In the methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens strain AM1, MxaF, a Ca(2+)-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), is the main enzyme catalyzing methanol oxidation during growth on methanol. The genome of strain AM1 contains another MDH gene homologue, xoxF1, whose function in methanol metabolism has remained unclear. In this work, we show that XoxF1 also functions as an MDH and is ...

The fungus Stachybotrys chartarum has been implicated in cases of nonspecific indoor air quality complaints in adults and in cases of pulmonary hemorrhaging in infants. The effects that have been described have been attributed to mycotoxins. Previous dose-effect studies focused on exposure to a single mycotoxin in a solvent, a strategy which is unlikely to accurately characterize the effects of...

Structure, morphology and composition of two Pd/Ga2O3 methanol steam reforming catalysts were correlated with the associated activity and selectivity changes in the methanol steam reforming reaction and linked to studies on pure Ga2O3 supports. For both systems, that are, a Pd/Ga2O3 thin film model catalyst and a powder-supported Pd catalyst, we identified a temperature range in which the reduc...

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to study illuminated TiO2 surfaces under both vacuum conditions, and in the presence of organic molecules (decane and methanol). In the presence of hole scavengers, electrons are trapped at Ti(III)–OH sites, and free electrons are generated. These free electrons are seen to decay by exposure either to oxygen or to hea...

The major problem in the fruit juice industry is associated with juice quality deterioration due to the cloud loss of juice concentrates by the enzymatic reaction of pectinmethylesterase enzyme (PME, EC 3.1.1.11). During pectin hydrolysis, pectin and water are transformed into polygalacturonic acid (pectate) and methanol by the action of PME. In this work, a low-intensity ultrasonic technique i...

Background: Methanol is regarded as a biorenewable platform feedstock because nearly all bioresources can be converted into methanol through syngas. Biological conversion of methanol using synthetic methylotrophs has thus gained worldwide attention. Results: Herein, to endow Escherichia coli with the ability to utilize methanol, an artificial linear methanol assimilation pathway was assembled i...

The high efficiency and energy density of miniaturized fuel cells provide an attractive alternative to batteries in the portablepower-generation market for consumer and military electronic devices [1-3]. The best fuel cell efficiency is typically achieved with hydrogen, but safety and reliability issues remain with current storage options. Consequently, there is continued interest in reforming ...

The high efficiency and energy density of miniaturized fuel cells provide an attractive alternative to batteries in the portable power generation market for consumer and military electronic devices [1-3]. The best fuel cell efficiency is typically achieved with hydrogen, but safety and reliability issues remain with current storage options. Consequently, there is continued interest in reforming...

Five crystal modifications of water insoluble artesunate were generated by recrystallizing it from various solvents with improved physicochemical properties. These generated crystal forms were characterized to select the most potent and soluble form. SEM of all the forms showed changes in external shape leading them to be different morphologically. DSC thermograms of Form III and Form V showed ...