Purpose: Recent advances in nanotechnology have given rise to the potential utilization of nanoparticles as food, nano-medicine/biomedicines. Patient: The study aimed to investigate the effects of nano-zinc oxide (nano-zinc) on the bio-assimilation of mineral (Zn) in mice, aged 3– 6 weeks. Methods: ZnO nanoparticles were added to the basal diet as a supplement at amounts of 0.07, 0.14 and 0.21 mg/kg. The synthesized material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, particle size, scanning electron microscope, Thermogravimetric Analysis Thermal, X-ray diffraction spectrophotometer and Zeta potential. Results: In-vitro bioavailability of synthesized group ZnO (120 nm) was 43%, whereas for standard group ZnO (50 nm) was reported as 55%. In-vivo bioavailability of zinc oxide illustrated the maximum absorption level compared with the control. In-vivo toxicity was characterized as damage done to the liver and spleen tissues with a high dose of 0.21 mg/kg, while smaller doses indicated no toxic effects. Conclusion: The study provided important insights on the toxicological effects of ZnO nanoparticles, depending on dose rate and bio-assimilation, as well as particles, under various conditions (in-vitro and in-vivo). These findings will motivate further detailed research on nano-based medicine for alleviating malnutrition conditions.

Endopolygalacturonase (EndoPGase) is one of the crucial pectinases belonging to the class of carbohydrase. The catalytic action of EndoPGase captivate the attention for production of this extremely valuable catalyst of industrial sector. The main focus was to ascertain a potential bacterial candidate for endoPGase production. The isolated bacterial strain was further identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. A genomic library was constructed by using Lambda ZAP II vector system to investigate the pectinolytic potential of the expressed genes. The parameters for enzyme biosynthesis were optimized by single as well as multiple factor approach at a time. The results of our investigation led to the identification of a potent strain of Bacillus subtilis NR2. The strain was found active for pectic enzyme activity under shaking- flask fermentation at pH 5.0 and 50 °C temperature of incubation. Among all monomeric and polymeric substrates, citrus pectin followed by wheat bran was considered the best enzyme inducers at 1 % concentration. Moreover, an increasing trend in enzyme activity was observed with the increasing inducer concentration. The combined effect of three variables (pH, substrates, and substrate concentration) was explored by response surface methodology involving Box Benken Design (BBD). The study concluded that the soil isolated B. subtilis can be utilized for commercial scale pectinase enzyme production.