Keratinase Production by Endophytic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> spp. Morsy1 Under Solid-State Fermentation Using Rice Straw

Among all endophytic keratinolytic fungal isolates recovered from marine soft coral Dendronephthya hemprichii, Penicillium spp. Morsy1 was selected as the hyperactive keratinolytic strain under solid substrate fermentation of different agriculture and poultry wastes. The optimization of extraction process, physicochemical parameters affecting the keratinase production in solid-state fermentation, and the purified keratinase parameters were studied. Maximum keratinase activity (1,600 U g⁻¹, initial dry substrate) was recovered from moldy bran with 0.1% Tween 80. The optimized production conditions were rice straw as carbon source, pH of medium 6, growth temperature 26 °C, initial moisture content of 80% (v/w), inoculum size of 10⁵ spores ml⁻¹, and an average particle size of the substrate 0.6 mm (3,560 U g⁻¹, initial dry substrate after 5 days of fermentation). Two types of keratinase (Ahm1 and Ahm2) were purified from the culture supernatant through ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sepharose, and gel filtration chromatography. Enzyme molecular weights were 19 kDa (Ahm1) and 40 kDa (Ahm2). The kinetic parameters of purified keratinases were optimized for the hydrolysis of azokeratin by Ahm1 (pH 7.0–8.0, stable in pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 at 50 °C) and Ahm2 enzymes (pH 10.0–11.0, stable in pH range of 6.0 to 11.0 at 60–65 °C). Whereas inhibitors of serine (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) and cysteine (iodoacetamide) proteases had minor effects on both Ahm1 and Ahm2 activity, both keratinases were strongly inhibited by chelating agents EDTA and EGTA. These findings suggest that serine and cysteine residues are not involved in the catalytic mechanisms, and they are metalloproteases.     

Synthesis and photochemistry of pH-sensitive GFP chromophore analogs

GFP chromophore analogs (7a-e, 8, and 10a,b) containing 2-thienyl-, 5-methyl-2-furyl-, 2-pyrryl, and 6-methyl-2-pyridyl-groups were synthesized and their fluorescence spectra recorded in the pH range 1-7. NMR studies showed that protonation of 8 (2-thienyl system) inhibited photoisomerization (Z-E) about the exocyclic double bond but that protonation of 7c (E + Z) (2-pyrryl system) gave only 7cE. Fluorescence studies revealed enhancement of fluorescence intensity of 7c and 7b,e (furyl system) below pH 2.5 and gave a similar result for 10a (pyridyl system) below pH 6. Quantum yields at pH 1 were low, probably due to excited state proton transfer (ESPT).     

Selective uranium adsorption using modified acrylamide resins

Polymeric matrices composed of N,N′-Methylenebis(acrylamide)/glycidyl methacrylate was prepared and modified producing two resins (GMA/MBA/OH and GMA/MBA/SO₃H). The adsorption of U(VI) ions onto the modified acrylamide resins was studied from synthetic and granite samples. For better understanding around the uranium mineralization and the rock-forming minerals of the hosted granitic rocks, to facilitate the choice of the appropriate ore-processing techniques, it was necessary to identify the mineral composition and the radiometric specifications of the used granitic rock. The synthesized adsorbents revealed a promising selective adsorption toward the U(VI) ions from its bearing solutions even with the competence of other cations.

     

Bioactive Benzopyrone Derivatives from New Recombinant Fusant of Marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis>

In our searching program for bioactive secondary metabolites from marine Streptomycetes, three microbial benzopyrone derivatives (1-3), 7-methylcoumarin (1) and two flavonoides, rhamnazin (2) and cirsimaritin (3), were obtained during the working up of the ethyl acetate fraction of a marine Streptomyces fusant obtained from protoplast fusion between Streptomyces strains Merv 1996 and Merv 7409. The structures of the three compounds (1-3) were established by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass, UV spectra, and by comparison with literature data. Marine Streptomyces strains were identified based on their phenotypic and chemotypic characteristics as two different bioactive strains of the genus Streptomyces. We described here the fermentation, isolation, as well as the biological activity of these bioactive compounds. The isolated compounds (1-3) are reported here as microbial products for the first time.     

Novel spectrophotometric method for determination of cinacalcet hydrochloride in its tablets via derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate

This study represents the first report on the development of a novel spectrophotometric method for determination of cinacalcet hydrochloride (CIN) in its tablet dosage forms. Studies were carried out to investigate the reaction between CIN and 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate (NQS) reagent. In alkaline medium (pH 8.5), an orange red-colored product exhibiting maximum absorption peak (λ _max) at 490 nm was produced. The stoichiometry and kinetic of the reaction were investigated and the reaction mechanism was postulated. This color-developing reaction was employed in the development of a simple and rapid visible-spectrophotometric method for determination of CIN in its tablets. Under the optimized reaction conditions, Beer's law correlating the absorbance with CIN concentration was obeyed in the range of 3 - 100 μg/ml with good correlation coefficient (0.9993). The molar absorptivity (ε) was 4.2 × 10⁵ l/mol/cm. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.9 and 5.7 μg/ml, respectively. The precision of the method was satisfactory; the values of relative standard deviations (RSD) did not exceed 2%. No interference was observed from the excipients that are present in the tablets. The proposed method was applied successfully for the determination of CIN in its pharmaceutical tablets with good accuracy and precisions; the label claim percentage was 100.80 - 102.23 ± 1.27 - 1.62%. The results were compared favorably with those of a reference pre-validated method. The method is practical and valuable in terms of its routine application in quality control laboratories.     

Heterocyclic synthesis with 3-cyano-2(1H)pyridinethione: Synthesis of 3-oxo-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine and related compounds

Summary 3-Carbethoxy-4,6-diphenyl-2-pyrridine sulfonamide (5), can be cyclized to 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-4,6-diphenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-1,1-dioxide (2). Oxidation of pyridinethione6 with Cl₂/H₂O gave the sulfonyl chloride derivative7, which can be ammonolyzed to 3-amino-4,6-diphenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-1,1-dioxide (8), and 3-cyano-4,6-diphenylpyridine-2-sulfonamide (9). Hydrolysis of6 gave 3-carboxamido-2(1H)pyridinethione (12) which can be oxidized with iodine to 3-oxo-4,6-diphenyl-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine (13). 3-Methyl-4,6-diphenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-1,1-dioxide (17) was also prepared from6.

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Heterocyclensynthese mit 3-Cyano-2(1H)pyridinthion: Synthese von 3-Oxo-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo-[5,4-b]pyridin und verwandten Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung 3-Carbethoxy-4,6-diphenyl-2-pyridinsulfonamid (5) kann zu 3-Oxo-2,3-dihydro-4,6-diphenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-1,1-dioxid (2) cyclisiert werden. Die Oxidation des Pyridinthions6 mit Cl₂/H₂O ergab das Sulfonylchlorid-Derivat7, das mit Ammoniak zu 3-Amino-4,6-diphenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-1,1-dioxid (8) und 3-Cyano-4,6-diphenylpyridin-2-sulfonamid (9) umgesetzt werden kann. Die Hydrolyse von6 ergab 3-Carboxamido-2(1H)pyridinthion (12), das mit Jod zu 3-Oxo-4,6-diphenyl-2,3-dihydroisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin (13) oxidiert wurde. 3-Methyl-4,6-diphenyl-isothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-1,1-dioxid (17) wurde ebenfalls aus6 hergestellt.

     

Benzotriazole-mediated alkoxyalkylation and acyloxyalkylation

Reactions of readily available and stable 1-(α-alkoxyalkyl)benzotriazoles type 9a,b and 10a-d with a variety of silyl enol ethers 11 or 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 13 give the expected ketones 12a-l (60-92%), β-keto esters 14a,b (62-67%), and malonates 14c,d (79-88%) in which a tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydropyran moiety has been introduced at the α position. 1-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl esters 7 are converted by cyanide anion into cyanohydrin esters 15a-i (55-98%).     

Toxicity of naturally occurring Bio-fly and chitosan compounds to control the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)

The efficacy of five compounds of a biopolymer chitosan and Bio-fly (Beauveria bassiana fungus) as biopesticide was evaluated on Ceratitis capitata under laboratory conditions. The inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) as biochemical indicators were also determined in vivo. The results indicated that B. bassiana based Bio-fly exhibited significant toxicity against C. capitata (LC₅₀ = 3008 and 3126 mg/L after 48 h in females and males, respectively) followed by the derivatives of chitosan, N-(4-propylbenzyl)chitosan and N-(2-nitrobenzyl)chitosan. Bio-fly displayed remarkable inhibition of AChE activity (IC₅₀ = 2220 mg/L) while N-(2-chloro,6-flourobenzyl)chitosan, N-(4-propylbenzyl)chitosan and N-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl) chitosan had no significant difference in inhibitory action. In adult males, N-(2-nitrobenzyl)chitosan exhibited the highest inhibitory action (IC₅₀ = 6569 mg/L). In addition, the toxic effects of the tested compounds on the activity of ATPase indicated that highly significant inhibition was found with N-(4-propylbenzyl)chitosan with an IC₅₀ of 8194 and 8035 mg/L, in females and males, respectively.     

Crystallization behavior of e-beam evaporated Ga5Ge15Te80 thin films

Ga₅Ge₁₅Te₈₀ thin films have been deposited by e-beam evaporation method. The chemical composition of the deposited films was identified using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The electrical conductivity, σ of the deposited films during heating/cooling cycles was investigated in the temperatures 298–570 K. The conductivity curve showed two sudden upward trends during the first heating cycle. The first upward trend occurs in the temperature range 408–430 K and was attributed to the amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation. While the second is in the temperature range 470–495 K, and can be attributed to the crystallization process. However, for second heating cycle the conductivity curve becomes reversible. The optical band gap of the as-deposited and annealed film at annealing temperature 423 K was determined from the recorded transmittance and reflectance spectra. The obtained results were confirmed throughout the X-ray and transmission electron microscope studies.     

Noncovalent attachment of psoralen derivatives with DNA: Hartree-Fock and density functional studies on the probes

Two psoralen derivatives (probes) were prepared. Their geometries were optimized at the Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional (B3LYP) levels employing 6-31G** and cc-pVDZ basis sets. Their interaction with DNA was investigated using spectrophotometric and computational techniques. Both of them have shown strong binding to calf thymus DNA. The red-shift and hypochromism that detected in the spectrum were taken as an evidence for the strong interaction between these probes and DNA. The spectrophotometric DNA titration data were treated by two different methodologies to calculate the intercalation affinity. Half-reciprocal plots gave binding constants of 5.5065 x 10(4) and 6.4727 x 10(4) for 8-butoxypsoralen (8-BOP) and 8-hexoxypsoralen (8-HOP), respectively. Schatchard plots gave a comparable intercalation binding constants and also the surface binding constants along with the number of intercalated probe molecules per base pair. The interaction between these probes and DNA were studied theoretically. The energy of interaction was computed using molecular mechanics method. Strength of interaction of these probes with different types of DNA was computed and compared. Calculated energies of interaction were compared with the observed intercalation affinities. HOMO and LUMO energies were computed and used to account for the strength of interaction.