Novel and simple approach using synthesized nickel nanoparticles to control blood-sucking parasites

The present study was on assessment of the anti-parasitic activities of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) against the larvae of cattle ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum (a.) anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae), fourth instar larvae of Anopheles subpictus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex gelidus (Diptera: Culicidae). The metallic Ni NPs were synthesized by polyol process from Ni-hydrazine as precursor and Tween 80 as both the medium and the stabilizing reagent. The synthesized Ni NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis which indicated the presence of Ni NPs. Synthesized Ni NPs showed the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks at 42.76°, 53.40°, and 76.44°, identified as 1 1 1, 2 2 0, and 2 0 0 reflections, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the synthesized Ni NPs clearly showed that the Ni NPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 150 nm. The Ni NPs showed maximum activity against the larvae of R. (B.) microplus, H. a. anatolicum, A. subpictus, C. quinquefasciatus and C. gelidus with LC₅₀ values of 10.17, 10.81, 4.93, 5.56 and 4.94 mg/L; r² values of 0.990, 0.993, 0.992, 0.950 and 0.988 and the efficacy of Ni-hydrazine complexes showed the LC₅₀ values of 20.35, 22.72, 8.29, 9.69 and 7.83 mg/L; r² values of 0.988, 0.986, 0.989, 0.944 and 0.978, respectively. The findings revealed that synthesized Ni NPs possess excellent larvicidal parasitic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on larvicidal activity of blood feeding parasites using synthesized Ni NPs.     

Development of Superhydrophobic Microfibers for Bandage Coatings

In this research work, a fabricated composite fiber is proposed to protect wound surfaces from infectious organisms present in water. The composite fiber comprising PMMA, ZnO, and zinc stearate was developed using an electrospinning technique. The fiber surface was scientifically studied using scanning electron microscope, Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, powder X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform Infra-Red analysis. The pores present in between perpendicularly aligned fibers serves as an excellent medium for vapor transport to a wound surface. The maximum water contact angle of the developed fiber surface was approximately 151 degrees. A commercial cotton bandage after coated with this composite layer behaves as a perfect barrier to the entry of infectious water towards the wound. The pores in the fiber surface support rich supply of environmental oxygen and transport of exudate vapor from the wound. This fiber when coated over a cotton bandage cloth on one side served as an excellent wound protecting bandage against the penetration of external microbial water and also it admits the air, water vapor etc., towards the interior. Water penetration ability of hydrophilic cotton bandage and the water arresting ability of superhydrophobic fiber coated bandage were evaluated using a facile technique. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity of test samples was evaluated against gram positive and gram negative microorganism. Also, a bacterial infiltration test supports the blocking capability of superhydrophobic fiber to water-borne bacteria. The results obtained through this experiment may be used in future as wound healing bandages in an efficient manner.