A Stable Isotopic Pre-digestion Labeling Method for Protein Quantitative Analysis Using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/ionization Mass Spectrometry

As an extension of our previous work, here a strategy was demonstrated for protein identification and quantification analyses utilizing a combination of stable isotope chemical labeling with subsequent denaturation, enzymatic digestion and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Using [d₀]‐ and [d₆]‐4,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐(methylsulfonyl)pyrimidine ([d₀]‐/[d₆]‐DMMSP), stable isotopic labels were incorporated before digestion. The comparative samples were combined before labeling after digestion, thus biases resulting from differences in sample digestion were avoided and the higher accuracy of quantification could be attained. The labeling was spatial‐selective to particular residues of cysteine, lysine, and tyrosine before denaturation, which could lead to a better universality of the strategy for cysteine‐free proteins. In addition, some lysine residues were blocked after labeling, the partly destroyed recognition sites could simplify the trypsin hydrolysates and hence facilitate the MS complexity. Together, our one‐step labeling strategy combined several desirable properties such as spatial‐selective labeling, reliability of quantitative results, simplification of analysis of complex systems and direct analysis with minimum sample handling. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of the method for analyzing lysozyme in egg white. The method was expected to provide a new powerful tool for comparative proteome research.     

Effect of Gel Structure on the In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion Behaviour of Whey Protein Emulsion Gels and the Bioaccessibility of Capsaicinoids

This study investigated the effect of gel structure on the digestion of heat-set whey protein emulsion gels containing capsaicinoids (CAP), including the bioaccessibility of CAP. Upon heat treatment at 90 °C, whey protein emulsion gels containing CAP (10 wt% whey protein isolate, 20 wt% soybean oil, 0.02 wt% CAP) with different structures and gel mechanical strengths were formed by varying ionic strength. The hard gel (i.e., oil droplet size d_4,3 ~ 0.5 μm, 200 mM NaCl), with compact particulate gel structure, led to slower disintegration of the gel particles and slower hydrolysis of the whey proteins during gastric digestion compared with the soft gel (i.e., d_4,3 ~ 0.5 μm, 10 mM NaCl). The oil droplets started to coalesce after 60 min of gastric digestion in the soft gel, whereas minor oil droplet coalescence was observed for the hard gel at the end of the gastric digestion. In general, during intestinal digestion, the gastric digesta from the hard gel was disintegrated more slowly than that from the soft gel. A power-law fit between the bioaccessibility of CAP (Y) and the extent of lipid digestion (X) was established: Y = 49.2 × (X − 305.3)^0.104, with R² = 0.84. A greater extent of lipid digestion would lead to greater release of CAP from the food matrix; also, more lipolytic products would be produced and would participate in micelle formation, which would help to solubilize the released CAP and therefore result in their higher bioaccessibility.     

Solvation effect in thermal decomposition of 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile on the N,N-dimethylformamide/methyl methacrylate system

The thermal decomposition rate constant of AIBN (??_d) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/methyl methacrylate (MM) mixtures of various compositions at 60°C is studied. The ??_d value is 6.45 × 10^?4min^?1 for pure DMF and 7.20 × 10^?1 min^?1 for pure methyl methacrylate. The ??_d values of DMF/MM mixtures were found to be dependent on the mixture composition. This dependence is not a linear function of the monomer mole fraction, but has a minimum at ca. 20 30 mol% of MM. The relationship between the AIBN decomposition rate constant and the monomer mole fraction was interpreted on the basis of solvation of the initiator molecules. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pressurized wet digestion in open vessels

The High Pressure Asher (HPA-S) was adapted with a Teflon liner for pressurized wet digestion in open vessels. The autoclave was partly filled with water containing 5% (vol/vol) hydrogen peroxide. The digestion vessels dipped partly into the water or were arranged on top of the water by means of a special rack made of titanium or PTFE-coated stainless steel. The HPA-S was closed and pressurized with nitrogen up to 100 bars. The maximum digestion temperature was 250 °C for PFA vessels and 270 °C for quartz vessels. Digestion vessels made of quartz or PFA-Teflon with volumes between 1.5 mL (auto sampler cups) and 50 mL were tested. The maximum sample amount for quartz vessels was 0.5–1.5 g and for PFA vessels 0.2–0.5 g, depending on the material. Higher sample intake may lead to fast reactions with losses of digestion solution. The samples were digested with 5 mL HNO₃ or with 2 mL HNO₃+6 mL H₂O+2 mL H₂O₂. The total digestion time was 90–120 min and 30 min for cooling down to room temperature. Auto sampler cups made of PFA were used as digestion vessels for GFAAS. Sample material (50 mg) was digested with 0.2 mL HNO₃+0.5 mL H₂O+0.2 mL H₂O₂. The analytical data of nine certified reference materials are also within the confidential intervals for volatile elements like mercury, selenium and arsenic. No cross contamination between the digestion vessels could be observed. Due to the high gas pressure, the diffusion rate of volatile species is low and losses of elements by volatilisation could be observed only with diluted nitric acid and vessels with large cross section. In addition, cocoa, walnuts, nicotinic acid, pumpkin seeds, lubrication oil, straw, polyethylene and coal were digested and the TOC values measured. The residual carbon content came to 0.2–10% depending on the sample matrix and amount.     

Slip flow in fixed and fluidized bed plasma reactors

The characteristics of low-pressure gas low through fixed and fluidized bed plasma reactors for the study of plasma-solid reactions are presented. In the plasma fluidized bed reactor (PFBR), solid particles are fuidized at subatmospheric conditions in a resonantly sustained high frequency 2.45 GHz) plasma. The reactor operates in a previously uninvestigated regime of fuidization and microwave breakdown. A modified version of Darey's law is developed to describe and compare fixed and fluidized bed behavior, as well as to rationalize experimental measurements of pressure drop and gas flow in the absence of information about the bed temperature profile. The study has shown for a bed operating in or near the slip flow region that minimum fluidization can be predicted for slip flow fluidization in the absence of a plasma. However, the results of this work indicate that the mass fluxes and pressure drops at minimum fluidization in the presence of a plasma are significantly different from nonplasma fuidized bed. The pressure drop at minimum fluidization, in the presence of a high-frequency electrical discharge, is as much as 25% above that required to levitate the bed contents, and appears to corroborate otherfndings that link increased stability of the bed with the presence of electromagnetic fields.Notation A cross-sectional area of tube, m₂ - B ₀ bed permeability - D _p diameter of glass bead, m - D hydraulic diameter, m, defined as the ratio of the cross-sectional area to the wetted perimeter - E electric field strength, J/(C m) - F slip flow correction factor - F _d volume driving force, N/m'm³ - g gravitational acceleration, N/kg - G mass flow rate, kg/s - G _min mass flow rate at minimum fluidization, kg/s - k Boltzmann's constant - K ₀ slip correction - L bed height, m - M molecular weight of gas, kg/kg-mole - M _p mass of particles in bed, kg - n _p,e number of density of positive ions or electrons, m^–3 - P _1,2,3 bed pressure below frit, above frit, and above bed, Pa - q electronic charge, C - Q volumetric flow rate of gas, m³/s - R gas constant - Re_p,mf Reynolds number at minimum fluidization - T temperature, K - u superficial gas velocity, m/s - U _mf superficial velocity at minimum fluidization, m/s XKnudsen number - x length variable, m or dimensionless Greek gl _o coefficient in expression for mean free path - c _n mean free path - gas viscosity, kg/(m s) - ₀ prefactor in expression for viscosity - 3.14159 ... - _g mass density, kg/m³ - hard sphere diameter, m     

Measurements of sulfur in oil using a pressurised wet digestion technique in open vessels and isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Graz University of Technology has developed a new technique for digesting samples using the well-established high-pressure asher (HPA) from Anton Paar GmbH (Graz, Austria). The digestion is performed in semi-open vessels inside a pressurised autoclave. The new HPA equipment consists of a liner for the autoclave, special sample racks and 30-mL digestion vessels made of quartz, covered with PTFE stoppers. The Laboratory for Isotope Dilution and Nuclear Analysis of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM, Berlin) tested this new equipment in order to assess its usability for the decomposition of larger sample amounts of gas oils for the measurement of sulfur. Several experiments were carried out using the new sample decomposition technique. In order to test the recovery of the new digestion method, a gas oil material with known sulfur content was chosen, quantified by the validated conventional closed vessel HPA digestion in combination with thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry has been applied as analytical method in this investigation. The gas oil was spiked with an isotopic spike material, which is enriched in ³⁴S, and was then wet digested in the HPA. The oxidized sulfur of the dried samples was reduced to H₂S and precipitated as As₂S₃. The sulfur was measured as arsenic monosulfide (AsS⁺). The mass content of sulfur in the gas oil tested is 453.5 mg kg^–1. Recovery tests for increasing masses of gas oils indicate that the recovery using the new measurement technique decreases with increasing mass of gas oil. Results were obtained for approximately 0.3 g sample weight and had less overlap with the result of the old HPA method within the stated uncertainties. At approximately 0.5 g sample weight the yield decreases to about 97% and at approximately 1.0 g sample weight to about 87%. In comparison with the conventional closed vessel HPA digestion, the new technique shows no clear advantages for the certification of the sulfur content in gas oil other than a more convenient handling. The total uncertainty of the sulfur mass fractions (k=2) is about 1.5%. Repeated determination of the oil samples show a relative standard deviation of about 0.8% and indicate that the analytical procedure is robust and reproducible. The demonstrated reproducibility allows the establishment of correction factors for the yield, which in turn enables higher sample masses for routine work. The blank level (0.26×10^-6 g) was within the range of the conventional closed HPA digestion procedure·(0.28×10^-6 g). Cross contamination could not be detected. In terms of trace metal analysis a good applicability and more advantages over the conventional closed vessel HPA digestion can be assumed.     

Quantification of thorium and uranium sorption to contaminated sediments

Desorption tests, using a sequential extraction method, were used to characterize and quantify thorium and uranium sorption to contaminated wetland sediments collected from the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site located in South Carolina. In situ distribution coefficients, or K _d values (K _d = C _solid/C _liquid), were determined. Sequential extraction data were used to assign solid-phase radionuclide concentrations (C _solid) that, by definition, should represent only the reversibly sorbed fraction. A series of selective and sequential extractions was used to determine desorption K _d values. Thorium K _d values ranged from 115 to 2255 ml/g. Uranium K _d values ranged from 170 to 6493 ml/g. Compared to sorption K _d values, these desorption K _d values were appreciably greater because they captured the aging process of the radionuclides with the sediment, making the radionuclide more refractory. Compared to nonsite-specific data, these in situ K _d values improved accuracy, were more defensible, and removed unnecessary conservatism for subsequent transport and risk calculations. Additional tests were conducted to provide geochemical information relevant for selecting appropriate remediation technologies for the contaminated site. Thorium and uranium were associated with labile fractions and were not concentrated with the smaller sediment particles. These findings suggest that phytoremediation or heap leaching, and not soil washing, are viable remediation approaches for this site.     

Solid-Phase Reagent for Analgin and Ascorbic Acid on the Basis of a Copper(II) Complex with Tetrabenzotetraazacyclohexadecine Immobilized by Adsorption on Silica Gel

The reactions of a number of natural organic reducing agents with a copper(II) complex with tetrabenzo[b, f, j, n][1, 5, 9, 13]tetraazacyclohexadecine adsorbed on silica were examined. A solid-phase reagent was proposed for the sorption–spectrophotometric determination of Analgin and ascorbic acid (c _min= 0.91 and 0.06 mg/L, respectively) and for the visual test determination of the above compounds (c _min= 0.50 and 0.025 mg/sample, respectively).     

Evaluate the minimum bubble nucleation energy of freon-12 using superheated-liquid-droplet technique

An experimental method was conducted to evaluate the minimum bubble nucleation energy of freon-12 for application in the superheated-liquid-droplet (SLD) technique. The minimum energy needed for an incident particle to cause the bubble nucleation is based on the theoretical calculation ofW _min /ηkr _c value. The calculated value may mislead the result of measured intensity due to its under/overestimation ofW _min /ηkr _c values at various temperatures. Nevertheless, the experimental evaluation ofW _min /ηkr _c of freon-12 for causing the bubble nucleation is barely touched because the proper methodology has not developed fully. The minimum energy needed to produce the bubble nucleation, can be evaluated by mixing the alpha-emitting nuclides with the SLD. By direct hitting the SLD with alpha-particle, the energy deposited inside the SLD may cause the bubble nucleation if the deposited energy is larger than theW _min /ηkr _c of freon-12 droplet at that specific temperature. The experimental evaluated values in this study agree with the theoretical estimation in 78% for SLD emulsion temperature within 22–34°C. Tests suggest that to apply the SLD in measuring the alpha-emitting nuclides, the emulsion temperature should be maintained below 30°C to get a maximum efficiency and to avoid interference from beta or gamma event.     

A molecularly imprinted polymer for solid phase extraction of allantoin

We describe a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the solid-phase extraction of the skin protectant allantoin. The MIP was deposited on the surface of monodisperse silica microspheres possessing acroyl groups on the surface (MH-SiO₂). The resulting MIP microspheres (MH-SiO₂@MIP) showed a 3.4-fold higher adsorption capacity and a 1.9-fold better selectivity for allantoin than the respective non-imprinted polymer (MH-SiO₂@NIP). The monolayer adsorption capacities of the MH-SiO₂@MIP and the MH-SiO₂@NIP were calculated with the help of the Langmuir model and found to be 6.8 and 1.9 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. Adsorption kinetics fit a pseudo-second order rate mechanism, with an initial adsorption rate of 1.44 for the MH-SiO₂@MIP, and of 0.07 mg•g⁻¹•min⁻¹ for the MH-SiO₂@NIP. The material can be regenerated, and its adsorption capacity for allantoin remains stable for at least five regeneration cycles. It was successfully used as a sorbent for the selective solid-phase extraction of allantoin from Rhizoma dioscoreae.

A molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective separation of allantoin was developed. It was successfully used as a sorbent for the selective solid-phase extraction of allantoin from Rhizoma dioscoreae.

     

A Weak Cation-Exchange Monolithic SPE Column for Extraction and Analysis of Caffeine and Theophylline in Human Urine

A weak cation-exchange monolithic column has been prepared in stainless steel tubing and used as the solid-phase extraction material in quantitative analysis of caffeine and theophylline in urine. Column switching, with water as mobile phase, was used for on-line cleaning and screening of human urine samples. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was then performed on a C₁₈ column with methanol–water 30:70 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min⁻¹. Ultraviolet detection was performed at 274 nm. Good linear relationships were obtained between response and concentrations of caffeine and theophylline in the range 0.1–50 μg mL⁻¹. Absolute recovery ranged from 77.4 to 82.3% and inter-day and intra-day relative standard deviations were less than 5%. The method was suitable for analysis of caffeine and theophylline in human urine, because it eliminated tedious pretreatment and enabled rapid, economic, repeatable, and effective assay of traces of the drugs in biological samples.

     

A Simple Digestion Procedure for the Determination of Cadmium,Copper, Molybdenium and Vanadium in Plants by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Mass Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry.

Abstract

A simple digestion procedure for the determination of Cd, Cu, Mo and V in plant leaves by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and mass inductively coupled plasma was developed. Approximately to 100 mg of the previously dried plant material (200 mg of fresh material) were weighed into a 50mL plastic conical ended vial and 2mL of subboiled 65% HNO₃ was added. The vial was then tightly closed and digestion performed at 80°C in an oven overnight; thereafter, 2mL of 30% H₂O₂ were added and a light yellow solution was obtained. The volume was made up to 50mL in the vial itself and the solution was ready for analysis. Although the time required for the digestion is long, large batches are possible, and make the procedure useful for high sample throughput. As only one vessel is used for the whole procedure, contamination risks are minimized. The reagents employed are possible to be obtained with high purity, permitting low blank values and detection limits. The accuracy of the procedure was tested by the analysis of certified reference materials and good concordance was observed between experimental and certified values.     

Kinetics of Bulk Free‐Radical Polymerization of Butyl Methacrylate Isomers Studied by Reaction Calorimetry

The kinetics of bulk free‐radical polymerizations of n‐butyl methacrylate (n‐BMA), iso‐butyl methacrylate (i‐BMA), and tert‐butyl methacrylate (t‐BMA) are studied by differential scanning calorimetry and with the aid of a mathematical model previously reported by the authors. In all the cases, the rate of polymerization (R_p) evolution curve exhibits a minimum at low conversions and the characteristic maximum of the autoacceleration effect. It is found that the monomer conversion x_min at which the minimum is observed, follows the order n‐BMA > i‐BMA > t‐BMA and that for monomer conversions (x) smaller than x_min, the termination rate coefficient (k_t) shows a plateau. According to the model results it is obtained that for x > x_min, the termination reaction is chemically controlled whereas for x > x_min, it is diffusion‐controlled and that the x_min values are related to the value of the termination rate coefficient of the chemical step (k_t0) of every isomer, which is highly influenced by the steric hindrance of the alkyl substituent group.     

Research of thermal decomposition kinetic characteristic of emulsion explosive base containing Fe and Mn elements

The kinetic characteristic of thermal decomposition of the Emulsion Explosive Base Containing Fe and Mn elements (EEBCFM) which was used to prepare nano-MnFe₂O₄ particles via detonation method was investigated by means of non-isothermal DSC and TG methods at various heating rates of 2.5, 5 and 7.5°C min⁻¹respectively under the atmosphere of dynamic air from room temperature to 400°C. The results indicated that the EEBCFM was sensitive to temperature, especially to heating rate and could decompose at the temperature up to 60°C. The maximum speed of decomposition (dα/dT)_m at the heating rate of 5 and 7.5°C min⁻¹ was more than 10 times of that at 2.5°C min⁻¹ and nearly 10 times of that of the second-category coal mine permitted commercial emulsion explosive (SCPCEE). The plenty of metal ions could seriously reduce the thermal stability of emulsion explosive, and the decomposition reaction in the conversion degree range of 0.0∼0.6 was most probably controlled by nucleation and growth mechanism and the mechanism function could be described with Avrami-Erofeev equation with n=2. When the fractional extent of reaction α>0.6, the combustion of oil phase primarily controlled the decomposition reaction.     

Nucleoside und Nucleotide Teil 27 Festphasensynthese eines Tridecanucleosid-dodecaphosphats,das die unnatürliche Base 4-Amino-2(1H)-pyridinon enthält,und eines Octanucleosid-heptaphosphats zur Untersuchung der DNA-Polymerase-Spezifität

Nucleosides and Nucleotides. Solid Phase Synthesis of a Tridecanucleoside Dodecaphosphate Containing the Unnatural Base 4-Amino-2(1H)-pyridinone and of a Octanucleoside Heptaphosphate for the Determination of the DNA-Polymerase Specificity The tridecanucleoside dodecaphosphate d (T-T-Z-C-G-T-C-A-A-A-A-T-C) incorporating the modified nucleoside 4-amino-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone (Z_d, 1 ) and the octanucleoside heptaphosphate d (G-A-T-T-T-T-G-A) were synthesized by the solid-phase method using the triester method. The carrier material was a copolymer consisting of styrene with 1% divinylbenzene.     

A Weak Cation-Exchange Monolithic SPE Column for Extraction and Analysis of Caffeine and Theophylline in Human Urine

A weak cation-exchange monolithic column has been prepared in stainless steel tubing and used as the solid-phase extraction material in quantitative analysis of caffeine and theophylline in urine. Column switching, with water as mobile phase, was used for on-line cleaning and screening of human urine samples. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was then performed on a C₁₈ column with methanol–water 30:70 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min⁻¹. Ultraviolet detection was performed at 274 nm. Good linear relationships were obtained between response and concentrations of caffeine and theophylline in the range 0.1–50 μg mL⁻¹. Absolute recovery ranged from 77.4 to 82.3% and inter-day and intra-day relative standard deviations were less than 5%. The method was suitable for analysis of caffeine and theophylline in human urine, because it eliminated tedious pretreatment and enabled rapid, economic, repeatable, and effective assay of traces of the drugs in biological samples.     

A molecularly imprinted polymer for solid phase extraction of allantoin

We describe a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the solid-phase extraction of the skin protectant allantoin. The MIP was deposited on the surface of monodisperse silica microspheres possessing acroyl groups on the surface (MH-SiO₂). The resulting MIP microspheres (MH-SiO₂@MIP) showed a 3.4-fold higher adsorption capacity and a 1.9-fold better selectivity for allantoin than the respective non-imprinted polymer (MH-SiO₂@NIP). The monolayer adsorption capacities of the MH-SiO₂@MIP and the MH-SiO₂@NIP were calculated with the help of the Langmuir model and found to be 6.8 and 1.9 mg?g^?1, respectively. Adsorption kinetics fit a pseudo-second order rate mechanism, with an initial adsorption rate of 1.44 for the MH-SiO₂@MIP, and of 0.07 mg?g^?1?min^?1 for the MH-SiO₂@NIP. The material can be regenerated, and its adsorption capacity for allantoin remains stable for at least five regeneration cycles. It was successfully used as a sorbent for the selective solid-phase extraction of allantoin from Rhizoma dioscoreae.

The Interfacial Tension and Alkane Carbon Number (nmin) of Alkyl Benzene Sulfonates in Relation to Enhanced Oil Recovery. Part I: Effect of Surfactant Molecular Weight/Temperature and Electrolyte on nmin

Twelve anionic monoisomeric surfactants based on the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid were prepared. In two sets of experiments, the (n_min) values were determined at 28 and 70°C for them. The n-hydrocarbon scans (n-C₅ to n-C₁₈) against the interfacial tension were used to determine the (n_min) values. The factors affecting (n_min) such as; molecular weight, branching of side chain, temperature and electrolyte addition were investigated. From the obtained results, it was found that the surfactants which has the highest molecular (8φ C₁₅ ABS) gave (n_min) equal 8, so it can be used in the enhanced oil recovery(EOR) without additives (the suitable (n_min) for EOR between 7-9). Otherwise, the lowest molecular weight surfactant (7φ C₁₃ ABS) gave (n_min) equal 5 without addition of alcohols or electrolyte. This case needs some additives to adjust the (n_min) in the range of 7 to 9. By investigation the factors affecting (n_min), it was found that the side chain of alkyl benzene shifted the (n_min) to the highest values. The increasing of temperature decreased the (n_min) values. Also, it was found that the (n_min) increased to high value by adding the electrolytes and alcohols. The mixture between surfactants with and without side chain shifted the (n_min) to the highest value. Using these parameters, the alkane carbon number (n_min) can be used to select the suitable solvent during the preparation of emulsion to get the minimum interfacial tension at which the maximum emulsion stability should be obtained and also to select the surfactant for EOR.     

Low volume microwave digestion and direct determination of selenium in biological samples by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A low volume microwave digestion (LVMWD) procedure has been developed to have all forms of selenium (Se) compounds in biological samples decomposed to Se (IV) and allow total Se be directly determined by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS), or voltammetrically. Between 0.3 and 0.4 mL of mixed digestion reagents consisting of concentrated (15.4 M) HNO₃-(18.5 M) H₂SO₄ (v:v = 10:1) and >5 to <40 mg sample were found ideal systems with an optimized MW digestion program. Total Se in five certified reference materials was accurately determined. The results obtained by the conventional and LVMWD techniques agreed well. By avoiding pre-reduction step, this method, suitable for a wide range of biological samples, fully takes the advantages of HG-AFS or voltammetric techniques for their high sensitivity, high tolerance to matrix-related interference and accessibility in instrumentation. LVMWD not only enhances the sample output by 3 times and reduces the operational cost and acid wastes, but also makes the small sample analysis possible for many environmental and medical related research objectives. The digestion pathways of Se containing organic samples are also discussed based on the experimental results.