A new synthesis of 4-hydroxycoumarins

4-Hydroxynaphthocoumarin has been synthesised by the internal condensation ofO-carbethoxy-2-acetyl-1-naphthol, thus suggesting a new general method for the synthesis of 4-hydroxycoumarins. The behaviour of 4-hydroxynaphthocoumarin has been studied; its derivatives including the corresponding dicoumarin have been prepared. By the action of potassium carbonate or sodamide on the carbethoxy ester of 2-acetyl-1-naphthol, a second product was obtained, the constitution of which is under examination

Effect of germination on the functional and moisture sorption properties of high pressure processed foxtail millet grain flour

Foxtail millet is one of the commonly cultivated, nutritionally competitive source of protein, fibre, phytochemicals and other micronutrients, as compared to major cereals like wheat and rice. Considering the potential of these grains, the high pressure processed flours of germinated (GFMF) and non-germinated foxtail millet (NGFMF) grains were studied for its functional, moisture sorption and thermodynamic properties. Germination and high pressure processing of foxtail millet grains significantly improved the functional properties of the flour. Apart from this, the moisture sorption isotherms of both the flours were determined at 10, 25 and 40 oC and the sorption data was fitted to Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB) sorption model. The monolayer moisture content for NGFMF and GFMF ranged between 3.235 - 2.364 g g-1 and 2.987 – 2.063 g g-1, respectively. The isosteric heat of sorption ranged between -76.35 kJ mol-1 to -38.23 kJ mol-1 for NGFMF and 172.55 kJ mol-1 to -34.02 kJ mol-1 for GFMF at a moisture range of 0 to 36%, whereas, the integral entropy of sorption for NGFMF ranged between -0.404 to -0.120 kJ mol-1 K-1 and for GFMF between -0.667 to -0.383 kJ mol-1 K-1. Along with the validation of the compensation theory, the values of spreading pressures lied in the range of 0 – 0.078 J m-2 for NGFMF and 0 – 0.124 J m-2 for GFMF, while, the glass transition temperatures ranged between 82.25 to 28.67 oC for NGFMF and from 51.11 to 11.83 oC for GFMF at all three temperatures

Synthetical experiments in the chromone group part XXI. synthesis of gentisin, the colouring matter of gentian root

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Protection of mice against Plasmodium berghei infection by a tuftsin derivative

In Plasmodium berghei infections, the mortality rate and parasitaemias were significantly reduced and the mean survival time was considerably enhanced by pretreating the animals with a tuftsin derivative, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-NH-(CH2)2-NHCOC15H31. This effect of the modified tuftsin was further increased upon its incorporation in the liposome bilayer. These results indicate that tuftsin and its derivatives may prove useful in enhancing nonspecific host resistance against protozoan infections

IN VITRO ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF STATIN FROM ASPERGILLUS TAMARII GRD119

Objectives: Fungi have been largely targeted for their biopotential mainly in pharmaceutical industry. Recently, there has been an increase in screening of biopharmaceuticals from microorganisms so as to eliminate side-effects and chemical damages from non-natural sources.Methods: In the present study, Aspergillus tamarii GRD119 (JX110981) was screened for the production of statin by conducting bioassays against Candida and filamentous fungi.Results: Based on the results obtained showing effective inhibition potential against Candida spp and A. fumigatus, further analysis of purification of statin by several chromatographic analyses such as column chromatography, TLC, HPTLC and HPLC was conducted. The extracted statin shows strong cytotoxic activity against HEP G2 cell line.Conclusions: These results designate the fungal strain and the statin produced can serve as candidates for potential genetic transformation and further structural analysis respectively.Keywords: Aspergillus tamarii, chromatography, purification, statin, cytotoxicity

Effect of high pressure soaking on water absorption, gelatinization, and biochemical properties of germinated and non-germinated Foxtail millet grains

Foxtail millet, extensively grown in Asia, Africa and China, is one of the few crops that can thrive under relatively few agricultural inputs and have valuable amount of nutritional components. Therefore, processing of foxtail millet for value addition to various food products can significantly help in economic development as well as enhancing food and nutritional security. This study deals with the effect of high pressure soaking on water uptake, gelatinization characteristics, and nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of foxtail millet grains and its flour. The results demonstrated that high pressure soaking of germinated foxtail millet grains significantly increased the water uptake, thereby increasing the degree of starch gelatinization of the flour to attain a maximum value of 64.93%. The effective diffusion coefficient of water was found to increase with increasing pressures and temperatures, reaching maximum value of 6.77×10-9 m2s-1 for germinated foxtail millet grains treated at 200 MPa and 60 oC. In terms of nutrient content of germinated foxtail millet grain flour, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (FRAP assay) improved significantly, although the protein content did not vary significantly. Further, the levels of anti-nutrients (phytic acid and tannin) decreased with high pressure soaking, which conclusively establishes that the quality of foxtail millet grains and its flour can be improved by using high pressure soaking

Caste, Kinship, and Life Course: Rethinking Women's Work and Agency in Rural South India

This paper reexamines the linkages between women's work, agency, and well-being based on a household survey and in-depth interviews conducted in rural Tamil Nadu in 2009 and questions the prioritization of workforce participation as a path to gender equality. It emphasizes the need to unpack the nature of work performed by and available to women and its social valuation, as well as women's agency, particularly its implications for decision making around financial and nonfinancial household resources in contexts of socioeconomic change. The effects of work participation on agency are mediated by factors like age and stage in the life cycle, reproductive success, and social location – especially of caste – from which women enter the workforce