Navendu Goswami

Doping concentration driven morphological evolution of Fe doped ZnO nanostructures

In this paper, systematic study of structural, vibrational, and optical properties of undoped and 1-10 at.% Fe doped ZnO nanostructures, synthesized adopting chemical precipitation route, has been reported. Prepared nanostructures were characterized employing an assortment of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, namely Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Micro-Raman Spectroscopy (μRS), and UV-visible and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. With Fe incorporation, a gradual morphological transformation of nanostructures is demonstrated vividly through SEM/TEM characterizations. Interestingly, the morphology of nanostructures evolves with 1–10 at. % Fe doping concentration in ZnO. Nanoparticles obtained with 1 at. % Fe evolve to nanorods for 3 at. % Fe; nanorods transform to nanocones (for 5 at. % and 7 at. % Fe) and finally nanocones transform to nanoflakes at...

Effect of media components on cell growth and bacterial cellulose production from Acetobacter aceti MTCC 2623.

Acetobacter aceti MTCC 2623 was studied as an alternative microbial source for bacterial cellulose (BC) production. Effect of media components on cell growth rate, BC production and cellulose characteristics were studied. FTIR results showed significant variations in cellulose characteristics produced by A. aceti in different media. Results have shown the role of fermentation time on crystallinity ratio of BC in different media. Further, effect of six different media components on cell growth and BC production was studied using fractional factorial design. Citric acid was found to be the most significant media component for cell growth rate (95% confidence level, R(2)=0.95). However, direct role of these parameters on cellulose production was not established (p-value>0.05).

Evaluation of physicochemical and biological properties of chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) polymer blend membranes and their correlation for Vero cell growth

The blend membranes with varying weight ratios of chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA) (1:0, 1:1, 1:2.5, 1.5:1, 1.5: 2.5) were prepared using solvent casting method and were evaluated for their potential application in single-use membrane bioreactors (MBRs). The physicochemical properties of the prepared membranes were investigated for chemical interactions (FTIR), surface morphology (SEM), water uptake, protein sorption (qe), ammonia sorption and growth kinetics of Vero cells. CS/PVA blend membrane having weight ratio of 1.5:1 had shown enhanced membrane flexibility, reduced water uptake, less protein sorption and no ammonium sorption compared to CS membrane. This blend membrane also showed comparatively enhanced higher specific growth rate (0.82/day) of Vero cells. Improved physicochemical properties and growth kinetics obtrude CS/PVA (1.5:1) as a potential surface for adhesion and proliferation with possible application in single use membrane bioreactors. Additionally, new insight explaining correlation between water holding (%) of CS/PVA (1.5:1) blend membrane and doubling time (td) of Vero cells is proposed.

Structural and optical investigations of oxygen defects in zinc oxide nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared implementing chemical precipitation method. Structural and optical characterizations of synthesized ZnO NPs were thoroughly probed applying X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV- Visible absorption and fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. The XRD and TEM analyses revealed hexagonal wurtzite phase with 25-30 nm size. EDX analysis indicated oxygen (O) rich composition of nanoparticles. In accordance with EDX, XPS analysis verifies Oi rich stoichiometry of prepared NPs. Furthermore, concurrence of lattice oxygen (OL), interstitial oxygen (Oi) and oxygen vacancy (VO) in ZnO NPs was demonstrated through XPS analysis. Size quantization of nanoparticles is evident by blue shift of UV-Visible absorption energy. The FL spectroscopic investigations ascertain the existence of several discrete and defect states and radiative transitions occurring therein. Display of visible em...

Evaluating the potential of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes as alternative carrier material for proliferation of Vero cells

Abstract Chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA) blend membranes were prepared using the casting method and their physiochemical properties were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR and XRD demonstrated possible hydrogen bonds between CS and PVA. The addition of PVA to CS resulted in surface roughness as analyzed by SEM. The CS/PVA blend membrane exhibited high tensile properties (81.62%) and reduced water-holding capacity (53.8%) compared to a pure CS membrane (control). Cell viability and proliferation were assessed via an MTT assay with Vero cell culture. Associated with improved physicochemical properties, the CS/PVA blend membrane promotes cell proliferation of Vero cells with high specific growth rate (0.582 day-1). The results demonstrate that the blending of CS and PVA could significantly alter the surface rugosity, water-holding capacity and improve the mechanical and biological properties of the membrane. Interestingly, this concept can be extended for different anchorage-dependent cell lines, as an alternative carrier material.

UV–Visible spectroscopic study of ZnS nanostructures synthesized by a novel micellar method

In this article, we report a novel micellar method to prepare ZnS nanostructures. UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy was employed extensively to study these ZnS nanostructures. A detailed investigation on optical properties of this nanomaterial was performed to determine alteration in absorption energies with the ultimate goal to decipher the role of various parameters involved in the synthesis process. We elucidate the qualitative effects of reactant concentration and reaction temperature on the formation of ZnS nanostructures. Based on this systematic investigation, we have made an attempt to ascertain favourable conditions for optimal production of ZnS nanostructures through the micellar route.

Water driven stabilization of ZnS nanoparticles prepared by exploding wire technique

ZnS nanoparticles, prepared employing exploding wire technique (EWT), demonstrate water-induced stabilization with time. The structural evolution of ZnS nanoparticles and their interaction with the surrounding aqueous media is systematically studied at the three distinct stages of time. The structural properties of nanoparticles were examined by an assortment of characterization techniques. However, in this article we focus on x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) investigation of nanoparticles. The XRD results indicate transformation of hexagonal phase of prepared ZnS nanocrystals. The lattice constants and strain in ZnS nanoparticles are estimated at each stage of transition. Alteration in crystal structure of ZnS nanoparticles, transforming in presence of water, is an outcome of gradual variation in lattice constants and strain. Variation in stoichiometry of ZnS nanoparticles, at respective stages of transformation, is found through XPS analysis. Furthermore, in order to determine the alterations in the oxidation state and energies of the nanoparticle constituents, line shape analysis of Zn 2p3/2 peaks at three stages, is also performed. Thus, XPS analysis, accompanied with the XRD interpretations, vividly deciphers the structural evolution of ZnS nanoparticles in aqueous environment.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) mediated regulation of bacosides biosynthesis and transcriptional correlation of HMG-CoA reductase gene in suspension culture of Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. is a well documented nootropic plant, extensive known for alleviating symptoms of neurological disorder, along with other symptomatic relief. This property is attributed to the active phytocompounds, saponins (bacoside A) present in the plant. However, lack of stringent validation guidelines in most of the countries bring to the market, formulations differing in phytocompounds yield, thereby suggesting possible variation in therapeutic efficacy. The in-vitro suspension cultures of the Bacopa monnieri, provide an ease of scale-up, but regulating saponin yield is a stringent task. The aim of the study is to explore the effects of different concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 ppm) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) (24 nm in size), in regulating growth rate, bacoside yield and transcriptional profile of HMG CoA reductasegene in the suspension cells of Bacopa monnieri. Results showed a linear correlation between Bacoside A yield and ZnO NP concentrations with around 2 fold increase in total bacoside A concentration at 1 ppm. Also, ZnO NP supplemented suspension cells showed variation in the specific growth rate. Neuroprotective properties, analyzed using methanolic extracts of suspension cells again obtrude the extract of ZnO NP supplemented (0.75 ppm and 1 ppm) culture for better response in alleviating oxidative stress mediated damage to neuronal cells. ZnO NP supplemented system showed lower expression of HMG CoA reductasegene (the rate limiting step in bacoside A biosynthesis) but higher concentration of bacoside A, suggesting possible role of ZnO NP in isoprenoid pathway than MVA pathways.

Optical Properties and Potential Applications of Nanoferrites

Copyright:

Effect of carbon sources on physicochemical properties of bacterial cellulose produced from Gluconacetobacter xylinus MTCC 7795

Abstract In this study, the effect of modified Hestrin Schramm (HS) medium supplemented with different carbon sources viz., glucose, fructose, galactose and lactic acid on the yield and physicochemical properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) produced from Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain MTCC 7795 in shake flask culture conditions was investigated. Growth studies indicated that all carbon sources supported the growth of bacteria, though specific growth rate and doubling time differs. Fructose gave the highest cellulose yield of 7.72 mg/ml after 130 h of fermentation, while yield in glucose and galactose supplemented medium were 4.49 mg/ml and 3.38 mg/ml, respectively. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that all BC samples were amorphous in comparison to commercial cellulose. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic investigations of bacterial cellulose (BC) samples affirm the purity of the cellulose produced. No significant variations in physicochemical properties of cellulose samples produced with different carbon sources were observed. This study for the first time has investigated the effect of carbon sources on physicochemical properties of bacterial cellulose produced by G. xylinus MTCC 7795 and provides a strategy for economical production of BC with anticipated application in therapeutics and tissue engineering.