Impact of the Molecular Structure of Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Incorporated Y-Series Acceptors on the Formation of Alloy-like Acceptors and Performance of Non-Halogenated Solvent-Processable Organic Solar Cells.

To realize efficient, green solvent-processable organic solar cells (OSCs), considerable effort has been expended on the development of conjugated materials with both superior optoelectrical properties and processability. However, molecular design strategies that enhance solubility often reduce crystalline/electrical properties of the materials. In this study, we develop three new guest small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) (Y-4C-4O, Y-6C-4O, and Y-12C-4O) featuring inner side chains consisting of terminal oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) groups and alkyl spacers of different lengths. When a host SMA (Y6) and guest SMA (Y-nC-4O) are mixed, favorable interactions between these materials lead to the formation of "alloy-like" composites. The alloy-like SMA composites enable sufficient processing in o-xylene to afford suitable blend-film morphologies. It is also found that the lengths of the alkyl spacers in guest SMAs have a significant impact on the performance of the o-xylene-processed OSCs. The PM6:Y6:Y-4C-4O blend achieves a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.03%, outperforming PM6:Y6:Y-6C-4O (PCE = 15.85%) and PM6:Y6:Y-12C-4O (PCE = 12.12%) OSCs. The high PCE of the PM6:Y6:Y-4C-4O device is mainly attributed to the well-intermixed morphology and superior crystalline/electrical properties, which result from the high compatibility of the Y6:Y-4C-4O composites with PM6. Thus, we demonstrate that an alloy-like SMA composite based on well-designed OEG-incorporated Y-series SMAs can afford green solvent-processable, high-performance OSCs.

LC-MS/MS profiling of polyphenol-enriched leaf, stem and root extracts of Korean Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc and determination of their antioxidant effects.

Polyphenols from ethyl acetate extracts from the leaves, stems and roots of Korean Humulus japonicus were comprehensively profiled using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 36 polyphenols were detected, of which 26 were structurally characterized based on their [M - H]- peak, tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern, UV-vis absorption and published data. Validation data provided satisfactory results for the evaluated parameters. The determination coefficients were ≥0.9812. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.017-0.573 and 0.056-1.834 mg/L, respectively, indicating good performance limits. The accuracy (expressed as percentage recovery) at 50 and 100 mg/L was 71.4-99.7 and 75.1-105.1%, with precisions (expressed as relative standard deviation) of 1.5-7.3 and 0.8-4.1%, respectively, indicating acceptable accuracy and precision values. The leaves were rich in total polyphenols (3089.9 ± 6.4 mg/kg of fresh sample) followed by the stems (1313.9 ± 6.4 mg/kg of fresh sample) and roots (655.2 ± 2.7 mg/kg of fresh sample). Antioxidant activity, determined by α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, revealed the lowest EC50 value for the leaf extracts, indicating a higher scavenging activity in this tissue followed by the roots and stems. Overall, the results indicated that H. japonicus is rich in polyphenols and could be a potential alternative to Humulus lupulus (hop plant) in the brewery industry.

LC-MS/MS characterization, anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant activities of polyphenols from different tissues of Korean Petasites japonicus (Meowi).

The Korean Petasites japonicus is a perennial plant used in folk medicine as a remedy for many diseases and popularly consumed as spring greens. Ten polyphenols were characterized from the leaves, stems and roots of this plant via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Individual polyphenols were quantified for the first time using calibration curves of six structurally related external standards. Validation data indicated that coefficients of determinations (R2 ) were ≥0.9702 for all standards. Recoveries measured at 50 and 100 mg/L were 80.0-91.9 and 80.3-105.3%, respectively. Precisions at these two concentration levels were 0.7-6.1 and 1.1-5.5%, respectively. The total number of identified components was largest for the leaves and smallest for the stems. The leaf and root polyphenolic extracts showed anti-inflammatory effects by inducing LPS-activated COX-2 and iNOS protein levels in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The antioxidant capacity of the polyphenols, when evaluated for DPPH (α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl)ˑ , ABTS+ [2-2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and in ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assays, was highest in the leaf and lowest in the stem. This trend suggests that the antioxidant capacities depend primarily on polyphenol concentration in each tissue. The current findings suggest that polyphenols derived from P. japonicas tissues could have potential as functional health foods.

Antioxidant activities and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry characterization and quantification of the polyphenolic contents of Rumex nervosus Vahl leaves and stems.

In the present study, four compounds, viz. chlorogenic acid, catechin, orientin, and apigenin-O-acetylglycoside among 18 polyphenol compounds (17 flavonoids and one hydroxycinnamic acid derivative) were characterized for the first time in Rumex nervosus leaves and stems by using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation in terms of determination coefficient, limits of detection, and quantification were ≥ 0.9979, 0.68-1.61, and 2.27-5.38 mg/L, respectively. Accuracy, expressed as percent recovery for two spiking levels (10 and 50 mg/L), were in the range 78.9-110.6% with the exception of caffeic acid. The relative standard deviations were 1-17%. The total polyphenol content was higher by approximately two times in the leaf (1073 mg/kg fresh sample) than in the stem (519.86 mg/kg fresh sample). The antioxidant effects increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the scavenging activities, investigated by measuring 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity, ferrous ions chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power activity, were significant (p < 0.05) using low concentrations of the leaf extract. Overall, the present study suggests that different parts of R. nervosus have great potential for producing a range of extracts with potential applications in medicine.

Polyphenolic profile and antioxidant effects of various parts of Artemisia annua L.

An annual Korean weed, Artemisia annua L., has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of a number of diseases. Remarkably, among the 32 polyphenols characterized in various parts of plant tissue, including flowers, leafs, stems and roots, 10 compounds were detected for the first time using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The quantification method was validated using structurally related external standards with determination coefficients (R(2) ) ≥0.9995. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.068-3.932 and 0.226-13.108 mg/L, respectively. The recoveries estimated at 50 and 100 mg/L ranged between 60.6-92.2 and 61.3-111%, respectively, with relative standard deviations <12%. The roots contained the largest concentration of identified components, while the flowers contained the least. The antioxidant capacity evaluated in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation-scavenging activities and reducing power was highest in the roots and lowest in the flowers. The findings are well correlated and suggest that the antioxidant capacities principally depend upon the polyphenol concentrations in each part of the plant.

The polyphenolic profiles and antioxidant effects of Agastache rugosa Kuntze (Banga) flower, leaf, stem and root.

Agastache rugosa Kuntze (Korean mint) is used as a spice and in folk medicine in East Asia. The present study identified a total of 18 polyphenols from the flower, leaf, stem and roots of this plant using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fourteen of these compounds had not previously been identified in these plant tissues. Each polyphenol was validated in comparison with external calibration curves constructed using structurally related compounds, with determination coefficients >0.9993. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.092-0.650 and 0.307-2.167 mg/L, respectively. Recoveries of 61.92-116.44% were observed at two spiking levels, with 0.91-11% precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (except anthraquinone spiked at 10 mg/L). Hydroxycinnamic acid was the most abundant compound in the root, while the flowers showed the highest total flavonoid level. Antioxidant activities, determined in terms of reducing power, Fe(2+) chelating activity and the radical scavenging activities using α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl and 2-2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, increased in a concentration-dependent manner; the highest activity was identified in the stems, followed by leaves > flowers > roots. These findings indicate that A. rugosa is a good source of bioactive compounds and can be used as a functional food.

The effects of different night-time temperatures and cultivation durations on the polyphenolic contents of lettuce: Application of principal component analysis.

The present study was conducted to characterize the polyphenolic contents of lettuce leaves grown under different night-time temperatures (4, 12, and 20 °C) and cultivation durations (5, 15, and 20 days) using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The assay method was validated based on specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and the performance limit. The total polyphenolic contents were highest (2462.6 mg/kg) after transplantation at a night temperature of 20 °C on day 20 and lowest (1132.7 mg/kg) at the same temperature on day 5. Quantification and principal component analysis showed that the relative contents of quercetin and kaempferol were markedly higher during the early stage of cultivation (day 5) than those of day 15 and 20, and that night-time temperatures of 12 and 20 °C on day 20 were favorable for producing polyphenol-rich lettuce containing caffeic acid. In conclusion, a synergistic effect between high night-time temperatures (12 and 20 °C) and cultivation duration (20 days) produced lettuce rich in polyphenols compared to that at low temperature (4 °C).

Dietary-flavonoid-rich flowers of Rumex nervosus Vahl: Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry profiling and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects.

Rumex nervosus is a plant species found widely in Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In addition to its uses in traditional medicinal, the plant shows various biological activities, such as antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity. In this study, nine flavonols, six flavones, three flavanones, and one flavanol were characterized from the flowers of R. nervosus using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and literature data. Validation data indicated that the determination coefficients (R(2) ) were ≥ 0.9914. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.15-1.24 and 0.50-4.13 mg/L, respectively. Recoveries at 10 and 50 mg/L were 71.1-110.2 and 65.4-115.1%, with relative standard deviations of 7.4-40.1 and 2.1-13.0%, respectively. Quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (10) was the dominant component, contributing 30.8% of total flavonoids (1003.0 ± 26.2 mg/kg fresh flower sample), whereas luteolin 6-C-glucoside (3) was the lowest yielding compound (0.1%). The 19 flavonoids identified were characterized for the first time. In vitro anti-inflammatory studies showed that this mixture can suppress the production of inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, kappa B inhibitor, and interleukin-1ß, by down-regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways. The results of this study may provide information for processing R. nervosus as a potential source of functional food.

Thin Film Transistor Gas Sensors Incorporating High-Mobility Diketopyrrolopyrole-Based Polymeric Semiconductor Doped with Graphene Oxide.

In this work, we fabricated a diketopyrrolopyrole-based donor-acceptor copolymer composite film. This is a high-mobility semiconductor component with a functionalized-graphene-oxide (GO) gas-adsorbing dopant, used as an active layer in gas-sensing organic-field-effect transistor (OFET) devices. The GO content of the composite film was carefully controlled so that the crystalline orientation of the semiconducting polymer could be conserved, without compromising its gas-adsorbing ability. The resulting optimized device exhibited high mobility (>1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)) and revealed sensitive response during programmed exposure to various polar organic molecules (i.e., ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile). This can be attributed to the high mobility of polymeric semiconductors, and also to their high surface-to-volume ratio of GO. The operating mechanism of the gas sensing GO-OFET is fully discussed in conjunction with charge-carrier trap theory. It was found that each transistor parameter (e.g., mobility, threshold voltage), responds independently to each gas molecule, which enables high selectivity of GO-OFETs for various gases. Furthermore, we also demonstrated practical GO-OFET devices that operated at low voltage (<1.5 V), and which successfully responded to gas exposure.

Oligo(ethylene glycol)-incorporated hybrid linear alkyl side chains for n-channel polymer semiconductors and their effect on the thin-film crystalline structure.

Oligo(ethylene glycol)-incorporated hybrid linear alkyl side chains, serving as solubilizing groups, are designed and introduced into naphthalene-diimide-based n-channel copolymers. The synthesized polymers exhibit unipolar n-type operation with an electron mobility of up to 1.64 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), which demonstrates the usefulness of the hybrid side chains in polymer electronics applications.

Determination of Polyphenol Components of Korean Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia supina) by Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Overall Contribution to Antioxidant Activity.

The Korean prostrate spurge Euphorbia supina is a weed that has been used in folk medicine in Korea against a variety of diseases. Nine polyphenols were characterized for this plant by using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and the results were compared with the literature data. The individual components were validated using the calibration curves of structurally related external standards and quantified for the first time by using the validated method. Correlation coefficients (r (2)) were >0.9907. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the method were >0.028 mg/L and 0.094 mg/L, respectively. Recoveries measured at 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L were 76.1-102.8% and 85.2-98.6%, respectively. The total amount of the identified polyphenols was 3352.9 ± 2.8 mg/kg fresh plant. Quercetin and kaempferol derivatives formed 84.8% of the total polyphenols. The antioxidant activities of the flavonoids were evaluated in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation-scavenging activity, and the reducing power showed a dose-dependent increase. Cell viability was effectively suppressed at polyphenol mixture concentrations >250 mg/L.

Determination of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) polyphenol components using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: Overall contribution to antioxidant activity.

The type and content of plant polyphenols can be influenced by maturity. Korean chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) leaves of three different maturities (young, mature, and aged) were extracted with 70% aqueous methanol. The polyphenols in the leaves were analysed for the first time using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and comparison with reported data. Among the 12 characterised components, five flavonoids, 3, 4, and 10-12, and a dicaffeoylquinic acid derivative, 6, were characterised for the first time in chokeberry leaves. Each polyphenol component was validated and quantified using a representative polyphenol standard of the same group. The antioxidant activity of the three different mature leaf extracts was determined. The antioxidant activity was highest for young leaves, followed by mature and aged leaves. The results suggest that younger chokeberry leaves may be more favourable for processing a higher quality functional tea due to their higher polyphenol content.

Influences of four different light-emitting diode lights on flowering and polyphenol variations in the leaves of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium).

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are an efficient alternative to traditional lamps for plant growth. To investigate the influence of LEDs on flowering and polyphenol biosynthesis in the leaves of chrysanthemum, the plants were grown under supplemental blue, green, red, and white LEDs. Flower budding was formed even after a longer photoperiod than a critical day length of 13.5 h per day under blue light illumination. The weights of leaves and stems were highest under the white light illumination growth condition, whereas the weight of roots appeared to be independent of light quality. Among nine polyphenols characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy, three polyphenols were identified for the first time in chrysanthemum. A quantitation and principal component analysis biplot demonstrated that luteolin-7-O-glucoside (2), luteolin-7-O-glucuronide (3), and quercetagetin-trimethyl ether (8) were the highest polyphenols yielded under green light, and dicaffeoylquinic acid isomer (4), dicaffeoylquinic acid isomer (5), naringenin (7), and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide (6) were greatest under red light. Chlorogenic acid (1) and 1,2,6-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-3-methylanthraquinone (9) were produced in similar concentrations under both light types. The white and blue light appeared inefficient for polyphenol production. Taken together, our results suggest that the chrysanthemum flowering and polyphenol production are influenced by light quality composition.

Determination of polyphenols in three Capsicum annuum L. (bell pepper) varieties using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: their contribution to overall antioxidant and anticancer activity.

A mixture of polyphenol components was isolated from the fruits of C. annuum L. cv. Cupra, C. annuum L. cv. Orange glory, and C. annuum L. cv. ST4712 (CLST), via 70% methanol extraction followed by column chromatography over silica gel. The polyphenol components of the mixture were analyzed via HPLC-MS/MS and compared with the reported data. Three cinnamic acid derivatives and five flavonoid components in the fruits of the three varieties were identified for the first time in this study. The antioxidant activity and anticancer effect of the polyphenol mixtures of the three fruits were determined. The antioxidant and anticancer activities of CLST were substantially higher than those of C. annuum L. cv. Cupra and C. annuum L. cv. Orange glory. The high activities of CLST were attributed to the much higher concentration of quercetin derivatives in CLST.