Combining molecular imprinted nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance nanosensor for chloramphenicol detection in honey

The focus of this article is to develop a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor to determine chloramphenicol (CAP) using the molecularly imprinted nanoparticles. The CAP imprinted nanoparticles were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization method. Then, the nanoparticles were attached onto the SPR nanosensor surface via temperature‐controlled evaporation. Surface characterization studies were performed with atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. Kinetic studies were performed with CAP solutions in the concentration range of 0.155–6.192 nM. Florphenicol (FLP) and thiamphenicol (TAP) having similar chemical structures to the template (i.e., CAP) were chosen as competitors to determine selectivity of the nanoparticles. Selectivity constants were observed as 8.86 for CAP/TAP and 8.36 for CAP/FLP. The detection limit was calculated as 40 ng/kg honey sample. In the light of these results, it was emphasized that the SPR nanosensor is able to recognize CAP selectively and has a potential for real‐time CAP detection in honey sample. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Antibody purification by concanavalin A affinity chromatography

Concanavalin A (Con A) immobilized poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) beads in a spherical form (100–150 μm in diameter) were used for the affinity chromatography purification of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) from aqueous solutions and human plasma. PHEMA adsorbents were prepared by suspension polymerization. Bioligand Con A was then immobilized by covalent binding onto PHEMA beads. The maximum IgG adsorption on the PHEMA/Con A beads was observed at pH 6.0. The nonspecific IgG adsorption onto the plain PHEMA adsorbents was very low (ca. 0.17 mg/g). Higher adsorption values (up to 54.3 mg/g) were obtained when the PHEMA/Con A beads were used from aqueous solutions. A higher adsorption capacity was observed for human plasma (up to 69.4 mg/g) with a purity of 82.5%. The adsorption capacities of other blood proteins were 2.0 mg/g for fibrinogen and 4.2 mg/g for albumin. The total protein adsorption was determined to be 76.0 mg/g. IgG molecules could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with the PHEMA/Con A beads without noticeable loss in the IgG adsorption capacity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1202–1208, 2005     

Dye‐affinity hollow‐fibres and their lysozyme adsorption–desorption characteristics

Dye‐affinity adsorption is increasingly used for protein separation. Hollow‐fibres have advantages as adsorbents in comparison to conventional bead supports because they are not compressible and can eliminate internal diffusion limitations. The aim of this study was to explore in detail the performance of polyamide hollow‐fibres to which Reactive Green HE‐4BD was attached for adsorption of lysozyme. The hollow‐fibre was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. These dye‐carrying hollow‐fibres (26.3 µmol g^?1) were used in the lysozyme adsorption–elution studies. The effect of initial concentration of lysozyme and medium pH on the adsorption efficiency of dye‐attached hollow‐fibres was studied in a batch system. The non‐specific adsorption of lysozyme on the polyamide hollow‐fibres was 1.8 mg g^?1. Reactive Green HE‐4BD attachment significantly increased the lysozyme adsorption up to 41.1 mg g^?1. Langmuir adsorption model was found to be applicable in interpreting lead adsorption by Reactive Green HE‐4BD attached hollow fibres. Significant amount of the adsorbed lysozyme (up to 95%) was eluted in 1 h in the elution medium containing 1.0 M NaSCN at pH 8.0. In order to determine the effects of adsorption conditions on possible conformational changes of lysozyme structure, fluorescence spectrophotometry was employed. We concluded that polyamide dye‐affinity hollow‐fibres can be applied for lysozyme adsorption without causing any significant conformational changes. Repeated adsorption–elution processes showed that these dye‐attached hollow‐fibres are suitable for lysozyme adsorption. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Roof pond cooling of buildings in hot arid climates

The weather in Baghdad, Iraq is hot dry in the summer while water is plentiful and cheap. These are conditions which encourage the use of evaporative cooling. A building with one space in it was used to test the effect of a roof pond which was ventilated mechanically for summer cooling. Thermal measurements were taken for the room in normal conditions without a pond, with a lone pond and no mechanical ventilation, and then finally with mechanically forced ventilation. The results showed a marked improvement in the space temperature with a significant reduction during the peak time outside temperatures at 3 O’clock reaching 6.0 °C between the room without the pond and with a ventilated one and 6.5° at 18:00 during peak inside temperatures. The study also showed that improvements would be better in real-life conditions where exterior wall area is less than the test room.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on granule structure and physicochemical properties of starch extracted from two types of potatoes grown in Jammu & Kashmir,India

In this study red and white potato starches were treated with γ-irradiation of 0, 5, 10 and 20 kGy. Physicochemical, pasting and morphological properties of the irradiated starches were investigated. Apparent amylose content, pH, moisture, swelling power and syneresis decreased; whereas carboxyl content, water absorption capacity and solubility increased with increasing irradiation dose. Pasting properties also decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) upon increasing the irradiation dose. Observation under scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed surface cracking of the starch granules by γ-irradiation which increased with increase in irradiation dose. X-ray diffraction pattern remained the same upon irradiation but a decrease in relative crystallinity was observed with increasing irradiation dose.     

Development of questionnaire to assess manufacturing capability along different decision areas

Superior manufacturing capability provides long lasting competitive benefits to a company in the market. It is thus imperative to have an instrument to assess the manufacturing capability of companies. However, empirically tested and reliable tools for the purpose of evaluation of manufacturing capability along different decision areas are scarcely available in the literature. This paper develops questionnaires based on generally accepted principle of instrument design to assess the manufacturing capabilities along different decision areas for four categorization schemes of manufacturing decision areas reported in the literature. The reliability and validity of all four instruments are assessed through responses from managers of 32 manufacturing units and are found to be satisfactory for most of the factors. The criterion validity is found to be fairly good for all the four instruments.     

Seed Oil Based Zinc Bioactive Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Studies

Zinc containing oil based polyesteramide resins were synthesized by condensation polymerization reaction between castor/soyabean oil derived castor/soyabean fatty amide diol (HECA/HESA), Zn (OH)₂ and adipic acid. The conventional spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR have been used to establish the structure of the polymers. Standard laboratory methods were used to study the physicochemical characteristics like acid value, hydroxyl value, saponification value, iodine value, specific gravity, and viscosity. The thermal behaviour of the polymers was analyzed by using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro antifungal (anticandidial) activity of the polymers was studied against C. albicans ATCC-10261, C. glabrata ATCC-90030 and C. tropicalis ATCC-750, respectively. Antibacterial activity against Gram positive (S. subtillis) and Gram negative bacteria (E. coli and S. typhi) was also examined. For more accuracy, growth curve studies were carried out with the polymer SZ showing higher biological activity against E. coli by using conventional spectrophotometer. The result showed that the polymers have potent anticandidial and antibacterial activities.     

Correction to: Two New Co(II) Complexes of Picolinate: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Spectral Characterization, α-Glucosidase İnhibition and TD/DFT Study

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials -