A convenient method for lactonization of α-allyl esters using iodine in dimethyl- sulphoxide

A simple method for the synthesis of α-γ-disubstituted-γ-butyrolactones by cyclization of α-allyl esters using iodine in dimethylsulphoxide is reported. This method is efficient and operationally simple in comparison to methods using transition metal complexes. KEY WORDS: γ-Butyrolactones, α-Allyl esters, Iodine, Dimethyl sulphoxide Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(3), 469-473.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i3.1

In vitro antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of Jatropha species

Leaf extracts, stem extract, roots extract, latex and oil of Jatropha curcas, J. glandulufera, J. integerrima and J. gossypofolia were screened in order to study their effect on plant pathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani and plant pathogenic bacteria Erwinia carotovora pv. Carotovora, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Citri and Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae. Degree of variation of antifungal and antibacterial activity of different parts of Jatropha sp. was observed

Chemoselective C-benzoylation of phenols by using AlCl3 under solvent-free conditions

Substituted phenols were chemo-selectively reacted with benzoylchloride in presence of aluminum chloride under solvent-free condition to afford the corresponding 2'-hydroxy aryl benzophenones in excellent yields (72-96%). Naphthol benzoylation resulted in lower yields as compared to phenols. Both reactions completed in 5-10 min with quantitative yields providing excellent control over regioselectivity of products. KEY WORDS: Chemoselective C-acylation, F-C reaction, Fries rearrangement Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2015, 29(2), 319-325DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v29i2.1

Catalytic conversion of glycerol to polymers in the presence of ammonia

In this contribution, the development of a process for the synthesis of potentially highly valuable polymeric products from the reaction of waste glycerol with ammonia is reported for the first time. The polymers were the result of a single step, continuous gas phase process, catalysed by an alumina-supported iron catalyst, operating under relatively mild reaction conditions. The solid product was characterised using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, qualitative chemical tests and elemental analysis. Characterisation revealed building blocks with unsaturated, amido and ester functionalities shaping a mixture of polymers. Nitrogen atoms were present in the main chain of the resultant polymers. NMR analyses of the polymer denotes the formation of structural defects such as unsaturation and branching; whilst the partial solubility of the polymer in solvents such as CDCl3 and THF is indicative of the formation of cross-linked structures. Insights into the mechanism of formation of these functional groups were based on the liquid and gas phase product distribution. Polymers with chain structures similar to those synthesised in this work are currently manufactured from fossil fuels and are widely used in biomedical applications not only because of their architecture but also due to their response to changes in pH and temperature

Land resource assessment for agricultural development in Seoni district (Madhya Pradesh), India

The objective of land resource assessment for rainfed agridevelopment in tribal dominated Seoni ditrict, Madhya Pradesh was to assess the suitability of thrity soil mapping units for sorghum-cotton based systems in relation to fertility constraints and for enhancing crop productivity. The arability and suitability analysis showed that fifty six per cent of arable land is suitable for eleven land use systems. The twenty two per cent of arable basaltic lands in northen plateaus were evaluated as suitable for for citrus, sorghum and soybean cropping systems with limitations of low available nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc whereas in southern precipitous zone , fifteen per cent of granitic lands were evaluated as suitable for sorghum and cotton with limitations of stoniness, low water holding capacity, low status of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc and eighteen per cent of area in sagar and hirvi river valleys for rice, citrus, maize, sunflower and vegetables. Out of 44.6 per cent of nonarable land, thirty seven per cent of land was evaluated as suitable for forestry / grazing and 6.8 per cent for wild life.The study advocates agroecological zonation for maximum utilization of land resources for potential cropping systems in improving produvtivity and fertility management

BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THREE MEDICINAL TAXA OF GENUS SESBANIA IN MAHARASHTRA

The genus Sesbania belongs to the family Leguminosae and its subfamily is Papilionoideae.There are four subgenera of which Sesbania and Agati are of agriculture value.  The seasonal variation  of  proteins  and  amino  acids  have  been  investigated  in  leaf , bark  and  wood  of  Sesbania rostrata , Sesbania exaltata and Sesbania sesban are the medicinal  plants in Maharashtra. Comparative  account  of  protein  content  of  leaves  of  three  tree  species  revealed  that  Sesbania exaltata were  rich  in  protein(  range from 3.34 to 3.81 mg / g dry wt .) than  Sesbania rostrata (  range from 3.60 to 3.72 mg / g dry wt .) and Sesbania sesban (  range from  2.31 to 2.55 mg / g dry wt .) . Amino  acids  content  of  leaves  of  three  tree  species  revealed  that  Sesbania exaltata were  rich  in  amino acid (  range from  2.47 to 2.67 mg / g dry wt .)  than  Sesbania rostrata (  range from  2.29 to 2.46 mg / g dry wt .) and Sesbania sesban (  range from  1.74 to 1.89 mg / g dry wt .). Key words: Protein , amino  acid , endangered  medicinal  tax

Economics of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose.) production in Amravati District (Maharashtra, India)

The economics of production of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Anjangaon Surji Taluka of Amravati District (Maharashtra, India) was studied during 1995-96. The study indicated that cost of cultivation and gross returns were positively related with size of the holding. The overall cost of cultivation was Rs. 1,32,415.63 per ha and Rs. 1012.04 per qtl. The overall net returns at cost C (which included all costs) was Rs. 50,399.23 per ha. However, net returns decreased with.size of holdings. The overall input-output ratio at cost C was 1.38. &nbsp

Accumulation and Translocation of Nickel and Cobalt in Nutritionally important Indian vegetables grown in artificially contaminated soil of Mumbai, India

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Mobilization of Stem Cells Using G-CSF for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled, Pilot Study

Background. There is emerging evidence to support the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Aims. To explore feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of G-CSF therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients and Method. In randomized study, 10 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited in 1 : 1 ratio to receive 10 μg/kg G-CSF treatment subcutaneously daily for five days with conventional care or conventional treatment alone. Efficacy outcome measures were assessed at baseline, one month, and after six months of treatment included Barthel Index (BI), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and modified Rankin Scale. Results. One patient in G-CSF therapy arm died due to raised intracranial pressure. No severe adverse effects were seen in rest of patients receiving G-CSF therapy arm or control arm. No statistically significant difference between intervention and control was observed in any of the scores though a trend of higher improvement of BI score is seen in the intervention group. Conclusion. Although this study did not have power to examine efficacy, it provides preliminary evidence of potential safety, feasibility, and tolerability of G-CSF therapy. Further studies need to be done on a large sample to confirm the results

Molecular and morphometric analyses reveal discrete grouping of pomegranate (Punica granatum) genebank accessions away from cultivars

Management of germplasm in the field genebanks is greatly assisted by genetic analysis. Estimation of genetic diversity and assessment of genetic relationships among 45 accessions of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) that included cultivars and germplasm collections were carried out using nine morphometric, 241 ISSR and six SSR markers. The average genetic distance values based on ANOVA sum of squares (Ward) were 3.94 and 5.10 for morphometric and DNA markers respectively. Hierarchical clustering based on genetic distances grouped the accessions into at least three distinct clusters; the two-way clustering showing the contribution of individual markers in genetic grouping. Discrete grouping of field genebank accessions (with IC numbers) away from cultivars was evident based both on quantitative traits data as well as DNA marker data. The findings suggested the possibility of broadening genetic base of cultivated varieties by augmenting the breeding programmes in India with diverse as well as trait- specific pomegranate germplasm