Carbon nanodots (CNDs) are 0D quasi-spherical nanoparticles that are less than 10 nm in size. CNDs that possess surface functional groups such as hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups have been demonstrated to scavenge free radicals efficiently and effectively, resulting in them being beneficial for cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications. In this study, we successfully prepared novel CNDs, namely black VC, using vitamin C (VC) as a promising precursor. Black VC was prepared by a facile one-step method based on short-time microwave irradiation. The properties of black VC were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectrophotometry. Radical scavenging, cell viability, and anti-pollution activity assays were also conducted to demonstrate the functionalities of black VC. The developed black VC exhibited lower cytotoxicity and better antioxidant, metal chelating ability, and anti-pollution activities than its precursor. These results provide a new approach for developing advanced antioxidants for innovative cosmetic formulations using a simple microwave treatment method. However, black VC retained some problems of its precursor in the form of low stability, which is likely to be a challenge for its cosmeceutical application.

The effect of heat treatment and vacuum conditions on the textural properties and electrochemical performance of commercially available activated carbons (ACs) was investigated. The AC after post-heat treatment was characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. The ACs treated under vacuum conditions exhibit a higher specific surface area and micropore surface area than those treated under nitrogen atmospheric pressure without significantly affecting the graphite structure of the AC. Under 800 °C temperature and vacuum conditions (AC-V800), the AC with the highest Brunauer– Emmett–Teller surface area of 1951.9 m2 g−1 (16.4% improvement relative to that of the original AC (1677.2 m2 g−1)) was obtained. This is attributed to the removal of oxygen-containing functional groups and volatile matters in the carbon by thermal treatment under vacuum conditions. Consequently, the electric double-layer capacitor using ACs treated under vacuum conditions (1 kPa) at 800 °C (AC-V800) shows considerably improved electrochemical performance in terms of higher specific capacitance and better cycling stability at a high working voltage (3.1 V), compared to the nitrogen-treated and commercial ACs.

Several Mites are currently the most serious threat to the world bee industry. The ectoparasitic honey bee mites was originally confined to the Asian honey bee(Apis cerana etc.). Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps clareae has plagued European honey bees, Apis mellifera. Differences in mite tolerance are reported between two honey bee species A. mellifera and A. cerana. We were amplified antimicrobial peptide cDNA genes (Defencin, Abaecin, Royalisin, Apidaecin and Hymenoptaecin) by RT-PCR. We explored the transcriptional response to mite parasitism in A. mellifera 4th instars larvae which differ in susceptibility to V. destructor and T. clareae, comparing parasitized and non-parasitized 4th instars larvae (worker and Drone) from same hive. Differential gene expression of worker bees and Drone bees induced by mites (V. destructor and T. clareae) infection was investigated by northern blot. Mites (V. destructor and T. clareae) parasitism caused changes in the expression of genes related to sex distinction. Bees tolerant to mites (V. destructor and T. clareae) were mainly characterized by differences in the expression of genes regulating antimicrobial gene expression. It provides a first step toward better understanding molecular expression involved in this differential sex distinction host-parasite relationship. We were detected bee virus in A. mellifera, comparing parasitized and non-parasitized 4th instars larvae (worker and Drone). Therefore, this result was demonstrated that mites were another possible route of horizontal transmission, as several viruses were detected in mites and their hosts.

South Korea has over 38 millions of managed honey bee (Apis cerana) colonies before 2009 years ago, which produce the highest quantity of honey in the Korea; however, almost colony (99%) were collapsed by Korean Sacbrood Virus (KSBV) in South Korea. Korean Sacbrood Virus (KSBV) is the pathogen of A. cerana Sacbrood disease, which poses a serious threat to honeybee A. cerana, and tends to cause bee colony and even the whole apiary collapse. Colony collapse of A. cerana was first reported on the Pyeong-Chang of the South Korea in 2009. Symptoms of KSBV include the rapid transmission of larval stage honeybees (A. cerana), many dead larvae found in the bottom of hive and comb. Honeybees (A. cerana) are a very important species because they provide a number of pollination services for various ecosystems in some provinces (ex. jeon-nam, jeon-buk province). They are also extremely important organisms within human society, both agriculturally and economically. The fact that a direct cause has been determined suggests that colony collapse is a complex problem with a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Possible instigators of colony collapse include: wax moth, viral and fungal diseases, increased population, decreased genetic diversity, climate changing and a variety of other factors. The interaction among these potential causes may be resulting in immunity loss for honeybees and the increased likelihood of collapse.