Electrochemical reactivity of biologically active quinone/hydroquinone sesquiterpenoids on glassy carbon electrodes

The redox reactivity of avarone and avarol, a quinone/hydroquinone couple isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea avara, was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, using a glassy carbon electrode. Both oxidation of avarol and reduction of avarone in aqueous ethanol (1:1 V/V) take place by a 2 e- process at a wide range of pH values; in acetonitrile, however, the reduction of avarone occurs as a stepwise electron transfer process. The mechanisms, as well as the scope and limitations of the method are discussed with reference to the biological activity of the two sesquiterpenoids. © 1987

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

Self-healing Asphalt for Road Pavements

This paper presents a unique self-healing system for asphalt pavement which employs compartmented calcium-alginate fibres encapsulating an asphalt binder healing agent (rejuvenator). This system presents a novel method of incorporating rejuvenators into asphalt pavement mixtures. The compartmented fibres are used to distribute the rejuvenator throughout the pavement mixture, thereby overcoming some of the problems associated with alternate asphalt pavement healing methods, i.e., spherical capsules and hollow fibres. The healing system performance, when embedded in Porous Asphalt (PA) mix was tested by employing: (i) Indirect Tensile Stiffness and Strength test (ii) 4 Point Bending Fatigue test. The Semi Circular Bend (SCB) test was adopted to study crack propagation and its closure (healing) in an asphalt mix. The findings demonstrate that compartmented alginate fibres have capacity to survive asphalt mixing and compaction process. The fibres can efficiently repair damage (close the cracks), increase asphalt mix stiffness and strength. However, when the asphalt mix is subjected to fatigue loading the system does not significantly improve healing properties of the asphalt mix. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that, with further enhancement, compartmented calcium alginate fibres may present a promising new approach for the development of self-healing asphalt pavement systems.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Materials and Environmen

Mechanism of oxidation of 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide by the biologically active p-benzoquinone derivative, avarone, in a cationic micellar medium. An electrochemical approach

The electrochemical reduction of avarone (Q), an antitumor sesquiterpenoid quinone, was investigated at various pH in aqueous ethanol containing a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) by cyclic and rotating disc electrode voltammetry, using a glassy carbon electrode. Comparison of the electrochemical reduction of Q in presence of CTAB with the same process in a homogeneous water + ethanol solution shows an anodic shift of the reduction potential in the presence of CTAB; at pH gt 9.5 and in presence of CTAB, two well-defined reduction peaks are observed, thus confirming one-electron reduction of Q, whereby the intermediate radical-anion is stabilized by the cationic micellar medium. The electrochemical oxidation of BNAH was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the anodic shift of the peak potential in presence of CTAB was observed. From the electrochemical behaviour of Q and BNAH, and the kinetics of the oxidation of BNAH with Q, it is suggested that the reaction takes place in two successive one-electron transfer steps. The application of the Marcus theory gives additional proof that, in this case, the first electron transfer is the rate determining step. © 1991