Variation in the Biomolecular Interactions of Nickel(Ii) Hydrazone Complexes Upon Tuning the Hydrazide Fragment

Three new bivalent nickel hydrazone complexes have been synthesised from the reactions of [NiCl2(PPh3)(2)] with H2L {L = dianion of the hydrazones derived from the condensation of o-hydroxynaphthaldehyde with furoic acid hydrazide (H2L1) (1)/thiophene-2-acid hydrazide (H2L2) (2)/isonicotinic acid hydrazide (H2L3) (3)} and formulated as [Ni(L-1)(PPh3)] (4), [Ni(L-2)(PPh3)] (5) and [Ni(L-3)(PPh3)] (6). Structural characterization of these compounds 4-6 were accomplished by using various physico-chemical techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data of complexes 4 and 5 proved their distorted square planar geometry. In order to ascertain the potential of the above synthesised compounds towards biomolecular interactions, additional experiments involving interaction with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were carried out. All the ligands and corresponding nickel(II) chelates have been screened for their scavenging effect towards O-2(-), OH and NO radicals. The efficiency of complexes 4-6 to arrest the growth of HeLa, HepG-2 and A431 tumour cell lines has been studied along with the cell viability test against the non-cancerous NIH 3T3 cells under in vitro conditions.University Grants Commission, New Delhi under the UGC-SAP-DRSRobert A. Welch Foundation F-0003Chemistr

Assessment of a diketopiperazine, cyclo(Trp-Phe) from Streptomyces griseoplanus SAI-25 against cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Microorganisms produce a range of metabolites with varying pest control properties. With this concept, we earlier identified 15 Streptomyces spp. strains with insecticidal activity against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe). In recent studies, we evaluated an insecticidal compound purified from the extracellular extract of S. griseoplanus SAI-25 by bioactivity-guided fractionation against H. armigera. Spectral studies by infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) confirmed that the purified compound was cyclo(Trp-Phe) of the diketopiperazines class. Cyclo(Trp-Phe) exhibited antifeedant (70 %), larvicidal (67 %), and pupicidal (59 %) action against H. armigera in a dose-dependent manner. The lethal dose for 50 % of the group (LD50) and LD90 values for larvicidal effect were 619 and 2750 ppm, respectively. In addition, the purified compound prolonged larval (10.3–11.1 days) and pupal (10.9–11.8 days) periods compared with the untreated control (larval duration 9.8 days, pupal duration 10.6 days). This is the first report on the presence and biological activity of cyclo(Trp-Phe) isolated from the genus Streptomyces

Development of early maturing salt-tolerant rice variety KKL(R) 3 using a combination of conventional and molecular breeding approaches

Introduction: Soil salinity poses a severe threat to rice production, resulting in stunted growth, leaf damage, and substantial yield losses. This study focuses on developing an early maturing seedling stage salinity tolerant rice variety by integrating conventional breeding methods with marker assisted breeding (MAB) approaches.Methods: Seedling-stage salinity tolerance Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) “Saltol” from the salt-tolerant parent FL478 was introduced into the high-yielding but salt-sensitive rice variety ADT 45. This was achieved through a combination of conventional breeding and MAB. The breeding process involved rigorous selection, screening, and physiological parameter assessments.Results: KKL(R) 3 (KR 15066) identified as the top performing Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL), consistently demonstrating maximum mean grain yields under both salinity (3435.6 kg/ha) and normal (6421.8 kg/ha) conditions. In comparison to the early maturing, salt-tolerant national check variety CSR 10, KKL(R) 3 exhibited a substantial yield increase over 50%.Discussion: The notable improvement observed in KKL(R) 3 positions it as a promising variety for release, offering a reliable solution to maximize yields, ensure food security, and promote agricultural sustainability in both saline and non-saline environments. The study highlights the effectiveness of MAB in developing salt-tolerant rice varieties and emphasizes the significance of the Saltol QTL in enhancing seedling stage salinity tolerance. The potential release of KKL(R) 3 has the capacity to revolutionize rice production in salt affected regions, providing farmers with a reliable solution to maximize yields and contribute to food security while ensuring agricultural sustainability

EXTRACTION, ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOACTIVE FLAVONOIDS FROM THE FRUITS OF PHYSALIS PERUVIANA LINN EXTRACT

Objective: Although Physalis peruviana Linn. fruit commonly known as golden berries, Cape gooseberries and wild tomato is highly esteemedby consumers all over the world, scientific reports about the fruits are scarce and there was no systemic study in the literature regarding thephytoconsituents present in the fruits of Indian P. peruviana L. Hence, the present study was aimed to determine the total flavonoids as well asphenolic content in the fruits of P. peruviana L.Methods: The ethanolic extract of P. peruviana L. fruits was subjected to phytochemical screening and the total flavonoids as well as phenolic contentswere estimated according to standard protocols. The extract was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography analysis for the identificationof major flavonoids and the individual flavonoids were characterized by various spectral studies.Results: The qualitative analysis revealed the presence of biologically active secondary metabolites such as phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, sterols,saponins, tannins, lactones and alkaloids in the fruit extract. The fruit extract was also found to contain significant amounts of both phenoliccompounds, as well as flavonoids such as rutin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that many compounds rather than a single component of P. peruviana L. fruit is responsible forits pharmacological as well as beneficial effects. The data also provide a rationale for the use of golden berries in the traditional medicine for variousailments.Keywords: Physalis peruviana L., Cape gooseberry, Flavonoids, Phenols, Phytochemicals

Thermal stability of high concentration lysozyme across varying pH: A Fourier Transform Infrared study

Aim: The current work is aimed at understanding the effect of pH on the thermal stability of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) at high concentration (200 mg/mL). Materials and Methods: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy with modified hardware and software to overcome some of the traditional challenges like water subtraction, sample evaporation, proper purging etc., are used in this study. Results: HEWL was subjected to thermal stress at pH 3.0-7.0 between 25°C and 95°C and monitored by FTIR spectroscopy. Calculated T m values showed that the enzyme exhibited maximum thermal stability at pH 5.0. Second derivative plots constructed in the amide I region suggested that at pH 5.0 the enzyme possessed higher amount of α-helix and lower amount of aggregates, when compared to other pHs. Conclusions: Considering the fact that HEWL has attractive applications in various industries and being processed under different experimental conditions including high temperatures, our work is able to reveal the reason behind the pH dependent thermal stability of HEWL at high concentration, when subjected to heat denaturation. In future, studies should aim at using various excipients that may help to increase the stability and activity of the enzyme at this high concentration