Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between acridine orange and rhodamine 6G and its analytical application for vitamin B12 with flow-injection laser-induced fluorescence detection

By coupling flow-injection with laser-induced fluorescence detection, a setup was developed and a novel method combining fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and flow-injection analysis (FIA) was proposed for the determination of vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂) based on its fluorescence quenching on the system of acridine orange (AO)/rhodamine 6G (R6G). The effective energy transfer could occur between AO and R6G in the dodecyl benzene sodium sulfonate (DBS) while 454 nm argon laser was used as the excitation source, and as a result, the fluorescence emission of R6G has been increased significantly. It was found that the fluorescence of the above system could be sharply diminished by VB₁₂. By using the mixed solution AO-R6G-DBS and the same solution containing VB₁₂ as the carrier and sample, respectively, a series of negative peaks which could be applied for the quantification of VB₁₂ were obtained. The detection limit for VB₁₂ was 1.65 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L. The linear range for determining VB₁₂ was 4 × 10⁻⁴ to 2 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L (correlation coefficient, r = 0.9923). The method was applied to measure VB₁₂ injections with satisfactory results.     

Improved surface-enhanced Raman scattering on optimum electrochemically roughened silver substrates

In this work, the effects of preparation conditions used in roughening silver substrates by electrochemical triangular-wave oxidation-reduction cycles (ORC) on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) were first investigated. The optimum roughening conditions for obtaining strongest SERS of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) are as follows. Ag electrodes were cycled in deoxygenated aqueous solutions containing 0.1 M NaCl from −0.3 to +0.2 V versus Ag/AgCl at 25 mV s⁻¹ for five scans. The SERS of R6G adsorbed on this optimum procedure-prepared roughened Ag substrate exhibits a higher intensity by one order of magnitude, as compared with that of R6G adsorbed on a normally roughened Ag substrate.     

Synthesis of thermally responsive cylindrical molecular brushes via a combination of nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization and “grafting onto” strategy

Loosely grafted amphiphilic molecular brushes consisting of a hydrophobic polystyrene backbone and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) side chains, PS-MPEG, were synthesized by a novel two step method. In the first step, well-defined linear poly(p-chloromethylstyrene) PCMS with the degree of polymerization DP ≈ 200 and polydispersity index, M_w/M_n = 1.4 was prepared by bulk nitroxide (TEMPO)-mediated radical polymerization (NMP). In the second step, pendant p-chloromethyl units were coupled with activated chains of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) during the course of the Williamson etherification reaction. Using MPEG with M_n = 1100 g/mol over 50% repeating units on PCMS underwent nucleophilic substitution yielding a densely grafted brush with theoretical molecular weight M_n,th ≈ 123,000 g/mol. The molecular brush PS-MPEG assumed conformation of a stiff cylinder in both dilute toluene (non-selective good solvent for PS backbone and MPEG grafts) and water (selective for MPEG grafts) solutions as determined by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The contour length L = 570 Å and L = 694 Å obtained by fitting the scattering data using model of Sharp-Bloomfield, Pedersen-Schurtenberger and Kholodenko worm revealed dimensions corresponding to theoretically estimated size of a single molecular brush. It was found that PS-MPEG molecular brush in dilute aqueous solutions exhibited lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in the physiological range.     

Asymmetric flow field flow fractionation of aqueous C60 nanoparticles with size determination by dynamic light scattering and quantification by liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure photo-ionization mass spectrometry

A size separation method was developed for aqueous C₆₀ fullerene aggregates (aqu/C₆₀) using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) coupled to a dynamic light scattering detector in flow through mode. Surfactants, which are commonly used in AF4, were avoided as they may alter suspension characteristics. Aqu/C₆₀ aggregates generated by sonication in deionized water ranged in size from 80 to 260 nm in hydrodynamic diameter (D_h) as determined by DLS in flow through mode, which was corroborated by analysis of fractions by DLS in batch mode and by TEM. The mass of C₆₀ in each fraction was determined by LC–APPI–MS. Only 5.2 ± 6.7% of the total aqu/C₆₀ mass had D_h less than 80 nm, while 58 ± 32% of the total aqu/C₆₀ mass had D_h between 80 and 150 nm and 14 ± 9.2% of the total aqu/C₆₀ were between 150 and 260 nm in D_h. With the optimal fractionation parameters, 77 ± 5.8% of the aqu/C₆₀ mass eluted from the AF4 channel, indicating deposition on the AF4 membrane had occurred during fractionation; use of alternative membranes did not reduce deposition. Channel flow splitting increased detector response although channel split ratios greater than 80% of the channel flow led to decreased detector response. This is the first report on the use of AF4 for fractionating a colloidal suspension of aqu/C₆₀.     

Determination of sodium tripolyphosphate in meat samples by capillary zone electrophoresis with on-line isotachophoretic sample pre-treatment

The usefulness of zone capillary electrophoresis (CZE) in combination with isotachophoresis (cITP) as on-line preconcentration technique was examined for analysis of tripolyphosphate (STPP) in meat and meat products. The mean concentrations of STPP in different types of meat products varied from 39 mg P₂O₅/100 g to 219 mg P₂O₅/100 g, these values are below the legal requirements. The detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits for STPP in extracted solutions were 0.80 mg P₂O₅/dm³ and 2.69 mg P₂O₅/dm³, respectively. Obtained results were compared with the Kjeldahl method. Accuracy (97.4-98.3%) was determined using recovery assay based on standard additions method. Precision was evaluated by within-day R.S.D. (1.40-2.19%), between-days R.S.D. (3.00-3.82%) and demonstrates the benefit of using this procedure for the routine analysis of STPP in meat and their products. The F-Snedecor test was employed to compare the precision of the used methods and calculated F-test values (4.00, 6.13) were less than the theoretical (6.39).     

Synthesis and structures of 3-sila-β-diketiminato complexes of the coinage metals

The dimeric copper(I) 3-sila-β-diketiminate [Cu{(N(R)C(Ar))₂SiR}]₂ · (thf) (1) was obtained from CuI and [Li{(N(R)C(Ar))₂SiR}(thf)₂] (B) in toluene (R = SiMe₃, Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,6). When [CuI(PPh₃)₃] was used as a starting material, the LiI-containing compound [Cu{Si(R)(C(Ar)N(R))₂Li(μ-I)}(PPh₃)] (2) was isolated. The reaction of [MI(PPh₃)_n] (M = Ag, n = 3; M = Au, n = 2) with two equivalents of B in toluene gave the isomorphous silver and gold 3-sila-β-diketiminates [M{Si(R)(C(Ar)N(R))₂Li}₂(μ-I)] [M = Ag (3), Au (4)]. Each of 1-4 was characterised by the multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography.     

A chemiluminescence biochemical oxygen demand measuring method

A new chemiluminescence biochemical oxygen demand (BOD_CL) determining method was studied by employing redox reaction between quinone and Baker's yeast. The measurement was carried out by utilizing luminol chemiluminescence (CL) reaction catalyzed by ferricyanide with oxidized quinone of menadione, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a batch-type luminometer. In this study, dimethyl sulfoxide was used as a solvent for menadione. After optimization of the measuring conditions, the CL response to hydrogen peroxide in the incubation mixture had a linear response between 0.1 and 100 μM H₂O₂ (r² = 0.9999, 8 points, n = 3, average of relative standard deviation; R.S.D._av = 4.22%). Next, a practical relationship between the BOD_CL response and the glucose glutamic acid concentration was obtained over a range of 11-220 mg O₂ L⁻¹ (6 points, n = 3, R.S.D._av 3.71%) with a detection limit of 5.5 mg O₂ L⁻¹ when using a reaction mixture and incubating for only 5 min. Subsequently, the characterization of this method was studied. First, the BOD_CL responses to 16 pure organic substances were examined. Second, the influences of chloride ions, artificial seawater, and heavy metal ions on the BOD_CL response were investigated. Real sample measurements using river water were performed. Finally, BOD_CL responses were obtained for at least 8 days when the S. cerevisiae suspension was stored at 4 °C (response reduction, 69.9%; R.S.D. for 5 testing days, 18.7%). BOD_CL responses after 8 days and 24 days were decreased to 69.9% and 35.8%, respectively, from their original values (R.S.D. for 8 days involving 5 testing days, 18.7%).     

A dual-wavelength resonance light scattering ratiometry of biopolymer by its electrostatic interaction with surfactant

A dual-wavelength resonance lighting scattering (DW-RLS) ratiometry is developed to detect anion biopolymer based on their bindings with cation surfactant. Using the interaction of Hyamine 1622 (HM) with fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) as an example, a dual-wavelength resonance light scattering (DW-RLS) ratiometric method of DNA was constructed. In Britton-Robinson buffer controlled medium, fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) could interact with Hyamine 1622 (HM), displaying significantly enhanced RLS signals. By measuring the RLS signals characterized at 300.0 nm (I_300.0) and the RLS intensity ratio (I_276.0/I_294.0), respectively, fsDNA over a wide dynamic range of content could be detected. Typically, when HM concentration is kept at 6.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹, using I_300.0 could detect fsDNA over the range of 50-2000 ng ml⁻¹ with the limit of 3.0 ng ml⁻¹, while using I_276.0/I_294.0 could detect fsDNA over the range of 0.5-2500 ng ml⁻¹ with the limit of 0.05 ng ml⁻¹. Thus the latter so-called DW-RLS ratiometry is obviously superior to the former one. Based on the measurements of I_300.0 and I_276.0/I_294.0 data, a Scatchard plot concerning the interaction between HM and fsDNA could be constructed and thus the binding number (n) and binding constant (K) could be available with the values of 13.5 and 1.35 × 10⁵ mol⁻¹ l, and 11.9 and 1.65 × 10⁵ mol⁻¹ l, respectively.     

Detection and quantification of plasma amyloid-β by selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry

Amyloid-β (Aβ) in human plasma was detected and quantified by an antibody-free method, selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (SRM-MS) in the current study. Due to its low abundance, SRM-based quantification in 10 μL plasma was a challenge. Prior to SRM analysis, human plasma proteins as a whole were digested by trypsin and high pH reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) was used to fractionate the tryptic digests and to collect peptides, Aβ_1–5, Aβ_6–16, Aβ_17–28 and Aβ_29–40(42) of either Aβ_1–40 or Aβ_1–42. Among those peptides, Aβ_17–28 was selected as a surrogate to measure the total Aβ level. Human plasma samples obtained from triplicate sample preparations were analyzed, obtaining 4.20 ng mL⁻¹ with a CV of 25.3%. Triplicate measurements for each sample preparation showed CV of <5%. Limit of quantification was obtained as 132 pM, which corresponded to 570 pg mL⁻¹ of Aβ_1–40. Until now, most quantitative measurements of Aβ in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid have required antibody-based immunoassays. Since quantification of Aβ by immunoassays is highly dependent on the extent of epitope exposure due to aggregation or plasma protein binding, it is difficult to accurately measure the actual concentration of Aβ in plasma. Our diagnostic method based on SRM using a surrogate peptide of Aβ is promising in that actual amounts of total Aβ can be measured regardless of the conformational status of the biomarker.     

Use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for shelf-life discrimination of green asparagus stored in a cool room under controlled atmosphere

This study sought to evaluate the ability of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to classify intact green asparagus, in refrigerated storage under controlled atmosphere, by storage time and post-harvest treatments applied. A total of 468 green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L., cultivar UC-157) were sampled after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of refrigerated storage (2 °C, 95% R.H.) under three controlled atmosphere (CA) treatments: air (21 kPa O₂ + 0.3 kPa CO₂), CA₁ (5 kPa O₂ + 5 kPa CO₂) and CA₂ (10 kPa O₂ + 10 kPa CO₂). Two commercially available spectrophotometers were evaluated for this purpose: a scanning monochromator (SM) of 400-2500 nm and a combination of diode array and scanning monochromator (DASM) of 350-2500 nm. Models developed using partial least squares 2-discriminant analysis (PLS2-DA) correctly classified between 81-100% of samples by post-harvest storage time, depending on the instrument used. Using similar models, the DASM instrument correctly classified 85% of samples by post-harvest treatment, compared with 72% using the SM. These results confirmed that NIR spectroscopy, coupled with the use of chemometric techniques, provides a reliable, accurate method of predicting the shelf-life of asparagus under different storage conditions and as a function of post-harvest treatment applied; the method can be readily applied at industrial level.     

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure for determination of boron in water after ultrasound-assisted conversion to tetrafluoroborate

A novel, simple and green procedure is presented for the determination of boron. The method is based on ultrasound-assisted conversion of boron to tetrafluoroborate anion and the formation of an ion pair between BF₄⁻ and Astra Phloxine reagent (R), followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of the ion pair formed and subsequent UV-vis spectrophotometric detection. The conversion of boron to tetrafluoroborate anion is performed in an acidic medium of 0.9 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ in the presence of 0.1 mol L⁻¹ F^- by means of 10 min of ultrasonication. The extraction of the ion pair formed between BF₄⁻ and R (1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ R) is carried out by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction using 0.5 mL of amyl acetate (as extraction solvent), tetrachloromethane (as auxiliary solvent) and acetonitrile (as dispersive solvent) in a ratio of 1:1:2. The absorbance of the coloured extracts obeys Beer's law in the range 0.22-18.7 mg L⁻¹ of B(III) at 553 nm wavelength. The limit of detection calculated from a blank test (n = 10) based on 3 s is 0.015 mg L⁻¹ of B(III). The method was applied to the determination of boron in mineral waters.     

An optical biosensor for kinetic analysis of soluble Interleukin-1 receptor I binding to immobilized Interleukin-1alpha

We report here the development of an optical biosensor based on the resonant mirror for kinetic analysis of soluble Interleukin-1 receptor I (sIL-1R I) in solution binding to immobilized Interleukin-1α (IL-1α). IL-1α was immobilized through its surface amine groups via amide bonds with the carboxyl groups of the carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) on cuvette surface. The interaction of sIL-1R I and IL-1α was monitored in real time. Evaluation of the binding curves allowed the analysis of the binding kinetics. The linear range of sIL-1R I in solution was over a range of 100-1600 nM (R = 0.9962). Equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D) was derived by Scatchard plot analysis for sIL-1R I binding to immobilized IL-1α. For this assay, the K_D was 2.6 × 10⁻⁶ M. The CMD cuvette modified by IL-1α was successfully regenerated using 10 mM HCl, and the same sensing surface was used repeatedly for the interaction analysis.     

A new resonance scattering spectral method for the determination of trace amounts of iodate with rhodamine 6G

Under the conditions of 0.04 mol L⁻¹ HCl-8.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ KI, there is a fluorescence peak at 540 nm and a synchronous fluorescence peak at 540 nm for rhodamine 6G (RhG). When there is IO₃⁻, it reacts with exceed I⁻ to form I₃⁻. And I₃⁻ and RhG combine into ion association particles. The particles exhibit three resonance scattering peaks at 320, 400 and 595 nm. And there is fluorescence quenching at 540 nm. Iodine concentration is proportional to the intensity of the resonance scattering intensity at 400 nm in the range of 1.0-20 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. And a new resonance scattering spectral (RSS) method has been described for the determination of IO₃⁻ in salt samples. The spectral results have been verified that the formation of (RhG-I₃)_n association particles and solid-liquid interfaces are the main factor that cause the fluorescence quenching and resonance scattering effects.     

Silver overlayer-modified surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active gold substrates for potential applications in trace detection of biochemical species

Because Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) possess well-defined localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) they are popularly employed in the studies of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). As shown in the literature and in our previous studies, the advantage of SERS-active Ag NPs is their higher SERS enhancement over Au NPs. On the other hand, the disadvantage of SERS-active Ag NPs compared to Au NPs is their serious decay of SERS enhancement in ambient laboratory air. In this work, we develop a new strategy for preparing highly SERS-active Ag NPs deposited on a roughened Au substrate. This strategy is derived from the modification of electrochemical underpotential deposition (UPD) of metals. The coverage of Ag NPs on the roughened Au substrate can be as high as 0.95. Experimental results indicate that the SERS of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) observed on this developed substrate exhibits a higher intensity by ca. 50-fold of magnitude, as compared with that of R6G observed on the substrate without the deposition of Ag NPs. The limit of detection (LOD) for R6G measured on this substrate is markedly reduced to 2 × 10⁻¹⁵ M. Moreover, aging of SERS effect observed on this developed substrate is significantly depressed, as compared with that observed on a generally prepared SERS-active Ag substrate. These aging tests were performed in an atmosphere of 50% relative humidity (RH) and 20% (v/v) O₂ at 30 °C for 60 day. Also, the developed SERS-active substrate enables it practically applicable in the trace detection of monosodium urate (MSU)-containing solution in gouty arthritis without a further purification process.     

A simple and sensitive resonance scattering spectral method for determination of hydroxyl radical in Fenton system using rhodamine S and its application to screening the antioxidant

Based on resonance scattering (RS) effect of rhodamine dye association particles, a new resonance scattering method for the determination of hydroxyl free radical from Fenton reaction was developed. In HCl-NaAc buffer solution, the OH of Fenton reaction oxidized the excess I⁻ to I₃⁻. The I₃⁻ combined, respectively, with rhodamine B (RhB), butyl rhodamine B (b-RhB), rhodamine 6G (RhG) and rhodamine S (RhS) to form association particles that exhibit stronger resonance scattering effect at 420 nm and 610 nm. However, the RS peak at about 610 nm was interfered with its synchronous fluorescence peak at 580 nm for RhB, 580 nm for b-RhB, 560 nm for RhG and 560 nm for RhS, respectively. The concentration of H₂O₂ in the range of 0.648-21.6 μmol/L, 0.423-13.0 μmol/L, 0.216-13.0 μmol/L and 0.092-13.0 μmol/L was linear to its resonance scattering intensity at 420 nm. Its detection limit was 0.15 μmol/L, 0.10 μmol/L, 0.092 μmol/L and 0.044 μmol/L, H₂O₂, respectively. This RhS RS method was applied to selection of the antioxidant, with satisfactory results.     

Resonance Rayleigh scattering, frequency doubling scattering and second-order scattering spectra of the heparin-crystal violet system and their analytical application

In pH 6.0-11.2 Britton-Robinson buffer solution, binding of heparin with crystal violet (CV) can result in a significant enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and resonance non-linear scattering, such as frequency doubling scattering (FDS) and second-order scattering (SOS). Their maximum scattering wavelengths, λ_ex/λ_em, appear at 492 nm/492 nm for RRS, 984 nm/492 nm for FDS and 492 nm/984 nm for SOS, respectively. The optimum conditions of the reaction, the influencing factors and the relationship between the three scattering intensities and the concentration of heparin have been investigated. New methods for the determination of trace amounts of heparin based on the RRS, FDS and SOS methods have been developed. The methods exhibit high sensitivities, the detection limit for heparin is 2.9 ng ml⁻¹ for the RRS method, 3.5 ng ml⁻¹ for the FDS method and 3.3 ng ml⁻¹ for the SOS method. The methods have good selectivity and were applied to the determination of heparin in heparin sodium injection samples with satisfactory results.     

Directly light scattering imaging of the aggregations of biopolymer bound chromium(III) hydrolytic oligomers in aqueous phase and liquid/liquid interface

Investigations of inorganic oligomers are important in both chemistry and physiology. In this contribution, we propose a laser induced light scattering imaging (LSI) and a total internal reflected light scattering imaging (TIR-LSI) technique, and apply them to characterize the interactions of inorganic oligomers with biopolymer in aqueous phase and at liquid/liquid interface, respectively. In aqueous medium, synthetic chromium(III) hydrolytic oligomers (CrHO) react with DNA, and the resultant binary could be extracted into the H₂O/CCl₄ interface in the presence of triocyctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO), forming a DNA-CrHO-TOPO ternary amphipathic complex at the interface with the associate constant of 1.32 × 10³ mol⁻¹ dm⁴ for a given 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ TOPO. Under the excitation of a 441-nm He-Cd laser light beam, the resultant light scattering and total internal reflected light scattering (TIR-LS) signals of the formed binary in aqueous phase and ternary at liquid/liquid interface could be easily captured using a common microscope coupled with a CCD camera. By digitally analyzing the CCD captures, we demonstrate that aggregations of the CrHO-DNA binary in aqueous phase and DNA-CrHO-TOPO ternary at liquid/liquid interface have occurred, respectively.     

Determination of carbon monoxide in ambient air using piezoelectric crystal sorption detection

A new piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) sorption detector was developed to monitor carbon monoxide (CO) at sub-ppm level in ambient air. Out of the 28 coating materials studied, the palladium(II) acetamide complex with a 1:10 mole ratio of Pd(II) to acetamide was found to be the best. The detection is based on a non-reversible gas/coating interaction with sensitivity depending on gas flowrate. For 5-15 min exposure at a flowrate of 50 ml/min, the working ranges were found to vary from 0.7 to 40 ppm (total exposure from 8 to 160 μg CO) and detection limits (S/N=2) from 0.7 to 2 ppm CO (total exposure to 8 μg CO). The repeatability at 10 ppm CO was 11.8% (R.S.D. for n=3). The sensor lifetime was found dependent on exposure up to 160 μg CO or not exceeding 1000 Hz accumulative shift of frequency to avoid saturation of active sites at the crystal surface. No interference to CO detection was found for H₂, H₂S, SO₂, NO₂, CO₂, HCHO, gasoline and water vapors at concentrations much higher than ambient air. Compared to existing CO monitor, the PQC detector developed has advantages of adequate selectivity, high sensitivity, fast response and a much lower detection limit for detecting CO at sub-ppm levels. However, it is limited by the total exposure to a maximum of 160 μg CO that restricts its application to intermittent monitoring of low CO concentration. The present work has demonstrated the advantages of using strong non-reversible interaction to enhance PQC sensitivity, as the total exposure can be adjusted easily by a suitable control of the gas flowrate.     

Polymeric bidimensional self-assembling of [Hg(RC6H4NNNC6H4R)2Py] (R = m-acetyl) through metal-η,η-arene π-interactions and non classical C-H?O bonding: Synthesis and X-ray characterization of a bis diaryl symmetric-substituted triazenide complex of Hg(II)

Deprotonated 1,3-bis(3-acetylphenyl)triazene reacts with Hg(CH₃COO)₂ and pyridine to give light-yellow crystals of {[Hg^II(RC₆H₄NNNC₆H₄R)₂Py]}_n (R = acetyl). The tectons [Hg^II(RC₆H₄NNNC₆H₄R)₂Py] [R = CH₃C(O)] are linked to pairs as centrosymmetric dimers through reciprocal metal-η²-arene π-interactions. The dimeric units are operated by a screw axis 2₁ parallel to the crystallographic direction [0 1 0], also through a reflection-translation plane parallel to the c-axis, resulting a supramolecular bidimensional (2D) assembling of the dimeric tectons through non classical C-H?(O)CCH₃ bonding.