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The B-ring substitution pattern of flavonols is a significant structural feature for their function as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. In this paper, four differently substituted B-ring hydroxylation flavonols (galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin) and a flavonol glycoside (quercitrin) were studied for their ability to bind BSA by quenching the protein intrinsic fluorescence. From the spectra obtained, the biomolecular quenching constants, the apparent static binding constants, and the binding site values were calculated. The B-ring hydroxylation of flavonols significantly affected the binding/quenching process; in general, the binding affinity increased with the number of hydroxyl groups on the B-ring. The binding constants ( Ka) were determined as myricetin (4.90 x 10(8) L/mol) > quercetin (3.65 x 10(7) L/mol) > kaempferol (2.57 x 10(6) L/mol) > galangin (6.43 x 10(5) L/mol). The glycoside substitute at the C-ring position decreased the binding affinity. The chromatographic retention factor ( K') and logarithms of apparent partition coefficient (log Kow) were linear to the logarithms of apparent binding constants (log Ka) for flavonols with increasing hydroxyl groups on the B-ring. These results showed that the hydrogen bond force play an important role in binding flavonols to BSA. These results are also in agreement with the generally accepted structure-dependent free radical scavenger and antioxidant abilities of flavonols.

The interaction of trans-resveratrol (TRES) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) with Tachiya model. The binding number maximum of TRES was determined to be 8.86 at 293.15 K, 23.42 at 303.15 K and 33.94 at 313.15 K and the binding mechanism analyzed in detail. The apparent binding constants (K (a)) between TRES and BSA were 5.02 x 10(4) (293.15 K), 8.89 x 10(4) (303.15 K) and 1.60 x 10(5) L mol(-1) (313.15 K), and the binding distances (r) between TRES and BSA were 2.44, 3.01, and 3.38 nm at 293.15, 303.15, and 313.15 K, respectively. The addition of TRES to BSA solution leads to the enhancement in RLS intensity, exhibiting the formation of the aggregate in solution. The negative entropy change and enthalpy change indicated that the interaction of TRES and BSA was driven mainly by van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds. The process of binding was a spontaneous process in which Gibbs free energy change was negative.

Due to natural and production activities, mercury contamination has become one of the major environmental problems over the world. Mercury contamination is a serious threat to human health. Among the existing technologies available for mercury pollution control, the adsorption process can get excellent separation effects and has been further studied. This review is attempted to cover a wide range of adsorbents that were developed for the removal of mercury from the year 2011. Various adsorbents, including the latest adsorbents, are presented along with highlighting and discussing the key advancements on their preparation, modification technologies, and strategies. By comparing their adsorption capacities, it is evident from the literature survey that some adsorbents have shown excellent potential for the removal of mercury. However, there is still a need to develop novel, efficient adsorbents with low cost, high stability, and easy production and manufacture for practical utility.

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