Production of L-Phenylacetyl Carbinol by Immobilized Cells of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Conversion of benzaldehyde to L-phenylacetyl carbinol (L-PAC) was achieved with immobilized, growing cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in different reactors. Product formation increased (31%) with the subsequent initial reuses of the entrapped cells. Biomass production and PAC formation depleted (40 and 57%, respectively) after 4-5 continuous growth and biotransformation cycles. With the regeneration of the biocatalysts, catalytic activity of the cells was resumed. The highest yields were in a stirred tank reactor (29 g PAC) from 77 g benzeldehyde with 14 repeated uses of entrapped cells.     

Decomposition of kitchen waste amended with cow manure using an epigeic species (Eisenia fetida) and an anecic species (Lampito mauritii)

An epigeic (surface dweller) earthworm species Eisenia fetida and an anecic (deep burrower) earthworm species Lampito mauritii have been tested for decomposition of kitchen waste plus cow dung. Chemical analyses of worm-worked substrates by both species showed g/kg increases in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and decreases in C/N and C/P ratios after 150 days of vermicomposting. However, organic carbon matter showed reduction in their amounts for 3-4 months and afterwards slightly increased up to 150 days. E. fetida produced 0.27%, 156%, 41% and 38% increases in organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as well as 61% and 29% decreases in C/N and C/P ratios as compared to control after 150 days of earthworm inoculation. In contrast, L. mauritii produced 14%, 102%, 33% and 42% increases in organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as 43% and 14% decreases in C/N and C/P ratios as compared to control after 150 days of earthworm activity. There was moderate mineralization and faster decomposition by E. fetida in comparison to moderate mineralization and moderate decomposition by L. mauritii. The average numbers of cocoons and adults produced were greater by E. fetida than by L. mauritii after 150 days. These results indicate E. fetida may be a better adapted species for decomposition of kitchen waste plus cow dung under tropical conditions.     

Synthesis and antihyperglycemic activity profiles of novel thiazolidinedione derivatives

A number of thiazolidine-2,4-diones derivatives having carboxylic ester appendage at N-3 were synthesized and their antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated. Many of these derivatives as well as their corresponding carboxylic acid showed significant improvement on post-prandial hyperglycemia in normal rats, in contrast to their poor agonist activity at PPARgamma.     

Synthesis of bicyclic biaryls as glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitors

Biaryls, 7-naphthyl-5-s-amino-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene-4-carbonitriles (3a-e), 8-(1-naphthyl)-6-s-amino-isothiochroman-5-carbonitriles (6a-d), 4-(1-naphthyl)-2-s-aminobezocycloalkene-1-carbonitriles (6e-j), 8-naphthyl-6-s-amino-2-ethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline-5-carbonitrle (6k-n), 1-naphthyl-3-s-amino-10H-9-thia-phenantherene-4-carbonitriles (8a-e) and 1-(1-naphthyl)-3-s-amino-9,10-dihydrophenantherene-4-carbonitriles (8f-i) have been prepared through carbanion induced ring transformation reactions of 6-naphthyl-3-cyano-4-s-amino-2H-pyran-2-ones (1) from respective ketones (2, 5, and 7). These compounds have been evaluated for their glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity and only 6a, c, j, m, c, d, h displayed significant inhibition of the glucose-6-phosphatase.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on stimulatory status of activated mouse peritoneal phagocytes

Mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) when elicited by the antioxidant ascorbic acid have been found to be significantly stimulatory, exhibiting marked alteration at the cellular and enzyme levels. Alterations recorded were as follows--cellular yield per mouse, their protein content, lysosomal acid hydrolase levels and capability to phagocyte, all were significantly enhanced. The new stimulant was observed to produce no synergistic action on MPM when thioglycollate, BCG or endotoxin along with the same stimulated the latter. Levels of antioxidants like ascorbic acid and glutathione were found to be enhanced in elicited macrophages whereas superoxide dismutase levels varied when the three above stimulators were administered. However, the ascorbic acid elicited cells showed an increase in glutathione levels and a decrease in SOD levels but no change in total intracellular ascorbic acid levels. Further, though ascorbic acid interaction enhanced the phagocytic capability of MPM as compared to resident cells, no significant boosting of phagocytic process could be observed when each of three stimulators coupled with ascorbic acid was used for macrophage elicitation.     

MS/MS profiling of taxoids from the needles of Taxus wallichiana

Ammonium cationisation has been used for taxoid profiling of partially purified methanolic extracts of needles of Taxus wallichiana growing in different regions of the Himalayas (Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, UP Hills, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh) by electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The MS/MS spectra of the [M + NH4]+ or [M + H]+ ions gave structurally diagnostic fragment ions which revealed information about the taxane skeleton as well as the number and nature of the substituents. The rearranged 11(15-->1)-abeo-taxanes showed a characteristic elimination of the hydroxyisopropyl group with an acetoxy/benzoyloxy group from C-9. The identification of the taxoids was achieved by comparison of the MS/MS spectra with those of authentic taxoids or was based on biogenetic grounds. The results were corroborated by liquid chromatography-MS analysis. Out of the 50 taxoids identified, 21 belonged to the rearranged class. The presence of paclitaxel in the samples from four regions was confirmed: the study also revealed the occurrence of several basic taxoids in these samples. MS/MS profiling by electrospray ionisation was shown to be a fast and reliable technique for the analysis of taxoid samples.     

Paracrine effects of oocyte secreted factors and stem cell factor on porcine granulosa and theca cells <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Oocyte control of granulosa and theca cell function may be mediated by several growth factors via a local feedback loop(s) between these cell types. This study examined both the role of oocyte-secreted factors on granulosa and thecal cells, cultured independently and in co-culture, and the effect of stem cell factor (SCF); a granulosa cell derived peptide that appears to have multiple roles in follicle development. Granulosa and theca cells were isolated from 2–6 mm healthy follicles of mature porcine ovaries and cultured under serum-free conditions, supplemented with: 100 ng/ml LR3 IGF-1, 10 ng/ml insulin, 100 ng/ml testosterone, 0–10 ng/ml SCF, 1 ng/ml FSH (granulosa), 0.01 ng/ml LH (theca) or 1 ng/ml FSH and 0.01 ng/ml LH (co-culture) and with/without oocyte conditioned medium (OCM) or 5 oocytes. Cells were cultured in 96 well plates for 144 h, after which viable cell numbers were determined. Medium was replaced every 48 h and spent medium analysed for steroids.     

Fine root biomass and tree species effects on potential N mineralization in afforested sodic soils

The study was carried out under three types of plantation forest of 40 years, growing on infertile sodic soils, poor in organic matter and N content, of Indogangetic alluvium at Lucknow (26°45 N; 80°53 E). Fine root biomass estimated under three forests did not differ much with season, or with species (106–113 g m^-2) but varied with soil depth to 0.45 m. The proportion of very fine roots (<0.5 mm) increased with soil depth. Available N in soil was greatest under mixed forest followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Acacia nilotica planted soils. N was maximum in summer season and decreased with soil depth. Nitrogen mineralization during anerobic incubation of 14 days could not be differentiated by tree species, but the monsoon season favoured the process and winter season retarded it. Mineralization decreased with soil depth corresponding to fine roots. There was a reduction in bulk density of soil, pH and EC in forested soil compared to a similar but non forested soil, whereas, organic C and total N increased in forested soils. N mineralization was found to be affected significantly with the fine root biomass and available N content in the soils, whereas negative relations of mineralized N with pH and EC were noticed, though these were not significantly different in this study.