Glucoamylase immobilized on montmorillonite: influence of nature of binding on surface properties of clay-support and activity of enzyme

Glucoamylase was immobilized on acid activated montmorillonite clay via two different procedures namely adsorption and covalent binding. The immobilized enzymes were characterized by XRD, NMR and N2 adsorption measurements and the activity of immobilized glucoamylase for starch hydrolysis was determined in a batch reactor. XRD shows intercalation of enzyme into the clay matrix during both immobilization procedures. Intercalation occurs via the side chains of the amino acid residues, the entire polypeptide backbone being situated at the periphery of the clay matrix. 27Al NMR studies revealed the different nature of interaction of enzyme with the support for both immobilization techniques. N2 adsorption measurements indicated a sharp drop in surface area and pore volume for the covalently bound glucoamylase that suggested severe pore blockage. Activity studies were performed in a batch reactor. The adsorbed and covalently bound glucoamylase retained 49% and 66% activity of the free enzyme respectively. They showed enhanced pH and thermal stabilities. The immobilized enzymes also followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Km was greater than the free enzyme that was attributed to an effect of immobilization. The immobilized preparations demonstrated increased reusability as well as storage stability.

International Human Rights Movements and Protection of Women's Rights

This thesis is an attempt to explore the problems faced by Indian Women and to examine the ways in which the human rights of women could be better protected in the light of international movements with special reference to national legislation and judicial decisions.The evolution of human rights from early period to Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 is traced in the first chapter. The second chapter deals with the evolution of human rights in India. The evolution of fundamental rights and directive principles and the role played by the Indian Judiciary in enforcing the human rights enumerated in various international instruments dealing with human rights are also dealt with in this chapter. The rights guaranteed to women under the various international documents have been dealt with in the third chapter.It is noticed that the international documents have had their impact in India leading to creation of machinery for protection of human rights. Organised violations of women's rights such as prostitution, devadasi system, domestic violence, sexual harassment at workplaces, the evil of dowry, female infanticide etc. have been analysed in the light of existing laws and decisional jurisprudence in the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter analyses the decisions and consensus that emerged from the world conferences on women and their impact on the Indian Society and Judiciary. The constitutional provisions and legislative provisions protecting the rights of women have been critically examined in the sixth chapter. Chapter seven deals with various mechanisms evolved to protect the human rights of women. The eighth chapter contains conclusions and suggestions.

Protection of Farmers’ Rights in India-Challenges for Law in the Context of Plant Breeders’ Rights

School of Legal Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Protection of property and criminal law - A study with special reference to intellectual property

Theoretically speaking, property is extension of the personality of the individual. It serves the purpose of satisfying the self of the individual in the society. Various theories have been attempted to explain its origin and development. However, it is the socialist theory of property which finds acceptance in many societies today. A proper definition of the concept of property has notbeen given in the statutes governing protection of property or in the Indian Constitution. While deciding cases under the Indian Penal Code, the courts have however, been interpreting the term 'property' in a manner facilitating its accommodation within the contours of the socialist theory of property, though there was no attempt for any formal theorization. An examination of the decisions under the Penal Code provisions and Constituent Assembly Debates has reinforced the above view that our courts as well as legislature have adopted the socialist concept of property. Because of the importance of the theory of property in the general scheme of this study, it was thought appropriate toinclude a chapter on the theory of property as reflected in our constitution.