National Chemical Laboratory

About: National Chemical Laboratory is a facility organization based out in Pune, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Nanoparticle. The organization has 8891 authors who have published 14837 publications receiving 387600 citations.

Gold nanoparticles assembled on amine-functionalized Na - Y zeolite: a biocompatible surface for enzyme immobilization

Abstract: Development of simple and reliable protocols for the immobilization of enzymes is an important aspect of biotechnology. Gold nanoparticles are known to bind enzymes, but reuse characteristics of the gold nano-enzyme bioconjugates has hitherto been poor. In this paper, we demonstrate that gold nanoparticles bound at high surface coverage on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTS)-functionalized Na-Y zeolites are excellent candidates for the immobilization of pepsin. The assembly of gold nanoparticles on the zeolite surface occurs through the amine groups present in APTS. Pepsin was then bound to the Na-Y zeolite (core)-Au nano (shell) structures via interaction with the gold nanoparticles leading to a new class of biocatalyst. A highlight of the new biocatalyst wherein the enzyme is supported by a more massive biocompatible surface is the ease with which separation from the reaction medium may be achieved by simple sedimentation. The catalytic activity of pepsin in the bioconjugate was comparable to that of the free enzyme in solution. The pepsin-gold nano-zeolite bioconjugate material exhibited excellent activity over seven successive reuse cycles as well as enhanced pH and temperature stability.

Dental disease in children with chronic illness

Abstract: This article aims to raise awareness among paediatricians and specialist paediatric services that poor oral health, in particular children with chronic illness, is a major cause of morbidity and can be a risk factor for severe, even life threatening complications. Good oral health and dentition is important for efficient mastication, speaking and of course, cosmetically for smiling. If left untreated, dental caries can lead to pain and infection. Chronic infection around one or more teeth can result in damage to localised structures, such as the developing permanent teeth. Children who are medically compromised (such as being immunocompromised from disease and/or therapy) however are at increased risk of developing systemic complications from dental infections, which may prove fatal. We focus on the role of the general paediatrician in promoting the importance of good dental health for all children and in particular those children "at risk". We present preventive measures, evidence based where available, that may improve dental care and promote the role of paediatric dental services in the multidisciplinary management of chronic disease.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of glycolipid-reduced and -capped gold and silver nanoparticles

Abstract: A systematic cytotoxic and genotoxic evaluation of glycolipid-conjugated silver and gold nanoparticles is carried out. These glycolipid nanoparticle conjugates are obtained by exploiting the reductive capability of a class of glycolipids called sophorolipids that play the role of capping agent as well. Further, when tested for their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on HepG2 cells, these nanoparticles are found to be cytocompatible up to 100 μM metal concentrations. Of the two metallic systems investigated, gold nanoparticles are found to be more cytocompatible than the same concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Similarly, it is also demonstrated that at 100 μM, silver nanoparticles cause more DNA damage compared to gold nanoparticles of similar concentrations.