Development of Disposable Carbon Nanofibers Electrodes Supported on Filters

The purpose of this work is to develop simple and reproducible ways to fabricate carbon nanofibers (CNFs) electrodes. Disposable CNFs electrodes were fabricated after filtering CNFs through polytetrafluoroethylene filters (PTFE), using directly as electrodes these filters with the CNFs film. The electrochemical behaviour of CNFs/PTFE electrodes were tested with ferrocenemethanol and tris(2,2′‐bypyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺). As a proof of concept of the analytical usefulness of the CNFs/PFTE electrodes, the study of vitamin B₁₂ was carried out. Multivariate calibrate has been successfully used to determine vitamin B₁₂ in a complex medium with vitamins B₁ and B₆ as interferents.     

First report of the nutritional profile and antioxidant potential of Holothuria arguinensis,a new resource for aquaculture in Europe

This work reports for the first time the nutritional profile and antioxidant potential of the edible sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis from the North-eastern Atlantic. H. arguinensis has high levels of protein, with the amino acids profile dominated by alanine, glycine and proline and low lysine/arginine ratios. Its carbohydrate and energetic contents are also low as well as the total lipid levels, although its lipid profile is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. In addition, H. arguinensis has high levels of calcium. The water and ethanol extracts show ability to scavenge free radicals and to chelate copper and iron ions. Our results indicate that H. arguinensis has a balanced nutritional quality suitable for human consumption. In addition, it contains compounds with antioxidant potential; thus its intake can contribute for a healthy and well-balanced diet.     

Dianions of Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids in Synthesis. Synthesis of Juvocimene I

Juvocimene I is prepared by a non ambiguous synthesis based on the regioselective alkylation of 4-methylhexa-2,4-dienoic acid, and Wittig olefination of the aldehyde corresponding to the alkylated acid.     

Vortex lattice of a Bose-Einstein condensate as a photonic band gap material

Photonic crystal behavior of a rotating Bose-Einstein condensate with a triangular vortex lattice is reviewed and a scheme for getting much wider band gaps is proposed. It is shown that photonic band gaps can be widened an order of magnitude more by using a Raman scheme of index enhancement, in comparison to previously considered upper level microwave scheme.     

Modified electrode with reduced graphene oxide/poly(3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid): a new platform for oligonucleotide hybridization

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - This paper reports a new platform for oligonucleotide hybridization, prepared by electropolymerization of 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid onto gold electrode...     

In situ studies of microbial inactivation during high pressure processing

High pressure processing (HPP) has been shown to reduce microbial concentration in foods. The mechanisms of microbial inactivation by HPP have been associated with damage to cell membranes. The real-time response of bacteria to HPP was measured to elucidate the mechanisms of inactivation, which can aid in designing more effective processes. Different pressure cycling conditions were used to expose Enterobacter aerogenes cells to HPP. Propidium iodide (PI) was used as a probe, which fluoresces after penetrating cells with damaged membranes and binding with nucleic acids. A HPP vessel with sapphire windows was used for measuring fluorescence in situ. Membrane damage was detected during pressurization and hold time, but not during depressurization. The drop in fluorescence was larger than expected after pressure cycles at higher pressure and longer times. This indicated possible reversible disassociation of ribosomes resulting in additional binding of PI to exposed RNA under pressure and its release after depressurization.