Protein hydrolysates of castor bean seed and cottonseed meals

The processes involved in the hydrolysis of the proteins of the toxic seed meals of the castor-oil plant and the cotton plant with hydrochloric acid have been studied. The optimum conditions of hydrolysis, at which the yield of desired product amounts to about 40%, have been established. The use of activated carbon and the cation-exchange resin KU-2×8 have enabled a hydrolysate containing 80–85% of amino acids to be obtained. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (371) 120 64 75. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 691–696, September–October, 1998.     

Functional properties of a serine protease inhibitor from cotton seeds

It has been shown that dormant cotton seeds contain proteins capable of inhibiting the activity of the proteolytic enzymes of the pathogenVerticillium dahliae Kleb. An immunochemical method of evaluating the resistance of a cotton plant to this fungus has been developed. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, FAX (3712) 89-14-75. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 533–537, July–August, 1994.     

Synthesis of tritium-labeled phytohormones

A method has been developed for obtaining tritium-labeled analogues of β-indolylacetic acid and of 6-benzylaminopurine by the method of isotopic catalytic exchange. The localization of cytokinin- and auxin-binding proteins in cotton seedlings has been investigated. A. S. Sadykov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Uzbekestan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 699–702, November–December, 1992.     

Comparative characteristics of proteins of cottonplant lines differing in the strength of the fiber

The enzymes and proteins of the fibers of two lines of cotton plant differing in the strength of the fiber have been investigated. It has been shown that the activities of glucan synthetase and peroxidase rise as the fiber matures, while the activities of β-(1-3)-glucanase and cellulase fall. The specific enzymatic activities of peroxidase and glucan synthetase in the L-175 line, distinguished by a stronger fiber, are higher than for the L-466 line with a weaker fiber. The activity of glucanase changes according to the strength of the fiber. In a study of the protein composition of cotton fibers, polypeptides with molecular masses of 28 and 39 kDa were found among the proteins responsible for the strength of the fiber. A. S. Sadykov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 162 70 71. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 530–536, July–August, 1998.     

Isolation of immunosimilar proteins from cotton seeds by immunoaffinity chromatograph

A sorbent highly specific forVerticillium proteins has been obtained from BrCN-Sepharose and rabbit immunoglobulins. By affinity chromatography using this sorbent a protein immunologically similar to the proteins of the mycelium of the fungusV. dahliae has been isolated from cotton seeds of the Tashkent-1 variety. The molecular mass of the protein has been determined, and its proteolytic activity has been established. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 746–749, September–October, 1993.     

Chemical and physical analysis of cotton fabrics plasma-treated with a low pressure DC glow discharge

This paper focuses on the modification of cotton fabrics using a low pressure DC glow discharge obtained in air. The influence of different operating parameters such as treatment time, discharge power and operating pressure on the chemical and physical properties of the cotton fabrics is studied in detail. Surface analysis and characterization of the plasma-treated cotton fabrics is performed using vertical wicking experiments, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and weight loss measurements. The cotton fabrics show a significant increase in wicking behaviour; an effect which increases with increasing treatment time, increasing discharge power and increasing pressure. Results also show that low pressure DC glow treatment leads to surface erosion of the cellulose fibres, accompanied by an incorporation of oxygen-containing groups (C–O, C=O, O–C–O and O–C=O) on the cotton fibres. The DC glow treatment has thus the potential to influence not only the chemical but also the physical properties of cotton fabrics and this without the use of water or chemicals.     

Isolation and investigation of the ethylene-producing enzyme of cotton

The activity of the ethylene-producing enzyme (EPE) in a homogenate of cotton leaves and in fractions obtained via differential centrifugation and fractional precipitation is studied. A model system is developed for testing EPE. The effect of known activators and inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis on the EPE activity is studied. Chromatographic methods are used to prepare the highly purified enzyme from the water-soluble fraction of cotton proteins and to identify it as ACC-oxidase. The enzyme has MM ∼38 kDa and converts aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC) into ethylene. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 654–657, September–October, 1999.     

Study of the lignin of a cotton plant of the variety S-6524

The dioxane lignin (DLA) has been isolated from ripe stems of a cotton plant of the variety S-6524, and its empirical formula and molecular mass have been determined. This DLA differed from the DLA of a cotton plant of variety 108-F by a lower degree of hydroxylation and a higher degree of substitution of the aromatic rings. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, FAX (3712) 62 73 48. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 430–431, May–June, 1994.     

Composition and ethanol production potential of cotton gin residues

Cotton gin residue (CGR) collected from five cotton gins was fractionated and characterized for summative composition. The major fractions of the CGR varied widely between cotton gins and consisted of clean lint (5–12%), hulls (16–48%), seeds (6–24%), motes (16–24%), and leaves (14–30%). The summative composition varied within and between cotton gins and consisted of ash (7.9–14.6%), acid-insoluble material (18–26%), xylan (4–15%), and cellulose (20–38%). Overlimed steam-exploded cotton gin waste was readily fermented to ethanol by Escherichia coli KO11. Ethanol yields were feedstock and severity dependent and ranged from 58 to 92.5% of the theoretical yields. The highest ethanol yield was 191 L (50 gal)/t, and the lowest was 120 L (32 gal)/t.     

Electrophoretic study of the effect of ultradisperse iron powder on cotton seed proteins

The protein composition of seeds treated with a suspension of ultradisperse iron was studied using electrophoresis on PAAG. Changes were noted in the fractions with relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) 0.11 of water-soluble and REM 0.37 of buffer-soluble An-9 cotton seed proteins. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 384–385, July–August, 2006.     

Kinetics of the level of lipids in a cotton plant of variety 6524 S during maturation

The composition and amount of lipids in the seeds and leaves of the cotton plant of variety 6524 S over the vegetation periods have been investigated. The rate of biosynthesis of neutral lipids in cotton seeds in the 20-day period after flowering to the moment of maturation increases by a factor of 1.6 while the amounts of phospho- and glycolipids decrease by factors of 3.9 and 4.3, respectively. The fatty acid compositions of the neutral lipids and of the phospho- and glycolipids of the seeds and leaves have been determined. Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Uzbekistan Republic, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 359–362, May–June, 1993.     

Sol–gel coating of cellulose fibres with antimicrobial and repellent properties

Multifunctional, water and oil repellent and antimicrobial finishes for cotton fibres were prepared from a commercially available fluoroalkylfunctional water-born siloxane (FAS) (Degussa), nanosized silver (Ag) (CHT) and a reactive organic–inorganic binder (RB) (CHT). Two different application procedures were used: firstly, one stage treatment of cotton fabric samples by FAS sol (i), as well as by a sol mixture constituted from all three precursors (Ag–RB–FAS, procedure 1S) (ii), and secondly, two stage treatment of cotton by Ag–RB sol and than by FAS sol (Ag–RB + FAS, procedure 2S) (iii). The hydrophobic and oleophobic properties of cotton fabrics treated by procedures (i)–(iii) before and after consecutive (up to 10) washings were established from contact angle measurements (water, diiodomethane and n-hexadecane) and correlated with infrared and XPS spectroscopic measurements. The results revealed that even after 10 washing cycles cotton treated with Ag–RB + FAS (2S) retained an oleophobicity similar to that of the FAS treated cotton, while the Ag–RB–FAS (1S) cotton fibres exhibited a loss of oleophobicity already after the second washing, even though fluorine and C–F vibrational bands were detected in the corresponding XPS and IR spectra. The antibacterial activity of cotton treated by procedures (i)–(iii) was tested by its reduction of the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus following the AATCC 100-1999 standard method and EN ISO 20743:2007 transfer method. The reduction in growth of both bacteria was nearly complete for the unwashed Ag–RB and Ag–RB–FAS (S1), but for the unwashed Ag–RB + FAS (S2) treated cotton no reduction of S. aureus and 43.5 ± 6.9% reduction of E. coli was noted. After the first washing, the latter two finishes exhibited nearly a complete reduction of E. coli but for the Ag–RB treated cotton the reduction dropped to 88.9 ± 3.4. None of the finishes retained antibacterial properties after 10 repetitive washings. The beneficial and long-lasting low surface energy effect of FAS finishes in the absence of Ag nanoparticles, which led to the “passive” antibacterial properties of FAS treated cotton fabrics, was established by applying the EN ISO 20743:2007 transfer method. The results revealed a reduction in bacteria of about 21.9 ± 5.7% (FAS), 13.1 ± 4.8% (Ag–RB–FAS (S1)) and 41.5 ± 3.7% (Ag–Rb + FAS (S2)), while no reduction of the growth of bacteria was observed for cotton treated with Ag nanoparticles after 10 repetitive washings. The physical properties (bending rigidity, breaking strength, air permeability) of finished cotton samples were determined, and showed increased fabric softness and flexibility as compared to the Ag–RB treated cotton, but a slight decrease of breaking strength in the warp and weft directions, while air permeability decreased for all type of finishes.     

Secondary metabolites of Ulocladium chartarum. Ulocladols A and B — New phytotoxins of terpenoid nature

Ulocladols A and B — new exometabolites having a mixed sesquiterpenoid-polyketide nature that are structurally close to the host-specific toxins ofAlternaria citri — have been isolated from the deuteromyceteUlocladium chartarum. Both substances inhibit the growth of cotton seeds. All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Phytopathology, Moscow Province, Golitsyno. M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 642–648, September–October, 1991.     

Solubility of the proteins and phytates of cottonseed meal in the presence of metal ions

The solubility of the proteins and phytates of cotton seeds in the presence of metal ions (Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺) at various pH values of the medium has been studied. It has been shown that complete precipitation of the protein by phytin from solution (C_protein)=1.5%), sets in at a mass ratio of phytin to protein of 1:15, pH 1.5. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, FAX (3712) 62 73 48. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 421–424. May–June, 1994.     

Production of glucose-fructose syrups from fermentative hydrolysates of plant wastes

A method has been developed for obtaining glucose—fructose syrups by the hydrolysis of plant wastes under the action of a complex of cellulases from a hybrid strain of a fungus, followed by isomerization of part of the glucose to fructose by immobilized streptomycete glucose isomerase. The conditions for raising the degree of isomerization of the glucose and the period of half-inactivation of the immobilized glucose isomerase have been optimized, with a simultaneous cheapening of the process. Plant raw materials that have been used for obtaining glucose–fructose syrups are maize cobs, wheat or rice straw, and reeds. Isomerization has been achieved by streptomycete cells immobilized on cotton lint. Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences, Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 41 71 29. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 449–451, July–August, 1998.     

Comparative investigation of the composition of the protease inhibitors of wilt-resistant and wilt-susceptible varieties of cotton

The amounts and the group, class, and fatty-acid compositions of the feebly-and the strongly-bound lipids of the total protein fraction of cotton seeds that inhibits the growth of the pathogenic fungusVerticillium dahliae Kleb. have been determined. The main differences of the indices for the seeds of healthy and infected plants of two varieties contrasted by their degrees of susceptibility to verticillium wilt have been established. Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 89 14 75. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 474–480, July–August, 1994.     

Cellulose II nanoelements prepared from fully mercerized, partially mercerized and regenerated celluloses by 4-acetamido-TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO2 oxidation

A softwood bleached kraft pulp (SBKP) and cotton lint cellulose were fully or partially mercerized, and these along with celluloses and commercially available regenerated cellulose fiber and beads were oxidized by 4-acetamido-TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO₂ at 60 °C and pH 4.8. Weight recovery ratios and carboxylate contents of the oxidized celluloses were 65–80% and 1.8–2.2 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. Transparent and viscous dispersions were obtained by mechanical disintegration of the TEMPO-oxidized celluloses in water. These aqueous dispersions showed birefringence between cross-polarizers, indicating that mostly individualized cellulose nanoelements dispersed in water were obtained by these procedures. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed that the cellulose nanoelements prepared from mercerized SBKP, repeatedly mercerized SBKP, mercerized cotton lint cellulose, regenerated cellulose beads and 18% NaOH-treated SBKP, i.e. partially mercerized SBKP, had similar morphologies and sizes, 4–12 nm in width and 100–200 nm in length. The 18% NaOH-treated SBKP was converted to cellulose nanoelements consisting of both celluloses I and II.     

Rapid method for identifying highly productive varieties of cotton by a selective process

Screening of genetically enhanced cotton varieties with a high content of protein markers, proteinase inhibitors, was carried out for the first time. It was found that only 5 of 68 studied cotton selection lines were resistant to wilt, black root rot, and gummosis. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 43–45, January–February, 2008.     

Proteins responsible for seed pubescence of cotton genetic lines

The activities of fiber-forming enzymes (glucansynthetase, peroxidase, cellulase) from smooth- and pubescent-seeded cotton were compared. Protein inhibitor from the smooth-seeded line was isolated and studied. One of the aspects of the mechanism regulating growth and differentiating epidermal cotton ovule cells into fiber was investigated. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 394–396, July–August, 2008.