Tailoring, structural inspection of novel oxy and non-oxy metal-imine chelates for DNA interaction, pharmaceutical and molecular docking studies

Integrated management of groundwater quantity, physicochemical properties, and microbial quality in West Nile delta using a new MATLAB code and geographic information system mapping

Groundwater is an excellent alternative to freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and developing arid regions. Agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential, and municipal activities may affect groundwater quantity and quality. Therefore, we aimed to use advanced methods/techniques to monitor the piezometric levels and collect groundwater samples to test their physicochemical and biological characteristics. Our results using software programs showed two main types of groundwater: the most prevalent was the Na-Cl type, which accounts for 94% of the groundwater samples, whereas the Mg-Cl type was found in 6% of samples only. In general, the hydraulic gradient values, ranging from medium to low, could be attributed to the slow movement of groundwater. Salinity distribution in groundwater maps varied between 238 and 1350 mg L-1. Although lower salinity values were observed in northwestern wells, higher values were recorded in southern ones. The collected seventeen water samples exhibited brackish characteristics and were subjected to microbial growth monitoring. Sample WD12 had the lowest total bacterial count (TBC) of 4.8 ± 0.9 colony forming unit (CFU mg L-1), while WD14 had the highest TBC (7.5 ± 0.5 CFU mg L-1). None of the tested water samples, however, contained pathogenic microorganisms. In conclusion, the current simulation models for groundwater drawdown of the Quaternary aquifer system predict a considerable drawdown of water levels over the next 10, 20, and 30 years with the continuous development of the region.

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic and computational investigations of the newly synthesized Schiff bases scaffold as enzyme inhibitor

The current project was planned to access the enzyme inhibition potential of the synthesize imines; (E)-2-(2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxybenzylideneamino)benzonitrile 1 and (E)-2-(((3-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl)imino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol 2 by the reported protocol of our continuous research and also assess their theoretical function in term of in silico action. The structural characterization of imines was done through advanced techniques i.e., FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and UV spectroscopy. Moreover, a single X-Ray diffraction technique (SCXRD) was employed for real structural identification of imines dimensions, which revealed that compound 1 has a triclinic crystal system although 2 has a monoclinic one. A 2D fingerprint plot and Hirshfeld surface analysis (HS) was employed in the crystalline assembly of compounds to check intermolecular contacts and also their degree of contributions. Both compounds were optimized by B3LYP functional mode using a certain basis set (6-31G). The practical data (XRD) and theoretical data (DFT) of both molecules were compared and found between a sound coherence. Molecular docking studies in term of in silico assessment were conducted against enzymes of the esterase and alpha-glucosidase family. The docking outputs give a forecast about compounds that could be employed as protein inhibitors against analyzed protein surfaces.

Characterization and Biodegradation of Phenol by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella variicola Strains Isolated from Sewage Sludge and Their Effect on Soybean Seeds Germination

Phenols are very soluble in water; as a result, they can pollute a massive volume of fresh water, wastewater, groundwater, oceans, and soil, negatively affecting plant germination and animal and human health. For the detoxification and bioremediation of phenol in wastewater, phenol biodegradation using novel bacteria isolated from sewage sludge was investigated. Twenty samples from sewage sludge (SS) were collected, and bacteria in SS contents were cultured in the mineral salt agar (MSA) containing phenol (500 mg/L). Twenty colonies (S1 up to S20) were recovered from all the tested SS samples. The characteristics of three bacterial properties, 16S rDNA sequencing, similarities, GenBank accession number, and phylogenetic analysis showed that strains S3, S10, and S18 were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella variicola, respectively. P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and K. variicola were able to degrade 1000 mg/L phenol in the mineral salt medium. The bacterial strains from sewage sludge were efficient in removing 71.70 and 74.67% of phenol at 1000 mg/L within three days and could tolerate high phenol concentrations (2000 mg/L). The findings showed that P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and K. variicola could potentially treat phenolic water. All soybean and faba bean seeds were germinated after being treated with 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/L phenol in a mineral salt medium inoculated with these strains. The highest maximum phenol removal and detoxification rates were P. aeruginosa and K. variicola. These strains may help decompose and detoxify phenol from industrial wastewater with high phenol levels and bioremediating phenol-contaminated soils.

Recent Overview of Potent Antioxidant Activity of Coordination Compounds

During recent decades, the complexation of organic ligands toward several metal ions of s-p and d-block has been applied as a plan to enhance its antioxidant performance. Due to their wide range of beneficial impacts, coordination compounds are widely used in industries, specifically in the medicinal and pharmaceutical fields. The activity is generally improved by chelation consequently knowing that the characteristics of both ligands and metals can lead to the development of greatly active compounds. Chelation compounds are a substitute for using the traditional synthetic antioxidants, because metal chelates present benefits, including a variety in geometry, oxidation states, and coordination number, that assist and favor the redox methods associated with antioxidant action. As well as understanding the best studied anti-oxidative assets of these compounds, coordination compounds are involved in the free radical scavenging process and protecting human organisms from the opposing effects of these radicals. The antioxidant ability can be assessed by various interrelated systems. The methodological modification offers the most knowledge on the antioxidant property of metal chelates. Colorimetric techniques are the most used, though electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is an alternative for metallic compounds, since color does not affect the results. Information about systems, with their benefits, and restrictions, permits a dependable valuation of the antioxidant performance of coordination compounds, as well as assisting application in various states wherever antioxidant drugs are required, such as in food protection, appropriate good-packaged foods, dietary supplements, and others. Because of the new exhaustive analysis of organic ligands, it has become a separate field of research in chemistry. The present investigation will be respected for providing a foundation for the antioxidant properties of organic ligands, future tests on organic ligands, and building high-quality antioxidative compounds.

Effect of Inorganic and Organic Nitrogen Sources and Biofertilizer on Murcott Mandarin Fruit Quality

Mandarin 'Murcott' (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees aged five years that were grafted onto lemon 'Volkamer' (Citrus volkameriana) rootstock and grown in sandy soil under a drip irrigation system were used in this study during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019. Ten different fertilization treatments combining inorganic, organic, and biofertilization in a completely randomized block were performed. The results revealed that fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 75% of the recommended dose (RD) of nitrogen as inorganic nitrogen (33.5% N) in the form of NH₄NO₃ + 25% of RD as organic nitrogen in the form of chicken manure (3% N) per tree per year without or with a biofertilizer (Effective Microorganisms, EM1) at 150 mL/tree increased the weight, size, pulp, and peels of mandarin fruit, as well as the fruit juice volume, juice volume/fruit, and vitamin C, but reduced the total acidity in both seasons. However, fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 100% of RD as inorganic nitrogen increased the pulp/fruit ratio, and fertilizing with 25% of RD as inorganic nitrogen + 75% of RD as organic nitrogen + biofertilizer EM1 increased the peel/fruit ratio, peel thickness, and fruit firmness. Fertilizing 'Murcott' mandarin trees with 100% organic nitrogen + biofertilizer EM1 increased total soluble solids (TSS) and total sugar contents while producing the lowest nitrate (NO₃) percentage in 'Murcott' mandarin fruit compared with trees fertilized with inorganic nitrogen only. The fruit produced by 'Murcott' mandarin trees fertilized with 100% of RD as organic nitrogen with or without biofertilizer EM1 contained higher TSS, total carbohydrates, and sugars and lower nitrate percentages than those fertilized with inorganic nitrogen and biofertilizer EM1. This study contributes to reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers by adding a percentage of an organic fertilizer to obtain a healthy product that contains a lower percentage of NO₃, which affects the health of the consumer, and is of high quality and suitable for export.

Design, DFT studies, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of Binuclear N-heterocyclic Carbene (NHCs) complexes, Probing the aspect of DNA interaction through In-vitro and In-silico approach

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts have shown remarkable biological potential for numerous medical applications. With an aim to improve biological potential of benzimidazolium salts, newer analogues of benzimidazole and their silver complexes were synthesized and characterized. Synthesized salts (L₁-L₂) and silver complexes (C₁-C₂) were confirmed through elemental analysis, UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, ¹H NMR & ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The compounds C1 & C2 were found stable in solution form for studied time period when examined spectroscopically and showed optimum lipophilicity when measured for their partition coefficient through flask shake method. Synthesized compounds showed good antimicrobial potential against gram positive bacterial strain S. Aureus with IC₅₀ 2.02±0.12 and 2.11±0.13 µM respectively while 2.11±0.1 and 2.28±0.17 µM against gram negative bacterial strain E. Coli for C1 and C2 respectively. The interaction study of the related compounds with DNA was predicted by molecular docking study, which confirmed that the studied compound C1 (-8.04 kcal/mol) has a higher binding energy than compound C2 (-4.23 kcal/mol); Also, the compound C1 exhibits a better affinity against to DNA than Ethidium bromide (-7.68 kcal/mol) and cisplatin (-6.21 kcal/mol).The claim was practically assured through spectroscopic and viscometeric method which confirmed that compounds have good affinity for DNA with binding constant kb, 5.78×10⁴ M^-1 and 6.84×10⁴ M^-1 for C1 and C2 respectively.

Temperature and salt effects of the kinetic reactions of substituted 2-pyridylmethylene-8-quinolyl iron (II) complexes as antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and antioxidant agents with cyanide ions

Kinetics of substitution reaction of three high-spin pyridylmethylene-8-quinolyl iron (II) complexes by CN– ions were studied spectrophotometrically in various ratios of aqueous–methanol binary mixtures at 298 ± 0.2 K. Kinetics of the substitution reaction follow the rate law (k2[CN−][complex]) on applying of the conditions of the pseudo first order reaction. Reactivity of the reaction was investigated in terms of ligand moiety and solvent effects. The rate of the reaction increased as the co-solvent methanol ratio increased. This reactivity trend is predominantly due to increases in the activity coefficient of those hydrophobic complexes in the organic methanol co-solvent, depending upon the hydrophobicity of the substituent groups (R) in the coordinated ligand in the complexes. Reactivity trends of the prepared complexes in the presence of the inserted hydrophobic salts such as tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB), and tetramethylammonium bromide (TMAB) or hydrophilic salt potassium bromide (KBr) were studied. The observed decrease in the rate constants with increasing salt concentration was due to the cationic character of the reacting complexes. In addition, the synthesized compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against selected strains of microbes. The results showed that the order of reactivity of the investigated complexes against the selected microbes were as follows: ppaqFe > paaqFe > pmaqFe. In addition, the investigated ligands and their Fe(II) complexes were screened for anticancer activities against several cell lines of cancer. The ppaqFe complex showed the best cytotoxic efficiency against the selected cancer lines (IC50 = 8.75–21.50 µg/µl), whereas the pmaq ligand showed the lowest cytotoxic efficiency (IC50 = 58.25– 72.40). Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of the presented compounds was studied by applying DPPH assays and showed a potential activity compared with standard vitamin C. The excellent antimicrobial and anticancer activities of the investigated Fe(II) chelates compared with literature values are promising and deserve further study.

Synthesis, spectral characterization, DFT calculations, pharmacological studies, CT-DNA binding and molecular docking of potential N, O-multidentate chelating ligand and its VO(II), Zn(II) and ZrO(II) chelates

The pharmacological efficacy of the variety tetradentate ligands encouraged us to design attractive compounds through effective synthetic procedure. The prepared Schiff base ligand 6,6'-((1E,1'E)-((4-chloro-1,2-phenylene)bis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(2-ethoxy phenol (H₂L), which derived from 4-chloro-o-phenylenediamine and 3-ethoxy-salicylaldehyde and its VO(II), Zn(II) and ZrO(II) metal chelates, have been synthesized and characterized with aim of that it may struggle the invasion of drug resistance. The chemical structural of studied compounds were discussed by TGA, elemental analysis, UV-Vis., ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, mass spectral, PXRD, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements and density functional theory. The results assigned square pyramid geometries for [VOL] and [ZrOL].2H₂O chelates and an octahedral geometry for [ZnL(H₂O)₂].2H₂O chelate. Powder XRD data showed that the complexes are monoclinic with polycrystalline nature. The results of CT-DNA interaction with the titled chelates showed that the binding between CT-DNA and the metal complexes occurs through intercalation mode. Their CT-DNA binding efficiency estimated in terms of their binding constants (K_b), which gave the order: VOL (6.9 × 10⁵) > ZrOL (6.3 × 10⁵) > ZnL(H₂O)₂ (5.5 × 10⁵). The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds were tested against selected fungal and bacterial strains using well diffusion technique. The obtained chelates showed higher antifungal and antibacterial activities than their corresponding ligand. Furthermore, the M-complexes showed higher potent cytotoxic effect toward HEK-293, human colorectal HepG-2, HCT-116 and MCF-7 adenocarcinoma cell lines compared to the free H₂L ligand. Investigation of antioxidant property represented that all the prepared complexes have better radical scavenging potencies against DPPH radicals than the free H₂L ligand. To study the molecular docking of proposed compounds versus Tyrosine kinases receptor (TKR), we used AutoDock1.5.6rc3® suite. The current compounds (H₂L, VOL, ZrOL and ZnL(H₂O)₂) and STI were found to bind with C-kit of TKR with HBs at ILE789.A, ILE808.A, ASP810.A, GLU640.A and TYR846 amino acid residue and the binding energies were - 8.9, -8.93, -8.83, -1.48 and -10.39 kcal/mol respectively.