Preparing molecularly imprinted nanoparticles of saponins via cooperative imprinting strategy

Saponin is an important class of natural products with various pharmacological activities. The selective separation of saponins is an essential step before further analysis. Molecular imprinting has been an effective strategy for preparing antibody mimics. However, a facile and efficient imprinting strategy for saponins is still lacking owing to their amphiphilic nature. Herein, we have prepared the saponins imprinted nanoparticles via cooperative imprinting strategy. This new strategy relies on the combination of various non‐covalent interactions (hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding) and covalent boronate affinity interactions. The obtained imprinted nanoparticles could rebind specific saponins from complex matrices with good selectivity, superb tolerance to interference, and fast binding equilibrium. This method was verified to be versatile and facile. Thus, this strategy could greatly facilitate the preparation of imprinted nanoparticles for the specific recognition of saponins.     

Modified layered bimetallic compound used as a novel adsorbent for the solid-phase extraction of monoaromatic hydrocarbons from water samples prior to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

This study reports a promising method of solid-phase extraction for determining the toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, m-xylene, o-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene in water samples by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Prior to this procedure, the magnesium–aluminum bimetallic hydroxides modified with sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Mg/Al-SDBS-LDH) were prepared and served as the novel solid-phase extractant. The Mg/Al-SDBS-LDH has advantage of good hydrophobicity and larger spacing which facilitates the monoaromatic hydrocarbons (MAHCs) into the interlayer for adsorption. As a result, the seven MAHCs in 500 mL water samples were enriched greatly, and the theoretical enrichment factor reached to 125 times. Under the optimized conditions of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and GC–MS, the mass concentration of each MAHC (0.005–10, 0.01–10, or 0.05–10 ng/mL) had a fine linear relationship with peak area. The correlation coefficients were more than 0.995. The detection limits were between 0.001 and 0.01 ng/mL, and the RSD were between 3.1% and 6.6%. The method had been applied to determine the seven MAHCs in the Dongfengqu river water and laboratory wastewater of Chengdu University of Technology successfully.     

Engineering nanostructures of CuO-based photocatalysts for water treatment: Current progress and future challenges

Nowadays, increasing extortions regarding environmental problems and energy scarcity have stuck the development and endurance of human society. The issue of inorganic and organic pollutants that exist in water from agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities has directed the development of advanced technologies to address the challenges of water scarcity efficiently. To solve this major issue, various scientists and researchers are looking for novel and effective technologies that can efficiently remove pollutants from wastewater. Nanoscale metal oxide materials have been proposed due to their distinctive size, physical and chemical properties along with promising applications. Cupric Oxide (CuO) is one of the most commonly used benchmark photocatalysts in photodegradation owing to the fact that they are cost-effective, non-toxic, and more efficient in absorption across a significant fraction of solar spectrum. In this review, we have summarized synthetic strategies of CuO fabrication, modification methods with applications for water treatment purposes. Moreover, an elaborative discussion on feasible strategies includes; binary and ternary heterojunction formation, Z-scheme based photocatalytic system, incorporation of rare earth/transition metal ions as dopants, and carbonaceous materials serving as a support system. The mechanistic insight inferring photo-induced charge separation and transfer, the functional reactive radical species involved in a photocatalytic reaction, have been successfully featured and examined. Finally, a conclusive remark regarding current studies and unresolved challenges related to CuO are put forth for future perspectives.     

X射线荧光光谱法测定重整铂催化剂中氯

建立重整铂催化剂中氯的X射线荧光光谱测定方法。通过研磨机将铂催化剂研磨至粒径小于75 μm的颗粒,采用仪器压片制样,通过测量不同氯含量样品的计数率,建立铂催化剂中氯含量与计数率的线性关系。氯的质量分数在0.85%~1.04%范围内与计数率成良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.9995,检出限为0.0076%。样品加标回收率为96.2%~104.2%,测定结果的相对标准偏差小于2%(n=6)。该法测定结果与电位滴定法相吻合。该方法精密度高,分析速度快,满足重整装置生产调整的要求。     

气相色谱–质谱法快速分析化妆品中3种香精香料

建立气相色谱-质谱法快速测定化妆品中甲基柏木酮、甲基柏木醚、壬酸3种香精香料的方法。样品用甲醇超声提取,经高速冷冻离心,上清液干燥脱水后经0.45 μm滤膜过滤,直接注入气相色谱-质谱仪进行测定,用选择离子和保留时间定性,外标法定量。甲基柏木酮、甲基柏木醚、壬酸在各自的质量浓度范围内与色谱峰面积成良好的线性关系,相关系数分别为0.9992,0.9991,0.9994,检出限分别为0.05,0.1,0.1 mg/kg。测定结果的相对标准偏差为2.1%~6.6%(n=5),样品加标回收率为91.5%~97.7%。该方法准确度和灵敏度高,样品用量少,前处理简单,可同时测定化妆品中3种香精香料。     

Rapid qualitative profiling and quantitative analysis of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex and seven flavonoids by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry

Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex is the bark of Juglans mandshurica Maxim., which has been used as a folk medicine plant in China and India. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry method was developed to clarify and quantify the chemical profiling of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex rapidly. A total of 113 compounds were characterized. Among them, seven flavonoids were simultaneously quantified in 15 min, including myricetin, myricetrin, taxifolin, kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, and naringenin. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, and the limits of detection and quantification. All calibration curves showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.9990) within test ranges. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 2.16%. Accuracy validation showed that the recovery was between 95.6 and 101.3% with relative standard deviation values below 2.85%. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the contents of seven flavones in Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex from seven sources and the contents of these places were calculated respectively. This method provides a theoretical basis for further developing the medicinal value of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of androgens,estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestagens in human serum

We present a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of 16 endogenous steroids (androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestogens) in human serum. Samples (250 μl of matrix) were extracted with t-butylmethyl ether prior to LC–MS/MS analysis. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase column using a methanol–water gradient. The HPLC was coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source with acquisition in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated using surrogate matrices and human serum samples. The specificity of the method was confirmed for all of the considered steroids; linearity was also assessed (R² > 0.99, lack-of-fit test) in the ranges of concentrations investigated. The lower limits of quantification were in the range 10–400 pg/ml depending on the target steroid. Accuracy was in the range 85–115% for all target steroids except for the lower limit of quantitation levels where it was 80–120%. The extraction recovery was always >65%. No significant matrix effects were observed. To test the reliability of the method, the analysis of serum samples collected from 10 healthy subjects (5 M/5F) was performed. The present method can be used to identify the trajectories of deviation from the concentration normality ranges applied to disorders of the gonadal and adrenal axes.     

Aggregation-Induced Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species: Mechanism and Photosensitizer Construction

Luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIEgens) have been widely applied in the field of photodynamic therapy. Among them, aggregation-induced emission photosensitizers (AIE–PSs) are demonstrated with high capability in fluorescence and photoacoustic bimodal imaging, as well as in fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy. They not only improve diagnosis accuracy but also provide an efficient theranostic platform to accelerate preclinical translation as well. In this short review, we divide AIE–PSs into three categories. Through the analysis of such classification and construction methods, it will be helpful for scientists to further develop various types of AIE–PSs with superior performance.     

Re-Analysis of Abdominal Gland Volatilome Secretions of the African Weaver Ant,Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda, is used as a biological control agent for the management of pests. The ant has several exocrine glands in the abdomen, including Dufour’s, poison, rectal, and sternal glands, which are associated with pheromone secretions for intra-specific communication. Previous studies have analyzed the gland secretions of Dufour’s and poison glands. The chemistry of the rectal and sternal glands is unknown. We re-analyzed the secretions from Dufour’s and poison glands plus the rectal and sternal glands to compare their chemistries and identify additional components. We used the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique to collect gland headspace volatiles and solvent extraction for the secretions. Coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis detected a total of 78 components, of which 62 were being reported for the first time. These additional components included 32 hydrocarbons, 12 carboxylic acids, 5 aldehydes, 3 alcohols, 2 ketones, 4 terpenes, 3 sterols, and 1 benzenoid. The chemistry of Dufour’s and poison glands showed a strong overlap and was distinct from that of the rectal and sternal glands. The different gland mixtures may contribute to the different physiological and behavioral functions in this ant species.