Combined effect of gamma irradiation and hot water dipping on the selected nutrients and shelf life of peach

Gamma irradiation in combination with hot water dipping treatment was tested for maintaining storage quality and extending the shelf life of peach fruit. The matured peaches fruits (local variety no, Tex-A-6-69) were first dipped in hot water having temperature of 0, 40 and 60 °C for 60 seconds and they were exposed to 0.5 and 1.0 kGy doses of gamma radiation and stored in paper cartons under ambient (temperature 25 ± 2 °C, RH 70 %) conditions for their physico-chemical evaluations on weekly basis. The combine effect of hot water dipping treatment and irradiation for peach was study for the first time in Pakistan. The parameters studied included % weight loss, % ash content, % moisture content, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and ascorbic acid. The sensory indices studied were size, shape, color and overall acceptability. The sensory evaluation values at 0 days for the controlled peach sample were recorded for comparison. Statistical analysis was performed to find determinates of irradiation alone and in combination with hot water dipping techniques on peaches. Studies revealed that irradiation treatment in combination with hot water treatments significantly (LSD at 5 %) maintained the storage quality of peach fruit under ambient conditions. Data obtained for weight loss, moisture, shape and overall acceptability showed significant results while non-significant values were recorded for ash, TSS and size. Overall, consumers rated the acceptability of treated peaches higher than untreated peaches. This particular type of research also helps in improving one’s country export quality of fruits.     

An exceptionally simple and efficient synthesis of 6-methyl-6-vinylfulvene, and its oxidative transformations

A new efficient synthesis of 6-methyl-6-vinylfulvene was developed, starting from the 6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-methylfulvene. With larger quantities of the title compound in hand, its photooxygenation with singlet oxygen was studied. Cyclization of the cyclopropanone intermediate to both vinyl moieties in the unsaturated system was observed, whereas the saturated endoperoxide gave mostly the cyclopentenone derivative. m-CPBA attacks exclusively the endocyclic double bonds and gives the 3-cyclopentenones via the unstable epoxides.     

Triplet-singlet splitting of the alkali metal clusters: Example of the Li6 clusters

The influence of the geometry on the specifics of the electronic structure of Li₆ clusters is studied in detail, since planar and three-dimensional lithium hexamers are found to be of comparable stability. The ab initio CI investigation of the Li₆ isomers yields almost degenerate lowest singlet and triplet states for certain cluster geometries. Simple criteria for the energy gap between the lowest triplet and singlet state are derived, and their applicability is demonstrated.     

In Vitro Effects of Isoorientin,Forsythoside B,and Verbascoside on Bovine Kidney Cortex Glutathione Reductase

Glutathione reductase (GR; E.C 1.6.4.2) catalyzes the reduction of oxidized glutathione to reduced glutathione by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) dependent mechanism. GR participates in the protection of the cell from the toxic effects of free radicals. In this study, we have investigated in vitro effects of isoorientin (C‐glycosyl flavonoid), verbascoside, and forsythoside B (phenylethanoids) on purified bovine kidney cortex GR. These compounds present in many plant species that have been used as medicinal plants and have an interesting spectrum of biological activity. We have demonstrated that these compounds inhibit bovine kidney cortex GR in a concentration‐dependent manner. Kinetic characterization of the inhibition is also done. Isoorientin is a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to both glutathione disulfide (GSSG) (Ki_GSSG 0.023 ± 0.001 mM) and NADPH (Ki_NADPH 0.032 ± 0.001 mM). Forsythoside B acts as an uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to GSSG (Ki_GSSG 0.20 ± 0.014 mM) and NADPH (Ki_NADPH 0.267 ± 0.028 mM). Verbascoside acts as an uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to both GSSG (Ki_GSSG 0.242 ± 0.024 mM) and NADPH (Ki_NADPH 0.175 ± 0.016 mM). Inhibition of GR causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species and depletion of the glutathione pool. Inhibition of this enzyme may be significant in drug resistance.     

DFT and FT-IR analyses of hydrogen bonding in 3-substistuted-3-oxo-arylhydrazonopropanenitriles

Ab initio calculations, FT-IR and X-ray crystal analysis, indicated that the most stable configuration of 3-oxo-2-(phenylhydrazono)-3-(thien-2-yl)-propionitrile is the anti phenylhydrazone structure 1. Stability of such a conformation, over the possible E-form, 2, that would be stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, is due to interaction between electron-pair domains of the N, S and O atoms. However, the simulated and experimental IR frequency data indicated intermolecular hydrogen bonding between NH and CN, the latter being lowered to 2214 cm(-1). Studies on 3-oxo-3-phenyl-2-(phenylhydrazono)-propionitrile showed the same result, as well as, another intramolecular hydrogen association of the type N-H...O. This was clearly indicated by the absorbance of the carbonyl stretch at 1605 cm(-1). These data indicated the existence of a bifurcated hydrogen bond in 1a and a single intermolecular association in 1b.     

Antibacterial Activities and Molecular Docking of Novel Sulfone Biscompound Containing Bioactive 1,2,3-Triazole Moiety

In this study, a new synthetic 1,2,3-triazole-containing disulfone compound was derived from dapsone. Its chemical structure was confirmed using microchemical and analytical data, and it was tested for its in vitro antibacterial potential. Six different pathogenic bacteria were selected. MICs values and ATP levels were determined. Further, toxicity performance was measured using MicroTox Analyzer. In addition, a molecular docking study was performed against two vital enzymes: DNA gyrase and Dihydropteroate synthase. The results of antibacterial abilities showed that the studied synthetic compound had a strong bactericidal effect against all tested bacterial strains, as Gram-negative species were more susceptible to the compound than Gram-positive species. Toxicity results showed that the compound is biocompatible and safe without toxic impact. The molecular docking of the compound showed interactions within the pocket of two enzymes, which are able to stabilize the compound and reveal its antimicrobial activity. Hence, from these results, this study recommends that the established compound could be an outstanding candidate for fighting a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacterial strains, and it might therefore be used for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.     

Operator splitting for numerical solutions of the RLW Equation

In this study, the numerical behavior of the one-dimensional Regularized Long Wave (RLW) equation has been sought by the Strang splitting technique with respect to time. For this purpose, cubic B-spline functions are used with the finite element collocation method. Then, single solitary wave motion, the interaction of two solitary waves and undular bore problems have been studied and the effectiveness of the method has been investigated. The new results have been compared with those of some of the previous studies available in the literature. The stability analysis has also been taken into account by the von Neumann method.