Nanotechnology has become one of the most active fields in the research area and is getting more attention toward nanoparticle synthesis. Green synthesis methods using various plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae were used to synthesize nanoparticles with proper requirements and maintain sterile conditions to get the desired products. Aloe vera, a bio-medicinal plant, contains a wide range of phytochemicals such as phenolic, hydroxyl groups, alkaloids, polyols, polysaccharides, etc, which act as reducing and capping agents with high efficiency. This review revealed that aloe vera-derived nanoparticles are safe, stable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, and they also possess significant applications for drug targeting, disease resistance, tissue engineering, wound healing, anticancer, antibacterial, and cosmetic industries. Synthesized metal nanoparticles are characterized through UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and the Well-diffusion method. It is highly interesting to note that aloe vera-mediated silver and zinc nanoparticles possess high potency against multi-drug resistant pathogens. Here, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photocatalytic activity separately showed by aloe vera peel, gel, and leaf, along with possible challenging situations faced during plant extract-based nanoparticle synthesis, are highlighted. Additionally, the introduction of GMOs is subjected to play an important role in advancing green methods. However, more research is required to estimate the dose’s safety, degradation, and synergistic mechanism inside the human body for better use of the green method for the treatment of microbial infections.

The rapid increase in heavy metal accumulation within soil ecosystems has become a significant concern due to various anthropogenic activities such as industrial processes, agricultural practices, and urbanization. These activities have led to elevated levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in the soil, which, when surpassing permissible limits, pose severe toxicological risks to both human health and plant life. Once heavy metals are introduced into the soil, they can be readily absorbed by plants, subsequently entering the food chain and affecting the metabolic activities of humans and animals consuming these contaminated plants. Although trace amounts of heavy metals are naturally present in the soil, their concentration beyond safe thresholds can lead to deleterious effects, including disruption of enzymatic functions, damage to cellular structures, and interference with essential biological processes. Studies have highlighted that children living in urban and industrial areas are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal exposure, which can result in cognitive impairments, developmental delays, and various other health issues. Furthermore, long-term exposure to these metals can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney dysfunction, and cardiovascular disorders. Given the escalating threat posed by soil metal contamination, it is imperative to implement stringent management practices aimed at maintaining soil chemistry within safe limits. These practices may include the remediation of contaminated sites, the adoption of sustainable agricultural methods, regular monitoring of soil quality, and the use of phytoremediation techniques to mitigate the impact of heavy metals. Ensuring the safe production of food requires a comprehensive understanding of soil dynamics and the integration of innovative strategies to prevent and control heavy metal pollution. Consequently, addressing this environmental challenge is crucial for safeguarding public health, preserving ecological balance, and promoting sustainable development.

In the face of the pressing global issue of waste management and the diminishing availability of natural resources, the management of non-biodegradable waste materials, including brick waste, poses significant challenges. Ineffective disposal practices not only create logistical obstacles but also pose health hazards. This study explores the potential of utilizing waste refractory bricks (RB) as a sustainable substitute for natural fine aggregates in concrete production. Various experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the feasibility and performance of RB sand in concrete mixtures. Tests included assessments of fresh and hardened properties, such as slump values, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and resistance to elevated temperatures. The research revealed that RB sand, when used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates, can significantly enhance the compressive strength of concrete, with optimal results observed at a 30% replacement level. Moreover, RB-based concrete exhibited improved split tensile strength compared to traditional concrete, particularly at replacement levels of 10% to 30%. Flexural strength also showed notable improvements, with the 40% replacement level demonstrating optimal performance. Additionally, the study investigated the effects of elevated temperatures on concrete specimens and found that RB-based sustainable concrete showed higher compressive strength retention compared to conventional concrete at a 30% replacement level. Furthermore, weight variation analysis indicated that RB-based concrete had a lower density compared to traditional concrete. Overall, the findings suggest that incorporating RB sand in concrete mixtures could offer a promising solution for sustainable construction practices, contributing to environmental conservation and human health preservation by reducing reliance on natural aggregates and minimizing adverse environmental impacts.

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has been a significant issue for the environment and public health. Unmonitored industrial effluents are a major source of HM pollution. However, metallotolerant bacteria thriving in such environments could be potentially useful for bioremediation purposes. In this study, Bacillus cereus IEI-01 was isolated from water samples of Badshahpur Lake, Gurugram, showcasing resilience to HM exposure and thriving under optimal conditions at 37°C and pH 7.0. Morphological and biochemical characterization showed its Gram-positive rod shape and metabolic versatility, including glucose fermentation and nitrate reduction capabilities. Molecular analysis further affirmed its close relation to the Bacillus cereus strain. Dynamic bacterial growth patterns were observed, with typical sigmoidal curves indicating significant growth over 72 h. When exposed to various HMs, the strain IEI-01 exhibited differential tolerance and promoting patterns, with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) compared to other metals. Over 72 h, the strain exhibited substantial removal rates ranging from 60.64% to 87.43% for Cd and 41.87% to 52.62% for Pb. The concentration-dependent bio-removal efficiency of IEI-01 in Cd-spiked cultures displayed a declining trend with increasing concentrations, with removal rates ranging from 80.23% to 60.72% over the same period. These findings highlight the potential of Bacillus cereus IEI-01 for HM bioremediation, particularly at lower concentrations. Its efficacy in removing Cd and Pb from contaminated environments suggests promising applications in environmental cleanup efforts.

Agriculture has been a vital sector for the majority of people, especially in countries like India. However, the increasing need for food production has led to intensive farming practices that have resulted in the deterioration of soil quality. This deterioration in soil quality poses significant challenges to both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. To address these challenges, advanced soil nutrient prediction systems that utilize machine learning and deep learning techniques are being developed. These advanced soil nutrient prediction systems utilize various sources of data, such as soil parameters, plant diseases, pests, fertilizer usage, and changes in weather patterns. By mapping and analyzing these data sources, machine learning algorithms can accurately predict the distribution of soil nutrients and other properties essential for precise agricultural practices. A previous study compared machine learning algorithms like SVM and Random Forest with deep learning algorithms CNN and LSTM for predicting crop yields. The most appropriate model is a significant challenge, but several studies have evaluated recommendation system models using deep machine learning techniques. Deep learning models attain accuracy above 90%, while many ML models achieve rates between 90% and 93%. Furthermore, the research seeks to propose specific crop suggestions grounded in soil nutrients for precision agriculture to enhance crop productivity.

The objective of the current research is to measure the specific activity of 40K and heavy metals in the water samples collected from the Al-Diwaniyah River in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq. The activity of 40K in water samples was ascertained using High Purity Germanium Spectrometer (HPGe) detector technology, which is based on a high-resolution gamma spectrometry system, and by using an atomic absorption spectrometer (A.A.S.) to determine the heavy metals of Ni, Cd and Pb, as well as measure some of the physical properties of water samples. The results indicated the concentration of 40K in the water was presented in different concentrations. The lowest value was 2.6±0.5 Bq/L Al-Muhanawiyah, while the highest value was in Al-Diwaniyah center 24.6± 4.0Bq/L. On the other hand, the highest results of Pb, Cd and Ni have been 0.1247, 0.0652 and 0.157 ppm, respectively. While, the results of physics properties were from 7.05 to 8.3 for total dissolved solids (T.D.S.) values were from 2100 to 756.6 mg/L, electrical conductivity values were between 1140 and 3500 μs/cm, and turbidity values were between 7.0 and 54.5. Based on the results, the concentrations of the 40K and heavy metals indicated that the results are almost slight compared to internationally accepted values.

Heavy metal contamination in soil poses a significant environmental challenge globally, affecting agricultural productivity and human health. Phytoremediation, using plants to extract and detoxify heavy metals, presents a promising solution. This study investigates the novel potential of Echium plantagineum, a metal-tolerant species, in phytostabilization and phytoremediation and explores the role of metallothioneins in heavy metal reduction. A comprehensive literature review identified known metallothioneins involved in heavy metal reduction across various plant species. Moreover, genome annotation and gene prediction of Echium plantagineum were performed, predicting a total of 39,520 proteins. This comprehensive protein list facilitates the identification of metallothioneins or other metal-related proteins with potential functional roles in heavy metal tolerance, suggesting new targets to improve the effectiveness of phytoremediation. The sequences of these proteins were utilized to construct a protein BLAST database, against which known metallothioneins protein sequences from other plant species were subjected to BLAST searches, resulting in 41 top hits. Subsequent 3D modeling, structural analysis, protein-metal virtual screening, and functional annotation of the proteins revealed novel high affinities of Ctr copper transporter, zinc/iron permease, and nicotianamine synthase proteins with nickel, zinc, and zinc ion, suggesting their unexplored roles in the uptake of aforementioned ligands. Notably, this study identifies novel metallothioneins proteins in Echium plantagineum, highlighting their role in metal tolerance and phytoremediation.

Water conservation and management are significant features of ancient Indian Vedic culture. However, India’s rapid industrialization, globalization, and urbanization have posed a serious threat to this practice. Many metropolitan cities and other cities will likely have groundwater depletion in the near future. As per the ‘United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)’ report titled “The 2023 Interconnected Disaster Risks Report”, India is close to reaching its tipping point of groundwater depletion. It also highlighted that 27 of 31 major global aquifers are depleting faster than they can be replenished. A combination of factors, including climate change, private land ownership, mechanical pumping, etc., led to the depletion of groundwater and water scarcity for farming and other purposes. Additionally, NITI Aayog and the Central Water Commission have released several reports that highlighted the plight of the country’s aquifers. India’s groundwater resources are not only a potential source for agricultural, domestic, and industrial needs in the country but also a threat to its sustainable development and equitable distribution. At present, there is no central law on the groundwater regulation. Although the Model Groundwater (Sustainable Management) Bill 2017 is an affirmative step, its effectiveness depends on implementation by state governments, the establishment of robust local institutions, and removing political incentives from groundwater management. Until now, landowners have enjoyed monopolistic access to groundwater due to common laws that recognize uncontrolled rights over the resources. These restrictions have perpetuated gross inequities in accessing groundwater, which makes a remarkable shift from previous laws. This paper evaluates India’s existing groundwater laws to achieve sustainability, equity, and the effective execution of water rights. It also delves into the lacunae in the existing laws and suggestive measures to control the challenges of groundwater in India.

The present study aimed to investigate the bio-oil from the blended citrus fruit peel by hydrothermal liquefaction process. Huge amounts of fruit peel waste are disposed of in the open environment without any proper management. Such fruit peels are considered a potential bio-resource to be converted into economically valuable products like bio-oil. Since the citrus fruit peel is a rich source of moisture content, a hydrothermal liquefaction process was introduced to produce bio-oil from cellulose, and lignocellulose. The experimental design against temperature, time, and biomass concentration optimization was carried out which was confirmed by the ANOVA f and p test that reveals time and temperature influenced the bio-oil yield drastically. As the time and temperature rise more than 60 min and 280°C, the volatile substance present in the biomass converts itself into solid residue which has a negative impact on bio-oil production, compared with biomass concentration. The maximum yield of bio-oil was recorded as 29.4% at 280°C at 60min reaction time and 80g/200mL concentration as optimized parameters. The GCMS reveals the presence of hydrocarbons and alkanethiol which are flammable and hold the standards of commercial transportation fuel but hold nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds to pull down the fuel standards. Thus, the produced bio-oil can be blended with the transportation fuel after the upgradation process for efficient results.

A study on the biodiversity and isolation of freshwater algae from some reservoirs of Mae Rim Campus, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai Province, collected algal samples and assessed the water quality at four reservoirs, including Wiang Bua Reservoir, Ma Lang Por Reservoir, Education Auditorium reservoir, and Kru Noi Garden Reservoir. One hundred and six species of algae belonging to 8 phyla were found. The most prominent species were Cylindrospermopsis philippinensis, Trachelomonas volvocina, Peridiniopsis sp., and Coelastrum astroideum, respectively. The overall water quality was categorized as clean according to some physical and chemical parameters by the National Environmental Board of Thailand. However, high BOD values were detected at some sampling points. The algae isolation included 8 isolates, which could be utilized for various purposes in the future, such as biomass, protein, polysaccharide energy, bioactive compounds, antioxidant substances, wastewater treatment, environmental indicators, algal toxins, and phylogenetic studies. All strains were stored at the Centre of Excellence of Biodiversity Research and Implementation for Community, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, for conservation and future development purposes.