Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / This study sought to prepare and characterise activated carbons from Vitis vinifera (grape) leaf litter, and assess the efficiency and potential application of the adsorbent for the removal of four phenolic compounds (phenol (P), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 2-chlorophenol (2-CP)) from synthetic and industrial wastewaters. Vitis vinifera (grape) leaf litter (GL) was obtained locally, and washed, dried and pulvirized. Chemically activated carbons were prepared using H3PO4 (GLA) and NaOH (GLB). The adsorbents were characterized with SEM, FTIR, EDX and proximate analysis was also carried out. Phenols were extracted from water samples with SPE and analysed with HPLC. The prepared adsorbents were used in sorption of phenols from simulated phenolic wastewaters for optimization of adsorption. Optimal adsorption conditions were then applied for removal of phenols from wastewater samples collected from influents of treatment plants. Column and desorption studies were also carried out. The surface texture and morphology micrographs (using SEM) of the prepared materials/adsorbents showed that the prepared activated carbons possess improved pore structure, cavities and heterogeneous irregular surfaces capable of providing enhanced adsorption. EDX spectroscopy was used for elemental microanalysis and showed that the major constituent of the adsorbent is carbon. FTIR analysis revealed changes and absorption waveband drifts of surface functional groups after activation and adsorption. The proximate analysis of the prepared precursors demonstrated good quality of the active carbons. They had low moisture content (< 12%) and their inorganic matter content (ash) was less than 9% for the three sorbents. Iodine number value of the adsorbents was 342, 1065, and 571 mg/g for GL, GLA and GLB respectively. Excellent recoveries (92.60 – 102.85%) were obtained for the phenolic compounds (P, 2-NP, 4-NP and 2-CP) using polymeric SPE cartridges. Phosphoric acid activation yielded the most efficient activated carbon material relative to the non-treated biomass and those chemically activated with NaOH. Percentage removal was 92.70%, 99.92%, 99.98% and 99.90% for P, 2-NP, 4-NP and 2-CP respectively using GLA. Optimal pH for adsorption was 8, 4 and 7 for GLA, GLB and GL respectively at an equilibration time of 240 min. The evaluation of adsorption kinetics showed the adsorption process of GLA and GLB followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model while adsorption using GL was best described by intraparticle diffusion model. Adsorption equilibrium data were well fitted with Freundlich isotherm model for all three adsorbents. Adsorption capacity of GLA (for removal of phenols) was found to decrease with increase in temperature. In contrast, the sorption efficiency of GL and GLB increased when temperature was increased. Thermodynamic parameters of adsorption (ΔGo, ΔHo & ΔSo) were evaluated. Results revealed favourability and exothermic nature of adsorption of the phenols using GLA. Adsorption processes using GLB and GL were spontaneous and endothermic. Vitis vinifera leaf litter yielded good activated carbons and was effective in remediation of P, 2-NP, 4-NP and 2-CP from contaminated wastewaters.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

by Linda Shiou-Mei Ooi. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 118-126). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

by Lam Ying Wai. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-209). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Cheung, Hang Kei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-149). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Abbreviations --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xi / List of Tables --- p.xiii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction of Lectins --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Definition and History of Lectins --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- More than Just Carbohydrate Binding --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Classification of Lectins --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Plant Lectins --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- History of Plant Lectins --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Occurrence of Plant Lectins --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Physiological Roles of Plant Lectins --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Lectins as Storage Proteins --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Lectins as Defense Proteins --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Lectins as mediator in symbiosis with bacteria --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4 --- Biological Activities of Plant Lectins --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Immunomodulatory Activity --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Lectins and Cancer --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- A ntiviral A ctivity --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Lectins in Glycomic Study --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Background --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Glyco-catch method --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Lectin Blot Analysis --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Aim of current study --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Purification and Characterization of a Lectin from Musa acuminata --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Purification Scheme --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Assay of Hemagglutinating A ctivity --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Molecular Mass Determination by FPLC Gel Filtration --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Protein Concentration Determination --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Inhibition of Lectin-induced Hemagglutination by Carbohydrates --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Effect of Temperature and pH on Lectin-induced Hemagglutination --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Assay of Mitogenic Activity on Murine Splenocytes --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Assay of Nitric Oxide Production by Murine Peritoneal Macrophages --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Assay of Antiproliferative Activity on Tumor Cell Lines --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- Assay of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activity --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.13 --- RNA Extraction --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.14 --- Reverse Transcription: First Strand cDNA Synthesis --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.15 --- Polymerasae Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.46 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Purification and Characterization of a Lectin from Gymnocladus chinensis Baill. --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2 --- Material and Methods --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Purification Scheme --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Assay of Hemaggl utinating Activity --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Molecular Mass Determination by FPLC Gel Filtration --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Protein Concentration Determination --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Inhibition of Lectin-induced Hemagglutination by Carbohydrates --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Effect of Temperature and pH on Lectin-induced Hemagglutination --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Assay of Mitogenic Activity on Murine Splenocytes --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Assay of Antiproliferative Activity on Tumor Cell Lines --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- Assay of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activity --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.12 --- Assay of Anti-fungal Activity --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Introduction to Protease Inhibitors --- p.70 / Chapter 4.1 --- General Introduction --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2 --- Serine Protease Inhibitors --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Kunitz Type Serine Protease Inhibitors --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Bowman-Birk Type Serine Protease Inhibitors (BBI) --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Squash Type Serine Protease Inhibitors --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3 --- Roles of Pis in Plants --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Pis as a defense protein --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Pis in seed germination --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4 --- Applications of Protease Inhibitors --- p.79 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Pis in Cancer Prevention --- p.79 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Pis in Crop Protection --- p.81 / Chapter 4.5 --- Aim of Current Study --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Isolation and Characterization of a Trypsin Inhibitor from the seeds of Lens culinaris --- p.84 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.86 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Purification Scheme --- p.86 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Assay of Trypsin-Inhibitory Activity --- p.87 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Assay of Chymotrypsin-Inhibitory Activity --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Molecular Mass Determination by FPLC Gel Filtration --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- Protein Concentration Determination --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.8 --- Effect of DTT on the inhibitory activity of trypsin inhibitor --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.9 --- Assay of Antiproliferative Activity on Tumor Cell Lines --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.10 --- Assay of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activity --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.11 --- Assay of Anti-fungal Activity --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Isolation and Characterization of trypsin inhibitors trom the seeds of Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper --- p.106 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.106 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.107 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Purification Scheme --- p.107 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Assay of Trypsin-Inhibitory Activity --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Assay of Chymotrypsin-Inhibitory Activity --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Molecular Mass Determination by FPLC Gel Filtration --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- Protein Concentration Determination --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.7 --- N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.8 --- Effect of DTT on the inhibitory activity of trypsin inhibitor --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.9 --- Assay of Antiproliferative Activity on Tumor Cell Lines --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.10 --- Assay of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activity --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.11 --- Assay of Anti-fungal Activity --- p.110 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.113 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.132 / Chapter Chapter 7: --- General Discussion --- p.135 / References --- p.138

Graduation date: 2004

Gradient elution chromatography is frequently used for the preparative separation of peptides and proteins. Separations at high loadings are often avoided because peaks become asymmetrical and saturate the detector. However, non-linear interactions which become important at high loadings may actually improve the separation with greater concentrations of the product being extracted. In this study, the separation of a mixture of two chemotactic peptides N-formyl-met-phe (X~phe) and N-formyl-met-trp (X~trp) was considered using reversed-phase (RP) chromatography. These runs were limited by the solubility of the peptides. The effects of solubility and feed conditions on the chromatograms were examined. Because of the poor solubility of the peptides in low organic solvent concentration, runs where feed conditions are different from the column inlet conditions were examined. Since these two components exhibit low selectivity on the RP column, separation is difficult. Productivities were obtained and compared for the preparative purification of these compounds using isocratic, stepwise and gradient elution with acetonitrile/buffer and methanol/water mobile phase conditions. Selectivity reversal was present in methanol/water conditions. Selectivity reversal implies that the order of retention of the feed compound changes as the mobile phase composition varies. Curved gradient shapes were used in an attempt to improve the separation under selectivity reversal limitation. Using a combination of solubility methods and non-linear interactions at high loadings, simultaneous concentration and purification was achieved. / Graduation date: 1998

Graduation date: 1994

Ph.D. / Environmental Science and Engineering / In the past decade, permeable reactive barriers containing zero-valent iron metal (FePRBs) have emerged as the most significant new technology for the treatment of groundwaters contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds and, more recently, other organic contaminants such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Principle issues relating to the design, implementation, and monitoring of FePRBs include the rates of contaminant transformation, the resulting distribution of products, and the potential changes in FePRB performance due to aging of the iron material. Each of these issues is, at its root, a problem of chemical kinetics. In this thesis, commonly observed kinetic expressions for contaminant transformation are derived. Analyses of the simplifications involved in these derivations indicate that the forms of the rate laws are correct (either exactly or approximately) over a wider range of conditions than previously expected and that reaction rates may respond in unexpected fashion to changes in concentrations of reacting species or iron loading. These theoretical developments are applied to experimental investigations of product distribution and FePRB longevity for the treatment of TNT contaminated groundwaters.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering