Phytochemical Assessment of Mimusops elengi Linn. Unripe fruits Methanol extracts using Modern Analytical Technique

Mimusops elengi Linn. is a plant with high medicinal and commercial value. Although several secondary metabolites have been reported from different species of this plant, there has been not much information available on the complete profile of phytochemical constituents in Mimusops elengi Linn. The HPTLC fingerprinting of methanol extract showed 6 peaks having maximum Rf values 0.10, 0.27, 0.34, 0.51, 0.72, and 0.80 at 254nm. The same extract showed 3 peaks having maximum Rf value 0.25, 0.29 and 0.49 at 366 nm. This study applies Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry technique to determine the possible chemical components in the methanol extract of Mimusops elengi Linn. Unripened fruits reports for the first time most extensive profile of the plant. The determination and identification of bioactive chemical compounds is established and based on the peak area, retention time molecular weight, and molecular formula. GC-MS analysis of Mimusops elengi Linn. revealed the existence of the 2,2’ Methylenebis [3,4,6-trichloroanisole] which was found to be major component followed by Z-1,9-Hexadecadiene, Cyclopentaneundecanoic-acid, 4-Methyloctanoic acid and E-10-Dodecen-1-ol propionate. The results obtained may be helpful to the further study of pharmacological action for their promising utilization as therapeutic agents.

Taking flame tests one step forward: the case of a DIY atomic emission spectrophotometer

In the present study we report the construction of a simple atomic emission spectrophotometer and we describe its computer interface and its calibration procedure. The final instrument is employed for the detection of the presence of metal ions in commercially available drugs. The cost of the whole construction is low and it can be readily applied within the secondary education chemistry curricula in order to strengthen students’ engagement and understanding of a modern analytical technique that is based on the well known flame tests.

Synthesis of new Imidazole Derivatives as effective Antimicrobial Agents

In the present work, some new imidazole derivatives (3i-xii) were synthesized as per design synthetic protocol scheme. The structures of newly prepared compounds were confirmed by modern analytical technique (IR, 1H-NMR, Mass spectral data) and elemental analysis, results found in full agreement with their assigned structures. All the synthetic compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains viz. Escherichia coli (E. coli, MTCC 2961), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, MTCC 3160), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis, MTCC 121), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae, MTCC 3040) and Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus, MTCC 7527)) and fungal strains viz. Candida albicans (C. albicans, MTCC 227), Aspergillus niger (A. niger, MTCC 277) and Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus, MTCC 418) ; results showed good to remarkable activity. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values were determined by comparison to ciprofloxacin (anti-bacterial) and fluconazole (anti-fungal) as standard drug. Among them, compound 3iv and 3x exhibited notable antimicrobial activity. These compounds may be used as new template for the searching of potential antimicrobial agents.

Investigation of Tobacco Pyrolysis Gases and Puff-by-puff Resolved Cigarette Smoke by Single Photon Ionisation (SPI) - Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS)

The work presented deals with the application of Single Photon Ionisation- Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (SPI-TOFMS) for the investigation of tobacco smoke. SPI-TOFMS is a modern analytical technique, which enables the simultaneous analysis of a large number of organic species in complex gas mixtures in real time. The paper is a summary of a PhD thesis (1) and seven research articles, which were recently published in various scientific journals (2-8). Consequently, more detailed information on particular aspects can be found in there.The experimental part covers two different approaches, and therefore, it is divided into two sub-sections. In the first one, the SPI-TOFMS is coupled to a pyrolysis furnace. The objective is to examine the thermal behaviour of tobacco under various controlled conditions. In so doing, three tobacco types (Virginia, Oriental, and Burley) were pyrolysed in two reaction gas compositions (nitrogen and synthetic air) and seven different furnace temperatures (400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, 700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C). Results can help to unravel the complex formation and decomposition reactions taking place when tobacco is heated. In the second part the SPI-TOFMS is connected to a cigarette smoking machine in order to investigate the behaviour of cigarette smoke constituents on a puff-by-puff basis. The work incorporates the comparison of whole smoke and gas phase of cigarette smoke, a puff-resolved quantification of several hazardous smoke constituents, and the overall chemical characterisation of the individual smoking puffs. In addition, a critical consideration of the prevailing smoking procedure is given when applied to single puff analysis. A further study examines the influence of five different cigarette lighting devices (gas lighter, electric lighter, candle, match, and burning zone of another cigarette) on the chemical composition of the first puff.