Estimation of Pigment Stoichiometries in Photosynthetic Systems of Purple Bacteria: Special Reference to the (Absence of) Second Carotenoid in LH2

Abstract— In this short communication we present the stoichiometric ratio of bacteriochlorophyll, bacteriopheophytin and carotenoids in a few photosynthetic purple bacteria complexes (whose two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures are well known) determined using the spectrum-reconstruction method (SRCM). An important conclusion of our pigment stoichiometric analysis is the evidence for the absence of the second carotenoid in the light-harvesting complex 2 (LH2). In the process, we also highlight the useful application of SRCM in determining the molar extinction coefficients of carotenoids present in LH1, LH2 or reaction centers for which these values are not known due to isolation problems and/or stability.     

Mixed insoluble acidic salts of tetravalent metals IV. Crystalline mixed zirconium — Titanium phosphates

Mixed crystalline alpha zirconium — titanium phosphates with variable zirconium to titanium ratios have been prepared both by the well known gel reflux method and a modified HF method. Chemical analysis, X-ray, i.r. and thermal analysis were used to characterize the materials. Exchange capacities for these ion-exchangers have been evaluated by pH-titration combined with radioisotope tract technique for Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺.     

The influence of molecular geometry on the fluorescence spectra of biphenyl and the polyphenyls

The shapes of the fluorescence spectra of rigid solutions (in ethanol at 77 K) of biphenyl,p-terphenyl, andp-quaterphenyl are shown to depend on the wavelength of the exciting light: the spectral resolution enhances with increasing wavelength of excitation. These spectra are interpreted in terms of a model wherein the equilibrium configuration of the fluorescent state is planar, but that of the ground state deviates from planarity.Some other results reported in the literature are also discussed and it is concluded that the ground states of the singly and doubly charged ions of these molecules, as well as the lowest triplet states of the neutral molecules, are nearly planar.     

Replacement of native copper in superoxide dismutase with copper-64 without much loss in its enzymatic activity

Superoxide dismutase, containing copper and zinc, has been labeled with copper-64 by incubating the prepared apoenzyme with cupric(65) chloride at room temperature. No significant loss in the enzymatic activity was observed after labeling. The incorporation of copper-64 was ascertained by starch gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography. The labeling efficiency was found to be >95%.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of a ferrous complex with an α,α′-diimine chelate ligand by ceric sulfate in aqueous acidic medium by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy

Kinetics of the oxidation of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(II) sulfate by ceric sulfate was spectrophotometrically studied in an aqueous sulfuric acid medium. Different methods, including isolation, integration and half-life, were employed to determine the reaction order. The redox reaction was found to be first-order with respect to the reductant, tris(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(II) sulfate, and the oxidant, ceric sulfate. Complex kinetics was observed with an increase in the initial concentration of the oxidant. The influence of the dielectric constant, [H⁺] and [SO₄ ^2-] on the rate was also investigated. The increase in the dielectric constant and H⁺ ion concentration of the medium retard the rate, while an increase in the SO₄ ^2- ion concentration first accelerates the rate, and then retards the reaction. The effect of each factor, i.e., the dielectric constant, H⁺ ions and SO₄ ^2- ions, suggests that Ce(SO₄)₃ ^2- is the active species of cerium(IV). A rate law consistent with the observed kinetic data and the proposed mechanism is suggested to be: {fx631-1     

Studies of mixed micelle formation between cationic gemini and cationic conventional surfactants

Mixed micellization of dimeric cationic surfactants tetramethylene-1,4-bis(hexadecyldimethylammonium bromide)(16-4-16), hexamethylene-1,6-bis(hexadecyldimethylammonium bromide) (16-6-16) with monomeric cationic surfactants hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) have been studied by conductivity and steady-state fluorescence quenching techniques. The behavior of mixed systems, their compositions, and activities of the components have been analyzed in the light of Rubingh's regular solution theory. The results indicate synergism in the binary mixtures. Ideal and experimental critical micelle concentrations (i.e., cmc(*) and cmc) show nonideality, which is confirmed by beta values and activity coefficients. The micelle aggregation numbers (N(agg)), evaluated using steady-state fluorescence quenching at a total concentration of 2 mM for CTAB/16-4-16 or 16-6-16 and 5 mM for TTAB/16-4-16 or 16-6-16 systems, indicate that the contribution of conventional surfactants was always more than that of the geminis. The micropolarity, dielectric constant and binding constants (K(sv)) of mixed systems have also been evaluated from the ratios of respective peak intensities (I(1)/I(3) or I(0)/I(1)).     

Influence of additives on the clouding phenomenon of chlorpromazine hydrochloride solutions

Herein we report the effect of various additives (viz. alcohols, cycloalcohols, amino acids, sugars, ureas) on the clouding phenomenon observed in 50mM chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) drug solutions (prepared in 10mM sodium phosphate buffer). Long chain alcohols (except octanol), cyclohexanol and allylalcohol increased the cloud point (CP) followed by a decrease with the increase in alcohol concentration but short chain alcohols affected the CP insignificantly. Effect of amino acids depended upon their nature: acidic and salts of basic amino acids increased the CP while basic amino acids depressed it; non-polar and uncharged polar amino acids caused small changes in CP. Additives of urea family decreased the CP. All sugars caused a decrease in CP, which is in consonance to their effect on the critical micellar concentration. The overall behavior is explained on the basis of additives affecting the solvent as well as micelle aggregation and/or structure.     

Synthesis of ciprofloxacin-based compounds: A review

Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that plays an important role in inhibiting the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Medicinal chemists are extensively involved in the synthesis of novel ciprofloxacin derivatives, in search of new ciprofloxacin-based drugs with enhanced activity. This review article summarizes the major synthetic approaches involved in the synthesis of ciprofloxacin-based molecules.     

Influence of electrolytes/non-electrolytes on the cloud point phenomenon of the aqueous promethazine hydrochloride drug solution

We have studied the clouding phenomena in promethazine hydrochloride (PMT) aqueous solutions in presence of electrolytes and non-electrolytes. PMT, a tranquillizer, shows phase separation. The cloud point (CP) decreases with increase in pH due to deprotonation of drug molecules. At constant pH, increasing salt addition causes an increase in CP, which is explained on the basis of their position in Hofmeister series and their hydrated radii. With quaternary salts CP increases due to adsorption/mixed micelle formation. Ureas decrease the CP and the behavior is explained on the basis of removal of water from the headgroup region.