Anna Ilyina

One-step method for preparation of magnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan

Preparation of magnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan in one step by the coprecipitation method in the presence of different chitosan concentrations is reported here. Obtaining of magnetic superparamagnetic nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. Scanning transmission electron microscopy allowed to identify spheroidal nanoparticles with around 10-11nm in average diameter. Characterization of the products by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that composite chitosan-magnetic nanoparticles were obtained. Chitosan content in obtained nanocomposites was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis. The nanocomposites were tested in Pb2+ removal from a PbCl2 aqueous solution, showing a removal efficacy up to 53.6%. This work provides a simple method for chitosan-coated nanoparticles obtaining, which could be useful for heavy metal ions removal from water.

Water quality monitoring using an enhanced chemiluminescent assay based on peroxidase-catalyzed peroxidation of luminol

Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) describes the phenomenon of the light output increase in the reaction of oxidation of luminol catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of certain phenolic compounds. This work summarizes the effects of preincubation of certain substances with HRP on the chemiluminescent reaction intensity. Preincubation of herbicide, detergent, surfactants (Brij-96 and Tween-20), phenol, metal ions (mercury, cobalt, and nickel), and bactericide with HRP had an inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity. HRP-preincubation with metal ions (cadmium, magnesium, and zinc), as well as with some insecticides, stimulated the chemiluminescent intensity. Calibration graphs were obtained to demonstrate the possibility to determine the pollutant concentration. Light emission from the peroxidase catalyzed enhanced chemilum inescence is affected by a wide number of chemicals and, therefore, the method can beused for on-site monitoring of water quality. A rapid and simple assay to detect water contamination has been developed.

Process alternatives for bioethanol production from mango stem bark residues

Three alternatives for bioethanol production from pretreated mango stem bark after maceration (MSBAM) were evaluated as a biorefinery component for the mango agroindustry. These included separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and pre-saccharification followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (PSSF). The effects on ethanol concentration, yield and productivity of pretreated MSBAM solids loading, Tween 20 addition, and temperature were used for process comparisons. The highest yields for the SHF, SSF, and PSSF process alternatives were 58.8, 81.6, and 84.5%, respectively. Since saccharification and fermentation are carried out in the same vessel in the SSF alternative, and no significant SSF and PSSF differences in ethanol concentration were observed, SSF is recommended as the best process configuration.

Production of glucose oxidase and catalase by Aspergillus niger free and immobilized in alginate-polyvinyl alcohol beads

The production of glucose oxidase (GOX) and catalase (CAT) by submerged fermentation of the free and immobilized xerophytic fungus Aspergillus niger under equal conditions was compared. To immobilize fungal spores, entrapment in PVA/alginate beads treated with NaNO3/CaCl2 was performed. The yield of immobilization in the beads with a diameter less than 1mm was equal to 100%. Fungus growth and substrate consumption were evaluated in both fermentation systems, demonstrating the lag-period presence in the case of the first cycle of immobilized fungus use. The enzyme production by immobilized fungus reuse was carried out. In these cases, greater enzymatic GOX activity was detected, while CAT activity decreased. SEM micrographs for the beads with immobilized fungus applied in the first and second fermentation cycles were obtained, presenting fungus spreading inside the sphere, spore presence and branching hyphae. Immobilization of A. niger on PVA/alginate beads is effective for GOX and CAT production at least on 2-3 repeated fermentative cycles. Thus, immobilization enables repeated use of microbial cells.

Magnetic separation of nanobiostructured systems for innovation of biocatalytic processes in food industry

Magnetic nanoparticles have been studied due to their attractive properties and because they can be manipulated using a magnetic field. Actually, they are utilized in many fields and applications such as catalysts for chemical reactions, in magnetic resonance imaging, in biomedicine, as sensors, in nanofluids, and in environmental remediation. Most applications are based on the possibility to develop magnetic separation carriers in several processes. Some catalysts (enzymes) applied in the food industry can be immobilized onto magnetic nanosupports to be recovered and reused in repeated cycles of catalysis. This chapter presents an analysis of methods for enzyme immobilization onto magnetic nanoparticles. It is hoped that the use of magnetic nanosupports will lead to the development of more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly technological processes applied to the food industry.

Thermodynamics of partitioning of chitinase and laminarinase in a soya lecithin liposome system and their antifungal effect against Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract The goal of the present work was to compare the partitioning behavior of chitinase and laminarinase (from Trichoderma spp.) in soya lecithin liposomes at different temperatures and examine the activity of the resulting microencapsulated enzymes against Fusarium oxysporum. In both cases the partition coefficients (Ko/w) were greater than 1, indicating affinity of the enzymes for microencapsulation in liposomes. Enthalpy calculations indicated that the process was endothermic in the case of laminarinase and exothermic in the case of chitinase. Soya lecithin liposomes were stable for more than 20 days. The stability of the immobilized enzyme was increased in the case of chitinase, but was not changed in the case of laminarinase. Although the antifungal effects of individual immobilized preparations decreased after microencapsulation compared with non-immobilized enzymes, they were increased by the synergistic effect of both encapsulated enzymes. The application of free or immobilized enzymes was also shown to enhance the inhibitory effect of the chemical fungicide, thiabendazole, on F. oxysporum.

Determination of arachidonic acid based on the prostaglandin H synthase catalyzed reaction

This article presents a novel method of arachidonic acid (AA) determination based on the reaction catalyzed by prostaglandin H synthase (PGHs). The deoxygenated and nondeoxygenated (as control) buffers were used to obtain the PGHs preparations from bovine vesicular glands by two different methods. The higher specific activity was observed for solubilized preparations obtained by ultracentrifugation and deoxygenated buffers. The preparations obtained by Ca2+ treatment demonstrated higher stability of PGHs during its storage at −15°C. To record the initial rate of AA transformation, a spectrophotometric assay of PGHs cyclo-oxygenase and peroxidase activities was developed using adrenaline and ABTS as electron donors. No oxidation of A BTS was observed in the reaction of AA transformation catalyzed by the PGHs from bovinevesicular glands. However, this electron donor was successfully used in the reaction catalyzed by PGHs from sheep vesicular glands. No chemilum inescence was recorded in the reaction of AA transformation catalyzed by PGHs from bovine vesicular glands in the presence of luminol. The chemiluminescent intensity was measured after addition of hydrogen peroxide allowing quantitative assay of AA to be performed.

Kinetic behavior of a receptor–enzyme system: a model for drug addiction

A theoretical kinetic model describing the behavior of a receptor-enzyme system during formation of drug addiction is considered in this article. The model assumes concomitant action of narcotic on at least two targets with opposite effects. Theoretical kinetic principles that the system must satisfy for the development of drug addiction are formulated. These kinetic principles are the slow inactivation of receptor-enzyme system and the divergence of characteristic times of dynamic concentration of product and enzyme.

Dihydroquercetin: known antioxidant—new inhibitor of alpha-amylase activity

This paper describes the ability of a powerful antioxidant dihydroquercetin (DHQ) as a new inhibitor of the alpha-amylase. The enzyme activity was estimated in presence of different concentration of DHQ. The IC50 of this compound is close to 9 mM. Competitive kinetic mechanism of inhibition was demonstrated. Inhibition constant was estimated as 2.25 ± 0.22 mM (684 ± 66 ppm). It indicates a high affinity of dihydroquercetin to enzyme. The effect of dihydroquercetin as starch hydrolysis inhibitor was confirmed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae biological model. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated binding of DHQ through hydrogen bonding with Tyr 193, Trp 263, and His 327 of the alpha-amylase. These interactions cause the competitive enzyme inhibition. DHQ constitutes a promise in the development of new drugs for the control of diabetes mellitus.

Purification and biochemical characterization of an Aspergillus niger phytase produced by solid-state fermentation using triticale residues as substrate

Highlights • Extracellular phytase from A. niger has attractive biochemical properties as an animal feed additive• A new biocatalyst was high thermostability and resistance to acidic pHvalues was produced and purified.• Phytase was as able to hydrolyze a large number of phosphate substrates, with high yields.• A great variety of metal ions showed to have a beneficent effect on the enzyme, significantly increasing its catalysis.