LIBS Based Screening of Glycemic Elements of Ficus religiosa

The effectiveness of various trace element concentrations in medicinal plants in the cure of various diseases can be determined by their quantitative estimation. Elemental concentrations of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves were measured by Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS is a very powerful and efficient analytical tool for determining elemental constitution. The present study deals with the LIBS-based validation of elements responsible for the glycemic potential of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic models. The significant decrease in blood glucose level and marked improvement in glucose tolerance test of diabetic models is correlated to the concentration of elements present in the extract as revealed by LIBS spectra. Elements such as Mg and Ca have been observed in the LIBS spectra of F. religiosa.

A possible connection between antidiabetic and antilipemic properties of psoralea corylifolia seeds and the trace elements present: a LIBS based study

Psoralea corylifolia (PC), a medicinal plant, is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Purpose of the research was to examine the antidiabetic and antilipemic potential of PC and to determine the relationship between its antidiabetic potential and the trace elements present. Wistar rats (150-200 g) with fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 80-110 mg dl(-1)(sub-diabetic) and 150-200 mg dl(-1)(mild diabetic) were selected for the short term antidiabetic studies and severely diabetic rats (FBG > 300 mg dl(-1)) were chosen for the long term antidiabetic and hypolipemic studies of PC seed extract. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to detect trace elements in the PC extract and the intensity ratios of trace elements were estimated. The dose of 250 mg kg(-1) of PC extract was found to be the most effective in lowering blood glucose level (BGL) of normal, sub, mild and severely diabetic rats during FBG and glucose tolerance test (GTT) studies. Lipid profile studies on severely diabetic rats showed substantial reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein and an increase in the total protein, body weight, high density lipoprotein, and hemoglobin after 28 days of treatment. Significant reduction in urine sugar and protein levels was also observed. LIBS analysis of the PC extract revealed the presence of Mg, Si, Na, K, Ca, Zn and Cl. The study validates the traditional use of PC in the treatment of diabetes and confirms its antilipemic potential. The antidiabetic activity of PC extract may partly be due to the presence of appreciable amounts of insulin potentiating elements like Mg, Ca, and K.

Role of Spectral Studies in Detection of Antibacterial Phytoelements and Phytochemicals of Moringa oleifera

This paper reports, the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) studies and structure elucidation of compounds isolated from the fruit extract of Moringa oleifera and also deals with their possible effects on some bacterial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract was found to be active against all four microorganisms used. Extent of inhibitory effect of extract was assessed at different concentrations of 25, 50, 75 mg/ml by measuring diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ). Our results clearly showed that the 75 mg/ml concentration of the extract had 14, 12 and 18 mm of the DIZ against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 14 mm with 50 mg/ml concentration against Escherichia coli. The results were compared with the standard antibiotic `ampicillin' of 1 mg/ml concentration. LIBS was recorded with high power pulsed laser beam from Nd: YAG Laser (Continuum Surelite III-10), focused on the surface of the material, which was in liquid form, to generate plasma on the surface of the sample. LIBS data clearly demonstrate the presence of trace elements, magnesium and iron, in high concentration in the extract. Whereas, from the phytochemical profile reveals the presence of two new compounds, S-ethyl-N-{4-[(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl]} thiocarbamate and 2-acetoxy {4-[(2',3',4'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl]} acetonitrile as the major constituents. This study is the first report on synergetic effect of the phytoconstituents and certain set of elements present in their defined role in bacterial management against different bacterial strains.

Benefits of Electronic Wiring and Spacers on Lithium Storage in Nanostructured Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

The demand for high power density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for diverse applications ranging from mobile electronics to electric vehicles have resulted in an upsurge in the development of nanostructured electrode materials worldwide. Graphite has been the anode of choice in commercial LiBs. Due to several detrimental electrochemical and environmental issues, efforts are now on to develop alternative non-carbonaceous anodes which are safe, nontoxic and cost effective and at the same time exhibit high lithium storage capacity and rate capability. Titania (TiO2) and tin (Sn) based systems have gained much attention as alternative anode materials. Nanostructuring of TiO2 and SnO2 have resulted in enhancement of structural stability and electrochemical performances. Additionally, electronic wiring of mesoporous materials using carbon also effectively enhanced electronic conductivity of mesoporous electrode materials. We discuss in this article the beneficial influence of structural spacers and electronic wiring in anatase titania (TiO2) and tin dioxide (SnO2).

Feasibility of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the study of the temporal distribution of trace elements trapped in snow collected from greater himalayan range

The potential merit of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been demonstrated for detection and quantification of trace pollutants trapped in snow/ice samples. In this technique, a high-power pulsed laser beam from Nd:YAG Laser (Model no. Surelite III-10, Continuum, Santa Clara, CA, USA) is focused on the surface of the target to generate plasma. The characteristic emissions from laser-generated plasma are collected and recorded by a fiber-coupled LIBS 2000+ (Ocean Optics, Santa Clara, CA, USA) spectrometer. The fingerprint of the constituents present in the sample is obtained by analyzing the spectral lines by using OOI LIBS software. Reliable detection of several elements like Zn, Al, Mg, Fe, Ca, C, N, H, and O in snow/ice samples collected from different locations (elevation) of Manali and several snow samples collected from the Greater Himalayan region (from a cold lab in Manali, India) in different months has been demonstrated. The calibration curve approach has been adopted for the quantitative analysis of these elements like Zn, Al, Fe, and Mg. Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of contamination is higher in those samples that were collected in the month of January in comparison to those collected in February and March.

Employing synergistic interactions between few-layer WS2 and reduced graphene oxide to improve lithium storage, cyclability and rate capability of Li-ion batteries

The aim of the contribution is to introduce a high performance anode alternative to graphite for lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). A simple process was employed to synthesize uniform graphene-like few-layer tungsten sulfide (WS2) supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) through a hydrothermal synthesis route. The WS2-RGO (80:20 and 70:30) composites exhibited good enhanced electrochemical performance and excellent rate capability performance when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The specific capacity of the WS2-RGO composite delivered a capacity of 400-450 mAh g(-1) after 50 cycles when cycled at a current density of 100 mA g(-1). At 4000 mA g(-1), the composites showed a stable capacity of approximately 180-240 mAh g(-1), respectively. The noteworthy electrochemical performance of the composite is not additive, rather it is synergistic in the sense that the electrochemical performance is much superior compared to both WS2 and RGO. As the observed lithiation/delithiation for WS2-RGO is at a voltage 1.0 V (approximate to 0.1 V for graphite, Li* /Li), the lithium-ion battery with WS2-RGO is expected to possess high interface stability, safety and management of electrical energy is expected to be more efficient and economic. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.