@article { ISI:000264558200004, title = {Visible light induced photoreduction of methyl orange by N-doped mesoporous titania}, journal = {Applied Catalysis A-General}, volume = {357}, number = {1}, year = {2009}, month = {MAR}, pages = {26-33}, publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV}, address = {PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS}, abstract = {

N-doped mesoporous titania was synthesized using templating method. Biopolymer chitosan was used as a template and also as a nitrogen source along with ammonium hydroxide. Three different types of N-doped mesoporous titania were synthesized by varying composition of chitosan and titania precursor. These photocatalysts were characterized using XRD, BET-SA, FTIR, UV-DRS, SEM-EDX and XPS analysis. The photocatalytic activity of mesoporous titania was studied by methyl orange (MO) photoreduction reaction. From the experimental results it was observed that the N-doped mesoporous titania (1:2) gives the highest photocatalytic reduction of MO as compared to N-doped mesoporous titania prepared with (1:1) and (1:3) stoichiometry. This could be due to the optimal level of {\textquoteleft}N{\textquoteright} incorporation in the N-doped mesoporous titania (1:2). Photocatalysts reduce the MO dye into derivative of hydrazine. Photoactivity of N-doped mesoporous titania (1:2) is 1.0721 mg of MO reduced per g of TiO2 vis-a-vis 0.508 mg of MO reduced per g of TiO2 for Degussa P25 photocatalyst. The effect of various operating parameters like photocatalyst loading. initial concentration and intensity of light also has been studied. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {biopolymer, Chitosan, MO photoreduction, N-doped mesoporous titania, Visible active photocatalyst}, issn = {0926-860X}, doi = {10.1016/j.apcata.2008.12.030}, author = {Joshi, Meenal M. and Labhsetwar, Nitin K. and Mangrulkar, Priti A. and Tijare, Saumitra N. and Kamble, Sanjay P. and Rayalu, Sadhana S.} } @article { ISI:000288092200005, title = {Preparation and characterization of bioceramic nanocomposites based on hydroxyapatite (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)}, journal = {Macromolecular Research}, volume = {18}, number = {12}, year = {2010}, month = {DEC}, pages = {1160-1167}, publisher = {SPRINGER}, address = {233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA}, abstract = {

We report the synthesis of biomimetic nanocomposites based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles via a co-precipitation method. Physico-chemical characterization was performed before and after calcination by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, solid state (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The formation of nanocomposites was observed by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spectral and crystallographic data indicated the formation of hydroxyapatite in the presence of CMC. They were observed as aggregates of HA nanoparticles and CMC, whose sizes were approximately similar to 260 +/- 40 nm. The crystallite size of the hydroxyapatite particles decreased (with 2 wt\% 18 +/- 3 nm) with increasing CMC content. The morphological aspects of the calcined samples revealed the sintering ability of HA nanoparticles. Nanocomposites of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles that mimic the process of nucleation and growth in nature can be prepared using biomacromolecules such as CMC.

}, keywords = {biopolymer, cellulose, hydroxyapatite, Nanoparticles, Particle size, X-ray diffraction}, issn = {1598-5032}, doi = {10.1007/s13233-010-1208-3}, author = {Kumar, Annamalai Pratheep and Mohaideen, Kamal Khaja and Alariqi, Sameh A. S. and Singh, Raj Pal} } @article {46636, title = {Structural and physical analysis of underwater silk from housing nest composites of a tropical chironomid midge}, journal = {International Journal of Biological Macromolecules}, volume = {163}, year = {2020}, month = {NOV }, pages = {934-942}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Chironomids are an abundant group of aquatic silk spinning insects. They offer a unique opportunity of silk harvestation without killing them; however, they remained underappreciated models in silk research. Here, we investigate the structural and biomechanical characteristics of silk from the midge, Chironomus ramosus. A combination of microscopic (SEM), spectroscopic (CD and IR), structural (XRD), thermal (DSC and TGA) and mechanical measurement tools and techniques were employed to gain critical insights on midge silk. Maximum yield of silk was obtained from Chironomus in similar to 2.5 h, the shortest time reported among insects. The network of water-insoluble silk fibres possessed the smallest diameter of 110 +/- 35 nm, known for any insect silk, qualifying its superiority in fibre fineness. We demonstrate a cruelty-free silk extraction method in contrast to the conventional violent techniques. Structural characterization indicated coexistence of various secondary conformations, beta sheets being predominant. We compare and contrast these features to well-characterized caddisfly and silk-worm silks and highlight the uniqueness in midge silk that render mechanical stability and potentially contribute to its multi-functionalization. We thus propose Chironomus as an emerging candidate of water-borne silk, especially in the context of the {\textquoteleft}Peace silk{\textquoteright} industry, aiming to develop non-violent methods for silk harvestation from animals. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {biopolymer, Chironomus, Commercial applications, Housing nest composite, Peace silk, Underwater silk}, issn = {0141-8130}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.070}, author = {Thorat, Leena and Joseph, Emmanuel and Nisal, Anuya and Shukla, Ekta and RaviKumar, Ameeta and Nath, Bimalendu B.} } @article {49111, title = {Hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots embedded on layer-by-layer films for peroxidase-assisted colorimetric detection of β-galactosidase producing pathogens}, journal = {ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {MAY }, pages = {26870-26885}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Pathogen detection has become a major research area all over the world for water quality surveillance and microbial risk assessment. Therefore, designing simple and sensitive detection kits plays a key role in envisaging and evaluating the risk of disease outbreaks and providing quality healthcare settings. Herein, we have designed a facile and low-cost colorimetric sensing strategy for the selective and sensitive determination of beta-galactosidase producing pathogens. The hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots (h-BN QDs) were established as a nanozyme that showed prominent peroxidase-like activity, which catalyzes 3,3 {\textquoteleft},5,5 {\textquoteleft}-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation by H2O2. The h-BN QDs were embedded on a layer-by-layer assembled agarose biopolymer. The beta-galactosidase enzyme partially degrades beta-1,4 glycosidic bonds of agarose polymer, resulting in accessibility of h-BN QDs on the solid surface. This assay can be conveniently conducted and analyzed by monitoring the blue color formation due to TMB oxidation within 30 min. The nanocomposite was stable for more than 90 days and was showing TMB oxidation after incubating it with Escherichia coli (E. coli). The limit of detection was calculated to be 1.8 x 10(6) and 1.5 x 10(6) CFU/mL for E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia), respectively. Furthermore, this novel sensing approach is an attractive platform that was successfully applied to detect E. coli in spiked water samples and other food products with good accuracy, indicating its practical applicability for the detection of pathogens in real samples.

}, keywords = {biopolymer, colorimetric, h-BN quantum dots, nanozyme, pathogens, Sensor}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.4c01565}, author = {Majumdar, Sristi and Gogoi, Devipriya and Boruah, Purna K. and Thakur, Ashutosh and Sarmah, Priyakhee and Gogoi, Parishmita and Sarkar, Sanjib and Pachani, Priyakshi and Manna, Prasenjit and Saikia, Ratul and Chaturvedi, Vikash and Shelke, Manjusha V. and Das, Manash R.} } @article {49764, title = {Engineered silk-dressing for acceleratedwound healing: biocompatibility and efficacy studies}, journal = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, volume = {25}, year = {2025}, month = {NOV}, pages = {e00323}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Advanced wound care dressings are essential for improving clinical outcomes. The present study investigates the wound management potential of a unique dressing fabricated from silk proteins. The dressing was characterized for its physical and structural properties, including surface texture, porosity, fluid absorption capacity, and moisture vapor transmission rate. These parameters have been found to be critical for optimal wound healing. In vivo full thickness wound healing studies in a rat model validated the efficacy of the Silk-dressing compared to conventional cotton gauze and commercial polyurethane foam dressings. Histopathological analysis confirmed improved re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and formation of secondary follicles. Key advantages of Silk-dressing included non-adherence, absorption of exudate, maintenance of optimal moisture at wound site and acceleratedwound closure. Biocompatibility studies were also conducted in accordance with ISO 10993 guidelines, demonstrating no cytotoxicity, irritation, sensitization, or pyrogenicity. These findings highlight the potential of this uniquely designed Silk-dressing as a superior alternative for wound management, with a potential to improve clinical outcomes.

}, keywords = {Biocompatibility, biopolymer, ISO 10993, Silk protein, wound Healing}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.202500323}, author = {Deshpande, Rucha and Pillai, Lakshmi R. and Sayyad, Raeesa and Shukla, Swati and Nisal, Anuya and Venugopalan, Premnath} }