Rapid Extraction Method Research Articles

Application of a new functionalized magnetic graphane oxide for aluminum determination at trace levels in honey samples by the zetasizer system

Heavy metals in honey are of interest not only for quality control, but also as an environmental indicator. In the present work, we developed a new selective and rapid magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) method for the separation/determination of Al(III) in honey samples by the zetasizer system. The synthesis of a new nanocomposite comprised of aminosilanized magnetic graphane oxide (GO/Fe3O4/APS)-coated 2‑hydroxy‑5-methyl-1,3-benzene-dicarboxaldehyde (HB) (GO/Fe3O4/APS@HB) is synthesized and characterized in for the first time the present work. The parameters influential on the determination of Al(III) including the pH of the sample, sorption time, amount of nanocomposite, eluent type, concentration, volume, and elution time, were investigated and optimized. These magnetic nanocomposites carrying Al(III) could be easily separated from honey samples simply by applying an external magnetic field; no filtration/centrifugation was necessary. Moreover, GO/Fe3O4/APS@HB demonstrates selectivity toward Al(III). Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits (DL) of the method for Al(III) was found to be (3 s) 0.13 μg L−1, the preconcentration factor was calculated as 65, and the relative standard deviation was obtained as ⩽2% for n = 11. The method was performed for the determination of Al(III) in some honey samples. The proposed techniques show satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity, detection limits and standard deviation for Al(III) determination in a honey sample. The method is suitable for the analysis of honey samples, which are challenging to analyze using other spectroscopy techniques.

A Rapid Method for the Retrieval of Bioactive Xanthone from Garcinia Mangostana: A Case Study of α-Mangostin

Natural products have been used as the functional food and alternative treatment to combat various diseases for centuries. A handful of bioactive compounds that are available clinically such as antibiotic, anti-neurodegeneration, and anticancer drugs were derived from natural products. Recent study showed that α-mangostin, a natural occurring prenylated xanthone, possesses a wide variety of pharmacological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-neurodegenerative. In view of the pharmacological importance of α-mangostin, a rapid extraction method is paramount importance to recover the α-mangostin from natural resources to cope the therapeutic needs and potential for future clinical translation. The yield of α-mangostin was 9.2 g/kg DW. This study presents a simple, cost effective, and rapid extraction with identification of α-mangostin from the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit.

Integration of Solid-Phase Extraction and Reversed-Phase Chromatography in Single Protein-Coated Columns for Direct Injection of Bupivacaine in Human Serum.

A rapid, reliable and precise integrated solid-phase extraction (SPE) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography method was developed and validated to determine bupivacaine in human serum using single protein-coated analytical columns. The protein-coated columns were packed with four different sorbents: TSK-ODS, LiChrosorb RP-8, LiChrosorb RP-2 and μ-Bondapak CN-bonded silica. The method involved direct injection of serum sample onto the columns for trapping of the analyte, clean-up from weakly retained serum endogenous components, as well as the final separation. The protein-coated columns operated in two different chromatographic modes. Serum proteins were extracted and cleaned up by SPE, whereas the final separation of bupivacaine was based on reversed-phase chromatography. The protein-coated TSK-ODS column resulted in more accurate peak integration and more reproducible results. A linear relationship between the concentrations of drug and peak areas was confirmed in the range of 100-2000ng/mL. Detection and quantification limits were 24.85 and 85.36ng/mL, respectively. The average recovery for bupivacaine ranged from 96.48% to 98.81%. The present methodology was successfully applied, with a high degree of confidence, to analyze clinical samples obtained from patient receiving 0.5% bupivacaine therapy.

Screening of Antioxidant Potentials and Bioactive Properties of the Extracts Obtained from Two Centaurea L. Species (C. kroumirensis Coss. and C. sicula L. subsp sicula)

Herbal medicines, dietary supplements, or infusions with health promoting effects can note strong consumer demand. Hence, researchers and scientists have been increasingly focusing on the promotion of medicinal plants. In this respect, the present study has the evaluation of the biological properties of different extracts (hexane, chloroform, methanol, ultrasonic, essential oil, and supercritical) obtained from two Centaurea species (C. kroumirensis (Coss.) and C. sicula L. subsp sicula) as purpose. Antioxidative activities were assessed by in vitro assays including total phenolic content, free radical scavenging assay and ferric ion reducing power. Among the fourteen extracts examined, the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant abilities were recorded in ultrasonic ethanol extracts of both Centaurea species. Additionally, these extracts exhibited a noticeable strong protective effect of the human skin fibroblast cell line (HS-68) that was exposed to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. According to our results, the sonication with ethanol might be an ideal, rapid, and eco-friendly extraction method for obtaining a polyphenol-rich extract that exhibited high antioxidant activity. The results presented herein suggest that Centaurea species could be promoted as an antioxidant resource that could be exploited for the development of nutraceuticals or in pharmacology industry.

The Detection of viruses in olive cultivars in Greece, using a rapid and effective RNA extraction method, for certification of virus-tested propagation material

Although Greece is the world’s third largest olive production country, information about the presence of olive viruses is limited. A survey for the presence of virus infections in the ten most important Greek cultivars was conducted in a germplasm collection olive grove located in Chania, Crete. Samples were RT-PCR assayed for the presence of Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Cherry leafroll virus (CLRV), Strawberry latent ring spot virus (SLRSV), and Olive leaf yellowing-associated virus (OLYaV), amplifying part of the capsid protein (ArMV), the 3΄UTR (CLSRV, SLRSV) or the HSP70h (OLYaV) gene. Total RNAs were purified using the Trizol method, yielding good quality and purity, thereby confirming application of the method as a rapid economic extraction protocol for detection of olive viruses. SLRSV was the most predominant virus, with an infection rate of 55%, followed by CLRV and OLYaV in 5% of the tested samples. ArMV was detected only in one sample. Mixed virus infections were also commonly detected. The DNA amplicons of the obtained viruses from the infected samples were sequenced. The partial sequences of ArMV, CLRV and SLRSV from olives, which are reported for the first time, showed 74-100% nucleotide similarity with available homologous sequences from other crops, whereas OLYaV isolates showed high sequence variability of 25%. The phylogenetic analysis based on olive-OLYaV HSP70h partial-nucleotide sequences grouped the olive isolate sequences according to the geographical origins of the host germplasm collection. This is the first official report of the occurrence of olive viruses in Greece, emphasizing the need to implement a certification programme for production and distribution of high-quality (virus-free) olive propagation material, in Greece and more generally in the Mediterranean basin.

Genus specific PCR-RFLP and multiplex PCR for diagnosis of avian mycoplasmosis

Diagnosis of avian mycoplasmosis remains a serious problem, due to unusual nature of etiological agent. Although, many protocols for PCR are set with the published primers; they do not always yield vis-à-vis results under different existing conditions of laboratories. Therefore, the present research was aimed towards the optimization and evaluation of genus specific and multiplex PCR for molecular diagnosis of avian mycoplasmosis. The research was carried out systematically where in first DNA extraction protocol was standardized followed by optimization of PCR. Using optimized protocols, screening of 165 clinical specimens from mycoplasmosis suspected birds was carried out employing genus specific PCR-RFLP, followed by the confirmation of positive samples by multiplex PCR assay and sequencing of unidentified PCR products. Phenol chloroform isoamyl method was found superior to rapid heat freeze method for extraction of better quality and quantity of DNA. Genus specific 16S rRNA based PCR-RFLP was found sensitive and convenient method for screening large number of clinical specimens for detection of mycoplasma infection.

A highly integrated system with rapid DNA extraction, recombinase polymerase amplification, and lateral flow biosensor for on-site detection of genetically modified crops

With the large-scale planting of genetically modified (GM) crops, the development of a rapid and convenient method for on-site monitoring GM crops is needed. In this study, a duplex recombinase polymerase amplification (DRPA)-based, quick and simple detection system is presented for on-site detection of GM crops. In this system, a rapid DNA extraction method, a DRPA, and a lateral flow biosensor (LFB) are integrated to allow for rapid DNA extraction and amplification, and fast visualization of the detection results. Using the rapid DNA extraction method, high-quality DNA suitable for RPA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was quickly isolated from various crops within 5 min. Utilizing the optimal DRPA assay, the universal screening sequences (Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter [35S] and Agrobacterium tumefaciens NOS terminator [NOS]) were rapidly and simultaneously amplified with high selectivity and sensitivity. The sensitivity threshold of the DRPA assay was ∼10 copies for GM soybean genomic DNA and 100 ng DNA of 0.1% GM soybean. In combination with the LFB in an enclosed cassette, the entire detection process was performed in approximately 20–30 min and eliminated the carryover contamination. No special or expensive equipment was needed for the detection process. The system was successfully applied and validated for on-site detection of GM rice, demonstrating its suitability for on-site testing of GM crops and high potential for application to other fields, especially in low-resource regions that require rapid detection of DNA targets.

A rapid ammonium fluoride method to determine the oxygen isotope ratio of available phosphorus in tropical soils.

RationaleThe isotopic composition of oxygen bound to phosphorus (δ18OP value) offers an opportunity to gain insight into P cycling mechanisms. However, there is little information for tropical forest soils, which presents a challenge for δ18OP measurements due to low available P concentrations. Here we report the use of a rapid ammonium fluoride extraction method (Bray‐1) as an alternative to the widely used anion‐exchange membrane (AEM) method for quantification of δ18OP values of available P in tropical forest soils.MethodsWe compared P concentrations and δ18OP values of available and microbial P determined by AEM and Bray‐1 extraction for a series of tropical forest soils from Panama spanning a steep P gradient. This involved an assessment of the influence of extraction conditions, including temperature, extraction time, fumigation time and solution‐to‐soil ratio, on P concentrations and isotope ratios.ResultsDepending on the extraction conditions, Bray‐1 P concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 66.3 mg P kg−1 across the soils. Extraction time and temperature had only minor effects on Bray‐1 P, but concentrations increased markedly as the solution‐to‐soil ratio increased. In contrast, extraction conditions did not affect Bray‐1 δ18OP values, indicating that Bray‐1 provides a robust measure of the isotopic composition of available soil P. For a relatively high P soil, available and fumigation‐released (microbial) δ18OP values determined by Bray‐1 extraction (20‰ and 16‰, respectively) were higher than those determined by the AEM method (18‰ and 12‰, respectively), which we attribute to slightly different P pools extracted by the two methods and/or differences resulting from the longer extraction time needed for the AEM method.ConclusionsThe short extraction time, insensitivity to extraction conditions and smaller mass of soil required to extract sufficient P for isotopic analysis make Bray‐1extraction a suitable alternative to the AEM method for the determination of δ18OP values of available P in tropical soils.

Determination of color additive tartrazine (E 102) in food samples after dispersive solid phase extraction with a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (UiO-66(Zr)-(COOH)2)

ABSTRACTA new and rapid dispersive solid phase extraction method by using a green-synthesised UiO-66(Zr)-(COOH)2 (Zr-BTeC) adsorbent with body-centred cubic (bcu) topology was developed for determination of tartrazine in food samples. Zr-BTeC was used for the first time as an adsorbent for tartrazine. It was synthesised and characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and zeta potential measurements. Tartrazine was determined at 405 nm spectrophotometrically. Experimental conditions were optimised in order to achieve quantitative recoveries. The sample acidity was found to be 0.02 mol L−1 HCl. The amount of Zr-BTeC was 10 mg. Both adsorption and elution contact times were only 5 s without the need for vortexing. Elution was with 2 mL of 0.5 mol L−1 NH3. A sample volume of 45 mL was selected as optimum. The adsorption capacity for tartrazine with Zr-BTeC was found to be 185 mg g−1 and the adsorbent was reusable up to 40 cycles. The tartrazine concentrations found by the developed method in food supplements were compared with the results obtained by HPLC method for the same samples. Statistical analysis results showed that there are insignificant differences between the results of the two methods (p = .05). The method was successfully applied to the determination of tartrazine in spiked chewing gums, lemon flavoured icing glaze, and jelly samples.

A rapid and simple bead-bashing-based method for genomic DNA extraction from mammalian tissue.

Conventional genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction methods can take hours to complete, may require fume hoods and represent the most time-consuming step in many gDNA-based molecular assays. We systematically optimized a bead bashing-based (BBB) approach for rapid gDNA extraction without the need for a fume hood. Human tissue specimens (n = 34) subjected to the 12-min BBB method yielded 0.40 ± 0.17 (mean ± SD) μg of gDNA per milligram of tissue, sufficient for many downstream applications, and 3- and 6-min extensions resulted in an additional 0.43 ± 0.23 μg and 0.48 ± 0.43 μg per milligram of tissue, respectively. The BBB method provides a simple and rapid method for gDNA extraction from mammalian tissue that is applicable to time-sensitive clinical applications.

Batch extraction method to estimate total dissolved solids (TDS) release from coal refuse and overburden

A rapid batch extraction method was evaluated to estimate potential for total dissolved solids (TDS) release by 65 samples of rock from coal and gas-bearing strata of the Appalachian Basin in eastern USA. Three different extractant solutions were considered: deionized water (DI), DI equilibrated with 10% CO2 atmosphere (DI + CO2), or 30% H2O2 under 10% CO2 (H2O2+CO2). In all extractions, 10 g of pulverized rock (<0.5-mm) were mixed with 20 mL of extractant solution and shaken for 4 h at 50 rpm and 20–22 °C. The 65 rock samples were classified as coal (n=3), overburden (n = 17), coal refuse that had weathered in the field (n = 14), unleached coal refuse that had oxidized during indoor storage (n = 20), gas-bearing shale (n = 10), and pyrite (n = 1). Extracts were analyzed for specific conductance (SC), TDS, pH, and major and trace elements, and subsequently speciated to determine ionic contributions to SC. The pH of extractant blanks decreased in the order DI (6.0), DI + CO2 (5.1), and H2O2+CO2 (2.6). The DI extractant was effective for mobilizing soluble SO4 and Cl salts. The DI + CO2 extractant increased weathering of carbonates and resulted in equivalent or greater TDS than the DI leach of the same material. The H2O2+CO2 extractant increased weathering of sulfides (and carbonates) and resulted in the greatest TDS production and lowest pH values. Of the 65 samples, 19 had leachate chemistry data from previous column experiments and 35 were paired to 10 field sites with leachate chemistry data. When accounting for the water-to-rock ratio, TDS from DI and DI + CO2 extractions were correlated to TDS from column experiments while TDS from H2O2+CO2 extractions was not. In contrast to column experiments, field SC was better correlated to SC measured from H2O2+CO2 extractions than DI extractions. The field SC and SC from H2O2+CO2 extractions were statistically indistinguishable for 7 of 9 paired data sets while SC from DI extractions underestimated field SC in 5 of 9 cases. Upscaling comparisons suggest that (1) weathering reactions in the field are more aggressive than DI water or synthetic rainwater extractants used in batch or column tests, and (2) a batch extraction method utilizing 30% H2O2 (which is mildly acidic without CO2 enrichment) could be effective for identifying rocks that will release high amounts of TDS.

Profiling of essential oil chemical composition of some Lamiaceae species extracted using conventional and microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation extraction methods via chemometrics tools

AbstractThis study investigated the potential use of microwave energy as an effective technique for the extraction of essential oil (EO) from some plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family growing in Egypt, involving Origanum majorana L., Mentha pipereta L., Mentha longifolia L., Origanum syriacum L., Lavandula angustifolia L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Thymus vulgaris L., in comparison with conventional extraction using hydrodistillation (HD) approach, in terms of extraction time, oil yields, and chemical composition. The results showed that the use of microwave in a relevant technique, namely microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) required an extraction of 60 minutes, while HD required 180 minutes. In general, EO yield being extracted by MAHD was higher than those extracted by HD. Gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis indicated noticeable quantitative changes in EOs composition extracted by MAHD and HD extraction methods. Except for O majorana L., GC/MS analysis of extracted oils using MAHD showed higher amounts of oxygenated constituents compared to HD extraction. The results of this study introduced MAHD as rapid, economical and environmental friendly extraction method. A comparative analysis was stated here between the EOs of all plant species under study on chemometric tools such as principal components analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). In general, the PCA results showed that there is significant variation between species in the quality and quantity of EO composition. However, no significant difference is observed based on the extraction method used (HD and MAHD).

Differential Detergent Lysis of Cellular Fractions for Immunoprecipitation.

Differential detergent fractionation of cells is a rapid method for extraction of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins in preparation of an immunoprecipitation. This method can be applied for use of adherent or suspension cells and can significantly reduce nonspecific background in an immunoprecipitation by separation of cellular compartments into individual fractions. The lysis of cells by differential detergents permits the rapid extraction of proteins from the cytoplasm (digitonin), the cytoplasmic membranes, and organelles (Triton X-100), and nucleoplasm (Tween/DOC), facilitated through the use of distinct extraction buffers. Cytoplasmic and nuclear matrix proteins as well as DNA are left behind during the detergent-based extraction.

Extraction of Anthocyanins and Total Phenolic Compounds from Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Using an Experimental Design Methodology. Part 1: Pressurized Liquid Extraction

Currently, açai is one of the most important fruits present in the world. Several studies have demonstrated its high content in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Both of them are responsible of interesting properties of the fruit such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or anticancer. In the present study, two optimized pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) methods have been developed for the extraction of anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds from açai. A full factorial design (Box–Behnken design) with six variables (solvent composition (25–75% methanol-in-water), temperature (50–100 °C), pressure (100–200 atm), purge time (30–90 s), pH (2–7) and flushing (50–150%)) were employed. The percentage of methanol in the extraction solvent was proven to be the most significant variable for the extraction of anthocyanins. In the case of total phenolic compounds, the extraction temperature was the most influential variable. The developed methods showed high precision, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 5%. The applicability of the methods was successfully evaluated in real samples. In conclusion, two rapid and reliable PLE extraction methods to be used for laboratories and industries to determine anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds in açai and its derived products were developed in this work.

Rapid extraction method of polycyclic aromatic compounds in soil using basic silica selective pressurized liquid extraction

Complex chemical mixtures found in soils at contaminated sites typically includes polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), thus posing potential environmental and human health risks. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by silica clean-up is one of the most often used extraction methods for PACs in soil. While silica clean-up provide satisfactory recovery of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs), this technique provides limited recovery of azaarenes. In this work, we used PLE and in-cell clean up with basic silica to increase the recovery of OPAHs and azaarenes. The optimized selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) method used 4 g basic silica, dichloromethane, 100% flush volume, 100 and 120 °C extraction temperatures, with two static cycles for each temperature, no rinse in between the two extractions, and 20 and 120 s purge for the first and second extraction temperature, respectively. The method was validated for a wide range of PAC groups, including OPAHs, azaarenes, alkylated PAHs, and sulfur heterocycles (SPACs), in total 87 PACs, using certified reference material and in comparison to the results from previous inter-laboratory data. Our SPLE method yielded results that are in agreement with certified values and inter-laboratory data from prior analysis. The SPLE method also yielded lower variation than the results from the inter-laboratory data for analysis of OPAH and azaarenes, suggesting better precision than previous methods. More importantly, the SPLE method increases sample analysis throughput as extra clean-up step is not necessary anymore. The SPLE method was then successfully applied to rapidly screen PACs in three soil samples.

Quality variation and standardization of black pepper (Piper nigrum): A comparative geographical evaluation based on instrumental and metabolomics analysis

Black pepper (Piper nigrum; BP), known as the 'king of spices', imported from various countries is widely available in Saudi Arabian markets, as its demand as a food as well as a medicine for minor ailments is increasing in the country. However, there is a lack of appropriate information regarding these samples in terms of quality variation and standardization. We thus aimed to evaluate the quality and standardize the BP sample with respect to its physicochemical characters, active principle variation [i.e. piperine (PPN)], toxicity, and biological activity. The main focus is to validate whether any difference exists in the quality and quantity of active principle in these samples. For this purpose, physicochemical (chemical tests and ash values) and instrumental analyses [accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-diode array detector, infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and inductively coupled plasma-MS (ICP-MS)] and biological evaluation {in vitro antioxidant activity [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] and cytotoxicity assay} were performed. An extract yield (g) with %recovery of 2.26 ± 4.24 (11.3) was obtained for the Vietnamese sample, using a fast and rapid method of extraction (ASE). These values were 1.22 ± 2.64 (6.1) and 0.75 ± 1.69 (3.75) for the Pakistani and Indian samples. Physicochemical tests revealed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in all samples; however, in the Vietnamese sample a low amount of total, acid-insoluble, and high water-soluble ash value was noted. IR and NMR was applied to further standardize the samples. Results of ICP-MS analysis showed a high amount of macronutrients and micronutrients in the samples tested while UHPLC analysis revealed a high amount of PPN (ng/mL) in the Pakistani sample (1,362,614.09); these values were 1,051,848.04 and 768,512.81 for the Vietnamese and Indian samples, respectively. In vitro antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities revealed higher potential for the Vietnamese sample. The samples were properly standardized and effectively differentiated in terms of quality and biological activities using a fast and reliable method, however it certainly does not mean that a particular geographical region is more better or productive in terms of herbal products.

Multi-Omic Analyses of Growth Cones at Different Developmental Stages Provides Insight into Pathways in Adult Neuroregeneration.

SummaryGrowth cones (GCs) are structures associated with growing neurons. GC membrane expansion, which necessitates protein-lipid interactions, is critical to axonal elongation in development and in adult neuritogenesis. We present a multi-omic analysis that integrates proteomics and lipidomics data for the identification of GC pathways, cell phenotypes, and lipid-protein interactions, with an analytic platform to facilitate the visualization of these data. We combine lipidomic data from GC and adult axonal regeneration following optic nerve crush. Our results reveal significant molecular variability in GCs across developmental ages that aligns with the upregulation and downregulation of lipid metabolic processes and correlates with distinct changes in the lipid composition of GC plasmalemma. We find that these processes also define the transition into a growth-permissive state in the adult central nervous system. The insight derived from these analyses will aid in promoting adult regeneration and functional innervation in devastating neurodegenerative diseases.

Rapid measurement of indole levels in Brassica vegetables using one millilitre binary organic extraction solvent and capillary electrophoresis-UV analysis.

Brassica vegetables contain high levels of indole compounds which have been found to provide health benefits, especially as cancer-preventive agents. An efficient and rapid method using solvent extraction with capillary electrophoresis (CE) and ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the determination of four major indoles from four types of Brassica vegetables. Freeze-dried samples of four Brassica vegetables, i.e. broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage and cabbage, were selected. Hence, 1 mL of the binary solvent dimethylformamide (DMF)-methanol, 4:1 (v/v), was used for sample extraction. The extracts were diluted with the running buffer and directly analysed using CE with UV detection of four indole compounds. The binary solvent DMF-methanol, 4:1 (v/v) was selected from studies of the extraction efficiency of standard indoles spiked in ivy gourd (as the negative control sample) and using diphenylamine as the internal standard. Recovery was 80(±10)-120(±3)% for the four indoles: indole-3-carbinol (I3C), indole-3-acetonitrile (I3A), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM). For direct analysis suitable dilution of the extract with the running buffer was required. The linear range of the quantitation is 0.75-25.0 μg/mL, limit of detection (LOD) of 0.14-0.52 μg/mL and r2 > 0.998. The amount of indole in the Brassica vegetables are in the order I3C > > IAA, I3A > DIM. A rapid method for extraction and quantitation of four indoles in four Brassica vegetables using CE with UV detection was developed. It has the potential as an efficient technique for generating data for use in agricultural and nutritional studies.

A rapid and low-cost method for genomic DNA extraction from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis.

A two-step method is reported for preparation of genomic DNA from the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis that can be performed with minimal equipment and reagents in about an hour. High yields of genetic material can be obtained (200–450 ng/μl) with reasonable purity. A further ethanol precipitation step can be included but is not necessary if template is simply required for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or digestion. This new protocol is helpful for amplification of genes of interest in early-stage research projects and for low throughput screening of transformants. It is more reliable than colony PCR of Synechocystis cultures, and less involved and cheaper than existing clean-DNA preparation methods. It represents an unusually simple and reliable extraction protocol for the growing body of research making use of this cyanobacterium.

Microdetermination of Palladium(II) using 6-Chloro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-2-(2′-thienyl)-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran

A simple, rapid, sensitive and selective extractive spectrophotometric method is developed for the trace determination of palladium(II) from NaHCO3 medium using 6-chloro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-2- (2′-thienyl)-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran (CHMTB) as a colouring agent. The proposed metal complex can be quantitatively extracted into ethyl acetate and absorbs maximum in the wavelength range 415-426 nm. The 1:1 yellow complex obeys linearity over the Pd(II) concentration range of 0-2.6 μg mL-1; the correlation coefficient being 0.9998. The molar annihilation coefficient and Sandell′s sensitivity when applying spectrophotometric determination at 420 nm, were 6.173 × 104 L mol-1 cm-1 and 0.0017 μg Pd(II) cm-2, respectively. The proposed method is free from the interference of Os(VIII), Cr(VI), Mo(VI), V(V), Nb(V), Ce(IV), Se(IV), Zr(IV), Pt(IV), Ru(III), Ir(III) and Fe(III) . The method was effectively applied to the determination of Pd(II) in various samples including palladium charcoal catalyst and water