Application Of Modern Analytical Techniques Research Articles

Application of modern analytical techniques in the analysis of complex matrices of natural origin on the example of honeybee venom

Honeybee venom (HBV) is a product of natural origin with an extremely complex composition. It exhibits several beneficial pharmacological properties, for example anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, and anti-tumour activities. On the other hand, HBV contains highly allergenic components, including melittin, which makes up more than 50% of its dry weight. Despite many studies conducted, HBV's components and mechanism of action are not yet fully known and understood. Therefore, to enhance the safety of its therapeutical applications, it is essential to establish HBV's composition and biological properties. Many analytical techniques and methods have been reported as potentially useful for the determination of new HBV constituents. Studies focus mainly on the analyses of the HBV proteome and metabolome. Also, properties of its components when applied to the skin, as well as its allergenicity, are being studied. Currently, the most commonly used methods for HBV analysis include high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Choosing the correct and most applicable method for HBV analysis is of great importance in order to obtain in-depth results crucial for the understanding of its mechanism of biological action. The diversity of chemical compounds in HBV also entails an appropriate sample preparation at the pre-analytical stage. In order to summarise the latest knowledge on techniques for the analysis of complex natural products, on the example of HBV, this review paper discusses the modern analytical tools of HBV characterisation, focusing on metabolomic and proteomic studies, topical applications, investigation of venom allergies, and the prospects for future research.

Application of Modern Analytical Techniques for Quantification of Tadalafil in Pharmaceutical and Biological Matrices: Future Prospectus

Background: Analytical techniques play a vital role in developing patient-friendly dosage forms in the pharmaceutical industry. Presently, numerous sophisticated and highly delicate modern analytical instruments are available in pharmaceutical industries to assess active pharmaceutical ingredients or other excipients present in different pharmaceutical matrices and biological fluids. Assortment of the most suitable analytical techniques for analysing any component during the drug development process is challenging as it affects the final product's quality, safety, and efficacy. Introduction: Tadalafil (TDL) is the most flexible second-generation Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor. It treats erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary arterial hypertension as first-line therapy, either alone or with other medications. This review paper aims to highlight the varieties of new analytical techniques (like UV-Visible spectroscopic technique, HPLC, HPTLC, Electroanalytical technique, Spectrofluorimetry, GC-MS, LC-MS) that have been reported for quantification of TDL as a single or in the combined form present in bulk material as well as in different biological or pharmaceutical matrices, their pros and cons, and future potential of such methods. Conclusion: This article's reported methods are accurate, sensitive, and cost-effective. Applying AQbD and green analytical chemistry with greener organic solvents and reagents in some of the reported methods opens a new era of analytical method development that will aid in future growth for the estimation of TDL.

Alfred R. Wallace's enduring influence on biogeographical studies of the Indo‐Australian archipelago

AbstractTo mark A.R. Wallace's 200th birthday, we review the direct and indirect contributions he made to our understanding of the Indo‐Australian Archipelago's biogeography. He is widely known for his field research (1854–1862) and his 1863 boundary line separating the Oriental and Australasian faunal realms (between Bali and Lombok, Borneo and Sulawesi, and the Philippines and the Moluccas). Notably, though, he never accepted Huxley's ‘Wallace Line’ proposal (1868), whose northern part runs between the main Philippine islands and the Palawan Group to the west. Furthermore, in 1910, which was 3 years prior to his demise, he transferred Sulawesi's fauna to the Oriental realm. In 1924, Merrill introduced the ‘Wallacea’ transition zone. Although the label is today widely used to denote a sub‐region within the Indo‐Australian Archipelago between Wallace's 1863 line and Lydekker's 1896 line (first presented by Darlington in 1957), the western boundary was originally based on Huxley's line, and thus included the Philippine islands minus the Palawan group. Most biogeographers appear to be unaware of Merrill and his intention. Finally, recent attempts to define the faunal break have not led to a consensus view, despite the huge increase in primary data plus the application of modern analytical techniques. This reflects the complexities and diversity of the region's faunal distribution patterns, plus the differences in the ways that researchers choose to process their data.

Trends in the development of analytical methods for determination of the quality and authenticity of foodstuffs

The review presents several results of investigations carried out at the Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety on the development and application of modern chemical-analytical methods for determining the quality indicators, nutritional and biological value of foodstuffs. Particular attention is paid to methodological approaches to the determination of biologically active substances of dietary supplements of plant origin, to the definition of criteria for authenticity and methods to disclose falsification of food and dietary supplements. The practical application of modern analytical techniques (capillary GLC, capillary electrophoresis, HPLC with a mass spectrometric detection, UV/VIS diode-array detection, etc.), combining high efficiency and selective separation and detection for identification and qualitative and quantitative determination of components in complex matrix of foodstuffs and dietary supplements is shown.

Designing in vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Models Reproducing Alterations in Brain Aging.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) modeling in vitro is a huge area of research covering study of intercellular communications and development of BBB, establishment of specific properties that provide controlled permeability of the barrier. Current approaches in designing new BBB models include development of new (bio) scaffolds supporting barriergenesis/angiogenesis and BBB integrity; use of methods enabling modulation of BBB permeability; application of modern analytical techniques for screening the transfer of metabolites, bio-macromolecules, selected drug candidates and drug delivery systems; establishment of 3D models; application of microfluidic technologies; reconstruction of microphysiological systems with the barrier constituents. Acceptance of idea that BBB in vitro models should resemble real functional activity of the barrier in different periods of ontogenesis and in different (patho) physiological conditions leads to proposal that establishment of BBB in vitro model with alterations specific for aging brain is one of current challenges in neurosciences and bioengineering. Vascular dysfunction in the aging brain often associates with leaky BBB, alterations in perivascular microenvironment, neuroinflammation, perturbed neuronal and astroglial activity within the neurovascular unit, impairments in neurogenic niches where microvascular scaffold plays a key regulatory role. The review article is focused on aging-related alterations in BBB and current approaches to development of “aging” BBB models in vitro.

МИНЕРАЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ СТОМАТОЛОГИЯ КАК МЕЖ ДИСЦИПЛИНАРНАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ: НЕКОТОРЫЕ ИТОГИ И ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ РАЗВИТИЯ

Subject Interdisciplinary research is the major development trend in modern science, including fundamental medicine. The article presents an overview of original research and contemporary literature data at the interface of fundamental dentistry and biomineralogy - in the material science field of biomineral formations – of human dental tissues. Objectives Justification of a new interdisciplinary scientific direction – mineralogical stomatology; definition of the subject and research methods; summary of the existing evidence and substantiation of development prospects. Results The results of systematic physical and chemical studies of tooth tissues (intact and with various pathologies) are considered, including studies carried out by the Ural School in the material science field of dental attrition (phase and chemical composition, structure, mechanical properties, etc.), disease development mechanisms, practical application of results during dental restoration, etc. Publications by international authors are reviewed, especially those concerned with: the application of local methods of investigation of dental tissues and mapping of their properties; the peculiarities of lattice parameter spatial distribution of enamel hydroxyapatite and migration of elements from amalgam into dentin and the pulp chamber; research on the distribution of essential and toxic trace elements, carbonate-ions, degree of crystallinity and collagen content through various structural zones of dental tissues; the analysis of fluorescence characteristics of tooth tissue and filling materials. Issues of tissue mapping based on digital data derived from different local substance analysis methods – scanning (transmission) electron microscopy with EDX analysis, electron probe microanalysis, mass spectrometry with laser ablation, IR and Raman microspectroscopy, etc. – are examined. Conclusions The new interdisciplinary scientific field of mineralogical stomatology is developed at the interface of dental medicine and biomineralogy. This discipline is focused on studies of human hard dental tissues, restoration materials, dental prosthetics, zones of interaction (hybridization) using techniques and approaches developed in biomineralogy and based on the application of modern analytical techniques. The work is supported by the Russian President’s grant NSh-9723.206.5.

Double pulse laser induced breakdown spectroscopy: A potential tool for the analysis of contaminants and macro/micronutrients in organic mineral fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are obtained from waste of plant or animal origin. One of the advantages of organic fertilizers is that, from the composting, it recycles waste-organic of urban and agriculture origin, whose disposal would cause environmental impacts. Fast and accurate analysis of both major and minor/trace elements contained in organic mineral and inorganic fertilizers of new generation have promoted the application of modern analytical techniques. In particular, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is showing to be a very promising, quick and practical technique to detect and measure contaminants and nutrients in fertilizers. Although, this technique presents some limitations, such as a low sensitivity, if compared to other spectroscopic techniques, the use of double pulse (DP) LIBS is an alternative to the conventional LIBS in single pulse (SP). The macronutrients (Ca, Mg, K, P), micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Na, Mn, Zn) and contaminant (Cr) in fertilizer using LIBS in SP and DP configurations were evaluated. A comparative study for both configurations was performed using optimized key parameters for improving LIBS performance. The limit of detection (LOD) values obtained by DP LIBS increased up to seven times as compared to SP LIBS. In general, the marked improvement obtained when using DP system in the simultaneous LIBS quantitative determination for fertilizers analysis could be ascribed to the larger ablated mass of the sample. The results presented in this study show the promising potential of the DP LIBS technique for a qualitative analysis in fertilizers, without requiring sample preparation with chemical reagents.

Chemical analysis of bleach and hydroxide-based solutions after decontamination of the chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate (VX)

Detailed chemical analysis of solutions used to decontaminate chemical warfare agents can be used to support verification and forensic attribution. Decontamination solutions are amongst the most difficult matrices for chemical analysis because of their corrosive and potentially emulsion-based nature. Consequently, there are relatively few publications that report their detailed chemical analysis. This paper describes the application of modern analytical techniques to the analysis of decontamination solutions following decontamination of the chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate (VX). We confirm the formation of N,N-diisopropylformamide and N,N-diisopropylamine following decontamination of VX with hypochlorite-based solution, whereas they were not detected in extracts of hydroxide-based decontamination solutions by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We report the electron ionisation and chemical ionisation mass spectroscopic details, retention indices, and NMR spectra of N,N-diisopropylformamide and N,N-diisopropylamine, as well as analytical methods suitable for their analysis and identification in solvent extracts and decontamination residues.

Multidisciplinary analysis of a mummified cranium claimed to be that of a medieval execution victim

This article presents a multidisciplinary analysis of a human skull with preserved soft tissue curated by a small museum in Boscastle, Cornwall, UK. The skull lacks a mandible and is coated in a black tar-like substance. Records left by a previous museum curator (now deceased) claimed the skull to be the head of a medieval execution victim. The skull was purportedly recovered from a London church that was destroyed during the Second World War where it had been kept in a carved oak box. If these details are correct, the skull would appear to have been venerated as a relic. The skull and box have been analysed using a range of techniques including computerised tomography, laser scanning, microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and radiocarbon dating. These analyses demonstrated the skull in fact to be that of an Egyptian mummy dating from the Ptolemaic period. Other instances have been noted of parts of Egyptian mummies being presented as European saintly relics, and the ‘Boscastle skull’ would appear to be an example of such. A wider point illustrated by the work presented here is that sufficient application of modern analytical techniques may reveal considerable information regarding human remains which otherwise have little or no provenance. This point strengthens arguments for the retention of such remains by curating institutions.

A review of the determination of organic compounds in Bayer process liquors

Bayer process liquors present a difficult and complex matrix to the analytical chemist, and the history of the application of modern analytical techniques to this problem is a case study in innovation. All Bayer process liquors contain organic compounds, in amounts varying from traces to several grams per litre. The total organic carbon content of Bayer liquors may be less than 5 g/L up to as much as 40 g/L. The presence of these organic impurities is of concern to Bayer technologists because they can have significant impacts on the economics of the process and the quality of the product. This review examines the history and current state-of-the-art of the analysis of organics in Bayer process liquors, and provides guidance on the applicable techniques matched to a comprehensive list of the compounds most likely to be present.

Soil health -- a new challenge for microbiologists and chemists.

Soil health refers to the biological, chemical, and physical features of soil that are essential to long-term, sustainable agricultural productivity with minimal environmental impact. Thus, soil health provides an overall picture of soil functionality. Although it cannot be measured directly, soil health can be inferred by measuring specific soil properties (e.g. organic matter content) and by observing soil status (e.g. fertility). There is also increased interest in studying soil microorganisms in their particular environments, as microbial diversity is intimately related to soil structure and function. One of the key objectives in determining soil health is to acquire indicators that can be used to evaluate the soil's current status and hence to develop sustainable agricultural systems. In this regard, significant progress has been made over the last few years in the development of specific biomarkers and macromolecular probes, enabling rapid and reliable measurements of soil microbial communities. In addition, modern molecular biological techniques, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), have facilitated the analysis of microbial biodiversity and activity, whereas the application of modern analytical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), have provided data on soil chemistry. The combination of these two approaches offers promise in determining soil health status.

Application of mass spectrometry to the identification and quantification of histone post-translational modifications.

The core histones are the primary protein component of chromatin, which is responsible for the packaging of eukaryotic DNA. The NH(2)-terminal tail domains of the core histones are the sites of numerous post-translational modifications that have been shown to play an important role in the regulation of chromatin structure. In this study, we discuss the recent application of modern analytical techniques to the study of histone modifications. Through the use of mass spectrometry, a large number of new sites of histone modification have been identified, many of which reside outside of the NH(2)-terminal tail domains. In addition, techniques have been developed that allow mass spectrometry to be effective for the quantitation of histone post-translational modifications. Hence, the use of mass spectrometry promises to dramatically alter our view of histone post-translational modifications.

SEM, EDX and AES analysis of embrittled CrNiMo steel

The paper presents the application of modern analytical techniques in metallurgy. The solution of interfatial segregation problems in CrNiMo steel is demonstrated. The low quenching temperature (1000°C) was the main cause of embrittlement.

Crude Oil Chemistry and Classification, North Slope, Alaska: ABSTRACT

Detailed chemical analyses of crude oil from the North Slope of Alaska began with United States Bureau of Mines efforts about 35 years ago. The discovery of major commercial accumulations within the past 15 years has resulted in routine application of modern analytical techniques, with the resulting classification of North Slope oils into two chemically distinct, and presumably separately sourced, families. This report will review published analytical results obtained for North Slope oils to date, in light of data for nine specific North Slope oils analyzed by Union Oil. The nine oils analyzed are from the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and Prudhoe Bay field, and include a condensate and at least four biodegraded oils. Gravity and sulfur content variations are 65-54.1° API and 0.01-1.85%, respectively. Carbon isotope ratios of total (untopped) oils vary between -29.4 and -25.3 ^pmil, and are a discriminating parameter for grouping these oils into two chemical families. Other distinguishing chemical attributes include vanadium, nickel, and sulfur concentrations, V/(V + Ni) ratios, carbon number distribution of the major 5(^agr), 14(^agr), 17(^agr), 20R-steranes, and i-C19/i-C20 isoprenoid ratios. Using these distinctions, the oils are successfully grouped into two types. Type A oils, typified by the Prudhoe crude, are r latively high in vanadium, nickel, and sulfur content, isotopically light, and high in tricycle terpane content. Type B oils, typified by the Umiat and Simpson crudes, are low in sulfur and metals and contain relatively high concentrations of 5(^agr), 14(^agr), 17(^agr), 20R-ethylcholestane. Although little definitive published work on potential source rocks of maturities less than peak generation is available, the oil typing demonstrated here and elsewhere strongly suggest at least two distinct source sequences. Based on the biological marker geochemistry of the oil types, the nature of these sequences may be predictable. End_of_Article - Last_Page 661------------

Application of Modern Analytical Techniques to the Investigation of Cellulose Nitrates

Abstract Despite contemporary inroads made into the textile market by synthetic fibers, cellulose remains one of the world's most important textile materials. This can be rationalized in terms of several factors, the most important of which is the ready availability and continuing supply of this naturally occurring fiber. It has been estimated that vegetation produces about 100 billion tons of cellulose a year [1], and it is partly due to this fact that cellulose has maintained its position and competitive price in world markets.

A short history of gunpowder and the role of charcoal in its manufacture

Deflagrations caused by interactions of charcoal with potassium nitrate were discovered in 9th-century China. This led quickly to the development of primitive fuzes and ballistics. Roger Bacon, a 13th-century Franciscan monk experimented in England with gunpowder. The 18th-century saw the manufacture of charcoal by the cylinder method and the development of Waltham Abbey as the centre for gunpowder production which peaked to about 20 000 barrels per year at the time of the Battle of Waterloo. Methods of gunpowder manufacture changed little over the centuries until recent times. Whereas sulphur and nitre are reproducible ingredients, a mystery enshrined optimum specifications for gunpowder charcoal. Within recent years the application of modern analytical techniques has removed some of this mystery and anatomical features and physical properties have been characterized.

Chemical fossils: trends in organic geochemistry

It is now clearly recognized that many organic compounds which were the complex biochemical products of ancient organisms have survived in geological sediments for relatively long periods, often with little or no transformation of their basic skeleton. Other constituents, however, may be altcred severely under these conditions and retain little which indicates their original structure. All these chcmical fossils are, of course, far more numerous than their morphological counterparts, due to the multifarious chemical processes which occur in the subsurface environment. In recent years, application of modern analytical techniques has led to a greater knowledge of the discrete molecules, especially those related to the porphyrins, which can be isolated from oil and sediments, and has thrown much light on diagenetic processess including the rate and mechanisms of several geochemical reactions. Such knowledge has, in turn, been applied to the elucidation of the more difficult problem of the origins of diverse geopolymers. The processes outlined above and the conclusions which can be drawn from the results obtained are comprehensively

Polymer degradation and electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Abstract