A sequential injection electronic tongue employing the transient response from potentiometric sensors for anion multidetermination

Intelligent and automatic systems based on arrays of non-specific-response chemical sensors were recently developed in our laboratory. For multidetermination applications, the normal choice is an array of potentiometric sensors to generate the signal, and an artificial neural network (ANN) correctly trained to obtain the calibration model. As a great amount of information is required for the proper modelling, we proposed its automated generation by using the sequential injection analysis (SIA) technique. First signals used were steady-state: the equilibrium signal after a step-change in concentration. We have now adapted our procedures to record the transient response corresponding to a sample step. The novelty in this approach is therefore the use of the dynamic components of the signal in order to better discriminate or differentiate a sample. In the developed electronic tongue systems, detection is carried out by using a sensor array formed by five potentiometric sensors based on PVC membranes. For the developed application we employed two different chloride-selective sensors, two nitrate-selective sensors and one generic response sensor. As the amount of raw data (fivefold recordings corresponding to the five sensors) is excessive for an ANN, some feature extraction step prior to the modelling was needed. In order to attain substantial data reduction and noise filtering, the data obtained were fitted with orthonormal Legendre polynomials. In this case, a third-degree Legendre polynomial was shown to be sufficient to fit the data. The coefficients of these polynomials were the input information fed into the ANN used to model the concentrations of the determined species (Cl⁻, and ). Best results were obtained by using a backpropagation neural network trained with the Bayesian regularisation algorithm; the net had a single hidden layer containing three neurons with the tansig transfer function. The results obtained from the time-dependent response were compared with those obtained from steady-state conditions, showing the former superior performance. Finally, the method was applied for determining anions in synthetic samples and real water samples, where a satisfactory comparison was also achieved.      

An amperometric acetylthiocholine sensor based on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase on a multiwall carbon nanotube–cross-linked chitosan composite

A simple method has been devised for immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)—covalent bonding to a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT)–cross-linked chitosan composite (CMC)—and a sensitive amperometric sensor for rapid detection of acetylthiocholine (ATCl) has been based on this. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy proved that the native structure of the immobilized enzyme was preserved on this chemically clean and homogeneous composite film, because of the excellent biocompatibility and non-toxicity of chitosan. Glutaraldehyde was used as cross-linker to covalently bond the AChE, and efficiently prevented leakage of the enzyme from the film. Because of the inherent conductive properties of the MWNT, the immobilized AChE had greater affinity for ATCl and excellent catalytic effect in the hydrolysis of ATCl, with a value of 132 μmol L⁻¹, forming thiocholine, which was then oxidized to produce a detectable and rapid response. Under optimum conditions the amperometric current increased linearly with the increasing concentration of ATCl in the range 2.0–400 μmol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.10 μmol L⁻¹. Fabrication reproducibility of the sensor was good and the stability was acceptable. The sensor is a promising new tool for characterization of enzyme inhibitors and for pesticide analysis. Abstract     

Determination of norfloxacin in human urine by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection

A fast and sensitive approach that can be used to detect norfloxacin in human urine using capillary electrophoresis with end-column electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection of is described. The separation column was a 75-μm i.d. capillary. The running buffer was 15 mmol L⁻¹ sodium phosphate (pH 8.2). The solution in the detection cell was 50 mmol L⁻¹ sodium phosphate (pH 8.0) and 5 mmol L⁻¹ The ECL intensity varied linearly with norfloxacin concentration from 0.05 to 10 μmol L⁻¹. The detection limit (S/N=3) was 0.0048 μmol L⁻¹, and the relative standard deviations of the ECL intensity and the migration time for eleven consecutive injections of 1.0 μmol L⁻¹ norfloxacin (n=11) were 2.6% and 0.8%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of norfloxacin spiked in human urine without sample pretreatment. The recoveries were 92.7–97.9%.      

Amperometric biosensor for the determination of creatine

An amperometric biosensor for the determination of creatine was developed. The carbon rod electrode surface was coated with sarcosine oxidase (SOX) and creatine amidinohydrolase by cross-linking under glutaraldehyde vapour. The SOX from Arthrobacter sp. 1–1 N was purified and previously used for creation of a creatine biosensor. The natural SOX electron acceptor, oxygen, was replaced by an redox mediating system, which allowed amperometric detection of an analytical signal at +400-mV potential. The response time of the biosensor was less than 1 min. The biosensor showed a linear dependence of the signal vs. creatine concentration at physiological creatine concentration levels. The optimal pH in 0.1 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)–HCl buffer was found to be at pH 8.0. The half-life of the biosensor was 8 days in 0.1 M Tris–HCl buffer (pH 8.0) at 20 °C. Principal scheme of consecutively followed catalytic reactions used to design a biosensor for the determination of creatine     

Interfacial behavior of sulforhodamine 101 at the polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane interface studied by spectroelectrochemical techniques

The transfer mechanism of an amphoteric rhodamine, sulforhodamine 101 (SR101), across the polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, differential voltfluorometry and potential-modulated fluorescence (PMF) spectroscopy. The voltammetric response for the ion transfer of SR101 monoanion from water to DCE was observed as the diffusion-controlled transfer process. An unusual voltammetric response was found at 0.15 V more negative than the formal transfer potential of SR101⁻ in the cyclic voltammogram and voltfluorogram. The frequency dependence of the PMF responses confirmed the presence of the adsorption processes at negative potentials. In addition, a further transient adsorption step was uncovered at The interfacial mechanism of SR101 is discussed by comparing the results obtained from each technique.     

Chemiluminescent detection of DNA hybridization using gold nanoparticles as labels

A chemiluminescent (CL) detection method has been developed for DNA hybridization. The assay relies on a sandwich-type DNA hybridization in which gold nanoparticles modified with alkylthiol-capped oligonucleotide strands are used as probes to monitor the presence of the specific target DNA. The , which is the dissolving product of the gold nanoparticles anchored on the DNA hybrids, serves as an analyte in the H₂O₂–luminol– CL reaction for the indirect measurement of the target DNA. The combination of the remarkable sensitivity of the CL analysis with the large number of released from each DNA hybrid allows a detection limit at levels as low as 0.1 pM of the target DNA. Moreover, with a further silver amplification step, the detection limit will be pushed down to the femtomolar domain.      

Resonance Raman spectroscopy of red blood cells using near-infrared laser excitation

Resonance Raman spectra of oxygenated and deoxygenated functional erythrocytes recorded using 785 nm laser excitation are presented. The high-quality spectra show a mixture of enhanced A_1g, A_2g, B_1g, B_2g, E_u and vinyl modes. The high sensitivity of the Raman system enabled spectra from four oxygenation and deoxygenation cycles to be recorded with only 18 mW of power at the sample over a 60-minute period. This low power prevented photo-/thermal degradation and negated protein denaturation leading to heme aggregation. The large database consisting of 210 spectra from the four cycles was analyzed with principal components analysis (PCA). The PC1 loadings plot provided exquisite detail on bands associated with the oxygenated and deoxygenated states. The enhancement of a band at 567 cm⁻¹, observed in the spectra of oxygenated cells and the corresponding PC1 loadings plot, was assigned to the Fe–O₂ stretching mode, while a band appearing at 419 cm⁻¹ was assigned to the Fe–O–O bending mode based on previous studies. For deoxygenated cells, the enhancement of B_1g modes at 785 nm excitation is consistent with vibronic coupling between band III and the Soret transition. In the case of oxygenated cells, the enhancement of iron-axial out-of-plane modes and non-totally symmetric modes is consistent with enhancement into the y,z-polarized transition centered at 785 nm. The enhancement of non-totally symmetric B_1g modes in oxygenated cells suggests vibronic coupling between band IV and the Soret band. This study provides new insights into the vibrational dynamics, electronic structure and resonant enhancement of heme moieties within functional erythrocytes at near-IR excitation wavelengths. Part of this work was first presented at SPEC 2006, Shedding New Light on Disease: Optical Diagnosis for the New Millennium, held at Heidelberg, Germany, on 20–24 May 2006.     

Photoelectrode characteristics of an organic bilayer in water phase containing a redox molecule

We have recently reported that the organic bilayer of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxyl-bisbenzimidazole (PTCBI, n-type semiconductor) and 29H,31H-phthalocyanine (H₂Pc, p-type semiconductor), which is a part of a photovoltaic cell, acts as a photoanode in the water phase (Abe et al., ChemPhysChem 5:716, [2004]); in that case, the generation of the photocurrent involving an irreversible thiol oxidation at the H₂Pc/water interface took place to be coupled with hole conduction through the H₂Pc layer, based on the photophysical character of the bilayer. In the present work, the photoelectrode characteristics of the bilayer were investigated in the water phase containing a redox molecule , where the photo-induced oxidation and reduction for the couple were found to take place at the bilayer. The photoanodic current involving the oxidation efficiently occurred at the interface of H₂Pc/water, similar to the previous example. In the view of the voltammograms obtained, it was noted that there are pin-holes in the H₂Pc layer of the bilayer, leading to a cathodic reaction with at the PTCBI surface especially in the dark; that is, the band bending at the PTCBI/water interface can essentially be reduced by applying a negative potential [e.g., < ∼ 0 V (vs Ag/AgCl)] to the PTCBI, when the cathodic reaction may take place through the conduction band of the PTCBI. Moreover, under that applied potential condition of irradiation, the photogenerated electron carrier part can move to the PTCBI surface, thus enhancing the reduction of .     

Mechanism of the catalyzed by cysteine electroreduction of the insoluble in water cobalt(II) salt as a component of carbon paste electrode

The mechanism of the Co(II) catalytic electroreduction of water insoluble CoR₂ salt in the presence of cysteine was developed. CoR₂ = cobalt(II) cyclohexylbutyrate is the component of a carbon paste electrode. Electrode surface consecutive reactions are: (a) fast (equilibrium) reaction of the complex formation, (b) rate-determining reversible reaction of the promoting process of CoR(Ac⁺) complex formation, (c) rate-determining irreversible reaction of the electroactive complex formation with ligand-induced adsorption, and (d) fast irreversible reaction of the electroreduction. Reactions (a,b) connected with CoR₂ dissolution and reactions (c,d) connected with CoR₂ electroreduction are catalyzed by . Regeneration of (reactions “b,d”) and accumulation of atomic Co(0) (reaction “d”) take place. Experimental data [Sugawara et al., Bioelectrochem Bioenergetics 26:469, 1991]: i _a vs E (i _a is anodic peak, E is cathodic accumulation potential), i _a vs , and i _a vs pH have been quantitatively explained.     

Effect of the mediator in feedback mode-based SECM interrogation of indium tin-oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes

Indium tin-oxide (ITO) and polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) have been examined in detail using the scanning electrochemical microscopy technique in feedback mode. For the interrogation of electrodes made from these materials, the choice of mediator has been varied. Using ferrocene methanol (FcMeOH), and approach curve experiments have been performed, and for purposes of comparison, calculations of the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rates (k _app) have been made using these data. In general, it would appear that values of k _app are affected mainly by the position of the mediator reversible potential relative to the relevant semiconductor band edge (associated with majority carriers). For both the ITO (n type) and BDD (p type) electrodes, charge transfer is impeded and values are very low when using FcMeOH and as mediators, and the use of results in the largest value of k _app. With ITO, the surface is chemically homogeneous and no variation is observed for any given mediator. Data is also presented where the potential of the ITO electrode is fixed using a ratio of the mediators and In stark contrast, the BDD electrode is quite the opposite and a range of k _app values are observed for all mediators depending on the position on the surface. Both electrode surfaces are very flat and very smooth, and hence, for BDD, variations in feedback current imply a variation in the electrochemical activity. A comparison of the feedback current where the substrate is biased and unbiased shows a surprising degree of proportionality.Dedicated to Alan, a good friend and colleague on his 60th birthday.     

The sources of thermal energy exchange accompanying microbial anabolism

Calculations are made of the thermal energy exchanges accompanying the anabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae of four substrates using the equations and . Contrary to a previous postulate cited in the Discussion, the free-energy changes accompanying anabolism are not zero, but can be either positive or negative. However, their magnitude with either sign is small compared to that of catabolism of the same substrates, so that even with free energy changes that are negative it is unlikely anabolism can be considered a spontaneous process.     

Quasi-simultaneous determination of antioxidative activities against superoxide anion and nitric oxide by a combination of sequential injection analysis and flow injection analysis with chemiluminescence detection

A method that combines sequential injection analysis (SIA), flow injection analysis and chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed for the quasi-simultaneous determination of antioxidative activities against superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO). The antioxidative activity was expressed as the decrease in luminol CL intensity caused by the quenching of or NO by an antioxidant. The SIA system consisted of two syringe pumps, two selection valves, two holding coils, an HPLC pump to deliver luminol solution, and a CL detector. Operation of the syringe pumps and multiport valves was controlled automatically using a personal computer with appropriate software. A hypoxanthine (HX)-xanthine oxidase (XOD) system was used for the generation of , and (±)-(E)-4-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexenamide (NOR1) was employed as NO donor agent. The repeatability of the method was evaluated with 35.2 μg ml⁻¹ L-ascorbic acid, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) of the antioxidative activities were less than 3.8%. The quasi-simultaneous determination of the antioxidative activities in one sample was completed within 2.0 min. The antioxidative activities of some antioxidants and commercially available supplements containing certain antioxidants were successfully determined using this system. The proposed system is rapid and reproducible, and thus may be useful for the screening of functional foods, supplements and pharmaceutical formulations that exhibit antioxidative activity. Figure The system that utilizes a combination of SIA and FIA with CL for the quasi-simultaneous determination of antioxidative activity against a NO and b . SP1, 2: syringe pump, HC1, 2: holding coil, MV1, 2: multi-port valve, P: pump, D: chemiluminescence detector, I: integrator, M1, 2: mixing tee, NOR1: (±)-(E)-4-methyl-2-[(E)- hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexenamide, HX: hypoxanthine, XOD: xanthine oxidase.     

The relationship of conductivity to the morphology and crystallinity of polyaniline controlled by water content via reverse microemulsion

Conducting polyaniline (PANI) with the controllable morphology and crystallinity were successfully synthesized with different water content () in the reverse microemulsion stabilized with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)-sulfosuccinate (AOT). In the microemulsion, the systems containing the different amounts of water will show the different phase behaviors and structures. The influence of water content on morphology and crystallinity of conducting PANI was characterized by a number of techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectra, UV–Visible, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction and conductivity. In particular, we focus on the understanding of the relationship between the morphology and the crystallinity and the conductivity of PANI powder. With the increasing of the water content (W ₀ = 13.9, 27.8, 55.5, and 111.1) in the microemulsion system, the morphology and the crystallinity obviously changed and the values of relative conductivity are 0.05, 0.11, 2.7, and 1.8 S/cm, respectively.     

A novel thiocyanate-selective electrode based on a zinc–phthalocyanine complex

A novel thiocyanate (SCN⁻)-selective PVC membrane electrode based on a zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) complex as neutral carrier is described. The membrane electrode containing ZnPc with 5.1% (w/w) ionophore, 29.2% (w/w) PVC, and 65.7% (w/w) 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as plasticizer displayed an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence , and exhibited near-Nernstian potential response to thiocyanate ranging from about 1.0×10⁻¹ to 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 7.5×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ and a slope of 58.1±0.5 mV per decade in pH 3.0 phosphate buffer solution at 25 °C. This preferential response is believed to be associated with the unique coordination between the central metal of the carrier and thiocyanate.      

Determination of the titanium content of human transferrin by inductively-coupled plasma-atomic-emission spectroscopy

We report a simple method that combines dialysis, as a purification method, with the multielement capability of ICP to determine the titanium-to-transferrin mole ratio at physiological pH, under buffer conditions. The method, by means of which titanium and transferrin are determined simultaneously, enabled us to assess the binding capacities of different titanocene complexes. Figure Titanocene dichloride     

Development of a novel nitrite amperometric sensor based on poly(toluidine blue) film electrode

A novel sensor for the determination of nitrite anion () was fabricated by electrodeposition of toluidine blue. The sensor exhibited good catalytic activity toward the electrochemical oxidation of nitrite. Amperometry was carried out to determine the concentration of . A linear response in the range from 1.0×10⁻⁷ to 1.52×10⁻⁵ M with a substantially low detection limit of 5×10⁻⁸ M (S/N=3) was obtained. The proposed sensor had a feature of high sensitivity of 4.7×10⁵ μA M⁻¹ cm⁻². The possible interference from several common ions was tested. This sensor was applied to the amperometric determination of nitrite in food samples, and the results were consistent with those obtained with the standard spectrophotometric procedure.     

Improvement of the electrochemical properties of “as-grown” boron-doped polycrystalline diamond electrodes deposited on tungsten wires using ethanol

The electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) polycrystalline films grown on tungsten wire substrates using ethanol as a precursor are described. The results obtained show that the use of ethanol improves the electrochemistry properties of “as-grown” BDD, as it minimizes the graphitic phase upon the surface of BDD, during the growth process. The BDD electrodes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The boron-doping levels of the films were estimated to be ∼10²⁰ B/cm³. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated using the and redox couples and dopamine. Apparent heterogeneous electro-transfer rate constants were determined for these redox systems using the CV and EIS techniques. values in the range of 0.01–0.1 cm s⁻¹ were observed for the and redox couples, while in the special case of dopamine, a lower value of 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ was found. The obtained results showed that the use of CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) as a carbon source constitutes a promising alternative for manufacturing BDD electrodes for electroanalytical applications.     

Palladized aluminum as a novel substrate for electrosynthesis of polyaniline in sulfuric acid solutions

The electropolymerization of aniline on a palladized aluminum electrode (Pd/Al) by potentiodynamic as well as potentiostatic methods is described. The effect of the monomer concentration between 0.01 and 0.4 M on the polyaniline (PANI) formation and its growth on the Pd/Al electrode was investigated and a suitable concentration of 0.2 M is suggested. A similar study was carried out to investigate the effect of sulfuric acid concentration and 0.1 M sulfuric acid was chosen. A study on the influence of electropalladization time on the polymer formation and its growth suggested a convenient time of 40 s. The stability of the PANI film on the Pd/Al electrode was studied as function of the potential imposed on the electrode. For applied electrode potentials of 0.1–0.7 V, the first-order degradation rate constant, k, of PANI film varies between 1×10⁻⁶ and 2×10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, and a relatively low slope (i.e., 2.2) was obtained for the plot of log k versus E. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetric behavior of the PANI-deposited Pd/Al electrode is discussed. The electrocatalytic activity of the PANI-deposited Pd/Al electrode against para-benzoquinone/hydroquinone (Q/H₂Q) and redox systems were investigated and on the basis of of the corresponding cyclic voltammograms and the redox systems were identified as the reversible and quasi-reversible systems, respectively.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reduction of Enneamolybdonickelate(IV) by Arsenite

The kinetics and mechanism of the reduction of enneamolybdonickelate(IV) by arsenite in aqueous acid solution was studied by spectrophotometry. The reaction rate increases with increasing concentrations of H⁺ and with temperature. The associated rate law is: . The rate constants and activation parameters of the rate-determining step were evaluated. A mechanism related to this reaction was proposed.     

Configuration and conformation of substituted 1,3,2-dioxaarsenanes

The configuration and conformations often 2-, 4-, and 5-substituted 1,3,2-dioxaarsenanes were studied from their PMR spectra. Inversion of the shielding constants of protons in the 4, 6, and 5 positions and of methyl groups in the 5 position was established, and the axial orientation of the As-Cl and As-OR bonds, the equatorial orientation of the 4-CH₃ group, and the chair conformation of the six-membered heteroring were proved. The anisotropies of the diamagnetic susceptibility were estimated for the first time: and (dipole approximation); and (nondipole approximation). The cyclic torsion angle (= 58°) as found for 2-chloro-1,3,2-dioxaarsenane by the R-factor method. Conclusions regardiwng the conformation of the ring and substituents were confirmed by a study of the specific effect of an aromatic solvent on the position of the resonance lines.Communication I from the series Investigation of the Stereochemistry of Organic Arsenic Compounds by NMR Spectroscopy.Deceased.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 457–463, April, 1973.