Preparation of α-chitin-based nanocomposite as an effective biocatalyst for microwave aided domino reaction

The Use of Chitin from the Molts of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) for the Removal of Anionic and Cationic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions

The possibility of using chitin from the molts of an insect-ealworm (Tenebrio molitor) to remove anionic (RB5, RY84) and cationic dyes (BV10, BR46) from aqueous solutions was investigated. The scope of the research included, among others: Characteristics of chitin from mealworms (FTIR, SEM, pH_PZC), the effect of pH on sorption efficiency, sorption kinetics (pseudo-first, pseudo-second order, intramolecular diffusion models) and the determination of the maximum sorption capacity (Langmuir and Freundlich models). The sorption efficiency of anionic dyes on chitin from mealworm was the highest at pH 2-3, and for cationic dyes at pH 6. The equilibrium time of sorption of anionic dyes was 240-300 min and for cationic dyes it was 180-240 min. The experimental data on dye sorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second order model. The maximum sorption capacity of chitin from the mealworm for the anionic dyes RB5 and RY84 was 121.15 mg/g and 138.55 mg/g, respectively, and was higher than with some carbon-based materials (literature data). In the case of cationic dyes, the sorption capacity of the tested chitin was lower and reached 3.22 mg/g and 59.56 mg/g for BV10 and BR46, respectively.

A review on lawsone-based benzo[a]phenazin-5-ol: synthetic approaches and reactions

Phenazine systems are an important class of aza-polycyclic compounds that are easily found in nature and isolated as secondary metabolites primarily from Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and a few other genera from soil or marine habitats. Moreover, various synthetic phenazine analogs are known for their pharmaceutical activities. Among various phenazines, benzo[a]phenazines are structural subunits in a variety of important natural products and have been given special attention due to their unique biological properties in various fields. In this review article, we highlight the synthesis of benzo[a]phenazin-5-ol derivatives from lawsone and benzene-1,2-diamines and their applications for the construction of a variety of five and six membered fused heterocycles such as pyranophenazines, spiropyranophenazines, pyridophenazines, furophenazines, benzochromenophenazines and oxazinophenazines during the period of 1995 to 2021.

Waste-to-wealth transition: application of natural waste materials as sustainable catalysts in multicomponent reactions

Application of natural waste materials as sustainable catalysts in multicomponent reactions.

Proteomics of Shell Matrix Proteins from the Cuttlefish Bone Reveals Unique Evolution for Cephalopod Biomineralization

In contrast to the external shells in bivalves and gastropods, most cephalopods are missing this external protection. The cuttlefish, belonging to class cephalopod, has an internal biomineralized structure made of mainly calcium carbonate for controlling buoyancy. However, the macromolecules, especially proteins that control cuttlebone mineral formation, are not sufficiently understood, limiting our understanding of the evolution of this internal shell. In this study, we extracted proteins from the cuttlebone of pharaoh cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis and performed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify the shell matrix proteins (SMPs). In total, 41 SMPs were identified. Among them, hemocyanin, an oxygen-carrying protein, was the most abundant SMP. By comparison with SMPs of other marine biominerals, hemocyanin, apolipophorin, soul domain proteins, transferrin, FL-rich, and enolase were found to be unique to the cuttlebone. In contrast, typical SMPs of external shells such as carbonic anhydrase complement control protein, fibronectin type III, and G/A-rich proteins were lacking from the cuttlebone. Furthermore, the cluster analysis of biomineral SMPs suggests that the SMP repertoire of the cuttlebone does not resemble that of other species with external shells. Taken together, this study implies a potential relationship of the cuttlefish internal shell with other internal biominerals, which highlights a unique shell evolutionary pathway in invertebrates.