Preparation,characterization and luminescence properties of a new hydrous red phosphor CaB3O5(OH):Eu3+ with different morphologies

A new borate phosphor CaB₃O₅(OH):Eu³⁺ with different morphologies was synthesized using a hydrothermal method and its luminescence properties were studied. The effects of surfactants on the crystal structures, morphologies and luminescence properties of the samples were studied. The results showed that the surfactants play an important role in controlling the morphology and improving the luminescence properties of phosphors. The luminescence intensity and R/O(I615/I592) value were enhanced for the prepared sample by adding PEG4000. The prepared sample exhibited a higher R/O than some anhydrous calcium borate phosphors, indicating that this product could serve as a new potential red phosphor.     

Characterization of a lysin from deep-sea thermophilic bacteriophage GVE2

Thermostable enzymes from thermophiles have attracted extensive studies. However, little is known about thermophilic lysin of bacteriophage obtained from deep-sea hydrothermal vent. In this study, a lysin from deep-sea thermophilic bacteriophage Geobacillus virus E2 (GVE2) was characterized for the first time. It was found that the GVE2 lysin was highly homologous with N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidases. After expression in Escherichia coli, the recombinant GVE2 lysin was purified. The recombinant lysin was active over a range of temperature from 40 °C to 80 °C, with an optimum at 60 °C. Its optimal pH was 6.0, and it was stable over a wide range of pH from 4.0 to 10.0. The lysin was highly active when some enzyme inhibitors or detergents (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, Tween 20, Triton X-100, and chaps) were used. However, it was strongly inhibited by sodium dodecyl sulfate and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Its enzymatic activity could be slightly stimulated in the presence of Na⁺ and Li⁺. But the metal ions Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mn²⁺ at concentrations of 1 or 10 mM showed inhibitions to the lysin activity. Our study demonstrated the first characterization of lysin from deep-sea thermophilic bacteriophage.     

Optimization of culture conditions for 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Klebsiella pneumoniae</Emphasis> using response surface methodology

To produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) from crude glycerol, cultivation conditions were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) based on a 2⁵ factorial central composite design (CCD). RSM was adopted to derive a statistical model for the individual and interactive effects of crude glycerol, (NH₄)₂SO₄, pH, cultivation time and temperature on the production of 1,3-PD. Optimal conditions for maximum 1,3-PD production were as follows: crude glycerol, 35 g/L; (NH₄)₂SO₄, 8 g/L; pH, 7.37; cultivation time, 10.8 h; temperature, 36.88°C. Under these optimal conditions, the design expert presented the maximal numerical solution with a predicted 1,3-PD production level of up to 13.74 g/L. The experimental production of 1,3-PD yielded 13.8 g/L, which was in close agreement with the model prediction.     

Selective detection of azelnidipine in pharmaceuticals via carbon dot mediated spectrofluorimetric method: A green approach

A spectrofluorimetric method using fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) was developed for the selective detection of azelnidipine (AZEL) pharmaceutical in the presence of other drugs. In this study, N-doped CDs (N-CDs) were synthesized through a single-step hydrothermal process, using citric acid and urea as precursor materials. The prepared N-CDs showed a highly intense blue fluorescence emission at 447 nm, with a photoluminescence quantum yield of ~21.15% and a fluorescence lifetime of 0.47 ns. The N-CDs showed selective fluorescence quenching in the presence of all three antihypertensive drugs, which was used as a successful detection platform for the analysis of AZEL. The photophysical properties, UV–vis light absorbance, fluorescence emission, and lifetime measurements support the interaction between N-CDs and AZEL, leading to fluorescence quenching of N-CDs as a result of ground-state complex formation followed by a static fluorescence quenching phenomenon. The detection platform showed linearity in the range 10–200 μg/ml (R² = 0.9837). The developed method was effectively utilized for the quantitative analysis of AZEL in commercially available pharmaceutical tablets, yielding results that closely align with those obtained from the standard method (UV spectroscopy). With a score of 0.76 on the ‘Analytical GREEnness (AGREE)’ scale, the developed analytical method, incorporating 12 distinct green analytical chemistry components, stands out as an important technique for estimating AZEL.     

Investigation on the co‐luminescence effect of europium (III)–lanthanum(III)–dopamine–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system and its application

A novel luminescence, enhancement phenomenon in the europium(III)–dopamine–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system was observed when lanthanum(III) was added. Based on this, a sensitive co‐luminescence method was established for the determination of dopamine. The luminescence signal for the europium (III)–lanthanum(III)–dopamine–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system was monitored at λ_ex = 300 nm, λ_em =618 nm and pH 8.3. Under optimized conditions, the enhanced luminescence signal responded linearly to the concentration of dopamine in the range 1.0 × 10^–10–5.0 × 10^–7 mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993 (n = 11). The detection limit (3σ) was 2.7 × 10^–11 mol/L and the relative standard deviation for 11 parallel measurements of 3.0 × 10^–8 mol/L dopamine was 1.9%. The presented method was successfully applied for the estimation of dopamine in samples of pharmaceutical preparations, human serum and urine. The possible luminescence enhancement mechanism of the system is discussed briefly. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature and preillumination dependence of delayed fluorescence of spinach chloroplasts

Delayed fluorescence (luminescence) from spinach chloroplasts, induced by short saturating flashes, was studied in the temperature region between 0 and ?40 °C. At these temperatures, in contrast to what is observed at room temperature, luminescence at 40 ms after a flash was strongly dependent, with period four, on the number of preilluminating flashes (given at room temperature, before cooling). At ?35 °C luminescence of chloroplasts preilluminated with two flashes (the optimal preillumination) was about 15 times larger than that of dark-adapted chloroplasts. The intensity of luminescence obtained with preilluminated chloroplasts increased steeply below ?10 °C, presumably partly due to accumulation of reduced acceptor (Q^?), and reached a maximum at ?35 °C.In the presence of 50 mM NH₄Cl the temperature optimum was at ?15 °C; at this temperature luminescence was increased by NH₄Cl; at temperatures below ?20 °C luminescence at 40 ms was decreased by NH₄Cl. At room temperature a strongly enhanced 40-ms luminescence was observed after the third and following flashes. The results indicate that both the S₂ to S₃ and the S₃ to S₄ conversion are affected by NlH₄Cl.Inhibitors of Q^? reoxidation, like 3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1- dimethylurea, did only slightly affect the preillumination dependence of luminescence at sub-zero temperatures if they were added after the preillumination. This indicates that these substances by themselves do not accelerate the deactivation of S₂ and S₃.     

The synthesis of N-doped carbon dots for visual differentiating and detection of tetracyclines

N-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized from L -glutamine and triethanolamine using a one-step hydrothermal method. The N-CDs emitting blue fluorescence had selective responses to tetracyclines (TCs) and could be used as a fluorescent probe to realize the quantitative detection and qualitative analysis of TCs. A method for the determination of TCs using the N-CDs in actual samples was successfully established. The recovery rate was maintained at 97.50–105.60%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 3%. In addition, TCs can be visually distinguished using filter paper by the different fluorescence colours (light green, dark blue, and yellow-green) of the N-CDs/TCs system under ultraviolet light. This study provides a relatively simple method to detect and identify TCs.     

Optimization of peroxynitrite–luminol chemiluminescence system for detecting peroxynitrite in cell culture solution exposed to carbon disulphide

We established a peroxynitrite–luminol chemiluminescence system for detecting peroxynitrite in cell culture solution exposed to carbon disulphide (CS₂). Three factors, including exposure time to ozone (Factor A), volume of peroxynitrite (ONOO^?) solution (Factor B) and luminol concentrations (Factor C) at three levels were selected and the combinations were in accordance with orthogonal design L₉ (3⁴). Peroxynitrite was generated from the reaction of ozone and 0.01 mol/L sodium azide (NaN₃) dissolved in carbonic acid buffer solution (pH 11), and it was reacted with luminol to yield chemiluminescence. The peak value, peak time and kinetic curve of the light emission were observed. The selected combination conditions were 50 s ozone, 800 µL peroxynitrite and 0.001 mol/L luminol solution. Cell culture solution with CS₂ enhanced the emission intensity of chemiluminescence (F = 8.38, p = 0.018) and shortened the peak time to chemiluminescence (F = 139.00, p = 0.0001). The data demonstrated that this luminol chemiluminescence system is suitable for detecting peroxynitrite in cell culture solutions for evaluating the effect of CS₂ on endothelial cells. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eu3+-doped LaF3-based inorganic–organic hybrid nanostructured materials for broad-spectrum excitation and strong photoluminescence

Inorganic–organic hybrid nanoparticles formed by lanthanide-doped nanostructures and organic ligands have been intensively studied, which could greatly increase their photoluminescence performance as a result of the energy transfer process from organic ligands to Ln³⁺ ions. However, the photoluminescence intensity and excitation spectral width are still quite limited on coordinating with a single type of organic ligand. In this work, Eu³⁺-doped LaF₃ (LaF₃:Eu³⁺) nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and were then hybridized with benzoic acid and thenoyltrifluoroacetone to form the hybrid nanostructures. After that, the hybrid nanostructures were mixed with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile and methyl methacrylate to prepare the composites. The sample obtained by hybridization and composite doping with 5% Eu³⁺ exhibited the best photoluminescence performance. The excitation peak width and luminescence intensity of the hybrid nanostructures were significantly increased. The excitation spectral width of the inorganic–organic mixed hybrid nanostructures was particularly enhanced, and covered the whole ultraviolet band region of solar light on Earth. The prepared composites exhibited good optical properties.     

Plant uptake of bicarbonate as measured with the11C isotope

Summary ¹¹C which is cyclotron produced by¹⁴N(P, )¹¹C(half-life 20.1M) was use as a tracer of bicarbonate to determine its movements from a nutrient solution through roots to stems and leaves of bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Improved Tendergreen). The short time involved and the high solution pH minimized the need for use of the Hederson Hasselbach equation for activity correction. Quantities of¹¹C did move into roots, stems and leaves with a sharp decreasing gradient (root/stem=14.5, stems/leaves=11.7) More¹¹C moved into plants with KHCO₃ than with NaHCO₃. The (NH₄)₂SO₄ enhanced¹¹C uptake and KNO₃ than with competition indicated possibility of some uptake of HCO ₃ ^– . In an experiment withGalenia pubescens (Eckl. and Zeyh.) Druce, the¹¹C was more readily moved to stems and leaves than in bush bean indicating substantial uptake of HCO ₃ ^– .     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of novel 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives and their Eu(III) complexes

Six novel 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives were synthesized using 2‐methyl‐8‐hydroxyquinoline and para‐substituted phenol as the main starting materials, and were characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), ultraviolet (UV) light analysis and infra‐red (IR) light analysis. Their complexes with Eu(III) were also prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, UV light analysis, IR light analysis, and thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The results showed that the ligand coordinated well with Eu(III) ions and had excellent thermal stability. The structure of the target complex was EuY^1–6(NO₃)₃.2H₂O. The luminescence properties of the target complexes were investigated, the results indicated that all target complexes had favorable luminescence properties and that the introduction of an electron‐donating group could enhance the luminescence intensity of the corresponding complexes, but the addition of an electron‐withdrawing group had the opposite effect. Among all the target complexes, the methoxy‐substituted complex (–OCH₃) had the highest fluorescence intensity and the nitro‐substituted complex (–NO₂) had the weakest fluorescence intensity. The results showed that 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives had good energy transfer efficiency for the Eu(III) ion. All the target complexes had a relatively high fluorescence quantum yield. The fluorescence quantum yield of the complex EuY³(NO₃)₃.2H₂O was highest among all target complexes and was up to 0.628. Because of excellent luminescence properties and thermal stabilities of the Eu(III) complexes, they could be used as promising candidate luminescent materials.     

Separation of Antioxidant-Rich Alternanthera Sessilis Red Extracts by Sephadex LH-20 and Identification of Polyphenols Using HPLC-QToF-MS/MS

This study aimed to fractionate Alternanthera sessilis Red (ASR) crude extracts and determine their antioxidant activities as well as the related active components in the whole plant. ASR was extracted with water and ethanol, and further separated using a Sephadex LH-20 column. Following the assessments of the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activities of crude extracts (H₂O_ASR and EtOH_ASR) and fractions, a HPLC-QToF analysis was performed on the crude extracts and selected fractions (H₂O_ASR FII and EtOH_ASR FII). Three water fractions (H₂O_ASR FI, FII and FIII) and four ethanolic fractions (EtOH_ASR FI, FII, FIII and FIV) were derived from their crude extracts, respectively. EtOH_ASR FII exhibited the greatest total phenolic content (120.41 mg GAE/g fraction), total flavonoid content (223.07 mg RE/g fraction), and antioxidant activities (DPPH IC₅₀=159.43 μg/mL; FRAP=1.93 mmol Fe²⁺/g fraction; TEAC=0.90 mmol TE/g fraction). Correlation analysis showed significant (p<0.01) positive correlations between both TPC (r=0.748–0.970) and TFC (r=0.686–0.949) with antioxidant activities in the crude extracts and fractions. Flavonoids were the major compounds in the four selected samples tentatively identified using HPLC-QToF-MS/MS, with the highest number of 30 polyphenol compounds detected in the most active fraction, EtOH_ASR FII.     

Intensity of cooperative vibronic transitions in the Eu(III), Gd(III) and Tb(III) formates spectra

The luminescence and absorption spectra of the lanthanide ions in solids and coordination compounds are characterized by sharp pure electronic lines, which are accompanied by much weaker lines of vibronic transitions. The vibronic spectroscopy is a good probing tool for investigations of the properties of surrounding ion ligands. The lanthanides formates are efficient luminescent crystals and can be viewed as the elementary type in the whole class of the oxygen-containing lanthanide coordination compounds. The intensity of vibronic transitions in spectra of luminescence and excitation europium (⁵D₀→⁷F₂, ⁷F₀→⁵D₂), terbium (⁷F₆→⁵D₄), gadolinium (⁶P_7/2→⁸S_7/2) in anhydrous formates of the type Ln(HCOO)₃ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Gd) and Y(HCOO)₃.2H₂O doped with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ (C ~1 mol%) are reported. Also, the infrared and Raman spectra were obtained for the same compounds. Related integral intensity vibronic sidebands depend on the type of electronic transition of the same ion and varies for the same electronic transitions in different crystals. The obtained experimental data referring to the rate constants of vibronic transitions and intensity distribution in vibronic spectra on normal vibrations of the formate groups are in agreement with the predictions based on the Stavola–Dexter theory of cooperative vibronic transitions.     

Zinc silicate phosphor: Insights of X-ray induced and temperature enabled luminescence

The present investigation deals with the effect of calcination temperature on the structural and thermoluminescent (TL) properties of Zn₂SiO₄ materials. For this study, Zn₂SiO₄ was prepared via a simple hydrothermal route and calcinated at temperatures from 700°C to 1100°C in an air atmosphere. TL data of all Zn₂SiO₄ samples showed two peaks at around 240°C and 330°C due to the formation of the luminescence centre during X-ray irradiation. More interestingly, the Zn₂SiO₄ sample calcinated at 900°C exhibited a shift in the TL peak (282°C and 354°C) with an optimal TL intensity attributed to its good crystallinity with a well-defined hexagonal plate-like morphology. X-ray-irradiated Zn₂SiO₄ samples calcinated at 900°C exhibited a high-temperature TL glow curve peak, suggesting that the present material could be used for high-temperature dosimetry applications.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and KOH activation of carbon spheres from glucose

Carbon spheres (CSs) with controllable sizes and rich in oxygen-containing groups were fabricated using a simple hydrothermal treatment of glucose. The effects of the hydrothermal parameters, including the concentration of glucose, reaction temperature, duration, and the second hydrothermal treatment were investigated. The obtained CSs were then activated using KOH for the eventual preparation of porous carbon spheres. A scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the morphology and size of the CSs. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to analyze the functional surface groups. N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms were used to analyze the porous structure of the CS. The results revealed that the morphologies and size distribution of the CSs can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters. A hydrothermal temperature between 180 and 190 °C over 4–5 h was suitable for CS formation. Under these conditions, the size of the CS increased with the concentration of glucose. Mono-dispersed CSs with good morphologies and large numbers of oxygen-containing functional groups (primarily –OH and CO) can be obtained using a 0.3 mol/L glucose solution that is hydrothermally treated at 190 °C for 4 h. The resulting CSs sizes were about 350 nm in diameter. After a second hydrothermal treatment, the sizes of CSs grew nearly 250 nm without damage to its morphology or broadening of their size distribution. Porous CSs with perfectly spherical shapes and fully developed structures (S_BET = 1282.8 m²/g, V_micro = 0.44 cm³/g) could then be obtained via KOH activation.     

Optimization and economic evaluation of ultrasound extraction of lutein from Chlorella vulgaris

The main carotenoid in Chlorella vulgaris is lutein. The ultrasound alone or together with enzymatic pretreatment for the extraction of lutein from C. vulgaris was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to improve the extraction process. The optimal ultrasound extraction condition was: ultrasound frequency, 35 kHz; ultrasound intensity, 56.58 W/cm²; extraction temperature, 37.7°C; extraction time, 5 h; and ratio of solvent to solid, 31 mL/g, where the lutein recovery was 3.16 ± 0.03 mg/g wet C. vulgaris. The optimal enzymatic pretreatment was: reaction time, 2 h; enzyme concentration, 1.23% (v/w); pH, 4.5, and temperature 50°C. The optimal ultrasound extraction with enzymatic pretreatment was: ultrasound frequency, 35 kHz; ultrasound intensity, 56.58 W/cm²; extraction temperature, 37.7°C; extraction time, 162 min; and ratio of solvent to solid, 35.6 mL/g wet C. vulgaris, where the extraction yield of lutein was 3.36 ± 0.10 mg/g wet C. vulgaris. This was much higher than for ultrasound treatment alone. The surface areas of microalga cells treated by ultrasound with/without enzymatic pretreatment increased significantly, which might contribute to the increase in lutein yield. There were no significant differences in structure, color, and antioxidant activity of lutein between the ultrasound and conventional methods. The highest cost of the crude and lutein was obtained by the ultrasound with enzymatic pretreatment due to the complex process and liquid waste in the enzymatic pretreatment process, but the ultrasound treatment alone was the lowest. Therefore, ultrasound extraction is the most economical method for the extraction of microalgal lutein.     

Rapid determination of gatifloxacin in biological samples and pharmaceutical products using europium‐sensitized fluorescence spectrophotometry

A europium‐sensitized fluorescence spectrophotometry method using an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS), was developed for the determination of gatifloxacin (GFLX). The GFLX–Eu³⁺–SDBS system was studied and it was found that SDBS significantly enhanced the fluorescence intensity of the GFLX–Eu³⁺ complex (about 25‐fold). The optimal experimental conditions were determined as follows: excitation and emission wavelengths of 338 and 617 nm, pH 7.5, 3.0 × 10^–6 mol/L europium(III), and 5.0 × 10^–5 mol/L SDBS. The enhanced fluorescence intensity of the system (ΔI_f) showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of GFLX over the range 1.0 × 10^–8–8.0 × 10^–7 mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9990. The detection limit (S:N = 3) was determined as 1.0 × 10^–9 mol/L. This method has been successfully applied for the determination of GFLX in pharmaceuticals and human urine/serum samples. Compared with most other methods reported, the rapid and simple procedure proposed here offered higher sensitivity, wider linear range and good stability. The luminescence mechanism of the system is also discussed in detail. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity in hamster adrenal mitochondria purified on a sucrose gradient.

Hamster adrenal homogenates were fractionated by differential centrifugation to obtain crude mitochondrial and microsomal pellets. The mitochondria were further purified on a linear sucrose density gradient. The crude mitochondrial fraction was separated into three bands on the gradient. One of the bands (band 3, D₂₀²⁰ = 1.165) contained all the measurable cytochrome C oxidase activity. Band 3 also contained the highest specific activity of HMG-CoA reductase corresponding to a 1.9 fold enrichment compared to the crude mitochondrial pellet. The evidence presented supports the possibility that a part of the HMG-CoA reductase activity in hamster adrenals is associated with mitochondria.     

ON THE QUANTA OF LIGHT PRODUCED AND THE MOLECULES OF OXYGEN UTILIZED DURING CYPRIDINA LUMINESCENCE

A study of the oxygen consumed per lumen of luminescence during oxidation of Cypridina luciferin in presence of luciferase, gives 11.4 x 10^–5 gm. oxygen per lumen or 88 molecules per quantum of λ = 0.48µ, the maximum in the Cypridina luminescence spectrum. For reasons given in the text, the actual value is probably somewhat less than this, perhaps of the order of 6.48 x 10^–5 gm. per lumen or 50 molecules of oxygen and 100 molecules of luciferin per quantum. It is quite certain that more than 1 molecule per quantum must react. On the basis of a reaction of the type: luciferin + 1/2 O₂ = oxyluciferin + H₂O + 54 Cal., it is calculated that the total efficiency of the luminescent process, energy in luminescence/heat of reaction, is about 1 per cent; and that a luciferin solution containing 4 per cent of dried Cypridina material should rise in temperature about 0.001°C. during luminescence, and contain luciferin in approximately 0.00002 molecular concentration.     

Hydrocarbon Degradation and Biosurfactant Production by an Acenaphthene-degrading Pseudomonas Species

An acenaphthene-degrading bacterium putatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain KR3 and isolated from diesel-contaminated soil in Lagos, Nigeria was investigated for its degradative and biosurfactant production potentials on crude oil. Physicochemical analysis of the sampling site indicates gross pollution of the soil with high hydrocarbon content (2100 mg/kg) and detection of various heavy metals. The isolate grew luxuriantly on crude oil, engine oil and acenaphthene. It was resistant to septrin, amoxicillin and augmentin but was susceptible to pefloxacin, streptomycin and gentamycin. It was also resistant to elevated concentration of heavy metals such as 1–15 mM lead, nickel and molybdenum. On acenaphthene, the isolate exhibited specific growth rate and doubling time of 0.098 day^?1 and 3.06 days, respectively. It degraded 62.44% (31.2 mg/l) and 91.78% (45.89 mg/l) of 50 mg/l acenaphthene within 12 and 21 days. On crude oil, the specific growth rate and doubling time were 0.375 day^?1 and 1.85 days with corresponding percentage degradation of 33.01% (903.99 mg/l) and 87.79% (2403.71 mg/l) of crude oil (2738.16 mg/l) within 9 and 18 days. Gas chromatographic analysis of residual crude oil at the end of 18 days incubation showed significant reductions in the aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic fractions with complete disappearance of benzene, propylbenzene, pristane, phytane, and nC₁₈-octadecane fractions of the crude oil. The isolate produced growth-associated biosurfactant on crude oil with the highest emulsification index (E₂₄) value of 72% ± 0.23 on Day 10 of incubation. The partially purified biosurfactant showed zero tolerance for salinity and had its optimal activity at 27°C and pH 2.0.