Voltammetric study of the interaction of the ofloxacin–copper complex with DNA, and its analytical application

The electrochemical behavior of the ofloxacin–copper complex, Cu(II)L₂, at a mercury electrode, and the interaction of DNA with the complex have been investigated. The experiments indicate that the electrode reaction of Cu(II)L₂ is an irreversible surface electrochemical reaction and that the reactant is of adsorbed character. In the presence of DNA, the formation of the electrochemically non-active complexes Cu(II)L₂-DNA, results in the decrease of the peak current of Cu(II)L₂. Based on the electrochemical behavior of the Cu(II)L₂ with DNA, binding by electrostatic interaction is suggested and a new method for determining nucleic acid is proposed. Under the optimum conditions, the decrease of the peak current is in proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range from 3 × 10⁻⁸ to 3 × 10⁻⁶ g · mL⁻¹ for calf thymus DNA, from 1.6 × 10⁻⁸ to 9.0 × 10⁻⁷ g · mL⁻¹ for fish sperm DNA, and from 3.3 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.5 × 10⁻⁷ g · mL⁻¹ for yeast RNA. The detection limits are 3.3 × 10⁻⁹, 6.7 × 10⁻⁹ and 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ g · mL⁻¹, respectively. The method exhibits good recovery and high sensitivity in synthetic samples and in real samples.     

Electrochemical behaviors of metol on ionic-liquid-modified carbon paste electrode and its analytical application

The electrochemical behaviors of metol on an ionic liquid N-butylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate modified carbon paste electrode (IL-CPE) were studied in this paper. The results indicated that a pair of well-defined quasi-reversible redox peaks of metol appeared with the decrease of overpotential and the increase of redox peak current, which was the characteristics of electrocatalytic oxidation. The electrocatalytic mechanism was discussed and the electrochemical parameters were calculated with results of the charge-transfer coefficient (α) as 0.45, the electrode reaction rate constant (k _s) as 4.02 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, and the diffusion coefficient (D) as 6.35 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/s. Under the optimal conditions, the anodic peak current was linear with the metol concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ ∼ 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol/L (n = 11, γ = 0.994) and the detection limit was estimated as 2.33 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L (3σ). The proposed method was successfully applied to determination of metol content in synthetic samples and photographic solutions.     

Microencapsulated Engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactococcus lactis Cells</Emphasis> for Heterologous Protein Delivery: Preparation and In Vitro Analysis

This article demonstrates the potential of encapsulated, engineered Lactococcus lactis as a vehicle for the oral delivery of therapeutic proteins. Using alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate membrane-encapsulated L. lactis engineered to secrete the reporter protein Staphylococcal aureus nuclease, we show comparable viability and protein secretion between free and immobilized cells. After 12 h, microcapsules with a cell density of 4.8 × 10⁵ colony forming unit (CFU) ml⁻¹ grew to 2.2 × 10⁸ CFU ml⁻¹ and released 0.24 arbitrary unit (AU) ml⁻¹ of nuclease, producing similar results as free cells, which grew from 3.4 × 10⁵ to 1.9 × 10⁸ CFU ml⁻¹ and secreted 0.21 AU ml⁻¹ of nuclease. Moreover, encapsulated cells at a density of 4.4 × 10⁷ CFU ml⁻¹ grew to 2.2 × 10¹⁰ CFU ml⁻¹ in 12 h and secreted 15.3 AU ml⁻¹ of nuclease although 3.1 × 10⁷ CFU ml⁻¹ of free cells reached only 2.3 × 10⁹ CFU ml⁻¹ and released 5.6 AU ml⁻¹ of nuclease. We also show the sustained stability of the microcapsules during storage at 4°C over 8 weeks.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of quinine sulfate at a multiwall carbon nanotubes-ionic liquid modified glassy carbon electrode and its electrochemical determination

The electrocatalytic oxidation of quinine sulfate (QS) was investigated at a glassy carbon electrode, modified by a gel containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and room-temperature ionic liquid of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophate (BMIMPF₆) in 0.10 M of phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 6.8). It was found that an irreversible anodic oxidation peak of QS with E _pa as 0.99 V appeared at MWCNTs-RTIL/glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrode reaction process was a diffusion-controlled one and the electrochemical oxidation involved two electrons transferring and two protons participation. Furthermore, the charge-transfer coefficient (α), diffusion coefficient (D), and electrode reaction rate constant (k _f) of QS were found to be 0.87, 7.89 × 10⁻³ cm²⋅s⁻¹ and 3.43 × 10⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. Under optimized conditions, linear calibration curves were obtained over the QS concentration range 3.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M by square wave voltammetry, and the detection limit was found to be 0.44 μM based on the signal-to-noise ratio of 3. In addition, the novel MWCNTs-RTIL/GCE was characterized by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the proposed method has been successfully applied in the electrochemical quantitative determination of quinine content in commercial injection samples and the determination results could meet the requirement.     

Electrochemical determination of acetaminophen using a glassy carbon electrode coated with a single-wall carbon nanotube-dicetyl phosphate film

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were dispersed into water in the presence of dicetyl phosphate (DCP), and then a SWNT-DCP film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed. The electrochemical behavior of acetaminophen at bare GCE and SWNT-DCP modified GCE were compared, suggesting that the SWNT-DCP-modified GCE significantly enhances the oxidation peak current of acetaminophen. A sensitive and simple electrochemical method with a good linear relationship in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, was developed for the determination of acetaminophen. The detection limit is 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for 3-min accumulation. This method was successfully demonstrated with tablets.     

Flavonol Derivatives for Determination of Cr(III) and W(VI)

 Simple, rapid, sensitive and selective methods for the determination of Cr(III) and W(VI) with flavonol derivatives in the presence of surface-active agents are proposed. In the pH ranges 3.4–4.2 and 1.9–2.5, the molar absorptivities of Cr(III)-morin-emulsifier S (EFA) and W(VI)-morin-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) systems are 1.13×10⁵ and 2.13×10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 435 and 415 nm, respectively. The Cr(III)-quercetin-PVP and W(VI)-quercetin-cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) systems are formed in the pH ranges 4–4.6 and 2.2–2.8 with molar absorptivities 1.02×10⁵ and 9.02×10⁴ L. mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 441 and 419 nm, respectively. The linear dynamic ranges for the determination of Cr(III) and W(VI) with morin in the presence of EFA and PVP are 0.03–0.46 and 0.71–8.1 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The corresponding ranges with quercetin are 0.04–0.54 and 0.14–2.1 μg mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) and W(VI), respectively. The r.s.d (n = 10) for the determination of 0.25 and 3.7 μg mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) and W(VI) with morin and their detection limits are 0.88 and 0.99% and 0.016 and 0.63 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Using quercetin, the r.s.d (n = 10) for 0.22 and 1.2 μg mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) and W(VI) and their detection limits are 0.92 and 0.91% and 0.015 and 0.08 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The critical evaluation of the proposed methods is performed by statistical analysis of the experimental data. The proposed methods are applied to determine Cr in steel, non-ferrous alloys, wastewater and mud filtrate and to the determination of W in steel. Received March 8, 1999. Revision January 21, 2000.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> corrosion inhibition of X-70 pipeline steel by carboxyamido imidazoline

The corrosion inhibition of X-70 pipeline steel in saltwater saturated with CO₂ at 50 °C with carboxyamido imidazoline has been evaluated by using electrochemical techniques. Techniques included polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance, and electrochemical noise measurements. Inhibitor concentrations were 0, 1.6 × 10⁻⁵, 3.32 × 10⁻⁵, 8.1 × 10⁻⁵, 1.6 × 10⁻⁴, and 3.32 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹. All techniques showed that the best corrosion inhibition was obtained by adding 8.1 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ of carboxyamido imidazoline. For inhibitor concentrations higher than 8.1 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ a desorption process occurs, and an explanation has been given for this phenomenon.     

Adsorption voltammetry of the zirconium-alizarin red S complex at a multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode

We used a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a working electrode and studied the electrochemical behavior of zirconium-alizarin red S complex on it. It was found that the modified electrode exhibited a significant catalytic effect toward the reduction of free alizarin red S and the complex. The second derivative linear scan voltammograms of the complex were recorded by a polarographic analyser from 0 to −1000 mV (vs. SCE), and it was found that the complex can be adsorbed on the surface of the modified electrode, yielding a peak at about −470 mV, corresponding to the reduction of alizarin red S in the complex. The linear range was found to be 2.0 × 10⁻¹¹–8.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, and the detection limit was 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) for 3 min accumulation. The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of zirconium in the ore samples. Correspondence: Pei-Hong Deng, Department of Chemistry and Material Science, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang Hunan 421008, P.R. China     

Chemiluminescence determination of chromium(III) and total chromium in water samples using the periodate-lucigenin reaction

A new chemiluminescence (CL) method combined with flow injection technique is described for the determination of Cr(III) and total Cr. It is found that a strong CL signal is generated from the reaction of Cr(III), lucigenin and KIO₄ in alkaline condition. The determination of total Cr is performed by pre-reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using H₂SO₃. The CL intensity is linearly related to the concentration of Cr in the range 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁰–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹. The detection limit (3s _b) is 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹ Cr and the relative standard deviation is 1.9% (5.0 × 10⁻⁸ g mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) solution, n = 11). The method was applied to the determination of Cr(III) and total Cr in water samples and compared satisfactorily with the official method.     

Lectin-modified piezoelectric biosensors for bacteria recognition and quantification

The use of lectins for microorganism biosensors fabrication is proposed. Lectins are immobilised onto a gold-plated quartz crystal for direct piezoelectric label-free transduction of the bacteria–lectin binding event using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Concanavalin A (Con A) and Escherichia coli were used for the evaluation of the lectin immobilisation method and the biosensor performance. Adsorption on nonpolarised and polarised (−0.200 V) gold-coated quartz crystals and immobilisation through avidin–biotin binding were checked for Con A surface attachment. Lectin–bacteria binding was evaluated in all cases. With a crystal modified with Con A via avidin–biotin immobilisation we obtained a linear calibration plot between 5.0 × 10⁶ and 2.0 × 10⁷ cfu mL⁻¹ by measuring frequency changes with E. coli concentration 1 h after bacteria addition. A remarkable increase in sensitivity was achieved when the analytical solution contained free biotinylated Con A, as a consequence of multiple lectin adhesion to Escherichia coli cell wall, which produced an accumulation of Con A–E. coli conjugates in the form of multilayers at the electrode surface. A detection limit of approximately 1.0 × 10⁴ cfu mL⁻¹ was achieved. Moreover nonspecific adsorptions were minimised. Using Con A and lectin from Arachis hypogaea, different response profiles were achieved for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium phlei, thus demonstrating the feasibility of bacteria discrimination. An approach involving filtering of free and lectin-bound bacteria and introduction of a filter in the measuring cell allowed a significant frequency change to be obtained for an E. coli concentration of 1.0 × 10³ cfu mL⁻¹ in order to further increase the sensitivity and discriminate between viable and nonviable cells; an approach using electrochemical measurements of bacterial catalase activity was also checked.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite at a terpyridine manganese(II) complex modified carbon past electrode

A carbon past electrode modified with [Mn(H₂O)(N₃)(NO₃)(pyterpy)], ( \textpyterpy = 4￠- ( 4 - \textpyridyl ) - 2,2￠:\text6￠,\text2￠￠- \textterpyridine ) \left( {{\text{pyterpy}} = 4\prime - \left( {4 - {\text{pyridyl}}} \right) - 2,2\prime:{\text{6}}\prime,{\text{2}}\prime\prime - {\text{terpyridine}}} \right) complex have been applied to the electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite which reduced the overpotential by about 120 mV with obviously increasing the current response. Relative standard deviations for nitrite determination was less than 2.0%, and nitrite can be determined in the ranges of 5.00 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.55 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 8 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The treatment of the voltammetric data showed that it is a pure diffusion-controlled reaction, which involves one electron in the rate-determining step. The rate constant k′, transfer coefficient α for the catalytic reaction, and diffusion coefficient of nitrite in the solution, D, were found to be 1.4 × 10⁻², 0.56× 10⁻⁶, and 7.99 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹, respectively. The mechanism for the interaction of nitrite with the Mn(II) complex modified carbon past electrode is proposed. This work provides a simple and easy approach to detection of nitrite ion. The modified electrode indicated reproducible behavior, anti-fouling properties, and stability during electrochemical experiments, making it particularly suitable for the analytical purposes.     

Sensitive determination of adenine on poly(amidosulfonic acid)-modified glassy carbon electrode

A novel and reliable direct electrochemical method was established for the detection of adenine, based on the differential pulse anodic stripping response at a poly(amidosulfonic acid) (poly-ASA)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) fabricated by electropolymerization. The characterization of electrochemically synthesized poly-ASA film was investigated by atomic force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and voltammetric methods. This poly-ASA-modified GCE could greatly enhance the detection sensitivity of adenine. At optimum conditions, the anodic peak exhibits a good linear concentration dependence in the range from 3.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M (r = 0.9994). The detection limit is 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ M (S/N = 3). The proposed method could be used to determinate the adenine in tablets of vitamin B₄ with satisfactory results.     

Growth and characterization of Mn- and Co-doped ZnO nanowires

A flow injection chemiluminescence method is proposed for the determination of cobalt, based on the strong catalytic effect of Cobalt(II) (1,10-phenanthroline)₃ complex on the lucigenin-periodate reaction in alkaline medium. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the chemiluminescence signal responded linearly to the concentration of cobalt(II) in the 1.0 × 10⁻⁹–3.0 × 10⁻⁷ g mL⁻¹ range with a detection limit of 4.4 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹ cobalt(II). The relative standard deviation for the determination of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ g mL⁻¹ of cobalt was 2.3% in eleven replicated measurements. The method was successfully applied to the determination of cobalt(II) in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Molecularly imprinted on-line solid-phase extraction combined with chemiluminescence for the determination of pazufloxacin mesilate

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer solid-phase extraction (MISPE) with flow-injection chemiluminescence (CL) was developed for the determination of pazufloxacin mesilate (PZFX). The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by using PZFX as the imprinting molecule. A glass tube packed the particles of the MIP was employed as MISPE micro-column, which was connected into the sampling loop of the eight-way injection valve for on-line selective preconcentration and extraction of PZFX. The eluent of acetonitrile:acetic acid (9:1, v:v) was used as carrier for eluting the adsorbed PZFX to react with the mixture of cerium(IV) and sodium sulfite in the flow cell to produce strong CL. The relative intensity of CL was linear to PZFX concentration in the range from 2.5 × 10⁻⁹ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ g mL⁻¹. The limit of detection was 7 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹ (3 σ) and the relative standard deviation for 5 × 10⁻⁸ g mL⁻¹of PZFX solution was 3.7% (n = 7). This method has been applied to the determination of PZFX in human urine.     

Voltammetric determination of 2-chlorophenol using a glassy carbon electrode coated with multi-wall carbon nanotube-dicetyl phosphate film

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were dispersed into water in the presence of dicetyl phosphate (DCP), and MWNT-DCP composite film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were constructed. The electrochemical properties of 2-chlorophenol at a bare GCE and MWNT-DCP modified GCE were compared. It was found that MWNT-DCP modified GCEs significantly enhance the oxidation peak current of 2-chlorophenol and lowers its oxidation overpotential, suggesting great potential in the sensitive determination of 2-chlorophenol. Finally, a sensitive and simple voltammetric method was developed for the determination of 2-chlorophenol. The oxidation peak current increases linearly with the concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, and the detection limit is 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for 2 min accumulation. The method was successfully used to determine 2-chlorophenol in waste water samples.     

Covalent modification of a glassy carbon electrode with penicillamine for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol

A simple and highly selective electrochemical method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) at a glassy carbon electrode covalently modified with penicillamine (Pen). The electrode is used for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of HQ and CC and shows an excellent electrocatalytical effect on the oxidation of HQ and CC upon cyclic voltammetry in acetate buffer solution of pH 5.0. In differential pulse voltammetric measurements, the modified electrode was able to separate the oxidation peak potentials of HQ and CC present in binary mixtures by about 103 mV although the bare electrode gave a single broad response. The determination limit of HQ in the presence of 0.1 mmol L⁻¹ CC was 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, and the determination limit of CC in the presence of 0.1 mmol L⁻¹ HQ was 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The method was applied to the simultaneous determination of HQ and CC in a water sample. It is simple and highly selective.     

Electrochemical oxidation of salicylic acid at well-aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube electrode and its detection

In this paper, an electrochemical sensor for sensitive and convenient determination of salicylic acid (SA) was constructed using well-aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes as electrode material. Compared to the glassy carbon electrode, the electro-oxidation of SA significantly enhanced at the multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) electrode. The MWCNT electrode shows a sensitivity of 59.25 μA mM⁻¹, a low detection limit of 0.8 × 10⁻⁶ M and a good response linear range with SA concentration from 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.0 × 10⁻³ M. In addition, acetylsalicylic acid was determined indirectly after hydrolysis to SA and acetic acid, which simplified the detection process. The mechanism of electrochemical oxidation of SA at the MWCNT electrode is also discussed.     

Electrochemical behavior and determination of epinephrine at a mercaptoacetic acid self-assembled gold electrode

The electrochemical behavior of epinephrine (EP) at a mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode was studied. The MAA/Au electrode is demonstrated to promote the electrochemical response of epinephrine by cyclic voltammetry. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed. The diffusion coefficient D of EP is 6.85 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹. In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 7.20), a sensitive oxidation peak was observed at 0.177 V, and the peak current is proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵–2.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit is 5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The modified electrode is highly stable and can be applied to the determination of EP in practical injection samples. The method is simple, quick, sensitive and accurate.     

Electrochemistry and electrocatalytic activity of polypyrrole/ferrocyanide films on a glassy carbon electrode

Functionalized polypyrrole films were prepared by incorporation of Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻ as doping anion during the electropolymerization of pyrrole at a glassy carbon electrode from aqueous solution. The electrochemical behavior of the Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻/Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻ redox couple in polypyrrole was studied by cyclic voltammetry. An obvious surface redox reaction was observed and dependence of this reaction on the solution pH was illustrated. The electrocatalytic ability of polypyrrole film with ferrocyanide incorporated was demonstrated by oxidation of ascorbic acid at the optimized pH of 4 in a glycine buffer. The catalytic effect for mediated oxidation of ascorbic acid was 300 mV and the bimolecular rate constant determined for surface coverage of 4.5 × 10⁻⁸ M cm⁻² using rotating disk electrode voltammetry was 86 M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Furthermore, the catalytic oxidation current was linearly dependent on ascorbic acid concentration in the range 5 × 10⁻⁴–1.6 × 10⁻² M with a correlation coefficient of 0.996. The plot of i _p versus v ^1/2 confirms the diffusion nature of the peak current i _p. Received: 12 April 1999 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

An electrochemiluminescence sensor for determination of durabolin based on CdTe QD films by layer-by-layer self-assembly

This work reported for the first time the use of flow injection electrochemiluminescence (FI-ECL) sensor for the determination of durabolin in an aqueous system based on CdTe quantum dot (QD) films. Aqueous CdTe colloidal solutions were prepared using thioglycolic acid as a capping agent. Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern, UK) was employed to characterize the size of CdTe QDs. The UV–vis and photoluminescence spectra of samples were systematically characterized. Indium tin oxide (ITO) slide glass was modified with CdTe QDs by layer-by-layer self-assembly. CdTe QD films were packed into a homemade cell and used as a recognizer of the FI-ECL sensor to determine durabolin. The intensive anodic ECL emission was obtained at a starting potential of +1.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in a carbonate bicarbonate buffer solution with a pH of 9.93 at an ITO electrode. The ECL intensity was correlated linearly with the concentration of durabolin over the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻⁵ g mL⁻¹, and the detection limit was 2.5 × 10⁻⁹ g mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ durabolin was 1.04% (n = 11). This simple and sensitive sensor revealed good reproducibility for ECL analysis. As a result, the new FI-ECL sensor had been successfully applied to the determination of durabolin in food samples. This strategy could be easily realized and opened new avenues for the applications of QDs in ECL biosensing.