The role of bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) in the synthesis of antimicrobial silver nanomaterials: A state-of-the-art review.

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens poses a significant global health concern due to the failure of conventional medical treatment. As a result, the development of several metallic (Ag, Au, Zn, Ti, etc.) nanoparticles, has gained prominence as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial therapies.

Use of Spectroscopic Techniques to Reveal the Nature of the Interactions of Two Sialic Acid Specific Lectins with Gold Nanoparticles.

From UV-vis absorption, steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements coupled with circular dichroism (CD) spectral studies, it was revealed that among the two lectins: Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) and Saraca indica (saracin II), SNA forms stronger binding complex in the ground state with gold nanoparticles (GNPs). From the measurements of Stern-Volmer (SV) constants Ksv, and binding constants K(A) and number of binding sites two important inferences could be drawn. Firstly, the fluorescence quenching is primarily due to static quenching and secondly SNA forms stronger binding with GNPs relative to the other lectin saracin II.

A glucose/mannose binding lectin from litchi () seeds: Biochemical and biophysical characterizations.

Background: Lectins are highly important biomolecules to study several biological processes. A novel α-D-glucose/mannose specific lectin was isolated from the seeds of litchi fruits () and its various biophysical and biochemical properties were studied.

Methods: Purification was done by successive Sephadex G 100 and Con A-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography.

FeCl3 mediated arylidenation of carbohydrates.

Glycosides and thioglycosides based on monosaccharides in reaction with benzaldehyde dimethylacetal or p-methoxybenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal undergo FeCl(3)-catalyzed (20 mol%) regioselective 4,6-O-arylidenation producing the corresponding acetals in high yields. FeCl(3) also mediates acetalation of glycosides and thioglycosides of cellobiose, maltose, and lactose affording the corresponding 4',6'-O-benzylidene acetals, which were isolated after their acetylation in situ with acetic anhydride and pyridine. The combined yields (two steps) of these final products are also high (61-84%).