Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 25 April 2024 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
IISc Tuesday said scientists at its Materials Research Centre (MRC) have developed a new type of enzyme mimetic that can degrade toxic chemicals in industrial wastewater effectively in the presence of sunlight.
In their current study published in the journal Nanoscale, the team synthesised a platinum-containing nanozyme called “NanoPtA”, which can be converted into powder form for industrial use.
It mimics functions of oxidases — natural enzymes that remove hydrogen from substrates in the presence of oxygen to give water. “NanoPtA” is not only highly specific in breaking down certain substrates but is also robust because it can withstand a range of pH (acidity) and temperature changes.
“When NanoPtA comes in contact with wastewater, the benzene rings and long alkyl chains present in the molecule form multiple non-covalent interactions. Individual NanoPtA molecules connect together to form tape-like structures that start emitting light, which is the origin of its oxidising capacity. NanoPtA can then degrade pollutants present in wastewater by oxidising them in the presence of sunlight,” IISc said.
The team tested its effect on common effluents that pollute water, like phenols and dyes. They found it could degrade even small (micromolar) quantities of phenols and dyes within ten minutes when placed under sunlight.
Researchers also found that the NanoPtA complex was quite stable, lasting for up to 75 days at room temperature. “Proteins are generally stored at -20°C or 4°C, but in this case, it can be stored at room temperature. It was stable for more than six months at room temperature,” Subinoy Rana, assistant professor at MRC and the corresponding author of the study, said.
Why Lab-made
“Enzymes are proteins that catalyse a majority of biological reactions in living systems. However, the practical use of natural enzymes is greatly hindered by certain inherent limitations. These limitations include sensitivity to denaturation (breakdown/damage), complex production procedures, high costs, and difficulties in recycling,” Rana said.
Mass production of enzymes is an expensive and time-consuming process. For example, laccase, a natural enzyme used for degrading phenols in industries, is extracted from a fungus called white rot, but the amount of enzyme produced depends on how much of the fungus is available at a given time.
“It’s a long process and it’s difficult to make them in more than milligram amounts,” says Rana. Another problem is storage — most of the natural enzymes are temperature-sensitive and require storage at cooler temperatures, often as low as -20° Celsius.
Nano-sized enzyme mimetics or “nanozymes” manufactured in the lab can mimic such natural enzymes and overcome these practical challenges.
The Future
Stating that the team believes that the nanozyme is not only useful for breaking down toxic pollutants but can also have applications in healthcare, IISc said, they tested its ability to oxidise neurotransmitters like dopamine and adrenaline —when oxidised, these molecules show a change in colour in solution, which can then be used to measure their concentration.
“This is important because these neurotransmitters are associated with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiac arrest,” says Rohit Kapila, first author and PhD student at MRC, IISc.
Measuring these neurotransmitters using such nanozymes can potentially be a useful diagnostic tool for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, he adds. “Moving forward, researchers plan to patent NanoPtA, as it can be readily manufactured in large quantities on an industrial scale. Rana’s group is also looking at less expensive metal alternatives to platinum,” IISc said.
[Excerpt from Times of India “IISc's lab-made enzyme can degrade effluents under the Sun, hold potential for healthcare applications” Dated 5/10/23]
Q1: What is the name of the enzyme mimetic developed by researchers at the Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science?
(a) NanoPtB
(b) NanoPtC
(c) NanoPtA
(d) NanoPtX

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Q2: Why do natural enzymes face limitations in industrial applications, according to the passage?
(a) They are sensitive to damage.
(b) They have complex production processes.
(c) They have high costs.
(d) All of the above

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Q3: What is a key advantage of NanoPtA over natural enzymes in terms of storage?
(a) It requires cool temperatures.
(b) It can be stored at room temperature.
(c) It has a complex storage process.
(d) It is not suitable for storage.

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Q4: What role does NanoPtA play in wastewater treatment when exposed to sunlight?
(a) It absorbs pollutants.
(b) It emits light.
(c) It forms tape-like structures.
(d) It degrades pollutants by oxidizing them.

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Q5: How long did NanoPtA exhibit stability at room temperature during the researchers' testing?
(a) 30 days
(b) 50 days
(c) 75 days
(d) 100 days

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Q6: What can NanoPtA oxidize in healthcare applications, leading to a color change for measuring concentration?
(a) Proteins
(b) Neurotransmitters
(c) Lipids
(d) Antibodies

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Q7: What is one potential medical application of NanoPtA mentioned in the passage?
(a) Cancer treatment
(b) Cardiovascular surgery
(c) Neurological disease diagnosis
(d) Orthopedic surgery

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Q8: What is the research team's plan for NanoPtA's future development?
(a) Implementing it in agricultural practices
(b) Donating it for public use
(c) Exploring metal alternatives and patenting it
(d) Ignoring further development

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