Macrocyclic antibiotics as chiral selectors in the design of enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes for the determination of S-flurbiprofen

Construction of three novel enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes based on carbon paste impregnated with different macrocyclic antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin as chiral selectors are described. The solutions for the construction of electrodes were prepared in phosphate buffer pH 4 for the vancomycin-based electrode (VCM), pH 6 and pH 6/40% acetonitrile solutions for teicoplanin-based electrodes, TCP I and II, respectively. The proposed electrodes were applied in the assay of S-flurbiprofen raw material and its pharmaceutical formulation by use of direct potentiometry, VCM electrode exhibiting the best enantioselectivity. The surfaces of the electrodes are easily renewable by simply polishing on an alumina paper.     

Colorimetric Procedure for the Microdetermination of the Antibilharzial Drug Praziquantel and its Applications to Pharmaceutical Formulations

 A procedure for the colorimetric assay of praziquantel has been developed. The method is based on the formation of charge-transfer complexes with p-chloranil (I), dichloronitrophenol (II), 2,3-dichloro-5,6 dicyano-p-benzoquinone (III), 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (IV) and tetracyanoethylene (V) as π-acceptors to give highly coloured species. The coloured products are measured spectrophotometrically at 550, 425, 460, 844 and 393 nm for I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. Optimization of the different reaction conditions is described. The colour system obeyed Beer’s law in non-aqueous media in the concentration range 2.0–48 μg ml⁻¹. It was stable for at least 4.0 h. The detection limit was found to be 0.6 μg ml⁻¹. Applications of the procedure to the analysis of various pharmaceutical samples gave reproducible and accurate results. Further, the validity of the procedure was confirmed by applying the standard addition technique. The total average recovery was 100.2%. Received June 10, 2000. Revision December 23, 2000.     

An enzyme-linked immunometric assay for cortisol based on idiotype-anti-idiotype reactions

Cortisol levels in body fluids are useful for monitoring the function of the pituitary-adrenal axis. Here, we established an “enzyme-linked immunometric assay” (a noncompetitive-type ELISA) for cortisol based on idiotype-anti-idiotype reactions. Six different anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies that recognized the variable regions of a newly established anti-cortisol antibody were generated using hybridoma technology; these were two β-type and four α-type anti-idiotype antibodies, recognizing the paratope and framework regions, respectively. An immunometric assay was established using a combination of a selected α-type and a selected β-type antibody. The analyte (cortisol) was captured by an excess amount of anti-cortisol antibody immobilized on microplates, and the unoccupied paratope was saturated with the β-type antibody. Hapten-occupied anti-cortisol antibody, with less steric hindrance, was then selectively bound by the α-type antibody, labeled with biotin. The amount of biotin residue on the microplates was colorimetrically monitored using a peroxidase-labeled streptavidin. This assay had an approximately threefold higher sensitivity (detection limit: 90 pg = 248 fmol cortisol) than a competitive ELISA using the same anti-cortisol antibody, as well as a practical specificity for providing reasonable determination of normal urinary cortisol levels.     

Bioactive paper provides a low-cost platform for diagnostics

Bioactive paper includes a range of potential paper-based materials that can perform analytical functions normally reserved for multi-well plates in the laboratory or for portable electronic devices. Pathogen detection is the most compelling application. Simple paper-based detection, not requiring hardware, has the potential to have impacts in society, ranging from the kitchen to disasters in the developing world. Bioactive-paper research is an emerging field with significant efforts in Canada, USA (Harvard), Finland and Australia.Following a brief introduction to the material and surface properties of paper, I review the literature. Some of the early work exploits the porosity of paper to generate paper-based microfluidics (“paperfluidics”) devices. I exclude from this review printed electronic devices and plastics-supported devices.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel green tea essential oil nanoemulsion and its antifungal mechanism of action against Magnaporthae oryzae

Blast is one of the most devastating fungal diseases of rice caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. Plant essential oil (EO) can function as antifungal agents and are regarded as a safe and acceptable method for plant disease control. However, EOs are unstable and hydrophobic, which limits its use. In the present study, we aimed for the preparation and characterization of a nanoemulsion (NE) from green tea essential oil (GTO) by ultrasonication method and determined the antifungal activity of NE on M. oryzae. The particle size and zeta potential of the NE were 86.98 nm and −15.1 mV, respectively. The chemical composition and functional groups of GTO and NE were studied by using GC–MS analysis, portable Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR coupled with chemometric analysis. GC–MS analysis showed the major components in GTO and NE were n-Hexyl cinnamaldehyde and L-α-Terpineol. Both GTO and NE showed good antioxidant activity and total phenol content. Moreover, the NE showed good antifungal activity against M. oryzae which was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. Also, confocal Raman micro-spectroscopy (CRM) revealed the antifungal mechanism of GTO and NE on M. oryzae which proves the cell damage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the antifungal activity of GTO and NE against M. oryzae and also the use of CRM for the evaluation of the chemical changes in single fungal hyphae in a holistic approach. This study suggests that the prepared NE could be a potential candidate for use as a substitute for synthetic fungicides.     

Determination of Immunoglobulin G by a Hemin–Manganese(IV) Oxide-Labeled Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is reported for human immunoglobulin G based on synthesized hemin–MnO₂ nanocomposite as the label. Enhanced sensitivity was obtained due to the increased catalytic activity of the hemin–MnO₂ nanocomposite toward 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine compared to hemin and MnO₂ alone. The synthesized hemin–MnO₂ nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and its catalytic activity to 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine was investigated by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy. After assembly of the sandwich-type immunoassay in the 96 wells of the plate the hemin–MnO₂-based label catalyzed 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine into blue compounds that were monitored by a plate reader. The absorbance increased with the concentration of human immunoglobulin G. The immunoassay displayed high sensitivity, a long linear dynamic range, and good selectivity for human immunoglobulin G. The immunoassay was also used for the determination of human immunoglobulin G in serum with favorable results. The developed assay combines the high throughput and low cost of ELISA with the simplicity of nanocomposite labeling and is suitable for application in clinical diagnosis.     

Fluorescence‐based lateral flow assays for rapid oral fluid roadside detection of cannabis use

With the recent worldwide changes in the legalization of marijuana, there is a significant need for rapid, roadside screening test for driving under the influence of drugs. A robust, sensitive, lateral flow assay has been developed to detect recent use via oral‐fluid testing for Δ⁹‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This proof‐of‐concept assay uses a fluorescent‐based immunoassay detection of polymeric beads, conjugated to antibodies against native THC. The fluorescent technique allows for significantly lower limits of detection and higher precision determination of recent marijuana use without the use of urine or blood sampling—thus allowing for roadside identification. Detection levels of 0.01 ng/mL were distinguished from background and the lower limit of quantification was determined to approach 1 ng/mL.     

精吡氟禾草灵酶联免疫吸附分析方法研究

建立了定量测定精吡氟禾草灵的间接竞争酶联免疫吸附分析方法(ic-ELISA)。将精吡氟禾草灵在碱性条件下水解制得半抗原,再将半抗原与蛋白质偶联形成抗原后免疫新西兰大白兔,获得多克隆抗体。对其进行条件优化后,得到了精吡氟禾草灵的ic-ELISA方法的标准曲线。该方法的Ic50为0.553mg/L。检出限为0.0062mg/L。方法对其他芳氧苯氧基丙酸酯类除草剂没有明显交叉反应。精吡氟禾草灵在样品中的回收率为86.80%～103.41%,变异系数为3.96%～12.32%。表明本研究建立的精吡氟禾草灵的ELISA方法符合农药残留分析的要求。     

Cross‐Reactive Sensor Arrays for the Detection of Peptides in Aqueous Solution by Fluorescence Spectroscopy

A simple but powerful method for the sensing of peptides in aqueous solution has been developed. The transition‐metal complexes [PdCl₂(en)], [{RhCl₂Cp*}₂], and [{RuCl₂(p‐cymene)}₂] were combined with six different fluorescent dyes to build a cross‐reactive sensor array. The fluorescence response of the individual sensor units was based on competitive complexation reactions between the peptide analytes and the fluorescent dyes. The collective response of the sensor array in a time‐resolved fashion was used as an input for multivariate analyses. A sensor array comprised of only six metal–dye combinations was able to differentiate ten different dipeptides in buffered aqueous solution at a concentration of 50 μM . Furthermore, the cross‐reactive sensor could be used to obtain information about the identity and the quantity of the pharmacologically interesting dipeptides carnosine and homocarnosine in a complex biological matrix, such as deproteinized human blood serum. The sensor array was also able to sense longer peptides, which was demonstrated by differentiating mixtures of the nonapeptide bradykinin and the decapeptide kallidin.     

Analysis of microcystins by capillary zone electrophoresis coupling with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In this paper, a rapid and effective method based on capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was established for the trace analysis of microcystin (MC) isomers in crude algae sample. The experimental conditions including the composition, acidity and concentration of buffer, separation voltage, injection time, and MS detection parameters were investigated in detail. A capillary separation system was as follows: a uncoated fused-silica capillary tube (50 μm i.d. × 90 cm), 40 mmol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate solution (pH 9.86) as running buffer, 25 kV as separation voltage, 20 kV × 3 s water first and 20 kV × 20 s for sample injection. Mass analysis was performed in ESI source, with sheath gas temperature 150 °C, sheath gas pressure 10 psi, and sheath gas flow 6 L min⁻¹. And sheath liquid was 7.5 mmol L⁻¹ acetic acid in 50% isopropanol-water (3 μL min⁻¹). Protonation and ammonium adduct molecular ions m/z 506.9 (MC-LR) and 532.0 (MC-YR) were used for the quantification of MCs. Under these conditions, two MCs were baseline separated within 9 min, the calibration curves were obtained in the range of 0.11-10.0 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.16-10.5 μg mL⁻¹ for MC-LR and MC-YR, respectively. Meanwhile, limits of detection were 0.05 and 0.08 μg mL⁻¹ for MC-LR and MC-YR, respectively. The recoveries for the two MCs were in the range of 95.8-108%. The developed approach had been successfully applied to the analysis of MCs in crude algae samples.