Antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben plant extracts

This study reported the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben inflorescences. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanolic extracts were determined according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) method. The samples showed a comparable antimicrobial activity, although the natural site extract possessed the lower MIC values. The best activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant strains (MIC and MBC values ranging from 7.81 to 62.50?μg?mL(-1) and from 500 to 2000?μg?mL(-1) respectively). In contrast, a low activity was found on Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed ten phenolic acids and four flavonoids with a major amount of m-coumaric acid, naringin and quercetin in the natural site extract.     

Quality control and analytical test method for Taxus baccata tincture preparation

The homeopathic tincture of Taxus baccata L. is monographed in the current German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB 2009). However, the described identification test is a common comparative TLC procedure that might be updated. The purpose of the current work was the quali-quantitative analysis by HPLC/DAD/MS of Taxus tincture. In this study we characterized polyphenolic compounds, in particular four hydroxycinnamic derivatives (0.85 mg/mL) and four flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and xylosyl glucosides); the total polyphenol content was 1.265 mg/mL of tincture. Starting from the official German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia method of preparation, the aim of this work was to optimize a rapid and reproducible method for the analysis of herbal drugs and tincture, directly prepared in store or the herbalist's shop, to ensure safety and efficacy of the preparation. The procedure has to ensure validation, robustness of the results, and provide a quick response about the composition of compounds in the herbal drug preparation.     

Determination of Hyaluronic Acid in a Chitosan-Based Formulation by RP C18 and HILIC LC–ESI-MS: an Evaluation of Matrix Effect

Two simple and fast C18 and HILIC liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry methods for the determination of hyaluronic acid (HA) in a mucoadhesive chitosan-based formulation were developed and validated. The performances of both methods were compared in terms of validation parameters and matrix effect. A simple sample preparation method based on sulphuric acid-based degradation was optimized for the detection of HA fragments (i.e. m/z 380 2-mer, m/z 759 4-mer, m/z 1,138 8-mer and m/z 1,518 16-mer). By operating under selected ion-monitoring mode, excellent selectivity towards chitosan fragments was obtained. For validation, good linearity, detection limits (<4 μg mL⁻¹) and precision (RSD % < 16 %) were generally obtained on matrix with both columns. However, HILIC column exhibited improved performances in terms of HA fragment separation and selectivity. By analyzing on the C18 column the chitosan-based formulation and sample extracts from pig mucosa treated with the formulation, matrix effects exhibited a dependence of signal suppression degree (ranging from 37 to 83 %) as a function of the HA fragment dimension. The HILIC column afforded instead a significantly reduced suppression degree (ranging from 1 to 16 %) and a better separation. These findings demonstrated the improved performances of the HILIC column with respect to conventional C18 mechanism for the analysis of HA fragments in complex matrices.

     

M(R-dmet)2] bis(1,2-dithiolenes): a promising new class intermediate between [M(dmit)2] and [M(R,R'-timdt)2] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt)

We report the first examples of metal dithiolenes belonging to the class [M(R-dmet)(2)] [R-dmet = formally monoreduced N-substituted thiazolidine-2,4,5-trithione; R = Et, M = Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt (3)]. A comparative spectroscopic, electrochemical, and density functional theory theoretical investigation indicates that [M(R-dmet)(2)] complexes show features intermediate between those of the dithiolenes belonging to the previously reported classes [M(R,R'-timdt)(2)] and [M(dmit)(2)] (R,R'-timdt = formally monoreduced N,N'-disubstituted imidazolidine-2,4,5-trithione; dmit = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato). UV-vis-near-IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry/differential pulsed voltammetry measurements performed on 1 and 3 proved that the new dithiolenes are stable as neutral, monoanionic, and bianionic species and feature a near-IR electrochromic absorption falling at about 1000 and 1250 nm for neutral and monoanionic species, respectively.     

Single electron traps at the surface of polycrystalline MgO: assignment of the main trapping sites

Paramagnetic centers at the surface of ionic oxides in the form of trapped electrons can be generated by exposure of the material to alkali metal or hydrogen atoms or of molecular hydrogen under UV irradiation. For many years, it has been assumed that the resulting paramagnetic centers consist of oxygen vacancies filled by one electron. High-resolution electron spin resonance spectra and ab initio quantum chemical calculations show that the paramagnetic centers consist of (H(+))(e(-)) electron pairs formed at morphological irregularities of the surface. At least three different kinds of (H(+))(e(-)) centers, [A], [B], and [C], have been identified with abundances of 80%, 10%, and 8%, respectively. In this work, we compare a wide set of measured and computed g-factors and hyperfine coupling constants of the unpaired electron with the surrounding (25)Mg, (17)O, and (1)H nuclei and we propose a general assignment of the centers. (H(+))(e(-)) pairs formed at Mg(4c) ions at steps and edges account for species [A], centers formed at Mg(4c) ions at reverse corners correspond to species [B], and species [C] originates from (H(+))(e(-)) pairs formed at Mg(3c) ions at corners and kinks.     

Cluster and periodic DFT calculations of MgO/Pd(CO) and MgO/Pd(CO)(2) surface complexes

The bonding and vibrational properties of Pd(CO) and Pd(CO)(2) complexes formed at the (100) surface of MgO have been investigated using the gradient-corrected DFT approach and have been compared to the results of infrared and thermal desorption experiments performed on ultrathin MgO films. Two complementary approaches have been used for the calculation of the electronic properties: the embedded cluster method using localized atomic orbital basis sets and supercell periodic calculations using plane waves. The results show that the two methods provide very similar answers, provided that sufficiently large supercells are used. Various regular and defect adsorption sites for the Pd(CO) and Pd(CO)(2) have been considered: terraces, steps, neutral and charged oxygen vacancies (F and F(+) centers), and divacancies. From the comparison of the computed and experimental results, it is concluded that the most likely site where the Pd atoms are stabilized and where carbonyl complexes are formed are the F(+) centers, paramagnetic defects consisting of a single electron trapped in an anion vacancy.     

Synthesis and coordination properties of new macrocyclic ligands: equilibrium studies and crystal structures

The synthesis and characterization of two new macrocyclic ligands, the bis-macrocyclic compound 2,6-bis(1,4,13-triaza-7,10-dioxacyclopentadec-1-ylmethyl)phenol (L) and 38-methoxy-1,4,13,16,19,28-hexaaza-7,10,22,25-tetraoxatricyclo[14.14.7.1(32,36)]octatriconta-32,34,Delta(36,38)-triene (L1) are reported. Equilibrium studies of basicity and coordination properties toward metal ions such as Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) were performed for ligand by potentiometric measurements in aqueous solution (298.1 +/- 0.1 K, I= 0.15 mol dm(-3)). L behaves as a hexaprotic base (logK(1)= 10.93, logK(2)= 9.70, logK(3)= 8.79, logK(4)= 8.05, logK(5)= 6.83, logK(6)= 2.55). All metal ions form stable mono- and dinuclear complexes: logK(MLH(-1))= 25.61 for Cu(II), 15.37 for Zn(II), 12.58 for Cd(II) and 13.79 for Pb(II); logK(M(2)LH(-1))= 31.61 for Cu(II), 23.38 for Zn(II), 24.49 for Cd(II) and 23.68 for Pb(II). All these dinuclear species show a great tendency to add the OH(-) group: the equilibrium constant for the addition reaction was found to be logK(M(2)LH(-1)OH)= 4.77 for Cu(II), 5.66 for Zn(II), 2.8 for Cd(II) and 3.18 for Pb(II). In the case of Ni(II), kinetic inertness prevents the possibility of solution studies. The dinuclear solid adducts [Ni(2)H(-1)L(N(3))(3)].EtOH and [Cu(2)H(-1)L(N(3))](ClO(4))(2) were characterized by X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of homobimetallic Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes of s- and as-indacene-diide

The Rh(COD) and Ir(COD) homobimetallic complexes of s-indacene-diide, 2,6-dimethyl-s-indacene-diide, as-indacene-diide, and 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide have been synthesized from the di-lithium salts of the dianions and metal dimers [M(μ-Cl)L₂]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; L₂ = COD, NBD, (ethylene)₂, (CO)₂ as mixtures of syn and anti isomers. The syn/anti ratio depends on the nature of the ancillary ligands at the metal and on the s or as geometry of the bridging ligand. In the reaction of the 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[M(COD)]₂ species with CO, the higher reactivity of the syn isomers has been justified on the basis of a greater instability of the ground state due to steric interactions between the COD groups. Bis-η¹ metal-bonded intermediates have been identified in the carbonylation of iridium derivatives; on the other hand, the formation of the bis-η⁵ mixed complexes syn and anti-{2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[Rh(COD)][Rh(CO)₂]} and their reactivity strongly support the existence of metal---metal interaction in the rhodium derivatives.     

The Relevance of the Collaborative Effect in Determining the Performances of Photorefractive Polymer Materials

A derivative of 2‐methylindole, 3‐[2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethenyl]‐1‐allyl‐2‐methylindole, NPEMI‐A, is studied for its photoconductivity and photorefractivity behaviour. Its blends with the organic polymer poly‐(2,3‐dimethyl‐N‐vinylindole), PVDMI, are also investigated. Due to the expected and devised mutual solubility of the two components of the blends, it is possible to carry out measurements with the weight percent of the chromophore NPEMI‐A changing from zero to 100. Films were produced by a squeezing process between two ITO‐covered glass sheets. No opacity phenomena, that are so common for many other organic blends due to the segregation of the dissolved chromophore, are observed. The photorefractive optical gain Γ₂ is obtained as a function of the chromophore content. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements (DSC) are also carried out to obtain the whole change of the glass transition temperature T_g as a function of the amount of chromophore contained in the blends. From the experimental trend of T_g a meaningful quantitative estimate of the value of the electrostatic interactions acting in the studied blends, is obtained. The importance of the value of T_g, and of the electrostatic interactions, in determining the extent of the photorefractivity is clearly evident. The results are compared for NPEMI‐A (Γ₂=210 cm^?1) and for NPEMI‐E (Γ₂ ≈ 2000 cm^?1) that has a N‐2‐ethylhexyl group instead of a N‐allyl group. The Pockels and Kerr contributions and—for the first time—a “collaborative effect” of the photorefractivity of NPEMI‐A are distinguished and quantitatively evaluated.