European Journal of Molecular Biotechnology

3-7

Authors: Ignat Ignatov, Georgi Gluhchev, Fabio Huether, Mario T. Iliev, Christos Drossinakis, Teodora P. Popova, Alexander I. Ignatov

The importance of ice in sustaining life on our planet is difficult to underestimate. Ice significantly influences the living conditions and activities of plants, animals, and various human activities. By covering water and ice, due to its low density, plays the role of a floating screen in nature, protecting rivers and reservoirs from further freezing and preserving the life lives of underwater inhabitants. The utilization of ice for various purposes (snow retention, construction of ice crossings and isothermal warehouses, ice filing of storage, and mines) constitutes the subject of several branches of hydro-meteorological and engineering sciences. Natural ice is used for storing and cooling food products and biological and medical preparations, for which it is specifically produced and harvested, and melt water obtained during ice melting. The study of ice, including its hexagonal structure (Ice Ih), highlights its intricate properties. Furthermore, investigations of the Mpemba effect, where warm (37-60°C) and hot water (>60°C ) freeze faster than cold water, shed light on the interplay between entropy and hydrogen bond energies. Understanding these phenomena contributes to scientific knowledge and impacts practical applications in various industries and environmental contexts. In summary, the importance of ice transcends mere natural phenomena, deeply intertwining with human activities, scientific endeavors, and sustenance of life across the planet, serving as a cornerstone in various ecological and industrial domains.

15-21

Authors: Pavel A. Krylov, Alexey K. Surin, Mariya Yu. Suvorina, Valery V. Novochadov

The article presents the pilot extraction technology of surfactant proteins, represented by hydrophilic (SP-A, SP-D) and hydrophobic (SP-B, SP-C) fractions from bovine and porcine lungs. Borate buffer, tris buffer, and phosphate buffer saline solution were the basis for extraction solutions. Twin 20 was applied in various concentrations as a mild detergent capable of preserving the spatial structure of the protein. To identify and give a semi-quantify estimation of surfactant protein presence in extracts we used one-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry technique. A semi-quantitative assessment of the protein concentration using integrated density on electrophoregrams showed that the borate buffer allows us to isolate the largest amount of SP-A, and the tris buffer SP-D without adding Tween 20 proved analogue effect if we perform extraction from the bovine lungs. Phosphate buffered saline solution + 1 % Tween 20 demonstrated the best efficiency of extraction of SP-A and SP-D from porcine lungs. The extract solution of Tris-buffer + Tween 20 content demonstrated the highest efficiency, and Phosphate-buffered saline + 1 % Tween 20 was the least effective, failing to isolate SP-C. The detergent addition was critical to the degree of surfactant proteins extraction. The development of a comprehensive technology for the extraction of surfactant proteins will reduce the cost and laboriousness of their production. This technology will make it possible to reduce the cost of surfactant-based drugs and make them more accessible to the population.