Inhomogeneity in Distribution and Conformation of Bovine Serum Albumin in Sol–Gel: A Closer Look with a Near-Infrared Multispectral Imaging Technique

Concentration distributions and conformations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) entrapped in sol–gels were successfully determined for the first time by use of the recently developed NIR multispectral imaging instrument. It was found that BSA molecules were inhomogeneously distributed within the sol–gel matrix, independent of its concentration. At relatively high concentration (366 mg/mL) the encapsulation process does not seem to produce any observable changes in the conformation of BSA. However, when the concentration of BSA was decreased to 220 mg/mL, pronounced changes in the spectra of the protein were observed as a function of (sol–gel reaction) time. The observed inhomogenity might be traced to both a non-uniform concentration distribution of BSA and changes in protein native conformation resulting from interactions between the charged protein and the silicate anions. Results obtained seem to suggest that the protein molecules might adapt themselves to accommodate evolving geometry and sites of the silica network.     

Iron speciation by solid phase extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry using N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-diiminopropane

A new Schiff base, N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-bromobenzyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-diiminopropane, has been synthesized for the very sensitive determination of iron(III) and iron(II) in natural water samples. It enabled a very selective and rapid method for iron determination to be developed. The method has also been applied to total iron determination in sediment samples. In the preconcentration system, the Schiff base reagent is mixed with the samples and chelates containing iron(III). The complexes are then adsorbed on silica gel within a column system. Elution of the adsorbed chelate from the silica gel was performed with a small volume of acetone containing 2.5% nitric acid. The iron is measured off-line by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method can be applied to the preconcentration, separation and speciation of iron. The effects of parameters such as pH, sample flow rate, eluent flow rate, foreign ions and ligand concentration have been investigated. The effect of humic acid that can produce complexes with metal ions in natural systems has also been investigated. The results obtained indicate that the method is not affected by the presence of up to 10 ppm humic acid, which would be a very high concentration to be present in natural systems. The solid phase extraction method developed has been applied to the determination of iron in both natural water samples and sediment samples. The LOD was found to be 0.17 mg L⁻¹ when no preconcentration was used, although preconcentration factors of 100 could be achieved. The recovery values for spiked samples were between 100 and 104%. The results were compared statistically with those from the standard 1,10 phenanthroline method used for iron speciation in water systems. A Student’s t-test indicated no significant difference between the two methods. In addition, this method was applied to the analysis of a certified sediment sample, LGC 6156. Generally, a 10-fold preconcentration factor was required for the analysis of natural water samples.     

Microbiosensor for acetylcholine and choline based on electropolymerization/sol–gel derived composite membrane

Amperometric enzyme biosensors for the determination of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) have been described. For the fabrication of the biosensors, N-acetylaniline (nAN) was first electropolymerized on a Pt electrode surface to be served as a permselective layer to reject interferences. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and choline oxidase (CHOD) were co-immobilized in a zinc oxide (ZnO) sol–gel membrane on the above modified Pt electrode for a Ch sensor, or CHOD, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and BSA immobilized together for an ACh/Ch sensor. The poly (N-acetylaniline) (pnAN) film was the first time used for an ACh/Ch sensor and found to have excellent anti-interference ability, and the BSA in the sol–gel can improve the stability and activity of the enzymes. Amperometric detection of ACh and Ch were realized at an applied potential of +0.6 V versus SCE. The resulting sensors were characterized by fast response, expanded linear range and low interference from endogenous electroactive species. Temperature and pH dependence and stability of the sensor were investigated. The optimal ACh/Ch sensor gave a linear response range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.5 × 10⁻³ M to ACh with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ M and a linear response range up to 1.6 × 10⁻³ M to Ch with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M. The biosensor demonstrated a 95% response within less than 10 s.     

4,4′-二(硬脂酰胺基)二苯甲烷在乙烯基类单体中的分子组装及其结构形态研究

4,4′-二(硬脂酰胺基)二苯甲烷(BSDM)能在乙烯基类单体中进行聚集、自组装,并可使苯乙烯、丙烯酸丁酯、甲基丙烯酸甲酯、甲基丙烯酸-2-羟基乙酯等凝胶化,形成相应的分子凝胶.凝胶/溶胶相变温度(TGS)与BSDM浓度有关,BSDM质量分数越大,凝胶体系中分子间氢键和π-π键越多,要破坏它们所需要的能量越高,TGS因而也就越高.透射电镜表明,BSDM在各种可聚合溶剂中通过分子间相互作用形成类似纤维状的聚集体结构.BSDM在可聚合溶剂聚合前后的偏光显微照片表明,BSDM在体系中的晶型结构是球晶.     

锂二次电池中的原位聚合电解质

聚合物电解质主要分为凝胶聚合物电解质和固态聚合物电解质两种类型,均能够提升锂二次电池的性能.其中,凝胶聚合物电解质是利用增塑剂实现聚合物基质的凝胶化,将有机液态电解液固定在三维网络结构中,因此同时具备液态的离子扩散速率和固态材料的机械性能;而固态聚合物电解质是一种完全没有液态电解质的体系,利用聚合物基体的极性实现锂盐的...     

Metabolic and Proteomic Analysis of Chlorella sorokiniana,Chloroidium saccharofilum,and Chlorella vulgaris Cells Cultured in Autotrophic,Photoheterotrophic, and Mixotrophic Cultivation Modes

Chlorella is one of the most well-known microalgal genera, currently comprising approximately a hundred species of single-celled green algae according to the AlgaeBase. Strains of the genus Chlorella have the ability to metabolize both inorganic and organic carbon sources in various trophic modes and synthesize valuable metabolites that are widely used in many industries. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of three trophic modes on the growth parameters, productivities of individual cell components, and biochemical composition of Chlorella sorokiniana, Chloroidium saccharofilum, and Chlorella vulgaris cells with special consideration of protein profiles detected by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Mixotrophic conditions with the use of an agro-industrial by-product stimulated the growth of all Chlorella species, which was confirmed by the highest specific growth rates and the shortest biomass doubling times. The mixotrophic cultivation of all Chlorella species yielded a high amount of protein-rich biomass with reduced contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and carbohydrates. Additionally, this work provides the first information about the proteome of Chloroidium saccharofilum, Chlorella sorokiniana, and Chlorella vulgaris cells cultured in molasses supplementation conditions. The proteomic analysis of the three Chlorella species growing photoheterotrophically and mixotrophically showed increased accumulation of proteins involved in the cell energy metabolism and carbon uptake, photosynthesis process, and protein synthesis, as well as proteins involved in intracellular movements and chaperone proteins.     

几种粉螨同工酶比较及亲缘关系初探

以5种粉螨为实验材料,以普通肉食螨和桔全爪螨为对照,采用垂直板型聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法（PAGE）,对常见同工酶EST、MDH、ADH、CAT等进行比较研究。结果表明：不同种类粉螨间的酶带具有多样性,存在不同程度的相似相异性,为粉螨的分类鉴定提供了佐证,利用相似系数初步分析了几种粉螨间亲缘关系的远近。     

高压静电法制备多孔磁性壳聚糖微球

以壳聚糖(Chitosan, CS)为基质, 通过共混法引入四氧化三铁磁性颗粒, 以硅胶(Silicagel, S)为致孔剂, 在热的NaOH溶液中溶出硅胶致孔, 采用高压静电法制备磁性壳聚糖微球. 通过SEM观察了微球的结构和形貌, 并对微球结构和形貌的影响因素及其制备工艺进行了系统的研究, 结果表明, 高压静电法制备的磁性硅胶/壳聚糖微球粒径可通过微量进样器的针头大小来控制, 并且粒径分布均匀, 实验重复性及可控性好; 当以质量体积分数为5%的壳聚糖醋酸溶液(体积分数2％, mS∶mCS=4∶1), 用8号针头进样时, 制得直径约为600 μm, 孔洞分布均匀, 孔径约为50 μm的多孔磁性壳聚糖微球. 由于磁性多孔壳聚糖微球中含有大量的活性羟基和氨基, 因此显弱碱性, 对酸性物质和金属离子的吸附作用很好, 且可通过外加磁场进行有效分离. 磁性多孔壳聚糖微球在生物分离及污水中的酸性染料处理方面具有潜在的应用价值.     

Solid‐State Active Elements Based on Dyes and Prepared by a Sol‐Gel Method

A new method is suggested for producing the solgel matrices with the molecules of laser dyes introduced into them. The curves of tuning lasing in Rhodamine 6G, Rhodamine 4S, Rhodamine 101, and phenylamine 430 in these matrices are obtained. The total range of tuning is 550–650 nm at a pumping energy of 4 mJ. The halfwidth of the generation spectrum is independent of the pumping energy to 4 mJ and comprises 0.3 ± 0.1 nm. The main factors forming the generation spectrum are noted.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Paracetamol in Aqueous Medium Using TiO2 Prepared by the Sol–Gel Method

Two titania photocatalysts have been prepared using the sol–gel method using TiCl₄ as a precursor, and two different alcohols, namely, ethanol or propanol (Et or Pr). The main aim of this work was to study the effect of the nature of the alcohol on the chemical, structural and photocatalytic properties for paracetamol photodegradation of the final solids. The TiCl₄/alcohol molar ratio to obtain the corresponding alkoxides (TiEt and TiPr) was 1/10. These alkoxides were calcined at 400 °C to prepare the oxide catalysts (named as TiEt400 and TiPr400). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) of the original samples showed the presence of anatase diffraction peaks in sample TiPr, while TiEt is a completely amorphous material. Contrary to commercial TiO₂-P25, the PXRD diagrams of the calcined samples showed anatase as the exclusive crystalline phase in both solids. The specific surface area (S_BET) of sample TiPr400 was larger than that of sample TiEt400, and both larger than that of TiO₂-P25. The three solids have been tested in the photodegradation of paracetamol in aqueous solution. It has been established that the alcohol used influences the properties and catalytic activity of the final oxides. The synthesized solids exhibit a higher activity than commercial TiO₂-P25, because of their structural characteristics and larger S_BET.