Growth of the Peritrich Opercularia coarctata in Axenic Culture*

A synthetic medium for Opercularia coarctata was developed that contains 20 amino acids, 10 vitamins, an 8-component balanced salt solution, Fe₂(SO₄)₃·(NH₄)₂SO₄·24H₂O, Tween 80, stigmasterol, a 7-component nucleic acid mixture, phenol red as an indicator, and 2,500 U.S.P. units/ml penicillin to maintain sterility. This medium supported axenic survival for 96 hr. Multiple supplements of thioctic acid, niacin, niacinamide, inositol, PABA, oleic acid, and Fe(NO₃)₂·9H₂O instead of Fe₂(SO₄)₃·(NH₄)₂SO₄·24H₂O coverted the survival medium into a growth medium, which permitted 36–45 days continuous cultivation of populations in excess of 4 × 10³ cells/3.0 ml final volume. Five generations were produced during the 48 hr logarithmic growth period. Serial transfers at 72 hr and during periods of greatest cell density produced a maximum of 8 generations 96 hr after initiation but the medium failed to sustain growth through more than 6 serial transfers. Extension of this investigation to formulating a minimal axenic medium is discussed.     

Bioleaching of Heavy Metal Polluted Sediment: Kinetics of Leaching and Microbial Sulfur Oxidation

Remediation of heavy metal polluted sediment through bioleaching using elemental sulfur (S⁰) as the leaching agent can be regarded as a two‐step process: firstly, the microbial oxidation of the added S⁰ to sulfuric acid and, secondly, the reaction of the produced acid with the sediment. Here, both subprocesses were studied in detail independently: oxidized river sediment was either suspended in sulfuric acid of various strengths, or mixed with various amounts of finely ground S⁰ powder (diameter of the S⁰ particles between 1 and 175 μm with a Rosin‐Rammler‐Sperling‐Bennet (RRSB) distribution and an average diameter of 35 μm) and suspended in water. The leaching process was observed by repeated analysis of the suspension concerning pH, soluble sulfate and metals, and remaining S⁰. In the case of abiotic leaching with H₂SO₄, the reaction between the acid and the sediment resulted in a gradual increase in pH and a solubilization of sediment‐borne heavy metals which required some time; 80 % of the finally solubilized heavy metals was dissolved after 1 h, 90 % after 10 h, and 100 % after 100 h. In the case of bioleaching, the rate of S⁰ oxidation was maximal at the beginning, gradually diminished with time, and was proportional to the initial amount of S⁰. Due to its very low solubility in water, S⁰ is oxidized in a surface reaction catalyzed by attached bacteria. The oxidation let the particles shrink, their surface became smaller and, thus, the S⁰ oxidation rate gradually decreased. The shrinking rate was time‐invariant and, at 30 °C, amounted to 0.5 μm/day (or 100 μg/cm²/day). Within 21 days, 90 % of the applied S⁰ was oxidized. Three models with a different degree of complexity have been developed that describe this S⁰ oxidation, assuming S⁰ particles of uniform size (I), using a measured particle size distribution (II), or applying an adapted RRSB distribution (III). Model I deviated slightly from the measured data but was easy to handle, Model II fitted the measured data best but its simulation was complicated, and Model III was intermediate. The amount of soluble sulfate was smaller than the amount of H₂SO₄ added or microbially generated as the H₂SO₄ reacted with the sediment to form in part poorly soluble sulfates. A model has been developed that describes the pH and the soluble sulfate and metals at equilibrium, depending on the amount of H₂SO₄ applied or microbially generated, and that is based on the condition of electrical neutrality, a global metal/proton exchange reaction, and a sulfate‐fixation reaction. In suspension, bioleaching with S⁰ required considerably more time than abiotic leaching with H₂SO₄, but the final pH and metal solubilization were identical when equimolar amounts of leaching agents were applied.     

The synthesis and reaction kinetics of some Co(IIl) and Cr(III) chloro complexes of 1,4,8-Triazaoctane (2,3-tri) and the isolation of chiral trans-dichloro [CoCl2(NH3)(2,3-tri)] ClO4

The reaction of 2,3-tri with CrCl₃·6H₂O₁, dehydrated in boiling DMF, results in the formation of mer-CrCl₃(2,3-tri) and anation of hydrolysed solutions of mer-MCl₃(2,3,-tri) (M=Co, Cr) with 6 M HCl containing HClO₄, forms trans-dichloro- mer-[MCl₂(2,3-tri)(OH₂)]ClO₄·H₂O (M=Cr, Co; I, II). trans-Dinitro-mer-[Co(NO₂)₂(NH₃)(2,3-tri)] ClO₄ crystallises from the reaction between mer-Co(NO₂)₃(2,3-tri) and aqueous 7 M ammonia, on addition of NaClO₄·H₂O, and trans-dichloro-mer-[CoCl₂(NH₃)(2,3-tri)]ClO₄ (III) can be isolated by treatment of the dinitro with 12 M HCl. Reaction of mer-CoCl₃(2,3-tri) with C₂O₄₂⁻, followed by addition of aqueous NH₃ and NaClO₄·H₂O results in the isolation of racemic mer-[Co(ox)(NH₃)(2,3-tri)]ClO₄· H₂O. This complex was resolved into its enantiomeric forms and treatment of these with SOCl₂/MeOH/ HClO₄ gave the chiral forms of trans-dichloro-mer- [CoCl₂(NH₃)(2,3-tri)]ClO₄ (R or S at the see-NH center). The rates of loss of the first chloro ligand from these dichloro complexes have been measured spectrophotometrically in 0.1 M HNO₃ over a 15 K temperature range to give the following kinetic parameters; (I) k_H(298)=7.25 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, E_a=78.5 kJ mol⁻¹, δS₂₉₈^#=₋69 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹; (II) k_H(298)=4.00 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, E_a=89.9, δS₂₉₈^#= +87.5; (III) k_H(298)=3.09 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, E_a=103, δS₂₉₈^#=+27. Treatment of the dichloro cations with Hg²⁺/HNO₃ results in the generation of mer- M(2,3-tri)(OH₂)₃³⁺ (M=Cr, Co; IV, V) and trans- diaqua-mer-Co(NH₃)(2,3-tri)(OH₂)₂³⁺ (VI). The Co(III) cations isomerise to the fac configuration with (V) K_isom(298) μ=1.0 M)=2.97 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, E_a=115, δS₂₉₈^#=+46. (VI) K_isom(298) (μ=1.0 M)=4.13 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, E_a=113, δS₂₉₈^#=+52.     

Core electron binding energies of platinum and rhodium polysulfides

The X-ray photoelectron spectra for (NH₄)₃ [Rh(S₅)₃]·2H₂O and (NH₄)₂[PtS₁₇]·2H₂O are consistent with those previously reported for (NH₄)₂ [Pt(S₅)₃]·2H₂O, where different electron binding energies were observed for the structurally distinct sulfur atoms in the polysulfido ligands. The 4f binding energies for the platinum polysulfides are lower than those for platinum(IV) bonded to elements other than sulfur, and the 3d binding energies for the rhodium complex are lower than most values for rhodium(III) bonded to oxygen or nitrogen.     

Preparation and properties of some new 6-heteropoly-tellurate compounds of tungsten and molybdenum containing vanadium

Methods for preparing the following compounds (NH₄)₇TeW₅VO₂₄·5H₂O, (NH₄)₈TeW₄V₂O₂₄·xH₂O, (NH₄)₉TeV₃W₃O₂₄·xH₂O and (NH₄)₇TeMo₅VO₂₄·8H₂O are described. The compounds thus prepared were examined for thermal behavior, IR, Raman, UV, X-ray, NMR and reaction with base.     

A heteronuclear (Pt,Zn) complex of 1-methyluracil with different coordination geometries (square-planar and square-pyramidal) of the two metals

Reaction of cis-(NH₃)₂Pt(1-MeU)₂ (1-MeU = 1- methyluracil anion, C₅H₅N₂O₂) with ZnSO₄·7H₂O leads to the formation of a dinuclear complex of composition [(NH₃)₂Pt(C₅H₅N₂O₂)₂Zn(H₂O)₃]SO₄· 2H₂O. The compound crystallizes in space group P2₁/c with a = 10.534(1), b = 17.933(2), c = 11.490(1) Å, β=94.61(1)°, Z=4. The structure was refined to R=0.043 and R_w=0.061. In this compound, Pt is coordinated through N3 to the 1-MeU ligand, while Zn is bound through the two O4 oxygens and completes its distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere by three aqua ligands. The positions of the two metals relative to their basal donor atoms and the shortness of the PtZn separation (2.760(1) Å) suggest a bonding interaction between the two metals. Using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, a formation constant of ca. 114 1 mol^?1 for the Pt, Zn complex has been estimated.     

Factors influencing hydroxylamine inactivation of photosynthetic water oxidation

The kinetics of Mn release during NH₂OH inactivation of the water oxidizing reaction is largely insensitive to the S-state present during addition of NH₂OH. This appears to reflect reduction by NH₂OH of higher S-states to a common more reduced state (S₀ or S_?1) which alone is susceptible to NH₂OH inactivation. Sequences of saturating flashes with dark intervals in the range 0.2–5 s^?1 effectively prevent NH₂OH inactivation and the associated liberation of manganese. This light-induced protection disappears rapidly when the dark interval is longer than about 5 s. Under continuous illumination, protection against NH₂OH inactivation is maximally effective at intensities in the range 10³–10⁴ erg · cm^?2 · s^?1. This behavior differs from that of NH₂OH-induced Mn release, which is strongly inhibited at all intensities greater than 10³ erg · cm^?2 · s^?1. This indicates that two distinct processes are responsible for inactivation of water oxidation at high and low intensities. Higher S-states appear to be immune to the reaction by which NH₂OH liberates manganese, although the overall process of water oxidation is inactivated by NH₂OH in the presence of intense light. The light-induced protection phenomenon is abolished by 50 μM DCMU, but not by high concentrations of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, which accelerates inactivation reactions of the water-splitting enzyme, Y (an ADRY reagent). The latter compound accelerates both inactivation of water oxidation and manganese extraction in the dark.     

Response surface methodology for optimization of medium components in submerged culture of Aspergillus flavus for enhanced heparinase production

Aims: Aim of the study was to develop a medium for optimal heparinase production with a strain of Aspergillus flavus (MTCC‐8654) by using a multidimensional statistical approach. Methods and Results: Statistical optimization of intracellular heparinase production by A. flavus, a new isolate, was investigated. Plackett–Burman design was used to evaluate the affect of medium constituents on heparinase yield. The experimental results showed that the production of heparinase was dependent upon heparin, the inducer; chitin, structurally similar to heparin and NH₄NO_3, the nitrogen source. A central composite design was applied to derive a statistical model for optimizing the composition of the fermentation medium for the production of heparinase enzyme. The optimum fermentation medium consisted of (g l^?1) Mannitol, 8·0; NH₄NO₃, 2·5; K₂HPO₄, 2·5; Na₂HPO₄, 2·5; MgSO₄.7H₂O, 0·5; Chitin, 17·1; Heparin, 0·6; trace salt solution (NaMoO₄.2H₂O, CoCl₂.6H₂O, CuSO₄.5H₂O, FeSO₄.7H₂O, CaCl₂), 10^?4 mol l^?1. Conclusions: A 2·37‐fold increase in heparinase production was achieved in economic and effective manner by the application of statistical designs in medium optimization. Significance and Impact of the Study: Heparinase production was doubled by statistical optimization in a cost‐effective manner. This heparinase can find application in pharmaceutical industry and for the generation of low‐molecular‐weight heparins, active as antithrombotic and antitumour agents.     

Mineral nutrition and in vitro growth of Gerbera hybrida (Asteraceae)

The effects of mineral nutrient were examined on in vitro growth of Gerbera hybrida (G. jamesonii?×?G. viridifolia), specifically Gerbera hybrida cv. Pasadena. Four types of experiments were conducted to quantify the effects of mineral nutrients on four in vitro growth responses (quality, shoot number, leaf number, and shoot height) of gerbera and included groups of mineral nutrients (macros/mesos, micros, and Fe), individual salts (CuSO₄·5H₂O, MnSO₄·4H₂O, ZnSO₄·7H₂O, and Fe/EDTA), and the specific ions NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, and K⁺. Experiments included mixture-amount designs that are essential for separating the effects of proportion and concentration. Highly significant effects were observed in all experiments, but the mineral nutrients with the largest effects varied among the four growth responses. For example, leaf number was strongly affected by the macronutrient group in one experiment and by NH₄ ⁺ and K⁺, which were in the macronutrient group, in the NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺/K⁺ ion-specific experiment, whereas quality was strongly affected by the micronutrients ZnSO₄ and Fe/EDTA. Because mineral nutrient effects varied significantly with the response measured, defining an appropriate formulation requires a clear definition of “optimal” growth.     

Optimization of Mixed Cultivation of the Moderate Thermophilic Bioleaching Microorganisms for High Cell Density Using Statistical Methodology

The low functional microbial population density in the industrial bioleaching process has been a limiting factor for the high leaching efficiency, making the microbial cultivation and continuous inoculation an alternative for sustaining the microbial activity. In the present experiment, the defined mixed cultivation of Leptospirillum ferriphilum YSK, Sulfobacillus acidophilus TPY, Acidithiobacillus caldus S2, and Ferroplasma thermophilum L1 was evaluated and optimized by Statistical Methodology. Going through the Plackett–Burman experimental design, pH value, temperature, and c(MgSO₄·7H₂O) were considered as the most significant factors in the defined range. Then, the relationships were analyzed using the steepest ascent design, the central composite design, and finally the response surface methodology. It was suggested that the optimum parameters were pH 1.38, MgSO₄·7H₂O 0.552?g/L, temperature 44?°C, FeSO₄·7H₂O 40?g/L, sulfur 8?g/L, yeast 0.02% w/v, (NH₄)₂SO₄ 3g/L, K₂HPO₄ 0.5g/L, KCl 0.1g/L, Ca(NO₃)₂ 0.01?g/L, in which allowed total cell density of the microbial community to reach 7.63?×?10⁸ cells/mL in the cultivation period. The lab experiments were routinely undertaken with the expectation that the L. ferriphilum YSK, S. acidophilus TPY, A. caldus S2, F. thermophilum L1 could rapid grown from initial cell density of 0.25?×?10⁷ cells/mL to 2.82?×?10⁸ cells/mL, 1.68?×?10⁸ cells/mL, 2.76?×?10⁸ cells/mL, 2.51?×?10⁷ cells/mL, respectively in 58?h. It demonstrates a possibility to co-culture these microbes in a single reactor, providing an efficient way to regenerate of inoculation for biomining process.     

Use of RSM and CHAID data mining algorithm for predicting mineral nutrition of hazelnut

Defining optimal mineral-salt concentrations for in vitro plant development is challenging, due to the many chemical interactions in growth media and genotype variability among plants. Statistical approaches that are easier to interpret are needed to make optimization processes practical. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) data mining algorithm were used to analyze the growth of shoots in a hazelnut tissue-culture medium optimization experiment. Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut medium (DKW) salts (NH₄NO₃, Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, CaCl₂·2H₂O, MgSO₄·7H₂O, KH₂PO₄ and K₂SO₄) were varied from 0.5× to 3× DKW concentrations with 42 combinations in a IV-optimal design. Shoot quality, shoot length, multiplication and callus formation were evaluated and analyzed using the two methods. Both analyses indicated that NH₄NO₃ was a predominant nutrient factor. RSM projected that low NH₄NO₃ and high KH₂PO₄ concentrations were significant for quality, shoot length, multiplication and callus formation in some of the hazelnut genotypes. CHAID analysis indicated that NH₄NO₃ at ≤1.701× DKW and KH₂PO₄ at >2.012× DKW were the most critical factors for shoot quality. NH₄NO₃ at ≤0.5× DKW and Ca(NO₃)₂ at ≤1.725× DKW were essential for good multiplication. RSM results were genotype dependent while CHAID included genotype as a factor in the analysis, allowing development of a common medium rather than several genotype specific media. Overall, CHAID results were more specific and easier to interpret than RSM graphs. The optimal growth medium for Corylus avellana L. cultivars should include: 0.5× NH₄NO₃, 3× KH₂PO₄, 1.5× Ca(NO₃)₂.     

Methane oxidation and methane driven redox process during sequential reduction of a flooded soil ecosystem

A laboratory incubation study conducted to assess the temporal variation of CH₄ oxidation during soil reduction processes in a flooded soil ecosystem. A classical sequence of microbial terminal electron accepting process observed following NO₃ ^? reduction, Fe³⁺ reduction, SO₄ ^2? reduction and CH₄ production in flooded soil incubated under initial aerobic and helium-flushed anaerobic conditions. CH₄ oxidation in the slurries was influenced by microbial redox process during slurry reduction. Under aerobic headspace condition, CH₄ oxidation rate (k) was stimulated by 29 % during 5 days (NO₃ ^? reduction) and 32 % during both 10 days (Fe³⁺) and 20 days (early SO₄ ^2? reduction) over unreduced slurry. CH₄ oxidation was inhibited at the later methanogenic period. Contrastingly, CH₄ oxidation activity in anaerobic incubated slurries was characterized with prolonged lag phase and lower CH₄ oxidation. Higher CH₄ oxidation rate in aerobically incubated flooded soil was related to high abundance of methanotrophs (r?=?0.994, p?<?0.01) and ammonium oxidizers population (r?=?0.184, p?<?0.05). Effect of electron donors NH₄ ⁺, Fe^2+, S^2? on CH₄ oxidation assayed to define the interaction between reduced inorganic species and methane oxidation. The electron donors stimulated CH₄ oxidation as well as increased the abundance of methanotrophic microbial population except S^2? which inhibited the methanotrophic activity by affecting methane oxidizing bacterial population. Our result confirmed the complex interaction between methane-oxidizing microbial groups and redox species during sequential reduction processes of a flooded soil ecosystem.     

Identification of Newly Isolated Talaromyces pinophilus and Statistical Optimization of β-Glucosidase Production Under Solid-State Fermentation

Fungi able to degrade agriculture wastes were isolated from different soil samples, rice straw, and compost; these isolates were screened for their ability to produce β-glucosidase. The most active fungal isolate was identified as Talaromyces pinophilus strain EMOO 13-3. The Plackett–Burman design is used for identifying the significant variables that influence β-glucosidase production under solid-state fermentation. Fifteen variables were examined for their significances on the production of β-glucosidase in 20 experimental runs. Among the variables screened, moisture content, Tween 80, and (NH₄)₂SO₄ had significant effects on β-glucosidase production with confidence levels above 90% (p < 0.1). The optimal levels of these variables were further optimized using Box–Behnken statical design. As a result, the maximal β-glucosidase activity is 3648.519 U g^?1, which is achieved at the following fermentation conditions: substrate amount 0.5 (g/250 mL flask), NaNO₃ 0.5 (%), KH₂PO₄ 0.3 (%), KCl 0.02 (%), MgSO₄ · 7H₂O 0.01 (%), CaCl₂ 0.01 (%), yeast extract 0.07 (%), FeSO₄ · 7H₂O 0.0002 (%), Tween 80 0.02 (%), (NH₄)₂SO₄ 0.3 (%), pH 6.5, temperature 25°C, moisture content 1 (mL/g dry substrate), inoculum size 0.5 (mL/g dry substrate), and incubation period 5 days.     

Cadmium(II) complex formation with glutathione

Complex formation between heavy metal ions and glutathione (GSH) is considered as the initial step in many detoxification processes in living organisms. In this study the structure and coordination between the cadmium(II) ion and GSH were investigated in aqueous solutions (pH 7.5 and 11.0) and in the solid state, using a combination of spectroscopic techniques. The similarity of the Cd K-edge and L₃-edge X-ray absorption spectra of the solid compound [Cd(GS)(GSH)]ClO₄·3H₂O, precipitating at pH 3.0, with the previously studied cysteine compound {Cd(HCys)₂·H₂O}₂·H₃O⁺·ClO₄ ^? corresponds to Cd(S–GS)₃O (dominating) and Cd(S–GS)₄ four-coordination within oligomeric complexes with mean bond distances of 2.51 ± 0.02 Å for Cd–S and 2.24 ± 0.04 Å for Cd–O. For cadmium(II) solutions (C _Cd(II) ~ 0.05 M) at pH 7.5 with moderate excess of GSH (C _GSH/C _Cd(II) = 3.0–5.0), a mix of Cd(S–GS)₃O (dominating) and Cd(S–GS)₄ species is consistent with the broad ¹¹³Cd NMR resonances in the range 632–658 ppm. In alkaline solutions (pH 11.0 and C _GSH/C _Cd(II) = 2.0 or 3.0), two distinct peaks at 322 and 674 ppm are obtained. The first peak indicates six-coordinated mononuclear and dinuclear complexes with CdS₂N₂(N/O)₂ and CdSN₃O₂ coordination in fast exchange, whereas the second corresponds to Cd(S–GS)₄ sites. At high ligand excess the tetrathiolate complex, Cd(S–GS)₄, characterized by a sharp δ(¹¹³Cd) NMR signal at 677 ppm, predominates. The average Cd–S distance, obtained from the X-ray absorption spectra, varied within a narrow range, 2.49–2.53 Å, for all solutions (pH 7.5 and 11.0) regardless of the coordination geometry.     

Vibrational spectra of the diammineplatinum(II) disodium 5′-uridine monophosphate blue complex

The blue complexes produced by reaction of cis-diamminediaquoplatinum(II) nitrate, [cis-Pt(NH₃)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂, with disodium 5′-uridine monophosphate, 5′-UMP(Na₂), in H₂O and D₂O have been investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy. On the basis of the spectral changes observed in the CO stretching region during the reactions, chelation of the amidate N(3)··O(2) moiety to Pt(II) appears to be more likely than N(4)··O(4) chelation. The antisymmetric PO stretching mode of the PO_3²⁻ group of 5′-UMP splits into a triplet on complex formation indicating that PO_3²⁻ plays an important role in the structure of the platinum blue complexes. In addition, the sugar moiety of 5′-UMP apparently adopts a predominantly C(3′)-endo conformation in the solid blue complex. Finally, Raman microprobe spectroscopy of the solid provides some evidence for PtN(3) bond formation.     

The New Basic Triple Salt Containing Magnesium Hydroxide

The quaternary system K₂SO₄–MgSO₄–Mg(OH)₂–H₂O and the associated systems (a) K₂SO₄–Mg(OH)₂–H₂O and (b) MgSO₄–Mg(OH)₂–H₂O were investigated at 100° Though isotherm (a) exhibited nothing new, isotherm (b) exhibited basic magnesium sulfate, MgSO₄ · 5Mg(OH)₂·3H₂O, as the solid phase. The solid phases of quaternary isotherm were the new basic triple salt K₂SO₄ · 2MgSO₄ · Mg(OH)₂ · 2H₂O, langbeinite, basic magnesium sulfate, kieserite and potassium sulfate.     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of the binuclear chromium(III) complex di-μ-hydroxobis [(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)chromium(III)] dithionate tetrahydrate, [(cyclen)CrOH]2(S206)2·4H2O

The dark blue dimeric complex di-μ-hydroxo- bis [(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)chromium(III)] dithionate tetrahydrate, [Cr(C₈H₂₀N₄)OH]₂(S₂O₆)₂· 4H₂O or [Cr(cyclen)OH]₂(S₂O₆)₂·4H₂O, has been synthesized. The crystal structure of the complex has been determined from threeodimensional counter X-ray data. The complex crystallizes in space group P2₁/n of the monoclinic system with two dimeric formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 8.837(5), b = 14.472(8), c= 13.943(6) Å andβ=95.83(4)^o. The structure has been refined by full-matrix least- squares methods to a final value of the weighted R-factor of 0.059 on the basis of 1774 independent intensities. The geometry of the cyclen macrocycle is unsymmetrical, the observed conformations being λδδλ and its enantiomer. The strained ligand conformation leads to significant deviations from octahedral geometry at the chromium centers, and to a bridged geometry in which the CrOCr angle ø and the Cr···Cr separation of 104.1(1)^o and 3.086(2) Å are the largest observed in dimers of this kind. The magnetic susceptibility of the complex indicates antiferromagnetic coupling, with the ground state singlet lying 21.56(6) cm⁻¹ below the lowest lying triplet state. The structural parameters have been used to calculate the triplet energy by means of the Glerup- Hodgson- Pedersen (GHP) model, and the calculated value of 22.3 cme⁻¹ is very similar to the observed value.     

IMPROVED Candida methylica FORMATE DEHYDROGENASE FERMENTATION THROUGH STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF LOW-COST CULTURE MEDIA

NAD⁺-dependent formate dehydrogenase (FDH, EC 1.2.1.2) is of use in the regeneration of NAD(P)H coenzymes, and therefore has strong potential for practical application in chemical and medical industries. A low-cost production of recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) containing FDH from Candida methylica (cmFDH) was optimized in molasses-based medium by using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). The beet molasses as a sole carbon source, (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as a nitrogen and phosphorus source, KH₂PO₄ as a buffer agent, and Mg₂SO₄ · 7H₂O as a magnesium and sulfur source were used as variables in the medium. The optimum medium composition was found to be 34.694 g L^?1 of reducing sugar (equivalent to molasses solution), 8.536 g L^?1 of (NH₄)₂HPO₄, 3.073 g L^?1 of KH₂PO₄, and 1.707 g L^?1 of Mg₂SO₄ · 7H₂O. Molasses-based culture medium increased the yield of cmFDH about three times compared to LB medium. The currently developed media has the potential to be used in industrial bioprocesses with low-cost production.     

Novel Processes for Anaerobic Sulfate Production from Elemental Sulfur by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Sulfate reducers and related organisms which had previously been found to reduce Fe(III) with H₂ or organic electron donors oxidized S⁰ to sulfate when Mn(IV) was provided as an electron acceptor. Organisms catalyzing this reaction in washed cell suspensions included Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, Desulfomicrobium baculatum, Desulfobacterium autotrophicum, Desulfuromonas acetoxidans, and Geobacter metallireducens. These organisms produced little or no sulfate from S⁰ with Fe(III) as a potential electron acceptor or in the absence of an electron acceptor. In detailed studies with Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, the stoichiometry of sulfate and Mn(II) production was consistent with the reaction S⁰ + 3 MnO₂ + 4H⁺→SO₄^2- + 3Mn(II) + 2H₂O. None of the organisms evaluated could be grown with S⁰ as the sole electron donor and Mn(IV) as the electron acceptor. In contrast to the other sulfate reducers evaluated, Desulfobulbus propionicus produced sulfate from S⁰ in the absence of an electron acceptor and Fe(III) oxide stimulated sulfate production. Sulfide also accumulated in the absence of Mn(IV) or Fe(III). The stoichiometry of sulfate and sulfide production indicated that Desulfobulbus propionicus disproportionates S⁰ as follows: 4S⁰ + 4H₂O→SO₄^2- + 3HS^- + 5 H⁺. Growth of Desulfobulbus propionicus with S⁰ as the electron donor and Fe(III) as a sulfide sink and/or electron acceptor was very slow. The S⁰ oxidation coupled to Mn(IV) reduction described here provides a potential explanation for the Mn(IV)-dependent sulfate production that previous studies have observed in anoxic marine sediments. Desulfobulbus propionicus is the first example of a pure culture known to disproportionate S⁰.     

Homogeneous CO hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by ruthenium(II) complexes containing optically active Ph2PCH(Ph)CH(Me)NH2 and 1,2-C5H8(PPh2)2 ligands

Combination of (1S,2S)-cyclopentanediylbis(diphenylphosphine) with [Ru(η⁴-C₈H₁₂){η³-(CH₂)₂CMe}₂] afforded the chelate complex [Ru{η³-(CH₂)₂CMe}₂{(1S,2S)-C₅H₈(PPh₂)₂}] (1), which gave (OC-6-13)-[RuCl₂{(1S,2S)-C₅H₈(PPh₂)₂}{(1S,2S)-Ph₂PCH(Ph)CH(Me)NH₂}] (2) upon reaction with methanolic HCl in acetone, followed by the addition of the β-aminophosphine in DMF. The (P ∩ N)₂-chelated complexes (OC-6-13)-[RuCl₂{(1S,2S)-Ph₂PCH(Ph)CH(Me)NH₂}₂] (3) and (OC-6-13)-[RuCl₂{(1R,2S)-Ph₂PCH(Ph)CH(Me)NH₂}₂] (4) resulted from RuCl₃ · 3H₂O and the P,N ligands under reducing conditions. The crystal structures of 3 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Following activation by KOBu-t in isopropanol, compounds 2–4 catalyzed the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone with i-PrOH as the hydrogen source as well as the direct hydrogenation of the ketone by H₂ in low to moderate e.e. (up to 67%).