Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2021-2022

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates is a well-established technique and this review is the 12th update of the original article published in 1999 and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2022. As with previous review, this review also includes a few papers that describe methods appropriate to analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. The review follows the same format as previous reviews. It is divided into three sections: (1) general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation, quantification and the use of computer software for structural identification. (2) Applications to various structural types such as oligo- and polysaccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals, and (3) other general areas such as medicine, industrial processes, natural products and glycan synthesis where MALDI is extensively used. Much of the material relating to applications is presented in tabular form. MALDI is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis, particularly in its ability to produce single ions from each analyte and advancements in the technique and range of applications show little sign of diminishing.

Antioxidant and Teratogenic Activities of Formulated Agar Extracted from Brown Seaweed Turbinaria conoides against Zebrafish Larvae

This study examines the antioxidant and teratogenic effects of two different type's methods of formulating agar from Turbinaria conoides (T. conoides) using a zebrafish model. The agar was extracted using the aqueous extraction method and developed in two different formulations using separate procedures. Formulated agar1 (FA1) used a higher concentration of the ingredients while formulated agar 2 (FA2) had a lesser concentration. The two unique formulated agars (FAs) were studied using biochemical composition, Fourier infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant activities of both FAs in vitro were shown to be significantly different (P < 0.05) at various concentrations (60–180 μl/ml) in the study. The toxicity of the FAs was dose-dependent, with FA1 having the least teratogenic activity when compared to FA2. In comparison to FA2, FA1 was found to have higher antioxidant activity. At various concentrations (0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 μg/ml), the teratogenic activity of two FAs was examined in zebrafish embryos (ZFE) at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post fertilization (hpf). Both FAs exhibit dose-dependent toxicity and increased antioxidant activity, and this can be utilized as an alternative for standard antioxidants, according to this study.

Low molecular weight sulfated chitosan isolation, characterization and anti-tuberculosis activity derived from Sepioteuthis lessoniana

The research focused on tuberculosis as it is one of the world's most serious health problems. The extracted chitin from the gladius of Sepioteuthis lessoniana converted into Chitosan (CH). The purified and freeze-dried CH was refined as Sulfated Chitosan (SCH). The SCH was converted into low molecular weight of SCH with various doses of Gamma Irradiation (GIR). Fluorescence characteristics of GIR-SCH and elemental analysis were confirmed. The structure and molecular weights of GIR-SCH were determined with FT-IR, NMR and MALDI-TOF/Mass Spectroscopy. 100 Gy of GIR-SCH significantly showed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Mycobacterium smegmatis. The MIC against M. smegmatis was not affected by the varied sulfate levels in the identical molecular weight GIR-SCH. However, the lowest molecular weight GIR-SCH displayed a significantly MIC against M. smegmatis. In docking analysis, the 6ZT3 ligand had the lowest binding energy of -1.57 kcal/Mol indicating a superior binding interaction with GIR-SCH. The effect of molecular weight reduction by GIR on the anti-tuberculosis capacity of GIR SCH was investigated in this study which had antimicrobial implications.