Determination of (E)-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid content in pure royal jelly: a comparison between a new CZE method and HPLC

A new CZE method was developed and compared with HPLC for the determination of (E)-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) in royal jelly (RJ) samples of different geographical origin. The results obtained with the CZE method were highly correlated with those of HPLC (p < 0.01). Under optimized conditions, CZE employed minimal amounts of 50 mM tetraborate buffer as BGE, without the addition of organic solvents, EOF or pH modifiers. The CZE method showed a wide linear response range (0.006-0.808 mg 10-HDA/mL), a good sensitivity (LOD and LOQ were 0.002 and 0.004 mg/mL, respectively) and a satisfactory instrumental repeatability with respect to migration time and peak area (RSD% less than 1.0 and 2.0% on migration time for intra- and interday assay, respectively and less than 2.0 and for 4.0% on peak area for intra- and interday assay, respectively). The 10-HDA content in RJ ranged from 0.8 to 3.2 g/100 g of RJ and a significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the Italian and extra-European average values: 2.5 and 1.6 g/100 g of RJ, respectively, according to the CZE data. The possibility of application of CZE for routine analyses on RJ and RJ based products to verify their authenticity is highlighted here.     

Computational Investigation of the Substituent Effect on the Intramolecular Proton Transfer Reaction of 3-Hydroxytropolone

The effects of substituent type and position on the proton transfer reaction of 3-hydroxytropolone(3-OHTRN) have been investigated theoretically by using density functional theory at the level of B3LYP/ 6-31+G** method. The influence of solvent on the proton transfer reactions of substituted 3-OHTRN has been examined using the self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model(SCI-PCM) in water. As a result, while the proton transfer reaction is kinetically the easiest by substitution on position 3 of-NH2 group in the gas phase, it is kinetically the easiest by substitution on position 5 of the same group in water. In addition, these reactions are either kinetically or thermodynamically easier in the gas phase than that in water, except the reaction of structure with-NH2 group at position 6.     

The acidic domains of the Toc159 chloroplast preprotein receptor family are intrinsically disordered protein domains

Background  

The Toc159 family of proteins serve as receptors for chloroplast-destined preproteins. They directly bind to transit peptides, and exhibit preprotein substrate selectivity conferred by an unknown mechanism. The Toc159 receptors each include three domains: C-terminal membrane, central GTPase, and N-terminal acidic (A-) domains. Although the function(s) of the A-domain remains largely unknown, the amino acid sequences are most variable within these domains, suggesting they may contribute to the functional specificity of the receptors.     

A study about the environmental impact of a large particulate matter source by means of a sampling station interactive with the environment

Summary The contribution of the particulate matter relapsed from a large oil-fired power plant into the surrounding environment was investigated by means of an automated sampling station interactive with the environment. This station performs real-time measurements of some meteorological parameters and of the concentrations of some gaseous pollutants, thus carrying out aerosol samplings only in situations of environmental interest such as fumigation or blank conditions. Elemental composition of the fractionated particulate matter and morphological observations on single particles were obtained using PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) techniques.

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Riassunto Il contributo all’inquinamento dovuto all’emissione di materiale particolato da una centrale termoelettrica ad olio combustibile è stato studiato utilizzando una stazione di prelievo funzionante in modo interattivo con l’ambiente. Questa stazione è in grado di effettuare prelievi di aerosol atmosferico pilotati da prefissati valori di parametri ambientali, sia di tipo meteorologico che di concentrazione di alcuni inquinanti gassosi, che permettono di discriminare situazioni di ricaduta del pennacchio da situazioni tipicamente di fondo. La composizione elementare del particolato, frazionato nelle diverse classi dimensionali, è stata ottenuta mediante la tecnica multielementare PIXE (emissione di raggi X indotte da particelle), mentre osservazioni morfologiche sulle particelle campionate sono state effettuate mediante SEM (microscopia elettronica a scansione).

     

Particulate emission and element behaviours in a large coal power plant

Summary Particulate-matter release into the stack effluents of a large coal-fired power station was characterized. Particulate samplings were carried out in the chimney, downstream the electrostatic precipitation system, by means of an isokinetic probe. Concentration and size distribution of total particulate mattern as well elemental composition as a function of particle size were detemined. Concentrations of up to 24 elements were measured for whole filters by PIXE and AAS technique. Element enrichments in smaller particles and in emitted ashes and their behaviours in combustion are also studied. Work supported by ENEL-DSR.