration of two months. Results: there was a one-dimensional structure and multienzyme-like activity. CWP/MOF prevented apoptosis and reduced the histopathological effect and collagen fiber percentage caused by cobalt chloride in the liver. Nanotechnology was used to increase the therapeutic efficiency of camel whey protein against the harmful effects associated with environmental stress-induced liver toxicity by cobalt chloride in rats. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of CWP/MOF as a groundbreaking therapeutic agent for induced liver toxicity, with promising applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. By harnessing the unique properties of CWP/MOF, researchers may uncover new avenues for treating liver-related disorders and promoting overall health.

In this work, we report a novel fabrication approach for highly porous SnO2 microwires using a semi-closed thermal evaporation system under controlled low-pressure conditions. The unique microstructure of the syn thesized microwires, characterized by nanoscale porosity and high crystallinity, was achieved by tuning the deposition pressure between 0.85 and 1.15 Torr. While demonstrated with SnO2, this approach applies to a wide range of metal oxides, including single, binary, and doped systems. Unlike conventional open or VLS-based deposition methods, this system enables precise morphological control via thermal evaporation under tunable pressure conditions, promoting a vapor-solid (VS) growth mechanism. Structural and morphological charac terizations confirmed that lower pressure enhances defect density and grain boundary formation, which are critical to gas sensing behavior. The SnO2 microwires were integrated into a conductometric gas sensor and evaluated for NO2 detection. The optimized sensor exhibited a high response of 2900 % to 2 ppm NO2 at a low operating temperature of 100 ◦C, along with excellent selectivity against interfering gases such as H2, H2S, and CO. The enhanced sensing performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of grain boundary modulation, Schottky barrier formation at the Pt/SnO2 interface, and catalytic activation near the contacts. This study demonstrates the potential of porous SnO2 microwires as a promising material for low-temperature, selective NO2 sensing in environmental monitoring applications

ABSTRACT This study investigates the complex dehydration kinetics of sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2 SO4 .10H2 O). Analysis of TG/DTG data reveals that the dehydration process proceeds via five complex steps. Using isoconversional methods (FR, FWO, and DAEM), the kinetic parameters (Ea and ln A) of the individual steps were obtained. The Ea − α plots revealed that all deconvoluted processes are driven by a single reaction mechanism identified as a diffusion model (D3 ). A significant linear relationship between ln A and Ea with similar isokinetic temperatures characterized the kinetic compensation effect. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that the entire conversion is an endothermic and non-spontaneous process. 

In this study, we report on the synthesis and photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of CdS/ZnO nanocomposite (NC) photoanodes annealed at varying temperatures (300, 350, 400, 450 °C). ZnO nanosheets (NSs) were initially deposited using a nanoparticle deposition system, followed by the spin coating deposition of CdS nanoparticles (NPs) and subsequent annealing. The fabricated NCs are environmentally friendly, binder-free, cost-effective, and scalable. Scanning Electron Microscopy of ZnO, CdS, and CdS/ZnO NCs annealed at 400 °C reveals that ZnO NSs are well-coated with CdS NPs, establishing strong interfacial bonding between the two materials. Structural analysis confirms the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO, while the deposited CdS NPs remain amorphous. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows the evolution of strong interfacial interactions between ZnO NSs and CdS NPs in the hybrid NCs. Optical studies reveal that the CdS-ZnO NCs exhibit stable band gaps (~ 3.21–3.23 eV), and the photoresponse current is significantly improved compared to pure ZnO and CdS photoanodes. The optimized CdS-ZnO NC photoanode (400 °C) shows the highest photocurrent of 2.44 mA ­cm–2 at − 0.14 V vs Hg/HgO and the highest current conversion efficiency of 1.58% at − 0.4 V vs Hg/HgO, demonstrating efficient solar water splitting performance. Comprehensive PEC analyses (EIS, OCP, Mott–Schottky) confirm that performance enhancement stems from improved charge separation and faster interfacial charge transfer with increasing annealing temperature.