Candida antarctica B Lipase-Loaded Microreactor for the Automated Derivatization of Lipids

A key bottleneck in the profiling of lipids is the multistep derivatization required prior to gas chromatography (GC) analysis. A single in-vial lipid derivatization and analysis may significantly minimize sample loss and improve analytical sensitivity. A cotton fiber-supported poly(glycidylmethacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) polymer microbrush microreactor loaded with Candida antarctica lipase B was developed for the facile conversion of triacylglycerols into fatty acid ethyl ester derivatives for gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. The polymer microbrush microreactor was fabricated in effort to provide efficient, simplified, cost effective, and high-throughput GC–MS determination of triacylglycerols. The polymer microbrush microreactor was used as an in-vial triacylglycerol transesterification platform, with economical sample consumption of less than or equal to 100?µL and significant reduction of reagents. To evaluate the polymer microbrush microreactor performance for lipids, a triolein standard and camelina oil triacylglycerols were quantitatively transformed into ethyl oleate and fatty acid ethyl esters, respectively, following a 3?h reaction time. The lipase-loaded cotton fiber-supported poly(glycidylmethacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) polymer microbrush microreactors were reusable for up to five times for quantitative transesterification with minimal loss of lipase activity.     

Alkaloids with Anti-Onchocercal Activity from Voacanga africana Stapf (Apocynaceae): Identification and Molecular Modeling

A new iboga-vobasine-type isomeric bisindole alkaloid named voacamine A (1), along with eight known compounds—voacangine (2), voacristine (3), coronaridine (4), tabernanthine (5), iboxygaine (6), voacamine (7), voacorine (8) and conoduramine (9)—were isolated from the stem bark of Voacangaafricana. The structures of the compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were found to inhibit the motility of both the microfilariae (Mf) and adult male worms of Onchocerca ochengi, in a dose-dependent manner, but were only moderately active on the adult female worms upon biochemical assessment at 30 μM drug concentrations. The IC₅₀ values of the isolates are 2.49–5.49 µM for microfilariae and 3.45–17.87 µM for adult males. Homology modeling was used to generate a 3D model of the O. ochengi thioredoxin reductase target and docking simulation, followed by molecular dynamics and binding free energy calculations attempted to offer an explanation of the anti-onchocercal structure–activity relationship (SAR) of the isolated compounds. These alkaloids are new potential leads for the development of antifilarial drugs. The results of this study validate the traditional use of V. africana in the treatment of human onchocerciasis.     

Characterization of humic substances by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) and laser desorption/ionization (LDI-)TOFMS have been used to characterize Suwannee River humic substances, obtained from the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS), and Armadale soil fulvic acid (ASFA). An array of MALDI matrices were tested for use with humic substances, including alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinammic acid (CHCA), 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), sinapinic acid, dithranol and norharmane. DHBA yielded the best results, exhibiting superior ionization efficiency, low noise, broad applicability to the analytes of interest, and most importantly producing an abundance of high mass ions, the highest observed being m/z 1848. A number of sample preparation modes were investigated; the overlayer method improved sample/matrix homogeneity and hence shot-to-shot reproducibility. The choice of the matrix, mass ratio of analyte to matrix, and the sample preparation protocol, were found to be the most critical factors governing the quality of the mass spectra. Matrix suppression was greatly enhanced by ensuring good mixing of matrix and analyte in the solid phase, proper optimization of the matrix/analyte ratio, and optimizing delayed extraction to ensure complete matrix-analyte reaction in the plume before ions are moved to the flight tube. A number of common features, in particular specific ions which could not be attributed to the matrices or to contaminants, were present in the spectra of all the humic substances, regardless of origin or operational definition. Additionally, a prominent repeating pattern of peaks separated by 55, 114 and 169 Da was clearly observed in both LDI and MALDI, suggesting that the humic compounds studied here may have quasi-polymeric or oligomeric features.     

Aquatic fulvic acid as a matrix for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric analysis

Aquatic fulvic acids (AFAs) are demonstrated to be effective matrices for the analysis of various polar compounds (ranging from 100–1500 Da) by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS). The efficiency of AFA as a matrix is shown for a wide range of test compounds, including a number of carbohydrates, cyclodextrins and peptides, with typical detection limits of ～10 µg mL^?1. The propensity of AFA to enhance ionization through protonation of peptides, and formation of sodium and potassium adducts of carbohydrates and polyethylene glycol, was noted. Differences were observed in the performances of the two AFA matrices used, a Suwannee River, International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) standard and a locally extracted fulvic acid (LFA). For example, in the analysis of carbohydrate standards, the use of the LFA matrix typically doubled the analyte ion signal intensities and resulted in signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratios that were 2–4 times better than when the Suwannee River AFA matrix was used. AFA was also used in the analysis of real‐world samples without extraction or purification; cantaloupe juice and acetaminophen tablets were analyzed, and glucose and acetaminophen could easily be identified as respective components. When lower concentrations of fulvic acid were used in the presence of sugars, a reversal of roles was observed in which the sugars functioned as the matrix and significantly enhanced ionization of the AFA components, while ions associated with the sugars themselves were suppressed or absent. Effective as a matrix for a variety of analytes and widely available, AFA is an attractive environmentally friendly choice for use in MALDI applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid analysis of alpha-dicarbonyl compounds by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using 9-(3,4-diaminophenyl)acridine (DAA) as a reactive matrix

A rapid, sensitive and selective method has been developed for the analysis of alpha-dicarbonyls using a readily ionizable compound, 9-(3,4-diaminophenyl)acridine (DAA), as a reactive matrix (derivatizing agent and ionization efficiency enhancer), by reactive matrix laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RM-LDI-TOF MS). The reaction between the DAA and alpha-dicarbonyls resulted exclusively in formation of vacuum-stable dicarbonyl-quinoxaline acridine derivatives that were found to possess excellent ionization efficiency in positive ion mode, without the need to use an additional matrix. The alpha-dicarbonyls used as test compounds included methylglyoxal, dimethylglyoxal, and diphenylglyoxal. Both one-pot and rapid on-plate chemical modification approaches were employed with no extraction or purification necessary. The approach is particularly suitable for high-throughput analysis. The method was found to be selective and specific, with alpha-dicarbonyls unequivocally identified, even in complex matrices, e.g. beer. The figures of merit: relative standard deviation (RSD) 6.9-17%, (n = 4); limit of detection (LOD) < or =0.3 ng mL(-1) for the three standards tested using the one-pot derivatization method; and a good linear calibration curve using an internal standard derivatized in situ (R(2) > or = 0.979), demonstrate the applicability of the technique and its utility in improving the sensitivity and precision of the LDI analysis of small molecules.     

The use of Cu and Zn salicylaldimine complexes as catalyst precursors in ring opening polymerization of lactides: ligand effects on polymer characteristics

A range of monomeric tetra‐coordinate copper (II) and zinc (II) complexes based on N,O‐bidentate salicylaldimine Schiff base ligands has been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. These complexes were then evaluated as initiators in ring‐opening polymerization of lactides at both 70 °C and 110 °C. The effect of structural changes in the complexes on the ability of these compounds to initiate lactide polymerization as well as the impact on the chemical and physical characteristics of the polymers obtained indicate that the coordination geometry of the metal complex, M? O bond length and substituents on the Schiff base ligand all play a role in the catalyst activity. Electronic factors were dominant in the case of the copper complexes while steric factors prevailed in the case of Zn initiators. Both the Zn and Cu complexes exhibit characteristics of living ring opening polymerization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Integrated Microcentrifuge Carbon Entrapped Glucose Oxidase Poly (N-Isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) Microgels for Glucose Amperometric Detection

This study demonstrates a miniaturized integrated glucose biosensor based on a carbon microbeads entrapped by glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized on poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) microgels. Determined by the Lowry protein assay, the pNIPAm microgel possesses a high enzyme loading capacity of 31?mg/g. The pNIPAm GOx loaded on the microgel was found to maintain a high activity of approximately 0.140?U determined using the 4-aminoantipyrine colorimetric method. The integrated microelectrochemical cell was constructed using a microcentrifuge vial housing packed with (1:1, w/w) carbon entrapped by pNIPAm GOx microgels, which played the dual role of the microbioreactor and the working electrode. The microcentrifuge vial cover was used as a miniaturized reference electrode and an auxiliary electrode holder. The device can work as biosensor, effectively converting glucose to H₂O₂, with subsequent amperometric detection at an applied potential of ?0.4?V. The microelectrochemical biosensor was used to detect glucose in wide linear range from 30?µM to 8.0?mM, a low detection limit of 10?µM, a good linear regression coefficient (R²) of 0.994, and a calibration sensitivity of 0.0388?µA/mM. The surface coverage of active GOx, electron transfer rate constant (ks), and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_M^app) of the immobilized GOx were 4.0?×?10^?11?mol/cm², 5.4?s^?1, and 0.086?mM, respectively. To demonstrate the applicability and robustness of the biosensor for analysis of high sample matrix environment, glucose was analyzed in root beer. The microelectrochemical device was demonstrated for analysis of small sample (<50?µL), while affording high precision and fast signal measurement (≤5?s).     

Rapid on-plate and one-pot derivatization of carbonyl compounds for enhanced detection by reactive matrix LDI-TOF MS using the tailor-made reactive matrix, 4-dimethylamino-6-(4-methoxy-1-naphthyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2-hydrazine (DMNTH)

In this study, a very sensitive and economical high-throughput methodology has been developed for the analysis of small carbonyl compounds using rapid derivatization with 4-dimethylamino-6-(4-methoxy-1-naphthyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2-hydrazine (DMNTH), a derivatizing agent developed by the Karst group at the University of Münster. DMNTH is highly ionizable by the UV laser and reacts selectively and rapidly with carbonyl moieties. The resulting hydrazone is easily detectable by laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS), eliminating the need for the matrix assisted variant (MALDI) and the associated issue of matrix optimization, which greatly simplifies the analysis. It has been demonstrated that a range of carbonyl compounds can be conveniently analyzed by this reactive matrix LDI-TOF MS (RM-LDI-TOF MS) procedure and that furfural DMNThydrazone (prior labeled and labeled in situ) can be used as an internal standard for semiquantitative analysis. Amounts as low as 0.5 ng ml(-1) of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde have been detected using a one-pot derivatization methodology. Rapid on-plate derivatization was also found to be a simple approach for fast and reliable screening of various analytes, although with slightly higher detection limits. To test its applicability in complex matrices, analysis of furfural spiked in beer has been demonstrated. This RM-LDI-TOF MS method shows considerable promise for the analysis of carbonyl compounds in water, particularly for disinfection by-products that result from reaction of natural organic matter with oxidative disinfectants.