The BIOREMA project—part 3: International interlaboratory comparison for bio-ethanol test methods

The main objective of the reference materials for biofuel specifications (BIOREMA) project is the development of two test materials (one bio-ethanol material and one biodiesel material) with well-established reference values. Of a series of three papers, this part describes the material preparation, homogeneity study, stability study, and characterisation of the bio-ethanol material. The test material thus obtained was used in an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) to assess current practices and comparability amongst laboratories providing bio-ethanol testing services. Only 13 participants provided data, resulting in a small dataset for evaluation. Further, it appeared that for a number of laboratories, there was not sufficient material for the determination of all requested parameters. In most cases, as far as the data permit, it can be concluded that the consensus values (based on participant’s results) are in good agreement with the reference or the BIOREMA values (obtained by NMIs participating in the project). For three parameters, namely ethanol content, water content, and density, there is good agreement between the reference and consensus values. For these parameters, the reproducibility standard deviation is close to, or even smaller than, the expanded uncertainty associated with the reference value. A number of parameters show very poor reproducibility, for example, pH_e, electrolytic conductivity, and acidity. The same applies to sodium and copper content, which are very low and therefore challenging parameters to measure accurately. The results of the ILC underpin the need for certified reference materials and demonstrate the requirement for more robust quality control to improve the precision and trueness of the results from testing laboratories.     

Profiling of grape monoterpene glycosides (aroma precursors) by ultra‐high performance‐liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF)

A ‘suspect screening analysis’ method for grape metabolomics by ultra‐high performance‐liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and high‐resolution quadrupole‐time of flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry was recently developed. This method was applied to study grape monoterpene glycosides, the main grape aroma precursors. Since standard compounds were not available, they were tentatively identified by overlapping various analytical approaches, in agreement with the indications recommended in mass spectrometry (MS)‐based metabolomics. Accurate mass and isotopic pattern, MS/MS fragmentation, correlation between fragments observed and putative structures and between liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry signals were studied. Seventeen monoterpene glycosides were identified without performing the hydrolytic artifacts commonly used to study these compounds which may affect sample profile. This is the first time that a detailed study of these aroma precursors has been carried out by direct LC/MS analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mixed 2-phenylpyridine and 5-substitued-8-hydroxyquinolines palladium(II) complexes: new emitters in solutions at room temperature

The newly synthesized complexes formed by cyclopalladated 2-phenylpyridine co-ordinated to 5-substituted-8-hydroxyquinolines, are at room temperature and in fluid solution, luminescent with an absolute photoluminescent quantum yield which depends on the nature of the substituent in position 5.     

Thermotropic mesomorphism in penta- and hepta-coordinated metal complexes

New Ni(II) and UO₂(II) metallomesogens obtained from mesomorphic N,N'-salicyliden(3,3'-diamine-N-methyldipropylamine) ligands containing a pentadentate N₃O₂ chelating cavity and bearing two or four lateral substituents, are isolated and fully characterized. Some of the synthesized nickel and dioxouranium complexes show a SmC mesophase. To the best of our knowledge, these species are the first pentacoordinated Ni(II) and heptacoordinated UO₂(II) metallomesogens to be reported.     

Clickable functionalization of liposomes with the gH625 peptide from Herpes simplex virus type I for intracellular drug delivery

Liposomes externally modified with the nineteen residues gH625 peptide, previously identified as a membrane‐perturbing domain in the gH glycoprotein of Herpes simplex virus type I, have been prepared in order to improve the intracellular uptake of an encapsulated drug. An easy and versatile synthetic strategy, based on click chemistry, has been used to bind, in a controlled way, several copies of the hydrophobic gH625 peptide on the external surface of 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPG)‐based liposomes. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies, on liposomes derivatized with gH625 peptides, which are modified with the 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl‐4‐amino‐4‐carboxylic acid (TOAC) spin label in several peptide positions, confirm the positioning of the coupled peptides on the liposome external surface, whereas dynamic light scattering measurements indicate an increase of the diameter of the liposomes of approximately 30 % after peptide introduction. Liposomes have been loaded with the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin and their ability to penetrate inside cells has been evaluated by confocal microscopy experiments. Results suggest that liposomes functionalized with gH625 may act as promising intracellular targeting carriers for efficient delivery of drugs, such as chemotherapeutic agents, into tumor cells.     

Silver nanoparticles as potential antiviral agents

Virus infections pose significant global health challenges, especially in view of the fact that the emergence of resistant viral strains and the adverse side effects associated with prolonged use continue to slow down the application of effective antiviral therapies. This makes imperative the need for the development of safe and potent alternatives to conventional antiviral drugs. In the present scenario, nanoscale materials have emerged as novel antiviral agents for the possibilities offered by their unique chemical and physical properties. Silver nanoparticles have mainly been studied for their antimicrobial potential against bacteria, but have also proven to be active against several types of viruses including human imunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and monkey pox virus. The use of metal nanoparticles provides an interesting opportunity for novel antiviral therapies. Since metals may attack a broad range of targets in the virus there is a lower possibility to develop resistance as compared to conventional antivirals. The present review focuses on the development of methods for the production of silver nanoparticles and on their use as antiviral therapeutics against pathogenic viruses.     

An optical DNA-based biosensor for the analysis of bioactive constituents with application in drug and herbal drug screening

The efficient and rapid detection of bioactive compounds in complex matrices of different origins (natural or synthetic) is a key step in the discovery of molecules with potential application in therapy. Among them, molecules able to interact with nucleic acids can represent important targets.In this study, an optical DNA biosensor, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transduction, has been studied in its potential application as new analytical device for drug screening. This device was applied to the analysis of pure synthetic or natural molecules and also to some fractions obtained by chromatographic separation of an extract of Chelidonium majus L. (great celandine), a plant containing benzo[c]phenanthridinium alkaloids having intercalating properties.The ability of these molecules to interact with the double stranded nucleic acid (dsDNA) immobilised on the sensor surface has been investigated. The optical sensing relies on the SPR-based bench instrument Biacore X™ and represents an example of multiuse sensor. The results obtained demonstrate the potential application of this device for the rapid screening of bioeffective compounds. The characteristics of the biosensor offer the possibility to be coupled to chemical analysis as in hyphenated technologies.