Effects of citrate on the composition and enzymic coagulation of colloidal bovine casein aggregates

Colloidal casein aggregates (CCA) prepared from soluble whole bovine caseinates in the presence of Ca²⁺ and phosphate (Pi) ions by addition of different citrate (Cit) concentrations showed different mineral and proteic composition. Citrate concentration conditions the Ca and Pi concentrations incorporated into CCA, probably due to the complexing effect of this anion on calcium. A significant change in the incorporated Ca/Pi ratio at 8 mM citrate could very likely be associated to changes in CCA net charge. The incorporation of individual caseins to the colloidal particles obtained, as well as their average size and size distribution, depended also on the Cit concentration used [Cit]_P. α_S- and β-caseins assembled in the CCA structure sharply decreased at a [Cit]_P higher than 15 mM, i.e., at a low Ca²⁺ concentration in the aggregates, showing that the presence of this cation is necessary for the incorporation of these caseins. An inverse relationship between the aggregation step rate in CCA enzymic coagulation and their average size was observed. The aggregation rate vs the average size curve obtained at [Cit]_P 8 mM clearly differed from the curves obtained at 10 and 12 mM, respectively, a fact probably related to a change in the CCA net charge. This behavior showed the effect of citrate concentration on CCA functional properties.     

Triorganostannylation of halo- and dihaloadamantanes and 5-chloro-2-adamantanone in liquid ammonia by the S(RN)1 mechanism. Relative reactivity of nucleophiles and bridgehead halides

The reactions of 1-bromo-, 1-iodo-, 2-bromo-, 1,3-dibromo-, and 1,4-dibromoadamantane with Me(3)Sn(-) ions were studied in liquid ammonia. The photostimulated reaction of 1-haloadamantane (1-XAd, X = Br, I) or 2-BrAd with Me(3)Sn(-) ions gave in a few minutes excellent yields of the substitution products. The 1,3-dibromo- and 1,4-dibromoadamantane with Me(3)Sn(-) ions also reacted very fast under irradiation to give the disubstitution product in good yields. In competition experiments, 1-ClAd is 5.3 times more reactive than 5-chloro-2-adamantanone (9) toward Me(3)Sn(-) ions in liquid ammonia. When the nucleophile is the Ph(2)P(-) ion, 1-ClAd reacts 2.4 times faster than 9. This is the first time that no redox catalysis was observed when the bridgehead compound bears a carbonyl group as a pi acceptor. On the other hand, the nucleophile Me(3)Sn(-) ion was ca. >1000 times more reactive than Ph(3)Sn(-) ions toward 1-adamantyl radicals, in contrast to the behavior of aryl radicals, where both nucleophiles have the same reactivity.     

Analysis of natural flavonoids by microchip-micellar electrokinetic chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection

Catechins (catechin and other derivatives) are naturally occurring flavonoids present in a number of plants and foods. They are also part of numerous nutraceutical formulations because they are believed to have antioxidant, cancer chemo-preventative, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The determination of catechins has traditionally been performed by HPLC. However, this methodology is both time and sample intensive and generates large amounts of organic solvent waste. In the current report, an application of MEKC using a PDMS microchip is presented for the analysis of catechins. The system uses pulsed amperometric detection for direct analysis of important naturally occurring catechins. The effect of pH, surfactant concentration, detection potential and signal stability were analyzed. Linear relationships were found between the concentration and peak current, with good stability and limits of detection of 8 [micro sign]M for catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin, and 14 [micro sign]M for epicatechin gallate. Optimum conditions were applied to the detection of selected catechins in a commercially available green tea extract nutraceutical and the results were compared to HPLC analysis. The analysis using microchip micellar electrokinetic chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection was completed in 4.5 min, 10 times faster than the HPLC analysis.     

Polyoxometalates as Inorganic Building Blocks of Multifunctional Molecular Materials

The use of polyoxometalates (pOM's) as inorganic component in the synthesis of new molecular hybrid materials is presented. Here we show that the combination of organic molecules of the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) type or perylene (per) with POM's yields new radical salts with unprecedented structures that present interesting magnetic and/or electrical properties or coexistence of both. The first true metallic radical salt containing a POM has been prepared and characterized. We also describe the recent results obtained by combining magnetic POM's with the organometallic cation decamethylferrocene.     

THE INTERACTION OF THE EXCITED STATES OF SAFRANINE T WITH ALIPHATIC AMINES IN ORGANIC SOLVENTS

Abstract—
The reactions of the excited states of safranine T with aliphatic amines have been studied in methanol and acetonitrile. Quenching of the singlet and triplet states occurs by different mechanisms. Whereas the former excited state is quenched by a charge-transfer mechanism, the triplet state is quenched through proton transfer from the excited dye to the amine. This process leads to the unprotonated form of the dye in the triplet state, which is later quenched by amines to form the corresponding semireduced species. The monoprotonated triplet also undergoes self-quenching in both solvents (k = 1.2 × 10⁸ M ^-1 s^-1).     

Supramolecular stabilization of the phosphite-based polyoxomolybdate [Mo6(PO3)(HPO3)3O18]

A novel phosphite-based hetero-polyoxomolybdate, [Mo₆(PO₃)(HPO₃)₃O₁₈]⁹⁻, has been isolated and structurally characterized. The most striking feature of this polyanion is the presence of peripheral phosphite groups linked to the MoO₆ octahedra. In the solid state, this cluster shows strong hydrogen bonding interactions that apparently play a key role in its stabilization and isolation from solution.     

Metal complexes with a new N(4)O(3) amine pendant-armed macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, and fluorescence studies

The synthesis of a new oxaaza macrocyclic ligand, L, derived from O(1),O(7)-bis(2-formylphenyl)-1,4,7-trioxaheptane and tren containing an amine terminal pendant arm, and its metal complexation with alkaline earth (M = Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+)), transition (M = Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)), post-transition (M = Pb(2+)), and Y(3+) and lanthanide (M = La(3+), Er(3+)) metal ions are reported. Crystal structures of [H(2)L](ClO(4))(2).3H(2)O, [PbL](ClO(4))(2), and [ZnLCl](ClO(4)).H(2)O are also reported. In the [PbL] complex, the metal ion is located inside the macrocyclic cavity coordinated by all N(4)O(3) donor atoms while, in the [ZnLCl] complex, the metal ion is encapsulated only by the nitrogen atoms present in the ligand. pi-pi interactions in the [H(2)L](ClO(4))(2).3H(2)O and [PbL](ClO(4))(2) structures are observed. Protonation and Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Cu(2+) complexation were studied by means of potentiometric, UV-vis, and fluorescent emission measurements. The 10-fold fluorescence emission increase observed in the pH range 7-9 in the presence of Zn(2+) leads to L as a good sensor for this biological metal in water solution.     

Nitric oxide photorelease from ruthenium salen complexes in aqueous and organic solutions

The complexes [Ru(salen)(NO)Cl] and [Ru(salen)(NO)(H(2)O)](+) were shown to release the nitrosyl ligand as nitric oxide upon exposure to visible light in organic and aqueous solutions respectively, by means of UV-visible, EPR, and FTIR spectroscopies. The former was prepared by a new synthetic route and had its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A crystal of the dichloromethane solvate is orthorhombic, space group Fdd2 (No. 43) and formula C(16)H(14)ClN(3)O(3)Ru.CH(2)Cl(2), with Z = 16 and cell parameters a = 25.489(4), b = 33.435(4), and c = 9.3716(9) A. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes were calculated using the INDO/S method. The water-soluble complex is a potential drug for antitumoral phototreatment.