Biocatalytic amidation of carboxylic acids and their antinemic activity

A series of novel N-alkyl substituted amides, synthesized by enzyme catalysis, were evaluated against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and found to have potential antinemic activity. The corresponding amides were prepared by the condensation of equimolar amounts of carboxylic acids with different alkyl amines in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase at 60–90°C in 16–20 h. The reactions were carried out in a non - solvent system without the use of any activating agents. All the products were obtained in appreciable amounts and the yields for different compounds varied between 77.4–82.3%. The synthesized compounds were characterized using spectroscopy techniques namely Infra Red (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (¹H and ¹³C). Nematicidal activity of synthesized amides was evaluated against J₂s of Meloidogyne incognita at 500, 250, 125 and 62.5 ppm concentrations after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of exposure. Among all the tested compounds, N-propyl-butyramide, N-propyl-pentanamide and N-propyl-hexanamide were found to possess significant activity with LC₅₀ values of 67.46, 83.49 and 96.53 respectively. N-propyl-butyramide with LC₅₀ value of 67.46 ppm was found to be most active amide against J₂s of Meloidogyne incognita. The bioactivity study showed that an increase in alkyl chain significantly decreased the activity of amides against root-knot nematode.     

Pyrene remediation by Trametes maxima: an insight into secretome response and degradation pathway

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The rapid pace of economic development has resulted in the release of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment. Microbial...     

Heavy metal pollution and risks in a highly polluted and populated Indian river–city pair using the systems approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A sectorial approach for assessing heavy metal pollution in rivers neglects the inter-relationship between its environmental compartments and thus...     

Improving the redox performance of photocatalytic materials by cascade-type charge transfer: a review

Environmental and energy crises are a major threat to the sustainable growth of the human society, calling for greener technologies such as photocatalysis. Photocatalysis is a solar-driven approach that converts photon energy into chemical energy, yet the conversion efficacy of classical photocatalysis is usually restricted and controlled by the charge carrier’s separation and migration. Enhanced conversion requires suppressed recombination rate and superior redox abilities. From this aspect, the manipulation of heterojunction allows to overcome the drawback of classical photocatalysis. The cascade mechanism follows a dual direct charge migration route, resulting in enhanced redox abilities and efficient mineralization of pollutants. Here, we review photocatalytic material aspects in improving redox ability by cascade charge transfer. We describe the mechanisms and applications of three cascade systems: two type-II cascade systems, mediator-based cascade systems, and dual direct Z-scheme. We highlight the superiority of the direct dual cascade route with a prolonged lifetime of carriers, higher quantum yield, and enhanced redox abilities. Applications to carbon dioxide reduction, hydrogen production by water splitting and pollutant degradation are discussed.

     

Waste to energy: a decision-making process for technology selection through characterization of waste,considering energy and emission in the city of Ahmedabad,India

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal has become major issue for the city of Ahmedabad, India. Development, concentrated population and economic...     

Extraction of Silk Fibroin with Several Sericin Removal Processes and its Importance in Tissue Engineering: A Review

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Sericin is a sticky protein substance, which is generated by the silk-worm for holding the filaments of silk tightly. The main constituent of natural crude...