Preparation of novel curcumin‐imprinted polymers based on magnetic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes for the rapid extraction of curcumin from ginger powder and kiwi fruit root

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer based on magnetic phenyl‐modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes was synthesized using curcumin as the template molecule, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross‐linker. The phenyl groups contained in the magnetic imprinted polymers acted as the assisting functional monomer. The magnetic imprinted polymers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Adsorption studies demonstrated that the magnetic imprinted polymers possessed excellent selectivity toward curcumin with a maximum capacity of 16.80 mg/g. Combining magnetic extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography technology, the magnetic imprinted polymer based on magnetic phenyl‐modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes was applied for the rapid separation and enrichment of curcumin from ginger powder and kiwi fruit root successfully.     

Purification of transferrin by magnetic immunoaffinity beads

Immunoaffinity adsorbent for transferrin (Tf) purification was prepared by immobilizing anti‐transferrin (Anti‐Tf) antibody on magnetic monosizepoly(glycidyl methacrylate) beads, which were synthesized by dispersion polymerization technique in the presence of Fe₃O₄nanopowder and obtained with an average size of 2.0 μm. The magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (mPGMA) beads were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, swelling tests, scanning electron microscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and zeta sizing analysis. The density and swelling ratio of the beads were 1.08 g/cm³ and 52%, respectively. Anti‐Tf molecules were covalently coupled through epoxy groups of mPGMA. Optimum binding of anti‐Tf was 2.0 mg/g. Optimum Tf binding from aqueous Tf solutions was determined as 1.65 mg/g at pH 6.0 and initial Tf concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. There was no remarkable loss in the Tf adsorption capacity of immunoaffinity beads after five adsorption–desorption cycles. Tf adsorption from artificial plasma was also investigated and the purity of the Tf molecules was shown with gel electrophoresis studies.     

Separation of cannabinoids on three different mixed‐mode columns containing carbon/nanodiamond/amine‐polymer superficially porous particles

Three mixed‐mode high‐performance liquid chromatography columns packed with superficially porous carbon/nanodiamond/amine‐polymer particles were used to separate mixtures of cannabinoids. Columns evaluated included: (i) reversed phase (C₁₈), weak anion exchange, 4.6 × 33 mm, 3.6 μm, and 4.6 × 100 mm, 3.6 μm, (ii) reversed phase, strong anion exchange (quaternary amine), 4.6×33 mm, 3.6 μm, and (iii) hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography, 4.6 × 150 mm, 3.6 μm. Different selectivities were achieved under various mobile phase and stationary phase conditions. Efficiencies and peak capacities were as high as 54 000 N/m and 56, respectively. The reversed phase mixed‐mode column (C₁₈) retained tetrahydrocannabinolic acid strongly under acidic conditions and weakly under basic conditions. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid was retained strongly on the reversed phase, strong anion exchange mixed‐mode column under basic polar organic mobile phase conditions. The hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column retained polar cannabinoids better than the (more) neutral ones under basic conditions. A longer reversed phase (C₁₈) mixed‐mode column (4.6 × 100 mm) showed better resolution for analytes (and a contaminant) than a shorter column. Fast separations were achieved in less than 5 min and sometimes 2 min. A real world sample (bubble hash extract) was also analyzed by gradient elution.     

Catalytic asymmetric Henry reaction using copper(II) chiral tridentate Schiff-base complexes and their polymer-supported complexes

A series of chiral tridentate Schiff-base ligands and their polymer-supported ligands were conveniently prepared and introduced as copper(II) chiral complexes for the asymmetric Henry reaction. The structures of these ligands have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS. The experimental results showed that the corresponding β-nitro alcohols were obtained in moderate to high yields (up to 98%) with up to 98% ee under mild conditions. The complex catalyst forming from copper(II) polymer-supported ligands could be recycled by a simple filtration and reused 6 times at least with similar good catalytic effect (about 94% yield and 90% ee).     

Direct electrochemical oxidation of a pesticide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid,at the surface of a graphite felt electrode: Biodegradability improvement

Pesticides’ biorecalcitrance can be related to the presence of a complex aromatic chains or of specific bonds, such as halogenated bonds, which are the most widespread. In order to treat this pollution at its source, namely in the case of highly concentrated solutions, selective processes, such as electrochemical processes, can appear especially relevant to avoid the possible generation of toxic degradation products and to improve biodegradability in view of a subsequent biological mineralization. 2,4-D was found to be electroactive in oxidation, but not in reduction, and the absence of hydroxyl radicals formation during the electrochemical step was demonstrated, showing that the pretreatment can be considered as a “direct” electrochemical process instead of an advanced electrochemical oxidation process. The presence of several degradation products in the oxidized effluent showed that the pretreatment was not as selective as expected. However, the relevance of the proposed combined process was confirmed since the overall mineralization yield was close to 93%.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of two new organotin (IV) complexes and their antiproliferative effect against cancerous and non-cancerous cells

Cancer has become a leading cause of death worldwide, which is responsible for 7.6 million cancer deaths according to GLOBOCAN survey conducted in 2008. The exploration of cis-platin analogues (carboplatin, lobaplatin, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin) and their incorporation to the treatment of cancer patients has further led interest in exploring metal-based anticancer drugs. The current study describes the synthesis of two new tetra-coordinated mono- and tetranuclear organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes and their in vitro anticancer studies. Each one of the complexes (1–2) has been characterized by analytical (micro- and gravimetric analysis) and spectroscopic (FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR) techniques. Furthermore, molecular structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using X-ray crystallography. The characterization data showed that the coordination took place via oxygen atoms from the carboxylate anions to generate 1 as an organodistannoxane dimer and 2 as a mononuclear complex. Exceptionally, the NMR spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic study showed that acetone molecules also took part in crystallizing 2. Both complexes were tested against three cancerous (colon cancer HCT 116, breast cancer MCF 7, leukemia K562) and one non-cancerous (3T3-L1) cell lines. Both complexes showed same IC₅₀ value (0.2 μM) against HCT 116, whereas for the other two cancer cell lines (MCF 7 and K562) and a normal cell line (3T3-L₁), 2 showed results better than 1. Importantly, the complexes showed exceptional activity against MCF 7 and K562 cell lines and the IC₅₀ values were calculated in nanomoles (MCF 7, IC_50s = 86.5 and 53.4 nM; K 562, IC_50s = 22.9 and 49.6 nM for 1 and 2, respectively). Both, 1 and 2, showed IC₅₀ values many times better than the standard drugs (5-FU, Tamoxifen, betulinic acid and cis-platin) used. Compared to cancerous cell lines, the complexes showed mild toxicity against normal cells (3T3-L1). Overall, two remained relatively effective.     

Adsorption of methyl orange on nanoparticles of a synthetic zeolite NaA/CuO

CuO supported on an NaA zeolite (CuO/NaA) was prepared with an NaA zeolite through the ion-exchange (CuO/NaA) method. The morphology and the physicochemical properties of the prepared samples were investigated by XRD, MEB, and EDS. The various parameters, such as contact time, catalyst dose, initial dye concentration, initial pH, and temperature, influencing the adsorption of methyl orange (MO) were optimized. The MO adsorption equilibrium was reached after 240 min of contact time. Removal of MO is better at neutral pH than in acidic and alkaline solutions. Among the tested models, the equilibrium adsorption data are well fitted by the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption kinetics is best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The evaluation of the thermodynamic parameters, i.e. ΔG^o, ΔH^o, and ΔS^o, revealed that MO adsorption was spontaneous, while the activation energy (20.98 kJ/mol) indicates a physical adsorption. The photodegradation of MO decreased from 100 mg/L down to 2 mg/L when the solution is exposed to visible light.     

Synthesis of 2-(3-amino-2-oxoindolin-3-yl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione derivatives via a one-pot,three-component reaction under catalyst-free conditions

A concise, facile and straightforward synthetic method has been described for the synthesis of 2-(3-amino-2-oxoindolin-3-yl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione derivatives by a one-pot, three-component reaction of isatins, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and ammonium acetate under catalyst-free conditions in ethanol. This protocol becomes highly efficient due to its mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and overall good to excellent yields (80–99%).     

Nano titania-supported sulfonic acid catalyzed synthesis of α,α′-bis(substituted-benzylidene)cycloalkanones and of their xanthene derivatives under solvent-free conditions

An efficient, rapid and green synthesis of α,α′-bis(substituted-benzylidene)cycloalkanones and their xanthene derivatives is reported under solvent-free conditions using nano titania-supported sulfonic acid (n-TSA) as a reusable catalyst. This method offers many advantages, such as environmental friendliness reaction conditions, simplicity, short reaction times, easy work-up, reusability of catalyst, and high yields of products. Eight new compounds are reported too.