Nanomaterials (NMs) have gained prominence in technological advancements due to their tunable physical, chemical and biological properties with enhanced performance over their bulk counterparts. NMs are categorized depending on their size, composition, shape, and origin. The ability to predict the unique properties of NMs increases the value of each classification. Due to increased growth of production of NMs and their industrial applications, issues relating to toxicity are inevitable. The aim of this review is to compare synthetic (engineered) and naturally occurring nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructured materials (NSMs) to identify their nanoscale properties and to define the specific knowledge gaps related to the risk assessment of NPs and NSMs in the environment. The review presents an overview of the history and classifications of NMs and gives an overview of the various sources of NPs and NSMs, from natural to synthetic, and their toxic effects towards mammalian cells and tissue. Additionally, the types of toxic reactions associated with NPs and NSMs and the regulations implemented by different countries to reduce the associated risks are also discussed.

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A huge variety of plants are harvested worldwide and their different constituents can be converted into a broad range of bionanomaterials. In parallel, much research effort in materials science and...

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Cuttlefish bones are an inexpensive source of calcium carbonate, which are produced in large amounts by the marine food industry, leading to environmental contamination and waste. The nontoxicity, worldwide availability and low production cost of cuttlefish bone products makes them an excellent calcium carbonate precursor for the fabrication of hydroxyapatite. In the present study, a novel oil-bath-mediated precipitation method was introduced for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (Hap) nanorods using cuttlefish bone powder as a precursor (CB-Hap NRs). The obtained CB-Hap NRs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques to evaluate their physicochemical properties. The crystallite size (20.86 nm) obtained from XRD data and the elemental analysis (Ca/P molar ratio was estimated to be 1.6) showed that the Hap NRs are similar to that of natural human bone (≈1.67). Moreover, the FTIR data confirmed the presence of phosphate as a functional group and the TGA data revealed the thermal stability of Hap NRs. In addition, the antibacterial study showed a significant inhibitory effect of CB-Hap NRs against S. aureus (zone of inhibition – 14.5 ± 0.5 mm) and E. coli (13 ± 0.5 mm), whereas the blood compatibility test showed that the CB-Hap NRs exhibited a concentration-mediated hemolytic effect. These biogenic CB-Hap NRs with improved physicochemical properties, blood compatibility and antibacterial efficacy could be highly beneficial for orthopedic applications in the future.

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Janus particles have emerged as a novel and smart material that could improve pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, and theranostics. Janus particles have two distinct compartments that differ in functionality, physicochemical properties, and morphological characteristics, among other conventional particles. Recently, Janus particles have attracted considerable attention as effective particulate drug delivery systems as they can accommodate two opposing pharmaceutical agents that can be engineered at the molecular level to achieve better target affinity, lower drug dosage to achieve a therapeutic effect, and controlled drug release with improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This article discusses the development of Janus particles for tailored and improved delivery of pharmaceutical agents for diabetes treatment and antimicrobial applications. It provides an account of advances in the synthesis of Janus particles from various materials using different approaches. It appraises Janus particles as a promising particulate system with the potential to improve conventional delivery systems, providing a better loading capacity and targeting specificity whilst promoting multi-drugs loading and single-dose-drug administration.