Trifluoroacetic Acid Concentration Research Articles

Direct Bacterial Profiling by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption−Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Pathogenic Neisseria

The present study investigates the suitability of direct bacterial profiling as a tool for the identification and subtyping of pathogenic Neisseria. The genus Neisseria includes two human pathogens, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, as well as several nonpathogenic Neisseria species. Here, a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry profiling protocol was optimized using a laboratory strain of E. coli DH5alpha to guarantee high quality and reproducible results. Subsequently, mass spectra for both laboratory and clinical strains of N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, and several nonpathogenic Neisseria species were collected. Significant interspecies differences but little intraspecies diversity were revealed by means of a visual inspection and bioinformatics examination using the MALDI BioTyper software. Cluster analysis successfully separated mass spectra collected from three groups that corresponded to N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, and nonpathogenic Neisseria isolates. Requiring only one bacterial colony for testing and using a fast and easy measuring protocol, this approach represents a powerful tool for the rapid identification of pathogenic Neisseria and can be adopted for other microorganisms.

Optimization of Acid Hydrolysis Conditions for Feruloylated Oligosaccharides from Rice Bran through Response Surface Methodolgy

Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the hydrolysis conditions with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to obtain the maximum amount of feruloylated oligosaccharides from rice bran. The TFA concentration and hydrolysis time effects on feruloylated oligosaccharides recovery are studied. The optimum hydrolysis conditions for maximizing feruloylated oligosaccharides recovery were 193 mM TFA concentration and 1.36 h of hydrolysis time. Under these conditions the corresponding acyl ferulic group quantity was 78.63 microg in 1 mL of hydrolysate. The model was experimentally verified with a satisfactory coefficient of R (2) (= 0.96). The quantity of acyl ferulic group in the feruloylated oligosaccharides, purified using Amberlite XAD-4, was 916.12 microg/g of rice bran under the optimum hydrolysis conditions. The proposed method accounted for 54.08% of the total acyl ferulic group in rice bran. The results suggest that the proposed conditions were useful in maximizing recovery of feruloylated oligosaccharides from rice bran.

Photoinduced Intramolecular Charge Transfer and S2 Fluorescence in Thiophene‐π‐Conjugated Donor–Acceptor Systems: Experimental and TDDFT Studies

Experimental and theoretical methods were used to study newly synthesized thiophene-pi-conjugated donor-acceptor compounds, which were found to exhibit efficient intramolecular charge-transfer emission in polar solvents with relatively large Stokes shifts and strong solvatochromism. To gain insight into the solvatochromic behavior of these compounds, the dependence of the spectra on solvent polarity was studied on the basis of Lippert-Mataga models. We found that intramolecular charge transfer in these donor-acceptor systems is significantly dependent on the electron-withdrawing substituents at the thienyl 2-position. The dependence of the absorption and emission spectra of these compounds in methanol on the concentration of trifluoroacetic acid was used to confirm intramolecular charge-transfer emission. Moreover, the calculated absorption and emission energies, which are in accordance with the experimental values, suggested that fluorescence can be emitted from different geometric conformations. In addition, a novel S(2) fluorescence phenomenon for some of these compounds was also be observed. The fluorescence excitation spectra were used to confirm the S(2) fluorescence. We demonstrate that S(2) fluorescence can be explained by the calculated energy gap between the S(2) and S(1) states of these molecules. Furthermore, nonlinear optical behavior of the thiophene-pi-conjugated compound with diethylcyanomethylphosphonate substituents was predicted in theory.

Indirect resolution of baclofen enantiomers from pharmaceutical dosage form by reversed‐phase liquid chromatography after derivatization with Marfey's reagent and its structural variants

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for chiral assay of baclofen enantiomers in pharmaceutical formulations using an indirect approach. Baclofen enantiomers were derivatized with Marfey's reagent (FDNP-L-Ala-NH2) and its structural variants FDNP-L-Phe-NH2, FDNP-L-Val-NH2, FDNP-L-Leu-NH2 and FDNP-L-Pro-NH2. The resultant diastereomers were separated on RP-TLC [triethylammonium phosphate buffer (pH 4.0, 50 mm)-acetonitrile, 50:50] and on a C18 column using a linear gradient (45 min) of acetonitrile and 0.01% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) with UV detection at 340 nm. The differences in the retention times (Delta t R) of diastereomers due to the five chiral reagents were compared. The maximum and minimum difference in retention times between separated diastereomers was for FDNP-L-Leu-NH2 and FDNP-L-Pro-NH2, respectively. The effect of flow rate, acetonitrile content and TFA concentration on resolution was studied. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, limit of detection and limit of quantification.

Experimental determination of Henry's law constants of trifluoroacetic acid at 278–298 K

Equilibrium partial pressures of trifluoroacetic acid ( P CF 3 C ( O ) OH ) over aqueous trifluoroacetic acid test solutions were determined at 278.15, 288.15, and 298.15 K. The concentration of undissociated trifluoroacetic acid ( C CF 3 C ( O ) OH ) in each test solution was determined by means of attenuated total reflection IR spectroscopy and window factor analysis. From the linear relationship between P CF 3 C ( O ) OH and C CF 3 C ( O ) OH , the Henry's law constant of trifluoroacetic acid ( K H) at 298.15 K was determined to be 5800±700 mol dm −3 atm −1 and K H at temperature T in K was determined to be K H=5780 exp[−4120×(1/298.15−1/ T)] in mol dm −3 atm −1. The K H value at 298.15 K was 0.65 times the reported value [Bowden, D.J., Clegg, S.L., Brimblecombe, P., 1996. The Henry's law constant of trifluoroacetic acid and its partitioning into liquid water in the atmosphere. Chemosphere 32, 405–420] for p K a=0.47 and it was equal to that for p K a=0.2.

Doehlert Matrix Design for Optimization of the Determination of Bound Deoxynivalenol in Barley Grain with Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an impediment to barley production in many regions of the world. Tricothecene toxins, associated with FHB-infected grain, particularly, deoxynivalenol (DON), pose a serious threat to human and animal health. Recent research has suggested that a portion of the DON present on grain is bound and escapes detection through conventional determination. The objective of this study was to optimize a method for determination of nonextractable DON in barley grain using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). A Doehlert matrix design was performed to determine the optimal conditions for time, temperature, and TFA concentration. These conditions were treated with 1.25 N TFA in 86:14 acetontrile/water for 54 min at 133 degrees C. Cleanup, derivatization, and determination of DON by a gas chromatography electron capture detector (GC-ECD) was as normal. Treatment of the test sample resulted in the release of an additional 58% DON under the optimized conditions and an increase of 9-88% in a set of verification samples.

Elucidating the Mechanisms of Acidochromic Spiropyran-Merocyanine Interconversion

The thermal and photochemical processes associated with the acid-induced conversions of 6-nitroBIPS, SP-1, to form the protonated merocyanine (MC-OH+) were investigated via UV/vis spectrophotometric studies in acetone. It was found that the mechanism of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)-induced ring-opening of the SP and the rate of MC-OH+ formation follows a general acid catalysis mechanism. In accord with this mechanism, the thermal growth of the acid-induced ring-opened form (MC-OH+) was retarded as the concentration of TFA in the medium was increased. The N-protonated SP, i.e., SP-NH+, is formed in a competing side-equilibrium process as an unreactive "sink", with the nitrogen lone-pair no longer available to drive the ring-opening process and resulting in the inverse rate dependence as a linear 1/kobs vs [HA] plot. Addition of a tertiary amine to MC-OH+ regenerated MC which underwent thermal ring closure to the SP, thus restoring its function as a molecular switch. NMR titration of SP samples showed a downfield shift of the N-substituent peak upon increasing the TFA concentration. However, a saturation behavior could not be observed with SP-1 up to 1 M acid, unlike the model compound, N,N-dimethylaniline (N,N-DMA), which indicates a base strength order of N,N-DMA > SP-1. Further, we have demonstrated that in solvent acetone, on acidification, the normal photo- and thermochromic behavior is reversed; now MC-OH+ is photochemically transformed into SP-H+, which undergoes thermal ring-opening to MC-OH+.

Using Trifluoroacetic Acid To Augment Studies of Potato Suberin Molecular Structure

Systematically varied reaction times and concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) have been used to remove polysaccharides associated with suberin isolated from potato wound periderm, thereby augmenting spectroscopic determinations of the molecular structure of this protective plant polyester. Treatments with dilute TFA left a residual insoluble material for which both solid-state 13C and 1H NMR spectra displayed significant improvements in resolution without compromising the integrity of the protective plant polyester, whereas higher concentrations of TFA made it possible to achieve controlled hydrolysis of the suberin aliphatic or aromatic domains. Among the isolated fragments were two hydroxyphenyl derivatives reported previously in lignins and a novel aliphatic-aromatic ester trimer that is identified provisionally. Together these protocols help to characterize the carbohydrate types that are bound covalently to the suberin polyester and to identify the interunit covalent linkages among the aliphatic ester, phenolic, and carbohydrate moieties in suberized potato tissue. The strategies described herein may also advance molecular-level investigations of lignocellulosic materials or vegetable tissues that exhibit strengthened intercellular adhesion.

Effects of Trifluoroacetic Acid Concentrations in Mobile Phases on HPLC Retention of Zwitterionic and Weakly Basic Triazole Derivatives

Minor changes in the concentration of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a popular acidic HPLC mobile phase modifier, resulted in dramatic affects on hydrophobic retention. Two 1,2,4‐triazole carboxylic acids and the corresponding decarboxylated 1,2,4‐triazoles were chromatographed using a reversed‐phase column with 0.01% to 0.4% TFA in the mobile phases. Retention time shifts and reversed elution orders were observed. At low TFA concentrations, the decarboxylated 1,2,4‐triazoles eluted earlier, whereas at high TFA concentrations the two 1,2,4‐triazole carboxylic acids eluted earlier. An increased capacity factor, when TFA concentrations exceeded 0.05%, exhibited an increased hydrophobicity as a result of TFA‐associated chaotropic effects. Formic acid, acetic acid, or phosphoric acid were not as effective as TFA and attenuated the retention shifts significantly such that the reversed order of elution was no longer observed. The use of a combination of TFA and triethylamine (TEA) generated similar chromatographic profiles to those obtained when TFA was used alone. In conclusion, ideal HPLC separations of zwitterionic and weakly basic compounds could sometimes be obtained simply by optimizing TFA concentration in mobile phases.

Comparison of Haloacetic Acids in the Environment of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are a family of compounds whose environmental concentrations have been extensively studied, primarily in Europe. Depending on the compound, their sources are believed to be both natural and anthropogenic. To better understand possible sources and contribute to the knowledge of the global distribution of these compounds, especially between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, samples of precipitation, soils, and conifer needles were collected from Canada, Malawi, Chile, and the U.K. Precipitation samples exhibited highest HAA concentrations in collections from Canada, and lowest in those from Malawi. Malawi samples contained measurable levels of monobromoacetic acid (MBA) (56 ng/ L) unlike those from most other locations (< 9 ng/L). Soil HAA concentration levels were highest in the U.K. (e.g., 7.3 ng/g average TCA) and lowest in Malawi (0.8 ng/g average TCA), with Chile having higher levels (4.8 ng/g average TCA) than Canada (3 ng/g average TCA). Malawi soils contained small amounts of MBA (2 ng/g), in common with the two most southern of the 11 Chilean sites. Analysis of soil cores (10-cm depth sliced at 1 cm) from sites in Malawi and Chile showed that trichloroacetic acid (TCA) generally declined with depth while mono- and dichloroacetic acid (MCA and DCA) showed no trend. MCA, DCA, and TCA concentrations in archived U.K. soil samples increased by factors of 2, 4, and 5-fold over 75 years while TFA showed no consistent trend. Monochloroacetic acid (MCA) was detected in pine needles collected from Malawi. U.K. needle samples had the highest concentrations of all chloroacetic acids (CAAs): MCA, 2-18 ng/g; dichloroacetic acid (DCA), 2-38 ng/g; and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), 28-190 ng/g. Conifer needles from Canada and Chile contained CAAs at levels ranging from < 2 to 16 ng/g wet wt. Trifluoroacetic acid concentrations generally declined with increasing elevation in the samples from the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. The results indicate that concentrations of HAAs are greatest in the industrialized Northern Hemisphere but there are significant amounts of these compounds in the less industrialized Southern Hemisphere.

Simultaneous femtomole determination of cysteine, reduced and oxidized glutathione, and phytochelatin in maize ( Zea mays L.) kernels using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Thiol compounds such as cysteine (Cys), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) gluathione, and phytochelatins (PCs) play an important role in heavy metal detoxification in plants. These thiols are biological active compounds whose function is elimination of oxidative stress in plant cells. The aim of our work was to optimise sensitive and rapid method of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ED) for determination of the abovementioned thiol compounds in maize ( Zea mays L.) kernels. New approach for evaluation of HPLC-ED parameters is described. The most suitable isocratic mobile phase for the separation and detection of Cys, GSH, GSSG and PC 2 consisted of methanol (MeOH) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In addition, the influence of concentrations of TFA and ratio of MeOH:TFA on chromatographic separation and detection of the thiol compounds were studied. The mobile phase consisting from methanol and 0.05% (v/v) TFA in ratio 97:3 (%; v/v) was found the most suitable for the thiol compounds determination. Optimal flow rate of the mobile phase was 0.18 ml min −1 and the column and detector temperature 35 °C. Hydrodynamic voltammograms of all studied compounds was obtained due to the selection of the most effective working electrodes potentials. Two most effective detection potentials were selected: 780 mV for the GSSG and PC 2 and 680 mV for determination of Cys and GSH. The optimised HPLC-ED method was capable to determine femtomole levels of studied compounds. The detection limits (3 S/N) of the studied thiol compounds were for cysteine 112.8 fmol, GSH 63.5 fmol, GSSG 112.2 fmol and PC 2 2.53 pmol per injection (5 μl). The optimised HPLC-ED method was applied to study of the influence of different cadmium concentrations (0, 10 and 100 μM Cd) on content of Cys, GSH, GSSG and PC 2 in maize kernels. According to the increasing time of Cd treatment, content of GSH, GSSG and PC 2 in maize kernels increased but content of Cys decreased. Decreasing Cys concentration probably relates with the increasing GSH and phytochelatins synthesis.

Monitoring of trifluoroacetic acid concentration in environmental waters in China

It is critically important and extremely meaningful to determine the concentration of TFA in the environmental water in China. This will create background reference for the effects of analyzing the extensive employment of the substitutes to CFCs in China. In this paper a set of analytical methods was described for use in monitoring of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) concentration of environmental waters including collecting, pre-treatment measures, preserving, concentrating and derivatization of samples from different kinds of environmental waters. The GC with electrical capture detector (ECD) and headspace auto sampler were used in the analysis. The lowest detection limit of the instrument is 0.0004 ng methyl trifluoroacetic acid (MTFA), and the lowest detected concentration with the method is 3.0 ng/ml TFA. TFA collected in various environmental water samples (including rainfall, inland surface water, ground water, and waste water) from nine provinces and autonomous regions in China have been determined by applying the analytical methods created and defined in this work. The results indicate that the concentrations of TFA in nine rainfalls and three snowfalls through the period from 2000 to 2001 ranged from 25 to 220 ng/l, the TFA concentration in the inland surface water samples ranged from 4.7 to 221 ng/l, the concentration of TFA in groundwater samples collected in Beijing was 10 ng/l, and the TFA concentration in coastal water samples ranged from 4.2 to 190.1 ng/l.

Systematic Peptide Array-based Delineation of the Differential β-Catenin Interaction with Tcf4, E-Cadherin, and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli

Nuclear accumulation of the complex between beta-catenin and proteins of the T-cell factor (Tcf) family is a hallmark of many cancers. Targeting this interaction for drug development is complicated by the fact that E-cadherin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) bind to overlapping sites on beta-catenin. Inhibiting their interactions might actually promote tumor growth. To identify selective beta-catenin binding hot spots of Tcf4, E-cadherin, and APC, array technology with peptides of up to 53 amino acids length was used. Interactions were monitored by a quantitative fluorescent readout, which was shown to represent a monitor of true equilibrium binding constants. We identified minimal binding motifs in the beta-catenin ligands and showed that most of the 15-mer and 20-mer repeats of APC did not interact, at least when non-phosphorylated, and defined a consensus binding motif also present in APC. We confirmed previously found hot spots and identified new ones. The method allowed us to locate a hydrophobic pocket that was relevant for the Tcf, but not the E-cadherin interaction, and would thus constitute an ideal drug target site.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence 73: acid–base properties, electrochemistry, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of neutral red in acetonitrile

We characterized the acid–base properties, electrochemistry, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of neutral red in acetonitrile (MeCN). To determine the acid–base properties, the basic form (NR) of neutral red was prepared and titrated with anhydrous HClO 4, yielding p K a = 6.5 in MeCN. NR showed three irreversible electrochemical oxidations and a one-electron reversible reduction. However, the acid form (NRH +) was reduced at more positive potentials than NR in a two-electron transfer reaction. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as a co-reactant to generate ECL on reduction of NR because it produces a strong oxidizing agent ( C 6 H 5 CO 2 ) on reduction. A high concentration of BPO quenched ECL. NRH + did not produce ECL because its reduction was by the transfer of two electrons and the energy available in the ECL reaction was not sufficient to generate an excited state. However, the NR ECL showed a maximum intensity at 610 nm, which corresponds to the λ max of NRH + fluorescence rather than that of NR. The ECL intensity of NR depended strongly on the concentration of NR, BPO, and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The integrated ECL intensity of NR, compared with that of Ru ( bpy ) 3 2 + , yielded a relative ECL intensity ratio, I NR/ I Ru(II) of ∼0.05.

Selectivity differences in the separation of amphipathic α-helical peptides during reversed-phase liquid chromatography at pHs 2.0 and 7.0: Effects of different packings, mobile phase conditions and temperature

In an ongoing effort to understand the effect of varying reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) parameters on the retention behaviour of peptides, necessary for the rational development of separation/optimization protocols, we believe it is important to delineate the contribution of α-helical structure to the selectivity of peptide separations. The present study reports the effects of varying column packing, mobile phase conditions and temperature on RP-HPLC retention behaviour at pHs 2.0 and 7.0 of peptides based on the amphipathic peptide sequence Ac–EAEKAAKEXEKAAKEAEK–amide (with position X in the centre of the hydrophobic face of the α-helix), where position X is substituted by l- or d-amino acids. At pH 2.0, an increase in trifluoroacetic acid concentration or the addition of sodium perchlorate to a phosphoric acid-based mobile phase had the similar effect of improving peak shape as well as increasing peptide retention time due to ion-pairing effects with the positively-charged peptides; in contrast, at pH 7.0, the addition of salt had little effect save an improvement in peak shape. Temperature was shown to have a complex influence on peptide selectivity due to varying effects on peptide conformation. In addition, subtle effects on peptide selectivity were also noted based on the column packings employed at pHs 2.0 and 7.0.

Optimum concentration of trifluoroacetic acid for reversed-phase liquid chromatography of peptides revisited

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) remains the dominant mobile phase additive for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) of peptides after more than two decades since its introduction to this field. Generally, TFA has been employed in a concentration range of 0.05–0.1% (6.5–13 mM) for the majority of peptide separations. In order to revisit the question as to whether such a concentration range is optimum for separations of peptide mixtures containing peptides of varying net positive charge, the present study examined the effect of varying TFA concentration on RP-HPLC at 25 and 70 °C of three groups of synthetic 10-residue synthetic peptides containing either one (+1) or multiple (+3, +5) positively charged groups. The results show that the traditional range of TFA concentrations employed for peptide studies is not optimum for many, perhaps the majority, of peptide applications. For efficient resolution of peptide mixtures, particularly those containing peptides with multiple positive charges, our results show that 0.2–0.25% TFA in the mobile phase will achieve optimum resolution. In addition, the use of high temperature as a complement to such TFA concentration levels is also effective in maximizing peptide resolution.

Optimum concentration of trifluoroacetic acid for reversed-phase liquid chromatography of peptides revisited

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) remains the dominant mobile phase additive for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) of peptides after more than two decades since its introduction to this field. Generally, TFA has been employed in a concentration range of 0.05–0.1% (6.5–13 mM) for the majority of peptide separations. In order to revisit the question as to whether such a concentration range is optimum for separations of peptide mixtures containing peptides of varying net positive charge, the present study examined the effect of varying TFA concentration on RP-HPLC at 25 and 70 °C of three groups of synthetic 10-residue synthetic peptides containing either one (+1) or multiple (+3, +5) positively charged groups. The results show that the traditional range of TFA concentrations employed for peptide studies is not optimum for many, perhaps the majority, of peptide applications. For efficient resolution of peptide mixtures, particularly those containing peptides with multiple positive charges, our results show that 0.2–0.25% TFA in the mobile phase will achieve optimum resolution. In addition, the use of high temperature as a complement to such TFA concentration levels is also effective in maximizing peptide resolution.

Selectivity differences in the separation of amphipathic $alpha;-helical peptides during reversed-phase liquid chromatography at pHs 2.0 and 7.0Effects of different packings, mobile phase conditions and temperature

In an ongoing effort to understand the effect of varying reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) parameters on the retention behaviour of peptides, necessary for the rational development of separation/optimization protocols, we believe it is important to delineate the contribution of α-helical structure to the selectivity of peptide separations. The present study reports the effects of varying column packing, mobile phase conditions and temperature on RP-HPLC retention behaviour at pHs 2.0 and 7.0 of peptides based on the amphipathic peptide sequence Ac–EAEKAAKEXEKAAKEAEK–amide (with position X in the centre of the hydrophobic face of the α-helix), where position X is substituted by l- or d-amino acids. At pH 2.0, an increase in trifluoroacetic acid concentration or the addition of sodium perchlorate to a phosphoric acid-based mobile phase had the similar effect of improving peak shape as well as increasing peptide retention time due to ion-pairing effects with the positively-charged peptides; in contrast, at pH 7.0, the addition of salt had little effect save an improvement in peak shape. Temperature was shown to have a complex influence on peptide selectivity due to varying effects on peptide conformation. In addition, subtle effects on peptide selectivity were also noted based on the column packings employed at pHs 2.0 and 7.0.

Haloacetic acids in the aquatic environment. Part II: ecological risk assessment

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are environmental contaminants found in aquatic ecosystems throughout the world as a result of both anthropogenic and natural production. The ecological risk posed by these compounds to organisms in freshwater environments, with a specific focus on aquatic macrophytes, was characterized. The plants evaluated were Lemna gibba, Myriophyllum spicatum and M. sibiricum and the HAAs screened were monochloroacetic acid (MCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and chlorodifluoroacetic acid (CDFA). Laboratory toxicity data formed the basis of the risk assessment, but field studies were also utilized. The estimated risk was calculated using hazard quotients (HQ), as well as effect measure distributions (EMD) in a modified probabilistic ecological risk assessment. EMDs were used to estimate HAA thresholds of toxicity for use in HQ assessments. This threshold was found to be a more sensitive measure of low toxicity than the no observed effect concentrations (NOEC) or the effective concentration (EC10). Using both deterministic and probabilistic methods, it was found that HAAs do not pose a significant risk to freshwater macrophytes at current environmental concentrations in Canada, Europe or Africa for both single compound and mixture exposures. Still, HAAs are generally found as mixtures and their potential interactions are not fully understood, rendering this phase of the assessment uncertain and justifying further effects characterization. TCA in some environments poses a slight risk to phytoplankton and future concentrations of TFA and CDFA are likely to increase due to their recalcitrant nature, warranting continued environmental surveillance of HAAs.

Evaluation of an embedded polar C 4 phase for hydrophobic protein analysis by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A C 4 column (InertsilWP300 C 4) was developed for a protein analysis in reversed-phase chromatography. Polar groups were embedded on this phase. And this column was evaluated with low concentration of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and formic acid. Test C 4 phases that controlled carbon loading and commercially available columns were compared with this embedded C 4 column. The test column with higher carbon loading showed good separations of proteins at low concentrations of TFA, although hydrophobic proteins were broadened. On the other hand, embedded polar C 4 packings showed ideal retention behavior for proteins, which is independent of ion-pairing effects of additives in mobile phase. The reason was concluded to be the shielding effects of polar groups on the sorbents, which reduce silanophilic interactions with polar groups of proteins.