Electrophoretic transfer of proteins across polyacrylamide membranes

The electrophoretic transfer of purified proteins has been examined in a Gradiflow "Babyflow BF100" unit. A number of factors affect protein separation within this preparative electrophoresis system. We established that the rate of protein transfer was proportional to the applied voltage. The transfer is slowest at the isoelectric point (pI) and increased the further away the pH was from the pI of the protein. Protein transfer was found to be independent of the ionic strength of the buffer, for buffers that excluded the addition of strong acids or strong bases or sodium chloride. Transfer decreased as the pore size of the membrane decreased. Finally, transfer was inhibited at high salt concentrations in the protein solution, but remained unaffected when urea and non-ionic detergents were added to the solution. To increase the speed of protein separations, buffers with low conductivity should be used. A pH for the optimal separation should be selected on the basis of the relative pI and size of the target proteins and that of the major contaminants.     

Evaluation of the detection of biomolecules in capillary electrophoresis by contactless conductivity measurement

The sensitivity of contactless conductivity detection to amino acids, peptides and proteins in CE was studied for BGE solutions of different pH values. The LOD and analytical characteristics were compared for acidic and basic conditions and better results were in most cases found for buffers of low pH values. Linear dynamic ranges varied between two orders of magnitude for amino acids and peptides and three orders of magnitude for larger proteins. The concentration detection limits were found to be between 1.2 and 7.5 microM for the amino acids tested and for the larger molecules they varied between 2.6 microM for leucine enkephalin and 0.2 microM for HSA when using a buffer at pH 2.1.     

Why pH titration in protein solutions follows a Hofmeister series

Measurements of pH in single-phase cytochrome c suspensions are reported. The pH, as determined by a glass electrode, has a fixed value. With the addition of salt, the supposedly fixed pH changes strongly. The pH depends on salt type and concentration and follows a Hofmeister series. A theoretical interpretation is given that provides insights into such Hofmeister effects. These occur generally in protein solutions. While classical electrostatic models provide partial understanding of such trends in protein solutions, they fail to explain the observed ion specificity. Such models neglect electrodynamic fluctuation (dispersion) forces acting between ions and proteins. We use a Poisson-Boltzmann cell model that takes these ionic dispersion potentials between ions and proteins into account. The observed ion specificity can then be accounted for. Proteins act as buffers that display similar salt-dependent pH trends not previously explained.     

Not only pH. Specific buffer effects in biological systems

The aim of this work is to overview the specific effect of pH buffers in biological systems. The pH of a buffer solution changes only slightly when a small amount of a strong acid or bases is added to it. This is widely accepted and applied both in chemical and in biological (i.e. enzyme catalysis) systems. Here we show some examples – spanning from pH measurements, enzyme activities, electrophoretic mobilities, antibody aggregation, protein thermal stability – that demonstrate additional roles of buffers. They not only set pH, but also address specific ion effects, in terms of Hofmeister series, when strong electrolytes are also added. From the experimental data referred to some charged biological moieties it emerges that different buffers, at the same nominal pH, can specifically adsorb at the charged surface. Buffer specific adsorption modifies several molecular and macroscopic properties amongst which electrophoretic mobilities, and hence effective surface charges, are particularly significant. More importantly, buffers' weak electrolytes, even at low concentration, are found to compete for the adsorption at the charged surfaces with strong electrolytes, thus modulating Hofmeister effects.     

Specific anion effects on glass electrode pH measurements of buffer solutions: bulk and surface phenomena

The effect of electrolytes on pH measurements via glass electrodes is explored with solutions buffered at pH 7 (phosphate and cacodylate). Salt and buffer concentrations are varied. Direct and reverse Hofmeister effects are observed. The phenomena are significant for salt concentrations above 0.1 M and for buffer concentrations below 20 mM. Changes in measured pH show up most strongly with anions. They can be related to the usual physicochemical parameters (anion molar volumes, molar refractivity, and surface tensions) that are characteristic of Hofmeister series. They correlate strongly with anionic excess polarizabilities; this suggests the involvement of non-electrostatic, or dispersion, forces acting on ions. These forces contribute to ionic adsorption at the glass electrode surface, and to the liquid junction potential.     

Buffer composition changes in background electrolyte during electrophoretic run in capillary zone electrophoresis

The electrophoretic behaviors of different analytes in capillary zone electrophoresis were studied by the Whole Column Imaging Detection (WCID). For capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in conventional buffer systems, non-constant sample plug movement characterized by progressive decrease of peak migration velocity was observed. The appropriate velocity decrease was correlated with a degree of ionization of the analyzed ion, thus the effect observed could be explained by fast buffer composition change resulting in the development of a non-linear pH gradient. To visualize the appropriate pH gradient, the concentration profile of initially uniformly distributed amphoteric substances was also monitored. The evolution of the concentration profile exhibited very complex dynamics. In addition, it was found that the nature of the electrode solutions strongly affect changes in the background electrolyte. In the case of traditional background electrolytes with an acid-base pair for electrode solutions a non-uniform ampholyte concentration developed quickly, leading finally to a quasi-stationary profile similar to those typical of IEF. Possible approaches to suppress a negative impact of the background electrolyte composition changes during electrophoretic run on CE-separation are presented herein. In particular it was observed that zwitterionic buffers are able to withstand prolonged electrolysis much better compared to traditional buffers.     

Observation of a combined dilution and salting effect in buffers under conditions of high dilution and high ionic strength

The pH value of buffer solutions is crucially dependent on the relative concentrations of all species in solution. The addition of water or neutral salt can have a significant effect on the pH of a buffer solution. This study examines the magnitude of the "dilution effect" and the "salt effect" for several commonly used inorganic and biological buffers. Novel data are obtained for the change in pH observed upon dilution or addition of neutral salt to these buffers which add to, complement and extend existing literature values. The validity of considering the dilution and salt effects as a combined ionic strength effect is also considered as well as the ability of the pH measuring device to perform valid measurements in these extreme conditions.     

Optimization of separation and migration behavior of cephalosporins in capillary zone electrophoresis

The influences of buffer pH, buffer concentration and buffer electrolyte on the migration behavior and separation of 12 cephalosporin antibiotics in capillary zone electrophoresis using three different types of buffer electrolyte, including phosphate, citrate, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonate (MES), were investigated. The results indicate that, although buffer pH is a crucial parameter, buffer concentration also plays an important role in the separation of cephalosporins, particularly when cefuroxime and cefazolin, cephalexin and cefaclor, or cefotaxime and cephapirin are present as analytes at the same time. The electrophoretic mobility of cephalosporins and electroosmotic mobility measured in citrate and MES buffers are remarkably different from those measured in phosphate buffer. With citrate buffer, optimum buffer concentration is confined to a small range (35-40 mM), whereas buffer concentrations up to 300 mM can be used with MES buffer. Complete separations of 12 cephalosporins could be satisfactorily achieved with these three buffers under various optimum conditions. However, the separability of 12 cephalosporins with citrate or MES buffer is better than that with phosphate buffer. As a consequence of a greater electrophoretic mobility of cephalosporins than the electroosmotic mobility with citrate buffer at pH below about 5, some cephalosporins are not detectable. The cloudiness of the peak identification and of the magnitudes of the electrophoretic mobility of cefotaxime and cefuroxime reported previously are clarified. In addition, the pKa values of cephradine, cephalexin, cefaclor, and cephapirin attributed to the deprotonation of either an amino group or a pyridinium group are reported, and the migration behavior of these cephalosporins in the pH range studied is quantitatively described.     

Open tubular capillary electrochromatography of underivatized amino acids using Rh(III) tetrakis(phenoxyphenyl)porphyrinate as wall modifier

The separation of 17 “common” underivatized amino acids was attempted by open tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) in fused-silica capillaries coated with Rh(III) tetrakis(phenoxyphenyl)porphyrinate (Rh(III)TPP(m-OPh)₄OAc) using sodium phosphate and Tris–phosphate buffers as background electrolytes (BGEs). The OT-CEC separation of amino acids was compared with that obtained by capillary zone electrophoresis in bare fused-silica capillaries using the same BGEs. The amino acids were not derivatized and the UV-absorption detection was set at 200 nm. Depending on the experimental conditions at least 15 amino acids were separated. The best separations were obtained in a Rh(III)TPP(m-OPh)₄OAc-coated capillary in 50 mM Tris–100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.25. Separation of the critical triplet Val–Ile–Leu was always at least indicated being better at higher BGE concentrations. Regarding the sensitivity of the method, lower concentration limits of detection (LODs) in the coated capillary were obtained for Thr, Gly, Tyr, and Val; the other amino acids exhibited lower LODs in the uncoated capillary. The separation of acidic amino acids was not achieved.     

Voltammetric,potentiometric and amperometric studies with a rotated aluminum wire electrode: The R.Al.E. as indicator electrode in potentiometric and amperometric acid-base titrations

The effect of varying concentrations of fluoride on the potential of the R.AI.E. in acid buffer solutions is reported. In the pH range between 1 and 5.5 the potential becomes 30 mV more negative per unit increase in pH at fluoride concentrations between 10^-3 and 10^-4M. At a given pH the potential becomes 100 mV more negative when the fluoride concentration is increased from 10^-4 to 10^-3it. No depolarization occurs and no reproducible potentials can be measured in phosphate buffers of pH 6 to 8, even in the presence of 10^-3M fluoride. This concentration of fluoride causes depolarization and establishment of reproducible potentials in veronal buffers of reproducible pH 6 to 8. At a pH greater than 9 fluoride has no effect on the electrode potential which now becomes determined by pH. In the presence of fluoride, oxygen shifts the electrode potential to less negative values (mixed potential). Examples of potentiometric and amperometric titrations of strong and weak acids are given with the R.AI.E. as indicator electrode.     

Determination of amino acids, vitamins, and drug substances in aqueous solutions using new potentiometric sensors with Donnan potential as analytical signal

Basic principles of a new potentiometric sensor are considered. Its analytical signal is the Donnan potential at the ion-exchange polymer/studied solution of electrolyte interface. Assessments of potential drops at individual interfaces are presented, same as estimates of diffusion potentials in the electrochemical circuit for measurement of the sensor response. It is shown that the overall contribution of the values of all potentials to EMF of the electrochemical circuit, except for the Donnan potential, at the ion-exchange polymer/studied solution interface are negligibly low as compared to the experimental values of the circuit EMF in the studied systems. Certain regularities of the Donnan potential formation are studied in the systems with the polymers of different structure and solutions containing inorganic ions and organic electrolytes in different ionic forms. The possibility is shown of using a sensor with such an analytical signal as the Donnan potential for assay of amino acids, vitamins, and drug substances in aqueous solutions. The sensor was used as a selective electrode for determination of lysine in aqueous solutions with neutral amino acids in the range of pH 5.0–7.0 and glycine in aqueous alkali solutions in the range of pH 9.00–11.00. The developed sensor is introduced as a cross-sensitive electrode into the array of multisensor systems for multicomponent quantitative analysis of the lysine monohydrochloride, thiamine chloride, novocaine hydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride solutions containing potassium and sodium chlorides. The measurement error of electrolytes in aqueous solutions did not exceed 10%.     

An evaluation of the HPLC-Gel chromatographic method for analyzing metallothioneins in aquatic organisms

The use of high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the concentrations of metal-binding proteins (MBP) in freshwater mussels has been evaluated. Initial use of dilute buffers (e.g., 1OmM TRIS, pH 7 or 8), to minimize competition between the buffer and the metal-cytosolic ligand complexes, proved unacceptable; high losses of low molecular weight marker proteins occurred during chromatographic separation, presumably as a result of adsorption to the gel-permeation column packing. Losses were more dependent on salt than pH; satisfactory recoveries were obtained in the pH range 6-8 with 1OmM buffer solutions and 100mM added electrolyte (NACl; KCl). Competition experiments performed with commercial metallothionein (pre-labelled with (109)Cd) and fresh mussel cytosol extract demonstrated that no appreciable metal exchange occurred during the 20-min pre-equilibration or the subsequent chromatographic separation step. With (203)Hg-labelled metallothionein occasional losses were noted, however, appreciable loss of the radioisotope ranging from 50 to 58% did occur with (65)Zn-labelled metallothionein during the chromatographic separation step. These results, particularly for Zn indicate that the recovery of metals after separation using this chromatographic method may vary, even for metals sharing similar chemical properties.     

Ionic equilibria in neutral amphiprotic solvents of low dielectric constant: Buffer solutions

The ionic equilibria in neutral amphiprotic solvents (isopropyl and tert-butyl alcohols) have been established, and equations to calculate pH values in solutions of acids, bases, salts or their mixtures, developed. The effect, on the dissociation equilibria, of the presence of small quantities of water or other solvents in the bulk solvent used has been taken into account in the proposed equations. On the basis of these equations some buffer solutions have been studied and recommended for electrode standardization. The results, tested by experimental work, show the importance of the incompleteness of dissociation of salts in these solvents, which decreases the pH of acid buffers and increases the buffer capacity.     

Density measurements of potassium phosphate buffer from 4 to 45 degrees C

Potassium phosphate buffer is often used in methods such as equilibrium dialysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) for characterizing the binding of drugs and hormones with proteins or other ligands within the body. In these experiments, the buffer density is often approximated to be that of water and the concentrations of all reagents are assumed to be constant with temperature. However, some difference in density between phosphate buffer and water would be expected, and variations in this density could lead to significant changes in the concentrations of dissolved solutes with temperature. This, in turn, could affect the binding observed for a solute-ligand system in such a buffer. In this study, the densities of potassium phosphate buffers with concentrations up to 0.10 M were measured at or near physiological pH for temperatures ranging from 4-45 °C. The general change in density versus temperature followed a quadratic equation, while the changes in density with concentration and pH followed a linear response. The results were used to formulate a general equation that could be used to calculate the density of potassium phosphate buffer at any pH, temperature, and concentration within the tested range. This equation and more specialized relationships developed in the temperature, concentration, and pH studies were found to give much greater accuracy in describing the density of these buffers versus a previous relationship developed for solutions containing only potassium dihydrogen phosphate.     

The Use of Buffers in the Determination of Fluoride by an Ion-Selective Electrode at Low Concentrations and in the Presence of Aluminum

Abstract

The influence of the composition of buffer solutions on fluoride analyses by the fluoride ion selective electrode was studied. Residual fluoride content of reagents was observed to restrict the use of some buffers and reagents in low-level work. The optimum pH for low-level fluoride determinations was found to be around 5, which can be maintained by a sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer. Of the complexing agents studied, citrate was observed to be the most efficient masking agent for aluminum, but this ability depended strongly on ligand concentration. Citrate was also effective in masking iron (III) and magnesium ions. Tris (hydroxymethyi) aminomethane showed a similar ability to complex aluminum at a pH around 8. However, at this pH the hydroxyde ion interferes in fluoride analysis below 0.1 ppm [fbar].     

The impact of ionic strength and background electrolyte on pH measurements in metal ion adsorption experiments

Our understanding of metal ion adsorption to clay minerals has progressed significantly over the past several decades, and theories have been promulgated to describe and predict the impacts of pH, ionic strength, and background solution composition on the extent of adsorption. Studies evaluating the effects of ionic strength on adsorption typically employ a broad range of background electrolyte concentrations. Measurement of pH in these systems can be inaccurate when pH values are measured with liquid junction pH probes calibrated with standard buffers due to changes in the liquid junction potential between standard, low ionic strength (0.05 M) buffers and high ionic strength solutions (>0.1 M). The objective of this research is to determine the extent of the error in pH values measured at high ionic strength, and to develop an approach for accurately measuring pH over a range of ionic strengths using a combined pH electrode. To achieve this objective, the adsorption of cobalt (10(-5) M) onto gibbsite (10 g/L) from various electrolyte solutions (0.01-1 M) was studied. The pH measurements were determined from calibrations with standard buffers and ionic strength corrected buffer calibrations. The results show a significant effect of the aqueous solution background electrolyte anion and ionic strength on pH measurement. The 0.5 and 1 M ionic strength metal ion adsorption edges shifted to lower pH with increasing ionic strength when pH was calibrated with standard buffers whereas no shift in the adsorption edges was observed when calibrated with ionic strength corrected buffers. Therefore, to obtain an accurate pH measurement, pH calibration should contain the same electrolyte and ionic strength as the samples.     

Determination of Ascorbic Acid by a Composite-Modified Platinum Electrode

Thin composite layers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(4-lithium styrene sulfonic acid) were formed on a platinum surface. The modified electrode platinum/polyethylenedioxythiophene:poly(4-lithium styrene sulfonic acid) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the electrode may be used as a working electrode for electroanalytical methods. This electrode was used for the determination of ascorbic acid. The effect of composite layer thickness on the functionality of the electrode was characterized for ascorbic acid determination. Another investigated aspect was the process of ascorbic acid oxidation in solutions of various pH values. The results showed that the modified electrode was suitable for the determination of ascorbic acid in various electrolytes from pH 2 to 7.6 in the presence and absence of buffer solutions. The linear dynamic range of ascorbic acid concentrations corresponded to its concentrations in physiological fluids.     

Electrochemical carbon dioxide and bicarbonate reduction on copper in weakly alkaline media

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ on copper is an intensively studied reaction. However, there has not been much attention for CO₂ reduction on copper in alkaline electrolytes, because this creates a carbonate buffer in which CO₂ is converted in HCO₃ ^? and the pH of the electrolyte decreases. Here, we show that electrolytes with phosphate buffers, which start off in the alkaline region and, after saturation with CO₂, end up in the neutral region, behave differently compared to CO₂ reduction in phosphate buffers which starts off in the neutral region. In initially alkaline buffers, a reduction peak is observed, which is not seen in neutral buffer solutions. In contrast with earlier literature reports, we show that this peak is not due to the formation of a CO adlayer on the electrode surface but due to the production of formate via direct bicarbonate reduction. The intensity of the reduction peak is influenced by electrode morphology and the identity of the cations and anions in solution. It is found that a copper nanoparticle-covered electrode gives a rise in intensity in comparison with mechanically polished and electropolished electrodes. The peak is observed in the SO₄ ^2?-, ClO₄ ^?-, and Cl^?- containing electrolytes, but the formate-forming peak is not seen with Br^? and I^?.     

The effect of buffer concentration and cation type in the mobile phase on retention of amino acids and dipeptides in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

The current work is focused on exploring the effect of buffer cation type and its concentration on retention of amino acids, dipeptides and their blocked analogues on two stationary phases, i.e., bare silica and amide-based in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. Five different buffers of pH 4.0 composed of Tris/acetic acid, triethylamine/acetic acid, ammonium/acetic acid, Li⁺/acetic acid and Ba²⁺/acetic acid were used in various concentrations. Interestingly, an increase of the buffer concentration caused increasing, decreasing or stable retention of analytes, according to the cation type in the buffer. The buffers containing barium cations provided the highest retention of all the analytes in comparable mobile phases, i.e., buffers with the same ionic strength and pH on both columns. Moreover, using buffers with barium cation different selectivity for dipeptides was observed. The chromatographic systems with buffers consisting of triethylamine behaved differently compared to others.