d-xylose transport by Candida succiphila and Kluyveromyces marxianus

The kinetics and regulation of d-xylose uptake were investigated in the efficient pentose fermentor Candida succiphila, and in Kluyveromyces marxianus, which assimilate but do not ferment pentose sugars. Active high-affinity (K _m ∼ 3.8 mM; V _max ∼ 15 nmol/[mg·min]) and putative facilitated diffusion low-affinity (K _m ∼ 140 mM; V _max ∼ 130 nmol/[mg·min]) transport activities were found in C. succiphila grown, respectively, on xylose or glucose. K. marxianus showed facilitated diffusion low-affinity (K _m ∼ 103 mM; V _max ∼ 190 nmol/[mg·min]) transport activity when grown on xylose under microaerobic conditions, and both a low-affinity and an active high-affinity (K _m ∼ 0.2 mM; V _max ∼ 10 nmol/[mg·min]) transport activity when grown on xylose under fully aerobic conditions.     

An Improved Enzyme Assay for Molybdenum-Reducing Activity in Bacteria

Molybdenum-reducing activity in the heterotrophic bacteria is a phenomenon that has been reported for more than 100 years. In the presence of molybdenum in the growth media, bacterial colonies turn to blue. The enzyme(s) responsible for the reduction of molybdenum to molybdenum blue in these bacteria has never been purified. In our quest to purify the molybdenum-reducing enzyme, we have devised a better substrate for the enzyme activity using laboratory-prepared phosphomolybdate instead of the commercial 12-phosphomolybdate we developed previously. Using laboratory-prepared phosphomolybdate, the highest activity is given by 10:4-phosphomolybdate. The apparent Michaelis constant, K _m for the laboratory-prepared 10:4-phosphomolybdate is 2.56 ± 0.25 mM (arbitrary concentration), whereas the apparent V _max is 99.4 ± 2.85 nmol Mo-blue min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. The apparent Michaelis constant or K _m for NADH as the electron donor is 1.38 ± 0.09 mM, whereas the apparent V _max is 102.6 ± 1.73 nmol Mo-blue min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. The apparent K _m and V _max for another electron donor, NADPH, is 1.43 ± 0.10 mM and 57.16 ± 1.01 nmol Mo-blue min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, respectively, using the same batch of molybdenum-reducing enzyme. The apparent V _max obtained for NADH and 10:4-phosphomolybdate is approximately 13 times better than 12-phoshomolybdate using the same batch of enzyme, and hence, the laboratory-prepared phosphomolybdate is a much better substrate than 12-phoshomolybdate. In addition, 10:4-phosphomolybdate can be routinely prepared from phosphate and molybdate, two common chemicals in the laboratory.     

CTP synthetase activity assay by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode

Cytidine 5′‐triphosphate synthetase (CTPS) is known to be a central enzyme in the de novo synthesis of CTP. We have recently demonstrated that a deficiency in CTPS1 is associated with an impaired capacity of activated lymphocytes to proliferate leading to a combined immunodeficiency disease. In order to better document its role in immunomodulation, we developed a method for measuring CTPS activity in human lymphocytes. Using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, we quantified CTPS activity by measuring CTP in cell lysates. A stable isotope analog of CTP served as internal standard. We characterized the kinetic parameters V_max and K_m of CTPS and verified that an inhibition of the enzyme activity was induced after 3‐deazauridine (3DAU) treatment, a known inhibitor of CTPS. We then determined CTPS activity in healthy volunteers, in a family whose child displayed a homozygous mutation in CTPS1 gene and in patients who had developed or not a chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) after lung transplantation. Linearity of the CTP determination was observed up to 451 μmol/L, with accuracy in the 15% tolerance range. Michaelis‐Menten kinetics for lysates of resting cells were K_m=280±310 μmol/L for UTP, V_max=83±20 pmol/min and, for lysates of activated PBMCs, K_m=230±280 μmol/L for UTP, V_max=379±90 pmol/min. Treatment by 3DAU and homozygous mutation in CTPS1 gene abolished the induction of CTPS activity associated with cell stimulation, and CTPS activity was significantly reduced in the patients who developed CLAD. We conclude that this test is suitable to reveal the involvement of CTPS alteration in immunodeficiency.     

Identification and preliminary characterization of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases catalyzing formation of ethyl glucuronide

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a minor metabolite of ethanol, is used as a marker of alcohol consumption in a variety of clinical and forensic settings. At present there are very few studies of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), responsible for catalyzing EtG formation, and the possible effect of nutritional components, e.g. flavonoids, which are extensively glucuronidated, on EtG formation has not been addressed at all. The following incubation conditions were optimized with regard to previously published conditions: buffer, substrate concentration, and incubation time. Isolation of EtG from the incubation mixture was also optimized. Recombinant UGT enzymes (UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B7, 2B10, 2B15) were screened for their activity towards ethanol, and kinetic data were then established for all enzymes. It was decided to study the effect of the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol on glucuronidation of ethanol. Isolation was by solid-phase extraction (SPE) to minimize matrix effects. Analysis was performed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS), with EtG-d₅ as the internal standard. SPE was vital to avoid severe ion suppression after direct injection of the incubation solution. EtG formation was observed for all enzymes under investigation; their kinetics followed the Michaelis–Menten model, meaning the maximum reaction rate achieved at saturating substrate concentrations (V _max) and the substrate concentration at which the reaction rate is half of V _max (Michaelis–Menten constant, K _m) could be calculated. The highest rate of glucuronidation was observed with UGT1A9 and 2B7. After co-incubation with both flavonoids, formation of EtG was significantly reduced for all enzymes except for UGT2B15, whose activity did not seem to be affected. Results reveal that multiple UGT isoforms are capable of catalyzing glucuronidation of ethanol; nevertheless, the effect of UGT polymorphism on glucuronidation of ethanol needs further study. Formation of EtG is inhibited by the flavonoids under investigation. Obviously, nutritional components affect conversion of ethanol to EtG. This observation may serve as a partial explanation of its variable formation in man.

The catalytic properties of alkaline phosphatases under various conditions

A comparative study was performed to examine the catalytic properties of alkaline phosphatases from bacteria Escherichia coli and bovine and chicken intestines. The activity of enzyme dimers and tetramers was determined. The activity of the dimer was three or four times higher than that of the tetramer. The maximum activity and affinity for 4-nitrophenylphosphate was observed for the bacterial alkaline phosphatase (K _M = 1.7 × 10^?5 M, V _max = 1800 μmol/(min mg of protein) for dimers and V _max = 420 μmol/(min mg of protein) for tetramers). The Michaelis constants were equal for two animal phosphatases in various buffer media (pH 8.5) ((3.5 ± 0.2) × 10^?4 M). Five buffer systems were investigated: tris, carbonate, hepes, borate, and glycine buffers, and the lowest catalytic activity of alkaline phosphatases at equal pH was observed in the borate buffer (for enzyme from bovine intestine, V _max = 80 μmol/(min mg of protein)). Cu²⁺ cations formed a complex with tris-(oxymethyl)-aminomethane (tris-HCl buffer) and inhibited the intestine alkaline phosphatases by a noncompetitive mechanism.     

Development,Validation, and Application of a Novel Method for Mammalian Sphingomyelin Synthase Activity Measurement

Sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of mammalian sphingomyelin. The use of SMS plays diverse roles in physiology and pathology; thus, it could be a useful disease marker and/or drug target. We report here a novel and sensitive method for SMS activity measurement. Using a HPLC column (C18-RP), SMS activity was monitored by measuring a decrease of the fluorescent substrate C6-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-ceramide (C6-NBD-Cer) and increase of the product (C6-NBD-SM). Time- and protein-dependent formation of C6-NBD-SM was investigated and enzyme kinetics was determined [K _m  = 7.49 ± 0.48 µM (C6-NBD-Cer) and V _max  = 27.86 ± 0.73fmol/h/mg homogenate protein]. This method is feasible, rapid, accurate, highly reproducible, and suitable for quantifying SMS enzyme activity in SMS inhibitor screening studies. A known SMS inhibitor, D609, was employed to evaluate the assay and its IC₅₀ value has been determined.

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Analytical Letters for the following free supplemental resources: Tables and figures]     

Fast evaluation of enantioselective drug metabolism by electrophoretically mediated microanalysis: Application to fluoxetine metabolism by CYP2D6

In this work, a capillary electrophoretic methodology for the enantioselective in vitro evaluation of drugs metabolism is applied to the evaluation of fluoxetine (FLX) metabolism by cytochrome 2D6 (CYP2D6). This methodology comprises the in‐capillary enzymatic reaction and the chiral separation of FLX and its major metabolite, norfluoxetine enantiomers employing highly sulfated β‐CD and the partial filling technique. The methodology employed in this work is a fast way to obtain a first approach of the enantioselective in vitro metabolism of racemic drugs, with the additional advantage of an extremely low consumption of enzymes, CDs and all the reagents involved in the process. Michaelis–Menten kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) for the metabolism of FLX enantiomers by CYP2D6 have been estimated by nonlinear fitting of experimental data to the Michaelis–Menten equation. K_m values have been found to be 30 ± 3 μM for S‐FLX and 39 ± 5 μM for R‐FLX. V_max estimations were 28.6 ± 1.2 and 34 ± 2 pmol·min^?1·(pmol CYP)^?1 for S‐ and R‐FLX, respectively. Similar results were obtained using a single enantiomer (R‐FLX), indicating that the use of the racemate is a good option for obtaining enantioselective estimations. The results obtained show a slight enantioselectivity in favor of R‐FLX.     

Laccase Biosensor on Monolayer‐Modified Gold Electrode

Laccase enzymes from two different sources, namely, tree laccase from Rhus vernicifera and fungal laccase from Coriolus hirsutus were used for the development of biosensor for catechol. Laccase was immobilized onto the amine terminated thiol monolayers on gold surface by glutaraldehyde coupling. From the different thiol monolayers investigated, cystamine was found to be optimal with respect to sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, and other electrochemical properties of the enzyme electrode. Linear calibration in the range between 1 and 400 μM for catechol was obtained for fungal laccase covalently coupled on the electrode surface. The kinetic parameters determined using the Lineweaver‐Burk and Eadie‐Hofstee plots were K_m=0.65 mM and V_max=24.5 μA for fungal laccase compared to K_m=5.4 mM and V_max=6.6 μA for tree laccase on cystamine monolayer. The electrode showed good stability for 1 month without loosing appreciable activity when stored dry in a refrigerator at ?20 °C.     

Properties of a recombinant β-glucosidase from polycentric anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces PC-2 and its application for cellulose hydrolysis

A β-glucosidase (BglA, EC 3.2.1.21) gene from the polycentric anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces PC-2 was cloned and sequenced. The enzyme containing 657 amino acid residues was homologous to certain animal, plant, and bacterial β-glucosidases but lacked significant similarity to those from aerobic fungi. Neither cellulose- nor protein-binding domains were found in BglA. When expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the enzyme was secreted in two forms with masses of about 110 kDa and also found in two forms associated with the yeast cells. K _m and V _max values of the secreted BglA were 0.762 mM and 8.20 μmol/(min·mg), respectively, with p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (pNPG) as the substrate and 0.310 mM and 6.45 μmol/(min·mg), respectively, for the hydrolysis of cellobiose. Glucose competitively inhibited the hydrolysis of pNPG with a K _i of 3.6 mM. β-Glucosidase significantly enhanced the conversion of cellulosic materials into glucose by Trichoderma reesei cellulase preparations, demonstrating its potential for use in biofuel and feedstock chemical production. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.     

Determination of enzyme activity inhibition by FTIR spectroscopy on the example of fructose bisphosphatase

A mid-infrared enzymatic assay for label-free monitoring of the enzymatic reaction of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with fructose 1,6-bisphosphate has been proposed. The whole procedure was done in an automated way operating in the stopped flow mode by incorporating a temperature-controlled flow cell in a sequential injection manifold. Fourier transform infrared difference spectra were evaluated for kinetic parameters, like the Michaelis–Menten constant (K _M) of the enzyme and V _max of the reaction. The obtained K _M of the reaction was 14 ± 3 g L⁻¹ (41 μM). Furthermore, inhibition by adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) was evaluated, and the K _M^App value was determined to be 12 ± 2 g L⁻¹ (35 μM) for 7.5 and 15 μM AMP, respectively, with V _max decreasing from 0.1 ± 0.03 to 0.05 ± 0.01 g L⁻¹ min⁻¹. Therefore, AMP exerted a non-competitive inhibition.     

Discovery of a Fungal Multicopper Oxidase That Catalyzes the Regioselective Coupling of a Tricyclic Naphthopyranone To Produce Atropisomers

Atropisomeric dinapinones A1 and A2 (DPA1 and DPA2) were isolated from a culture of Talaromyces pinophilus FKI‐3864. Monapinone coupling enzyme (MCE), which dimerizes naphthopyranone monapinone A (MPA), was purified from a cell‐free extract of T. pinophilus FKI‐3864. MCE regioselectively dimerizes MPA at the 8,8′‐positions to synthesize the atropisomers DPA1 and DPA2 in a ratio of approximately 1:2.5 without a cofactor. The optimal pH value and temperature for MCE were 4.0 and 50 °C, and the apparent K_m and V_max values for MPA were (72.7±23.2) μm and (1.21±0.170) μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein. The MCE polypeptide is significantly homologous with multicopper oxidases. Heterologous expression of MCE and functional analysis confirmed that MCE catalyzes the regioselective coupling reaction of MPA to produce DPA. No fungal multicopper oxidase has previously been reported to catalyze regioselective intermolecular oxidative phenol coupling to produce naphthopyranone atropisomers.     

Thermophilic laccase from xerophyte species Opuntia vulgaris

Two laccase temperature isoforms capable of oxidizing phenolic compounds to quinones were isolated and purified to homogeneity from the cladodes of the xerophyte species Opuntia vulgaris. These catalytically active proteins exhibit apparent molecular masses of 137 and 90 kDa. Under reducing conditions, both isoforms yielded a subunit molecular mass of 43 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme is a multimer of the 43 kDa subunit. The 137 kDa isoform when heated at 80°C for 3min generated three polypeptide bands on activity stained polyacrylamide gels exhibiting 137, 90 and 43 kDa molecular forms. All isoforms of the enzyme exhibited an optimum pH of 10 when 2,6‐dimethoxyphenol was used as a substrate. The optimum temperature of the 137 kDa enzyme form was noted to be 80°C and that of the 90 kDa enzyme form was 70°C. Denaturation kinetics of both the laccase isoforms carried out at their respective optimum temperatures for 30 min exhibited enzyme activity in excess of their t_1/2 values throughout the assay period. The K_m for the 137 kDa form was determined to be 2.2 ± 0.3 mm and the V_max was 2.8 ± 0.2 IU/mL. These high temperature stable laccase isoforms having alkaline pH optima can find significant industrial use. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of invertase entrapped into calcium alginate beads

A solution of 10 g/L of sodium alginate (Satialgine® types used [Sanofi trademark]: SG800® and S1100® with manuronic/guluronic ratio of 0.5 and 1.2, respectively) containing invertase (0.08 g of protein/L) was dropped into 0.1 M CaCl₂ solution buffered at pH 4.0, 7.0, or 8.0. The beads were left to harden in CaCl₂ solution for 24 h. The high immobilization yield of 60% occurred with SG800 at pH8.0. The activity of soluble and insoluble invertase was measured against pH (2.8–8.0), sucrose concentration (4.5–45 mM), and temperature (30–60°C). Both forms presented an optimum pH of 4.6. However, the soluble invertase was stable at the overall pH interval studied, whereas insoluble invertase lost 30% of its original activity at pH > 5.0. At temperatures above 40°C, the insoluble form was more stable than the soluble one. The kinetic constants and activation energies (E _a ) for free invertase were K _M =41.2 mM, V _max=0.10 mg of TRS/(min · mL), and E _a 28 kJ/mol for entrapped invertase they were (K _M ) _ap =7.2 mM, (V _max) _ap =0.060 mg of TRS/(min · mL), and (E _a )_ap=24 kJ/mol.     

Kinetic studies of lipase from Candida rugosa

The search for an in expensive support has motivated our group to undertake this work dealing with the use of chitosan as matrix for immobilizing lipase. In addition to its low cost, chitosan has several advantages for use as a support, including its lack of toxicity and chemical reactivity, allowing easy fixation of enzymes. In this article, we describe the immobilization of Canada rugosa lipase onto porous chitosan beads for the enzymatic hydrolysis of oliveoil. The binding of the lipase onto the support was performed by physicalad sorption using hexane as the dispersion medium. A comparativestudy between free and immobilized lipase was conducted in terms of pH, temperature, and thermal stability. A slightly lower value for optimum pH (6.0) was found for the immobilized form in comparison with that attained for the soluble lipase (7.0). The optimum reaction temperature shifted from 37°C for the free lipase to 50°C for the chitosan lipase. The patterns of heat stability indicated that the immobilization process tends to stabilize the enzyme. The half-life of the soluble free lipase at 55°C was equal to 0.71 h (K _d=0.98 h⁻¹), whereas for the immobilized lipase it was 1.10 h (K _d=0.63 h⁻¹). Kinetics was tested at 37°C following the hydrolysis of olive oil and obeys the Michaelis-Menten type of rate equation. The K _m was 0.15 mM and the V _max was 51 μmol/(min·mg), which were lower than for free lipase, suggesting that the apparent affinity toward the substrate changes and that the activity of the immobilized lipase decreases during the course of immobilization.     

Validated assay for studying activity profiles of human liver UGTs after drug exposure: inhibition and induction studies

UDP-glucuronsyltransferases (UGTs) are a family of conjugating enzymes that participate in the metabolism of many drugs. The study of potential drug–drug interactions involving UGTs has been largely hindered by the limited availability of selective functional assays for individual UGT enzymes. We propose a sensitive and reproducible procedure for the activity measurements of four major human hepatic UGT forms. The assays are based on analysis and quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry of glucuronides formed from selective probe substrates, namely, β-estradiol (UGT1A1, 3-glucuronide), 1-naphthol (UGT1A6), propofol (UGT1A9), and naloxone (UGT2B7). The analytical methods developed in the present study have been validated under good laboratory practice compliance following FDA recommendations. The assays can be easily applied to both phenotyping UGT reactions in liver-derived cellular and subcellular systems, and drug–drug interaction in vitro studies. Chemical inhibition of UGTs was tested in human liver microsomes at substrate concentrations lower than the corresponding K _M values. Under these conditions, selective inhibition of UGT2B7 by fluconazole and low amitriptyline concentrations were observed, whereas diclofenac and quinidine were shown as non-enzyme-selective inhibitors of UGTs. Induction of UGTs was studied in primary human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells cultured in 96-well plates. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands (except indirubin in hepatocytes) increased the UGT1A1 activity in both cell models. The highest effects were observed in HepG2 cells exposed to indirubin (21-fold over the control) and omeprazole or β-naphthoflavone (about sixfold). Although variable effects were observed in other UGT enzymes, the degree of induction was generally lower than that for UGT1A1.     

Glycosidases of turnip leaf tissues

Four myrosinase (β-thioglucosidase EC. 3.2.3.1) and seven disaccharase (β-fructofuranosidase, EC. 3.2.1.26) isoenzymes were isolated from turnip leaves. The most active enzymes were isolated in pure form. Myrosinase and disaccharase mol wt was 62.0 × 10³ and 69.5 × 10³ dalton, respectively, on the basis of gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Myrosinase pH profile showed high activity between pH 5 and 7 with the optimum at pH 5.5. The purified enzyme was heat-stable for 60 min at 30°C with only loss of 24% of activity. Its activity is strongly inhibited (100%) by Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions, and activated (70%) by EDTA at 0.04M. The pure enzyme failed to hydrolyze amylose, glycogen, lactose, maltose, and sucrose. TheK _m andV _max values of myrosinase using sinigrin as specific substrate was 0.045 mM and 2.5 U, respectively. The maximal activity of disaccharase enzyme was obtained at pH 4–5 and 35–37°C. The enzyme was heat-stable at 30°C for 30 min with only 10% loss of its activity. Its activity is strongly activated (70–240%) by Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, and EDTA at 0.01M. The enzyme activity is specific to the disaccharide sucrose and failed to hydrolyze other disaccharides (maltose and lactose). TheK _m andV _max of disaccharase were 0.123 mM and 3.33 U, respectively.     

Cloning, Expression and Characterization of NADP-Dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Staphylococcus aureus

The Krebs cycle dictates oxidative and reductive conditions in Staphylococcus aureus and is mainly regulated by isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) which plays pivotal role in the growth and pathogenesis of the bacteria. In the present study, IDH gene from S. aureus ATCC12600 was cloned in the Sma I site of pQE 30 vector; the resultant clone was named as UVIDH1. The insert in the clone was sequenced (accession number HM067707), and the sequence showed complete homology with IDH sequence of other S. aureus strains reported in the database indicating presence of single enzyme in S. aureus, and considerable sequence homology with other bacteria was observed; however, only 24 % homology was found with NADP-dependent human IDH. Phylogenetically, the S. aureus IDH showed close identity with Bacillus subtilis and high degree of variability with other bacteria and human IDH. The expression of IDH in the clone UVIDH1 was induced with 1 mM IPTG, and the recombinant IDH was purified by passing through nickel metal chelate column; the purified recombinant IDH showed a single band in SDS–PAGE with a molecular weight of 40 kDa; K _m and V _max for isocitrate are 8.2?±?0.28 and 525?±?25 μM NADPH/mg/min, respectively, and for cofactor NADP 67.5?±?2.82?μM and V _max 50.5?±?2.12 μM NADPH/mg/min.     

Exploring Thermophilic Cellulolytic Enzyme Production Potential of Aspergillus fumigatus by the Solid-State Fermentation of Wheat Straw

Cellulases can be used for biofuel production to decrease the fuel crises in the world. Microorganisms cultured on lignocellulosic wastes can be used for the production of cellulolytic enzymes at large scale. In the current study, cellulolytic enzyme production potential of Aspergillus fumigatus was explored and optimized by employing various cultural and nutritional parameters. Maximum endoglucanase production was observed after 72 h at 55 °C, pH 5.5, and 70 % moisture level. Addition of 0.3 % of fructose, peptone, and Tween-80 further enhanced the production of endoglucanase. Maximum purification was achieved with 40 % ammonium sulfate, and it was purified 2.63-fold by gel filtration chromatography. Endoglucanase has 55 °C optimum temperature, 4.8 optimum pH, 3.97 mM K _m, and 8.53 μM/mL/min V _max. Maximum exoglucanase production was observed at 55 °C after 72 h, at pH 5.5, and 70 % moisture level. Further addition of 0.3 % of each of fructose, peptone, and Tween-80 enhances the secretion of endoglucanase. It was purified 3.30-fold in the presence of 40 % ammonium sulfate followed by gel filtration chromatography. Its optimum temperature was 55 °C, optimum pH was 4.8, 4.34 mM K _m, and 7.29 μM/mL/min V _max. In the case of β-glucosidase, maximum activity was observed after 72 h at 55 °C, pH 5.5, and 70 % moisture level. The presence of 0.3 % of fructose, peptone, and Tween-80 in media has beneficial impact on β-glucosidase production. A 4.36-fold purification was achieved by 40 % ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. Optimum temperature of β-glucosidase was 55 °C, optimum pH was 4.8, K _m was 4.92 mM, and V _max 6.75 μM/mL/min. It was also observed that fructose is better than glucose, and peptone is better than urea for the growth of A. fumigatus. The K _m and V _max values indicated that endoglucanase, exoglucanase, and β-glucosidase have good affinity for their substrates.     

Kinetics of dissolution of silver nanoparticles inside triton N-42 reversed micelles

Our spectrophotometric study of the kinetics of dissolution of silver nanoparticles by nitric acid inside inverted micelles of Triton N-42 (a nonionic surfactant) verified the universal character of the mechanism for this type of process, which includes the interaction of surface metal atoms with an oxidizer in two routes: either with (autocatalysis) or without newly formed ionic species of the oxidized metal. Effective rate constants for both routes are independent of the value of solubilization capacity (V _s /V _o is the ratio of the volume of the dispersed aqueous phase to the volume of the micellar solution); the solubilization capacity is useful to control the micelle and particle sizes: k ₁ = 0.018±0.003, 0.010±0.003, and 0.012±0.003 s⁻¹ and k ₂ = 2.5±0.8, 1.5±1.1, and 1.4±0.4 L/(mol s) for 100 V _s /V _o = 1, 2, and 3%, respectively.