Investigating adsorption of bovine serum albumin on cellulosic substrates using magnetic resonance imaging

Cellulosic biomass is recalcitrant to enzymatic hydrolysis which greatly reduces the efficiency of biofuels production. Specifically, the lignin component of biomass is thought to provide non-productive binding sites for glycosyl hydrolases, effectively disabling the enzymes from completing further digestion. A thorough understanding of the adsorption rates of protein molecules on celluloses—especially lignocelluloses—is crucial to improving the cyclic steps of adsorption, diffusion, and reaction. We use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in equilibrium with various cellulose substrates, including delignified and acid-treated lignocellulosic substrates. BSA is believed to be an effective adsorption blocker during enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosics, and has been correlated with an increase in reaction yield. We found BSA to have little adsorption onto the chosen cellulose substrates in the low concentration range studied. Ultraviolet (UV) absorption measurements of reaction supernatants at 280 nm were used to confirm the MRI results for each of the substrate types. The advantages of the MRI technique are compared with that of the traditional UV measurement.     

Electrolytic synthesis of chloroacetic acids in a filter-press reactor from polychloromethanes

Electrochemical carboxylation of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform to synthesize chloroacetic acids in mild conditions has been investigated by galvanostatic electrolyses using a homemade electrochemical filter-press reactor. Undivided filter-press reactor consisting of a planar Zn cathode and a planar Al sacrificial anode has been shown to be an optimal electrochemical device for the electrocarboxylation reaction. The influence of some operative parameters, such as current density and concentration of supporting electrolyte, on the efficiency and selectivity of the synthetic process has been investigated. Highly current efficiencies and target products yields (both of them > 85%) were achieved in all cases, whereas byproducts formation was minimal.     

The Use of Transplanted Venerupis Decussata to Evaluate the Pollution of Heavy Metals and Tributyltin in Marinas

Abstract

Live specimens of the clam Venerupis decussata were suspended in seawater of the Mazagon Marina, located in a heavy metal polluted area at the mouth of Huelva Estuary (SW Spain), Clams were preserved in plastic cages and subsamples were recovered every 5 days over a period of 40 days. Water from the marina was sampled every two days during the time course of the experiment. Clams and water were analyzed for metals and organotins. Results showed the accumulation of Mn, Cu, Fe, V, Zn and tributyltin in the bivalves reaching an equilibrium with the surrounding water. Bioconcentration factors ranged from 10² (for V) to 4×10³ (for Cu). Clams also accumulated Al and Pb but a steady state was not reached. A first-order kinetic model was applied to the data and results indicated that rates of accumulation differed in relation to clam size class. Clam mortality increased during the experiment and was total after 42 days which was attributed to the high concentration of Cu in seawater.     

The unusual ability of α‐angelicalactone to form adducts: A kinetic approach

Since α‐angelicalactone (AAL) substantially inhibits the formation of tumors, here its chemical reactivity was compared with that of carcinogenic lactones. Investigation of the electrophilic potential of AAL was carried out by studying the capacity of this lactone to form adducts with NBP, 4‐(p‐nitrobenzyl)pyridine, a substrate with nucleophilic characteristics similar to DNA bases. The formation of the AAL–NBP adduct occurs about 900,000‐fold faster than with β‐propiolactone, the most effective carcinogenic lactone (ΔG^#₃₅ = 52 and 87 kJ mol^?1, respectively). A stopped‐flow technique was required for this reaction to be monitored. It was concluded that the formation of AAL–NBP adducts takes place through an entropy‐strain‐catalyzed mechanism caused by early lactone ring cleavage. The kinetic results are consistent with the AAL potential as a chemoprotective agent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 591–594, 2007     

Influence of Polymerization Temperature on Reactivity of 1- and 2.Vinyl Naphthalenes

Reactivity ratios relative to the copolymerizations of 1-vinyl naphthalene and 2-vinyl naphthalene with styrene have been determined at different specific temperatures. In the case of the system 1-vinyl naphthalene-styrene, the Arrhenius plot exhibits a curve when the temperature is above -50°C. This is explained by the depropagation contribution, The value of the enthalpy of polymerization calculated by using the Lowry relation is in satisfactory agreement with that obtained from calorimetric determinations. From activation enthalpies and entropies it appears that the selection of the two monomers by the cation is entropically controlled for 2-vinyl naphthalene and enthalpically controlled for 1-vinyl naphthalene.     

Determination of perfluorochemicals in biological, environmental and food samples by an automated on-line solid phase extraction ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method

A rapid on-line solid phase extraction ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the identification and quantitation of nine perfluorinated compounds in matrices of environmental, biological and food interest. Pre-treatment, solid phase extraction, chromatographic and mass detection conditions were optimised, in order to apply the whole methodology to the analysis of different matrices. Particular attention was devoted to the evaluation of matrix effect and the correlated phenomena of ion enhancement or suppression in mass spectrometry detection. LOD and LOQ range from 3 to 15ngL(-1) and from 10 to 50ngL(-1), respectively. Method detection limits (MDLs) were also calculated for each kind of matrix. The recovery, evaluated for each analyte, does not depend on analyte concentration in the explored concentration range: average Rˉ% values are always greater than 82.9%. In the whole, the results obtained for samples of river waters, blood serum, blood plasma, and fish confirm the ubiquitous presence of perfluorinated compounds, as recently denounced by many sources.     

Application of [EMpy][ESO4] ionic liquid as solvent for the liquid extraction of xylenes from hexane

Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary systems {hexane + o-xylene + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate}, {hexane + p-xylene + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate}, and {hexane + m-xylene + 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate} were determined at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Selectivity, percent removal of aromatic, and solute distribution ratio, derived from the experimental equilibrium data, were used to determine if this ionic liquid can be used as a potential extracting solvent for the separation of xylenes from hexane. The consistency of tie-line data was ascertained by applying the Othmer–Tobias equation. The phase diagrams for the ternary systems are shown, and the tie-lines correlated with the NRTL model have been compared with the experimental data.