Crystallization and Preliminary Crystallographic Studies of Luffaculin 1,a Ribosome-inactivating Protein from the Seeds of Luffa Acutangula

1 INTRODUCTION The ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are RNA N-glycosidases[1, 2] which inactivate ribosomes by cleaving a single N–C glycosidic bond between adenine and ribose at A4324 in the 28s rRNA of rat. Because of the removal of one adenine from rRNA, elongation factorⅡ(EF-2) can not bind to the 60S subunit, so RIPs can arrest protein synthesis. RIPs can be classified into three types based on the struc- tures of genes and mature proteins[3]. Type 1 RIPs with molec…     

Preparation and properties of luffa fiber- and kenaf fiber-filled poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate)/starch blend-based biocomposites

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate) (PBSL)/starch blends that contain various amounts of starch were prepared. In addition, luffa fiber (LF) and kenaf fiber (KF) were incorporated, individually, into PBSL/starch (70/30) blend to achieve biocomposites. The LF and KF were treated with NaOH_(aq) prior to their addition to the blend. The Young's modulus and flexural modulus of PBSL increased with the addition of starch and increased further after the formation of the biocomposites. The highest Young's modulus increment, which was found in the KF-added system, was up to a 2.2-fold increase compared with neat PBSL. The tensile/flexural/impact strength of PBSL declined after the formation of the blends. With the further addition of LF/KF, the said properties leveled off. The blends exhibited higher complex viscosity and dynamic storage modulus in the melt state than the neat PBSL, and the values further increased in the biocomposites. The crystallization temperature of PBSL slightly decreased in the blends. By contrast, the biocomposites showed an increment in PBSL crystallization temperature, from 73.0 °C (PBSL) to 75.3 °C (KF-added composite), thereby confirming the surface nucleation effect of LF/KF. The blends showed a higher degree of water absorption than PBSL. The formation of biocomposites led to an even higher degree of water absorption. The current approach of including LF/KF in the PBSL/starch blend to enhance the rigidity and biodegradability was advantageous in expanding the applications of PBSL.     

Statistical Optimization of Alpha-Amylase Production with Immobilized Cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces erumpens</Emphasis> MTCC 7317 in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Luffa cylindrica</Emphasis> L. Sponge Discs

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of Streptomyces erumpens cells immobilized in various matrices, i.e., agar–agar, polyacrylamide, and luffa (Luffa cylindrica L.) sponge for production of α-amylase. Luffa sponge was found to be 21% and 51% more effective in enzyme yield than agar–agar and polyacrylamide, respectively. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effect of three main variables, i.e., incubation period, pH, and temperature on enzyme production with immobilized luffa cells. The experimental results showed that the optimum incubation period, pH, and temperature were 36h, 6.0, and 50 °C, respectively. The repeated batch fermentation of immobilized cells in shake flasks showed that S. erumpens cells were more or less equally physiologically active on the support even after three cycles of fermentation (3,830–3,575 units). The application of S. erumpens crude enzyme in liquefying cassava starch was studied. The maximum hydrolysis of cassava starch (85%) was obtained with the application of 4ml (15,200 units) of crude enzyme after 5 h of incubation.     

Extraction and characterization of lignocellulosic fibers from Luffa cylindrica fruit

The need for recyclable, renewable materials has resulted in an increased use of natural fibers for reinforcing polymers to suit a wide variety of applications. This study is mainly focused on the extraction and characterization of the lignocellulosic fibers derived from the ripened, dried Luffa cylindrica L. fruit. Characterization studies such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis are conducted and reported. Composite samples prepared using unsaturated polyester resin show an increasing impact strength on fiber loading. Fractured surface of the composites are examined using scanning electron microscope. Results show the feasibility of fibers for reinforcement in polymers.     

丝瓜络的化学修饰及其对混旋体的拆分特性

在30%的NaOH溶液和乙醇的混合介质申,将丝瓜络原料(LF)通过微波辐射,得到预处理的丝瓜络纤维(ALF).sEM观测显示,预处理前后丝瓜铬表面结构发生较大变化;TGA测定预处理前后丝瓜络各成分的热降解,预处理前后的丝瓜络耐热性无明显变化.合成一种酰氯活化的酒石酸,用于对丝瓜络进行改性.FT-IR跟踪反应表明,反应体系中酒石酰氯量增大或者酯化反应时间延长,均会使丝瓜络表面酯化度增加.对于同一种被拆分溶液,在丝瓜络加入量不多的情况下,拆分效果为:改性丝瓜络>原丝瓜络>碱化丝瓜络;当丝瓜络加入量大于0.18g,在其他条件相同的情况下,拆分效果为:原丝瓜络>碱化丝瓜络>改性丝瓜络.在较低浓度下,初始氨基酸浓度对改性前后丝瓜络的拆分性能影响不大;在相对酯化度为3时,丝瓜络的拆分性能最好;在拆分温度为320K时,拆分性能最佳,随着温度进一步升高,拆分性能降低;在溶液pH较高和较低的条件下,拆分性能较好;中心离子的存在,会导致丝瓜络的拆分能力下降.     

丝瓜络炭磺酸的制备及其催化合成糠醛

以丝瓜络为炭源、浓硫酸为磺酸化试剂,制备了丝瓜络炭磺酸催化剂。利用中和滴定、X射线衍射、傅里叶变换红外光谱和热重-差热分析等手段对催化剂进行了表征。以表面酸密度为考察指标,确定了在300℃炭化3h、在80℃下磺化3h为优化的催化剂制备条件,此条件下丝瓜络炭磺酸催化剂表面酸密度可达1.119mmol/g。以木糠水解制备糠醛为探针反应,通过正交实验法考察了催化剂的实际催化活性。结果表明,在水解反应时间2h、水解反应温度200℃和催化剂用量占原料质量10%时,糠醛的平均收率达到78.69%,此时催化剂的催化活性最高。催化剂经第一次循环使用后性能有所下降,但随后的循环使用催化性能稳定。将使用过的催化剂经再磺化,可基本恢复到新制催化剂的催化活性。     

接枝亲水型高分子的丝瓜络对水中重金属离子的吸附行为

采用接枝聚合的方法将亲水性聚丙烯酰胺接枝到丝瓜络上,部分水解的聚丙烯酰胺的接枝率可高达161.3%.选择典型的Cu~(2+)和Pb~(2+)体系,研究亲水型丝瓜络对水中重金属离子的吸附行为.结果表明,在单离子体系中,准二级动力学方程适于描述亲水型丝瓜络吸附动力学过程,饱和吸附量随着接枝率和pH值增加而增大,对Cu~(2+)和Pb~(2+)的最大饱和吸附量分别为647和887 mg/g.Langmuir和Freundlich等温吸附模型都适合描述等温吸附过程.8次吸附-解吸附循环实验表明,饱和吸附量基本保持恒定,同时对吸附机理进行了讨论.