In this work, a variety of hyperbranched polymers (HBPs), such as hyperbranched polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes and polyacetals, was successfully synthesized from castor oil and soybean oil based monomers via a A21B3 polycondensation. First, B3 monomer triols (TriOL), trialdehydes (TriAD), and tricarboxylic acids (TriAC) were obtained by ozonolysis of castor oil and soybean oil with following reductive or oxidative treatment. Their structures were characterized by 1H NMR and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as well as electrospray ionization-Time of Flight-mass spectrometry. These trifunctional B3 monomers were applied in the preparation of HBPs. The resulting HBPs had number averaged molar mass (Mn) up to 9400 g/mol and weight averaged molar mass (Mw) up to 40,000 g/mol. Through adjusting the initial molar ratio of A2 to B3 monomers, hydroxyl terminated (from TriOL monomers) or carboxylic acid (from TriAC monomers) terminated HBPs could be obtained. All the HBPs were characterized by 1H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and DSC. These HBPs are potential candidates for the synthesis of cross-linked polymeric materials or in biomedical applications.

Optical constants of vacuum evaporated thin films in the Se90-xTe10Snx (x = 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 at %) system were calculated from reflectance and transmittance data in the wavelength range of 300-2500 nm using Murmann's equations. The maximum value of refractive index increased and suffered a shift towards the short wavelength as the Sn content increases this behavior can be attributed to increasing the values of cross-linking chains density and decrease tailing. The variations in the real and the imaginary parts of the dielectric constant, the dissipation factor tan(), the optical conductivity, the volume, and surface energy loss functions with photon energy have also been reported. The normal dispersion of the refractive index is discussed regarding the single oscillator Wemple-DiDomenico model from which the dispersion parameters were determined. The single oscillator energy, the dispersion energy, the high-frequency dielectric constant, the ratio of free charge carrier concentration to the effective mass, plasma frequency, single oscillator strength and its position are then estimated as a function of alloy composition. It is interesting to note that the increase of Sn content on the parent Se90Te10 is connected to the decreasing covalent nature of the structure. Besides, the presence of such a sharp absorption edge in transmission spectra recommends Se90-xTe10Snx thin films as a good optical filter material.

Optical constants of vacuum evaporated thin films in the Se90-xTe10Snx (x = 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 at %) system were calculated from reflectance and transmittance data in the wavelength range of 300-2500 nm using Murmann's equations. The maximum value of refractive index increased and suffered a shift towards the short wavelength as the Sn content increases this behavior can be attributed to increasing the values of cross-linking chains density and decrease tailing. The variations in the real and the imaginary parts of the dielectric constant, the dissipation factor tan(), the optical conductivity, the volume, and surface energy loss functions with photon energy have also been reported. The normal dispersion of the refractive index is discussed regarding the single oscillator Wemple-DiDomenico model from which the dispersion parameters were determined. The single oscillator energy, the dispersion energy, the high-frequency dielectric constant, the ratio of free charge carrier concentration to the effective mass, plasma frequency, single oscillator strength and its position are then estimated as a function of alloy composition. It is interesting to note that the increase of Sn content on the parent Se90Te10 is connected to the decreasing covalent nature of the structure. Besides, the presence of such a sharp absorption edge in transmission spectra recommends Se90-xTe10Snx thin films as a good optical filter material.

Optical constants of vacuum evaporated thin films in the Se90-xTe10Snx (x = 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 at %) system were calculated from reflectance and transmittance data in the wavelength range of 300-2500 nm using Murmann's equations. The maximum value of refractive index increased and suffered a shift towards the short wavelength as the Sn content increases this behavior can be attributed to increasing the values of cross-linking chains density and decrease tailing. The variations in the real and the imaginary parts of the dielectric constant, the dissipation factor tan(), the optical conductivity, the volume, and surface energy loss functions with photon energy have also been reported. The normal dispersion of the refractive index is discussed regarding the single oscillator Wemple-DiDomenico model from which the dispersion parameters were determined. The single oscillator energy, the dispersion energy, the high-frequency dielectric constant, the ratio of free charge carrier concentration to the effective mass, plasma frequency, single oscillator strength and its position are then estimated as a function of alloy composition. It is interesting to note that the increase of Sn content on the parent Se90Te10 is connected to the decreasing covalent nature of the structure. Besides, the presence of such a sharp absorption edge in transmission spectra recommends Se90-xTe10Snx thin films as a good optical filter material.

A simple new green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the anti-oxidant compound curvularin isolated from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum ASU1 is reported for the first time in this article. The present work describes a one-step functionalization of AgNPs using compound curvularin as a reducing and stabilizer agent. The AgNPs capped curvularin were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results showed the formation of high purified spherical AgNPs with an average size of 37 nm. The FT-IR results suggested that both hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups in curvularin are responsible for the reduction of the Ag+ ions and stabilizing AgNPs. The AgNPs showed potent antifungal activity at various extends compared to curvularin alone against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria solani.These findings emphasise that such biocompatible green nanoparticles, thanks to their potent antifungal activities, may be applied as new bio-fungicides against various plant pathogenic fungi in the field of plant protection and plant disease management.

A simple new green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the anti-oxidant compound curvularin isolated from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum ASU1 is reported for the first time in this article. The present work describes a one-step functionalization of AgNPs using compound curvularin as a reducing and stabilizer agent. The AgNPs capped curvularin were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results showed the formation of high purified spherical AgNPs with an average size of 37 nm. The FT-IR results suggested that both hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups in curvularin are responsible for the reduction of the Ag+ ions and stabilizing AgNPs. The AgNPs showed potent antifungal activity at various extends compared to curvularin alone against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria solani.These findings emphasise that such biocompatible green nanoparticles, thanks to their potent antifungal activities, may be applied as new bio-fungicides against various plant pathogenic fungi in the field of plant protection and plant disease management.

Partial vapour pressure of oxygen in contact with materials is considered as a key parameter which influences the oxidation processes stimulating the formation of variety of oxidation products. In this work manganese oxide nanorods; Mn5O8 and β-MnO2 have been prepared by isothermal decomposition of manganite (28 nm) precursor in air. Calcination temperature and amount of oxygen accessible to the precursor are crucial parameters that affect the decomposition pathway. X-ray single phase Mn5O8 is obtained by calcination of manganite at 350 °C in small size glass tube for 1 h; the case in which slight amount of oxygen is in close contact with the surface of the precursor. Using large size tube β-MnO2 is produced. Morphological investigations showed that the precursor has rod like morphology and the transformations to the corresponding oxide are isomorphous approaches. The studies of the magnetic properties of Mn5O8 showed the existence of tiny amount of impurities related to the presence of the spinel Mn3O4 (0.4%) into the sample. Presence of these impurities is explained on the base of accumulation of some unreacted Mn(OAc)2 over the surface of manganite precursor which is evidenced by IR analysis. By annealing of manganite at higher temperatures, Mn(OAc)2 decomposes leading to formation of the spinel.

The aim of this study was to produce single-cell protein by using two yeast strains, KKUY-0084 and KKUY- 0157, from spoiled date fruits. Based on the sequence of the variable D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (26S) ribosomal DNA of these strains, their identity was Hanseniaspora uvarum and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, respectively. The two strains were assessed for their single-cell protein productivity in vitro and in a bioreactor. Both yeasts were able to utilise the juice of spoiled dates in a concentration gradient up to 25 %; however, 20 % juice was the best concentration for production of the maximum amounts of dry biomass by H. uvarum KKUY-0084 and Z. rouxii KKUY-0157 (23.5 and 20.71 g/l, respectively) at 60 h. Biomass productivity reached a maximum when the yeasts were incubated at 25 °C and pH 5.0–6.0. Addition of Mn (0.3 g/l) or Mg (0.5 g/l) had a stimulative effect on biomass production. Addition of 0.6 g/l of Mn resulted in the production of maximum dry biomass by H. uvarum KKUY-0084, while 0.4 g/l of the same metal was more appropriate for Z. rouxii KKUY- 0157. Tryptone (8 g/l) as a nitrogen source increased the yield of the biomass to 34.25 and 30.75 g/l by H. uvarum KKUY- 0084 and Z. rouxiiKKUY-0157, respectively. In a 7-l fermentor, the highest production (48.9 g/l) of the two strains was achieved after 60 h.

The aim of this study was to produce single-cell protein by using two yeast strains, KKUY-0084 and KKUY- 0157, from spoiled date fruits. Based on the sequence of the variable D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (26S) ribosomal DNA of these strains, their identity was Hanseniaspora uvarum and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, respectively. The two strains were assessed for their single-cell protein productivity in vitro and in a bioreactor. Both yeasts were able to utilise the juice of spoiled dates in a concentration gradient up to 25 %; however, 20 % juice was the best concentration for production of the maximum amounts of dry biomass by H. uvarum KKUY-0084 and Z. rouxii KKUY-0157 (23.5 and 20.71 g/l, respectively) at 60 h. Biomass productivity reached a maximum when the yeasts were incubated at 25 °C and pH 5.0–6.0. Addition of Mn (0.3 g/l) or Mg (0.5 g/l) had a stimulative effect on biomass production. Addition of 0.6 g/l of Mn resulted in the production of maximum dry biomass by H. uvarum KKUY-0084, while 0.4 g/l of the same metal was more appropriate for Z. rouxii KKUY- 0157. Tryptone (8 g/l) as a nitrogen source increased the yield of the biomass to 34.25 and 30.75 g/l by H. uvarum KKUY- 0084 and Z. rouxiiKKUY-0157, respectively. In a 7-l fermentor, the highest production (48.9 g/l) of the two strains was achieved after 60 h.

Seeking new yeast strains having the ability to protect apple fruits against blue mould for a long time under different storage conditions was the main goal of this work. Based on the in vitro test, yeast strains KKUY0017 and KKUY0051 were selected as the most effective antagonists against Penicillium expansum. Sequencing of 26S rDNA of both yeasts confirmed that the identity of KKUY0017 and KKUY0051 was Cryptococcus albidus and Wickerhamomyces anomalus, respectively. The two strains protected the apple fruits from the blue mould disease under a wide range of temperature (5–30°C); however, W. anomalus KKUY0051 was more effective. At 25°C, W. anomalus KKUY0051 involved in the reduction of disease severity and disease incidence of blue mould by 56.49% and 57.78%, respectively. When either of the two yeasts was applied in concentration of 108 or 109 cells/mL, the maximum reduction in disease severity and disease incidence was achieved. Under cold storage (5°C), both yeast strains succeeded to protect the apple fruits free from the infection up to 24 days. Electron micrograph showed a fit attachment between the cells of C. albidus KKUY0017 and the fungal hyphae leading to the degrading of the hyphae; however, W. anomalus killed the fungal hyphae without direct attachment to them. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the cell-free extract of W. anomalus KKUY0051 revealed the presence of toxic compounds such as the nitrophenol derivatives. The results support the assumption that the main mode of action of this yeast is by killer toxins. We conclude that application of these yeasts under cold storage condition could keep the apple fruits free from blue mould infection for a long time.