Themed collection A celebration of Latin American research in RSC Advances

In celebration of the excellence and breadth of Latin American research achievements across the chemical sciences, we are delighted to present an introduction to the themed collection, Celebrating Latin American talent in chemistry.

This review includes the most relevant aspects of the microplastics' presence in the atmosphere, with a complete analysis of possible sources, transport mechanisms, and the health risks associated with these emerging and bio-persistent pollutants.

Creatinine is an amino acid derived from creatine catabolism at different steps of the body's organs, and its detection is significant because levels out of normal values are linked to some diseases like kidney failure.

Noble metal (silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd)) nanoparticles have gained increasing attention due to their importance in several research fields such as environmental and medical research.

This review sums up recent developments in the syntheses, anti-inflammatory activities, and structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of pyrimidine derivatives.

Because of the high economic cost of exploring the experimental impact of mutations in kinase proteins, computational approaches have been employed as alternative methods for evaluating the structural and energetic aspects of kinase mutations.

A new method based on FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning is proposed to identify multidrug-resistant strains from E. coli species responsible for diarrhea in calves.

A study on the conductance and energy spectrum of a molecular system with quantum rings modelled as cyclocarbons in their cumulenic and polyynic configurations. Employing a tight-binding model, we explore its validity to describe the transport properties of these materials.

Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNP) and graphene quantum dots (GQD) were synthesized as nanocomposite. We have studied this nanocomposite for the H₂O₂ detection by photoluminescence (PL). ZnNP enhanced the PL emission of GQD and contributed to H₂O₂ detection.

An in silico assay was designed, and generated compounds were studied to delimitate the synthesis by microwave irradiation–conventional heat combination. In vitro evaluation as antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic agents were made, where 2s has good potential.

Laccase from Dichostereum sordulentum was entrapped in hydrogels formed using lignocellulosic residues from bioethanol production and ionic liquids. The active hydrogel was efficient in ethinylestradiol removal.

We developed a combined experimental and theoretical study that gives mechanistic insights into the silver-catalyzed direct selanylation of indoles.

ALA is a natural metabolite in all living cells and possesses low toxicity. ALANPs exhibit high antimicrobial activity, promote plant growth and have the potential to show photodynamic herbicidal properties under solar illumination.

Arsenic (As) as a metal ion has long-term toxicity and its presence in water poses a serious threat to the environment and human health.

Transport properties of the halogeno-alkali oxides A₃OX (A = Li, Na, X = Cl, Br) nanocrystalline samples with the presence of ∑3(111) grain boundaries were computed using large-scale molecular dynamic simulations.

Catalytic pyrolysis technologies are a current trend to address plastic waste upcycling, offering lower energy consumption and higher value products when compared to conventional thermal pyrolysis.

In this work, nanoparticles (NPs) of ZnO, ZnO with Cu incorporated at 2 and 30 wt%, and CuO were prepared by the hydrothermal method.

The new methodology named Pose/Ranking Consensus (PRC) combines both pose and ranking consensus strategies. It displays an enhanced performance in terms of enrichment factor and hit rate, ensuring the recovery of a suitable number of ligands.

UHPLC-HRMS/MS untargeted metabolomics enabled distinction of Copaifera extracts by species, vegetative parts, and biome of origin based on 19 chemical markers.

A photostable and photodynamic antimicrobial surface was developed. The antimicrobial activity of the material reached outstanding levels of inactivation under different conditions: planktonic suspensions, adhered cells to the surface, and biofilms.

Structural and energetic features explain why some drugs can be repositioned to inhibit M^pro from SARS-CoV-2.

The impact of micro and nanoplastic debris on our aquatic ecosystem is among the most prominent environmental challenges we face today.

Three-reactive centered reagent (TCCA) mediated construction of spirooxindoles through an oxidative rearrangement of various N-protected tetrahydro-β-carbolines and total synthesis of natural alkaloids (±)-coerulescine and (±)-horsfiline.

We performed a cheminfomatic analysis of four databases in Latin America and evaluated its potential in silico against SARS-CoV-2.

Gold and silver nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature using an aqueous extract from dried rosehips acting as reducing and capping agents with no other chemicals involved.

Natural dyes were extracted from Zea mays and Bixa orellana, products from Peru, for the sensitization of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films.

Medicinal plants are widely used against diabetes mellitus. Here, we provide DiaNat-DB, the first publicly available database of secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, chemically characterized, and integrated with antidiabetic activity.

Effect of thermal treatment on chitosan CDs in the solid state causes a redshift of PL emission and changes in surface states.

Chagas and leishmaniasis are both neglected tropical diseases, whose inefficient therapies have made them remain the cause for millions of deaths worldwide.

An attractive approach to the synthesis of catechol derivates through thiol-yne click reaction is presented. Compounds obtained were used in the preparation of CNPs.

This study demonstrates a fast and simple method to fabricate enhanced ePADs using pencil-drawing with a CO₂ laser treatment of the carbon surface deposited on paper. The sensor was applied to the detection of furosemide in a synthetic urine sample.

One-step enzyme-free dual electrochemical immunosensor for Malaria biomarker determination.