Green Extraction Techniques as Advanced Sample Preparation Approaches in Biological,Food, and Environmental Matrices: A Review

Green extraction techniques (GreETs) emerged in the last decade as greener and sustainable alternatives to classical sample preparation procedures aiming to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of analytical methods, simultaneously reducing the deleterious side effects of classical extraction techniques (CETs) for both the operator and the environment. The implementation of improved processes that overcome the main constraints of classical methods in terms of efficiency and ability to minimize or eliminate the use and generation of harmful substances will promote more efficient use of energy and resources in close association with the principles supporting the concept of green chemistry. The current review aims to update the state of the art of some cutting-edge GreETs developed and implemented in recent years focusing on the improvement of the main analytical features, practical aspects, and relevant applications in the biological, food, and environmental fields. Approaches to improve and accelerate the extraction efficiency and to lower solvent consumption, including sorbent-based techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and fabric-phase sorbent extraction (FPSE), and solvent-based techniques (μQuEChERS; micro quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), in addition to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), are highlighted.     

Comparative Study of the Synthetic Approaches and Biological Activities of the Bioisosteres of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles and 1,3,4-Thiadiazoles over the Past Decade

The bioisosteres of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,3,4-thiadiazoles are well-known pharmacophores for many medicinally important drugs. Throughout the past 10 years, 1,3,4-oxa-/thiadiazole nuclei have been very attractive to researchers for drug design, synthesis, and the study of their potential activity towards a variety of diseases, including microbial and viral infections, cancer, diabetes, pain, and inflammation. This work is an up-to-date comparative study that identifies the differences between 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles concerning their methods of synthesis from different classes of starting compounds under various reaction conditions, as well as their biological activities and structure–activity relationship.     

Chemical Characteristics of Ethanol and Water Extracts of Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) Acorns and Their Antibacterial,Anti-Fungal and Antitumor Properties

The aim of this study was to identify polyphenolic compounds contained in ethanol and water extracts of black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) acorns and evaluate their anti-cancer and antimicrobial effects. The significant anti-cancer potential on the human skin epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431 and the human epithelial cell line A549 derived from lung carcinoma tissue was observed. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of alder acorns inhibited the growth of mainly Gram-positive microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans) and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata), as well as Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) strains. The identification of polyphenols was carried out using an ACQUITY UPLC-PDA-MS system. The extracts were composed of 29 compounds belonging to phenolic acids, flavonols, ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives. Ellagitannins were identified as the predominant phenolics in ethanol and aqueous extract (2171.90 and 1593.13 mg/100 g DM, respectively) The results may explain the use of A. glutinosa extracts in folk medicine.     

Fraunhofer Diffraction Pattern by a Slit Aperture between a Knife Edge and a Metal Cylinder

The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of an aperture formed between a knife edge and a smooth surface of a turned metal cylinder or half cylinder is different from the diffraction pattern of an ideal slit aperture. The diffraction pattern is simulated by adding the light reflected by the cylinder surface to the pattern formed by a slit, and is measured using a cylinder that has been partly cut away so that it can represent either a full or half cylinder. The theoretical and measured patterns agree well with each other.     

金银/氮化钛表面增强拉曼基底制备及对烟酸的定量检测

表面增强拉曼光谱技术对分子具有特异性识别以及快速无损检测的能力,使其在药物检测方面具有重大的潜力。通过贵金属和氮化钛之间协同作用,使复合基底具有较高的SERS性能,提供了一种基于SERS技术的药物检测方法。采用电化学沉积及自组装法,制备出贵金属/氮化钛复合薄膜。研究表明,在复合薄膜中存在面心立方晶型TiN、金属单质Au和Ag三种物相;电子显微镜显示平均粒径分别为90和50 nm的金属Au和Ag颗粒均匀分布在TiN薄膜表面;基底的紫外-可见吸收图谱中出现了贵金属金与银纳米颗粒及TiN薄膜三者的特征等离子体共振吸收峰。以该复合薄膜为SERS基底,对烟酸溶液进行拉曼检测。结果显示,贵金属/氮化钛复合薄膜对烟酸具有显著的SERS效应,最低检测浓度为10-5 mol·L-1,对1 033 cm-1处烟酸拉曼信号强度及浓度取对数,发现两者间呈一定线性关系,其R2为0.969,得益于TiN,Au和Ag之间可发生表面等离子体共振引起电磁场增强,以及电荷转移效应。研究还发现,烟酸通过COO-基团垂直吸附在贵金属/氮化钛基底表面;在酸性环境下,烟酸N原子质子化主要以阳离子N＋H（Ⅰ）形式存在;在碱性环境时,主要以阴离子COO-（Ⅲ）形式存在。绞股蓝总甙溶液中模拟烟酸非法添加,该复合基底对其最低的拉曼检测浓度是10-5 mol·L-1,为现场快速检测非法添加药物提供了新途径。     

金属Zn液态结构变化的研究

利用ＴＢ模型给出的原子间相互作用势详细计算了不同温度下Ｚｎ的双体分布函数ｇ（ｒ），结果发现随着温度的不断降低，液态金属Ｚｎ的ｇ（ｒ）第一峰变得高而尖，第二峰由弱变强，说明了液态金属Ｚｎ的有序度随温度降低而不断增强；利用键对分析技术统计了液态金属Ｚｎ在不同温度下的键取向序参数、键对数。键取向序参数及键对数随温度的变化，进一步证明了低温液态的有序度高于高温液态，从而充分说明液态金属在不同温度下有不同的结构形式，而不像人们想象得那样杂乱无章。     

自悬浮定向流法制备纳米铜微粒及其结构表征

采用自悬浮定向流法制备金属铜纳米微粒,并用TEM,XRD和AES等分析手段研究了铜纳米微粒的形貌、粒度、结构及其表面氧化层特性。结果表明,在一定的参数条件下采用自悬浮定向流法可制备出单晶纳米铜微粒,并且通过工艺参数的调控可达到对微粒粒度的控制。     

基于金属卤化物钙钛矿材料的高效发光二极管

金属卤化物钙钛矿半导体既在光伏器件研究中获得巨大进展,又在发光应用中体现出明显优势。金属卤化物钙钛矿半导体的荧光转化效率高、发光峰形窄、发射光谱可调控并可覆盖整个可见光范围,从而使得该类材料所制备的发光二极管有望满足下一代显示技术应用的性能要求。文章在简要叙述发光二极管基本原理的基础上,分别介绍了钙钛矿材料的结构和荧光特性、钙钛矿发光二极管的电致发光特性,以及钙钛矿发光二极管进入实际应用所必须解决的器件寿命、离子迁移和光谱不稳定性等主要技术问题,最后讨论了钙钛矿发光技术所面临的机遇和挑战。     

Symbiotic N2 Fixation and N Uptake of Yellow and White Lupines Influenced by Spontaneous Rhizobia Infection and Substrate

Abstract

By using soil as substrate, white and yellow lupines (Lupinus albus L., Lupinus luteus L.) assimilated higher N amounts than under quartz sand conditions. This was caused by spontaneous infection of lupines with wild Rhizobia strains and also by an additional N uptake from the soil. In yellow lupines without inoculation in non-sterile soil, only the additional N uptake played a role. Differences in P and K supply as the cause of different N acquisition from soil and quartz sand could be excluded. As compared with white lupines, yellow lupines inoculated with Rhizobia had a high N₂ fixation that exceeded the effect of spontaneous infections. This result as well as the positive effect of spontaneous infections with soil-borne Rhizobia on white lupines indicates insufficient effectiveness of the strains used for inoculation on this plant species.