Colorimetric assay of lead ions in biological samples using a nanogold-based membrane

We have developed a simple paper-based colorimetric membrane for sensing lead ions (Pb(2+)) in aqueous solutions. The nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) was used to trap bovine serum albumin (BSA) modified 13.3-nm Au nanoparticles (BSA-Au NPs), leading to the preparation of a nanocomposite film of a BSA-Au NP-decorated membrane (BSA-Au NPs/NCM). The BSA-Au NPs/NCM operates on the principle that Pb(2+) ions accelerate the rate of leaching of Au NPs induced by thiosulfate (S(2)O(3)(2-)) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). The BSA-Au NPs/NCM allowed for the detection of Pb(2+) by the naked eye in nanomolar aqueous solutions in the presence of leaching agents such as S(2)O(3)(2-) and 2-ME. We employed the assistance of microwave irradiation to shorten the reaction time (<10 min) for leaching the Au NPs. Under optimal solution conditions (5 mM glycine-NaOH (pH 10), S(2)O(3)(2-) (100 mM), and 2-ME (250 mM), microwaves (450 W)), the BSA-Au NPs/NCM allowed the detection of Pb(2+) at concentrations as low as 50 pM with high selectivity (at least 100-fold over other metal ions). This cost-effective sensing system allowed for the rapid and simple determination of the concentrations of Pb(2+) ions in real samples (in this case, sea water, urine, and blood samples).     

Determination of trace iodine in food and biological samples by cathodic stripping voltammetry.

This paper describes a sensitive and selective method for the determination of iodine in food and biological samples. The method involves treatment of samples by combustion in an oxygen flask and determination of iodide by cathodic stripping voltammetry of the solid phase formed with the quaternary ammonium salt Zephiramine as the ionic associating agent; Br- is used as the complexing agent in the preconcentration process. We have studied the effect of concentration of Zephiramine, Br-, I-, and some other elements presented, deposition potential, preelectrolysis time, and scan rate, on the stripping curve shape and maximum stripping current. Determinations of trace iodine in table salt, laver, and eggs were demonstrated as practical examples.     

Determination of chromium (VI) using cathodic voltammetry technique in gold microelectrodes

Electrochemical reduction of chromium (VI) is studied on a gold microelectrode assembly (Au-MEA) using the cathodic voltammetry (VA) technique. The optimum conditions for obtaining the analytical signal of Cr (VI) are chosen. The range of the analyzed concentrations of Cr (VI) are 0.005?C0.2 mg/L, and the detection limit is 5 × 10^?5 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen, manifold excesses of alkali and alkaline-earth ions, 200-fold excesses of Cr (III), and 10-fold excesses of Fe (III) and Cu (II) do not interfere with determination of 0.005 mg/L Cr (VI). In the presence of anionic surfactants (DDCNa), the signal of Cr (VI) decreases, but the linear dependence on the concentration remains. A rapid technique for determination of Cr (VI) in purified technical water without sample preparation is suggested. The advantage of Au-MEA consists in the simplicity of synthesis, running time, high sensitivity.     

Identification of protein ligands in complex biological samples using intensity-fading MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

The easy detection of biomolecular interactions in complex mixtures using a minimum amount of material is of prime interest in molecular and cellular biology research. In this work, a mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF based approach, which we call intensity-fading (IF MALDI-TOFMS), and which was designed for just such a purpose, is reported. This methodology is based on the use of the MALDI ion intensities to detect quickly the formation of complexes between nonimmobilized biomolecules in which a protein is one of the partners (protein-protein, protein-peptide, protein-organic molecule, and protein-nucleic acid complexes). The complex is detected through the decrease (fading) of the molecular ion intensities of the partners as directly compared to the MALDI mass spectrum of the mixture (problem and control molecules) following the addition of the target molecule. The potential of the approach is examined in several examples of model interactions, mainly involving small nonprotein and protein inhibitors of proteases, at both the qualitative and semiquantitative levels. Using this method, different protein ligands of proteolytic enzymes in total extracts of invertebrate organisms have been identified in a simple way. The proposed procedure should be easily applied to the high-throughput screening of biomolecules, opening a new experimental strategy in functional proteomics.     

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes for speciation of chromium in environmental samples

A solid phase extraction procedure has been established for chromium speciation in natural water samples. The procedure is based on the solid phase extraction of the Cr(VI)-ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) chelate on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). After oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by using hydrogen peroxide, the presented method was applied to the determination of the total chromium. The level of Cr(III) is calculated by difference of total chromium and Cr(VI) levels. The procedure was optimized for some analytical parameters including pH, eluent type, flow rates of sample and eluent, matrix effects, etc. The detection limit based on 3 sigma criterion was 0.90 microg L(-1) for Cr(VI). The adsorption capacity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was 9.50 mg g(-1) Cr (VI). The presented method was applied for the speciation of chromium in natural water sample with satisfactory results (recoveries>95%, R.S.D.'s<9%).     

Trace level determination of molybdenum in environmental and biological samples using surfactant-mediated liquid-liquid extraction

A novel and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of molybdenum at trace levels in environmental and biological samples is proposed. The method is based on the reaction of Mo (V) with thiocyanate (SCN(-)) and methyltrioctyl ammonium chloride (MTOAC) in acidic medium. The red colored complex of molybdenum is extracted with N-phenylbenzimidoyl thiourea (PBITU) in 1-pentanol for its determination by spectrophotometry. The sensitivity of the present method is higher than other conventional thiocyanate method, due to the use of MTOAC in liquid-liquid extraction. The value of molar absorptivity of the complex with respect to molybdenum is 7.6x10(4)Lmol(-1)cm(-1) at 470nm. The limit of detection of the metal is 5ngmL(-1). The system obeys Beer's law between 20 and 1000ngmL(-1) with slope, intercept and correlation coefficient values of 0.81, 2.5x10(-3) and +0.999, respectively. Most of the metal ions tested did not interfere in the determination of molybdenum. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the determination of the molybdenum in environmental and biological samples.     

On the possibility of the visualization of the velocity distribution in biological samples using SAM

The effect of velocity changes in a biological sample on its image, obtained by using a reflection acoustic microscope, is discussed in the case of a distance between the sample and the lens smaller than the focal length. The effect of the shift of the V(z) curve, caused by a velocity change in the material of the sample, is assumed as the main source of changes in brightness in such images. The value of the shift of V(z) curve is determined theoretically and verified experimentally for layers of glycerol and aqueous glycerol solution. The possibility of interpreting acoustic images as the images of the velocity distribution in the sample is also discussed.