Spectroscopic characterization of mineral crystals produced by the bacterium Azospirillum brasilense

The results of spectroscopic structural and trace elemental analyses of mineral crystals produced by the soil nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense cultivated in a synthetic medium are presented and discussed. The mineral formed is shown to have a structure close to struvite (MgNH₄PO₄ × 6H₂O; ASTM file No. 15-762) with some differences which may be attributed to the presence of isomorphic admixtures of other cations (struvite is known to have a variety of forms). AAS/AES and ion chromatography analyses for a number of biologically important microelements and their role in the formation of the crystal structure, as well as some questions related to biomineralization are also discussed.     

Synthesis of Two Tetrasaccharides Related to the O-Antigen from Azospirillum brasilense S17 and Azospirillum lipoferum SR65

Synthesis of two isomeric tetrasaccharides, β-D-Glup-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→3)-α-L- Rhap-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap (I) and β-D-Glup-(1→3)-α-L-Rhap-(1→3)-α-L-Rhap-(1→3)-α-L-Rhap (II), the repeating units from the lipopolysaccharides of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense S17 and Azospirillum lipoferum SR65, was achieved via assembly of the building blocks 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (2), p-methoxyphenyl 3,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), 3-O-allyloxycarbonyl-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (6), 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (8), and p-methoxy phenyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (14). Condensation of 3 with 6 or 8 provided the disaccharides 9 or 11, respectively. Deallyloxycarbonylation of 11 gave the disaccharide aceptor 12, while removal of the p-methoxyphenyl group in 9 followed by trichloroacetimidation of the anomeric hydroxyl group afforded the disaccharide donor 10. Meanwhile, disaccharide donor 16 and acceptor 18 were prepared from 6, 8, and 14 similarly. Finally, condensation of 10 with 12 or 16 with 18, followed by deprotection, gave the target tetrasaccharides I or II, respectively.     

Spectroscopic characterization of bacteriorhodopsin's L-intermediate in 3D crystals cooled to 170 K.

Spectra are presented from a single 3D microcrystal of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) cooled to 170 K under various illumination conditions. This set is necessary and sufficient to assign the relevant crystal reference spectra. A spectral decomposition of the difference spectrum obtained following the trapping protocol of Royant et al. (2000) (Nature 406, 645-648) is given, confirming that the low temperature L-intermediate was the species that dominated the structural rearrangements previously reported. Smaller contributions from the K and M spectral intermediates are also quantified. Mechanistic insights derived from the X-ray structures of the early bR intermediates are discussed.     

The potential biotechnological applications of the exopolysaccharide produced by the halophilic bacterium Halomonas almeriensis

We have studied the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by the type strain, M8(T), of the halophilic bacterium Halomonas almeriensis, to ascertain whether it might have any biotechnological applications. All the cultural parameters tested influenced both bacterial growth and polysaccharide production. EPS production was mainly growth-associated and under optimum environmental and nutritional conditions M8(T) excreted about 1.7 g of EPS per litre of culture medium (about 0.4 g of EPS per gram of dry cell weight). Analysis by anion-exchange chromatography and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography indicated that the exopolysaccharide was composed of two fractions, one of 6.3 × 10(6) and another of 1.5 × 10(4) Daltons. The monosaccharide composition of the high-molecular-weight fraction was mannose (72% w/w), glucose (27.5% w/w) and rhamnose (0.5% w/w). The low-molecular-weight fraction contained mannose (70% w/w) and glucose (30% w/w). The EPS has a substantial protein fraction (1.1% w/w) and was capable of emulsifying several hydrophobic substrates, a capacity presumably related to its protein content. The EPS produced solutions of low viscosity with pseudoplastic behaviour. It also had a high capacity for binding some cations. It contained considerable quantities of sulphates (1.4% w/w), an unusual feature in bacterial polysaccharides. All these characteristics render it potentially useful as a biological agent, bio-detoxifier and emulsifier.     

Spectroscopic characterization of natural corals

The FTIR, micro-Raman, NMR, and XPS spectra of 25 different natural corals have been compared. Reflectance and transmission absorbance IR and Raman data have been used as rapid and efficient means of classification of natural corals containing aragonite (non-precious white species), calcite (red, pink, precious white species), and organic material (black protein polymer). The combination of reflectance IR and infrared microscopy could serve as a rapid, non-destructive method for distinguishing natural corals from artificial, fake jewels.     

Spectroscopic characterization of 2-naphthylcarbene

The 308 nm excimer laser flash photolysis of 2-naphthyldiazomethane produces triplet 2-naphthylcarbene (λ_max = 362 nm) which decays with the observed pseudo-first-order rate constants (k_exptl) of 5.54 ± 0.03 × 10⁶; 3.33 ± 0.4 × 10⁶; 1.64±0.02 × 10⁷; and 3.05±0.4 × 10⁶ s^-1 in n-pentane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (2,2,4-TMP), benzene and Freon 113 respectively. In hydrocarbon solvents the observed decay of triplet 2-naphthylcarbene is correlated with the pseudo-first-order growth of the 2-naphthylmethyl radical (λ_max = 378 nm). Direct kinetic measurements of the reaction of triplet 2-naphthylcarbene in 2,2,4-TMP with cyclohexane, styrene, methanol and carbon tetrachloride yielded bimolecular quenching rate constants of 1.48 ± 0.04 × 10⁶;4.33 ± 0.1 × 10⁷;7.25 ± 0.5 × 10⁶; and 3.35 ± 0.07 × 10⁶M^-1S^-1. It is also found that 2-naphthylcarbene reacts with acetonitrile (k_q = 5.28 ± 0.1 × 10⁵ M^-1 s^-1) to form a nitrile ylide intermediate with a λ_max = 372 nm. These results are interpreted in terms of a rapid singlet-triplet 2-naphthylcarbene equilibrium.     

Petrobactin, a photoreactive siderophore produced by the oil-degrading marine bacterium Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus.

Petrobactin is a bis-catecholate, alpha-hydroxy acid siderophore produced by the oil-degrading marine bacterium Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus. The Fe(III)-complexed form of petrobactin is photoreactive in natural sunlight, mediated by the Fe(III)-citrate moiety. The reaction results in decarboxylation of the petrobactin ligand and reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II). This report is one of the first to show the photoreactivity of Fe(III)-siderophores mediated by the ferric ion-alpha-hydroxy acid group. The demonstration of light-mediated decarboxylation of an Fe(III)-siderophore complex raises questions about a possible functional role for photoreactivity in siderophore-mediated iron uptake.     

Spectroscopic characterization of zinc oxide nanorods synthesized by solid-state reaction

Well-crystallized zinc oxide nanorods have been fabricated by single step solid-state reaction using zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide, at room temperature. The sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) stabilized zinc oxide nanorods were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction revealed the wurtzite structure of zinc oxide. The size estimation by XRD and TEM confirmed that the ZnO nanorods are made of single crystals. The growth of zinc oxide crystals into rod shape was found to be closely related to its hexagonal nature. The mass ratio of SLS:ZnO in the nanorods was found to be 1:10 based on the thermogravimetric analysis. Blue shift of photoluminescence emission was noticed in the ZnO nanorods when compared to that of ZnO bulk. FT-IR analysis confirmed the binding of SLS with ZnO nanorods. Apart from ease of preparation, this method has the advantage of eco-friendliness since the solvent and other harmful chemicals were eliminated in the synthesis protocol.     

Spectroscopic studies of the photochromism of N-salicylideneaniline mixed crystals and glasses

The reaction mechanism of the photochromism of N-salicylideneaniline (SA) in crystalline and glass matrices has been investigated at low temperatures. The structures of the initial E and final QC states as well as those of the intermediates QA and QB have been analyzed by optical absorption and emission spectroscopy. The potential barriers involved in the photochromic activity have been deduced from the temperature-dependent kinetics of the absorption spectra. An energy-level scheme of the forward and back reactions is presented.     

Synthesis of a mesoporous composite material prepared by the self-assembly of mineral liquid crystals

Here we describe the synthesis of a mesoporous composite material using the self-assembly of well defined tubular building blocks obtained from the exfoliation of [Nb6O17(4-)]n sheets.     

Spectroscopic study of phase transitions in natural calcite mineral

The process and the formation of new minerals upon heating the carbonate rocks containing clay minerals, together with calcite are determined with thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The calcite-calcium oxide phase transition sequence was followed up to 947 degrees C in naturally occurring limestone samples. The spectral variations of the internal modes of the carbonate trigonal (nu(1), nu(2), nu(3) and nu(4)) were used to probe the structural phase transitions. The calcium oxide phase (which on reaction with atmospheric water forms portlandite) with an onset temperature of around 950 degrees C was also characterized by the appearance of the infrared mode around 450 cm(-1). The minerals, which were formed upon heating the calcite, were calcium oxide and wollastonite.     

Spectroscopic characterization of natural calcite minerals

The FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR spectral data of ten different limestone samples have been compared. FT-IR and FT-Raman spectral data show that calcium carbonate in limestone, principally in the form of calcite, as identified by its main absorption bands at 1426, 1092, 876 and 712 cm(-1). The sharp diffractions at the d-spacings, 3.0348, 1.9166 and 1.8796 confirm the presence of calcite structure and the calculated lattice parameters are: a=4.9781 A, c=17.1188 A. The range of 13C chemical shifts for different limestone samples is very small, varying from 198.38 to 198.42 ppm. The observed chemical shifts are consistent with the identical C-O bonding in different limestone samples. 27Al MAS NMR spectra of the samples exhibit a central line at 1 ppm and another line at 60 ppm corresponding to octahedral and tetrahedral Al ions, respectively. The five component resonances were observed in 29Si MAS NMR spectrum of limestone and these resonances were assigned to Si (4 Al), Si (3 Al), Si (2 Al), Si (1 Al) and Si (0 Al) from low field to high field.     

Spectroscopic characterization of acetylene-terminated sulfone resin

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the thermal polymerization of the acetylene-terminated (AT) resin, bis[4-(3-ethynylphenoxy)phenyl]sulfone. Spectral processing techniques (including the method of factor analysis) were utilized in the analysis of the infrared data. The degree of cure was quantitatively monitored as the resin was thermally polymerized. Factor analysis indicated that only one reaction product is spectroscopically distinguishable. Further band analysis indicated the formation of predominantly trans conjugated polyene structures. No evidence for cyclotrimerization was found.     

Spectroscopic characterization of SnO2 gels

Excitation and dynamic emission spectra of Eu³⁺ ions were simultaneously used with FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to study the structural evolution during SnO₂ sol gel xerogel conversion. Results make evident an increase of the surroundings symmetry for the Eu³⁺ ions dissolved in SnO₂ matrix and a decrease of the amount of hydroxo groups (Sn-OH) during drying. These phenomena were associated to the pursuit of the condensation reaction after gelation.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of pascoite

Pascoite mineral having yellow-orange colour of Colorado, USA origin has been characterized by EPR, optical and NIR spectroscopy. The colour dark red-orange to yellow-orange colour of the pascoite indicates that the mineral contain mixed valency of vanadium. The optical spectrum exhibits a number of electronic bands due to presence of VO(II) ions in the mineral. From EPR studies, the parameters of g, A are evaluated and the data confirm that the ion is in distorted octahedron. Optical absorption studies reveal that two sets of VO(II) is in distorted octahedron. The bands in NIR spectra are due to the overtones and combinations of water molecules.     

Spectroscopic characterization of cobalt-containing mesoporous materials

Cobalt-containing mesoporous materials that have been prepared using different procedures have been comparatively characterized by transmission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM/EDS), extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), near-infrared (NIR), and mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopies, and the results provide new insights into the local environment and properties of cobalt in this type of material. TEM/EDS analyses have shown that tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) may be less appropriate as a silicon source during the syntheses of cobalt-containing mesoporous materials, because the distribution of cobalt throughout the framework may become uneven. EXAFS has been determined to be the most suitable method for direct verification of framework incorporation, by identifying silicon as the backscatterer in the second shell. Such a direct verification may not be obtained using UV-vis spectroscopy. From EXAFS analyses, it is also possible to distinguish between surface-bound and framework-incorporated cobalt. There is a good agreement between the results obtained from XANES and UV-vis regarding the coordination symmetry of cobalt in the samples. The presence of cobalt in the silica framework has been determined to create Lewis acid sites, and these acid sites are suggested to be located at tetrahedral cobalt sites at the surface.     

Elemental characterization of mineral supplements by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was applied to assess element concentrations in eleven samples of mineral supplements/multivitamins acquired in drugstores and pharmacies in São Paulo city, SP, Brazil. Concentrations of Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Se and Zn were determined. A comparison was made between the results obtained with the labels of the mineral supplents. Certified reference materials, NIST SRM1400 Bone Ash and NIST SRM 1633b Coal Fly Ash were analyzed for quality control of the analytical results.     

Contribution to the analytical characterization of coatings produced by thermal spraying

This paper reports on the use of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES)/ depth profile analysis for the investigation of plasma-sprayed coatings. Prior to spraying the St 37 substrates are heated to 300 °C or 500 °C for ceramic or metallic layers, respectively. Studies of the starting materials and of the interfaces are important if the adhesion mechanism is to be understood. Therefore the initial components—the unheated and heated substrates and the powder particles NiCrAl, Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂-7.25Y₂O₃—are analyzed. Depth profiles obtained from two coatings St 37/NiCrAl and St 37/Al₂O₃ show the influence of plasmaspraying on substrate surfaces and sprayed particles. Plasma-spraying mainly causes a decrease of superficial carbon contamination for both coating layers. In the case of St 37/NiCrAl incorporation of carbon in the sprayed layer is observed. The whole layer is almost completely oxidized except for some areas where substrate and particle material are present. It is assumed that these areas are identical with so-called adherence zones.Dedicated to Professor Günther Tölg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Quantitative characterization of hydroxyl radicals produced by various photocatalysts

Hydroxyl radicals ((·)OH) have been deemed to be the major active species during the photocatalytic oxidation reaction. In this study, (·)OH produced on various semiconductor photocatalysts in aqueous solution under Xenon lamp irradiation was quantitatively investigated by the photoluminescence (PL) technique using coumarin (COU) as a probe molecule. The results indicated that the formation rate of (·)OH on the surface of irradiated commercial Degussa P25 (P25) was much higher than that of other semiconductor. The pH values of the solution and phase structure of TiO(2) significantly influenced the production rate of (·)OH. The acidic pH environment of the solutions and bi-phase structure (anatase and rutile) of TiO(2) were beneficial to enhancing the formation rate of (·)OH. In addition, the formation rate of (·)OH on anatase TiO(2) and P25 was much faster than that of (·)OH on the other semiconductors (such as rutile TiO(2), ZnO, WO(3), CdS, Bi(2)WO(4) and BiOCl, etc.). A new concept "OH-index" was first proposed to compare photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts, which would provide new insight into the investigation of semiconductor photocatalysts.