Background
Nano-particles of metals can be routinely synthesized. The cereal seeds treatment with the particles can improve early growth and crop production. Moreover, the treatment is robust and economical.
Methods
Metal (Fe0, Cu0, Co0), zinc oxide (ZnO) and chitosan-stabilized silver nano-particles were synthesized and applied to cereal seeds. The germination rate, early plant development and inhibition effects on pathogenic fungi were quantified.
Results
It was found that all nano-particles had a positive effect on the development of healthy cereal seedlings. In particular, the length of the above-ground part of the seedlings was increased by 8–22%. The highest inhibition effect was observed on Helminthosporium teres with the application of Co0 and chitosan-Ag. Pre-sowing treatment with metal nano-particles reduced the number of infected grains by two times for wheat and 3.6 times for barley. The application also increases the chlorophylls and carotenoids in both uninfected and infected seedlings.
Conclusions
The results demonstrated a robust application of nano-particles in improving cereal production.
Graphical Abstract
Synthetic peptides are promising structural and functional components of bioactive and tissue-engineering scaffolds. Here, we demonstrate the design of self-assembling nanofiber scaffolds based on peptide amphiphile (PA) molecules containing multi-functional histidine residues with trace metal (TM) coordination ability. The self-assembly of PAs and characteristics of PA nanofiber scaffolds along with their interaction with Zn, Cu, and Mn essential microelements were studied. The effects of TM-activated PA scaffolds on mammalian cell behavior, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione levels were shown. The study reveals the ability of these scaffolds to modulate adhesion, proliferation, and morphological differentiation of neuronal PC-12 cells, suggesting a particular role of Mn(II) in cell-matrix interaction and neuritogenesis. The results provide a proof-of-concept for the development of histidine-functionalized peptide nanofiber scaffolds activated with ROS- and cell-modulating TMs to induce regenerative responses.
In this study, a simple filter system based on silver nanoparticles coated onto activated carbon derived from rice husk (AgNPs@AC) has been proposed for treating floodwater from the Hau Giang River.
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfomicrobium baculatum) is a group of anaerobic bacteria capable of producing H2S gas, which sours crude oil, corrodes metal equipment, pipeline systems, and even forms biofilms that cause blockages reservoir, reducing the reception capacity of pumped water in oil and gas exploitation. Currently, the biocides are mainly aldehydes or cyclic amines combined with cationic active substances, which are very toxic to humans and the environment. The development of materials technology has created new nano-sized materials that are capable of replacing traditional biocides and are environmentally friendly. This study has shown that silver and copper metal nanoparticles with an average size of 50 nm and concentration from 500 ppm can inhibit and kill both sulfate-reducing bacteria strains swimming and adhering in the water at normal and high temperature conditions.
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