A derivatisation and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry method for the characterisation of naphthenic acids

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are partially uncharacterised complex mixtures of carboxylic acids, resulting from the microbial oxidation of petroleum hydrocarbons. They are associated with the fouling of pipelines and process equipment in oil production and with corrosion in oil refineries. As by-products of the rapidly expanding oil (tar) sands industries, NAs are also pollutants and have proved to be toxic to a range of organisms. They also have important beneficial uses as fungicides, tyre additives and, paradoxically, also in the manufacture of corrosion inhibitors. These features make the characterisation of NAs an important goal for analytical chemists. Here we describe the synthesis of amide derivatives of NAs for characterisation by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation multistage mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS(n)). The method was applied to commercially available carboxylic acids, novel synthetic NAs, commercial NAs refined from crude oils, crude oil NAs and Athabasca oil sands NAs. In addition to confirming the number of alicyclic rings and length of alkyl side chain substituents (confirming information from existing methods), the MS(n) results provided further structural information. Most important of these was the finding that bi- to polycyclic acids containing ethanoate side chains, in addition to alkyl substituents, were widespread amongst the oil and oil sands NAs. The latter NAs are known end members of the beta-oxidation of NAs with even carbon number alkanoate chains. Since such NA mixtures are toxic, they should be targets for bioremediation. Bioremediation of NAs can also be monitored better by application of the methods described herein.     

Identification of individual tetra- and pentacyclic naphthenic acids in oil sands process water by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The oils sands industry of Canada produces large volumes of process water (OSPW) which is stored in large lagoons. The OSPW contains complex mixtures of somewhat toxic, water-soluble, acid-extractable organic matter sometimes called 'naphthenic acids' (NA). Concerns have been raised over the possible environmental impacts of leakage of OSPW and a need has therefore arisen for better characterisation of the NA. Recently, we reported the first identification of numerous individual tricyclic NA in OSPW by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/ToF-MS) of the methyl esters. The acids were diamondoid adamantane acids, resulting, it was proposed, from biotransformation of the corresponding alkyladamantane hydrocarbons, which is a known process. Biotransformation of higher alkylated diamondoid hydrocarbons was, until now, unknown but here we describe the identification of numerous pentacyclic NA as diamantane and alkyldiamantane acids, using the same methods. Further, we suggest tentative structures for some of the tetracyclic acids formed, we propose, by ring-opening of alkyldiamantanes. We suggest that this is further evidence that some of the acid-extractable organic matter in the OSPW originates from extensive biodegradation of the oil, whether in-reservoir or environmental, although other oxidative routes (e.g. processing) may also be possible. The results may be important for helping to better focus reclamation and remediation strategies for NA and for facilitating the identification of the sources of NA in contaminated environmental samples.     

Determination of dissolved naphthenic acids in natural waters by using negative-ion electrospray mass spectrometry

Naphthenic acids (NAs) have been implicated as some of the most toxic substances in oil sands leachates and identified as priority substances impacting on aquatic environments. As a group of compounds, NAs are not well characterized and comprise a large group of saturated aliphatic and alicyclic carboxylic acids found in hydrocarbon deposits (petroleum, oil sands bitumen, and crude oils). Described is an analytical method using negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ES/MS) of extracts. Preconcentration was achieved by using a solid-phase extraction procedure utilizing a crosslinked polystyrene-based polymer with acetonitrile elution. Recovery of the Fluka Chemicals NA mixture was highly pH-dependent, with 100% recovery at pH 3.0, but only 66 and 51% recoveries at pHs 7 and 9, respectively. The dissolved phase of the NA was very dependent on sample pH. It is thus critical to measure the pH and determine the appropriate mass profiles to identify NAs in natural waters. The ES/MS analytical procedure proved to be a fast and sensitive method for the recovery and detection of NAs in natural waters, with a detection limit of 0.01 mg/L.     

Identification of individual acids in a commercial sample of naphthenic acids from petroleum by two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The identification of most individual members of the complex mixtures of carboxylic acids found in petroleum ('naphthenic acids') has eluded chemists for over a century; they remain unresolved by conventional gas chromatographic methods. Recently, however, we successfully used two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify numerous individual diamondoid acids in the naphthenic acids of oil sands process water (OSPW). We have now applied the same methods to a study of a mixture of commercially available naphthenic acids originally refined from petroleum. The results confirm that OSPW and refined petroleum contain very different distributions of acids, as noted previously, although some of the diamondoid acids recently identified in OSPW were detectable in both. Rather, two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/ToF-MS) of the methyl esters of the petroleum acids and of numerous acids synthesised for comparison showed that the former comprised mainly C(8-18) straight-chain, methyl-branched, acyclic isoprenoid, cyclohexyl and isomeric octahydropentalene, perhydroindane and perhydronaphthalene (decalin) acids. Some of the latter bicyclic acids occurred as both the non-alkyl-substituted isomers and the bicyclic ethanoic and propanoic acids. Also present in minor quantities was a range of phenyl carboxylic and substituted phenyl alkanoic acids, and traces of non-acids, including trimethylnaphthalenes, again identified by comparison with the synthesised compounds. These results represent some of the first identifications of multiple individual naphthenic acids in commercial mixtures originating from petroleum and provide a basis for future studies of the petroleum geochemistry, toxicities and environmental impacts of the acids. Furthermore, characterisation of the acids will be important for improving the understanding of the role of naphthenic acids in petroleum engineering, particularly for oil pipeline deposition problems.     

Characterization of oil sands naphthenic acids treated with ultraviolet and microwave radiation by negative ion electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are concentrated in oil sand process water (OSPW) as a result of caustic oil sands extraction processes. There is considerable interest in methods for treatment of NAs in OSPW. Earlier work has shown that the combination of ultraviolet (UV) and microwave treatments in the laboratory was effective in reducing the concentration of classical NAs. Here we apply Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS) to further characterize NAs treated with (a) UV (254 nm) in the presence of TiO₂ catalyst; and/or (b) microwave irradiation (2.45 GHz). FT‐ICR MS was used to characterize the NA fraction before and after treatment. Acidic oxygen‐containing classes were most abundant in all samples whereas other heteroatomic classes were least abundant or not present in some samples. For example, the SO₂‐containing species were absent in UV‐ or combined UV‐ and microwave‐treated samples. The O₂ class was dominant in all samples, indicative of NAs. However, samples treated with UV and microwave radiation have a lower relative abundance of other heteroatomic classes. We observed O₂, S₁O₂, O₃, S₁O₃, O₄, O₅, and O₆ classes, whereas the species with relatively high O_n content, namely, the O₃, O₅, and O₆ classes, were present only in UV‐ and microwave‐treated samples. The relatively high O_n content is consistent with oxidation of the parent acids in treated samples. There may thus be potential implications for environmental forensics. For example, the monitoring of the ratio of SO₂:O₂ or tracking the relative abundances of O₂, O₃, O₄, O₅, and O₆ classes may provide insights for distinguishing naturally derived oil sands components from those that are process‐related in aquatic environments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aquatic plant‐derived changes in oil sands naphthenic acid signatures determined by low‐, high‐ and ultrahigh‐resolution mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a common tool for studying the fate of complex organic compound mixtures in oil sands processed water (OSPW), but a comparison of low‐, high‐ (～10 000), and ultrahigh‐resolution (～400 000) instrumentation for this purpose has not previously been made. High‐resolution quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QTOF MS) and ultrahigh‐resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS), with negative‐ion electrospray ionization, provided evidence for the selective dissipation of components in OSPW. Dissipation of oil sands naphthenic acids (NAs with general formula C_nH_2n+zO₂ where n is the number of carbon atoms, and Z is zero or a negative even number describing the number of rings) was masked (by components such as fatty acids, O₃, O₅, O₆, O₇, SO₂, SO₃, SO₄, SO₅, SO₆, and NO₄ species) at low resolution (1000) when using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Changes observed in the relative composition of components in OSPW appear to be due primarily to the presence of plants, specifically cattails (Typha latifolia) and their associated microorganisms. The observed dissipation included a range of heteratomic species containing O₂, O₃, O₄, and O₅, present in Athabasca oil sands acid extracts. For the heteratomic O₂ species, namely naphthenic acids, an interesting structural relationship suggests that low and high carbon number NAs are dissipated by the plants preferentially, with a minimum around C₁₄/C₁₅. Other heteratomic species containing O₆, O₇, SO₂, SO₃, SO₄, SO₅, SO₆, and NO₄ appear to be relatively recalcitrant to the cattails and were not dissipated to the same extent in planted systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preliminary fingerprinting of Athabasca oil sands polar organics in environmental samples using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

There is a growing need to develop analytical methods that can distinguish compounds found within industrially derived oil sands process water (OSPW) from those derived from natural weathering of oil sands deposits. This is a difficult challenge as possible leakage beyond tailings pond containments will probably be in the form of mixtures of water-soluble organics that may be similar to those leaching naturally into aquatic environments. We have evaluated the potential of negative ion electrospray ionization high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) for comparing oil sands polar organics from tailing ponds, interceptor wells, groundwater, river and lake surface waters. Principal component analysis was performed for all species observed. which included the O(2) class (often assumed to be monocarbxoylic naphthenic acids) along with a wide range of other species including humic substances in the river and lake samples: O(n) where n=1-16; NO(n) and N(2)O(n) where n=1-13; and O(n)S and O(n)S(2) where n=1-10 and 1-8, respectively. A broad range of species was investigated because classical naphthenic acids can be a small fraction of the 'organics' detected in the polar fraction of OSPW, river water and groundwater. Aquatic toxicity and environmental chemistry are attributed to the total organics (not only the classical naphthenic acids). The distributions of the oil sands polar organics, particularly the sulfur-containing species, O(n)S and O(n)S(2), may have potential for distinguishing sources of OSPW. The ratios of species containing O(n) along with nitrogen-containing species: NO(n), and N(2)O(n), were useful for differentiating organic components derived from OSPW from those found in river and lake waters. Further application of the FTICRMS technique for a diverse range of OSPW of varying ages and composition, as well as the surrounding groundwater wells, may be critical in assessing whether leakage from industrial sources to natural waters is occurring.     

Molecular profiling of naphthenic acids in technical mixtures and oil sands process‐affected water using polar reversed‐phase liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

In this work, a reversed‐phase ultra‐HPLC (UHPLC) ultrahigh resolution MS (UHRMS) method was evaluated for the comprehensive profiling of NAs containing two O atoms in each molecule (O2NAs; general formula C_nH_{2n + z}O₂, where n is the number of carbon atoms and z represents hydrogen deficiency). Using a polar cyanopropyl‐bonded phase column and negative‐ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection at 120,000 FWHM (m/z 400), 187 and 226 O2NA species were found in two naphthenic acid technical mixtures, and 424 and 198 species with molecular formulas corresponding to O2NAs were found in two oil sands process‐affected water samples (one from a surface mining operation and the other from a steam‐assisted gravity drainage operation), respectively. To our knowledge, these are the highest numbers of molecular compositions of O2NAs that have been profiled thus far in environmental samples. Assignments were based on accurate mass measurements (≤3 ppm) combined with rational molecular formula generation, correlation of chromatographic behavior of O2NA homologues with their elemental compositions, and confirmation with carboxyl group‐specific chemical derivatization using 3‐nitrophenylhydrazine. Application of this UHPLC–UHRMS method to the quantitation of O2NAs in the surface mining operation‐derived water sample showed excellent linearity (R² = 0.9999) with external calibration, a linear range of 256‐fold in concentration, and quantitation accuracies of 64.9 and 69.4% at two “standard substance” spiking levels.     

Trace elements in Nigerian oil sands and extracted bitumens

The Nigerian oil sands are very extensive with an estimated in place reserves of bitumen/heavy oil of over 30 billion barrels. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) has been used to determine the trace and minor elements in the raw oil sands and bitumens. About 43 trace elements in the raw oil sands and 30 in bitumen extracts were determined. The results are compared with values of Canadian bitumens and some Nigerian conventional light crude oils. In general, the Nigerian bitumens has higher hydrocarbon concentration than the Athabasca bitumen but slightly lower than in the Nigerian crude oils. The sulphur, vanadium and nickel contents of the Nigerian bitumens and crude oils are appreciably lower than those of Athabasca bitumen, thus indicating that the extraction and refining of Nigerian tar sand oil would pose less technological and environmental problems than the Athabasca syncrude.     

Characterization and pattern recognition of oil-sand naphthenic acids using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Oil-sand naphthenic acids (NAs) are organic wastes produced during the oil-sand digestion and extraction processes and are very difficult to separate and analyze as individual components due to their complex compositions. A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC/TOF-MS) system was applied for the characterization of two commercial mixtures of naphthenic acids (Fluka and Acros) and a naphthenic acid sample extracted from the Syncrude tailings. Contour plots of chromatographic distributions of different Z homologous series of the Fluka, Acros and Syncrude NAs were constructed using fragment ions that were characteristic of the NA's molecular structures. Well-ordered patterns were observed for NAs of Z= 0 and -2 which corresponded to acyclic acids and monocyclic acids, respectively. For NAs of Z= -4, -6, and -8, specific zones were observed which would allow the pattern recognition of these NAs obtained from different origins. As expected, gas chromatographic retention times increase with the number of the carbons and the number of rings in the molecules. Little signal was obtained for NAs with Z numbers of -10, or lower. Deconvoluted mass spectra of various NA isomers were derived from the reconstructed GC x GC chromatogram, permitting detailed structural elucidations for NAs in the future. The current study demonstrated that the combination of GC x GC and the TOF-MS is a powerful to identify origins of the NAs in an effective manner. GC x GC/TOF-MS alone, however, may not be enough to characterize each individual isomer in a complex mixture such as NAs. The use of mass deconvolution software followed by library search have thus become necessary to separate and study the mass spectrum of each individual NA component, allowing a detailed identification of the toxic components within the NAs mixture.     

柱前衍生高效液相色谱-质谱法测定水稻中尼克烟酰胺含量

建立了柱前衍生高效液相色谱-质谱联用(HPLC-MS)测定水稻中尼克烟酰胺含量的方法.样品中尼克烟酰胺经水提取后,与9-芴甲基氯甲酸酯(FMOC-Cl)衍生,采用液相色谱质谱联用仪测定.系统研究了衍生剂浓度和衍生介质等条件对衍生效率的影响.通过优化流动相酸度和梯度洗脱等条件,提高了方法灵敏度.尼克烟酰胺在0.1～5.0 mg/L范围内呈良好的线性关系(r=0.9983),对水稻的根、茎、叶及大米的标准加入实验表明,方法的添加回收率在72.0%～89.2%之间; 相对标准偏差为2.3%～9.6%; 方法检出限为0.05 mg/kg.方法简便、准确可靠,可以满足水稻中生理水平尼克烟酰胺的定性定量分析.     

Sequestration of naphthenic acids from aqueous solution using β-cyclodextrin-based polyurethanes

The sorption characteristics of naphthenic acids (NAs) in their anion form with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) based polyurethanes, as sorbents, from aqueous solutions that simulate the conditions of oil sands process water (OSPW) are presented. The copolymer sorbents were synthesized at various β-CD:diisocyanate monomer mole ratios (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3) with diisocyanates of variable molecular size and degree of unsaturation. The equilibrium sorption properties of the copolymer sorbents were characterized using sorption isotherms in aqueous solution at pH 9.00 with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to monitor the equilibrium unbound fraction of anionic NAs in the aqueous phase. The copolymer sorbents were characterized in the solid state using (13)C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The sorption results of the copolymer sorbents with anion forms of NAs in solution were compared with a commercially available carbonaceous standard: granular activated carbon (GAC). The monolayer sorption capacities of the sorbents (Q(m)) were obtained from either the Langmuir or the Sips isotherm model used to characterize the sorption characteristics of each copolymer sorbent. The estimated sorption capacity for GAC was 142 mg NAs per g sorbent whereas the polymeric materials ranged from 0-75 mg NAs per g sorbent over the experimental conditions investigated. In general, significant differences in the sorption capacities between GAC and the copolymer sorbents were related to the differences in the accessible surface areas and pore structure characteristics of the sorbents. The Sips parameter (K(eq)) for GAC and the copolymer materials reveal differences in the relative binding affinity of NAs to the sorbent framework in accordance with the synthetic ratios and the value of Q(m). The diisocyanate linker plays a secondary role in the sorption mechanism, whereas the β-CD macrocycle in the copolymer framework is the main sorption site for NAs because of the formation of inclusion complexes with β-CD.     

Degradation of a model naphthenic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, by vacuum UV (172 nm) and UV (254 nm)/H2O2

The mechanism of hydroxyl radical initiated degradation of a typical oil sands process water (OSPW) alicyclic carboxylic acid was studied using cyclohexanoic acid (CHA) as a model compound. By use of vacuum ultraviolet irradiation (VUV, 172 nm) and ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide UV(254 nm)/H(2)O(2), it was established that CHA undergoes degradation through a peroxyl radical. In both processes the decay of the peroxyl radical leads predominantly to the formation of 4-oxo-CHA, and minor amounts of hydroxy-CHA (detected only in UV/H(2)O(2)). In UV/H(2)O(2), additional 4-oxo-CHA may also have been formed by direct reaction of the oxyl radical with H(2)O(2). The oxyl radical can be formed during decay of the peroxyl-CHA radical or reaction of hydroxy-CHA with hydroxyl radical. Oxo- and hydroxy-CHA further degraded to various dihydroxy-CHAs. Scission of the cyclohexane ring was also observed, on the basis of the observation of acyclic byproducts including heptadioic acid and various short-chain carboxylic acids. Overall, the hydroxyl radical induced degradation of CHA proceeded through several steps, involving more than one hydroxyl radical reaction, thus efficiency of the UV/H(2)O(2) reaction will depend on the rate of generation of hydroxyl radical throughout the process. In real applications to OSPW, concentrations of H(2)O(2) will need to be carefully optimized and the environmental fate and effects of the various degradation products of naphthenic acids considered.     

Advanced glycation end products: a highly complex set of biologically relevant compounds detected by mass spectrometry

Structural information on 'AGE-peptides,' a class of substances belonging to advanced glycation end products (AGE) and originating by proteolysis of glycated proteins, was gained through various analytical approaches on the mixture produced by proteinase K digestion of in vitro glycated bovine serum albumin. Both matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS) were employed, and the results were compared with those from conventional spectroscopic methods (UV, fluorescence, gel permeation). The data acquired by the various techniques all depict the digestion mixtures as highly complex, with components exhibiting molecular mass in the range 300-3500 Da. In the analysis of HPLC/ESI-MS data, identification of AGE-peptides was facilitated by 3D mapping. Structural information was gained by means of multiple mass spectrometric experiments.     

Profiling of N-linked oligosaccharides using phenylhydrazine derivatization and mass spectrometry

N-linked oligosaccharide standards obtained from commercial sources were derivatized with phenylhydrazine (PHN) and analyzed by on-line reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). This procedure was then applied to mixtures of N-glycans enzymatically released from hen ovalbumin. Under ESI-MS conditions, phenylhydrazones of asialylated oligosaccharide standards and ovalbumin glycans produced mainly [M + 2H]2+ molecular ions at low cone voltage values, while minimal fragmentation was observed. Reversed-phase HPLC/ESI-MS total and selected ion chromatograms obtained for derivatized N-glycans from ovalbumin showed partial but useful separation. Overall glycan profiles obtained by ESI-MS were compared with results obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS. Qualitatively, profiles were similar from one technique to the other in terms of relative abundance of glycans versus composition. Post-source decay (PSD) analysis of the [M + Na]+ ions of PHN-glycans showed dominant B, C and internal B/Y, C/Y cleavages. These patterns were helpful in relating fragmentation to proposed structures. Cross-ring cleavage fragment ions (A-type) were also observed in most cases. The PHN derivatization method is fast and simple. It produces abundant parent ions in both MALDI-MS and ESI-MS, while avoiding the presence of salt contaminants during the labeling procedure.     

Liquid chromatography/electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the characterisation of cyclic phosphazenes

Cyclic phosphazenes with different substituents were synthesised and investigated by liquid chromatography (LC) and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene was functionalised with aliphatic substituents as alcohols and amines, leading to product mixtures, which were subsequently analysed. In contrast to classical methods of structural analysis such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or X-ray crystallography, which are restricted to pure compounds, these complex mixtures can favourably be analysed by means of LC/ESI-MS. The main products could be separated from by-products and, moreover, all the components of the unknown mixture were unambiguously identified by accurate mass measurements. For all compounds with different side-chain ratios, remaining chlorine atoms or hydroxyl groups and even for spiro or ansa products, molecular structures could be suggested.     

Synergistic effect of water layer and divalent metal ions in a model oil sand on bitumen liberation from solids surface

In this work, we offer a direct evidence to illustrate the synergistic effect of water layer and divalent metal ions in oil sands on bitumen liberation from solids surface. A model oil sand was constructed by coating bitumen on the glass surface with a water layer containing divalent metal ions inserted between them. The bitumen liberation behaviors were investigated by placing the model oil sands in various pH solutions. It was found that the water layer facilitated the bitumen liberation, while the presence of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ in the water layer played a different role on the bitumen liberation depending on the solution pH. It was believed that the variation of the bitumen liberation was attributed to the changes of surface wettability arising from the adsorption of natural surfactants on the solids and bitumen surfaces. The preferential adsorption of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ on the solids and bitumen surfaces acted as either a barrier to disturb the cationic surfactants adsorbing or a bridge to anchor the anionic surfactants. The findings in this work are important for understanding the bitumen liberation behaviors and give a guideline of how controlling the water chemistry when processing the oil sands by water-based bitumen extraction processes.     

Adhesion of single polyelectrolyte molecules on silica, mica, and bitumen surfaces

In a recent study (Energy Fuels 2005, 19, 936), a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) was used as a process aid to recover bitumen from oil sand ores. It was found that HPAM addition at the bitumen extraction step not only improved bitumen recovery but also enhanced fine solids settling in the tailings stream. To understand the role of HPAM, single-molecule force spectroscopy was employed for the first time to measure the desorption/adhesion forces of single HPAM molecules on silica, mica, and bitumen surfaces using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Silicon wafers with an oxidized surface layer and newly cleaved mica were used, respectively, to represent sand grains and clays in oil sands. The force measurements were carried out in deionized water and in commercial plant process water under equilibrium conditions. The desorption/adhesion forces of HPAM obtained on mica, silica, and bitumen surfaces were approximately 200, 40, and 80 pN in deionized water and approximately 100, 50, and 40 pN in the plant process water, respectively. The measured adhesion forces together with the zeta potential values of these surfaces indicate that the polymer would preferentially adsorb onto clay surfaces rather than onto bitumen surfaces. It is the selective adsorption of HPAM that benefits both bitumen recovery and tailings settling when the polymer was added directly to the bitumen extraction process at an appropriate dosage.     

Carbohydrate-lipid interactions: affinities of methylmannose polysaccharides for lipids in aqueous solution

The interactions between 3-O-methyl-mannose polysaccharides (MMPs), extracted from Mycobacterium smegmatis (consisting of a mixture of MMP-10, -11, -12 and -13) or obtained by chemical synthesis (MMP-5(s) , -8(s) , -11(s) and -14(s) ), and linear saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), and a commercial mixture of naphthenic acids (NAs) in aqueous solution at 25?°C and pH?8.5 were quantified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Association constants (K(a) ) for MMP binding to four FAs (myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and trans-parinaric acid) were measured by using an indirect ESI-MS assay, the "proxy protein" method. The K(a) values are in the 10(4) -10(5) M(-1) range and, based on results obtained for the binding of the synthetic MMPs with palmitic acid, increase with the size of the carbohydrate. Notably, the measured affinity of the extracted MMPs for trans-parinaric acid is two orders of magnitude smaller than the reported value, which was determined by using a fluorescence assay. Using a newly developed competitive binding assay, referred to as the "proxy protein/proxy ligand" ESI-MS method, it was shown that MMPs bind specifically to NAs in aqueous solution, with apparent affinities of approximately (5×10(4) )?M(-1) for the mixture of NAs tested. This represents the first demonstration that MMPs can bind to hydrophobic species more complex than those containing linear alkyl/alkenyl chains. Moreover, the approach developed here represents a novel method for probing carbohydrate-lipid interactions.     

Proteomic analysis of chondrocytes exposed to pressure

Chondrocytes are the only cell type present in mature articular cartilage (2-5% of total tissue). The biological activities of the chondrocyte population are regulated by genetic, biologic and biochemical factors, as well as environmental factors (stress, flow and electric field). Although compressive forces within joint articular cartilage are required for maintenance of the normal composition of articular cartilage, there is a lack of knowledge about the number of pressure-related proteins expressed in articular cartilage. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) were used to identify the levels of pressure-related proteins expressed by chondrocytes grown in the presence or absence of hydrostatic pressure. A total of 266 spots were excised from the gels and analyzed by HPLC/ESI-MS/MS. Functional classification of up-regulated proteins indicated that energy and protein fate were the main biological processes occurring in pressurized chondrocytes. Furthermore, membrane-bound transferrin-like protein p97, a marker of chondrocyte differentiation, was only expressed in chondrocytes under hydrostatic pressure. These data suggest that hydrostatic pressure can induce cell differentiation by increasing the expression level of energy metabolism- and protein fate-related proteins, indicating that hydrostatic pressure may be needed for normal biosynthesis and differentiation of articular chondrocytes.