Flow-through sensor based on derivative synchronous fluorescence spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of pyrene,benzo(e)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene in water

A flow-through/first derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric sensor for the determination of PAH has been described. This sensor has been used for the simultaneous determination of PAH mixtures (pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene). Linear calibration ranges between 10 and 500 ng/ml with acceptable precision (repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, smaller than 4.6%, and sampling frequency of 12 h(-1)) have been obtained. The method has been applied to the determination of the target analytes in spiked water samples with excellent results (recoveries between 94 and 108%).     

Multielement determination in river-water of Sepetiba Bay tributaries (Brazil) by total reflection X-ray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation

Summary Trace elements were determined in the surface waters of tributaries of the Sepetiba Bay, Brazil (Piraquê, Itá, S?o Francisco, Guarda, Guandu Mirim, Vala do Sangue and Engenho Novo rivers) by total reflection X-ray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation (SRTXRF). Eighteen trace elements could be determined in the dissolved and the suspended particulate phases: Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb. The elemental concentration values were compared to the values recommended by the Brazilian legislation.     

A comparative XAS and X-ray diffraction study of new binuclear Mn(III) complexes with catalase activity. indirect effect of the counteranion on magnetic properties

Four new binuclear Mn(III) complexes with carboxylate bridges have been synthesized: [[Mn(nn)(H(2)O)](2)(mu-ClCH(2)COO)(2)(mu-O)](ClO(4))(2) with nn = bpy (1) or phen (2) and [[Mn(bpy)(H(2)O)](2)(mu-RCOO)(2)(mu-O)](NO(3))(2) with RCOO = ClCH(2)COO (3) or CH(3)COO (4). The characterization by X-ray diffraction (1 and 3) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) (1-4) displays the relevance of this spectroscopy to the elucidation of the structural environment of the manganese ions in this kind of compound. Magnetic susceptibility data show an antiferromagnetic coupling for all the compounds: J = -2.89 cm(-1) (for 1), -8.16 cm(-1) (for 2), -0.68 cm(-1) (for 3), and -2.34 cm(-1) (for 4). Compounds 1 and 3 have the same cation complex [[Mn(bpy)(H(2)O)](2)(mu-ClCH(2)COO)(2)(mu-O)](2+), but, while 1 shows an antiferromagnetic coupling, for 3 the magnetic interaction between Mn(III) ions is very weak. The four compounds show catalase activity, and when the reaction stopped, Mn(II) compounds with different nuclearity could be obtained: binuclear [[Mn(phen)(2)](mu-ClCH(2)COO)(2)](ClO(4))(2), trinuclear [Mn(3)(bpy)(2)(mu-ClCH(2)COO)(6)], or mononuclear complexes without carboxylate. Two Mn(II) compounds without carboxylate have been characterized by X-ray diffraction: [Mn(NO(3))(2)(bpy)(2)][Mn(NO(3))(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)]NO(3) (5) and [Mn(bpy)(3)](ClO(4))(2).0.5 C(6)H(4)-1,2-(COOEt)(2).0.5H(2)O (8).     

Sol-gel ZrO2 coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

ZrO₂ coatings deposited on 316 L stainless steel sheets were synthesized by sol-gel method using Zr(OC₃H₇)₄ as precursor and isopropanol, glacial acetic acid, and water as solvents for application with ultrasounds. Different solutions for dip-coating were prepared with compositions varying between 0.025 and 0.9 mol/dm³ of ZrO₂. X-ray diffraction shows that the films densified at 800°C are crystalline with a tetragonal structure. The thickness of the coatings varied from 0.35–0.75 m. The influence of the ZrO₂ coatings on the corrosion behavior of stainless steel substrates in aqueous NaCl was studied through potentiodynamic polarization curves at 1 mV/s. The values of the electrochemical parameters allow for an explanation of the role of the films in the increased resistance of steel against corrosion in moderately aggressive environments.     

Characterization of Sol-gel bioencapsulates for ester hydrolysis and synthesis

Candida rugosa lipase was entrapped in silica sol-gel particles prepared by hydrolysis of methyltrimethoxysilane and assayed by p-nitrophenyl palmitate hydrolysis, as a function of pH and temperature, giving pH optima of 7.8 (free enzyme) and 5.0–8.0 (immobilized enzyme). The optimum temperature for the immobilized enzyme (50–55°C) was 19°C higher than for the free enzyme. Thermal, operational, and storage stability were determined with n-butanol and bytyric acid, giving at 45°C a half-life 2.7 times greater for the immobilized enzyme; storage time was 21 d at room temperature. For ester synthesis, the optimum temperature was 47°C, and high esterification conversions were obtained under repeated batch cycles (half-life of 138 h).     

Acid Pullulanase from Bacillus polymyxa MIR-23

Within the frame of a screening program aimed at the isolation of amylolytic sporeformers, one strain with high amylolytic activity designated MIR-23 was selected. The microbial characterization was carried out by morphological and biochemical tests and, by means of statistical treatment, was identified asBacillus polymyxa. The organism could grow in acidic conditions (pH 5.0) on a starch medium and produce α-amylase, pullulanase, and α-glucosidase. Batch cultures showed the highest enzyme activities in the stationary phase. Pullulanase activity exhibited an optimal temperature of 52–57°C at pH 4.5–5.5. These properties would allow its use in the saccharification processes in the starch industries.     

Flow injection amperometric detection of ascorbic acid using a Prussian Blue film-modified electrode

The PB film-modified electrode was used as an amperometric detector for flow injection analysis of ascorbic acid. The modified electrode detector showed good sensitivity, stability and reproducibility. The calibration curve for ascorbic acid was linear over the concentration range from 5.0x10(-6) to 1.0x10(-3) mol l(-1) with a slope of 19.9 mA mol(-1) per litre and a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The detection limit of this method was 2.49x10(-6) mol l(-1). The relative standard deviation of six replicate injections of 2.5x10(-4) mol l(-1) ascorbic acid was 2.5%. The results obtained for ascorbic acid determination in pharmaceutical products are in good agreement with those obtained by using the procedure involving the reaction between triiodide and ascorbic acid.     

Reagentless biosensor for isocitrate using one step modified Pt-Ir microelectrode

The Pt-Ir microelectrode modified through one step electropolymerization is proposed for the isocitrate amperometric biosensor construction. The enzyme (isocitrate dehydrogenase-ICDH), coenzyme (NADP(+)) and mediator (Meldola's Blue) were immobilized onto the microelectrode surface in one step from a PIPES buffer solution containing pyrrole. The optimized experimental conditions were 25 cycles of cyclic voltammetric in a solution containing 3.58 10(-5) mol l(-1) of mediator, 3.51 10(-4) mol l(-1) of coenzyme and 2.68 U ml(-1) of enzyme. In contrast to the biosensor for isocitrate reported in literature, just one enzyme was immobilized and no coenzyme addition in the solution of analysis was necessary. Catalytic currents were proportional to the isocitrate concentration between 7.7 10(-6) and 1.04 10(-4) mol l(-1), showing good repeatability. The detection limit of the proposed biosensor was 3.50 10(-6) mol l(-1), the response time was lower than 20 s, the lifetime was about 30 determinations and no significant interference of sugars and citric acid was verified. Orange juice samples were analysed by both methodology biosensor and spectrophotometric commercial kit, and the obtained results presented a good correlation. The data demonstrated that the developed biosensor is suitable for isocitrate determination in orange juice without matrix interferences.     

Solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy for the determination of acetylsalicylic acid in powdered pharmaceutical samples

A rapid, simple and rugged procedure without requiring any prior sample treatment was developed for the determination of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in tablets formulations by solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy. The method was carried out on powdered samples, consisting of an active substance dispersed in lactose, maize starch, talc and magnesium stearate. Previous knowledge of the sample bulk composition is needed for proper application of the method. Wavelengths for maximum excitation and emission were 288 and 318 nm, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity was linear with ASA concentration within the 50-170 mg g⁻¹ range. Detection and quantification limits were 2.2 and 7.3 mg g⁻¹, and the analytical frequency was 200 h⁻¹. For a typical sample, the relative standard deviation of results was estimated as 2.3% (n = 10). Accuracy was assessed by comparing the analytical results obtained with the proposed method with those related to a reference method recommended by British Pharmacopoeia: no differences between the methods were found at the 95% confidence level.     

Effect of pH on the interfacial adsorption activity of pulmonary surfactant

The effect of pH on the interfacial adsorption activity of pulmonary surfactant was examined. Measurements of the surface tension were made in a Wilhelmy-like surface microbalance specially designed to assay small volumes of hypophase in thermostatically controlled conditions. Alkaline pH caused a significant decrease of the surface activity of both pulmonary surfactant and a lipid extract from surfactant (LES) (containing all of the lipids and surfactant protein-B (SP-B) and surfactant protein-C (SP-C) hydrophobic surfactant proteins, but lacking surfactant protein-A). The pK calculated from the change of surface activity versus pH was 9.18±0.26 and 9.27±0.31 for pulmonary surfactant and LES, respectively. The results from this study support the idea that electrostatic interactions between basic residues of SP-B and SP-C and negatively charged surfactant phospholipids could be important for the interfacial adsorption activity of pulmonary surfactant.