Identification of volatiles from pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) pulp by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Combining qualitative data from the chromatographic structure of 2-D gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC×GC-FID) and that from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) should result in a more accurate assignment of the peak identities than the simple analysis by GC/MS, where coelution of analytes is unavoidable in highly complex samples (rendering spectra unsuitable for qualitative purposes) or for compounds in very low concentrations. Using data from GC×GC-FID combined with GC/MS can reveal coelutions that were not detected by mass spectra deconvolution software. In addition, some compounds can be identified according to the structure of the GC×GC-FID chromatogram. In this article, the volatile fractions of fresh and dehydrated pineapple pulp were evaluated. The extraction of the volatiles was performed by dynamic headspace extraction coupled to solid-phase microextraction (DHS-SPME), a technique appropriate for slurries or solid matrices. Extracted analytes were then analyzed by GC×GC-FID and GC/MS. The results obtained using both techniques were combined to improve compound identifications.     

Differentiation of aminomethyl corrole isomers by mass spectrometry

Two new isomeric aminomethyl corrole derivatives of [5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato]gallium(III) were synthesized with pyridine (py) molecules as axial ligands. When investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, in the positive and the negative ion modes, these compounds showed an unusual gas-phase behavior that could be used for their differentiation. In the positive ion mode, the differentiation was achieved through the formation of diagnostic fragment ions formed from [M-py?+?H](+) precursors, by (CH(3) )(2) NH and HF losses. An unusual addition of water to the main fragment ions provides an alternative route for isomer identification. Semi-empirical calculations were performed to elucidate the structures and stabilities of the main ionic species formed in the positive ion mode. In the negative ion mode isomer discrimination is accomplished via the fragmentation of the methoxide adduct ions [M-py?+?CH(3) O](-) through (CH(3) )(2) N(.) and HF losses.     

Supermolecular Columnar Liquid‐Crystalline Phosphorus Dendrimers Decorated with Sulfonamide Derivatives

A series of supermolecular liquid crystals has been synthesized by combining phosphorus dendrimers of the zero, first, and fourth generations with sulfonamide derivatives, thus generating dendromesogens bearing 6, 12, and 96 mesogenic units on their surfaces. The relevant reactions could be monitored by ¹H, ¹⁹F, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopies. The thermal and mesomorphic properties of the products have been studied by optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction. All of the new macromolecules prepared in this work have been found to show mesomorphic properties over a wide temperature range; moreover, for all of the compounds, the columnar mesophases observed were maintained or vitrified at room temperature. On increasing the generation of these dendromesogens, mesophases appear at lower temperatures and remain stable over a wider temperature interval. In all cases, on the basis of X‐ray analysis, a cylindrical symmetry of the molecules can be proposed to promote the supramolecular columnar arrangement observed in the mesophases. In this type of model, the height of the dendrimer clearly increases with increasing dendrimer generation, whereas its cross‐ sectional area increases only slightly, probably due to compression of the highly hyperbranched structures as a consequence of their progressive steric constraints. The mesomorphic arrangement is governed by the peripheral sulfonamide units.     

Rapid determination of sucrose in chocolate mass using near infrared spectroscopy

This paper reports the results of a rapid method to determine sucrose in chocolate mass using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). We applied a broad-based calibration approach, which consists in putting together in one single calibration samples of various types of chocolate mass. This approach increases the concentration range for one or more compositional parameters, improves the model performance and requires just one calibration model for several recipes. The data were modelled using partial least squares (PLS) and multiple linear regression (MLR). The MLR models were developed using a variable selection based on the coefficient regression of PLS and genetic algorithm (GA). High correlation coefficients (0.998, 0.997, 0.998 for PLS, MLR and GA-MLR, respectively) and low prediction errors confirms the good predictability of the models. The results show that NIR can be used as rapid method to determine sucrose in chocolate mass in chocolate factories.     

Reaction of 3-methylindole and 2,3-dimethylindole with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate using boron trifluoride-diethyl ether catalysis

Reactions of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate with 3-methylindole and 2,3-dimethylindole under boron trifluoride-diethyl ether catalysis were carried out at low temperature (0–25°). Thermally unstable cyclobutenes were isolated, mainly in apolar solvents, which isomerized to benzazepines. The other compounds isolated were Michael adducts and dihydro-2-oxocarbazoles.     

Optimization of nisin production by Lactococcus lactis

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - The production of nisin by batch culture of Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454 in MRS broth (pH 6.5), as treated in 30 assays, that were set up by a fractional...     

Nematic and smectic mesophases in a new series of Cu(II) organometallic complexes

The synthesis and the phase behaviour of a homologous series of copper, bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy],2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]-methanamino] complexes is reported. They all exhibit thermotropic mesomorphism. The thermal stability range of the mesophase decreases slightly with increasing length of the alkoxy terminals. With the onset of smectic mesomorphism, for alkoxy groups containing ten carbon atoms, the stability interval of the nematic phase decreases progressively so that the compound containing 14 carbon atoms in the alkoxy terminal chains exhibits only smectic mesomorphism. Optical texture analysis suggests the smectic C nature of the phase in all cases. The enthalpies for the liquid crystal-isotropic transition have been measured and they are comparatively low. Remarkably low values have also been measured for the melting enthalpies of the smectogenic members of the series. These are associated with solid phase polymorphism which is discussed briefly.     

Controlling the reversible wetting capability of smart photochromic-polymer surfaces by micro patterning

We demonstrate the wetting behavior control of polymer surfaces doped with photochromic molecules by modifying the surface patterning features introduced by soft molding lithography. Such surfaces enhance their hydrophilicity upon UV irradiation due to conversion of the non-polar spiropyran dopant molecules to their polar merocyanine isomers. The process is reversed upon visible light irradiation. By changing the topological parameters of the introduced pattern, one achieves surface tuning from hydrophobic to hydrophilic situations. The difference for the contact angles between UV- and green-irradiated surfaces may become significantly higher than for the flat surfaces, for the specific patterning parameters analyzed. PACS 42.62.-b; 68.08.Bc; 83.50.Uv; 42.70.Jk; 42.70.Gi     

On Some Classical Methods to Improve Algebraic Curves and Surfaces

First, a modern presentation of the theory of the Halphen transform is given. This method associates to a plane projective curve C, once a general conic has been chosen, another birationally equivalent plane curve, whose singularities are simpler than those of C. Repeating, a curve is obtained whose only singularities are nodes. Next, it is studied how to apply this process to a family of plane curves. With this technique it is possible to transform a given family (with irreducible general member) into one where, generically, the curves are nodal. Finally, it is studied a similar process, called the Halphen–Picard transformation, for surfaces in three-space. By suitably reiterating this procedure, a surface can be transformed into a birationally equivalent one (in the same projective space), such that the sections with planes in a general pencil are, generically, nodal curves.