Carbon Paste Composite with Co3O4 as a New Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Allura Red by Reduction

The detection of Allura red (AR) by electrochemical reduction using a different electrode from the conventional mercury electrode is presented. A carbon paste with cobalt (II, III) oxide composite electrode (CoO_x/CPE) is reported for the first time for the detection of AR. Moreover, others dyes such as tartrazine (TZ), sunset yellow (SY), amaranth (AM), Ponceaut 4‐R (P‐4R), and Sudan (SD) as well as pharmaceutical agents such as paracetamol (PMC) that are present in samples that contained AR did not show a reduced signal between 0.0 and ?0.3 V, which is the potential range where AR reduction was observed. The surface electroactivity was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of CoO_X increased the cathodic peak current for AR by more than 50 % and 65 % via CV and square wave voltammetry (SWV), respectively, compared with an unmodified carbon paste electrode. Under the optimal parameters, (pH=3.0, accumulation time (t_ACC)=60 s and accumulation potential (E_ACC)=0.50 V), the detection limit for AR was 0.05 μmol L^?1. The new sensor was sensitive and stable for the detection of AR. Moreover, it was easily manufactured and very convenient for food samples such as soft and isotonic drinks as well as chili sauce.     

In situ liquid SIMS analysis of uranium oxide

Trace analysis of nuclear materials in solid particles collected in the environment or particles in liquid slurry generated in nuclear material manufacturing processes can pinpoint elemental, organic, and isotopic signatures of nuclear fuel cycle activities and processes. Such information can support nuclear safeguards programs by increasing our ability to detect undeclared nuclear materials, routine activities for safeguarding at declared facilities, and illicit activities. However, trace radioactive material analysis in liquids and slurries is challenging using bulk approaches. For example, one drawback of sensitive analysis such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is that sample is consumed or destroyed as a result of the technical approach. We developed a vacuum compatible microfluidic interface to enable surface analysis of liquids and solid–liquid interactions using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). In this work, we illustrate the initial results from the analysis of liquid uranium oxide standard solutions using in situ liquid SIMS. Because the liquid SIMS analysis is almost nondestructive, the same sample can then be analyzed by other analytical techniques or saved for future reference. Consequently, multimodal analysis is possible. Our results demonstrate that in situ liquid SIMS can be used as a new approach to analyze radioactive materials in liquid and slurry forms of relevance to diverse applications.     

Spectrally selective coatings of gold nanorods on architectural glass

Infrared-blocking coatings on window glass can be produced by dispersing gold nanorods into a polymer coating. The spectral selectivity of the coating is controlled by the shape and aspect ratio of the nanoparticles, which are in turn determined by the conditions applied during their synthesis. Coatings of nanorods in polyvinyl alcohol were deposited onto glass and characterized in both laboratory and sun-lit conditions. Selective attenuation of the near-infrared was demonstrated with the test panels transmitting approximately one-third of the incident solar radiation and absorbing nearly two-thirds. The high absorptive cross sections of the gold nanorods suggest that they can be applied in efficacious coatings at relatively low volume fractions.     

Short time deposition of TiO2 nanoparticles on SiC as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes

The deposition of TiO₂ nanoparticles on SiC was carried out by mechanical milling under different conditions. SiC–TiO₂ samples were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes such as methylene blue and rhodamine B. A short time deposition of TiO₂ nanoparticles was observed during mechanical milling (2 min at 200 rpm) to cover the SiC particles. The presence of SiC and TiO₂ (anatase and rutile) was confirmed by means of X-ray diffraction after thermal treatment at 450 °C. The deposition of TiO₂ on SiC was corroborated by scanning electron microscopy analysis; the thickness of the thin layer of TiO₂ deposited on SiC increases as the proportion of TiO₂ increases. The energy band gap values obtained for these compounds were around 3.0 eV. SiC–TiO₂ photocatalysts prepared by mechanical milling exhibited better activity under UV-light irradiation for the degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B than commercial TiO₂ powder (titania P25).     

Enhancement of naringenin solution concentration by solid dispersion in cellulose derivative matrices

Naringenin (Nar) is an important bioactive flavonoid with poor organic solubility and oral bioavailability. It is highly promising for treatment of conditions including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hepatitis C infection. Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of Nar is an appealing way to enhance its solubility, and carboxylated cellulose esters are attractive polymers for this purpose because of their ability to stabilize drugs against crystallization in both solid and solution phases, while restricting drug release to the pH of the small intestine (ca. 6.8). We demonstrate that ASDs of Nar can be formed using such carboxylated cellulose derivatives as cellulose acetate adipate propionate (CAAdP), carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS). We compare Nar solution concentrations and release profiles from these cellulosic ASDs to those from pure crystalline Nar, and to Nar ASD in poly(vinylpyrrolidinone) (PVP). We show that all polymers in this study form ASDs with Nar, that the PVP ASDs release Nar at both gastric (1.2) and small intestine (6.8) pH, and that the cellulosic polymers release Nar selectively at neutral pH. Solution concentrations of Nar are significantly enhanced from these ASDs. These preliminary studies indicate that HPMCAS, CAAdP, and CMCAB are practical ASD polymers for Nar due to their ability to generate and stabilize high solution concentrations, and their pH-triggered drug release.     

Mixed-Ligand Complex Formation Equilibria of Copper(II) with 6-Methylpicolinic Acid and Some Amino Acids

In this work, the ternary complex formation among copper(II), 6-methylpicolinic acid (H6Mepic) as primary ligand, and the amino acids aspartic acid (H₂Asp), glutamic acid (H₂Glu) and histidine (HHis) as secondary ligands, were studied in aqueous solution at 25 °C using 1.0 mol·dm^?3 KNO₃ as the ionic medium. Analysis of the potentiometric data using the least squares computational program LETAGROP indicates formation of the species [Cu(6Mepic)]⁺, Cu(6Mepic)(OH), [Cu(6Mepic)(OH)₂]^?, Cu(6Mepic)₂ and [Cu(6Mepic)₃]^? in the binary Cu(II)–H6Mepic system. In the ternary Cu(II)–H6Mepic–H₂Asp system the complexes [Cu(6Mepic)(H₂Asp)]⁺, Cu(6Mepic)(HAsp), [Cu(6Mepic)(Asp)]^? and [Cu(6Mepic)(Asp)(OH)]^2? were observed. In the case of the Cu(II)–H6Mepic–H₂Glu system the complexes Cu(6Mepic)(HGlu), [Cu(6Mepic)(Glu)]^?, [Cu(6Mepic)(Glu)(OH)]^2? and [Cu(6Mepic)(glu)(OH)₂]^3? were detected. Finally, in the Cu(II)–H6Mepic–HHis system the complexes [Cu(6Mepic)(HHis)]⁺, Cu(6Mepic)(His) and [Cu(6Mepic)(His)(OH)]^? were observed. The species distribution diagrams as a function of pH are briefly discussed.     

Antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity from Annona cherimola phytochemicals by ultrasound-assisted extraction and its comparison to conventional methods

In recent years, the food, pharmacy, and cosmetic industries have focused on the search of natural compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties; commonly, these compounds are obtained from Kingdom plantae. The aim of the present work is comparing antibacterial and antioxidant capacity of Annona cherimola Mill leaves, using different extraction methods. The ultrasound assisted extraction technique (UAE) was compared with conventional techniques: Soxhlet and maceration. Water and ethanol were used as solvents for leaves extractions performed with these three methods. The main acetogenins reported in Annona cherimola Mill and Annona muricata L. species were simulated using the functional hybrid B3LYP and to confirm its presence, analysis of the compound composition was performed using FT-IR, UV–Vis and HPLC. Total phenolics (TP) and flavonoids (TF) were determined by spectroscopy techniques and novel Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) electrochemical technique. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of the extracts was measured, using the DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC techniques. The highest antioxidant content was found in the Soxhlet water extracts; even so, the UAE technique presented an attractive alternative due to considerable reduction in extraction time, which was greater than 99%, and possible selectivity in compounds extraction. Finally, antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated, obtaining the best results against gram-positive bacteria using UAE water extract. In this way, the UAE technique presents an excellent extraction option due to the considerable reduction in time and energy, as well as the increase in antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis,Antiprotozoal Activity,and Cheminformatic Analysis of 2-Phenyl-2H-Indazole Derivatives

Indazole is an important scaffold in medicinal chemistry. At present, the progress on synthetic methodologies has allowed the preparation of several new indazole derivatives with interesting pharmacological properties. Particularly, the antiprotozoal activity of indazole derivatives have been recently reported. Herein, a series of 22 indazole derivatives was synthesized and studied as antiprotozoals. The 2-phenyl-2H-indazole scaffold was accessed by a one-pot procedure, which includes a combination of ultrasound synthesis under neat conditions as well as Cadogan’s cyclization. Moreover, some compounds were derivatized to have an appropriate set to provide structure-activity relationships (SAR) information. Whereas the antiprotozoal activity of six of these compounds against E. histolytica, G. intestinalis, and T. vaginalis had been previously reported, the activity of the additional 16 compounds was evaluated against these same protozoa. The biological assays revealed structural features that favor the antiprotozoal activity against the three protozoans tested, e.g., electron withdrawing groups at the 2-phenyl ring. It is important to mention that the indazole derivatives possess strong antiprotozoal activity and are also characterized by a continuous SAR.