Poly[μ-(1,3-dihy­droxy­propan-2-olato)-potassium]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [K(C3H7O3)]n or K[H2gl]n, common name potassium glycerolate, contains half the K+ cation and half of the glycerolate anion. The other half of the anion is generated through a mirror plane passing through the K atom, and a C, an H and an O atom of the glycerolate ligand. The K+ ion is coordinated by the O atoms of the OH groups, leading to a six-membered chelate ring that adopts a very distorted boat conformation. The negatively charged O atom of the glycerolate anion, [H2gl−], is found in the flagpole position and forms an ionic bond with the K+ ion. The O atoms of the hydroxo groups are coordinated to two K+ ions, whereas the negatively charged O atom is bonded to one K+ ion. The K+ ion is coordinated by three other symmetry-related monodentate H2gl− ligands, so that each H2gl− ligand is bonded to two K+ ions, and the potassium has a seven-coordinate environment. The H2gl− ligands are connected via a strong O—H⋯O hydrogen bond and, together with the K⋯O inter­connections, form polymeric sheets which propagate in the directions of the a and b axes

Biomolecular Interaction Study of Cyclolinopeptide A with Human Serum Albumin

The kinetics, energetics, and structure of Cyclolinopeptide A binding with Human Serum Albumin were investigated with surface plasmon resonance and circular dichroism. The complex is formed through slow recognition kinetics that is temperature sensitive in the range of 20°C–37°C. The overall reaction was observed to be endothermic (ΔH = 204 kJ mol−1) and entropy driven (ΔS = 746 J mol−1K−1) with overall small changes to the tertiary structure

Biorefinery process for protein extraction from oriental mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) using ethanol stillage

Large volumes of treated process water are required for protein extraction. Evaporation of this water contributes greatly to the energy consumed in enriching protein products. Thin stillage remaining from ethanol production is available in large volumes and may be suitable for extracting protein rich materials. In this work protein was extracted from ground defatted oriental mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) meal using thin stillage. Protein extraction efficiency was studied at pHs between 7.6 and 10.4 and salt concentrations between 3.4 × 10-2 and 1.2 M. The optimum extraction efficiency was pH 10.0 and 1.0 M NaCl. Napin and cruciferin were the most prevalent proteins in the isolate. The isolate exhibited high in vitro digestibility (74.9 ± 0.80%) and lysine content (5.2 ± 0.2 g/100 g of protein). No differences in the efficiency of extraction, SDS-PAGE profile, digestibility, lysine availability, or amino acid composition were observed between protein extracted with thin stillage and that extracted with NaCl solution. The use of thin stillage, in lieu of water, for protein extraction would decrease the energy requirements and waste disposal costs of the protein isolation and biofuel production processes

Wild Mustard Seed's "Suicidal Germination" after Smoke water priming: A promising tool for weed management

Non-Peer ReviewedFire is a natural disturbance which plays a key role in maintaining ecosystem functioning of Fescue Prairies. Smoke produced during the burning of plant material have shown promotive action on seed germination in plant species including arable weeds and crops in both fire-prone habitats and fire-free habitats around the World. To date, few beneficial chemicals have been characterized from plant-derived smoke water solutions such as Karrikin (KAR1), Cyanohydrin, Hydroquinine etc. These isolated chemicals have demonstrated a positive effect in breaking seed dormancy followed by stimulated seed germination and seedling growth in species and growth condition specific manner. Seed related smoke-induced physiological mechanisms includes activation of enzymes, phytochrome-mediated, other phytohormone interaction and improved rate of germination and seedling vigour. Recent study showed that alfalfa-derived smoke does not contain KAR1. But it showed a promotive and a light requirement substitution action on germination of selected fire responsive fescue prairie forbs, indicating that a different chemical compound is active in alfalfa-derived smoke. The present study was conducted to investigate (1) light-substitution ability of different smoke; (2) the wild mustard seed priming effect with alfalfa smoke water; and (3) the efficacy of using non-polar resin in fractionating active compounds in alfalfa smoke water. In experiments smoke-responsive wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Salad Bowl) seeds were used during dark germination as rapid bioassay species under laboratory conditions. Smoke water solutions were produced by smoldering alfalfa hay and six savannah fire ephemerals. Alfalfa smoke water serial dilutions (1/1000v/v, 1/100v/v, 1/10v/v and 1/1v/v) and HPLC grade distilled water (control) were used as the seed priming treatments in further experiments. Lettuce seed plates were incubated in 24 h fully darkness at alternate 25/15  °C for 01 day. Wild mustard seeds were primed for 24 h in darkness followed by 7 d drying at 20 °C in darkness before adding distilled water. Seeds were incubated at constant 20 °C under 16 h light/8 h darkness or 24 h darkness for 10 days. A non-polar resin (FPX-66) was used to isolate the active chemical compound in alfalfa smoke water. Three fractions were tested with Lettuce bioassay and 1D 1H NMR spectra analysis. At 25/15 °C, Salad bowl bioassay significantly (P<0.001) responses to smoke water solutions irrespective of the smoke types except Eragrostis curvula and Hilliardiella spp. Dilutions, 1/1 v/v and 1/10 v/v have a negative effect on lettuce seed dark germination. In wild mustard seeds, except 1/100 v/v dilution, all other alfalfa smoke water dilutions have maintained a significant seed germination capacity (P<0.001) and pattern over the time showing a suicidal dark germination. Resin fractions significantly (P<0.05) increase lettuce seed dark germination compared to control. 1D 1H NMR spectra for 100% aqueous fraction showed a proton pattern closer to the standard KAR1, indicating the efficacy of non-polar resin in isolating active compounds. Thus, it can be concluded that higher smoke responsiveness of wild mustard seeds is an economically importan

Novel Flaxseed Gum Nanocomposites are Slow Release Iron Supplements

Nanocomposites, based on iron salts and soluble flaxseed gum (FG), were prepared as potential treatments of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). FG was extracted, characterized, and formulated into iron-loading nanocomposites via ion-exchange against FeCl_3, Fe_2(SO_4)_3, FeCl_2, and FeSO_4·7H_2O. FG-iron nanocomposites preparation condition was optimized, and physicochemical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. In vitro release kinetics of iron in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was also evaluated. FG heteropolysaccharide, consisting of rhamnose (33.73%), arabinose (24.35%), xylose (14.23%), glucose (4.54%), and galactose (23.15%) monosaccharides, linked together via varieties of glycosidic bonds, was a good recipient for both ferric and ferrous irons under screened conditions (i.e., 80 °C, 2 h, I/G = 1:2). Iron loaded contents in the nanocomposites prepared from FG-FeCl_3, FG-Fe_2(SO_4)_3, FG-FeCl_2, and FG-FeSO_4·7H_2O were 25.51%, 10.36%, 5.83%, and 22.83%, respectively. Iron in these nanocomposites was mostly in a bound state, especially in FG-FeCl_3, due to chelation forming bonds between iron and polysaccharide hydroxyl or carboxyl groups and formed stable polysaccharide-iron crystal network structures. Free iron ions were effectively removed by ethanol treatments. Because of chelation, the nanocomposites delayed iron release in SGF and the release kinetics were consistent with Korsmeyer-Peppas model. This indicates that such complexes might reduce side effects of free iron in human stomach. Altogether, this study indicates that these synthetic FG-iron nanocomposites might be developed as novel iron supplements for iron deficiency, in which FG-FeCl_3 is considered as the best option

Poly[μ-2,3-dihydroxy­propan-1-olato-sodium]

The Na+ cation in the title compound, [Na(C3H7O3)]n or Na[H2gl], is coordinated by five O atoms leading to a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The negatively charged O atom of the glycerolate anion is in an equatorial position, and the O atom of the hydroxo group, attached to the secondary C atom, occupies an axial position completing a five-membered non-planar chelate ring; this defines the asymmetric unit. The Na+ cation is coordinated by three other symmetry-related monodentate H2gl− ligands, so that each H2gl− ligand is bonded to four Na+ ions. The H2gl− ligands are connected via strong O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and these, together with the Na⋯O inter­connections, are responsible for the formation of polymeric sheets which propagate in the directions of the b and c axes

Implications of COVID-19 on Public Policy, Supply Chain Disruptions, and Monitoring Methods

Transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, referred to as COVID-19, has persisted beyond 2020 and led to a global pandemic with far reaching consequences. Many changes in public policy and health measures were developed and implemented with the intention of slowing the spread of the novel virus. Disruptions from the global pandemic created major supply chain consequences due to stockpiling of essential goods (alcohol-based hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants), impacts on trade routes, and limitations on modes of transportation due to border closures. Rapid increase in the use of hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants significantly affected the production capacity of high-quality ethanol (e.g., USP and FCC grade) resulting in regulatory changes in countries facing shortages. Prompt enactment of government policies allowed for use of alcohol with higher impurities to offset heightened demand and increase commercial availability. Changes in monitoring methods were also observed, where many agencies began to track viral shedding through municipal wastewater. In this chapter, we will discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on public policies and health measures, economics as it relates to supply chain disruptions, and the implementation of novel monitoring methods to survey the spread of COVID-19