Separation of potential flavoring compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatography separated successively and quantitatively the food flavoring agents pyrimidines, purines and nucleosides, followed by nucleotides, then by polyphenols and finally by pyrazines with a reversed-phase octadecylsilica (μBondapak C₁₈) column and various proportions of methanol, water, acetic acid and tetrabutylammonium phosphate (PIC A). The polar solvent (solvent A) was water—acetic acid—PIC A (97.5:1.5:1.0) and the relatively non-polar solvent (solvent B) was methanol—acetic acid—PIC A (97.5:1.5:1.0). Purines, pyrimidines, and nucleosides were eluted with solvent A. Nucleotides were eluted with a mixture of solvents A and B (9:1). Polyphenols were separated with a gradient starting at 10% solvent B and finishing at 25% solvent B, and finally the pyrazines were removed successively from the column with a gradient starting at 25% solvent B and finishing at 45% solvent B. The resolution and reproducibility were excellent for more than 50 compounds. By this method beverages could be analyzed directly, without solvent extraction, for flavoring compounds.     

Cyclization of methyl 6,7-epoxycitronellate to methylcyclopentane derivatives : Alkoxide induced conversion of γ-lactones to γ,δ-unsaturated acids

The reaction of sodium hydride or potassium t-butoxide with methyl epoxycitronellate (1) in dimethylformamide affords a mixture of cis,cis-puleganolide (2) and cis,trans-puleganolide (3) in high yield. When the cyclization is conducted at 110°, the isomeric 2-isopropenyl-5-methylcyclopentanecarboxylic acids (8a–d) become the major products. It is demonstrated that γ-lactones undergo alkoxide-induced elimination to afford γ,δ-unsaturated acids.     

Determination of Total Reduced Thiol Levels in Plasma Using a Bromide Substituted Quinone

The exploitation of 2‐bromo‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (NQBr) as a selective redox label for the determination of reduced thiol functionalities (RSH) has been investigated. The system is selective for RSH functionality, giving distinct voltammetric signals for glutathione and cysteine but can also be adapted for broad spectrum thiol detection. Ion chromatographic protocols based on conductimetric detection enable total RSH analysis (protein and monomolecular moieties) within human plasma. Bromide released through the reaction can be easily quantified and integrated within normal IC measurements. The efficacy of the approach has been assessed and the response validated through comparison with the standard colorimetric technique.     

Electrostatic discharge sensitivity and electrical conductivity of composite energetic materials

Composite energetic material response to electrical stimuli was investigated and a correlation between electrical conductivity and ignition sensitivity was examined. The composites consisted of micrometer particle aluminum combined with another metal, metal oxide, or fluoropolymer. Of the nine tested mixtures, aluminum (Al) with copper oxide (CuO) was the only mixture to ignite by electrostatic discharge. Under the loose powder conditions of these experiments, the Al–CuO minimum ignition energy (MIE) is 25 mJ and exhibited an electrical conductivity two orders of magnitude higher than the next composite. This study showed a similar trend in MIE for ignition triggered by a discharged spark compared with a thermal hot wire source.     

Reagent Cluster Anions for Multiple Gas-Phase Covalent Modifications of Peptide and Protein Cations

Multiple gas phase ion/ion covalent modifications of peptide and protein ions are demonstrated using cluster-type reagent anions of N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide acetate (sulfo-NHS acetate) and 2-formyl-benzenesulfonic acid (FBMSA). These reagents are used to selectively modify unprotonated primary amine functionalities of peptides and proteins. Multiple reactive reagent molecules can be present in a single cluster ion, which allows for multiple covalent modifications to be achieved in a single ion/ion encounter and at the ‘cost’ of only a single analyte charge. Multiple derivatizations are demonstrated when the number of available reactive sites on the analyte cation exceeds the number of reagent molecules in the anionic cluster (e.g., data shown here for reactions between the polypeptide [K₁₀ + 3H]³⁺ and the reagent cluster [5R_5Na – Na]^–). This type of gas-phase ion chemistry is also applicable to whole protein ions. Here, ubiquitin was successfully modified using an FBMSA cluster anion which, upon collisional activation, produced fragment ions with various numbers of modifications. Data for the pentamer cluster are included as illustrative of the results obtained for the clusters comprised of two to six reagent molecules.

Strategies to set global analytical quality specifications in laboratory medicine: 10 years on from the Stockholm consensus conference

The setting of analytical quality specifications in laboratory medicine has attracted attention for many years. Over time, many strategies were advocated and all had advantages and disadvantages. In the final decade of the last millennium, considerable confusion existed on how to define analytical quality specifications correctly and how to apply them in everyday practice. This led to wide professional interest. In 1999, a consensus conference sponsored by IUPAC, IFCC and WHO was held in Stockholm on “Strategies to Set Global Analytical Quality Specifications in Laboratory Medicine”. The consensus set useful and well-documented strategies for the setting of analytical quality specifications into a hierarchy with the best strategy at the highest level, namely, (1) Evaluation of the effect of analytical performance on clinical outcomes in specific clinical situations, (2) Evaluation of the effect of analytical performance on clinical decisions in general, (3) Published professional recommendations, (4) Performance goals set by regulatory bodies and EQAS organisers, and (5) Goals based on the current state of the art. Much success has been achieved since the promulgation of the statement with the approach being adopted by many in laboratory medicine for a very wide variety of purposes, particularly in quality management. However, there is a requirement for additional investigation of, inter alia, quality specifications for examinations done on measurements performed on ordinal and nominal scales, pre-analytical factors and matrix effects, examinations done as POCT, target values of control materials, and ways in which analytical quality specifications can be used both to set what is the optimum performance and as a tool for assessment of everyday practice.     

Extending N-heterocyclic carbene ligands into the third dimension: a new type of hybrid phosphazane/NHC system

A simple, “click” synthetic approach to a new type of hybrid phosph(III)azane/NHC system is described. The presence of the phosphazane P₂N₂ ring unit, with P atoms flanking the NCN fragment and with this ring perpendicular to the binding site of the NHC, provides unique opportunities for modifying the electronic and steric character of these carbenes.