Biotechnological applications of wood-rotting fungi: A review

Among the main categories of wood-rotting fungi, white rot and brown rot fungi and their enzymes are being increasingly used in a variety of biotechnological applications, some of which include wood and pulping, textile, bioenergy/biofuel and bioremediation (decolourization of synthetic dyes, wastewater treatment, detoxification/removal of toxic substances, including wood preservatives). The paper reviews various biotechnological applications of wood-rotting fungi and their key enzymes, laccase and peroxidases, and outlines future prospects where technological developments can lead to their more efficient and economic industrial uses and can create opportunities to expand applications. The information is presented under defined, interactive categories. Thoughts are presented on potential future technology development that can ensure economic production of specific enzymes and their targeted industrial applications.     

Effect of strain on atomic-scale friction in layered MoS2

The atomic-scale friction in MoS₂ is investigated employing the density functional theory calculation including the dispersion correction (DFT-D). Energy corrugations and lateral frictional forces of the lamellar MoS₂ are derived, suggesting that the in-plane compressive MoS₂ exhibits lower friction than the tensile system. The reduced friction is attributed to a stronger coulombic repulsive interaction enabled by the transferred charge to the sliding interface. In-depth understanding of the relationship between friction and interfacial interaction shows that friction can be tuned in layered MoS₂ by applying an in-plane strain to the sliding interface.     

A controlled approach for synthesizing CdTe quantum dots polyamidoamine nanocomposites

We develop a controllable approach to prepare ordered–CdTe quantum dots (QDs) polyamidoamine (PAMAM) nanocomposites (NCPs) by self-assembly growth of simple CdTe– PAMAM in aqueous solution. The sphere and network CdTe NCPs were obtained at pH 4.7 for growing 15 h and 79 h respectively. As the NCPs ceased growing over pH 8 immediately, we can conveniently control their size and morphology by adjusting pH of the solution to tune the growth time. The morphology change of CdTe-PAMAM nanocomposites was characterized by TEM images. The fluorescent intensity and photostability of ordered–CdTe–PAMAM have been improved significantly.     

Synthesis of flowerlike SnO2 quasi-square submicrotubes from tin (II) oxalate precursor

The flowerlike SnO₂ quasi-square submicrotubes were synthesized without using any additional surfactant as a crystal modifier or capping agent. The method was based on a reaction between SnCl₂ and oxalic acid in ethanol solution, followed by calcination in air to get the flowerlike SnO₂ submicrotubes. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the flowerlike SnO₂ microstructure consisted of radial submicrotubes with a quasi-square cross-section. The average diameter of the flowerlike structure was about 3–7 μm. The average inner diameter of the tubes was from 20 to 240 nm and the length of the tubes was up to 3–5 μm. The X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) demonstrated that the structure of the precursor could be indexed to SnC₂O₄ with high crystallinity, and the precursor turned to the tetragonal phase SnO₂ after annealing. The formation mechanism of the tubular morphology was also discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization and semiconducting properties of oligo(2,6-naphthalene)s

Oligo(2,6-naphthalene)s (nNs) with the number of repeating unit (n) of 3–5 and dioctyl substituted trimer (DO-3N) and tetramer (DO-4N) were synthesized and characterized. Except of DO-4N that decomposed at 331 °C, all other oligomers display good thermal stability with 5% weight loss temperatures beyond 350 °C. For 4N and DO-4N, only one phase transition corresponding to melting can be found. However, DO-3N and 5N exhibit multiple phase transitions. The film absorption maximum of the oligomers at the long wavelength exhibits a red-shift with increasing the number of repeating unit. Meanwhile, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels increase from −5.96 eV of 3N to −5.91 eV of 4N and then −5.85 eV of 5N. The introduction of octyl group has negligible effect on the photophysical properties. Highly ordered films of 4N, 5N, DO-3N and DO-4N in which the molecules orient with their long axis standing on the substrates can be prepared by vacuum deposition. Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) with top-contact and bottom-gate geometry have been fabricated based on these films. The introduction of octyl groups results in the films with higher order and therefore higher field-effect mobilities (μ) of OTFT devices. Among these oligomers, DO-3N exhibits the highest mobility of 0.50 cm²/V s when the film deposited on the octyltrichlorosilane (OTS) modified substrate.     

冰藏过程中美国红鱼生化特性的变化

以肌肉盐溶性蛋白含量、巯基含量和ATPase活性为生化特性指标,同时结合pH值、感官评定和挥发性盐基氮等指标,考察了美国红鱼在冰藏期间生化特性及鲜度变化情况。结果表明:随着贮藏时间的延长,盐溶性蛋白含量、巯基含量和ATPase活性均呈下降趋势,冰藏12d后分别下降了70.19%、79.44%和64.26%(Ca2+-ATPase活性);冰藏过程中pH值变化不大,但挥发性盐基氮及感官指标变化比较明显,挥发性盐基氮在第9d时达到33.73mg/100g,处于Ⅲ级鲜度范围。     

Analysis of patenting trends of antifungal drugs in the product patent regime in India

The present study attempts to analyze the patenting activity of antifungal drugs in the pre and post TRIPS period in India. There is a general increase in patent filing in antifungals both by Indian as well as by multinational companies, with greater filing by the latter in the post-TRIPS era. The major filings in the transition and post-TRIPS period have been due to increased product than process patent filings, wherein 75% of the total patent applications in this sector is directed towards product patents and remaining 25% is directed towards process patents. It is observed that Indian academic institutions have been more active than foreign institutions with respect to patent filings in this field.     

不同处理方式对花椒提取液及卤鸭脖挥发性风味成分的影响

为探究不同处理方式对花椒挥发性风味成分及其赋予酱卤鸭脖挥发性风味物质能力的影响,分析了粉碎水提、未粉碎水提、粉碎醇提、未粉碎醇提、粉碎汤提和未粉碎汤提处理对花椒卤水及卤鸭脖肉中风味物质组份的影响。采用气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)及气相色谱-离子迁移谱(GC-IMS)技术分别测定不同处理方式下的卤水及卤制鸭脖中主要挥发性风味成分差异。GC-MS结果表明,花椒卤水主要呈香化合物为醇、烃、酯和醚类,水提可提高花椒卤水中4-萜品油醇等醇类物质的溶出,醇提可提高毕澄茄烯等物质溶出,汤提对醚类物质的溶出效果较好,粉碎处理能有效促进烃、酯类物质的溶出,不利于醇、醚类挥发性成分在卤水中保留。不同处理方式下,经花椒提取液卤制后鸭脖肉中的主要物质均为4-萜品油醇、桉叶油醇;水提能显著促进桉叶油醇、柠檬烯对卤鸭脖的赋香,醇提使茴香脑的赋香效果较佳,花椒是否经过粉碎处理对于所制得的卤水赋予鸭脖肉挥发性风味物质没有显著影响。基于GC-IMS谱图分析,发现对于提取液而言,水提和汤提的粉碎处理无明显差异,醇提相较于水提、汤提具有明显差异;在卤鸭脖中,是否粉碎处理对花椒挥发性风味物质的呈香无明显差异;醇提相较于水...     

Exposure assessment of mycotoxins in dairy milk

The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative Monte Carlo exposure assessment model for mycotoxins in dairy milk and to assess the potential human exposure levels. Mean concentrations of mycotoxins in milk were estimated using the simulation model (Aflatoxin M1 = 0.0161 μg/kg, Ochratoxin A = 0.0002 μg/kg, Deoxynivalenol = 1 μg/kg, Fumonisin B1 = 0.36 μg/kg, Zearalenone = 0.39 μg/kg, T-2 = 0.0722 μg/kg) while the simulated tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) from milk for males and females all fell below European Union guidelines. Aflatoxin M1 was the toxin of greatest concern as it had potential to exceed the EU limit of 0.05 μg/kg in milk. The sensitivity analysis identified the concentration of toxins in maize as the area which needs most attention in relation to crop management and agricultural practice. The sensitivity analysis assessed also identified the carry over rate as a factor closely related to risk and as a factor which required further research.