A new microspectroscopic technique was applied to the analysis of occluding deposits in xylem elements of Quercus serrata. The production of this substance is believed to be a defense response of the sapwood against fungal infection. An occluding substance about 10 μm across was analyzed by Infrared-Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (IR-SNOM), which allows for the measurement of IR spectru...

In the present study, the effectiveness of Mimosa pudica tannins (MPT) in neutralizing the lethality of Naja kaouthia venom was compared with commercially derived tannins. Preincubation of MPT with N. kaouthia venom maintained 100% survival of mice after 24 hours. The mouse group in which there was no preincubation, no protection against the effects of the venom was observed. M. pudica tannin w...

A considerable fraction of germanium is produced as a by-product in zinc metallurgy. In the conventional roast-leach-electrowin (RLE) process, most of the germanium is incorporated into the neutral leaching residue, which is the main source for germanium recovery. As the largest germanium supplier worldwide, Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium Co., Ltd (Yunnan, China), recover germanium shown in Fi...

In vitro inhibitors of the accumulation of abnormal (protease-resistant) prion protein (PrP-res) can sometimes prolong the lives of scrapie-infected rodents. Here, transgenic mice were used to test the in vivo anti-scrapie activities of new PrP-res inhibitors, which, because they are approved drugs or edible natural products, might be considered for clinical trials in humans or livestock with t...

One variable at a time procedure was used to evaluate the effect of qualitative variables on the production of tannase from Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem. These variables including: fermentation technique, agitation condition, tannins source, adding carbohydrates incorporation with tannic acid, nitrogen source type and divalent cations. Submerged fermentation under intermittent shaking gave the...

This report describes a new procedure for serum amylase assay. A novel substrate, dyed amylopectin, is used that combines the advantages of saccharogenic and amyloclastic methods. Serum amylase hydrolyzes the dyed amylopectin into ethanol-soluble fragments, which are quantified colorimetrically after serum proteins and unhydrolyzed substrate are precipitated with alcoholic tannic acid. The subs...

A fungal tannase was produced, recovered, and immobilized by entrapment in calcium alginate beads. Catalytical properties of the immobilized enzyme were compared with those of the free one. Tannase was produced intracellularly by the xerophilic fungus Aspergillus niger GH1 in a submerged fermentation system. Enzyme was recovered by cell disruption and the crude extract was partially purified. T...

In this study, a facile one-step synthesis of a novel nanocomposite catalytic film was developed based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) immobilized in tannic acid-modified eggshell membrane (Tan-ESM). Tannic acid, as a typical plant polyphenol from oak wood, was first grafted onto ESM fibers to serve as both the reductant and the stabilizer during the synthesis of AgNPs. The morphology, constitu...