Selenium speciation in foods: Preliminary results on potatoes

The present paper deals with the speciation of selenium in potatoes (enriched or not in selenium). The study was carried out by using differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (DPCSV) for quantifying selenium. Results obtained provide evidence that the selenium content in the protein fraction is rather independent from the selenium added to the plants during their growth. On the contrary, the amount of Se in the non-protein fraction (water and starch) in Se-enriched sample is significantly higher than in non-enriched one, suggesting that it is the main selenium-storing site. In this fraction the Se(VI)/Se(IV) ratio seems independent from selenium application but it may be related to the redox conditions. The accumulation of selenium in the non-protein fraction is tentatively ascribed to the “Se–starch interaction” that should be able to modulate both the Se absorption into proteins and, possibly, its toxic effect for the plant itself.     

A chiroptical molecular switch with distinct chiral and photochromic entities and its application in optical switching of a cholesteric liquid crystal

Two new structurally related photoswitches are described, in which azobenzene photochromism is combined with the chirality of a 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl unit. In system 1 the chiral binaphthyl moiety is bridged by a methylene tether, locking the biaryl chirality while in system 2 the biaryl core is unbridged and has considerable conformational flexibility. Both compound are capable of inducing cholesteric liquid crystalline phases and proved to be good photoswitches both in solution and in a liquid crystalline matrix. Compound 2 is capable of completely reversing the liquid crystalline chirality which is unique for a chiroptical molecular switch where the switching unit and the chiral moiety are separate entities.     

Radio TLC in quality control and development of radiopharmaceuticals

Radio TLC has been used for determining the radiochemical purity and composition of two^99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals, available as kits and commonly used for diagnostic imaging. Moreover, the same technique has been applied to detect impurities which decrease the specific activity of¹³¹I-derivatized dermatan sulfate, a new potential radiopharmaceutical, and for establishing the best labeling conditions.     

Glutamate receptor incorporated in a mixed hybrid bilayer lipid membrane array, as a sensing element of a biosensor working under flowing conditions

The realization of a reliable receptor biosensor requires stable, long-lasting, reconstituted biomembranes able to supply a suitable biomimetic environment where the receptor can properly work after incorporation. To this end, we developed a new method for preparing stable biological membranes that couple the biomimetic properties of BLMs (bilayer lipid membranes) with the high stability of HBMs (hybrid bilayer membranes); this gives rise to an innovative assembly, named MHBLM (mixed hybrid bilayer lipid membrane). The present work deals with the characterization of biosensors achieved by embedding an ionotropic glutamate receptor (GluR) on MHBLM. Thanks to signal (transmembrane current) amplification, which is typical of natural receptors, the biosensor here produced detects glutamate at a level of nmol L(-1). The transmembrane current changes linearly vs glutamate up to 100 nmol L(-1), while the limit of detection is 1 nmol L(-1). In addition, the biosensor response can be modulated both by receptor agonists (glycine) and antagonists (Mg(2+)) as well, and by exploiting the biosensor response, the distribution of different kinds of ionotropic GluR present in the purified sample, and embedded in MHBLM, was also evaluated. Finally, one of the most important aspects of this investigation is represented by the high stability of the biomimetic system, which allows the use of biosensor under flowing conditions, where the solutions flow on both biomembrane faces.     

In situ scanning tunneling microscopy: New insight for electrochemical electrode-surface investigations

The successful expansion which the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has had is dependent on its ability to examine surfaces on a sub-nanometric scale and on providing in situ (i.e. in the presence of bulk electrolyte) sample examination. In addition to the ability to study metals and semiconductors in vacuo, the application of the technique to surfaces in contact with an electrolytic solution has prompted increased interest amongst electrochemists. We discuss herein the technique, with particular reference to advances in electrochemical applications. A new scanning tunneling microscope for operation in electrolytic environments is described. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy and scanning ion-conducting microscopy are compared with the STM.     

Factors influencing conformer equilibria in retro models of cisplatin-DNA adducts as revealed by moderately dynamic (N,N'-dimethyl-2,3-diaminobutane)PtG(2) retro models (G = a guanine derivative)

Typical cis-PtA(2)G(2) models of key DNA lesions formed by cis-type Pt anticancer drugs are very dynamic and difficult to characterize (A(2) = diamine or two amines; G = guanine derivative). Retro models have A(2) carrier ligands designed to decrease dynamic motion without eliminating any of three possible conformers with bases oriented head-to-tail (two: DeltaHT and LambdaHT) or head-to-head (one: HH). All three were found in NMR studies of eight Me(2)DABPtG(2) retro models (Me(2)DAB = N,N'-dimethyl-2,3-diaminobutane with S,R,R,S and R,S,S,R configurations at the chelate ring N, C, C, and N atoms, respectively; G = 5'-GMP, 3'-GMP, 5'-IMP, and 3'-IMP). The bases cant to the left (L) in (S,R,R,S)-Me(2)DABPtG(2) adducts and to the right (R) in (R,S,S,R)-Me(2)DABPtG(2) adducts. Relative to the case in which the bases are both not canted, canting will move the six-membered rings closer in to each other ("6-in" form) or farther out from each other ("6-out" form). Interligand interactions between ligand components near to Pt (first-first sphere communication = FFC) or far from Pt (second-sphere communication = SSC) influence stability. In typical cases at pH < 8, the "6-in" form is favored, although the larger six-membered rings of the bases are close. In minor "6-out" HT forms, the proximity of the smaller five-membered rings could be sterically favorable. Also, G O6 is closer to the sterically less demanding NH part of the Me(2)DAB ligand, possibly allowing G O6-NH hydrogen bonding. These favorable FFC effects do not fully compensate for possibly stronger FFC dipole effects in the "6-in" form. SSC, phosphate-N1H cis G interactions favor LambdaHT forms in 5'-GMP and 5'-IMP complexes and DeltaHT forms in 3'-GMP and 3'-IMP complexes. When SSC and FFC favor the same HT conformer, it is present at >90% abundance. In six adducts [four (S,R,R,S)-Me(2)DABPtG(2) and (R,S,S,R)-Me(2)DABPtG(2) (G = 3'-GMP and 3'-IMP)], the minor "6-out" HT form at pH approximately 7 becomes the major form at pH approximately 10, where G N1H is deprotonated, because the large distance between the negatively charged N1 atoms minimizes electrostatic repulsion and probably because the G O6-(NH)Me(2)DAB H-bond (FFC) is strengthened by N1H deprotonation. At pH approximately 10, phosphate-negative N1 repulsion is an unfavorable SSC term. This factor disfavors the LambdaHT R form of two (R,S,S,R)-Me(2)DABPtG(2) (G = 5'-GMP and 5'-IMP) adducts to such an extent that the "6-in" DeltaHT R form remains the dominant form even at pH approximately 10.     

Plasma antioxidant capacity determination: comparative evaluation of chemiluminescent and spectrophotometric assays

All aerobic organisms have developed different mechanisms for neutralising the free radicals, mostly produced by the monoelectronic reduction of O(2), and preventing the severe damages these can provoke. The efficiency of these mechanisms can be assessed, in different matrices, by a simple and direct chemiluminescent assay (CL) based on luminol oxidation catalysed by horseradish peroxidase. Light emission is mediated by the production of free radicals and it is inhibited after a sample addition in a way that is directly proportional to the sample total content of molecules displaying antioxidant activity. The performances of this chemiluminescent assay were compared with those of two spectrophotometric methods already applied in clinical practice. First spectrophotometric method measures, like CL assay, the total antioxidant capacity, whereas the second one determines free thiol groups content. The chemiluminescent assay has a linearity interval between 0.60 and 9.46 mumol l(-1) of Trolox (y=34.91x+3.10; r=0.999; n=5) with an imprecision, expressed as CV, of 3.8% and an inaccuracy, expressed as percentage recovery, of 109%. The first spectrophotometric method, based on the same reference standard, the Trolox molecule, has a linearity interval between 0.2 and 2.5 mmol l(-1) of Trolox (y=-0.01x+4.54; r=0.95; n=5); the thiol groups assay has a linearity interval between 0.1 and 1 mmol l(-1) of l-cysteine (y=1.68x-47.09; r=0.998; n=5). Different clinical samples of plasma from healthy individuals, obese subjects and patients with liver diseases were tested. Interesting correlations were obtained among the three methods, but no significant correlations emerged between antioxidant capacity and clinical parameters. Significant differences were there only between men and women among obese subjects and between drinkers and non-drinkers among liver disease patients.     

The acidic constants of 2-hydroxybenzohydroxamic acid in NaClO4 solutions at 25 degrees C

The protolysis equilibria of 2-hydroxybenzohydroxamic acid, H2SAX, have been studied at 25 degrees C in different ionic media by potentiometric titration with a glass electrode. The media were 0.513, 1.05, 2.21 and 3.5 mol/kg NaClO4. The constants beta(-p)(H2SAX<==>H(2-p)SAX(-p)+pH+), combined with salting effects of NaClO4 on H2SAX deduced from solubility determinations, were processed by the specific interaction theory, SIT, to give equilibrium constants at infinite dilution, log beta(-1)(o) = -7.655 +/- 0.013 and log beta(-2)(o) = -17.94 +/- 0.04, as well as specific interaction coefficients b(HSAX-,Na+) = 0.12 +/- 0.01 and b(SAX2-,Na+) = 0.17 +/- 0.02, molal(-1).     

Stability constants of iron(II) sulfate complexes

The complex formation equilibria between iron(II) and sulfate ions have been studied at 25 degrees C in 3 M NaClO4 ionic medium by measuring with a glass electrode the competition of Fe2+ and H+ ions for the sulfate ion. The concentrations of the metal and of the ligand were varied in the ranges 0.01 to 0.125 and 0.01 to 0.250 M, respectively. The analytical concentration of strong acid was chosen to be 0.01 or 0.03 M. The potentials of the glass electrode, corrected for the effect of replacement of medium ions with reagent species, have been interpreted with the equilibria [formula: see text] Stability constants valid in the infinite dilution reference state, logK zero = 1.98 +/- 0.16, log beta 1 zero = 2.1(5) +/- 0.2 and log beta 2 = 2.5 +/- 0.2, have been estimated by assuming the validity of the specific interaction theory.