[Tetrodotoxin Content of the Small Gastropod Nassarius sufflatus].

Severe tetrodotoxin (TTX) poisoning due to small gastropods has been documented in Japan. In this study, we investigated the TTX content of the muscles and viscera of Nassarius sufflatus collected off the coast of Futaoi Island, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, to prevent the occurrence of TTX poisoning caused by this small gastropod. Live specimens were obtained, and their muscles and viscera were collected.

Antioxidant activities of two sericin proteins extracted from cocoon of silkworm () measured by DPPH, chemiluminescence, ORAC and ESR methods.

Recent efforts have focused on the use of sericin proteins extracted from cocoons of silkworm as a healthy food source for human consumption. In this study, we focused on the antioxidative properties of sericin proteins. The antioxidative properties were measured in sericin proteins extracted from the shell of the cocoon, designated hereafter as white sericin protein and yellow-green sericin protein, as well as bread without sericin protein and bread to which white sericin powder had been added using four measurement methods: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), chemiluminescence, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and electron spin resonance (ESR).

Molecular orientation and multilayer formation in the adsorbed film of 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol at the hexane/water interface; pressure effect on the adsorption of fluoroalkane-diol.

The adsorption of 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol (FC10diol) at the hexane solution/water interface was investigated by the measurement of interfacial tension gamma as a function of pressure p and concentration m1 and the thermodynamic data analysis. The results obtained were compared with those of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanol (TFC10OH) in order to clarify the effect of molecular orientation on the structure and property of the adsorbed film from the viewpoint of volume change of adsorption. The interfacial pressure pi versus mean area per adsorbed molecule A curve revealed two types of phase transitions among expanded, parallel condensed, and multilayer states.

Molecular orientation and multilayer formation of 1H,1H,8H,8H-perfluorooctane-1,8-diol at the air/water interface.

The surface tension of the aqueous solution of 1H,1H,8H,8H-perfluorooctane-1,8-diol (FC(8)diol) was measured as a function of temperature and concentration under atmospheric pressure. The interfacial density and the entropy and energy of adsorption were evaluated and compared to those obtained for the adsorption of 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol (FC(10)diol) at the hexane solution/water interface. The surface tension curves show a break point corresponding to a phase transition of the adsorbed FC(8)diol film.

Cr(VI) reduction from contaminated soils by Aspergillus sp. N2 and Penicillium sp. N3 isolated from chromium deposits.

Aspergillus sp. N2 and Penicillium sp. N3 are chromate-resistant filamentous fungi that were isolated from Cr(VI) contaminated soil based on their ability to decrease hexavalent chromium levels in the growth medium.