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Liquid chromatographic determination of natural and synthetic colorants in lyophilized foods using an automatic solid-phase extraction system.

Five synthetic and five natural colorants were determined in lyophilized dairy products and fatty foods using an automatic method based on lixiviation and a solid-phase extraction process that includes cotton and RP-C(18) columns for the sequential retention of synthetic colorants and natural colorants, respectively. The lyophilization of the sample coupled with the separation procedure provides clean extracts despite the complexity of the matrices studied. In addition, the lyophilization process preserves the sample for at least 2 months without changes in the concentrations of the colorants. Identification and determination of synthetic and natural colorants were carried out using a liquid chromatograph equipped with a diode array detector. The detection limits achieved for all of the colorants (0.03-75 microg/g of lyophilized sample) allowed their determination within the limits established by the European Union, with good precision (approximately 4.5%). In addition, colorants spiked to different foods provided average recoveries (spiked at three concentration levels in four types of dairy samples and in three types of fatty foods) near 94 +/- 4%.

Autoanalysis↗

Development of a new method, based on a bioreactor coupled with an L-lactate biosensor, toward the determination of a nonspecific inhibition of L-lactic acid production during milk fermentation.

The development and characteristics of a bioreactor employing bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus) encapsulated in Ca-alginate beads coupled with an L-lactate biosensor are reported. The biosensor comprises a carbon paste electrode modified with enzymes HRP (horseradish peroxidase), LOD (lactate oxidase), and FcH (ferrocene) as redox mediator. The measurement of L-lactate is based on the signal produced by H(2)O(2), the product of the enzymatic oxidation of L-lactate by LOD. The detection of H(2)O(2) is performed at the electrode surface via HRP/FcH at low operating potential (-100mV vs Ag/AgCl). Optimization studies were performed using the bioreactor in conjunction with an L-lactate electrode operating in a flow injection system to assess the ability of encapsulated bacteria to ferment carbohydrate solutions. The possibility of using the developed method to assess the fermentation capability of milk samples was evaluated. Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro propane-1,3-diol) was chosen to simulate the effect of an inhibitory agent of milk fermentation. The obtained results indicated that the evaluation of the amount of L-lactate amount produced through the bioreactor could be used as a measure of inhibition of lactic acid production in milk samples.

Alginates↗

Development of a single fluorescence-based optosensor for rapid simultaneous determination of fungicides benomyl and thiabendazole in waters and commercial formulations.

A novel, sensitive, and straightforward spectrofluorimetric flow injection method is proposed in this work for the resolution of a binary mixture of two widely used fungicides (thiabendazole and benomyl). The continuous flow methodology is based on the implementation of on-line solid phase extraction (SPE), preconcentration, and separation of both analytes on a surface of C(18) silica gel beads placed just in the flow cell, with solid surface fluorescence detection. A 45- and 25-fold sensitivity enhancement was obtained for benomyl and thiabendazole, respectively (in relation to the liquid phase measurements in the absence of solid support). The separation of the pesticides was performed because of the different retention-desorption kinetics in their interaction with the solid support, in the zone where the stream impinges the solid material. No previous separation of the analytes before they reach the flow cell is needed, simplifying extraordinarily both the procedure and the manifold. Using a sample volume of 3200 microL, the system was calibrated in the range of 0.4-20 and 20-400 ng x mL(-)(1) with detection limits of 0.06 and 3.6 ng x mL(-)(1) for thiabendazole and benomyl, respectively, and RSD values (n = 10) smaller than 0.8% for both analytes. The RSD values obtained replacing the solid support in each measurement were lower than 3%, and the day-to-day reproducibility RSD value was also lower than 5%. Sampling frequencies of 10 and 18 h(-)(1) were obtained with 600 and 3200 microL of sample volume. Recovery studies carried out on natural water samples spiked with known amounts of both analytes at concentration levels in the range of 1-10 and 25-200 ng x mL(-)(1) provided mean recovery percentages ranging from 98.8 to 102% and from 98 to 103% for thiabendazole and benomyl, respectively. The proposed methodology was also applied to pesticide formulations.

Benomyl↗

Determination of aluminum(III) in crystallized fruit samples using a multicommutated flow system.

A multicommutated flow system was developed for the determination of aluminum in crystallized fruit samples. Spectrophotometric determination is based on the reaction of aluminum with chrome azurol S. The binary sampling technique was implemented to improve mixing conditions and to minimize reagent consumption. Three different working zones were established (0.5-5.0, 5.0-25.0, and 10.0-100 ppm) using the zone sampling approach, allowing us to adapt the extent of the in-line dilution. The influence of the chemical and physical parameters on the performance of the system was studied. Detection limits of 0.1, 0.6, and 0.8 ppm were obtained for the lowest, the medium, and the highest dispersion system, respectively. The procedure was applied to the determination of aluminum in crystallized fruit extracts. The results were in agreement with those obtained by the reference flame atomic absorption procedure at a 95% confidence level. Repeatability (RSD) was better than 2.4% in all of the three application zones.

Aluminum↗

Influence of variety and storage on the polyphenol composition of apple flesh.

Apple is among the most consumed fruits worldwide. It is available on the market for the whole year being a major source of dietary polyphenols. Several studies suggested that apple polyphenols could play a role in prevention of degenarative diseases. The action of these compounds has been partially ascribed to their antioxidative ability, and fruit antioxidants profile is influenced by apple variety and by the postharvest storage. In this work, the polyphenols composition of the flesh of four apple varieties cultivated in southern Italy were investigated by HPLC, and a flow injection MS/MS procedure to quantify cholorogenic acid and catechins was set up. Phenolic composition and the radical scavenging activity were monitored during a postharvest storage of four months. The quantification by flow injection procedure gives results comparable to those obtained by HPLC, and the increase of the antioxidant activity during storage correlated with an increase of the concentration of catechin and phloridzin. This trend is particularly evident for the variety "Annurca" which is a typical product cultivated in the area around Naples. The genetic characteristics of the Annurca variety together with the anticipated harvest time and the peculiar postharvest conditions are likely responsible for this increase of the antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants↗

Rapid, fully automated flow injection antioxidant capacity assay.

A flow injection method for antioxidant capacity assessment based on a low-cost laboratory-made analyzer is reported. A sample of 30 microL is injected in acetate buffer stream, pH 4.6, that converges with ABTS*(+) reagent stream. Detection is achieved by monitoring absorbance at 414 nm. The proposed method achieves a sample throughput of up to 120 samples h(-1), the detection limit being 1.3 microM trolox. Precision was better than 5% relative standard deviation (n = 4) and the linear range was 4-100 microM, expanded to 250 microM trolox utilizing concentration gradients formed along the injected sample bolus. Information on reaction kinetics is obtained through a single injection. The method was applied to pure compounds and wine and honey samples. Good correlation was found between antioxidant capacity assessed through the proposed method and phenolic content: r = 0.94 for red wines, r = 0.96 for white and rose wines, and r = 0.89 for honeys.

Antioxidants↗

Flow injection potentiometric system for the simultaneous determination of inositol phosphates and phosphate: phosphorus nutritional evaluation on seeds and grains.

A simple flow injection potentiometric (FIP) system, which uses a tubular cobalt electrode, has been developed for phosphorus nutritional evaluation of seeds and grains. Inorganic phosphorus, P(i), is determined using a 1 x 10(-2) mol.L(-1) potassium phthalate buffer solution adjusted at pH 4. A sensitivity of 47 mV/decade and an operating range from 10 to 1000 mg.L(-1) (1 x 10(-4)-1 x 10(-2) M) of dihydrogen phosphate are obtained. The inositol phosphates amount, which is referred to the organic phosphorus, P(org), is directly determined from extracts using a 1 x 10(-2) mol.L(-1) Tris-HCl buffer solution adjusted at pH 8. A sensitivity of 127 mV/decade and an operating range of 10-1000 mg.L(-1) (2.5 x 10(-4)-5 x 10(-3) M) of P(org) (expressed as inositol hexakisphosphoric acid monocalcium) are achieved. Some samples of seed and grain are analyzed by an ICP-OES and a spectrophotometric method to compare results to the developed flow system; no significant differences at the 95% confidence level are observed using a paired t test. Other samples such as animal nursing feed, soybean meal, and corn are also analyzed with the proposed FIP system, showing a good correlation to the ICP-OES values.

Edible Grain↗

Sequential injection system for the enzymatic determination of ethanol in wine.

A sequential injection system was developed for the enzymatic determination of ethanol in wine. The spectrophotometric determination is based on the enzymatic reaction catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase in the presence of NAD+. The system was applied to the determination of ethanol in a range of 0.008-0.024% (v/v) with good repeatability; RSD(n=10) < 2.3%. The results obtained with the developed system showed good agreement with those obtained by using the reference method. The determination rate was 25 h(-1); 1 micromol of NAD+, 1.1 units of enzyme, and 50 microL of sample were consumed per determination; and the waste produced was 2.2 mL per assay.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Kinetic enzymatic determination of glycerol in wine and beer using a sequential injection system with spectrophotometric detection.

A sequential injection system for the automatic determination of glycerol in wine and beer was developed. The method is based on the rate of formation of NADH from the reaction of glycerol and NAD+ catalyzed by the enzyme glycerol dehydrogenase in solution. The determination of glycerol was performed between 0.3 and 3.0 mmol L(-1) (0.028 and 0.276 g L(-1)), and good repeatability was attained (rsd < 3.6%, n = 5) for all samples tested. The determination rate was 54 h(-1), the reagent consumption was only 0.75 micromol of NAD+ and 5.4 ng of enzyme per assay, and the waste production was 2.12 mL per assay. Results obtained for samples were in agreement with those obtained with the batch enzymatic method.

Beer↗

Oil coating on hydrophilic surfaces from emulsions and under shear flow.

We study the formation of silicone oil coating on negatively charged hydrophilic surfaces via emulsion deposition. Cationic surfactants usually adsorb and form bilayers onto negative surfaces. As a result, direct emulsions stabilized with cationic surfactants are paradoxically poorly efficient at coating negative substrates. We show in this work an alternative and new method, still based on electrostatic attractions, to coat negative substrates. Our method consists of using emulsions stabilized with nonionic surfactants and of adding to the oil cationic additives that are non-water-soluble and of high molecular weight to minimize their solubilization in the micelles formed by the neutral surfactant. The positively charged droplets stick efficiently onto the substrates. They form monolayer and uniform coatings. We study the kinetics and the density of the resulting coating using a flow cell experiment. This technique allows us to finely analyze the influence of several physicochemical parameters.

Emulsions↗

Superporous agarose monoliths as mini-reactors in flow injection systems. On-line monitoring of metabolites and intracellular enzymes in microbial cultivation processes.

A new type of agarose material, superporous agarose, was used as a support material in an analytical system designed for monitoring of bioprocesses with respect to metabolites and intracellular enzymes. The superporous agarose was used in the form of miniaturised gel plug columns (15 x 5.0 mM I.D. monolithic gel bed). The gel plugs were designed to have one set of very large pores (about 50 microm in diameter) through which cells, cell debris and other particulate contaminants from the bioreactor could easily pass. The material also had normal diffusion pores (300 A) characteristic of all agarose materials, providing ample surface for covalent attachment of antibodies and enzymes used in the analytical sequence. The superporous agarose gel plug columns were characterised with respect to flow properties and handling of heavy cell loads as well as dispersion of injected samples (a Bodenstein number of about 40 was observed with acetone tracer at a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1)). To evaluate the practical performance of the superporous gel plug columns, two applications were studied: (1) on-line determination of glucose in cultivation broth (gel plug with immobilized glucose oxidase) and (2) immunochemical quantification of intracellular beta-galactosidase in E. coli (gel plug with lysozyme to achieve cell lysis and gel plug with antibodies against beta-galactosidase).

Bioreactors↗

Important role of hydrogen bonds in the structurally polarized transition state for folding of the src SH3 domain.

Experimental and theoretical studies on the folding of small proteins such as the chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 (CI-2) and the P22 Arc repressor suggest that the folding transition state is an expanded version of the native state with most interactions partially formed. Here we report that this picture does not hold generally: a hydrogen bond network involving two beta-turns and an adjacent hydrophobic cluster appear to be formed in the folding transition state of the src SH3 domain, while the remainder of the polypeptide chain is largely unstructured. Comparison with data on other small proteins suggests that this structural polarization is a consequence of the topology of the SH3 domain fold. The non-uniform distribution of structure in the folding transition state provides a challenging test for computational models of the folding process.

Flow Injection Analysis↗

Changes in side chain packing during apomyoglobin folding characterized by pulsed thiol-disulfide exchange.

It is clear that close-packed side chain interactions play a dominant role in stabilizing native proteins, but the extent to which they stabilize kinetic intermediates and shape the energetic landscape of folding is not known. A method for characterizing structural changes at the level of individual side chains is presented and applied to study the refolding of apomyoglobin mutants containing engineered cysteine residues at key helical packing interfaces. The formation of buried side chain structure at the probe sites is followed by the extent of thiol-disulfide exchange during a pulse of thiol labeling reagent (either methyl methanethiosulfonate or 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid)) applied at various stages of folding. The results suggest that the eight helices pack in at least three distinct stages, involving formation of two intermediates with time constants of <2 ms and 50 ms. In some parts of the refolding protein, stable side chain structure can be attained very rapidly, possibly in advance of backbone hydrogen bond formation as detected by previous pulsed amide hydrogen exchange experiments.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗

Controlled assembly of jammed colloidal shells on fluid droplets.

Assembly of colloidal particles on fluid interfaces is a promising technique for synthesizing two-dimensional microcrystalline materials useful in fields as diverse as biomedicine, materials science, mineral flotation and food processing. Current approaches rely on bulk emulsification methods, require further chemical and thermal treatments, and are restrictive with respect to the materials used. The development of methods that exploit the great potential of interfacial assembly for producing tailored materials have been hampered by the lack of understanding of the assembly process. Here we report a microfluidic method that allows direct visualization and understanding of the dynamics of colloidal crystal growth on curved interfaces. The crystals are periodically ejected to form stable jammed shells, which we refer to as colloidal armour. We propose that the energetic barriers to interfacial crystal growth and organization can be overcome by targeted delivery of colloidal particles through hydrodynamic flows. Our method allows an unprecedented degree of control over armour composition, size and stability.

Coated Materials, Biocompatible↗

Pulse proteolysis: a simple method for quantitative determination of protein stability and ligand binding.

Thermodynamic stability is fundamental to the biology of proteins. Information on protein stability is essential for studying protein structure and folding and can also be used indirectly to monitor protein-ligand or protein-protein interactions. While clearly valuable, the experimental determination of a protein's stability typically requires biophysical instrumentation and substantial quantities of purified protein, which has limited the use of this technique as a general laboratory method. We report here a simple new method for determining protein stability by using pulse proteolysis with varying concentrations of denaturant. Pulse proteolysis is designed to digest only the unfolded proteins in an equilibrium mixture of folded and unfolded proteins that relaxes on a time scale longer than the proteolytic pulse. We used this method to study the stabilities of Escherichia coli ribonuclease H and its variants, both in purified form and directly from cell lysates. The DeltaG(unf) degrees values obtained by this technique were in agreement with those determined by traditional methods. We also successfully used this method to monitor the binding of maltose-binding protein to maltose, as well as to rapidly screen cognate ligands for this protein. The simplicity of pulse proteolysis suggests that it is an excellent strategy for the high-throughput determination of protein stability in protein engineering and drug discovery applications.

Drug Stability↗

The kinetic folding intermediate of ribonuclease H resembles the acid molten globule and partially unfolded molecules detected under native conditions.

Folding of ribonuclease HI from Escherichia coli populates a kinetic intermediate detectable by stopped-flow circular dichroism. Pulse labelling hydrogen exchange reveals that this intermediate consists of a structured core region of the protein, namely helices A and D and beta-strand 4. This kinetic intermediate resembles both the acid molten globule of ribonuclease HI and rarely populated, partially unfolded forms detected under native conditions. These results indicate that the first portion of ribonuclease HI to fold is the most thermodynamically stable region of the native state, and that folding of this protein follows a hierarchical process.

Circular Dichroism↗

The dimeric DNA binding domain of the human papillomavirus E2 protein folds through a monomeric intermediate which cannot be native-like.

The dimeric DNA binding domain of the human papillomavirus E2 protein displays a two-state concerted unfolding and dissociation, with no detectable monomeric intermediate species accumulated at equilibrium. We investigated the kinetic folding mechanism of the dimeric domain using stopped-flow spectroscopic techniques and observed a fast forming monomeric intermediate, followed by a slower bimolecular reaction. Both phases involve secondary structure rearrangements of similar magnitude. Our results support a folding pathway in which the formation of an early monomeric intermediate, with characteristics of hydrophobic collapse, is followed by a bimolecular step encompassing association and folding. The interwoven folding topology of this particular type of dimeric beta-barrel found in the E2 DNA binding domain strongly suggests that any monomeric species formed could not be native-like.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Flow injection fluorimetric determination of ascorbic acid based on its photooxidation by thionine blue.

The photooxidation of ascorbic acid sensitized by Thionine Blue was studied. The Leucothionine Blue formed during the reaction is highly fluorescent. A flow injection method using merging zones is proposed for the determination of ascorbic acid over a concentration range from 8 x 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-5) mol l-1 with a throughout of 80 samples per h. The method was used for the simple and rapid determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals, fruit juices and soft drinks.

Ascorbic Acid↗