Biomimetic piezoelectric quartz sensor for caffeine based on a molecularly imprinted polymer

A piezoelectric quartz sensor coated with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for caffeine was developed. The MIP was prepared by co-polymerizing methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of azobis(isobutyronitrile) as initiator, caffeine as template molecule, and chloroform as solvent. The MIP suspension in polyvinyl chloride/tetrahydrofuran (6:2:1 w/w/v) solution was spin coated onto the surface of the electrode of a 10 MHz AT-cut quartz crystal. The sensor exhibited a linear relationship between the frequency shift and caffeine concentration in the range of 1×10^–7 mg mL^–1 up to 1x10^–3 mg mL^–1 [correlation coefficient (r)=0.9935] in a stopped flow measurement mode. It has a sensitivity of about 24 Hz/ln(concentration, mg mL^–1). A steady-state response was achieved in less than 10 min. The performance characteristic of the sensor shows a promising and inexpensive alternative method of detecting caffeine. Surface studies were carried out for the reagent phase of the sensor using SEM, AFM, and XPS analysis in order to elucidate the imprinting of the caffeine molecule. The SEM micrograph, AFM image, and XPS spectra confirmed the removal of caffeine by Soxhlet extraction in the imprinting process and the rebinding of caffeine to the MIP sensing layer during measurement.     

Peroxidase based biosensors for the selective determination of D,L-lactic acid and L-malic acid in wines

A novel bioelectrochemical method for the direct determination of D(−) L(+) lactic acid and of L(−) malic acid in wines is presented. Multienzymatic biosensors were realized for the selective determination of the three analytes: D(−) and L(+) lactic acid were measured by a trienzymatic biosensor based on the catalytic activities of the enzymes L(+) lactate oxidase (LOD), D(−) lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP); L(−) malic acid was measured by a bienzymatic electrode, realized by coupling the enzymes L(−) malic dehydrogenase (L-MDH) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In both cases the enzymes were immobilized on an oxygen selective Clark electrode.The simultaneous determination of the two organic acids can be accomplished either in batch or in a flow injection analysis apparatus using the same biosensors as detectors. The analytical performance of the method, tested in standard aqueous solutions and on real samples of wines, showing high repeatability, short response times and reduced cost of analysis, suggest that the experimental approach here described could be followed to monitor the progress of malolactic fermentation.     

Synthesis and Kinetic Study on the Chromium(III) Complex [Cr(ASA)(en)2]Cl·2H2O

In order to explore the transfer mechanism of chromium(III) in mammals, a novel complex [Cr(ASA)(en)₂]Cl· 2H₂O, bis(ethylenediamine‐ κ ² N,N′)(4‐aminosalicylic acid‐ κ ² O,O′) chromium(III) monochloride dihydrate was synthesized (4‐aminosalicylic acid=H₂ASA, ethylenediamine=en). The crystal structure belongs to orthorhombic system with the space group P2₁2₁2₁ by means of X‐ray diffraction. The characteristic for transfer of Cr³⁺ from the compound to the low‐molecular‐mass chelator EDTA and the iron‐binding protein apoovotransferrin (apoOTf) was followed by UV‐visible (UV‐Vis) and fluorescence spectra in 0.01 mol·L^?1 Hepes at pH 7.4. The second order rate constants were calculated. Those spectra in conjunction were used to obtain more accurate information about the interaction of chromium complex with apoOTf. The experimental results indicate that Cr³⁺ can be transferred from the complex to apoOTf with the retention of the 4‐aminosalicylic acid acting as a synergistic anion.     

Characterization of Mercury – Humic Acids Interaction by Potentiometric Titration with a Modified Carbon Paste Mercury Sensor

Stability constant for mercury binding by commercial and natural humic acids (HA) were determined using a new potentiometric mercury(II) sensor based on dithiosalicylic acid modified carbon paste electrode. The sensor present a high selective and sensitive response to mercury(II) ions, and a low detection limit of 1.8×10^?8 M. The potentiometric titrations curves of humic acids against mercury(II) ions were modeled. For 1.00×10^?7 to 3.00×10^?4 M mercury(II) ion concentration levels the results are consistent with the presence of two different binding sites in the humic acid macromolecule. The strongest binding sites (log K₁ ranging from 10.1 to 6.8) are probably due to interaction with carboxylic acid and amine groups in the molecule, whereas weakest binding sites (log K₂ ranging from 8.8 to 4.5) can be associated to phenolic groups.     

Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Action of （η-C5H5 ）2Ti（ Sal）2 and （η-C5H5 ）2Ti（Clo）2

IntroductionSince K pf[1]discovered that dicyclopenta die-nyltitanium dichloride possesses antitumour action in1979,a large number of cyclopentadienyltitanium com-plexes with different substituents have been synthe-sized[2,3].The experimental data reveal …     

Determination of Uric Acid and Norepinephrine by Chitosan‐Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrode

A novel chemically modified electrode based on the chitosan‐multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is described, which exhibited an attractive ability to determine uric acid (UA) and norepinephrine (NE) simultaneously. The responses of UA and NE merged into a large peak at a bare GCE, but yielded two well‐defined oxidation peaks at the chitosan‐MWNT modified GCE (MC/GCE). The experimental parameters were optimized, and a direct electrochemical method for the simultaneous determine for UA and NE is proposed. The MC/GCE showed good sensitivity, selectivity and stability.     

ToF‐SIMS studies of the oxidation of Fe by D2O vapour: comparison with XPS

The oxidation of iron (Fe) by water (D₂O) vapour at low pressures and room temperature was investigated using time‐of‐flight (ToF) SIMS. The results supported those found previously using XPS and the QUASES^? program in that a duplex oxide structure was found containing a thin outer surface hydroxide (Fe(OD)₂) layer over an inner oxide (FeO) layer. The extraordinary depth resolution of the ToF‐SIMS profiles assisted in identifying the two phases; this resolution was achieved by compensation for surface roughness. A substantial concentration of deuterium was found in the subsurface oxide layer. This observation confirmed previous assessments that the formation of FeO was from the reaction of Fe(OD)₂ with outward‐diffusing Fe, leaving deuterium as a reaction product. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of amino acid-containing polyacids and their application in self-cured glass-ionomer cement

Six methacrylate or acrylate derivatives of natural amino acids were synthesized and characterized. Based upon these monomers, six terpolymers [poly(acrylic) acid-co-itaconic acid-co-amino acid] were prepared and characterized. The synthesized polymers were used to formulate glass-ionomer cements (GICs) using Fuji II glass filler. The effects of the molecular weight (MW) and powder/liquid (P/L) ratio were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surfaces of the selected cement specimens. Results show that all the amino acid modified GICs exhibited higher compressive strengths (CS, 193-236 MPa) and much higher flexural strengths (FS, 55-71 MPa) as compared to commercial Fuji II GIC (191 in CS and 16 in FS). Both MW and P/L ratio affected the strength of the formed cement. It was important to find the optimal MW and P/L ratio to obtain the highest FS. In this study, optimized MW (number average) of the polyacids and P/L ratio were around 50,000 and 2.7/1, respectively. The microstructures of the fracture surfaces helped to explain the strength differences among the materials tested in the study. SEM analysis suggests that more integrated microstructures and fewer defects can lead to higher FS.     

A new strategy for the synthesis of α,β-diaroylpropionates promoted by samarium metal in DMF

When promoted by samarium in DMF, aroyl chlorides react readily with acrylates to afford α,β-diaroylpropionates in good to excellent yields without pretreating or activating the metallic samarium.     

Density and Speed of Sound for Binary Mixtures of a Cyclic Ether with a Butanol Isomer

Densities and speeds of sound of the binary mixtures 1,3-dioxolane + 1-butanol, 1,3-dioxolane + 2-butanol, 1,4-dioxane + 1-butanol, and 1,4-dioxane + 2-butanol have been measured at 25 and 40°C. The excess molar volumes and excess isentropic compressibility coefficients were calculated from experimental data and fitted to a Redlich–Kister polynomial function. Results were analyzed in terms of molecular interactions and compared with literature data.