TERAHERTZ QUALITY CONTROL OF POLYMERIC PRODUCTS

We report on experiments that evaluate the potential of terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) for quality control of polymeric compounds. We investigate specimens out of a polyethylene compound with silver-coated titanium dioxide nanospheres and a glass-fiber reinforced epoxy composite. We further examine an industrial polymer product produced by injection molding. Our data demonstrates that THz imaging is a powerful tool for contactless quality control in the polymer industry.     

A metal nanoparticle-based supramolecular approach for aqueous biphasic reactions

beta-cyclodextrin immobilized on Pd nanoparticles was successfully employed as an efficient phase-transfer catalyst in aqueous biphasic hydrogenation reactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel copolymer of glyoxal dihydrazone and glyoxal dihydrazone bis(dithiocarbamate) and application in heavy metal ion removal from water

We demonstrate synthesis of water insoluble, novel copolymer P_A1 from condensation of glyoxal dihydrazone and glyoxal dihydrazone bis(dithiocarbamate) monomers having high capacity to remove metal ions from aqueous solution. The presence of a high atomic percentage of nitrogen and sulfur atoms in P_A1 leads to strong ligating ability with metal ions. The monomers and the polymer have been characterized by FTIR, UV–Visible spectroscopy, CHNS elemental analysis, NMR, MALDI-MS, and TG/DTA. As a proof of concept, the P_A1 is tested for its ability to remove heavy metal ions Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, and CrO ₇ ^2? from aqueous solutions. P_A1 efficiently removed metals ions from the metal solutions. The highest absorption ability has been observed toward the iron salts where 0.969 g metal salt is absorbed by 1 g polymer. This study has implication for inexpensive and efficient polymer for purification of water.     

Facile synthesis of silver doped-copper oxide nano materials utilizing areca catechu (AC) leaf extract and their antidiabetic and anticancer studies

The present research highlights physical significance of green combination of metal oxide nanomaterials utilizing medicinal plant which has widely analyzed in different medical applications i.e., medicinal science, therapeutics. In this paper, we discussed environmentally benign approach for synthesizing silver doped copper oxide nanoparticles (Ag–CuO NPs) utilizing (ACLE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were utilized to confirm the size, crystalline structure and surface morphology of the obtained nanomaterials. The monoclinic crystalline structure of the Ag–CuO NPs as produced was revealed by XRD patterns. Morphological analysis disclosed the nano-based spherical configuration of Ag–CuO NPs, as well as their morphology and elemental composition. The anti-diabetic effect of Ag–CuO NPs was further investigated utilizing a yeast cell model and amylase inhibition. Here, a decrease in intracellular glucose and a delay in carbohydrate digestion indicate promising antidiabetic action. Furthermore, the prepared nanomaterial showed anticancer potential against the MCF-7 cancer cell line, with an IC ₅₀ value of 11.21 g/ml.     

Total Stereospecific Synthesis of (3E,7Z)-Tetradecadienyl Acetate,the Major Sex Pheromone Component of the Potato Pest Symmetrischema tangolias

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - (3E,7Z)-Tetradecadienyl acetate, the major sex pheromone component of the potato pest Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen), was stereoselectively synthesized from the...     

Impact of Targeted Specific Antibiotic Delivery for Gut Microbiota Modulation on High-Fructose-Fed Rats

The objective of present investigation was to study the effect of gut microbiota alteration by oral administration of targeted delivery of pH sensitive cefdinir microspheres to high-fructose-fed (HFD) rats. Rats were fed with a high-fructose diet with or without cefdinir microsphere administration for 30 days. The fecal microbiota community, oral glucose tolerance, the markers of liver injury, plasma and hepatic lipids profile, and histological evaluation were investigated. The levels of blood glucose, liver injury markers, lipid profile in plasma and liver, and fat tissue were significantly increased in high-fructose-fed rats. However, after pH-sensitive cefdinir microsphere administration, the elevation of these parameters was significantly suppressed. Cef EL significantly lowered the increased AST (p?<?0.05) and ALT (p?<?0.001) levels in HFD group. There is a significant lower (p?<?0.01) AUC_glucose level in Cef EL group than HFD group The histological changes in the liver and the small and large intestines were more profound in HFD group as compared to cefdinir-treated HFD and control groups. Feeding of cefdinir microsphere sustained lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and significantly decreased (p?<?0.05) the number of Enterobacteriaceae induced by HFD. Experimental evidences demonstrated that the effectiveness of pH-specific cefdinir microsphere on reducing insulin resistance and development of metabolic changes in high-fructose-fed rats and suggested that it may be a promising therapeutic agent in treating type 2 diabetes. Intestinal-targeted antibiotic delivery needs to be further explored for its therapeutic applications.     

Biochemical and Kinetic Study of Laccase from Ganoderma cupreum AG-1 in Hydrogels

In the present study, three different types of hydrogels i.e., (poly (?acrylamide)/alginate (P (AAm)/Alg), poly (acrylamide-N-isopropylacrylamide) (P (AAm-NIPA)), and poly (acrylamide-N-isopropylacrylamide)/alginate (P (AAm-NIPA)/Alg)) were synthesized by acrylamide, alginate, and N-isopropylacrylamide for the entrapment of laccase. The hydrogel-entrapped and free laccase showed optimum temperature of 50 °C for the oxidation of ABTS, but the entrapped laccase showed high temperature, pH, and storage stability as compared to the free enzyme. The K _m values of free laccase, (P (AAm)/Alg)-L, (P (AAm-NIPA))-L, and (P (AAm-NIPA)/Alg)-L were found to be 0.13, 0.28, 0.33, and 0.50 mM, respectively. The V _max values of free laccase, (P (AAm)/Alg)-L, (P (AAm-NIPA))-L, and (P (AAm-NIPA)/Alg)-L were found to be 22.22?×?10², 5.55?×?10², 5.0?×?10², and 4.54?×?10² mM/min, respectively. The entrapped laccase hydrogels were used for the decolorization of Reactive Violet 1 dye, with 39 to 45 % decolorization efficiency till the 10th cycle.     

Applications of liquid crystals in biosensing and organic light-emitting devices: future aspects

ABSTRACT

This article summarises recent advances made in our laboratory towards the development of new technological applications, such as biosensors and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on liquid crystals (LCs) other than LC displays. The study of biomolecular interaction using LC material relies on the specific interaction between the LC and the biomolecule of interest at interfaces that permit the biomolecular events to be amplified into easily measured signals for various sensing applications. In the first part, we emphases recent studies in the design and modulation of LC-based interfaces based on robust colloidal LC gels for biological amplification, qualitative and quantitative understanding of important biomolecular interactions at LC–aqueous interfaces for diagnostic and laboratory applications and design of LC droplets that hold promise to act as a marker for cells and cell-based interactions. In the second part, we described design of organic materials for application in OLEDs on various discotic monomers, dimers and oligomers. These molecules have the ability to transport charges, holes and electrons. In addition, because of the high conductivity and π–π stacking, they are considered as the advanced materials for practical applications. The technological advances in our laboratory using discotic LCs will be briefly presented in this article.     

Reusable zinc oxide nanoflowers for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates under solvent-free ultrasonication

A simple wet chemical method is used to prepare zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NFs) which were subjected to various characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, FE-SEM, and XPS. XRD pattern indicates pure, crystalline, and monodispersed form with hexagonal wurtzite phase. The 3-D flower shape morphology with hexagonal ZnO nanorods was confirmed in FE-SEM. The synthesized ZnO NFs was used to study catalytic behavior in Kabachnik–Fields reaction under controlled ultrasound cavitation technique. High surface-to-volume ratio of ZnO NFs and the effect of ultrasonication enhances the yield of α-aminophosphonate. The catalyst was recycled and reused four times without any significant loss of its catalytic activity. Moreover, existing method becomes attractive and practical due to its easy, clean, fast, cost-effective, and eco-friendly procedure.     

Nitrosubstituted hydroxamate ligands in new triphenyltin(IV) complexes as prospective antimicrobial agents

New triphenyltin(IV) hydroxamate complexes, [Ph₃Sn(4-NO₂CnH)] and [Ph₃Sn(4-NO₂BzH)] have been synthesized by the reactions of Ph₃SnCl with potassium 4-nitrocinnamo hydroxamate [4-NO₂C₆H₄CHCHCONHOK] (KHL¹) and potassium 4-nitro benzohydroxamate [4-NO₂C₆H4CONHOK] (KHL²). The complexes were synthesized in 1:1 molar ratio in MeOH?+?C₆H₆ and characterized by physicochemical and IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectrometry. The bidentate hydroxamate involving bonding through carbonyl and hydroxamic oxygen (O, O coordination) has been inferred from IR spectra. The electrochemical behavior of complexes has been analyzed. Quasi-irreversible two electron metal-centered cathodic process of type Sn^IV/Sn^II redox couple was indicated by cyclic voltammetric technique. The thermal behavior of 1 and 2 studied by TGA has shown continuous decomposition to yield Sn + 0.5SnO₂ and SnO₂ as final residues. The in vitro antimicrobial activity assays of 1 and 2 against pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria alternata) were done by MIC method. The complexes have exhibited appreciable antimicrobial activity relative to the respective standard Gentamycin and Nystatin drugs.