• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.920-925
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• 2020

In India, nanotechnology has been used in therapeutic applications for several millennia. One example of a traditional nanomedicine is Rajath Bhasma (also called calcined silver ash), which is used as an antimicrobial and for the treatment of various ailments and conditions such as memory loss, eye diseases, and dehydration. In this study, we aimed to characterize the physical composition and morphology of Rajath Bhasma and its suitability for use as a non-toxic antimicrobial agent. First, Rajath Bhasma was physically characterized via i) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze the surface functional groups, ii) scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to observe the morphology and elemental composition, and iii) X-ray diffraction to determine the crystalline phases. Thereafter, functional characterization was performed through toxicity screening using zebrafish embryos and through antimicrobial activity assessment against gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Rajath Bhasma was found to harbor alkene, hydroxyl, aldehyde, and amide functional groups originating from biological components on its surface. The main component of Rajath Bhasma is silver, with particle size of 170-210 nm, and existing in the form of spherical aggregates with pure crystalline silver structures. Furthermore, Rajath Bhasma did not exert toxic effects on zebrafish embryos at concentrations below 5 ㎍/ml and exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The present results indicate that Rajath Bhasma is a potentially effective antimicrobial agent without toxicity when used at concentrations below 5 ㎍/ml.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.370-376
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• 2012

We fabricated linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) particles via crystallization from decalin solution. In the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process, formation of particles occurred during controlled cooling of LLDPE/decalin solution. Despite an increase of nucleation and growth rate for crystals at higher polymer concentrations, which generally results in larger particles than at lower concentration, the average diameter of LLDPE particles increased as LLDPE was more concentrated in decalin solution. In the FE-SEM micrographs, the observed particles from various concentrations were smaller than 10 ${\mu}m$, showing spherical morphologies. In addition to its effect on size, concentration of LLDPE had an broadening effect on the particle size distribution.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1061-1068
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• 2010

The biological synthesis of nanoparticles has gained considerable attention in view of their excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity. We isolated and purified rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BS-161R, and these purified rhamnolipids were used to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The purified rhamnolipids were further characterized and the structure was elucidated based on one- and two-dimensional $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR, FT-IR, and HR-MS spectral data. Purified rhamnolipids in a pseudoternary system of n-heptane and water system along with n-butanol as a cosurfactant were added to the aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and sodium borohydride to form reverse micelles. When these micelles were mixed, they resulted in the rapid formation of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The nanoparticles formed had a sharp adsorption peak at 410 nm, which is characteristic of surface plasmon resonance of the silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were monodispersed, with an average particle size of 15.1 nm (${\sigma}={\pm}5.82$ nm), and spherical in shape. The EDS analysis revealed the presence of elemental silver signal in the synthesized nanoparticles. The formed silver nanoparticles exhibited good antibiotic activity against both Grampositive and Gram-negative pathogens and Candida albicans, suggesting their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1354-1367
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• 2014

In the present work, we describe a simple, cheap, and unexplored method for "green" synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cell extracts of the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum. An attempt was also made to test the antimicrobial and antitumor activities of the synthesized nanoparticles. Analytical techniques, namely UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and TEM-selected area electron diffraction, were used to elucidate the formation and characterization of silver-cyanobacterial nanoparticles (Ag-CNPs). Results showed that the original color of the cell extract changed from reddish blue to dark brown after addition of silver nitrate solution (1 mM) within 1 h, suggesting the synthesis of Ag-CNPs. That the formation Ag-CNPs indeed occurred was also evident from the spectroscopic analysis of the reaction mixture, wherein a prominent peak at 420 nm was noted. TEM images revealed well-dispersed, spherical Ag-CNPs with a particle size in the range of 10-50 nm. The X-ray diffraction spectrum suggested a crystalline nature of the Ag-CNPs. FTIR analysis indicated the utilization of a hydroxyl (-OH) group in the formation of Ag-CNPs. Ag-CNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against three multidrug-resistant bacteria. Additionally, Ag-CNPs strongly affected the survival of Dalton's lymphoma and human carcinoma colo205 cells at a very low concentration. The Ag-CNPs-induced loss of survival of both cell types may be due to the induction of reactive oxygen species generation and DNA fragmentation, resulting in apoptosis. Properties exhibited by the Ag-CNP suggest that it may be used as a potential antibacterial and antitumor agent.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.736-742
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• 2005

Xyloglucan (XG), which exhibits thermal sol to gel transition, non-toxicity, and low gelation concentration, is of interest in the development of sustained release carriers for drug delivery. Drug-loaded XG beads were prepared by extruding dropwise a dispersion of indomethacin in aqueous XG solution (2 wt.-$\%$) through a syringe into corn oil. Enteric coating of XG bead was performed using Eudragit L 100 to improve the stability of XG bead in gastrointestinal (GI) track and to achieve gastroresistant drug release. Release behavior of indomethacin from XG beads in vitro was investigated as a function of loading content of drug, pH of release medium, and concentration of coating agent. Adhesive force of XG was also measured using the tensile test. Uniform-sized spherical beads with particle diameters ranging from 692 $\pm$ 30 to 819 $\pm$ 50 $\mu$m were obtained. The effect of drug content on the release of indomethacin from XG beads depended on the medium pH. Release of indomethacin from XG beads was retarded by coating with Eudragit and increased rapidly with the change in medium pH from 1.2 to 7.4. Adhesive force of XG was stronger than that of Carbopol 943 P, a well-known commercial mucoadhesive polymer, in wet state. Results indicate the enteric-coated XG beads may be suitable as a carrier for oral drug delivery of irritant drug in the stomach.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2009

The microcapsules containing rosmarinic acid were prepared in this research. Rosmarinic acid is known that it is effective to care the winkles. Chitosan was used as a wall material, and glutaraldehyde was used as a crosslinking agent, and the microcapsules were prepared by the water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion method. In this method Span80 was used as an emulsifier, and mineral oil was used as a medium material. Perfectly spherical microcapsules were obtained in the size range of $0.5{\sim}0.9{\mu}m$. The effects of emulsifier concentration and stirring speed on the average particle size and distribution, and encapsulation efficiency were investigated. The release behavior of the microcapsules with different amount of the crosslinking agent and different emulsifier concentrations were also investigated.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.133-137
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• 2014

As a preceding process for preparing several micrometer sized Ag-coated Cu flakes, ball milling of submicrometer-sized Cu particles synthesized through a wet chemical method was performed in order to convert the particles into flakes. To suppress oxidation and aggregation of the particles during ball milling, ethylene glycol and ethyl acetate were used as a medium and a surface modifying agent, respectively. Results obtained with different rotation speeds of a jar indicated that the rotation speed changes a rotating mode, and strikingly alters the final shapes and shape uniformity of Cu particles after milling. The diameter of zirconia ball was also confirmed. Although there was aggregates in the initial submicrometer-sized Cu particles, therefore, well-dispersed Cu flakes with a size of several micrometers were successfully prepared by ball milling through optimization of rotation speed, amount of ethyl acetate, and diameter of zirconia ball.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.2671-2676
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• 2011

Nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ spherical particle (NP) with a dimension of 5 ${\times}$ 5.5 nm and several nanorods (NR) with different aspect ratios (diameter ${\times}$ length: 5 ${\times}$ 8.5, 4 ${\times}$ 15, 4 ${\times}$ 18 and 3.5 ${\times}$ 22 nm) were selectively synthesized by a solvothermal process combined with non-hydrolytic sol-gel reaction. With varying the molar ratio of TTIP to oleic acid from 1:1 to 1:16, the NRs in the pure anatase phase were elongated to the c-axis direction. The prepared NP and NRs were applied for the formation of nanoporous $TiO_2$ layers in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Among them, NR2 ($TiO_2$ nanorod with 4 ${\times}$ 15 nm) exhibited the highest cell performance: Its photovoltaic conversion efficiency (${\eta}$) of 6.07%, with $J_{sc}$ of 13.473 mA/$cm^2$, $V_{oc}$ of 0.640 V, and FF of 70.32%, was 1.44 times that of NP with a size of 5 ${\times}$ 5.5 nm. It was observed from the transient photoelectron spectroscopy and the incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra that the $TiO_2$ films derived from NR2 demonstrate the longest electron diffusion length ($L_e$) and the highest external quantum efficiency (EQE).

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1401-1413
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• 1994

The synthesis of kaolinite mineral from domestic diatomite for silica resource, commercial vailable gibbsite or alumina for alumina resource were made under various hydrothermal treatment, and the sythetic effect of acidic mineralizers, temperature treatment with time duration, particle size of alumina on formation of kaolinite mineral and the plastic properties of synthesized kaolinite were investigated. The various acidic mineralizers which are HCl, HNO3, H2SO4 and Oxalic acid were employed for hydrothermal reaction in the range of 0.01 mol/ι to 2 mol/ι concentration of each mineralizers. It was found that HCl in the level of 1 mol/ι solution produced highly yields of well-crystallized and platy form kaolinite mineral and gave the most effective extraction of iron oxide, compared to that of others, that HNO3 produced highly yield of kaolinite but lower extraction of iron oxide, that H2SO4 produced low yield of kaolinite and formed alunite mineral, and that oxialic acid formed spherical crystalline kaolinite and gave low extraction of iron oxide. Moreover, it showed that kaolinite minerals were well synthesized in a wide range of less than 2 mol/ι acids, but were poorly synthesized at more than 2 mol/ι acids. However, boehmite and kaolinite were coexistently formed in the temperature range of 18$0^{\circ}C$ and 20$0^{\circ}C$ when the calcined diatomite and gibbsite were involved. The well-ordered kaolinite mineral as a platy form was highly synthesized in the temperature range of 220 and 24$0^{\circ}C$, when the same marterials as above were used with treatment of 1 mol/ι HCl solution. The results also revealed that the size of crystalline platy form kaolinite, synthesized from alumina and calcined diatomite with treatment in 1 mol/ιHCl solution at 24$0^{\circ}C$, was much larger than that of gibbsite and calcined diatomite shown previously, and that kaolinite and corundum minerals were coexistently formed under any hydrothermal treatment conditions. The plasticity of synthesized kaolinite from under 2 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ alumina and calcined diatomite was very poor, and that of the synthesized kaolinite from raw diatomite and gibbsite gave higher than that of calcined diatomite and gibbsite.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.409-412
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• 2001

The high purity manganese oxides were made from the dust, generated in AOD process that produces a medium-low carbon ferromanganese and collected in the bag filter. Manganese oxide content in the dust was about 90%, and its phase was confirmed as Mn₃O₄. In the extraction of manganese, because of remaining amorphous MnO₂, the dust was reduced to MnO by roasting with charcoal. The pulp density of the reduced dust can control pH of the solution more than 4 and then Fe ion is precipitated to a ferric hydroxide. Because a ferric hydroxide co precipitates with Si ion etc, Fe, Si ion was removed f개m the solution. Heating made water to be volatized and nitrates was left in reactor Then nitrates were a liquid state and stirring was possible. Among the nitrates in reactor, only the manganese nitrate which have the lowest pyrolysis temperature pyrolyzed into β-MnO₂powder and NO₂(g) at the temperature less than 200℃. When the pyrolysis of manganese nitrate has been completed about 90%, injection of water stopped the pyrolysis. Nitrates of impurity dissolved and the spherical high purity β-MnO₂powders were obtained by filtering and washing. Mn₂O₃or Mn₃O₄ powder could be manufactured from β-MnO₂powder by controlling the heating temperature. Lastly, a manufactured manganese oxide particle has 99.97% purity.