Spectrofluorimetric determination of heparin using a tetracycline-europium probe

A new spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of heparin (Hep). Using tetracycline (TC)-europium ion (Eu3+) as a fluorescent probe, in the buffer solution at pH 8.8, Hep can remarkably enhance the fluorescence intensity of the TC-Eu3+ complex at lambda=612 nm and the enhanced fluorescence intensity of Eu3+ is in proportion to the concentration of Hep. Optimal conditions for the determination of Hep were also investigated. The linear range and detection limit for the determination of Hep were 0.02 to 1.6 microg/ml and 4.45 ng/ml, respectively. This method is simple, practical, and relatively free of interference from coexisting substances, and it can be applied successfully to assess Hep in biological samples. By the Rosenthal graphic method, the association constant and binding numbers of Hep with the probe were 4.46 x 10(4) L/mol and 16.2, respectively. Moreover, the enhancement mechanism of the fluorescence intensity in the TC-Eu3+ system, the TC-Eu(3+)-Hep system, and the TC-Eu(3+)-Hep-CTMAB system is also discussed.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of dopamine using 1,5-bis(4,6-dicholro-1,3,5-triazinylamino) naphthalene.

A new fluorescent reagent, 1,5-bis(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)naphthalene, containing two active chlorines, was synthesized by a one-step reaction. Under the optimum conditions for the determination of dopamine, the enhanced fluorescence intensity is proportional to the dopamine concentration. The fluorescence intensity was measured at lambda(ex/em) = 400/460 nm, with and without dopamine. The linear range and detection limit for the determination of dopamine were 1.0 x 10(-7) mol/L-5.0 x 10(-5) mol/L and 4.0 x 10(-8) mol/L. This method is simple, practical, can afford good precision and accuracy and can be successfully applied to assess dopamine in injections and human serum samples.     

Study on the interaction between protein and Eu(III)-chlorotetracycline complex and the determination of protein using the fluorimetric method.

Chlorotetracycline (CTC) can react with europium ions Eu3+, and the complex emits the intrinsic fluorescence of Eu3+. The intensity is greatly enhanced by proteins and this forms the basis of a new fluorimetric method for determination of protein. Further research indicates that under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence is in proportion to the concentration of proteins, in the range 2.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA) (linear equation, I(f) = 34.35933 + 11.54467 x 10(6)C)(r = 0.99895) and 8.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA) (linear equation, I(f) = 76.58881 + 5.3569 x 10(6)C) (r = 0.99283). Detection limits (S/N = 3) were 8.9 x 10(-9) g/mL for BSA and 3.3 x 10(-8) g/mL for HSA. In an assay for BSA in calf serum, this method gave a value close to that determined by the UV spectrophotometric method.     

Determination of norfloxacin using a terbium-sensitized electrogenerated chemiluminescence method.

A simple electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) analysis method for the determination of norfloxacin (NFLX) is reported. It is based on ECL produced by Na(2)SO(3), which is sensitized by the Tb-NFLX complex. The relative ECL intensity of the Tb(3+)-NFLX-Na(2)SO(3) system is proportional to the amount of NFLX. The optimized experimental conditions were investigated. The linear range and detection limit for NFLX were 1.0 x 10(-10)-8.0 x 10(-7) mol/L and 2.8 x 10(-11) mol/L, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the determination of NFLX in a capsule. NFLX in urine can be directly detected without pretreatment or separation.     

Electrochemiluminescence determination of codeine or morphine with an organically modified silicate film immobilizing Ru(bpy)3(2+).

An ECL approach was developed for the determination of codeine or morphine based on tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) immobilized in organically modified silicates (ORMOSILs). Tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and dimethyldimethoxysilane (DiMe-DiMOS) were selected as co-precursors for ORMOSILs, which were then immobilized on a surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by a dip-coating process. Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was immobilized in the ORMOSIL film via ion-association with poly(p-styrenesulphonate). The ORMOSIL-modified GCE presented good electrochemical and photochemical activities. In a flow system, the eluted codeine or morphine was oxidized on the modified GCE and reacted with immobilized Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) at a potential of +1.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The modified electrode was used for the ECL determination of codeine or morphine and showed high sensitivity. The calibration curves were linear in the range 2 x 10(-8)-5 x 10(-5) mol/L for codeine and 1 x 10(-7)-3 x 10(-4) mol/L for morphine. The detection limit was 5 x 10(-9) mol/L for codeine and 3 x 10(-8) mol/L for morphine, at signal:noise ratio (S:N)=3. Both codeine and morphine showed reproducibility with RSD values <2.5% at 1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L. Furthermore, the modified electrode immobilized Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was applied to the ECL determination of codeine or morphine in incitant samples.     

Fluorescence enhancement effect of the morin-Al3+ -sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate-protein system and the determination of proteins.

The fluorescence intensity of the morin-Al(3+) complex was greatly enhanced by proteins in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS). Based on this, a new fluorimetric method for the determination of protein was developed. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence was in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range 1.0 x 10(-8)-1.3 x 10(-5) g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 4.0 x 10(-8)-1.2 x 10(-5) g/mL for egg albumin (EA) and 5.0 x 10(-8)-1.2 x 10(-5) g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA). Their detection limits (S:N = 3) were 5.0 x 10(-9), 1.8 x 10(-8) and 1.6 x 10(-8) g/mL, respectively. The interaction mechanism was also studied.     

The sensitive determination of nucleic acids using a fluorescence-quenching method.

Experiments indicated that nucleic acids can quench the fluorescence of the Eu3+ -2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA)-1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) system. Based on this, a sensitive method for the determination of nucleic acids was proposed. The experiments indicated that under the optimum conditions, the quenched fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 1.0 x 10(-11)-1.0 x 10(-6) g/mL for yeast RNA (yRNA), 5.0 x 10(-11)-5.0 x 10(-7) g/mL for fish sperm (fsDNA) and 1.0 x 10(-10)-1.5 x 10(-6) g/mL for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA). Their detection limits were 3.0 x 10(-12), 4.0 x 10(-12) and 5.0 x 10(-11) g/mL, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method is one of the most sensitive methods available. The interaction between nucleic acids and Eu3+ -TTA-Phen is also discussed.     

Chemiluminescence determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics using a soluble manganese (IV)-sulphite system.

The reaction of soluble manganese (IV) with sulphite in acidic condition was found to elicit weak chemiluminescence (CL). The CL signal was remarkably enhanced in the presence of three fluoroquinolones, viz. norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Based on these observations, a new flow-injection CL method was developed for the determination of these fluoroquinolones. The method allows determination in the range 5.0 x 10(-8)-1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L for norfloxacin, 1.0 x 10(-7)-8.0 x 10(-6) mol/L for ofloxacin and 1.0 x 10(-7)-3.0 x 10(-5) mol/L for ciprofloxacin, with detection limits of 3 x 10(-8) mol/L, 5 x 10(-8) mol/L and 3 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of fluoroquinolones in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Highly sensitive assay for the measurement of serotonin in microdialysates using capillary high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A highly sensitive isocratic capillary high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with electrochemical detection (ED) for the simultaneous measurement of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) in microdialysates has been developed using a 0.5 mm i.d. capillary column and a 11-nL detection cell. This method, validated on both pharmacological and analytical bases, can be performed using injection volumes as low as 1 microL. The limits of detection were 5.6 x 10(-11)mol/L and 3.0 x 10(-9)mol/L for 5-HT and 5-HIAA. Several applications of the present method are given on microdialysates from rodent brain and human spinal cord.     

Liquid chromatography with amperometric detection using functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotube modified electrode for the determination of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites

The fabrication and application of a novel electrochemical detection (ED) method with the functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) chemically modified electrode (CME) for liquid chromatography (LC) were described. The electrochemical behaviors of dopamine (DA) and other monoamine neurotransmitters at the CME were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results indicated that the CME exhibited efficient electrocatalytic effects on the current responses of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites with high sensitivity, high stability and long-life activity. In LC-ED, DA, norepinephrine (NE), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) had good and stable current responses at the CME. The linear ranges of seven analytes were over four orders of magnitude and the detection limits were 2.5 x 10(-10) mol/l for DA, 2.5 x 10(-10) mol/l for NE, 5.0 x 10(-10) mol/l for MHPG, 3.0 x 10(-10) mol/l for DOPAC, 3.5 x 10(-10) mol/l for 5-HT, 6.0 x 10(-10) mol/l for 5-HIAA, 1.25 x 10(-9) mol/l for HVA. The application of this method coupled with microdialysis sampling for the determination of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in Parkinsonian patients' cerebrospinal fluid was satisfactory.     

Determination of bisphenol A using a flow injection inhibitory chemiluminescence method.

A new flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) method has been developed for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA), based on the inhibitory effect of BPA on the chemiluminescence reaction between luminol and potassium hexacyanoferrate. Under optimum conditions, the decrease in CL emission intensity was linear with BPA concentration in the range 8.0 x 10(-7)-1.2 x 10(-5) mol/L, and the detection limit was 3.1 x 10(-7) mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of 11 replicate measurements was 2.6% for 2.0 x 10(-6) mol/L BPA (n = 11). The sampling frequency was calculated to be ca. 120/h. This method has been successfully used to determine the content of BPA in aqueous solution of polycarbonate materials. A brief discussion on the possible chemiluminescence reaction mechanism is presented.     

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of the europium(III) chelate of a polyacid derivative of terpyridine.

A new polyacid derivative ligand of biphenyl-substituted terpyridine, [4'-(biphenyl-4'-yl)-2,2':6'2'-terpyridine-6,6'-diyl]bis(methylenenitrilo)tetrakis(acetic acid) was synthesized, and the fluorescence properties of its Eu3+ and Tb3+ chelates were investigated. The Eu3+ chelate of the ligand is strongly fluorescent, with a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.156, molar absorption coefficient of 2.95 x 10(4) mol/L/cm at molar absorption maximum of 336 nm, and fluorescence lifetime of 1.29 ms, whereas its Tb3+ chelate is non-fluorescent.     

Bacterial sensors based on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Part I. Fe2+ and S2O32- determination

An amperometric bacterial sensor with current response to Fe(2+) and S(2)O(3)(2-) ions has been designed by immobilizing an acidophilic biomass of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on a multi disk flat-front oxygen probe. The bacterial layer was located between the oxygen probe and a membrane of cellulose. A filtration technique was used to yield the bacterial membranes having reproducible activity. The decrease of O(2) flow across the bacterial layer is proportional to the concentration of the dosed species. The dynamic range appeared to be linear for the Fe(2+) ions up to 2.5 mmol L(-1) with a detection limit of 9 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) and a sensitivity of 0.25 A L mol(-1). The response of the biosensor is 84 s for a determination of 2 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) Fe(2+). Optimizing the Fe(2+) determination by A. ferrooxidans sensor was carried out owing to Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology and empirical modelling. The optimal response was thus obtained for a pH of 3.4, at 35 degrees C under 290 rpm solution stirring. S(2)O(3)(2-) concentration was determined at pH 4.7, so avoiding its decomposition. The concentration range was linear up to 0.6 mmol L(-1). Sensitivity was 0.20 A L mol(-1) with a response time of 207 s for a 2 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) S(2)O(3)(2-) concentration.     

High-sensitive determination of coenzyme Q(10) in iodinate-beta-cyclodextrin medium by inclusion reaction and catalytic polarography

A novel polarographic method for the determination of coenzyme Q(10) in beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and iodinate system is proposed. The stability of coenzyme Q(10) to light was improved by the formation of coenzyme Q(10)-beta-CD inclusion complex. In addition, the sensitivity for the determination of coenzyme Q(10) was enhanced by both the formation and the polarographic catalytic wave of the inclusion complex in the presence of iodinate. In 0.1 mol/L HAc-NaAc (pH 4.7)-5.0 x 10(-5) mol/L beta-CD-1.2 x 10(-3) mol/L potassium iodinate-ethanol/water (60:40, v/v) medium, coenzyme Q(10)-beta-CD inclusion complex yielded a sensitive association/parallel catalytic wave. The second-order derivative peak current of the catalytic wave was proportional to coenzyme Q(10) concentration in the range of 6.0 x 10(-8)-2.5 x 10(-7) mol/L, and the detection limit was 1.0 x 10(-8) mol/L. The proposed method has high analytical sensitivity and is allowed to determine coenzyme Q(10) under light.     

Analysis of microperoxidases using liquid chromatography, post-column substrate conversion and fluorescence detection

A liquid chromatographic method with on-line activity determination for microperoxidases has been developed. After enzymatic digestion of a cytochrome, possibly under formation of microperoxidases, the product mixture is separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The products first pass a diode-array detector, and are then subjected to a reaction with 4-(N-methylhydrazino)-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzooxadiazole (MNBDH) and hydrogen peroxide. In a reaction coil, microperoxidases catalyze the reaction under formation of the fluorescent 4-(N-methylamino)-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzooxadiazole (MNBDA). Quantification of the microperoxidases is performed using a fluorescence detector at an excitation wavelength of 470 nm and an emission wavelength of 545 nm, respectively. For this LC-based detection system, limits of detection are 3 x 10(-8) mol/L, limits of quantification are 9 x 10(-8) mol/L, and a linear range from 9 x 10(-8) mol/L to 3 x 10(-6) mol/L is obtained for the microperoxidases MP-9 and MP-11. A highly active microperoxidase MP-6 was found in the reaction of cytochrome c from bovine heart with protease from streptomyces griseus.     

A fluorimetric method for the determination of nucleic acids using Ce(IV) and sodium triphosphate.

A novel and stable fluorimetric method was established for the determination of nucleic acids. The proposed method is based on the reduction by nucleic acids of Ce(IV) to fluorescent Ce(III). The fluorescence intensity can be greatly increased by sodium triphosphate. The enhanced fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 4.2 x 10(-8)-4.2 x 10(-6) g/mL for fish sperm DNA and 5.0 x 10(-8)-6.5 x 10(-6) g/mL for yeast RNA, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) are 13.5 ng/mL and 45 ng/mL, respectively. The reaction mechanism of the hydrolytic scission of nucleic acids by Ce(IV) is discussed.     

Study of the catalytic effect of PAR on the luminol-potassium ferricyanide reaction using a flow-injection chemiluminescence method.

We discovered that 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) has a strong catalytic effect on luminol-potassium ferricyanide chemiluminescence (CL). Results indicated that the chemiluminescence intensities at maximum light emission were linearly corrected with the concentration of PAR over the range 1.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-7) mol/L. A detection limit of 5.7 x 10(-8) mol/L for PAR was achieved. It was found that some metal ions strongly affected this catalytic reaction. Based on this finding, the luminol-potassium ferricyanide-PAR reaction was developed for the determination of metal ions. The detection limits (S/N = 3) for Ni2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ were determined to be 1.0 x 10(-9) mol/L, 5.0 x 10(-9) mol/L, 5.0 x 10(-8) mol/L, 1.0 x 10(-9) mol/L and 1.0 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively. In addition, the relative standard deviation values for these metal ion assays were in the range 0.82-2.72% (n = 6).     

Bacterial sensors based on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Part II. Cr(VI) determination

The aerobic acidophilic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans oxidizes Fe(2+) and S(2)O(3)(2-) ions by consuming oxygen. An amperometric biosensor was designed including an oxygen probe as transducer and a recognition element immobilized by a suitable home-made membrane. This biosensor was used for the indirect amperometric determination of Cr(2)O(7)(2-) ions owing to methods based on a mediator (Fe(2+)) or titration. Using the mediator, the biosensor response versus Cr(2)O(7)(2-) was linear up to 0.4 mmol L(-1), with a response time of, respectively, 51 s (2 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) Cr(2)O(7)(2-)) and 61 s (6 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) Cr(2)O(7)(2-)). The method sensitivity was 816 microA L mol(-1). Response time and measurement sensitivity depended on membrane material and technique for biomass immobilization. For example, their values were 90 s-200 microA L mol(-1) when using a glass-felt membrane and 540 s-4.95 microA L mol(-1) with a carbon felt one to determine a concentration of 2 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) Cr(2)O(7)(2-). For the titration method, the biosensor is used to determine the equivalence point. The relative error of quantitative analysis was lower than 5%.     

Determination of nitric oxide in hydrophytes using poly(methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive molecule that has recently emerged as a cellular messenger in numerous physiological processes in plants. A novel high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method combined with poly(methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (MAA-EGDMA) monolith microextraction (PMME) is developed for sensitive determination of NO in hydrophytes. NO is derivatized using a fluorescent probe, 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-(3',4'-diaminophenyl)-difluoroboradiaza-s-indacene (DAMBO), and then the derivatives are extracted with PMME and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The conditions for the derivatization and the subsequent extraction of NO derivatives are optimized in detail. The detection limit (S/N=3) of NO is determined to be 2x10(-12)mol L(-1). Close correlation coefficient and excellent method reproducibility are obtained for the analyte over a linear range of 9x10(-11)-4.5x10(-8)mol L(-1). The inter- and intraday relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) are less than 5%. The proposed method is successfully applied to the determination of NO levels in hydrophytes samples.     

Flow-injection electrogenerated chemiluminescence determination of fluoroquinolones based on its sensitizing effect.

A simple and sensitive flow-injection electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method for the determination of fluoroquinolones was developed. The method is based on the sensitizing effect of fluoroquinolones on the weak ECL signal of electrochemical oxidation of luminol on the surface of the platinum flake electrode in the medium of 0.1 mol/L Na2CO3-NaHCO3. At the optimum experimental conditions, the relative ECL intensity increased linearly with increasing fluoroquinolones concentration, in the ranges 1.0 x 10(-8)-2.0 x 10(-4) g/mL for norfloxacin, 5.0 x 10(-9)-6.0 x 10(-6) g/mL for oxfloxacin, 2.0 x 10(-8)-1.4 x 10(-5) g/mL for ciprofloxacin, 1.0 x 10(-8)-1.4 x 10(-5) g/mL for pefloxacin, and 1.0 x 10(-9)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL for enoxacin, with detection limits of 4.0 x 10(-9) g/mL, 2.0 x 10(-9) g/mL, 1.0 x 10(-8) g/mL, 8.0 x 10(-9) g/mL, and 8.0 x 10(-10) g/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations were all less than 2.5% for the determination of 2.0 x 10(-6) g/mL fluoroquinolones (n = 11). The method was used to determine these medicines in pharmaceutical samples with satisfactory results.