Sorption of toxic metal ions by solid sorbents: A predictive speciation approach based on complex formation constants in aqueous solution

Heavy metal pollution constitutes one of the more compelling environmental problems. The use of biomass sorption has been proposed as an alternative to conventional methods for metal ion removal from wastewater, and the research on this topic has become very important. In this paper, after an overview on the conventional methods a brief survey of the chemical features of biosorbents is presented. Following the speciation studies briefly outlined in the previous literature we present here a speciation and simulation study of the behaviour of sorbing materials toward metal ions. This simulation is based on simple assumptions, which link solution complex formation equilibria to the two-phase sorption phenomena. Using a sorbent characterized by different surface groups as a model and lead as representative of toxic metal ions, this simulation allows us to draw some particular aspect of data collection and data treatment. Several aspects are presented which can be of great utility in designing rational data acquisition procedures and in drawing a correct interpretation of the results, but most of all a method is presented that can be profitably employed by people working in sorption research on their own systems.     

Ubiquitin Associates with the N‐Terminal Domain of Nerve Growth Factor: The Role of Copper(II) Ions

Many biochemical pathways involving nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophin with copper(II) binding abilities, are regulated by the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system. However, whether NGF binds Ub and the role played by copper(II) ions in modulating their interactions have not yet been investigated. Herein NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism, ESI‐MS, and titration calorimetry are employed to characterize the interactions of NGF with Ub. NGF_1–14, which is a short model peptide encompassing the first 14 N‐terminal residues of NGF, binds the copper‐binding regions of Ub (K_D=8.6 10^?5 m ). Moreover, the peptide undergoes a random coil–polyproline type II helix structural conversion upon binding to Ub. Notably, copper(II) ions inhibit NGF_1–14/Ub interactions. Further experiments performed with the full‐length NGF confirmed the existence of a copper(II)‐dependent association between Ub and NGF and indicated that the N‐terminal domain of NGF was a valuable paradigm that recapitulated many traits of the full‐length protein.     

Chromium-mediated asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of acetoxytubipofuran

Both enantiomers of acetoxytubipofuran were synthesized using enantioselective and diastereoselective dearomatization sequences starting from the benzaldehyde chromium tricarbonyl complex. Following aldol condensation, a sequence involving Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution was used in the synthesis of the (-)-enantiomer, whereas the (+)-enantiomer was reached via an Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement. Chiroptical data show that a revision of the previously assigned absolute configuration of the natural product is required.     

Isolation and structural elucidation of callipeltins J-M: antifungal peptides from the marine sponge Latrunculia sp.

Continued investigation of the polar extracts of the marine sponge Latrunculia sp. has resulted in the discovery of callipeltins J-M. The new structures were determined by interpretation of their NMR and MS data. The stereochemistry of the unusual 3-methylglutamine residue in callipeltins J and K was secured by stereoselective synthesis and Marfey's LC-MS analysis.     

Nanoscale battery cathode materials induce DNA damage in bacteria

The increasing use of nanoscale lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li_xNi_yMn_zCo_1−y−zO₂, NMC) as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries poses risk to the environment. Learning toxicity mechanisms on molecular levels is critical to promote proactive risk assessment of these complex nanomaterials and inform their sustainable development. We focused on DNA damage as a toxicity mechanism and profiled in depth chemical and biological changes linked to DNA damage in two environmentally relevant bacteria upon nano-NMC exposure. DNA damage occurred in both bacteria, characterized by double-strand breakage and increased levels of many putative chemical modifications on bacterial DNA bases related to direct oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, measured by cutting-edge DNA adductomic techniques. Chemical probes indicated elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species and transition metal ions, in agreement with DNA adductomics and gene expression analysis. By integrating multi-dimensional datasets from chemical and biological measurements, we present rich mechanistic insights on nano-NMC-induced DNA damage in bacteria, providing targets for biomarkers in the risk assessment of reactive materials that may be extrapolated to other nano–bio interactions.

The increasing use of nanoscale lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li_xNi_yMn_zCo_1−y−zO₂, NMC) as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries poses risk to the environment. We report DNA damage that occurs in bacteria after nano-NMC exposure with rich chemical details.     

Capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of volatile and semi-volatile compounds of Salvia officinalis

The essential oil and infusion of Salvia officinalis leaves have been widely applied in traditional medicine since ancient times and nowadays subjected to extensive research of their antibacterial, antiviral and cytotoxic properties. This paper shows chemical composition data of S. officinalis leaves essential oil isolated by steam distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Also, the paper presents the chemical content of volatile and semi-volatile compounds of S. officinalis leaves infusion. The volatile and semi-volatile compounds of S. officinalis leaves infusion were isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid extraction with hexane and dichloromethane. SPE was carried out on 500 mg octadecylsilane (C18) cartridges and elution with dichloromethane. Liquid-liquid extraction was performed with hexane and dichloromethane. The essential oil in dichloromethane and infusion extracts in hexane and dichloromethane were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The quantitative results obtained by solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction showed that SPE on C18 performed the highest recovery of the volatile compounds from infusion sample.     

High-yield bacillus subtilis protease production by solid-state fermentation

A Bacillus subtilis isolate was shown to be able to produce extracellular protease in solid-state fermentations (SSF) using soy cake as culture medium. A significant effect of inoculum concentration and physiological age on protease production was observed. Maximum activities were obtained for inocula consisting of exponentially growing cells at inoculum concentrations in the range of 0.7–2.0 mg g⁻¹. A comparative study on the influence of cultivation temperature and initial medium pH on protease production in SSF and in submerged fermentation (SF) revealed that in SSF a broader pH range (5–10), but the same optimum temperature (37°C), is obtained when compared to SF. A kinetic study showed that enzyme production is associated with bacterial growth and that enzyme inactivation begins before biomass reaches a maximum level for both SF and SSF. Maximum protease activity and productivity were 960 U g⁻¹ and 15.4 U g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for SSF, and 12 U mL⁻¹ and 1.3 U mL⁻¹ h⁻¹ for SF. When SSF protease activity was expressed by volume of enzyme extract, the enzyme level was 10-fold higher and the enzyme productivity 45% higher than in SF. These results indicate that this bacterial strain shows a high biotechnological potential for protease production in solid-state fermentation.     

Cyclodextrin derivatives for GC separation of racemic mixtures of volatile compounds. Part VIII: 2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-pentyl-γ-cyclodextrin and 2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-(4-oxo-pentyl)- and 2,6-di-O-pentyl-3-O-(4-oxo-pentyl)-β-and -γ-cyclodextrins

In pre vious papers, 2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-pentyl-β-cyclodextrin (CD) was demonstrated to be successful in separating volatile compounds, while avoiding the drawbacks of 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-O-methyl-β-CD in terms of column stability and operating temperature. Since a CD chiral selector of universal use has not yet been found, and at least two (or more) columns coated with different CD derivatives are therefore necessary for routine work, the performance of 2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-pentyl-γ-CD, 2,6-di-O-methyl-3-O-(4-oxopentyl)-γ-CD, 2,6-di-O-pentyl-3-O-(4-oxo-pentyl)-β-CD, and 2,6-di-O-pentyl-3-O-(-4-oxo-pentyl)-γ-CD diluted in polysiloxanes for the separation of volatile compounds in aromas and essential oils will be illustrated; each column coated with each of the newly synthesized CD derivatives was evaluated by analyzing more than 150 different recemates with different structures.     

A concave fluorescent sensor for anions based on 6-methoxy-1-methylquinolinium

The ligand 2, in which three fluorogenic 6-methoxy-1-methylquinolinium fragments are appended to a mesityl platform, in MeCN forms 1:1 adducts with halides and other inorganic anions. (1)H NMR studies and molecular modelling indicate that 2 provides a cavity for anion inclusion and establishes electrostatic interactions with the guest. Anion inclusion induces quenching of the fluorogenic fragments with an efficiency decreasing along the series Br(-)>I(-)>NCS(-)>Cl(-)>NO(3) (-)>HSO(4) (-). The fluorimetric response of 2 to anions is orders of magnitude more sensitive than that of just 6-methoxy-1-methylquinolinium, ligand 1.