• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.317-322
• /
• 2005

A simple and convenient method of immobilizing dextransucrase via an affinity interaction is described, along with the use of this system to synthesize leucrose. Dextransucrase was produced in sucrose-free medium by fermenting a constitutive mutant of Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F and was separated using an ultrafiltration membrane. The purified enzyme was free of dextran polymer, which previously was always found with the sucrose-induced enzyme. Therefore, it was possible to immobilize the enzyme on dextran-based resins using an affinity interaction. Sephadex G-200 was the best resin for immobilizing the dextransucrase and gave a fast flow rate through the packed column. The immobilized dextransucrase retained more than 80% of its specific activity after immobilization ($K_m\;=\;18.1\;mM$ and $k_{cat}\;=\;450\;sec^{-1}$ vs. 13.1 mM and $640\;sec^{-1}$, respectively, for the free enzyme). The immobilized dextransucrase showed improved stability over a pH range of 4.0 to 6.5 and at moderately high temperatures over $40^{\circ}C$. When immobilized dextransucrase was used to synthesize leucrose via the transfer reaction with sucrose and fructose, about 74% of the sucrose was converted into leucrose after one day, and the half-life of the enzyme activity was 15 days. Regeneration of the resin by supplementation with dextransucrase enabled the recovery of the initial activity of the system, but both the reaction and the flow rate were lower, probably owing to the accumulation of dextran inside the resin.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.125-137
• /
• 1974

The chemical structure of glycolipid of Selenomonas ruminantium cell wall was to be elucidated. The bacterial cells were treated in hot TCA and the glycolipid fractions were extracted by the solvent $CHCl_3\;:\;CH_3OH$ (1 : 3). The extracted glycolipids fraction was further separated by acetone extraction. The acetone soluble fraction was named as the spot A-compound. The acetone insoluble but ether soluble fraction was named as the spot B-compound. These two compounds were examined for elucidation of their chemical structure. The results were as follows: 1. The IR spectral analysis showed that O-acyl and N-acyl fatty acids were linked to glucosamine moiety in the spot A-compound. However in the spot B-compound in addition to O and N-acyl acids phosphorus was shown to be attached to glucosamine. 2. It was recognized by gas liquid chromatography that spot A compound contained beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ fatty acid in predominance in addition to the fatty acid with beta-OH $C_{9:0}$, whereas the spot B compound was composed of the predominant fatty acid of beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ with small amount of beta-OH $C_{9:0}$. 3. According to the paper chromatographic analysis of hydrazinolysis products of the spot A compound, a compound of a similar Rf value as the chitobiose was recognized, which indicated a structure of two molecules glucosamine condensed. The low Rf value of the hydrazinolysis product of the spot B-compound confirmed the presence of phosphorus attached to glucosamine. 4. The appearance of arabinose resulting from. ninhydrin decomposition of the acid hydrolyzate of the spot A compound indicated that the amino group is attached to $C_2$ of glucosamine. 5. The amount of glucosamine in the N-acetylated spot A compound decreased in half of the original content by the treatment. with $NaBH_4$, indicating that there are two molecules of glucosamines in the spot A compound. The presence of 1, 6-linkage between two molecules of glucosamine was suggested by the Morgan-Elson reaction and confirmed by the periodate decomposition test. 6. By the action of ${\beta}-N-acetyl$ glucosaminidase the N-acetylated spot A compound was completely decomposed into N-acetyl glucosamine, whereas the spot B compound was not. This indicated the spot A compound has a beta-linkage. 7. When phosphodiesterase or phosphomonoesterase acted on $^{32}P-labeled$ spot B compound, $^{32}P$ was not released by phosphodiesterase, but completely released by phosphomonoesterase. This indicated that one phosphorus is linked to glucosamine moiety. 8. The spot A compound is assumed to have the following chemical structure: That is glucosaminyl, ${\beta}-1$, 6-glucosamine to which O-acyl and N-acyl fatty acids are linked, of which the predominant fatty acid is beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ fatty acid in addition to beta-OH $C_{9:0}$ fatty acid 9. The spot B compound is likely to have the linkage of $glucosaminyl-{\beta}-1$, 6-glucosamine to which phosphorus is linked in monoester linkage. Furthermore both O-acyl and N-acyl fatty acids contained beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ fatty acid predominantly in addition to beta-OH $C_{9:0}$ fatty acid.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.221-232
• /
• 2008

This paper represents the final results of a research program sponsored by the European Commission through project WIND-CHIME ($\underline{W}$ide Range Non-$\underline{IN}$trusive $\underline{D}$evices toward $\underline{C}$onservation of $\underline{HI}$storical Monuments in the $\underline{ME}$diterranean Area), in which the possibility of using advanced seismic protection technologies to preserve historical monuments in the Mediterranean area is investigated. In the current research, the dynamic characteristics of two outstanding Mamluk-Style minarets, which similar minarets were reported to experience extensive damage during Dahshur 1992 earthquake, are investigated. The first minaret is the Qusun minaret (1337 A.D, 736 Hijri Date (H.D)) located in El-Suyuti cemetery on the southern side of the Salah El-Din citadel. The minaret is currently separated from the surrounding building and is directly resting on the ground (no vaults underneath). The total height of the minaret is 40.28 meters with a base rectangular shaft of about 5.42 ${\times}$ 5.20 m. The second minaret is the southern minaret of Al-Sultaniya (1340 A.D, 739 H.D). It is located about 30.0 meters from Qusun minaret, and it is now standing alone but it seems that it used to be attached to a huge unidentified structure. The style of the minaret and its size attribute it to the first half of the fourteenth century. The minaret total height is 36.69 meters and has a 4.48 ${\times}$ 4.48 m rectangular base. Field investigations were conducted to obtain: (a) geometrical description of the minarets, (b) material properties of the minarets' stones, and (c) soil conditions at the minarets' location. Ambient vibration tests were performed to determine the modal parameters of the minarets such as natural frequencies and mode shapes. A $1/16^{th}$ scale model of Qusun minaret was constructed at Cairo University Concrete Research Laboratory and tested under free vibration with and without SMA wire dampers. The contribution of SMA wire dampers to the structural damping coefficient was evaluated under different vertical loads and vibration amplitudes. Experimental results were used along with the field investigation data to develop a realistic 3-D finite element model that can be used for seismic risk evaluation of the minarets. Examining the updated finite element models under different seismic excitations indicated the vulnerability of such structures to earthquakes with medium to high a/v ratio. The use of SMA wire dampers was found feasible for reducing the seismic risk for this type of structures.