Browsing by Author "El-Bialy, Tarek"

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    Agar from Red Algae (Gracilaria tenuistipitata) as a Valuable Biopolymer: Extraction and Characterization
    (Research and Development Wing, MIST, 2025-12-30) Afrin Rimpy, Fawzia; Hoque, Md Enamul; Farsheed Mahmud, Quazi; Nowroj, Itmam; Rahman, Sazedur; El-Bialy, Tarek; Ali, M. Azam
    Agar, a natural biopolymer extracted from red algae, holds immense potential for revolutionizing healthcare, including biomedical engineering. This study explores the extraction feasibility of agar from red algae (Gracilaria tenuistipitata) abundantly available in the coastal area of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Five extraction methods were investigated, including a control group and treatments with water and NaOH solutions at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6%. The extraction of agar from algae was characterized through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel strength testing, melting and gelling temperature assessments, pH value measurement, and sulfate content analysis. Statistical analysis, including ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test, was utilized to assess the impact of the pre-treatment process on the yield and characteristics of agar. The test revealed significant variations among the different extraction methods (p < 0.05), highlighting the crucial role that pre-treatment plays in influencing agar yield and its physicochemical properties. While the control group achieved the highest agar yield (16.67 ± 1.44%), the 2% NaOH pre-treatment showed superior physicochemical attributes. Specifically, this treatment resulted in agar with optimal gel strength (3.25 ± 0.67 N/cm²), melting temperature (84.20 ± 0.80°C), gelling temperature (36.13 ± 1.21°C), pH (7.49 ± 0.26), and sulfate content (3.67 ± 0.58 mg/L), all of which are comparable to those of commercial agar. This preliminary study suggests that the red algae (Gracilaria tenuistipitata) found in Bangladesh is a promising source of agar for wider applications, including biomedical engineering. The agar extracted from abundant local sources in this country could unlock its potential for advancing healthcare solutions and sustainable national economic growth.
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    Antibacterial/Antiviral Face Masks: Processing,Characteristics, Challenges, and Sustainability
    (Research and Development Wing, MIST, 2023-12) Hoque, Md Enamul; Sarker, Mirajul Alam; Arif, Kiswa; Ali, M. Azam; El-Bialy, Tarek
    The facemask has become a part of our daily life after the emergence of SAR-CoV-2, commonly known as the novel coronavirus 2019 or, COVID-19 all over the world. On a day-to-day basis, previously the face mask has been used to filter airborne particles entering the body and affecting the respiratory system, especially by individuals in pollution-prone areas. But as the pathogens having severe acute respiratory disease-causing abilities emerge with the potential to create a pandemic, the necessity of virus/bacteria killing ability along with the filtration efficiency of the face mask has come into account. Existing ordinary face masks have filtration capacity only. Sometimesit cannot restrict particles and pathogens of nano or even micro-scale. Moreover, when it is disposed ofafter use, it can be a potential source of pathogen transmission. Therefore, the developmentof antiviral/antibacterial face masks is the need of the hour. This article focuses on the advancement of face mask processing methods, existing and promising antibacterial/antiviral agents, socio-economic sustainability, and challenges in achieving the goal of a green environment. Besides, various characteristics of the face mask like swelling and degradation properties, morphologies (SEM, FESEM), mechanical strength, antioxidant property, and antimicrobial activityare also revealed. Lastly, some future perspectives and directives are accordingly discussed with the hope that the grim of any future pandemic should not shroud us and make the world stalled again.