Non-covalent functionalized SWNTs as delivery agents for novel Bodipy-based potential PDT sensitizers.

Pyrenyl-functionalized distyryl-Bodipy sensitizer attached non-covalently to SWNTs was shown to generate singlet oxygen when excited at 660 nm with a red LED array; this work emphasizes the potential of SWNT as a viable alternative carrier of bioactive agents, including photodynamic therapy sensitizers.

Assessment of cationic dye biosorption characteristics of untreated and non-conventional biomass: Pyracantha coccinea berries.

This work reports on the assessment of the dye methylene blue biosorption properties of Pyracantha coccinea berries under different experimental conditions. Equilibrium and kinetic studies were carried out to determine the biosorption capacity and rate constants. The highest biosorption yield was observed at about pH 6.0, while the biosorption capacity of the biomass decreased with decreasing initial pH values. Batch equilibrium data obtained at different temperatures (15, 25, 35 and 45 degrees C) were modeled by Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Langmuir isotherm model fitted the equilibrium data, at the all studied temperatures, better than the other isotherm models indicating monolayer dye biosorption process. The highest monolayer biosorption capacity was found to be 127.50mg/g dry biomass at 45 degrees C. Kinetic studies indicate that the biosorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model, rather than the pseudo-first-order model. DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees parameters of biosorption show that the process is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The biosorbent-dye interaction mechanisms were investigated using a combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The biosorption procedure was applied to simulated wastewater including several pollutants. The results obtained indicated that the suggested inexpensive and readily available biomaterial has a good potential for the biosorptive removal of basic dye.

Investigation of the biosorption characteristics of lead(II) ions onto Symphoricarpus albus: Batch and dynamic flow studies.

This work reports the results of the study for lead(II) binding by the natural and low cost biosorbent Symphoricarpus albus. Batch biosorption experiments demonstrated the high rate of lead(II) biosorption and the kinetic data were successfully described by a pseudo-second-order model. Biosorption of lead(II) onto S. albus biomass showed a pH-dependent profile and lead(II) biosorption was higher when pH or temperature was increased. As much as 88.5% removal of lead(II) is also possible in the multi-metal mixture. The Langmuir isotherm better fits the biosorption data and the monolayer biosorption capacity was 3.00 x 10(-4) mol g(-1) at 45 C. The biomass was characterized with FTIR and SEM analysis. Desorption studies revealed that the natural biomass could be regenerated using 10mM HNO(3) solution with about 99% recovery and reused in five biosorption-desorption cycles. Therefore, S. albus which is cheap, highly selective and easily regenerable seems to be a promising substrate to entrap lead(II) ions in aqueous solutions.

Biotransformation of racemic diisophorone by Cephalosporium aphidicola and Neurospora crassa.

Racemic diisophorone (500 mg) was converted by Cephalosporium aphidicola and Neurospora crassa over 10 days at 25 degrees C to 8beta-hydroxydiisophorone in yields of 10% (52 mg) and 20% (103 mg), respectively. The structure was established by IR, specific rotation, mass spectral, 1D and 2D-NMR studies.