For the first time in this study, curcumin was utilized as an organic component reacting with Cu (II) ion (Cu2+) as an inorganic component for fabrication of curcumin based Cu hybrid nanostructure (Cu-hNs). We also systematically examined the catalytic effect towards guaiacol and antimicrobial activities of Cu-hNs towards fish pathogen bacteria. For the characterization of Cu-hNs, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) analysis were used. We claimed that hydroxyl group might react with Cu2+ in phosphate solution (PO4-3) to form Cu-hNs. However, more uniform and spherical Cu-hNs were not seen owing to absence of more reactive functional groups like amine and carboxyl groups on structure of curcumin. In addition to our findings, synthesis of Cu-hNs were carried out in the various pH values to evaluate the effect of pHs on formation of Cu-hNs. The Cu-hNs exhibited remarkable catalytic activity throught the Fenton reaction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and effective antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive/negative fish pathogen bacteria. In this study, cheap and efficient synthesis of nanoflowers (NFs) using plant extracts is proposed for biomedical applications rather than expensive molecules such as amino acids and DNA.

First time in this study, neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects of Pseudevernia furfuracea and Usnea florida lichen extracts based silver decorated zinc oxide nanocomposites (Ag-ZnO NCs) were evaluated. The characteristic light absorption point of P. furfuracea and U. florida based Ag-ZnO NCs were observed at 339 nm and 361 nm; effective diameter was detected at 342 nm and 495 nm. According to SEM analysis, the diameter of P. furfuracea and U. florida extract based NCs were approximately 35 nm and 85 nm, respectively. When we examined the toxicity of SH-SY5Y against human neuroblastoma cells, it was observed that NCs have neurotoxic effects on a concentration of 100 μg/ml. In this study, it was predicted that P. furfuracea and U. florida extract based Ag-ZnO NCs could be used in cytotoxic studies by synthesizing them in a cheap, short time and with eco-friendly method.

This study aims to investigate the phytotoxic effects of both Punica granatum peel extract directed copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) and copper nitrate on Elodea canadensis. The CuONPs were characterised by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. The ratio of photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and copper accumulation in the E. canadensis was determined to evaluate the phytotoxicity of the CuONPs and copper nitrate on E. canadensis. The significant improvements were observed in the growth rate of E. canadensis, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid contents, and total soluble protein in the E. canadensis when it was exposed to the CuONPs. Additionally, CAT and APX activities and MDA contents were enhanced by accumulation of the CuONPs into the E. canadensis. These results suggested that oxidative stress was alleviated, owing to the result of an increase in the antioxidants such as CAT and APX, with an increase in the concentration of the CuONPs. Finally, the findings of this study show that copper nitrate has many negative effects on E. canadensis compared bio-synthesised CuONPs.

This study aimed to demonstrate the ways in which two chromium species, Cr (III) and Cr (VI), can affect various physiological and biochemical parameters in the plant Ceratophyllum demersum L., and to evaluate the single and combined impact of exposure concentration and duration. C. demersum was exposed to Cr (III) and Cr (VI) at a variety of concentrations (1, 2, 5, and 10 mM) and for differing durations (1, 2, 4, and 7 days), after which Cr accumulation, relative growth rate (RGR), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, electrical conductivity (EC), photosynthetic pigmentation, proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities were examined. The single and combined effects of exposure duration and Cr concentration on each parameter were determined using a two-way analysis of variance. For both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) applications, it was observed that concentration had a significant effect on all parameters assessed. However, duration had no statistically significant effect on proline content in the Cr (III) application, or on MDA and protein content in the Cr (VI) application. It was determined that concentration exerted greater effects than duration for both Cr species studied. In addition, the results indicated that duration and concentration had a synergistic effect on variations of RGR, EC, protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activities in both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) applications. These results may be useful when planning further phytoremediation and plant biotechnology studies.