NMR line‐fitting quantification of polysaccharide N‐acylurea‐based modification in glycoconjugates of Salmonella Typhi Vi polysaccharide

The polysaccharides modification via carbodiimide reaction is one of the most applied methods for obtaining conjugated vaccines against Salmonella enterica. However, N‐acylurea carbodiimide adduct generated in the process is a critical impurity in carbohydrate‐based vaccines. A quantitative NMR method was developed for assessing the N‐acylurea carbodiimide adduct impurity. The procedure was based on line‐fitting facilities for processing the NMR signals on complex spectra. The method showed good linearity, accuracy and precision under inter‐operator variation (relative standard deviation <5%). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative molecular field analysis of chromatographic hydrophobicity indices for some coumarin analogs

The chromatographic hydrophobicity index (CHI) is an HPLC‐based parameter that provides reliable guidance in optimization of pharmacological efficiency and adsorption, distribution, metabolism and exertion (ADME) profile of drug candidates. In the present work, classical and three‐dimensional quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) models were developed for prediction of CHI values of some 4‐hydroxycoumarin analogs on immobilized artificial membrane column. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) as 3D–QSPR methods were performed to gain insight into the key structural factors affecting on the chromatographic hydrophobicity of interested chemicals. The calculated parameters of Q ², R ² and standard error were 0.545, 0.996 and 0.773 for CoMFA model and 0.815, 0.986 and 1.44 for CoMSIA model, respectively. The contour maps for steric fields of the CoMFA model illustrate that the hydrophobicity of chemicals will be higher when the positions of R6, R7 and R8 in the 4‐hydroxycuomarin ring are substituted by alkyl groups. Moreover, by the analysis of the plots of electrostatic fields, it was concluded that the CHI value greatly increases if one hydrogen on coumarin ring is substituted by the F, Cl, Br, OH or OCH₃ group.     

New SERS feature of β‐carotene: consequences for quantitative SERS analysis

While recording SERS spectra of pure β‐carotene at sub‐micromole concentrations for reference purpose, we discovered an unusual spectral response never reported before. In pre‐resonance conditions with the 532‐nm line, SERS of β‐carotene with AgNPs exhibits among the strong υ(CC) mode at 1512 cm⁻¹ unshifted from normal Raman spectrum, additional strong bands at 1649, 1575 and 1387 cm⁻¹ as well as other medium bands not observed in the Raman spectrum of the crystalline powder. Such behavior is explained in terms of selection rules relaxation upon cyclohexene terminal rings of the β‐carotene interaction with the NP surface. AFM images of the SERS system suggested dimers and trimers clustering of the nanoparticles with adsorbed β‐carotene. In light of the new SERS feature the consequences in correct interpretation of the SERS imaging from complex biosystems containing carotenoids are discussed. Relative intensity ratio of the β‐carotene band at 1512 cm⁻¹ and water against concentration allowed a reliable SERS calibration curve for 50 to 500 nmol l⁻¹ concentration range and provided quantitative SERS assessment of the carotenoid content in the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) gonads extracts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.