Validation of a screening method for the simultaneous identification of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins (A,E, B<Subscript>1</Subscript>, B<Subscript>2</Subscript> and B<Subscript>6</Subscript>) in an aqueous micellar medium of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride

Simultaneous determination of the fat-soluble vitamins A and E and the water-soluble vitamins B₁, B₂ and B₆ has been carried using a screening method from fluorescence contour graphs. These graphs show different colour zones in relation to the fluorescence intensity measured for the pair of excitation/emission wavelengths. The identification of the corresponding excitation/emission wavelength zones allows the detection of different vitamins in an aqueous medium regardless of the fat or water solubility of each vitamin, owing to the presence of a surfactant which forms micelles in water at the used concentration (over the critical micelle concentration). The micelles dissolve very water insoluble compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, inside the aggregates. This approach avoids the use of organic solvents in determining these vitamins and offers the possibility of analysing fat- and water-soluble vitamins simultaneously. The method has been validated in terms of detection limit, cut-off limit, sensitivity, number of false positives, number of false negatives and uncertainty range. The detection limit is about g L^–1. The screening method was applied to different samples such as pharmaceuticals, juices and isotonic drinks.     

An oligosorbent-based aptamer affinity column for selective extraction of aflatoxin B<Subscript>2</Subscript> prior to HPLC with fluorometric detection

The article describes an aptamer affinity column for selective solid-phase extraction of aflatoxin B₂ (AFB₂). Amino-modified aptamer against AFB₂ was immobilized on CNBr-activated Sepharose through a covalent bond. The effects of oligosorbents based on 3′- or 5′-amino-modified sequences with a C6 or a C7 spacer arm were evaluated by UV spectroscopy at 260 nm. The extraction recovery was evaluated by HPLC with fluorometric detection. The extraction of AFB₂ was optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the aptamer affinity column has a linear response to AFB₂ in the range of 0.5–80 ng, with a capacity of 84.6 ng. Control supports without immobilized aptamers and a nonspecific oligosorbent immobilized with a negative control oligonucleotide were studied in order to demonstrate selectivity. The method was tested with spiked peanut sample (0.5–50 μg·kg^?1 AFB₂) and gave average recoveries of 80.9% and a mean relative standard deviation of 1.9%. The limit of detection is 25 pg·mL^?1. This is much lower than the maximum residue limits suggested by the European Union. The columns can be re-used up to five times without any loss of performance. The oligosorbent was also applied to clean-up of AFB₂ from peanut sample extracts before HPLC analysis. Results were further confirmed by ultra-fast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Conceivably, the method may also be applied to other samples, such as food, agricultural products, and traditional Chinese medicines.

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Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of the fabrication procedures of aptamer affinity column, AAC (a), its principle of aptamer bound to aflatoxin B₂ (b) and the obtained AAC (c).

     

Synthesis and crystal structure of (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(CN<Subscript>3</Subscript>H<Subscript>6</Subscript>)[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Single crystals of (NH₄)(CN₃H₆)[UO₂(SeO₃)₂] (I) are synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system with the unit cell parameters: a = 7.0051(2) Å, b = 9.4234(3) Å, c = 9.5408(3) Å, α = 88.727(1)°, β = 70.565(1)°, γ= 77.034(1)°, space group P ₁, Z = 2, R = 0.0224. The main structural units of crystals I are the [UO₂(SeO₃)₂]^2? chains of the crystal-chemical group AB²B₁₁ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B₂= SeO₃ ^2?, B₁₁= SeO₃ ^2?) of the uranyl complexes. The uranium-containing complexes are joined into a three-dimensional framework by the ammonium and guanidinium ions and a system of hydrogen bonds.     

Quantum-chemical study of ytterbium fluorides and of complex F<Subscript>2</Subscript>YbF<Subscript>2</Subscript>CeF<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The structural parameters of the (²Σ⁺//C_∞v)-YbF, (¹A₁//C_2v)-YbF2, (²A₂^′//D_3h)-YbF₃, (¹Ag//D_2h)-YbF₂Yb, (¹Ag//C_2h)-FYbF₂YbF, (¹A₁//C_2v)-FYbF₂YbF, (¹A₁//C_2v)-YbF₂YbF₂, (³B_3u//D_2h)-F₂YbF₂YbF₂, (²A′//C_s)-FYbF₂YbF₂, and (³B₂//С_2v)-F₂YbF₂CeF₂ molecules have been determined. Disproportionation of ytterbium monofluoride (2YbF → YbF₂ + Yb + 0.46 eV) is less exothermic than dimerization (2YbF → YbF₂Yb + 2.10 eV). The bond energy of the ytterbium difluoride molecules in the trans dimer (2.93 eV) exceeds those in the cis dimer (2.86 eV) and the coaxial dimer (1.66 eV). Ytterbium trifluoride dimerizes exothermically (2.95 eV) without spin pairing. The dipole and quadrupole moments of the molecules as well as the charges and spin populations of the atoms and the valence electron configurations of the lanthanides have been calculated.     

Indium strontium hydrogen phosphate SrIn<Subscript>2</Subscript>[PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>(OH)]<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Synthesis and crystal structure

Indium strontium hydrogen nitrate SrIn₂[PO₃(OH)]₄ was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions (T = 180 or 200°C) and characterized using IR spectroscopy, chemical analysis, and thermal analysis. A structure model obtained ab initio was refined by the Rietveld method: a= 9.6412(1) Å, b = 13.763(1) Å, c = 9.3579(1) Å, R _obs = 0.0183, R _p = 0.0493 (space group B22₁2, Z = 4). The acentricity of the structure was confirmed by SHG tests (I _2ω/I _2ω(SiO2) ≈ 2.0). In the SrIn₂[PO₃(OH)]₄ structure, indium atoms reside in distorted InO₆ octahedra and form, together with PO₃(OH) tetrahedra, a mixed 3D structure {In₂[PO₃(OH)]₄} _3∞ ^2? whose voids are occupied by Sr²⁺ cations (CN = 8). The block-dimer In₂(HPO₄)₁₀ is the most informative unit of the framework. Blocks are condensed into infinite columns running in the [101] direction. The compound is thermally stable up to 400°C.     

Molecular structure of NiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>16</Subscript>H<Subscript>14</Subscript> from gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical data

Gas-phase electron diffractometry was used to study the molecular structure of N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylaldiminato)nickel(II), NiO₂N₂C₁₆H₁₄, [hereinafter Ni(salen)] at 583(5) K. The molecule has C ₂ symmetry with a practically planar structure of the NiN₂O₂ coordination unit and with internuclear distances r _α (Ni-O) = 1.882(21) Å and r _α (Ni-N) = 1.889(22) Å. The results of B3LYP/CEP-31G molecular structure calculations are in good agreement with experimental data, whereas the RHF/CEP-31G method significantly overestimates the Ni-N internuclear distance and gives worse results for other structural parameters. According to 3LYP/CEP-31G calculations, the ¹ A low-spin state is 28 kJ/mole lower in energy than the ³ B high-spin state.     

Protonation of the Dodecahydro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">closo</Emphasis>-Dodecaborate Anion in CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CN/CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>COOH

The behavior of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2– anion in CH₃CN, CF₃COOH, and the CH₃CN/CF₃COOH system is studied by IR spectroscopy. Based on the IR spectroscopy data correlated with the data obtained when studying the protonation processes of boron cluster anions [B₆H₆]^2– and [B₁₀H₁₀]^2–, the possibility to prepare the protonated form of the closo-dodecaborate anion, namely monoanion [B₁₂H₁₃]^–, is concluded in CF₃COOH and the CH₃CN/CF₃COOH system. In the IR spectra of salts of the protonated forms of anions [B_nH_n]^2– (n = 6, 10, 12) in solutions and Nujol mulls, a high-frequency shift of the ν(BH) absorption bands is observed as compared with the spectra of salts of non-protonated anions Cat₂[B_nH_n] (Δν = 70–100 cm^–1).     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the new complex cobalt and nickel oxide Sr<Subscript>2.25</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Co<Subscript>1.25</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>O<Subscript>6.84</Subscript>

The complex cobalt and nickel oxide Sr_2.25Y_0.75Co_1.25Ni_0.75O_6.84 has been synthesized by the citrate method. The oxygen content of the oxide has been determined by iodometric titration. The crystal structure of the compound has been refined using X-ray powder diffraction data (a = 3.7951(2) Å, c = 19.700(1) Å, χ₂ = 1.15, R _F ² = 0.0586, R _p = 0.0365, R _wp = 0.0462). Sr_2.25Y_0.75Co_1.25Ni_0.75O_6.84 has the structure of the second member of the Ruddlesden-Popper series A _{n + 1}B_nO_{3n + 1}.     

Potentiometric competitive immunoassay for determination of aflatoxin B<Subscript>1</Subscript> in food by using antibody-labeled gold nanoparticles

The authors report on a competitive potentiometric immunoassay for aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in food that displays distinctly improved sensitivity. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs; 16 nm i. d.) were functionalized with polyclonal anti-AFB₁ antibody (pAb), whilst the sensor electrode was prepared by immobilizing AFB₁-bovine serum albumin conjugate (AFB₁-BSA) on a glassy carbon electrode. Upon addition of target AFB₁, competitive immunobinding occurs between the analyte and AFB₁-BSA for the labeled pAb on the AuNPs. The change in the surface charge as a result of the antigen-antibody reaction causes a shift in the electrical potential. With increasing concentrations of analyte (AFB₁), the quantity of pAb-AuNP captured by the electrode decreases. The shift in the output potential is linearly proportional to the logarithm of AFB₁ concentration in the 0.1 to 5.0 μg?·?kg^?1 range, with a detection limit (LOD) of 87 ng?·?kg^?1 (87 ppt). An intermediate precision of 10.9 % was accomplished in batch-to-batch identification. The selectivity over AFB₂ with similar chemical structure is acceptable. The method accuracy was evaluated by analyzing naturally contaminated and spiked peanut samples, giving consistent results (with RSD values of <12 %) between this immunoassay and the commercial ELISA.

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Graphical Abstract A potentiometric immunosensor was designed for detection of AFB₁ by using nanogold-labeled antibodies as the signal-amplification tags.

     

Liposome-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with L-cysteine for photoelectrochemical immunoassay of aflatoxin B<Subscript>1</Subscript>

The authors describe a photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay for determination of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in foodstuff. The competitive immunoreaction is carried out on a microplate coated with a capture antibody against AFB₁ using AFB₁-bovine serum albumin (BSA)-liposome-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) loaded with L-cysteine as a support. The photocurrent is produced by a photoactive material consisting of cerium-doped Bi₂MoO₆. Initially, L-cysteine acting as the electron donor is gated in the pores by interaction between mesoporous silica and liposome. Thereafter, AFB₁-BSA conjugates are covalently bound to the liposomes. Upon introduction of the analyte (AFB₁), the labeled AFB₁-BSA complex competes with the analyte for the antibody deposited on the microplate. Accompanying with the immunocomplex, the liposomes on the MSNs are lysed upon addition of Triton X-100. This results in the opening of the pores and in a release of L-cysteine. Free cysteine then induces the electron-hole scavenger of the photoactive nanosheets to increase the photocurrent. The photocurrent (relative to background signal) increases with increasing AFB₁ concentration. Under optimum conditions, the photoactive nanosheets display good photoelectrochemical responses, and allow the detection of AFB₁ at a concentration as low as 0.1 pg·mL^?1 within a linear response in the 0.3 pg·mL^?1 to 10 ng·mL^?1 concentration range. Accuracy was evaluated by analyzing naturally contaminated and spiked peanut samples by using a commercial AFB₁ ELISA kit as the reference, and well-matching results were obtained.

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Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a photoelectrochemical immunoassay for AFB₁. It is based on the use of Ce-doped Bi₂MoO₆ nanosheets and of liposome-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with L-cysteine.

     

Bismuth aluminoborate Bi<Subscript>0.96</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2.37</Subscript>(B<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript>)O: Synthesis and crystal structure

The crystal structure of a new bismuth aluminoborate Bi_0.96Al_2.37(B₄O₁₀)O is studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Bi_0.96Al_2.37(B₄O₁₀)O single crystals are hexagonal (space group \(P\bar 6\) 2m). The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = b = 4.587(4) Å, c = 2.253(9) Å, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°, V = 168.60 ų, Z = 1.     

Transmission Electron Microscopy Study on the Formation of Al<Subscript>18</Subscript>B<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>33</Subscript> Whiskers

The aim of this paper is to report the results of a systematic high-resolution transmission electron microscopy study on Al₁₈B₄O₃₃. The fluxing agent method permits the formation of needle-shaped whiskers of Al₁₈B₄O₃₃, having sub-micron thickness with a tendency to come and fuse together. Amounts of 25% and 50% K₂SO₄, K₂CO₃ or KCl were used liked fluxing agents. Using this method, the optimum temperature for the synthesised compound was found to be 1000°C. The investigation techniques were X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy.     

Controlled synthesis,characterization and thermal properties of Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>

Optimum conditions for synthesizing monoclinic and triclinic Mg₂B₂O₅ compounds by high-temperature solid-state reactions were investigated. Mixtures composed of boric acid and magnesium oxide at MgO:B₂O₃ mole ratios of 1:0.25, 1:0.5 and 1:1.5 were heated for 1 hour at temperatures between 600–1050°C and the formed phases were identified by XRD analysis. Monoclinic Mg₂B₂O₅ was formed by heating at 850°C for 4 hours together with minimum amounts of triclinic Mg₂B₂O₅, while triclinic Mg₂B₂O₅ was formed as a single phase at 1050°C for the same reaction time. The products obtained at optimum conditions were subjected to a series of tests to determine their chemical compositions, particle size distributions, surface area values, IR spectra and TG/DTA patterns.      

Structure and some properties of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)(C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]

The complex [UO₂(SeO₄)(C₅H₁₂N₂O)₂(H₂O)] (I) was synthesized and studied by thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The crystals are orthorhombic: a = 13.1661(3) Å, b = 16.4420(5) Å, c = 17.4548(6) Å, Pbca, Z = 8, R = 0.0423. The structural units of crystal I are chains with the composition coinciding with that of the compounds of the AB₂M ₃ ¹ crystal chemical group of the uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B² = SeO ₄ ^2? , M¹ = C₅H₁₂N₂O and H₂O).     

Porous,hollow Li<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.53</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> microspheres as a positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries

A porous, hollow, microspherical composite of Li₂MnO₃ and LiMn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3O₂ (composition: Li_1.2Mn_0.53Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂) was prepared using hollow MnO₂ as the sacrificial template. The resulting composite was found to be mesoporous; its pores were about 20 nm in diameter. It also delivered a reversible discharge capacity value of 220 mAh g^?1 at a specific current of 25 mA g^?1 with excellent cycling stability and a high rate capability. A discharge capacity of 100 mAh g^?1 was obtained for this composite at a specific current of 1000 mA g^?1. The high rate capability of this hollow microspherical composite can be attributed to its porous nature.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Nitrosonium nitrite isomer of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Quantum-chemical data

The geometrical, electronic, and thermodynamic parameters of three known isomers of dinitrogen trioxide N₂O₃ were calculated by the density functional theory DFT/B3LYP method using the 6-311++G(3df) basis. The structure of the new isomer, NONO₂, was calculated. From the calculation of vibrational frequencies it follows that the structure of NONO₂ has a local potential energy minimum and corresponds to the stationary state of the N₂O₃ isomer. The molecular structure of NONO₂ is characterized by a substantial negative charge on the NO₂ fragment and positive charge on the NO fragment. The electronic structure of the NO⁺NO ₂ ^? isomer can be characterized as nitrosonium nitrite, which can be oxidized to nitrite and participate in nitrosylation in accordance with the biogenic characteristics of the NO _x intermediate, assumed to be formed in biological systems during the oxidation of NO.     

Structure and properties of Ce<Subscript>3</Subscript>Pd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>, CePdBi,and CePd<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The intermetallic cerium compounds Ce₃-Pd₃Bi₄, CePdBi, and CePd₂Zn₃ were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules in an induction furnace. The compounds were characterized by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction: CeCo₃B₂ type (ordered version of CaCu₅), P6/mmm, a = 538.4(4), c = 427.7(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0540, 115 F ² values, 9 variables for CePd₂Zn₃ and Y₃Au₃Sb₄ type, I \({\bar 4}\)3d, a = 1005.2(2) pm, w R2 = 0.0402, 264 F ² values, 9 variables for Ce₃Pd₃Bi₄, and MgAgAs type, a = 681.8(1) pm for CePdBi. The bismuthide structures are build up from three-dimensional networks of corner-sharing PdBi₄ tetrahedra with Pd–Bi distances of 281 (Ce₃Pd₃Bi₄) and 296?pm (CePdBi), respectively. The cerium atoms are located in larger voids of coordination number 12 (Ce₃Pd₃Bi₄) and 10 (CePdBi). In CePd₂Zn₃ the cerium atoms fill larger channels within the three-dimensional [Pd₂Zn₃] network with 18 (6 Pd + 12 Zn) nearest neighbors. The three compounds contain stable trivalent cerium with experimental magnetic moments of μ_eff = 2.70(2), 2.48(1), and 2.49(1) μ_B/Ce atom for CePd₂Zn₃, Ce₃Pd₃Bi₄, and CePdBi, respectively. Susceptibility and specific heat data gave no hint for magnetic ordering down to 2.1?K.     

Combined Application of Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Kinetic Numerical Modelling to Determine the Ions Densities in a Flowing N<Subscript>2</Subscript> Post-Discharge

The combined application of optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and kinetic numerical modelling was employed to determine the N₂⁺(X²\( \Sigma_{\text{g}}^{ + } \)), N₃⁺, and N₄⁺ densities in the post-discharge (pink afterglow; PA) of a nitrogen flowing DC discharge. We measured the relative densities of the N₂(C³Π_u) and N₂⁺(B²\( \Sigma_{\text{u}}^{ + } \)) states along the post-discharge region by OES. The density values were attained as functions of the post-discharge residence time. We fitted the experimental densities with densities calculated from a kinetic numerical model developed to calculate the temporal density of several nitrogen species in the nitrogen afterglow. Analysis of the rate balance equations of these ions indicated that these densities can be determined from data generated from both the model and experimental N₂⁺(B²\( \Sigma_{\text{u}}^{ + } \)) density. Thus, we determined the ions density profiles in the nitrogen post-discharge and observed that the N₃⁺ density is dominant in the PA. This is followed by that of the N₂⁺(X²\( \Sigma_{\text{g}}^{ + } \)) and N₄⁺ ions. Such behaviour has been previously reported in a study that employed mass spectrometry to analyse the ions in the PA generated by a nitrogen high-frequency discharge. In our study, the DC discharge was operated at a gas flow rate of 0.9 Slm^?1, a discharge current of 30 mA, and a gas pressure range of 400–700 Pa.     

Closed and open-shell atomic oxygen on silver: two distinct patterns of the O<Subscript>1s</Subscript> binding energy and X-ray absorption O <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>-edge spectra as revealed by density functional theory

The electronic structure of atomic oxygen adsorbed species is studied by means of the density functional theory in the context of the ethylene epoxidation on the silver surface. The adsorbed oxygen species are modeled by the Ag₂O molecule either in its closed (¹A₁) or open-shell states (³B₁ and ¹B₁). In both open-shell states the 1s level appears to be lower than that in ¹A₁ by about 2 eV. This is apparently a sequence of the separation of electron pair, occupying the *-type highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), decreasing the electron density at the oxygen center. Such variation of the O_1s level for closed and open-shell Ag₂O states seems to explain the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data concerning two distinct atomic oxygen species on silver surface having the O_1s binding energy of about 528 and 530 eV, called nucleophilic and electrophilic oxygen, respectively. The X-ray absorption O K-edge spectra (XANES) calculated for two types of the Ag₂O states by means of multiple-scattered-X-based approach appears to be in a qualitative agreement with those experimentally recorded for nucleophilic and electrophilic oxygen.