Callitriche cophocarpa — a new rich source of active phenolic compounds

This study was focused on the analysis of the contents (by HPLC-DAD) and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds of aquatic higher plant Callitriche cophocarpa. The novelty of the work was: 1) the study of the species which is almost unknown in the context of investigations of bio-active compounds and, 2) the application of a unique L-band electron resonance spectroscopy (L-band EPR) to measure antioxidant activity of samples. The results were compared with those obtained for microalgae Chlorella and Spirulina which are widely distributed as the diet supplements. The obtained results are very promising with respect to the freeze-dried material of Callitriche, which revealed both high level of phenolic compounds (33 mg g^?1 dry weight) and antioxidant activity (0.14 g of reduced DPPH· g^?1 dry weight). An isoform of sinapic acid appeared to be the main fraction in this sample. The average content of the total phenolic compounds in Callitriche freeze-dried samples was ca. 43 or 25 times higher than in the case of the Chlorella or Spirulina samples, respectively. These samples showed also 16 times lower scavenging activity in relation to freeze-dried Callitriche material.      

The effect of increase in concentration of Na(I) ions on biosorption of Cr(III) ions by Enteromorpha prolifera and Spirulina sp

In this study, the effect of the increase in the initial concentration of Na(I) ions in the solution during biosorption of Cr(III) ions by two edible algae: marine macroalga — Enteromorpha prolifera and microalga — Spirulina sp. was investigated. During biosorption, essential elements are exchanged with alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (e.g. Na(I) ions), which are naturally bound with the biomass. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of the increase in concentration of Na(I) ions on biosorption performance. The equilibrium of the process is described by Langmuir equation. It was found that with the increase in the initial concentration of NaCl (from 132 to 7331 mg L^?1), there was a lower biosorption capacity of Enteromorpha prolifera (from 85.8 to 51.0 mg g^?1) and Spirulina sp. (74.2 to 20.7 mg g^?1) towards Cr(III) ions. It was also possible to determine the number of times the solution used in the biosorption process can be recycled and yet mantain high biosorption capacity. The determined numbers were: 16 for Enteromorpha prolifera and 19 for Spirulina sp.      

Polymer conjugates with potential biological activity based on new derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzoxazole-synthesis and characterization

New potentially biologically active compounds derived from 2-mercapto-benzoxazole were synthesized and coupled on polymeric support of poly (maleic anhydride-alt-vinyl acetate) for the preparation of polymer-drug conjugates with controlled drug release. All compounds were characterized by elemental and spectroscopy (FT-IR, ¹H-NMR) analysis. The toxicological tests recommend the products for further laboratory screening.      

Salutaridine and its derivatives as thebaine-equivalents in the synthesis of aporphines

Here we report the transformation of tetracyclic morphinan salutaridine (1) into 2,3,10,11-tetrasubstituted (R)-aporphines. This method serves as another chemical proof of the previously verified biosynthetic connection with pentacyclic morphinan-6,8-diene-type thebaine. In the presence of nucleophiles, this procedure could lead to pharmacologically interesting new tetrasubstituted aporphinoids. The enantioselective synthesis of 7S-salutaridinol (2) has been also achieved in order to investigate the acid-catalyzed reactions of this natural morphinan.      

Influence of temperature on the reduction kinetics of Bi(III) ion in the presence of cystine in chlorate (VII) solutions of decreased water activity

The results of the kinetic measurements of Bi(III) electroreduction on a mercury electrode in 1–8 mol dm^?3 chlorate (VII) solutions and in the presence of cystine demonstrate a dependence of the process on the temperature. The applied electrochemical techniques (DC polarography, cyclic and SWV voltammetry) allowed for the determination of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and their correlation with water activity. The catalytic activity of cystine was confirmed by the decrease in overall enthalpies of activation. The changes in the values of ΔH ^≠ and ΔS ⁰ for Bi(III) electroreduction in the presence of cystine with the increase of chlorate (VII) concentration showed that the mechanism is different in solutions with low water activity as compared to those with high water activity. Probably it is connected with a different structure of the activated complexes (Bi-Hg(SR)₂), mediating electron transfer.      

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions using a β-cyclodextrin-crosslinked polymer micro-column and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A sensitive and selective method for the speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples was developed. It is based on the selective binding of the complex formed between Cr(III) and 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol adsorbed on a cross-linked polymer modified with β-cyclodextrin and placed in a micro-column. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was used to quantify chromium. Cr(VI) ion is not adsorbed but remains in the aqueous sample phase. Thus, an in-situ separation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) is accomplished. The concentration of Cr (VI) was calculated by subtracting the value for Cr(III) from that for total chromium. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection of Cr(III) is 0.056 μg L^?1, and the linear range is from 2.0 to 160.0 μg L^?1. The relative standard deviation is 2.5% (n?=?3, at 30.0 μg L^?1). The preconcentration factor is 25. The method was applied to the speciation of chromium in water samples, and recoveries in spiked real samples range from 101.9% to 104.5%. A reference water sample (GBW(E)080642) also was analyzed, and the results were in good agreement with the certified values.

Metals content of soil,leaves and wild fruit from Serbia

The concentrations of Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd in soil, leaves and edible wild fruit (Crataegus laevigata L., Cornus mas L. and Prunus spinosa L.) from southeast Serbia were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Metal translocations from soil to fruit were calculated as well as their oral intake and health risk indices. Positive correlations were found among metal concentrations in soil, leaves and fruit.      

Aerobic oxidation of cumene catalysed by 4-alkyloxycarbonyl-N-hydroxyphthalimide

4-Hexyloxycarbonyl-, 4-dodecyloxycarbonyl- and 4-hexadecyloxycarbonyl-N-hydroxyphthalimides were synthesised using trimellitic anhydride chloride as the starting material. The obtained lipophilic derivatives of N-hydroxyphthalimide were applied as catalysts of the cumene oxidation reaction with oxygen performed in polar acetonitrile, in non-polar tert-butylbenzene and in the absence of a solvent. The courses of reactions catalysed by N-hydroxyphthalimide and its derivatives were compared.      

Monitoring of HPLC profiles of selected polyphenolic compounds in sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) plant parts during annual growth cycle and estimation of their antioxidant potential

Presented work summarizes the data about polyphenolic profiles in various plant parts (leaves, shoots, berries) of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) during the annual growth cycle. A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method (RP-HPLC) coupled with diode-array detection (DAD) was optimized for determination of catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin (quercetin 3-rutinoside) and quercitrin (quercetin 3-rhamnoside). The content of these polyphenolic compounds was monitored in extracts of sea buckthorn plant samples from April to October. The total antioxidant activity was determined using scavenging of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) cation radical (ABTS^·+) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^·). The total content of polyphenols was estimated by conventional spectrophotometric method using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The monitoring of temporal changes of selected polyphenolic compounds by RP-HPLC showed that catechin, epicatechin and gallic acid were the most abundant analytes in annual green shoots and leaves, and their content varied significantly during the studied period.      

Synthesis,structure and capacitive properties of cobalt hydroxide films on stainless steel substrates

Cobalt (hydro)oxide films on AISI 304 stainless steel and sintered metal fibre filter Bekipor ST 20AL3 were prepared using electrochemical deposition from neutral cobalt acetate solutions under galvanostatic conditions. Deposited films were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. All electrochemical measurements were performed in aqueous NaOH solution. Capacitive behavior of different films was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry data. The highest specific capacitance (965 F g^?1) was reached when Bekipor ST 20AL3 mesh was used as a support for electroactive substance.      

Application of UV detection in HPLC in the total antioxidant potential assay

HPLC has been already used for the TAP estimation. Phenylalanine, salicylic, p-hydroxybenzoic (pHBA) or terephthalic (TPA) acids have been used as sensor compounds. Products of their reaction with the hydroxyl radicals, generated in the Fenton-like reaction, were analyzed using electrochemical or fluorescence detection. This paper describes the TAP assay based on the hydroxyl radicals reaction with pHBA, reversed-phase-HPLC separation and UV photometric detection. The elaborated assay has been used to evaluate TAP values of some apiculture products.      

Supramolecular complexes of podand ligands with xenon

Formation of stable complexes between xenon and podand polyoxyethylene ligands was ascertained. The complexation process was studied by ¹²⁹Xe NMR titration, NMR diffusiometry and heteronuclear NOE measurements. The ligands studied form a 1:1 complexes with Xe(0). Their stability constants depend on the ligand structure, i.e., polyoxyethylene chain length, number of complexating polyether units and the topology of the anchoring centre.      

Organoruthenium(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes: synthesis, spectral characterization, DNA binding and DNA cleavage studies

A series of new ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized with Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde / o-hydroxyacetophenone/ o-vanillin / 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide and acetyl furan. They are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectral studies. The elemental analysis suggests the stoichiometry to be 1:1 (metal:ligand). Four of these complexes were tested for its binding with CT-DNA using absorption spectroscopic studies and two of these complexes exhibit efficient DNA cleavage activity.      

The first synthesis of 3-deoxyoripavine and its utilization in the preparation of 10-deoxyaporphines and cyprodime

The synthesis of 3-deoxyoripavine (7) was realized as a novel and promising intermediate towards the synthesis of the important class of dopaminergic and/or serotonergic 10-deoxyaporphines and the special pharmacological tool µ opioid antagonist cyprodime. Generally, the preparation of these valuable biologically active compounds was achieved in remarkable yields.      

P-Triazinylphosphonium chlorides as a new group of coupling reagents

Tertiary phosphines in reaction with 2-chloro-4,6-dialkoxy-1,3,5-triazines gave unstable quaternary P-triazinylphosphonium chlorides, which readily decomposed with a departure of the alkyl group of the triazine ring substituent. Stable quaternary P-triazinylphosphonium chlorides were obtained only in reaction of 2-chloro-4,6-diphenoxy-1,3,5-triazine. Both, stable quaternary P-triazinylphosphonium chlorides as well unstable analogues prepared in situ activated carboxylic acid yielding “superactive” triazine esters, useful as highly efficient reagents in peptide bond synthesis.      

Biodegradation of Benzo[a]Pyrene through the use of algae

In this work for disposal of the biologically hard decomposed pollutant Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) photooxidation Chlorella kessleri was used. The simulation model system under the different experimental conditions (varying biomass and light intensity) was evaluated. For quantitative analysis of the decrease in BaP, GC/MS technique was used. The highest degradation efficiency was achieved in the case of biomass from the culture of live algae (29%) and light intensity at level of 13.5 W m^?2. When the dry biomass was used, degradation under the same conditions was lower because of lack of enzymatic activity in the system.      

Spectral properties and photophysical behaviour of water soluble cationic Mg(II) and Al(III) phthalocyanines

Peripherally and non-peripherally tetrasubstituted-[(N-methyl-2-pyridylthio)]phthalocyaninato magnesium (II) (5 and 6) and chloro aluminium (III) (7 and 8) tetraiodide have been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical properties of the complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and aqueous medium in the presence and absence of cremophore EL have been studied. These complexes show high solubility in aqueous medium though they were aggregated. The triplet state quantum yields (F_T) and the triplet lifetimes (t_T) were found to be higher in DMSO with Φ_T ranging from 0.32 to 0.51, while t_T ranged from 282 to 622 ms in DMSO, compared to aqueous medium (pH 7.4 buffer) where Φ_T ranged from 0.15 to 0.19 and t_T from 26 to 35 ms. Addition of cremophore EL in aqueous solution resulted in partial disaggregation and increased photoactivity. The fluorescence lifetimes of the complexes showed strong dependence on their immediate environment. The ionic magnesium(II) and aluminium(III) phthalocyanines strongly bind to bovine serum albumin (BSA).      

Effect of microwave irradiation on polyphenolic compounds from Satureja hortensis L.

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is most often used as a culinary herb, but it also has medicinal benefits. The extracts from control and irradiated savory were obtained by ultrasound extraction for 30 minutes in an ethanol — water (80:20, v/v) mixture. Polyphenolic compounds from savory were identified and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and mass spectrometer. The separation was performed using an Altima C18 column (100×3 mm, 3 μm) and as mobile phase two solvent mixture: A — acetonitrile and B — water-formic acid (99.9:0.1, v/v). Peaks were identified with authentic standards in accordance to retention time, UV spectra and molecular mass. It was identified as caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, luteolin, naringenin and apigenin. A quantitative determination of polyphenolic compounds was performed applying the external standard method. Our study showed large quantitative differences between the control plant and the irradiated plant.      

Ionic liquids based on 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC) as plant growth regulators

Plant growth regulator — 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC) was converted into ionic liquid in the metathesis reaction. New forms of CCC as ILs were stable in air as well in contact with water and organic solvents. The biological action of the cation (CCC) in ILs was preserved. Type of anion determined hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the whole molecule and it also influenced the biological activity of the plant growth regulator. All of the investigated salts retarded growth of winter wheat stems and most of them increased yield at the same time, when compared to control and standard 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride.