Theaflavin-3-gallate specifically interacts with phosphatidylcholine,forming a precipitate resistant against the detergent action of bile salt

Black tea is a highly popular beverage, and its pigments, polymerized catechins such as theaflavins (TFs), are attracting attention due to their beneficial health effects. In this study, to test the inhibitory activities of TFs on the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, we investigated their effects on phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles in the absence or presence of a bile salt. (?)-Epicatechin gallate, (?)-epigallocatechin gallate, and TFs formed insoluble complexes with PC vesicles. Galloylated TFs such as TF2A, TF2B, and TF3 precipitated far more than other polyphenols. The subsequent addition of taurocholate redispersed the polyphenol-PC complexes, except that a large amount of TF2A remained insoluble. After incubation with taurocholate-PC micelles, TF2A elevated the turbidity of the micelle solution, providing red sediments. The TF2A-specific effect was dependent on the PC concentration. These results suggest that TF2A interacts with PC and aggregates in a specific manner different from catechins and other TFs.     

CNS anti-depressant,anxiolytic and analgesic effects of Ganoderma applanatum (mushroom) along with ligand-receptor binding screening provide new insights: Multi-disciplinary approaches

This research was designed to evaluate the CNS depressant, anxiolytic, and analgesic action of aqueous and ethanol extract of Ganoderma applanatum, a valuable medicinal fungus used in multiple disorders belongs to Ganodermataceae family. Two extracts of G. applanatum were prepared using distilled water and ethanol as solvents and named AEGA and EEGA. Open field method, rotarod method, tail suspension method, and hole cross method were utilized for the CNS depressant action. In contrast, elevated plus-maze test and hole board method were utilized for the anxiolytic action. For determining the analgesic potential, acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate method, and tail immersion test were used. Besides, molecular docking has been implemented by using Discovery studio 2020, UCSF Chimera and PyRx autodock vina. At both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) of AEGA and EEGA showed significant CNS depressant effect (p < 0.05 to 0.001) against all four tests used for CNS depressant activity. Both doses of AEGA and EEGA exhibited important anxiolytic activity effect (p < 0.05 to 0.001)against the EPM and hole board test. Both doses of AEGA and EEGA also exhibited a potential analgesic effect (p < 0.05 to 0.001) against all three tests used for analgesic action. In addition, in the molecular docking the compounds obtained the scores of ?5.2 to ?12.8 kcal/mol. Ganoapplanin, sphaeropsidin D and cytosporone C showed the best binding affinity to the selected recptors. It can be concluded that AEGA and EEGA have potential CNS depressant, anxiolytic, and analgesic action, which can be used as a natural antidepressant, anxiolytic, and analgesic source.     

Methyl esters production,in aqueous medium,by an enzymatic extract fromCandida deformans (Zach) Langeron and Guerra.

Summary Oleic acid methyl esters production was studied in aqueous medium (a_w>0.9) in the presence of an enzymatic extract fromCandida deformans and methanol. The yields of the reaction were 82% and 58% when the subtrates were oleic acid and triolein respectively.     

A low volume 3D-printed temperature-controllable cuvette for UV visible spectroscopy

We report the fabrication of a 3D-printed water-heated cuvette that fits into a standard UV visible spectrophotometer. Full 3D-printable designs are provided and 3D-printing conditions have been optimised to provide options to print the cuvette in either acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polylactic acid polymers, extending the range of solvents that are compatible with the design. We demonstrate the efficacy of the cuvette by determining the critical micelle concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate at 40 °C, the molar extinction coefficients of cobalt nitrate and dsDNA and by reproducing the thermochromic UV visible spectrum of a mixture of cobalt chloride, water and propan-2-ol.     

Application of aqueous biphasic systems as strategy to purify tannase from Aspergillus tamarii URM 7115

The aims of the current study are to assess the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration, molar mass, pH, and citrate concentrations on aqueous biphasic systems based on 2⁴ factorial designs, as well as to check their capacity to purify tannase secreted by Aspergillus tamarii URM 7115. Tannase was produced through submerged fermentation at 26°C for 67?h in Czapeck-Dox modified broth and added with yeast extract and tannic acid. The factorial design was followed to assess the influence of PEG molar mass (M_PEG 600; 4,000 and 8,000?g/?mol), and PEG (C_PEG 20.0; 22.0 and 24.0% w/w) and citrate concentrations (C_CIT 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0%, w/w), as well as of pH (6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) on the response variables; moreover, partition coefficient (K), yield (Y), and purification factor (PF) were analyzed. The most suitable parameters to purify tannase secreted by A. tamarii URM 7115 through a biphasic system were 600 (g/mol) M_PEG, 24% (w/w) C_PEG, 15% (w/w) C_CIT at pH 6.0 and they resulted in 6.33 enzyme partition, 131.25% yield, 19.80 purification factor and 195.08 selectivity. Tannase secreted by A. tamarii URM 7115 purified through aqueous biphasic systems composed of PEG/citrate can be used for industrial purposes, since it presents suitable purification factor and yield.     

Aldocyanoin microspheres: Partial amino acid analysis of the microparticulates formed from simple reactants under various conditions

Summary The work of Kenyon and Nissenbaum on aldocyanoin microspheres was repeated and extended. It was determined that the microspheres contained amino acids and that specific amino acids could be incorporated into the microspheres by adding the requisite aldehyde or ketone precursor to the model mixture. Microsphere formation was found to be dependent on the availability of oxygen. Under anaerobic conditions of synthesis, no micro-spheres formed in the time allotted and the amino acid composition of the macromolecular material was simple. Microparticulate material synthesized by C. Folsome using a quenched spark technique was analyzed and found to contain amino acids that had a qualitative composition similar to both a Miller-Urey discharge and the Kenyon-Nissenbaum microspheres.