Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography determination of selected phenolic acids in propolis concentrates in terms of standardization for drug manufacturing purposes

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with gradient elution was developed for the determination of the caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids in propolis concentrates. Solid-phase extraction on an RP18 column was applied for preliminary purification, and chromatographic separation was performed on 100 RP18e Lichrospher column of particle size 5 microm. The mobile phase was obtained by mixing in appropriate ratios 0.03 mM NaH2PO4, acidified with H3PO4 up to pH = 3.0, with acetonitrile to obtain a gradient in the elution process. Spectrophotometric detection was conducted at 320 nm. Under the established conditions, the method featured high sensitivity, good precision, and comparability of results, as proven by method validation and statistical analysis of the obtained results. The limits of detection were 0.315, 0.325, and 0.695 microg/mL for caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids, respectively. The corresponding recovery values were 98.14, 101.05, and 99.42% and the linearity ranges from 1.31 to 99.18 microg/mL, 1.52 to 119.16 microg/mL, and 2.42 to 184.14 microg/mL. The precision of the method was expresed by relative standard deviation values that did not exceed 3%. It was also shown that the propolis concentrates under examination had similar antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ranging from 119.8 to 124.3 microg/mL, contrary to model mixtures that showed no antibacterial activity.     

Surface and micellar properties of new nonionic gemini aldonamide-type surfactants

A new group of gemini aldonamide-type surfactants-N,N'-bisalkyl-N,N'-bis[(3-gluconylamide)propyl]ethylenediamines, N,N'-bisdodecyl-N,N'-bis[(3-glucoheptonylamide)propyl]ethylenediamine, and N,N'-bisalkyl-N,N'-bis[(3-lactobionylamide)propyl]ethylenediamines, (alkyl: n-C(8)H(17), n-C(12)H(25)), were synthesized and characterized. The surface properties, such as surface excess concentration, Gamma(cmc), surface area demand per molecule, A(min), efficiency in surface tension reduction, pC(20), the effectiveness of surface tension reduction, gamma(cmc), critical micelle concentration, cmc, and a measure of the tendency of the surfactant to adsorb at the aqueous/air interface relative to its tendency to form micelles in the bulk surfactant solution, cmc/C(20), and standard free energy of micellization, DeltaG(mic)(0), have been obtained by means of surface tension measurements. The standard fluorescence shift technique using PRODAN as a probe provide confirmation of the cmc values by an alternative method. Additionally, the micellar properties for the concentration near above the cmc have been characterized by the aggregation number, N(agg). The presence of the dimeric segments with the aldonamide hydrophilic units in the surfactant molecule is found to be the source of their unusual physicochemical behavior. They are very efficient at adsorbing at the free surface and at forming micelles in water. Their critical micelle concentration values are remarkably low. They reveal remarkably low A(min) values in relation to conventional nonionic surfactants, which is unexpected from the molecular dimensions for the molecule but which is possible if one assumes some type of multilayer structure or a coherent interfacial film.     

Thin-layer chromatography-densitometric measurements for determination of N-(hydroxymethyl)nicotinamide in tablets and stability evaluation in solutions

A thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometric method was developed to determine N-(hydroxymethyl)nicotinamide in tablets and basic solutions along with nicotinic acid. Analysis was performed on silica gel F254 plates using chloroform-ethanol (2 + 3, v/v) mobile phase. The densitometric observations were made at 260 nm. The results showed good precision and accuracy; relative standard deviation was 2.37%, and recovery ranged from 97.60 to 100.82%. The limit of detection was 0.1 microg/spot, while the linearity range was from 0.2 to 1.75 microg/spot. Applicability of the newly developed method was tested for determination of N-(hydroxymethyl)nicotinamide in the preparation Cholamid. Densitometric measurements were used to evaluate stability of N-(hydroxymethyl)nicotinamide in basic solutions. It was found that decomposition corresponded to first-order reaction kinetics. The computed kinetic and thermodynamic parameters at 30 degrees C were as follows: k = 0.00675/min, t0,5 = 1.71 h, t0,1 = 0.26 h, and Ea = 44.75 kJ/mol.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy/novolac system modified with reactive liquid rubber and carbon filler

This paper reports on the work carried out to evaluate the frequency dependent viscoelastic properties of epoxy/novolac compositons modified with a liquid reactive rubber and carbon filler. For epoxy systems modified with elastomer, three typical transitions were observed: the α-relaxation deeply related to the glass transition of epoxy, the β-transition of epoxy, and the glass transition of rubber appeared near to the β-relaxation of epoxy resin. Considering an Arrhenius equation, the activation energies of β-relaxation were estimated. In the region of glass transition and rubbery state the temperature dependence of the shift factor (α_T) was determined through Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation.     

Thermophysical properties and thermodynamic phase behavior of ionic liquids

The thermal stability of many tested ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated by the TGA and DTA curves over the wide temperature range from 200 to 780 K. The TGA curves have mainly a sigmoid shape, which can be split into three segments. The thermal decomposition of the samples was higher than 500 K. For the ammonium salts, C₂BF₄, or C₂PF₆, or C₂N(CN)₂, or C₄Br, the temperatures of the decompositions were 583.5, 556.1, 545.1 and 525.3 K, respectively. Generally, it was found that the temperature of decomposition of investigated ionic liquid is strongly depended on the type of cation and the anion. Phase equilibria and thermophysical constants were measured also for the dialkoxy-imidazolium ILs, [(C₄H₉OCH₂)₂IM][BF₄], [(C₈H₁₇OCH₂)₂IM][Tf₂N], [(C₁₀H₂₁OCH₂)₂IM][Tf₂N] and for pyridinium IL, [Pyr][BF₄].The characterization and purity of the compounds were obtained by the elemental analysis, water content (Fisher method) and differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC) analysis. From (DSC) method, the melting points, the enthalpies of fusion, the temperatures and enthalpies of solid-solid phase transitions and the half C_p temperatures of glass transition of all investigated ionic liquids were measured.The phase equilibria of these salts with common popular solvents: water, or alcohols or n-alkanes, or aromatic hydrocarbons have been measured by a dynamic method from 290 K to the melting point of IL, or to the boiling point of the solvent in the whole mole fraction range, x from 0 to 1.These salts mainly exhibit simple eutectic systems with immiscibility in the liquid phase with upper critical solution temperatures (UCST), not only with aromatic hydrocarbons, cycloalkanes and n-alkanes but also with longer chain alcohols. For example the C₂BF₄ salt show simple eutectic system with water and simple eutectic systems with immiscibility in the liquid phase with upper critical solution temperature with alcohols.The solid-liquid phase equilibria, SLE curves were correlated by means of the different G^Ex models utilizing parameters derived from the SLE. The root-mean-square deviations of the solubility temperatures for all calculated data depend on the particular system and the equation used.     

Thermodynamics of organic mixtures containing amines. X. Phase equilibria for binary systems formed by imidazoles and hydrocarbons: Experimental data and modelling using DISQUAC

(Solid + liquid) equilibrium (SLE) temperatures have been determined using a dynamic method for the systems (1H-imidazole, + benzene, + toluene, + hexane, or + cyclohexane; 1-methylimidazole + benzene, or + toluene, 2-methyl-1H-imidazole + benzene, + toluene, or + cyclohexane, and benzimidazole + benzene). In addition (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) temperatures have been obtained using a cloud point method for (1H-imidazole, + hexane, or + cyclohexane; 1-methylimidazole + toluene, and 2-methyl-1H-imidazole + cyclohexane). The measured systems show positive deviations from the Raoult’s law, due to strong dipolar interactions between amine molecules related to the high dipole moment of imidazoles. On the other hand, DISQUAC interaction parameters for the contacts present in these solutions and for the amine/hydroxyl contacts in (1H-imidazole + 1-alkanol) mixtures have been determined. The model correctly represents the available data for the examined systems. Deviations between experimental and calculated SLE temperatures are similar to those obtained using the Wilson or NRTL equations, or the UNIQUAC association solution model. The quasichemical interaction parameters are the same for mixtures containing 1H-imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, or 2-methyl-1H-imidazole and hydrocarbons. This may be interpreted assuming that they are members of a homologous series. Benzimidazole behaves differently.     

Measurements of the density and viscosity of binary mixtures of (hyper-branched polymer,B-H2004 + 1-butanol,or 1-hexanol,or 1-octanol,or methyl tert-butyl ether)

Density and viscosity were determined for binary mixtures of {hyper-branched polymer, Boltorn H2004 (B-H2004) + 1-alcohol (1-butanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-octanol)} at T = (298.15, 308.15, 318.15, 328.15, and 338.15) K and of {B-H2004 + methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)} at T = (298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K and ambient pressure. The temperature dependence of density and viscosity is described by linear regression and by the Vogel–Fucher–Tammann equation, respectively. Excess volumes for the system {B-H2004 + MTBE} are presented as a function of mass fraction. Viscosity deviations were calculated and correlated by the Redlich–Kister polynomial expansions using also the mass fractions. The polynomial correlations describe the variation of viscosity with composition. A qualitative discussion on these quantities in terms of molecular interactions is reported.     

Photodegradation assessment of amisulpride,doxepin, haloperidol,risperidone, venlafaxine,and zopiclone in bulk drug and in the presence of excipients

Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly - Photostability of amisulpride, doxepin, haloperidol, risperidone, venlafaxine, and zopiclone in APIs and powdered tablets during exposure to UVA...     

Phenolic Composition and Biological Properties of Wild and Commercial Dog Rose Fruits and Leaves

Rosa canina L. (dog rose) is a rich source of phenolic compounds that offer great hope for the prevention of chronic human diseases. Herein, wild and commercial samples of dog rose were chemically characterized with respect to their phenolic composition by liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI/MS). Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of dog rose fruits and leaves hydromethanolic extracts and infusions were also evaluated. The results revealed that wild and commercial fruits of dog rose are similar in terms of l(+)-ascorbic acid, total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC) and total phenolic acids (TPAC) content, individual phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the fruits had lower levels of phenolic compounds and also revealed lower biological activity than the leaves. On the other hands, the highest content of TPC, TFC, TPAC, individual phenolic constituents, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) were found in the leaf’s infusions. They were also the only ones to show antibacterial activity. Overall, these finding confirmed usefulness of R. canina L. leaves and fruits as a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds with potential use in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.     

Pressureless and Low-Pressure Synthesis of Microporous Carbon Spheres Applied to CO2 Adsorption

In this work, low-pressure synthesis of carbon spheres from resorcinol and formaldehyde using an autoclave is presented. The influence of reaction time and process temperature as well as the effect of potassium oxalate, an activator, on the morphology and CO₂ adsorption properties was studied. The properties of materials produced at pressureless (atmospheric) conditions were compared with those synthesized under higher pressures. The results of this work show that enhanced pressure treatment is not necessary to produce high-quality carbon spheres, and the morphology and porosity of the spheres produced without an activation step at pressureless conditions are not significantly different from those obtained at higher pressures. In addition, CO₂ uptake was not affected by elevated pressure synthesis. It was also demonstrated that addition of the activator (potassium oxalate) had much more effect on key properties than the applied pressure treatment. The use of potassium oxalate as an activator caused non-uniform size distribution of spherical particles. Simultaneously higher values of surface area and total pore volumes were reached. A pressure treatment of the carbon materials in the autoclave significantly enhanced the CO₂ uptake at 25 °C, but had no effect on it at 0 °C.