Immobilization of xanthine oxidase and its use in the quantitation of hypoxanthine in fish muscle tissue extracts using a flow injection method

Fish muscle extracts (Scomberomorus— brasiliensis- carite) were analyzed for their hypoxanthine content using a flow injection system incorporating an immobilized xanthine oxidase bioreactor. The xanthine oxidase was immobilized under mild conditions to a 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium Fractogel support. The uric acid produced from the oxidation of hypoxanthine by the immobilized xanthine oxidase at pH 7.0 and 35‡C was monitored at 290 ran. Hypoxanthine concentrations as low as 4.4 Μmol/L can be detected. Up to 30 samples per hour can be analyzed at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, using 150 ΜL sample volumes and a bioreactor dimension of 1.0 cm x 2.0 mm id. Recovery yields were between 92 and 99%. Both within day and between day precisions gave CVs < 5.00% (n = 30). Good correlation (r = 0.998) is obtained when 78 fish samples were analyzed for their hypoxanthine content both by this FI method and a reference HPLC method.     

Solid-supported single- and multi-enzyme amplified assays for clostridiopeptidase A

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric assay for Clostridium histolyticum clostridiopeptidase A (collagenase) was accomplished by measuring the activity of an alkaline phosphatase indicator enzyme released into solution from insoluble, covalently linked alkaline phosphatase indicator enzyme released into solution from activity of the alkaline phosphatase was monitored spectrophotometrically using either p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate or more sensitively by a signal amplification system consisting of NAD⁺, alcohol dehydrogenase, diaphorase and INT-Violet. Under the reaction conditions the amount of indicator enzyme produced is directly proportional to the concentration of collagenase. With p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate the magnitude of the signal was 0.003 abs. min^?1 per 100 ng ml^?1 collagenase whereas with the multienzyme amplification system it was 0.035 abs. min^?1, i.e. approximately as 12-fold increase. The method consists in first incubating the substrate with the bacterial collagenase for 20 min, then up to 96 samples of the released alkaline phosphatase can be analysed in 2 min using a microtitre plate reader run in the kinetic mode.     

Refractive-index modification of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) thin films by KrF-laser irradiation

The prism-coupler technique is used to investigate changes in the refractive index of PolyMethylMethAcrylate (PMMA) waveguide films exposed to low fluence KrF-laser radiation. A small (0.5%) but significant increase in index for light at 632.8 nm is observed following prolonged exposure, probably due to photochemical modification of the polymer. Weak etching of films is also evident even at a fluence as low as 6 mJ cm^–2.     

The uptake of radioisotopes onto clays and other natural materials

Montmorillonite and illite clays were examined for their ability to take up cesium and strontium radioisotopes from solution. Uptakes onto near homoionic Na, Ca, Mg and Sr clays were assessed by distribution coefficients measured at different Na, Cs, Mg, Ca and Sr solution concentrations. Some experiments were carried out at different pH, and to check the effect of differing anions. In addition measurements of the uptake of ruthenium species were made.     

The array biosensor: portable, automated systems.

With recent advances in surface chemistry, microfluidics, and data analysis, there are ever increasing reports of array-based methods for detecting and quantifying multiple targets. However, only a few systems have been described that require minimal preparation of complex samples and possess a means of quantitatively assessing matrix effects. The NRL Array Biosensor has been developed with the goal of rapid and sensitive detection of multiple targets from multiple samples analyzed simultaneously. A key characteristic of this system is its two-dimensional configuration, which allows controls and standards to be analyzed in parallel with unknowns. Although the majority of our work has focused on instrument automation and immunoassay development, we have recently initiated efforts to utilize alternative recognition molecules, such as peptides and sugars, for detection of a wider variety of targets. The array biosensor has demonstrated utility for a variety of applications, including food safety, disease diagnosis, monitoring immune response, and homeland security, and is presently being transitioned to the commercial sector for manufacturing.     

The immobilisation of anion exchange resins in polymer modified cements

Organic anion exchange resins, loaded with⁹⁹Tc pertechnate were incorporated into polymer modified cements and BFS/OPC(9∶1) cements. The composites formed were tested for initial compressive strenghts, underwater and radiation stabilities and leach rates. IAEA standard leach testing was with simulated sea and ground waters. Ground water leaching was also carried out on composites subjected to 1.1 MGy (γ). Polymer modified composites performed better than the BFS/OPC mix under all the conditions studied and, in most cases, were able to encapsulate high resin loading.     

The Photoyellowing of Stilbene-derived Fluorescent Whitening Agents—Mass Spectrometric Characterization of Yellow Photoproducts

The application of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) significantly accelerates the photoyellowing of wool and silk under exposure to the ultraviolet and visible components of sunlight <500 nm. The photochemistry involved in this process is poorly understood, particularly the role of photoproducts derived directly from the FWA itself. Hydroxylation was identified as the key initial mechanism of photodegradation leading to coloration of the solution in the irradiation of the stilbene-derived FWA 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl (DSBP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Polyhydroxylated DSBP derivatives were implicated as critical intermediates in the formation of yellow photoproducts under these conditions. The formation of trace quantities of DSBP quinone derivatives subsequent to hydroxylation was identified as the key cause of DSBP photoyellowing. These results are the first successful characterization of yellow photoproducts resulting directly from irradiation of a stilbene-based FWA. Formation of these yellow stilbene-based FWA-derived photoproducts may occur on the surface of FWA-treated wool exposed to simulated sunlight, as previous work has shown that H₂O₂ is photogenerated when wet FWA-treated wool is exposed to light. These results therefore suggest that yellow FWA-derived photoproducts contribute to the accelerated photoyellowing of FWA-treated wool.