Electricity from methane by Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b.

Given the difficulties valorizing methane (CH4) via catalytic routes, this study explores use of CH4-oxidizing bacteria ("methanotrophs") for generating electricity directly from CH4. A preconditioned methanotrophic biofilm on 3D nickel foam with reduced graphene oxide (rGO/Ni) was used as the anode in two-compartment microbial fuel cells (MFCs). This study demonstrates a proof of concept for turning CH4 into electricity by two model methanotrophs including Methylosinus trichosposium OB3b and Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Both OB3b (205 mW.m-2) and Bath (110 mW.m-2) strains yielded a higher electricity from CH4 when grown on rGO/Ni compared to graphite felt electrodes. Based on electrochemistry tests, molecular dynamics simulations, genome annotations and interaction analysis, a mechanistic understanding of reasons behind enhanced performance of methanotrophs grown on rGO/Ni are presented.

Biologically active macrocyclic complexes derived from diaminonaphthalene and glyoxal: Template synthesis and spectroscopic approach.

A novel series of complexes of the type [M(C(24)H(16)N(4))X(2)]; where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II); X = Cl(-1), NO(-1)(3), CH(3)COO(-1) has been synthesized by template condensation of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and glyoxal in the presence of divalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, molecular weight determination, magnetic measurements, electronic, NMR, infrared and far infrared spectral studies. The low value of molar conductance indicates them to be non-electrolytes. On the basis of various studies a distorted octahedral geometry may be proposed for all of these complexes. These metal complexes were also tested for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities to assess their inhibiting potential.