Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, Structural Studies and Biological Investigations of Transition Metal Complexes of Some Acid Hydrazones

This study concentrates the chemical properties of hydrazones due to its chelating capability and their pharmacological applications. Studies cover the preparation of different acid hydrazones and their structural studies and studies on their antimicrobial activity, synthesis and spectral characterization of different complexes of copper oxovanadium, manganese, nickel etc. Effect of incorporation of heterocyclic bases to the coordination sphere, change in the biological activity of acid hydrazones upon coordination, development of X-ray quality single crystals and its X-ray diffraction studies, studies on the redox behavior of the coordinated metal ions and correlation between the stereochemistry and biological activities.

Age-Dependent Properties of Acid & Alkaline DNases in Chick Brain

Acid and alkaline DNase activities in partially purified preparations from young and old chick brain were measured. The specific activity of acid DNase from old brain was lower by about 50% than that of enzyme from young brain , whereas alkaline DNase exhibited only marginal difference in activity of the two preparations . Study of various properties, viz. heat-stability and effect of exogenous compounds like Mg=', Hgl', Zn=', PHM B , on these enzymes revealed that while acid DNase in old brain is more susceptible to heat and heavy metal ion inhibition , alkaline DNase is devoid of any age-dependent variation in its properties.

Studies on Lactic Acid Bacteria from Tropical Fish and Shellfish

In this study, an attempt has been made to gather enough information regarding lactic acid bacteria from fish and shellfish of tropical regions. The occurrence and distribution of lactic acid bacteria in fresh and frozen marine fish and shellfish, farmed fish and shellfish, cured and pickled fish and shellfish have been investigated. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have for centuries been responsible for the fermentative preservation of many foods. They are used to retard spoilage and preserve foods through natural fermentations. They have found commercial applications as starter cultures in the dairy, baking, meat, fish, and vegetable and alcoholic beverage industries. They are industrially important organisms recognized for their fermentative ability as well as their nutritional benefits. These organisms produce various compounds such as organic acids, diacetyl, hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins or bactericidal proteins during lactic fermentations.Biopreservation of foods using bacteriocin producing LAB cultures is becoming widely used. The antimicrobial effect of bacteriocins and other compounds produced during fermentation of carbohydrates are well known to inhibit the growth of certain food spoiling bacteria as well as a limited group of food poisoning and pathogenic bacteria LAB like Lactobacillus plantarum are widely used as starter cultures for the Production of fish ensilage. The present study is the first quantitative and qualitative study on the occurrence and distribution of lactic acid bacteria in fresh and frozen fish and prawn. It is concluded that Lactobacillus plantaruni was the predominant lactobacillus species in fresh and frozen fish and shellfish. The ability of selected Lactobacillus cultures to grow at low temperatures, high salt content, produce bacteriocins, rapidly ferment sugars and decrease the pH make them potential candidates for biopreservation of fish and shellfish.

Acid-base, electron-donating and magnetic properties of Nd2O3 and its mixed oxides with alumina catalysts

The electron donor properties of Nd2O3 activated at 300, 500 and 800°C were investigated through studies on the adsorption of electron acceptors of various electron affinities - 7, 7, 8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (2.84 eV). 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachloro-l , 4-benzoquinone (2.40 eV). p-dinitrobenzene (1.77 eV), and m-dinitrobenzene (1.26 eV) in solvents acetonitrile and 1, 4-dioxan. The extent of electron transfer during adsorption has been found from magnetic measurements and electronic spectral data. The corresponding data on mixed oxides of neodymium and aluminium are reported for various. compositions. The acid-base properties of catalysts were also determined using a set of Hammett indicators.

Electron-donating, acid-base, and magnetic properties of samaria catalyst

The electron-donor properties of Sm2O3 activated at 300, 500, and 800°C are reported from studies on the adsorption of electron acceptors of various electron affinities (electron affinity values in eV are given in parentheses): 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquino-dimethane (2.84), 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (2.40), p-dinitrobenzene (1.77), and m-dinitrobenzene (1.26) in acetonitrile and 1,4-dioxane. The extent of electron transfer during the adsorption was determined from magnetic measurements. The acid-base properties of Sm2O3 at different activation temperatures are reported using a set of Hammett indicators. Electron donor-acceptor interactions at interfaces are important in elucidating the adhesion forces.

Acid-base and Electron Donor Properties of Pr6O11 and Its Mixtures with Alumina

The electron donor properties of Pr6O11 activated at 300. 500 and 800°C are reported from the studies on adsorption of electron acceptors of various electron affinity (7. 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane. 2, 3. 5, 6-tetrachloro-l, 4-benzoquin one. p-dinitrobenzene. and m-dinitrobenzene) in three solvents (acetonitrile, 1,4-dioxan and ethyl acetate). The extent of electron transfer during adsorption is understood from magnetic measurements and ESR spectral data. The corresponding data on mixed oxides of Pr and Al are reported for various compositions, The acid / base properties of these oxides are determined using a set of Hammett indicators.

Propyl Gallate Synthesis Using Acidophilic Tannase and Simultaneous Production of Tannase and Gallic Acid by Marine Aspergillus awamori BTMFW032

Marine Aspergillus awamori BTMFW032, recently reported by us, produce acidophilic tannase as extracellular enzyme. Here, we report the application of this enzyme for synthesis of propyl gallate by direct transesterification of tannic acid and in tea cream solubilisation besides the simultaneous production of gallic acid along with tannase under submerged fermentation by this fungus. This acidophilic tannase enabled synthesis of propyl gallate by direct transesterification of tannic acid using propanol as organic reaction media under low water conditions. The identity of the product was confirmed with thin layer chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was noted that 699 U/ml of enzyme could give 60% solubilisation of tea cream within 1 h. Enzyme production medium was optimized adopting Box–Behnken design for simultaneous synthesis of tannase and gallic acid. Process variables including tannic acid, sodium chloride, ferrous sulphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, incubation period and agitation were recognized as the critical factors that influenced tannase and gallic acid production. The model obtained predicted 4,824.61 U/ml of tannase and 136.206 μg/ml gallic acid after 48 h of incubation, whereas optimized medium supported 5,085 U/ml tannase and 372.6 μg/ml of gallic acid production after 36 and 84 h of incubation, respectively, with a 15-fold increase in both enzyme and gallic acid production. Results indicated scope for utilization of this acidophilic tannase for transesterification of tannic acid into propyl gallate, tea cream solubilisation and simultaneous production of gallic acid along with tannase

Investigations on the electrical and structural properties of polyaniline doped with camphor sulphonic acid

Polyaniline is chemically synthesised and doped with camphor sulphonic acid. FTIR studies carried out on these samples indicate that the aromatic rings are retained after polymerisation. The percentage of crystallinity for polyaniline doped with camphor sulphonic acid has been estimated from the X-ray diffraction studies and is around 56% with respect to polyaniline emeraldine base. The change in dielectric permittivity with respect to temperature and frequency is explained on the basis of interfacial polarisation. AC conductivity is evaluated from the observed dielectric permittivity. The values of AC and DC conductivity and activation energy are calculated. The activation energy values suggested that the hopping conduction is the prominent conduction mechanism in this system.

Provenance, Isolation and Characterisation of Organic Matter in the Cochin Estuarine Sediment-“a Diagenetic Amino Acid Marker Scenario

Cochin estuarine system is among the most productive aquatic environment along the Southwest coast of India, exhibits unique ecological features and possess greater socioeconomic relevance. Serious investigations carried out during the past decades on the hydro biogeochemical variables pointed out variations in the health and ecological functioning of this ecosystem. Characterisation of organic matter in the estuary has been attempted in many investigations. But detailed studies covering the degradation state of organic matter using molecular level approach is not attempted. The thesis entitled Provenance, Isolation and Characterisation of Organic Matter in the Cochin Estuarine Sediment-“ A Diagenetic Amino Acid Marker Scenario” is an integrated approach to evaluate the source, quantity, quality, and degradation state of the organic matter in the surface sediments of Cochin estuarine system with the combined application of bulk and molecular level tools. Sediment and water samples from nine stations situated at Cochin estuary were collected in five seasonal sampling campaigns, for the biogeochemical assessment and their distribution pattern of sedimentary organic matter. The sampling seasons were described and abbreviated as follows: April- 2009 (pre monsoon: PRM09), August-2009 (monsoon: MON09), January-2010 (post monsoon: POM09), April-2010 (pre monsoon: PRM10) and September- 2012 (monsoon: MON12). In order to evaluate the general environmental conditions of the estuary, water samples were analysed for water quality parameters, chlorophyll pigments and nutrients by standard methods. Investigations suggested the fact that hydrographical variables and nutrients in Cochin estuary supports diverse species of flora and fauna. Moreover the sedimentary variables such as pH, Eh, texture, TOC, fractions of nitrogen and phosphorous were determined to assess the general geochemical setting as well as redox status. The periodically fluctuating oxic/ anoxic conditions and texture serve as the most significant variables controlling other variables of the aquatic environment. The organic matter in estuary comprise of a complex mixture of autochthonous as well as allochthonous materials. Autochthonous input is limited or enhanced by the nutrient elements like N and P (in their various fractions), used as a tool to evaluate their bioavailability. Bulk parameter approach like biochemical composition, stoichiometric elemental ratios and stable carbon isotope ratio was also employed to assess the quality and quantity of sedimentary organic matter in the study area. Molecular level charactersation of free sugars and amino acids were carried out by liquid chromatographic techniques. Carbohydrates are the products of primary production and their occurrence in sediments as free sugars can provide information on the estuarine productivity. Amino acid biogeochemistry provided implications on the system productivity, nature of organic matter as well as degradation status of the sedimentary organic matter in the study area. The predominance of carbohydrates over protein indicated faster mineralisation of proteinaceous organic matter in sediments and the estuary behaves as a detrital trap for the accumulation of aged organic matter. The higher lipid content and LPD/CHO ratio pointed towards the better food quality that supports benthic fauna and better accumulation of lipid compounds in the sedimentary environment. Allochthonous addition of carbohydrates via terrestrial run off was responsible for the lower PRT/CHO ratio estimated in thesediments and the lower ratios also denoted a detrital heterotrophic environment. Biopolymeric carbon and the algal contribution to BPC provided important information on the better understanding the trophic state of the estuarine system and the higher values of chlorophyll-a to phaeophytin ratio indicated deposition of phytoplankton to sediment at a rapid rate. The estimated TOC/TN ratios implied the combined input of both terrestrial and autochthonous organic matter to sedimentsAmong the free sugars, depleted levels of glucose in sediments in most of the stations and abundance of mannose at station S5 was observed during the present investigation. Among aldohexoses, concentration of galactose was found to be higher in most of the stationsRelative abundance of AAs in the estuarine sediments based on seasons followed the trend: PRM09-Leucine > Phenylalanine > Argine > Lysine, MON09-Lysine > Aspartic acid > Histidine > Tyrosine > Phenylalanine, POM09-Lysine > Histadine > Phenyalanine > Leucine > Methionine > Serine > Proline > Aspartic acid, PRM10-Valine > Aspartic acid > Histidine > Phenylalanine > Serine > Proline, MON12-Lysine > Phenylalanine > Aspartic acid > Histidine > Valine > Tyrsine > MethionineThe classification of study area into three zones based on salinity was employed in the present study for the sake of simplicity and generalized interpretations. The distribution of AAs in the three zones followed the trend: Fresh water zone (S1, S2):- Phenylalanine > Lysine > Aspartic acid > Methionine > Valine ῀ Leucine > Proline > Histidine > Glycine > Serine > Glutamic acid > Tyrosine > Arginine > Alanine > Threonine > Cysteine > Isoleucine. Estuarine zone (S3, S4, S5, S6):- Lysine > Aspartic acid > Phenylalanine > Leucine > Valine > Histidine > Methionine > Tyrosine > Serine > Glutamic acid > Proline > Glycine > Arginine > Alanine > Isoleucine > Cysteine > Threonine. Riverine /Industrial zone (S7, S8, S9):- Phenylalanine > Lysine > Aspartic acid > Histidine > Serine > Arginine > Tyrosine > Leucine > Methionine > Glutamic acid > Alanine > Glycine > Cysteine > Proline > Isoleucine > Threonine > Valine. The abundance of AAs like glutamic acid, aspartic acid, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine in sediments of the study area indicated freshly derived organic matter.