Mucilage-capped silver nanoparticles for glucose electrochemical sensing and fuel cell applications

A simple, cost-effective and green mucilage-capped silver nanoparticles (Mucilage-AgNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GC) composite was constructed for efficient and facile electrochemical oxidation of glucose for the first time. Mucilage-AgNPs were synthesized through the direct chemical reduction of Ag⁺ by mucilage extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica. Mucilage-AgNPs were identified and characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and square wave voltammetry. Modification of the GC with AgNPs was carried out via a transfer-sticking technique with an immobilization time of 1 h. The Mucilage-AgNPs/GC composite was studied as a possible anode for glucose oxidation in a biofuel cell. The composite resulted in glucose oxidation with a current density and power density of 85.7 μA cm⁻² and 25.7 μW cm⁻², respectively. Glucose sensing using the Mucilage-AgNPs/GC composite was achieved successfully via two pathways: glucose oxidation and AgNP inhibition. The glucose oxidation-based sensor showed a lower detection limit of 0.01 mM and a linear range of 0.01 to 2.2 mM. The AgNPs inhibition-based sensor provides an indirect determination pathway of glucose with a detection limit of 0.1 mM and a linear range of 0.1 to 1.9 mM. AgNP inhibition is a novel pathway that could be used for determining a large number of organic and inorganic molecules. Overall, the Mucilage-AgNPs/GC is considered a pioneering composite for glucose sensing and fuel cell applications.

A simple, cost-effective and green mucilage-capped silver nanoparticles (Mucilage-AgNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GC) composite was constructed for efficient and facile electrochemical oxidation of glucose for the first time.     

Level of Education and Gender-specific Self-reported Oral Health Behavior Among Dental Students

Purpose: To identify the oral health attitudes/behaviour among dental students in Jordan, and analyse the variations in oral health attitudes based on gender and level of education. Materials and Methods: Out of the 653 registered dental students at the faculty of dentistry, 580 students (455 females and 125 males, mean age = 20.1 ± 1.6 years) participated in the study (response rate 89%). The Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) was used to assess oral heath attitudes and behaviour of the participants. Data were analysed using the chi-square test, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Females had better oral health attitudes and behaviour, especially towards visiting the dentist, toothbrushing habits and oral hygiene practice (P < 0.05). Also, students from the higher years had better oral health attitudes, behaviour and knowledge, especially towards gingival health, oral hygiene practice, toothbrushing and visiting the dentist (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dental students in Jordan had poor oral health attitudes and behaviour. Females had better oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviour than males. With increasing years of study, some aspects of dental students' oral health behaviour and attitudes improved. However, this improvement was limited and students should be encouraged to become an example of oral health for their society. Better comprehensive dental education with early exposure to dental health and prevention was suggested to improve dental students' oral health attitudes and behaviour.