Vivek Rangarajan

Potential therapeutic applications of biosurfactants.

Biosurfactants have recently emerged as promising molecules for their structural novelty, versatility, and diverse properties that are potentially useful for many therapeutic applications. Mainly due to their surface activity, these molecules interact with cell membranes of several organisms and/or with the surrounding environments, and thus can be viewed as potential cancer therapeutics or as constituents of drug delivery systems. Some types of microbial surfactants, such as lipopeptides and glycolipids, have been shown to selectively inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and to disrupt cell membranes causing their lysis through apoptosis pathways. Moreover, biosurfactants as drug delivery vehicles offer commercially attractive and scientifically novel applications. This review covers the current state-of-the-art in biosurfactant research for therapeutic purposes, providing new directions towards the discovery and development of molecules with novel structures and diverse functions for advanced applications.

An inexpensive strategy for facilitated recovery of metals and fermentation products by foam fractionation process.

Microbial biosurfactants produce foam during aerobic-fermentation processes. The degree of foaminess and foam stability of the lipopeptide-biosurfactant produced by a marine Bacillus megaterium strain were investigated using simulated biosurfactant solution (SBS), biosurfactant broth without cells (BBWOC) and biosurfactant broth with cells (BBWC) in bubble column experiments. The experimental data for foam collapse were fitted using a first-order foam decay model. The first-order rate constant (k), a measure of foam stability, was maximum (k=0.0003 S(-1)) for BBWOC in the pH range 6-9. However, maximum foam stability (k=0.0006 S(-1)) was restricted to pH 7 for BBWC. Foam-based metal removal studies revealed that the metal removal followed a saturation model. The relative binding capacity of each divalent metal was greatly affected by the presence of other divalent metals. The order of lipopeptide binding capacity of the metals was Fe(2+)>Ca(2+)>Mg(2+), with Fe(2+) significantly influencing the foam stability. In case of Fe(2+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), maximum metal recovery of 64.7±4.3%, 52±3.1% and 41.4±3.6% respectively was observed at pH 7. The enrichment (E) of the other media components, including cells, was comparatively insignificant. The results of this study have implications in designing and optimizing biosurfactant or protein recovery in situ by foam fractionation as an inexpensive strategy, and also in facilitated metal recovery from industrial effluents and ores.

Investigation on Sodium Benzoate Release from Poly(Butylene Adipate‐Co‐Terephthalate)/Organoclay/Sodium Benzoate Based Nanocomposite Film and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Polymeric nanocomposites embedded with nontoxic antimicrobial agents have recently gained potential industrial significance, mainly for their applicability to preserve food quality and ensure safety. In this study, a poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/organoclay (CMMT) based nanocomposite film doped with sodium benzoate (SB) as antimicrobial agent was prepared by a solution mixing process. A homogenous dispersion of organoclay (cetyltrimethylammonium-modified montmorillonite [CMMT]) in PBAT matrix was observed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. PBAT/CMMT nanocomposite film showed higher barrier properties against water and methanol vapor compared to the PBAT film. The release of SB from PBAT and its nanocomposite film was measured and the relevant data were fitted to the Weibull model. The higher values of Weibulls shape factor and scale parameter as corroborated by experimental findings indicated faster rate of SB release from PBAT/CMMT/SB nanocomposite film, when compared to the pristine PBAT film. Bacterial inhibition studies were accomplished against 2 food pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, by determining the zone of inhibition and corresponding growth profiles. Both bacterial inhibition studies and growth profiles established that PBAT/CMMT/SB demonstrated better antimicrobial activity than PBAT/SB film. Therefore, PBAT/CMMT/SB nanocomposite film can be used for food packaging application as it showed good barrier properties and antimicrobial activity against food pathogenic bacteria.

Microstructure, mechanical performance and corrosion properties of base metal solder joints

CONTEXT Alloys have been considered to be of paramount importance in the field of prosthodontics. Long span prosthesis may often require joining of one or more individual castings to obtain better fit, occlusal harmony and esthetics in comparison to one-piece casting. AIM This study was undertaken to evaluate the mechanical properties of base metal alloys joined by two different techniques, namely, gas oxygen torch soldering and laser fusion, compared to a one-piece casting. Mechanical properties evaluated were tensile strength, percentage of elongation and hardness of the solder joint. In addition, corrosion properties and scanning electron microscopic appearance of the joints were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The samples were prepared according to American Society for Testing Materials specifications (ASTM, E8). Specimens were made with self-cure acrylic and then invested in phosphate-bonded investment material. Casting was done in induction casting machine. Thirty specimens were thus prepared for each group and compared with 30 specimens of the one-piece casting group. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED SPSS software (version 10.0, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. ANOVA and Benferroni post hoc tests were done for multiple comparisons between the groups and within the groups for mean difference and standard error. RESULTS Results showed that tensile strength of the one-piece casting was higher than laser fused and gas oxygen torch soldered joints. Laser fused joints exhibited higher hardness values compared to that of gas oxygen torch soldered joints. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed greater porosity in the gas oxygen torch soldered joints. This contributed to the reduction in the strength of the joint. Gas oxygen torch soldered joints showed less corrosion resistance when compared to laser fused joints and one-piece casting. CONCLUSION Laser fusion, which is a recent introduction to the field of prosthodontics, produces joints which have properties between those of one-piece casting and the gas oxygen torch soldering.