Curcumin is the primary polyphenol in turmeric’s curcuminoid class. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer effects against various cancers, but has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: To improve curcumin’s bioavailability, plasma concentration, and cellular permeability processes. The nanocurcumin approach over curcumin has been proven appropriate for encapsulating or loading curcumin (nanocurcumin) to increase its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Though incorporating curcumin into nanocurcumin form may be a viable method for overcoming its intrinsic limitations, and there are reasonable concerns regarding its toxicological safety once it enters biological pathways. This review article mainly highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocurcumin over curcumin.

Cosmetic-containing herbals are a cosmetic that has or is claimed to have medicinal properties, with bioactive ingredients purported to have medical benefits. There are no legal requirements to prove that these products live up to their claims. The name is a combination of “cosmetics” and “pharmaceuticals”. “Nutricosmetics” are related dietary supplements or food or beverage products with additives that are marketed as having medical benefits that affect appearance. Cosmetic-containing herbals are topical cosmetic–pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Cosmetic-containing herbals improve appearance by delivering essential nutrients to the skin. Several herbal products, such as cosmetic-containing herbals, are available. The present review highlights the use of natural products in cosmetic-containing herbals, as natural products have many curative effects as well as healing effects on skin and hair growth with minimal to no side effects. A brief description is given on such plants, their used parts, active ingredients, and the therapeutic properties associated with them. Mainly, the utilization of phytoconstituents as cosmetic-containing herbals in the care of skin and hair, such as dryness of skin, acne, eczema, inflammation of the skin, aging, hair growth, and dandruff, along with natural ingredients, such as for hair colorant, are explained in detail in the present review.

Due to its recalcitrant and carcinogenic nature, the presence of methyl orange (MO) in the environment is a serious threat to human and animal life and is also toxic to plants. MO being recalcitrant cannot be effectively reclaimed from industrial effluents through physical and chemical approaches. Biological methods on the other hand have the potential to degrade such dyes because of their compatibility with nature and low chances of adverse effects on the environment. Bacteria, due to their fast growth rate and capability of surviving in extreme environments can effectively be used for this purpose. In the current research study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated and characterized using 16rRNA from textile wastewater. In the preliminary tests it was found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the ability to degrade and mineralize methyl orange effectively. The physicochemical conditions were then optimized, in order to get maximum degradation of MO which was achieved at 37 °C, a pH of 7, a low salt concentration of 0.1 g/15 mL, a high carbon source of 0.6 g/15 mL, and 72 h experimental time. In a single set of experiments where all these optimum conditions were combined, 88.23% decolorization of the selected dye was achieved. At the end of the experimental cycle, the aliquots were homogenized and filtered. The filtrates were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis where azo linkage breaking was confirmed from the FTIR spectra. The filtrates were then extracted with ethyl acetate and then passed through a silica gel column. On the basis of Rf value (TLC plates used) similar fraction were combined which were then subjected to NMR analysis. The compounds detected through GC-MS, peaks were not observed in proton and C-13 NMR. Instead, solvent and some impurity peaks were present, showing that complete mineralization of the dye had occurred due to the action of different bacterial enzymes such as azoreductase, peroxidases, and classes on MO. The prosed mechanism of complete mineralization is based on spectral data that needs to be verified by trapping the individual step products through the use of appropriate inhibitors of individual enzymes.

In a batch reactor, the EF advanced oxidation decolorization of aqueous solutions of methyl orange MO, a commercial azo reactive textile dye, was investigated in the presence of two different electrodes. The evaluation included various operational variables such as the I_C current intensity (60 mA, 80 mA, and 100 mA), initial concentration of pollutant MO (20 mg/L, 40 mg/L, and 60 mg/L), initial pH of solution (3, 5, and 7), temperature of solution (20 °C, 30 °C, and 50 °C), and initial concentration of catalyst [Fe²⁺] (0.1 mM, 0.2 mM, and 0.3 mM) on the discoloration rate. A Box-Behnken Design of Experiment (BBD) was used to optimize the parameters that directly affect the Electro-Fenton (EF) process. Under the optimal experimental conditions such as [Fe²⁺] = 0.232 mM, pH = 3, I_C = 80 mA, [MO] = 60 mg/L, and T = 30 ± 0.1 °C, the maximum discoloration rate achieved was 94.9%. The discoloration of the aqueous MO solution during the treatment time was confirmed by analysis of the UV-visible spectrum. After a review of the literature on organic pollutant degradation, the EF system provided here is shown to be one of the best in terms of discoloration rate when compared to other AOPs.

The apple is the most widely used fruit globally. Apples are more prone to fungal spoilage, which leads to browning and subsequent changes in their flavor and texture. Browning is also caused by the tyrosinase enzyme. By inhibiting tyrosinase initiation and fungal spoilage in fruits, the natural flavor and texture of fruits can be maintained. Biogenic NPs can act as antioxidants to inhibit tyrosinase and due to oxidative stress, it also catalyzes the deformation of fungal hyphae and spores. Nanotechnology is a research hotspot that has gained considerable interest due to its potential inferences in biosciences and food preservation technology. The present study aims to use biomass from the Fagonia cretica to create bio-inspired manganese oxide MnO₂ NPs and to evaluate its bio-catalytic potential for antifungal anti-browning through the inhibition of tyrosinase and its antioxidant potential for preserving apple flavor and texture. The green synthesized nanoparticles were extensively analyzed using UV spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, EDX, and FTIR techniques. Moreover, the synthesized manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO₂ NPs) were evaluated for their bio-catalytic potential as anti-fungal and anti-spoiling agents. The values of antifungal activity among all the samples were 14.2 ± 86 mm, 8.9 ± 6.0 mm, 17.7 ± 1.26, and 20.7 ± 4.38 mm for Penicillium expansum, Monilinia fructigena, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Aspergillus oryzae at 200 µg/well, respectively. Moreover, the biogenic NPs were evaluated for their anti-browning potential through the inhibition of tyrosinase. MnO₂ NPs have been shown to have considerable inhibitory effects on tyrosinase up to 64.8 ± 0.16 at 200 µg/mL and (27.2 ± 0.58) at 25 µg/mL. Biogenic MnO₂ NPs can also act as antioxidants to inhibit tyrosinase and fungal growth by the formation of free radicals that damage the fungal hyphae and, as a result, slow down browning. The maximum DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 74.5 ± 0.39% at 200 µg/mL, and the minimum was 12.4 ± 0.27 at 25 µg/mL. The biogenic MnO₂ NPs are biocompatible and play a potent role in maintaining the flavor and texture of apples.