Rapid and Sensitive Determination of Dinotefuran Residue Based on Electrochemical Enhancement of β‐cyclodextrin‐Graphene Composite

A rapid method for sensitive voltammetric determination of dinotefuran residue was reported. The proposed method was based on the electrocatalytic reduction of dinotefuran on β‐cyclodextrin‐graphene composite modified glassy carbon electrode (β‐CD‐rGO/GCE), giving rise to a higher reduction signal to dinotefuran relative to the bare (GCE) and graphene modified electrode (rGO/GCE). Moreover, a further signal enhancement was observed when the modified electrode incubated in solution at low temperature (0 °C) for a short time. The reduction mechanism and binding affinity were also discussed. The external standard calibration curve was obtained from linear sweep voltammetry in the range of 0.5 to 16.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.10 μM. In addition to optimization of pretreatment, this electrochemical method has been applied to the dinotefuran residue determination in millet samples with the detection limit of 0.01 mg kg^?1 and compared with an high performance liquid chromatography method. The proposed electrode and analysis methods were proven to be sensitive, accurate and rapid under the used conditions.     

Optimization of an Electrochemical Sensor for Determination of Imidacloprid Based on β‐cyclodextrin Electropolymerization on Glassy Carbon Electrode

An electrochemical sensor based on electropolymerization of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the determination of imidacloprid (IMP). That insecticide is the most commonly used insecticides globally and has been related to the death of bee colonies around the world are imperative. So the development of a simple, cheap and sensitive method for IMP determination is essential. This work aims the modification of a GCE by β‐CD film. The analytical response obtained with GCCE/β‐CD in the presence of the IMP showed an increase in the peak current variation of 947 % in relation to the bare GCE, indicating that the analyte was encapsulated in the β‐CD increasing the detection sensitivity. The followed experimental conditions were optimized: potential range (−1.3 to 0.9 V), presence or absence of dissolved oxygen (presence) and stirring during the electropolymerization (with agitation), number of cycles (5 scans), electrolyte pH (pH=5.0), scan rate (100 mV s⁻¹) and concentration of β‐CD (6 mol L⁻¹). The optimization promoted a peak current variation increase of 57 %, developing a more sensitivity methodology.     

Utilizing Paper‐Based Devices for Antimicrobial‐Resistant Bacteria Detection

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the ability of a bacterial species to resist the action of an antimicrobial drug, has been on the rise due to the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. Per the World Health Organization, AMR has an estimated annual cost of USD 34 billion in the US and is predicted to be the number one cause of death worldwide by 2050. One way AMR bacteria can spread, and by which individuals can contract AMR infections, is through contaminated water. Monitoring AMR bacteria in the environment currently requires that samples be transported to a central laboratory for slow and labor intensive tests. We have developed an inexpensive assay using paper‐based analytical devices (PADs) that can test for the presence of β‐lactamase‐mediated resistance. To demonstrate viability, the PAD was used to detect β‐lactam resistance in wastewater and sewage and identified resistance in individual bacterial species isolated from environmental water sources.     

Detection of Carbapenemase‐Producing Organisms with a Carbapenem‐Based Fluorogenic Probe

Antibiotic resistance has become a major challenge to public health worldwide. This crisis is further aggravated by the increasing emergence of bacterial resistance to carbapenems, typically considered as the antibiotics of last resort, which is mainly due to the production of carbapenem‐hydrolyzing carbapenemases in bacteria. Herein, the carbapenem‐based fluorogenic probe CB‐1 with an unprecedented enamine–BODIPY switch is developed for the detection of carbapenemase activity. This reagent is remarkably specific towards carbapenemases over other prevalent β‐lactamases. Furthermore, the efficient imaging of live clinically important carbapenemase‐producing organisms (CPOs) with CB‐1 demonstrates its potential for the rapid detection of antibiotic resistance and timely diagnosis of CPO infections.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of Chitosan‐co‐polyaniline/WO3⋅nH2O Composite Electrode for Amperometric Detection of NO2 Gas

An electrode of hydrated tungsten oxide (WO₃?nH₂O) embedded chitosan‐co‐polyaniline (CHIT‐co‐PANI) composite was electrochemically prepared on an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass surface using mineral acid as a supporting electrolyte. The resulting CHIT‐co‐PANI/WO₃?nH₂O/ITO electrode was characterized using ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composite electrode exhibited a three‐dimensional nanofibrous structure with the diameter of the nanofibers ranging from 20 to 100 nm. The CHIT‐co‐PANI/WO₃?nH₂O/ITO electrode allowed for the low potential detection of NO₂ gas in acidic medium. The NO₂ gas sensing characteristics were studied by measuring change in the current with respect to concentration and time. Using the CHIT‐co‐PANI/WO₃?nH₂O/ITO electrode, NO₂ gas was detected electrochemically without interference at pH 2.0 and 0.25 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The current of the electrochemical cell with the CHIT‐co‐PANI/WO₃?nH₂O/ITO electrode decreased linearly with an increase in NO₂ gas concentration in a range from 100 to 500 ppb with a response time of eight seconds.     

α‐Fe2O3 Film with Highly Photoactivity for Non‐enzymatic Photoelectrochemical Detection of Glucose

A non‐enzyme photoelectrochemical (PEC) glucose sensor based on α‐Fe₂O₃ film is investigated. The α‐Fe₂O₃ film was fabricated via a simple spin coating method. The proposed glucose sensor exhibits good selectivity, a fast response time of <5 s, a linear range of 0.05 to 6.0 mM, sensitivity of 17.23 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 and a detection limit of 0.05 μM. Meanwhile, the excellent performances of the α‐Fe₂O₃ sensor were obtained in reproducibility and the long‐term stability under ambient condition. The linear amperometric response of the sensor covers the glucose levels in physiological and clinical for diabetic patients. Therefore, this non‐enzyme PEC sensor based on α‐Fe₂O₃ film has a great potential application in the development of glucose sensors.     

An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Electropolymerization of ß‐Cyclodextrin and Reduced Graphene Oxide on a Glassy Carbon Electrode for Determination of Neonicotinoids

An electrochemical sensor of glassy carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide and β‐cyclodextrin (GCE/rGO/β‐CD) was developed as an effective alternative in the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, in honey samples. The peak current variation obtained with the proposed sensor was higher compared to the bare GCE in all the analytes. In the determination of imidacloprid the response increased by 1300 %, clothianidin by 670 % and thiametoxam by 630 %. In addition, the optimization of the experimental conditions provided the construction of a sensor with greater sensitivity. The study of interferers showed that inorganic ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, e NH₄⁺) and other insecticides (acetamiprid and dinotefuran) did not influence the reduction of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. The determination of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam in honey samples exhibited recovery values within the EPA range (between 107.75 and 116 %). In conclusion, the developed sensor GCE/rGO/β‐CD proved to be an effective alternative in the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey samples.     

Confocal microscopy study of uptake kinetics of α‐lactalbumin and β‐lactoglobulin onto the cation‐exchanger SP Sepharose FF

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to study single‐ and two‐component protein uptake for α‐lactalbumin (ALA) and β‐lactoglobulin (BLG), as models for whey proteins, to SP Sepharose FF at pH 3.7 during batch experiments in a finite bath. By coupling a fluorescent dye with the protein molecule, the penetration into individual adsorbent particles at different times during batch uptake was visualised. In a single‐component system, BLG penetrated fast into the adsorbent beads and gradually filled them in a shell‐wise fashion, while adsorption of ALA was mostly confined to the outer shells of the adsorbent. For the two‐component studies, the results showed that ALA was able to displace BLG despite its lower affinity to the adsorbent under the employed conditions. CLSM results were then compared both qualitatively and quantitatively to their counterparts obtained in traditional experiments by indirect measurements of the protein concentration in the fluid phase. A novel quantitative approach was undertaken by modifying the simple kinetic rate model traditionally used to determine the kinetic rate constant, k₁, for batch uptake experiments, in order to describe batch uptake kinetics based on CLSM data. Although BLG results were in good agreement, there was a discrepancy in ALA results.     

An Electrochemical Sensing Strategy for Amantadine Detection Based on Competitive Host‐guest Interaction of Methylene Blue/β‐cyclodextrin/Poly(N‐acetylaniline) Modified Electrode

A novel electrochemical strategy for the detection of amantadine (AMD) has been developed based on the competitive host‐guest interaction of AMD and methylene blue (MB) with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). Due to the host‐guest interaction, MB molecules can enter into the hydrophobic inner cavity of β‐CD, and the MB/β‐CD/poly(N‐acetylaniline)/glassy carbon electrode displays a remarkable reduction peak due to MB. In the presence of AMD, competitive association to β‐CD occurs and the MB molecules are displaced by AMD, resulting in a decrease of reduction peak current of MB. The difference value of the cathodic peak current showed a linear relationship with the AMD concentration.     

Electrochemical Sensor for Sensitive Determination of Ga(III) Ion Based on β‐Cyclodextrin Incorporated Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes and Imprinted Sol‐gel Composite Film

A novel sensor for detection of trace gallium ion [Ga(III)] was created by stepwise modification of a gold electrode with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and an ion imprinted polymer (IIP). The sensor surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The sensor displayed excellent selectivity towards the target Ga(III) ion. Meanwhile, the introduced MWCNTs displayed noticeable catalytic activity, and β‐CD demonstrated significant enrichment capacity. A linear calibration curve was obtained covering the concentration range from 5.0×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?4 mol·L^?1, with a detection limit of 7.6×10^?9 mol·L^?1. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to detect Ga(III) in real urine samples.     

Comparison of Methionine α,γ‐Lyase and Homocysteine α,γ‐Lyase for Electrochemical Determination of Homocysteine

Recently, a novel enzymatic method was developed for determination of homocysteine. This method utilizes the electrochemical hydrogen sulfide sensor along with methionine α,γ‐lyase to accomplish the fast, accurate, sensitive and selective measurements. As a continuation of this work, another enzyme, homocysteine α,γ‐lyase, was used and the parallel experiments of using both enzymes were carried out against the effect of pH, sensitivity, linearity, and interferences, in an intended comparison between these two enzymes. The excellent linearity of amperometric currents against homocysteine concentrations, high sensitivities and low detection limits for both enzymes reconfirmed that the electrochemical method is superior over other analytical means. The high enzymatic activity of methionine α,γ‐lyase surpassing homocysteine α,γ‐lyase endowed the former higher sensitivity, lower detection limit and faster response than the latter, suggesting methionine α,γ‐lyase a better candidate for homocysteine measurement by electrochemical method. The differences between these two enzymes on the trends of response time and sensitivity at different pH environments, reactivity toward several forms of homocysteine as well as on the interference from several agents were also addressed and discussed.     

Steroselective Hydrolysis of DL‐Beta‐Acetylthioisobutyramide Catalyzed by Genetically Engineered E. Coli Immobilized on Celite 580 in a Packed Bed Bioreactor

Pseudomonas putida IFO12996 catalyzes the stereoselective hydrolysis of methyl dl ‐β‐acetylthioisobutyramide (dl ‐ATIA) to form d ‐β‐acetylthioisobutyric acid (DAT), a key intermediate for synthesis of a series of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The esterase gene of Pseudomonas putida IFO12996 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli which was further immobilized and retained on a packed bed bioreactor filled with Celite 580. The packed bed bioreactor was used to conduct the stereoselective hydrolysis of dl ‐ATIA and to give DAT with a yield of 34.5%, enantiometric excess value of 97% and enantioselectivity value > 150. The optimal pH and temperature for the reaction were 9.0 and 57 °C ～ 67 °C, respectively. The kinetic constants (Km and Vmax) of immobilized cells were found to be 372.5 mM and 285.7 μmol min^?1 (g cell)^?1, respectively. The immobilized cells retained over 60% of the initial catalytic activity after 5 batch cycles of production. This paper presents a simple, practical and economical process of immobilization of genetically engineered E. coli on a novel packed bed bioreactor for production of DAT.     

Electrochemical Detection of Duplex DNA Using Intercalation‐Triggered Decomplexation of Ferrocene with β‐Cyclodextrin

The redox peak of ferrocenylnaphthalene diimide used as a threading intercalator shifted positively due to the formation of its complex with β‐cyclodextrin. This complex collapsed upon the addition of double‐stranded DNA, and its redox potential shifted negatively. This behavior was applied for the homogenous detection of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product from Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is important for the diagnosis of periodontal disease, and its quantitative detection was achieved with a detection limit of 2.7 nM.     

Triphenylphosphine‐Mediated Reduction of Electron‐Deficient Propargyl Ethers to the Allylic Ethers

Semihydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated ynoates and ‐ynones bearing a γ‐alkoxy group can be performed using triphenylphosphine and water. α,β‐Unsaturated ynoates were reduced to a mixture of cis and trans α,β‐unsaturated enoates, whereas, ynones were reduced to trans α,β‐unsaturated enones as the only products.     

Synthesis of β‐Haloketones by β‐Addition Reactions of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones with BX3 (X = Br,Cl) as Halide Source

A series of β‐bromoketones and β‐chloroketones were synthesized by the addition reactions of α,β‐unsaturated ketones under BX₃ (X = Br, Cl) and ethylene glycol reaction system. The α,β‐unsaturated ester also was successfully converted to its corresponding β‐bromoester under the reaction condition.     

适配体电化学传感器检测汞离子进展

适配体是一小段经体外筛选得到的寡核苷酸序列。适配体中的胸腺嘧啶(T)碱基可与Hg~(2+)形成比双链DNA更加稳定的T-Hg~(2+)-T结构。利用该性质结合电化学测量方法可制作检测Hg~(2+)的特异性强、灵敏度高的适配体电化学传感器,并建立微量Hg~(2+)的检测方法。该文对近年来发展的检测Hg~(2+)的适配体电化学传感器进行了综述和总结,对文献报道的几类传感器的构建过程和检测机理进行了详述,对检测方法的优缺点进行了分析。最后,对此类传感器今后的发展方向提出了展望,引用文献83篇。     

A Novel Self‐protection Hydroquinone Electrochemical Sensor Based on Thermo‐sensitive Triblock Polymer PS‐PNIPAm‐PS

A novel self‐protection sensor was successfully constructed based on an interesting thermo‐sensitive triblock polymer PS‐PNIPAm‐PS. At low temperatures (<24 °C), the analyte was able to undergo the redox process at the modified electrode. However, the polymer shrunk and accumulated at high temperatures (>30 °C), which dramatically increased the electron transfer resistance (Rct) of the modified electrode and consequently blocked the occurrence of the redox reaction to protect the electrode from high temperatures and enhance its stability. Under optimized conditions, the proposed sensor showed a good detection range for hydroquinone (6×10^?7 to 2.35×10^?3 M) and a low LOD (490 nM). The sensor was also successfully applied for detecting hydroquinone in real samples. The present work may provide a novel method for electrode protection, high‐temperature alarm, high‐temperature protection of batteries and new sensors production.     

Formation mechanism of polyaniline microtubules synthesized by a template‐free method

A template‐like model, which was an aniline salt formed with β‐naphthalene sulfornic acid (β‐NSA) as a dopant, was proposed to interpret the formation mechanism of polyaniline (PANI) microtubules doped with β‐NSA by a template‐free method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction measurements confirmed this model. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2359–2364, 2000     

Fullerene‐β‐Cyclodextrin Conjugate Based Electrochemical Sensing Device for Ultrasensitive Detection of p‐Nitrophenol

The article describes the use of a fullerene (C₆₀)‐β‐cyclodextrin conjugate, synthesized via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition, for the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of p‐nitrophenol. This conjugate was successfully immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode and the developed device showed high activity towards p‐nitrophenol due to the synergetic effect of C₆₀, the latter becoming highly conductive upon reduction. The determination of p‐nitrophenol was performed by using square wave voltammetry over a concentration range from 2.8×10^?9 mol L^?1 to 4.2×10^?7 mol L^?1 and the detection limit was calculated to be 1.2×10^?9 mol L^?1.