5 research outputs found
Blends of Salvinia molesta oil microemulsion with diesel in an unmodified diesel engine for the simultaneous reduction of nitrogen oxide and smoke
No full textIn this study, microemulsion synthesized from chemically extracted Salvinia molesta oil with diesel was evaluated as fuel in stationary unmodified diesel engine. The microemulsions from S. molesta oil was prepared using the best combinations of 67% S. molesta oil, 15% ethanol, 13% water and 5% surfactant (span 80) and its properties were compared with that of diesel. The engine test conducted with M10, M20 and M30 blends and reported a brake thermal efficiency of 29.76% and brake specific fuel consumption of 0.3239 kg/kWh with M20. The emissions like NO and smoke reduced by 18.07% and 7.37%, respectively, with marginal increase in CO, CO2 and unburned hydrocarbon by 3.8%, 3.4% and 16.66% respectively, with M20 compared to diesel at maximum engine load of 3.73 kW. At lower engine loads with M10, M20 and M30 slightly lower CO2 emission than diesel. A drop in peak pressure and heat release rate was found to be 1.73% and 8.40%, correspondingly with M20, as that of diesel. Even though a slight reduction in brake thermal efficiency observed with M20 as compared to M10 and diesel by considering the lowest emissions of NO and smoke, it is feasible to use as promising fuel for unmodified diesel engines
Development of alkyne-BODIPYs as viscosity sensitive fluorescent probes for enumeration of bacterial cells
No full textHarnessing antimicrobial and antioxidant-rich emulsions from citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) oil enriched with plant extract mixture for effective wound healing
No full textPlant essential oils with remarkable antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties have been used for decades in treating various skin ailments. However, their high volatility and cytotoxicity limit their efficacy as therapeutic agents compared to synthetic medications. To overcome such limitations, the present study investigates the bioactive potential of emulsion formulated from citronella essential oil with an oil-surfactant-water ratio of 88:6:6 wt%. Additionally, a plant extract mixture prepared from methanolic extraction of six different medicinal plants was also incorporated to prepare plant-extract loaded emulsions and was evaluated for their bioactivities. The antimicrobial activities of all emulsions against wound pathogens exhibited a bactericidal nature with the highest zone of inhibitions in the range of 18 ± 0.18 – 21 ± 0.08 (S. aureus) and 19 ± 0.05 – 25 ± 0.02 (C. albicans). The emulsions also exhibited potent scavenging activities and reduced 95 % of dermatophyte (Trichophyton mentagrophytes) growth within 7 days. Accelerated stability studies and thermal analysis data indicated their resilience against phase separation. Cytotoxicity analysis on HaCaT cells showed IC50 concentration from 0. 1983 ± 0. 0016 µl/ml to 0. 4685 ± 0. 0022 µl/ml. Furthermore, an in vitro scratch wound healing assay on HaCaT cells showed 98 % cell migration in 24 h, highlighting their wound healing potential
Water–Chloroform Interface Assisted Microstructure Tuning of Polypyrrole–Silver Sheets
No full textThe
liquid–liquid interface of two immiscible solvents remarkably
controls the morphology of polymeric nanostructures as compared to
the polymerization in single solvent systems. The polymerization of
pyrrole in the water–chloroform medium using silver nitrate
(AgNO3) as oxidant yields polypyrrole/silver (PPy/Ag) sheets.
The water–chloroform interface acts as a template for the growth
of PPy/Ag hybrids into sheets by preventing the secondary growth of
silver associated pyrrole oligomers in a three-dimensional (3-D) manner.
On the contrary, the 3-D growth of pyrrole oligomers into spherical
shapes at the water–chloroform interface is observed when ammonium
persulfate (APS) is used as the oxidant. Transmission electron microscopic
and scanning electron microscopic images reveal the sheetlike morphology
of PPy/Ag with a relatively uniform distribution of Ag NPs (∼100
nm) on PPy sheets. The ratio of aqueous–organic bisolvent and
the concentration/type of oxidant have a distinct effect on morphology,
crystallinity, and electrical properties of PPy/Ag sheets. The dispersed
PPy/Ag sheets are stable in moderately polar solvents up to 2 weeks.
The electrochemical behavior of PPy/Ag sheets is confirmed by H2O2 sensing capability through cyclic voltammetry
experiments. The antibacterial activity toward E. coli and S. aureus is quantitatively assessed using
the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determination
Mechanical Properties of Bacterial Cement Mortar Integrating Natural Banana Fibres
Get PDFThis investigation analyzes the usage of bacterial content and different lengths of banana fiber reinforced with variable percentages in cement mortar. Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) was combined with bacterial solutions (Bacillus cereus) at a concentration of 1.15×104 cells/ml to produce a mortar composite. By adding natural fibers like banana fiber to the composite components, the mechanical behavior of the bacterial mortar was enhanced. Mortar mixtures using banana fibers with different fiber concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1%) and lengths (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 cm) were evaluated. Compressive and flexural strength was found to be greatly affected by the addition of banana fibers to concrete, but only at lower fiber levels of up to 0.25% for all fiber lengths. At lower fiber levels of up to 0.25%, the length of the fiber had no discernible effect on compressive strength; however, at larger dosages exceeding 0.25%, shorter fibers were shown to outperform longer ones. However, the mixing of bacterial content in the mortar is not only significant to the mechanical properties but also potentially lowers the carbon emissions, making it a more sustainable option for composite preparation. The stability of bacterial-based mortar and its compatibility with natural fibers further underscores the potential for eco-friendly construction materials. By exploring the chemical and physical properties of banana fibers treated with alkali chemicals and their compatibility with bacterial cultures, this study adds depth to our understanding of these composite materials. Overall, the proposed methodology for preparing these composites holds promise for future applications in the construction industry, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional materials
