CZE of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids and Peptides and Its Application to the Quantitative Study of Heavy Metal-Caused Thiol Oxidations

The redox-active, sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine, the tripeptide glutathione and their oxidized counterparts cystine, methionine sulfoxide, and glutathione disulfide were separated as anions by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in a 72 cm long fused silica capillary filled with 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.0, at a voltage of +30 kV in 20 min. The optimized CZE method was suited for the implementation of quantitative metal interaction studies of the biomolecules in a biologically relevant concentration range (μM–mM). Decreasing peak areas of the reduced forms of cysteine and glutathione and simultaneously increasing peak areas of the oxidized forms after incubation of the reduced biomolecules with divalent heavy metal cations indicated redox reactions which could be responsible for toxic metal actions in biological systems. CZE measurements revealed that a 50 % oxidation grade of cysteine was achieved at a molar metal:cysteine ratio of 0.85 in case of Zn(II) addition and of 0.11 in case of Cu(II) addition, respectively. Cu(II) oxidized 50 % of the initial glutathione at a molar Cu:peptide ratio of 0.036, whereas the 50 % oxidation grade was not reached after incubation with Co(II) up to a molar ratio of Co:peptide of 0.25.

     

Original paper application of cyclodextrins as modifiers in electrophoretic separation of metalloporphyrins

Several metallocomplexes of tetrakis-carboxyphenylporphyrin (TCPP) were separated on fused-silica capillary using CZE with UV-VIS detection. Metalloporphyrins of Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) were formed directly in TCPP solution with addition of Cd(II) to increase the formation reaction rate. The composition of BGE, its concentration, and pH were optimized to ensure the stability of complexes and proper resolution. In particular, the problem of signals' shape was investigated and discussed. The presence of beta-CD in borate buffer significantly improved separation efficiency and signal shapes due to formation of inclusion complexes. Under the best separation conditions (50 mM borate running buffer at pH 9 with addition of 2 mM beta-CD, 30 kV applied voltage) a separation of metal complexes with TCPP was accomplished in 16 min.     

Products of Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of alpha-synuclein fragments containing M1-D2 and H50 residues in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

Metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) of proteins is mainly a site-specific process in which one or a few amino acids at metal-binding sites on the protein are preferentially oxidized. The oxidation of proteins by MCO can lead to oxidation of amino acid residue side chains, cleavage of the peptide bonds and formation of covalent protein-protein cross-linked derivatives. In an attempt to elucidate the products of the copper(II)-catalyzed oxidation of the 29-56, M29-D30-56 and Ac-M29-D30-56 fragments of alpha-synuclein, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) methods and Cu(II)/hydrogen peroxide as a model oxidizing system were employed. The peptide solution (0.50 mM) was incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h with metal : peptide : hydrogen peroxide 1 : 1 : 4 molar ratio in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Oxidation targets for all studied peptides are the histidine residues coordinated to the metal ions. For the M29-D30-56 and Ac-M29-D30-56 peptides the oxidation of the methionine residue to methionine sulfoxide and sulfone is observed. The cleavage of the peptide bond M29-D30 for the M29-D30-56 peptide was detected as metal binding residues. The fragmentations of the M29-D30-56 peptide near the Lys residues were observed supporting the participation of this (Lys) residue in the coordination of the copper(II) ions.     

Study of peptide-ligand interactions in open-tubular capillary columns covalently modified with porphyrins

The inner surface of fused silica capillaries has been covalently modified with different porphyrins (deuteroporphyrin, complexes of deuteroporphyrin with metal ions Fe(III), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)-meso-tetra (carboxyphenyl) porphyrin) and it was applied for the separation of biologically active peptides by open-tubular capillary electrochromatography. Separations were performed in a mobile phase composed of 25?mM potassium phosphate, pH 4.0, 5%?v/v ACN and 10?mM hydroquinone. Changes in the effective electrophoretic mobility of peptides were studied concerning porphyrin central metal atom, attachment geometry, and the presence of coordinating or aromatic amino acid residues in the peptide sequence. The results showed that differences in metal core on the porphyrin and the spatial conformation of attached porphyrin result in changes in the analyte interaction with the stationary phase.     

Use of tube radial distribution of ternary mixed carrier solvents for introduction of absorption reagent for metal ion separation and online detection into capillary

When ternary mixed solvents consisting of water-hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic solvents are fed into a micro-space under laminar flow conditions, the solvent molecules are radially distributed in the micro-space. The specific fluidic behavior of the solvents is called the "tube radial distribution phenomenon (TRDP)". A novel capillary chromatography method was developed based on the TRDP that creates the inner major and outer minor phases in a tube, where the outer phase acts as a pseudo-stationary phase. This is called "tube radial distribution chromatography (TRDC)". In this study, Chrome Azurol S as an absorption reagent was introduced into the TRDC system for metal ion separation and online detection. The fused-silica capillary tube (75 μm id and 110 cm length) and water-acetonitrile-ethyl acetate mixture (3:8:4 volume ratio) including 20 mM Chrome Azurol S as a carrier solution were used. Metal ions, i.e. Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Al(III), and Fe(III), as models were injected into the present TRDC system. Characteristic individual absorption characteristics and elution times were obtained as the result of complex formation between the metal ions and Chrome Azurol S in the water-acetonitrile-ethyl acetate mixture solution. The elution times of the metal ions were examined based on their absorption behavior; Co(II), Ni(II), Al(III), Fe(III), and Cu(II) were eluted in this order over the elution times of 4.7-6.8 min. The elution orders were determined from the molar ratios of metal ion to Chrome Azurol S and Irving-Williams series for bivalent metal ions.     

Coordination polymers of glutaraldehyde with glycine metal complexes: synthesis,spectral characterization,and their biological evaluation

Glycine metal complexes were prepared by the reaction of glycine with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) in 1?:?2 molar ratio. Thereafter their condensation polymerization was done with glutaraldehyde to obtain polymer metal complexes. All the synthesized polymer metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, and UV-Vis spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility, and thermogravimetric studies. The analytical data of all the polymers agreed with 1?:?1 molar ratio of metal complex to glutaraldehyde and magnetic moment data suggest that PGG–Mn(II), PGG–Co(II), PGG–Ni(II), and PGG–Cu(II) have an octahedral geometry around the metal atom, whereas the tetrahedral geometry was proposed for PGG–Zn(II) polymer. The PGG–Mn(II) and PGG–Cu(II) showed octahedral geometry. Thermal behavior of the polymer metal complexes was obtained at a heating rate of 10°C?min^?1 under nitrogen atmosphere from 0°C to 800°C. The antimicrobial activities of synthesized polymers were investigated against Streptococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sphaericus, Salmonella sp. (Bacteria), Fusarium oryzae, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger (Yeast).     

Cloud point extraction preconcentration for capillary electrophoresis of metal ions

The application of the cloud point extraction (CPE) technique for capillary electrophoresis (CE) determination of metal ions was demonstrated using Cu(II) and Co(II) as model metal ions. The preconcentration of Cu(II) and Co(II) in aqueous solution was achieved by CPE with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as the chelating agent and Triton X-114 as the extractant. Baseline separation of the PAN chelates of Cu(II) and Co(II) was realized by CE with a photodiaode array detector in a  μm i.d. fused-silica capillary at 17 kV. A 50 mM NH₄Ac buffer solution (pH 8.0) containing 0.2 mM of PAN in 80% (v/v) of acetonitrile and 20% (v/v) doubly deionized water (DDW) was used as the separation medium to avoid the adsorption of hydrophobic substances and nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 onto the inner surface of the separation capillary, ensuring the separation efficiency and reproducibility. The precision (relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), n=5) for five replicate injections of a mixture of 20 μg/l of Co(II) and Cu(II) were 0.74 and 1.8% for the migration time, 3.1 and 0.64% for the peak area measurement, respectively. The apparent concentration factor, which is defined as the concentration ratio of the analyte in the final diluted surfactant-rich extract ready for CE separation and in the initial solution, was 15.9 for Co(II) and 16.3 for Cu(II). The linear concentration range was from 3 to 100 μg/l for both Co(II) and Cu(II). The detection limits of Co(II) and Cu(II) were 0.12 and 0.26 μg/l, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of Co(II) and Cu(II) in tap water, snow water, and flavor wines.     

A capillary zone electrophoresis for determination of thiolic peptides in biological samples

A new method to improve the analyses of thiolic peptides (cysteine, γGlu-Cys, glutathione, phytochelatins and desglycyl-phytochelatins) derivatized with monobromobimane (mBrB) in complex biological samples by CZE is described. The method involves a SPE using Sep-Pak Light C18 Cartridges after derivatization and a later CZE analysis. Elution of mBrB-thiols was achieved with 10 mM HCl + 70% methanol v/v in deionised water. Electrophoretic parameters, such as BGE pH and concentration, different organic additives (methanol and trifluoroethanol), applied voltage and capillary length were studied in order to establish suitable analytical conditions. Optimum separation of the mBrB-thiolic peptides was obtained with 100 mM sodium borate buffer at pH 7.60. The electrophoretic conditions were +15 kV, capillary length of 90 cm from inlet to detector (98 cm total length, 50 μm ID), samples were loaded into the capillary by hydrodynamic injection (50 mbar, 20 s) and detection was performed at 390 nm. The improved method showed good reproducibility, linearity and sensitivity. The LODs and LOQs estimated using a standard of GSH were 1.41 and 4.69 μM respectively.     

Coordination of copper(II) ions by the fragments of neuropeptide gamma containing D1, H9, H12 residues and products of copper-catalyzed oxidation

A potentiometric, spectroscopic (UV-Vis, CD and EPR) and mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) study of Cu(II) binding to the (1-2,7-21)NPG, Asp(1)-Ala-Ile(7)-Ser-His(9)-Lys-Arg-His(12)-Lys-Thr-Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met(21)-NH(2), and Ac-(1-2,7-21)NPG, Ac-Asp(1)-Ala-Ile(7)-Ser-His(9)-Lys-Arg-His(12)-Lys-Thr-Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met(21)-NH(2), fragments of neuropeptide gamma were carried out. The results clearly indicate the stabilization of the 1 N {NH(2), β-COO(-)}, 2 N {NH(2), β-COO(-), N(Im)} and 3 N {NH(2), β-COO(-), 2N(Im)} complexes by the coordination of the β-carboxylate group of the D(1) residue. For the (1-2,7-21)NPG the CuH(2)L complex with 3 N {NH(2), β-COO(-), 2N(Im)}, the binding mode dominates in a wide pH range of 4-8.5. With the sequential increase of pH, deprotonated amide nitrogens are involved in copper coordination. For the Ac-(1-2,7-21)NPG peptide the imidazole nitrogen atoms are the primary metal binding sites forming macrochelates in the pH range 4 to 7. The CuHL complex with 4 N {N(Im), N(-), N(-), N(Im)} coordination mode is formed in pH range 6-9. Deprotonation and co-ordination of the third amide nitrogen were detected at pH ～8.6. Metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) of proteins is mainly a site-specific process in which one or a few amino acids at metal-binding sites on the protein are preferentially oxidized. To elucidate the products of the copper(II)-catalyzed oxidation of the (1-2,7-21)NPG and Ac-(1-2,7-21)NPG, the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method and Cu(II)/hydrogen peroxide as a model oxidizing system were employed. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide with 1?:?4 peptide-H(2)O(2) molar ratio for the Ac-(1-2,7-21)NPG peptide the oxidation of the methionine residue to methionine sulfoxide and for (1-2,7-21)NPG to sulfone was observed. For the Cu(II)-peptide-hydrogen peroxide in 1?:?1?:?4 molar ratio systems, oxidation of the histidine residues to 2-oxohistidines was detected. Under experimental conditions the (1-2,7-21)NPG and Ac-(1-2,7-21)NPG undergo fragmentations by cleavage of the S(8)-H(9), H(9)-K(10), R(11)-H(12) and H(12)-K(13) peptide bonds supporting the participation of the H(9) and H(12) residues in the coordination of copper(II) ions. For the (1-2,7-21)NPG peptide chain the involvement of the D(1) residue in the coordination of metal ions is supported by the alkoxyl radical modification of this amino acid residue.     

Synthesis and complexation of 1,4,7-oxadithiononane-5,6-dionedioxime

A new vic-dioxime 1,4,7-oxadithiononane-5,6-dionedioxime (H₂L) was prepared from reaction of 2,2-oxydiethanthiol with dichloroglyoxime. Mononuclear complexes of H₂L with Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) were also prepared and their structures were determined by means of ¹H?NMR, ¹³C?NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopy. Ni(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) form square planar complexes of 1?:?2 molar ratio of metal to ligand through N,N-chelation, while Zn(II) and Cd(II) form 1?:?1 tetrahedral complexes with a N,O-chelation.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Cu Electrode and Its Application in CE Determination of Polyols

The electrochemical behavior of a copper (Cu) electrode and its application in capillary electrophoresis determination of polyols was investigated in order to understand the redox property of Cu and achieve better separation efficiency. Electrochemical measurements were performed using a Cu electrode (fresh or oxidized) in buffer solutions having different pH values (7.8–13.0) by cyclic voltammetry. The Cu electrode showed higher electroactivity under stronger alkaline conditions. Further, the Cu electrode was found suitable for detecting weak oxidizing or reducing polyhydroxy compounds because of the redox reactions among Cu, Cu(I), and Cu(II) species. Thus, the Cu electrode was used in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for separation and determination of propanediol and glycerol, weak electroactive polyols, using different separation (pH 8.7) and detection (pH 11.04) buffers. Separation and detection buffers with different pH values in CZE technology could offer efficient separation efficiency and detection limits at the same time.     

Surface layer-by-layer chemical deposition reaction for thin film formation of nano-sized metal 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes

The feasibility of a novel and simple layer-by-layer chemical deposition method for the preparation of nano-sized metal 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes has been investigated and reported. Uniform nanocrystalline films have been synthesized via dipping a substrate alternately in metal ion solution followed by ligand solution. The stoichiometry of the as-grown anhydrous Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complex crystals were confirmed from the metal analysis and molar stoichiometric ratio of metal ion to 8-hydroxyquinoline. This was characterized as 1:2 for the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)–quinolate complexes. The Fe(III)–quinolate thin film was found to exhibit a 1:3 ratio. Electron impact-mass spectra (EI-MS) of all the synthesized thin film metal quinolate complexes were recorded and the results refer to the existence of the molecular ion peak at the corresponding m/z values. Confirmation of such stoichiometric 1:2 and 1:3 ratios were also evident from the (EI-MS) study. The deposited thin films were also subjected to analysis by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a particle size ?50 nm was detected. FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy were further used to confirm the structure of the metal 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was also used to follow up the possible thermal decomposition steps and to calculate the thermodynamic parameters of the nano-sized metal complexes.     

New biocidal metal complexes of bisphenol-A formaldehyde polymer containing piperazine

The polymeric ligand (BFP) was synthesized by condensation of bisphenol-A, formaldehyde, and piperazine in alkaline medium at 70–80°C. The polymer–metal complexes were synthesized by the reaction of BFP with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) acetates in 1?:?0.5 (ligand?:?metal) molar ratio. All the synthesized polymers were characterized by elemental, spectral (infrared, ¹H-NMR, and UV-Vis), magnetic moment measurements, and thermal (TGA) analysis. The ligand-field and nephelauxetic parameters have been determined from UV-Vis spectra using ligand-field theory. Elemental analyses indicate the association of water with metal for Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II), which is also supported by TGA. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized polymers were studied by agar well diffusion methods against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella boydii. The antimicrobial activity and thermal stability of Cu(II)–polymer were higher than the other polymer–metal complexes due to the higher stability constant of Cu(II).     

Speciation of cyclo(Pro-Gly)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and its divalent metal-ion complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to study the binding of selected group II and divalent transition-metal ions by cyclo(Pro-Gly)3 (CPG3), a model ion carrier peptide. Metal salts (CatXn) were combined with the peptide (M) at a molar ratio of 1:10 M/Cat in aqueous solvents containing 50% vol/vol acetonitrile or methanol and 1 or 10 mM ammonium acetate (NH4Ac). Species detected include [M+H]+, [M+Cat-H]+, [M2+Cat]2+, [M+Cat+Ac]+, and [M+Cat+X]+. The relative stabilities of complexes formed with different cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) were determined from the abundance of 1:1 and 2:1 M/Cat species relative to that of the unbound peptide. The largest metal ions (Ca2+, Sr2+, and Mn2+) formed the most stable complexes. Reducing the buffer concentration increased the overall extent of metal binding. Results show that the binding specificity of CPG3 depends upon the size of the metal ion and its propensity for electrostatic interaction with oxygen atoms. Product ion tandem mass spectrometry of [M+H]+ and [M+Cu-H]+ confirmed the cyclic structure of the peptide, although the initial site(s) of metal attachment could not be determined.     

Electrochemical behavior and voltammetric determination of cysteine and cystine at carbon-paste electrodes modified with metal phthalocyanines

The electrochemical behavior of cysteine and cystine on carbon-paste electrodes modified with Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) phthalocyanines is studied. Metal phthalocyanines exhibit catalytic activity in the electrooxidation of cysteine and cystine and in the reduction of cystine. The best catalyst is the cobalt complex. In the electrooxidation of cysteine, the catalysts are electrogenerated complex species of Co(II)Pc or Co(III)Pc⁺, and in the oxidation of cystine, oxidized or reduced forms of the coordinated ligand. Various versions of the determination of cysteine and cystine by the electrocatalytic reactions on the modified electrodes are proposed.     

Potentiometric Studies of Some Bivalent Metal Ion Complexes of a New Ligand,o-(2-Thiazolylazo)-4-Ethylphenol

Abstract

The complexations of a new ligand, o-(2-thiazolylazo)-4-ethylphenol(TAEP) with Ca(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hq(II) and Pb(II) have been studied by potentiometric titrations, at 25.0 ± 0.2°C and an ionic strength of 0.1 in 30% v/v dioxane-water mixture. The dissociation constant and spectral data of TAEP and formation constants of the complexes containing various molar ratios of metal ion to ligand, are reported. It is observed that Ca(II) forms only an ML complex in any molar ratios, whereas other metal ions react in two steps forming ML and ML₂ complexes in a 1:3 molar ratio. In the case of 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios, Mn(II), Co(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) seemed to form bi- or poly-nuclear complexes because of slightly different formation curves from those of 1:3 molar ratio. The sequence of the first successive formation constant is Cu > Hg > Ni > Pb > Co > Zn > Cd > Mn > Ca, showing Mellor-Maley's order. Further correlation is shown between the formation constants and the second ionization potentials of the metals.     

Preparation,Properties and Thermal Decompositions of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes of 2,5-dichlorobenzoic Acid

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 2,5-dichlorobenzoates were prepared and their compositions and solubilities in water at 295 K were determined. The IR spectra and X-ray diffractograms of the obtained complexes were recorded. The complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were obtained as solids with a 1:2 molar ratio of metal to organic ligand and different degrees of hydration. When heated at a heating rate of 10 K min^-1, the hydrated complexes lose some (Co, Zn) or all (Ni, Cu, Cd) of the crystallization water molecules and then decompose to oxide MO (Co, Ni) or gaseous products (Cu, Zn, Cd). When heated at a heating rate of 5 K min^-1, the complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) lose some (Ni) or all (Cu) of the crystallization water molecules and then decompose directly to MO. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Fe (III), Co (II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) Complexes with Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligand Derived from Protocatechualdehyde with 2-Aminophenol

Schiff base ligand (H₃L) was prepared from the condensation reaction of protochatechualdehyde (3,4-dihydroxybenzaldhyde)with 2-amino phenol. From the direct reaction of the ligand (H₃L) with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) chlorides, and Fe(III)and Zn(II)nitrates in 2?M/1?L molar ratio, the five new neutral complexes were prepared. The characterization of the newly formed compounds was done by ¹H NMR, UV?CVis, and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the metal complexes was studied and compared with that of free ligand.     

First raw transition metal complexes of salicylidene and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene-N-cyanoacetohydrazone

Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of salicylidene-N-cyano-acetohydrazone H2L1 and 2-hydroxy-l-naphthylidene-N-cyanoacetohydrazone H2L2 have been prepared in ethanolic solution and characterized by analytical, spectral, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity and TGA measurements. The analytical data show that all the complexes derived from H2L1 and H2L2 are formed in molar ratios 1M:2L, except the complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) acetates of H2L2 and the complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) acetates and CuCl2 of H2L1 are formed in 1:1 molar ratios. The conductance data show that all metal complexes are non-electrolytes. Electronic absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements proved that the prepared complexes have octahedral configuration except [Co(HL2)OAc] which has tetrahedral structure. The ligand field parameters were calculated for the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and the data show that the covalent character of the metal ligand sigma-bond is low. The ESR parameters of the Cu(II) complexes at room temperature were calculated. Thermal TGA for some solid complexes are reported.     

Interaction of Methyl Cysteine and Nitrilotriacetate with Transition Metal Ions

In the present work, sulfur-containing amino acid methyl cysteine was studied from the point of view of their coordinating ability with two metal ions, viz. copper(II) and cobalt(II). Solution equilibria of binary (Cu(II)/Co(II)–methyl cysteine and Cu(II)/Co(II)–nitrilotriacetate (NTA)) complex systems are investigated by paper ionophoresis at 35°C, ionic strength I= 0.1 mol/l. In addition to binary complexes, ternary complexes involving nitrilotriacetate and methyl cysteine were also studied. For studying mixed-ligand complexes, the pH of background electrolyte is brought to 8.5 (this pH value is purposely chosen because amino acid and NTA form very stable complexes much ahead of this pH). The stability constants of complexes (Cu(II)–NTA–methyl cysteine and Co(II)–NTA–methyl cysteine) were found to be 4.48 ± 0.07 and 3.55 ± 0.04 (logKvalues), respectively.