2024 | Volume 3 | Issue 4

Freshwater comprises only 0.5% of Earth's water and is increasingly threatened by population growth and industrial activities, making water scarcity a critical issue. Membrane separation technology is gaining attention as an effective method for water purification, utilizing specially designed membranes that allow water to pass while blocking pollutants, thereby saving energy and reducing chemical use. Recent advancements in composite membranes, which integrate inorganic porous materials with polymers, have improved their permeability and selectivity for diverse water treatment applications. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are notable for their tunable pore structures and high surface areas, enhancing wastewater treatment effectiveness. This review discusses water-stable MOF-based membranes' design, synthesis, and properties, emphasizing their potential for removing heavy metals, dyes, oil, and organic contaminants. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the compatibility of MOFs with polymer matrices, underscoring the need for further research to optimize their stability and performance in addressing global water scarcity.

This study explores the application of zinc oxide nanoparticles in food packaging. Different synthesis methods, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, precipitation, and green synthesis are examined. The unique properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles such as antibacterial, antioxidant, UV absorption, enhanced mechanical strength, and resistance to moisture and oxygen are analyzed in relation to their effect on the physical and chemical properties of nanocomposite films. The role of zinc oxide nanoparticles in improving packaging quality and preventing microbial contamination is discussed. Strategies for incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles into biopolymers to produce nanocomposite films are also addressed. The study emphasizes the need for further advancements in the stability, scalability, and safety of zinc oxide nanoparticles for industrial and food applications. Ultimately, combining zinc oxide with other materials could lead to the development of smarter and more efficient food packaging solutions.

The dimeric silicotungstate, [(B-α-SiW₉O₃₄)₂Cd₄(H₂O)₂]^12- (I), has been synthesized in a new and simple method by reaction of A-b-Na₉HSiW₉O₃₄‧23H₂O with cadmium nitrate under controlled temperature conditions.  I was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹³Cd NMR spectroscopy, and this was verified by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of the combined salts of Na⁺ and NH4⁺. The (NH₄)₁₀Na₂[(B-α-SiW₉O₃₄)₂Cd₄(H₂O)₂]·22H₂O salt crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/n) with     a = 16.2706(18) Å, b = 13.8262(17) Å, c = 20.307(3) Å, b= 113.419(2)° and Z = 2.  Two lacunary B-α-[SiW₉O₃₄]^10- Keggin moieties are connected by a rhomboid Cd₄O₁₆ group to form the heteropolyanion, which has a sandwich-like shape. Cyclic voltammetry was used to examine the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of I in an aqueous solution.  The redox processes of W^VI and Cd^II centers are represented by the two sequential cathodic/anodic peaks observed in electrochemical experiments. The redox waves of I are pH-dependent.  For this compound, the tungsten and cadmium-centered waves exhibit a classical potential shift at pH values between 1.6 and 4.6 as a function of acidity. I electrocatalysis tendencies toward the reduction of nitrite ions have been thoroughly investigated. Additionally, in this study, the cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity of several sandwiched-type polyoxometalates (I, ([(B-α-PW₉O₃₄)₂Cd₄(H₂O)₂]^10- (II), [(B-α-PW₉O₃₄)₂Mn₄(H₂O)₂]^10- (III), [(B-α-PW₉O₃₄)₂Co₄(H₂O)₂]^10- (IV), [(B-α-PW₉O₃₄)₂Zn₄(H₂O)₂]^10- (V), [(ZnW₉O₃₄)₂WZn₃(H₂O)₂]^12- (VI), [(ZnW₉O₃₄)₂WCd₃(H₂O)₂]^12- (VII), and [(B-α-PW₉O₃₄)₂Zn₂Cd₂(H₂O)₂]^10- (VIII)) were tested on four types of human cancer cells (MCF-7, B16F10, DU-145, and PC3). All tested compounds showed cytotoxic activity which is mediated via apoptosis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern, representing 10% of cancer diagnoses and about 9% of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It is the third most common cancer globally and ranks fourth in cancer-related mortality. MXenes (M is transition metal and X represents carbon or nitrogen), a versatile group of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials including transition metal carbides/carbonitrides/nitrides, are notable for their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, including varied surface chemistry, extensive surface area, and biocompatibility. They have found utility in various biomedical fields like drug delivery, biosensing, and cancer therapy. However, MXenes encounter challenges in biomedical fields because of poor physiological stability and decomposition. These challenges can be surmounted by creating multifunctional MXene composites with other materials. Despite extensive research on MXenes in cancer therapy, their application in CRC treatment remains underexplored, necessitating further investigation. Therefore, developing MXene-based platforms for various innovative approaches is a promising area of research. These approaches aim to leverage MXenes' distinctive properties for enhancing treatment strategies, including drug delivery, hyperthermia, and photothermal therapy. In this review, MXene preparation methods, CRC treatment methods, information about this type of cancer therapy using MXene-based systems, and future perspectives and opportunities are discussed.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has emerged as a versatile polymer with widespread applications in both biomedical and food industries due to its unique physicochemical properties, including excellent biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and ease of modification. In the biomedical field, PEG-based materials have demonstrated remarkable potential in drug delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering. PEG hydrogels, in particular, have garnered significant attention for their ability to encapsulate and release therapeutic agents in a controlled manner, with stimuli-responsive systems offering tailored drug release mechanisms. In the food industry, PEG-based materials are employed to enhance food quality, extend shelf life, and develop innovative packaging solutions, such as antimicrobial films and nanocomposites. This review comprehensively discusses the recent advancements in PEG-based materials, focusing on their biomedical applications, including drug delivery and wound care, as well as their role in improving food safety and packaging. Additionally, the challenges and limitations associated with PEG, such as limited biodegradability and potential health concerns, are critically evaluated. Finally, future perspectives on the development of next-generation PEG-based materials, with an emphasis on sustainability and clinical translation, are highlighted.