Mass spectrometric approach for the analysis of food proteins

In the study of food proteins, the need for accurate protein structural analysis has been acknowledged because of the fact that nucleotide sequencing alone is of limited analytical value if not combined with relevant information regarding the specific protein expressed and the occurrence of phosphorylation, glycosylation and disulphide bridges, and with the modification induced by the technological treatment. Mass spectrometry, whether used alone or to complement the traditional molecular-based techniques has become fundamental to the structural analysis of proteins. It is, moreover, virtually irreplaceable in determining post-translational modifications as conventional methods cannot deliver reliable data. What lies at the root of this methodological breakthrough is the combination of high-resolution separation techniques such as two-dimensional electrophoresis or capillary reverse- phase high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric analysis, what is termed "proteomic" analysis. Thus, it appears appropriate to state that the new mass spectrometric techniques have been established as a valuable and efficient tool for protein and peptide analysis in complex mixtures, like those from food matrices, enabling us therefore to provide accurate information on molecular weight and also to put forth a structural assessment at a low-picomole level of material. Thus, a series of alternative approaches have been developed based on advanced mass spectrometric analysis in conjunction with classic protein chemistry in order to provide an in-depth view of food protein structure. This review outlines several of these novel methodologies as they apply to structural characterization of food products.     

Development of a liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for confirmation of chloramphenicol residues in milk after alfa-1-acid glycoprotein affinity chromatography

In this work we present a method for confirmatory analysis of chloramphenicol (CAP) in bovine and buffalo raw milk. CAP is extracted in acetonitrile and purified by affinity chromatography on an alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) column, then is identified and determined by ion-trap liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) analysis in the negative ion mode. CAP was identified at the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 0.30 ppb, by monitoring the [M-H]- ion and at least two product ions, meeting the qualitative and quantitative criteria set by the European Commission in Decision 2002/657/EC for confirmation of prohibited veterinary drugs. The trueness and within-day and between-day repeatability data are also reported. Moreover, the loading capacity of affinity columns towards CAP was tested. This method, based on the molecular recognition between drug and AAG during the purification step to improve sample cleanup, represents a quantitative and repeatable procedure for confirmatory analysis, and fits the requirements for the routine official control of CAP residues in raw milk.     

The non-isothermal devitrification of lithium germanate glasses

The non-isothermal devitrification of lithium germanate glasses, examined by DTA and XRD, is reported and discussed. The glass compositions are expressed by the general formula:xLi₂O(1?x)GeO₂ withx=0.050, 0.125, 0.167, 0.200 and 0.250. All the glasses studied, unlike GeO₂ glass, exhibit internal crystal nucleation without the addition of any nucleating agent. The devitrification processes occur in one or more steps. Phases which crystallized at each step are identified and crystallization mechanisms proposed. These crystallization mechanisms are related to structures of the crystallizing phases. Activation energy values as well as those for glass transition temperatures, do not vary linearly with increase in Li₂O content but pass through a maximum atx=0.200.     

Fully imidized soluble polyimides based on a novel dianhydride: 2,2′-dichloro-4,4′,5,5′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride

We have synthesized a novel dianhydride, 2,2′-dichloro-4,4′,5,5′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DCBTDA). Polyimides were synthesized with DCBTDA or 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and several relatively rigid meta- and para- substituted mononuclear diamines. The BTDA based systems were insoluble in dipolar, aprotic solvents whereas the DCBTDA based polymers displayed enhanced solubility in these solvents. The thermal stability of these polyimides was excellent as measured by 5% weight loss decomposition. The T_g's of the polymers were all above 290°C.     

Synthesis of functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) macromers by microwave assisted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

In this paper we report the first synthesis of isoxazolidine and isoxazoline-POSS macromers by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of vinyl- and styryl-POSS with N-methyl-C-ethoxycarbonylnitrone and ethoxycarbonyl nitrile oxide, promoted by microwave irradiation. The nature of the resulting cycloadducts has been determined by NOE experiments and supported by computational studies at PM3 and DFT B3LYP/6-31G* levels.     

Transition Metal Complexes with Bidentate Ligands Spanning trans-Positions. VIII. The reactions of the nucleophile trans-[RuCl(NO)(1)] (1 = 2,11-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzo[c]-phenanthrene) with carbon monoxide and the phosphite ligand (2) (2 = 1-ethyl-3,5,8-trioxa-4-phosphabicyclo (2.2.2)octane)

The preparation of the nucleophile trans-[RuCl(NO)( 1 )], where 1 is the bidentate ligand Ph₂PCH₂C₁₈CH₂PPh₂, and of the five-coordinate species [RuCl(CO)(NO)( 1 )], [RuCl(CO)(NO)(Ph₂PCH₂Ph)₂] and [RuCl(NO)( 2 )( 1 )] are reported. The crystal structure of [RuCl(CO)(NO)( 1 )] shows that the coordination around the metal atom is distorted trigonal bipyramidal with the phosphorus atoms in axial positions. The Ru? N? O bond angle is 142.8°. ¹H- and ³¹P-NMR. and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \tilde \nu $\end{document}_NO IR.-data for the above complexes are reported and related to the coordination geometry.