Laxmikant Shivnath Badwaik

In the present study, biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was carried out using the underutilized aqueous sepals extract of Dillenia indica as a natural resource. The synthesized ZnO NPs (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) were reinforced into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix, and their effects on the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of PVA nanocomposite films were reported. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized to analyze their functional groups, UV absorption properties, crystalline structure, elemental composition, surface morphology, zeta potential, hydrodynamic measurements and antimicrobial activities. The peaks of XRD diffraction were closely aligned with the standard pattern for hexagonal wurtzite ZnO. The mean crystallite size of the ZnO NPs was found to be 12.83 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter of ZnO NPs was 580.2 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.606. The maximum antibacterial activity was observed at the concentration of ZnO NPs (0.5%) against E. coli (24.90 ± 0.656 mm) and S. aureus (21.18 ± 0.928 mm). The reinforced effects of ZnO NPs significantly enhanced the tensile strength (TA) of the PVA nanocomposites from 39.736 ± 1.431 MPa to 53.209 ± 0.983 MPa with the addition of 0.3%, respectively. The water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films was significantly decreased from 36.160 ± 1.860 (g·mm/m ² ·day·kPa) to 10.883 ± 0.552 (g·mm/m ² ·day·kPa) with increasing ZnO NPs concentration. In conclusion, the antibacterial activity of synthesized ZnO NPs and their positive impact on the properties of PVA nanocomposite films make them suitable for food safety applications.

Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus flower (locally known as Nongmangkha), an underutilized medicinal flower, is a rich source of polyphenols with reported antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities.

The development of biodegradable plates using cellulose fibers of areca nut husk and water hyacinth helps to create eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic plates and mitigate environmental concerns associated with non-degradable packaging.

Chronic wound infections caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa , pose a critical challenge, particularly for burn victims and immunocompromised patients where conventional antibiotic therapies continue to fail.

Hen’s egg yolk (HEY) is rich in proteins, lipids, and vitamins, making it highly biocompatible for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. Its inherent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties further enhance its utility in developing therapeutic agents and medical devices. This study investigates the effects of vacuum oxygen (O₂) plasma treatment at varying power levels (96, 144, 192, and 240 W) on the properties of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/amoxicillin hydrochloride trihydrate (Amox)/HEY nanofibers. Plasma treatment effectively improved the antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility of the nanofibers, suggesting their promising applications in biomedicine. Electrospun nanofibers, subjected to varying power levels 96 (0.4 A), 144 (0.6 A), 192 (0.8 A), and 240 W (1.0 A), at a constant input voltage of 240 V, exhibited notable improvements in wettability, tensile strength, and change in elongation at break. Within the power range of 96–240 W, these nanofibers also exhibited a significant increase in the release rate of Amox. However, plasma treatment beyond 144 W resulted in only marginal enhancements in the drug release rate. Additionally, the plasma‐treated nanofibers demonstrated good antibacterial activity against both Gram‐negative E. coli and Gram‐positive bacteria S. aureus . Both untreated and plasma‐treated PVA/Amox/HEY electrospun nanofibers maintained high cell viability (> 97%) and minimal hemolysis activity (< 5%) across the tested power supply (96–240 W). Notably, nanofibers treated at 144 W demonstrated superior antibacterial activity and biocompatibility, highlighting their potential for wound dressing applications. Summary: Vacuum O₂ plasma treatment effectively modifies the surface of PVA/Amox/HEY nanofiber mats. Tensile strength and wettability improve significantly with plasma power increasing up to 144 W. Amoxicillin release rate and antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus are enhanced. Haemolytic activity remains low (97%) for treatments up to 144 W. Optimized biocompatibility and drug release kinetics support potential wound dressing applications.

The study aims to develop the biocomposites and biodegradable plates by direct utilization of oilseed meals and plant fibres by sustainable approaches.