Reusable nanobiocatalysts for the efficient extraction of pigments from orange peel

Nagpur mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) peels were subjected to treatment with nanobiocatalysts in the form of cellulase and pectinase immobilized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). MNPs (Fe3O4) with average diameter in range of 40–90 nm were immobilized with cellulase and pectinase through APTES and glutaraldehyde. Treatment followed by extraction into organic solvents resulted in 8-9 fold increase in extraction of carotenoidic pigments compared to use of free enzymes. Optimum pH and temperature for the process were determined to be 5.0 and 50 °C, respectively. The nanobiocatalysts could be reused across three cycles with only 15 % drop in yield per cycle. Dinitrosalicylic acid assays showed that superior peel hydrolysis also led to greatest extent of pigment extraction.by Sanjay Kumar, Pramila Sharma, Poonam Ratrey and Bhaskar Datt

Search for a standard model Higgs boson in the H -> ZZ -> l(+)l(-) nu(nu)over-bar decay channel using 4.7 fb(-1) of root s=7 TeV data with the ATLAS detector

A search for a Standard Model Higgs boson decaying via H -> ZZ -> l(+)l(-) nu(nu) over bar, where l represents electrons or muons, is presented. It is based on proton-proton collision data at root s = 7 TeV, collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC during 2011 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb(-1). The data agree with the expected Standard Model backgrounds. Upper limits on the Higgs boson production cross section are derived for Higgs boson masses between 200 GeV and 600 GeV and the production of a Standard Model Higgs boson with a mass in the range 319-558 GeV is excluded at the 95% confidence level. (C) 2012 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved