Three strains of filamentous Cyanobacteria were used to study their growth and utilization of organophosphorus pesticide malathion. A sharp decrease in the growth of the algal strains was observed by increasing the concentration of malathion. Amongst them Nostoc muscorum tolerated different concentrations and was recorded as the highest efficient strain for biodegradation (91%) of this compound...

We describe a unique UV-visible absorption spectral property of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) in the presence of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. Upon titrating each 16 among total 40 different OP pesticides, the Soret band was significantly red-shifted, and a very intense Q band appeared. They were attributed to the diprotonation of THPP. A suitable solvent for this rea...

The ability of organophosphate hydrolase (OPH, EC 3.1.8.1) from Pseudomonas diminuta to hydrolyze diisopropyl ̄uorophosphate (DFP) was used to develop a biosensor for the direct determination of DFP. A ̄uoride sensitive ion-selective electrode was exploited as the physical transducer for a batch-mode biosensor, and OPH enzyme immobilized on silica gel was used as a biological recognition element...

'A'-esterase activities (substrates paraoxon and pirimiphos-methyloxon) and arylesterase activities (substrate phenyl acetate) were assayed in the sera of 14 species of birds representing seven different orders and 11 species of mammal representing five different orders. Ten species of birds had no detectable 'A'-esterase, and the remaining four species only low activity, yet all birds showed c...

Biosensors are sensitive and can be used as disposable sensors for environmental control. These biosensors are based either on inhibition of acyl cholinesterases acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase) by organophosphorus compounds or on inhibition of enzymes phosphatases (acid or alkaline) or on direct detection of organophosphorus compounds by organophosphorus hydrolase. The state-of-t...

A new domino strategy for the synthesis of highly functionalized quaternary imidazole derivatives via [3 + 2] heterocyclization, involving aryl migration and ring-opening of oxirane, has been developed. This domino reaction enables the successful assembly of three new sigma bonds including two C-N bonds in a simple operation. Features of this strategy include the mild conditions, convenient ope...

The recent report on acute organo-phosphorus pesticide poisoning, oxidative damage, haemoglobin level and total leukocyte is very interesting. Hundekari et al. noted that “cholinesterase inhibition may initiate cellular dysfunction leading to acetylcholine induced oxidative damage.” This work is very useful information in clinical toxicology. However, there are many points to be considered. Fir...

The development of organic transformation using cheap and readily available substrates under mild conditions will be pivotal for green and sustainable synthetic organic chemistry. Concerning our continued interest in the cyanation reaction, a metal-free direct ammoxidation of readily available methyl arenes leading to nitriles was established under mild conditions. A series of aryl methanes esp...

*Corresponding author: Dr. Arun Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, International Medical School, Management and Science University, Shah Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia 40100. E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +601116280732 Foundation Project: Supported by a grant from Confederation of Epidemiological Associations registered under Govt of Kerala (Grant No. 30-955/2013CEA).

BACKGROUND Suicide by organophosphorus poisoning is common in India. Study of factors associated with lethality may suggest methods for prevention. METHODS Severity of symptoms, biochemical manifestation of poisoning, degree of lethality and the outcome were studied with an aim to explore the modifiable factors associated with lethality and to discuss preventability. Clinical variables were c...