The objective of the study was a pre-screening of the microplastic (MP) content in surface water and benthic sediments of Kara Darya and Chirchiq rivers, the first-order tributaries of the Syr Darya River (Uzbekistan). For the first time, surface water and benthic sediment samples were taken from this region, and quantitative screening of MPs 0.15–5.00 mm in size was performed. A combined visual and μRaman-based methodology was used to quantify and characterize artificial polymer microparticles from the surface water and bottom sediments of two rivers. The average abundance of MPs in the Kara Darya River and Chirchiq River waters was found to be 4.28 ± 0.09 and 0.95 ± 0.36 items per m³, and that in benthic sediments attained 244 ± 28.9 and 333 ± 11.5 items per kg of dry soil, respectively. MP concentration in surface water and benthic sediments of the Kara Darya River significantly exceeded (p-value < 0.01) that in the Chirchiq River. Microfibers were most abundant; the proportion of MP fibers in the water of the Kara Darya and Chirchiq rivers amounted to 89 and 95%, respectively, and that in benthic sediments of the rivers was 86 and 84%, respectively. The dominance of microfibers may indicate the route of entry to the rivers through domestic wastewater treatment plant discharges. The polymer microparticles in the surface water and benthic sediments of the Kara Darya and Chirchiq rivers were mainly represented by polyethylenterephtalate (PET), which accounted for half of all MPs detected in the Kara Darya River. Microparticles of textile origin were particularly abundant in the Kara Darya River, where viscose and nylon fibers were also found, which suggests the leading role of synthetic textiles in the pollution. The reported data are the first experimental evidence of MP pollution of the Syr Darya tributaries, but the distribution and circulation of MPs in surface water in Central Asia requires further comprehensive studies.

This study reports the first records of two alien aphid species—Cinara palaestinensis Hille Ris Lambers, 1948 and Cinara pinimaritimae (Dufour, 1833)—from the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan. The aphids were collected from ornamental pines (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana and P. nigra) during field surveys conducted in 2022. Species identification was achieved through an integrative approach combining detailed morphological examination and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene. Morphological features of both species matched descriptions in existing taxonomic literature, and molecular analyses confirmed their identities, revealing 99.2–100% sequence similarity with reference samples from the Mediterranean region. The presence of these aphids suggests ongoing biological invasions facilitated by the introduction of exotic host plants in urban and agroforestry settings. This study expands our knowledge of regional aphid diversity and provides a foundation for future monitoring of adventive insect species in Central Asia.

An updated checklist of Uzbekistan aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidomorpha) is presented based on literature records with the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. This comprehensive checklist of aphids is the first checklist for Uzbekistan and represents a total of 301 species and 31 subspecies, within 103 genera, 63 subgenuses, belonging to seven ...

The widespread use of plastic-based medical materials, such as bandages, syringes, and biomedical packaging, has led to serious health problems owing to their inappropriate disposal and non-biodegradability. This study focused on the fabrication and characterization of potato-starch-based films infused with amoxicillin-loaded CuONPs (AMX-CuONPs) for biomedical applications. CuONPs were synthesized using Bacopa monnieri leaf extract, which was functionalized with amoxicillin. The properties of the bio-nanocomposite films were characterized morphologically (SEM and EDX), mechanically (tensile strength and elongation at break), structurally (XRD and FTIR), and for biodegradability and antimicrobial activity. The AMX-CuONPs bio-nanocomposite film (AC-BF) exhibited a thickness of 0.69 mm, density of 1.33 g/cm³, tensile strength of 0.63 MPa, and the highest elongation break of 49%. XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the film, while FTIR analysis revealed the functional groups such as C-H, O-H, C = O, C = C, and Cu-O, indicating AMX-CuONPs integration into the starch-based films. SEM analysis showed homogeneity and particles embedded on the surface of AC-BF. Furthermore, AC-BF showed rapid biodegradation within 35 days, whereas the maximum zone of inhibition was observed in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and non-AMR bacterial strains. These results suggest the potential of these materials for biomedical packaging, wound healing bandages, and patch applications. Graphical abstract