Use of solid-phase extraction to enable enhanced detection of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in environmental samples

A challenge for understanding the role of bacterial cell–cell signalling in the environment is the detection of those signals, which are often present in low (nmol L⁻¹) concentrations. We describe here a simple purification method, solid-phase extraction (SPE), for increasing the sensitivity of detection for one such group of signals, acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), in environmental samples. Spiking of dried marine sponge tissue (Stylinos sp.) with AHLs resulted in detection down to 0.01 ppm for 3-oxo-hexanoyl homoserine lactone (3-oxo C₆-HSL) and 1 ppm for hexanoyl homoserine lactone (C₆-HSL). Compared with liquid extraction methods use of SPE resulted in twofold and tenfold improvements in sensitivity, respectively.     

A kinetic-spectrophotometric method for the determination of glucose in solutions

A kinetic-spectrophotometric method is proposed to determine glucose in solutions. Measurements were performed at 400 nm; the negative peak was obtained by subtracting the absorption spectra of myoglobin (Mb) before and after oxidation. In this method, glucose is added to a mixture of Mb and glucose oxidase. Glucose is oxidized by glucose oxidase and oxygen to gluconate and hydrogen peroxide is generated. The liberated hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the Mb heme (Fe²⁺) into Fe³⁺. The higher the glucose concentration added, the more the H₂O₂ generation, and the more the Mb oxidation (Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺) and, as a result, the higher the absorbance at 400 nm (negative peak, lower absorbance value). The increments of added glucose are monitored by measuring the absorbance decay versus time (0–250 s) at 400 nm. Each glucose concentration has an accompanying unique absorbance value at 250 s. The higher the glucose concentrations, the lower the absorbance at 250 s (measured at 400 nm). The calibration curve for glucose was linear from 0.1 to 3.0 mM; the detection limit was found to be 0.025 mM. There was no interference from major substances present; the only interference was from species that react with H₂O₂ (ascorbic acid, uric acid, and urea) or that react with glucose (Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺). Standard deviation in the determination was ±0.01 mM for a 1.3 mM glucose solution (n = 10). The text was submitted by the author in English.     

An ultra-sensitive and colorimetric sensor for copper and iron based on glutathione-functionalized gold nanoclusters

Here, we report an ultra-sensitive and colorimetric sensor for the detection of Fe³⁺ or Cu²⁺ successively using glutathione-functionalized Au nanoclusters (GSH-AuNCs). For GSH-AuNCs can catalytically oxidize peroxidase substrates, such as 3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), colored products are formed in the presence of H₂O₂. While upon the addition of Fe³⁺ or Cu²⁺ into the GSH-AuNCs-TMB-H₂O₂ system, diverse color and absorbance of the system was obtained due to the self oxidation of Fe³⁺ and the inhibition of peroxidase-like activity of GSH-AuNCs. With the introduction of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) to GSH-AuNCs-TMB-H₂O₂+Cu²⁺ system or GSH-AuNCs-TMB-H₂O₂+Fe³⁺ system respectively, a restoration of color and absorbance of system was realized. On the basis of above phenomenon, a colorimetric and quantitative approach for detecting Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ was developed with detection limit of 1.25 × 10⁻⁹ M and 1.25 × 10⁻¹⁰ M respectively. Moreover, the concentration of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in human serums was also accurate quantified by this method. So this design strategy realized the simple and simultaneous detection of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺, suggesting significant potential in clinical diagnosis.     

Promotion of the fenton reaction by Cu2+ ions: Evidence for intermediates

The promotion of the Fenton reaction by Cu²⁺ ions has been investigated using a wide range of [Cu²⁺]. Both the disappearance of Fe²⁺ and the evolution of O₂ were followed as a function of time by quenching the reaction mixture with o‐phenanthroline or with excess Fe^{2 +} ions, respectively. Two series of experiments were performed. In one series [H₂O₂] was 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³, and in the other [H₂O₂] was reduced to 5 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm ⁻³. By stopping the reaction with excess Fe²⁺ ions, significant differences in the measured absorbance in the two series were observed. In the higher [H₂O₂] range, the absorbance decreased monotonically in time, due to O₂ formation during the reaction. In the lower range, an initial transient rise of the absorbance was observed, indicating the formation of spectroscopically distinct intermediates in the system. A mechanism involving the intermediates FeOCu⁴⁺ and FeOCu⁵⁺ has been set up. Rate constants of the mechanism have been determined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 725–736, 2006     

Silicotungstic acid modified Ce‐Fe‐Ox catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3: Effect of the amount of HSiW

The HSiW(x)/Ce‐Fe catalysts were used to research the effect of silicotungstic acid contents on the catalytic activity in the selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH₃. Doping different contents of silicotungstic acid affected surface species and redox property as well as the catalytic activity. With the increasing amount of HSiW (x = 5%, 10% and 20%), the redox reaction between Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ enhanced, which could improve the ratio of Ce³⁺ and Fe³⁺. And then, more Ce³⁺ increased the ratio of chemisorbed oxygen (O_α). Besides, the type and strength of acid sites over HSiW(_x)/Ce‐Fe was affected by the HSiW contents. These factors facilitated the catalytic performance. Thus, the NO_x conversion of HSiW(x)/Ce‐Fe(x = 20%) was higher than 90%, which maintained in a wide temperature range between 200 and 400 °C.     

Drawing with Iron on a Gel Containing a Supramolecular Siderophore

Guanosine‐5′‐hydroxamic acid ( 3 ) forms hydrogels when mixed with guanosine ( 1 ) and KCl. The 5′‐hydroxamic acid (HA) unit is pH‐responsive and also chelates Fe³⁺. When gels are prepared under basic conditions, the 5′‐HA groups are deprotonated and the anionic hydrogel binds cationic thiazole orange (TO), signaled by enhanced fluorescence. The HA nucleoside 3 , when immobilized in the G‐quartet gel, acts as a supramolecular siderophore to form red complexes with Fe³⁺. We patterned the hydrogel's surface with FeCl₃, by hand and by using a 3D printer. Patterns form instantly, are visible by eye, and can be erased using vitamin C. This hydrogel, combining self‐assembled G‐quartet and siderophore–Fe³⁺ motifs, is strong, can be molded into different shapes, and is stable on the bench or under salt water.     

Ferrous ion oxidations by √H, √OH and H2O2 in aerated FBX dosimetry system

In the ferrous ion, benzoic acid and xylenol orange (FBX) dosimetric system, benzoic acid (BA) increases the G(Fe³⁺) value. Xylenol orange (XO) controls the BA sensitized chain reaction as well as forms a complex with Fe³⁺. In the aerated FBX system each √H, √OH and H₂O₂ oxidizes 8.5, 6.6 and 7.6 Fe²⁺ ions, respectively; and these values respectively increase to 11.3, 7.6 and 8.6 in oxygenated solution. About 8% √OH reacts with XO and the remaining with BA. The above fractional values are due to this competition. This √OH reaction with XO oxidizes 1.8% and 2.1% ferrous ions only in aerated and oxygenated solutions, respectively. There is a competition between √H reactions with O₂ and with BA, but both lead to the production of H₂O₂. The oxidation of Fe²⁺ by √OH reactions at different concentrations of H₂O₂ is linear with absorbed dose while the √H reactions make the oxidation of Fe²⁺ non-linear with dose. This is due to competition reaction of H-adduct of BA between O₂ and Fe³⁺.     

Highly efficient organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of homoserine lactone derived cyclic imino esters to nitroolefins

An efficient stereoselective Michael addition reaction of homoserine lactone derived cyclic imino esters to nitroolefins promoted by a bis(cinchona alkaloid) (DHQD)₂AQN was achieved. This catalytic system features a wide substrate scope, furnishing the corresponding products with excellent diastereoselectivity (>95:5 dr) and good enantioselectivity (up to 87% ee) under mild conditions, and the Michael adducts could be easily transformed into highly functionalized spirocyclic γ-butyrolactone-pyrrolidines through a sequential nitro-Mannich reaction.     

Synthesis of tapioca cellulose-based poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand for heavy metals removal from water

A graft copolymerization was performed using free radical initiating process to prepare the poly(methyl acrylate) grafted copolymer from the tapioca cellulose. The desired material is poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand, which is synthesized from poly(methyl acrylate) grafted cellulose using hydroximation reaction. The tapioca cellulose, grafted cellulose and poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand were characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. The adsorption capacity with copper was found to be good, 210 mg g^?1 with a faster adsorption rate (t_1/2 = 10.5 min). The adsorption capacities for other heavy metal ions were also found to be strong such as Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, Co³⁺ and Ni²⁺ were 191, 182, 202 and 173 mg g^?1, respectively at pH 6. To predict the adsorption behavior, the heavy metal ions sorption onto ligand were well-fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model (R² > 0.99), which suggest that the cellulose-based adsorbent i.e., poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand surface is homogenous and monolayer. The reusability was checked by the sorption/desorption process for six cycles and the sorption and extraction efficiency in each cycle was determined. This new adsorbent can be reused in many cycles without any significant loss in its original removal performances.     

Synthesis of poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand from polymer grafted corn‐cob cellulose for transition metals extraction

Poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand was synthesized using ester functionalities of cellulose‐graft‐poly(methyl acrylate) copolymer, and products are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand was utilized for the sensing and removal of transition metal ions form aqueous solutions. The solution pH is found a key factor for the optical detection of metal ions, and the reflectance spectra of the [Cu‐ligand]ⁿ⁺ complex were observed to be the highest absorbance 99.5% at pH 6. With the increase of Cu²⁺ ion concentration, the reflectance spectra were increased, and a broad peak at 705 nm indicated that the charge transfer (π‐π transition) complex was formed. The adsorption capacity with copper was found to be superior, 320 mg g^?1, and adsorption capacities for other transition metal ions were also found to be good such as Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Co³⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ were 255, 260, 300, 280, 233, and 223 mg g^?1, respectively, at pH 6. The experimental data show that all metal ions fitted well with the pseudo‐second‐order rate equation. The sorption results of the transition metal ions onto ligand were well fitted with Langmuir isotherm model (R² > 0.98), which implies the homogenous and monolayer character of poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand surface. Eleven cycles sorption/desorption process were applied to verify the reusability of this adsorbent. The investigation of sorption and extraction efficiency in each cycle indicated that this new type of adsorbent can be recycled in many cycles with no significant loss in its original detection and removal capability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydroxamic acid polymers

A polymer bearing hydroxamic acid groups and having a high affinity for iron(III) was prepared through the following procedure. Acryloylalanine (III), prepared by the reaction of acryloyl chloride with alanine, was treated with N-hydroxysuccinimide in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to give the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (IV). The ester IV was polymerized by using AIBN in dioxane to give polymer V. Treatment of polymer V with methylhydroxylamine in DMF gave the hydroxamic acid polymer II. The water-soluble polymer II was purified by dialysis or by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) on Sephadex G-25. Analytical GPC on Sephadex G-200 and Sepharose 4B indicate that the average molecular weight of the polymer is in the range of 5 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10⁶. The presence of hydroxamic acid groups is confirmed by the intense red-brown color produced by the addition of iron(III) to a 50% aqueous DMF solution of the polymer under acidic conditions. In pure water the polymer-iron complex precipitates as a tan solid. Iron-binding studies of the polymer reveal that the iron(III) trihydroxamic acid complex FeA₃ forms at low concentrations of iron. At higher iron levels a lower order of stability is apparent, which can be accounted for by the conversion of FeA₃ to FeA₂⁺. In contrast, the FeA₃ complex of the trihydroxamic acid deferoxamine-B is stable at all iron levels. These results are consistent with the polymer structure, which for steric reasons would favor a stable complex, FeA₂⁺, between iron and two adjacent hydroxamic acid groups. An FeA₃ complex would be expected to have a lower stability as a result of either bond angle strain and atomic compression, or a lower probability in bringing a third hydroxamic acid into position to form the octahedral complex.     

Mössbauer Spectroscopic Investigation of FeII and FeIII 3,4,5‐Trihydroxybenzoates (Gallates) – Proposed Model Compounds for Iron‐Gall Inks

Iron gallates with iron in the oxidation states Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were prepared and studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and IR spectroscopy. Fe^III 3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoate (gallate) Fe(C₇O₅H₄) · 2H₂O, whose structure was first determined by Wunderlich, was obtained by the reaction of gallic acid and metallic iron or by oxidation of the Fe^II gallate, which was obtained by the reaction of ferrous sulfate with 3,4,5‐trihydroxybezoic acid (gallic acid) under anoxic conditions. Trials to reproduce the hydrothermal preparation method of Feller and Cheetham show that the result depends crucially on the free gas volume in the reaction vessel. If there is no free volume one obtains the same Fe^III gallate as in the other preparation methods. With a large free volume another compound was found to form whose composition and structure could not be determined. It could be specified only by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe^III gallate, the Fe^II gallate, and the new phase show magnetic ordering at liquid helium temperature.     

Semisynthesis iii - the homoserine 12,105 analogue of hen egg-white lysozyme.

The homoserine ^12,105 analogue of Hen egg-white lysozyme has been prepared by two routes. In the first approach a large excess of cyanogen bromide was used to cleave the native enzyme at methionines 12 and 105, the tertiary structure being maintained by the presence of the four disulphide bonds. Formation of the two new amide bonds was achieved using the activation of the homoserine lactone residues generated at positions 12 and 105; the reaction being most efficient when anhydrous DMSO was used as the solvent. An alternative approach using limited (two-fold excess) cyanogen bromide digestion gave the same homoserine analogue without chain fragmentation. A purified sample of the analogue showed no enzymic activity.     

A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of total and ferric iron in rain water at the ppb level

A new, simple, selective and sensitive spectrophotometric procedure for the on-site quantification of iron at nano-gram levels in atmospheric precipitations, i.e. rain as sample source is described. It is based on the color reaction of Fe³⁺ with SCN^– ions in the presence of a cationic surfactant, i.e. cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), in strong HCl solution, and subsequent extraction of the complex with N-octylacetamide into toluene or chloroform. The apparent molar absorptivity of the complex is 2.60 × 10⁵ L mol^–1 cm^–1 at λ_max = 480 nm at an enrichment factor (EF) of 10. The detection limit (causing higher absorbance than the sum of the blank absorbance (0.009) and 3 SD) is 5 ng mL^–1 Fe. Ions commonly associated with iron did not interfere in the present method. The effect of analytical variables, i.e. amount and type of the reagents, acidity, solvent, temperature, dilution, etc., in the determination of iron are discussed. The validity of the present method is checked with GF-AAS. The method has been applied to the determination of iron at the ppb level in rain water samples.     

Spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum(vi) with benzoylacetanilide

Abstract

The complex formed between molybdenum(VI) and benzoylacetanilide in the pH range 0.6 and 1.9 has been extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone and the absorbance has been measured at 410 mμ. Quantities of 0.15 to 2.10 mg of molybdenum have been determined with a standard deviation of 0.6%. The color is stable up to 2 hours. The presence of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Be²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Ce⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺ or UO²⁺ ₂ up to 100 μg causes no interference. Ordinarily, Fe³⁺ interferes with the determination, but when masked with 1 ml of 0.5% solution of ascorbic acid the tolerance limit is 10 mg. Thus, molybdenum can be determined in steel when present in amounts as low as 0.26%.     

Catalytic and inhibition functions of iron ions in the chain oxidation of acrylic acid

The kinetics of acrylic acid oxidation in the presence of iron ions $ (T = 333K,_{P_{O_2 } } = 1 atm) $ (T = 333K,_{P_{O_2 } } = 1 atm) has been investigated by measuring the oxygen uptake. The reaction has an induction period τ, after which the O₂ uptake is described by the parabolic kinetic law δ[O₂]^0.5 = b(t − τ). The parameter b characterizing the catalytic oxidation of acrylic acid has been calculated. Upon the introduction of an initiator (azobisisobutyronitrile), the oxidation has no induction period, but the autoacceleration of the reaction is still observed. A mechanism is suggested for the process. This mechanism includes initiation due to the interaction of the resulting peroxide and hydroperoxide groups with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions and chain termination via the reaction R^· + Fe³⁺, where R^· is an acrylic acid macroradical.     

PHOTOSENSITIZED INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC 14CO2 FIXATION BY α-TERTHIENYL AND ULTRAVIOLET-A*

Abstract: A variety of naturally occurring photosensitizers of plant origin were tested for their ability to cause ultraviolet-A (UVA)-dependent inhibition of photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in leaf disks of Pisum sativum L. At 0.1 mM concentrations and 60 min UVA irradiation, α-terthienyl was strongly inhibitory, harmine and sanguinarine inhibited to a lesser degree, and curcumin, 8-methoxypsoralen and nordihydroguaiaretic acid had no effect under the conditions tested. Alpha-terthienyl + UVA treatments that fully inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ fixation had no effect on fresh weight, chlorophyll or protein content of the tissue. Chloroplast malate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were inhibited 45% and 29%, respectively, by α-terthienyl + UVA treatment. Electron transport from H₂O to the reducing side of photosystem I was inhibited to a similar extent, suggesting interference with the reductive activation of chloroplast enzymes. Alpha-terthienyl + UVA-treated tissue exhibited a seven-fold increase in leakage of labeled photosynthate into the external medium. Treated leaf disks showed no ability to recover ¹⁴CO₂ fixing ability over a 24 h period. These results indicate photosensitized damage at the level of the thylakoid membranes resulting in partial loss of electron transport capability and more general damage to chloroplast and cell membranes.     

Synthesis, characterisation and complex forming ability towards ferric ions of oligo(ether-amide)s of Jeffamines ED and chelidamic acid

New chelating oligo(ether-amide)s (CA-PE)s containing chelidamic acid residues in the main chain were prepared by reacting chelidamic acid with Jeffamines ED^® in the presence of N,N^′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-dimethylaminopyridine. A mixture of products having one or two polyether sequences with chelidamate end-groups was obtained. It was found spectrophotometrically that CA-PE polymers formed a complex with Fe³⁺ at pH 3-6 having a maximum absorbance in the 472-495 nm range. Fe³⁺ ion complexes of CA-PE were water soluble, except Fe³⁺-CA-PE₆₀₀. The stoichiometric ratio between chelidamic acid residues of oligo(ether-amide)s CA-PE and Fe³⁺ ions was found to be 2 at pH 5 by the method of shift of equilibrium. A hydroxypyridine structure of the chelidamic acid residues in the complex was suggested.     

Stuffed Tridymite Structures: Synthesis,Structure, Second Harmonic Generation,Optical, and Multiferroic Properties

The stuffed tridymite structure Ba(Zn/Co)_1−xSi_1−xM_2xO₄ (M=Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺) is explored for the possible multiferroic behavior and to develop new inorganic colored materials. The compounds were synthesized by employing conventional solid-state chemistry methods in the temperature range 1100–1175 °C for 24 h. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Rietveld refinement studies indicate that the compounds stabilize in the P63 space group (no. 173). The refinement results were also rationalized by employing Raman spectroscopic studies. The compounds were found to be second harmonic generation (SHG) active and show weak ferroelectric behavior. The co-substitution of Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the structure gives rise to a weak ferromagnetic behavior to the compound, BaCo_0.75Si_0.75Fe_0.5O₄, making it a multiferroic material. The optical studies on the prepared compounds exhibited blue color (Co²⁺ in T_d geometry), purple color (Ni²⁺ in T_d geometry), and simultaneous substitution of Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ gives rise to blue-green color owing to metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) effect.     

PHOTOSENSITIZED INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC 14 CO2 FIXATION BY α-TERTHIENYL and ULTRAVIOLET-A*

Abstract –A variety of naturally occurring photosensitizers of plant origin were tested for their ability to cause ultraviolet-A (UVA)-dependent inhibition of photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂ fixation in leaf disks of Pisum sativum L. At 0.1 mM concentrations and 60 min UVA irradiation, α-terthienyl was strongly inhibitory, harmine and sanguinarine inhibited to a lesser degree, and curcumin, 8-methoxypsoralen and nordihydroguaiaretic acid had no effect under the conditions tested. Alpha-terthienyl + UVA treatments that fully inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ fixation had no effect on fresh weight, chlorophyll or protein content of the tissue. Chloroplast malate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were inhibited 45% and 29%, respectively, by α-terthienyl + UVA treatment. Electron transport from H₂O to the reducing side of photosystem I was inhibited to a similar extent, suggesting interference with the reductive activation of chloroplast enzymes. Alpha-terthienyl + UVA-treated tissue exhibited a seven-fold increase in leakage of labeled photosynthate into the external medium. Treated leaf disks showed no ability to recover ¹⁴CO₂ fixing ability over a 24 h period. These results indicate photosensitized damage at the level of the thylakoid membranes resulting in partial loss of electron transport capability and more general damage to chloroplast and cell membranes.