Microemulsions of triglyceride and non-ionic surfactant — effect of temperature and aqueous phase composition

The phase behavior of soybean oil, polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol hexaoleate and water—ethanol was investigated. Regions of water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions were determined and were found to be strongly dependent on temperature and water:alcohol ratios. At a water:ethanol ratio of 80/20 (wt.%), an oil:surfactant ratio of 2/3 and a temperature of 25°C, the microemulsion region extended continuously from the oil—surfactant axis to the phase diagram center. However, at the hydrophilic—lipophilic balance (HLB) temperature (20–22°C) and a water:ethanol ratio of 80/20 or 75/25 (wt.%), a single-phase area separated from the original microemulsion region. Conductivity measurements and dynamic light scattering intensifies at 25°C indicated that association structures were formed with increasing aqueous phase concentrations above 15 wt.%. At 20°C, the single-phase scattering intensifies increased sharply with increasing aqueous phase concentrations (38–46 wt.%) and a plateau in the conductivity was detected.

Transmission electron microscopy results supported the finding that more particles are formed with increasing aqueous phase and form connected particles, resulting in constant conductance.     

Electrical conductance of CHCl3 solutions of polyethylene oxide doped with KCI

CHCl3 solutions containing a few percent polyethylene oxide PEO (M_W = 200 000) or the low-molecular model dioxane are stirred at 50°C during more than 100 h in the presence of small amounts of KCl. The specific conductance, the viscosity and the density of the solutions are measured at 25°C as a function of time. Both PEO and dioxane act as ligands improving the solubility of KCl. The relaxation times are of the order of several hours. After 40 h or more the viscosity of the solutions increases in a spectacular way. However, the most striking observation is that the specific conductance of the polymeric solutions at 25°C is systematically 5% higher than the value measured with the same sample at 45°C, just as for metals. The effect of the dilution of the primary stirred solutions either in the pure solvent or in the initial polymer solution is investigated. These results are discussed in terms of a three-step mechanism in the polymer systems: (1) Loading of the coils to polymeric cations with a full elementary charge, as a consequence of charge transfer interactions of the crown-ether type with numerous K⁺ ions penetrating into the coils; (2) Electron tunnelling conduction of the Hamill—Ceulemans type from one positive coil to the neighbouring one; (3) Alteration of the structure of the coils and of their hydrodynamic radius by the motions of K⁺ in the coils. These ‘brachiation’ motions by a hopping mechanism result from an increased mobility of the complexed K⁺ ions, which is also the origin of the Zundel effect. They do not directly contribute to the conductance but are responsible for the delayed increase of the viscosity.     

Selected non-ionic biological detergents enhance signal intensity of intact bovine serum albumin by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Recently, we showed that the signal intensity of intact protein by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) mass spectro-metry measurement can be enhanced at least an order of magnitude by the addition of Tween80 to the analyte solution. We did not ascertain whether this effect was limited to Tween80 or if it was more universal of biological detergents. This paper discusses our investigations into this question. A variety of chemically diverse detergents were added to analyte solutions containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) to determine whether there was significant signal enhancement. The addition of Tween20, Tween80, Triton X100 and Triton X-114 improved the attainable sensitivity of intact protein MALDI mass spectrometry compared to spectra acquired without detergent. In some cases there was considerable improvement in signal--for example, with Triton X-100 two charge states (the +1 and +2) of BSA (3.9 fmol) could easily be observed. Another advantage of this process is that the detergent can be added directly to the matrix solution reducing sample handling and preparation time. We propose this phenomenon results from the ability of these detergents to increase the solubility of the protein via hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions between the detergent and protein. The increased solubility allows for more uniform deposition of the analyte/-matrix mixtures producing an evenly distributed layer of analyte especially useful for data acquisition using an automated laser firing sequence.     

Thermodynamic properties of solution by gas chromatography using a liquid crystal as solvent: cholesteryl myristate

Thermodynamic properties of several organic compounds at infinite dilution in the three phases exhibited by cholesteryl myristate were determined from gas chromatographic data. Activity coefficients for the solutes are reported for the smectic A (74°C), cholesteric (80°C) and isotropic (86°C) phases of the liquid crystal. Excess solution thermodynamic properties are calculated and the results discussed in relation to solute-solvent interactions and orientations of the liquid crystal.     

Liquid-liquid phase equilibria of aqueous two-phase systems containing salts and polyethylene glycol

Liquid-liquid phase equilibria of the ternary systems: (a) polyethylene glycol - ammonium sulfate- water and (b) polyethylene glycol - sodium carbonate -water have been determined experimentally at 15°, 25°, 35° and 45°C and for two different molecular weights of the polymer (Avg. M.W. 1000 and 2000). Details of the glass cell and of the equilibration and analytical procedures used are described. Equilibrium data along with phase diagrams are presented. Finally the effect of temperature and of the molecular weight of the polymer are also discussed.     

Effect of bending and stretching of polyethylene strips on the adsorption of surface-active substances

The adsorption of tritium-labeled sodium stearate and ³⁵S-labeled sodium dodecylsulfate from aqueous solution on bent and on stretched polyethylene strips was directly measured. The amount of adsorption increased from 2.5 to 4.5 times on surfaces of various polyethylene samples stretched from 5.2 to 5.3 times the original length. For one sample, adsorption increased 8 and 2.5 times, respectively, on the convex and concave surfaces of a bent strip. Autoradiographs of the strips taken after adsorption revealed the appearance of both homogeneous and heterogeneous adsorption on the stretched surface of the polyethylene. The electron micrographs of the strips showed that many small fissures, about 1–5μ in length, formed on their surfaces after the strips were bent or stretched. Enhanced adsorption of the surface-active substance along these fissures was suggested. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that in stretching or bending, fissures increase adsorption of the detergent, and the adsorption in turn promotes further development of fissures. Thus, bending and adsorption mutually promote the growth of fissures which finally result in failure of the polyethylene.     

Effect of temperature on the mechanical properties of casein-g-poly(acrylonitrile) films

Casein was grafted with acrylonitrile in a water medium using potassium persulphate, at 60°C. The reaction mixture of acrylonitrile grafted casein was converted into films by drying the reaction mixture over a mercury surface at room temperature. Stress-strain characteristics of these films were studied at different temperatures. Stress relaxation and mechanical hysteresis were also studied as a function of temperature. The results obtained from the above experiments show that the properties of the films change above 60°C. These results suggest that the changes in the films take place due to the effect produced by polyacrylonitrile [T_g of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) is 80°C] chains present in the composite. The morphological studies of the fractured samples suggest that at 40°C, failure takes place in the films by crazing and shear yielding mechanisms and the material is multiphasic in nature.     

Oxidation processes in blue water pipe

The thermal, hydrolytic and photochemical oxidation of blue water pipe material has been studied using Fourier Transform infra-red microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hydroperoxide analysis. The results indicate that oxidation of the pipe occurs predominantly on the outer surface and to a lesser extent on the bore, often with little or no change in the middle layers, FTIR analysis of microtomed sections of the pipe supports the DSC analysis (oxidation induction time at 200°C—OIT) and indicates leaching and consumption of the polymer antioxidants at the outer surface of the pipe. Oxidation profiles at 80°C in water, as measured using carbonyl index, indicate an unusual hydrolytic oxidation and extraction of the carbonylic oxidation products only at the outer pipe surface to a depth of about 0·5 mm resulting in high hydroperoxidation levels. These oxidation analyses are consistent with density profile changes through the pipe wall. Whilst water is concluded to have an important influence in controlling pipe stability, which, in turn, is governed by the temperature and extractability of the polymer antioxidants, ultraviolet light is also seen to have a similar detrimental effect. The influence of these various degradative parameters on the long-term stability of pipe is discussed with a view to elucidating the mechanisms involved.     

Preparation and properties of inhalable nanocomposite particles: effects of the temperature at a spray-dryer inlet upon the properties of particles

To overcome the disadvantages both of microparticles and nanoparticles for inhalation, we have prepared nanocomposite particles as drug carriers targeting lungs. The nanocomposite particles having sizes about 2.5 μm composed of sugar and drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles can reach deep in the lungs, and they are decomposed into drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in the alveoli. Sugar was used as a binder of PLGA nanoparticles to be nanocomposite particles and is soluble in alveolar lining fluid. The primary nanoparticles containing bioactive materials were prepared by using a probe sonicator. And then they were spray dried with carrier materials, such as trehalose and lactose. The effects of inlet temperature of spray dryer were studied between 60 and 120 °C and the kind of sugars upon properties of nanocomposite particles. When the inlet temperatures were 80 and 90 °C, nanocomposite particles with average diameters of about 2.5 μm are obtained and they are decomposed into primary nanoparticles in water, in both sugars are used as a binder. But, those prepared above 100 °C are not decomposed into nanoparticles in water, while the average diameter was almost 2.5 μm. On the other hand, nanocomposite particles prepared at lower inlet temperatures have larger sizes but better redispersion efficiency in water. By the measurements of aerodynamic diameters of the nanocomposite particles prepared with trehalose at 70, 80, and 90 °C, it was shown that the particles prepared at 80 °C have the highest fine particle fraction (FPF) value and the particles are suitable for pulmonary delivery of bioactive materials deep in the lungs. Meanwhile the case with lactose, the particles prepared at 90 °C have near the best FPF value but they have many particles larger than 11 μm.     

Chemiluminescence study on the oxidation of several polyolefins—I. Thermal-induced degradation of additive-free polyolefins

Chemiluminescence (CL) has been applied to evaluate the oxidation susceptibility of various polyolefins: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (i-PP). The intensity of CL emission in inert atmosphere could be related to the previous oxidation level. The thermal stability at 170 °C of the hydroperoxides in LDPE seems to be lower than that in LLDPE or HDPE. The kinetic parameters of the oxidation at 170 °C in oxygen, calculated from CL data, suggest the following stability order: HDPE > LLDPE > LDPEi-PP. The intensity of CL emission was related to the CH₃ content as evaluated by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy.     

Pressurized solvent extraction and monolithic column-HPLC/DAD analysis of anthocyanins in red cabbage

The aim of this work was to develop a fast method for extraction and analysis of anthocyanins in red cabbage. Pressurized hot water containing 5% of ethanol was used as an extremely efficient extraction solvent. HPLC/DAD with a monolithic column was used to accomplish a fast analysis—24 anthocyanin peaks within 18 min. Statistical design was used to optimize the studied extraction parameters: temperature (80–120 °C); sample amount (1–3 g); extraction time (6–11 min); concentration of formic acid in the extraction solvent (0–5 vol.%). The best extraction conditions for a majority of the anthocyanin peaks were 2.5 g of sample, 99 °C (at 50 bar), 7 min of extraction and a solvent composition of water/ethanol/formic acid (94/5/1, v/v/v).     

LDPE protected by secondary amines of dehydroabietic methyl ester derivatives

The thermal degradation of low density polyethylene in the presence of several esters—methyl-12N-(phenyl)amino-14-amino-dehydroabietate (A 8), methyl-12N-(2-methoxyphenyl)amino-14-amino-dehydroabietate (A 9), methyl-12N-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-14-amino-dehydroabietate (A 11) and methyl-12N-(phenyl)amino-14-nitro-dehydroabietate (A 12)—was investigated by chemiluminescence at three temperatures: 180, 200, and 220 °C. Kinetic parameters that depict the stability of polymers—temporal characteristics (oxidation induction times, half-period of oxidation and maximum oxidation time), oxidation rates and activation energies—were calculated from the dependencies of chemiluminescence intensity on thermal degradation time. The stabilization effectiveness of the compounds tested and other antioxidants, namely 4010 (amine compound) and Irganox 1010 and 1076 (hindered phenols), is presented for comparison. Experimental data have demonstrated that two members of the studied series, A 8 and A 11, are more efficient than good commercial hindered phenols.     

Self-Assembly Behavior and Application of Terphenyl-Cored Trimaltosides for Membrane-Protein Studies: Impact of Detergent Hydrophobic Group Geometry on Protein Stability

Amphipathic agents are widely used in various fields including biomedical sciences. Micelle-forming detergents are particularly useful for in vitro membrane-protein characterization. As many conventional detergents are limited in their ability to stabilize membrane proteins, it is necessary to develop novel detergents to facilitate membrane-protein research. In the current study, we developed novel trimaltoside detergents with an alkyl pendant-bearing terphenyl unit as a hydrophobic group, designated terphenyl-cored maltosides (TPMs). We found that the geometry of the detergent hydrophobic group substantially impacts detergent self-assembly behavior, as well as detergent efficacy for membrane-protein stabilization. TPM-Vs, with a bent terphenyl group, were superior to the linear counterparts (TPM-Ls) at stabilizing multiple membrane proteins. The favorable protein stabilization efficacy of these bent TPMs is likely associated with a binding mode with membrane proteins distinct from conventional detergents and facial amphiphiles. When compared to n-dodecyl-β-d -maltoside (DDM), most TPMs were superior or comparable to this gold standard detergent at stabilizing membrane proteins. Notably, TPM-L3 was particularly effective at stabilizing the human β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂AR), a G-protein coupled receptor, and its complex with G_s protein. Thus, the current study not only provides novel detergent tools that are useful for membrane-protein study, but also suggests a critical role for detergent hydrophobic group geometry in governing detergent efficacy.     

Optimization of the Component Concentrations in Solutions of Synthetic Detergents

The detergency of formulations composed of organic and inorganic components that form the basis of synthetic detergents was studied. Mathematical design of experiment—method of orthogonal Latin rectangles, was applied to determine the component concentrations corresponding to the maximal detergency. Thus obtained concentrations of the detergent components in aqueous solutions can be used for optimization of the detergent formulation.     

Determination of the water content in muscovites containing large amounts of fluorine by karl fischer titration after fusion with silicon dioxide

Complete release of water (or of hydrogen in the lattice which is finally released as water) from muscovite containing a large amount of fluorine, requires heating above 1500°C or addition of an appropriate flux. Experimental data from differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction patterns and dehydration curves showed that silicon dioxide is a useful flux. Samples are mixed with a 3 : 1 (weight) ratio of silicon dioxide in a platinum crucible and heated inductively in a nitrogen stream at 1200°C. The water released is absorbed in anhydrous (1 + 1) methanol—1, 2-ethanediol and titrated by the Karl Fischer method. For a representative muscovite sample, the water contents were 4.26 ± 0.03% at 1300—1400°C and 4.35 ± 0.08% above 1500°C in the absence of silicon dioxide. When silicon dioxide was added as described, the mean result was 4.33 ± 0.01% at 1200°C (95% confidence level) with a standard deviation of 0.015 and a coefficient of variation of 0.35%.     

Nonionic surfactant-selective electrode and its application for determination in real solutions

A liquid membrane nonionic surfactant sensitive electrode has been prepared, based on a new barium pseudocationic complex of a highly ethoxylated fatty alcohol polyglycol ether and tetraphenylborate as sensing material. The complex has been incorporated into the plasticized PVC-membrane and used as sensing material.The electrode exhibited positive linear non-Nernstian response toward different nonionic surfactants and sub-Nernstian response toward tetraphenylborate with the lower detection limit of 3.3 × 10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ in barium chloride solution.The interfering effect of some alkaline, alkaline earth, and heavy metal cations, has been demonstrated by displaying their calibration curves compared with that of Triton X-100.The electrode has been used as an end-point indicator for potentiometric titration of analytical and technical grade polyethoxylated nonionic surfactants, modelled detergent products, and commercial detergents.     

Theoretical prediction of product distribution of the pyrolysis of high density polyethylene

The main objective of this work is the formulation and development of a model that predicts the product distribution obtained in the pyrolysis of polyethylene. In order to do this a mechanistic model has been developed based on a radical mechanism. This model uses a small number of elementary kinetic steps, including initiation, β-scission, H-abstraction, aromatization and radical combination. The mechanism allows the prediction of the compounds obtained during the pyrolysis. Given the great number of species considered, the simulation of the pyrolysis process requires the solution of complex systems of ordinary differential equations. The results obtained have been validated with experimental results obtained in a free fall installation in which the pyrolysis process has been studied at different temperatures (500–1000 °C) and residence times (0.52–2.07 s).     

3-Bromo-2-methyl-1-propene: molecular structure and conformation in the gas phase as determined by electron diffraction and molecular mechanics calculation

A gas phase electron diffraction study of 3-bromo-2-methyl-1-propene shows that there is predominantly a gauche conformer present. Data recorded at 20 and 180°C show 4(8) and 5(4)% respectively of a second confomer with a planar heavy atom skeleton. The gauche structural results in terms of r_a distances and angles at 20°C were found to be: r(C---C) = 1.331(9) Å, r(C---CH₂Br) = 1.484(6) Å, r(C---CH₃) — r(C---CH₂Br) = 0.017 Å, (assumed), r(C---Br) = 1.965(6) Å, C=C---CH₂Br = 121.5(0.7)°, C=C---CH₂Br — C=C---CH₃ = 0.7° (constraint from molecular mechanics calculation), C---C---Br = 112.2(0.5)°, torsional ANGLE = 112.5(2.2)°. Uncertainties are given as 2σ, where σ includes uncertainties due to correlation among observations, electron wavelength and other parameters used in the data reduction. The results obtained from the 180°C data agree very well with those given above. The molecular mechanics calculations yield information consistent with the experimental results.     

Catalytic effect of zinc oxide on the reduction of barium sulfate by methane

Reduction of barium sulfate by methane was investigated in this work. The thermogravimetric method was used to obtain kinetic parameters of the reaction in the temperature range of 900–975 °C at atmospheric pressure. The kinetics of the reaction has been studied both in the absence and presence of zinc oxide as a catalyst. The conversion–time data have been interpreted by using the grain model, and the effect of catalyst on the kinetic parameters has been elucidated. It was found that zinc oxide acted as fairly strong catalyst for the reaction, especially at higher temperatures. At about 975 °C the reaction rate constant was increased more than 7 times by using 2% of zinc oxide. This enhancement in the rate constant is valuable for industries.     

Improved repeatability and matrix-assisted desorption/ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry compatibility in capillary isoelectric focusing

Low repeatability of migration time, peak area, and linearity (pI vs. mobilization time) is a problem often encountered in capillary IEF (cIEF) and is mainly caused by protein precipitation and protein-wall interactions. In order to study the influence of these phenomena, the effect of different classes of additives on repeatability of migration time, peak area and linearity of a mixture of seven model proteins has been investigated. Moreover, the influence of these additives on protein signal suppression in MALDI-TOF MS has been studied. The optimal ampholyte blend (stabilizes pH gradient) to be used depends on the selected UV detection wavelength. All tested ampholyte blends show a significant and comparable signal suppression in MS. The best detergent (to prevent precipitation and wall interaction) should be determined for each sample individually, but generally polyethylene oxide and zwitterionic detergents show good repeatability for migration time (RSD <4.5%) and peak area (majority <10%). The RSD of R(2) is <1.3% for the hydrophilic protein mixture. However, these components cause severe signal suppression in MS. Therefore glucoside detergents should preferably be used for MS coupling. Viscosity-increasing agents (for hydrodynamic wall coating and to minimize diffusion) in particular cellulose derivatives, give good repeatability for migration times (RSD <4.5% at lower concentrations), peak area (except for high concentration methylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose all within 7.5%), and correlation (pI vs. migration time), but severe signal suppression is observed in MALDI-TOF MS. Overall, cIEF repeatability and linearity can significantly be improved by adding the appropriate components. However, when the system is coupled to a MALDI-TOF MS, compromises have to be made between high repeatability and linearity on one hand and MS signal intensity on the other.