The phase transition behaviour, molecular assemblies, and dielectric responses of a nN,N ',N ''-trialkylbenzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide derivative bearing chiral (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl chains (S-3BC) were compared with those of anN,N ',N ''-trioctadecylbenzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide derivative (3BC) bearing achiral -CONHC(14)H(29)chains. ChiralS-3BCshowed a similar phase transition behaviour to achiral3BC, and ferroelectric polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis curves were observed in the discotic hexagonal columnar (Col(h)) liquid crystal phase. Interestingly, the magnitudes ofP(r)andE(t)values ofS-3BCwere 5.5-times larger and 13-times smaller than those of3BCbecause of the introduction of the chiral alkyl chains, indicating a useful method to obtain low voltage ON/OFF ratios for the switching device. Much stronger N-H center dot center dot center dot O = hydrogen-bonding interactions were observed inS-3BCthan in3BCbecause of much shorter pi-stacking distance and blue-shift of the intermolecular asymmetrical N-H vibrational band in the former, which effectively decreased the potential energy barrier for the dipole inversion between N-H center dot center dot center dot O = and = O center dot center dot center dot H-N orientations and theE(t)value.

Endophytes may depend on degrading the plant cell wall with cellulases for their survival. Therefore, cellulase produced by endophytes may be useful in releasing the active ingredient of medicinal plants.Scutellaria baicalensisGeorgi is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant widely used in China and baicalin is one of its main active ingredients. In this study, freshS. baicalensisGeorgi was used to isolate endophytes, Congo red staining was used to screen cellulase-producing strains, and HPLC was used to determine the content of baicalin inS. baicalensisGeorgi. As a result, a highly active strain of endophyte capable of the extraction of high levels of baicalin was obtained. The strain was named HG-5 and identified asBacillussp. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the enzyme better promotes the dissolution of plant active ingredients. After optimizing the enzyme production and extraction processes, we found that when compared with the traditional extraction method, the baicalin yield was increased 79.31% after extraction with the HG-5 enzyme. The current study provides a novel approach and method for the use of endophyte cellulase to improve the extraction of compounds from medicinal plants.