In situ UV resonance Raman micro-spectroscopic localization of the antimalarial quinine in cinchona bark

Deep UV resonance Raman micro-spectroscopy (lambda(exc) = 244 nm) was applied for a highly sensitive, selective, and gentle localization of the antimalarial quinine in situ in cinchona bark. The high potential of the method was demonstrated by the detection of small amounts of the alkaloid in the plant material without any further sample preparation, where conventional (non-resonant) Raman microscopy was unsuccessful due to a strong fluorescence background. The resonance Raman spectrum of cinchona bark corresponds well with that of quinine; it can be distinguished from its diastereomer quinidine via the mode at 831 cm(-1), which is shifted to 843 cm(-1) in the case of quinidine. This vibration involves a bending motion within the side chain around the chiral center of quinine. Vibrations belonging to the quinoline ring (important for its antimalarial activity in forming pi-pi-interactions to hemozoin) and the vinyl group are resonantly enhanced in the UV Raman spectra. A convincing mode assignment is derived by means of a combination of NIR Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The Raman spectra of quinine in cinchona bark are modeled by considering a hydrous environment that causes a shift of the band at 1362 compared with 1371 cm(-1) in anhydrous quinine. This intense vibration is therefore sensitive to the presence of an aqueous environment and is assigned mostly to a stretching motion within the quinoline ring. The presented results nicely show the sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy to monitor subtle differences within the molecular structure and the influence of a biological relevant hydrous environment and trace low concentrated pharmaceutical relevant active agents in plant material.     

Synthetic Impedance Circuits in Semi-Passive Vibration Control with Piezo-Ceramics - Efficiency and Limitations

Electrical circuits that represent complex impedance connected to the plates of piezo element affect the frequency response function of compound electromechanical systems. The external network consisting of inductance results in absorbing a certain frequency of vibrations. The performance can significantly be increased using negative capacitance. All the negative impedance elements are achievable via semi-passive way with the use of an electronic gyrator realized by operational amplifiers that require power supply. Its performance is limited due to the maximum voltage operational amplifiers can produce. The higher excitation forces require higher output voltages of amplifiers. The aim of the paper is to present the relation between the required voltage on synthetic impedance and force excitation in 1DOF vibrating system regarding parameters of piezo element and mechanical system for absorbing case. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Electro‐Optical Properties of ZnII Complexes with π‐Conjugated Terpyridine Ligands

Leading light : A series of zinc(II) bis‐terpyridine complexes (see picture) is investigated by means of DFT calculations combined with Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules. Raman spectroscopy experiments and studies of the electro‐optical properties of the complexes in solution and the solid state are also performed to examine their potential as new emissive materials in light‐emitting devices.

     

Motion of a Ferrofluid in a Periodic Magnetic Field due to Surface Deformation

The article considers a plane flow of an incompressible, viscous magnetizable fluid. Cause of the flow is an alternating magnetic field, which consequently affects the free surface to periodical deformation. The proof of a peristaltic material transport is desired. The STOKES approximation for creeping flows and the two-dimensional continuity equation serve for governing equations. The methods used include power series expansion with regard to the small ratio of ε perturbed and unperturbed fraction of the magnetic field. The analytical result is discussed with regard to functional parameters. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Comparison of stir bar sorptive extraction and membrane-assisted solvent extraction as enrichment techniques for the determination of pesticide and benzo[a]pyrene residues in Brazilian sugarcane juice

The biodegradation of the organophosphorus insecticide methyl parathion (MP) in aqueous environment by bacteria isolated from river sediment has been studied. Two species of bacteria which show strong MP degradation ability are identified as Shewanella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The biodegradation of MP proceeded rapidly with the formation of a series of intermediate products, which were analyzed using a combination of GC/MS and HPLC/ESI-TOFMS techniques. The major products tentatively identified include a series of reduced products of MP. Results demonstrate that the coupling of TOFMS to HPLC enhances further the capability of LC-MS in the identification of polar organic species in complex environmental samples. Degradation pathways leading to the formation of these products are proposed which involves first the reduction of nitro to amino group in MP, followed by combination with some intrinsic matters of bacteria. The mechanism and products from biodegradation are quite different from those of photocatalytic process for which the main intermediates included methyl paraoxon and 4-nitrophenol.     

Determination of pesticide residues in wine by membrane-assisted solvent extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The determination of pesticides in food products is an essential issue to guarantee food safety and minimise health risks of consumers. A protocol based on membrane-assisted solvent extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) that allows the determination of 18 pesticides in red wine at minimum labour effort for sample preparation was developed and validated. Ten millilitres of wine were extracted using 100 μL of toluene filled in a non-porous polyethylene membrane bag which is immersed in the wine sample. After 150 min extraction under stirring, an aliquot of the extraction solution is analysed using HPLC-MS/MS. The limits of quantification ranged from 3 ng/L for Pirimicarb to 1.33 μg/L for Imidacloprid. Quantification by matrix-matched calibration provided relative standard deviations ≤16 % for most of the target pesticides. The linearity of calibration was given over three to four orders of magnitude, which enables the reliable measurement of a broad range of pesticide concentrations, and for each target pesticide, the sensitivity of the protocol meets the maximum residue levels set by legislations at least for wine grapes. Good agreement of results was found when the new method was compared with a standard liquid-liquid extraction protocol. In five wine samples analysed, Carbendazim and Metalaxyl were determined at micrograms per litre concentrations, even in some of the organic wines. Tebuconazol and Cyprodinitril were determined at lower abundance and concentration, followed by Spiroxamin and Diuron.