An integrated platform for gas-diffusion separation and electrochemical determination of ethanol on fermentation broths

An integrated platform was developed for point-of-use determination of ethanol in sugar cane fermentation broths. Such analysis is important because ethanol reduces its fuel production efficiency by altering the alcoholic fermentation step when in excess. The custom-designed platform integrates gas diffusion separation with voltammetric detection in a single analysis module. The detector relied on a Ni(OH)₂-modified electrode. It was stabilized by uniformly depositing cobalt and cadmium hydroxides as shown by XPS measurements. Such tests were in accordance with the hypothesis related to stabilization of the Ni(OH)₂ structure by insertion of Co²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in this structure. The separation step, in turn, was based on a hydrophobic PTFE membrane, which separates the sample from receptor solution (electrolyte) where the electrodes were placed. Parameters of limit of detection and analytical sensitivity were estimated to be 0.2% v/v and 2.90 μA % (v/v)⁻¹, respectively. Samples of fermentation broth were analyzed by both standard addition method and direct interpolation in saline medium based-analytical curve. In this case, the saline solution exhibited ionic strength similar to those of the samples intended to surpass the tonometry colligative effect of the samples over analyte concentration data by attributing the reduction in quantity of diffused ethanol vapor majorly to the electrolyte. The approach of analytical curve provided rapid, simple and accurate analysis, thus contributing for deployment of point-of-use technologies. All of the results were accurate with respect to those obtained by FTIR method at 95% confidence level.     

Evaluation of nanomaterials-grafted enzymes for application in contaminants degradation: Need of the hour with proposed IoT synchronized nanosensor fit sustainable clean water technology in en masse

Increased water pollution and challenges in ultrafast recognition of water pollutants poses considerable burden to the public health. The issue of providing clean water to rural people is always a daunting yet challenging task wherein building a centralized water treatment system along with proper pipeline to connect dispersed population is not at all feasible. Amongst different water treatment technologies, sustainable nanozyme based materials have made an exceptional contribution towards providing contaminants free potable water to mankind due to its strong activity and sensitivity towards chemical substances thus facilitating use in advanced point-of-use (POU) system. In this article, we have briefly highlighted the way by which silica, carbon and MOF based nano support stabilizes the enzyme with its improved selectivity and sensitivity towards water decontamination. The strength of nanozymes and its potential use in POU devices has also been discussed for future research endeavor. Additionally, development of various nano-chemo-sensors with advanced machine learning approach is an added advantage towards detecting various contaminants from real samples with its implementation in POU devices. We have also proposed the implementing strategies of these nanozyme based water technologies so that early adopters can be given an informed decision about its way of implementation in coming days in India.