Electron paramagnetic resonance spin label titration: a novel method to investigate random and site-specific immobilization of enzymes onto polymeric membranes with different properties

The immobilization of biological molecules onto polymeric membranes to produce biofunctional membranes is used for selective catalysis, separation, analysis, and artificial organs. Normally, random immobilization of enzymes onto polymeric membranes leads to dramatic reduction in activity due to chemical reactions involved in enzyme immobilization, multiple-point binding, etc., and the extent of activity reduction is a function of membrane hydrophilicity (e.g. activity in cellulosic membrane?polysulfone membrane). We have used molecular biology to effect site-specific immobilization of enzymes in a manner that orients the active site away from the polymeric membrane surface, thus resulting in higher enzyme activity that approaches that in solution and in increased stability of the enzyme relative to the enzyme in solution. A prediction of this site-specific method of enzyme immobilization, which in this study with subtilisin and organophosphorus hydrolase consists of a fusion tag genetically added to these enzymes and subsequent immobilization via the anti-tag antibody and membrane-bound protein A, is that the active site conformation will more closely resemble that of the enzyme in solution than is the case for random immobilization. This hypothesis was confirmed using a new electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin label active site titration method that determines the amount of spin label bound to the active site of the immobilized enzyme. This value nearly perfectly matched the enzyme activity, and the results suggested: (a) a spectroscopic method for measuring activity and thus the extent of active enzyme immobilization in membrane, which may have advantages in cases where optical methods can not be used due to light scattering interference; (b) higher spin label incorporation (and hence activity) in enzymes that had been site-specifically immobilized versus random immobilization; (c) higher spin label incorporation in enzymes immobilized onto hydrophilic bacterial cellulose membranes versus hydrophobic modified poly(ether)sulfone membranes. These results are discussed with reference to analysis and utilization of biofunctional membranes.     

Characterization of the dispersion process for NiFe2O4 nanocrystals in a silica matrix with infrared spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance

The structural development of the NiFe₂O₄ nanocrystals dispersed in a silica matrix was followed by IR and EPR spectroscopies of the dried gel 10NiO–10Fe₂O₃–90SiO₂ after heat treatment. The dried gel obtained at 200°C was amorphous, in which Fe³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions were distributed in the pores of silica matrix. When the dried gel was heat treated at 400°C, NiFe₂O₄ clusters were partially formed, showing an enhanced interaction with the silica matrix. NiFe₂O₄ clusters were completely formed in silica matrix when the heat treatment was increased to 600°C, at which the interactions between the clusters and silica matrix reached a maximum. The formation reaction of NiFe₂O₄ clusters was accompanied by a rearrangement of the silica matrix network. Further increase of the heat treatment temperature to 800°C led to superparamagnetic single domain NiFe₂O₄ nanocrystals (ca. 4 nm) dispersed in the silica matrix with the elimination of the interactions between magnetic nanocrystals and silica matrix.     

Comparative investigation of irradiated meat by the methods of electron paramagnetic resonance and gas chromatography

A comparative study of irradiated pork meat containing bone was made by the methods of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and gas chromatography (GC). In this investigation EPR has the advantage to be a very fast and unambiguous method even in the cases of thermal treatment of bones. On the other hand, GC analysis is a time consuming procedure however, it becomes very valuable for meat samples that contain no bones.     

New molybdenum compound suitable for determination by electron paramagnetic resonance

Molybdenum reacted with diethyldithiocarbamate showed a single line at g=1.980 in electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry at room temperature after reduction by oxalic acid. Molybdenum in 10 μl of urine could be quantitated within 5 min with the detection limit of 50 pg.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of amphiphiles partitioning behavior in desiccation-tolerant moss during dehydration

Desiccation tolerance is a crucial characteristic for desert moss surviving in arid regions. Desiccation procedure always induces amphiphiles transferring from the polar cytoplasm into lipid bodies. The behavior of amphiphiles transferring can contribute to the enhancement of desiccation tolerance and the reduction of plasma membrane integrity simultaneously. The effects of amphiphiles partitioning into the lipid phase during water loss has been studied for pollen and seeds using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. However, desiccation-tolerant high plants occur among mosses, several angiosperms and higher plants seeds or pollens. They have different strategies for survival in dehydration and rehydration. A desiccation-tolerant moss Tortula desertorum was used to investigate the behaviors of amphiphilic molecules during drying by spin label technology. There are small amount of amphiphilic probes partitioning into membrane during moss leaves dehydration, comparing with that in higher plants. Cytoplasm viscosity changed from 1.14 into glass state only dehydration less than 60 min. Moss leaves lost plasma membrane integrity slightly, from 0.115 to 0.237, occurred simultaneously with amphiphiles partition. The results showed the more advantages of mosses than higher plants in adapting fast dehydration. We propose that EPR spin label is feasible for studying the amphiphiles partitioning mechanisms in membrane protection and damage for desiccation-tolerant mosses.     

Single crystal EPR and optical studies of paramagnetic ions doped zinc potassium phosphate hexahydrate—Part II: VO(II)—a case of substitutional site

Single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies were carried at room temperature for VO(II) doped zinc potassium phosphate hexahydrate. The results indicate that the paramagnetic impurity has entered the lattice only substitutionally, as confirmed by the single crystal rotations. The spin Hamiltonian parameters calculated from the spectra are g_//=1.9356, g=1.9764, A_//=200.9 G and A=76.5 G. The optical absorption spectrum exhibits three bands (800, 670 and 340 nm) suggesting the C_4v symmetry and the optical parameters evaluated are Dq=1492, Ds=−3854 and Dt=186 cm⁻¹.     

Multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance and theoretical studies of a Mn(II) (S = 5/2) complex: The role of geometrical elements on the Zero Field Splitting parameters

The Zero Field Splitting (ZFS) parameters of the mononuclear Mn(II) (S = 5/2) compound [Mn(Ac4Ph)₂], where HAc4Ph stands for 4-phenyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone, are determined by dual mode X-band and high field/high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reproduce both the sign and absolute value of the axial parameter D of the ZFS tensor, whose distribution is quantitatively correlated to distribution on geometrical elements of the complex.     

Solid-state NMR and EPR study of fluorinated carbon nanofibers

Carbon nanofibers were fluorinated in two manners, in pure fluorine gas (direct fluorination) and with a fluorinating agent (TbF₄ during the so-called controlled fluorination). The resulting fluorinated nanofibers have been investigated by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). This underlines that the fluorination mechanisms differ since a (CF)_n structural type is obtained, whatever the temperature, with the controlled reaction, whereas, during the direct process, a (C₂F)_n type is formed over a wide temperature range. Through a careful characterization of the products, i.e. density of dangling bonds (as internal paramagnetic centers), structural type (acting on molecular motion) and specific surface area (related to the amount of physisorbed O₂), the effect of atmospheric oxygen molecules on the spin-lattice nuclear relaxation has been underlined.     

利用X射线光电子能谱研究马家塔煤显微组分中氧的赋存形态

煤中氧的赋存形态是煤结构研究的重要内容,煤炭加工转化（如煤的热解、直接加氢液化等）也需要确实详尽的煤中氧赋存形态的数据信息。x射线光电子能谱法（x—ray Photoelectron Speetroscopy,XPS）是近年来新出现的最有效的元素分析方法之一,目前,已在化学、物理、生物等各个领域中得到广泛应用。1974年,XPS分析方法首次用于煤的研究,近年来,XPS成为研究煤中硫和氮存在形态的有效方法之一。许多学者在煤中无机矿物中碳、氧、硫的存在形态及XPS直接测定煤中有机硫等方面做过较多研究工作,但由于煤结构的复杂性、实验条件不尽相同以及煤中矿物的干扰等,以往的研究结果并不完全相同。     

Microwave saturation of EPR spectra of oxidised coal

Microwave saturation of multi-component EPR spectra of oxidized lignite Mequinenza (Spain) with a carbon content of 65.1 wt % and with a high sulphur content of 10.3 wt % was studied. The coal was oxidized with nitric acid (NHO₃), peroxyacetic acid (PAA), and in O₂/Na₂CO₃ system. Three different groups of paramagnetic centres exist in the coal samples analyzed. The EPR spectrum of the demineralised coal was a superposition of broad Gauss (ΔB _pp = 0.75 mT), broad Lorentz 1 (ΔB _pp = 0.42 mT) and narrow Lorentz 3 lines (ΔB _pp = 0.08 mT). The three EPR components with linewidths: 0.58–0.77 mT (Gauss line), 0.30–0.39 mT (Lorentz 1 line) and 0.05–0.06 mT (Lorentz 3 line) were recorded for the oxidized coal. The g-values were obtained for the samples studied in the ranges 2.0043–2.0046 (Gauss lines), 2.0035–2.0038 (Lorentz 1 lines) and 2.0032–2.0034 (Lorentz 3 lines). The broad Gauss and Lorentz 1 lines saturate at low microwave powers. The narrow Lorentz 3 lines of demineralised coal were not saturated at microwave power from the range considered. After the coal oxidation with HNO₃, PAA and in O₂/Na₂CO₃ system, the microwave saturation of the narrow Lorentz 3 lines was also observed, which indicated a degradation of the multi-ring aromatic structures upon oxidation.      

Investigations on the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters for Mn2+ in the ABF3 fluoroperovskites

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters (g factor, the hyperfine structure constant A and the superhyperfine parameters A' and B') for Mn(2+) in the fluoroperovskites ABF(3) (A=K and Cs; B=Zn, Mg, Cd and Ca) are theoretically investigated from the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 3d(5) ion under ideal octahedra. In the above treatments, not only the crystal-field mechanism but also the charge transfer mechanism is considered uniformly on the basis of the cluster approach. The theoretical EPR parameters are in good agreement with the experimental data. The charge transfer contribution to the g-shift Δg (≈g-g(s), where g(s)≈2.0023 is the spin-only value) is opposite (positive) in sign and comparable in magnitude to the crystal-field one. Nevertheless, the charge transfer contribution to the hyperfine structure constant shows the same sign and about 10% that of the crystal-field one. So, the conventional argument that the charge transfer contributions to the zero-field splittings are negligible for 3d(5) ions under low symmetrically distorted fluorine octahedra is proved no longer valid for the Δg analysis of ABF(3):Mn(2+) in view of the dominant second-order charge transfer perturbation terms. The unpaired spin densities of the fluorine 2s, 2p σ and 2p π orbitals are determined from the quantitative dependences upon the related molecular orbital coefficients, rather than obtained by fitting the observed superhyperfine parameters in the previous works.     

Magnetic properties of Cu3.9Fe3.4V6O24 with a lyonsite structure

Magnetic properties of the lyonsite-type phase, Cu_3.9Fe_3.4V₆O₂₄, that has been synthesized by a standard solid-state reaction method, were investigated by dc magnetization and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. Complex magnetic behavior and transition to the antiferromagnetic phase at liquid helium temperature have been revealed by measurements of dc susceptibility in ZFC and FC modes in the 2–300 K temperature range as well as static magnetization in magnetic fields up to 70 kOe. Strong antiferromagnetic interactions in clusters or chains of magnetic ions even at high temperatures has been deduced from the obtained value of the effective magnetic moment that was significantly smaller than expected for nominal valences of iron and copper ions. The presence of antiferromagnetic iron dimers in the high-temperature range, critical slowing down of spin fluctuations on approaching Neel temperature and the existence of magnetically isolated iron ions in the antiferromagnetic phase has been suggested from the temperature dependence of EPR parameters (g-factor, linewidth, integrated intensity) obtained by fitting the experimental spectrum with Lorentzian lineshape.     

Single crystal EPR and optical studies of paramagnetic ions doped zinc potassium phosphate hexahydrate—Part I: Cu(II)—a case of orthorhombic symmetry

Single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies on Cu(II) doped zinc potassium phosphate hexahydrate (ZPPH) were carried out at room temperature. The angular variation spectra in the three orthogonal planes indicate that the paramagnetic impurity has entered the lattice substitutionally in place of Zn(II) and the spin Hamiltonian parameters calculated from these spectra are g(xx) = 2.188, g(yy) = 2.032, g(zz) = 2.373, Axx = 50 G, Ayy = 65.0 G and Azz = 80 G. The g and A tensors were coincident and these values matched fairly well with the values obtained from powder spectrum. The bonding parameters have also been calculated.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance of paramagnetic metalloporphyrins

The present article reviews and discusses proton magnetic resonance studies on metalloporphyrins which provide good models for heme proteins in their physical and chemical properties. Emphasis is given on the discussion of the₁Hnmr work done in our laboratory.     

Temperature-controlled combustion and kinetics of different rank coal samples

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) has been used to obtain information on the temperature-controlled combustion characteristics of seventeen coals of different origin from Thrace basin of Turkey. Experiments were performed in air atmosphere up to 600°C at a heating rate of 10°C min^-1. The DSC/TG curves clearly demonstrate distinct transitional stages in the entire coal samples studied. Reaction intervals, peak and burn-out temperatures of the coal samples are also determined. Two different kinetic methods known as, Arrhenius and Coats-Redfern, were used to analyze the kinetic data and the results are discussed.     

Synthesis of a new stable and water-soluble tris(4-hydroxysulfonyltetrachlorophenyl)methyl radical with selective oxidative capacity

A new stable organic free radical of the PTM (perchlorotriphenylmethyl) series very soluble in water is reported. This free radical is sensitive to electron transfer processes, and the selectivity of these reactions in the presence of ascorbic acid, pyrogallol, and catechol as reducing species is described. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum and the electrochemical behavior are also presented.     

中低变质程度煤显微组分结构的13 C-NMR研究

利用13C-NMR核磁共振技术对中低变质程度煤显微组分（镜质组和惰质组）的分子结构进行了研究,计算了5种煤9个显微组分的13C-NMR结构参数,获得了样品的结构特征及变化规律。结果表明,惰质组结构中芳构化程度要高于镜质组;脂碳数量则少于镜质组,芳环上的烷烃侧链也没有镜质组长;随着煤变质程度的提高,煤分子中芳构化程度不断提高,但惰质组的芳香度随变质程度变化的规律明显不如镜质组;在中低变质阶段,对煤化进程起主导作用的的是芳构化作用而不是环缩合作用,但在惰质组中脂碳断裂形成芳环的现象不明显。惰质组中含氧官能团的总量要低于同等变质程度的镜质组。     

Comparative identification of irradiated herbs by the methods of electron paramagnetic resonance and thermoluminescence

Non irradiated and γ-irradiated dry herbs savoury (Savoury), wild thyme (Thymus serpollorium) and marjoram (Origanum) with absorbed dose of 8 kGy have been investigated by the methods of elecrtron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and thermoluminescence (TL). Non-irradiated herbs exhibit only one weak siglet EPR signal whereas in irradiated samples its intensity increase and in addition two satelite lines are recorded. This triplet EPR spectrum is attributed to cellulose free radical generated by irradiation. It has been found that upon keeping the samples under the normal stock conditions the life-time of the cellulose free radical in the examined samples is ∼60–80 days. Thus the conclusion has been made that the presence of the EPR signal of cellulose free radical is unambiguous indication that the sample under study has been irradiated but its absence can not be considered as the opposite evidence. In the case when EPR signal was absent the method of TL has been used to give the final decision about the previous radiation treatment of the sample.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of Co- and Mn-coordination polymers with the twisted ligand di(4-pyridyl)disulfide in double bridge fashion

Four coordination polymers, {[Co₂(4-DPSS)₄(DMF)₄](ClO₄)₄}_n (1), {[Mn₂(4-DPSS)₄(DMF)₄](ClO₄)₄}_n (2), {[Co(4-DPSS)₂(H₂O)(NO₃)]NO₃·3H₂O}_n (3) and [Co(4-DPSS)₂(NCS)₂]_n (4) have been synthesized to study the reactivity of cobalt(II) and manganese(II) salts (perchlorate, thiocyanate and nitrate) with the flexible ligand di(4-pyridyl)disulfide (4-DPSS). These compounds have repeated rhomboidal structures in which the di(4-pyridyl)disulfide ligands coordinate the metal centers in a double bridged fashion. Each double chain and the metallocycle cavities are chiral and contain either the M- or the P-enantiomeric forms of 4-DPSS and are independent on recrystallization solvents or the metallic precursors. The crystal packing of these coordination polymers reveals that, in all cases, weak interactions such as classical and non-classical hydrogen bonds, as well as S?S interactions, connect the polymeric chains to increase the dimensionality of the network. Low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements on powdered samples show that the transition-metal ions, Co (II) and Mn (II) ions, are in the high spin states S = 3/2 and 5/2, respectively, and adopt octahedral geometry in case of compounds 1, 2 and 3, and rhombic environment in case of 4.