Molecular characterization of Ulex europaeus biochar obtained from laboratory heat treatment experiments – A pyrolysis–GC/MS study

Gorse species (Ulex sp.) are ubiquitous in the shrublands of NW Spain and have the potential to become key players in an integral biofuel/biochar program in NW Spain. Here we present molecular characterization (using pyrolysis–GC/MS) of a biochar “thermosequence” obtained by laboratory heating of Ulex europaeus wood in a muffle furnace between 200 and 600 °C (T_CHAR). Low temperature chars (T_CHAR ≤ 350 °C) produced significant amounts of pyrolysis products of which the precursor biopolymer could be recognized, while high-temperature chars (T_CHAR ≥ 400 °C) produced mainly phenols and monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are not specific for any biopolymer. Carbohydrate could hardly be recognized at T_CHAR ≥ 350 °C. The thermal rearrangement of polyphenols, mainly lignin, was reflected in more detail (1) C₃-side chain shortening and probably depolymerization (T_CHAR 200–350 °C), (2) demethoxylation of syringyl and probably also some guaiacyl lignin (T_CHAR 300–400 °C), (3) elimination of virtually all remaining methoxyl groups (T_CHAR 350–400 °C), through dehydroxylation and demethoxylation, (4) almost complete dehydroxylation of lignin and other biopolymers (T_CHAR 400–500 °C), (5) progressive condensation into polyaromatic structures (T_CHAR 300–500 °C) and (6) partial elimination of alkyl bridges between (poly)aromatic moieties (T_CHAR 450–500 °C). These results were supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the same samples. We conclude that pyrolysis–GC/MS can be used as a rapid molecular screening method of gorse-derived biochar. Molecular properties elucidation is an essential part of predicting the stability and agronomical behavior of gorse-derived biochar after future implementation in soils.     

Electrical field-induced extraction and separation techniques: Promising trends in analytical chemistry – A review

Sample preparation is an important issue in analytical chemistry, and is often a bottleneck in chemical analysis. So, the major incentive for the recent research has been to attain faster, simpler, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly sample preparation methods. The use of auxiliary energies, such as heat, ultrasound, and microwave, is one of the strategies that have been employed in sample preparation to reach the above purposes. Application of electrical driving force is the current state-of-the-art, which presents new possibilities for simplifying and shortening the sample preparation process as well as enhancing its selectivity. The electrical driving force has scarcely been utilized in comparison with other auxiliary energies. In this review, the different roles of electrical driving force (as a powerful auxiliary energy) in various extraction techniques, including liquid-, solid-, and membrane-based methods, have been taken into consideration. Also, the references have been made available, relevant to the developments in separation techniques and Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) systems. All aspects of electrical driving force in extraction and separation methods are too specific to be treated in this contribution. However, the main aim of this review is to provide a brief knowledge about the different fields of analytical chemistry, with an emphasis on the latest efforts put into the electrically assisted membrane-based sample preparation systems. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches as well as the new achievements in these areas have been discussed, which might be helpful for further progress in the future.     

Interaction between natural organic matter (NOM) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) – comparison of fluorescence quenching and solid phase micro extraction (SPME)

The interaction of phenanthrene and 9-aminophenanthrene with natural organic matter (NOM) of different origin was investigated using the fluorescence quenching approach and the solid phase micro extraction method. The results of both methods are compared in terms of the influence of the concentration of the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) as well as the concentration of the NOM on the observed binding constant. Due to the combination of steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques it could be concluded that the observed fluorescence quenching was caused by a static interaction like a complex formation. While for phenanthrene both analytical methods showed no long term effects and the reaction equilibrium between NOM and phenanthrene was established within the first hour, for 9-aminophenanthrene a slow reaction kinetics (within days) was found indicating specific interactions between NOM and the amino group. Received: 12 November 1998 / Revised: 22 December 1998 / Accepted: 30 December 1998     

Supercritical fluid CO₂ extraction of Acorus calamus L. (Arales: Araceae) and its contact toxicity to Sitophilus zeamais Motschusky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Contact toxicities of Acorus calamus L. (Arales: Araceae) extracts obtained from four published extraction methods: soakage, soxhlet, ultrasonic and supercritical fluid CO? (SFE-CO?), were compared in this study. Under the given extraction conditions, SFE-CO? extract exhibited the highest contact toxicity against S. zeamais of the four methods. With the SFE-CO? method, extraction temperature, pressure, time and the amount of EtOH (the extraction solvent) were identified as having a significant effect on the extract. Orthogonal experiments showed that the optimal extraction parameters were: temperature--55°C, pressure--35?MPa, time--40?min and EtOH--150?mL per 200?g of dry powder. Under these conditions, the yield was 4.12% and the LD?? of the extract against S. zeamais after 96?h of treatment was 27.26?μg?cm?2. β-asarone was the dominant component of the extract derived from the SFE-CO? method, accounting for 24.39% of the extract. These results may contribute to the designing of large-scale production processes for obtaining A. calamus extract, which proves to be an effective alternative for the control of stored product insect pests.     

Spectroscopy studies on DNA binding of two ruthenium complexes [Ru(MeIm)4(L)]2+ (L = iip and tip)

Two ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(MeIm)₄(L)]²⁺ (L?=?2-(imidazo-4-group)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, 2-(thiophene-2-group)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, MeIm?=?1-methylimidazole) have been synthesized according to literature and structurally characterized. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA has been explored using electronic absorption titration, competitive binding experiment, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, and viscosity measurements. The results show that both complexes could bind DNA in a intercalation mode and the DNA-binding affinity of [Ru(MeIm)₄(tip)]²⁺ (K _b?=?(7.2?±?0.3)?×?10⁵?(mol?L^?1)^?1) is greater than that of [Ru(MeIm)₄(iip)]²⁺ (K _b?=?(6.1?±?0.2)?×?10⁵?(mol?L^?1)^?1).     

Synthesis of optically active Zn(II) complexes with thiosemicarbazones of (+)-camphor (L) and (−)-carvone (L1). The crystal structures of L and [Zn(L)2Cl2]

The optically active complexes [Zn(L)₂Cl₂] (I) and [Zn(L¹)₂Cl₂] (II) (L and L¹ are thiosemicar-bazones of (+)-camphor and (?)-carvone, respectively) were obtained. The crystal structures of L and complex I were determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure of L consists of hydrogen-bonded molecules united into chains. The crystal structure of complex I is built from mononuclear molecules. The coordination polyhedron of the Zn atom is a distorted tetrahedron Cl₂S₂. The molecule L functions as a monodentate ligand. According to data from IR spectroscopy, complex II is structurally similar to complex I.     

Phenolic compounds and antimicrobial activity of olive (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrançosa) leaves

We report the determination of phenolic compounds in olive leaves by reversed-phase HPLC/DAD, and the evaluation of their in vitro activity against several microorganisms that may be causal agents of human intestinal and respiratory tract infections, namely gram positive (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans). Seven phenolic compounds were identified and quantified: caffeic acid, verbascoside, oleuropein, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, apigenin 7-O-glucoside and luteolin 4'-O-glucoside. At low concentrations olive leaves extracts showed an unusual combined antibacterial and antifungal action, which suggest their great potential as nutraceuticals, particularly as a source of phenolic compounds.     

Capillary and gel electromigration techniques and MALDI-TOF MS – Suitable tools for identification of filamentous fungi

Microbial strains are now spreading out of their original geographical areas of incidence and previously adequate morphological identification methods often must be accompanied by a phenotypic characterization for the successful microbial identification. The fungal genus Monilinia represents a suitable example. Monilinia species represent important fruit pathogens responsible for major losses in fruit production. Four closely related spp. of Monilinia: Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia fructicola and Monilia polystroma have been yet identified. However, the classical characterization methods are not sufficient for current requirements, especially for phytosanitary purposes.     

Supercritical CO2 extract and essential oil of aerial part of Ledum palustre L. – Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity

The anti-inflammatory activity of two extracts from the aerial parts of Ledum palustre has been reported. The volatile oil was obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and the essential oil by hydrodistillation (HD). The oils were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to monitor their composition. Both extracts shared as main compound (41.0–43.4%) ledol (23.3–26.7%) and ascaridole (15.1–4.5%). The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the subcutaneous carrageenan injection-induced hind paw oedema. The treated animals received essential oil (SFE and HD), the reference group received ketoprofen or piroxicam and the control group received NaCl 0.9%. A statistical analysis was performed by the Student t-test. The results show that L. palustre essential oil enhanced a significant inhibition of oedema (50–73%) for HD oil and (52–80%) for SFE oil. These results were similar to those obtained with piroxicam (70%) and ketoprofen (55%).     

Quality (r)evolution – guidelines and practical implementation of quality management: the U.S. perspective

 All clinical laboratories in the United States were required for the first time in 1992 to comply with universal minimum regulations: the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA'88). The CLIA'88 regulations precipitated revolutionary and evolutionary changes based in both total quality management and continuous quality improvement principles. The regulations specify minimum requirements for personnel, quality control, and proficiency testing. Under quality assurance, the requirements are more individualized and allow laboratories to meet the needs of their customers while being in compliance with the regulations. Biannual inspection is integral to CLIA'88. However, laboratories can choose other federally approved, "deemed" professional organizations, with regulations equivalent to CLIA'88. Selection of one of these organizations allows for some flexibility in the application of the requirements, and eliminates having federal CLIA'88 inspectors perform the inspection. Since CLIA's inception in 1992, inspectors have noted a decline in the number of deficiencies cited. An improved level of proficiency testing performance also indicates that better quality test results are being provided to clinicians. The quality evolution and revolution will continue in the United States, and a major impetus will be health care reform's mandate to reduce cost. Received: 13 December 1995 Accepted: January 1996     

Liquid–liquid extraction of neodymium (III) and europium (III) using synergic mixture of furosemide and tribenzylamine in benzyl alcohol

The extraction behavior of Nd(III) and Eu(III) with 0.05 mol dm⁻³ furosemide in benzyl alcohol as single acidic extractant and then with equimolar (0.05 mol dm⁻³) synergic mixture of furosemide as acidic extractant and tribenzylamine as neutral donor in benzyl alcohol has been studied from aqueous solutions of pH 1 to 6. The effect of various parameters and of various cations and anions on the extraction of these metal ions was investigated. The composition of the extracted adducts was determined by slope analysis method that came out to be [(M(FS)₂)⁺ (CH₃COO)⁻] and [M(FS)₃·3TBA] where M = Nd(III) and Eu(III).

     

Recent advances in sample preparation techniques and methods of sulfonamides detection – A review

Sulfonamides (SAs) have been the most widely used antimicrobial drugs for more than 70 years, and their residues in foodstuffs and environmental samples pose serious health hazards. For this reason, sensitive and specific methods for the quantification of these compounds in numerous matrices have been developed. This review intends to provide an updated overview of the recent trends over the past five years in sample preparation techniques and methods for detecting SAs. Examples of the sample preparation techniques, including liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and QuEChERS, are given. Different methods of detecting the SAs present in food and feed and in environmental, pharmaceutical and biological samples are discussed.     

GC–MS Analysis of the Essential Oils of Piper nigrum L. and Piper longum L.

A simple, rapid and solvent-free method based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) following microwave distillation and headspace solid-phase microextraction (MD–HS-SPME) was developed for the analysis of the essential oils in two traditional Chinese medicines, Piper nigrum L. and Piper longum L. Thirty compounds were separated and identified from P. nigrum L. The main components were β-caryophyllene (23.49%), 3-carene (22.20%), d-limonene (18.68%), β-pinene (8.92%) and α-pinene (4.03 %). Forty-five compounds were separated from P. longum L. and identified. The main components were β-caryophyllene (33.44%), 3-carene (7.58%), eugenol (7.39%), d-limonene (6.70%), zingiberene (6.68%) and cubenol (3.64%). To demonstrate its advantages, MD–HS-SPME was compared to conventional HS-SPME. With conventional HS-SPME, only 28 and 33 compounds were detected in P. nigrum L. and P. longum L, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values of MD–HS-SPME for the essential oils in P. nigrum L. under optimal conditions were less than 10%. The results show that microwave distillation has a high extract efficiency and good precision and can be used to compare similarities and differences of essential oils.     

Investigation of aggregation in solvent extraction of lanthanides by acidic extractants (organo-phosphorus and naphthenic acid)

Three acidic extractants (Ⅰ) di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP),(Ⅱ) 2-ethylhexyl phos-phonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (KEHPEHE) and (Ⅲ) naphthenic acid were employed in preparing the samples for the characterization of the coordination structure of lanthanlde-extractant complexes and the physicochemical nature of aggregates formed in the organic diluent of the solvent extraction systems.Photo correlation spectroscopy (PCS) re-suits on the aggregates formed by the partially saponified HDEHP in n -heptane showed that the hydrodynamic radius of the aggregates was comparable to the molecular dimensions of HDEHP.The addition of 2-octanol into the diluent,by which the mixed solvent was formed,increased the dimensions of the corresponding aggregates.Aggregates formed from the ianthamde ions and HDEHP in the organic phase of the extraction systems were found very unstable.In the case of naphthenic acid,PCS data showed the formation of w/o microemulsion from the saponified naphthenic acid in the mix     

Bioanalysis of drugs and their metabolites by chiral electromigration techniques (2010–2020)

The further development and application of capillary electromigration techniques for the enantioselective determination of drugs and their metabolites in body fluids, tissues, and in vitro preparations during the 2010 to 2020 time period continued to proof their usefulness and attractiveness in bioanalysis. This review discusses the principles and important aspects of capillary electrophoresis- based chiral drug bioassays, provides a survey of the assays reported during the past 10 years and presents an overview of the key achievements encountered in that time period. For systems with charged chiral selectors, special attention is paid on assays that feature field-amplified sample injection to enable the determination of ppb levels of analytes and optimized online incubation procedures for the rapid assessment of a metabolic pathway. Applications discussed encompass the pharmacokinetics of drug enantiomers in vivo and in vitro, the impact of inhibitors on metabolic steps, the elucidation of the stereoselectivity of drug metabolism in vivo and in vitro, and drug enantiomers in toxicological, forensic, and doping analysis.     

LC-DAD and LC–MS–MS Analysis of Piperidine Alkaloids of Lobelia inflata L. (In Vitro and In Vivo)

An LC-DAD method was developed for determination of lobeline from in vitro and in vivo cultures of Lobelia inflata. Samples were extracted with 0.1 N HCl–acetonitrile (1:1, v/v), and purified by solid-phase extraction. Optimized conditions resulted in high recovery. LC separations were performed on an Eurosphere C8 reversed-phase column using 30:70 (v/v) acetonitrile–0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as a mobile phase. Quantitative determination of lobeline was performed by external standard method at 250 nm, in the range of 2.4–80 μg mL⁻¹. Validation studies proved that the repeatability of the method was good and the recovery was satisfactory. In vitro organized cultures contained considerable amount of lobeline (herb: 175 μg g⁻¹, root: 100 μg g⁻¹). When these cultures were transplanted into the open field, the lobeline content increased significantly (herb: 323 μg g⁻¹, root: 833 μg g⁻¹). Plants obtained from seed propagation contained 382 μg g⁻¹ lobeline in the herb. For direct characterization of di-substituted piperidine alkaloids in extracts of L. inflata, tandem mass spectrometric method was developed using electrospray ionization. Analysis was performed in the positive ion mode on a triple quadropole LC–MS system. LC separations were achieved on Eurosphere C8 column with a modified mobile phase (acetonitrile–30 mM ammonium formate, pH 2.80) to ensure proper molecular ionization. The identification and structural elucidation of the alkaloids were performed by comparing their changes in molecular mass (ΔM), full-scan MS–MS spectra with those of lobeline, norlobelanine and lobelanidine. These alkaloids and ten other derivatives were identified in the plant extracts. Three piperidine alkaloids were reported in L. inflata for the first time.

     

Inner complex compounds of dioxomolybdenum(VI) with o-oxyazomethines, derivatives of substituted salicylaldehydes and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane. crystal structures of two complexes [MoO(L)] · CH3OH; L = Z-substituted salicylalimines, Z = 3-NO2 and 3-OCH3

Ten new dioxomolybdenum(VI) compounds with o-oxyazomethines, derivatives of substituted salicylaldehydes (I–X) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, are synthesized. The structures of two of them, [MoO₂(L)] · CH₃OH; L = Z-substituted salicylalimines, Z = 3-NO₂ (IV) and 3-OCH₃ (V), are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds IV and V have similar structures and geometric parameters. The Mo atoms are coordinated through the octahedral mode by two oxo ligands in the cis positions to each other, two O atoms, one N atom of the tridentate bis(chelating) ligand L, and the O atom of the MeOH molecule.