In current work a new bionanocomposite based on carboxymethyl cellulose, Arabic gum and gelatin, incorporating garlic extract and TiO2 nanoparticles as an edible coating for preserving the fresh Nile tilapia fish fillets during cold storage.

This study deals with the production of natural fiber plastic composites (NFPCs) to reduce environmental pollution with agricultural and plastic waste. Where the NFPCs were prepared from waste/pure polyethylene (WPE) (pure polyethylene (50%)/recycled polyethylene (50%)) and modified sunflower waste via an eco-friendly and economic biological process. The sunflower fibers (SF) were treated via whole selective fungal isolate, namely, Rhizopus oryzae (acc no. OM912662) using two different incubation conditions; submerged (Sub), and solid-state fermentation (SSF) to enhance the fibers' compatibility with WPE. The treated and untreated fibers were added to WPE with various concentrations (10 and 20 wt%). The morphology and structure of fibers were characterised by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR). Furthermore, the mechanical properties, morphology, biodegradation and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) for the prepared NFPCs were investigated. The results showed that compatibility, mechanical properties and biodegradation of NFPCs were improved by the addition of sunflower fibers treated by SSF conditions.

For the detection of Cd(II) in aquatic media, a novel dicyanomethylene dihydrofuran hydrazone(DCDHFH)-based colorimetric chemosensor was developed. DCDHFH was prepared by an azo-coupling process involving the diazonium chloride of 2, 4-dichloroaniline and a dicyanomethylene dihydrofuran heterocyclic moiety bearing an active methyl group. The DCDHFH chromophore showed strong solvatochromism depending on solvent polarity due to electronic delocalization. The pH sensory effects of the DCDHFH chromophore were also explored. DCDHFH could be used to identify Cd(II) in the presence of other competitive metals, as indicated by variations in color and absorbance spectra. In the presence of cadmium ions, the synthesized DCDHFH probe with hydrazone recognition moiety exhibited a significant sensitivity and selectivity to cadmium ions at the ppm concentration level (10–250 ppm). A DCDHFH-immobilized paper test strip was also prepared and effectively used for the detection of cadmium in aqueous media at various concentrations. According to CIE Lab’s criteria, colorimetric strength (K/S), and the UV–Vis absorbance spectra, the cadmium detection abilities of the DCDHFH-immobilized paper strips were evaluated. The optimal pH range for the determination of Cd(II) was monitored in the area of 5.5–6.3, with a fast chromogenic change from yellow to red relying on the Cd(II) concentration. The deposition of dicyanomethylene dihydrofuran hydrazone onto the paper strip’s surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

This study aims to synthesis and characterize of poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites that based on methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), namely PMMA/ZnO nanocomposite via in-situ emulsion polymerization of MMA monomer using potassium persulphate (PPS) as initiator. ZnO-NPs were firstly prepared through hydrothermal method. The prepared ZnO-NPs were investigated by X-Ray diffraction pattern (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites were prepared via emulsion polymerization using different concentrations of ZnO-NPs (2%, 4%, 8% and 12%) based on monomer concentration. Furthermore, PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites were studied using FT-IR, TEM, XRD, UV/Vis spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The fabricated poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites display good morphological, thermal properties and antibacterial activity than pure PMMA. Additionally, the PMMA nanocomposites display respectable antimicrobial activity against gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and yeast (Candida albicans). Additionally, the PMMA nanocomposites can be used as good materials for antibacterial packaging applications.