In this study, Cu-doped ZnO was prepared via the facile one-pot solvothermal approach. The structure and composition of the synthesized samples were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analyses, revealing that the synthesized samples consisted of Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy analysis showed that Cu-doping significantly improves the visible light absorption properties of ZnO. The photocatalytic capacity of the synthesized samples was tested via the disinfection of Escherichia coli, with the Cu-ZnO presenting enhanced disinfection compared to pure ZnO. Of the synthesized materials, 7% Cu-ZnO exhibited the best photocatalytic performance, for which the size was ~9 nm. The photocurrent density of the 7% Cu-ZnO samples was also significantly higher than that of pure ZnO. The antifungal activity for 7% Cu-ZnO was also tested on the pathogenic fungi of Fusarium graminearum. The macroconidia of F. graminearum was treated with 7% Cu-ZnO photocatalyst for 5 h, resulting in a three order of magnitude reduction at a concentration of 10⁵ CFU/mL. Fluorescence staining tests were used to verify the survival of macroconidia before and after photocatalytic treatment. ICP-MS was used to confirm that Cu-ZnO met national standards for cu ion precipitation, indicating that Cu-ZnO are environmentally friendly materials.

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious pest of the palm tree in tropical regions of the world. One strain of Metarhizium sp. ZJ-1, isolated from Chinese soils, was evaluated for growth characteristics, and screened for its virulence to R. ferrugineus larvae in laboratory conditions. An approximately 685-bp fragment was amplified by ITS (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) PCR from strain ZJ-1, further phylogenetic analysis revealed that 93 % similarity to Metarhizium anisopliae. Inoculation of 1 × 108 conidia/mL caused 100 % mortality of R. ferrugineus, LT50 levels of ZJ-1 were 1.66 days (1 × 108 conidia/mL), indicating that the conidia of strain ZJ-1 were highly virulent. These results suggest that M. anisopliae ZJ-1 has potential as an effective and persistent biological control agent for R. ferrugineus.

Costus speciosus (Koen.) Smith has been an important medicinal agent in the various traditional and folk systems of medicine in southern China. In September 2018, leaf spot disease was detected on ...

In response to the challenges of food spoilage and water pollution caused by pathogenic microorganisms, CeO₂/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites were synthesized via one-step calcination using thiourea and urea as precursors. Steady-state photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that 8 wt% CeO₂/g-C₃N₄ exhibited superior electron–hole separation efficiency. Quantitative antimicrobial assays demonstrated that the nanocomposites displayed enhanced bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Staphylococcus aureus. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy analysis verified the generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) during the photo-Fenton process utilizing CeO₂/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites. Additionally, 8 wt% CeO₂/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) under photo-Fenton conditions.

Betel vine (Piper betle L.) has been an important medicinal agent in the various traditional and folk systems of medicine in southern China. The leaves are the most valued plant part and in the pas...

Mentha canadensis L. is a widely cultivated and economically important aromatic plant around the world. It is used as a fresh or dried flavoring, herbal tea, essential oil crop, and ornamental. The...