Statistical Based Bioprocess Design for Improved Production of Amylase from Halophilic Bacillus sp. H7 Isolated from Marine Water

Amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) enzyme has gained tremendous demand in various industries, including wastewater treatment, bioremediation and nano-biotechnology. This compels the availability of enzyme in greater yields that can be achieved by employing potential amylase-producing cultures and statistical optimization. The use of Plackett–Burman design (PBD) that evaluates various medium components and having two-level factorial designs help to determine the factor and its level to increase the yield of product. In the present work, we are reporting the screening of amylase-producing marine bacterial strain identified as Bacillus sp. H7 by 16S rRNA. The use of two-stage statistical optimization, i.e., PBD and response surface methodology (RSM), using central composite design (CCD) further improved the production of amylase. A 1.31-fold increase in amylase production was evident using a 5.0 L laboratory-scale bioreactor. Statistical optimization gives the exact idea of variables that influence the production of enzymes, and hence, the statistical approach offers the best way to optimize the bioprocess. The high catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of amylase from Bacillus sp. H7 on soluble starch was estimated to be 13.73 mL/s/mg.     

A New ‘Off–On’ System Based on Core-Substituted Naphthalene Diimide with Dimethylamine for Reversible Acid–Base Sensing

A new ‘Off–On’ system designed and synthesised by functionalisation of a naphthalene diimide (NDI) core with dimethylamine produces 4,9-bis(dimethylamino)-2,7-dioctylbenzo[lmn][3,8]-phenanthroline-1,3,6,8-(2H,7H)-tetraone, abbreviated as DDPT ( 1 ). DDPT 1 was synthesised using a simple strategy, namely aromatic nucleophilic substitution using Br₂-NDI with dimethylamine at 110 °C. DDPT was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. DDPT 1 was then used for optical studies through protonation of its dimethylamine core with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), blue-shifting the absorption band from 600 nm to 545 nm in solution. Interestingly, the fluorescence of DDPT 1 is weak in solution with a quantum yield Φ=0.09, which is significantly enhanced to Φ=0.78 upon addition of TFA. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to 2.77 nm . Furthermore, DDPT 1 can be used for naked eyed detection not only under UV light (365 nm) but also using visible light, as clear changes can be clearly seen upon addition of TFA. The binding constant of DDPT was calculated to 2.1×10⁻³ m ⁻¹. Importantly, DDPT 1 showed reversible switching by alternative addition of acid (TFA) and base (triethylamine) without loss of activity. Immobilised on paper, DDPT 1 can be used for strip-test sensing in which the colour changes from blue to reddish when expose to TFA vapours and reverse in the presence of triethylamine vapours.     

Flow behavior of spiral capillary tube for CO2 transcritical cycle

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - A numerical study has been carried out on the spiral capillary tube for the CO2 transcritical cycle. The model is based on the basic principles of...     

Synthesis of new α-aminophosphonates using nanoscale nickel-based metal–organic framework as a heterogeneous catalyst and their antibacterial activity

An elegant approach was presented for the synthesis of novel α-aminophosphonates: a three-component one-pot condensation of 3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline, substituted aromatic aldehydes, and diethyl phosphite using a nickel-based metal–organic framework (Ni-MOF). The Ni-MOF was synthesized using 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid and further characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy analyses. Ni-MOF seems to be an eco-friendly, an easily recyclable, and heterogeneous catalyst up to the eighth run with minimal reduction in its catalytic activity. The synthesized α-aminophosphonates were also investigated for antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In few cases, compounds 4a–4x show similar as well as higher antibacterial activity. Among the synthesized α-aminophosphonates, 4a–4x had more potent antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria while compounds 4h, 4m, 4n, 4q, 4u, 4v, and 4w exhibited significant antioxidant activity.     

Evaluation of Properties of Concrete Without Cement Produced Using Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer

The use of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the construction industry is inevitable. The huge production of OPC and its use in infrastructural development pose an environmental impact. Greenhouse gas emitted increases the global temperature and it is an alarming sign to everybody on the planet. Concrete is the most consuming material which is produced by using OPC and it is proven that OPC contributes a lot to CO₂ emission. Hence in this study attempt is made to produce concrete by using environment-friendly material like fly ash along with alkaline activators, which is termed Geo polymer concrete. The by-product fly ash is widely available worldwide. It is a by-product of thermal power plants. The use of fly ash in concrete produces less expensive and more cost-effective concrete than concrete made up using OPC. Due to its high silicate and alumina content, fly ash reacts with an alkaline solution to create an aluminosilicate gel that binds the aggregate and results in high-quality concrete. Fly ash is finer than cement, it occupies the pores of cement after hydration. This would result in denser concrete which gives higher strength. In comparison to ordinary concrete, fly ash-based geopolymer concrete offers better resistance to aggressive environments and high temperatures. In the present study, an alkaline activator of molarity 8 is used to prepare geopolymer concrete. The test specimens are cast and cured for 28 days. Test results indicate that an alkaline liquid fly-ash ratio (0.4) produces higher mechanical properties. Hence, geopolymer concrete produced in this study is found to be cost-effective and environment friendly.     

Silicon negative ion implantation induced vacancy defects in thermally grown SiO2 thin films

ABSTRACT

Thermally grown SiO₂ thin films on a silicon substrate implanted with 100?keV silicon negative ions with fluences varying from 1?×?10¹⁵ to 2?×?10¹⁷ ions cm^?2 have been investigated using Electron spin resonance, Fourier transforms infrared and Photoluminescence techniques. ESR studies revealed the presence of non-bridging oxygen hole centers, E′-centers and P_b-centers at g-values 2.0087, 2.0052 and 2.0010, respectively. These vacancy defects were found to increase with respect to ion fluence. FTIR spectra showed rocking vibration mode, stretching mode, bending vibration mode, and asymmetrical stretching absorption bands at 460, 614, 800 and 1080?cm^?1, respectively. The concentrations of Si–O and Si–Si bonds estimated from the absorption spectra were found to vary between 11.95?×?10²¹ cm^?3 and 5.20?×?10²¹ cm^?3 and between 5.90?×?10²¹ cm^?3 and 3.90?×?10²¹ cm^?3, respectively with an increase in the ion fluence. PL studies revealed the presence of vacancies related to non-bridging oxygen hole centers, which caused the light emission at a wavelength of 720?nm.     

Recent Advances in Aggregation-Induced Emission Active Materials for Sensing of Biologically Important Molecules and Drug Delivery System

The emergence and development of aggregation induced emission (AIE) have attracted worldwide attention due to its unique photophysical phenomenon and for removing the obstacle of aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) which is the most detrimental process thereby making AIE an important and promising aspect in various fields of fluorescent material, sensing, bioimaging, optoelectronics, drug delivery system, and theranostics. In this review, we have discussed insights and explored recent advances that are being made in AIE active materials and their application in sensing, biological cell imaging, and drug delivery systems, and, furthermore, we explored AIE active fluorescent material as a building block in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we focus on various AIE active molecules such as tetraphenylethylene, AIE-active polymer, quantum dots, AIE active metal-organic framework and triphenylamine, not only in terms of their synthetic routes but also we outline their applications. Finally, we summarize our view of the construction and application of AIE-active molecules, which thus inspiring young researchers to explore new ideas, innovations, and develop the field of supramolecular chemistry in years to come.     

A novel three-component method for the synthesis of spiro[chromeno [4′,3′:4,5] pyrimido[1,2-b] indazole-7,3′-indoline]-2′,6(9H)-dione

A green, efficient, and rapid procedure for the synthesis of novel spiro[chromeno[4′,3′:4,5] pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole-7,3′-indoline]-2′,6(9 H)-dione derivatives has been developed by one-pot condensation of 4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one, isatin, and 1H-indazole-3-amine, in the presence of acetic acid in EtOH. This method has the advantages of operational simplicity, and high yield of products via a simple experimental and work-up procedure as compared to the conventional methods. The reaction mechanism and substrate scope of this novel reaction is briefly discussed.