Characterization of Royal Jelly by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Fingerprinting

Royal jelly is an apicultural product, fed to the queen bee and consumed by humans as a health food and traditional medicine; its beneficial effects on human health have been the subject of several studies. As royal jelly is obtained in small amounts and reaches a high market price, it could be adultered with other cheaper substances. As it is prone to degradation at room temperature, lyophilization is used to prolong its shelf life. 

Due to the complex composition of royal jelly, several different parameters need to be evaluated to determine of freshness, purity and quality; consuming an appreciable amount of sample and time. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)fingerprinting was carried out in the negative ion mode on a high resolution FT-ICR mass spectrometer; marker compounds were identified by comparison of their high resolution mass with data from literature. ESI-MS fingerprinting was capable of characterizing natural, lyophilized, degraded and adultered samples of royal jelly, and indicate marker compounds for each set of samples, with the aid of Principal Component Analysis. 

Adding Analytical Metrics to the Production and Aging of Whiskey Using a Protein Sensor Assay

Differentiation of complex biological samples in a rapid and reliable manner is a major challenge for analytical chemists and biologists alike. Recently, the utility of a protein-based assay (PSA) for differentiating wine varietals, cellular stress, and urine was demonstrated.

The assay uses a highly abundant protein in mammalian blood, serum albumin (SA), as a sensor that works by binding a subset of the small molecules present in a sample.

Analysis of the selectively bound molecules by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) improves the ability to differentiate and categorize samples compared to direct analysis by LC-MS.

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Chemical, Structural and Elemental Characterization of Biosorbents Using FE-SEM, SEM-EDX, XRD/XRPD and ATR-FTIR Techniques

Given the increased emphasis on the use of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF), powdered oyster shell, and acidified powdered Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine) pine cones as the prominent biosorbents for anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) adsorption, there have been surprisingly few studies undertaken to characterize the chemical, structural, and elemental composition of aforementioned samples.

The main aim of this study, therefore was to investigate the chemistry, structure, and mineralogy of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF), powdered oyster shell, and powdered Pinus densiflora pine cones samples using multiple characterization techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD)/x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), multiple internal reflectance (MIR) or attenuated transform reflectance.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX). In addition, the samples were treated to determine the iodine number or iodine index for the characterization of the three samples.

A New Optical Sensor for Selective Monitoring of Nickel Ion Based on A Hydrazone Derivative Immobilized on the Triacetyl Cellulose Membrane

In the recent years, pollution of the environment by heavy metals has received considerable attention. Nickel is a moderate toxic element compared to other transition metals.

However, it is known that inhalation of nickel and its compounds can lead to serious problems, including respiratory system cancer. Moreover, nickel can cause a disorder known as nickel-eczema. Nickel is an excellent alloying metal in steel industry and is the metal component of the enzyme urease and as such is considered to be essential to plants and some domestic animals.

This metal normally occurs at very low level in the environment, so sensitive methods are needed to detect it in most environmental samples. Thus, the development of simple methods for selective determination of nickel in trace amounts in different matrices is critical.

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Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Dan-Deng-Tong-Nao Capsules by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS

“Dan-Deng-Tong-Nao capsules” (DDTNCs) is a commonly used traditional Chinese formula medicine, which is prepared (extracted, purified and combined) from four commonly used Chinese herb drugs, including Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, Radix Pueraria lobata, Erigeron breviscapus and Rhizoma chuanxiong.

DDTNCs have the ability of activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis, removing obstruction in the meridians and heart-nourishing effects. It was usually used for the treatment of apoplexy and the syndrome of apoplexy involving both collaterals and meridians caused by obstruction of collaterals by blood stasis.

Chemical constituents of the four component herbs of DDTNCs have been intensively studied. However, little is known about the chemical composition of DDTNCs, and the current analysis methods could not reflect the quality of it.

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An Optical Sensor For Monitoring Nickel Selectively Using Immobilization Technology

In the recent years, pollution of the environment by heavy metals has received considerable attention. Nickel is a moderate toxic element compared to other transition metals.

However, it is known that inhalation of nickel and its compounds can lead to serious problems, including respiratory system cancer. Moreover, nickel can cause a disorder known as nickel-eczema. Nickel is an excellent alloying metal in steel industry and is the metal component of the enzyme urease and as such is considered to be essential to plants and some domestic animals.

This metal normally occurs at very low level in the environment, so sensitive methods are needed to detect it in most environmental samples. Thus, the development of simple methods for selective determination of nickel in trace amounts in different matrices is critical.

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Evaluation and Characterisation of Composite Mesoporous Membrane for Lactic Acid and Ethanol Esterification

Solvents play a major role in all stages of industrial manufacturing sector. The environmental and toxicological effects of solvents have become important in chemical processes.

Because environmental problems have threatened the natural order including climate change and global warming, a lot of research is being carried out to find environmentally safe chemicals and processes. Lactic acid is the simplest hydroxycarboxylic acid with an asymmetric carbon atom. It can be obtained from biomass, petroleum and coal.

Copolymers and polymers of lactic acid are known to be eco-friendly and are compatible due to their degradability mild products, which makes them desirable as an alternative petrochemical polymer.

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Thermodynamic Calculation of a Heat of First-Order Phase Transitions

A transition heat is the most important characteristics of first-order phase transitions. Black was first who discovered in 1762 that in the transfer of water to vapor, some quantity of heat is absorbed, which he termed the latent evaporation heat.

In spite of more than the two-hundred-year period of the heat transfer concept existence there are no analytical expressions relating the transition heat with other parameters of phase transitions.

For example, the fundamental "Physics Encyclopedia", articles devoted to the transition heat, evaporation heat, and so on, comprises no formulae but only tables of experimental data. One can also mention monographs which have no relationships except for the conventional definition of the transition heat λ=TΔS.

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Modern High Performance Liquid Chromatography

This year, our worldwide chromatography community will be celebrating 50 year anniversary of high performance liquid chromatography. 13 August 1966 Csaba Horvath and Seymour Lipsky are published in Nature their report about first high pressure separation of organic compounds on a self-packed ion exchange chromatographic column, entitled: “Use of Liquid Ion Exchange Chromatography for the Separation of Organic Compounds”.

Year latter was introduced first commercial HPLC instrument by Waters. To emphasize the major technological difference from typical at that time low pressure applications, HPLC meaning was “High Pressure Liquid Chromatography”.

Before 1966 liquid chromatography utilized either gravity flow or low pressure pumps for an eluent delivery. Typical applications there are protein separations using ion exchange and gel filtration, inorganic anion exchange chromatography and normal phase separations of various organic substances using self – packed silica columns.

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Chemical, Structural and Elemental Characterization of Biosorbents Using FE-SEM, SEM-EDX, XRD/XRPD and ATR-FTIR Techniques

Given the increased emphasis on the use of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF), powdered oyster shell, and acidified powdered Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine) pine cones as the prominent biosorbents for anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) adsorption, there have been surprisingly few studies undertaken to characterize the chemical, structural, and elemental composition of aforementioned samples.

The main aim of this study, therefore was to investigate the chemistry, structure, and mineralogy of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF), powdered oyster shell, and powdered Pinus densiflora pine cones samples using multiple characterization techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD)/x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM).

Multiple internal reflectance (MIR) or attenuated transform reflectance – fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX). In addition, the samples were treated to determine the iodine number or iodine index for the characterization of the three samples.

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Growth Rate and Morphology of a Single Calcium Carbonate Crystal on Polysulfone Film Measured with Time Lapse Raman Micro Spectroscopy

The phenomenon of calcium carbonate crystal growth from aqueous solutions on surfaces widely occurs in systems where carbonate and bicarbonate ions are present, such as in domestic systems, waste and drinkable water treatment systems or industrial apparatus where water is used.

Crystal growth leads to the formation of mineral scale which reduces the performance of membrane materials in equipment. The scale development is affected by factors such as: pH, super-saturation index, temperature, water composition etc.

The process of scaling and crystal growth includes the following stages:The induction period involve nucleation and crystal growth, and The mineralizing crystals and others particles transportation from the bulk and its adhesion to the surface,and Ageing of crystals at a surface, for instance due to recrystallization and dehydration.Other components present in a mineralizing solution could increase or decrease the crystal growth rate by adhesion to crystal surfaces.

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Mixed Matrix Membranes for Adsorption Application

Mixed matrix membrane (MMM), a currently popular research field, is a type of membrane formed by incorporating fillers in polymer matrix. Its preparation procedures mainly involve with only blending and phase inversion.

According to its structure, MMM can typically be divided into two categories. The first one is with a dense structure, mostly developed for the applications in gas separation, pervaporation, fuel cell, and so on. The fillers employed for improving the MMM performance in this category are usually inorganic nanomaterials (zeolite, carbon nanotube, metal organic framework, etc.) with specific features (shape, pore size, surface interaction, etc.).

The other category is with a porous structure, specially designed for adsorption purpose. Micro-to-nano-size particles with functionality are regularly adopted as the fillers for this kind of MMM to provide the adsorptivity with target solutes.

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Arrested Precipitation Technique for Synthesis of Chalcogenide and Oxide Thin Films

Interest in the use of photo electrochemical solar cells for low cost energy conversion has led to an extensive research in the search for novel and suitable thin film semiconductor materials. The techniques presently used for synthesis of mixed metal chalcogenide and oxide thin films are CBD, MOCVD, spin coating, electro deposition, spray pyrolysis, sputtering, crystal growth, and chemical bath deposition.

All these deposition techniques require specific sophisticated instrumentation. In this regard APT is more attractive and relatively inexpensive presently used by us for deposition of mixed metal chalcogenide and oxide thin thin films.

In the present investigation we attempt to prepare mixed metal chalcogenide and oxide thin films by arrested precipitation technique. The purpose of work is to establish and optimize the growth condition to produce these thin films.

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Boron Isotope Fractionation in Bell Pepper

Stable isotope systems of major nutrients like oxygen or carbon have been successfully used to trace the provenance of plants and food products. The boron  isotope system is of great interest in plants because B was found to be an essential micronutrient in plants occurring predominantly in the cell walls and acts as a strengthening component.

Boron has two stable isotopes, 11B (~80% abundance) and 10B (~20% abundance) and its isotope amount ratio n(11B)/n(10B) is reported as delta (δ)-values (eqn. 1), referring to the Standard Reference Material (SRM®) 951 from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST; Gaithersburg, USA).

In aqueous solutions, B exists as uncharged trigonal boric acid B(OH)3 in acidic media or as tetrahedral borate ion B(OH)4 - in alkaline media. The lower vibrational energy of the trigonal coordinated boric acid species causes a preferential incorporation of the heavier B isotope compared to the tetrahedral species  leading to boron isotope fractionation in nature.

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Isotopic Abundance Analysis of Biofield Treated Benzene, Toluene and p-Xylene Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Benzene, toluene and p-xylene isomers are nonpolar organic liquid, volatile, aromatic and the most important constituents of gasoline. Benzene, toluene and p-xylene are one of the important sources of energy being utilized with petrol/gasoline for vehicle fuel.

All three compounds are produced during the process of making gasoline and other fuels from crude oil as well as in making coke from coal. Benzene have been used for long time in manufacturing plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals such as ethyl benzene, cyclohexane, nitrobenzene, chlorobenzenes and maleic anhydride.

Toluene has numerous commercial and industrial applications and was used as a solvent in paints, lacquers, thinners, glues, correction fluid, nail polish remover, and in printing and leather tanning processes. p-xylene has been used in adhesives industry, paint industry, and as manufacturing solvent in rubber industries.

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Biogeochemical Cycling of Nutrients and Thermodynamic Aspects

The term “biogeochemical cycles” is used in order to describe the transfer and transformation of matter and energy between the biosphere and the other active reservoirs of Earth namely the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

During the functioning of a biogeochemical cycle, a series of molecular species which are essential for supporting life on the planet, also referred to as nutrients, are being constantly transported and chemically transformed. The main chemical elements making up the basic nutrients circulating within a specific biogeochemical cycle and which are involved in the structuring of complex bio-polymers (e.g. proteins, DNA, RNA, etc.) are C, N, S, P, and O.

A biogeochemical cycle is activated via coupling of the biosphere to nutrient fluxes supplied by specific sites or active centers on Earth (e.g. volcanoes and hydrothermal fields). Such sites/centers act as a constant source of matter (e.g. volatile chemical species) and/ or energy on the Earth surface, either on a regional or a global scale, which can be used by different living forms.

Prevention of Dust Hazards Affecting Workers in Hard Coal Mines

Prevention of dust hazards  and inhalation exposure of the mining personnel to chemical agents  are important issues influencing optimisation of OHS conditions at mining facilities. Increased coal extraction results in higher dust immissions at a workplace, posing an explosion hazard and leading to development of lung diseases in mining personnel due to the presence of free silica in coal dust.

The new air and water sprinkling solutions implemented in the mining industry  reduce substantially airborne dust pollution in mines.

However, water sprinkling systems commonly used at mining facilities are not effective enough in reducing dust immissions. Air dampeners are used to further improve OSH conditions as regards dust concentrations.

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