Development of a group-specific immunoassay for sulfonamides: Application to bee honey analysis

A set of haptens has been synthesized in order to raise generic polyclonal antibodies against sulfonamides using different strategies. After the screening of all the immunorreagents, a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was set-up for simultaneous determination of six of these antibiotics.The developed procedure allows the screening of: sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamethizole, sulfasalazine and N⁴-phtalylsulfathiazole with good accuracy and precision at level 0.13 ng mL⁻¹ in buffer.The suitability of developed ELISA for its application to honey analysis has been investigated. The antimicrobials were extracted from samples with acetate buffer, and cleaned up by solid phase extraction. The mean recovery found for honey samples, spiked from 1.5 to 4.5 ng mL⁻¹ equivalents of sulfathiazole (24-72 μg sulfathiazole kg⁻¹ honey), was 106%.     

Plasma modified polymers as a support for enzyme immobilization 1.: Allyl alcohol plasma

The paper describes deposition of plasma polymerized allyl alcohol on polysulfone film. It is shown that film surface becomes more hydrophilic after plasma treatment independently on presence of argon in a reaction mixture. The chemistry of the new surface layer was established by FTIR-ATR and ESCA spectroscopy. The substrate placed close to the plasma edge was the most hydrophilic but the amount of hydoxyl groups was not the highest there. Presence of argon stabilized the plasma but the deposited layer contained relatively less oxygen-bearing functionalities. The plasma treated polymer was subjected to xylose isomerase immobilization. For this purpose the divinylsulfone method was adapted. The studies revealed no correlation between the surface hydrophilicity and efficiency of immobilization.     

Enzyme immobilization procedures on screen-printed electrodes used for the detection of anticholinesterase pesticides: Comparative study

A comparison between several acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immobilization procedures on the 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)-modified graphite working electrodes is presented. The immobilization methods employed crosslinking with glutaraldehyde in presence of BSA protein and photopolymerization with poly(vinyl alcohol) bearing styrylpyridinium groups (PVA-SbQ). The main variations were related to the enzyme charge in each electrode and the enzyme conditioning and storage conditions after immobilization. Initially, the enzyme-substrate reaction was carried out and the following parameters were chrono-amperometrically and -coulometrically monitored: current intensities, time to stabilize the current response, and the mass transfer represented by the Coulomb charge. The screen-printed biosensors that presented best characteristics were then used to perform the inhibition assays and to verify the sensitivity against the following NMC insecticides: aldicarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl.In general, diffusion of electrons into the sensitive layer, mass transfer, and time to stabilize the current were adequate in all cases. The Cottrell law was followed before the 1 min of enzyme-substrate reaction. Adequate reproducibility within electrochemical measurements was also observed, with relative standard deviations varying from 6.5 to 18.6%.AChE immobilization with glutaraldehyde allow to obtain robust and reproducible biosensors, but they need a much higher enzyme content (80 mUA per electrode) to achieve current values comparable to that constructed by immobilizing the AChE through photopolymerization with PVA-SbQ (0.7 to 1 mUA per electrode). The limits of detection were determined with a minimum 10% inhibition, and varied from 10⁻⁹ to 8×10⁻⁹ M (0.2 to 1.5 ppb) by employing the enzyme immobilization through photopolymerization with PVA-SbQ. In practice, this kind of immobilization procedure is much simpler and produces good results: fast response, adequate reproducibility, large pesticides working ranges, and excellent sensitivities to N-methylcarbamates (NMCs) which in general do not present enzyme inhibition power as elevated as for the organophosphate pesticides.     

Indirect competitive immunoassay for trichlorophenol determination: Rational evaluation of the competitor heterology effect

An improved competitive indirect immunoassay for the detection of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) has been developed and optimized by preparing heterologous haptens that have been evaluated as coating antigens. The relation between the degree of heterology and immunoassay detectability has been investigated according to the geometric and electronic distribution similarities between the haptens and the analyte using molecular modeling tools. The assay has been characterized according to different physicochemical parameters such as the incubation time, the ionic strength, the effect of detergents and the pH. The resulting assay has an IC₅₀ of 1.44 μg l⁻¹ and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2 μg l⁻¹ and it shows a good accuracy and suitability to analyze trichlorophenol in drinking water.     

Fluorinated-plasma coating on polyhydroxyalcanoate PHBV: Effect on the biodegradation

Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) was covered with an hydrophobic layer from plasma polymerization of tetradecafluorohexane, octadecafluorooctane, 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-hex-1-ene and 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-oct-1-ene. The water contact angle increased from 74° for untreated films to 98° for the treated films and the surface energy decreased from 40.9 to 18.8 mJ m⁻². XPS analysis showed the introduction of 54% fluorine and 3-7% oxygen, the binding energies were assigned to chemically differently bonded carbon atoms. CF₂/CF₃ molar ratio in plasma layers was lower than that in the monomers due to molecular fragmentation, however the extent of monomer structure retention in PFH, PFO saturated chains is higher than in NFH, TDFO unsaturated chains. Biodegradation tests under aerobic conditions showed that the fluorinated plasma layer inhibited the biodegradation of the PHBV film underneath.     

Electro-adsorption of polyethyleneimine on the anion exchange membrane: Application to the nitrate removal from loaded solutions

Anion exchange membrane has been modified by fixation of polyethyleneimine. The modification has been carried out aiming to achieve a separation of anions according to their hydration radii and their sizes. The performances of the modified membranes were compared with the unmodified one by applying Donnan dialysis of nitrate ion using Cl⁻ in the strip compartment. The transfer of nitrate ions in the presence of chloride was enhanced by using immersion modified membrane. The presence of a thin layer of PEI on the strip side of the membrane improves Cl⁻ transference, by creating a chemical potential difference which increases the transfer.     

Correction function on biased results due to matrix effects: Application to the routine analysis of pesticide residues

A new strategy to carry out the correction of analytical results affected by systematic errors due to the matrix effect is proposed. Two types of external calibrations must be established with the purpose to estimate the matrix effect: solvent calibration (SC) and matrix-matched calibration (MC). These calibration curves are statistically compared and a correction function (CF) is proposed with the aim to simplify the resolution to the problems associated with the incidence of matrix systematic error in the analytical results. Applying this correction function to the results obtained from the solvent calibration, it is possible to make a prediction of the values that would be obtained when the matrix-matched calibration is applied. On the other hand, a rigorous study of the associated uncertainty is developed and applied to the calculated correction function. Finally, this correction function is validated by means of obtained data of recovery studies carried out by a traditional methodology. The methodology has been satisfactorily applied to the quantification of the pesticide procymidone by HPLC for assessing dermal exposure.     

Study of the interaction between terazosin and serum albumin: Synchronous fluorescence determination of terazosin

The interactions between terazosin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by spectrofluorimetry. The binding constants of terazosin with BSA were measured at different temperatures. The effects of various metal ions on the binding constants of terazosin with BSA were also studied. The optimum conditions of synchronous fluorometric determination of terazosin were studied and the method was successfully applied to the determination of terazosin added to serum and urine samples (3σ detection limit 0.21 mg l⁻¹).     

Application of differential thermal analysis to organic elemental microanalysis: I. Combination with carbon and hydrogen determination apparatus

An application of differential thermal analysis to microdetermination of carbon and hydrogen is described. A sample in a quartz vessel was slowly combusted on a thermocouple detector in an air stream, and carbon-hydrogen values were determined gravimetrically. During the heating process the thermal characteristics of the sample such as dehydration, fusion, boiling, vaporization, sublimation, explosion, decomposition, and oxydation were indicated as the exothermic peak or endothermic negative peak in a differential thermogram. The differential thermocouples were installed in the layer of oxidizing catalyst and additional thermocouples were placed both in water- and carbon dioxide-absorption tubes to monitor the combustion process of organic vapor in the effluent gas. Anomalous analytical results may be reasonably interpreted by referring to numerous data concerning the type of thermal decomposition of the sample.     

Exploiting sequential injection analysis with lab-on-valve and miniaturized potentiometric detection: Epinephrine determination in pharmaceutical products

Miniaturized potentiometric units were constructed, evaluated and incorporated in a SIA-LOV manifold in order to the control of pharmaceutical analysis. The method validation was done with ephinefrine determinations in commercial pharmaceutical products. The optimization procedures were directed at potential versus epinephrine concentration. This approach was achieved by selecting 60 cm of reactor and a flow rate of 11 μL s⁻¹ and injecting 78 μL of epinephrine standard solutions in a 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ IO₄⁻ solution. A linear range was found for epinephrine concentrations between 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ and 2.5 × 10⁻³ mol L^−l with a slope of 35528 mV L mol^−l and r² = 0.997. Under these conditions the analytical results for the commercial pharmaceutical formulations of 0.908 and 0.454 mg mL⁻¹, respectively, with a R.S.D. of 0.34 for both, was obtained. Through down scaling periodate-selective electrode it was possible to benefit from the recognized advantages of the lab-on-valve sequential-injection based systems, namely regarding equipment portability, reduced consumption of the sample and the reagents and the reduction of effluent waste. Furthermore, the new periodate electrode configuration is easy to achieve in common laboratories and enables the implementation of low volume detection cell where the electrical noise, that is frequently presented in potentiometric based procedures, is significantly reduced.     

Sucrose dependence on the human serum albumin-dehydroepiandrosterone binding: Thermodynamic and fractal approach

In this paper, the effect of sucrose concentration (x) on the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-human serum albumin (HSA) binding was investigated by a biochromatographic approach. A mathematical development based on fractal geometry is proposed to provide a more realistic picture of the DHEA-HSA binding. The fractal dimension D of the cavity surface and the thermodynamic data of the binding mechanism were calculated at different sucrose concentrations in the bulk solvent. Results showed that under a critical sucrose concentration value x_c (domain I), the enhancement of the DHEA-HSA binding intensity was principally due to the increase of hydrophobic interaction between DHEA and HSA cavity. Above x_c (domain II), the salting-out agent levelled the HSA cavity surface irregularity and, consequently, the DHEA affinity for the HSA decreased. Moreover, for the domain II, the HSA-DHEA binding and the thermodynamic data are discussed using fractal concept of surface fluctuations.     

Novel electrolyte salts based on perfluoroalkyltrifluoroborate anions: 1. Synthesis and characterization

Lithium and tetraethylammonium perfluoroalkyltrifluoroborate salts, Li[R_fBF₃]·H₂O and Et₄N[R_fBF₃] (R_f=C₂F₅, n-C₃F₇ and n-C₄F₉), were prepared from the reactions of perfluoroalkylmagnesium reagents (R_fMgBr) and B(OCH₃)₃, followed by fluorination by aq.KHF₂ and aq.HF solutions and the cation exchange reaction of the resultant K[R_fBF₃]. All the salts prepared were characterized by NMR, NMR, NMR, NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis.     

Optimisation of a flow injection system with electrochemical detection using the desirability function: Application to the determination of hydroquinone in cosmetics

A procedure is proposed in which the determination of hydroquinone using a flow injection system with electrochemical detection is described. Size and coefficient of variation of the signal are optimised by a desirability function and a central composite design. The robustness of the optimum reached in the optimisation step is evaluated by means a Plackett-Burman design. The optimised FIA system is able to determine hydroquinone with a minimum detectable net concentration of 10 μg l⁻¹ with a false positive probability of 0.05 and a false negative probability less than 0.05. In samples of bleaching cream, the proposed procedure has a recovery of 102.2% with standard deviation of 4.4% and a relative error of 6.2%.     

Room-temperature luminescence optosensings based on immobilized active principles actives: Application to nafronyl and naproxen determination in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids

This paper presents two easy and selective methods for determining the active principles nafronyl (NFL) and naproxen (NAP), using a flow-through fluorescence optosensor based on the on-line immobilization on a nonionic-exchanger (Silica Gel, Davisil™ and Amberlite XAD 7, respectively) solid support. The determination was performed in 5×10⁻³ M HAc/NaAc buffer solution at pH 5 for NFL and 15×10⁻³ M glycine/HCl buffer solution at pH 2.5 for NAP at a working temperature of 20 °C. The fluorescence intensities were measured at λ_ex/em=294/336 nm and λ_ex/em=332/354 nm for NFL and NAP, respectively. The response time for these optosensors were practically instant, obtaining a linear concentration range between 0 and 700.0 ng ml⁻¹ with a detection limit of 20.8 ng ml⁻¹, an analytical sensitivity of 10.1 ng ml⁻¹ and a standard deviation of 1.27% at a 500 ng ml⁻¹ concentration level for NFL and a linear concentration range between 0 and 200.0 ng ml⁻¹ with the detection limit of 13.3 ng ml⁻¹, an analytical sensitivity of 6.0 ng ml⁻¹ and a standard deviation of 3.52% at a 100 ng ml⁻¹ concentration level for NAP. The proposed methods were satisfactorily applied to real samples (three commercial formulations and urine samples). The effects of the possible interferences were evaluated in all cases.     

Extraction and preconcentration of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins using the cloud-point methodology: Application to their determination in water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography

A new analytical method based on the cloud-point extraction (CPE) methodology combined with high-performance liquid chromatography is used in this study for the extraction and quantification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins. These compounds are extracted by using the non-ionic surfactant polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) from different aqueous systems: fresh, brackish and sea waters. After the cloud-point extraction, which also allowed a preconcentration of the PCDDs being studied, the samples were analysed using a HPLC-UV system under the optimum chromatographic conditions. The proposed method showed very satisfactory recovery percentages for the PCDDs under study and standard deviation values lower than 2%.The results obtained were finally compared with those found using the traditional liquid-liquid extraction method.     

Conformational studies on hexahelicenes—I: The NMR spectra of the benzohexahelicenes

The NMR spectra of the benzohexahelicenes have been analyzed. The conformation of the helical structure is not changed to a large extent by the benzo-groups. Some flattening of a part of the helix results in a small downfield shift of the protons on the terminal rings and in a larger upfield shift of proton A in II ascribed to a change in the ring current in the pitch of the helix. A gradual upfield shift is found for protons of the terminal rings by an increase in overcrowding of the benzo-groups.     

Approaches to separation interfaces: Electrostatic interaction and local structures of ions at zwitterionic interface

The interaction and separation of ions with zwitterionic layers are reviewed principally based on a series of the author's work. An electrostatic model has allowed us to discuss the chromatographic retention of ions on the zwitterionic stationary phase, and has revealed the ionic interaction occurring at the zwitterionic interface. Similar consideration is applicable to the ionic partition into zwitterionic micelles having the spherical dimension. In the electrostatic models, ion association and solvation changes of ions have been assumed to explain the selectivity in ion recognition. Both assumptions are applicable to polarizable large ions, whereas the former cannot account for the results obtained for small and well-hydrated ions (Cl⁻ and Br⁻). A special X-ray absorption finestructure (XAFS) measurement, which allows selective access to ions interacting with surface monolayers, has been developed, and applied to ions attracted by a zwitterionic monolayer. The X-ray absorption spectra suggest that Zn²⁺ attracted by the zwitterionic monolayer is still hydrated. In contrast, the direct interaction of Br⁻ has been confirmed, indicating that the electrostatic model involving either ion association or the solvation change of an ion does not properly explain the observed phenomena but both effects should be taken into consideration.     

A versatile set up for implementing different flow analysis approaches: Spectrophotometric determination of nickel in steel alloys

An arrangement capable of implementing the four principal types of flow analysis processes, monosegmented flow analysis (MSFA), flow injection analysis with multicommutation and binary sampling (FIA-MBS), flow injection analysis with sandwich sampling (FIA-SS) and sequential injection analysis (SIA) is described. The core of the flow manifold is a six-way solenoid valve that is assembled together with three three-way solenoid valves in order to provide a versatile flow network. Software was written in VisualBasic 3.0 to give a friendly working structure allowing the user to easily choose the flow variables and the kind of flow system. The reliability of the flow set up for implementation of the four flow analysis systems was evaluated by means of the spectrophotometric determination of nickel in steel alloys, based on the formation of a colored complex with dimethylglyoxime (DMG). The performances of the four different flow methodologies were compared. The reagent consumptions per determination were 4.0 mg of triethanolamine, 6.0 mg of potassium persulfate and 0.6 mg of DMG. When the flow set up was instructed through the software to implement MSFA, FIA-MBS, and FIA-SS approaches, a sampling frequency of 40 samples/h was obtained, while 30 samples could be processed per hour in the SIA mode. The precisions, evaluated as the relative standard deviation of ten determinations were 0.7%, 1.6%, 1.8% and 3.1% for the MFSA, FIA-MBS, FIA-SS and SIA systems, respectively. The results for determination of nickel in steel alloys presented good agreement with the reference method (ICP OES), showing no significant difference at a confidence level of 95%.     

A crystalline H-bond cluster of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and piperidine: Structure determination by X ray diffraction

Piperidine and 1,1,1-3,3,3 hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) have been co-crystallized and X-ray crystal structure has been explored. Single-crystal X-ray analysis displays the existence of hydrogen bonding aggregates through dimers 1 of the complex (one piperidine/two HFIP) where the heteroatoms form a six-center ring. In this cluster 1, each heteroatom (N, O) is multiple H-bond donor and acceptor. Surprisingly the strongest H-bond of the network is where HFIP acts as an acceptor from the amine. In this complex HFIP adopts a conformation different from that of HFIP aggregates. The supramolecular architecture is also based on discrimination between polar and hydrophobic parts that allows the alignment of molecules and the formation of parallel channels. NMR experiments show that strong interactions between piperidine and HFIP are maintained in solution.     

Influence of the nature of the metal ions on the complexation with chitosan.: Application to the treatment of liquid waste

The capacity of the chitosan to complex metallic ions is one of its most important potentialities. This polymer shows a selectivity according to the considered cation. In the case of divalent ions the capacity to fix the metallic ions increases from 0.02 mmol/g of chitosan for Co²⁺, Ca²⁺ to 1.2 for Cu²⁺ in the same external conditions. Considering trivalent ions this capacity is from 0.2 mmol/g of chitosan for Pr³⁺ and Cr³⁺ to 1.47 for Eu³⁺ and Nd³⁺. This selectivity seems to be independent on the size and the hardness of the ions. This order in the selectivity is confirmed using potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods and does not depend on the physical form of chitosan. Recovery tests of metals were carried out on real effluents. The first results obtained confirm the initial interest in using chitosan as a depolluting agent, especially as a film.