Multi-residue analysis of pesticides in tea by online SEC-GC/MS

A multi-residue method for the analysis of pesticides in tea was developed by online size exclusion chromatography (SEC)-GC/MS with full scan mode. The sample was fortified with chlorpyrifos-d(10) isotope internal standard and extracted by acetonitrile. After purification by primary secondary amine sorbent and solvent exchange by SEC mobile phase, the sample was detected by online SEC-GC/MS. The purification result of the online system was evaluated by comparing the correlation between Chinese cabbage and tea matrix. The factors for method optimization included sample preparation, matrix effects and the instrument parameters of each online component. Scatter plot was introduced in this study to directly illustrate the results of the condition optimization and matrix effects in the online system. For most of the pesticides, the average recoveries ranged from 70 to 130% and the RSD were below 15%. The feasibility of the application of full scan mode in multi-residue determination of trace amounts of pesticides (LODs below 0.01 mg/kg) in a complex matrix was discussed.     

Microstructure-property relationship in magnetoelectric bulk composites

We present systematic studies that comprise phase connectivity and dielectric, multiferroic (MF) and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of (x) Ni_0.8Co_0.2Fe₂O₄+(1−x) Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.67Ti_0.33O₃ [where x=0.15, 0.30 and 0.45] ME composites prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. Scanning electron microscopic images of the composites predict different types of connectivity schemes viz 3-0, 3-1 and 3-3. The phase transition temperature of PMN-PT is independent of Ni_0.8Co_0.2Fe₂O₄ content. Room temperature P-E and M-H loops indicate the simultaneous existence of ferroelectric/magnetic ordering. In order to study the possibility of monitoring electrical ordering by means of a magnetic field, ME measurements were carried out. The composition-dependent phase connectivity was well co-related to formation of percolation path and inturn magnetoelectric output.     

Sol–gel encapsulation of cresol red in presence of surfactants

Cresol Red (CR) pH indicator was encapsulated into silica network using the sol–gel process. Transparent monolithic disks of entrapped CR were obtained in the presence of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) or dodecyl dimethyl amino oxide (Genaminox LA,GLA) alkyl hydroxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (HY, R = 12–14) and TX-100 surfactants. UV/VIS spectra showed that the encapsulated CR retains its structure in terms of its response to pH. At the neutral conditions it is found that the HY surfactant is considered as proton donor as favor the cationic form of the indicator, while CTAB surfactant favor the neutral, however GLA surfactant, the anionic form of CR is more favored because GLA has a zwitterionic head. The surfactant GLA with TEOS has shifted the equilibrium to the ionized form of CR due to the electrostatic interaction between the surfactant and the CR anion. Therefore their pH range is dependent on the nature of a surfactant used. It is found that the HY surfactant is more efficient as far as loading of CR is concern and it widened the working pH range.     

Synthese und Koordination von 2-Acetylimino-1,3-dimethylimidazolin. Die Kristallstruktur von [Cu4I4(C7H11N3O)2] [1]

Synthesis and Coordination of 2-Acetylimino-1,3-dimethylimidazoline. The Crystal Structure of [Cu₄I₄(C₇H₁₁N₃O)₂] 2-Acetylimino–1,3-dimethylimidazoline ( 2 , ImNAc) obtained from 1,3-dimethyl-2-iminoimidazoline ( 1 ) and acetyl chloride forms with CuI the stepped cubane type complex [Cu₄I₄(ImNAc)₂] ( 3 ); the X-ray structure of 3 is reported.     

Phytochemical Characterization,Anti-Oxidant,Anti-Enzymatic and Cytotoxic Effects of Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte Extracts: A New Source of Bioactive Agents

Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte is recognized medicinally given its long-standing ethnopharmacological uses in different parts of the world. Nonetheless, the pharmacological properties of the leaves of the plant have been poorly studied by the scientific community. Hence, this study aimed to decipher the phytochemicals; quantify through HPLC-ESI-MS analysis the plant’s biosynthesis; and evaluate the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, amylase, glucosidase, cholinesterase, and cytotoxicity potential on normal (NIH 3T3) and human liver and human colon cancer (HepG2 and HT 29) cell lines of this plant species. The aqueous extract contained the highest content of phenolics and phenolic acid, methanol extracted the most flavonoid, and the most flavonol was extracted by ethyl acetate. The one-way ANOVA results demonstrated that all results obtained were statistically significant at p < 0.05. A total of 25 phytoconstituents were identified from the different extracts, with phenolic acids and flavonoids being the main metabolites. The highest antioxidant potential was recorded for the aqueous extract. The best anti-tyrosinase extract was the methanolic extract. The ethyl acetate extract of A. verlotiorum had the highest flavonol content and hence was most active against the cholinesterase enzymes. The ethyl acetate extract was the best α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor. The samples of Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte in both aqueous and methanolic extracts were found to be non-toxic after 48 h against NIH 3T3 cells. In HepG2 cells, the methanolic extract was nontoxic up to 125 µg/mL, and an IC₅₀ value of 722.39 µg/mL was recorded. The IC₅₀ value exhibited in methanolic extraction of A. verlotiorum was 792.91 µg/mL in HT29 cells. Methanolic extraction is capable of inducing cell cytotoxicity in human hepatocellular carcinoma without damaging normal cells. Hence, A. verlotiorum can be recommended for further evaluation of its phytochemical and medicinal properties.     

Darstellung und eigenschaften von und reaktionen mit metallhaltigen heterocyclen: XXXIII. Synthese und kristallstruktur von (μ3-thio)(μ3-organophosphido)tris(tricarbonyleisen)-(2Fe-Fe)-komplexen

The cluster compounds (μ₃-S)(μ₃-PR)Fe₃(CO)₉ are obtained by reaction of the dichloroorganylphosphane sulphides RP(S)Cl₂ (R = CH₃, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄, C₆H₅) with Na₂[Fe(CO)₄] in ether under cleavage of the PS bond. On the basis of X-ray crystallographic determinations the iron clusters crystallize for R = 4-CH₃OC₆H₄ and C₆H₅ in the monoclinic and triclinic space group C2/c and P$\text{1}$ with Z = 8 and 4, respectively.