Determination of three Tumor Biomarkers (Homovanillic Acid,Vanillylmandelic Acid,and 5‐Hydroxyindole‐3‐Acetic Acid) Using Flow Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection

Flow injection analysis with amperometric detection (FIA‐AD) at screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) in optimum medium of Britton‐Robinson buffer (0.04 mol ? L^?1, pH 2.0) was used for the determination of three tumor biomarkers (homovanillic acid (HVA), vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), and 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid (5‐HIAA)). Dependences of the peak current on the concentration of biomarkers were linear in the whole tested concentration range from 0.05 to 100 μmol ? L^?1, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.065 μmol ? L^?1 for HVA, 0.053 μmol ? L^?1 for VMA, and 0.033 μmol ? L^?1 for 5‐HIAA (calculated from peak heights), and 0.024 μmol ? L^?1 for HVA, 0.020 μmol ? L^?1 for VMA, and 0.012 μmol ? L^?1 for 5‐HIAA (calculated from peak areas), respectively.     

Chemometric Strategies to Develop a Nanocomposite Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid,Dopamine, and Uric Acid

A simple and sensitive method for simultaneously measuring dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) using a poly(1‐aminoanthracene) and carbon nanotubes nanocomposite electrode is presented. The experimental parameters for composite film synthesis as well as the variables related to simultaneous determination of DA, AA, and UA were optimized at the same time using fractional factorial and Doehlert designs. The use of carbon nanotubes and poly(1‐aminoanthracene) in association with a cathodic pretreatment led to three well‐defined oxidation peaks at potentials around ?0.039, 0.180 and 0.351 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for AA, DA, and UA, respectively. Using differential pulse voltammetry, calibration curves for AA, DA, and UA were obtained over the range of 0.16–3.12×10^?3 mol L^?1, 3.54–136×10^?6 mol L^?1, and 0.76–2.92×10^?3 mol L^?1, with detection limits of 3.95×10^?5 mol L^?1, 2.90×10^?7 mol L^?1, and 4.22×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine DA, AA, and UA in biological samples with good results.     

17O-NMR. of Enriched Acetic Acid,Glycine, Glutamic Acid and Aspartic Acid in Aqueous Solution. I. Chemical Shift Studies

The ¹⁷O-NMR. chemical shifts of the enriched amino acids glycine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid were measured in aqueous solution as a function of pH. High magnetic fields are necessary to resolve the α, β- and α, γ-carboxyl resonances of aspartic acid and glutamic acid, respectively. The chemical shifts of acetic acid were measured for comparative reasons. Ionization constants and titration shifts were obtained by nonlinear least-squares fits to one-proton titration curves. The average excitation energy approximation is discussed in terms of the observed changes in ¹⁷O-shielding on deprotonation. No intramolecular association between the α-amino group and the α-carboxyl group in the zwitterionic form is required to explain the high-frequency shift of the carboxylate ion. Also no indication of an intramolecular association between the α-amino group and the side-chain carboxyl groups of aspartic acid or glutamic acid was found.     

17O-NMR. of Enriched Acetic Acid,Glycine, Glutamic Acid and Aspartic Acid in Aqueous Solution. II. Relaxation Studies

The ¹⁷O-NMR. line widths of the enriched amino acids glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and, for comparative reasons, acetic acid were measured in aqueous solution between pH 1 and 14. The ¹⁷O-NMR. line-width maxima of glycine at pH≈?11 and acetic acid at pH≈?5 are shown to arise from traces of paramagnetic metal ions. The increase in line width in case of glycine on going from the zwitterion 10 the cataion is attributed to an increase in the ¹⁷O-quadrupole coupling constant. No evidence for an intermolecular or intramolecular association of glycine in the zwitterionic form was found. When the paramagnetic impurities were eliminated by addition of EDTA, both the longitudinal and transverse relaxation times remained unchanged on deprotonation of the amino group. The overlapping of the α, β- and α, γ-carboxyl resonances of aspartic and glutamic acid, respectively, created difficulties for their line-width analysis.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering for quantitative detection of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages

Ethyl carbamate, a by-product of fermentation and storage with widespread occurrence in fermented food and alcoholic beverages, is a compound potentially toxic to humans. In this work, a new approach for quantitative detection of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages, based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), is reported. Individual silver-coated gold nanoparticle colloids are used as SERS amplifiers, yielding high Raman enhancement of ethyl carbamate in three kinds of alcoholic beverages (vodka, Obstler, and white rum). The characteristic band at 1,003 cm^-1, which is the strongest and best reproducible peak in the SERS spectra, was used for quantitative evaluation of ethyl carbamate. The limit of detection, which corresponds to a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, was 9.0?×?10^-9 M (0.8 μg?·?L^-1), 1.3?×?10^-7 M (11.6 μg?·?L^-1), and 7.8?×?10^-8 M (6.9 μg?·?L^-1), respectively. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy offers great practical potential for the in situ assessment and identification of ethyl carbamate in the alcoholic beverage industry.     

Determination of Folic Acid by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry at a Lead Film Electrode

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure for the determination of folic acid at an in situ plated lead film electrode was described. Formation of lead film on a glassy carbon substrate and accumulation of folic acid was performed simultaneously from an acetate buffer solution of pH 5.6 at the potential ?0.88 V. The measurements were carried out from aerated solutions. The calibration graph for an accumulation time of 300 s was linear from 2×10^?9 to 5×10^?8 mol L^?1. The detection limit was 7×10^?10 mol L^?1, the relative standard deviation for 2×10^?8 mol L^?1 of folic acid was 3.9%. The proposed procedure was applied to folic acid determinations in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Realtime Monitoring of Xylitol Fermentation by Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

The fermentation of xylitol is a promising alternative to conventional chemical processes. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the process involving Candida tropicalis, including the medium and yeast cells during xylitol fermentation. The spectra of the fermentation medium showed that the characteristic xylitol peak at 866 cm^?1 was enhanced from 18 h and that the characteristic xylose peak at 901 cm^?1 gradually diminished as the reaction progressed. The characteristic ethanol peak at 880 cm^?1 indicated the production of by-products. Intracellular biological macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, were identified in the spectra of yeast cells. The intensity of nucleic acids at 783 cm^?1 reached the highest value after 3 h. The xylose band at 901 cm^?1 and the peaks in the carbohydrate region reached a maximum in the logarithmic phase, indicating the carbohydrate metabolism was the most active. The amide I band located at 1658 cm^?1 indicated the major secondary structure of proteins was α-helix; its intensity gradually reduced during the fermentation. The 853 cm^?1 band due to buried tyrosine was predominant at 21 h. In addition, the 1275 cm^?1 band corresponded to the presence of a random coil only at 27 h. These results provided a perspective to understand fermentation and verified the applicability of Raman spectroscopy in xylitol fermentation.     

Highly stable performance of supercapacitors using microporous carbon derived from phenol–melamine–formaldehyde resin

A series of microporous carbons were prepared by simple carbonization and activation of phenol–melamine–formaldehyde resin. The morphology, surface area, and elemental composition of the samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurement, Raman spectra, and elemental analysis, respectively. Electrochemical characteristics were evaluated by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements in 6.0?mol?L^?1 KOH. The microporous carbon activated by KOH presented a high specific capacitance of 202?F?g^?1 at a scan rate of 2?mV?s^?1. Furthermore, the KOH-activated microporous carbon electrode exhibited durable operation, the total loss of capacitance after 20,000 cycles is 2% at a current density of 500?mA?g^?1. The good electrochemical performance of the activated carbon was ascribed to well-developed micropores, high surface area, larger pore volume as well as oxygen groups.     

Selective Electrochemical Determination of Salicylic Acid in Wheat Using Molecular Imprinted Polymers

Salicylic acid is a phytohormone, playing crucial roles in signal transduction, crop growth, and development, and defense to environmental challenges. In this study, a highly selective electrochemical sensor was designed and used to determine salicylic acid using molecularly imprinted polymers for recognition. The electrochemical sensor was fabricated via stepwise modification of gold nanoparticle–graphene–chitosan and molecularly imprinted polymers on a glassy carbon electrode. With electrochemical deposition, a gold nanoparticle–graphene–chitosan film was deposited on the glassy carbon electrode and enhanced the sensitivity. Molecularly imprinted polymers with adsorbed template salicylic acid were added to the surface of the modified electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the modified electrodes. Salicylic acid in wheat was quantified by the sensor using the molecularly imprinted polymer/gold nanoparticle–graphene–chitosan/glassy carbon electrode. Concentrations of salicylic acid from 5?×?10^?10 to 5?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 were determined showing that the developed sensor was suitable for the analysis of food.     

Raman spectroscopic study of bacterial endospores

Endospores and endospore-forming bacteria were studied by Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra were recorded from Bacillus licheniformis LMG 7634 at different steps during growth and spore formation, and from spore suspensions obtained from diverse Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains cultured in different conditions (growth media, temperature, peroxide treatment). Raman bands of calcium dipicolinate and amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine are more intense in the spectra of sporulating bacteria compared with those of bacteria from earlier phases of growth. Raman spectroscopy can thus be used to detect sporulation of cells by a characteristic band at 1,018 cm^–1 from calcium dipicolinate. The increase in amino acids could possibly be explained by the formation of small acid-soluble proteins that saturate the endospore DNA. Large variations in Raman spectra of endospore suspensions of different strains or different culturing conditions were observed. Next to calcium dipicolinate, tyrosine and phenylalanine, band differences at 527 and 638 cm^–1 were observed in the spectra of some of the B. sporothermodurans spore suspensions. These bands were assigned to the incorporation of cysteine residues in spore coat proteins. In conclusion, Raman spectroscopy is a fast technique to provide useful information about several spore components. Figure A difference spectrum between Raman spectra of B. licheniformis LMG 7634 cultured for 6 days and 1 day, together with the reference Raman spectrum of calcium dipicolinate     

Simultaneous Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Ascorbic Acid and Caffeine in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using a Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode

A cathodically pretreated boron‐doped diamond electrode was used for the simultaneous anodic determination of ascorbic acid (AA) and caffeine (CAF) by differential pulse voltammetry. Linear calibration curves (r=0.999) were obtained from 1.9×10^?5 to 2.1×10^?4 mol L^?1 for AA and from 9.7×10^?6 to 1.1×10^?4 mol L^?1 for CAF, with detection limits of 19 μmol L^?1 and 7.0 μmol L^?1, respectively. This method was successfully applied for the determination of AA and CAF in pharmaceutical formulations, with results equal to those obtained using a HPLC reference method.     

Raman Spectroscopic Determination of the Degree of Cationic Modification in Waxy Maize Starches

ABSTRACT

Waxy (essentially amylose-free) maize starch was chemically modified to varying degrees by treatment with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC), and the degree of cationic modification was determined by a standard wet chemistry method. FT-Raman spectra of the modified starches were taken, and a characteristic Raman band ～761 cm^?1 was found. This 761 cm^?1 Raman band's intensity depended on the level of cationic modification of the starch. The ratio of intensity of the ～761 cm^?1 band to a ～715 cm^?1 C-C stretch Raman band (used as an internal standard) was plotted versus the amount of cationic modification derived by titration analysis, and a linear fit was obtained with a correlation of 0.998. The FT-Raman spectroscopy method presented here demonstrates a rapid non-destructive way to determine the level of cationic modification of waxy maize starch, and should be suitable for use with cationic modified starches of any amylose content.     

Raman and Photoluminescence Spectroscopic Detection of Surface‐Bound Li+O2− Defect Sites in Li‐Doped ZnO Nanocrystals Derived from Molecular Precursors

We present a detailed study of Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements on Li‐doped ZnO nanocrystals with varying lithium concentrations. The samples were prepared starting from molecular precursors at low temperature. The Raman spectra revealed several sharp lines in the range of 100–200 cm^?1, which are attributed to acoustical phonons. In the high‐energy range two peaks were observed at 735 cm^?1 and 1090 cm^?1. Excitation‐dependent Raman spectroscopy of the 1090 cm^?1 mode revealed resonance enhancement at excitation energies around 2.2 eV. This energy coincides with an emission band in the photoluminescence spectra. The emission is attributed to the deep lithium acceptor and intrinsic point defects such as oxygen vacancies. Based on the combined Raman and PL results, we introduce a model of surface‐bound LiO₂ defect sites, that is, the presence of Li⁺O₂^? superoxide. Accordingly, the observed Raman peaks at 735 cm^?1 and 1090 cm^?1 are assigned to Li? O and O? O vibrations of LiO₂.     

Development of an Amperometric Biosensor for β‐N‐Oxalyl‐L‐α,β‐Diaminopropionic Acid (β‐ODAP)

An amperometric method for the determination of the neurotoxic amino acid β‐N‐oxalyl‐L ‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (β‐ODAP) using a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) is reported. The electrode material was bulk‐modified with manganese dioxide and used as a detector in flow injection analysis (FIA). The enzyme glutamate oxidase (GlOx) was immobilized in a Nafion‐film on the electrode surface. The performance of the biosensor was optimized using glutamate as an analyte. Optimum parameters were found as: operational potential 440 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), flow rate 0.2 mL min^?1, and carrier composition 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.75). The same conditions were used for the determination of β‐ODAP. The signal was linear within the concentration range 53–855 μmol L^?1 glutamate and 195–1950 μmol L^?1 β‐ODAP. Detection limits (as 3σ value) for both analytes were 9.12 and 111.0 μmol L^?1, respectively, with corresponding relative standard deviations of 3.3 and 4.5%. The biosensor retained more than 73% of its activity after 40 days of on‐line use.     

Simultaneous Determination of Rosmarinic Acid and Protocatechuic Acid at Poly(o‐Phenylenediamine)/Pt Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A system of Pt nanoparticles and poly(ortho‐phenylenediamine) film electrochemically deposited onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE/PoPD/Pt) was fabricated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy techniques were used to identify the surface characteristics of the composite electrode. The conductive polymers and Pt nanoparticles together resulted in a synergistic effect, and the new formed surface was highly active against polyphenolic structures. Rosmarinic acid (RA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) are phenolic compounds found in plants, and they are used in many applications, particularly as pharmaceuticals. The GCE/PoPD/Pt was used for the simultaneous determination of RA and PCA in a pH 2.0 H₂SO₄ solution for the first time. The RA and PCA concentrations were determined using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry. By the amperometry measurement, for RA and PCA, a linear relation was observed in the concentration ranges of 1–55 μmol L^?1 and 1–60 μmol L^?1, with detection limits of 0.5 μmol L^?1 and 0.6 μmol L^?1, respectively. In the simultaneous determination with DPV, the detection limits for both RA and PCA were calculated as 0.7 μmol L^?1. The GCE/PoPD/Pt was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of RA and PCA in a real sample, and its accuracy was verified by high‐performance liquid chromatography studies.     

Optimization of a sensitive method for the “switch-on” determination of mercury(II) in waters using Rhodamine B capped gold nanoparticles as a fluorescence sensor

Monodisperse and “naked” gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were modified with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The fluorescence of rhodamine B (RB) is quenched completely by the gold NPs surface with negative charge mainly as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transition (FRET) and collision. The quenching mechanism can be described by a Langmuir isotherm, which was systematically investigated by steady-state fluorescence spectrometry and absorption spectrometry. Hg(II) ion disrupts the GNPs–RB pair, producing a large “switch-on” fluorescence. A low background, highly sensitive and reproducible fluorescence assay for Hg(II) is presented. Under the optimum conditions, the restoration fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Hg(II). The calibration graphs are linear over the range of 1.0?×?10^?9 to 3.1?×?10^?8 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 4.0?×?10^?10 mol L^?1. The relative standard deviation was 1.2% for a 5.0?×?10^?9 mol L^?1 Hg(II) solution (N?=?6). This method was applied to the analysis of Hg(II) in environmental water samples, and the results were consistent with those of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).     

The electrochemistry of uric acid at a gold electrode modified with L-cysteine, and its application to sensing uric urine

The electrochemistry of uric acid at a gold electrode modified with a self-assembled film of L-cysteine was studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Compared to the bare gold electrode, uric acid showed better electrochemical response in that the anodic peak current is stronger and the peak potential is negatively shifted by about 100 mV. The effects of experimental conditions on the oxidation of uric acid were tested and a calibration plot was established. The differential pulse response to uric acid is linear in the concentration range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to ~?1.0?×?10^?4 mol?L^?1 (r?=?0.9995) and from 1.0?×?10^?4 to ~?5.0?×?10^?4 mol?L^?1 (r?=?0.9990), the detection limit being 1.0?×?10^?7 mol?L^?1 (at S/N?=?3). The high sensitivity and good selectivity of the electrode was demonstrated by its practical application to the determination of uric acid in urine samples.

Determination of trace amounts of chromium (VI) by flow injection analysis with chemiluminescence detection

A new sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method combined with continuous flow injection analysis is described for the determination of Cr(VI). Strong CL signals were generated by Cr(VI)-catalysed oxidation of gallic acid in the presence of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide. Effects of reagent concentrations, temperature, pH, flow rates, mixing coil length and mixing flow sequences on the chemiluminescence intensity were studied. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the relationship between the logarithm of concentration (log?C) of Cr(VI) and the logarithm of intensity (log?I) is linear over the range of 2?×?10^?11 – 5?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1, with the detection limit (3σ) of 4?×?10^?12?mol?L^?1. Relative standard deviation of ten measurements of 1?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 Cr(VI) is 1.7%. This flow injection analysis (FIA) system proved to be able to analyse up to 40 samples h^?1. Effects of various interferences possibly present in the water samples were investigated. Most cations and anions, as well as organic compounds, did not interfere with the determination of Cr(VI) in water samples. The experimental results obtained for chromium in reference materials were also in good agreement with the certified values.     

Raman Spectroscopic Determination of the Degree of Succinate in Modified Waxy Maize Starches

ABSTRACT

Waxy (essentially amylose-free) maize starch was chemically modified to varying degrees by treatment with succinic anhydride, and the degree of substitution was determined by a standard wet chemistry method. FT-Raman spectra of the modified starches were obtained, and indicated a characteristic ～1730 cm^?1 C=O stretch Raman band whose intensity was dependent on the degree of succinylation. The ratio of intensity of the ～1730 cm^?1 band to a ～940 cm^?1 C-C stretch Raman band (used as an internal standard) was plotted against the degree of succinylation determined by titration, and a linear fit was obtained with a correlation of 0.998. Hence FT-Raman spectroscopy represents a rapid non-destructive method to determine the degree of succinylation of modified waxy maize starch, and should be suitable for use with succinylated starches of any amylose content.