Effect of Curcuma longa tuber powder extract on size of silver nanoparticles prepared by green method

Biosynthesis of noble metal nanoparticles is a vast developing area of research. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized from aqueous silver nitrate through a simple and biosynthetic route using water extract of Curcuma longa (C. longa) tuber powder, which acted simultaneousl as a reductant and stabilizery. The as-prepared samples are characterized using UV–Visible, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDXF, and FT-IR techniques. The formation of Ag-NPs is evidenced by the appearance of the signatory brown color of the solution and UV–vis spectra. Formation of Ag/C. longa was determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy where surface plasmon absorption maxima can be observed at 457–415 nm from the UV–Vis spectrum. The XRD analysis shows that the Ag-NPs are of a face-centered cubic structure. Well-dispersed Ag-NPs with anisotropic and isotropic morphology for 5, 10, and 20 mL of C. longa water extract having a size less than 10 nm are seen in TEM images. The optimum volume extraction to synthesize smallest particle size was 20 mL with mean diameter and standard division 4.90 ± 1.42 nm. FT-IR spectrum indicates the presence of different functional groups in capping the nanoparticles with C. longa. The zeta potential analysis results indicated that the charge of C. longa was negative and increased in Ag/C. longa emulsion with increasing of volumes of extract used (10–20 mL). The most needed outcome of this work will be the development of value-added products from C. longa for biomedical and nanotechnology-based industries.     

Synthesis,characterization, spectrophotometric and electrochemistry studies,and DNA cleavage of copper(II) complexes of a new azacrown bis-macrocycle and its mono-cyclic analogue

A new azacrown bis-macrocycle (5) and its mono–cyclic analogue (7) were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT ¹³C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The reaction with copper(II) nitrate yielded the corresponding complexes, formulated as Cu(5)(NO₃)₂·3H₂O (8), and Cu(7)(NO₃)₂·2.5H₂O (9). Also the stoichiometries of the complexes were determined in alcoholic solution and the results show that for both complexes the ratio of ligand to metal was 1:1 in methanol. The redox behavior of both complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry in DMF. Cyclic voltamogram of 8 shows quasi-reversible Cu^II/Cu^I redox couple whereas 9 shows a reversible Cu^II/Cu^I redox couple. Mono- and bis-macrocycle copper(II) complexes (8 and 9 respectively) cleaved plasmid pGS2 DNA by using an oxidative mechanism with 3- mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the reductant under aerobic conditions. The bis-macrocycle copper(II) complex 8 showed higher cleavage efficiency than their mono-macrocycle analogue 9 at the same Cu²⁺ concentration.     

Poly(basic ionic liquid) coated magnetic nanoparticles: High-loaded supported basic ionic liquid catalyst

A novel poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) coated magnetic nanoparticle was synthesized by distillation-precipitation-polymerization of 1-vinyl-3- ethyl imidazolium in the presence of surface modified magnetic nanoparticles. The resulting catalyst was used as magnetic heterogeneous base catalyst for the synthesis of 4H-benzo[b]pyrans in water. The separation of the catalyst from the reaction mixture was readily achieved by simple magnetic decantation and the catalyst could be easily recycled without appreciable loss of catalytic activity. Because of polymer layers coated the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles, the catalyst has a high loading level of ionic liquid.     

Effect of fsDNA on chemiluminescence characteristics of luminol–H2O2 system catalyzed by Mn(III)–Tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin

In the present work, the effect of fsDNA (fish sperm DNA) on kinetic parameters of chemiluminescence (CL) of the luminol–hydrogen peroxide system catalyzed by Mn(III)–Tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin was investigated. These parameters including pseudo first-order rise and fall rate constant for the chemiluminescence burst, maximum level intensity, time to reach maximum intensity, total light yield, and values of the intensity at maximum CL were evaluated by computer fitting of the resulted intensity–time plots. Results reveal that CL parameters are dramatically affected due to interaction of metalloporphyrin with DNA. In order to observe quenching effect of DNA on CL intensity, Stern–Volmer plot with k _Q value of 1.18 × 10⁵ M^?1 was calculated in the quencher concentration range of 4 × 10^?6–8.5 × 10^?5 M.     

Voltammetric analysis of the possibility of derivatization of levodopa in the presence of aniline derivatives

Electrochemical oxidation of levodopa (LD) as one of the most well-known neurotransmitters has been studied in the presence of some aniline derivatives. The electron transfer of LD is followed by two competitive reactions in the presence of these amines. The reactions are the Michael additions of side chain amine group of LD and/or aromatic amines to electrochemically generated o-quinone. There are two ECE mechanisms for both pathways and the competition between these inter and intramolecular reactions drastically depends on the pH of the medium. The pH dependence of reactions has been studied and the observed homogeneous rate constants of the reactions were estimated by digital simulation of cyclic voltammograms. The effect of aniline substituents was also studied with regard to their reactivities toward o-quinone of LD and the competitive reactions. Based on the obtained results, the products of intermolecular reactions are electroactive diphenylamine derivatives and their half-wave potentials depend on the nature of the aniline substituent.     

Al(H2PO4)3 as an efficient and reusable catalyst for the multi-component synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines and dihydro-2-oxypyrroles

Extremely facile and efficient procedures have been developed for the synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines and dihydro-2-oxypyrroles via one-pot multi-component reactions in the presence of Al(H₂PO₄)₃ as a heterogeneous and eco-friendly catalyst under mild conditions. The multi-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, aromatic amines, and β-keto esters catalyzed by Al(H₂PO₄)₃ in EtOH at room temperature provides highly functionalized piperidines in good to excellent yields. The structure as well as the relative stereochemistry of these functionalized piperidines was confirmed by single X-ray crystallographic analysis. The same catalyst was found useful for the synthesis of polyfuntionalized dihydro-2-oxypyrroles using a four-component reaction of amines, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and formaldehyde in MeOH at ambient temperature. It is found that the catalyst is recyclable and can be used up to five times without significant loss of its activity.     

Heat‐Induced Radiolabeling of Nanoparticles for Monocyte Tracking by PET

Heat‐induced radiolabeling (HIR) yielded ⁸⁹Zr‐Feraheme (FH) nanoparticles (NPs) that were used to determine NP pharmacokinetics (PK) by positron emission tomography (PET). Standard uptake values indicated a fast hepatic uptake that corresponded to blood clearance, and a second, slow uptake process by lymph nodes and spleen. By cytometry, NPs were internalized by circulating monocytes and monocytes in vitro. Using an IV injection of HIR ⁸⁹Zr‐FH (rather than in vitro cell labeling), PET/PK provided a view of monocyte trafficking, a key component of the immune response.     

A Comparative Study of CO Oxidation on Nitrogen‐ and Phosphorus‐Doped Graphene

The geometry, electronic structure, and catalytic properties of nitrogen‐ and phosphorus‐doped graphene (N‐/P‐graphene) are investigated by density functional theory calculations. The reaction between adsorbed O₂ and CO molecules on N‐ and P‐graphene is comparably studied via Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) and Eley–Rideal (ER) mechanisms. The results indicate that a two‐step process can occur, namely, CO+O₂→CO₂+O_ads and CO+O_ads→CO₂. The calculated energy barriers of the first step are 15.8 and 12.4 kcal mol^?1 for N‐ and P‐graphene, respectively. The second step of the oxidation reaction on N‐graphene proceeds with an energy barrier of about 4 kcal mol^?1. It is noteworthy that this reaction step was not observed on P‐graphene because of the strong binding of O_ads species on the P atoms. Thus, it can be concluded that low‐cost N‐graphene can be used as a promising green catalyst for low‐temperature CO oxidation.     

Investigating the influence of pH,temperature and agitation speed on yellow pigment production by Penicillium aculeatum ATCC 10409

In this study, the combined effect of pH, temperature and agitation speed on yellow pigment production and mycelial growth of Penicillium aculeatum ATCC 10409 was investigated in whey media. Different pH levels (5, 6.5 and 8), temperatures (25, 30 and 35°C) and agitation speed levels (100 and 150 rpm) were tested to determine the best conditions to produce a fungal yellow pigment under submerged fermentation. The best production of yellow pigment (1.38 g/L) was obtained with a pH value of 6.5, a temperature of 30°C and an agitation speed of 150 rpm. In contrast, the maximal biomass concentration (11.12 g/L) was obtained at pH value of 8, a temperature of 30°C and an agitation speed of 100 rpm. These results demonstrated that biomass and yellow pigment production were not directly associated. The identification of the structure of unknown P. aculeatum yellow pigment was detected using UV absorption spectrum and FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,characterization and X‐ray shielding properties of polypyrrole/lead nanocomposites

Novel radiation shielding nanocomposites based on a conducting polymer were fabricated and investigated to determine their abilities in attenuation of X‐rays. Polypyrrole/Pb nanocomposites were prepared through chemical reduction of lead salt by a facile solution‐phase method using t‐BuOLi‐activated LiH and in situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as dopant and surfactant and iron chloride as the oxidant. The morphology, composition, and electrical conductivity of resulting products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and standard four‐wire technique, respectively. In order to evaluate capability of nanocomposites in radiation shielding, X‐ray photon interaction parameters such as linear attenuation coefficient, attenuation percentage, and half‐value thickness were determined for the samples with different Pb loadings and thicknesses, at photon energies of 13.95, 17.74, 20.08, 26.34, and 59.50 keV. The investigation was carried out to explore the potential of polypyrrole/Pb nanocomposites as thin and light‐weight radiation shielding materials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.