LC/ESI-MS n and 1H HR-MAS NMR analytical methods as useful taxonomical tools within the genus Cystoseira C. Agardh (Fucales; Phaeophyceae)

Species of the genus Cystoseira are particularly hard to discriminate, due to the complexity of their morphology, which can be influenced by their phenological state and ecological parameters. Our study emphasized on the relevance of two kinds of analytical tools, (1) LC/ESI-MSⁿ and (2) ¹H HR-MAS NMR, also called in vivo NMR, to identify Cystoseira specimens at the specific level and discuss their taxonomy. For these analyses, samples were collected at several locations in Brittany (France), where Cystoseira baccata, C. foeniculacea, C. humilis, C. nodicaulis and C. tamariscifolia were previously reported. To validate our chemical procedure, the sequence of the ITS2 has been obtained for each species to investigate their phylogenetic relationships at a molecular level. Our study highlighted the consistency of the two physico-chemical methods, compared to “classical” molecular approach, in studying taxonomy within the genus Cystoseira. Especially, LC/ESI-MSⁿ and phylogenetic analyses converged into the discrimination of two taxonomical groups among the 5 species. The occurrence of some specific signals in the ¹H HR-MAS NMR spectra and/or some characteristic chemical compounds during LC/ESI-MSⁿ analysis could be regarded as discriminating factors. LC/ESI-MSⁿ and ¹H HR-MAS NMR turned out to be two relevant and innovative techniques to discriminate taxonomically this complex genus.     

A rapid method with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of five type B trichothecenes in traditional Chinese medicines

A speedy and selective ultra‐HPLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol (DON), 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (3‐ADON), 15‐ADON, nivalenol and fusarenon X in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) was developed. The method was based on one‐step sample cleanup using reliable homemade cleanup cartridges. A linear gradient mobile‐phase system, consisting of water containing 0.2% aqueous ammonia and acetonitrile/methanol (90:10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, and an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) were employed to obtain the best resolution of the target analytes. [¹³C₁₅]–DON was used as the internal standard to accomplish as accurate as possible quantitation. The established method was further validated by determining the linearity (R²≥0.9990), sensitivity (LOQ, 0.29–0.99 μg/kg), recovery (88.5–119.5%) and precision (RSD≤15.8%). It was shown to be a suitable method for simultaneous determination of DON, 3‐ADON, 15‐ADON, nivalenol and fusarenon X in various TCM matrices. The utility and practical impact of the method was demonstrated using different TCM samples.     

Elucidating the identity of Anisakis larvae from a broad range of marine fishes from the Yellow Sea,China, using a combined electrophoretic‐sequencing approach

Larval nematodes were collected from marine fishes from the Yellow Sea, China. Specimens (n=1731) of Anisakis type I from 311 fishes (representing 40 species) were each identified based on morphological characters. From the genomic DNA from individual specimens, a region of nuclear ribosomal DNA was amplified by PCR, followed by digestion with restriction endonuclease HinfI, TaqI or HhaI. Subsequently, the ITS‐1 and ITS‐2 regions of selected samples were sequenced. The results revealed three species of Anisakis, namely Anisakis pegreffii (n=1709), A. typica (n=3) and a genotype (n=19) proposed, also based on comparison with previous studies, to be a “hybrid” between A. pegreffii and A. simplex sensu stricto. Thus, A. pegreffii was the dominant species, accounting for 98.7% of the total number of specimens examined herein. This is the first report of A. typica and the “hybrid” genotype from fishes from the Yellow Sea. This study provides important basic information on Anisakis in this region and suggests that the genus Anisakis has substantial host and geographical distributions.     

Analysis of ochratoxin A and ochratoxin B in traditional Chinese medicines by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using [C20]-ochratoxin A as an internal standard

The paper reported a reliable analytical method for simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) and ochratoxin B (OTB) in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). The development of the method and investigations on the matrix influence were described in particular. The matrix effects were thereby minimized by using a reliable internal standard and a simple sample pretreatment. The established method was further validated by determining the linearity (R² ≥ 0.9990), average recovery (86.3–114.2%), sensitivity (limit of quantitation 0.03–0.19 ng mL⁻¹) and precision (relative standard deviation ≤ 13.1%). It was shown to be a suitable method for simultaneous determination of OTA and OTB in various TCMs. Finally, a total of 51 TCMs widely used in China were screened for OTA and OTB with the proposed method. The results showed that only 4 samples were contaminated with ochratoxins at low levels, indicating that it was low risk of ochratoxins to consumers who occasionally used TCMs.     

钽内标X射线荧光光谱法测定钨精矿中WO_3

提出了以钽为内标波长色散X射线荧光光谱法测定钨精矿中WO3的新方法。以Na2B4O7和Li2B4O7(质量比65:35)的混合物作为熔剂,Ta2O5为内标,同时加入LiNO3为氧化剂,在1200℃下进行熔融制样,最后将本方法应用于实际样品的分析,结果表明,以钽作为内标测定WO3,不仅可以在很大程度上降低实验操作和仪器测量带来的偏差,也可以消除基体效应的影响。方法用于测定白钨精矿和黑钨精矿中WO3,其准确度和精密度优于重量分析法。     

PdO0,±1, PdH0,±1及PdOH分子结构和电子性质的从头计算

利用多种从头计算方法对PdO0,±1, PdH0,±1以及PdOH的结构和电子性质进行了理论研究. 优化了PdO分子两个能量相近的态(3∏和3∑-), 结果表明PdO 的3∏态较3∑-态更为稳定, 在单双激发耦合簇理论(CCSD)水平下3∑-态的总能量比3∏态的高出0.286 eV. 在结构优化的基础上计算了PdO以及PdH的绝热电离能(AIE)和电子亲和能(AEA), 计算结果与实验值符合得很好. PdOH的基态为Cs对称性的角型结构Pd—OH(2A'态), 另外还优化得到两个2A'态的亚稳结构, 分别对应于Pd—OH和O—Pd—H, CCSD水平下两个亚稳态的总能量较基态分别高0.405和2.284 eV, 优化得到了连接这两个2A'态的过渡态, 并计算了相应的反应能垒.     

Vibronic spectra, ab initio calculations, and structures of conformationally non-rigid molecules of oxalyl halides in the ground and lowest excited electronic states - Part VI: Oxalyl bromide (COBr)2 and summary

The structure of oxalyl bromide (COBr)₂ in the ground and four lowest excited electronic states was theoretically investigated using the CASPT2/cc-pVTZ-DK method. Structural information obtained allowed the reassignment of the and vibronic absorption spectra. Generalization of oxalyl halide structural data for the ground and excited electronic states is presented.     

The microwave spectrum of methyl chlorodifluoroacetate: Methyl internal rotation and chlorine nuclear electric quadrupole coupling

A chirped pulse microwave spectrometer has been used to record microwave spectra of the ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl isotopologues of methyl chlorodifluoroacetate, CClF₂C(O)OCH₃, between 8 GHz and 16 GHz. The target compound was spectroscopically examined as it participated in a supersonic expansion of argon. Only one conformer was observed. The rotational spectra were recorded with sufficient resolution to observe (i) splittings due to the internal rotation of the methyl group, and (ii) splittings from the coupling of the chlorine quadrupolar nucleus. A total of 785 transitions have had quantum numbers assigned. Analysis of the spectra observed has produced an experimental barrier to the methyl group internal rotation, V₃, of 370(2) cm⁻¹. It is noted that this barrier is a little lower than that determined for methyl acetate [V₃ = 425 cm⁻¹, J. Sheridan, W. Bossert and A. Bauder, J. Mol. Spectrosc., 80 (1980) 1-11], and this is rationalized through a comparison of molecular structures. Lastly, all components of both the ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl chlorine nuclear electric quadrupolar coupling tensor have been determined.     

Gas-phase Raman spectra of hot bands of fundamentals and combinations associated with the torsional vibration of s-trans-1,3-butadiene and its deuterated isotopologues

The gas-phase Raman spectra of 1,3-butadiene and its 2,3-d₂, 1,1,4,4-d₄, and d₆ isotopologues have been recorded with high sensitivity and resolution of 0.7 cm⁻¹. Hot band series of fundamentals and combinations involving the ν₁₃ torsional vibration of the s-trans rotamer have been observed for each of the isotopologues. Modes studied were ν₁₀ (CH wag), ν₁₂ (CH₂ twist), ν₁₀ + ν₁₂, ν₁₅ (CH₂ wag) + ν₁₆ (CH₂ twist), and ν₂₃ (CH₂ rock) + ν₂₄ (CCC deformation). The spacings of the quantum states of the torsional contribution were found to decrease with additional excitation of this mode (ν₁₃) in the upper vibrational states except for the ν₂₃ + ν₂₄ combination state.     

Oxygen relaxation and phase transition in GdBaCo2O5 + δ oxide

Electrical conductivity, internal friction techniques and dilatometer have been used to investigate the oxygen relaxation, phase transition and thermal expansion behavior of GdBaCo₂O_5 + δ. The main electronic charge carriers in GdBaCo₂O_5 + δ are electronic holes, which could be assigned to the formation of Co⁴⁺. The oxygen exchange kinetics intensely depends on oxygen partial pressure and is also closely related to temperature. Both electrical conductivity and internal friction give rise to an abnormal at about 75 °C, which are related to the insulator-metal transition occurring in GdBaCo₂O_5 + δ. One large relaxation internal friction peak, due to the motion of oxygen within Gd-O plane, is also found in the oxide. The average thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of GdBaCo₂O_5 + δ is about 21.4 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ between 500 °C and 900 °C.