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Item UTILIZATION OF FOOD WASTE TO PRODUCE α AMYLASE AND SYNTHESIS OF α AMYLASE- NANOPARTICLES COMPOSITE FOR THE DEGRADATION OF TEXTILE DYE(0024-01-18) MAHNOOR SAFDARGreen synthesis of nanoparticles has bought the trend of using biomaterials to synthesize a variety of metallic nanoparticles. The current study reports the use of α amylase crude extract obtained by Aspergillus niger to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles. Characterization of CuO NPs was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while the effectiveness of CuO NPs as catalytic agents for degradation of textile dye was evaluated. FTIR analysis shows protein molecules were responsible for capping and stabilization of nanoparticles while EDX analysis showed the presence of oxygen with copper. TEM analysis showed that particles size were less than 20nm. 100 µg/ml and 150 µg/ml doses of CuO NPs were found effective to degrade the red dye of different concentrations (1ppm, 2ppm, 5ppm, 10ppm, 15ppm, 20ppm) at different time intervals. 100% dye degradation was achieved at dose of 100 µg/ml dose at 1ppm of dye concentration. This study has demonstrated utilization of food waste into production of a significant and cost-effective product i.e. α amylase CuO NP compositItem RAPID DETECTION OF PESTICIDES AND HEAVY METALS IN CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND ESTIMATION OF HEALTH RISK.(KINNAIRD COLLEGE ENVIORNMENTAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, 0024-01-18) KASHMALA NAUMANA rainbow of fruits and vegetables in diet supports overall wellbeing and health of humans and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. However, the presence of pesticide residues and heavy metal accumulation in fruits and vegetables has raised concerns about potential risk to human health. This study was carried out to identify concentration of pesticides and heavy metals in canned fruits and vegetables and estimate the potential health risk to humans. Different types of canned fruits and vegetable samples were purchased from Al Fatah, Imtiaz super market and Risen store. Total seventeen samples, ten canned vegetables (sweet corn, green peas, mushrooms, green olives, red kidney beans, garlic, red chili, cauliflower, carrot, lemon) and seven canned fruits (peach, grapes, pear, pineapple, red cherry, papaya, lychee) of different local and international brands were taken. By using (HPLC) four types of pesticides i.e. Glyphosate, Bifenthrin, Imidacloprid, Difenoconazole were analyzed in these samples and five heavy metals i.e zinc, manganese, chromium, cobalt and copper were determined by Atomic Absorption. The results showed that concentration of glyphosate in vegetables sweet corn (0.4 ppm), green peas (0.3 ppm), mushrooms (0.15 ppm), green olives (0.21 ppm) , red kidney beans (0.6 ppm), garlic clove (0.60 ppm), red chilli (0.3 ppm), cauliflower (0.66 ppm), carrot (0.34 ppm) and lemon (0.65 ppm), and fruit peach (0.195 ppm) , grapes (0.21 ppm), pear (0.39 ppm), concentration of bifenthrin in vegetable green olives (0.11 ppm) and fruit pear (0.158 ppm) , lychee (0.171 ppm), concentration of imidacloprid in vegetable mushroom (0.15 ppm) and cauliflower (0.10 ppm) and fruit peach (0.29 ppm) and concentration of difenoconazole in vegetable mushroom (0.67 ppm) , green olives (0.13 ppm), garlic clove (0.3 ppm), lemon (0.416 ppm) and fruit peach (0.123 ppm) , grapes (0.133 ppm), pear (0.25 ppm), red cherry (0.25 ppm), papaya (0.11 ppm) , lychee (0.11 ppm) exceeded the MRL values set by WHO and FAO. While for heavy metals, concentration of zinc in all the vegetables sweet corn (0.062 ppm), green peas (0.049 ppm), mushroom (0.069 ppm), green olives (0.83 ppm), red kidney beans (0.031 ppm), garlic clove (0.251 ppm), red chilli (0.086 ppm) , cauliflower (0.022 ppm), carrot (0.041 ppm), lemon (0.017 ppm) and fruits peach (0.021 ppm) , grapes (0.18 ppm), pear (0.034 ppm), pineapple (0.256 ppm), red cherry (0.068 ppm), papaya (0.715 ppm), lychee (0.012 ppm) exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit set by FAO and WHO, concentration of manganese in vegetable sweet corn (0.208 ppm), green peas (0.247 ppm), mushrooms (0.184 ppm), garlic clove (0.04 ppm), red chilli (0.379 ppm), cauliflower (0.224 ppm) and concentration of cobalt in vegetable sweet corn (0.048 ppm), green peas (0.048 ppm), garlic clove (0.08 ppm) and fruit peach (0.048 ppm) exceeded the MRL values while concentration of chromium in vegetable mushroom , cauliflower, lemon and fruits pineapple, lychee were below detection limit (BDL). For copper no vegetable and fruit samples exceeded the MRL values.Item EVALUATION OF SILICA, ZINC AND SILICA/ZINC COMPOSITE NANOPARTICLES LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY AGAINST MOSQUITO VECTOR CONTROL(KINNAIRD COLLEGE ENVIORNMENTAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT., 0024-01-18) IQRA AMINIn this study silica (SiO2), zinc (Zn) and silica/zinc (SiO2/Zn) composite nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous leaves extract of Azadirachta indica as a simple, cheap and ecofriendly green material as a simple, cheap and ecofriendly material. The present study is based on the investigation of SiO2, Zn and SiO2/Zn composite nanoparticles against 2nd instar Aedes aegypti larvae. The green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. Larvicidal bioassay tests were conducted at various doses of NPs for 24 hours. Mortality data was subjected to probit analysis to determine the LC50, LC90, and LC99 values. Results demonstrated high potency of ZnO NPs against 2nd instar A. aegypti larvae. ZnO NPs gave a great larvicidal effect against A. aegypti larvae. Although, larvae treated with all the nanoparticles showed probit of mortality to be linear and R2 <1. But green synthesized ZnO NPs showed more significant results as compared to silica, and silica/zinc composites nanoparticles. These findings suggest that green synthesized NPs could serve as an alternative potent technology for mosquito vector controlItem ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF URBAN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN(Kinnaitd College for women Enviornmental Science Departement, 0024-01-18) FATIMA BILALThe availability of safe drinking water is necessary for healthy life but access to safe drinking water has become a major problem around the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Young children are more vulnerable to the health impacts due to contaminated water which often lead to waterborne diseases, affecting the overall well-being of students The study’s goal was to assess the drinking water quality in primary schools of Punjab, and 17 of physio chemical and bacteriological parameters were considered to determine the water quality. For analysis, 300 samples of drinking water were collected from primary public schools registered in urban areas across 36 districts of Punjab.The findings revealed that majority of the water quality parameters were within the permissible limits with reference to the physicochemical parameters.The measured pH for water samples ranged from 7 to 10. Majority of the samples had pH within the limit. Noticeable variation was observed in the turbidity levels of the collected samples from tap as compared to the samples collected from the tanks. The turbidity levels ranged between 8.22 NTU and 10.25 NTU.7.3% of the samples exceeded the permissible limit of WHO for turbidity. The maximum TSS value i.e 670 mg/l was observed in the samples collected from Vehari.For TDS,15.6 % of the samples exceeded the limit.In addition, colonies of E. Coli and fecal coliform were detected in majority of the samples. Moreover, in some samples colonies of E. Coli and colonies of fecal coliform were uncountable.The highest value of F- was observed in the samples of Sialkot(7.2 mg/L).21% of the samples exceeded the limit set by WHO and NDWQS. The highest detected concentration for As was 67.21 µg/l with 55 % of the samples exceeded the permissible limit which is 10ug/l.The Cancer Risk(CR) values ranged from 0.1863 to 7.787. The calculated CR values were significantly higher than the permissible limit of 10 to 6 set by USEPA. Drinking Water Quality Index categorized, 0.66 % asexcellent,10.3%, 19%, 11.3%, 8% and 1% water samples as good, fair,poor,very poor and unfitfor drinking respectively. The questionnaire survey also indicated that 52% of the studentssuffered from cholera and typhoid while, 46% suffered from other waterborne diseasesItem TREATMENT OF PHENOL AND CRYSTAL VIOLET DYE FROM WASTEWATER USING BIOSILICA HYDROGEL NANOCOMPOSITES(0024-01-18) EASHA TIR RAZIAIn this study, adsorption of Phenol and Crystal Violet (CV) dye was investigated while using adsorbent Biosilica hydrogel nanocomposites. Biosilica hydrogel nanocomposites were prepared using the hydrogel extracted from okra mucilage and silica extracted from sugarcane bagasse. To examine the functional groups and morphology, these nanocomposites were characterized via Fourier Transform Infrared Radiations (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The batch adsorption experiments were performed by varying factors such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and initial concentration. From the results it was found that the maximum removal of crystal violet was 83% at 0.1g/250mL, initial concentration 30 ppm, pH 12 and contact time of 30 minutes. Phenol showed the removal of 79% at optimum conditions i.e. dosage 0.4g/200mL, initial concentration 10 ppm, pH 7 and contact time of 15 minutes. Langmuir was best fitted for phenol (qm 16.28 mg/g) while Freundlich (qm 120.48 mg/g) for crystal violet. Hence, the results indicate that the biosilica hydrogel nanocomposites proved to be more effective for removal of crystal violet as compared to phenol. Moreover, the synthesized adsorbent can be used as the efficient and cost effective alternative for the adsorption of toxic pollutants and coloring agents from wastewaterItem DRINKING WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF RURAL PUNJAB, PAKISTAN(Kinnaird Collehe Enviornmental Science Department, 0024-01-18) AYESHA MOHSINThe compromised drinking water quality in primary schools can lead to various health issues, particularly among children, as they are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of contaminants. It can also impact their attendance, concentration, and overall well-being. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the physiochemical and microbial drinking water quality, using standard methods, among 274 primary schools of rural Punjab, Pakistan. A total number of 18 cities were selected for sampling purpose and results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Results showed that EC (14.60%), TDS (10.95%), DO Total hardness (16.06%), Cl (29.56%), F (12.04%), Nitrate (16.42%), Cr (7.30%), Ni (8.39%), and As (10.95%) exceeded WHO recommended range. MPN method was used to test microbiological contamination in drinking water samples. Results showed that 36% of samples were bacteriologically contaminated with Total coliforms. Drinking Water Quality Index (DWQI) revealed, 38%, 41%, 16%, 4% and 1% of the water samples to be categorized as good water, fair water, poor water, very poor and unsuitable for drinking respectively, thus making overall water quality not suitable for drinking purposes. Health risk assessment of suggests HQ indices for Pb and Ni in all the samples was <1, which imparting no potential adverse health effect to the study population. Some samples had shown HQ>1 for Cr, As and F. All the samples of Pb had cancer risk E-04. Pearson correlation matrix showed statistically significant relationships (p<0.01) between various physiochemical parameters. Health risk survery from parents found that majority of the respondents had knowledge about water borne diseases and were suffering from Hepatitis A (12.7%), Kidney problems (13%), Diarrhoea/Vomiting (26%), Abdominal pain (25%), tiredness (33.3) and Dysentery (4.8) etc. Contingent valuation method (CVM) was used for determining Willingness to pay (WTP) for drinking water quality which was found to be PKR. 974.69, This amounts can make a difference in water quality. ANOVA, Chi square, Crammers V and linear regression test, with a p-value <0.05, revealed that income and education level significantly affected the willingness to pay for improved drinking water. Hence, authorities should regularly monitor the drinking water quality in public primary schools to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for the students and staff