Tuning photosensitized singlet oxygen generation efficiency of novel Aza-BODIPY dyes

• Authors: Nagappanpillai Adarsh, Rekha R. Avirah, and Danaboyina Ramaia; Photosciences and Photonics, Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, CSIR, Trivandrum -695 019, Kerala, India
• Journal: Organic Letters, 12 (24), pp 5720–5723, November 19, 2010
• Abstract: Novel aza-BODIPY derivatives substituted with heavy atoms such as bromine and iodine were synthesized, and their triplet and singlet oxygen generation efficiencies have been investigated. These derivatives showed absorption in the NIR region with high molar extinction coefficients. The dye substituted with four iodine atoms showed yields of ΦT = 0.78 and Φ(1O2) = 0.70, which are the highest values so far obtained for the aza-BODIPY derivatives.
  

Characterization of sn-2 alk-1'-enyl ethers of glycerol from rice bran oil

• Authors: Afinisha Deepam LS, Arumughan C; National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Kerala, India.
• Journal: Journal of Oleo Science, 59, (10) 521-526, 26th October 2010
• Abstract: Ether lipids have biological applications which would dissipated as an important constituent in cell membranes. These are mostly found in animal tissues and rare in plant origin. Alk-1'-enyl ethers are class of ether lipid forming aldehydes on cleavage of ether bonds. The present study enrolled the presence of aldehyde in unsaponifiable matter of rice bran oil (RBO) and hence the identification of source of aldehydes in RBO was conducted. With respect to the earlier reports the investigation turned to major lipid constituents such as triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols etc. Using the column chomatographic method lipid fractions are separated, recolumned, purified and analyzed by spectrochemical methods such as FT-IR, (1)HNMR, (13)CNMR, Mass spectrometry and confirmed the presence of ether lipids. The sn-2 position was confirmed by enzymatic hydrolysis using pancreatic lipase. Moreover the formation of aldehyde from these ether lipids was also confirmed by spectrometric methods.
  

Characterization of an extracellular alkaline serine protease from marine Engyodontium album BTMFS10

• Sreeja Chellappan, C. Jasmin, Soorej M. Basheer, Archana Kishore, K. K. Elyas, Sarita G. Bhat and M. Chandrasekaran
• Micribial Technology Laboratory (MTL), Department of Biotechnolgoy, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala 682022, India
• Published in Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 26 November 2010
• Abstract
  

An alkaline protease from marine Engyodontium album was characterized for its physicochemical properties towards evaluation of its suitability for potential industrial applications. Molecular mass of the enzyme by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis was calculated as 28.6 kDa. Isoelectric focusing yielded pI of 3–4. Enzyme inhibition by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and aprotinin confirmed the serine protease nature of the enzyme. K m, V max, and K cat of the enzyme were 4.727 × 10−2 mg/ml, 394.68 U, and 4.2175 × 10−2 s−1, respectively. Enzyme was noted to be active over a broad range of pH (6–12) and temperature (15–65°C), with maximum activity at pH 11 and 60°C. CaCl2 (1 mM), starch (1%), and sucrose (1%) imparted thermal stability at 65°C. Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+, Cd+, and Al3+ inhibited enzyme activity, while 1 mM Co2+ enhanced enzyme activity. Reducing agents enhanced enzyme activity at lower concentrations. The enzyme showed considerable storage stability, and retained its activity in the presence of hydrocarbons, natural oils, surfactants, and most of the organic solvents tested. Results indicate that the marine protease holds potential for use in the detergent industry and for varied applications.