Study of Interactions between Saponin Biosurfactant and Model Biological Membranes: Phospholipid Monolayers and Liposomes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of saponins-rich plant extract on two model biological membranes: phospholipid monolayers and liposomes. The Langmuir monolayer technique was used to study the interactions of model phospholipid membranes with saponins. The π-A isotherms were determined for DPPE (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) monolayer with the addition of various concentrations of licorice saponins extracts and subjected to qualitative as well as quantitative analysis. Additionally, relaxation studies of the obtained monolayers were carried out and morphological changes were examined using Brewster angle microscopy. Moreover, changes in the structure of phospholipid vesicles treated with solutions of saponins-rich plant extracts were assessed using the FTIR technique. The size and zeta potential of the liposomes were estimated based on DLS methods. The obtained results indicated that the saponins interact with the phospholipid membrane formed by DPPE molecules and that the stability of the mixed DPPE/saponins monolayer strongly depends on the presence of impurities in saponins. Furthermore, it was found that the plant extract rich in saponins biosurfactant interacts mainly with the hydrophilic part of liposomes.

How Do Phenolic Acids Change the Secondary and Tertiary Structure of Gliadin? Studies with an Application of Spectroscopic Techniques.

The effect of the chemical structure of selected phenolic acids on the molecular organization of gliadins was investigated with the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Hydroxybenzoic (4-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, vanillic, and syringic) and hydroxycinnamic (coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, sinapic) acids have been used as gliadins modifiers. The results indicated that hydroxybenzoic acids due to their smaller size incorporate into spaces between two polypeptide chains and form a hydrogen bond with them leading to aggregation. Additionally, syringic acids could incorporate into hydrophobic pockets of protein. Whereas hydroxycinnamic acids, due to their higher stiffness and larger size, separated polypeptide chains leading to gliadin disaggregation. These acids did not incorporate into hydrophobic pockets.

Evaluation of high-linearity bone radiation detectors exposed to gamma-rays via FTIR measurements.

In radiation physics, the study of new alternative dosimeters is of interest to the growing branch of dosimetric characterization for radiotherapy applications. The goal of this work was to expose bone samples to high doses and evaluate their linearity response to gamma rays. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry technique was employed as the evaluation technique, and based on the spectrophotometry absorbance profiles the linearity was assessed based on the following methods: Area Under the Curve (AUC), Wavenumber Method (WM), Partial Component Regression (PCR) and Partial Least-Square Regression (PLSR) methods. The bone samples were irradiated with absorbed doses of 10 Gy up to 500 Gy using a 60Co Gamma Cell-220 system. The results showed, for the calibration curves of the system, adequate linearity on all methods. In conclusion, the results indicate a good linear response and therefore an interesting potential radiation detector.

The impact of anticancer activity upon Beta vulgaris extract mediated biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (ag-NPs) against human breast (MCF-7), lung (A549) and pharynx (Hep-2) cancer cell lines.

The present study tried for a phyto-synthetic method of producing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with size controlled as and eco-friendly route that can lead to their advanced production with decorative tranquil morphology. By inducing temperature fluctuation of the reaction mixture from 25 to 80°C the plasmon resonance band raised slowly which had an ultimate effect on size and shape of Ag-NPs as shown by UV-visible spectroscopy and TEM results. The biosynthesized nanoparticles showed good cytotoxic impact against MCF-7, A549 and Hep2 cells compared to normal cell lines. Compared to control plates, the percentage of cell growth inhibition was found to be high with as concentrations of Ag-NPs becomes more as determined by MTT assay. The AO/EtBr staining observations demonstrated that the mechanism of cell death induced by Ag-NPs was due to apoptosis in cancer cells. These present results propose that the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) may be utilized as anticancer agents for the treatment of various cancer types. However, there is a need for study of in vivo examination of these nanoparticles to find their role and mechanism inside human body. Further, studies we plan to do biomarker fabrication from the green synthesized plant extract nanoparticles like silver, gold and copper nanoparticles with optimized shape and sizes and their enhancement of these noble nanoparticles.

Cloud point extraction and diffuse reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic determination of chromium(VI): A probe to adulteration in food stuffs.

A new cloud point extraction (CPE) method for the determination of hexavalent chromium i.e. Cr(VI) in food samples is established with subsequent diffuse reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (DRS-FTIR) analysis. The method demonstrates enrichment of Cr(VI) after its complexation with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide. The reddish-violet complex formed showed λmax at 540nm. Micellar phase separation at cloud point temperature of non-ionic surfactant, Triton X-100 occurred and complex was entrapped in surfactant and analyzed using DRS-FTIR. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 1.22 and 4.02µgmL-1, respectively. Excellent linearity with correlation coefficient value of 0.94 was found for the concentration range of 1-100µgmL-1. At 10µgmL-1 the standard deviation for 7 replicate measurements was found to be 0.11µgmL-1. The method was successfully applied to commercially marketed food stuffs, and good recoveries (81-112%) were obtained by spiking the real samples.

Contrast analysis of FTIR fingerprints of Radix Paeoniae Rubra from different areas / 中草药

Object To develop a new method of discriminating the principle components of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR) from different areas, and to find the reason for forming high-quality of RPR in the place of the genuine. Methods Using Foruier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectrometry, the characteristic peaks of fingerprint infrared spectra of RPR samples from 18 habitats were recognized and compared. Results Frequency, intensity and shape of infrared absorption spectra were obviously different between wild and cultivated groups of RPR. The infrared absorption peaks of RPR in Duolun, a famous Chinese orthodox drug, were of distinct characteristics. Conclusion FTIR technique is first applied to rapid analysis of principle component of RPR from different areas. So an operable method in the quality control and discrimination of RPR in the place of the genuine is provided.