Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin immobilized in bimodal mesoporous silica and chitosan inorganic–organic hybrid film

Hemoglobin modified electrode was successfully fabricated to realize direct electrochemistry by immobilizing of Hemoglobin (Hb) in bimodal mesoporous silica (BMS) and chitosan (CS) inorganic–organic hybrid film. Here, BMS acted as a support to immobilize Hb due to its large pores and CS acted as a binder to increase film adherence and stabilizer to prevent the leakage of Hb. The resulting electrode (Hb/BMS/CS) gave a well-defined, reversible redox couple for HbFe(III)/Fe(II) with a formal potential of about −0.32 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. Hb/BMS/CS electrode showed a better electrocatalytial performance to H₂O₂ with wider linear detection range, lower detection limit, and higher sensitivity than that at electrode without BMS. The improved electrocatalytic performance for Hb/BMS/CS electrode was possibly contributed to BMS bimodal structure, whose large pores with 10–40 nm provide favorable conditions for protein immobilization and small pores with 2–3 nm avoid the mass-transfer limitations. In addition, UV–Vis and FTIR spectra indicated that Hb well maintained its native structure in the hybrid film.     

Chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles as carriers of 5-Fluorouracil: Preparation,characterization and cytotoxicity studies

The chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CS MNPs) were prepared as carriers of 5-Fluorouracil (CS–5-Fu MNPs) through a reverse microemulsion method. The characteristics of CS–5-Fu MNPs were determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR spectroscopy and vibrating-sampling magnetometry (VSM). It was found that the synthesized CS–5-Fu MNPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 100 ± 20 nm, low aggregation and good magnetic responsivity. Meanwhile, the drug content and encapsulation rate of the nanoparticles was 16–23% and 60–92%, respectively. These CS–5-Fu MNPs also demonstrated sustained release of 5-Fu at 37 °C in different buffer solutions. The cytotoxicity of CS–5-Fu MNPs towards K562 cancer cells was investigated. The result showed that CS–5-Fu MNPs retained significant antitumor activities. Additionally, it was observed that the FITC-labeled CS–5-Fu MNPs could effectively enter into the SPCA-1 cancer cells and induced cell apoptosis.     

Bio-templated synthesis of highly ordered macro-mesoporous silica material for sustained drug delivery

The bimodal porous structured silica materials consisting of macropores with the diameter of 5–20 μm and framework-like mesopores with the diameter of 4.7–6.0 nm were prepared using natural Manchurian ash and mango linin as macropored hard templates and P123 as mesopore soft templates, respectively. The macroporous structures of Manchurian ash and mango linin were replicated with the walls containing highly ordered mesoporous silica as well. As-synthesized dual porous silica was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption, fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA). Ibuprofen (Ibu) was employed as a model drug and the release profiles showed that the dual porous material had a sustained drug delivery capability. And such highly ordered dual pore silica materials may have potential applications for bimolecular adsorption/separation and tissue repairing.     

Epoxy-functionalized large-pore SBA-15 and KIT-6 as affinity chromatography supports

Mesoporous silica supports are proposed as an alternative to polymeric stationary phases for fast affinity chromatography due to their better mechanical strength compared to polymers. Ideal supports should combine high surface area and large pore size to allow a high loading capacity of large molecules, such as proteins, and favor their accessibility. Increasing the pore size of large-surface area micelle-templated silicas (SBA-15, KIT-6) has been achieved by swelling the micelles by the addition of organic molecules and increasing synthesis time and temperature. The pore size of hexagonal silica mesostructured SBA-15 has been increased up to 35 nm. These materials could find therefore application as affinity chromatography for immunoextraction.     

Sorption of iron(II) and ruthenium(III)-triazine complexes on silica gel and its analytical applicability

2,4,6-Tri(2′-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ) complexes with iron(II) and ruthenium(III) were prepared. Their sorption and desorption features on silica gel have been investigated. Both complexes were strongly adsorbed. This has been utilized for separating and preconcentrating iron(II) and ruthenium(III) using TPTZ-impregnated silica gel. The chromatographic behavior of TPTZ on silica gel column was examined and found to be effective modifier for silica gel surface. The sorption capacity of silica gel for those metal-triazine complexes has been determined under static conditions and was found to be 5.28 × 10^–3 mM (Fe(TPTZ)₂²⁺) and 2.9 × 10^–3 mM (Ru(TPTZ)₂³⁺). Saturated methanolic solutions of KI or 25% NaClO₄ solutions desorbed both complexes quantitatively from the silica gel surface.     

Investigation of Mg modified mesoporous silicas and their CO2 adsorption capacities

CO₂ adsorption properties on Mg modified silica mesoporous materials were investigated. By using the methods of co-condensation, dispersion and ion-exchange, Mg²⁺ was introduced into SBA-15 and MCM-41, and transformed into MgO in the calcination process. The basic MgO can provide active sites to enhance the acidic CO₂ adsorption capacity. To improve the amount and the dispersion state of the loading MgO, the optimized modification conditions were also investigated. The XRD and TEM characteristic results, as well as the CO₂ adsorption performance showed that the CO₂ adsorption capacity not only depended on the pore structures of MCM-41 and SBA-15, but also on the improvement of the dispersion state of MgO by modification. Among various Mg modified silica mesoporous materials, the CO₂ adsorption capacity increased from 0.42 mmol g⁻¹ of pure silica SBA-15 to 1.35 mmol g⁻¹ of Mg–Al–SBA-15-I1 by the ion-exchange method enhanced with Al³⁺ synergism. Moreover, it also increased from 0.67 mmol g⁻¹ of pure silica MCM-41 to 1.32 mmol g⁻¹ of Mg–EDA–MCM-41-D10 by the dispersion method enhanced with the incorporation of ethane diamine. The stability test by 10 CO₂ adsorption/desorption cycles showed Mg–urea–MCM-41-D10 possessed quite good recyclability.     

Identification of dissolved organic species in non-drinking tap water by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A method is presented for qualitative identification of dissolved volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in non-drinking tap water samples based on applications of both solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) techniques. Water samples were collected and passed over a micro-column packed with acid treated active silica gel phase (pH = 2.6) for adsorption of dissolved organic species under this pH-condition. Silica-bound-organics were then divided into equal portions followed by suspension into organic solvents of different polarities such as methanol, ethanol, butan-1-ol, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether and chloroform. These suspensions were then automatically shaken for 1 h at room temperature. The organic extracts were subjected to GC–MS analysis under temperature programming conditions. The mass spectrum of each eluted chromatographic peak was library searched or manually interpreted to identify the correct name and structure. Blank solvent and silica samples were also subjected to the same GC–MS analysis for comparison.     

Synthesis of double mesoporous core-shell silica spheres with tunable core porosity and their drug release and cancer cell apoptosis properties

In this work, we demonstrate a simple two-pot approach to double mesoporous core–shell silica spheres (DMCSSs) with uniform size of 245–790 nm, shell thickness of 41–80 nm and surface area and total pore volume of 141–618 m² g^?1 and 0.14–0.585 cc g^?1, respectively. First, solid silica spherical particles were synthesized by the Stöber method and used as a core. Second, a mesoporous shell could be formed around the silica cores by using an anionic surfactant and a co-structure directing agent. It was found that mesopores can be anchored within dense silica cores during mesoporous silica shell formation, synchronously the base group with surfactant assistant can etch the dense silica cores to re-organize new mesostructure, so that double mesoporous core–shell silica sphere (DMCSS) structure can be obtained by a single surfactant-templating step. The spherical size and porosity of the silica cores of DMCSS together with shell thickness can be tuned by controlling Stöber parameters, including the concentrations of ammonia, solvent and tetraethoxysilane and the reaction time. DMCSS were loaded with ketoprofen and thymoquinone, which are an anti-inflammatory and a potential novel anti-cancer drug, respectively. Both drugs showed controlled release behavior from the pores of DMCSS. Drug uptakes within DMCSS were ～27 and 81 wt.% for ketoprofen and thymoquinone, respectively. Furthermore, DMCSS loaded with thymoquinone was more effective in inducing cancer cell apoptosis than uncontained thymoquinone, because of the slow release of the drug from the mesoporous structure.     

Separation properties of high temperature reverse osmosis membranes for silica removal and boric acid recovery

The separation system containing thin-film polyamide reverse osmosis membrane (tf-PA RO) of high temperature was studied.In performed laboratory tests, RO silica rejection percentage was over 97%, and boron passage was about 60–65% (molecular weight cut off of 200 or 250 Da) of the solution which contained silica in the range of 1–90 ppm and boron in the range of 7500–15,000 ppm. The separation factor (SF) between boron and silica related to boron concentration could be expressed as the relation, SF = k[boron]^0.7. The separation process could be described by a mass balance model. The modeling calculation fitted the experimental results very well, within the acceptable parameters’ errors. It was proposed that the boric acid in a boric acid storage tank (BAST) of one studied pressurized water reactor (PWR) plant could be treated with such tf-PA RO. In the prediction, the silica concentration in it would be removed to about 1 ppm, and that the boron could be reused. The waste amount of boron after such treatment was predicted to be less than 1.5%.     

Using flowerlike polymer–copper nanostructure composite and novel organic–inorganic hybrid material to construct an amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide

A new type of amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor was fabricated by entrapping horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the organic–inorganic hybrid material composed of zirconia–chitosan sol–gel and Au nanoparticles (ZrO₂–CS–AuNPs). The sensitivity of the biosensor was enhanced by a flowerlike polymer–copper nanostructure composite (pPA–FCu) which was prepared from co-electrodeposition of CuSO₄ solution and 2,6-pyridinediamine solution. Several techniques, including UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to characterize the assembly process and performance of the biosensor. The results showed that this pPA–FCu nanostructure not only had excellent redox electrochemical activity, but also had good catalytic efficiency for hydrogen peroxide. Also the ZrO₂–CS–AuNPs had good film forming ability, high stability and good retention of bioactivity of the immobilized enzyme. The resulting biosensors showed a linear range from 7.80 × 10^?7 to 3.7 × 10^?3 mol L^?1, with a detection limit of 3.2 × 10^?7 mol L^?1 (S/N = 3) under optimized experimental conditions. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant was determined to be 0.32 mM, showing good affinity. In addition, the biosensor which exhibits good analytical performance, acceptable stability and good selectivity, has potential for practical applications.     

One-pot preparation of silica-supported hybrid immobilized metal affinity adsorbent with macroporous surface based on surface imprinting coating technique combined with polysaccharide incorporated sol--gel process

A simple and reliable one-pot approach using surface imprinting coating technique combined with polysaccharide incorporated sol-gel process was established to synthesize a new organic-inorganic hybrid matrix possessing macroporous surface and functional ligand. Using mesoporous silica gel being a support, immobilized metal affinity adsorbent with a macroporous shell/mesoporous core structure was obtained after metal ion loading. In the prepared matrix, covalently bonded coating and morphology manipulation on silica gel was achieved by using one-pot sol-gel process starting from an inorganic precursor, -glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysiloxane (GPTMS), and a functional biopolymer, chitosan (CS) at the atmosphere of imprinting polyethylene glycol (PEG). Self-hydrolysis of GPTMS, self-condensation, and co-condensation of silanol groups (Si-OH) from siloxane and silica gel surface, and in situ covalent cross-linking of CS created an orderly coating on silica gel surface. PEG extraction using hot ammonium hydroxide solution gave a chemically and mechanically stabilized pore structure and deactivated residual epoxy groups. The prepared matrix was characterized by using X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The matrix possessed a high capacity for copper ion loading. Protein adsorption performance of the new immobilized metal affinity adsorbent was evaluated by batch adsorption and column chromatographic experiment using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a simple model protein. Under the optimized coating conditions, the obtained macroporous surface resulted in a fast kinetics and high capability for protein adsorption, while the matrix non-charged with metal ions offered a low non-specific adsorption.     

Albumin separation with Cibacron Blue carrying macroporous chitosan and chitin affinity membranes

Cibacron Blue F3GA, Procion Red HE-3B and Procion Blue MX-R were immobilized on macroporous chitosan and chitin membranes with concentrations as high as 10–200 μmol/ml membrane. These dyed membranes were chemically and mechanically stable, could be reproducibly prepared, and operated at high flow rates. Human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were selected as model proteins, and their adsorption on and desorption from the dyed chitosan membranes investigated. The Cibacron Blue F3GA membranes had a higher protein adsorption capacity, much greater for HSA than BSA, than the other dyed membranes. About 8.4 mg HSA/ml membrane were adsorbed at saturation by Cibacron Blue F3GA–chitosan membranes from a 0.05 M Tris–HCl/0.05 M NaCl, pH 8 solution. The chitin membranes had a lower dye content and hence a lower protein adsorption capacity than the chitosan membranes. The effects of important operation parameters (flow rate, protein concentration and loading) were also investigated. Cibacron Blue F3GA–chitosan membranes were employed for the separation of HSA from human plasma and high purity HSA thus obtained. This suggests that these membranes could be used for large-scale plasma fractionation.     

Macroporous Co3O4 platelets with excellent rate capability as anodes for lithium ion batteries

This paper reports the microwave-assisted synthesis of Co₃O₄ nanomaterials with different morphologies including nanoparticles, rod-like nanoclusters and macroporous platelets. The new macroporous platelet-like Co₃O₄ morphology was found to be the best suitable for reversible lithium storage properties. It displayed superior cycling performances than nanoparticles and rod-like nanoclusters. More interestingly, excellent high rate capabilities (811 mAh g^?1 at 1780 mA g^?1 and 746 mAh g^?1 at 4450 mA g^?1) were observed for macroporous Co₃O₄ platelet. The good electrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique macroporous platelet structure of Co₃O₄ materials.     

Direct electrochemistry study of glucose oxidase on Pt nanoparticle-modified aligned carbon nanotubes electrode by the assistance of chitosan–CdS and its biosensoring for glucose

Aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) electrode has been developed for the direct protein electrochemistry and enzyme-biosensor study involving two types of nanoparticles. Pt nanoparticles (Pt_nano) were electro-modified on the ACNTs’ each tube, greatly increasing the electrode surface area for locating protein and also its electronic transfer ability. Glucose oxidase (GOD) with chitosan (CS) and CdS nanoparticles electrochemically coated on each tube of ACNTs–Pt_nano by the electrodeposition reaction of CS when pH value passing its pKa. The CdS nanoparticles between ACNTs electrode and GOD have stimulated the GOD’s direct electron transfer during its redox reaction of FAD/FADH₂. The CS–GOD–CdS/ACNTs–Pt_nano electrode also offer sensitive response to the substrate of glucose with detection limit of 46.8 μM (S/N = 3) and apparent Michaelis–Menten constant of 11.86 mM.     

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution of organic solutes in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoroantimonate using gas–liquid chromatography at T = (313.15, 323.15, and 333.15) K

Activity coefficients at infinite dilution were determined for 27 solutes: n-alkanes, alk-1-enes, alk-1-ynes, cycloalkanes, alkylbenzenes, alcohols, and ketones in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoroantimonate, [BMIM][SbF₆], by gas–liquid chromatography at three different temperatures, T = (313.15, 323.15, and 333.15) K. The results are compared to published data on related compounds. The partial molar excess enthalpy values at infinite dilution were calculated from the experimental data over the same temperature range. Selectivities and capacities at infinite dilution were calculated for the hexane/benzene and methanol/benzene systems from experimental infinite dilution activity coefficients and compared to the literature values for related ionic liquids, as well as to data on industrial molecular solvents.     

Stability indicating method for the determination of paracetamol in its pharmaceutical preparations by TLC densitometric method

Simple, sensitive and accurate thin layer procedure was described for a quantitative determination of paracetamol in its bulk powder and in its pharmaceutical dosage forms in the presence of its degradation product. The method consists of dissolving the drug in methanol and then spotting the solution on a thin layer of silica gel G254. Paracetamol was separated on silica gel using the mixture of the mobile phase, ethyl acetate: benzene: acetic acid in a ratio (1:1:0.05 v/v/v).Absorbance measurements (detection of reflectance) of the separated drug were carried out at 250 nm. Calibration curves were established in the concentration range of 5–20 mcg/spot for paracetamol. Quantitation is achieved by comparing the area under the peaks obtained from scanning the thin layer chromatographic plates in a spectrodensitometer. The method has been successfully applied to pharmaceutical preparations (capsules) and the results obtained were statistically compared with those obtained by applying the reference method.     

S-layer templated bioinspired synthesis of silica

The current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the bioinspired formation of silica structures laid foundation for investigating the potential of the S-layer protein SbpA from Lysinibacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 as catalyst, template and scaffold for the generation of novel silica architectures. SbpA reassembles into monomolecular lattices with square (p4) lattice symmetry and a lattice constant of 13.1 nm. Silica layers on the S-layer lattice were formed using tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and visualized by transmission electron microscopy. In situ quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) measurements showed the adsorption of silica in dependence on the presence of phosphate in the silicate solution and on the preceding chemical modification of the S-layer. An increased amount of precipitated silica could be observed when K₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄ was present in the solution (pH 7.2). Further on, independent of the presence of phosphate the silica deposition was higher on S-layer lattices upon activation of their carboxyl groups with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) compared to native S-layers or EDC treated S-layers when the activated carboxyl groups were blocked with ethylene diamine (EDA). Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy revealed the formation of an amorphous silica gel (SiO₂)_x·yH₂O on the S-layer. The silica surface concentrations on the S-layer was 4 × 10^?9 to 2 × 10^?8 mol cm^?2 depending on the modification of the protein layer and corresponded to 4–21 monolayers of SiO₂.     

Continuous chromatographic protein refolding

Column-based protein refolding requires a continuous processing capability if reasonable quantities of protein are to be produced. A popular column-based method, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) refolding, employs size-exclusion matrices to separate unfolded protein from denaturant, thus refolding the protein. In this work, we conduct a comparison of SEC refolding with refolding by batch dilution, using lysozyme as a model protein. Lysozyme refolding yield was found to be extremely sensitive to the chemical composition of the refolding buffer and particularly the concentration of dithiothreitol (DTT) introduced from the denatured protein mixture. SEC refolding was not adversely affected by DTT carry-over as small contaminants in the denatured solution are separated from protein during the refolding operation. We also find that, contrary to previous reports, size-exclusion refolding on batch columns leads to refolding yields slightly better than batch dilution refolding yields at low protein concentrations but this advantage disappears at higher protein concentrations. As batch-mode chromatography would be the limiting step in a column based refolding downstream process, the batch column refolding method was translated to a continuously operating chromatography system (preparative continuous annular chromatography, P-CAC). It was shown that the P-CAC elution profile is similar to that of a stationary column, making scale-up and translation to P-CAC relatively simple. Moreover, it was shown that high refolding yields (72%) at high protein concentration (>1 mg ml(-1)) could be obtained.     

Synergistic contributions of multiwall carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles in a chitosan–ionic liquid matrix towards improved performance for a glucose sensor

We report an ingenious approach for the fabrication of a promising glucose sensor, GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH), that exploits the synergistic beneficial characteristics of multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), chitosan (CS) and room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). Direct electron transfer between glucose oxidase (GOx) and electrode was achieved. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH) reveal that MWNTs and AuNPs are dispersed in CS–IL matrix. Cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry were used to evaluate the performance of biosensor. The GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH) biosensor exhibits a linear current response to glucose concentration (1–10 mM) at a low potential of 0.10 V and precludes interferences from uric acid and ascorbic acid. The GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH) biosensor has superior performances over GOx/CS–IL–MWNT(SH).     

Change in the enzymatic dual function of the peroxiredoxin protein by gamma irradiation

PP1084 protein was exposed to gamma irradiation ranging from 5 to 500 kGy. Native PAGE showed minor structural changes in PP1084 at 5 kGy, and major structural changes at >15 kGy. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed the formation of a new shoulder peak when the protein was irradiated with 15 and 30 kGy, and a double peak appeared at 100 kGy. The results of PAGE and SEC imply that PP1084 protein is degraded by gamma irradiation, with simultaneous oligomerization. PP1084 chaperone activity reached the highest level at 30 kGy of gamma irradiation, and then, decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing gamma irradiation. However, the peroxidase activity significantly decreased following exposure to all intensities of gamma irradiation. The improvement of chaperone activity using gamma irradiation might be promoted by the oligomeric structures containing covalently cross-linked amino acids. Consequently, PP1084 modification using gamma irradiation could elevate chaperone activity by about 3–4 folds compared to the non-irradiated protein.