http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/19775 Applied Chemistry Department 2026-11-07T01:46:24Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/23420 Title: COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF NORTH CENTRAL DELHI AQUATIC BASIN Authors: VISHWAKARMA, ABHISHEK KUMAR; KUMAR, DEEPENDRA; SINGH, POONAM (SUPERVISOR) Abstract: In this work, water samples were collected from five distinct locations in the North-Central Delhi aquatic basin (Western Yamuna Canal, Haiderpur–Badli Canal, Bhalswa Lake, Yamuna River at Vasudev Ghat, and Naini Lake) on the same day. The set of samples was collected during the winter season to evaluate water quality under low-flow and high-concentration conditions. Over the due course of time, various parameters regarding the water quality were analyzed, and the Indian Standard: 10500 (Drinking Water Specifications) was used to verify the acceptability of the water. The analyzed parameters included Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), determination of pH, determination of chloride content, Total Hardness (including permanent and temporary components), and Free Residual Chlorine. Experimental results revealed pH levels (6.88–7.67) remained within the permissible range of 6.5–8.5, most other parameters indicated severe degradation. Total Hardness was found to be at an absolute maximum value of 1,000 mg/l in Badli Village, whereas TDS content in Yamuna River (976 mg/l) was extremely above its desirable level of 500 mg/l. Moreover, an extremely hazardous concentration of Free Residual Chlorine was measured in Yamuna River (35.5 mg/l), which is almost 177 times its permissible level and poses serious hazards of carcinogen byproduct formation. The concentration of Total Suspended Solids was also very alarming in flowing canals, being more than 1,467 mg/l. The majority of the parameters studied were found to be not in their desirable level for drinking water, which clearly indicates the dominating anthropogenic effects on the basin. Hence, appropriate measures, such as decentralized wastewater treatment and stricter industrial discharge mandates, were suggested to improve the quality of water and protect the health of the surrounding urban community. 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/23164 Title: HYDROGEN FROM BIOMASS: PATHWAYS, PERFORMANCE, AND PROSPECTS Authors: SHARMA, NEHA; YADAV, SHIVAM; Kumar, Anil (SUPERVISOR) Abstract: The production of hydrogen from biomass has shown promise as a sustainable energy source. Biomass is abundant, renewable, and carbon-neutral. It can be effectively used as a feedstock for hydrogen production via a variety of conversion processes, such as thermochemical and biological routes. This article provides a comprehensive overview of common biomass-to-hydrogen pathways. These encompass biological processes such as dark fermentation and phototrophic pathways, as well as thermochemical techniques such as gasification and pyrolysis. While biological pathways enable mild operating conditions and interaction with waste treatment systems, thermochemical technologies generally offer better hydrogen yields and greater technological maturity. Important elements that affect process performance are also covered, including feedstock composition, catalyst choice, reactor design, and system integration. It includes TRL and techno assessment analysis along with the merits and demerits of the techniques used for hydrogen production. 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/23046 Title: CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF KEAP1–NRF2 PATHWAY AND ROLE OF SESAMIN IN OXIDATIVE STRESS AND AGEING Authors: UPADHYAY, DHATRI; RANI, ARCHNA (SUPERVISOR ) Abstract: The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (KEAP1–NRF2) signalling axis is the most critical and conserved cellular defence system against redox perturbations. Under basal conditions, NRF2 is constitutively ubiquitinated and targeted for proteasomal degradation through its interaction with KEAP1, a Cullin 3 based E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor. Upon exposure to oxidative or electrophilic stimuli, cysteine residues within KEAP1 are covalently modified, disrupting its interaction with NRF2. Consequently, NRF2 escapes proteasomal degradation, translocate to the nucleus, and heterodimerizes with small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (sMAF) proteins to drive transcription of antioxidant response element (ARE)-dependent cytoprotective genes. Sesamin, a lipophilic lignan abundantly present in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), has emerged as a biologically significant natural compound with well documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This activation then stimulates an increase in the amount of NRF2 transported into the nucleus, a decrease in the amount of KEAP1 in cells, and an increase in the number of ARE regulated cytoprotective genes expressed by the cell. The biological significance of the NRF2 pathway extends to multiple organ systems. With age, there is a decline in NRF2 activity resulting in the accelerated pace of cellular senescence, development of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), neurodegeneration, sarcopenia, impaired lacrimal and salivary gland functioning, and hearing loss. Data from both in vitro and in vivo experimental settings establish that treating rats or providing a diet that includes components proven to restore NRF2 activity can lessen some of the effects associated with advanced age. Because of sesamin’s demonstrated ability to modulate NRF2, it is an attractive candidate for developing a natural therapeutic approach to counteract the effects of aging due to oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. This dissertation incorporates redox chemistry, molecular biology, and natural product pharmacology to present a complete view of the KEAP1–NRF2–sesamin axis and its role in maintaining healthy ageing. 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.dtu.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/repository/23045 Title: PYRIMIDINE ANALOGUES AS ANTI NEURO DEGENERATIVE AGENTS Authors: ANJALI; KHANEJA, YASH; SRIVASTAVA, RICHA (SUPERVISOR) Abstract: , Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) altogether comprise one neurodegenerative mechanisms involved in the disease development. This dissertation attempts to investigate the possibility of using the pyrimidine derivatives as neuroprotective agents, particularly emphasizing on their polypharmacology profiles. Pyrimidine, a heteroaromatic compound with six members containing a nitrogen atom, is well known for its chemical diversity, brain penetration, favorable physiochemical properties, and ability to interact with different biological receptors related to neurodegeneration. Among the important pathologic processes that have been considered in this research project are aggregation of amyloid-β, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neurotransmitter imbalance (cholinergic and dopaminergic systems), oxidative stress associated with monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and chronic neuroinflammation. A systematic SAR study was conducted with a view to finding out how structural variations in certain positions in the pyrimidine scaffold affected the enzymes' binding affinity, lipophilicity, selectivity towards various types of receptors and central nervous system penetration. Functional groups examined within the context of this work included amino groups, diamino groups, styryl groups and electron donating/withdrawing substituents as regards their effects on the inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). Experimental work entailed in silico molecular docking of some selected pyrimidines against three neurodegeneration-related protein targets: monoamine oxidase B (PDB: 2BYB), acetyl-cholinesterase (PDB: 4BDT) and butyrylcholinesterase (PDB: 6QAB). In silico docking was done using recognized computational software, while docking scores were determined based on molecular interaction between the proteins and ligands. Among the selected pyrimidines, compound numbers 19 and 22 exhibited remarkable binding to MAO-B, while compounds 10 and 22 had favourable docking scores against acetylcholinesterase and butyryl-cholinesterase respectively. This study has established an excellent computational platform that will guide the future development of drugs based on pyrimidine compounds to target the highly complicated neurodegenerative pathways. 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z