Optimisation of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of betalains and polyphenols from Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. Nutrisol

The present study optimised the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds from Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. Nutrisol. Influence of temperature (25.86–54.14 °C) and ultrasonic power densities (UPD) (76.01–273.99 mW/mL) on total betalains (BT), betacyanins (BC), betaxanthins (BX), total polyphenols (TP), antioxidant activity (AA), colour parameters (L*, a*, and b*), amaranthine (A), and isoamaranthine (IA) were evaluated using response surface methodology. Moreover, betalain extraction kinetics and mass transfer coefficients (K_La) were determined for each experimental condition. BT, BC, BX, TP, AA, b*, K_La, and A were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by temperature extraction and UPD, whereas L*, a*, and IA were only affected (p < 0.05) by temperature. All response models were significantly validated with regression coefficients (R²) ranging from 87.46 to 99.29%. BT, A, IA, and K_La in UAE were 1.38, 1.65, 1.50, and 29.93 times higher than determined using conventional extraction, respectively. Optimal UAE conditions were obtained at 41.80 °C and 188.84 mW/mL using the desired function methodology. Under these conditions, the experimental values for BC, BX, BT, TP, AA, L*, a*, b*, K_La, A, and IA were closely related to the predicted values, indicating the suitability of the developed quadratic models. This study proposes a simple and efficient UAE method to obtain betalains and polyphenols with high antioxidant activity, which can be used in several applications within the food industry.     

Adsorption and dissociation of the methanethiol (CH3SH) molecule on the Fe(100) surface

These contributions explore interaction modes between the methanethoil (CH₃SH) molecule and the Fe(100) surface via implementing accurate density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the inclusion of van der Waals corrections. We consider three adsorption sites over the Fe(100) surface, namely, top(T), bridge (B), and hollow (H) sites as potential catalytic active sites for the molecular and dissociative adsorption of the CH₃SH molecule. The molecular adsorption structures are found to occupy either B or T sites with former sites holding higher stability by 0.17 eV. The inclusion of van der Waals corrections refound to slightly alter adsorption energies. For instance, adsorption energies increased by ~ 0.18 and ~ 0.21 eV for B and T structure, respectively, in reference to values obtained by the plain generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional. A stability ordering of the dissociation products was found to follow the sequence (CH₄, S) > (CH₃, S, H) > (─SCH_3, H) > (─CH₃, SH). The differential charge density distributions were examined to underpin prominent electronic contributing factors. Direct fission of C─S bond in the CH₃SH molecule attains exothermic values in the range 2.0 to 2.1 eV. The most energetically favorable sites for the surface-mediated fission of the thiol's S─H bond correspond to the structure where the ─SCH₃ and H are both situated on hollow sites with an adsorption energy of −2.43 eV. Overall, we found that inclusion of van der Waals functional to change the binding energies more noticeably in case of dissociative adsorption structures. The results presented herein should be instrumental in efforts that aim to design stand-alone Fe desulfurization catalysts.     

A Methodology for Estimating Kinetic Parameters and Reactivity Ratios of Multi‐site Type Catalysts Using Polymerization,Fractionation, and Spectroscopic Techniques

This work describes a polymer reaction engineering framework for understanding how catalyst kinetic parameters affect the microstructure of polyolefins made with single‐ or multi‐site catalysts. Moreover, a methodology for deconvolution and kinetic parameters estimation is presented to estimate the reactivity ratios of multi‐site catalysts based on the combination of polymerization, fractionation, and spectroscopic techniques, namely, gel permeation chromatography‐IR and carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The methodology capabilities are then demonstrated and validated using a case study simulated via a Monte Carlo model including random noise in order to better represent experimental result uncertainties. The methodology can reverse engineer experimental results and estimate all relevant reaction performance parameters.     

Isotopic Characterization of 100% Agave Tequila (Silver,Aged and Extra-Aged Class) for Its Use as an Additional Parameter in the Determination of the Authenticity of the Beverage Maturation Time

Isotopic ratios of δ¹³C_VPDB and δ¹⁸O_VSMOW have been used as an additional parameter to ensure the authenticity of the aging time of 100% agave tequila. For this purpose, 120 samples were isotopically analyzed (40 silver class, 40 aged class, and 40 extra-aged classes). The samples were obtained through a stratified sampling by proportional allocation, considering tequila producers from the main different regions of Jalisco, Mexico (Valles 41%, Altos Sur 31%, Cienega 16%, and Centro 12%). The results showed that the δ¹³C_VPDB was found in an average of −12.85 ‰ for all the analyzed beverages, with no significant difference between them. Since for all the tested samples the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety was used as source of sugar to obtain alcohol, those results were foreseeable, and confirm the origin of the sugar source. Instead, the results for δ¹⁸O_VSMOW showed a positive slope linear trend for the aging time (silver class 19.52‰, aged class 20.54‰, extra-aged class 21.45‰), which is associated with the maturation process, there are oxidation reactions that add congeneric compounds to the beverage, these can be used as tracers for the authenticity of the aging time. Additionally, the experimental data showed homogeneity in the beverages regardless of the production region, evidencing the tequila industry’s high-quality standards. However, a particular case occurs with the δ¹⁸O_VSMOW data for the silver class samples, in which a clear trend is noted with the altitude of the region of origin; therefore, this information suggests that this analytical parameter could be useful to authenticate the regional origin of beverage.     

Operation of low driving voltage cascaded modulator over non-cascaded modulator for 4 dB extinction ratio at 100 giga bit per second (Gbps)

This paper describes improved results when comparing cascaded traveling wave electro absorption modulator (TWEAM) to non-cascaded TWEAM by simulation. Large signal modeling is used for both types of modulators to achieve 4 and 10 dB extinction ratios (ERs) with flat frequency response for applications in short distance as well as long distance optical fiber communication. To obtain 4 and 10 dB ERs with 110 GHz 3 dB bandwidth, a cascaded TWEAM requires 0.4 V peak to peak (V_P-P) and 1 V_P-P input driving voltages respectively. A non-cascaded TWEAM requires about two times the input driving voltage compared to the cascaded modulator to achieve the same values of ER and 3 dB bandwidth. Both modulators have been simulated with the same bias and also use the same circuit parameters except for the total active segment lengths (1 and 0.5 mm for cascaded and non-cascaded modulator respectively) and microstrip lengths to obtain the same ERs and 3 dB bandwidths.     

Colloidal Surface Active Maghemite Nanoparticles for Biologically Safe CrVI Remediation: from Core‐Shell Nanostructures to Pilot Plant Development

The present study is aimed at the exploration of achievable improvements for Cr^VI ex situ and in situ water remediation by using novel naked colloidal maghemite (γ‐Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles (surface active maghemite nanoparticles, SAMNs). The reliability of SAMNs for Cr^VI binding and removal was demonstrated, and SAMN@Cr^VI complex was characterized, as well as the covalent nature of the absorption was unequivocally proved. SAMNs were structurally and magnetically well conserved after Cr^VI binding. Thus, in consideration of their affinity for Cr^VI, SAMNs were exploited in a biological model system, mimicking a real in situ application. The assay evidenced a progressive reduction of revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain, as maghemite nanoparticles concentration increased, till the complete suppression of Cr^VI mutagen effect. Finally, an automatic modular pilot system for continuous magnetic removal and recovery of Cr^VI from water is proposed. SAMNs, thanks to their colloidal, binding, and catalytic properties, represent a promising tool as a reliable nanomaterial for water remediation by Cr^VI.     

全自动凝胶净化-浓缩-固相萃取/气相色谱-质谱法测定紫皮石斛中有机磷农药残留

建立了以凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)和固相萃取(SPE)净化、气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)法同时测定紫皮石斛中10种有机磷农药残留的方法。样品用乙腈超声提取,提取液经GPC去除类脂杂质和大分子物质,后经Envi-Carb/NH2固相萃取柱净化,选择离子(SIM)监测模式检测,外标法定量。在26min内10种农药得到很好的分离,农药残留量在0.02~0.5μg/mL,方法的线性良好,相关系数为0.997 3~0.999 9,农药加标浓度为0.05mg/kg和0.2mg/kg时,加标回收率在70.4%~115.8%,相对标准偏差在2.8%~9.6%,满足国家标准要求,检出限为0.005 2~0.011mg/kg。方法简便、快速、灵敏、准确,能够运用于石斛中多组分有机磷农药残留的定性和定量分析。     

凝胶渗透色谱-气相色谱-离子阱质谱法测定桔梗原药和当归提取物中101种农药残留

建立了凝胶渗透色谱（GPC）-气相色谱-离子阱质谱同时检测桔梗原药和当归提取物中101种农药残留的分析方法。方法采用乙腈超声辅助提取桔梗原药和当归提取物,浓缩提取液至近干后用乙酸乙酯-环己烷（1∶1, v/v）复溶,采用凝胶渗透色谱法（选取40 cm长、内径20 mm的凝胶渗透色谱柱）对样品进行净化,弃去前段含脂类、色素等杂质的流出液,收集17~30 min洗脱液并旋转蒸发浓缩至近干,甲苯1 mL定容上机。选用DB-5MS毛细管色谱柱分离待测物,通过离子阱质谱实现对101种农药残留的高效检测。方法通过优化前处理条件和离子阱二级质谱参数,有效降低了复杂中药基质对待测化合物的干扰,最大限度提高了样品中农药的定量准确性和回收率,101种农药3水平添加的平均回收率为58.3%~108.9%,每个添加水平10次独立重复测定的相对标准偏差为0.4%~16.5%,检出限（LOD）范围为0.2~40.0 μg/kg,可满足当前韩国、日本、欧洲规定的最大残留限量（maximum residue limits, MRLs）要求。方法具有操作简单快速、灵敏度高、重复性好等特点,凝胶渗透色谱技术的应用克服了固相萃取小柱净化容量不足的弊端,离子阱技术的应用可以进一步排除共流出基体杂质的干扰,提高定量和定性的准确性,检测效果优于常用的气相色谱-质谱法,是对中药中同时分析多种农药残留检测方法的有益补充。     

Reaction Behaviors of S-, O-, and N-containing Aliphatic Molecules with a Propyl Moiety on Ge(100) Surface

The reaction pathways of 1-propanethiol, 1-propanol, and propylamine molecules, containing a propyl moiety, on a Ge(100) surface were investigated using high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy (HRPES) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Upon analysis of the HRPES data, the adsorption of 1-propanethiol and 1-propanol was found to occur through a dissociation reaction, whereas that of propylamine took place via N dative bonding at room temperature. On the basis of our DFT results, adsorption geometries and transition states for each of these molecules on the Ge(100) surface were confirmed. Systematic studies of S-, O-, and N-containing molecules, composed of an identical propyl moiety, on the Ge(100) surface provide insight into the adsorption mechanism of aliphatic molecules containing alkyl chains on the Ge(100) surface.     

Gold nanoparticle–antibody conjugates for specific extraction and subsequent analysis by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry of malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein as biomarker for cardiovascular risk

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (OxLDLs) like malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) play a major role in atherosclerosis and have been proposed as useful biomarkers for oxidative stress. In this study, gold-nanoparticles (GNPs) were functionalized via distinct chemistries with anti-MDA-LDL antibodies (Abs) for selective recognition and capture of MDA-LDL from biological matrices. The study focused on optimization of binding affinities and saturation capacities of the antiMDA-LDL-Ab-GNP bioconjugate by exploring distinct random and oriented immobilization approaches, such as (i) direct adsorptive attachment of Abs on the GNP surface, (ii) covalent bonding by amide coupling of Abs to carboxy-terminated-pegylated GNPs, (iii) oriented immobilization via oxidized carbohydrate moiety of the Ab on hydrazide-derivatized GNPs and (iv) cysteine-tagged protein A (cProtA)-bonded GNPs. Depending on immobilization chemistry, up to 3 antibodies per GNP could be immobilized as determined by ELISA. The highest binding capacity was achieved with the GNP-cProtA-Ab bioconjugate which yielded a saturation capacity of 2.24 ± 0.04 μg mL⁻¹ GNP suspension for MDA-LDL with an affinity K_d of 5.25 ± 0.11 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. The GNP-cProtA-antiMDA-LDL bioconjugate revealed high specificity for MDA-LDL over copper(II)-oxidized LDL as well as native human LDL. This clearly demonstrates the usefulness of the new GNP-Ab bioconjugates for specific extraction of MDA-LDL from plasma samples as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Their combination as specific immunoextraction nanomaterials with analysis by LC–MS/MS allows sensitive and selective detection of MDA-LDL in complex samples.