National Research Centre

Solar-powered electromagnetic conditioning of saline groundwater: an exploratory assessment of ionic composition and soil-extract salinity

Saline groundwater is a difficult irrigation source in arid and off-grid areas, but a conditioning device must not be described as a desalination process unless net salt removal is demonstrated. This exploratory pilot assessment examined a photovoltaic-powered electromagnetic coi...

UV-C irradiation and hermetic storage modulate essential oil profiles and antifungal bioactivity of Apiaceae fruits during long-term storage

Abstract Long-term storage can erode the value of Apiaceae fruits through volatilization and compositional drift of their essential oils (EOs). This study evaluated UV-C pre-treatment (25 min) and packaging type as practical approaches to preserve EO quality in fennel ( Foeniculu...

Folic acid–loaded amino-functionalized MCM-41 as a drug delivery system for cervical cancer modulating apoptotic and survival signals

Abstract Cervical cancer remains one of the most prevalent gynecological malignancies worldwide, with high mortality rates particularly in developing countries, necessitating the development of effective and targeted therapeutic strategies. In this study, a folic acid (FA)-loaded...

Oral Co-supplementation with Pediococcus pentosaceus Probiotic and Enteric Polymeric Phycocyanin Nanoparticles Mitigates Aging-Related Biomarkers in Male Wistar Rats: A Preclinical Investigation

Abstract C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is a promising anti-aging nutraceutical due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its instability under acidic conditions limits its efficacy, necessitating advanced formulation strategies. This study evaluated the anti-aging...

Combined effect of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants on wheat growth, yield, and grain nutritional quality under sandy soil conditions

Abstract Background The agricultural use of sandy soils has expanded worldwide to meet the increasing demand for food and other agricultural commodities resulting from rapid population growth and urbanization. However, the inherent limitations of these soils, particularly their l...

Empirical evaluation of filament fineness as a determinant of performance metrics in polyester microfiber lightweight lining fabrics

Purpose As the primary skin-contact layer, lining fabrics dictate clothing comfort and functional potential while enduring stressors like perspiration and mechanical tension. Consequently, defining their specific material composition is essential for ensuring physiological harmon...

Comparative evaluation of Saccharomyces, Bacillus, and Lactobacillus as antibiotic alternatives on growth performance, redox balance, and gut microbiota in broilers

Abstract This study evaluated the efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), Bacillus subtilis (B), Lactobacillus casei (LB), and their combination (Mix) as natural alternatives to antibiotics in broiler nutrition. Liquid cultures were prepared to a density of 10⁸ CFU/mL and exam...

Rational design, synthesis, and antimicrobial evaluation of novel 1,2,3-triazole hybrids: structure–activity relationships, molecular docking, and DFT studies

A series of novel 2,4-dichlorophenyl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their structural hybrids incorporating chalcone, hydrazone, thio/semicarbazide, carbamate, and pyrazole moieties were rationally designed, synthesized, and characterized. The antimicrobial activity of the synthes...

Effects of Replacing Concentrate Feed with Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Pods on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, and Rumen Fermentation in Assaf Lambs

This study examined the effects of replacing 25% (P25) or 50% (P50) of concentrate dry matter (DM) with sun-dried carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, serum biochemistry, and rumen microbiology in...

Evaluation of Moringa oleifera extract and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as therapeutic agents against chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice

Abstract Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii , remains a significant global health concern, with seroprevalence exceeding 60% in specific regions. Given the limitations of current therapies for chronic stages, this study investigated the...

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction time and solvent to improve phenolic recovery and antioxidant yield from Nigella sativa oil-extraction waste

This study evaluated the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of raw Nigella sativa crude seeds (NSC) and their post-oil extraction solid byproducts, including defatted seeds (NSD) and extraction residues (NSR), which are typically considered agro-industrial waste. Ultra...

Biostimulatory Effect of 3-Acetonyl-3-Hydroxyoxindole on the Growth and Secondary Metabolites of Khaya senegalensis: UPLC–MS/MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Insights

Developing sustainable agricultural biostimulants that simultaneously optimize vegetative growth and specialized metabolic pathways is critical for maximizing plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and metabolome reprogramming. In this study, for the first time, the effects of...

Development of probiotic yoghurt fortified with high-purity Chlorella vulgaris-derived lutein and its nanoencapsulated form for enhanced stability and functional efficacy

Lutein delivery from microalgae into probiotic yogurt is limited by poor aqueous solubility, oxidative degradation during fermentation, and reduced bioaccessibility. This study developed a scalable synbiotic yogurt fortified with high-purity lutein (92%, HPLC-confirmed) extracted...

Lanolin in implantation of luminous polymer dots for environmental application as metal probes

Polymer dots (PDs) have become one of the potential fluorescent nanomaterials in environmental sensing because they are low-toxicity, tunable optical nanomaterials, and are cost-effective. Herein, a green and facile hydrothermal strategy was formed to nucleate luminous PDs with l...