Thermokinetic studies of organotin(IV) carboxylates derived from para-methoxyphenylethanoic acid

Thremogravimetric (TG) studies of a new series of organotin(IV) carboxylates of the general formula R_nSnL_4-n (where R = CH₃, C₂H₅, C₄H₉, C₆H₅, C₆H₁₁ and C₈H₁₇, n = 2, 3 and L = para-methoxyphenylethanoate anion) have been carried out. Horowitz and Metzger method has been used to calculate thermokinetic parameters. It has been found that diorganotin dicarboxylates have larger activation energy than those of corresponding triorganotin carboxylates. Furthermore, the activation energy, Gibb’s free energy, entropy and enthalpy of diorganotin compounds shows the following trend, (CH₃)₂SnL₂ < (C₂H₅)₂SnL₂ < (C₄H₉)₂SnL₂ < (C₈H₁₇)₂SnL₂. This is attributed to steady increase in chain length of the alkyl groups. However, triorganotin compounds do not show such behavior.     

Photocatalytic degradation of an azo reactive dye,Reactive Yellow 84, in water using an industrial titanium dioxide coated media

The photocatalytic degradation of an azo reactive dye, Reactive Yellow 84 (RY84), in aqueous solutions using industrial titanium dioxide coated non-woven paper was studied. The experiments were carried out to investigate the factors that influence the dye photocatalytic degradation, such as adsorption, initial concentration of dye, temperature, and solution pH. The experimental results show that adsorption is an important parameter controlling the apparent kinetics constant of degradation. The photocatalytic degradation rate was favored by a high concentration of solution in respect to Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. The degradation was enhanced by the temperature and was favored in acidic pH range.     

Eugenol: a natural compound with versatile pharmacological actions

Eugenol, the major constituent of clove oil, has been widely used for its anesthetic and analgesic action in dentistry. Eugenol exhibits pharmacological effects on almost all systems and our aim is to review the research work that has identified these pharmacological actions. Eugenol possesses significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular properties, in addition to analgesic and local anesthetic activity. The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of the compound in humans have been studied. Eugenol has also been used as a penetration enhancer. The compound is a very promising candidate for versatile applications, and the design of new drugs based on the pharmacological effects of eugenol could be beneficial.     

Similarities and Differences of the Active Sites in Basic and Advanced MgCl2‐Supported Ziegler‐Natta Propylene Polymerization Catalysts

Though preparation procedures of heterogeneous Ziegler‐Natta catalysts for propylene polymerization are sophisticated, it is uncertain whether the nature of the active sites is similar or different for different preparation procedures. In this study, the effects of preparation procedures on the nature of the active sites were investigated by stopped‐flow polymerization in combination with microstructure analysis of polymers. Both basic and advanced types of catalysts showed the same two kinds of isospecific active site, which indicated little influence of the preparation method on the active site structure. On the contrary, the ratios of the two kinds of isospecific sites were not the same, resulting in variation of average polymer properties.

     

Synthesis and sorption properties of new synthesized rare-earth-doped sodium titanate

A series of rare-earth-doped sodium titanates with the chemical formula R _x H _y Na_{4 − (x+y)}TiO₄·nH₂O (where R = Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺ and Sm³⁺) were grown employing solid-state fusion reaction technique. The physico-chemical investigations indicated that the new materials were self engineered into large particles enough to be used in sorption process and having crystalline structures containing localized Na⁺ ions. Equilibrium studies revealed that an enhancement in sorption efficiency of sodium titanate after rare-earth doping. The neodymium-rich sodium titanate exhibited a better exchange affinity for Cs⁺ compared to the other studied series. Data on the kinetics of cesium exchange fit well to pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusion models. In a separate experiment, it was reported that the R-HNaTi series showed responsible sorption affinity toward Ce, Nd and Sm ions in their solution mixture with insignificant selectivity trend which reflects the high stability of titanate matrices.     

Simultaneous microemulsion liquid chromatographic analysis of fat-soluble vitamins in pharmaceutical formulations: Optimization using genetic algorithm

An environmentally benign and simple method has been proposed for separation and determination of fat-soluble vitamins using isocratic microemulsion liquid chromatography. Optimization of parameters affecting the separation selectivity and efficiency including surfactant concentration, percent of cosurfactant (1-butanol), and percent of organic oily solvent (diethyl ether), temperature and pH were performed simultaneously using genetic algorithm method. A new software package, MLR-GA, was developed for this purpose. The results indicated that 73.6 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, 13.64% (v/v) 1-butanol, 0.48% (v/v) diethyl ether, column temperature of 32.5 °C and 0.02 M phosphate buffer of pH 6.99 are the best conditions for separation of fat-soluble vitamins. At the optimized conditions, the calibration plots for the vitamins were obtained and detection limits (1.06–3.69 μg mL⁻¹), accuracy (recoveries > 94.3), precision (RSD < 3.96) and linearity (0.01–10 mg mL⁻¹) were estimated. Finally, the amount of vitamins in multivitamin syrup and a sample of fish oil capsule were determined. The results showed a good agreement with those reported by manufactures.     

Conformational changes and sequence analysis in cellulase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> with cationic surfactant

The present study evaluates the binding of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) with cellulase in various experimental conditions using potentiometric, fluorescence spectroscopy and turbidimetric techniques. The analysis of binding curves revealed the existence of two sets of binding sets for CPC. The binding parameters were estimated and interpreted in terms of structural viewpoints of cellulase. The observation of turbidity suggests that CPC molecules individually nucleate around cellulase/CMC complex to form micelle-like structures. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of cellulase/CMC-surfactant system showed that these complexes could be compact to elucidate the mechanism of binding cellulase/CMC complex to CPC. The differential response of the enzyme/CMC to surfactant, indicates that the interaction on the complex surface is strongly ionic and hydrophobic(cooperative) in nature. A sequencing analysis was also conducted on β-1, 4-endoglucanase from A. niger (EglA) and others from family 12 in order to examine the nature of interaction involved in binding process and structure of carbohydrate-protein complexes. The results suggest that the conserved residues are located in a more hydrophobic microenvironment and apolar area energy is more than polar within enzyme structure.     

Effect of radiation process on antinutrients and HCl extractability of calcium,phosphorus and iron during processing and storage

Whole and dehulled flours of millet cultivars Ashana and Dembi were stored for 30 and 60 days before and after radiation and/or cooking. Phytic acid and polyphenols contents were assayed for all treatments. The results revealed that the storage period was found to have no effect on phytate and polyphenols contents. Moreover, dehulling of the grains reduced more than 50% of phytate and polyphenols of both cultivars. Cooking of the raw whole and dehulled flour significantly (P≤0.05) reduced phytate and polyphenols contents for both cultivars. Radiation process alone had no effect on phytate and polyphenols contents but when followed by cooking significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the level of such antinutrients for the whole and dehulled flour of both cultivars. Dehulling alone significantly (P≤0.05) decreased Ca and P content but slightly decreased Fe content. Radiation alone or in combination with cooking was found to have slight effect on minerals content of the whole and dehulled raw flour for both cultivars. Cooking alone or in combination with radiation of whole or dehulled raw flour significantly (P≤0.05) improved the extractable Ca but had no significant (P≤0.05) effect on extractable P and Fe for both cultivars.