An HPTLC-Densitometry Method for the Quantification of Pharmacologically Active Alkaloids in Sceletium tortuosum Raw Material and Products

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Mesembrine-type alkaloids are reported to be responsible for the psychoactive properties of Sceletium tortuosum. The aim of the...     

Investigation on the feasibility of using an Ulbricht sphere for the absolute calibration of an ICP or other source at specific wavelengths

The short term and long term stability of an Ulbricht sphere was investigated by comparing its radiation at four Balmer wavelengths with those of two Sylvania projector lamps. A slight positive trend in the radiation intensity of the Ulbricht sphere was observed. This was attributed to a change in the molecular structure of the paint used to cover the inside of the sphere. However, the radiance varied less than 3% for 14 h burning time. The uncertainty in the primary calibration of the Tungsten standard lamp was given as ±3% in the wavelength range 400–600 nm. It was hence concluded that the sphere is suitable for spectral calibration purposes for a period of 14 h operational time without being recalibrated.     

On the growth of Au on clean and contaminated GaAs(001) surfaces

Auger analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis have been used to determine the influence of contamination on the structural properties of Au films grown on different chemically treated (001)GaAs surfaces. The Au films were evaporated on to the (001)GaAs surfaces at 320°C in a vacuum of 10^-8 Torr after an initial bake-out of 500°C for 1 h. The results revealed that carbon contamination of the surfaces resulted in completely polycrystalline Au overgrowth while clean surfaces resulted in perfectly alligned epitaxial Au overgrowths. The epitaxial relationship is given by (100)_Au 6(100)_GaAs and <100 > _Au6 <100 > _GaAs which is equivalent to a misfit of 32.24%.     

Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of coal: a review

The advances in the characterization of amorphous carbons by Raman spectroscopy over the last four decades are of interest to many industries, especially those involving the combustion, gasification and pyrolysis of coal. Many researchers report on the Raman character of the natural organic matter in carbon‐containing compounds, such as coal, and relate the Raman bands to the structural order of the amorphous carbons. The basis of most of these studies evolved around the assignment of the G (graphitic, ∼1580 cm⁻¹) band to crystalline graphite and any other bands, called D bands, (disorder, various from 1100 to 1500 cm⁻¹) to any type of structural disorder in the graphitic structure. Concerning coal analysis, the information gained by Raman investigations has been used to describe char evolution as a function of temperature, the presence of catalysts and different gasification conditions. In addition, researchers looked at maturation, grade, doppleritization and many more aspects of interest. One aspect that has, however, not been addressed by most of the researchers is the natural inorganic matter (NIM) in the carbon‐containing compounds. Micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) has many advantages over other characterization tools, i.e. in situ analysis, nondestructive, no sample preparation, low detection limit, micrometer‐scale characterization, versatility and sensitivity to many amorphous compounds. With the distinct advantages it has over that of other molecular characterization tools, such as powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry (FT‐IR) and scanning electron microscopy with X‐ray detection (SEM/EDS), it is surprising that it has not yet been fully exploited up to this point for the characterization of the NIM in coal and other amorphous carbons. This paper reviews the work published on the Raman characterization of the natural organic matter (NOM) of coals and reports on preliminary results of the NIM character of various South African coals, whereby various inorganic compounds and minerals in the coal have been characterized. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eugenol--from the remote Maluku Islands to the international market place: a review of a remarkable and versatile molecule

Eugenol is a major volatile constituent of clove essential oil obtained through hydrodistillation of mainly Eugenia caryophyllata (=Syzygium aromaticum) buds and leaves. It is a remarkably versatile molecule incorporated as a functional ingredient in numerous products and has found application in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, fragrance, flavour, cosmetic and various other industries. Its vast range of pharmacological activities has been well-researched and includes antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and anticancer activities, amongst others. In addition, it is widely used in agricultural applications to protect foods from micro-organisms during storage, which might have an effect on human health, and as a pesticide and fumigant. As a functional ingredient, it is included in many dental preparations and it has also been shown to enhance skin permeation of various drugs. Eugenol is considered safe as a food additive but due to the wide range of different applications, extensive use and availability of clove oil, it is pertinent to discuss the general toxicity with special reference to contact dermatitis. This review summarises the pharmacological, agricultural and other applications of eugenol with specific emphasis on mechanism of action as well as toxicity data.     

New insights in technology characterization of medieval Valencia glazes

This study shows the first Raman microscopy (RM) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX) characterization of two 14th and 15th century lead‐glazed and luster ceramics from the Manises and Paterna workshops (Valencia, Spain) produced after the Aragon Christian conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (14th century). According to experts, these coetaneous ceramics were most probably involved in a process of technological transfer from the Islamic area of Southeast Spain to the Christian area of Valencia (East Spain) at the beginning of the 14th century; later on, the celebrated Manises and Paterna workshops were formed. Although these ceramics have been studied widely in terms of production technology (ceramic body, glazes and luster) using an array of diverse analytical techniques, until now, an RM study has not been carried out. This paper presents results regarding the complex chemical composition of the glaze and luster coloring agents, and the quality of color manufacturing processes, elucidating firing conditions via spectral components analysis (i.e., Qⁿ for stretching/bending components) and polymerization index (Ip), emphasizing chronology and pigment technology changes between both Valencian workshops. Coloring agents identified in glazes and lusters were cobalt present in blue glazes, copper in greenish glazes, copper and cobalt in the turquoise glaze, and pyrolusite in black glazes. Tin oxyde was used as an opacifier in white glazes. Two luster manufacture recipes were recognized mainly based on copper and silver compounds. Calculated firing temperatures were up to 1000 °C for white glazes and up to 600 °C for luster and color glazes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification of erythrocyte S-adenosyl-L-methionine levels and its application in enzyme studies.

A highly selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantification of human erythrocyte S-adenosyl-L-methionine levels is described. A strong cation-exchange sorbent with propylsulphonic acid functional groups was used to extract S-adenosyl-L-methionine and S-adenosylethionine (internal standard) from erythrocytes. Quantification of erythrocyte S-adenosyl-L-methionine levels was achieved by using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection at 254 nm. This method was adapted to measure methionine-adenosyltransferase activity in erythrocytes, which enables us to study the possible role of altered methylation in different diseases.     

On the direct contact between overgrowth and substrate through amorphous carbon layers

The influence of intermediate amorphous carbon layers of different thicknesses on the epitaxy of Cu on Au (111) platelets was investigated. The experimental results prove that under experimental conditions for which the so called “long range” effect has been detected, direct contact between overgrowth and substrate through the intermediate layers is possible, provided its thickness is below a certain critical value. For carbon films prepared at room temperature on Au (111) substrates in a vacuum of 10^?6 Torr, this value lies between 50A?and 70A?.     

Comprehensive microanalytical study of welding aerosols with x‐ray and Raman based methods

A comprehensive analysis of individual welding fume particles of different size fraction has been performed by applying of an innovative combination of the energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Owing to this set of analytical techniques, a systematic study of the chemical composition along with the size, morphology and structure parameters of the collected welding particles was performed. The results show distinct interdependencies between the particles' elemental composition and their sizes and structures, which are consistent with commonly assumed mechanisms of their formation and evolution. In particular, interactions between the particles of fine and coarse fractions as well as regularities in distribution of the most toxic welding fume components (Mn and its oxides) have been observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.