Department of Physics, Physics Wing (DDE), Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
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Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar 608002, Tamil Nadu, India
Highlights
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We synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with wurtzite hexagonal structure using green synthesis.
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Method is simple, novel, nontoxic and cost effective and environment friendly.
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Antibacterial activity of ZnO greenly synthesized by Solanum nigrum.
Abstract
In the present investigation, we have described the green biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by using Solanum nigrum as capping agent. The functionalization of ZnO particles through S. nigrum leaf extract mediated bioreduction of ZnO was investigated through UV–Vis DRS, photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and antibacterial activities. UV–Vis-DRS studies revealed that the indirect band gap 3.38 eV and photoluminescence study reveals the blue emission at 402, 447, 469 and 483 nm and the green emission at 529 nm respectively. In addition, the synthesized NPs are wurtzite hexagonal structure with an average grain size lies between 20 and 30 nm were found from XRD analysis. Further, FT-IR spectra revealed the functional groups and the presence of protein as the stabilizing agent for surrounding the ZnO NPs. The diameter of the NPs in the range of 20–30 nm was found from FE-SEM study. TEM analysis was investigated the ZnO NPs as a quasi-spherical in shape and their diameter at around 29.79 nm. Finally, the current study has clearly demonstrated that the particle size variations and surface area to volume ratios of ZnO NPs are responsible for significant higher antibacterial activities. Further, the present investigation suggests that ZnO NPs has the potential applications for various medical and industrial fields so, that the investigation is so useful and helpful to the scientific communities.
Detox diets are marketed as ways to eliminate toxins that build up in the body and as quick weight-loss plans. The diets normally are organized around some fasting or all-liquid phase, followed by a strictly limited choice of foods. You may eat fresh fruits, vegetables, broths or teas on a weekend detox. Some detox plans recommend digestive system cleansing, special herbs, herbal teas or recipes for fiery lemonades, protein drinks and raw juice combinations.
Master Cleanse “Lemonade” Diet
The Master Cleanse Diet has been around since the 1940s and surges in popularity each time a celebrity uses it to drop a few pounds for a movie role. The diet isn’t a weight loss plan. It is meant to detoxify the system with a few days of subsisting on a drink made of spring water, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. A side effect of the no-fiber food plan may be constipation, so a laxative tea is recommended while following the diet. Over a weekend, the diet may cause you to lose weight; however, because the weight loss is mostly water, the scale will inch back you when you resume eating. No scientific evidence exists that the Master Cleanse Diet flushes away toxins or improves health, according to Dr. Roger Clemens of the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.
The Fruit Flush Diet is designed to remove toxins and boost liver function and energy levels. A clinical nutritionist created the diet, limiting intake to protein drinks, fruit and raw vegetable salads. A modest amount of lean animal protein is permitted. The diet does allow healthy fats from avocado and olive oil, which should be fine for most healthy people to follow for the limited duration of one weekend. All the food is nutritious and could jump-start some good eating habits. The large amount of fruit, however, may mean this diet isn’t a good choice if you have hypoglycemia or diabetes. Once again, much of the weight loss is likely to be water.
Science vs. Anecdote
The human body is designed to remove toxins without direct intervention. People do begin to feel lighter and many claim to have more energy on a detox diet, but the Mayo Clinic notes there is little scientific evidence that a detox eliminates toxins. However, a weekend of light food intake, consisting mostly of healthy raw vegetables and fruits, is a nutritional plus for people who have been eating fast food, junk food and unbalanced diets. A gentle, nutritionally-balanced weekend detox may be good for you but don’t regard it as a serious weight loss plan or a substitute for year-round healthy eating.
Side Effects
Detox diets, even for the limited span of a weekend, can lead to nausea, dizziness, fatigue and dehydration. You should always consult with your health care provider before attempting a detox. The effort could actually exacerbate an underlying medical condition and lead to worse health, not better. The smart choice might be a moderate weekend diet change, then a permanent shift to a healthy diet that encourages the body to eliminate toxins as it was designed to do.
For further information log on website : http://www.livestrong.com/article/471707-weekend-detox-diet-plan/
Detox diets, while not medically proven to be effective, are a popular way to lose weight and cleanse the body of harmful toxins. According to MayoClinic.com, detox diets start with a period of fasting, then transition to a diet of fruit, juice, vegetables and water. During a detox diet, you should eat between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day. As with most weight-loss plans, a planned menu will help you successfully stick to a detox diet.
Vegetables
Vegetables are low in calories, contain no fat and are loaded with water, vitamins and minerals. Your detox diet menu should include eating as many fresh, raw vegetables as you want. This includes vegetables such as carrots, peppers, leafy greens, onions, garlic, tomatoes, beets and cabbage. Perhaps the most important vegetables to add to your detox diet menu are green leafy vegetables. Vegetables like kale, spinach and wheat grass provide the body with chlorophyll. According to the Global Healing Center, chlorophyll takes toxins from smog, pesticides and heavy metals from the body. It also helps the liver in the detoxification process.
According to MayoClinic.com, the best detox diets is a diet base on fruits and vegetables. Fruit is high in vitamins and minerals. It also provides plenty of fiber in your diet. In addition to vitamins, minerals and fiber, fruits are easy to digest and provide antioxidants to your diet. Fruits to add to your detox menu include apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches and melon. Fruit, in the form of juice, should be fresh-squeezed or labeled pure or unsweetened.
Protein
Fruit and vegetables do not provide the body with much-needed protein. During a detox diet, protein can be added to the diet through eggs and beans. Each organic free-range egg, when hard-boiled adds 7g of high quality protein. Beans such as black beans, kidney beans and garbanzo beans are not only sources of protein, adding 12 to 18g per serving, they also are full of fiber.
Water
Detox diets are intended to flush toxins from the body, which requires drinking a lot of water. Two to 3 liters of water should be consumed over the course of each day of the diet. The Global Health Center recommends adding fresh lemon or orange juice to water. The vitamin C in citrus fruit is one of the best vitamins for detoxification.
For further information log on website : http://www.livestrong.com/article/298654-foods-to-eat-to-detox-lose-weight-fast/
Fasting is a procedure used to cleanse the body, lose weight or gain spiritual enlightenment by restricting solid food and consuming only liquids. Liquid-only fasts may feature water or juice. Liberal juice fasting allows for the consumption of water, fruit juice, vegetable juice and herbal teas. Consult your doctor before starting a liquid-only fast.
Fruit juices contain high values of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which are ideal for immunity enhancement, according to PDR Health. Organic fruits are best, because the amount of pesticides used in growing the fruit is regulated. Almost any fruit can be juiced, including bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, pineapple, grapes, mango, peaches, kiwi, watermelon, oranges, kiwi, cantaloupe, grapes and pears.
Vegetables for Juicing
Beets.Photo Credit Yana Petruseva/iStock/Getty Images
Fresh organic vegetables can provide vitamins and minerals often not found in fruits. Avoid prepackaged vegetable juices, as these products are often high in sodium and preservatives. Use beets, asparagus, kale, spinach, radishes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, squash, celery and broccoli. Try not to mix high-acidic fruits with low-acidic vegetables, as this may produce an unappealing taste. Mix vegetables with tomatoes, which are a type of fruit, for a healthy and tasty combination. Do not salt your vegetable mixture, as salt retains water and defeats the purpose of a fast. Small amounts of pepper may be added.
While fruit and vegetable juices can hydrate the body, water is an essential liquid to consume during any fast. Water aids in flushing toxins from the body and helps keep bodily functions efficient. The body needs two quarts of water per day, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. In addition, water helps the intestines function, especially when the body lacks sustenance during a fast to stimulate a bowel movement.
Unsweetened herbal teas, such as black or green tea, may be consumed during a juice fast. If your goal for fasting is to cleanse your body, choose decaffeinated tea. If your goal is to lose weight, choose caffeinated tea, as caffeine stimulates the metabolism. Herbal teas, like green tea, contain powerful antioxidants, which eliminate free radicals and cancer-causing agents from the body. Also, green tea is associated with reduced inflammation among individuals with arthritis.
For further information log on website : http://www.livestrong.com/article/458105-things-to-eat-when-juice-fasting/
Juice fasts, juice diets and detoxes have become a popular way to jump-start weight loss and lose some quick pounds. By not eating any foods, you allow your digestive system to take a break and clear out many of the processed foods consumed in America today. A juice fast consists of drinking naturally juiced fruits and vegetables and water while eating no solid foods at all. The average juice fast lasts for three to 10 days, though some people will fast as long as 30 days. According to Fitness Through Fasting, an average person can lose 10 pounds or more within the first seven days of a juice fast. As with any diet, precautions should be taken.
Step 1
Before beginning any type of juice fast, consult with your physician. Because you will not be eating any solid foods, your physician may need to change or adjust prescription medications and may recommend vitamin supplements for you to take while fasting.
Purchase a top quality juicer. Take into consideration things like how easy it is to use and clean, how durable it is to be used on a regular basis and the cost you can afford. You will be using this numerous times throughout the day, so make sure it is one you can easily work with.
Step 3
Purchase an assortment of fresh and preferably organic vegetables and fruits to juice. Fruits like apples, pears, grapes and pineapple provide lots of vitamins and nutrients and are easy to juice. Vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, wheat grass, celery, beets and most green vegetables are also recommended.
Step 4
Add things like ginger or lime to make certain juice mixtures more palatable. Many green vegetables do not produce the best flavor when juiced, so mixing them with fruit or adding spices can help.
Step 5
Make your juice fresh at the time you plan to drink it. You will need to drink at least 35 to 70 ounces of juice a day, so breaking that up into mini “juice meals” will make this easier. Storing juice is not recommended because it loses some nutritional value as it sits.
Step 6
Drink at least eight glasses of filtered or purified water a day in addition to the juice drinks in order to keep your body hydrated.
Step 7
Gradually begin eating food once your fasting time is over. Your body is not used to processing solid foods, so it is not a good idea to go right out and order a big hamburger. Gradually add fruit and vegetables on the first day and then add grains and protein as your body can handle it.
Things You'll Need
Juicer
Fresh fruits
Fresh vegetables
For further details log on website : http://www.livestrong.com/article/473725-how-to-lose-10-pounds-on-a-juice-fast/
