Development and optimization of ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography mass spectrometry method for high-throughput determination of tocopherols and tocotrienols in human serum

The goal of this study was to develop an effective supercritical fluid chromatography method using single quadrupole MS for analysis of all isomeric forms of vitamin E. Finally, two fast and effective methods, the high resolution one and the high speed one, for the determination of 8 vitamin E isomers in human serum were developed.     

Chemical Composition of Natural Hydrolates and Their Antimicrobial Activity on Arcobacter-Like Cells in Comparison with Other Microorganisms

Hydrolates obtained via the hydrodistillation and steam distillation of Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Syzygium aromaticum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., and Laurus nobilis L. were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the hydrolates were evaluated for antimicrobial activity (disk-diffusion and microdilution method), influence on biofilm formation (Christensen method) and cytotoxicity of concentrated hydrolates against human cell lines (A549) by xCELLigence system. Using chemical analysis, 48, 9, 13 and 33 different components were detected in lavender, clove, fennel and laurel hydrolates, respectively. Lavender hydrolate contained the largest proportion of 1,8-cineol, linalool furanoxide, and linalool. The main components of laurel hydrolate were 1,8-cineol, 4-terpineol and α-terpineol. Fenchone and estragole were the most abundant in fennel hydrolate, and eugenol and eugenyl acetate in clove hydrolate. Concentrated hydrolates showed significant antimicrobial activity. Clove hydrolate was among the most antimicrobially active agents, most preferably against C. albicans, with an inhibition zone up to 23.5 mm. Moreover, concentrated hydrolates did not show any cytotoxic effect again8 st human A549 cells. In the presence of the non-concentrated hydrolates, significantly reduced biofilm formation was observed; however, with concentrated clove hydrolate, there was an increase in biofilm formation, e.g., of A. thereius, A. lanthieri, and A. butzleri. Research shows new findings about hydrolates that may be important in natural medicine or for preservation purposes.     

Model study on steady heat capacity in driven stochastic systems

We explore two- and three-state Markov models driven out of thermal equilibrium by non-potential forces, to demonstrate basic properties of the steady heat capacity based on the concept of quasistatic excess heat. It is shown that large enough driving forces can make the steady heat capacity negative. For both the low- and high-temperature regimes we propose an approximative thermodynamic scheme in terms of “dynamically renormalized” effective energy levels.     

Three-Stage Extraction of Gelatines from Tendons of Abattoir Cattle: 2—Properties of Gelatines

The subject of our previous paper (part 1) was three-stage extraction of gelatines from short cattle tendons. In this paper, we studied influence of extraction conditions on quality of produced gelatines??protein content, ash content, rigidity of gelatine gels, viscosity, and distribution of molecular weights. Ash content of gelatines ranged in limits 3.5?C10.5?%. Rigidity of the gels was influenced by extraction conditions and by elastin content in gelatines; highest-quality gels display rigidity of 213 Bloom. Viscosity of gelatines ranged from 2.47 to 12.11?mPa?s. Molecular weights of gelatines display a proportion of fractions from 20 to 36?kDa, a quite high proportion of fractions from approximately 50 to 100?kDa, in some cases even fractions above 200?kDa appear. It was found that transition temperature and melting temperature of gelatines extracted from tendons are in accord with data on gelatines obtained by traditional extraction techniques from skins and bones. With respect to efficiency of the whole extraction process and to quality of extracted gelatine, we may recommend extraction conditions as follows: in the 1st processing stage, shaking degreased starting material with water in ratio 1:10 at 25?°C for 5?h; in the 2nd stage, treating the swelled material with 5?% (w/w) added proteolytic enzyme at 40?°C for 25?h; in 3rd stage, extracting gelatine while boiling for 16?min.     

Controlling 6-endo-selectivity in oxidation/bromocyclization cascades for synthesis of aplysiapyranoids and other 2,2,6,6-substituted tetrahydropyrans

A cascade, composed of (i) oxovanadium(V)-catalyzed oxidation of bromide by tert-butyl hydroperoxide and (ii) stereoselective 6-endo-bromocyclization, affords 3-bromo-2-aryl-2,6,6-trimethyltetrahydropyrans from styrene-type tertiary alkenols in synthetically useful yields. (E)-Alkenols add the bromo- and the alkoxy substituent anti-selectively across the double bond, indicating a bromonium ion-mechanism for the ring closure. 6-endo-control of the alkenol cyclization thereby arises from the polar effect of the aryl substituent. Two methyl substituents bound to the alkene terminus are not similarly able to favor 6-endo-cyclization, because strain arising from methyl group repulsion, as the bromonium-activated π-bond and the hydroxyl oxygen approach, directs bromocyclization of tertiary prenyl-type substrates toward tetrahydrofuran formation. A hexasubstituted bromotetrahydropyran prepared from the oxidation/bromocyclization cascade served as starting material for synthesis of racemic aplysiapyranoid A, in a sequence of free radical and polar functional group interconversion.     

Sorption of methanol,dimethyl carbonate,methyl acetate,and acetone vapors in CTA and PTMSP: General findings from the GAB Analysis

Sorption of vapors of four organic compounds in two glassy polymers, cellulose triacetate (CTA) and poly[(trimethylsilyl)propyne] (PTMSP), has been reported and analyzed in terms of Guggenheim‐Anderson‐De Boer (GAB) model. These two structurally and physicochemically different glassy polymers both independently showed that one sorption site was formed by about three monomeric units. This finding held true for vapors of all characterized compounds; that is, for methanol, for its derivatives dimethyl carbonate and methyl acetate, and for acetone. The “rule of three” might thus also be applicable to other sorbates and glassy polymers. Further, an original modification of the GAB model for the sorption of alcohols in PTMSP was derived and successfully tested. Overall, the analyses of the sorption isotherms, heats of sorption and diffusion coefficients supported the view that the sorption of vapors in glassy polymers has adsorptive nature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 561–569     

Interaction Products of 12·5 Deuterons with Molybdenum and their Isolation Possibilities from Worn-out Cyclotron Parts

Using chemical separations and radiometric measurements medium-half-life irradiation products of molybdenum with 12.5 MeV deuterons were determined (⁹⁰Nb, ⁹²Nb, ^95mNb, ⁹⁵Nb, ⁹⁶Nb, ⁹⁹Mo, ^95mTc, ⁹⁶Tc, ^99mTc) as well as thick target yields for some of them: ⁹²Nb (0.22 μCi/μAh), ⁹⁵Nb(0.05 μCi/μAh), ⁹⁹Mo (64 μCi/μAh), ^95mTc(0.76 μCi/μAh), ⁹⁶Tc((62.5 μCi/μAh). Moreover isolation possibiities of radioactive preparations from removed worn-cut molybdenum parts of the U-120 cycletron are discussed.     

Diffusion of biostimulators into plant tissues

Biostimulators are substances able to enhance the immune system of cultivated crops and support plant metabolism. Their utilization helps to reduce the amount of chemicals used in agriculture. To perform the desired effect, a biostimulator must be able to penetrate into the plant tissue. The time of penetration however, is limited, since the biostimulator must remain in a liquid state. This is of great importance—especially in field conditions, where the treated plants are exposed to different weather condition and other extrinsic factors. A mathematical model based on diffusion mechanisms has been elaborated to describe the biostimulator transport process from penetration of the leaves into the plant’s inner tissues. By means of the effective diffusion coefficient of the prepared specific protein hydrolyzate, this model can be used to estimate the time necessary for the uptake of the minimal active amount of the biostimulator.