Chemical Composition of Natural Hydrolates and Their Antimicrobial Activity on Arcobacter-Like Cells in Comparison with Other Microorganisms

Hydrolates obtained via the hydrodistillation and steam distillation of Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Syzygium aromaticum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., and Laurus nobilis L. were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the hydrolates were evaluated for antimicrobial activity (disk-diffusion and microdilution method), influence on biofilm formation (Christensen method) and cytotoxicity of concentrated hydrolates against human cell lines (A549) by xCELLigence system. Using chemical analysis, 48, 9, 13 and 33 different components were detected in lavender, clove, fennel and laurel hydrolates, respectively. Lavender hydrolate contained the largest proportion of 1,8-cineol, linalool furanoxide, and linalool. The main components of laurel hydrolate were 1,8-cineol, 4-terpineol and α-terpineol. Fenchone and estragole were the most abundant in fennel hydrolate, and eugenol and eugenyl acetate in clove hydrolate. Concentrated hydrolates showed significant antimicrobial activity. Clove hydrolate was among the most antimicrobially active agents, most preferably against C. albicans, with an inhibition zone up to 23.5 mm. Moreover, concentrated hydrolates did not show any cytotoxic effect again8 st human A549 cells. In the presence of the non-concentrated hydrolates, significantly reduced biofilm formation was observed; however, with concentrated clove hydrolate, there was an increase in biofilm formation, e.g., of A. thereius, A. lanthieri, and A. butzleri. Research shows new findings about hydrolates that may be important in natural medicine or for preservation purposes.     

Model study on steady heat capacity in driven stochastic systems

We explore two- and three-state Markov models driven out of thermal equilibrium by non-potential forces, to demonstrate basic properties of the steady heat capacity based on the concept of quasistatic excess heat. It is shown that large enough driving forces can make the steady heat capacity negative. For both the low- and high-temperature regimes we propose an approximative thermodynamic scheme in terms of “dynamically renormalized” effective energy levels.     

Sorption of methanol,dimethyl carbonate,methyl acetate,and acetone vapors in CTA and PTMSP: General findings from the GAB Analysis

Sorption of vapors of four organic compounds in two glassy polymers, cellulose triacetate (CTA) and poly[(trimethylsilyl)propyne] (PTMSP), has been reported and analyzed in terms of Guggenheim‐Anderson‐De Boer (GAB) model. These two structurally and physicochemically different glassy polymers both independently showed that one sorption site was formed by about three monomeric units. This finding held true for vapors of all characterized compounds; that is, for methanol, for its derivatives dimethyl carbonate and methyl acetate, and for acetone. The “rule of three” might thus also be applicable to other sorbates and glassy polymers. Further, an original modification of the GAB model for the sorption of alcohols in PTMSP was derived and successfully tested. Overall, the analyses of the sorption isotherms, heats of sorption and diffusion coefficients supported the view that the sorption of vapors in glassy polymers has adsorptive nature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 561–569     

Diffusion of biostimulators into plant tissues

Biostimulators are substances able to enhance the immune system of cultivated crops and support plant metabolism. Their utilization helps to reduce the amount of chemicals used in agriculture. To perform the desired effect, a biostimulator must be able to penetrate into the plant tissue. The time of penetration however, is limited, since the biostimulator must remain in a liquid state. This is of great importance—especially in field conditions, where the treated plants are exposed to different weather condition and other extrinsic factors. A mathematical model based on diffusion mechanisms has been elaborated to describe the biostimulator transport process from penetration of the leaves into the plant’s inner tissues. By means of the effective diffusion coefficient of the prepared specific protein hydrolyzate, this model can be used to estimate the time necessary for the uptake of the minimal active amount of the biostimulator.     

The unambiguous synthesis and NMR assignment of 4-alkoxy and 3-alkylquinazolines

Contrary to a number of reports, alkylations of the privileged 3,4-dihydroquinazoline scaffold provide N3-alkylated products, and not 4-alkoxyquinazolines. To correctly assign the structure, ¹³C NMR shifts of the –Z–CH_n– (Z=O, N) fragment are necessary; resonances in the 45–55 ppm range are indicative of N3-alkylation. Treatment of 3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-one with p-TsCl afforded the N3-tosylated compound, whose reaction with an amine yielded the corresponding N3-alkyl derivative. A mechanism corroborated by ¹⁵N-labeling involving pyrimidine ring opening and recyclisation is proposed. Finally, the unambiguous preparation of 4-alkoxyquinazolines is described via treatment of 3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-ones with PCl₅ followed by an alkoxide.     

The B2–B7 phase transition in symmetrical bent‐shaped mesogens with methoxy substitution

New mesogens composed of achiral bent molecules with thermally stable ester linkages, and laterally substituted by a methoxy group symmetrically near the central benzene ring, were synthesized. Texture, calorimetric, electro‐optical, X‐ray and dielectric measurements were performed. In most of studied compounds the antiferroelectric B₂ phase was found on cooling from the isotropic phase, followed by the B₇ phase at lower temperatures. Undulation of layers in the B₇ phase was confirmed by precise synchrotron studies.     

Determination of antioxidant activity using oxidative damage to plasmid DNA — pursuit of solvent optimization

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of many diseases. Hydroxyl radical is the oxidative species most commonly causing damage to cells. The aim of this work was to optimize the method for antioxidant activity determination on a model lipophilic geranylated flavanone, diplacone. This method uses protection of plasmid DNA from oxidation by a hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction involving oxidation of metal ions using H₂O₂ and ascorbate. The method was optimized for lipophilic compounds using several solvents and co-solvents. It was found that (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (0.1 mass % aq. sol.) is the best co-solvent for our model lipophilic compound to measure the antioxidant activity by the method presented. Other solvents, namely dimethyl sulfoxide, Cremophor EL® (0.1 mass % aq. sol.), ethanol, and methanol, were not suitable for the determination of the antioxidant activity by the method described. Tween 80 (0.1 mass % aq. sol.) and a mixture of 10 vol. % ethanol and 9 mass % bovine serum albumin (aq. sol.) significantly decreased the antioxidant activity of the model lipophilic compound and thus were not suitable for this method.     

Combining ferrocene,thiophene and a boronic acid: a hybrid ligand for reagentless electrochemical sensing of cis-diols

A redox-active affinity ligand suitable for reagentless sensing of cis-diols was synthesised and characterised. 4-[(Ferrocenylamino)methyl]thiophene-3-boronic acid (FcTBA) was allowed to interact with the model cis-diol, sorbitol. A discrete, cathodic shift of the redox potential was observed upon interaction of FcTBA with sorbitol thus providing simultaneous differentiation between the free and bound forms of this sensor molecule. Similar behaviour was observed also for FcTBA co-immobilised with thiophene in a mixed self-assembled monolayer on a gold electrode.     

Simple power supply for power load controlled isoelectric focusing

The power supply for IEF based on features of the Cockcroft‐Walton voltage multiplier (CW VM) is described in this work. The article describes a design of the IEF power supply, its electric characteristics, and testing by IEF analysis. A circuit diagram of the power supply included two opposite charged branches (each consisting of four voltage doublers). The designed CW VM was powered by 230 V/50 Hz alternate current and it generated up to 5 kV and 90 mW at the output. Voltage and current characteristics of the power supply were measured by known load resistances in the range from 10 kΩ to 1 GΩ, which is a common resistance range for IEF strip geometry. Further, the power supply was tested by a separation of a model mixture of colored pI markers using a 175 × 3 × 0.5 mm focusing bed. Automatically limited power load enabled analysis of samples without previous optimization of the focusing voltage or electric current time courses according to sample composition. Moreover, the developed power supply did not produce any intrinsic heat and was easy to set up with cheap and commonly available parts.     

Aspects of trapping efficiency and matrix effects in the development of a restricted‐access‐media‐based trap‐and‐elute liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method

Online restricted access media with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for the direct analysis of small molecules in biological fluids represents an interesting alternative to time‐demanding traditional sample preparation techniques. In this study, important considerations concerning the development of a restricted access media with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of dansylated estrogens in biological matrix are presented. Parameters influencing peak tailing and trapping efficiency were evaluated. The key factors included the ion strength of the mobile phase, a loading flow rate of the sample onto the trap column, and selection of a proper stationary phase of the trap column for a given set of analytes. These parameters have proven to be essential for minimizing any unwanted chromatographic peak tailing. The bulk derivatization of the analytes in the biological fluids and its relationship to the observed matrix effects was evaluated as well.