A long-lived luminescence and EPR bimodal lanthanide-based probe for free radicals

We developed a novel spin-labeled terbium complex Tb(3+)/cs124-DTPA-TEMPO (1) by covalently labeling a nitroxide radical on the terbium complex for monitoring free radicals of various areas. This lanthanide complex probe shows a high EPR signal which resulted from the nitroxide radical moiety, and is weakly luminescent which resulted from the intramolecular quenching effect of the nitroxide radical on sensitised terbium luminescence. The intensity of both the EPR and luminescence can be modulated by eliminating the paramagnetism of the nitroxide radical through recognition of a carbon-centered radical analyte and thus gives a quantification of the analyte. We have preliminarily applied this probe in the luminescent detection of model carbon-centered radicals and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). This probe is water-soluble and contains lanthanide-luminescence properties, favorable for the time-resolved luminescence technique. The investigation of the intramolecular quenching process has showed that the labeled nitroxide radical quenches multiple excited states of the terbium complex, resulting in highly efficient quenching of terbium luminescence. This probe is the first example of intramolecular modulation of lanthanide luminescence by a nitroxide radical.     

Determination of some hydroxybenzoic acids and catechins in white wine samples by liquid chromatography with luminescence detection

A liquid chromatographic method with luminescence detection for the determination of eight phenolic compounds is reported. The method involves postcolumn derivatization with terbium(III). This derivatization is based on the reaction between phenolics and terbium(III) to form luminescent chelates, which were determined at lamda ex 295 and lamda em 545 nm using the fluorescence mode. The long wavelength emission of lanthanide chelates can minimize interferences from background sample matrix, which usually emit at shorter wavelengths. Also, the chromatographic separation allows the individual determination of phenolics, which cannot be done using the direct measurement of the fluorescence of their corresponding terbium chelates. Dynamic ranges of the calibration graphs and detection limits, obtained with standard solutions of analytes were (microg/mL): gallic acid (0.9-40, 0.3), protocatechuic acid (0.05-7, 0.016), catechin (0.2-40, 0.07), vanillic acid (0.25-40, 0.08), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (0.8-40, 0.25), syringic acid (0.17-40, 0.05), epicatechin (0.3-40, 0.09) and salicylic acid (0.07-12, 0.02). The precision was established at two concentration levels of each analyte and expressed as the percentage of RSD with values ranging between 1.0 and 6.5%. The practical usefulness of the method was demonstrated by the analysis of white wine samples, which were diluted two-fold and directly injected into the chromatographic system. The recovery values obtained ranged between 93.3 and 108.0%.     

Application of time-resolved luminescence to dry reagent chemical technology

A time-resolved luminescence method describing the use of terbium(III) in the dry reagent format is presented for the first time. Paper strips previously treated with sucrose are used as solid substrates where terbium(III) is immobilised by adsorption. The strips are stable for at least 6 months and they can be easily stored under a desiccant medium. Only the addition of the buffered sample is required for the analysis. This methodology has been applied to the determination of two local anaesthetics, namely benzocaine and procaine. These compounds release p-aminobenzoic acid after a hydrolysis step in alkaline medium, which reacts to terbium(III) giving a luminescent chelate. The luminescence intensity measurements are obtained at λ_ex 286 and λ_em 545 nm by using the time-resolved mode of the instrument. The method presents a linear range from 1.1 to 21.9 μM and the calculated LOD is 0.4 μM. It has been satisfactorily applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical samples and the recoveries obtained are in the range 88-108%.     

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis equipped with amperometric detection for analysis of chlorinated phenolic compounds

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) equipped with amperometric detection has been developed for separation and detection of an 11-member model mixture of chlorinated phenolic compounds. With triacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin (TACD) as a novel selectivity selector, acetonitrile proved to be an excellent solvent for this water-insoluble cyclodextrin derivative. Resolution of the analytes was achieved by using an optimized acetonitrile medium consisting of 500 mM acetic acid, 10 mM sodium acetate, 12 mM TACD and 50 mM tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. Separation of analytes was attributed to differential electrostatic and/or inductive interactions of the analytes with the TACD/TBA+ complex and charged tetrabutylammonium phases. A simple end-column amperometric detector (Pt vs. Ag/AgCl, poised at +1.6 V) in conjunction with NACE was used to analyze chlorophenols. Amperometric detection of such target compounds in acetonitrile-based media offers high sensitivity and alleviates electrode fouling compared to aqueous buffers. The detection limits obtained, ranging from 30 nM to 500 nM, are 3-8-fold lower than those obtained with aqueous buffers.     

A new luminescence method for determining dysprosium in the presence of terbium

The new luminescence method for determining dysprosium in the presence of terbium is developed based on the difference in the lifetimes of dysprosium and terbium in complexes with 3-(6-benzodioxanyl)pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid (τ = 6 and 910 μs, respectively). The possibility of determining the short-lived and weakly luminescent dysprosium(III) ion in the presence of long-living and intensively luminescent terbium(III) was demonstrated for the first time using time-resolved luminescence. The developed method was used to determine dysprosium in luminescent materials doped with both lanthanides.     

Synthesis and properties of coumarin derivatives and their terbium complexes

A series of coumarin derivatives obtained from salicylaldehyde and phenol were synthesized. Their corresponding terbium complexes were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, EDTA titrations, molar conductivity, UV–vis spectra, IR spectra, and thermal analysis. The luminescent properties and electrochemical properties of the terbium complexes were also investigated. The results showed that all the terbium complexes exhibited characteristic emissions of terbium ions. The introduction of electron-donating groups can improve the luminescent properties, decrease the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the terbium complex, while electron-withdrawing groups can weaken the luminescent properties, and increase the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of terbium complex.     

Optimization and validation of a methodology based on solvent extraction and liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of several polyphenolic families in fruit juices

A solvent extraction procedure of freeze-dried aliquots followed by the analysis of phenolic compounds by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with photodiode array detection (DAD) has been developed for the analysis of polyphenolic compounds in fruit juices. This methodology is focussed on the characterization of fruit juices, mainly for quality control purposes. The effects of experimental variables, such as solvent composition and volume and time and temperature on extraction, have been studied. A unique gradient program for the separation of several phenolic classes (hydroquinones, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavan-3-oles, hydroxycinnamic acids, coumarins, flavanones, flavones, dihydrochalcones and flavonols) has been optimized, using standards of 55 commercially available phenolic compounds present in fruits, as well as representative real extracts from fruit juices. All phenolic compounds showed a high repeatability within-day (n=5) and between days (n=3) in peak area (RSD<8%) and excellent stability of their retention times. High precision was also observed in calibration slopes (RSD<8%). Detection limits ranged between 0.005 and 0.03 microg/mL for the different detected polyphenols. Complete recoveries (98-100%) were obtained for the majority of the phenolic structures of all representative phenolic families present in fruits. The method was successfully employed to measure diverse phenolic families in juices from 18 different fruits and consequently could be used for evaluate the quality of fruit juices.     

Chromatographic determination of flumequine in food samples by post-column derivatisation with terbium(III)

The potential usefulness of terbium(III) as reagent for the luminescent determination of flumequine residues in food samples has been studied using both fluorescence (FL) and time-resolved (TR) modes and both batch (B) and integrated liquid chromatography (LC)/derivatisation approaches. The system was optimised in each instance to establish the analytical features of the four methods. The dynamic ranges of the calibration graphs, obtained with standard solutions of flumequine, were (ng mL⁻¹): B-FL 0.18-600; B-TR 2.4-150; LC-FL 3.7-1000 and LC-TR 52-3000. The detection limits were also obtained giving the following values (ng mL⁻¹): B-FL 0.055; B-TR 0.7; LC-FL 1.1 and LC-TR 15. The precision, expressed as the percentage of relative standard deviation, was equal or lower than 5.1% in all instances. The LC methods, which avoid the interference of other quinolone antibiotics, were applied to the analysis of chicken muscle and liver, and whole milk samples. The sample pre-treatment only consisted of a deproteinisation step. The validation procedure for the analysis of samples was carried out using EC recommendations, and the decision limit and detection capability were calculated. The recoveries obtained ranged from 95.0% to 103.8%.     

High-pressure liquid chromatography of trace elements: Determination of terbium in terbium doped gadolinium oxide sulphide phosphors

Summary A detailed study of isocratic and gradient elution separations of lanthanides has been carried out. Analyses of industrially and scientifically interesting products such as luminescent phosphors have been carried out by gradient elution with DL-2-hydroxyisobutyric acid. The determination of small amounts of terbium in gadolinium oxide sulphide phosphors is described in which an HCl solution was eluted through a stainless steel column packed with microparticulate silica, with bonded cation-exchange groups. Complete separation of gadolinium and terbium is achieved. Detection is with a variable wavelength detector following post-column complex formation with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol monosodium salt. Results obtained on test solutions show good reproducibility and sensitivity and the method may be considered sufficiently reliable to be used in routine quality control procedures.Work financially supported by C.N.R. of Italy.     

Amperometric biosensors based on alumina nanoparticles-chitosan-horseradish peroxidase nanobiocomposites for the determination of phenolic compounds

A horseradish peroxidase (HRP) biosensor based on alumina (Al(2)O(3)) nanoparticles-chitosan (CHIT) nanocomposites was developed for the detection of phenolic compounds. UV-Vis spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that HRP retained its original structure on the Al(2)O(3)/CHIT film. The surface morphologies of the composite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to study the proposed electrochemical biosensor. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed with regard to pH, applied electrode potential and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The linear range, sensitivity and detection limit of the biosensor were investigated for eight phenolic compounds. In particular, the linearity of the biosensor for the detection of hydroquinone was obtained from 5 × 10(-9) M to 7 × 10(-5) M with a detection limit of 1 nM (based on the S/N = 3). The optimized biosensor for hydroquinone determination displayed a high sensitivity of 518.4 nA μM(-1) with a response time of ～5 s.     

Use of 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazane as a derivative reagent for the determination of amino acids by cathodic stripping square wave voltammetry in biological fluids

The rapid and simple reaction of 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazane with amino acids allows the determination of amino acids in urine using cathodic stripping square wave voltammetry. The obtained compounds are adsorbed on a hanging mercury drop electrode for determination by voltammetric methods using phosphate buffer at pH 2.0 as supporting electrolyte. The proposed method allows determination with an error of 5.68%. A limit of detection (3sigma) of 3.64 nM (0.766 ng ml(-1)) and a limit of determination (10sigma) of 12.12 nM (2.55 ng ml(-1)) are obtained for arginine determination. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of amino acids in urine.     

Determination of selected phytochemicals by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection.

A robust, routinely manageable and sensitive RP-HPLC method combined with UV (270 nm) and ESI-MS detection was established for the determination of abundant pertinent phenolic compounds (phytochemicals) from various biological matrices. Phytochemicals were extracted by aqueous methanol (80%), extracts were analysed without further purification. Baseline separation was achieved within 30 min for 19 phytochemicals and excellent sensitivity (6-42 pmol at S/N = 3) was obtained. The identity of the phytochemicals was confirmed with standard compounds and with LC-MS. The repeatabilities for the majority of the phytochemicals ranged between 3% and 6%. The practicability of the method was shown in complex biological matrices by analysing onion and soybean extracts. This generally applicable technique may serve as a valuable tool for a rapid screening and a specific measurement of phytochemicals in food extracts and biological fluids and serve as analytical instrument for future biochemical and physiological studies.     

Spectrofluorometric determination of trace amounts of terbium with 4-chlorosalicylic acid, EDTA, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

The quadruple complex formed by terbium with 4-chlorosalicylic acid (CSA), EDTA and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) has been used for the sensitive spectrofluorometric determination of terbium in mixed rare earths. The effect of the experimental conditions on the fluorescence intensity was defined. Under the optimum conditions selected, the fluorescence intensity was linear with the terbium concentration in the range of 3.0 x 10(-8)-1.0 x 10(-5) mol/L with a detection limit of 8.0 x 10(-9) mol/L (S/N = 3). It has been satisfactory for the determination of terbium in mixed rare earths with good recovery.     

Sensitive determination of phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography with cerium(IV)-rhodamine 6G-phenolic compound chemiluminescence detection

A simple, selective and sensitive determination method of 20 phenolic compounds has been developed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with chemiluminescence detection. The method is based on the chemiluminescent enhancement by phenolic compound of the cerium(IV)-rhodamine 6G system in sulfuric acid medium. Twenty phenolic compounds were separated on a XDB-C(8) column with a gradient elution using a mixture of methanol and 1.0% acetic acid as a mobile phase. Under the optimized conditions, a linear working range extends 2 orders of magnitude with the relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day precision below 4.0%, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were in the range of 1.5-82.1 ng/ml. The chemiluminescence reaction was compatible with the mobile phase of high-performance liquid chromatography. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the assay of phenolic compounds in red wine without any pretreatment.     

Antioxidant compounds of propolis determined by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

Propolis is a resinous hive product rich in antioxidant compounds. Capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometric detection can provide selective information about the analytes present in complex extracts of propolis and has turned out to be an attractive alternative to HPLC methods. Therefore, a CE-ESI-MS method has been developed for the analysis of antioxidant compounds obtained from propolis. For this purpose, different electrophoretic parameters such as the nature, pH, and concentration of the separation buffer, as well as electrospray parameters (dry gas temperature and flow, nebulising gas pressure, and make-up flow) have been carefully optimised. Different phenolic compounds (e.g. pinobanksin 3-acetate, naringenin, pinocembrin, chrysin, daidzein, quercetin 3',7-dimethyl ether, apigenin, and kaempferid) could be detected. To confirm the identity of the phenolic compounds in propolis extracts, accurate mass data of the molecular ions were obtained by TOF MS. Limits of detection ranging from 6 mg/100 g of raw propolis for chrysin to 58 mg/ 100 g of raw propolis for luteolin, were obtained.     

铽配合物Tb(PMIP)3(PhCA)的合成及阴离子识别研究

本文设计合成了稀土铽配合物Tb(PMW)3(PhCA)作为阴离子试剂,利用荧光光谱考察了其与F-、Cl-、Br-、I-、ClO4-、NO3-、AcO-和H2PO-4等阴离子的作用.研究结果表明:不同阴离子的加入能够调控,Tb(PMIP)3(PhCA)的发光行为,当一定量的氟离子(醋酸根离子、磷酸二氢根离子)加入到Tb(PMIP)3(PhCA)的乙腈溶液中后,荧光发射增强;过量的氟离子(醋酸根离子、磷酸二氢根离子)加入后则使其荧光淬灭.而在乙腈和水混合溶液中,Tb(PMIP)3(PhCA)则能选择性识别氟离子和磷酸二氢根离子.     

Luminescence detection of cysteine based on Ag-mediated conformational change of terbium ion-promoted G-quadruplex

In this work, we developed a simple and sensitive method for the detection of cysteine (Cys) by employing terbium ion (Tb³⁺)-promoted G-qudraplex (G4/Tb) as a luminescent probe, which is based on Ag⁺-mediated conformational change of G4/Tb. Due to Ag⁺ is able to compete with Tb³⁺ to bind guanine at G4, the presence of Ag⁺ can lead to the formation of G4/Tb–Ag⁺ complex and disrupt the structure of G4/Tb. Meanwhile, the binding of Ag⁺ with G4/Tb will also cause the alteration of the excited state of G4 and more efficient energy transfer from G4 to Tb³⁺, enhancing the luminescence of G4/Tb. However, upon the addition of Cys, Ag⁺ will be released from G4/Tb–Ag⁺ complex because of the high affinity of Cys to Ag⁺. This results in the re-formation of the conformation of G4/Tb and the decrease of the luminescence of G4/Tb. So, Ag⁺-enhanced luminescence of G4/Tb is associated with its conformational transformation. As a luminescent probe for Cys, G4/Tb not only shows excellent selectivity and sensitivity with a detection limit of 20 nM, but also possesses the features of simple preparation, easy reproducibility, and eliminating the interferences from background fluorescence. We envision that the presented strategy might provide new insight into the biosensing applications of lanthanide complex.     

Time gating improves sensitivity in energy transfer assays with terbium chelate/dark quencher oligonucleotide probes

Lanthanides are attractive as biolabels because their long luminescence decay rates allow time-gated detection, which separates background scattering and fluorescence from the lanthanide emission. A stable and highly luminescent terbium complex based on a tetraisophthalamide (TIAM) chelate is paired with a polyaromatic-azo dark quencher (referred to as a Black Hole Quencher or BHQ) to prepare a series of 5'TIAM(Tb)/3'BHQ dual-labeled oligonucleotide probes with no secondary structure. Luminescence quenching efficiency within terbium/BHQ probes is very dependent on the terbium-BHQ distance. In an intact probe, the average terbium-BHQ distance is short, and Tb --> BHQ energy transfer is efficient, decreasing both the terbium emission intensity and lifetime. Upon hybridization or nuclease digestion, which spatially separate the Tb and BHQ moieties, the Tb luminescence intensity and lifetime increase. As a result, time-gated detection increases the emission intensity ratio of the unquenched probe/quenched probe due to the shorter lifetime of the quenched species. A 40-mer probe that has a 3-fold increase in steady-state luminescence upon digestion has a 50-fold increase when gated detection is used. This study demonstrates that time gating with lanthanide/dark quencher probes in energy transfer assays is an effective means of improving sensitivity.     

Simultaneous determination of benzoic acid and saccharin in soft drinks by using lanthanide-sensitized luminescence

A simple and fast approach is used for the first time to develop a time resolved lanthanide-sensitized luminescence method for the simultaneous determination of a preservative and a sweetener, namely benzoic acid (BZ) and saccharin (SC), respectively, in food samples. The method involves the formation of the corresponding ternary chelates with terbium(III) and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in the presence of Triton X-100, and the measurement of the initial rate and equilibrium signal of this system, which were obtained in 0.1 and 5 s, respectively. The dynamic ranges of the calibration graphs, obtained by using kinetic and equilibrium measurements, were 0.2-36 micrograms ml-1 and 0.15-30 micrograms ml-1, respectively, for BZ, and 3.3-24 micrograms ml-1 and 4-36 micrograms ml-1 for SC and the detection limits were 0.07 and 0.04 microgram ml-1, respectively, for BZ, and 1.1 and 1.2 micrograms ml-1, respectively, for sodium SC. The relative standard deviation ranged between 2.3 and 3.0%. Both compounds were determined simultaneously by using a system of two equations which were resolved by using the calibration data obtained individually for each analyte and by multiple linear regression. Mixtures of BZ and SC in ratios between 3:1 and 1:9 were satisfactorily resolved by using both approaches. The method was applied to the direct analysis of several soft drinks. Analytical recoveries ranged between 89.3 and 108.5%.     

Tb（Ⅲ）—ARS—CTMAB络合物的极谱吸附波研究

研究了在 p H9.4的氨 -氯化铵缓冲溶液中 ,Tb( )与茜素红 (ARS)、溴化十六烷基三甲铵 (CTMAB)三元络合物的极谱波 ,该极谱波峰电位在 - 0 .74V(vs.SCE) ,峰高与铽的浓度在6.0× 1 0 -8～ 8.0× 1 0 -6mol· L-1之间呈线性关系 ,检出限为 4.0× 1 0 -8mol· L-1,结合萃取柱色谱分离方法测定了稀土矿石中的重稀土元素铽。