Hiren Doshi

Biosorption of Cadmium by Live and Dead Spirulina: IR Spectroscopic, Kinetics, and SEM Studies

Cadmium is an important environmental pollutant and a potent toxicant to bacteria, algae, and fungi. Mechanisms of Cd+2 toxicity and resistance are variable, depending on the organism. The present work reports the use of live and dead Spirulina sp. for sorption of Cd+2. This investigation shows that this biomass takes up substantial amount of Cd+2 ions. IR spectroscopic study, kinetics models, Langmuir & Freundlich adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopic analysis of Spirulina sp., and the Spirulina sp. treated with different metal ions have been employed to understand the sorption mechanism. Infrared spectra of live Spirulina treated with Cd+2 ions for different lengths of time have been taken to understand the time dependency of metal interaction.

Spectroscopic and Scanning Electron Microscopy Studies of Bioaccumulation of Pollutants by Algae

The ability of Chlorella species and two other algal blooms collected locally to take up Cu+2 and Ni+2 was investigated using infrared and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data. The percentage of metal uptake was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy. The effects of pH and initial concentrations of metal ions on bioaccumulation were examined. The uptake of methyl orange dye by Chlorella species was also studied using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms.

LIVE AND DEAD SPIRULINA SP. TO REMOVE ARSENIC (V) FROM WATER

Arsenic (As)-contaminated water is a grave health hazard and its removal from water poses a great challenge. Conventional methods are associated with many shortcomings. Biosorption of arsenic using blue-green algae is an interesting alternative to conventional methods. In this article, the results of the biosorption of As(V) as AsO4 − 3 by live and dead Spirulina sp. are reported. The sorption of arsenic could be explained satisfactorily both by the Freundlich and the Langmuir isotherms. The maximum sorption capacities of live and dead Spirulina were estimated to be 525 and 402mg/g, respectively. These values are high in comparison with those reported for other arsenic sorbents. The sorption kinetics of arsenic by both live and dead Spirulina sp. could be well modeled by Lagergrens pseudosecond order-rate equation. Infrared spectra have been employed to understand how Spirulina sp. binds with arsenate. Scanning electron micrography and fluorescent microscopic images are used to discuss the extent of uptake. Preferential uptake of Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), and AsO4 −3 by live Spirulina sp. was investigated and explained with the help of rate constants for sorption.

1, 2, 4-triazole and 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole analogues: synthesis, MO studies, in silico molecular docking studies, antimalarial as DHFR inhibitor and antimicrobial activities

1,2,4-Triazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole analogues are of interest due to their potential activity against microbial and malarial infections. In search of suitable antimicrobial and antimalarial compounds, we report here the synthesis, characterization and biological activities of 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole analogues (SS 1-SS 10). The molecules were characterized by IR, mass, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was investigated against pathogenic strains, the results were explained with the help of DFT and PM6 molecular orbital calculations. In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the molecules were studied against S. pombe cells. In vitro antimalarial activity was studied. The active compounds were further evaluated for enzyme inhibition efficacy against the receptor Pf-DHFR computationally as well as in vitro to prove their candidature as lead dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors.

Benzothiazole analogues: synthesis, characterization, MO calculations with PM6 and DFT, in silico studies and in vitro antimalarial as DHFR inhibitors and antimicrobial activities

Benzothiazole analogues are of interest due to their potential activity against malarial and microbial infections. In search of suitable antimicrobial and antimalarial agents, we report here the synthesis, characterization and biological activities of benzothiazole analogues (J 1-J 10). The molecules were characterized by IR, Mass, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was investigated against pathogenic strains; the results were explained with the help of DFT and PM6 molecular orbital calculations. In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the molecules were studied against S. pombe cells. In vitro antimalarial activity was studied. The active compounds J 1, J 2, J 3, J 5 and J 6 were further evaluated for enzyme inhibition efficacy against the receptor Pf-DHFR, computational and in vitro studies were carried out to examine their candidatures as lead dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors.

Bioremediation Potential of Chlorella: Spectroscopic, Kinetics, and Sem Studies

A dead dried alga, Chlorella sp., was used for the uptake of Cr+3, Cr2O7 −2, Cu+2, and Ni+2 from the aqueous solutions of these metal ions. The equilibrium data were fitted using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model and the maximum uptakes for Cr+3, Cr2O7 −2, Ni+2, and Cu+2 were 98, 104, 108, and 183 mg/g, respectively. The Freundlich model, in comparison to the Langmuir model, better represented the sorption process. The kinetics of metal ions uptake by Chlorella sp. was best described by a pseudo-second order rate equation. Infrared spectroscopic data were employed to identify the site(s) of bonding in Chlorella sp. A scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study of pure dead Chlorella sp. and the species treated with different metal ions provided an idea of the extent of metal uptake by this species. The dead Chlorella sp took up maximum Cu(II). The size of the cell of the metal-treated Chlorella sp. obtained from SEM data is in agreement with the extent of metal uptake.

6-Tosyl-4,5,6,7-Tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]Pyridine-3-Carboxamide Analogues: Synthesis, Characterization, MO Calculation, and Antibacterial Activity

A series of 6-tosyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridine-3-carboxamide analogues are synthesized by conventional techniques and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, 1H, and 13C NMR. These are tested for their antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (abbreviated as BS), Staphylococcus aureus (abbreviated as SA), and Escherichia coli (abbreviated as EC). The synthesized compounds are able to inhibit the growth of the SA and EC. None of the compounds are effective against BS. All valence molecular orbital (abbreviated as MO) calculations with PM6 have been carried out for the molecules for which bioactivity data are available. Ciprofloxacin is taken as the standard antibiotics to compare activity with the molecules synthesized. It has been attempted to correlate the activity of the molecules with their electronic structure.

Bacillus spp.: A Prolific Siderophore Producer

Bacillus species comprises of several hundred species and is characterized as non-spore- or endospore-forming, straight or slightly curved Gram-positive rods, which may turn Gram-negative with age, and single or multi-flagellate and grows in aerobic or facultative anaerobic conditions. Bacillus spp. include xenobiotic biodegraders, plant growth promoters, siderophore producers and human & plant pathogens.