Mechanism of antioxidant capacity assays and the CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity) assay

We report on the application of a simple and versatile antioxidant capacity assay for dietary polyphenols, vitamin C and vitamin E utilizing the copper(II)-neocuproine (Cu(II)-Nc) reagent as the chromogenic oxidant, which we term the CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) method. It involves mixing the antioxidant solution (directly or after acid hydrolysis) with solutions of CuCl₂, neocuproine, and ammonium acetate at pH 7, and measuring the absorbance at 450 nm after 30 min. Slowly reacting antioxidants required an incubation at 50 °C for 20 min for color development. The flavonoid glycosides were hydrolyzed to their corresponding aglycones by refluxing in 1.2 M HCl-containing 50% MeOH for fully exhibiting their antioxidant potencies. Certain compounds also needed incubation after acid hydrolysis for color development. The CUPRAC absorbances of mixture constituents were additive, indicating lack of chemical deviations from Beer’s law. The CUPRAC antioxidant capacities of a wide range of polyphenolics are reported in this work and compared to those found by ABTS/persulfate and Folin assays. The trolox-equivalent capacities of the antioxidants were linearly correlated (r = 0.8) to those found by ABTS but not to those of Folin. The highest antioxidant capacities in the CUPRAC method were observed for epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, fisetin, epigallocatechin, catechin, caffeic acid, epicatechin, gallic acid, rutin, and chlorogenic acid in this order, in accordance with theoretical expectations. The experiences of other CUPRAC users also are summarized. Correspondence: Reşat Apak, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University, Avcilar, TR-34320 Istanbul, Turkey     

Novel vic-dioxime ligands and their poly-metal complexes bearing 1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane: synthesis, characterization, spectroscopy and electrochemistry

Three novel vic-dioxime ligands containing the 1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane group, N,N′-(1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane)-p-tolylglyoxime (L¹SL¹H₄), N,N′-(1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane)-phenylglyoxime (L²SL²H₄), and N,N′-(1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane)-glyoxime (L³SL³H₄) have been prepared from 1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane with anti-p-tolylchloroglyoxime, anti-phenylchloroglyoxime or anti-monochloroglyoxime. Polynuclear complexes [M(L ^x SL ^x )] _n or [M(L ^x SL ^x )(H₂O)] _n (x = 1, 2 and 3), where M = Cu^II, Co^II, and Ni^II, have been obtained with 1:1 metal/ligand ratio. The Cu^II and Ni^II poly-metal complexes of these ligands are proposed to be square planar, while also the prepared Co^II complexes are proposed to be octahedral with two water molecules as axial ligands. The detection of H-bonding in the [Ni(L¹SL¹)] _n , [Ni(L²SL²)] _n and [M(L³SL³)(H₂O)] _n metal complexes by FT i.r. spectra revealed the square planar or octahedral [MN₄·H₂O)] _n coordination of poly-nuclear metal complexes. [MN₄] _n coordination of the [Ni(L¹SL¹)] _n and [Ni(L²SL²)] _n complexes were also determined by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. The ligands and poly-metal complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-i.r., u.v.-vis., ¹H and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) techniques.     

Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Poly(Cyclohexyl Methacrylate) as a Sacrificial Thin Film

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - In this study, thin films of poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) (PCHMA) were deposited on silicon wafer using PECVD technique, in which the plasma power is...     

Thermal dry reforming of methane over La2O3 co-supported Ni/MgAl2O4 catalyst for hydrogen-rich syngas production

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The excess emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2 and CH4 is posing an acute threat to the environment, and efficient ways are being sought to utilize...     

Preconcentration and separation of copper(II), cadmium(II) and chromium(III) in a syringe filled with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane supported on silica gel

In this study, a syringe was filled with silica gel loaded with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, for the separation and preconcentration of copper, cadmium and chromium prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) in seawater. For this purpose, a syringe was filled with 0.5 g of modified silica gel and the sample solution was drawn into the syringe and ejected back again. The analyte elements were quantitatively retained at pH 5. Then, the elements sorbed by the silica gel were eluted with 2.0 M of HCl and determined by GFAAS. At optimum conditions, the recovery of Cu, Cd and Cr were 96-98%. Detection limits (3delta) were 6.6, 7.5 and 6.0 micro g L(-1) for Cu, Cd and Cr, respectively. The elements could be concentrated by drawing and discharging several portions of sample successively but eluting only once. Cu, Cd and Cr added to a seawater sample were quantitatively recovered (>95%) in the range of the 95% confidence level. The method proposed in this paper was compared with a column technique. Optimum experimental conditions, reproducibility, precision and recoveries of both techniques are the same, but the syringe technique is much faster, easier and more practical than the column technique. It is a portable system and allows one to make the sorption process in the source of sample. In addition, the risk of contamination is less than in the column technique.     

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Some Substituted 3-(Aryl)- and 3-(Heteroaryl)indoles

Summary. A synthesis of 3-(4-methoxycarbonyl-2,6-dinitrophenyl)indole, its 2,6-diamino analog, and 3-(2-amino-4-trifluoromethyl-6-nitrophenyl)indole is described. 4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl derivatives exhibit higher antibacterial potency than the former 4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl homologs, while 3-(4-trifluoromethyl-2-nitrophenyl)indole was the most active agent in the series, with MIC ≈ 7 μg/cm³ against E. coli and S. aureus.     

Biosorption of heavy metals on Aspergillus fumigatus immobilized Diaion HP-2MG resin for their atomic absorption spectrometric determinations

A solid phase extraction procedure based on biosorption of copper(II), lead(II), zinc(II), iron(III), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) ions on Aspergillus fumigatus immobilized Diaion HP-2MG has been investigated. The analytical conditions including amounts of A. fumigatus, eluent type, flow rates of sample and eluent solutions were examined. Good recoveries were obtained to the spiked natural waters. The influences of the concomitant ions on the retentions of the analytes were also examined. The detection limits (3sigma, N = 11) were 0.30 μg l⁻¹ for copper, 0.32 μg l⁻¹ for iron, 0.41 μg l⁻¹ for zinc, 0.52 μg l⁻¹ for lead, 0.59 μg l⁻¹ for nickel and 0.72 μg l⁻¹ for cobalt. The relative standard deviations of the procedure were below 7%. The validation of the presented procedure is performed by the analysis of three standard reference materials (NRCC-SLRS 4 Riverine Water, SRM 1515 Apple leaves and GBW 07605 Tea). The procedure was successfully applied for the determination of analyte ions in natural waters microwave digested samples including street dust, tomato paste, black tea, etc.     

Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of new oxime-phosphazenes

Hexachlorocylotriphosphazene (1) was reacted with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde to give hexakis[(4-formyl-2-methoxy)phenoxy]cyclotriphosphazene (2). Hexakis[(4-(hydroxyimino)2-methoxy)phenoxy]cyclotriphosphazene (3) was synthesized by reaction of 2 with hydroxlamine hydrochloride in pyridine. Compound 3 was reacted with benzyl chloride, acetyl chloride, allyl bromide, benzoyl chloride, propanoyl chloride, 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride, 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride, chloroacetyl chloride, methyl iodide, and thiophene-2-carbonyl chloride. From these reactions, full or partially substituted compounds were obtained, usually in high yields. Pure or defined products could not be obtained from reaction of 3 with methacryloyl chloride and O-acetylsalicyloyl chloride. The structures of the compounds were determined by elemental analysis, and IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The synthesized compounds were screened for in-vitro antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia), and fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans) by the agar well diffusion method. Few compounds had significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. None of the compounds had antifungal activity except compounds 7 and 9, which had moderate activity.     

The use of gold nanoparticles as an effective modifier for the determination of arsenic and antimony by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used as a new chemical modifier for the determination of arsenic and antimony in salt solutions by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The AuNPs were prepared by reducing chloroauric acid with sodium citrate. The effects of pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, the amounts of interferents and modifier on the sensitivities of arsenic and antimony were investigated. As and Sb remain in the graphite tube up to 1,100°C, which is sufficient for the determination of the two metals in certified reference materials and spiked sea water samples within a 95% confidence level with low RSD (<10%). The detection limits (N?=?10 at 3??) for As and Sb in sea water are 2.3???g?L^-1 and 3.0???g?L^-1, respectively. Almost no background as well as a blank value was detected for AuNPs.