An overview of analytical methodologies for the determination of antibiotics in environmental waters

The widespread occurrence of antibiotics as contaminants in the aquatic environment has increased attention in the last years. The concern over the release of antibiotics into the environment is related primarily to the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms. This article presents an overview of analytical methodologies for the determination of quinolone (Qs) and fluoroquinolone (FQs), macrolide (MLs), tetracycline (TCs), sulfonamide (SAs) antibiotics and trimethoprim (TMP) in different environmental waters. The analysis of these antibiotics has usually been carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and to a lesser extent by ultraviolet (UV) or fluorescence detection (FD). A very important step before LC analysis is sample preparation and extraction leading to elimination of interferences and prevention of matrix effect and preconcentration of target analytes.     

Transmission electron microscopy study of phase morphology in polypropylene/ethylene-octene copolymer blends

Blends of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-octene copolymers (EOC) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The EOC contained 28, 37, 40 or 52 wt% of octene. Only the 50/50 PP/EOC ratio was used for all blends. None of the blends was fully miscible, there was always two-phase morphology. TEM observation followed by image analysis by ImageJ software revealed that the largest particles were in blend containing EOC-28 and the smallest were in blend with EOC-52. The coarsening rate at 200 °C was evaluated by TEM. The glass transition temperature (T_g) shift indicated partial miscibility. Partial miscibility was then confirmed by direct observation of bright PP lamellae in EOC dark phase.     

Polyelectrolyte multilayers as stationary phases for open tubular ion chromatography

Polyelectrolyte multilayers deposited on the wall of fused silica capillaries were used as stationary phases in open tubular ion chromatography. The multilayers were formed by flushing the capillaries with solutions of polyanions and polycations such as polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride and dextran sulphate. Columns with several bi-layers were constructed and used in low pressure non-suppressed open tubular ion chromatography of common inorganic anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻) and cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) with contactless conductometric detection. Using sodium benzoate and tartaric acid eluents the separations were typically achieved in less than 35 min with separation efficiencies between 2000 and 9000 theoretical plates. A bi-functional column was prepared that contains both anionic and cationic functional groups and was used for simultaneous separation of anions and cations.     

Electroactivity of nitriles on platinum electrodes and its use in chromatographic detection

Acetonitrile yields two oxidative peaks, first at ca. +0.30 and second at ca. +1.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl in cyclic voltammetry with platinum electrodes in 0.10 M methanesulfonic acid (MSA) containing 0.05–5 mM concentrations of acetonitrile. This electroactivity of the nitrile group was used for a direct detection of nitriles after their chromatographic separation. Three organic nitriles (acetonitrile, propionitrile and butanenitrile) were separated with an IonPac ICE-AS 1 column, eluted with 0.10 M MSA and detected on a platinum electrode via pulsed amperometric detection. Analytical performance was evaluated with a three potential waveform (+0.30 V, +1.15 V, −0.30 V vs. Ag/AgCl, current integration at +1.15 V). Numerical values of detection limits, linearity of calibration and reproducibility are reported for all three organic nitriles.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the complexation of the thallium cation with a hexaarylbenzene-based receptor

Abstract  

From extraction experiments in the two-phase water/nitrobenzene system and γ-activity measurements, the stability constant of a hexaarylbenzene-based receptor. Tl⁺ complex species dissolved in nitrobenzene saturated with water was determined. By using the quantum-mechanical density functional level of theory calculations, the most probable structure of this complex was derived.     

The thermodynamic dissociation constant of naphazoline by the regression analysis of potentiometric data

The mixed dissociation constant of naphazoline is determined at various ionic strengths I [mol dm⁻³] in the range of 0.01 to 0.26 and at temperatures of 25°C and 37°C using ESAB and HYPERQUAD regression analysis of the potentiometric titration data. A strategy of efficient experimentation is proposed in a protonation constant determination, followed by a computational strategy for the chemical model with a protonation constant determination. Two group parameters, L ₀ and H _T were ill-conditioned in the model and their determination is therefore uncertain. These group parameters, L ₀ and H _T, can significantly influence a systematic error in the estimated common parameter pK_a and they always should be refined together with pK _a. The thermodynamic dissociation constant pK _a^T was estimated by nonlinear regression of {pK _a, I} data at 25°C and 37°C: for naphazoline pK _al^T = 10.41(1) and 10.13(2). Goodness-of-fit tests for various regression diagnostics enabled the reliability of the parameter estimates to be found.      

Assignment of Relative Configuration of Desoxypropionates by 1H NMR Spectroscopy: Method Development,Proof of Principle by Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Xylarinic Acid A and Applications

The determination of the relative configuration of 1,3‐dimethyl‐substituted alkyl chains is possible by interpretation of ¹H NMR shift differences. Additionally, assignments are feasible in a variety of deuterated solvents, because the corresponding shift differences are not significantly influenced by the solvent. The trends for Δδ values depending on functional groups adjacent to the stereogenic centers are shown. Based on a thorough comparison with literature data, the relative configuration of natural products can be predicted. For this purpose, we derived an empirical rule for the ranges in which Δδ values usually occur. Furthermore, we were able to proof the validity of our method by the successful prediction of the relative configuration for the polyketide natural product xylarinic acid A, which was confirmed by the asymmetric total synthesis of its enantiomer. Based on the proposed simple analysis of published ¹H NMR data and the determination of the relevant chemical‐shift differences, we predicted the relative configurations of several previously unassigned natural products.     

Three Types of Induced Tryptophan Optical Activity Compared in Model Dipeptides: Theory and Experiment

The tryptophan (Trp) aromatic residue in chiral matrices often exhibits a large optical activity and thus provides valuable structural information. However, it can also obscure spectral contributions from other peptide parts. To better understand the induced chirality, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra of Trp‐containing cyclic dipeptides c‐(Trp‐X) (where X=Gly, Ala, Trp, Leu, nLeu, and Pro) are analyzed on the basis of experimental spectra and density functional theory (DFT) computations. The results provide valuable insight into the molecular conformational and spectroscopic behavior of Trp. Whereas the ECD is dominated by Trp π–π* transitions, VCD is dominated by the amide modes, well separated from minor Trp contributions. The ROA signal is the most complex. However, an ROA marker band at 1554 cm^?1 indicates the local χ₂ angle value in this residue, in accordance with previous theoretical predictions. The spectra and computations also indicate that the peptide ring is nonplanar, with a shallow potential so that the nonplanarity is primarily induced by the side chains. Dispersion‐corrected DFT calculations provide better results than plain DFT, but comparison with experiment suggests that they overestimate the stability of the folded conformers. Molecular dynamics simulations and NMR results also confirm a limited accuracy of the dispersion‐DFT model in nonaqueous solvents. Combination of chiral spectroscopies with theoretical analysis thus significantly enhances the information that can be obtained from the induced chirality of the Trp aromatic residue.     

Biosynthesis of Quantum Dots (CdTe) and its Effect on Eisenia fetida and Escherichia coli

Biosynthesis belongs to one of the new possibilities of nanoparticles preparation, whereas its main advantage is biocompatibility. In addition, the ability of obtaining the raw material for such synthesis from the soil environment is beneficial and could be useful for remediation. However, the knowledge of mechanisms that are necessary for the biosynthesis or effect on the bio-synthesizing organisms is still insufficient. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effect of quantum dots (QDs) not only on a model organism of collembolans, but also on another soil organism—earthworm Eisenia fetida—and in also one widespread microorganism such as Escherichia coli. Primarily, we determined 28EC₅₀ as 72.4 μmol L^?1 for CdTe QDs in collembolans. Further, we studied the effect of QDs biosynthesis in E. fetida and E. coli. Using determination of QDs, low-molecular thiols and antioxidant activities, we found differences between both organisms and also between ways how they behave in the presence of Cd and/or Cd and Te. The biosynthesis in earthworms can be considered as its own protective mechanism; however, in E. coli, it is probably a by-product of protective mechanisms.