SEC ICP MS and CZE ICP MS investigation of medium and high molecular weight complexes formed by cadmium ions with phytochelatins

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were applied to characterize low, medium, and high molecular weight cadmium complexes with glutathione and phytochelatins (PCs). The dominant stoichiometry of the complexes formed in vitro was established as 1:1 using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Calculated molecular masses of Cd₁L₁ complexes were used for calibration of the SEC and CZE methods. The results showed a lower (2 kDa) SEC column exclusion limit for cadmium complexes compared with free peptides (10 kDa), and most of the high molecular weight cadmium species were eluted in the void volume of the column. Moreover, the CZE method based on the semiempirical model of Offord to elucidate peptide migration allowed us to show a high propensity of Cd–PC complexes for polymorphism on complexation, which was also observed for extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana treated with cadmium. All the information presented is vital for understanding the mechanism of metal deactivation in plants.

Design,Sustainable Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Dual α2A/5-HT7 Receptor Antagonist with Antidepressant-Like Properties

The complex pathophysiology of depression, together with the limits of currently available antidepressants, has resulted in the continuous quest for alternative therapeutic strategies. Numerous findings suggest that pharmacological blockade of α₂-adrenoceptor might be beneficial for the treatment of depressive symptoms by increasing both norepinephrine and serotonin levels in certain brain areas. Moreover, the antidepressant properties of 5-HT₇ receptor antagonists have been widely demonstrated in a large set of animal models. Considering the potential therapeutic advantages in targeting both α₂-adrenoceptors and 5-HT₇ receptors, we designed a small series of arylsulfonamide derivatives of (dihydrobenzofuranoxy)ethyl piperidines as dually active ligands. Following green chemistry principles, the designed compounds were synthesized entirely using a sustainable mechanochemical approach. The identified compound 8 behaved as a potent α_2A/5-HT₇ receptor antagonist and displayed moderate-to-high selectivity over α₁-adrenoceptor subtypes and selected serotonin and dopaminergic receptors. Finally, compound 8 improved performance of mice in the forced swim test, displaying similar potency to the reference drug mirtazapine.     

Synthesis, structure, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of chromium(III) complex with quinoline-2-carboxylate ion

The new complex of chromium (III) with quinoline-2-carboxylate ion, [Cr(quin-2-c)₂ClMeOH]·MeOH (1), has been synthesized and its structure has been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The spectroscopic (IR, UV-Vis) and magnetic study have been undertaken. The chromium ion is coordinated by ClN₂O₃ donor set of pseudoctahedral geometry. The structure of 1 consists of hydrogen-bonded dimers which are further connected by weaker C-H?O bonds and C-H?Cl interactions into the layers. The layers are held together by the aromatic π?π contacts. The electronic experimental energies of d-d transitions are comparable with values calculated for crystal field parameters Dq = 1669, Ds = 705, and B = 684 cm⁻¹. The splitting of the d-d bands was observed by applying the filtration process. Magnetization measurements revealed the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions together with zero field splitting effects. The appearance of magnetic exchange between distant Cr(III) ions (Cr?Cr separation >6 Å) was ascribed to hydrogen bond extension of carboxylate ligands.     

Exploring the structural,electronic and optical properties of furan-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-acetylthiophene nicotinoylhydrazone

The crystal and molecular structures of nicotinohydrazide-derived hydrazones, N′-(2-furfurylidene)pyridine-3-carbohydrazide and N′-(1-(2-thienyl)ethylidene)pyridine-3-carbohydrazide, have been determined. The compounds have been also characterized by the solid state IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The hydrazones exist in the keto-amine form. According to the results of molecules quantum–mechanical calculations, performed for isolated molecules, this tautomeric form is energetically unfavorable but in the solid and solution states the observed intermolecular interactions support the presence of this form. The furan derivative crystallizes in two polymorphic forms with two molecules in an asymmetric unit regardless of the crystallization method.     

New Anthraquinone Derivatives as Electrochemical Redox Indicators for the Visualization of the DNA Hybridization Process

Interactions of dsDNA and ssDNA, at the surface of gold and silver electrodes, with three novel anthraquinone derivatives: 3‐(9′,10′‐dioxo‐9′,10′‐dihydro‐anthracen‐1‐yl)‐7,11‐di(carboxymethyl)‐3,7,11‐triazatridecanedioic acid, (AQ‐1); 1‐(9′,10′‐dioxo‐9′,10′‐dihydro‐anthracen‐1yl)‐9‐carboxymethyl‐5‐methyl‐1,5,9‐triazaundecanoicacid, (AQ‐2); and N‐(2‐(9,10‐dioxo‐9,10‐dihydro‐anthracen‐1‐ylamino)ethyl)‐2‐(1,4,10,13‐tetraoxa‐7,16‐diazacyclooctadecan‐7‐yl)acetamide, (AQ‐3) are studied. These derivatives are well soluble in water and phosphate buffer solutions. The square wave voltammetric behavior of these redox indicators is described and the parameters of interactions with DNA are reported. It is also pointed out that these compounds can be employed as the hybridization indicators. The difference in the binding ability of the particular redox indicator to single and double stranded DNA can be used for the detection of the complementary nucleic acids.     

Discrimination of Adulterated Ginkgo Biloba Products Based on 2T2D Correlation Spectroscopy in UV-Vis Range

Ginkgo biloba is a popular medicinal plant widely used in numerous herbal products, including food supplements. Due to its popularity and growing economic value, G. biloba leaf extract has become the target of economically motivated adulterations. There are many reports about the poor quality of ginkgo products and their adulteration, mainly by adding flavonols, flavonol glycosides, or extracts from other plants. In this work, we developed an approach using two-trace two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2T2D COS) in UV-Vis range combined with multilinear principal component analysis (MPCA) to detect potential adulteration of twenty G. biloba food supplements. UV-Vis spectral data are obtained for 80% methanol and aqueous extracts in the range of 245–410 nm. Three series of two-dimensional correlation spectra were interpreted by visual inspection and using MPCA. The proposed relatively quick and straightforward approach successfully differentiated supplements adulterated with rutin or those lacking ginkgo leaf extract. Supporting information about adulteration was obtained from the difference between the DPPH radical scavenging capacity of both extracts and from chromatographic (HPLC-DAD) fingerprints of methanolic samples.     

Impact of TiO2 Reduction and Cu Doping on Bacteria Inactivation under Artificial Solar Light Irradiation

Preparation of TiO₂ using the hydrothermal treatment in NH₄OH solution and subsequent thermal heating at 500–700 °C in Ar was performed in order to introduce some titania surface defects. The highest amount of oxygen vacancies and Ti³⁺ surface defects were observed for a sample heat-treated at 500 °C. The presence of these surface defects enhanced photocatalytic properties of titania towards the deactivation of two bacteria species, E. coli and S. epidermidis, under artificial solar lamp irradiation. Further modification of TiO₂ was targeted towards the doping of Cu species. Cu doping was realized through the impregnation of the titania surface by Cu species supplied from various copper salts in an aqueous solution and the subsequent heating at 500 °C in Ar. The following precursors were used as a source of Cu: CuSO₄, CuNO₃ or Cu(CH₃COO)₂. Cu doping was performed for raw TiO₂ after a hydrothermal process with and without NH₄OH addition. The obtained results indicate that Cu species were deposited on the titania surface defects in the case of reduced TiO₂, but on the TiO₂ without NH₄OH modification, Cu species were attached through the titania adsorbed hydroxyl groups. Cu doping on TiO₂ increased the absorption of light in the visible range. Rapid inactivation of E. coli within 30 min was obtained for the ammonia-reduced TiO₂ heated at 500 °C and TiO₂ doped with Cu from CuSO₄ solution. Photocatalytic deactivation of S. epidermidis was greatly enhanced through Cu doping on TiO₂. Impregnation of TiO₂ with CuSO₄ was the most effective for inactivation of both E. coli and S. epidermidis.     

Analytical methodologies for determination of artificial sweeteners in foodstuffs

Artificial high-intensity sweeteners are used increasingly frequently for food production. The food industry tends to highlight beneficial aspects of their use (e.g., tooth friendliness, increasing the quality of life of those suffering from different forms of diabetes and the possibility of weight control without anyone sacrificing their favorite “unhealthy” drinks or snacks). However, some consumers are deeply concerned about the safety of artificial sweeteners and claim that the food industry is replacing natural beet sugar or cane sugar for purely economic reasons.Most of these food additives have a maximum usable dose or a maximum allowable concentration specified for a given type of food. In order to assure consumer safety, it is necessary to control the content of sweeteners in foodstuffs. Analytical methods (including high-performance liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, flow-injection analysis, electroanalysis and spectroscopy) can determine sweeteners individually and simultaneously in mixtures. This review focuses on the application of some popular analytical procedures for determination of artificial sweeteners in food.     

Lipophilicity data for some preservatives estimated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and different computation methods

The chromatographic behavior of some preservatives was performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on C18 (LiChroCART, Purosphere RP-18e), C8 (Zorbax, Eclipse XDB-C8), CN100 (Säulentechnik, Lichrosphere) and NH₂ (Supelcosil LC-NH₂) columns. The lipophilicity estimated for the first time on the first three columns are comparable and very well correlated. The mobile phase was a mixture of methanol–water (0.1% formic acid) in different volume proportions from 40% to 60% (v/v) for RP-C18, RP-C8 and RP-CN100 column (exception for parabens on RP-C8 column—the methanol concentrations being from 55% to 65%) and from 30% to 50% (v/v) for RP-NH₂. Highly significant correlations were obtained between different experimental indices of lipophilicity (log k_w, S, φ₀, mean of k and log k, and scores of k and log k corresponding to the first principal component) and computed log P values, and C8 column seems to be more suited for estimating the lipophilicity of the investigated compounds. These direct correlations offer a very good opportunity to derive powerful predictive models via Collander-type equations. The reliability of scores values as lipophilic indices is shown by their high correlation with the log K_ow obtained using classical “shake-flask” technique, log k_w and also some of the computed log P values. In addition, the results obtained applying PCA to the retention data may be used in interpreting the molecular mechanism of interactions between eluents and stationary phases with different polarity and to explain the chromatographic behavior of compounds. Finally, the “congeneric lipophilicity chart” described by the scores corresponding to the first principal component has the effect of separating compounds from each other more effectively from congeneric ((dis)similarity) point of view. The parabens and tert-butylhydroquinone appeared to be the most lipophilic preservatives.     

PAMAM Dendrimers as Potential Agents against Fibrillation of α‐Synuclein,a Parkinson's Disease‐Related Protein

The effect of PAMAM dendrimers (generations G3, G4 and G5) on the fibrillation of α‐synuclein was examined by fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, TEM and SANS. PAMAM dendrimers inhibited fibrillation of α‐synuclein and this effect increased both with generation number and PAMAM concentration. SANS showed structural changes in the formed aggregates of α‐synuclein – from cylindrical to dense three‐dimensional ones – as the PAMAM concentration increased, on account of the inhibitory effect. PAMAM also effectively promoted the breaking down of pre‐existing fibrils of α‐synuclein. In both processes – that is, inhibition and disassociation of fibrils – PAMAM redirected α‐synuclein to an amorphous aggregation pathway.