Resonance Scattering Spectral Detection of Catalase Activity Using Au@Ag Nanoparticle as Probe and Coupling Catalase Catalytic Reaction with Fenton Reaction

The Au_coreAg_shell (Au@Ag) nanoparticles in size of 30 nm were prepared using 10 nm gold nanoparticles as seeds at 90°C, and were purified by high-speed centrifugation to remove the excess trisodium citrate to obtain Au@Ag nanoprobe. In the medium of pH 4.0 acetate buffer solution—7.2 μmol/L H₂O₂–67 μmol/L Fe(II), Au@Ag nanoparticles exhibited a resonance scattering (RS) peak at 538 nm. Upon addition of Catalase (Ct), the system produced hydroxyl radical that oxidized the Au@Ag nanoprobe to form the AuAg nanoparticles with partly bare nanogold. Those AuAg nanoparticles aggregated to large nanoclusters that led to the RS peak wavelength red-shift and its RS peak intensity enhanced. The catalase activity (C) is linear to the enhanced RS intensity (ΔI) in the range of 6 to 2,800 U/L, with regression equation of ΔI = 0.168 C-0.2, the correlation coefficient of 0.9952, and detection limit of 2.8 U/L. This method was applied to the detection of serum samples, and the results were agreement with that of the spectrophotometry. A new catalytic mechanism of catalase was proposed with oxywater principle that was agreement with the results of resonance scattering spectroscopy, absorption spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy and laser scattering.     

A Highly Sensitive Aptamer-Nanogold Catalytic Resonance Scattering Spectral Assay for Melamine

The aptamer (ssDNA) was used to label nanogold (NG) particle to fabricate an aptamer–nanogold (NGssDNA) probe for melamine. The probe was stabile in pH 6.6 Na₂HPO₄–NaH₂PO₄ buffer solutions and in the presence of high concentration of electrolyte. Upon addition of melamine, it interacted with the probe to form big NGssDNA-melamine aggregations that led to the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) intensity at 566 nm increased greatly. The increased RRS intensity (ΔI) is linear to melamine concentration in the range of 1.89–81.98 μg/L, with a detection limit of 0.98 μg/L melamine. The unreacted probe in the aptamer reaction solution exhibited strong catalytic effect on the slow Cu₂O particle reaction between glucose and Fehling reagent, but the catalytic activity of NG aggregations is very weak. When melamine concentration increased, the unreacted probe decreased, the RRS peak intensity at 614 nm decreased. The decreased RS intensity is linear to melamine concentration in the range of 0.63–47.30 ng/L melamine, with a detection limit of 0.38 ng/L. The aptamer-modified nanogold catalytic RRS assay was applied to determination of melamine in milk, with high sensitivity and selectivity, simplicity and rapidity.     

Luminescence Properties of Metal(II)-Diethyldithiocarbamate Chelate Complex Particles and Its Analytical Application

In a suitable pH buffer solutions, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) reacts with some divalence metal ions M(II) to form (M–DDTC) _n chelate complex nanoparticles, which exhibit different luminescence properties. There is a strongest luminescence peak at 470 nm for the Co(II)–DDTC system, three peaks at 330, 470, and 630 nm for the Cu(II)–DDTC system, three peaks at 420, 470, and 630 nm for the Cd(II)–DDTC system, four peaks at 350, 400, 435, and 470 nm for the Ni(II)–DDTC system, two peaks at 408 and 470 nm for the Pb(II)–DDTC system, two peaks at 415 and 470 nm for the Fe(II)–DDTC system. The different luminescence properties of (M–DDTC) _n chelate complex nanoparticles was explained. Under the optimal conditions, the luminescence intensity of (Co–DDTC) _n chelate complex nanoparticles at 470 nm (F _{470 nm}) is linear to Co(II) concentration in the range of 0.012–1.44 μg/mL. The detection limit is 0.0023 μg/mL. A novel luminescence method has been proposed for the determination of cobalt in Vitamin B₁₂ samples, with satisfactory results.     

A Novel and Highly Sensitive Resonance Scattering Spectral Assay for Horseradish Peroxidase Using Cationic Surfactant

A novel and ultrasensitive resonance scattering (RS) spectral assay was proposed for detection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activity. It was based on that the HRP strongly catalyze H₂O₂ oxidation of excess I⁻ to form , the resulting combined with four cationic surfactant (CS), including tetradecyl pyridinium bromide (TPB), cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTMA), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPCM) and tetradecyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (TDMBA) to produce association particles (TPB-I₃) _n , (CTMA-I₃) _m , (CPCM-I₃)_l and (TDMBA-I₃) _k , which exhibit a strongest resonance scattering peak at 478, 423, 538 and 491 nm, respectively. For the four systems of TPB, CPCM, CTMBA and TDMBA, the HRP activity determined was in the linear range of 0.004–5.6, 0.04–3.2, 0.04–8.0, 0.08–8.0 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.0034, 0.040, 0.033, 0.016 ng/mL, respectively. The TPB resonance scattering spectral assay was best and has been applied to the analysis of HRP in real samples, with satisfactory results.     

Conventional and First Derivative Synchronous Fluorometric Determination of Ethamsylate in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Biological Fluids. Application to Stability Studies

Two simple, accurate and highly sensitive spectrofluorometric methods were developed for the determination of ethamsylate (ETM). Method I is based on measuring the native fluorescence of ethamsylate in water at 354 nm after excitation at 302 nm. The calibration plot was rectilinear over the range of 0.05–1 μg/mL for ETM with limits of detection and quantitation of 7.9 and 26 ng/mL, respectively. Method II involved synchronous and first derivative synchronous fluorometric methods for the simultaneous determination of ethamsylate (ETM) and hydroquinone (HQ) which is considered as an impurity and/or acidic degradation product. The synchronous fluorescence of both the drug and its impurity were measured in methanol at Δ λ of 40 nm. The peak amplitudes (¹D) were estimated at 293.85 or 334.17 nm for ETM and at 309.05 nm for HQ. Good linearity was obtained for ETM over the ranges 0.1–1.4 μg/mL and 0.1–1.0 μg/mL at 293.85 and 334.17 nm, respectively. For HQ, the calibration plot was rectilinear over the range of 0.01–0.14 μg/mL at 309.05 nm. Limits of detection were 20, 2.01 ng/mL and limits of quantitation were 60, 6.7 ng/mL for ETM and HQ by method II, respectively. Both methods were successfully applied to commercial ampoules and tablets. The results were in good agreement with those obtained by the reference method. Method I was utilized to study the stability of ETM and its degradation kinetics using peroxide. The apparent first-order rate constant, half-life times and activation energy of the degradation process were calculated. Method I was further extended to the in-vitro and in-vivo determination of ETM in spiked and real plasma samples. The mean% recoveries were 99.57 ± 3.85 and 89.39 ± 5.93 for spiked and real human plasma, respectively.     

Vibrational spectra of a single crystal of lead germanate and the effect of RS amplification on its surface

For single crystal wafers of lead germanate cut perpendicularly to the C-axis an investigation has been made of IR transmission and RS spectra atλ _exc =632.8, 514.5, and 488 nm in the spectral range of 400–1800 cm⁻¹. An interpretation of the spectra recorded is suggested. In the RS spectra specific features of line intensity distributions are detected. The dependences of the intensity distribution in the peculiarities detected on the excitation wavelength and the angle of incidence of exciting radiation and transmission of the reflected exciting laser beam relative to the optical axis of illumination of the spectrometer inlet slit are investigated. The reason for the occurrence of these specific features is suggested: the interference of RS radiation and exciting laser radiation diffracted on the non-working narrow sides of the diffraction gratings of the spectrometer. The possibilities of amplifying the spectral lines in the RS spectra by imposing diffracted one-mode exciting radiation on them are discussed. Translated from zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 220–226, March–April, 1999.     

A Simple and Sensitive Spectrofluorimetric Method for Analysis of Some Nitrofuran Drugs in Pharmaceutical Preparations

A simple, rapid, selective and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was described for the analysis of three nitrofuran drugs, namely, nifuroxazide (NX), nitrofurantoin (NT) and nitrofurazone (NZ). The method involved the alkaline hydrolysis of the studied drugs by warming with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution then dilution with distilled water for NX or 2-propanol for NT and NZ. The formed fluorophores were measured at 465 nm (λ _Ex 265 nm), 458 nm (λ _Ex 245 nm) and 445 nm (λ _Ex 245 nm) for NX, NT and NZ, respectively. The reaction pathway was discussed and the structures of the fluorescent products were proposed. The different experimental parameters were studied and optimized. Regression analysis showed good correlation between fluorescence intensity and concentration over the ranges 0.08–1.00, 0.02–0.24 and 0.004–0.050 μg ml⁻¹ for NX, NT and NZ, respectively. The limits of detection of the method were 8.0, 1.9 and 0.3 ng ml⁻¹ for NX, NT and NZ, respectively. The proposed method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision and specificity, and it was successfully applied for the assay of the three nitrofurans in their different dosage forms. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical adjuvants. The results were favorably compared with those obtained by reference spectrophotometric methods.     

Solvothermally synthesized europium-doped CdS nanorods: applications as phosphors

To exploit the photoluminescent behavior of CdS at nanoscale with different doping concentration of europium—a rare earth element, we report the synthesis of Eu-doped CdS nanorods by using low temperature solvothermal process by using ethylenediamine. The outcomes can have future applications as phosphors, photovoltaic cells, lasers, light emitting diodes, bio-imaging, and sensors. The doping was confirmed by electron dispersive spectroscopy supported by X-ray diffraction. From scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis it was observed that the average diameter of the Cd_1−x Eu _x S nanorods is about 10–12 nm having lengths in the range of 50–100 nm. UV–Visible spectroscopy study was carried out to determine the band gap of the nanorods and the absorbance peaks showed blue shift with respect to the bulk CdS. The blue shift was also observed as the doping concentration of Eu increases. From photoluminescence (PL) studies at λ_ex = 450 nm, peaks at 528 and 540 nm were observed due to CdS, peak at 570 nm is due to defects related transitions, while the peak at 613 nm is due to Eu. As the doping concentration of Eu is increased the intensity of the luminescent peak at 613 nm is increased. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the nanorods are thermally stable up to 300 °C. The traces of impurities adsorbed on the nanorods were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

Stress-Induced Alteration of Chlorophyll Fluorescence Polarization and Spectrum in Leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alocasia macrorrhiza</Emphasis> L. Schott

The value of intrinsic chlorophyll fluorescence polarization, and the intensity in emission spectrum were investigated in leaf segments of Alocasia macrorrhiza under several stress conditions including different temperatures (25–50°C), various concentrations of NaCl (0–250 mM), methyl viologen (MV, 0–25 μM), SDS (0–1.0%) and NaHSO₃ (0–80 μM). Fluorescence emission spectrum of leaves at wavelength regions of 500–800 nm was monitored by excitation at 436 nm. The value of fluorescence polarization (P value), as result of energy transfer and mutual orientation between chlorophyll molecules, was determined by excitation at 436 nm and emission at 685 nm. The results showed that elevated temperature and concentrations of salt (NaCl), photooxidant (MV), surfactant (SDS) and simulated SO₂ (NaHSO₃) treatments all induced a reduction of fluorescence polarization to various degrees. However, alteration of the fluorescence spectrum and emission intensity of F₆₈₅ and F₇₃₁ depended on the individual treatment. Increase in temperature and concentration of NaHSO₃ enhanced fluorescence intensity mainly at F₆₈₅, while an increase in MV concentration led to a decrease at both F₆₈₅ and F₇₃₁. On the contrary, NaCl and SDS did not cause remarkable change in fluorescence spectrum. Among different treatments, the negative correlation between polarization and fluorescence intensity was found with NaHSO₃ treatments only. We concluded that P value being measured with intrinsic chlorophyll fluorescence as probe in leaves is a susceptible indicator responding to changes in environmental conditions. The alteration of P value and fluorescence intensity might not always be shown a functional relation pattern. The possible reasons of differed response to various treatments were discussed.     

Determination of Tetracaine Hydrochloride by Fluorescence Quenching Method with Some Aromatic Amino Acids as Probes

A novel fluorescence quenching method for the determination of tetracaine hydrochloride (TA·HCl) concentration with some aromatic amino acids as fluorescence probe has been developed. In pH 6.3 acidic medium, tryptophane (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr) or phenylalanine (Phe) can react with tetracaine hydrochloride to form an ion-association complex by electrostatic attraction, aromatic stacking interaction and Van der Waals’ force, which lead to fluorescence quenching of above amino acids. The maximum fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths of them are located at 278, 274, 258 nm and 354, 306, 285 nm, respectively. The relative fluorescence intensity (F ₀/F) is proportional to the TA·HCl concentration in certain range. The linear ranges and detection limits are 1.2–5.0 μg/mL and 0.37 μg/mL for Tyr-TA·HCl system, 1.3–6.0 μg/mL and 0.38 μg/mL for Trp-TA·HCl system, and 1.4–6.0 μg/mL and 0.41 μg/mL for Phe-TA·HCl system. The optimum reaction conditions, influencing factors and the effect of coexisting substances are investigated. And the results show the method has a good selectivity. Judging from the effect of temperature, the Stern-Volmer plots and fluorescence lifetime determination, the quenching of fluorescence of amino acids by TA·HCl is a static quenching process.     

A Simple Flow-injection Spectrofluorimetric Method for the Determination of Mercury

A highly sensitive flow-injection spectrofluorimetric method is presented for the rapid and simple determination of Hg (II) in environmental and pharmaceutical samples. Murexide (ammonium purpurate) was used as the fluorescence reagent in the carrier stream. An emission peak of murexide, which is decreased linearly by addition of Hg (II), occurs at 435 nm in aqueous solution with excitation at 335 nm. A linear calibration was obtained for 5–200 ng ml⁻¹ Hg (II) with the relative standard deviation 2.5% (n = 5) for a 20 μl injection volume Hg (II). The limit of the detection was 1 ng ml⁻¹ and the sampling rate was 80 h⁻¹. No significant interference was found by the ions commonly found in the most environmental samples. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of trace mercury in real samples and the validation of the proposed methodology is provided.     

Photoluminescence and Raman scattering in spatially inhomogeneous heteroepitaxial InGaN layers

Spatial inhomogeneities of the indium distribution in In _x Ga_1–x N epitaxial layers grown on sapphire substrate with a GaN buffer layer were investigated using photoluminescence (PL) in addition to confocal scanning Raman spectroscopy (RS) and PL. Broad emission bands from In-enriched InGaN nanoclusters (700–900 nm) and from the volume outside the clusters (about 460 nm) were observed in PL spectra of an epitaxial InGaN layer with an average In content of 25.7%. It was established that larger micro-PL intensities corresponded to energetically shallower clusters. The observed broadly asymmetric A₁(LO) RS band of InGaN confirmed that the In concentration in the layer was highly variable. Modeling the LO phonon band by two Lorentzian curves gave an average In concentration of 21% in the volume outside the clusters and 37% in the nanoclusters, which was considerably higher than the average concentration in the layer and agreed well with their PL band positions.     

The Co-luminescence Effect of Eu–Gd–Ofloxacin–SDBS System and its Analytical Application

A fluorescence enhancement phenomenon in the europium (Eu)–Ofloxacin (OF)–Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate (SDBS) fluorescence system was observed when Gd³⁺ was added. The fluorescence intensity of the systems was measured (λ _ex/λ _em = 280/612 nm) at pH 7.8. Under optimum conditions, a linear relationship between the enhanced fluorescence intensity and the Eu³⁺ concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ ∼ 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol·L⁻¹ was observed. The detection limit of Eu³⁺ was 1.46 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol·L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). This method was used for the determination of trace amounts of europium in synthetic rare earth samples with satisfactory results. In addition, the interaction mechanism is also studied.     

The Sensitive Fluorimetric Method for the Determination of Curcumin Using the Enhancement of Mixed Micelle

Curcumin (C₂₁H₂₀O₆) is a natural antioxidant, which is considered to be a very useful compound in health matters, and is employed in the treatment of cardiovascular and arthritic illnesses. It is found that the fluorescence of curcumin is greatly enhanced by mixed micelle of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactants. Based on this, a sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of curcumin in aqueous solution is proposed. In the HOAc–NaOAc buffer, the fluorescence intensity of curcumin is proportional to the concentration of curcumin in the range of 0.00020–0.74 μg/mL and the detection limit is 0.017 ng/mL. The synthetic and actual samples are satisfactorily determined. In addition, the interaction mechanism is also studied.     

Fluorescence of N,N-di(2-carboxyethyl)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-anisidine in solution and crystalline states

The fluorescence properties of N,N-di(2-carboxyethyl)-p-anisidine (I) in solvents of various nature and in the crystalline state have been studied at room temperature (273 K) and at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 K). Fluorescence in aqueous solutions of I with protonated (λ _ex /λ _fl ^max = 225/290 nm) and unprotonated (λ _ex /λ _fl ^max = 270/380 nm) amino nitrogen has been detected. On going from aqueous solutions to nonaqueous, the fluorescence band of unprotonated I experiences a blue shift and its intensity rises. The fluorescence intensity of the band in aprotic polar solvents is higher than that in protic solvents. A linear dependence of the fluorescence intensity of deprotonated I on Cu(II) concentration (ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/dm³) in aqueous solution has been found. The fluorescence intensity of I in aqueous solutions at 77 K and pH 1–6 has been shown to increase in the presence of Zn(II) (1–170 mg/dm³) and Cd(II) (2–330 mg/dm³) although a similar dependence is not observed at 293 K.     

Fluorophotometric Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide with Fluorescin in the Presence of Cobalt (II) and Reaction Against Other Reactive Oxygen Species

A fluorophotometric method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using fluorescin was developed. This method was based on the oxidative reaction of fluorescin, a colorless, non-fluorescent lactoid fluorescein, by H₂O₂ to give highly fluorescein fluorescence emission. In the determination of H₂O₂, the calibration curve exhibited linearity over the H₂O₂ concentration range of 1.5–310 ng mL⁻¹ at an emission wavelength of 525 nm with an excitation of 500 nm and with relative standard deviations (n = 6) of 2.51%, 2.48%, and 1.31% for 3.1 ng mL⁻¹, 30.8 ng mL⁻¹, and for 308 ng mL⁻¹ of H₂O₂, respectively. The detection limit for H₂O₂ was 1.9 ng mL⁻¹ six blank determinations was performed (ρ = 6). This proposed method was applied to detection of other reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) such as singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl radical (^•OH), peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) etc., and it was possible to detect them with a high sensitivity. In addition, this proposed method was applied to the recovery tests of H₂O₂ in calf serum, human saliva, rain water, and wheat noodles; the results were satisfactory.     

Eu-doped B2O3–ZnO–PbO glass phosphor powders with?spherical shape and fine size prepared by spray pyrolysis

Eu-doped B₂O₃–ZnO–PbO glass phosphor powders with spherical shape and fine size were directly prepared by spray pyrolysis. The glass phosphor powders prepared at a temperature of 1100°C had broad XRD peak at around 28°. One glass phosphor powder was formed from one droplet at the preparation temperature range from 900 to 1100°C. The mean size of the glass phosphor powders was 0.75 μm. The glass transition temperature (T _g ) of the glass phosphor powders prepared by spray pyrolysis was 378.5°C. The excitation spectrum of the glass phosphor powders prepared at the optimum preparation temperature of 1100°C had bands at 362, 381, 392, 463, 525, and 532 nm. The glass phosphor powders had emission spectra with bands at 579, 614, and 653 nm. The glass phosphor powders with doping concentration of Eu of 7 wt% had the maximum photoluminescence intensity. The glass phosphor layer formed from the glass phosphor powders had high transparencies above 90%.     

Cathodoluminescence of ZnSe(Bi):Al crystals

The cathodoluminescence (CL) in ZnSe crystals annealed at T=1200 K in a Bi melt containing an aluminum impurity is investigated. The spectra are recorded for different excitation levels, temperatures, and detection delay times t ₀. As t ₀ is increased, the intensity of the orange band at λ _max=630 nm (1.968 eV) in the CL spectrum decreases in comparison to the intensity of the dominant yellow-green band at λ _max=550 nm (2.254 eV), whose half-width increases in the temperature range 6–120 K and then decreases as the temperature increases further. It is shown that such behavior of the yellow-green band is caused by the competition between two processes: recombination of donor-acceptor pairs and of free electrons with holes trapped on acceptors. The former mechanism is dominant at low temperatures, and the latter mechanism is dominant at high temperatures. At T∼120 mK the contributions of the two mechanisms to the luminescence are comparable. The resultant structureless band then achieves its greatest half-width, which is dictated by the interaction of the recombining charge carriers with longitudinal-optical and longitudinal-acoustic phonons and with the free-electron plasma. The mean number of longitudinal-optical phonons emitted per photon is determined mainly by their interaction with holes trapped on deep acceptors in the form of Al atoms replacing Se. The donor in the pair under consideration is an interstitial Al atom. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1526–1531 (September 1997)     

Luminescence and thermally stimulated recombination processes in Li<Subscript>6</Subscript>Gd(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystals

The luminescence and thermally stimulated recombination processes in lithium borate crystals Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃ and Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃:Ce have been studied. The steady-state luminescence spectra under X-ray excitation (X-ray luminescence), temperature dependences of the intensity of steady-state X-ray luminescence (XL), and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) spectra of these compounds have been investigated in the temperature range of 90–500 K. The intrinsic-luminescence 312-nm band, which is due to the ⁶ P _J → ⁸ S _7/2 transitions in Gd³⁺ matrix ions, dominates in the X-ray luminescence spectra of these crystals; in addition, there is a wide complex band at 400–420 nm, which is due to the d → f transitions in Ce³⁺ impurity ions. It is found that the steady-state XL intensity in these bands increases several times upon heating from 100 to 400 K. The possible mechanisms of the observed temperature dependence of the steady-state XL intensity and their correlation with the features of electronic-excitation energy transfer in these crystals are discussed. The main complex TSL peak at 110–160 K and a number of minor peaks, whose composition and structure depend on the crystal type, have been found in all crystals studied. The nature of the shallow traps that are responsible for TSL at temperatures below room temperature and their relation with defects in the lithium cation sublattice are discussed.     

Experimental study of signal trapping of OH laser induced fluorescence and chemiluminescence in flames

The absorption of OH^∗ chemiluminescence and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in the exhaust gas of confined premixed laminar CH₄/air flames at atmospheric pressure was investigated. One flame was used as source and a second as absorber. OH LIF was excited in the ν″=0→ν′=1 band of the A–X electronic system around ≈283 nm and spectrally resolved detected in the (0,0) and (1,1) vibrational bands around 305–320 nm. For OH^∗ chemiluminescence, spectrally resolved detection was performed in the wavelength range 280–340 nm. For an absorption path of 54 mm and at T≈2000 K, signal trapping on the order of 10–40% was observed. Signal trapping was most pronounced in the (0,0) band, as expected from the thermal population distribution of OH in the electronic ground state. The spectral distribution of the signals and the wavelength dependence of the signal trapping are addressed in this paper. Implications from the results with respect to detection strategies and chemiluminescence-based equivalence ratio measurements are discussed.