Manipulation of the Electroosmotic Flow in Glass und PMMA Microchips with Respect to Specific Enzymatic Glucose Determinations

The determination of glucose in microfluidic chips made of glass or PMMA was used as a model for the combination of an enzymatic reaction with the separation of compounds. It was based on the enzymatic oxidation of glucose and the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide. Real samples frequently contain compounds, such as ascorbic acid, which may interfere with quantitative glucose determinations. Thus, electrophoretic separation of specific from unspecific signals was envisaged by applying electric fields which are also used to control the flow of liquid via electroosmotic effects. Surface charge densities of the capillaries influence the electroosmotic flow (EOF). They are dependent on the chip material and on the adsorption of components from the background electrolyte. Reversal of the EOF after addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and an increase in EOF after addition of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) were observed at lower surfactant concentrations with the PMMA chips rather than with the glass chips. For both chip materials these concentrations were below the critical micelle concentration. Effective separation of H₂O₂ and ascorbic acid was achieved with low CTAB concentrations, which lead to a reduction, but not to a reversal of the EOF. Reversal of the EOF by higher CTAB concentrations or the increase in cathodic EOF by SDS accelerated ascorbic acid transportation and reduced the differences in migration times. Thus, for the specific determination of glucose, glucose oxidase was added together with low CTAB concentrations to the background electrolyte. This avoided interference from ascorbic acid, and data obtained from the analysis of fruit juices showed a good correlation to data obtained from a reference method.     

Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry,and methylation reaction of the dithiolate-based cobalt(II) complex derived from tert-butyl N-(2-mercaptoethyl)carbamate

A dithiolate-containing a carbamate mononuclear cobalt(II) complex namely, [Co(Boc-S)₂] (1), was obtained by the reaction of a methanolic solution of cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate with two equimolar amounts of the deprotonated form of tert-butyl N-(2-mercaptoethyl)carbamate (Boc-SH). The cobalt(II) complex (1) was characterized in the solid state and in solution by using FT–IR, Raman, UV–visible, and EI–mass spectroscopies, as well as thermal and X-ray diffraction studies. Spectral data showed that the carbamate (Boc-SH) acts as a mono-anionic bidentate ligand coordinating the cobalt(II) ion through two imine nitrogen and two deprotonated thiolate sulfur donor atoms in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The thermoanalytical data evidence that the complex is stable up to 165 °C and undergoes complete decomposition, resulting in CoO. TEM imaging of the oxide residue shows its nano size clusters, suggesting that the complex (1) may be used as a precursor for nano-oxides. X-ray powder diffraction patterns evidence an isomorphism among the complex. The redox behavior of the cobalt(II) complex was also investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The reaction of the dithiolate cobalt(II) complex (1) with methyl iodide appears to occur intramolecularly with the cobalt-bound dithiolate, forming the cobalt(II)-bound dithioether complex [Co(Boc–SCH₃)₂]I₂ (2), as a dication complex with a clean second-order reaction of 13.24 × 10⁻² M⁻¹·s⁻¹.     

Development of monolithic enzymatic reactors in glass microchips for the quantitative determination of enzyme substrates using the example of glucose determination via immobilized glucose oxidase

A one-step procedure for the immobilization of glucose oxidase in fused-silica capillaries and in glass microchips was developed based on enzyme entrapment in a polyacrylamide-based monolithic column. The inner capillary surface was silanized with gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (gamma-MAPS) to allow covalent binding of the gel to the surface. The composition of the polymer was optimized to prevent the formation of bubbles, allow liquid transportation by electroosmotic flow and to maintain the enzymatic activity. These requirements resulted in the addition of polyethylene glycol and poly(acrylic acid) to the acrylamide mixture. The gel containing the enzyme was formed in situ in the capillaries, respectively, in one channel of the microchip. In the microchip, it was limited to the sample injection channel by accordingly controlled silanization of the inner capillary surface. Glucose was detected via the amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide. A linear correlation between signals and glucose concentration was observed from 0.05 to 1.1 mM glucose with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The enzymatic monolithic microreactor showed no loss of activity during 8 h of continuous use and during storage in the running buffer at 4 degrees C for about 2 months. Interferents, such as ascorbic acid, were separated from the analyte electrophoretically, so that glucose could be quantified in diluted juices.     

Biochemical analysis with microfluidic systems

Microfluidic systems are capillary networks of varying complexity fabricated originally in silicon, but nowadays in glass and polymeric substrates. Flow of liquid is mainly controlled by use of electroosmotic effects, i.e. application of electric fields, in addition to pressurized flow, i.e. application of pressure or vacuum. Because electroosmotic flow rates depend on the charge densities on the walls of capillaries, they are influenced by substrate material, fabrication processes, surface pretreatment procedures, and buffer additives. Microfluidic systems combine the properties of capillary electrophoretic systems and flow-through analytical systems, and thus biochemical analytical assays have been developed utilizing and integrating both aspects. Proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids can be separated because of their different electrophoretic mobility; detection is achieved with fluorescence detectors. For protein analysis, in particular, interfaces between microfluidic chips and mass spectrometers were developed. Further levels of integration of required sample-treatment steps were achieved by integration of protein digestion by immobilized trypsin and amplification of nucleic acids by the polymerase chain reaction. Kinetic constants of enzyme reactions were determined by adjusting different degrees of dilution of enzyme substrates or inhibitors within a single chip utilizing mainly the properties of controlled dosing and mixing liquids within a chip. For analysis of kinase reactions, however, a combination of a reaction step (enzyme with substrate and inhibitor) and a separation step (enzyme substrate and reaction product) was required. Microfluidic chips also enable separation of analytes from sample matrix constituents, which can interfere with quantitative determination, if they have different electrophoretic mobilities. In addition to analysis of nucleic acids and enzymes, immunoassays are the third group of analytical assays performed in microfluidic chips. They utilize either affinity capillary electrophoresis as a homogeneous assay format, or immobilized antigens or antibodies in heterogeneous assays with serial supply of reagents and washing solutions.     

Comprehensive Biological Potential,Phytochemical Profiling Using GC-MS and LC-ESI-MS,and In-Silico Assessment of Strobilanthes glutinosus Nees: An Important Medicinal Plant

Plants of the genus Strobilanthes have notable use in folklore medicines as well as being used for pharmacological purposes. The present work explored the biological predispositions of Strobilanthes glutinosus and attempted to accomplish a comprehensive chemical profile through GC-MS of different fractions concerning polarity (chloroform and n-butanol) and LC-ESI-MS of methanolic extract by both positive and negative ionization modes. The biological characteristics such as antioxidant potential were assessed by applying six different methods. The potential for clinically relevant enzyme (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase) inhibition was examined. The DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP results revealed that the methanol fraction presented efficient results. The phosphomolybdenum assay revealed that the n-hexane fraction showed the most efficient results, while maximum metal chelation potential was observed for the chloroform fraction. The GC-MS profiling of n-butanol and chloroform fractions revealed the existence of several (110) important compounds presenting different classes (fatty acids, phenols, alkanes, monoterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, and sterols), while LC-ESI-MS tentatively identified the presence of 44 clinically important secondary metabolites. The n-hexane fraction exhibited the highest potential against α-amylase (497.98 mm ACAE/g extract) and α-glucosidase (605.85 mm ACAE/g extract). Significant inhibitory activity against tyrosinase enzyme was displayed by fraction. Six of the prevailing compounds from the GC-MS study (lupeol, beta-amyrin, stigmasterol, gamma sitosterol, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, and n-hexadecanoic acid) were modelled against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes along with a comparison of binding affinity to standard acarbose, while three compounds identified through LC-ESI-MS were docked to the mushroom tyrosinase enzyme and presented with significant biding affinities. Thus, it is assumed that S. glutinosus demonstrated effective antioxidant and enzyme inhibition prospects with effective bioactive molecules, potentially opening the door to a new application in the field of medicine.     

Electrochemical applications and computational studies on ephedrine drug

A novel, simple, sensitive and highly selective pseudo-carbon paste electrode modified with poly(acrylic) acid (PCPE-PAA) was described to be useful for the electrochemical determination of ephedrine substance. The PCPE-PAA electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammogram for ephedrine shows only one anodic oxidation peak at 1.15?V (vs. SCE) using Britton–Robinson buffer (pH 9). Theoretical calculations were performed using PM3 method to be helpful in studying the electrochemical behavior of ephedrine. The highest occupied orbitals (HOMO) of ephedrine and the lowest unoccupied orbitals (LUMOs) of its oxidation product (methcathinone) are mainly localized in the side chain of benzene ring. The values of HOMOs, LUMOs and atomic charges clearly indicate that the oxidation process occurs on the hydroxyl group of ephedrine forming ketone group, supporting the proposed electrochemical mechanism. Square wave voltammetry was used for the direct electrochemical determination of ephedrine. Ephedrine gives a linear range from 6?×?10^?5 to 1?×?10^?3?M with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and a relative standard deviation of 2.165?×?10^?7. A lower detection limit of 3.5?×?10^?7?M was obtained. The effect of some interferences such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, urea, glucose and glycine on the peak height of ephedrine was examined. The suggested method has been applied successfully for the direct electrochemical determination of ephedrine in urine and different pharmaceutical formulations.     

Solution studies of tris(2-benzylaminoethyl)amine complexes of zinc(II) and copper(II): The catalytic hydrolysis of toxic organophosphate

Solution studies of the tetradentate ligand tris(2-benzylaminoethyl)amine, BzTren with both zinc(II) and copper(II) salts were investigated in aqueous methanol (33% v/v) by means of ¹H NMR, potentiometric, and UV-visible titrations as well as cyclic voltammetry. Subsequently, their zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes [BzTren-M(OH₂)]²⁺ 1 and 2 (M²⁺ = Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺) were synthesized and fully characterized by using FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermal analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 are investigated kinetically for the catalytic hydrolysis of the toxic organophosphate parathion at 50 °C in aqueous methanol (33%, v/v). The kinetic results indicate that copper(II) complex 2 is more active than zinc(II) complex 1, presumably a reflection of the effective electron-withdrawing as well as the greatest electrophilicity of copper(II) ion.     

Monitoring corrosion and corrosion control of low alloy ASTM A213 grade T22 boiler steel in HCl solutions

Rates of corrosion of low alloy ASTM A213 grade T22 boiler steel were monitored in aerated stagnant 0.50 M HCl solutions at different temperatures (283–303 K) using Tafel extrapolation method and the non-destructive electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) technique, complemented with XPS examinations. Serine (Ser) was introduced as a corrosion-safe inhibitor. Corrosion rates (in μm y^?1) obtained from these two methods was in good agreement. Tafel plots showed that Ser acted mainly as a cathodic-type inhibitor. The inhibition process was attributed to the formation of an adsorbed film on the metal surface that protects the metal against corrosive agents. XPS examinations of the electrode surface confirmed the existence of such adsorbed film. The inhibition efficiency increased with increase in Ser concentration, while it decreased with temperature, suggesting physical adsorption. Activation energies have been calculated in the absence and presence of various concentrations of Ser by measuring the temperature dependence of the corrosion rate obtained from the two methods employed. It was found that the activation energy in the presence of Ser is higher than that in bare HCl solution. The adsorptive behaviour of Ser followed Temkin-type isotherm. The standard free energy of adsorption was estimated to be ?25 kJ mol^?1 at 303 K. These results confirmed the occurrence of physical adsorption.     

Facile synthesis of scheelite-type NdOsO4 directly grown on carbon cloth for oxygen evolution reaction

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In the recent work, the scheelite-type ABO4 compound (A = Nd and B = Os) is synthesized via a hydrothermal route directly...     

Synthesis of Cyano-Benzylidene Xanthene Synthons Using a Diprotic Brønsted Acid Catalyst,and Their Application as Efficient Inhibitors of Aluminum Corrosion in Alkaline Solutions

Novel cyano-benzylidene xanthene derivatives were synthesized using one-pot and condensation reactions. A diprotic Brønsted acid (i.e., oxalic acid) was used as an effective catalyst for the promotion of the synthesis process of the new starting xanthene–aldehyde compound. Different xanthene concentrations (ca. 0.1–2.0 mM) were applied as corrosion inhibitors to control the alkaline uniform corrosion of aluminum. Measurements were conducted in 1.0 M NaOH solution using Tafel extrapolation and linear polarization resistance (LPR) methods. The investigated xanthenes acted as mixed-type inhibitors that primarily affect the anodic process. Their inhibition efficiency values were enhanced with inhibitor concentration, and varied according to their chemical structures. At a concentration of 2.0 mM, the best-performing studied xanthene derivative recorded maximum inhibition efficiency values of 98.9% (calculated via the Tafel extrapolation method) and 98.4% (estimated via the LPR method). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the morphology of the corroded and inhibited aluminum surfaces, revealing strong inhibitory action of each studied compound. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) profiles validated the inhibitor compounds’ adsorption on the Al surface. Density functional theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulations were applied to investigate the distinction of the anticorrosive behavior among the studied xanthenes toward the Al (111) surface. The non-planarity of xanthenes and the presence of the nitrile group were the key players in the adsorption process. A match between the experimental and theoretical findings was evidenced.