Comparative evaluation of Fe(III) reducing power-based antioxidant capacity assays in the presence of phenanthroline, batho-phenanthroline, tripyridyltriazine (FRAP), and ferricyanide reagents

The chemical diversity of antioxidants in complex matrices such as plant extracts makes it difficult to separate and quantify antioxidants from these solutions. Therefore it is desirable to establish methods that can measure the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels directly from plant extracts. Iron(III)-based TAC assays, especially the most widely used FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), play an important role in this regard. However, many problems have been reported in the application of the FRAP assay, the most serious one being the incomplete oxidation of a number of antioxidants during the time protocol of the assay. Thus, six different ferric ion-based total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays have been comparatively tested, modified, and improved so as to obtain more sensitive and precise results for complex mixtures, namely: 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen) method (with incubation), batho-phenanthroline method (with incubation), original FRAP method, modified FRAP method (with incubation), original ferricyanide method, and modified ferricyanide method (with incubation). Two new assays in this regard (i.e., o-phen and batho-phen) have been established, and the existing assays (FRAP and ferricyanide) have been modified so as to let the oxidation reactions of antioxidants reach completion. The molar absorptivity for a variety of antioxidants was highest for modified FRAP, batho-phen, and original FRAP methods. The absorption maximum wavelength shifted batochromically to a higher extent for modified ferricyanide, FRAP, and batho-phen procedures, decreasing the possibility of interferences due to organics absorbing in the near-UV range of the visible spectrum where most antioxidant assays are performed. The linear concentration ranges were shown to be further extended and linear correlation coefficients improved with respect to the most widely used ferric-based assay, FRAP. Of the six assays tested and developed, only the modified ferricyanide procedure gave high intercept values and low addivitity of TAC values of constituents in complex mixtures, requiring further attention of method optimization. Thus, it was shown that the most widely used FRAP could be effectively modified, and o-phen, batho-phen, and ferricyanide methods constitute cheaper alternatives to FRAP under certain conditions, with partly improved molar absorptivity (and thus sensitivity) for antioxidants, lower intercept values (and higher precision), broader linear range (and higher flexibility), and better additivity of TAC values of antioxidant constituents in mixtures.     

Degradation-fragmentation of marine plastic waste and their environmental implications: A critical review

This review critically evaluates the plastic accumulation challenges and their environmental (primarily) and human (secondarily) impacts. It also emphasizes on their degradation and fragmentation phenomena under marine conditions. In addition, it takes into account the leachability of the various chemical substances (additives) embedded in plastic products to improve their polymeric properties and extend their life. Regardless of their effectiveness in enhancing the polymeric function of plastic products, these additives can potentially contaminate air, soil, food, and water. Several findings have shown that, regardless of their types and sizes, plastics can be degraded and/or fragmented under marine conditions. Therefore, the estimation of fragmentation and degradation rates via a reliable developed model is required to better understand the marine environmental status. The main parameter, which is responsible for initiating the fragmentation of plastics, is sunlight/UV radiation. Yet, UV- radiation alone is not enough to fragment some plastic polymer types under marine conditions, additional factors are needed such as mechanical abrasion. It should be also mentioned that most current studies on plastic degradation and fragmentation centered on the primary stages of degradation. Thus, further studies are needed to better understand these phenomena and to identify their fate and environmental effects.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定玻璃中总硫

应用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定了玻璃中总硫量。对测定条件,包括试样的溶解方法,分析谱线的选择,共存元素的光谱干扰及仪器的工作参数等作了系统研究。测定中选择了在紫外区的谱线(S 181.972 nm)作分析线可有效地避免了基体中大量钙的干扰。选取5件标准样品或已知样品按所提出方法各进行5次分析,算得方法的RSD值均小于1.5%,进行11次空白试验,算得方法的检出限(3S)为0.01 mg.L-1。通过对两件标准参考物质(NBS 89和GBW 03117)及一件已知样品的分析,验证了方法的准确度,所得测定结果与证书值或已知值相符。     

Kinetics of epidermal growth factor/receptor binding on cells measured by total internal reflection/fluorescence recovery after photobleaching

Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is used to measure the dissociation kinetic rate of fluorescein-labeled epidermal growth factor from its specific receptors on the surface of intact but mildly fixed A431 human epidermoid cells in culture. Prior applications of TIRF microscopy have been limited to nonreceptor binding or to model membrane systems. The evanescent field excites fluorescence selectively at the surface of the cell proximal to the coverslip. Prismless epiillumination TIR is employed to avoid space limitations and is achieved by passing the excitation laser beam through a high (1.4)-aperture objective so that the light is incident at the glass/water interface beyond the critical angle. Long-term focus is maintained by a special feedback system. Of the possible effects that can influence the time course of the postbleach fluorescence recoveries—the EGF/receptor dissociation ratek ₂, the bulk solution diffusion rate of EGF, and the cell surface motion of the receptors—we infer that the dissociation ratek ₂ dominates. Several fitting schemes are compared and indicate the presence of a multiplicity of values fork ₂, ranging from about 0.05 to 0.004 s^–1, with an average value of about 0.012 s^–1. These results compare well with values previously obtained by radiolabel/washing techniques. The significance of the results in terms of kinetic models and the advantages of the TIRF technique for these sorts of measurements are discussed.     

Element determination in medieval soil samples by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis

An aqua regia extraction procedure for heavy metals in soils optimised for total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis is presented. The procedure is applied to 92 soil samples of medieval layers from the city area of Dortmund. Sixteen elements (P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ag, Sn, and Pb) were used to characterise 17 sample sites. The results are projected onto the medieval urban structure of Dortmund. Two sites loaded with non-ferrous heavy metal could be detected and correlated with archaeological data. The efficiency and repeatability of the proposed extraction procedure is discussed.     

Analysis of low Z elements on Si wafer surfaces with synchrotron radiation induced total reflection X-ray fluorescence at SSRL, Beamline 3-3: comparison of droplets with spin coated wafers

The unique properties of synchrotron radiation, such as high incident flux combined with low divergence, its linear polarization and energy tunability, make it an ideal excitation source for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy in order to non-destructively detect trace impurities of transition metals on Si wafer surfaces. When used with a detector suitable for the determination of low energy radiation this technique can be extended to the detection of low-Z elements, such as Al, Na and Mg. Experiments have been performed at SSRL Beamline 3-3, a bending magnet beamline using monochromatic radiation from a double multilayer monochromator. The wafer was mounted vertically in front of the detector, which was aligned along the linear polarization vector of the incoming synchrotron radiation. This configuration allows the detector to accept a large solid angle as well as to take advantage of the reduced scattered X-ray intensity emitted in the direction of the linear polarization vector. A comparison between droplet samples and spin coated samples was done, in order to compare the capabilities of vapor phase decomposition (VPD-TXRF) with conventional SR-straight-TXRF. Detection limits in the range of 50 fg corresponding to 2E10 atoms/cm² have been obtained for Na. The spin coated samples, prepared from solutions containing an equal amount of Na, Mg and Al showed an unexpected result when performing a scan of the angle of incidence of the incoming X-rays suggesting a different adsorption behavior of the elements in a multielement solution on the wafer surface. The observation of this behavior is important because the spin coating technique is the standard method for the preparation of surface standards in semiconductor quality control. This effect could be characteristic of the Na, Mg, Al solution used, but the angle dependence of the fluorescence signal of a standard should always be investigated before using the standard for calibration of the apparatus and quantification.     

Immunosensor for estrone with an equal limit of detection as common analytical methods

Immunoanalytical methods at a very low limit of detection (LOD) and a low limit of quantification (LOQ) are becoming more and more important for environmental analysis and especially for monitoring drinking water quality. Biosensors have suitable characteristics such as efficiency in allowing very fast, sensitive, and cost-effective detection. Here we describe a fully automated immunoassay for estrone with a LOD below 0.20 ng L^–1 and a LOQ below 1.40 ng L^–1. In contrast to common analytical methods such as GC-MS or HPLC-MS, the biosensor used requires no sample pre-treatment and pre-concentration. The basis of our sensitive assay is the antibody with a high affinity constant towards estrone. The very low amount of antibody per sample results in low validation parameters (LOD, LOQ, and IC50), but this assay for estrone represents the current device-related limitation of the River Analyser (RIANA).     

泥炭中全氮的测定

采用连续流动化学分析仪（Continuous Flow Analyzer,CFA）,对泥炭中的全氮进行分析.方法有良好的线性关系（r=0.9999）,回收率为99％-105％,测试速度是比色法测试速度的15-20倍,操作简便、准确度好,对氮化学研究有一定意义.     

Homodiselenacalix[4]arenes: Molecules with Unique Channelled Crystal Structures

A synthetic route towards homodiselenacalix[4]arene macrocycles is presented, based on the dynamic covalent chemistry of diselenides. The calixarene inner rim is decorated with either alkoxy or tert‐butyl ester groups. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of two THF solvates with methoxy and ethoxy substituents reveals the high similarity of their molecular structures and alterations on the supramolecular level. In both crystal structures, solvent channels are present and differ in both shape and capacity. Furthermore, the methoxy‐substituted macrocycle undergoes a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation during which the molecular structure changes its conformation from 1,3‐alternate (loaded with THF/water) to 1,2‐alternate (apohost form). Molecular modelling techniques were applied to explore the conformational and energetic behaviour of the macrocycles.