Synthesis of Nano-Crystalline Whiskers of Cheese and Their Efficacy against Cadmium Toxicity
Abstract
Context and objective: A novel method of fabricating probiotic nanowhiskers—using pure cheese as a source of probiotics, sans metal/chemical surfactants—is reported in the present study. Materials and methods: This was followed by an extensive characterization; FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, particle size measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal analysis via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and n screening of the volatile compounds via gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to assess the purity of the nano-crystalline whiskers. Additionally, the anti-oxidant status and the metal-chelating effect of the nanowhiskers was evaluated in Wistar rats exposed to cadmium chloride hydrate (70 ppm) for 35 days. Group I was the positive control and groups II and III were exposed to Cd, with group III being treated with the cheese nanowhiskers (100 mL/L) in drinking water. Results: The nanoparticles were 112 nm in size (PDI 0.484) with the illustrated whisker/elongated shape being crystalline in nature. Lipid peroxidation was significantly enhanced followed by a marked bioaccumulation of Cd in the target organs. Discussion: Co-treatment with cheese nanowhiskers led to a marked reversal in the Cd-induced modulations in the endpoints evaluated. Conclusions: It is suggested that a dietary intervention in the form of a nano-probiotic supplement such as cheese is a prospective remedy for heavy metal toxicity/oxidative damage, being safe and efficacious.
Abstract: As the human population continues to escalate, its requirement for clean water is also
increasing. This has resulted in an increased dependency on wastewater effluent to maintain…
Abstract
The aim of the present study was a qualitative assessment of potential microplastics (MPs) in the sewage effluent collected from a local sewage treatment plant located in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia…