THE PHOTOPHYSICS OF MEROCYANINE 540. A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ETHANOL AND IN LIPOSOMES

Abstract— Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, fluorescence quantum yields, photoisomerization quantum yields and triplet quantum yields were measured for Merocyanine 540 (MC540) in ethanol and in large unilamellar dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The major differences in the photophysics between the two media are the increase of the fluorescence quantum yield from 0.15 in ethanol to 0.6 in vesicles at 25° C, and the appearance of a second fluorescence decay with a lifetime of 1.87 ns in the latter medium. Upper and lower limits for the photoisomerization quantum yields were determined by combining the data from laser flash photolysis and optoacoustic spectroscopy. The decrease in photoisomerization quantum yield upon incorporation of the dye into the lipid bilayer by a factor 2 suggests that this process competes directly with fluorescence. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence and photoisomerization quantum yields in solution supports this model. In both media MC540 has a very low triplet quantum yield with values 0.002 > (> ø_T > 0.02 in ethanol and 0.01 > ø_T- > 0.09 in liposomes Our data are consistent with the model whereby the dye is incorporated into the lipid bilayer as a monomer with two different orientations and this model is adopted on the basis of the biexponential behaviour of the fluorescence and photoisomer decay.     

SPECTROSCOPIC AND PHOTOACOUSTIC STUDIES OF HYPERICIN EMBEDDED IN LIPOSOMES AS A PHOTORECEPTOR MODEL*

Abstract— In photoresponsive ciliates, like Blepharisma japonicum and Stentor coeruleus, the photoreceptor pigments responsible for photomotile reactions are hypericin-type chromophores packed in highly osmiophilic subpellicular granules. Liposomes loaded with hypericin can constitute a simple model system, appropriate for understanding the primary light-induced molecular events triggering the sensory chain in these microorganisms. Optical absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and pulsed photoacoustic calorimetry have been used to measure spectral distributions, fluorescence lifetimes, radiative and radiationless transition quantum yields of hypericin when assembled into egg L-a-phosphatidylcholine liposomes. With respect to hypericin ethanol solutions, both absorption and fluorescence maxima are 5 nm red shifted when the pigment is inserted into the lipidic microenvironment, regardless of the hypericin local concentration. Increasing by 100 times the hypericin local concentration decreases the relative fluorescence quantum yield by a factor of around 150 and the fraction of thermally released energy, conversely, increases from 0.6 to 0.9. From the analysis of fluorescence lifetimes and their relative amplitudes it appears that a subnanosecond living component is predominant at the highest hypericin local concentrations.     

一种新型的荧光探针及其在表面活性剂溶液胶束形成过程中的应用

近年来,具有分子内共扼的电荷转移化合物用作荧光探针来研究微环境的特性得到较大的发展,由Lout坛Law等提出的p-N,N一二烷基氨基爷叉丙二睛类化合物,其吸收光谱,特别是荧光光谱具有强烈的溶剂极性依赖性,即荧光光谱的峰值波长依赖于所处环境的极性,并有良好的线性关系。     

POTENTIOMETRIC,POLAROGRAPHIC AND SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF THE Cu(II)-D-GLUCOSAMINE-D-LACTOBIONIC ACID TERNARY SYSTEMS

Abstract

Our recent work on Cu(II) and VO(IV) interactions with lactobionic acid have shown^1,2 that this sugar acid has an unusually high ability to coordinate both metal ions. The carboxyl group is not a very effective donor for cupric ions^3,4 and metal interations with the set of the protonated hydroxyl groups should have considerable effects on complex stability. This high stability of the lactobionic acid complexes can lead to the involvement of this ligand in formation of ternary complexes with ligands such as aminosugars.^3–6 Both ligands are important chelating agents for Cu(II) ions in medicine, agriculture and food chemistry.^7–9 Since ternary complexes may play an important role in natural systems we have decided to follow complex formation in solutions containing lactobionic acid and one an aminosugar, D-glucosamine. The anchoring group in D(+)-glucosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose) is an amino group which is much more effective donor than carboxylate which acts as an anchor in sugar acids. Thus in our study we have used excess lactobionic acid to promote the formation of ternary complexes as major species in the solutions studied.     

可录型光盘(CD-R)中染料膜层的光谱性质和光学特性

本文利用光在多层膜介质中的传播模型,计算了可录型光盘（ＣＤ Ｒ）中染料媒体的光学特性．表明在适合于ＣＤ Ｒ光盘记录的７８０ｎｍ波长处,由于多层膜中光的干涉作用,样品反射率随薄膜的厚度变化发生振荡．振荡的幅度和周期依赖于染料薄膜的复数折射率（ｎ＋ｉｋ）．当记录介质层的复数折射率在２．１＋ｉ０．０２至２．８＋ｉ０．１２之间时,能够满足ＣＤ Ｒ光盘对染料介质的要求．通过对三种菁染料薄膜的光谱性质分析及光学参数的模拟计算,证实了该方法用于染料薄膜光学特性研究的合理性．并为选择适合于光记录的染料薄膜的厚度范围提供了简便的方法     

TIME-RESOLVED SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES ON PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BENOXAPROFEN IN MICELLAR SOLUTIONS: AN INTRAMICELLAR FLUORESCENCE QUENCHING

The micellar dependencies of the photophysical properties of benoxaprofen (BXP), a 2-phenyl benzoxazole derivative, have been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy and laser flash photolysis techniques. The fluorescence of BXP in aqueous solution has been observed to be remarkably quenched upon addition of a surfactant, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) or Triton X-100, in contrast to its enhancement in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar solution. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements show that the fluorescence decays biexponentially in the micellar solution, indicating the relaxation of micellar environments surrounding the excited BXP. The major component of fluorescence lifetimes in CTAB or Triton X-100 micellar phase is even shorter (330–427ps) than in SDS micellar phase (731 ps). The nonradiative decay constants are significantly larger (ca 3.0 times 10⁹ s^?1) in the CTAB or Triton X-100 micellar phase than in SDS micelles by a factor of ca 10. The major nonradiative decay is interpreted to be the internal conversion due to nuclear geometric change of BXP in the first excited singlet state. This is consistent with the observation that the quantum yields of intersystem crossing are very low (less than 0.01) in the micellar solutions as determined by the laser flash photolysis technique. The laser-induced transient absorption spectrum of BXP in CTAB or Triton X-100 micellar solution shows that the decay kinetics of the transients in CTAB or Triton X-100 are significantly different from first order kinetics in SDS.     

SPECTROSCOPIC AND ORIENTATIONAL PROPERTIES OF CHLOROPHYLL a AND CHLOROPHYLL b IN LIPID MEMBRANES

Abstract
Linear dichroism and fluorescence depolarization measurements on chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b molecules incorporated into macroscopically oriented multibilayers of the plant lipid digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) are presented. The results are combined with measurements of fluorescence anisotropy to obtain both the order parameters describing the orientational statistics and the directions of the absorption and emission transition moments in the frame of the molecules. The problem presented by the overlapping nature of the absorption and emission bands is overcome by determining the fluorescence depolarization at the two maxima of the emission spectrum.     

ADSORPTION PROPERTIES OF THE STEARIC ACID-OCTADECANE PARTICLES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

The adsorption properties and surface charge creation for the stearic acid and octadecane/aqueous electrolyte solutions are considered. The hairy structure of surface charge for these systems was confirmed on the basis of potentiometric titration, ion adsorption and electrophoretic measurement data. For the system with stearic acid the reaction of ionization and complexation of carboxyl groups of stearic acid molecules from subsurface layer are responsible for the creation of surface charge and adsorption properties. The surface charge at octadecane particle is probably the results in adsorption and orientation of water molecules at the interface.     

SINGLET OXYGEN INVOLVEMENT IN PHOTOHEMOLYSIS SENSITIZED BY MEROCYANINE-540 and ROSE BENGAL

Merocyanine-540 is currently in use in experimental protocols for the treatment of leukemia and neuroblastomas. The mechanism of cellular phototoxicity of this membrane binding sensitizer is unexplored. We have used sodium azide and deuterium oxide to examine the role of singlet oxygen in photomodification of cell membranes in a photohemolysis assay. The effects of these agents on the photomodification process were separated from the effects on the ion fluxes leading to lysis (lytic phase). Azide significantly inhibited photohemolysis sensitized by merocyanine-540 or rose bengal. The inhibition was equal for both sensitizers. Azide had no effect on the lytic phase. Deuterium oxide significantly potentiated lysis with both sensitizers to approximately the same degree. There was little effect of deuterium oxide when added after illumination. The results indicate that singlet oxygen plays a significant role in membrane photomodification sensitized by both rose bengal and merocyanine-540.     

COMPARISON OF THE SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF 4'-AMINO PHENYLALANINE AS AN UNPROTECTED AMINO ACID AND AS A RESIDUE IN PEPTIDES

Abstract— Ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectra of 4'-amino phenylalanine (Aphe) and of some peptides and esters containing Aphe, are characterized. Based on these results, the applicability of Aphe for fluorescence structural investigations of peptides is evaluated. The use of Aphe as an acceptor in fluorescence energy transfer measurements offers the possibility of facilitating the determination of donor fluorescence quantum yield (φ_D) in the absence of energy transfer which usually turns out to be difficult in systems containing donor and acceptor moities. The Aphe residue in peptides also allows a better insight into intramolecular interactions.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TRITON X-165 IN AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC SOLUTIONS

Abstract Laser flash photolysis of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-165 was carried out at 248 nm in methanolic and aqueous solutions at different pHs. Cation radical, triplet, phenoxy radical and solvated electron were observed as the transient absorbing species. Various characteristics of these transient species and their decay constants are reported. Photoionization was found to be a major process and it was monophotonic. The results obtained are compared with the photolysis of a small molecule p -methoxytoluene (PMT). Fluorescence and phosphorescence properties of the surfactants Triton X-100, Triton X-165 and PMT are also studied. A suitable reaction scheme is proposed to account for the observed results.     

PHOTOLUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF OCTADECYLRHODAMINE B IN WATER, IN ALCOHOLS AND IN MIXED WATER-ALCOHOL SOLUTIONS

Abstract Fluorescence, excitation and absorption spectra of octadecylrhodamine B (ORB) have been observed in solutions of water, methanol, ethanol and other simple alcohols. A remarkable increase in the ORB fluorescence intensity occurs when the probe is transferred from water to the alcohols. This effect is ascribed to the release of ORB fluorescent monomers from nonfluorescent multimers, which exist predominantly in water. The dependence of the fluorescence intensity on the composition of water-alcohol binary solvent systems shows that hydrophobic interactions play an important role in the monomer = multimer equilibrium of ORB in these solutions. The fluorescence lifetimes of ORB in the alcohols are also reported.     

SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES AND PHOTOREACTIVITY WITH DNA OF NEW MONOFUNCTIONAL PYRIDOPSORALENS

Abstract— New psoralen derivatives have been synthesized in order to enhance their affinity towards DNA. The spectral properties (absorption, fluorescence emission, fluorescence quantum yield) and the photostability of pyrido[3,4-c]psoralen are first reported. The drastic changes observed in the solubility and in the fluorescence emission when these compounds are added to native DNA give evidence of the formation of non covalent dark complexes. Upon UV irradiation (365 nm) of the complexes, a photobinding occurs. Heat denaturation and renaturation experiments of modified DNA show that only monoadducts are formed. From the analysis of their fluorescence properties the involvement of the 4', 5' double bond is assumed. The monofunctional character has also been established for psoralens having a fused pyridine ring in the 4', 5' site. On the opposite, a fused tetrahydropyrido group in the 4', 5' site is inefficient to inactivate this reactive site.     

辛酸钠-醇-水溶液体系的表面化学性质研究

辛酸钠水溶液中加入不同种类醇后,使溶液最低表面张力及临界胶束浓度降低,在所研究醇中,最有效提高表面活性的是正己醇,即较长碳链醇更易参加胶团形成和在表面吸附,另外实验还发现加入醇引起胶束解离度增加,这是由于醇碳氢链可插入形成胶束的表面活性剂分子碳氢链中使胶团表面电荷密度降低,使反离子易于解离。     

AN ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDY OF MEROCYANINE 540-MEDIATED TYPE I REACTIONS IN LIPOSOMES

The merocyanine 540 (MC540)-mediated reduction of nitroxide spin labels in a liposomal system was examined using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Spin label reduction was light driven, and occurred in liposomes composed of both fully-saturated (dimyristoyl) and mono-unsaturated (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl) phosphatidylcholine. Loss of the nitroxide ESR signal was enhanced by the physiological electron donors glutathione, cysteine, and NADPH; and was strongly inhibited by the presence of molecular oxygen. Nitroxides reduced in the presence of MC540 alone could be regenerated either by purging the sample with air or by the addition of ferricyanide, indicating that the ESR signal loss was due to reduction to the corresponding hydroxylamines. Only partial regeneration was attained for nitroxides reduced in the presence of glutathione, cysteine, or NADPH. Reduction rates for the lipophilic spin labels, 5-, 12-, and 16-doxyl stearic acid, were not influenced by the position of the nitroxide moiety along the alkyl chain, however reduction of spin labels occupying primarily the aqueous phase was much slower. These studies demonstrate that MC540 can initiate oxidation/reduction (Type I) reactions. Such Type I processes may augment the effects of singlet oxygen in MC540-mediated photodynamic therapy.     

ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ASPHALTENE PARTICLES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

The electrical properties of colloidal asphaltene/water solution interface were determined by carrying out the potentiometric titration and electrokinetic measurements. Asphaltenes in aqueous solutions exhibit typical organic colloid properties i.e. surface charge and electrophoretic mobility. It was considered that the surface charge at the asphaltene particles is a result of protonation and dissociation reactions of surface functional groups. On the base of the surface charge density data vs. pH the surface reaction constants were calculated by numerical method. The agreement of these values with calculated ones, on the base of ζ potential data, is noticeable.

The characteristic feature of the investigated systems is the maximum, appearing on the curve ζ potential vs. electrolyte concentration. This behaviour is explained by _”hair layer ” structure of the asphaltene surface     

电位滴定法测定间羟基苯甲醛合成中残留的间甲酚

采用直接电位滴定法配合亚硫酸氢钠加成法测定间羟基苯甲醛合成中残留间甲酚的含量，平行测定结果误差不大于0．2％，平均偏差在0．1％以下，方法简便易行，准确度达到化学定量分析要求。     

N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺光谱性质与构象的计算机模拟

首次采用Materialsstudio软件中不同的交换-相关势能函数对N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺进行密度泛函理论计算,通过与文献报道的B3LYP/6-311G**常规计算方法进行比较,以及MP2/6-311G**方法进行单点能计算,确认所采用方法计算N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺分子最低能量构象更接近整个势能面的全局最小点;振动频率理论分析结果与N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺化合物羰基振动双重分裂的红外光谱特征相吻合,表明红外光谱可以作为琥珀酰亚胺类化合物的重要表征方法;根据对N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺、萘和萘胺的轨道分布和电荷密度进行理论分析,解释了N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺化合物溶液的紫外和荧光的光谱特征,并进而可推断N-(1-萘基)-琥珀酰亚胺分子在溶液中的构象和理论计算得到的真空中最低能量构象相同,其二面角为94.995°。     

PHYCOERYTHROCYANIN: ITS SPECTROSCOPIC BEHAVIOR AND PROPERTIES

Abstract— Phycoerythrocyanin is a biliprotein found in very few blue-green algae. Its properties have been examined under three conditions: in whole cells, in light-harvesting organelles (the phycobilisomes). and as an isolated protein. Absorption and fluorescence bands characteristic of the isolated protein are essentially the same as those in intact cells of the blue-green alga Anabaena variabilis. The same spectroscopic hallmarks are observed in purified phycobilisomes. Dissociation of these physobilisomes at low-phosphate concentrations resulted in increased phycoerythrocyanin fluorescence. This time-dependent increase in fluorescence demonstrates the function of this biliprotein in excitation-energy transfer to the other biliproteins when the organelles are intact. The relative stabilities of the various heteroprotein bonds within the phycobilisomes are shown to possess differing phosphate ion dependencies. Studies on the isolated protein from Mastigocladus laminosus include fluorescence measurements at both 23 and-196°C, as is generally observed with biliproteins, although phycoerythrocyanin has complex visible absorption and excitation spectra, only a single emission band is observed.