Microchemical Reaction Research Articles

A method for identifying sulfuric acid in single cloud and fog droplets

We describe herein a novel method for identifying sulfuric acid in single droplets of mist, fog or cloud. The method is based on a microchemical reaction displayed by the droplets upon a shiny cleavage plane [ 1 0 1 1 ̄ ] of Iceland spar – the rhombohedral variety of calcite. Thus, single droplets containing sulfuric acid respond by a typical microchemical reaction wherein they create prismatic, hemi-bipyramidal or lenticular twinned gypsum crystals on the calcite surface. For acid identification, droplets were collected on the four stages of a cascade impactor. The method was tested both in the laboratory and in the field in cloudy and foggy conditions. The sulfur mass in single droplets varied between 10 −12 and 10 −13 g and the pH ranged from 2.0 to 4.0.

Microchemistry: time dependence of an acid-base reaction in a single optically levitated microdroplet

Combining the optical levitation technique with Raman spectroscopy we were able to derive information on the chemical reaction of an acid microdroplet (droplet radius 7.5 μm) when exposed to ammonia. Of particular help were morphology-dependent resonances which are superimposed on the Raman spectrum, to follow the progress of growth and thickness of a salt coating performed by the microchemical acid-base reaction. Simultaneous measurement of the laser power needed to levitate the microparticle gave additional information on size and state of the particle as a function of time.

In vitro biosynthesis of steroids, including 11-deoxycortisol and 5α-pregnane-3β,7α,17,20β-tetrol, by ovaries of the goldfish Carassius auratus during the stage of oocyte final maturation

To examine the production of steroids with potential oocyte maturation-inducing or pheromonal activity in the goldfish ( Carassius auratus) we have incubated mature ovaries of this species with 17-[ 3H]hydroxyprogesterone. The metabolites in the unconjugated, glucuronide, and sulfate fractions were identified by chromatography, microchemical reaction, and, in most cases, crystallization to constant specific activity. A major metabolite, present in all three fractions, was tentatively identified as 5α-pregnane-3β,7α,17,20β-tetrol. Although 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P) was found in only low yield (as a sulfate), the presence of the tetrol indicates that it is synthesized in high yield but very rapidly metabolized. The relative proportions of 17,20α-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20α-P), 11-deoxycortisol (17,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione) and 17,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β,21-P) varied significantly between incubations and may be affected by the maturational state of the ovary or the method used to stimulate oocyte maturation. Testosterone was present predominantly as its glucuronide. Significant production of glucuronides and sulfates was observed in all incubations. Twenty-five to 30% of the radioactivity remained associated with the tissue, but the distribution of activity between the metabolites did not differ greatly from that found in the medium. These results indicate that 11-deoxycorisol and its 20β-reduced derivative (17,20β,21-P) may be significant in spawning female goldfish.

Chemical characterisation of individual atmospheric aerosol particles. Analysis by spot test and scanning electron microscopy

An analytical method for the identification of individual sulfate, nitrate and ammonium containing aerosol particles is described. The method, a so-called spot test, represents a combination of a microchemical precipitation reaction and a subsequent interpretation in the scanning electron microscope. The tests are mostly very selective and can be applied to micron as well as to submicron particles down to 0.05 μm.

STUDIES ON SEX PHEROMONE OF YELLOW RICE BORER, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), Pyralidae, Lepidoptera——IDENTIFICATION OF CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND FIELD TRAPPING TESTS

The natural sex pheromone of the yellow rice borer, Scirpophaga incertulas is known to consist of 3 components: 16: Ald (Ⅰ), (Z)-9-16: Ald (Ⅱ) and (Z)-11-16: Ald (Ⅲ) by using single sex pheromone gland technique, high performance capillary CC, GC-MS, EAG, micro-chemical reaction as well as field trapping tests. Analysis of single sex pheromone gland showed that the precise ratio of the 3 components is 18.8 (Ⅰ): 27.1 (Ⅱ): 54.1 (Ⅲ) (％). The septura lure made according to the above precise blending showed strong attractancy in the field trapping tests. Maximun catch of a trap was 45 males/ day in the first generation in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The average catch per day was 15.8 males.

Testicular steroid biosynthesis by the green lizard Lacerta viridis

Testes from the green lizard Lacerta viridis were incubated with [ 3H]pregnenolone or [ 3H]testosterone and the products were identified by chromatography, microchemical reaction, and crystallisation to constant specific activity or isotope ratio. The major metabolites of pregnenolone were testosterone (40.8%), androstenedione (5.5%), 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (4.4%), and 5α-pregnane-3β,17α,20ξ-triol (15.2%). Androstenedione was the only identifiable metabolite (4.8%) of testosterone.

Identification of 2-hydroxyoestradiol and the pattern of catechol oestrogens in human pregnancy urine

2-Hydroxyoestradiol was identified in human pregnancy urine and quantitatively determined. The isolation procedure involved four Chromatographie purification steps of 2-hydroxyoestradiol on ascorbic acid impregnated stationary phases and the formation of its phenazine derivative. Following two further chromatography, mass spectrometry and by a microchemical reaction. The catechol oestrogens so far spectrometry. The identity of the product finally obtained was established by U.V.-spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by a microchemical reaction. The catechol oestrogens so far isolated from human urine were quantitatively determined in several pregnancy urines; the amounts excreted were found to vary within the following ranges: 110–2100 μg of 2-hydroxyoestrone/24 h, 20–180 μg of 2-hydroxyoestradiol/24 h and 35–240 μg of 2-hydroxyoestriol/24 h.

Identification and quantitative determination of 2-hydroxyoestriol in human late-pregnancy urine

2-Hydroxyoestriol was isolated from human late-pregnancy urine and quantitatively determined by g.l.c. The purification procedure involved two chromatographic steps on silica gel columns and two paper Chromatographic separations using ascorbic acid impregnated stationary phases. The identity of the 2-hydroxyoestriol isolated was proved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by a microchemical reaction. The urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyoestriol at the end of pregnancy, being in the order of 0.1 mg/24 h, was found to be lower than the conc. of 2-hydroxyoestrone in the same urine with only one exception.

Formation of 2-methoxyoestrone from oestrone in human foetal adrenals in vitro

When [4- 14C]-oestrone is incubated with human foetal adrenals from 9 to 16 weeks of pregnancy, a number of metabolites is detected which include 7α-, 15α- and 16α-hydroxyoestrone. Among the products characterized, 2-methoxyoestrone were identified by paper chromatography in various systems, microchemical reaction and crystallization to constant specific activity.

Chloride Segregation Along Grain Boundaries in Ice

AbstractA new technique for precisely detecting chlorides in ice has been developed. It is based on a microchemical contact reaction which takes place when a thin surface layer of ice melts through a membrane filter previously soaked in a concentrated solution of silver nitrate and dried. The silver chloride thus formed is reduced to metallic silver under ultra-violet light. The results on natural hailstones and laboratory doped ice show that foreign molecules are mainly segregated along the grain boundaries rather than being captured in the ice lattice.The technique, which makes quantitative evaluations possible, appears promising in all experimental studies on natural ice (hailstones and sea ice) and on ice artificially grown in the laboratory (by accretion or by freezing of solutions).

Chloride Segregation Along Grain Boundaries in Ice

AbstractA new technique for precisely detecting chlorides in ice has been developed. It is based on a microchemical contact reaction which takes place when a thin surface layer of ice melts through a membrane filter previously soaked in a concentrated solution of silver nitrate and dried. The silver chloride thus formed is reduced to metallic silver under ultra-violet light. The results on natural hailstones and laboratory doped ice show that foreign molecules are mainly segregated along the grain boundaries rather than being captured in the ice lattice.The technique, which makes quantitative evaluations possible, appears promising in all experimental studies on natural ice (hailstones and sea ice) and on ice artificially grown in the laboratory (by accretion or by freezing of solutions).

A highly sensitive microchemical reaction for iron particles

A highly sensitive microchemical reaction for iron particles

The importance of some microchemical colour reactions in mycology

This work is an examination of the possibilities of the application of microchemical iodine reactions in mycology, of their importance in phylogenesis, and of their practical application for the distinguishing of fungi or moulds from the tissue of the host plant. The best results were obtained with the reaction of chlor-zinc-iodine, then with chlor-calcium-iodine, and with iodophosphoric acid. Reactions were tested with different representatives of developmental groups of fungi and with pure cellulose (cotton-plant fibres) for the comparison of the quantity of cellulose, chitin, or of other substances in the cell-walls. BesidesOomycetes, whose cell-wall consists of cellulose, signs of a “cellulose” reaction appear also inZygomycetes. The species of the orderProtomycetales show a cellulose reaction, which fact also speaks rather for the ranking of this group in the division ofOomycetes. However, the microchemical reaction should not be overestimated, as its colour degree and intensity are influenced by the age of the mycelium of the fungi, by the thickness and physical properties of the cell-wall, and by the presence or absence of the cellular content.

LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES OF THE PRIMARY XYLEM OF RICINUS COMMUNIS

Scott, Flora Murray, Virginia Sjaholm, and Edwin Bowler (U. California, Los Angeles.) Light and electron microscope studies of the primary xylem of Ricinus communis. Amer. Jour. Bot. 47(3) : 162‐173. Illus. 1960.–The development of annular and spiral vessels in Ricinus communis has been examined under light and electron miscroscopes. Under the light microscope it is seen that spiral elements make up the bulk of the primary xylem. Pits and plasmodesmata are ubiquitous and are demonstrable in vertical and end walls. Plasmodesmata are evident in spiral thickenings. During tissue growth, intercellular spaces are formed between surrounding cells and developing vessels. These circum‐vessel spaces are first lined with and later occluded by suberinlike substances. Traces of a material similar in microchemical reaction are laid down in the middle lamella. A suberin‐like lining, termed in this paper the lipid lining, stainable with dimethylaminoazobenzene, occurs in mature living vessel elements. Innumerable minute fat‐like droplets, refringent, and stainable with Sudan III, Sudan Black and also with osmic acid, occur in the outer cytoplasm and appear to be attached to the vessel lining by fine protoplasmic strands. They presumably are the source of the wall deposits. After the death of the protoplast, the vessel walls appear completely suberized. When contiguous cells are removed by treatment with I2ki‐H2SO4, their site and the site of the intercellular spaces remain marked by linear suberized ridges on the vessel wall. Annular and spiral thickenings arise as cellulose strands and begin to lignify only when the vessel reaches maximum diameter. In transverse section, the broken end of an extracted spiral thickening appears stratified. Under the electron microscope, pits and plasmodesmata are evident in procambial and in differentiating xylem elements in all walls. Annular and spiral thickening are distinguishable first as closely woven microfibrillar cellulose bands. As lignin is deposited in the microfibrillar mesh, the thickenings become dense to the electron beam. Irradiation with the full strength of the electron beam distinguishes between spiral thickenings in younger and older vessels. Older spirals remain apparently unchanged. Younger spirals instantly swell, volatilize in part, and assume a moniliform outline. The bead‐like swellings consist of a matrix partly transparent to the electron beam and an internal framework of a material comparatively dense to the electron beam. Similar intense irradiation differentiates between younger and older vessel linings. Older linings appear unchanged, while the younger react violently, volatilize in part and stabilize as an irregular coagulum set in a basic mesh. The volatilized substances appear as granules on lining surface or on substrate. The changing microfibrillar pattern of the cell wall is observed from the procambial stage to the final deposition of the lipid vessel lining.

Microchemical reaction for the determinatio of glucoalkaloid tomatine: E.A. Tukalo, Sbornik Nauch, Robot Dnepropetrovsk Med. Inst., 1, 347-49 (1956)

Microchemical reaction for the determinatio of glucoalkaloid tomatine: E.A. Tukalo, Sbornik Nauch, Robot Dnepropetrovsk Med. Inst., 1, 347-49 (1956)

Researches on Mineral Salts in the Salivary Gland Chromosome

By means of the micro-chemical reaction, incineration and electron microscope, the inorganic substances in the salivary gland chromosome of Drosophila virilis were detected, and the following results were obtained:- 1. Phosphates are localized in chromatin bands, while potassium salts are present in matrix. 2. The presence of calcium salts is recognized only in the cytoplasm.

Histochemical Studies on Chromosomes

1. Histochemical tests in regard to glycogen were successful on the salivary gland chromosomes. The existence of glycogen seems to be specifically found only in the salivary gland chromosomes of the Diptera, and the fact that the glycogen in chromosomes is uniformly stained makes the authors feel that glycogen must be located in matrix.2. It was demonstrated in detail from the standpoint of microchemical reaction as well as isoelectric point of chromosome that the protein of the salivary gland chromosomes is at most only partially digested by pepsin, , though completely digested by trypsin.3. It was revealed an interesting metachromasia that the chromosome aquired a reddish purple by staining with toluidin blue which was at more alkalic side than pH 4.4 in pepsin digestion, and at more alkalic side than pH 1.8 in trypsin digestion.4. It was confirmed that the metachromasia of toluidin blue in chromosome depends upon the existence of desoxyribose-nucleic acid uncompounded with protein.5. The kind of basic protein of the salivary gland chromosomes was decided by staining with brillantazurin B as well as isoelectric point to prove that the greater part of the basic protein was histone, a part of it being a non-histone protein.

Étude critique des réactions des cations : Uranium

A critical examination has been made of all drop reactions proposed for uranium during the period 1937–1917. In view of the preparation of the fourth Report, it is proposed to retain only the micro-chemical reaction given by an alkaline thiocyanate and sparteine, even in presence of a large excess of iron.

Role of Fungi and Actinomycetes in the Decomposition of Cellulose

WAKSMAN1 has recently demonstrated, by cultural methods, the important role of fungi and actinomycetes in the breakdown of plant tissues in composts and dunghills. The details of the process, however, were not directly observed. I have previously2,3 described methods, involving the use of polarized light, for the direct microscopical observation of the cytoclastic process in the caecum and rumen of herbivora. These methods have since been applied to the study of the decomposition of vegetable materials in animal faeces, composts and dunghills. The role of Fungi and Actinomycetes in the breakdown of cellulose thereby immediately became conspicuous. Disintegration of the cell-wall constituents was directly evidenced by loss of double-refraction and by disappearance of microchemical reaction in the affected structures.

CLINICAL SPECTROSCOPY

When Paul Ehrlich 1 in his. early experiments with dyestuff and tissue staining succeeded in simplifying the identification of the blood cells, the basis of hematology was established. The application of these principles to the microchemical reaction of tissue to dyestuff resulted in the introduction of the theory of selective affinity between chemical substances and protoplasm. Moreover, the observations from all those experiments led Ehrlich to outline his side-chain theory. In spite of the adverse criticisms of this theory, it proved to be a valuable link in the development of the science of immunity and serum reactions. After the discovery of immune bodies in syphilized blood, Ehrlich assumed that special antitoxins would not be effective in treating protozoan diseases. This conclusion initiated a series of trial and error experiments to find a therapia sterilisans against syphilis. As arsanilic acid was useful in the treatment of spirillar infections, compounds of this