A gold-based nanobeacon probe for fluorescence sensing of organophosphorus pesticides

A nanomaterials-based novel molecular beacon has attracted growing attentions in fluorescent assays as many nanomaterials possess excellent quenching efficiency. In this work, a gold-based nanobeacon probe was established to detect organophosphorus pesticides for the first time. The constructed gold-based nanobeacon acted as a signal indicator and could display the decreasing of the intensity in the presence of targets, which competitively bound to single strand DNA. To achieve a high sensitive probe, some parameters including solution pH, temperature and reaction time were investigated and optimized. The gold-based nanobeacon probe assay was proved to be rapid and sensitive to achieve a detection limit of 0.035 μM for isocarbophos, 0.134 μM for profenofos, 0.384 μM for phorate and 2.35 μM for omethoate, respectively. The prepared nanobeacon effectively reduced the background and improved the detection sensitivity and selectivity. The probe is stable, easy to operate and does not need sophisticated instruments. These features makes the probe feasible for screening trace organophosphorus pesticides in real samples.     

毛细管气相色谱法测定中药中有机氯农药残留量

建立了江西省两种中药中有机氯农药残留量的气相色谱分析方法。样品以丙酮提取,在NaCl存在下,以正已烷进行液—液分配,提取液用H2SO4净化,采用DB—1701毛细管柱,GC—ECD检测有机氯农药残留量。最低检测限为1.0×10-3-5.0×10-3mg/kg,添加回收率为85.7%-115.2%,应用于实际样品中有机氯农药残留量的检测,获得了较为满意结果。     

An N,N′-diaryl urea based conjugated polymer model system

An N,N′-diphenyl urea was designed as a model system for aggregation phenomenon in poly(phenyleneethynylenes) (PPEs). The unmethylated N,N′-diphenyl urea adopts an open, unfolded conformation in which the two diphenyl acetylene fluorophores are far enough away, mimicking the unaggregated state. Dimethylation forces the aromatic surfaces together into π-π contact, mimicking the aggregated state of PPEs. Analogous to bulk PPEs, this model system shows dramatic differences in quantum yield between the folded and unfolded states, with the unfolded urea having greater than 400-fold higher fluorescence quantum yield than its folded equivalent.     

Progress in the quality assurance of environmental trace organic analysis

An overview is given on the stepwise learning programmes undertaken to identify the main sources of error associated with the determination of the mandatory organic contaminants in the marine monitoring programmes. Details are given on the preparation and use of LRMs and CRMs to maintain analytical control and quantify the laboratory errors in relation to the measurement of changes in the environment.     

An unusual 1,2-N→C acyl migration in urea derivatives of α-aminoorganolithiums

Transmetalation of urea derivatives of α-aminoorganostannanes with alkyllithiums provides α-aminoorganolithiums which undergo rapid N to C acyl migration to afford α-aminocarboxamides. The stereochemical course of the transmetalation/migration process depends on the substituents on the urea and varies from complete retention of configuration to complete racemization.     

Acceleration of the DABCO-promoted Baylis-Hillman reaction using a recoverable H-bonding organocatalyst

It has been shown that catalytic amounts (20-40 mol %) of bis-aryl (thio)ureas greatly accelerate the DABCO-promoted Baylis-Hillman reaction between a range of aromatic aldehydes and methyl acrylate in the absence of solvent. These robust organocatalysts are superior mole per mole promoters of the reaction than either methanol or water and are recoverable in high yield after the reaction by column chromatography.     

Simultaneous Determination of Carbamate and Organophosphorus Pesticides in Honeybees by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Summary The potential of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been studied for the simultaneous determination of sixteen carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides in honeybees using a traditional sample preparation protocol based on acetone extraction and dichloromethane partitioning. The performances of both atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray (ES) interfaces were compared. APCI offered better sensitivity and specificity for a higher range of pesticides. Limits of quantification were from 0.01 to 0.17 mg kg^–1, at which recoveries obtained were between 64 and 93%, except for pirimicarb that was at 13%, with relative standard deviations ranging from 7 to 20%. Fenitrothion, fenoxycarb, methiocarb and phoxim were found in bees from Valencian Community beehives at concentrations between 0.03 and 3.75 mg kg^–1.     

On-line extraction and determination of carbofuran in raw milk by direct HPLC injection on an ISRP column

Summary A method has been developed for extraction and determination of carbofuran in milk. The method involved direct injection of raw milk on to a human serum albumin dimethyloctyl-silica gel (HSA-C₈) column and the use of 80:20 (v/v) 0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 5.5-acetonitrile as mobile phase. UV spectrophotometric detection was performed at 220 nm. Identification was based on retention time. Quantification was performed by automatic peak-area determination and was calibrated by use of an external standard.     

Evaluation of gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in fats and oils

A gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry multi-residue method for the analysis of 19 organochlorine pesticides in fats and oils has been developed. Gel permeation chromatography was employed to remove lipid material prior to GC-MS/MS analysis. Average recoveries of the pesticides spiked at 10 and 50 microg kg(-1) into fish oil, pork fat, olive oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil were typically in the range 70-110% with relative standard deviations generally less than 10%. Calculated limits of detection are between 0.1 and 2.0 microg kg(-1) and results obtained for the analysis of proficiency test materials are in good agreement with assigned values. The higher selectivity of the GC-MS/MS compared to electron capture detection and GC-MS in selective ion monitoring mode allowed unambiguous identification and confirmation of all the target pesticides at low microg kg(-1) levels in fats and oils in a single analysis.     

FT IR ATR Study of Molecular Interactions in the Urea/Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Urea/Diethyl Sulfoxide Binary Systems

FT IR ATR spectra of urea/dimethyl sulfoxide and urea/diethyl sulfoxide mixtures in the S=O and N—H stretching vibration regions at different molar ratios have been measured. On the basis of the band deconvolution data, various types of intermolecular associated forms, including dimers and hydrogen-bonded urea–sulfoxide complexes, have been revealed. The latter has been confirmed also by ab initio calculations.