Analysis of Biogenic Amines Using Immunoassays,HPLC, and a Newly Developed IC-MS/MS Technique in Fish Products—A Comparative Study

In this study, comparative analyses were carried out with ion chromatography mass-spectrometry (IC-MS/MS) which has no derivatization step, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique, as well as two quantitative and two semi-quantitative immunoassays. The results demonstrated that HPLC and quantitative immunoassay methods were well-correlated with IC-MS/MS in determining histamine in various types of fish products. The best correlation was observed with the HistaSure ELISA Fast Track kit (R² = 0.9903). More than half of the values (68%) obtained by two methods were also statistically similar. The results of semi-quantitative test kits also supported histamine values estimated by quantitative methods, with some exceptions. The best results were found for HistaSure Lateral Flow in supporting the quantitative techniques. Therefore, these methods are found suitable for monitoring histamine in fish products in terms of food safety. Good correlations were also observed HPLC and IC-MS/MS in determining cadaverine, putrescine, and tyramine with the highest value observed for tyramine as R² = 0.9785. However, no correlation was observed for other biogenic amines, and the majority of the results were significantly different from each other for these amines (p < 0.05). The differences may be caused by the drawbacks reported previously for HPLC. However, further studies are required to confirm the possible effects. This study provides a comparative evaluation of several methods in terms of their suitability in determining biogenic amines in fish products for both monitoring and regulatory purposes.     

Fe(III)Fe(III) and Fe(II)Fe(III) Complexes as Synthetic Analogues for the Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Purple Acid Phosphatases

Novel Fe(III)Fe(III) and Fe(II)Fe(III) complexes [Fe(2)(BBPMP)(&mgr;-OAc)(&mgr;-X)](n)() (1, X = OAc(-), n = 1+; 2, X = OH(-), n = 1+; 3, X = OAc(-), n = 0; 4, X = OH(-), n = 0), where BBPMP(3)(-) is the anion of 2,6-bis[(2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol, and OAc(-) is acetate, were prepared in order to provide models for the active site of purple acid phosphatases (PAPs). Complex 1 was obtained by the reaction of H(3)BBPMP with Fe(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O in methanol and sodium acetate trihydrate under ambient conditions, while complex 3 was synthesized as described for 1, under an argon atmosphere with low levels of dioxygen. 2 was isolated from 1in acetonitrile by a substitution of the bridging acetate group by hydroxide, while 4 was generated in solution during a spectropotentiostatic experiment on 2, under argon. Complex 1, [Fe(III)(2)(BBPMP)(&mgr;-OAc)(2)]ClO(4).H(2)O, has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 14.863(5) ?, b = 12.315(3) ?, c = 20.872(8) ?, beta = 90.83(3) degrees, Z = 4. IR, M?ssbauer, magnetic, electronic absorption, and electrochemical properties of 1-3 have been investigated, and some of these properties represent a contribution to the understanding of the dinuclear iron center of PAPs. Complexes 2, [Fe(III)(2)(BBPMP)(&mgr;-OAc)(&mgr;-OH)]ClO(4) (lambda(max) = 568 nm/epsilon = 4760 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)), and 4 [Fe(II)Fe(III)(BBPMP)(&mgr;-OAc)(&mgr;-OH)] (lambda(max) = 516 nm/epsilon = 4560 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)), constitute good synthetic analogues for the chromophoric site for the oxidized and reduced forms, respectively, of the enzyme.     

Hydrophilic PET surfaces by aminolysis and glycopolymer brushes chemistry

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a semiaromatic thermoplastic polyester used in many fields. For specific applications, controlled of the surface wettability (hydrophily/hydrophoby) could be a great challenge. Aminolysis of PET surfaces with branched polyethylenimine gives amino functional groups on the surface with high grafting density. Then, in a second step, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator was grafted by reaction with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. Surface initiated ATRP of 2‐lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate (LAMA) was performed in solution in the presence of a sacrificial initiator or an appropriate amount of Cu(II) species that act as deactivator. The efficiency of all reactions was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Wetting properties and surface energy were found to vary systematically depending to the type of functionalization and grafting. The quantity of grafted carbohydrate was determined by phenol/sulfuric acid colorimetric titration. The sugar graft density was observed to vary according to the ratio (monomer)/(free initiator). High graft density could be obtained yielding to superhydrophilic polymer brushes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2689–2697     

The role of transition metals in oxidative degradation of cellulose

The role of transition metals in oxidative degradation of cellulose has been studied. Degradation experiments with model papers and studies of hydroxyl radical production in solution have been performed with Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn. Rates of production of hydroxyl radicals in solution have been estimated using the radical scavenger N,N′-(5-nitro-1,3-phenylene)bisglutaramide in the pH interval 7-9. Hydroxyl radical production during degradation of Cu-containing cellulose has been studied. To gain a better insight into chemistry behind degradation processes, chemiluminometric experiments were also performed.The experiments provide strong evidence that the role of transition metals during the oxidative degradation of cellulose is catalytic. A correlation between the behaviour of transition metals in solution and in paper was established at low contents of transition metal in paper.     

Autoxidation of lipids in parchment

Historic parchment is a macromolecular material, which is complex due to its natural origin, inhomogeneity of the skin structure, unknown environmental history and potential localised degradation. Most research into its stability has so far focussed on thermal and structural methods of analyses.Using gas chromatographic analysis of the atmosphere surrounding parchment during oxidation, we provide the experimental evidence on the production of volatile aldehydes, which can be the products of lipid autoxidation. Oxidation of parchment with different aldehyde emissions was additionally followed in situ using chemiluminometry and the same techniques were used to evaluate the oxidation of differently delipidised parchment. It was shown that the production of peroxides and the emission of aldehydes from the material decrease with lower lipid content. Building on this evidence, we can conclude that the presence of lipids (either initially present in the skin or resulting from conservation intervention) leads to oxidative degradation of collagen and that the non-destructive analysis of the emission of volatiles could be used as a quick tool for evaluation of parchment stability.     

Effects of Coumarinyl Schiff Bases against Phytopathogenic Fungi,the Soil-Beneficial Bacteria and Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Deeper Insight into the Mechanism of Action

Coumarin derivatives have been reported as strong antifungal agents against various phytopathogenic fungi. In this study, inhibitory effects of nine coumarinyl Schiff bases were evaluated against the plant pathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Fusarium culmorum, Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotinia sclerotiourum). The compounds were demonstrated to be efficient antifungal agents against Macrophomina phaseolina. The results of molecular docking on the six enzymes related to the antifungal activity suggested that the tested compounds act against plant pathogenic fungi, inhibiting plant cell-wall-degrading enzymes such as endoglucanase I and pectinase. Neither compound exhibited inhibitory effects against two beneficial bacteria (Bacillus mycoides and Bradyrhizobium japonicum) and two entomopathogenic nematodes. However, compound 9 was lethal (46.25%) for nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and showed an inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (31.45%), confirming the relationship between these two activities. Calculated toxicity and the pesticide-likeness study showed that compound 9 was the least lipophilic compound with the highest aquatic toxicity. A molecular docking study showed that compounds 9 and 8 bind directly to the active site of AChE. Coumarinyl Schiff bases are promising active components of plant protection products, safe for the environment, human health, and nontarget organisms.