Evaluation of the antioxidant properties of spices by cyclic voltammetry

The individual antioxidants of spices (gallic and rosmarinic acids, capsaicin, thymol, and eugenol) are irreversibly oxidized at 0.88–1.25 V at a glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 M LiClO₄ solution in ethanol. Corresponding electrode reactions are proposed. A linear dependence of the oxidation step area on the concentration is observed for all the analytes. The detection limits and the lower limits of quantification vary from 0.57–12 and 1.8–40 μM, respectively. Distinct steps and peaks of oxidation are observed on cyclic voltammograms of the methanolic extracts of spices; the potentials and areas of these peaks depend on the type of spice. The contribution of individual antioxidants to integral responses of spice extracts is evaluated. A method is developed for the voltammetric evaluation of the antioxidant capacity (AOC) of spices based on the oxidation of their antioxidants. The total area of the oxidation steps was selected as a parameter characterizing the antioxidant properties. The AOC of spices was expressed as a weight of gallic acid in milligrams per 1 g of a dry spice. Seventeen different spices were tested. The AOC decreases in the series of clove > juniper berries > nutmeg > cinnamon > rosemary > anise ≥ oregano > black pepper ≥ ginger ≥ basil > turmeric > red pepper ≈ bay leaf ≥ coriander ≈ red sweet pepper > cumin > caraway. A correlation between the AOC obtained by voltammetry and the total AOC, ferric reducing power, antiradical activity, and total content of phenolic compounds and these parameters with each other is found; the correlation coefficients vary in the range 0.8886–0.9615.     

Chronoamperometric evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of tea on a polyquercetin-modified electrode

It was established that the components of tea are oxidized on a glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes and electropolymerized quercetin in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) as a supporting electrolyte under conditions of differential pulse voltammetry. The oxidation potentials of the individual phenolic antioxidants of tea (gallic acid, rutin, quercetin, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and tannin) on the modified electrode were found. A method for the chronoamperometric determination of the antioxidant capacity (AOC) of tea was developed based on the oxidation of tea antioxidants at a potential of 0.20 V. The AOC of tea was evaluated using а difference between the oxidation currents of the analyte and a supporting electrolyte after 50 s of electrolysis in terms of gallic acid. The analytical range of gallic acid was 0.25?750 μM with a detection limit of 0.063 μM. Positive correlations of the AOC with antioxidant activity in a reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and the total phenolic content were found (r = 0.700 and 0.647 at r _crit = 0.396, respectively).     

Electrogenerated bromine as a coulometric reagent for the estimation of the bioavailability of polyphenols

A method is proposed for the estimation of the bioavailability of polyphenols using electrogenerated bromine as a coulometric titrant. The titration of model solutions of casein and bovine serum albumin (BSA) shows that casein does not interact with electrogenerated bromine, while BSA reacts with the titrant in the ratio 1: 63. The proteins bind rutin and quercetin (from 14 to 90%) at a high rate and thus reduce the bioavailability of polyphenols. The concentration of free polyphenol is reduced with an increase in the concentration of protein in the mixture. The total antioxidant capacity (AOC) of tea is determined. Green tea is shown to possess higher AOC than the black one because of the partial oxidation of polyphenols to respective thearubigins and theaflavins at the fermentation step in the production of green tea. The total AOC of tea drops from 7 to 85%, in proportion to the increase in the amount of milk in the mixture. Milk proteins bind tea polyphenols into complexes because of intermolecular interactions and thus reduce their bioavailability. The observed effect of milk is independent of the brand of black tea. The degree of reduction of the total AOC of tea in going from one tea to another remains virtually constant.     

Voltammetric determination of dihydroxybenzenes at a mechanically renewed electrode made from a graphite-epoxy composite

Differences of potentials of anodic and cathodic peaks (ΔE _p) are determined in cyclic voltammograms of dihydroxybenzene/p-benzoquinone redox systems at an electrode made of a graphite-epoxy composite in a wide pH range. The data obtained (ΔE _p = 29 ± 1 mV) are close to the thermodynamic values for two-electron reversible reactions. This indicates that the electrode mechanically renewed by cutting a 0.5-μm surface layer directly in a test solution exhibits a high activity in such electrochemical reactions. The potentials of anodic and cathodic peaks are proportional to the pH of the supporting electrolyte solution in the range from 1.0 to 9.0. A change of 58 ± 1 mV in E _p per unit pH for all isomers shows that the first stage of the oxidation of each dihydroxybenzene isomer involves one electron and is accompanied by the detachment of one hydrogen ion, that is, an intermediate oxidation product, semiquinone, is formed. Despite the closeness of the potentials of hydroquinone and pyrocatechol peaks (ΔE = 100 mV), a scheme is proposed for the selective voltammetric determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers in a 0.1 M HCl solution in hydroquinone-pyrocatechol, pyrocatechol-resorcinol, and hydroquinone-resorcinol binary mixtures. The concentrations of hydroquinone and pyrocatechol are found from cathodic peaks and that of resorcinol, from the anodic peak. The results are well reproducible and contain no systematic error.     

Indirect electrochemical determination of antioxidant capacity with hexacyanoferrate(III) reduction using a gold nanoparticle-coated o-phenylenediamine-aniline copolymer electrode

In spite of the many unstandardized literature methods for the determination of the antioxidant activity/capacity (AOA/AOC) of food extracts, there are a very limited number of documented voltammetric nanosensors, despite the fact that commercial electrochemical devices for rapid AOA estimation are on the rise. The mechanism of the developed sensor is based on the chemical reduction of hexacyanoferrate(III) to hexacyanoferrate(II) by antioxidants, followed by the decrement of the cathodic current intensity of hexacyanoferrate(III) in proportion to antioxidant concentration. During voltammetric measurements, the surface of the glassy carbon electrode was coated with an o-phenylenediamine-aniline copolymer and gold nanoparticles were accumulated on this electrode surface to increase the conductivity. It was shown that the developed electrode gave a reversible voltammogram for the hexacyanoferrate(III)/(II) redox couple, and that the cathodic peaks due to strong antioxidants having a standard redox potential less than that of this couple (E^o < 0.36 V) continuously emerged at very close peak potentials. Single antioxidants as well as binary–ternary mixtures were analyzed with this electrode using square wave voltammetry. The trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacities of selected antioxidants were evaluated with this electrode. The modified voltammetric sensor allowed precise measurement of the total antioxidant capacity of plant tea samples such as green tea, lime, and coral moss, and was not interfered by the food preservative sulfite. The results of the developed voltammetric sensor were statistically compared with those of a reference differential pulse voltammetry-cupric reducing antioxidant capacity electrochemical method established in literature.     

Electrochemical Characterization of Epigallocatechin Gallate Using Square‐Wave Voltammetry

Electrochemical oxidation of (?)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main monomer flavanol found in green tea, has been investigated over a wide pH range at a glassy‐carbon electrode using square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). Square‐wave voltammograms of (?)‐epigallocatechin (EGC) and gallic acid have been studied as well. The I–E profile of EGCG, i.e. the oxidation potentials and the current responses of the first and the second peak, is pH dependent. The oxidation of EGCG is a quasireversible process over the studied pH range, which was also confirmed by the non‐linear relationship between the peak currents and squre root of frequency. The best SWV responses for EGCG were obtained at pH 2.0, frequency of 100 Hz, step of 2 mV and amplitude of 50 mV. Under these conditions, linear responses for EGCG were obtained for concentrations from 1×10^?7 M to 1×10^?6 M, and calculated LOD and LOQ for the first oxidation peak were 6.59×10^?8 M and 2.19×10^?7 M, respectively. The proposed electroanalytical procedure was applied for the determination of EGCG content in green tea. Developed SWV methodology represents a potential analytical tool in determination of catechins in tea samples.     

Evaluation of Anthocyanin Content,Antioxidant Potential and Antimicrobial Activity of Black,Purple and Blue Colored Wheat Flour and Wheat-Grass Juice against Common Human Pathogens

The present study aimed to analyze the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of anthocyanins extracted from colored wheat flour and wheat-grass juice against human pathogens. The total anthocyanin content and antioxidant potential in colored wheat flour and wheat-grass juice extracts were significantly higher than white flour and wheat-grass juice extracts. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography showed the maximum number of anthocyanin peaks in black wheat, with delphinidin-3-o-galactoside chloride, delphinidin-3-o-glucoside chloride, and cyanindin-3-o-glucoside chloride as the major contributors. Among flour extracts, maximum zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 1934), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1434), Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans (MTCC 227) were produced by black flour extract, having the highest anthocyanin content. It exhibited a minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) of 200 mg/mL against E. coli and C. albicans; and 100 and 150 mg/mL against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Black and purple flour extracts exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 mg/mL against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. White flour extracts did not show MMC against E. coli and C. albicans. Among wheat-grass juice extracts, black wheat-grass was most effective and showed an MIC of 100–150 mg/mL against all pathogens. It exhibited an MMC of 200 mg/mL against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Hence, anthocyanin-rich colored wheat could be of nutraceutical importance.     

Electrochemical determination of acetaminophen in the presence of propranolol using an electrode modified with a Schiff base from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and ethylenediamine and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A carbon paste electrode, modified with N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthalidene)ethylenediamine and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HNED-MWCNPE), was used for the determination of acetaminophen (ACOP) and propranolol (PP). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were employed to study electro-oxidation of ACOP. The results revealed that the modified electrode showed an electrocatalytic activity toward the anodic oxidation of acetaminophen by a marked enhancement in the current response in buffered solution at pH 8.0. Some kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α) were also determined for the ACOP oxidation. The linear concentration range of 1 × 10^?3?1 × 10^?6 M with a detection limit of 4.6 × 10^?8 M (n = 16) for ACOP was obtained using DPV (pH 8.0). The modified electrode shows good sensitivity, selectivity and stability. The prepared electrode was also applied for the determination of ACOP in human blood serum.     

A glassy carbon electrode modified with poly(eriochrome black T) for sensitive determination of adenine and guanine

A thin film of poly(eriochrome black T) was deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry, and this system is shown to enable the sensitive determination of adenine (A) and guanine (G). Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the film which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of A and G in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 4.0). Square wave voltammetry reveals an oxidation peak at 1084 mV whose current is linearly related to the concentration of A in the range from 0.05 to 1.00 μM. The oxidation peak for G occurs at 788 mV, and its current is linearly related to the concentration of G in the range from 0.025 to 1.00 μM. The detection limits are 0.017 μM for A and 0.008 μM for G (at S/N?=?3), respectively. The modified electrode displays good reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of A and G. The sensor was applied to quantify A and G in fish sperm DNA with satisfactory results.

Voltammetric detection of guanosine and adenosine using a carbon paste electrode modified with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate

A novel kind of carbon paste electrode (CPE) was prepared by mixing graphite powder, liquid paraffin and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate. The resulting electrode was used for the simultaneous determination of guanosine and adenosine by differential pulse voltammetry. Compared to a conventional CPE, the oxidation peak currents are largely increased, and the oxidation peak potentials are negatively shifted. The electrochemical responses to guanosine and adenosine were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves are linear in the concentration range from 1.0?×?10^-6?mol?L^-1 to 1.6?×?10^-4?mol?L^-1 for guanosine, and from 1.0?×?10^-6?mol?L^-1 to 2.7?×?10^-4?mol?L^-1 for adenosine at pH 3.5. Substances potentially interfering in the biological matrix do no interfere. The method was successfully applied to detect adenosine and guanosine in human urine without sample treatments.

Antioxidant activity determination in Sencha and Gun Powder green tea extracts with the application of voltammetry and UV-VIS spectrophotometry

This article presents the electrochemical analysis of the oxidation of rutin and green tea extract solutions and the antioxidative properties of these substances. Flavonoids and other polyphenols contained in green tea have antioxidative properties due to the presence of various numbers of hydroxyl groups in different arrangements. The investigation of the oxidation of green tea extracts was performed to identify the most effective antioxidant. The cyclic and pulse voltammograms show that the extract of Gun Powder (GP) green tea contained rutin and other polyphenols, while the extract of Sencha (S) tea contained other antioxidants that are oxidised at a more positive potential. The GP extract showed slightly better antioxidative properties than did the S extract. The UV-VIS spectra show that, in addition to flavonoids extracts contain chlorophyll. The results obtained demonstrate that the tested tea extracts show very good antioxidative properties and therefore may be considered as potential stabilising agents that are able to reduce the rate of undesirable oxidation processes.     

Graphene ceramic composite as a new kind of surface-renewable electrode: application to the electroanalysis of ascorbic acid

This study introduces a new surface-renewable electrode based on a sol–gel derived graphene ceramic composite. The electrode was prepared by dispersing graphene nanosheets into a solution of the sol–gel precursors containing methyl triethoxysilane in methanol and hydrochloric acid. During hydrolysis of methyl triethoxysilane, the graphene nanosheets are trapped in the gel. After moulding and drying the composite, it can be used as a surface-renewable electrode to which we refer as a graphene ceramic composite electrode (GCCE). Cyclic voltammograms of the hexacyanoferrate(II/III) model redox system at the GCCE were compared to those obtained with a conventional carbon ceramic electrode and showed a highly improved electron transfer rate at the GCCE. The electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid as a model analyte was then studied at working potential of 50 mV and over the 3–84 μM concentration range. It revealed a sensitivity of 6.06 μA μM^?1 cm^?2 and a detection limit of 0.82 μM. The GCCE was successfully applied to the determination of ascorbic acid in orange juice and urine samples. Advantages such as good mechanical and chemical stability, ease of fabrication, and reproducible preparation make the GCCE a potentially useful and widely applicable renewable electrode for use in routine analysis. Fig. 1

(Left) FESEM image and photograph of the graphene ceramic composite electrode (GCCE); (right) the cyclic voltammogram of the renewable GCCE in 5 mM K₃[Fe(CN)₆] solution containing 0.1 M KNO₃ at scan rate of 100 mV s^?1      

Investigation of the electro-oxidation and oxidation of catechol in the presence of sulfanilic acid

The electrochemical oxidation of catechol (1) in the presence of sulfanilic acid (2) was investigated. Some electrochemical (EC) techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and controlledpotential coulometry were used. The oxidation reaction of catechol (1) with periodate in the presence of sulfanilic acid (2) was also investigated spectrophotometrically. The results indicate that the o-quinone derived from catechol participate in Michael addition reaction with sulfanilic acid (2). In addition, according to the ECE mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constant (k _obs) for the reaction ofo-quinone derived from catechol (1) with sulfanilic acid (2) has been estimated by digital simulation of cyclic voltammograms.     

Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and nanomolar detection of p-nitrophenol

Green biosynthesis of nanoparticles and their applications in sensor field is of great interest to the researchers. We report herein a simple green approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Acacia nilotica Willd twig bark and its application for the detection of 4-nitro phenol (4-NP). The synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. The size of synthesized Ag-NPs was in the range of 10–50 nm. The Ag-NPs modified electrode shows a high sensitivity and selectivity towards the sensing of 4-NP. The fabricated modified electrode shows a low detection limit of 15 nM on the wider linear response range from 100 nM to 350 μM with the sensitivity of 2.58?±?0.05 μAμM^?1 cm^?2. In addition, the fabricated sensor shows good repeatability and reproducibility.

Inclusion complex of α-cyclodextrin and the extended viologen dication: a model of an insulated molecular wire

An extended viologen dication 1, containing one viologen subunit, was used as a model for the inclusion complex formation between cyclodextrin (CD) molecules and molecular wires comprising several subunits. UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements confirmed the formation of two types of the inclusion complexes 1:1 and 2:1 between αCD and 1 in the aqueous solution containing 20% of ethanol. The complex formation constants were obtained from the fluorescence spectral changes: K _a  = 25 ± 3 mM^?1 for [αCD–1] complex and K _a  = 0.21 ± 0.07 mM^?2 for [(αCD)₂–1] complex, respectively. Cyclodextrins βCD and γCD do not form the inclusion complexes with 1 in these aqueous solutions. The time-dependent differential capacitance measurements confirmed the adsorption of 1 in the form of a complex at the electrode/electrolyte interface. These studies were conducted with the aim to find the most suitable CD cavity that would separate individual molecular wires from each other on the electrode/electrolyte interface.     

Properties of ion-selective electrodes with polymeric membranes for ketoprofen determination

The aim of the research was to create electrodes based on PVC membrane with solid contact. The membranes were plasticized with bis(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate, (DOS), dibutylphthalate (DBP) diisobutylphthalate (DIBP), tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), and 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE) in which the active substance tetraoctylammonium 3-benzoyl-??-methylbenzeneacetate (KET-TOA) was dissolved. The basic analytical parameters of the ketoprofen electrode such as measuring range, detection limit, response time, lifetime, and selectivity coefficients for some organic and inorganic anions were determined. For all electrodes similar potentiometric responses were obtained: measuring range 1 × 10^?4 ?1 × 10^?1 M, and Nernstian slope of characteristics of about 55?C60 mV/decade. The electrode was used to determine ketoprofen in the synthetic sample and pharmaceutical preparations, in injections, tablets and capsules in the concentration range of 0.025?C25 mg/mL in aqueous solution at pH 5.5?C8.5.     

Voltammetric determination of bisphenol A in food package by a glassy carbon electrode modified with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A highly sensitive and mercury-free method for determination of bisphenol A (BPA) was established using a glassy carbon electrode that was modified with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes. A sensitive oxidation peak is found at 550?mV in linear sweep voltammograms at pH?7. Based on this finding, trace levels of bisphenol A can be determined over a concentration range that is linear from 10?nM to 10⁴?nM, the correlation coefficient being 0.9983, and the detection limit (S/N?=?3) being 5.0?nM. The method was successfully applied to the determination of BPA in food package.

Glassy carbon electrode modified with poly-Neutral Red for photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of NADH

A new approach is described for the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of Reduced ß-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH). It is based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a film of poly-Neutral Red (poly-NR) that is obtained by electropolymerization. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the modified electrode displays electrocatalytic and photo-electrocatalytic activity towards oxidation of NADH. If irradiated with a 250-W halogen lamp, the electrode yields a strongly increased electrocatalytic current compared to the current without irradiation. Amperometric and photo-amperometric detection of NADH was performed at +150 mV vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl_sat and the currents obtained are linearly related to the concentration of NADH. Linear calibration plots are obtained in the concentration range from 1.0 μM to 1.0 mM for both methods. However, the slope of the current-NADH concentration curve of the photo-electrocatalytic procedure was 2-times better than that obtained without irradiation.

Kinetics study of electrochemically induced michael reaction of benzoquinones with triphenylphosphine

The electrochemical oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3) were studied in the presence of triphenylphosphine (4) as a nucleophile using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the quinones derived from oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid participate in Michael addition reaction with triphenylphosphine (4). In this work, based on an EC mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constants (k _obs) of the reaction of produced benzoquinones with triphenylphosphine (4) were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammograms with the digitally simulated results.     

The behavior of polyaniline-coated PVC membrane based on 7,16-didecyl-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane for ph measurements in highly acidic media

Polyaniline (PANI) chemically coated on polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane based on a neutral carrier 7,16-didecyl-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane (Kryptofix 22 DD) as the active component has been developed for determination of pH values ranging from pH 0.1–1. Effect of experimental parameters such as membrane composition, nature and amount of plasticizer, lipophilic additives and thickness of PANI film on the potential response of the pH electrode was investigated. The electrode has an apparent Nernstian response slope of 54.5 ± 0.4 mV/pH (at 20°C). The equilibrium water content of the electrode was determined in pure water and NaCl solution (I = 0.1 mol/kg). The electrode had low electric resistance, good potential stability and reproducibility (±1.5 mV, n = 10). It had a rapid potential response to changes of pH (15 s). The excellent performance in terms of linearity, stability and fast response makes this device suitable for pH measurements in highly acidic media.