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Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder, which effects people across all cultures globally. Lifelong distress is the cause of this disease which has no cure as of now. Various medications available in the market are too expensive and not easily affordable by all. Rural people rely on plant based Ayurvedic medications to heal diabetes as these contain anti-diabetic compounds. These phytoconstituents/anthocyanin derivatives work with several mechanisms that involve phytoconstituent interactions and target molecules in diabetic metabolism. Molecular docking analysis aids in finding out the interaction between receptors and ligands to identify the finest interaction which suits the target. In this case, the study proposed examining the bonding interactions of anti-diabetic compounds/anthocyanin derivatives derived from medicinal plants (Pelargonidin, Cyanidin, Delphinidin, Peonidin, Petunidin, Quercetin and pancreatic alpha-amylase (4X9Y)) with the help of the computational tool. ADME/T test helps decide different pharmacological and physicochemical analysis of lead atoms, degree of adsorption inside the cell, digestion rate, solvency, blood cerebrum boundary penetrability, cancer-causing nature and so on, which are the significant essentials prior to advertising a medication. Peonidin and Quercetin was proposing the best interactions. Nonetheless, to discover a better cure for diabetes, further in-vitro/ in vivo studies have to be carried out.

Based on the energy and environmental audit, analysis of material flows, energy conversion, emissions into atmosphere and lithosphere in the production of instant coffee was carried out.To raise energy efficiency and reduce environmental burden, innovative flow diagrams and equipment for waste processing and production of new coffee products have been developed.Experimental modeling was carried out: kinetics of microwave extraction of water-soluble substances and oil from coffee slurry; hydraulics of the extractant flow through cassettes of the microwave extractor. The experimental data were summarized in the form of a criterion equation.As a result of experimental modeling of the extraction kinetics, it was found that the duration of the process in a microwave field is approximately 20 times less than in a thermostat. The microwave field affects the extraction rate to a greater extent than the process temperature. The growth of microwave power results in a more than the two-fold rise of the yield of extractives from a coffee slurry.Specification of the microwave oil extractor was defined. The extractor sample was tested at a specific power of 180...240 W/kg in the mode of boiling extractant. Ethanol (93...96 % concentration) was used as an extractant. As a result of the tests, a high-quality coffee oil was obtained. It is characterized by a pronounced aroma, coffee taste and an intense dark brown color.Flow diagram of pre-extraction of coffee from slurry was worked out. Additional extraction of water-soluble extractive substances from coffee slurry increased the extract yield by 10...12 %. The temperature regime of extraction was significantly reduced plus duration and energy intensity of the process were reduced.An innovative flow diagram has been developed for the production of liquid coffee concentrate as a basis for coffee-based drinks ready for immediate use. The concentration of solids is 50...65 %, На основе энергетического и экологического аудита проведен анализ материальных потоков, конверсии энергии, выбросов в атмосферу и литосферу при производстве растворимого кофе.Для повышения энергоэффективности, снижения экологической нагрузки разработаны инновационные технологические схемы и оборудование по переработке отходов и производству новых кофейных продуктов.Проведено экспериментальное моделирование: кинетики микроволнового экстрагирования водорастворимых веществ и масла из кофейного шлама; гидравлики течения экстрагента через кассеты микроволнового экстрактора. Экспериментальные данные обобщены в виде критериального уравнения.В результате экспериментального моделирования кинетики экстрагирования установлено, что продолжительность процесса в микроволновом поле приблизительно в 20 раз меньше, чем в термостате. Действие микроволнового поля влияет на скорость экстрагирования в большей мере, чем температура процесса. Повышение мощности микроволновой энергии повышает выход экстрактивных веществ из кофейного шлама более чем в два раза.Определены технические характеристики микроволнового экстрактора масла. Испытания образца экстрактора проводились при удельной мощности 180…240 Вт/кг в режиме кипения экстрагента. В качестве экстрагента использовался этанол (концентрация 93…96 %). В результате испытаний получено качественное кофейное масло, которое характеризуется выраженным ароматом и вкусом кофе и интенсивной темно-коричневой окраской.Разработана технологическая схема предэкстрагирования кофе из шлама. Дополнительное извлечение из шлама кофе водорастворимых экстрактивных веществ, повышает выход экстракта на 10…12 %. Существенно снижен температурный режим экстрагирования, уменьшена продолжительность и энергоемкость процесса.Разработана инновационная технологическая схема производства жидкого концентрата кофе – основы для напитков на базе кофе, готовых к немедленному употреблению. Концентрация сухих веществ составляет 50…65 %, На основі енергетичного й екологічного аудиту проведено аналіз матеріальних потоків, конверсії енергії, викидів в атмосферу й літосферу при виробництві розчинної кави.Для підвищення енергоефективності, зниження екологічного навантаження розроблені інноваційні технологічні схеми й устаткування по переробці відходів і виробництву нових кавових продуктів.Проведено експериментальне моделювання: кінетики мікрохвильового екстрагування водорозчинних речовин і масла з кавового шламу; гідравліки плину экстрагента через касети мікрохвильового екстрактора. Експериментальні дані узагальнені у вигляді критериального рівняння.У результаті експериментального моделювання кінетики екстрагування встановлено, що тривалість процесу в мікрохвильовому полі приблизно в 20 разів менше, ніж у термостаті. Дія мікрохвильового поля впливає на швидкість екстрагування більшою мірою, чим температура процесу. Підвищення потужності мікрохвильової енергії підвищує вихід екстрактивних речовин з кавового шламу більш ніж у два рази.Визначено технічні характеристики мікрохвильового екстрактора масла. Випробування зразка екстрактора проводилися при питомій потужності 180…240 Вт/кг у режимі кипіння екстрагенту. У якості екстрагенту використовувався етанол (концентрація 93...96 %). У результаті випробувань отримане якісне кавове масло, що характеризується вираженим ароматом і смаком кави й інтенсивним темно-коричневим фарбуванням.Розроблено технологічну схему передекстрагування кави зі шламу. Додатковий витяг зі шламу кави водорозчинних екстрактивних речовин, підвищує вихід екстракту на 10...12 %. Істотно знижено температурний режим екстрагування, зменшені тривалість і енергоємність процесу.Розроблено інноваційну технологічну схему виробництва рідкого концентрату кави – основи для напоїв на базі кави, готових до безпосереднього вживання. Концентрація сухих речовин становить 50...65 %

Dyes are extensively used in textile, tannery, food, paper and pulp, printing industries to color their products. About 10-15% of the annual global production (2,80,000 tons) of dyes are discharged as effluent mainly by textile and paint industries. The majority of the dyes are toxic and cause damage to aquatic life. In this study biosorption of Malachite Green (MG) onto the lyophilised Aspergillus versicolor Biomass (AVB) was investigated with variation in pH, temperature, contact time, biosorbent concentration and dye concentration. Characterization of the dye-biosorbent interaction was studied by scanning electron microscopy. It was observed from the present study that the biosorption of Malachite green was maximum at pH 5.0, temperature of 30°C, and adsorbent concentration of 2g/L. The rate of adsorption was found to be very fast at the initial phase and the equilibrium reached within 270 min following the pseudo-second order rate kinetics. The adsorption process followed Freundlich Isotherm model. The treated and untreated AVB was characterized for the investigation of possible dye-biosorbent interaction and surface morphology by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) respectively. The results show that the present study may help designing a promising route towards bioremediation of the hazardous chemical MG.

We report the synthesis of copper nanoparticle using a completely green protocol. Aqueous copper sulphate solution was used as a precursor of copper nanoparticle whereas L-ascorbic acid and starch acted as reducing agent and stabilizer respectively. Formation of copper nanoparticle was confirmed by colour, UV-VIS spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) results. The as-synthesized copper nanoparticles show characteristic plasmonic band at 590 nm. High-Resolution Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) shows almost spherical particles having average diameters of 5.7 ± 1.8 nm. As-synthesized copper nanoparticle exhibits antibacterial activity for both Gm-positive bacteria, Bacilus subtilis and Gm-negetive bacteria, Escherecia coli. Plate count and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) studies show higher susceptibility of B. subtilis towards copper nanoparticle

The interfacial tension (γ) of heptane-water system has been measured as functions of time (t) at a fixed concentration (Clp) of protein bovine serum albumin at a given value of pH, ionic strength and temperature. The concentration Cls of anionic surfactant SDS and those of cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide cetyl pyridinium bromide, myristyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide respectively have been kept constant during the measurement of interfacial tension lowering (Π). From the rate of change of Πwith t, the first order rate constants k1 and k2 for the adsorption process have been evaluated for low and high ranges of time. Values of k1 depend upon magnitude of Cls. pH and ionic strength of the medium. The effect of hydrocarbon chain length and the nature of hydrophillic group of the surfactant, on k1 have been examined at different values of pH and ionic strength of the medium. The values of k2 are found to be insensitive to the charge of all these parameters reason of which has been discussed. The data have been analysed by Ward-Tordai-McRitchi-Alexander equation for the estimation on area (ΔA) swept out by surfactant bound protein molecule during the protein adsorption at oil-water interface.

The pressure-area isotherms at air-water interface of pure protein (bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin) and pure fatty acid (stearic acid and arachidic acid) and their mixtures of different weight fractions have been studied at pH 3.0, 7.0 and 12.0 respectively using Langmuir balance method. The surface pressures π of protein monolayer at different surface areas A of the pure proteins at different pH-values of the subphase are fitted in a virial equation expressed in linear form so that virial coefficients of different proteins have been evaluated at fixed pH. From the plot of second virial co-efficient Bs against several pH values, the isoelectric pH of BSA adsorbed at air-water interface is observed to be 7.0. From the analysis of π-A curves for the fatty acid and pure protein of several binary surface compositions, π-A curves for their mixtures have been obtained. These experimental values have been compared with their ideal values using additivity rule. Such analysis indicates that fatty acid and protein undergo binding interaction in monolayer phase at a given value of in many cases.

The adsorption of proteins (bovine serum albumin and pepsin) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose on the surface of barium sulphate particles has been measured at various ionic strengths, pH, temperatures and neutral salts. The adsorption isotherms appear to be similar to the Langmuir isotherm. In many cases, binding isotherms are found to be S-shaped at low range of solute concentration (cp). At high solute concentrations of the macromolecules, Γp appears to reach a constant value Γp - which becomes insensitive to further increase of cp. In the case of proteins, Γmp is found to be less than 1 mg per sq metre of barium sulphate whereas for NaCMC, this value may be greater than one. Based on Langmuir equation the maximum amount of adsorbate required Γlp to cover the surface of powdered barium sulphate has also been calculated, Γlp is always found to be higher than Γmp by twenty to forty percent depending on the ionic strength, pH and other solution parameters. The standard free energy changes (ΔG0 per gm of the adsorbent using appropriate reference states have been calculated by the appropriate equations and it has been found that the free energy values are in the same order of magnitude of Γmp so that the values correctly predict the maximum extent of adsorption. Adsorption of BSA on the mixture of barium sulphate and alumina in various proportions has shown that Γmp or Γlp calculated theoretically based on the addtively rule is always higher than those observed experimentally. From the variation of ΔG0 with temperature, the respective change in enthalpy(ΔHav0) and entropy (ΔGav0) for the adsorption processes heve been calculated and the results have been critically analysed.

The extents of adsorption of SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate) onto cellulose and binding of SDS to dextrin in aqueous medium have been measured as a function of surfactant concentration (C2) under different physicochemical conditions. Γ12 increases with increase of C2, until it reaches the maximum value, Γm2 at a critical concentration, Cm2. With increase of C2 further, Γ12 decreases linearly with C2 until it becomes zero at the azeotropic state. Γ12 becomes negative and its magnitude increases with increase of C2 further without reaching a limiting value. Using the concept of Gibbs surface excess, it has been shown that binding and adsorption of both surfactant and water to polysaccharide are responsible for the overall shape of the isotherm. The standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔG0 for the transfer of moles of surfactant to 1 kg of dextrin or cellulose at the state of surface saturation has been calculated using an integrated form of the Gibbs adsorption equation. The values of ΔG0 follow the same order as those of Γm2. The average slope of the linear plot of ΔG0 vs Γm2 is equal to 28.4 kJ/mol for binding experiment, and 27.9 kJ/mol for adsorption experiment. This corresponds to the standard free energy change (ΔG0B) for the transfer of 1 mol of surfactant from the bulk solution to the polysaccharide boundary when the bulk mole fraction of surfactant is altered from zero to unity. The values of ΔG0hy for different systems at high surfactant concentration have also been calculated using a linear extrapolation method, and they are found to be positive in all cases due to excess positive hydration of polysaccharide.

Using isopiestic vapour pressure technique, extents of binding of water to a globular protein, lysozyme, have been determined in the absence and presence of inorganic salts, sucrose and urea at a fixed temperature. The water vapour adsorption isotherm for lysozyme in the range of water activity varying between zero to-unity is similar to type III BET isotherm. Moles of water adsorbed per mole of lysozyme at unit water activity have been evaluated by extrapolation method and the results support monolayer model for water adsorption by lysozyme under ideal conditions. Using the Bull equation in the integrated form, standard free energies, ΔG0w for water-protein binding interaction at two different temperatures have been evaluated. Based on Clausius-Clapeyron equation in integrated form, the integral enthalpy for water-protein interaction has also been evaluated. Using the isopiestic technique, excess binding of solutes T12 per mole of lysozyme in the presence of different bulk mole-fractions (X2) of the solutes (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, NaBr, NaI, KSCN, urea and sucrose) has been evaluated in each case from the expression for the Gibbs surface excess. In certain ranges of solute concentration, the plot of Γ21 vs X1 becomes linear so that moles of water and solute bound per mole of lysozyme can be evaluated. X1 stands for the mole-fraction of the solvent in the bulk phase. Also, using the integrated form of the Gibbs adsorption equation, standard free energy changes(ΔG0) for the solute-lysozyme and the solvent-lysozyme interactions for different systems have been computed and the values have been compared critically.

Extents of binding of water (n1) to a ternary mixture of protein, lipid and carbohydrate (BSA, cholesterol and cellulose in 1:1:1 weight ratio) have been determined in the absence and presence of some inorganic electrolytes and urea using isopiestic vapour pressure technique at a fixed temperature (37°C). The shapes of the water vapour adsorption isotherms for the ternary mixture in the range of water activity (a1) from zero to unity are in qualitative agreement with type III BET isotherm. At water activity (a1) aproaching unity, maximum number of moles of water bound (Δn01) per kg of mixture has been evaluated by extrapolation method. At a given value of a1, n1 for the ternary mixture is found to be significantly less than their ideal value obtained from the additivity rule due to the interaction present between protein, lipid and carbohydrate in the sample system. Standard free energy changes (ΔG0) and enthalpy changes (ΔH0) for the mixture have been evaluated from the experimental data. From an examination of these thermodynamic parameters, hydration of the ternary mixture has been found to be a spontaneous process controlled both by enthalpy and entropy effects. The excess hydration of the ternary mixture in the presence of some solutes (NaCl, LiCl, KCl, KBr, KI, Na2SO4, CaCl2 and urea) has been estimated from isopiestic experiments and using the integrated form of the Gibbs adsorption equation, standard free energy changes (ΔG0) of excess hydration have been evaluated. The absolute values of water and salt binding to the ternary mixture, have also been obtained from thermodynamic considerations.

The adsorption of oligomeric protein, hemoglobin from aqueous solution to the surfaces of silica, alumina, chromium, resin (Cl- form), carbon and sephadex have been studied as functions of bulk aqueous protein concentrations at various values of pH, ionic strength and temperature of the system. The shape and monolayer points of the adsorption isotherms have been analysed and factors responsible for positive and negative adsorption of hemoglobin at different surfaces have been discussed. The low values of maximum adsorption of hemoglobin obtained for several types of surfaces indicates that the quaternary structure of four polypeptide chains of the oligomeric protein are probably broken at the interface and the protein is adsorbed as a single polypeptide chain having tertiary structure close to that of myoglobin. Further, using an universal scale of thermodynamics, an attempt has been made to explain and compare the maximum affinities for different surfaces in terms of standard free energies (ΔG0) of adsorption per square meter of the surface. The standard free energy (ΔG0B) for the transfer of one mole of protein from bulk water to the surface is observed to be ±40 kJ/mol and this value is independent of pH, ionic strength and temperature.

Surat-thani oyster, a big and thin-shell bivalve mollusks, has been registered as Geographical Indicators, GI, as its good taste and delicacy as well as nutritious. Eaten style is raw then there is high risk to face with some disease as oyster is filter feeder. Physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities after the oyster meat treated with the garlic juice at 0, 2 and 3 ml, respectively were monitored. Though initial pH of the control, untreated with garlic juice, was higher compared with the sample treated with 3 ml garlic juice, pH of it (control) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the sample treated with the juice during storage. The total volatile base (TVB), chemical quality, values of all samples increased when increased storage time but not over 35 mg/100 g sample. During chilled storage, lactic acid content of all samples increased as storage time increased but the sample treated with the juice was higher compared with the control. A thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), rancidity indicator, of the control was higher than the sample treated with the juice. K-value (%) of all oyster meats increased however; the lowest value was found in the control at end of storage, 12 days. Ammonia content of all samplesslightly increased during storage. Lactic acid content of the treated sample was higher than control after stored for 12 days. Both mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria of all samples tended to increase during storage. Mesophilic ofcontrol, sample-injected with garlic juice 2 ml and 3 ml increased from 3.89± 0.04 to 6.2±0.04, 3.62±0.18 to 5.89±0.06 and 3.57±0.02 to 6.04±0.10 log CFU/g, respectively at end of storage. Lactic acid bacteria of control andsample-injected with garlic juice 2 ml and 3 ml changed from 1.71±0.02 to 2.94±0.04, 1.79±0.09 to 4.63±0.08 and 1.84±0.04 to 4.82±0.10 log CFU/g, respectively. However, psychrophilic, coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp.

This paper reports rapid and eco-friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using latex of two different plants Jatropha curcas (Jc) and Lannea grandis (Lg). Latex of these plants act as both reducing as well as capping agent. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of as-synthesized silver nanocolloids (AgNC) appeared at 440 nm and 415 nm for the AgNC synthesized by latex of Jc and Lg, respectively. TEM images show that the latex of Lg produced smaller regular-shaped particles than those produced by latex of Jc. The influence of different synthesis parameters like concentration of latex, concentration of metal ion, time of reaction etc., on the morphology of the particles were also studied by monitoring UV-Vis spectra of the samples.

In this study, the association between Eimeria spp. related signs and innate immune response in dairy calves was examined. Calves (n= 100) aged 15-60 days were clinically examined and faecal samples, blood samples and deep nasopharyngeal swabs obtained. The samples were analysed for intestinal pathogens, acute phase proteins and WBC count, and respiratory tract pathogens, respectively. Diarrhoea was diagnosed in 32.6% (23.3-43.0%, 95% CI) of calves. An association between the pathogenic Eimeria spp. and diarrhoea was detected by multiple correspondence analysis. Eimeria related signs (diarrhoea, presence of pathogenic species and total oocyst count) were combined resulting a four level variable. Calves with weak signs of eimeriosis had decreased haptoglobin concentrations (p = 0.02) and increased fibrinogen concentrations (p = 0.048) compared to no signs. Increased haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations were associated with respiratory tract infection and umbilical infection. Serum amyloid A and WBC counts showed no association with signs of eimeriosis or clinical diagnoses. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extents of hydration of binary mixtures of different biopolyrners and lipid in different proportions have been measured in the absence and presence of inorganic salts and urea at a fixed temperature using isopiestic vapour pressure technique. Moles of water adsorbed per kg of mixture at unit water activity have been evaluated by extrapolation method. Standard free energy (ΔG0) and enthalpy (ΔH0) changes for the mixture in bringing water activity from zero to unity have been evaluated from the experimental data. The extent of excess hydration of different binary mixtures in the presence of excess of neutral salts and urea have been evaluated using the same isopiestic method. In all cases, the moles of water and solute respectively bound in absolute amount to mixtures have been evaluated in the limited range of solute concentrations in the medium. Also, using the integrated form of the Gibbs adsorption equation, standard free energy changes (ΔG0) for the solute and the solvent interactions for different types of mixtures have been computed and values have been compared critically.

Kinetics of adsorption of cationic sufactants, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), myristyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (MTAB) and dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) at the hydrophobic surface of charcoal have been studied at various values of bulk surfactant concentration (Ct2), pH, ionic strength and temperature. The adsorption process has been found to follow two-step first order kinetic rate equation with two different rate constants k1 and k2. From the variation of k1 and k2 with temperature, values of energies of activation Eal and Ea2 for both the kinetic steps have been evaluated. The corresponding values of enthalpies of activation (ΔH#1, and ΔH#2) and entropies of activation (ΔS#1, and ΔS#2) have been evaluated usign Eyring's equation for absolute reaction rate. It has been found that the value of Tav ΔS# decreases with increase in the value of concentration of CTAB below its cmc. At the concentration range 0.15 mM to 0.30 mM, ΔH#1 < TavΔS#1, so that in this concentration range the first step is controlled by entropy. But as Ct2 approaches the me of CTAB, the value of ΔH#1, becomes greater than TavΔS#1 and TavΔS#2 increases with increase of (Ct2), when it approaches the cmc of CTAB and also below cmc, so that the second step in the activated state is mainly controlled by entropy. Above cmc of CTAB, when Ct2, is altered from 1.5 to 6.0 mM, the values of TavΔS#1 and TavΔS#2 vary in an irregular manner. Both pH and ionic strength have significant effects on the values of ΔH#1 and ΔH#2 The free energies of activation ΔG#1 and ΔG#2 are found to vary between 62 to 85 kJ/mole and ΔH#1 and ΔH#2 vary linearly with TavΔS#1 and TavΔS#2. An entropy-enthalpy compensation effect in the CTAB-Charcoal interaction has also been noted.

Hydrodynamic characteristics of a liquid membrane permeation system for separation of toluene from a mixture of heptane and toluene were studied. The mass transfer coefficient was well correlated in terms of three dimensionless numbers: Sherwood, Schmidt and Reynolds. By using the correlation equation, a correction factor with respect to intrinsic permeation rate was evaluated from the experimental data under various non-ideal flow conditions.

The effect of lipids on antioxidant activities of tested antioxidants and the galangal seasoning, Tom-Kha paste extract were determined. The result showed that heating caused a decrease of DPPH scavenging activity of lauric acid but did not affected on ABTS scavenging activity of both lauric acid and virgin coconut oil. However, ABTS scavenging activity of p-hydroxycinnamic acid and the paste extract in both lauric acid and virgin coconut oil systems increased after thermal processing. In the system of lauric acid, peroxide value (PV) of almost mixtures was increased (p<0.05) by heating. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of the mixtures were not significantly different (p<0.05) after thermal processing while p-anisidine value (AV) of only lauric acid-gallic was enhanced after heating. The results showed that PV of virgin coconut oil added with all tested antioxidant was not changed after heating. TBARS of virgin coconut oil added with antioxidant samples seemed to slightly increase after heating. AV of virgin coconut oil with added gallic acid and the paste extract were not changed while AV of virgin coconut oil with added p-hydroxycinnamic acid and Trolox seemed to decrease after heating

The factors influencing the adherence of starch were examined to improve the understanding of the mechanisms affecting soiling and cleanability. Therefore an aqueous suspension of starch granules was sprayed on four model substrates (glass, stainless steel, polystyrene and PTFE) and dried, and the substrates were cleaned using a radial-flow cell. The morphology of the soiled surfaces and the substrate chemical composition were also characterized. By influencing droplet spreading and competition between granule-substrate and granule-granule interfaces regarding the action of capillary forces, substrate wettability affected the shape and compactness of the adhering aggregates, the efficiency of shear forces upon cleaning, and finally the adherence of soiling particles. The rate of drying had an influence explained by the duration left to capillary forces for acting. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of macromolecules, mainly polysaccharides, which were adsorbed from the liquid phase, or carried by the retracting water film and deposited at the granule-substrate interface. These macromolecules acted as an adhesive joint, the properties of which seemed to be influenced by the detailed history of drying and subsequent exposure to humidity. In summary, the substrate surface energy affects the adherence of starch aggregates by different mechanisms which are all linked together: suspension droplet spreading, action of capillary forces, direct interaction with starch particles and interfacial macromolecules.

Gallbladder bile from 27 control and 34 patients with cholesterol gallstone belonging to the Indian Ganges Delta have been analysed with respect to its three major components i.e. cholesterol, bile salt and phospholipid. The results when plotted on triangular co-ordinate failed to demonstrate any differences between lithogenic and non-lithogenic bile. The micellar and non-micellar boundary lines in accordance with the phase rule invoked by Admirand and Small1 and Holzbach et a1 have thus been considered ineffective as markers for patient and non-patient classification. The lithogenic index has been observed to be proportionately dependent on D/T ratio but not so on the G/T ratio. The maximum cholesterol solubility of the bile has been observed to be independent of all these parameters. The occurence of significant amounts of bile salts and phospholipids as well as calcium and iron salts alongwith cholesterol in stones suggests the inapplicability of phase rule to the stability of human bile system. The role of microcomponents of bile (ions, glycoproteins, etc.) appears to be significant for cholesterol stone formation.

Adsorption of cationic and anionic surfactants from aqueous solutions on alumina particles has been studied. The alumina used was characterised by measuring isoelectric pH and the specific surface area. Adsorption experiments of cationic surfactants have been done on negatively charged alumina and of anionic surfactant on positively charged alumina. Adsorption is found to depend on the chain length of the surfactants. DTAB was found to be adsorbed perpendicularly while CTAB was almost flat at the interface. MTAB showed intermediate orientation. It was also observed that the saturation adsorption of surfactants occured at concentrations (csc) often not identical with cmc, but in most cases csc was less than cmc. SDS showed interfacial coagulation behaviour both at 30°C and 50°C. Increase of ionic strength decreases the amount of adsorption, Interchain cohesion within adsorbed monolayer was weak for CTAB adsorption, but was rather strong in case of MTAB and DTAB. As a result of this, some of the isotherms of MTAB DTAB showed steps. The results have been analysed according to thermodynamic principles.

The intrinsic stability of human bile as well as the stability of model and natural bile in different salt environments were studied. The results suggested that irrespective of its cholesterol content, human bile was unstable and exhibited spontaneous precipitation of its three major components, cholesterol, phospholipids and bile salts. The extent of precipitation of each component varied from sample to sample. Salts imparted instability to the bile and cations of higher valancy were more effective. Multivalent cation, Ca++, Mg++ and Fe+++ caused partial precipitation of all the three components of the model as well as the natural bile. The multivalent protein protamine sulphate was also a much effective precipitant. The precipitation by the electrolytes followed the Hardy-Shulze valency rule observed for hydrophobic colloids according to which the power of precipitation by an electrolyte depends on its ion carrying charge opposite in sign to that of the colloid. The effectivity followed the order: protamine sulphate>FeCl-32>MgCl2>CaCl2>NaCl. Washing of the precipitates by either water or isotonic saline in the case of model bile and by diluted bile in the case of human bile resulted resolubilisation of a part of the phospholipids and bile salts. All these results advocated colloid chemical nature of bile. They also suggested that the micro components of the human bile give some natural protection against precipitation.

Isolation and purification of papain from indigenous papaya latex was carried out according to the method of Baines et al and the purity of the papain thus obtained was verified by disc-gel electrophoresis. The half-life periods of the purified papain solution maintained at different pH values were determined. It was found that the aqueous solution of the purified papain was most stable at 30° C in the pH range 5 to 6. Studies on the effect of different activators on the activity of papain showed that cysteine and dithiol compounds activate the purified enzyme to a greater extent. The optimum concentration of both the cysteine and dithiol compounds for obtaining maximum activity of the purified papain was 0.05M. Studies on the immobilisation of papain on phenol formaldehyde resin using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent showed that for eliminating the external mass transfer resistance during reaction of immobilised enzyme, the optimum stirrer speed was 800 r.p.m and that pore-diffusional limitation was practically absent. Investigation on the evaluation of different parameters of reaction of papain and immobilised papain showed that the values of Michaeles-Menten constant and maximum reaction rate were very close in both the cases while the values of optimum pH of reaction, optimum temperature of reaction and activation energy were the same in both the cases of free and immobilised enzyme. Comparative studies on immobilisation of papain and mercuripapain performed separately on phenol-formaldehyde resin indicated that immobilised papain showed only 68.5% of the activity of immobilised mercuripapain.

Membranes of the bacterial cells or disease-affected cells of the host, play the key role in the action of drug used for the treatment of various diseases including cancer. Attempts have been made to focus the various functions of the membrane and transport of drugs through the membrane to reach the action sites or targets. Probable methods using the encapsulation of drug by liposomes, for the betterment of drug action specially for cancer drugs either on the membrane or its transport through the membrane has also been discussed.