Dimethyl Sufoxide Research Articles

Step-by-Step Replacement of Cyano Groups by Tricyanovinyls-The Influence on the Acidity.

Acid-base properties are the simplest expression of compounds' coordinating ability. In the present work, we studied in silico how the gas-phase Brønsted acidity (GA) of several polycyano-substituted compounds change when cyano (CN) groups are replaced by 1,2,2-tricyanovinyl (TCNV) groups in (iso)cyanic acid, dicyanoamine, cyanoform, and hydrogen tetracyanoborate. Different tautomers and conformers/isomers are included in this study. Gas-phase acidity values are compared with the acidities of various acids, including percyanated protonated monocarba-closo-dodecaborate (carborane acid) and dodecaborate, as well as hydrogen cyanide and 1,2,2-tricyanoethene. An estimation of acetonitrile (MeCN), dimethylsufoxide (DMSO), and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) acidities is presented using the COSMO-RS method and correlation analysis. The strongest acid with four TCNV groups shows remarkable acidic properties.

Evaluation of sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves in Wistar rats

This study evaluated the sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extracts of Adansonia digitata leaves on Wistar rats. Cold maceration method was used to prepare the methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves (MEADL). Twenty-four (24) adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group A (control) received 5% dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) at 5 ml/kg, while groups B -D received MEADL at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were administered orally and once daily for 28 consecutive days. The weight, haematological and lipid profile, antioxidant status as well as liver and kidney function tests were evaluated. The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the treated groups when compared with the control group. The platelet count of the MEADL treated groups were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated when compared with the control group. The extract did not cause significant (p > 0.05) change in the serum markers of liver and kidney function test, but produced histopathological changes in the kidney and liver section of the treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. These findings justify its use in folkloric medicine for treatment of several diseases, but caution should be exercised as it is associated with histopathological changes in the liver and kidney at high doses.

Evaluation of sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves in Wistar rats

This study evaluated the sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extracts of Adansonia digitata leaves on Wistar rats. Cold maceration method was used to prepare the methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves (MEADL). Twenty-four (24) adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group A (control) received 5% dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) at 5 ml/kg, while groups B -D received MEADL at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were administered orally and once daily for 28 consecutive days. The weight, haematological and lipid profile, antioxidant status as well as liver and kidney function tests were evaluated. The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the treated groups when compared with the control group. The platelet count of the MEADL treated groups were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated when compared with the control group. The extract did not cause significant (p > 0.05) change in the serum markers of liver and kidney function test, but produced histopathological changes in the kidney and liver section of the treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. These findings justify its use in folkloric medicine for treatment of several diseases, but caution should be exercised as it is associated with histopathological changes in the liver and kidney at high doses.

Identifikasi Asam Lemak dari Minyak Biji Alpukat (Persea americana Mill.) dan Uji Antibakteri terhadap Staphylococcus aureus

The cause of infectious diseases that often occur in humans can be caused by pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The high rate of resistance caused by Staphylococcus aureus makes scientists continue to try to find secondary metabolites for safe medicinal ingredients. This study aims to identify fatty acids and determine the potential of avocado seed oil (BA) against Staphylococcus aureus. This type of research is a laboratory experimental research. The identification of fatty acids that make up BA oil is carried out by gas chromatography (GC) analysis, resulting in several free fatty acids (ALB) in the identified BA oil, such as saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids. The highest percent of three ALB components of BA oil were found in linoleic acid (26.182%), oleic acid (17.05%), and palmitic acid (12.21%). While the antibacterial activity test was carried out using the disc diffusion method, the variations in the concentration of BA oil used were 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% with dimethyl sufoxide as K(-) and ciprofloxacin as K(+). Based on the antibacterial activity test, it is known that BA oil can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria with a weak category of <10 mm.

Experimental study of proteasome inhibitor MG132 up-regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to improve osteoporosis

To explore the mechanism of proteasome inhibitor MG132 in improving osteoporosis. Total of 32 female SD rats, weighing 220 to 250 g and 8 weeks old, were selected. They were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8). Rats of group A and group B were cut off ovaris on both sides to make model of osteoporosis, and then they were given proteasome inhibitors MG132 and dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) respectively. Group C was a sham group and rats were given MG132. Group D was a normal group and rats were given MG132 too. The rats were killed in batches at 6 and 12 weeks after administration, and the femoral neck tissues were obtained. Relevant data were analyzed, such as pathomorphological observation, micro-CT analysis, detection of 20S proteasome activity in tissues, and expression of Wnt and β-catenin. Morphological observation showed that the trabecular were slightly thinner, reticulated, and occasionally interrupted in group A, while the trabecular were obviously thinner and discontinuous in group B. And the trabecular were intact and arranged reticulated in group C and D. The analysis results of bone mineral density(BMD), bone surface(BS), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV) and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) showed that group B was worse than other groups in all parameters at different time points(P<0.05), and group A was worse than group C and group D in BS(P<0.05), there was no significant difference in all parameters between group C and group D. RFU value of 20S proteasome in group B was significantly higher than that in other groups(P<0.05). According to the results of Western blot, the gray values of Wnt protein and β-catenin protein in group A were significantly higher than those in other groups (P<0.05). MG-132, a ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor, can regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting the degradation of β-catenin protein, and delaying the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.

Cryopreservation of NK and T Cells Without DMSO for Adoptive Cell-Based Immunotherapy.

Dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) being universally used as a cryoprotectant in clinical adoptive cell-therapy settings to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors is a growing concern, largely due to its broad toxicities. Its use has been associated with significant clinical side effects-cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and allergic-in patients receiving infusions of cell-therapy products. DMSO has also been associated with altered expression of natural killer (NK) and T-cell markers and their in vivo function, not to mention difficulties in scaling up DMSO-based cryoprotectants, which introduce manufacturing challenges for autologous and allogeneic cellular therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and CAR-NK cell therapies. Interest in developing alternatives to DMSO has resulted in the evaluation of a variety of sugars, proteins, polymers, amino acids, and other small molecules and osmolytes as well as modalities to efficiently enable cellular uptake of these cryoprotectants. However, the DMSO-free cryopreservation of NK and T cells remains difficult. They represent heterogeneous cell populations that are sensitive to freezing and thawing. As a result, clinical use of cryopreserved cell-therapy products has not moved past the use of DMSO. Here, we present the state of the art in the development and use of cryopreservation options that do not contain DMSO toward clinical solutions to enable the global deployment of safer adoptively transferred cell-based therapies.

Extraction and Characterization of Keratin from Chicken and Swiftlet Feather

Keratin is a durable and fibrous protein of hair, nails, horns, hoofs, feathers and the epithelial cells in the outermost layers of the skin. Keratin in animals mainly presents in vertebrates such as mammals, birds and reptiles including chicken and swiftlet. This study aims to characterize keratin extracted from chicken and swiftlet feathers. The extraction of the keratin performed using dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) at high temperature. The extracted keratin from both samples were used for the characterization process using Bradford protein assay, CHNS analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This study showed that keratin extract of swiftlet feather showed higher protein concentration (0.813 mg/mL) than keratin extract of chicken feather (0.646 mg/ml). The highest composition for keratin extract is hydrogen which are 4.97% for keratin extract from swiftlet feathers and 3.12% for keratin extract from chicken feathers. FTIR analysis exhibited that carboxyl groups and amino groups are presence in both keratin samples however, the protein value is higher in swiftlet feathers compared to chicken feathers. This study's outcome is significant in discovering keratin extract from swiftlet feathers containing high protein content due to the breakdown of disulfide bonds. Furthermore, this research is the first report on keratin characterization from swiftlet feathers that would be useful for high value future keratin study.

The effect of kersen (Muntingia calabura L) leaf extract on bacteria Aeromonas salmonicida smithia in vitro

Kersen (M. calabura L) leaf can be used as a medicine because kersen leaf contains compounds flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, and tannins. This study aims to determine the inhibitory power and the smallest concentration of a solution of kersen (M. calabura L) leaf extract to A. salmonicida in vitro. This research uses experimental methods and studied is the activity of kersen leaf extract as an antibacterial to A. salmonicida with a comparison between treatment and control. The treatments were concentrations of kersen leaf extract of 2 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml, 0:25 mgml, and 0.125 mg/ml, positive control (chloramphenicol) and negative control, dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO 5% ). The parameters were observed in this study the antibacterial activity of kersen leaf extract to A. salmonicida, and dilution of the concentration of the smallest kersen leaf extract can inhibit A. salmonicida in vitro. The results showed that kersen leaf extract had antibacterial power to A. salmonicida growth. Cassava leaf extract has the ability to inhibit the in vitro growth of A. salmonicida at the smallest concentration of 0.5 mg/ml with inhibiting zone of 10 mm Because at that concentration is more effective when compared with chloramphenicol.

Development of Techniques about Production of Recombinant vaccines and cells with Activated Immunogenic potential

Methods about derivation of myeloid-like and lymphoid-like cells from normal embryonic fibroblasts were developed and tested. Balb/c mice normal mouse embryonic cells from line 3T3 were co-cultivated with mouse malignant myeloma cells, containing inserted. Murine Leukemia Virus (MuLV) (with RNA-genome, Retroviridae family). For this goal, separate subpopulation of normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts were pre-incubated in cultural fluid, supplemented by previous incubation of myeloma cells in it, after subsequent centrifugation and filtration. Other sub-populations of 3T3 cells were co-cultivated with myeloma cells, by addition of cultural fluids plus cellular suspensions of both types. Subsequently, all mixed cultures were freezed after addition of cryo-protector Dimethylsufoxide (DMSO), subsequently thawed and re-incubated in standard laboratory conditions. In the cultures, pre-incubated in cultural fluid, supplemented by previous incubation of mouse malignant myeloma cells, cells in different stages of myeloid/phagocyte and lymphoid/plasmatic cell differentiation were observed, but in addition of suspensions of cells from both types, appearance of hybrid cells of myeloid-like and phagocyte-like, as well as of lymphoid-like and plasmatic cells-like with mouse malignant myeloma cells were noted. The established changes could be explained with the eventual existence of capable to differentiate to various lineages stem-like cellular sub-populations in the general 3T3 cell line. Also, activated fusion between different cells, as well as between cells and viral particles on the influence of DMSO and of the drastic temperature changes was proposed, which could also lead to transfer of nucleotide sequences. On this principle, a possibility for production of recombinant viral vaccines by exchange of nucleotide sequences between cells and viral particles could be suggested. Furthermore, in confirmation of the literature findings, a capability of non-myeloid and non-lymphoid cells to produce membrane receptor glycoproteins was proposed.

Antimicrobial effects of chive extracts against bacteria pathogen and Lactobacillus acidophilus

Chive (Allium schoenoprasum L) is one type of nutritious plant that can be used as an antimicrobial. This study aims to examine the antimicrobial activity of extracts chive. Extraction was done by maceration, such as using water solvent, methanol, ethyl acetate, and comparative solvents, namely dimethyl sufoxide as a negative control and tetracycline as a positive control. The sample bacteria used were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. This study used disc diffusion method, with a complete 2-factor random design and 5 replications. The research finding showed that extracts chive with a concentration of 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% had an effect on the growth inhibition of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, while Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria did not show any inhibition zone, based on the research finding. It was known that chive extractis one of the good media for the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, so extracts chive is very potential for the development of food products, especially those related to probiotics.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of DMSO and Azone as Penetration Enhancers for Cutaneous Application of Celecoxib.

Celecoxib (CXB) has been explored as an anti-inflammatory or chemopreventive drug for topical treatment of skin diseases and cancer. The main aim of this work was to investigate the potential of dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) and Azone (AZ) as penetration enhancers (P.Es) for topical delivery of CXB. The in vitro studies, drug release, skin permeability and potential cytotoxicity/genotoxicity were carried out with formulations containing or not DMSO or AZ (5% and 10%). Skin irritation in rabbits and topical anti-inflammatory activity in mice were assayed in vivo. Skin permeation was minimal while higher retention in stratum corneum (SC) and epidermis plus dermis was found (28.0 and 3-fold respectively) from 10.0% AZ compared to the control indicating a localized CXB effect. CXB associated to 5% or 10% DMSO has shown high drug permeation through skin with low retention. Associations of CXB with both enhancers were not cytotoxic or genotoxic, suggesting safety for cutaneous application. In vivo skin irritation assays of all formulations indicated mild irritation effects and, thus, possible use for longer periods. In vivo anti-inflammatory tests showed that ear edema could be inhibited by CXB associated with 5.0% DMSO (53.0%) or 10.0% AZ (40.0%). These inhibition values were almost 2-fold higher when compared to a commercial formula. Although DMSO- associated CXB is an efficient edema inhibitor its high skin permeation suggests risks of systemic effects, whereas association to 10% AZ may improve topical delivery of the drug with good anti-inflammatory activity and no cytotoxic/genotoxic or significant skin irritation effects.

Histological analysis of healing process after rat teeth replantation maintained in Resveratrol dissolved in dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO)

Histological analysis of healing process after rat teeth replantation maintained in Resveratrol dissolved in dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO)

New Insights into the Metastable β Form of RDX

The secondary explosive RDX (1,3,5-trinitrohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine) has five known polymorphic forms, though only the α and β phases are observable at room temperature and pressure. Many literature reports suggest that the metastable β-RDX polymorph is extremely rare due to the limited number of solvents from which it can be grown and its facile conversion to the more stable α-RDX form. Herein we show that β-RDX can be consistently obtained using drop cast crystallization methods from a broad range of solvents [acetone, tetrahydrofuran (THF), nitromethane, dimethylsufoxide (DMSO)] and that crystals grown this way remain stable over extended periods of time up to a year. The distribution of α:β crystals as a function of solvent and drop concentration on various modified and unmodified glass surfaces was determined using Raman microscopy. β-RDX was the most prevalent phase deposited from dilute drops regardless of the solvent, though more concentrated DMSO drops tended to give either β or α exclusively. In...

Gold electrodeposition in organic media

Organic species are easily adsorbed onto metal electrodes, due to the high surface energy. This principle is widely employed in electrodeposition to obtain grains with a given shape and size. Electrodeposition in organic electrolytes and ionic liquids is expected to produce deposits whose properties will be modified by the nature of the species present in the bath. Here, we analyse the voltammetric profiles for the reduction of two different gold complexes, tetrachloroaurate (III) ( AuCl 4 - ) and dicyanoaurate (I) ( Au ( CN ) 2 - ), in dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) and in the ionic liquid tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TBMA + NTf 2 - ). We evaluate how organic cations present in the electrolyte modify not only the voltammetric response but also the morphology of the deposits obtained. The films range from very smooth with a rms roughness of ∼10 nm for 500 nm film to rough globular or facetted films with a crystalline size of ∼200 nm.

Trans-Bis(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)bis(thiosemicarbazide-κ2N1,S)cadmium dipicrate dihydrate

In the cation of the title compound, [Cd(CH5N3S)2(C2H6OS)2](C6H2N3O7)2·2H2O, the CdII atom is located on an inversion center. It is hexa­coordinated in an octahedral fashion by two thio­semicarbazide mol­ecules, which coordinate in a bidentate manner via the S and N atoms, and to the O atom of two dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) mol­ecules. The charges are equilibrated by two picrate anions and the complex crystallizes as a dihydrate. In the crystal, these units are linked by a number of O—H⋯O and N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds and weak C—H⋯O inter­actions, forming a three-dimensional network.

Antioxidant properties of dimethyl sulfoxide and its viability as a solvent in the evaluation of neuroprotective antioxidants

Introduction Dimethyl sulfoxide is an amphiphilic compound whose miscibility with water and its ability to dissolve lipophilic compounds make it an appreciated solvent in biomedical research. However, its reported antioxidant properties raise doubts about its use as a solvent in evaluating new antioxidants. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate its antioxidant properties and carry out a comparative study on the antioxidant properties of some known neuroprotective antioxidants in the presence and absence of dimethyl sulfoxide. Methods The antioxidant properties of dimethyl sulfoxide were studied in rat brain homogenates by determining its ability to reduce both lipid peroxidation (TBARS formation) and protein oxidation (increase in protein carbonyl content and decrease in free thiol content) induced by ferrous chloride/hydrogen peroxide. Its ability to reduce the production of hydroxyl radicals by 6-hydroxydopamine autoxidation was also estimated. The same study was also performed with three known antioxidants (α-phenyl- N- tert-butylnitrone; 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane; 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide) in the presence and absence of dimethyl sulfoxide. Results Our results showed that dimethyl sulfoxide is able to reduce both lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl formation induced by ferrous chloride/hydrogen peroxide in rat brain homogenates. It can also reduce the production of hydroxyl radicals during 6-hydroxydopamine autoxidation. However, it increases the oxidation of protein thiol groups caused by ferrous chloride/hydrogen peroxide in rat brain homogenate. Discussion Despite the here reported antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of dimethyl sufoxide, the results obtained with α-phenyl- N- tert-butylnitrone, 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane, and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide corroborate the antioxidant properties attributed to these compounds and support the potential use of dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent in the study of the antioxidant properties of lipophilic compounds. Conclusion Dimethyl sulfoxide is a very useful solvent that may be used at relatively low concentrations in the development of new antioxidants with neuroprotective properties.

Role of ERK1/2 and vascular cell proliferation in cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

Although there are still some unresolved aspects, current research has revealed that vascular cell proliferation probably plays an important part in the pathological formation process of cerebral vasospasm. Using a "two-hemorrhage" model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), this study investigated the function of ERK1/2 and vascular wall cell proliferation in pathological development of cerebral vasospasm. Fifty rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: (1) SAH day 1, (2) SAH day 3, (3) SAH day 7, (4) SAH + DMSO (dimethyl sufoxide) solution, (5) SAH + PD98059 (a mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor) dissolved in DMSO solution. In the SAH + PD98059/DMSO group and SAH + DMSO control group, PD98059 in DMSO (2 mmol/l) or an equal quantity of DMSO, respectively, was injected into the cisterna magna, once a day from SAH day 1 to day 3. Western protein blotting was used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in each group's basilar arteries. Light microscopy and electron microscopy were used for dynamic histological detection at each observation point of the SAH vascular wall under the effects of SAH and the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor. Another 18 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: SAH, SAH + DMSO and SAH + PD98059/DMSO; cerebral angiograpathy was conducted on SAH days 1 and 7, and the progression of angiographic vasospasm evaluated. Compared with the control group, the extent of vasospasm after SAH increased with time. PD98059 significantly reduced angiographic and morphological vasospasm. In cerebral vasospasm, the expression of T-ERK1/2 showed no significant change. However, expression of p-ERK1/2 and PCNA began to increase significantly on day 3, and achieved a peak on day 7. PD98059 significantly inhibited the expression of p-ERK1/2 and PCNA (p < 0.05). Cell proliferation on the vascular wall plays an important part in the pathological formation process of cerebral vasospasm. ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as an important signaling pathway, taking part in the process of vascular-wall pathological proliferation of cerebral vasospasm.

Quenching of Long Lifetime Emitting Fluorophores with Paramagnetic Molecules

In this work, we have studied quenching of the fluorescence of two well-known oxygen probes, 1-pyrene butyric acid (PBA) and tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium ([Ru(bpy)(3)](2+)) by reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion, nitric oxide derivative, hydrogen peroxide) and by the O(2) molecule. Both, time-resolved and steady state fluorescence measurements were performed in solution (ethanol, dimethyl sufoxide, water) and in micelles of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate that serve as a model for membrane-containing biological structures. We have found that only the free radicals and O(2) can actively quench for the two probes, but not the diamagnetic H(2)O(2). Our data correspond to the classical Stern-Volmer equation. H(2)O(2) has an effect only at high molar concentrations (>0.1 M). In contrast, effective concentrations of free radicals and O(2) that lead to quenching are in millimolar range. In conclusion, our methods allows for detecting global ROS that are small free radicals without interference from the reactive hydroxyl radical. Our data suggest that the method can be used for the quantification of ROS in individual living cells based on the measurement of fluorescence lifetime of those probes.

Multipotent properties of myofibroblast cells derived from human placenta

Human uterine fibroblasts (HuF) isolated from the maternal part (decidua parietalis) of a term placenta provide a useful model of in vitro cell differentiation into decidual cells (decidualization, a critical process for successful pregnancy). After isolation, the cells adhere to plastic and have either a small round or spindle-shaped morphology that later changes into a flattened pattern in culture. HuF robustly proliferate in culture until passage 20 and form colonies when plated at low densities. The cells express the mesenchymal cell markers fibronectin, integrin-beta1, ICAM-1 (CD54), and collagen I. Flow cytometry of HuF has detected the presence of CD34, a marker of the hematopoietic stem cell lineage, and an absence of CD10, CD11b/Mac, CD14, CD45, and HLA type II. Furthermore, they also express the pluripotency markers SSEA-1, SSEA-4, Oct-4, Stro-1, and TRA-1-81 as detected by confocal microscopy. Treatment for 14-21 days with differentiation-inducing media leads to the differentiation of HuF into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. The presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin, calponin, and myosin light-chain kinase in cultured HuF implies their similarity to myofibroblasts. Treatment of the HuF with dimethyl sufoxide causes reversion to the spindle-shaped morphology and a loss of myofibroblast characteristics, suggesting a switch into a less differentiated phenotype. The unique abilities of HuF to exhibit multipotency, even with myofibroblast characteristics, and their ready availability and low maintenance requirements make them an interesting cell model for further exploration as a possible tool for regenerative medicine.

Purification and characterization of an extremely dimethylsulfoxide tolerant esterase from a salt-tolerant Bacillus species isolated from the marine environment of the Sundarbans

A Bacillus sp. isolated from the Sundarbans region of the Bay of Bengal (NCBI GenBank Accession no. AY723697 ) which can tolerate 10% (w/v) NaCl, produces esterase optimally in Marine Broth 2216 medium containing 1% (w/v) NaCl. The enzyme was purified 42.7-fold with 6.4% recovery, (specific activity 569.2 U/mg protein) by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by anion and cation exchange chromatography. The serine type esterolytic enzyme has a molecular weight of 35.0 kDa and is denatured into polypeptides of molecular weights 20 kDa and 15 kDa. The esterase was most active at pH 8.0, the pH of the seawater at the site of collection and is stable in the pH range 6.0–9.0. The optimum temperature of activity of this esterase is 45 °C and the enzyme is very stable after 1 h pre-incubation at 50 °C. Our esterase shows about 100% activity when incubated with 1 M NaCl, the activity drops to about 50% when incubated with 2.5 M sodium chloride and the enzyme is completely inactivated when 4 M NaCl is present during reaction. The esterase is almost inactivated by Ca 2+, Hg 2+ and Fe 3+ ions, reducing agents and detergent. Interestingly, Co 2+, a known inhibitor of many enzymes, preserved 70% of the activity of this esterase. Specific activity of the esterase increases more than twofold in the presence of water-miscible organic solvents as compared to that in aqueous buffer. When incubated for a period of 10 days in the presence of 30–70% dimethylsufoxide (DMSO), the specific activity increased by approximately two–threefold compared to the enzyme in aqueous buffer throughout the period of study. Specific activity between 1283 and 525 U/mg was maintained by our enzyme when incubated with 50% DMSO for 10 days. The enzyme was most active on p-nitrophenyl acetate, ethyl acetate, alpha isomer of naphthyl acetate but shows relatively lesser activity towards triglycerides of fatty acids. Certain characteristics, such as molecular weight, effects of NaCl, metal ions (Zn 2+ and Mg 2+) and reactivity towards para-nitrophenyl and aliphatic esters were strikingly similar to already described marine bacterial derived esterases. Extreme stability in DMSO could make this enzyme a potential immobilized biocatalyst for application in non-aqueous based continuous bioprocesses. Higher specific activity and purification factor, better thermo tolerance and solvent stability would make our enzyme more attractive for biotechnological applications than the marine microbial derived esterases described so far.