STUDIES ON STATES OF CYTOCHROME-C MOLECULES IN AQUOUS SOLUTIONS USING SYNCHRONOUS FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY

The states of cytochrome C molecules in aquous solution were studied with synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, It was found that the synchronous fluorescent spectra of cytochrome C were contributed by tyrosine and tryptophan residues separately at Delta lambda = 20 nm and Delta lambda = 80 nm, The peak position in synchronous fluorescent spectra of tyrosine residues in cytochrome C molecule does not change with its concentration, but that of tryptophan residue changes with its concentration, Only one peak at 340.0 nm was observed in the dilute solution of cytochrome C, With increasing the concentration of cytochrome C, a new peak at 304. 0 nm appeared. The peak at 340.0 nm disappeared and only one peak at 304.0 nm was observed at a higher concentration of cytochrome C, It may originate from the change of aggregation states of cytochrome C molecules and it was considered that the peak at 340.0 nm was attributed to the monomer and peak at 304.0 nm was due to the dimmer or oligomers. When urea was added into cytochrome C solution in which both monomer and dimmer or oligomers exist, cytochrome C molecules do not denature in the range of the specific concentrations of urea. The concentration of monomer of cytochrome C molecules increased and that of aggregation slates decreased by adding urea, Therefore, the synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to identify monomer and aggregation states of cytochrome C molecules.

STUDIES ON THE PEROVSKITE-TYPE MIXED CATALYSTS OF TITANIUM SYSTEM FOR OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE - THE INFLUENCE OF CALCINATION TEMPERATURE

The correlations of the calcination temperature, structure and catalytic activity for the oxidative coupling of methane on the LiLa0.5Ti0.5O2+lambda catalysts whose main phase and major active phase is Perovskite-type ternary complex oxide LaTi1-yLiyO3-lambda have been studied. The surface and bulk structures of the catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, XPS, IR, BET and so on, The results cleary indicated that the effect of calcination temperature on the activity for the oxidative coupling of methane is twofold. On one hand, it is favorable for Li+ substitution for Ti3+ to enter into the lattice of LaTiO3 and produce more oxygen vacancies in which active oxygens are formed; however, excessively high calcination temperature make the amount of Li+ substitution for Ti3+ lower, due to a little change of structure or phases for the catalyst. On the other hand, the conversion of CH4 drops because of the decrease of surface area, when the calcination temperature is raised.

PREPARATION, CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE, AND VIBRATIONAL-SPECTRA OF PEROVSKITE-TYPE MIXED OXIDES LAM(Y)M'(1-Y)O(3) (M,M'=MN, FE, CO)

Three series of samples LaMnyCo1-yO3+/-lambda, LaFeyMn1-yO3+/-lambda, and LaFeyCo1-yO3+/-lambda (y = 0.0 to 1.0) with Perovskite structure were prepared by an explosion method different from the generally used ceramic techniques. The variation of crystal

EFFECT OF THE CONCENTRATION OF THE ER3+ ION ON THE SPECTRAL INTENSITY PARAMETERS OF ER-YAG CRYSTALS

The absorption spectra of Er:YAG (YAG, yttrium-aluminium-garnet) crystals containing different concentrations of the trivalent erbium ion were measured and the spectral intensity parameters were calculated from these experimental spectra using the Judd-Ofelt model. The results indicate that the phenomenological intensity parameters, OMEGA(lambda) (lambda = 2, 4 and 6), vary as a function of the concentration of the Er3+ ion in the Er:YAG crystal, but no variation in the fluorescence-branching ratios as a function of the concentration of the Er3+ ion is found. An empirical formula is proposed to describe the relationship between the spectral intensity parameters and the Er3+ ion concentration in the Er:YAG crystal. The spectral intensity parameters exhibit a maximum in Er:YAG crystals containing about 1-1.5 at.% Er3+ ion. The effect of the Er3+ ion concentration on the spectral intensity parameters may be attributed to the inhomogeneous lattice distortion in the cell of the Er:YAG crystal caused by the dopant erbium ions.

STRUCTURE OF AN ERBIUM COORDINATION COMPOUND WITH L-PROLINE, ([ER(PRO)2(H2O)5]CL3)(N)

catena-Poly[{pentaaqua(L-proline-O)-erbium-mu-(L-proline-O:O')} trichloride], {[Er(C5H9-NO2)2(H2O)5]Cl3}n, M(r) = 594.0, monoclinic, P2(1), a = 8.294 (1), b = 10.981 (3), c = 11.934 (3) angstrom, beta = 107.04 (2)degrees, V = 1039.2 (4) angstrom3, Z = 2, D(x) = 1.90 g cm-3, lambda(Mo Kalpha) = 0.71069 angstrom, mu = 45.2 cm-1, F(000) = 586, T = 298 K, R = 0.0244 for 1711 unique reflections [I > 3 sigma(I(o))]. The crystal consists of one-dimensional chains of infinite length in which one L-proline ligand bridges two neighboring Er ions, the other L-proline ligand being monodentate.

FACTOR-ANALYSIS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF VALENCE STATES OF METALS

Two M(n+)-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol systems for the simultaneous determination of the valence states of Cr and Fe using factor analysis were studied. (1) At pH 4.0, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) react with the reagent to form stable complexes and a slight difference in the wavelengths of maximum absorption (lambda(max.)) between the two complexes is observed when the sodium lauryl sulfate, which also acts as a solubilizing and sensitizing agent, is added, viz., 590 nm for Cr(III) and 593 nm for Cr(VI) complexes. (2) In the presence of ethanol, both Fe(II) and Fe(III) form 1:2 complexes with the reagent at pH 2.5-3.5 and the lambda(max.) of the Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes is at 557 and 592 nm, respectively. In the target transformation factor analysis, the K coefficients calculated from the standard mixtures by classical least-squares analysis and a non-zero intercept added to each wavelength are used as the target vector instead of the pure component standards; this can decrease the analysis errors introduced by the interaction between the two species and by deviations from Beer's law.

CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF 1, 10-DECANEDIAMMONIUM TETRACHLOROZINCATE

The crystal structure of the title compound has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with Z=2. Lattice parameters are: a = 0.7296(1), b = 1.0110(3), c = 1.2814(4) nm; alpha = 90.84(2), beta = 101.17(2), gamma = 92.52(2)-degrees. Intensity data were collected on a Nicolet R3M/E four-circle diffractometer using MoK alpha (lambda = 0.071073 nm) radiation. The structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier techniques and refined by least-squares techniques to R = 0.065. The structure of the complex consists of tetrahedral ZnCl42- anions which form a two-dimensional sheets. Tetrahedral ZnCl42- anions are sandwiched between two hydrocarbon layers which consist of [NH3(CH2)10NH3]2+ cations. Each [NH3(CH2)10NH3]2+ group is in a gauche bond between C atoms near NH3 polar heads.

STRUCTURE OF 1,10-DIAMINODECANE TETRACHLOROZINCATE

[NH3(CH2)10NH3][ZnCl4], M(r) = 381.51, triclinic, P1BAR, a = 7.296 (1), b = 10.110 (3), c = 12.814 (4) angstrom, alpha = 90.84 (2), beta = 101.17 (2), gamma = 92.52 (2)-degrees, V = 926.13 angstrom 3, Z = 2, D(x) = 1.37 Mg m-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71073 angstrom, mu = 1.925 mm-1, F(000) = 396, T = 298 K, final R = 0.070 for 1237 unique reflections [I > 3-sigma(I)]. The structure is characterized by layers of inorganic ions sandwiched between layers formed by the paraffinic chains.

STRUCTURE OF 1,3-PROPANEDIAMMONIUM TETRACHLOROCOBALTATE(II)

[CoCl4(C3H12N2)], M(r) = 276.87, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 10.703 (2), b = 10.653 (1), c = 10.852 (2) angstrom, beta = 118.46 (1)-degrees, V = 1087.8 angstrom 3, Z = 4, D(x) = 1.69 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71073 angstrom, mu = 22.60 cm-1, F(000) = 556, T = 298 K, final R = 0.059 for 1068 unique reflections [I > 3-sigma(I)]. The Co(II) ion is coordinated by four Cl atoms in a tetrahedral geometry. The paraffinic chains which bridge the tetrahedra have a nearly planar zigzag configuration.

STRUCTURE OF CIS-DIAQUABIS(1,10-PHENANTHROLINE)ZINC SULFATE HEXAHYDRATE

[Zn(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2]SO4.6H2O, M(r) = 665.98, triclinic, P1BAR, a = 10.070 (4), b = 12.280 (3), c = 13.358 (2) angstrom, alpha = 109.12 (2), beta = 92.58 (2), gamma = 110.85 (2)-degrees, V = 1433.9 (7) angstrom 3, Z = 2, D(x) = 1.54 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71069 angstrom, mu = 10.1 cm-1, F(000) = 692, T = 293 K, R = 0.044 for 3985 observed reflections. The Zn atom is coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry by four N atoms from two 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands and two water molecules. The intermolecular ring-stacking interactions between the phen ligands occur in two forms: infinite chains and discrete dimers. Hydrogen bonds further stabilize the structure.

STRUCTURE OF HEXAMETHYLENETETRATELLURAFULVALENE DIIODIDE

C12H12I2Te4, M(r) = 920.44, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 10.942 (2), b = 14.924 (2), c = 11.415 (2) angstrom, beta = 104.32 (1)-degrees, V = 1806.0 (5) angstrom 3, Z = 4, D(x) = 3.38 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71069 angstrom, mu = 100.7 cm-1, F(000) = 1592, T = 294 K, R = 0.033 for 1828 observed reflections. One of the Te atoms is bonded to the two I atoms, which are on either side of the molecular plane. The Te-I distances are 2.963 (1) and 2.961 (1) angstrom, which means oxidation at the Te atom instead of at the C = C bonds.

THERMODYNAMICS OF COMPLEXATION OF RARE EARTHS BY L-METHIONINE

The protonation constant of the ligand and stability constants of it complexes with rare earths have been determined by potentiometric titration at 25 degrees C and ionic strength mu=0.15 mol - L-1. The results indicate that rare earth elements can form 1:1 complexes with L methionine. There is an apparent "tetrad effect" in this system. Shift of the yttrium position to the vicinity of Gd can he explained by the different polarisation between the Ln(3+) and the ligand. The enthalpy changed (Lambda H-101) of the coordination reaction as represented by the reaction (M + L (sic) ML) here been measured by calorimetric titration, where M and L. denote are eartus and L-Mer respectively. The Lambda G(101) and Delta S-101 of these reaction have been calculated by using Gibbs' equation, Furthermore, the stability of rare earth complexes with L-Met has been compared with that of Ca3+ Zn3+, Fe2+, Fe3+ complexes with L-Met.

A potent anti-oxidant property: fluorescent recombinant alpha-phycocyanin of Spirulina

To express and product a fluorescent antioxidant holo-alpha-phycocyanin (PC) of Spirulina platensis (Sp) with His-tag (rHHPC; recombinant holo-alpha-phycocyaninof Spirulina platensis with His-tag) in 5-l bench scale. A vector harbouring two cassettes was constructed: cpcA along with cpcE-cpcF in one cassette; ho1-pcyA in the other cassette. Lyases CpcE/F of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (S6) could catalyse the 82 site Cys in apo-alpha-PC of Sp linking with bilin chromophores, and rHHPC was biosynthesized in Escherichia coli BL21. The constant feeding mode was adopted, and transformant reached the biomass of rHHPC up to 0.55 g l(-1) broth in 5-litre bench scale. rHHPC was purified by Ni2+ affinity column conveniently. The absorbance and the fluorescence emission spectra of rHHPC had lambda(max) at 621 and 650 nm, respectively. The IC50 values of rHHPC were 277.5 +/- 25.8 mu g ml(-1) against hydroxyl radicals and 20.8 +/- 2.2 mu g ml(-1) against peroxyl radicals. Combinational biosynthesis of rHHPC was feasible, and the constant feeding mode was adopted to produce good yields of rHHPC. Fluorescent rHHPC with several unique qualitative and quantitative features was effective on scavenging hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. A potent antioxidant rHHPC was co-expressed, produced and characterized for nutritional and pharmacological values, which would help to develop phycobiliproteins' applications in their fluorescent and biological activities.

Interaction between phycobilisomes from Porphyridium cruentum and thylakoid membranes from Gymnodinium sp or spinach

Thylakoid membranes were isolated from Gymnodinium sp. and spinach, whereas the phycobilisomes were isolated and purified from red alga Porphyridium cruentum. The absorption spectra of the purified phycobilisomes (PBS) showed three peaks at 548, 564, and 624 nm, respectively, and the ratio of the fluorescence intensity at the lambda(680)(em) to lambda(80)(em5) that at was about 7.3. All these results demonstrated that the purified PBS remained intact. The thylakoid membranes were incubated with the purified phycobilisomes, and the thylakoid membranes, which harbored the phycobilisomes, were purified by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Meantime, the conjugates of phycobilisome-thylakoid membranes were constructed using glutaraldehyde and further purified. Their characteristics were studied by measuring the absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra. The results showed that the phycobilisomes from Porphyridium cruentum can attach to the thylakoid membranes from Gymnodinium sp. and spinach without covalent cross-linking, but the excited energy transfer did not occur. The conjugate of phycobilisome-thylakoid. membranes with covalent cross-linking exhibits the excited energy transfer between the phycobilisomes and the thylakoid membranes.

Algal biotechnology industries and research activities in China

In old China there were very few people engaged in the study of the algae, but in new China, freshwater and marine algae are studied by over one hundred old and new phycologists. There is now an algal biotechnology industry consisting of an aquaculture industry, producing large amounts of the seaweeds Laminaria, Porphyra, Undaria, Gracilaria, eucheumoids, and the microalgae Dunaliella and Spirulina. There is also a phycocolloid industry, producing algin, agar and carrageenan; an industry producing chemicals and drugs, such as iodine, mannitol, phycocyanin, beta -carotene, PSS (propylene glycol alginate sulfate) and FPS (fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides) and an industry producing food, feed and fertilizer. The Laminaria cultivation industry produces about 900,000 t dry Laminaria, probably the largest producer in the world and 13,000 t algin, undoubtedly one of the largest algin producer in the world.