Salma Shad | University of Haripur (original) (raw)

Papers by Salma Shad

Emergent materials, Mar 18, 2024

Herein, superporous hydrophilic cryogels of poly(acrylic acid) p(AAc) have been synthesized via f... more Herein, superporous hydrophilic cryogels of poly(acrylic acid) p(AAc) have been synthesized via free radical polymerization
at freezing conditions by varying the concentration of monomer and cross-linker. A simple reduction method has been
adopted to incorporate palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) in p(AAc) pores. The as-synthesized hybrid cryogels were characterized
through FTIR, XRD SEM, EDX, and TEM techniques. To study the water absorption capacity of as-synthesized
cryogels, a swelling degree test has been conducted. The catalytic performance of the modified cryogels was evaluated for
the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye using NaBH4
as a reducing agent. Different experimental parameters, for example,
pH, amount of catalyst, and temperature were investigated to achieve optimized catalytic conditions. In brief, the catalytic
activity of 97-AAc (3%) Pd-p(AAc) cryogel was more significant as compared to 95-AAc (5%) Pd-p(AAc)– and 93-AAc
(7%) Pd-p(AAc)–based cryogels. This might be due to the presence of a superporous structure enriched with optimized Pd
distribution to facilitate maximum retention of dye molecules. Furthermore, the bactericidal potential of the cryogels was
evaluated by the optical density (OD) method against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Pd-p(AAc) cryogels
exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity due to the incorporation of palladium nanoparticles within the super porous network.
The as-synthesized nanocomposite

Emergent Materials, Jan 14, 2024

Frontiers in toxicology, Mar 18, 2024

Green nanotechnology has gained attraction in recent years due to the growing awareness of the en... more Green nanotechnology has gained attraction in recent years due to the growing awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with traditional methods of nanomaterial synthesis. In the present study, nanocomposite (NCs) of silver and Iron were prepared using Zanthoxylum Armatum seeds aqueous extract which acts as a reducing, stabilizing, and capping agent. The synthesized NCs were characterized using UV/Vis Spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and EDX. The UV/Vis spectroscopy analysis of the NCs revealed the presence of a surface plasmonic resonance band occurring at 420 nm. Examination of the NCs through SEM demonstrated that they exhibited a nearly spherical morphology, with an average particle diameter measuring 54.8 nm. The crystalline nature of these NCs was verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the calculation of crystallite size using the Scherrer-Debye equation yielded a value of 12.6 nm. The adsorption ability of newly synthesized nanocomposites was investigated against Acid Black 234 Dye. The results showed that a 0.5 g of NCs dose at pH 4 removed 99.3% of 10 mg/L of Acid Black 234 Dye within 60 min. Based on the findings of this research, it can be inferred that the that Ag-Fe NCs synthesized from Zanthoxylum Armatum seeds aqueous extract hold significant potential for addressing environmental pollution caused by Acid Black 234 Dye. The NCs were used as adsorbent for the removal of Acid Black 234 dye from the wastewater sample and showed 98% removal of dye from the commercial sample within 60 min. In this context, the research highlights that the environmentally friendly synthesis of Ag-Fe nanocrystals (Ag-Fe NCs) using Zanthoxylum Armatum as a mediator offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for mitigating environmental pollution.

Keeping in view the folkloric history, stem extract of Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew (Rhamnaceae) was ... more Keeping in view the folkloric history, stem extract of Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew (Rhamnaceae) was examined phytochemically and for scavenging activity. Results of qualitative phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, coumarins and flavonoid. Total phenolic contents (TPC), Total flavonoid contents (TFC) were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Maximum phenolic content was recorded in aqueous extract 171.2±7.13 mg/g GAE followed by n-butanol and crude extract fraction with 159.6±5.13mg/g and 158.3±6.25mg/g GAE respectively, TFC analysis has also shown significant results in aqueous extract 94.1±3.70 mg/g QE followed by crude extract and n-butanol extract having close readings of 89.0±3.40 mg/g and 88.0±4.72mg/g QE correspondingly. DPPH assay has revealed worth mentioning scavenging activity in aqueous extract; 1.93±0.04 µmol/g extract TE followed by n-butanol, crude extract and ethyl acetate exposed close readings 1.88±0.06 µmol/g, 1.84±0.07 µmol/g and 1.67±0.04 µmol/g TE respectively.

Journal of Nano Research, Mar 30, 2023

Tungsten (W) and Cerium (Ce) doped nanoTitanium oxide (TiO2) nanophotocatalyst were prepared by t... more Tungsten (W) and Cerium (Ce) doped nanoTitanium oxide (TiO2) nanophotocatalyst were prepared by the sol-gel method and their photodegradation effect against atrazine herbicide were investigated. The doping of the nanocatalyst took place at 50 °C within a time interval of 120 minutes. The prepared gel was dried and calcined in the oven at 350 °C for 75 minutes. The XRD result revealed that the synthesized nanocatalyst was 16.7 nm in size with a mostly monoclinic structure. With FTIR spectra, characteristic peaks of TiO2 were found at 516 cm-1, Ti-O-Ce at 1104 cm-1, and W-O with a single bond at 1609 cm-1. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed the surface morphology of synthesized nanophotocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of synthesized nanocatalyst was tested on the degradation of atrazine herbicide (ATZ) under visible and UV light in a batch reactor. The efficiency of nanocatalyst was compared for effective utilization. About 46.5 % of photocatalytic activity was observed without UV light irradiation within 120 minutes. The photocatalytic activity of W-Ce co-doped TiO2 to degrade atrazine further increased up to 99.1 % when the solution was irradiated under UV light. Factors like pH, time, and concentration of nanocatalyst were optimized to check the photocatalytic activity of nanocatalyst on ATZ. It was concluded that nanocatalyst showed an efficient photocatalytic degradation at pH 6 within 120 mins time interval after exposure to UV light.

Materials, Dec 29, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Journal of Molecular Structure, Nov 1, 2022

Iet Nanobiotechnology, Oct 3, 2018

With the progression of nanotechnology, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in consumer products has i... more With the progression of nanotechnology, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in consumer products has increased dramatically and green synthesis is one of the cheapest and eco‐friendly methods to obtain non‐hazardous NPs. In the current research zinc (Zn) NPs synthesis was carried out by using the fresh and healthy leaves of Mentha arvensis L. followed by characterisation through ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV–visible spectroscopy confirmed the green synthesis of ZnNPs, while XRD confirmed the size of NPs, which was 30–70 nm. SEM shows that the shape of ZnNPs was irregular. The effects of green synthesised NPs on two different varieties of Brassica napus were evaluated. Exposure to ZnNPs (5, 15, and 25 mg/l−1) caused a significant increase in root and shoot length of B. napus. The application of NPs significantly improved plant germination and triggered the production of secondary metabolite and antioxidant enzymes. ZnNPs showed a significant increase in chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase, total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant enzymes while total phenolic content was decreased when TFC increased. Thus, it has been concluded from the current study that ZnNPs may possibly trigger the production of antioxidant enzymes and various biochemical compounds.

Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Jul 1, 2014

The aim of the present research was to investigate the antibacterial activity of the plant Taraxa... more The aim of the present research was to investigate the antibacterial activity of the plant Taraxacum officinale leaves extracts against selected different bacterial strains. The research was done in the

In Asian countries especially Pakistan micronutrient deficiency is widespread due to high pH, low... more In Asian countries especially Pakistan micronutrient deficiency is widespread due to high pH, low organic matter, drought and salt stress, calcareous soil nature, in irrigation H2O high bicarbonate content and imbalanced NPK fertilizers application. A field trial was conducted to examine the growth and yield response of Phaseolus vulgaris to different basal and foliar nutrients application during 2012-13. The experiment was comprised of seven treatments including: Control (Water spray), DAP (solid from) 123.5 kg ha , Potassium 1 1 1 2 alone) gave the minimum value in all the traits. Thus the present study suggested that foliar application of micronutrients (B+ Mo + Zn) is beneficial to get the maximum seed yield of common bean.

Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Mar 1, 2015

Medicinal plants are traditionally used in Pakistan and in other countries for treatment of vario... more Medicinal plants are traditionally used in Pakistan and in other countries for treatment of various diseases. Grewia optiva is a medicinal plant used in northern Pakistan for various diseases. This plant was assessed for various parameters like total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using ABTS radical scavenging assays. Phytochemical tests are also included in the study to identify various classes of phytochemicals. Phytochemical tests resulted in the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins and flavonoid. TPC analysis showed phenolic content in extract and its fractions with maximum value in aqueous fractions 167.3 mg/g followed by n-butanol 132.5 mg/g while the lowest value was recorded in chloroform fraction 89.9 mg/g respectively with comparing to Gallic acid equivalent. Results of TFC quantitative estimation exhibited presence of flavonoids in aqueous fraction with maximum value of 84.2 mg/g followed by crude extract 81.9 mg/g while the lowest value was recorded chloroform fraction 42.6 mg/g respectively as compare to Quercetin equivalent. TAC revealed promising antioxidant potential of the crude extract and its fractions with high activity in again aqueous fraction 1.55 mg/g followed by crude extract 1.52 mg/g while the lowest value was recorded in chloroform fraction 0.82 mg/g respectively by comparing to the standard trolox. From the result is concluded that plant have various phytochemical compound and further study should be made to isolate the compounds and check for different activity.

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution

Journal of Nano Research, 2023

Catalysis Communications, 2011

This work concerns the preparation and characterization of Nickel nanoparticle-PVAm/SBA-15, a pol... more This work concerns the preparation and characterization of Nickel nanoparticle-PVAm/SBA-15, a polymer-inorganic hybrid composite, which was effectively employed as a novel heterogeneous catalyst for reduction of aromatic nitro compounds in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent. The reaction was carried out in room temperature and an aqueous medium. The catalyst showed good activity for the reduction of a

Journal of Chromatography A, 2022

Peptides and proteins have great therapeutic potential, and owing to their unique biological prop... more Peptides and proteins have great therapeutic potential, and owing to their unique biological properties, their separation is very challenging. A polar embedded C18 stationary phase was prepared by function- alization of porous silica monolith particles with N-3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl stearamide. The stationary phase was packed in narrow bore column (100 ×2.1 mm) and evaluated for the separation of peptides and proteins in HPLC. Number of theoretical plates (N) as high as 520,0 0 0 and 340,0 0 0 plates/meter were obtained for peptides and proteins respectively. The separation performance of C18-amide column was compared with four commercial amide columns i.e. Ascentis Express RP-Amide, Accucore 150 Amide, TSKgel Amide-80, and XBridge Amide column. The performance of C18-amide column was much better than these commercial amide columns in terms of efficiency and resolution. Owing to high efficiency and good resolution for peptides and proteins separation, C18-amide column could be used as alternative to expansive commercial columns.

Membranes

The removal of pesticide pollution is imperative, because of their high environmental load and pe... more The removal of pesticide pollution is imperative, because of their high environmental load and persistence, and their potential for bioaccumulation in, and toxicity to the environment. Most pesticides are found to be toxic even at trace levels. AgNPs can be effectively used for the adsorption of pesticides, and the incorporation of the AgNPs onto a support polymeric membrane enhances their effectiveness and reduces the potential unwanted consequences of intentionally adding free nanoparticles to the environment. Here, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a reliable, eco-friendly, and one-step “green” method, by reacting Mentha Piperita (mint) extract with AgNO3 aqueous solution at 60 °C in a microwave. The resulting high surface area nanoparticles are both economic and effective environmental remediation agents, playing a promising role in the elimination of aquatic pesticide pollution. Embedding the nanoparticles into a cellulose membrane at a low concentration (0.1 ...

Journal of Molecular Structure