Characterization, catalytic, and recyclability studies of nano-sized spherical palladium particles synthesized using aqueous poly-extract (turmeric, neem, and tulasi).

Green synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) has gained immense significance compared to other metal ions owing to their unique properties. Among them, palladium 'Pd' has been in the spotlight for its stable and superior catalytic activity. This work focuses on the synthesis of Pd NPs using the combined aqueous extract (poly-extract) of turmeric (rhizome), neem (leaves), and tulasi (leaves).

Effect of size on physicochemical, antibacterial, and catalytic properties of Neolamarckia cadamba (burflower-tree) synthesized silver/silver chloride nanoparticles.

Aqueous extract of Neolamarchia cadamba leaves were used in the synthesis of silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl NPs). Further they were separated based on their using step-wise centrifugation approach at 09,000, 12,000, and 15,000 rpm. Thus obtained NPs were characterized for their physicochemical features.

Biogenic synthesis of novel platinum-palladium bimetallic nanoparticles from aqueous leaf extract for catalytic activity.

Unlabelled: This work reports the fast and effective bio-fabrication of novel platinum-palladium bimetallic nanoparticles (Pt-Pd BNPs) along with their counterparts Pt and Pd monometallic NPs (MNPs) through aqueous leaf extract. The bio-fabrication of the NPs was achieved within 2 h at 100 °C and pH 7 which was established by the occurrence of dark brown color for Pt MNPs and black color for Pd MNPs and Pt-Pd BNPs. NPs were evaluated for their catalytic activity in the reduction of methyl orange (MO), rhodamine-B (rh-B), and methylene blue (MB) textile dyes in presence of sodium borohydride as a reducing agent.

Microbial cancer therapeutics: A promising approach.

The success of conventional cancer therapeutics is hindered by associated dreadful side-effects of antibiotic resistance and the dearth of antitumor drugs' selectivity and specificity. Hence, the conceptual evolution of anti-cancerous therapeutic agents that selectively target cancer cells without impacting the healthy cells or tissues, has led to a new wave of scientific interest in microbial-derived bioactive molecules. Such strategic solutions may pave the way to surmount the shortcomings of conventional therapies and raise the potential and hope for the cure of wide range of cancer in a selective manner.

Role of metagenomics in prospecting novel endoglucanases, accentuating functional metagenomics approach in second-generation biofuel production: a review.

As the fossil fuel reserves are depleting rapidly, there is a need for alternate fuels to meet the day to day mounting energy demands. As fossil fuel started depleting, a quest for alternate forms of fuel was initiated and biofuel is one of its promising outcomes. First-generation biofuels are made from edible sources like vegetable oils, starch, and sugars.

Novel buffalo rumen metagenome derived acidic cellulase Cel-3.1 cloning, characterization, and its application in saccharifying rice straw and corncob biomass.

Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a prominent option for second-generation biofuels production. Cellulase hydrolyses cellulose, a component of LCB by attacking the β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, thus liberating mono, di, and oligosaccharides, which subsequently, can be converted to biofuel. In this study, a novel cellulase (Cel-3.

Reducing sugars production from corncobs: a comparative study of chemical and biotechnological methods.

Two commonly used chemical pretreatment processes, sulphuric acid, and sodium hydroxide, were tested to provide comparative performance data. A connection between solid to liquid ratio (S/L) and sugars released was observed with an increase in S/L ratio between 0.02 and 0.

Role of signaling pathways in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are self-renewing cells with ability to differentiate into organized, functional network of cells. In recent past research in developing clinical applications for MSCs has increased significantly. MSCs exhibit multi potential proliferation, and are capable of differentiating into cartilage, bone, neuronal cells and adipocytes, etc.

Significance of biotic factors in mesenchymal stem cell fate in regenerative medicine.

Stem and progenitor cell research is a complex and exciting field which promises curative discoveries in numerous areas including cancer, diabetes, and regenerative medicine. Use of biotic factors or growth factors has played an essential role in the development of stem cell research. These biologically active components have been administered into stem cells either to improve or maintain the stem cell proliferation, or to encourage controlled differentiation into more defined cell types.

Influence of dilute acid and alkali pretreatment on reducing sugar production from corncobs by crude enzymatic method: a comparative study.

In the present study, two commonly used catalysts in chemical pretreatment, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, were tested to evaluate the effect of solid-to-liquid ratio on pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Solid to liquid ratio (S/L) was influential on sugars released with an increase in the S/L ratio between 0.03 and 0.

Optimization of amorphadiene production in engineered yeast by response surface methodology.

Isoprenoids are among the most diverse bioactive compounds synthesized by biological systems. The superiority of these compounds has expanded their utility from pharmaceutical to fragrances, including biofuel industries. In the present study, an engineered yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YCF-AD1) was optimized for production of Amorpha-4, 11-diene, a precursor of anti-malarial drug using response surface methodology.

Combination of ERG9 Repression and Enzyme Fusion Technology for Improved Production of Amorphadiene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) MTCC 3157 was selected for combinatorial biosynthesis of plant sesquiterpene amorpha-4,11-diene. Our main objective was to overproduce amorpha 4-11-diene, which is a key precursor molecule of artemisinin (antimalarial drug) produced naturally in plant Artemisia annua through mevalonate pathway. Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) is a common intermediate metabolite of a variety of compounds in the mevalonate pathway of yeast and leads to the production of ergosterols, dolichol and ubiquinone, and so forth.

Physical and degradation properties of PLGA scaffolds fabricated by salt fusion technique.

Tissue engineering scaffolds require a controlled pore size and interconnected pore structures to support the host tissue growth. In the present study, three dimensional (3D) hybrid scaffolds of poly lactic acid (PLA) and poly glycolic acid (PGA) were fabricated using solvent casting/particulate leaching. In this case, partially fused NaCl particles were used as porogen (200-300µ) to improve the overall porosity (≥90%) and internal texture of scaffolds.

Study on osteoblast like behavior of umbilical cord blood cells on various combinations of PLGA scaffolds prepared by salt fusion.

The osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord blood (UCB) on porous poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) scaffolds have been reported to differentially support osteogenic differentiation based on polymer composition (80:20, 75:25 and 70:30 percent of PLA: PGA, respectively). Along with polymer composition; fused NaCl crystal matrix prior to solvent casting improves the porosity and pore interconnectivity in 3D scaffolds, which has significant impact on cell proliferation. FTIR and XRD studies of PLGA scaffolds also verified the intermolecular interactions, phase distribution and crystallinity in scaffolds.

Simultaneous pretreatment and sacchariffication of rice husk by Phanerochete chrysosporium for improved production of reducing sugars.

Phanerochete chrysosporium, the white-rot fungus, (a best source for lignolytic enzymes system) was used in the biological pretreatment of rice husk for reducing sugars production. Usually reducing sugar production through biochemical process involves two steps: solid state fermentation (SSF) of fungal pretreatment for delignification, subsequently pretreated biomass subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis. During the fungal pretreatment of rice husk for reducing sugar production along with cellulase and xylanse, the activities of lignin degradation-related enzymes such as lignin peroxidases (LiP), GLOX (glyoxidase), and aryl alcohol oxidases (AAO), were observed.

Enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord blood stem cells by L-ascorbic acid, in vitro.

The multilineage potentiality of cord blood stem cells has been experimentally proven in a number of cell based therapies. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), on prolonged exposure with Lascorbic acid have been successfully differentiated in to osteoblasts (bone forming cells) without altering the phenotype of the cells. In this case study, the role of L-ascorbic acid on collagen biosynthesis and mineral deposition in MSCs has been assessed, which are ultimately matured in to an insoluble extra cellular matrix (ECM), giving mechanical strength to the bone cells.

Mixing of acid and base pretreated corncobs for improved production of reducing sugars and reduction in water use during neutralization.

Pretreatment of biomass for bioethanol production makes it necessary to use large amounts of water for removing inhibitors and neutralization. In order to reduce water usage, separate batches of corncobs were hydrolyzed in 1M NaOH and 0.05 M H(2)SO(4), respectively, and the hydrolysis products were mixed to achieve a pH of 7.

Development of petri net-based dynamic model for improved production of farnesyl pyrophosphate by integrating mevalonate and methylerythritol phosphate pathways in yeast.

In this case study, we designed a farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) biosynthetic network using hybrid functional Petri net with extension (HFPNe) which is derived from traditional Petri net theory and allows easy modeling with graphical approach of various types of entities in the networks together. Our main objective is to improve the production of FPP in yeast, which is further converted to amorphadiene (AD), a precursor of artemisinin (antimalarial drug). Natively, mevalonate (MEV) pathway is present in yeast.