Solvent-free microwave extraction and hydrodistillation of essential oils from endemic Origanum husnucanbaseri H. Duman, Aytac & A. Duran: comparison of antibacterial activity and contents

The essential oils (EOs) obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and hydrodistillation (HD) from endemic Origanum husnucanbaseri H. Duman, Aytac & A. Duran were investigated using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. The main constituents of both oils obtained from SFME and HD from O. husnucanbaseri are borneol (15.2-12.8%), α-terpineol (12.3-10.8%) and trans-sabinene hydrate (11.8-9.92%). The EO obtained from SFME contained substantially higher amounts of oxygenated compounds and lower amounts of monoterpenes than that from HD. The antibacterial activities of the EOs from SFME and HD were evaluated by the disc diffusion method against six bacterial strains. The EO extracted by SFME was more effective than the EO extracted by HD against the tested bacteria, except for Klebsiella pneumoniae American type culture collection (ATCC) 13883. Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 in particular were more sensitive against the EO extracted by SFME.     

Surfactant-induced healing of tough hydrogels formed via hydrophobic interactions

Different reversible molecular interactions have been used in the past few years to generate self-healing in synthetic hydrogels. However, self-healing hydrogels synthesized so far suffer from low mechanical strength which may limit their use in any stress-bearing applications. Here, we present a simple technique to heal mechanically strong polyacrylamide hydrogels formed via hydrophobic interactions between stearyl groups. A complete healing in the hydrogels was achieved by the treatment of the damaged areas with an aqueous solution of wormlike sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. The micelles in the healing agent solubilize the hydrophobes in the cut surfaces, so that they easily find their partners in the other cut surface due to the hydrophobic interactions. Surfactant-induced healing produces high toughness (～1 MPa) gels withstanding 150 kPa of stress at a deformation ratio of 1,100 %. The healing technique developed here is generally applicable to the physical gels formed by hydrophobic associations.     

Quantum mechanical calculations of tryptophan and comparison with conformations in native proteins

We report a detailed analysis of the potential energy surface of N-acetyl-l-tryptophan-N-methylamide, (NATMA) both in the gas phase and in solution. The minima are identified using the density-functional-theory (DFT) with the 6-31g(d) basis set. The full potential energy surface in terms of torsional angles is spanned starting from various initial configurations. We were able to locate 77 distinct L-minima. The calculated energy maps correspond to the intrinsic conformational propensities of the individual NATMA molecule. We show that these conformations are essentially similar to the conformations of tryptophan in native proteins. For this reason, we compare the results of DFT calculations in the gas and solution phases with native state conformations of tryptophan obtained from a protein library. In native proteins, tryptophan conformations have strong preferences for the beta sheet, right-handed helix, tight turn, and bridge structures. The conformations calculated by DFT, the solution-phase results in particular, for the single tryptophan residue are in agreement with native state values obtained from the Protein Data Bank.     

Removal of an azo-metal complex textile dye from colored aqueous solutions using an agro-residue

The pine leaves which are an agricultural residue were used in its natural form as biosorbent for the removal of Acid Yellow 220 (AY 220) dye from aqueous solutions. The sorption experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, biosorbent dosage, biosorbent size, dye concentration, temperature, contact time and ionic strength. The sorption isotherms closely followed the Langmuir model. The monolayer sorption capacity of the pine leaves for AY 220 was found as 40.00 mg g^{− 1}. It was shown that pseudo-second order equation could best describe the sorption kinetics. The thermodynamic data indicated that the sorption system was spontaneous, endothermic and physical process. Based on the results of present investigation, the pine leaves could be used as a suitable alternative biosorbent for the elimination of AY 220 from aqueous solutions.     

Removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions using guanidine modified hydrogels

In this study, experimental measurements have been made on the batch adsorption of cadmium and lead ions from aqueous solutions using poly(guanidine modified 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropan sulfonic acid/acrylic acid/N‐vinylpyrrolidone/2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate), P(AMPSG/AAc/NVP/HEMA) hydrogels. The guanidyl end group bearing AMPSG monomer was synthesized from the reaction of AMPS and guanidine. The hydrogels were prepared by UV‐curing technique. The morphology of the dry H10‐hydrogel sample was examined by SEM. The influence of the uptake conditions, such as pH, functional monomer per cent, contact time, initial feed concentration, and foreign metal ions on the metal ion binding capacity of hydrogel, was also tested. The selectivity of the hydrogel toward the different metal ions tested was Hg(II) > Pb(II) > Au(III) > Cd(II). The adsorption isotherm models were applied to the experimental data, and it was seen that the Langmuir isotherm model was the best fit for the adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions on P(AMPSG/AAc/NVP/HEMA) hydrogel. It was found that adsorbed lead and cadmium ions on P(AMPSG/AAc/NVP/HEMA) hydrogel can be effectively desorbed by acid leaching and the regenerated P(AMPSG/AAc/NVP/HEMA) hydrogel can be reused almost five times less without any loss of adsorption capacity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

in vitro Selection of Aptamer for Imidacloprid Recognition as Model Analyte and Construction of a Water Analysis Platform

Pesticide use in agriculture is one of the threats to water safety. Therefore, detection of pesticide residues is crucial for human health. Compared to conventional chromatographic methods, aptasensors are promising tools for fast, cheap and sensitive detection of environmental contaminants. To the best of our knowledge, such an aptasensor has not been reported for imidacloprid (Imi) which is one of the most widely used pesticides. In order to meet this demand, we initially selected two novel aptamers designated as ‘Apta‐1’ and ‘Apta‐2’ by graphene oxide‐SELEX (GO‐SELEX) method. Then, these aptamers were used to fabricate the gold electrode‐based aptasensor platforms and characterized by using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the limit of detection value of Apta‐1 based sensor for the Imi was found better than Apta‐2 based system, although linear ranges were similar. Based on that finding, Apta‐1 based system was further tested against possible interference molecules. The proposed platform was successfully used for detection of very low concentrations of Imi in the range of ng/mL. Thus, it eliminates the need for sample pre‐treatment and enables a practical analysis in real wastewater samples.     

A monostyryl-boradiazaindacene (BODIPY) derivative as colorimetric and fluorescent probe for cyanide ions

We developed a novel boradiazaindacene derivative to detect cyanide ions in solution at micromolar concentrations. This structurally simple chemosensor displays a large decrease in emission intensity and a reversible color change from red to blue on contact with cyanide ions. Highly fluorescent polymeric films can be obtained by doping with the chemosensor. Such polymeric materials can be used for the sensing of the cyanide ions in polymer matrices.     

Emission of Toxic HCN During NOx Removal by Ammonia SCR in the Exhaust of Lean‐Burn Natural Gas Engines

Reducing greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions is one of the most stringent priorities of our society to minimize their dramatic effects on health and environment. Natural gas (NG) engines, in particular at lean conditions, emit less CO₂ in comparison to combustion engines operated with liquid fuels but NG engines still require emission control devices for NO_x removal. Using state‐of‐the‐art technologies for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃, we evaluated the interplay of the reducing agent NH₃ and formaldehyde, which is always present in the exhaust of NG engines. Our results show that a significant amount of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is formed. All catalysts tested partially convert formaldehyde to HCOOH and CO. Additionally, they form secondary emissions of HCN due to catalytic reactions of formaldehyde and its oxidation intermediates with NH₃. With the present components of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system the HCN emissions are not efficiently converted to non‐polluting gases. The development of more advanced catalyst formulations with improved oxidation activity is mandatory to solve this novel critical issue.