Sangeeta Tiwari

Amino acid residues involved in autophosphorylation and phosphotransfer activities are distinct in nucleoside diphosphate kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NdK) is a ubiquitous enzyme in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and is primarily involved in the maintenance of cellular nucleotide pools. We have cloned ndk from Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Ra and expressed it in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase. The purified protein, following thrombin cleavage and gel permeation chromatography, was found to be hexameric with a monomeric unit molecular mass of ∼16.5 kDa. The protein exhibited nucleotide binding, divalent cation-dependent autophosphorylation, and phosphate transfer ability from nucleoside triphosphate to nucleoside diphosphate. Although UDP inhibited the catalytic activity of the recombinant protein, the classic inhibitors, like cromoglycate, 5′-adenosine 3′-phosphate, and adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate, had no effect on the activity. Among three histidine residues in the protein, His-117 was found to be essential for autophosphorylation. However, in subsequent phosphate transfer, we observed that His-53 had a significant contribution. Consistent with this observation, substitution of His-53 with either Ala or Gln affected the ability of the recombinant protein to complement NdK function in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, mutational analysis established critical roles for Tyr-50 and Arg-86 of the M. tuberculosis protein in maintaining phosphotransfer ability.

Surface Engineered Zeolite: An Active Interface for Rapid Adsorption and Degradation of Toxic Contaminants in Water

Zeolite has been surface modified to form novel multifunctional materials having capability for simultaneous and facile removal of heavy metals [Pb(II)], organic pollutants [methylene blue dye], and microorganisms [E. Coli, S. Aureus, and Pseudomonas] from contaminated water. The unique concept involves formation of core-shell particles with a functional core of zeolite and a porous shell of ZnO nanoflakes which not only imparts photocatalytic and antibacterial properties but also renders the surface negatively charged, thereby facilitating rapid adsorption of Pb(II) and MB. The uniform formation of ZnO nanoflakes (shell) on the zeolite (core) surface has been confirmed by XRD, DRS, FE-SEM, and TEM studies. Metal ion adsorption studies under varying conditions of time and concentration indicate that the material follows the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics with good correlation to the experimental data. The rapid and high adsorption capacity of the material for both Pb (II) and MB has been established while factors responsible for enhanced adsorption have been discussed. The antibacterial studies against Gram negative bacteria (E. Coli and Pseudomonas) and Gram positive bacteria (S. Aureus) showed good zone inhibition characteristics. The material can be regenerated and reused besides having ease of separation using simple techniques. Being multifunctional, efficient, nontoxic, energy neutral, and recyclable with no effluent generation, the material is an efficient and sustainable alternative for water purification.

Synthesis of fly ash based core-shell composites for use as functional pigment in paints

Fly ash is a combustion residue, mainly composed of silica, alumina and iron oxides. It is produced by the power industries in very large amounts and usually disposed in landfills, which have represented an environmental problem in recent years1. The need to generate a market for fly ash consumption is the main reason why alternative applications have been studied. It has been applied as an additive in construction materials like cement and pavements2. The present work describes the synthesis of Flyash-Titania core-shell particles by precipitation technique using Titanium tetra isopropoxide (TTIP) which can be used for variety of applications such as NIR reflecting materials for cool coatings, Photocatalysis etc.In this work, Fly ash is used in core and Nano -TiO2 is coated as shell on it. Surfactants are used to improve the adhesion of Nano Titania shell on fly ash core. Effect on adhesion of TiO2 on Fly ash is studied by using different types of surfactant. The preparation of core shells was carried out...

Comparison of polymeric stabilization of organic/inorganic (MEH-PPV/TiO2) hybrid composites synthesized via different routes

For colloidally stable nanoparticle dispersions, it is imperative that some sort of interparticle repulsion is introduced to balance or overcome the ever-present van der Waals forces of attraction. In the present work, we have demonstrated that an efficient stabilization of a TiO2 nanoparticle dispersion depends upon the pH and zeta potential which are influenced by the route of synthesis (aqueous or ethanol based) and by the addition of suitable polymeric dispersants. In this work, both pH and zeta potential of the TiO2 nanoparticles have been accredited as a good index of the magnitude of the interaction between colloidal particles and their measurements are used to assess the stability of TiO2 and polymer/TiO2 composite colloidal systems synthesized via different routes. The concept of steric and electrostatic stabilization of colloids for both TiO2 (aqueous) and TiO2 (ethanol) systems and its corresponding polymer nanocomposites has been explained appropriately by means of a pictorial model. The efficient charge transfer across the polymer-TiO2(aqueous) interface as inferred from photoluminescence quenching measurements meets the desired criteria for the selection of TiO2(aqueous) materials for hybrid organic photovoltaic devices.

Fly ash based zeolitic pigments for application in anticorrosive paints

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the utilization of waste fly ash in anticorrosive paints. Zeolite NaY was synthesized from waste fly ash and subsequently modified by exchanging its nominal cation Na+ with Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. The metal ion exchanged zeolite was then used as anticorrosive zeolitic pigments in paints. The prepared zeolite NaY was characterized using X-Ray diffraction technique and Scanning electron microscopy. The size, shape and density of the prepared fly ash based pigments were determined by various techniques. The paints were prepared by using fly ash based zeolitic pigments in epoxy resin and the percentages of pigments used in paints were 2% and 5%. These paints were applied to the mild steel panels and the anticorrosive properties of the pigments were assessed by the electrochemical spectroscopy technique (EIS).

An insight into the mechanism of charge transfer properties of hybrid organic (MEH-PPV): Inorganic (TiO2) nanocomposites

Now a days, inorganic nanoparticles are gaining importance and are potential candidate in different organic electronic device application like (LEDs, PVs) due to their novel properties and confinement in Nano-dimensions. [1, 2]In the present work, we have compared the properties of titanium di oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by using two different chemical routes aqueous and ethanol respectively. These synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) for phase confirmation. It was observed that synthesized nanoparticles are in anatase phase for both preparation routes.Morphological information was collected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which confirms that particles are almost spherical in shape and distributed uniformly which is further ensured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique was also used for further confirmation of size distribution of as-synthesized nanoparticles. Optical properties w...