Analytical procedures for water-soluble vitamins in foods and dietary supplements: a review

Water-soluble vitamins include the B-group vitamins and vitamin C. In order to correctly monitor water-soluble vitamin content in fortified foods for compliance monitoring as well as to establish accurate data banks, an accurate and precise analytical method is a prerequisite. For many years microbiological assays have been used for analysis of B vitamins. However they are no longer considered to be the gold standard in vitamins analysis as many studies have shown up their deficiencies. This review describes the current status of analytical methods, including microbiological assays and spectrophotometric, biosensor and chromatographic techniques. In particular it describes the current status of the official methods and highlights some new developments in chromatographic procedures and detection methods. An overview is made of multivitamin extractions and analyses for foods and supplements.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Synthetic and structural studies on some 1,3-diselena- and 1,3-dithia-[3]ferrocenophanes of germanium and tin. crystal and molecular structure of 1,3-diselena-2,2- dichlorogermyl-[3]ferrocenophane

A series of [3]ferrocenophanes of general formula Fe(C₅H₄X)₂YCl₂ and the spiro compounds [Fe(C₅H₄X)₂]₂Ge (X = S, Se; Y = Ge, Sn) have been prepared by the reaction of ferrocene 1,1′-dithiol and ferrocene 1,1′-diselenol with tetrahalides of germanium and tin. Spectroscopic properties of the compounds are reported. In solution, the compounds are fluxional by a bridge reversal process. The crystal structure of 1,3-diselena-2,2-dichlorogermyl-[3]ferrocenophane at 163 K. has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. At that temperature, crystals have space group P2₁/n with a 6.222(3), b 16.156(13), c 12.968(4) Å, β 97.53(1)° and Z = 4. Least-squares refinement gave R = 0.033 for 2834 unique significant reflections whose intensities were measured by counter diffractometry. The two SeGe bond lengths are 2.323 and 2.325(1) Å, with GeCl 2.148 and 2.161(1) Å. The SeGeSe bond angle is 118.2(1)°, ClGeCl 104.7(1)°, and SeGeCl angles range from 106.2 to 109.8(1)°. The SeC bond lengths are 1.901 and 1.904(5) Å, with CSeGe angles of 95.8 and 96.5(2)°. The cyclopentadienyl rings are in an eclipsed conformation with a mean twist angle of 2.7°, and are inclined to one another at 6.1°. The Se atoms are displaced from the ring planes by 0.17 and 0.20 Å yielding a non-bonded intramolecular Se…Se contact of 3.99 Å.     

Synthesis of 2D Germanane (GeH): a New,Fast, and Facile Approach

Germanane (GeH), a germanium analogue of graphane, has recently attracted considerable interest because its remarkable combination of properties makes it an extremely suitable candidate to be used as 2D material for field effect devices, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis. Up to now, the synthesis of GeH has been conducted by substituting Ca by H in a β‐CaGe₂ layered Zintl phase through topochemical deintercalation in aqueous HCl. This reaction is generally slow and takes place over 6 to 14 days. The new and facile protocol presented here allows to synthesize GeH at room temperature in a significantly shorter time (a few minutes), which renders this method highly attractive for technological applications. The GeH produced with this method is highly pure and has a band gap (E_g) close to 1.4 eV, a lower value than that reported for germanane synthesized using HCl, which is promising for incorporation of GeH in solar cells.     

Development of a sequential enzymolysis approach for the evaluation of the bioaccessibility of Cd and Pb from cocoa

An in vitro model simulating enzymatic activity in the gastrointestinal tract was developed for the assessment of the potential bioaccessibility of Cd and Pb in cocoa powder and liquor. The model was based on the sequential extraction with simulated gastric and intestinal juices; the residue after the latter extraction was further investigated by using, in parallel, solutions of phytase and cellulase. The solubility of Cd and Pb in the corresponding enzymatic extracts was measured by ICP MS. The bioaccessibility of Cd in cocoa varied from 10 to 50% in gastrointestinal conditions. An additional 20 or 30% of Cd could be recovered by phytase and cellulase, respectively. The bioaccessibility of Pb in gastrointestinal conditions did not exceed 5-10%. Only a few percent more of this metal could be recovered by extraction with phytase and cellulase.