Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence of Phycobiliproteins from Heterogeneous Plasmonic Nanostructures

We report here the use of plasmonic metal nanostructures in the form of silver island films (SiFs) to enhance the fluorescence emission of five different phycobiliproteins. Our findings clearly show that the phycobiliproteins display up to a 9-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity, with a maximum 7-fold decrease in lifetime when they are assembled as a monolayer above SiFs, as compared to a monolayer assembled on the surface of amine-terminated glass slides of the control sample. The study was also repeated with a thin liquid layer of the phycobiliproteins sandwiched between two glass substrates (and a SiFs and a glass substrate) clamped together. Similarly, the results show a maximum 10-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity coupled with a 2-fold decrease in lifetime of the phycobiliproteins in the SiF-glass setup as compared to the glass control sample, implying that near-field enhancement of phycobiliprotein emission can be attained both with and without chemical linkage of the proteins to the SiFs. Hence, our results clearly show that metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) can potentially be employed to increase the sensitivity and detection limit of the plethora of bioassays that employ phycobiliproteins as fluorescence labels, such as in fluoro-immunoassays where the assay can be tethered on the surface of SiFs, and also in flow cytometry where analytes in the liquid phase could potentially flow through channels coated with SiFs without actually being attached to the silver.     

Metal-Enhanced S(2) Fluorescence from Azulene

In this paper, we report the first observation of metal-enhanced S(2) emission at room and low temperature (77K). The S(2) emission intensity of Azulene is enhanced by close proximity to Silver island films (SiFs). In this regard, a ≈ 2-fold higher S(2) fluorescence intensity of Azulene was observed from SiFs as compared to a glass control sample. This suggests that S(2) excited states can couple to surface plasmons and enhance S(2) fluorescence yields, a helpful observation in our understanding the interactions between plasmons and lumophores, and our continued efforts to develop a unified plasmon-lumophore/fluorophore theory.     

An Iridium Complex as an AIE-active Photosensitizer for Image-guided Photodynamic Therapy

Image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received growing attention due to its non-invasiveness and precise controllability. However, the PDT efficiency of most photosensitizers are decreased in living system due to the aggregation-caused singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation decreasing. Herein, we present an Iridium (III) pyridylpyrrole complex (Ir-1) featuring of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and ¹O₂ generation characteristics for image-guided PDT of cancer. Ir-1 aqueous solution exhibits bright red phosphorescence peaked at 630 nm, large Stokes shift of 227 nm, and good ¹O₂ generation ability. The ¹O₂ generating rate of Ir-1 in EtOH/water mixture solution is 2.3 times higher than that of Rose Bengal. In vitro experimental results revealed that Ir-1 has better biocompatibility and higher phototoxicity compared with clinically used photosensitizers (Rose Bengal and Ce6), suggesting that Ir-1 can serve as a photosensitizer for image-guided PDT of cancer.     

Metal nanoparticle-enhanced room temperature phosphorescence of diiodofluorescein on the filter paper substrate

<正>Metal-enhanced room temperature phosphorescence of diiodofluorescein was first observed on filter paper surface.The phosphorescence intensity is 2.5-fold brighter from diiodofluorescein on silver nanoparticles-deposited filter paper as compared with an identical control sample without silver nanoparticles.Furthermore,enhanced absorption was also observed for the same system.Our findings suggest that both singlet and triplet states can couple to surface plasmons and enhance phosphorescence quantum yields at room temperature,as well as to increase the excitation rate of lumophores at room temperature.     

THE PHOTO-OXIDATION OF N, N-DIETHYLHYDROXYLAMINE BY ROSE BENGAL IN ACETONITRILE AND WATER

The Rose Bengal photosensitized oxidation of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine has been investigated in water and acetonitrile using the techniques of oxygen uptake, singlet oxygen phosphorescence and electron spin resonance. In both solvents H₂O₂ is the major oxidation product and diethylnitroxide is an intermediate. In water, superoxide dismutase decreases oxygen uptake suggesting involvement of superoxide anions in the oxidation process. Results indicate that in water the photo-oxidation proceeds mainly by a Type I(electron transfer) mechanism, while in acetonitrile a Type II(energy transfer) mechanism has been confirmed (Encinas et al., 1987, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. II,1125–1127).     

Metal-free visible-light-promoted intermolecular [2+2]-cycloaddition of 3-ylideneoxindoles

The Rose Bengal sensitized intermolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of 3-ylideneoxindoles for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles was developed successfully under visible light irradiation conditions. The cycloaddition products were obtained in good yields (up to 93%) with excellent diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity by using a low loading of Rose Bengal (0.125 mol%) as a triplet sensitizer. This work demonstrates the potential benefits of Rose Bengal in visible light catalysis.     

Microfluidic fabrication of polysiloxane/dimethyl methylphosphonate flame‐retardant microcapsule and its application in silicone foams

A novel and versatile route for fabricating flame‐retardant microcapsules via microfluidics technology is reported. The flame‐retardant microcapsules were prepared with a dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) core and an ultraviolet‐curable (UV‐curable) polysiloxane shell. Furthermore, a UV‐curable polysiloxane was synthesized. The synthesis mechanism of UV‐curable polysiloxane and the curing mechanism of flame‐retardant microcapsules were analyzed. To verify that DMMP was encapsulated in the microcapsules, X‐ray fluorescence was used before and after microencapsulation. The resulting microcapsules were well monodispersed and exhibited a good spherical shape with a smooth surface. In addition, the size of the microcapsules decreased dramatically with an increasing flow‐rate ratio of the middle‐/inner‐phase or outer‐phase flow rate. The thermal stability of the microcapsules was worse than shell materials but superior to DMMP. Silicone foams (SiFs) with microcapsules prepared using a dehydrogenation method achieved a relatively higher limiting oxygen‐index value than the pure SiF, which indicated that the microcapsules could enhance the flame retardation of SiFs effectively. Because of the polysiloxane shell, the microcapsules had good compatibility with SiFs, and the influence of microcapsules on the mechanical properties of SiFs was unremarkable.     

Type I and type II sensitizers based on Rose Bengal onium salts

Abstract— New Rose Bengal oniurn salts containing one or two iodonium, sulfonium, phosphonium, and pyrylium ions have been prepared as part of a program to develop sensitizers which can function as Type I radical photoinitiators and Type II energy transfer donors depending on experimental conditions. The absorption spectra of the onium salts in different solvents indicate an equilibrium between tight and loose ion pairs which depends on the solvent polarity, the cation and concentration. Typical Rose Bengal photochemistry requires the structure be that of the loose ion pair in the solvent of choice. Similar factors also influence bleaching behavior, and bleaching is the result of electron transfer processes. The quantum yields of singlet oxygen production from the onium salts in polar solvents are similar to that of the parent, Rose Bengal disodium salt.     

Bengal rose@dendritic box

Bengal Rose was succesfully encapsulated and liberated from a dendritic box. Bengal Rose@DAB-dendr-(NH-t-BOC-L-Phe)₆₄ was investigated with several different techniques such as ultraviolet, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Self-assembled coordination cage as a reaction vessel: triplet sensitized [2+2] photodimerization of acenaphthylene, and [4+4] photodimerization of 9-anthraldehyde

Inner cavity of Pd-nanocage has been used as a reaction vessel for performing triplet sensitized [2+2] photodimerization of acenaphthylene using water soluble xanthene dyes (Eosin Y and Rose Bengal) as sensitizers, and [4+4] photodimerization of 9-anthraldehyde. Although the [4+4] photodimerization of 9-anthraldehyde gave similar results to solution reaction, the xanthene dye sensitized [2+2] triplet state photodimerization of acenaphthylene encapsulated within Pd-nanocage yielded the syn dimer in quantitative yield. The results obtained from the triplet state [2+2] photodimerization of acenaphthylene within Pd-nanocage is remarkable given the fact that the photodimerization reaction when performed in methanol in the presence of Eosin Y and Rose Bengal gave the syn and anti dimers in the ratio 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. Preaggregation of molecules encapsulated inside Pd-nanocage in a syn fashion seems to be the governing factor for such a behavior.     

Sensitization of aluminum chloride adsorbed tin(IV) oxide nanocrystalline films with Rose Bengal

The anionic dye Rose Bengal was found to surface chelate more strongly to SnO2 nanocrystalline films previously kept immersed in a solution of washed and dried AlCl3. Dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells made from such films exhibit enhanced quantum and energy conversion efficiencies. The result is explained as caused by binding of AlCl3 to SnO2 surface by elimination of Cl atoms and stronger bonding of Rose Bengal to Al, enhancing dye adsorption and suppression of back electron transfer by bridging of an Al atom between Sn and the dye molecule.     

Excitation volumetric effects (EVE) in metal-enhanced fluorescence

Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) effects from different density silver island films (SiFs) and the effects of far-field excitation irradiance on the observed enhancement of fluorescence were studied. It is shown that MEF non-linearly depends on silver nanoparticle (NP) size/density, reaching a maximum value for SiFs made at a deposition time (DT) of ～5 minutes, i.e. just before SiFs become continuous. Numerical simulations of the silver-islands growing on glass revealed that the near-field magnitude depends non-linearly on size and interparticle distance exhibiting dramatic enhancement at ～10 nm distance between the NPs. In addition, a remarkable effect of modulation in MEF efficiency by far-field excitation irradiance has been observed, which can be correlated well with numerical simulations that show an excitation power volume dependence. The near-field volume changes non-linearly with far-field power. This unique observation has profound implications in MEF, which has rapidly emerged as a powerful tool in the biosciences and ultimately allows for tunable fluorescence enhancement factors.     

Determination of proteins in serum by fluorescence quenching of rose bengal using the stopped-flow mixing technique

The stopped-flow mixing technique was used to develop a very fast, sensitive and accurate method for determining total proteins. The method is based on the lower fluorescence of Rose Bengal caused by binding of the dye to the proteins. The decrease in the fluorescence intensity, measured at 572 nm with excitation 555 nm, was linearly related to protein concentration from 1.3 to 24.5 micrograms ml-1. The detection limit was 0.3 microgram ml-1. The method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of total proteins in different serum samples.     

COMPARISON OF PHOTODYNAMIC ACTION BY ROSE BENGAL IN GRAM-POSITIVE AND GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

Abstract— The photodynamic inactivation by illuminated Rose Bengal of a number of bacterial species was compared. The gram-positive species, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus salivarius, were inactivated about 200x more quickly (99% inactivation) than a Salmonella typhimurium wildtype strain. The Salmonella inactivation curve exhibited an initial lag time during which bacteria were not significantly inactivated. The lag time for inactivation of a derivative of the wildtype Salmonella strain that is deficient in a large portion of its cell wall lipopolysaccharide coat was approximately half of the lag time for the wildtype strain but the subsequent rate of inactivation was approximately the same for the two strains. Dark preincubation of both Salmonella strains with Rose Bengal before illumination shortened the lag time, but did not increase the final rate of inactivation. Dark preincubation prior to illumination did not measurably change the inactivation curve of the gram-positive species. The lag time observed in the inactivation curves for Salmonella bacteria may reflect the time required for penetration of the Rose Bengal anion through the outer portion of the gram-negative cell wall to a critical location within the cell for effective photosensitization.     

Angular-Dependent Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence from Silver Island Films

In this letter we report the observation of angular-dependent Metal Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) from fluorophores deposited onto silver island films (SiFs). When illuminated with laser light (473 nm) at angles of 45 and 90 degrees from the surface, SiFs scattered light at wide observation angles biased by the direction of the incident light. We observed angular-dependent MEF (10-fold) from FITC-HSA immobilized onto the SiFs, again slightly biased with respect to the direction of the incident light. We also measured the photostability of FITC from the back of the glass substrate at angles of 225 and 340 degrees.     

Supramolecular system composed of B12 model complex and organic photosensitizer: impact of the corrin framework of B12 on the visible-light-driven dechlorination without the use of noble metals

The visible-light-driven dechlorination system without the use of a noble metal has been developed. We screened the combination of cobalt catalysts having square-planar monoanionic ligands (hydrophobic B₁₂ model complex 1/imine-oxime type complex 2) and typical red dyes (Rose Bengal 3/Rhodamine B 4/Nile Red 5) for the construction of a dehalogenation system via a noble-metal-free and visible-light-driven process. The combination of the hydrophobic B₁₂ model complex 1 and Rose Bengal 3 exhibited the highest catalytic activity to 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT) to form the monodechlorinated compound, 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane, as the major product. The prolonged photocatalysis of DDT by the B₁₂–Rose Bengal system afforded the tri-dechlorinated compound, trans-4,4′-dichlorostilbene, as the major product. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanism of the dehalogenation cycle using various methods such as UV–vis spectroscopy and laser flash photolysis. Finally, we clarified the advantage of using the hydrophobic B₁₂ model complex 1 as an electron acceptor as well as a cobalt catalyst in the organic dye-involved photocatalysis.     

An extraction method for the determination of the Rose Bengal content in the preparations of Rose Bengal labelled with131I

The paper describes an extraction radiometric method for the determination of Rose Bengal content in the radiopharmaceutical preparations of Rose Bengal labelled with¹³¹I. Two methods have been studied. The first one is based on the addition of an excess and substoichiometric amounts of Septonex /carbetoxypentadecyltrimethylammonium bromide/ to the sample of Rose Bengal-¹³¹I and on the activity measuring of the chloroform extracts. The second method is based on the extraction of Rose Bengal-¹³¹I with substoichiometric amount of Septonex from the sample of Rose Bengal-¹³¹I and the sample of Rose Bengal-¹³¹I diluted with a known amount of an inactive Rose Bengal preparation.     

Dual-emissive Iridium(III) Complexes as Phosphorescent Probes with Orthogonal Responses to Analyte Binding and Oxygen Quenching

Phosphorescent probes often show sensitive response toward analytes at a specific wavelength. However, oxygen quenching usually occurs at the same wavelength and thus hinders the accurate detection of analytes. In this study, we have developed dual-emissive iridium(III) complexes that exhibit phosphorescence responses to copper(II) ions at a wavelength distinct from that where oxygen quenching occurs. The complexes displayed colorimetric phosphorescence response in aqueous solutions under different copper(II) and oxygen conditions. In cellular imaging, variation in oxygen concentration over a large range from 5 % to 80 % can modulate the intensity and lifetime of green phosphorescence without affecting the response of red phosphorescence toward intracellular copper(II) ions.     

Solvatochromic behavior on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Rose Bengal dye in various solvents

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of Rose Bengal dye were studied in various solvents. It was found that solvent effects on the absorption wavelength are consistent with the solvatochromic model of Kamlet, Abboud and Taft. The solvent polarizability value pi* was found to have a linear relationship with the absorption wavelength of the dye in various solvents. Additionally, the normalized transition energy value (E(T)(N)) showed some scattering when plotted versus Deltanu(af). Density functional calculations were used to assign the absorption in the region 540-570 nm to a pi-pi* transition between the HOMO and LUMO of the anion. Experimental ground state and excited state dipole moments were calculated by using the solvatochromatic shifts of absorption and fluorescence spectra as a function of the dielectric constant (epsilon) and refractive index (n). The dipole moment for Rose Bengal was found to be 1.72 Debye in the ground state, whereas this value was 2.33 Debye in the excited state.