Europium (Eu) doped Calcium borophosphate (CBP) phosphors were synthesized via the solid-state diffusion method. The prepared Europium (Eu) doped Calcium borophosphate (CBP) powder was heated up to 600 ℃ for 6 h for a complete diffusion of ions in the powder system. XRD results showed that the prepared phosphors exhibit a well-crystallized hexagonal phase. The complete diffusion inside the CBP/Eu powder system has been confirmed by the presence of elements such as P, O, Bi, Ca, C, Eu, and B. Apart from that, the synthesized powder system has shown a down-conversion property where the Eu³⁺-activated ion was excited at 251 nm. Under the excitation of 251 nm, CBP/Eu phosphor showed intense emissions peaking at 591,617, and 693 nm due to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁, ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂, and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₄ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The obtained results suggest that the CBP/Eu phosphors have the potential for spectral response coating materials to improve photovoltaic (PV) panel efficiency.

Organomineral fertilizer is used to improve and ameliorate the supply of nutrients in soils. Right and adequate application of fertilizers are determinants of its nutrient supply efficiency, which in turn enhances the vegetative growth and yield of cucumber. Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, to assess the effects of variety and rate of organomineral fertilizer on cucumber growth and yield. Trials were conducted from June to August 2019 and repeated from September to November 2019. The cultivars were Poinsett, Greengo, and Monalisa. The rates of organomineral fertilizer were 0, 2.5, or 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹. The treatments were replicated three times. Cucumber vegetative characters, yield, and yield components were studied. ‘Greengo’ produced the most leaves, followed by ‘Monalisa’; ‘Poinsett’ produced the least. Application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer produced the longest vines and fruits. ‘Greengo’ had the earliest days to 50% flowering, followed by ‘Monalisa’; ‘Poinsett’ had the most days to 50% flowering. Plants treated with an application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer attained 50% flowering in 29 days, but in 30 days with an application of 2.5 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer; the control treatment attained 50% flowering in 33 days. Application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ organomineral fertilizer produced the longest fruits, thicker fruit diameter, and highest fruit yield compared with 2.5 and 0 tons. ha⁻¹ of organomineral fertilizer treatments. The Greengo variety with application of 5.0 tons. ha⁻¹ of organomineral fertilizer is recommended for optimum growth and yield in south western Nigeria.

The food industry progressively requires innovative and environmentally safe packaging materials with increased physical, mechanical, and barrier properties. Due to its unique properties, cellulose has several potential applications in the food industry as a packaging material, stabilizing agent, and functional food ingredient. A coffee pod is a filter of cellulosic, non-rigid, ready-made material containing ground portions and pressed coffee prepared in dedicated machines. In our study, we obtained, with homogenization and sonication, cellulose micro/nanoparticles from three different coffee pods. It is known that nanoparticulate systems can enter live cells and, if ingested, could exert alterations in gastrointestinal tract cells. Our work aims to investigate the response of HT-29 cells to cellulose nanoparticles from coffee pods. In particular, the subcellular effects between coffee-embedded nanocellulose (CENC) and cellulose nanoparticles (NC) were compared. Finally, we analysed the pathologic condition (Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) from Campylobacter jejuni) on the same cells conditioned by NC and CENC. We evidenced that, for the cellular functional features analysed, NC and CENC pre-treatments do not worsen cell response to the C. jejuni CDT, also pointing out an improvement of the autophagic flux, particularly for CENC preconditioning.