The effect of β-cyclodextrin on the properties of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles

The effect of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micellar properties was studied by the determination of the diffusion coefficient, D. When the CTAB micelles have a spherical structure, D firstly increased and then remained unchanged, while the micellar aggregation number, N, decreased with the addition of ß-CD. When the CTAB concentration was less than the first critical micellar concentration, CTAB molecules could be included into ß-CD cavities with the molar ratio of CTAB to ß-CD being about 1:1. However, when the CTAB concentration was higher than the first critical micellar concentration, mixed spherical micelles were formed with the molar ratio of CTAB to ß-CD being 9:1.     

Kinetics of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide catalyzed substitution of tris(sulfonated triazine)iron(II) complexes by 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridine and 2,2′,6,2″-terpyridine

Transition Metal Chemistry - The kinetics of substitution of tris(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenyl-sulfonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine)-iron(II), $$ {\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - } $$ , and...     

Cyclization of β-d-arabinofuranose 1,2-methyl)orthobenzoate using magnesium bromide

Transformation of β-d-arabinofuranose 1,2-(methyl)orthobenzoate into β-d-arabinofuranose 1,2,5-orthobenzoate has been accomplished upon heating with magnesium bromide in THF. The new cyclization conditions can be applied for preparing the tricyclic 1,2,5-orthobenzoate on a gram scale.     

Unfolding and refolding details of lysozyme in the presence of β-casein micelles

In this work, we selected a small globular protein, lysozyme, to study how it unfolds and refolds in the presence of micelles composed of the unstructured β-casein proteins by using microcalorimetry and circular dichroism spectroscopy. It was found that a partially unfolded structure of lysozyme starts to form when the β-casein/lysozyme molar ratio is above 0.7, and the structure forms exclusively when the β-casein/lysozyme molar ratio is above 1.6. This partially unfolded state of lysozyme loses most of its tertiary structure and after heating, the denatured lysozyme molecules are trapped in the charged coatings of β-casein micelles and cannot refold upon cooling. The thus obtained protein complex can be viewed as a kind of special polyelectrolyte complex micelle. The net charge ratios of the two proteins and the ionic strength of the dispersions can significantly modulate the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between the two proteins. Our present work may have implications for the nanoparticle protein engineering therapy in the biomedicine field and may provide a better understanding of the principles governing the protein-protein interactions. Besides, the heating-cooling-reheating procedure employed in this work can also be used to study the unfolding and refolding details of the target protein in other protein-protein, protein-polymer and protein-small solute systems.     

Role of quaternary ammonium salts as new additives in the enantioselective organocatalytic β-benzylation of enals

We report herein the efficiency of quaternary ammonium salts as co-catalysts in organocatalytic Michael reactions involving iminium activation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The enantioselective formal benzylation of these substrates has been optimized and used to rationalize the role of the ammonium salts in these processes.     

Synthesis of SAPO-34 using metakaolin in the presence of β-cyclodextrin

SAPO-34 molecular sieves were synthesized by the addition of β-cyclodextrin(β-CD) as crystal growth inhibitor using metakaolin as silicon and aluminum sources. Properties of the obtained samples were characterized by XRD,SEM,N2adsorption–desorption,FTIR,XRF,EDX,NH293-TPD andSi MAS NMR. When β-CD was added,crystal size of the SAPO-34 crystals decreased. Variation of Si content from the crystal center to surface decreased while total Si content hardly changed.29 Si MAS NMR results showed that β-CD contributed to better Si dispersion and decreased the size of Si(4Si) patches. Moreover,the MTO(methanol-to-olefin) process was conducted to investigate the influence of β-CD on catalytic performance. The synthesized sample with molar ratio of β-CD/Al2O3 equaling 0.055 remained active for 610 min while the sample synthesized without β-CD for only 280 min,which indicates that the lifetime of catalyst synthesized with β-CD is greatly prolonged.     

Synthesis of β-carbolines using microwave-assisted aza-Wittig methodology in ionic liquids

The improved preparation of 1-substituted-β-carbolines is reported using microwave-assisted aza-Wittig/electrocyclic ring-closure reaction with ionic liquids as solvent. In all cases an unprecedented N-methoxymethyl group (MOM) deprotection is observed.     

Formation of micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in N-methyl acetamide—alcohol and N,N-dimethyl acetamide—alcohol mixtures

The critical micelle concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in solutions of in N-methylacetami de and in N,N-dimethyl acetamide with added methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol and n-pentanol were determined using electrical conductivity and surface tension measurements at various temperatures. Both methods show that micelles are formed in N-methyl acetamide and N, N-dimethyl acetamide solutions in a presence of n-alcohols. Critical micelle concentrations were also determined as functions of concentration of added alcohol. The data suggest that alcohol adding leads to an enhancement of penetration of alcohol into the micelle external shell that depends on the alcohol chain length. Thermodynamic parameters for micellar systems in a presence of n-alcohols were also calculated.     

Fluorimetric determination of β-carotene in food samples using a fluorescent dye

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, and selective fluorimetric method is reported for the determination of β-carotene in various food samples. Three fluorescent dyes, including fluorescein (F), eosin B (EB), and Congo red (CR), were characterized in a series of measurements to optimize the analytical response for the reliable, suitable, and sustainable determination of β-carotene. 3′,6′-Dihydroxyspiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9′-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, commonly known as fluorescein, was selected for the fluorimetric determination of β-carotene using a phosphate buffer. Under the optimum experimental conditions, β-carotene was determined across a range from 0.54 to 536.87?mg L^?1 with a detection limit equal to 0.47?mg L^?1. The novel method was demonstrated to be easy to use, cost effective, rapid, and less complex compared to a standard protocol that involves a time-consuming extraction followed by an expensive HPLC determination.     

Bio-solvents change regioselectivity in the synthesis of disaccharides using Biolacta β-galactosidase

Bio-solvents are good alternative solvents that avoid the use of classical organic solvents when performing enzymatic reactions. A noticeably change in regioselectivity was observed in the synthetic behaviour of Biolacta β-galactosidase using bio-solvents derived from dimethylamide and glycerol as co-solvents. Under these conditions, the enzyme changes its well known tendency to produce β-(1→4) to β-(1→6) disaccharides. An evaluation of the bio-solvent concentration and the effects of the non proteic additives in commercially available Biolacta β-galactosidase was undertaken in order to optimize the reaction conditions to improve the yield of the β-(1→6) product.     

Modulation of the aggregation behaviour and physicochemical properties of 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide in aqueous solutions by β-CD

The modulation of aggregation behaviour of ionic liquids (ILs) in aqueous media is one of the important research topics. In the present work, aggregation behaviour of 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C₁₂mim]Br) modulated by beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) has been investigated by using conductivity, volume, fluorescence, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results suggested that the addition of β-CD significantly affects the aggregation of [C₁₂mim]Br in aqueous solutions. For example, the apparent critical micelle concentration increases with the increase of β-CD concentration; the average micellar size reduced with the increasing concentration of β-CD, and the process for micelle formation of [C₁₂mim]Br in aqueous β-CD solution is driven by entropy at lower temperature, while driven by enthalpy at higher temperature. It is expected that findings in this study would shed light on the potential applications of IL in supramolecular chemistry.     

Fluorescent detection of cholesterol using β-cyclodextrin functionalized graphene

A fluorescence based cholesterol detection method has been developed using competitive host-guest interaction between graphene bound β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with rhodamine 6G (R6G) and cholesterol. Fluorescence of β-CD incorporated R6G is quenched by graphene but is 'turned on' by cholesterol as it replaces R6G from the β-CD host.     

Screening of fibrillogenesis inhibitors of β2-microglobulin: integrated strategies by mass spectrometry capillary electrophoresis and in silico simulations

The challenging search of ligands for the amyloidogenic protein β₂-microglobulin led us to set up an integrated strategy that combines analytical techniques and molecular modelling. Using a chemical library composed of 90 sulphonated molecules and a novel MS screening approach, we initially single out a few new binders. To check for anti-amyloid activity, the best hit obtained was thoroughly studied by docking analysis, affinity and refolding experiments by capillary electrophoresis and in vitro fibrillogenesis Thioflavin T test. Correlative analysis of the overall results obtained from the MS screening led to develop an equation able to identify the key factors of the affinity for β₂-microglobulin and to predict the affinity for novel derivatives. The proposed equation was then used for a virtual screening of a large compound database. Studies on the new hit thus retrieved confirm the predictive potential of both the equation on affinity and of docking analysis on anti-amyloid activity.     

Efficient one-pot selective reduction of esters in β-ketoesters using LiHMDS and lithium aluminium hydride

The ester functionality in β-keto esters is selectively reduced in one-pot, first by enolization using LiHMDS and then reduced with lithium aluminium hydride. This method produces β-hydroxyl ketones from the corresponding β-keto esters in high yield.     

The role of induced secondary radiation in in situ sorption studies using β-, γ-emitting radionuclides

This article is focused on the effect of -induced radiation in in situ sorption measurements of⁶⁰Co (emitting -and -radiation). The results presented show that the intensity of solution background is primarily due to the -induced radiation (possibly caused by photoeffect and Compton-scattering) and does not change during cobalt accumulation. Experiments were carried out with a pure -emitting isotope (⁹⁹Tc) in order to elaborate a method for the separation of the intensities originating from -and -induced radiations. Various methods of evaluation of sorption measurements are discussed. The extension of the method to application of different radioactive nuclides is considered.     

Purification and Characterization of a Glycoside Hydrolase Family 43 β-xylosidase from Geobacillus thermoleovorans IT-08

The gene encoding a glycoside hydrolase family 43 β-xylosidase (GbtXyl43A) from the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermoleovorans strain IT-08 was synthesized and cloned with a C-terminal His-tag into a pET29b expression vector. The recombinant gene product termed GbtXyl43A was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to apparent homogeneity. Michaelis–Menten kinetic parameters were obtained for the artificial substrates p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranose (4NPX) and p-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranose (4NPA), and it was found that the ratio k _cat/K _m 4NPA/k _cat/K _m 4NPX was ～7, indicting greater catalytic efficiency for 4NP hydrolysis from the arabinofuranose aglycon moiety. Substrate inhibition was observed for the substrates 4-methylumbelliferyl xylopyranoside (muX) and the arabinofuranoside cogener (muA), and the ratio k _cat/K _m muA/k _cat/K _m muX was ～5. The enzyme was competitively inhibited by monosaccharides, with an arabinose K _i of 6.8?±?0.62 mM and xylose K _i of 76?±?8.5 mM. The pH maxima was 5.0, and the enzyme was not thermally stable above 54 °C, with a t _1/2 of 35 min at 57.5 °C. GbtXyl43A showed a broad substrate specificity for hydrolysis of xylooligosaccharides up to the highest degree of polymerization tested (xylopentaose), and also released xylose from birch and beechwood arabinoxylan.     

The first synthesis of β-amino phosphonates using cyclic sulfamidates

Cyclic sulfamidates (prepared from α-amino acids and β-amino alcohols) have been used for the first time for the synthesis of novel β-amino phosphonates (chiral and achiral) by treatment with dialkyl phosphites using sodium hydride. 2-Substituted and 1,2-disubtituted β-amino phosphonates have efficiently been prepared following this method. The products are formed in high yield (79-84%) within 8-12 h.     

Screening of drugs in equine plasma using automated on-line solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) method was developed for the simultaneous screening of 19 drugs of different classes in equine plasma using automated on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Plasma samples were first protein precipitated using acetonitrile. After centrifugation, the supernatant was directly injected into the on-line SPE system and analysed by a triple quadrupole LC–MS–MS in positive electrospray ionisation (+ESI) mode with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) scan function. On-line extraction and chromatographic separation of the targeted drugs were performed using respectively a polymeric extraction column (2 cm L × 2.1 mm ID, 25 μm particle size) and a reversed-phase C18 LC column (3 cm L × 2.1 mm ID, 3 μm particle size) with gradient elution to provide fast analysis time. The overall instrument turnaround time was 9.5 min, inclusive of post-run and equilibration time. Plasma samples fortified with 19 targeted drugs including narcotic analgesics, local anaesthetics, antipsychotics, bronchodilators, mucolytics, corticosteroids, sedative and tranquillisers at sub-parts per billion (ppb) to low parts per trillion (ppt) levels could be consistently detected. No significant matrix interference was observed at the expected retention times of the targeted ion transitions. Over 70% of the drugs studied gave detection limits at or below 100 pg/mL, with some detection limits reaching down to 19 pg/mL. The method had been validated for extraction recovery, precision and sensitivity, and a blockage study had also been carried out. This method is used regularly in the authors’ laboratory to screen for the presence of targeted drugs in pre-race plasma samples from racehorses.     

Determination of ammonium in aqueous samples using new headspace dynamic in-syringe liquid-phase microextraction with in situ derivitazation coupled with liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection

A new simultaneous derivatization and extraction method for the preconcentration of ammonia using new one-step headspace dynamic in-syringe liquid-phase microextraction with in situ derivatization was developed for the trace determination of ammonium in aqueous samples by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC–FLD). The acceptor phase (as derivatization reagent) containing o-phthaldehyde and sodium sulfite was held within a syringe barrel and immersed in the headspace of sample container. The gaseous ammonia from the alkalized aqueous sample formed a stable isoindole derivative with the acceptor phase inside the syringe barrel through the reciprocated movements of plunger. After derivatization-cum-extraction, the acceptor phase was directly injected into LC–FLD for analysis. Parameters affecting the ammonia evolution and the extraction/derivatization efficiency such as sample matrix, pH, temperature, sampling time, and the composition of derivatization reagent, reaction temperature, and frequency of reciprocated plunger, were studied thoroughly. Results indicated that the maximum extraction efficiency was obtained by using 100 μL derivatization reagent in a 1-mL gastight syringe under 8 reciprocated movements of plunger per min to extract ammonia evolved from a 20 mL alkalized aqueous solution at 70 °C (preheated 4 min) with 380 rpm stirring for 8 min. The detection was linear in the concentration range of 0.625–10 μM with the correlation coefficient of 0.9967 and detection limit of 0.33 μM (5.6 ng mL⁻¹) based on S N⁻¹ = 3. The method was applied successfully to determine ammonium in real water samples without any prior cleanup of the samples, and has been proved to be a simple, sensitive, efficient and cost-effective procedure for trace ammonium determination in aqueous samples.     

The determination of β-agonist residues in bovine tissues using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

We aimed to develop a rapid, simple and reproducible method based on LC–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to analyze β-agonist residues (clenbuterol, zilpaterol, ractopamine and isoxsuprine) in bovine tissues. The method was validated in accordance with the European Council Decision 2002/657/EC. The samples were homogenized, and then 10 mL of an acetate buffer was added to a 5-g sample. The sample was then centrifuged at 12,000 rpm and filtered. Sodium hydroxide (2 m ) was added to adjust pH of the sample that was centrifuged again. The extract was filtered through a solid-phase extraction column. The residue was re-dissolved in 250 μL acetonitrile and then subjected to LC–MS/MS. The separation was done on a C₁₈ column. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in deionized water and 0.1% formic acid in methanol. The mean recoveries of β-agonists were in the range of 84.3%–119.1% with relative standard deviations (%RSDs) of 0.683%–4.05%. Decision limits and detection capabilities of the analytes ranged from 0.0960 to 4.9349 μg/kg and from 0.0983 to 5.0715, respectively. This method was used to detect four β-agonists in 100 bovine muscle, 100 liver and 100 kidney tissues from a slaughterhouse. No residue was found above the maximum residue limit level.