Biotransformation of iminodiacetonitrile to iminodiacetic acid by Alcaligenes faecalis cells immobilized in ACA-membrane liquid-core capsules

Biotransformation of iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN) to iminodiacetic acid (IDA) was investigated with a newly isolated Alcaligenes faecalis ZJUTBX11 strain showing nitrilase activity in the immobilized form. To reduce the mass transfer resistance and to increase the toleration ability of the microorganisms to the toxic substrate as well as to enhance their ability to be reused, encapsulation of the whole cells in alginate-chitosan-alginate (ACA) membrane liquid-core capsules was attempted in the present study. The optimal pH and temperature for nitrilase activity of encapsulated A. faecalis ZJUTBX11 cells were 7.5°C and 35°C, respectively, which is consistent with free cells. Based on the Michaelis-Menten model, kinetic parameters of the conversion reaction with IDAN as the substrate were: K _m = (17.6 ± 0.3) mmol L^?1 and V _max = (97.6 ± 1.2) μmol min^?1 g^?1 of dry cell mass for encapsulated cells and (16.8 ± 0.4) mmol L^?1 and (108.0 ± 2.7) μmol min^?1 g^?1 of dry cell mass for free cells, respectively. After being recycled ten times, the whole cells encapsulated in ACA capsules still retained 90 % of the initial nitrilase activity while only 35 % were retained by free cells. Lab scale production of IDA using encapsulated cells in a bubble column reactor and a packed bed reactor were performed respectively.     

Modeling of supercritical fluid extraction of flavonoids from Calycopteris floribunda leaves

The aim of this study was to obtain flavonoids extracts from Calycopteris floribunda leaves using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO₂ and a co-solvent. Pachypodol, a potential anticancer drug lead compound separated from the extracts, was examined. Classical organic solvent extraction (CE) with ethanol was performed to evaluate the high pressure method. HPLC analysis was introduced to interpret the differences between SFE and CE extracts in terms of antioxidant activity and the concentration of pachypodol. SFE kinetics and mathematical modeling of the overall extraction curves (OEC) were investigated. Evaluation of the models against experimental data showed that the Sovová model performs the best. The supercritical fluid extraction process was optimized using a central composite design (CCD), where temperature and pressure were adjusted. The optimal conditions of SFE were: pressure of 30 MPa and temperature of 35°C.     

Studies on crystal transition of polyamide 11 nanocomposites by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction

Polyamide I1 （PAll） and its nanocomposites with different organoclay loadings were prepared by melt-compounding and subsequent pelletizing. The crystal phase transitions of PAl 1 and its clay nanocomposites were investigated by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction. It was found that the Brill transition of the nanocomposite was 20 K higher than that of the neat PAl 1 for both heating and cooling processes. The PAl 1 d-spacings of the nanocomposites were observed to be smaller than those of the neat PAl 1 for melt crystallization. The constraints imposed by the addition of layered clay, restricting the thermal expansion of the polymer chains, are probably responsible for such a reduction of the d-spacing.     

I2-mediated α-selective Ferrier glycosylation approach to synthesis of O-glycosyl amino acids

I₂ is an effective promoter for the synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated glycosides via Ferrier glycosylation. This reaction was used in the present work for the synthesis of O-glycosylated Fmoc amino acid building blocks. This metal-free reaction afforded the desired products with good to excellent yields with good α-selectivity.     

On the molecular mechanism of ion specific Hofmeister series

Hofmeister series ranks the ability of salt ions in influencing a variety of properties and processes in aqueous solutions.In this review,we reexamine how these ions and some other small molecules affect water structure and thermodynamic properties,such as surface tension and protein backbone solvation.We illustrate the difficulties in interpreting the thermodynamic information based on structural and dynamic arguments.As an alternative,we show that the solvation properties of ions and proteins/small molecules can be used to explain the salt effects on the thermodynamic properties of the solutions.Our analysis shows that the often neglected cation-anion cooperativity plays a very important role in these effects.We also argue that the change of hydrogen donor/acceptor equilibrium by added cosolutes/cosolvents can be used to explain their effects on protein secondary structure denaturation/protection:those increase hydrogen donor concentrations such as urea and salts with strongly solvated cations/weakly hydrated anions tend to dissolve protein backbone acting as secondary structure denaturants,whereas those lack of hydrogen donors but rich in acceptors have the opposite effect.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of carbide slag

Potential of carbide slag as transesterification catalyst is validated. Combined with X-ray fluorescence for ingredient determination, X-ray diffraction for textural phase analysis, scanning electron microscope for surface morphology observation and Hammett indicator for basic strength mensuration, thermal event of carbide slag is investigated through thermogravimetric analysis to estimate the potential of this calcium-based industrial waste as transesterification catalyst. Further, kinetic parameters are calculated through model-free method, where the experiments are conducted at temperature heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min^?1. As for activation energy and reaction order, Vyazovkin method and Avrami theory are respectively mentioned. Meanwhile, catalytic performance of carbide slag is labeled by transesterification efficiency and calcium hydroxide is conditionally mentioned for comparison. In conclusion, potential of carbide slag as transesterification catalyst is adequately validated.     

Preparation of a visible light-driven Bi2O3–TiO2 composite photocatalyst by an ethylene glycol-assisted sol–gel method,and its photocatalytic properties

A visible light-driven Bi₂O₃–TiO₂ composite photocatalyst was prepared by an ethylene glycol-assisted sol–gel method in which ethylene glycol acted as a polycondensation agent to capture metal ions by reacting with bismuth and titanium sources via a complex polycondensation pathway. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, acquisition of N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results revealed that the Bi₂O₃–TiO₂ composite was of smaller particle size, greater specific surface area, and had stronger absorbance in the visible light region than pure TiO₂. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared catalyst was evaluated by degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm); the as-prepared Bi₂O₃–TiO₂ composite was substantially more active than pure TiO₂. This was ascribed to the high surface area and the heterojunction structure.     

LnSrNiO4-λ系列复合氧化物的物化性质与对NO分解的催化性能

用柠檬酸络合法合成了Ｋ２ＮｉＦ４结构的ＬｎＳｒＮｉＯ４－λ（Ｌｎ＝Ｌａ，Ｐｒ，Ｎｄ，Ｓｍ，Ｇｄ）系列稀土取代类钙钛石型复合氧化物催化剂，对该系列催化剂的固态物理、化学性质及其对ＮＯ分解的催化性能进行研究。结果表明，该系列复合氧化物催化剂对ＮＯ分解活性都很高，在此基础上对该系列复合氧化物中稀土元素对ＮＯ分解反应的取代效应进行了探讨。     

全甲基化2,3,6-三-(O-2’-羟丙基)β-环糊精固定液热力学性质和分离机理

将合成的全甲基化２，３，６－三（Ｏ－２’－羟丙基）β－环糊精（ＰＭＨＰ－β－ＣＤ）固定液直接涂渍 在弹性石英毛细管柱内壁，１４组对映异构体、６组芳香族位置异构体化合物等在该柱上得到 满意分离。通过测定以上化合物在该柱上的热力学参数：焓、熵、自由能及焓变差、熵变差，探 讨了固定液对所测化合物的分子识别和色谱分离机理。结果表明，芳香族化合物的－△Ｓ值在 ＰＭＨＰ－β－ＣＤ柱上比 ＴＢ－β－ＣＤ高２０～３０ Ｊ／ｍｏｌ·Ｋ，构型效应明显，极性选择性也比后者高。     

流动注射在线阴离子树脂预富集火焰原子吸收测定痕量铜

研究了以阴离子交换树脂作吸附剂的流动注射在线微柱预富集火焰原子吸收测定铜的新方法。在最佳条件下富集１５０ｓ，富集２３倍，检出限０．２μｇ／Ｌ，ＲＳＤ为１．６％，分析速度２０次／ｈ。天然水样中可能存在的离子不干扰铜的测定。所建立的方法已用于水样中痕量铜的测定。