Comparative voltammetric study of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), albumin and DNP-albumin as an analytical approach to the use of DNP as a universal label in immunoelectrochemical assays

A comparative electrochemical study of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), albumin and DNP-albumin has been carried out at a hanging mercury drop electrode, in order to use DNP as a universal label in immunoelectrical assays. Several electrochemical techniques have been used. Differential pulse voltammetry has proved to be the most suitable. Wide dynamic linear ranges (more than three orders of magnitude for DNP-albumin) and low detection limits have been achieved (5 x 10(-10)M, 2 x 10(-10)M, 3 x 10(-12)M for DNP, albumin and DNP-albumin, respectively). Good reproducibility has been obtained in all cases (R.S.D. < 2.2%).     

On the nature of the transition state in catechol O-methyltransferase. A complementary study based on molecular dynamics and potential energy surface explorations

The way in which enzymes influence the rate of chemical processes is still a question of debate. The protein promotes the catalysis of biochemical processes by lowering the free energy barrier in comparison with the reference uncatalyzed reaction in solution. In this article we are reporting static and dynamic aspects of the enzyme catalysis in a bimolecular reaction, namely a methyl transfer from S-adenosylmethionine to the hydroxylate oxygen of a substituted catechol catalyzed by catechol O-methyltransferase. From QM/MM optimizations, we will first analyze the participation of the environment on the transition vector. The study of molecular dynamics trajectories will allow us to estimate the transmission coefficient from a previously localized transition state as the maximum in the potential of mean force profile. The analysis of the reactive and nonreactive trajectories in the enzyme environment and in solution will also allow studying the geometrical and electronic changes, with special attention to the chemical system movements and the coupling with the environment. The main result, coming from both analyses, is the approximation of the magnesium cation to the nucleophilic and the hydroxyl group of the catecholate as a result of a general movement of the protein, stabilizing in this way the transition state. Consequently, the free energy barrier of the enzyme reaction is dramatically decreased with respect to the reaction in solution.     

Visual recognition of melamine in milk via selective metallo-hydrogel formation

A novel protocol allowing convenient and highly selective visual recognition of melamine in raw milk via selective metallo-hydrogel formation at a concentration as low as 10 ppm without any tedious pretreatment has been developed.     

Determination of sulfur dioxide in vitriol plant wastewater by using a polyNiMe4TAA electrochemically modified Pt microelectrode

A Pt microelectrode modified with nickel(II) polytetramethyldibenzo[b,i]tetraaza[14]annulene was prepared by electropolymerization of nickel(II) tetramethyldibenzo[b,i]tetraaza[14]annulene monomers and applied to determine sulfur dioxide in vitriol plant wastewater. For determination of SO2 with this electrochemically modified Pt microelectrode, the linear range was from 9.6 x 10(-6) to 2.4 x 10(-4) mol L-1, the sensitivity was 1.8 x 10(-4) A L mol-1, the detection limit was calculated to be 4.8 x 10(-6) mol L-1 (S/N = 3), the response time was less than 20 s and the relative standard deviation was found to be 2.1% on analyzing 4.8 x 10(-5) mol L-1 SO2 solution repeatedly (n = 7). These results demonstrated good accuracy compared with those obtained by the conventional iodimetric method.     

A novel diacetylenic bilirubin

An etiobilirubin‐IIβ analog with the central C(10) CH₂ group replaced by a diacetylene unit ( 1 ) was synthesized by base‐catalyzed condensation of bis‐[3‐methyl‐4‐ethyl‐5‐formylpyrrol‐2‐yl]‐diacetylene ( 3 ) with 3‐methyl‐4‐ethyl‐5‐p‐toluenesulfonyl‐2‐pyrrolinone ( 10 ). Diacetylenic rubin 1 is a dark red solid, giving orange solutions with uv‐visible absorption maxima near 460 nm.