Association Mechanism and Conformational Changes in Trypsin on Its Interaction with Atrazine: A Multi- Spectroscopic and Biochemical Study with Computational Approach

Atrazine (ATR) is a herbicide globally used to eliminate undesired weeds. Herbicide usage leads to various adverse effects on human health and the environment. The primary source of herbicides in humans is the food laced with the herbicides. The ATR binding to trypsin (TYP) was investigated in this study to explore its binding potential and toxicity. In vitro interaction of ATR with TYP was studied using multi-spectroscopic methods, molecular docking, and enzyme kinetics to explore the mechanism of binding for the TYP-ATR system. The TYP-ATR complex revealed binding constants (10³ M⁻¹), suggesting a moderate binding. The free energy for the TYP-ATR complexes was negative, suggesting a spontaneous interaction. Thermodynamic parameters enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) obtained positive values for the TYP-ATR system suggesting hydrophobic interactions in the binding process. Micro-environmental and conformational changes in TYP molecules were induced on interaction with ATR. Reduced catalytic activity of TYP was observed after interaction with ATR owing to the changes in the secondary structure of the TYP.     

微生物白云岩形成机制研究进展与存在问题

近年来,有关微生物白云岩沉淀作用机制的研究拓宽了沉积学中"白云岩问题"研究的视角。硫酸盐还原反应、产甲烷作用、有机分子水解等一系列可促进沉淀白云石的微生物代谢机制的发现,延伸了微生物白云石(岩)形成模式;有关可溶解硫化物催化白云石沉淀的研究,不但强调了硫酸盐还原反应机制,也为重新认识硫酸盐还原反应促进白云石沉淀机理提供了新线索。在现代环境中,微生物席内的原生白云石沉淀的发现,将微生物过程引入地表环境原生白云石沉淀作用和机理的研究,可能为寻找地层记录中的微生物白云石提供了更多有益的工作手段和思考途径。然而更加复杂的白云岩地层记录说明,运用微生物白云石去解释复杂的地质记录还存在着较多的局限性。     

Κ‐CN gene polymorphism in Nili‐ravi buffalo,Achai and Sahiwal cattle of Pakistan

Kappa‐casein (κ‐CN) is the subtype of casein protein, an important constituent of bovine milk protein. The current study was undertaken to investigate the genetic polymorphism in κ‐CN gene of Nili‐ravi buffalo, Achai and Sahiwal cattle of Pakistan using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) technique. The Nili‐ravi buffalo was found to be monomorphic (genotype BB only) for κ‐CN gene. Achai cattle were polymorphic for κ‐CN (having three genotypes AA, AB and BB) with a frequency of 0.70, 0.18 and 0.12, respectively, while in Sahiwal cattle, both the genotypes AA and AB were found with genotypic frequencies of 0.92 and 0.08, respectively. The presence of genotype BB in Achai cattle is surprising as it is absent in most of the cattle breeds worldwide.     

CHARACTERIZATION AND INHIBITION OF POLYPHENOL OXIDASE FROM PEARS (PYRUS COMMUNIS L. CV. BOSC AND RED)

Red pears had higher PPO activity, total phenolics and chlorogenic acid concentration than Bosc pears. PPO activity and phenolics both decreased in fruits held at room temperature. pH and temperature optima for Bosc and Red pears PPOs were 5.0 and 5.5, and 20 and 23C, respectively. 4-Methylcatechol, catechol and dopamine were good substrates for PPO from both pear cultivars; however, no activity was observed with any of the mono-hydroxy substrates studied. Higher K_m and lower V_max values were observed for Bosc pear PPO. Heating at 75C for 30 min completely inactivated the enzyme from both cultivars. Heating at 55 and 65C for the same duration resulted in partial inactivation (45–60%) of this enzyme. Ascorbic acid, L-cysteine, sodium metabisulfite and thiourea effectively inhibited browning due to pear PPOs.     

Light and temperature effects on shoot fruitfulness in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sultana: Influence of trellis type and grafting

Fruit bud initiation in Sultana is more sensitive to climatic factors than fruit bud initiation in other cultivars. This paper considers historical findings regarding the influence of light and temperature on fruit bud initiation and fruitfulness in view of modern Sultana vineyard management practices.
Past results were reviewed and confirmed by experiments in which variability in vine size and structure was introduced by grafting and modifications of trellis design. Ramsey-grafted vines were consistently less fruitful than own-rooted Sultana, possibly because of a more shaded canopy interior due to greater vegetative growth of vines grafted to Ramsey rootstock. Carbohydrate reserves of node and internode tissue in late winter between node 2 and 18 followed a similar trend along the cane as fruitfulness in the following spring.     

EFFECT OF HOT WATER IMMERSION ON PEEL COLOR OF PEARS AND ON WHITE ROT CAUSED BY BOTRYOSPHAERIA BERENGERIANA

Abstract The effectiveness of hot water immersion (HWI) on peel color and the control of white rot caused by Botryosphaeria berengeriana on wound-inoculated European pears, cv. La-France, were investigated. After HWI at 40, 45, 48, 50, 52 and 54C for varying immersion periods, the pears were held at 20C, ≥ 90% RH (simulated retail conditions). The peel color (L*, a*, b*) was determined before and after HWI treatment. The dominant role of L* suggested that peel darkening was the major factor in color change of the HWI treated pears. The L* value of 54 was judged as the border line for acceptability and less than 51 resulted in browning. Similarly the critical points for a*, b*, chroma, hue and ΔE* were found to be −6, 34, 35, 100, and 8, respectively. Disease incidence recorded 7 days after treatment revealed that High Temperature Short Time (HTST) treatment of 54C for 3 min reduced incidence about 85% with good retention of color. Both temperature and immersion period are to be carefully selected to prolong shelf-life and retain the peel color quality of 'La-France'pears.