Structure-biodegradation relationships of polymeric materials. 1. Effect of degree of oxidation on biodegradability of carbohydrate polymers

The biodegradability of oxidized starch and inulin has been studied in relation to the degree of periodate oxidation to dialdehyde derivatives, by measuring oxygen consumption and mineralization to carbon dioxide. A higher degree of oxidation of dialdehyde starch and dialdchyde inulin results in a lower rate at which the polymers are biodegraded. It is demonstrated that the biodegradation rate of dialdehyde inulin derivatives decreases more than that of equivalent starch derivatives. The differences in biodegradation behavior between dialdehyde starch and dialdehyde inulin, resulting from comparable modifications, are discussed in terms of conformational structure.     

Dialdehyde starch and zein plastic: Mechanical properties and biodegradability

Dialdehyde starch (DAS) and zein, a hydrophobic corn protein, were investigated to produce biodegradable plastics with improved water resistance and mechanical properties. In the study, dialdehyde starch and zein ratio, plasticizers, and degree of starch oxidation were examined. Increased molding temperature and level of starch oxidation decreased water absorption of the plastic. Tensile strength and Young's modulus increased with starch oxidation. The biodegradation of starting materials and ground plastic specimens was studied in aerobic soil reactors maintained at 25°C for 180 days. Biodegradation of corn starch, zein, and dialdehyde starch for 180 days produced CO₂ equivalent to 64, 63, and 10% of theoretical carbon, respectively. Specimens of molded DAS and zein (3 : 1) plastic showed accelerated CO₂ evolution compared to DAS and other raw materials alone. By 180 days, specimens made with starch of low oxidation (1 and 5% oxidized) demonstrated a 60% biodegradation, and specimens with highly oxidized starch (90% oxidized) achieved 37% biodegradation.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Third National Meeting, June 6–8, 1994, Boston, Massachusetts.Journal Paper J-15927 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Project No. 3258.     

Analysis of acylcarnitines in maternal urine for prenatal diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 2

The urinary acylcarnitine profiles of two mothers whose first children were diagnosed to have glutaric aciduria type 2 (multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenation deficiency, electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) deficiency) were analysed in the second pregnancy. Large volumes of tigrylcarnitine and isovalerylcarnitine and a little glutarylcarnitine were detected. Each fetus was also diagnosed to be abnormal by enzyme activity and immunoassay of ETF protein. The acylcarnitines in the mothers' urine disappeared in 1 week after labour or artificial abortion. Acylcarnitines were never detected in the urine of controls.     

戊二醛对紫色非硫光合细菌脱氢酶活力的影响

探讨微生物细胞对戊二醛毒性的耐受能力及应用条件的适宜范围,可为废水处理中固定化细胞的应用提供实验基础和理论依据。以紫色非硫光合细菌（PSB）为例,直接用戊二醛作用于细胞,在不同pH值、温度、戊二醛浓度、反应时间等条件下研究戊二醛对PSB脱氢酶活力的影响。结果表明：戊二醛对PSB脱氢酶活力影响的主要限制因素为戊二醛浓度和反应时间。当戊二醛浓度为0.5～1.0％,反应时间为1～2h时,PSB脱氢酶活力回收可达83％以上;PSB细胞经戊二醛处理后,热稳定性增强,pH稳定性无明显变化;并比较出热带假丝酵母菌和PSB对戊二醛的毒性耐受能力大于大肠埃希氏杆菌和芽孢杆菌yol。     

用于生物降解酚类毒物的固定化细胞性能改进的研究

在获得了一种耐酚能力达915mg/L的菌种的基础上,进一步研究了以海藻酸钠包埋法制得的该菌种固定化细胞的性能。同时,采用了2种方法,即添加硅藻土和用己二胺-戊二醛对固定化细胞表面进行化学处理,使固定化细胞的机械强度,降酚活性,稳定性均得到了提高。实验证明这2种方法都有令人满意的效果。      

The effect of copper ions on the lipid composition of subcellular membranes in Hydrilla verticillata

The paper studies changes in the content and composition of lipids in the membranes of chloroplasts, mitochondria and microsomes of the aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata exposed to copper ions (100 μM; 1, 3, 6 and 24 h). The rate of copper accumulation and the coefficient of its extraction by the plant were also determined. The presence of copper in the incubation medium and its accumulation in the plant tissues decreased the content of photosynthetic pigments, stimulated lipid peroxidation and enhanced membrane permeability. The gradual accumulation of copper in the plant tissues was accompanied by specific changes in the composition of lipids: the content of sulfolipids (SQDG) in chloroplasts declined; the content of monogalactosyl diacylglycerols (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerols (DGDG) and phosphatidyl glycerols (PG) in chloroplasts and mitochondria grew after an hour of copper exposure; and the content of all the lipids except phosphatidic acids (PA) decreased after 3 h of exposure. The decline in the content of phosphatidyl cholines (PC) was first observed in the membranes of microsomes (after an hour of exposure) and later in the membranes of chloroplasts and mitochondria (after 3-6 h of exposure). The experiments with incorporation of [2-¹⁴C]sodium acetate into fatty acids of polar lipids showed that in parallel with lipid destruction, there took place an intensive and specific renewal of the lipid pool of subcellular membrane fractions.