Disposable solid state probe for optical screening of chlorpromazine

We are presenting a simple, low-cost and rapid solid-state optical probe for screening chlorpromazine (CPZ) in aquacultures. The method exploits the colourimetric reaction between CPZ and Fe(III) ion that occurs at a solid/liquid interface, the solid layer consisting of ferric iron entrapped in a layer of plasticized PVC. If solutions containing CPZ are dropped onto such a layer, a colour change occurs from light yellow to dark pink or even light blue, depending on the concentration of CPZ. Visual inspection enables the concentration of CPZ to be estimated. The resulting colouration was also monitored by digital image collection for a more accurate quantification. The three coordinates of the hue, saturation and lightness system were obtained by standard image processing along with mathematical data treatment. The parameters affecting colour were assessed and optimized. Studies were conducted by visible spectrophotometry and digital image acquisition, respectively. The response of the optimized probe towards the concentration of CPZ was tested for several mathematical transformations of the colour coordinates, and a linear relation was found for the sum of hue and luminosity. The limit of detection is 50 μM (corresponding to about 16 μg per mL). The probe enables quick screening for CPZ in real water samples with prior sample treatment.

Polytypism and Silicon carbide : a solid state nuclear magnetic resonance study

A survey of predominantly industrial silicon carbide has been carried out using Magic Angle Spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS nmr); a solid state technique. Three silicon carbide polytypes were studied; 3C, 6H, and 15R. The 13C and 29 Si MAS nmr spectra of the bulk SiC sample was identified on the basis of silicon (carbon) site type in the d iff ere n t pol Y t Y pes • Out to 5.00 A fro mac en t r a lsi 1 i con (0 r carbon) atom four types of sites were characterized using symmetry based calculations. This method of polytype analysis was also considered, in the prelminary stages, for applications with other polytypic material; CdBr 2 , CdI 2 , and PbI 2 " In an attempt to understand the minor components of silicon carbide, such as its surface, some samples were hydrofluoric acid washed and heated to extreme temperatures. Basically, an HF removable species which absorbs at -110 ppm (Si0 2 ) in the 29 Si MAS nmr spectrum is found in silicon carbide after heating. Other unidentified peaks observed at short recycle delays in some 29 Si MAS nmr spectra are considered to be impurities that may be within the lattice. These components comprise less than 5% of the observable silicon. A Tl study was carried out for 29 Si nuclei in a 3C ii polytype sample, using the Driven Equilibrium Single-Pulse Observation of T1 (DESPOT) technique. It appears as though there are a number of nuclei that have the same chemical shift but different T1 relaxation times. The T1 values range from 30 seconds to 11 minutes. Caution has to be kept when interpreting these results because this is the first time that DESPOT has been used for solid samples and it is not likely in full working order. MAS nmr indicates that the 13C and 29 Si ~sotropic chemical shifts of silicon carbide appear to have a reciprocal type of relationship_ Single crystal nmr analysis of a 6H sample is accordance with this finding when only the resultant isotropic shift is considered. However, single crystal nmr also shows that the actual response of the silicon and carbon nuclear environment to the applied magnetic field at various angles is not at all reciprocal. Such results show that much more single crystal nmr work is required to determine the actual behavior of the local magnetic environment of the SiC nuclei.

Solid state NMR chemical shifts as an alternative to diffraction data in the determination of SIC polytypic structures

Silicon carbide, which has many polytypic modifications of a very simple and very symmetric structure, is an excellent model system for exploring, the relationship between chemical shift, long-range dipolar shielding, and crystal structure in network solids. A simple McConnell equation treatment of bond anisotropy effects in a poly type predicts chemical shifts for silicon and carbon sites which agree well with the experiment, provided that contributions from bonds up to 100 A are included in the calculation. The calculated chemical shifts depend on three factors: the layer stacking sequence, electrical centre of gravity, and the spacings between silicon and carbon layers. The assignment of peaks to lattice sites is proved possible for three polytypes (6H, 15R, and 3C). The fact that the calculated chemical shifts are very sensitive to layer spacings provides us a potential way to detennine and refine a crystal structure. In this work, the layer spacings of 6H SiC have been calculated and are within X-ray standard deviations. Under this premise, the layer spacings of 15R have been detennined. 29Si and 13C single crystal nmr studies of 6H SiC polytype indicate that all silicons and carbons are magnetically anisotropic. The relationship between a magnetic shielding tensor component and layer spacings has been derived. The comparisons between experimental and semi-empirical chemical shielding tensor components indicate that the paramagnetic shielding of silicon should be included in the single crystal chemical shift calculation.

Laser emission from transversely pumped dye-doped free-standing polymer film

We present a compact solid-state laser based on leaky mode propagation from a dye-doped polymer free-standing film waveguide. The edge emitted spectrum clearly indicated the existence of periodic resonant modes. The reflections from the lateral faces of the free-standing film provided the optical feedback thus giving rise to a Fabry–Perot like optical cavity. This together with the guidance through the gain medium gave rise to intense narrow emission lines. For a pump energy of 1.82 mJ/pulse, an intense line with FWHM ∼0.4 nmwas observed at 576.5 nm.

Laser emission from transversely pumped dye-doped free-standing polymer film

We present a compact solid-state laser based on leaky mode propagation from a dye-doped polymer free-standing film waveguide. The edge emitted spectrum clearly indicated the existence of periodic resonant modes. The reflections from the lateral faces of the free-standing film provided the optical feedback thus giving rise to a Fabry–Perot like optical cavity. This together with the guidance through the gain medium gave rise to intense narrow emission lines. For a pump energy of 1.82 mJ/pulse, an intense line with FWHM ∼0.4 nmwas observed at 576.5 nm.

Laser emission from transversely pumped dye-doped free-standing polymer film

We present a compact solid-state laser based on leaky mode propagation from a dye-doped polymer free-standing film waveguide. The edge emitted spectrum clearly indicated the existence of periodic resonant modes. The reflections from the lateral faces of the free-standing film provided the optical feedback thus giving rise to a Fabry–Perot like optical cavity. This together with the guidance through the gain medium gave rise to intense narrow emission lines. For a pump energy of 1.82 mJ/pulse, an intense line with FWHM ∼0.4 nmwas observed at 576.5 nm.

Sulfated titania mediated regioselective nitration of phenol in solid state

Titania, sulfated titania and chromium loaded sulfated titania were prepared by sol–gel method and characterized using different technique. Phenol is nitrated regioselectively by nitric acid using chromium loaded sulfated titania catalysts. A remarkable ortho selectivity is observed in solid state nitration to yield exclusively ortho-nitrophenol. Compared to the conventional process, phenol nitration over solid acid catalyst is a clean and environment friendly process. Catalytic activity well correlates with the Brönsted acid sites of these catalysts.

L-Glutaminase production by marine vibrio costicola under solid state fermentation

Use of inert supports have been recommended for SSF in on ar to overcome its inherent problems and efforts are being made to search for newer and better materials to act as inert solid supports lidoo et al, 1982; Zhu et al, 1994).In the present study an attempt is made to produce L-glutaminase, which is industrially and therapeutically impo rtant, from marine bacteria under solid state fermentation using natura.l. inert and mixed substrates with a view to develop an ideal bioprocess for its large scale production.

Banana waste as substrate for a-amylase production by Bacillus subtilis (CBTK 106) under solid-state fermentation

Bacillus subtilis CBTK 106, isolated from banana wastes, produced high titres of a-amylase when banana fruit stalk was used as substrate in a solid-state fermentation system. The e¤ects of initial moisture content, particle size, cooking time and temperature, pH, incubation temperature, additional nutrients, inoculum size and incubation period on the production of a- amylase were characterised. A maximum yield of 5 345 000 U mg~1 min~1 was recorded when pretreated banana fruit stalk (autoclaved at 121 ¡C for 60 min) was used as substrate with 70% initial moisture content, 400 lm particle size, an initial pH of 7.0, a temperature of 35 ¡C, and additional nutrients (ammonium sulphate/sodium nitrate at 1.0%, beef extract/peptone at 0.5%, glucose/sucrose/starch/maltose at 0.1% and potassium chloride/sodium chloride at 1.0%) in the medium, with an inoculum-to-substrate ratio of 10% (v/w) for 24 h. The enzyme yield was 2.65-fold higher with banana fruit stalk medium compared to wheat bran

Impact of process parameters on chitinase production by an alkalophilic marine Beau6eria bassiana in solid state fermentation

A chitinolytic fungus, Beau6eria bassiana was isolated from marine sediment and significant process parameters influencing chitinase production in solid state fermentation using wheat bran were optimised. The organism was strongly alkalophilic and produced maximum chitinase at pH 9·20. The NaCl and colloidal chitin requirements varied with the type of moistening medium used. Vegetative (mycelial) inoculum was more suitable than conidial inoculum for obtaining maximal enzyme yield. The addition of phosphate and yeast extract resulted in enhancement of chitinase yield. After optimisation, the maximum enzyme yield was 246·6 units g 1 initial dry substrate (U gIDS 1). This is the first report of the production of chitinase from a marine fungus.

Utilization of prawn waste for chitinase production by the marine fungus Beauveria bassiana by solid state fermentation

Prawn waste, a chitinous solid waste of the shell®sh processing industry, was used as a substrate for chitinase production by the marine fungus Beauveria bassiana BTMF S10, in a solid state fermentation (SSF) culture. The process parameters in¯uencing SSF were optimized. A maximum chitinase yield of 248.0 units/g initial dry substrate (U/gIDS) was obtained in a medium containing a 5:1 ratio (w/v) of prawn waste/sea water, 1% (w/w) NaCl, 2.5% (w/w) KH2PO4, 425±600 lm substrate particle size at 27 °C, initial pH 9.5, and after 5 days of incubation. The presence of yeast extract reduced chitinase yield. The results indicate scope for the utilization of shell®sh processing (prawn) waste for the industrial production of chitinase by using solid state fermentation.

L-Glutaminase production by marine Beau6eria sp. under solid state fermentation

Extracellular L-glutaminase production by Beau6eria sp., isolated from marine sediment, was observed during solid state fermentation using polystyrene as an inert support. Maximal enzyme production (49.89 U:ml) occurred at pH 9.0, 27°C, in a seawater based medium supplemented with L-glutamine (0.25% w:v) as substrate and D-glucose (0.5% w:v) as additional carbon source, after 96 h of incubation. Enzyme production was growth associated. Results indicate scope for production of salt tolerant L-glutaminase using this marine fungus

Production, purification and partial characterization of a novel protease from marine Engyodontium album BTMFS10 under solid state fermentation

Engyodontium album isolated from marine sediment produced protease, which was active at pH 11. Process parameters influencing the production of alkaline protease by marine E. album was optimized. Particle size of <425 mm, 60% initial moisture content and incubation at 25 8C for 120 h were optimal for protease production under solid state fermentation (SSF) using wheat bran. The organism has two optimal pH (5 and 10) for maximal enzyme production. Sucrose as carbon source, ammonium hydrogen carbonate as additional inorganic nitrogen source and amino acid leucine enhanced enzyme production during SSF. The protease was purified and partially characterized. A 16-fold purified enzyme was obtained after ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. Molecular weight of the purified enzyme protein was recorded approximately 38 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 11 and 60 8C. Activity at high temperature and high alkaline pH suggests suitability of the enzyme for its application in detergent industry

Impact of process parameters on L-glutaminase production by marine Vibrio costicola in solid state fermentation using polystyrene as an inert support

Process parameters influencing e-glutaminase production by marine Vibrio costicola in solid state fermentation (SSF) using polystyrene as an inert support were optimised. Maximal enzyme yield (157 U/g dry substrate) was obtained at 2% (w/w) t:glutamine, 35°C and pH 7.0 after 24 h. Maltose and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at 1% (w/w) concentration enhanced enzyme yield by 23 and 18%, respectively, while nitrogen sources had an inhibitory effect. Leachate with high specific activity for glutaminase (4.2 U/mg protein) and low viscosity (0-966 Ns/m 2) was recovered from the polystyrene SSF system