Fast isotopic separation of 10 B and 11 B boric acid by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Fast isotopic separation of 10 B and 11 B boric acid by CZE was demonstrated. The BGE contained 25 mM phenylalanine and 5 mM putrescine (рН 8.95). The running conditions were +25 kV at 20°C with indirect photometric detection at 210 nm. Baseline separation was achieved in less than 9 min. RSD of migration times and corrected peak areas were less than 0.5 and 3%, respectively (n = 5). Linearity was demonstrated in the range 0.2-2 mM for 11 B and 0.2-0.5 mM for 10 B.

An Alternative Approach to Assess the Habitat Selection of Folsomia candida in Contaminated Soils.

Avoidance tests with collembolans provide a quick assessment of soil quality. However, some parameters of the procedure can be modified in order to increase its performance. In this study we assessed the tendency of Folsomia candida to avoid soils contaminated with boric acid [350-700-1400-2800-5600 mg/kg soil dry weight (dw)], phenmedipham (35-70-140-280 mg/kg dw) or petroleum hydrocarbons (1312-1838-2625-3675-5250 mg/kg dw) by preferring an untreated soil. Two separate methodologies were applied, the one presented in the ISO standard 17512:2 and a modified version of the Petri dish method that allowed data acquisition after 2, 24 and 48 h of exposure. After combining data from three separate trials, effective median concentration values (EC50) from the presented method were lower and showed similar or less variability than those from the ISO procedure, suggesting the modified protocol as a suitable alternative screening tool.

[Determination of Trace Boron Based on Gold Nanorod Plasmonic Resonance Rayleigh Scattering Energy Transfer to the Coordinate].

B is a necessary trace element for human and animals, but the excess intake of B caused poison. Thus, it is very important to determination of B in foods and water. The target of this study is development of a new, sensitive and selective resonance Rayleigh scattering energy transfer (RRS-ET) for the determination of B. The combination of energy transfer with resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) has developed a new technology called RRS-ET, which can realize selective and sensitive detection of boric acid. The gold nanorods in diameter of 12 nm and length of 37 nm were prepared by the seed growth procedure. In pH 5. 6 NH4 Ac-HAc buffer solution and in the presence of azomethine-H (AMH), the gold nanorod particles exhibited a strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak at 404 nm. In the presence of boric acid, it reacts with AMH to form AMH-boric acid (AMH-B) complexes. When the complexe as a receptor close to the gold nanorod as a donor, the resonance Rayleigh scattering energy transfer (RRS-ET) take placed that resulted in the Rayleigh scattering signal quenching. With the increase of the concentration of boric acid, the formed complexes increased, the scattering light energy of gold nanorod transfer to the complexes increased, resulting in the Rayleigh scattering intensity linearly reduced at 404 nrn. The decreased RRS intensity responds linearly to the concentration of boron over 10~750 ng . mL-1 B, with a regress equation of ΔI404 nm =3. 53c+24 and a detection of 5 ng mL-1 B. The influence of coexistence substances on the RRS-ET determination of 2. 3 X 10(-7) mol . L-1 B was considered in details. Results showed that this new RRS-ET method is of high selectivity, that is, 4 X 10(-4) mol . L-1 Mn2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Bi+, Na+, Al3+, glucose, Hg2+, IO3-, F-, SO(2-)3, SiO3-, NO3-, CIO4-, H2O2, mannitol, glycerol, and ethylene glycol, 4X 10(-5) mol . L-1 L-tyrosine, and 2 X 10(-4) mol . L-1 L-glutamic acid do not interfere with the determination. Based on this, a new sensitive, selective, simple and rapid RRS-ET method has been developed for the determination of trace boron in six mineral water samples that contain 24. 9, 29. 3, 57. 9, 59. 0, 84. 9, and 105. 1 ng . mL-1 B, with relative standard deviation of 1. 6%~ 4. 1% and recovery of 95. 61~9. 6%.

Facile preparation of glycoprotein-imprinted 96-well microplates for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by boronate affinity-based oriented surface imprinting.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), as inexpensive and stable substitutes of antibodies, have shown great promise in immunoassays. Glycoproteins are of significant diagnostic value. To facilitate the application of MIPs in clinical diagnostics, a general and facile imprinting method toward glycoproteins oriented for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the form of a 96-well microplate is essential but has not been fully explored yet. In this study, a new method called boronate affinity-based oriented surface imprinting was proposed for facile preparation of glycoprotein-imprinted microplates. A template glycoprotein was first immobilized by a boronic acid-modified microplate through boronate affinity binding, and then, a thin layer of polyaniline was formed to cover the microplate surface via in-water self-copolymerization. After the template was removed by an acidic solution, 3D cavities that can rebind the template were fabricated on the microplate surface. Using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a model target, the effects of imprinting conditions as well as the properties and performance of the prepared MIPs were investigated. α-Fetoprotein (AFP)-imprinted microplate was then prepared, and thereby, a MIP-based ELISA method was established. The prepared MIPs exhibited several highly favorable features, including excellent specificity, widely applicable binding pH, superb tolerance for interference, high binding strength, fast equilibrium kinetics, and reusability. The MIP-based ELISA method was finally applied to the analysis of AFP in human serum. The result was in good agreement with that by radioimmunoassay, showing a promising prospect of the proposed method in clinical diagnostics.

Column chromatographic boron isotope separation at 5 and 17 MPa with diluted boric acid solution.

Boron isotopic fractionation factor (S) between boron taken up in strongly basic anion exchange resin and boron in aqueous solution was determined by breakthrough column chromatography at 5 and 17 MPa at 25 degrees C, using 0.1 mM boric acid solution as feed solution. The S values obtained were 1.018 and 1.012, respectively, which were smaller than the value reported by using the same chromatographic method at the atmospheric pressure at 25 degrees C with the boron concentration of 10mM, but were larger than the values under the same condition with much higher concentration of 100 and 501 mM. Calculations based on the theory of isotope distribution between two phases estimated that 21% (5 MPa) and 47% (17 MPa) of boron taken up in the resin phase was in the three-coordinated B(OH)(3)-form, instead of in the four-coordinated B(OH)(4)-form, at high pressures even with a very diluted boric acid solution. We discussed the present results by introducing (1) hydration and (2) a partial molar volume difference between isotopic molecules. Borate may have been partially dehydrated upon transfer from the solution phase to the resin phase at high pressures, which resulted in smaller S values compared with those at the atmospheric pressure. Instead, it may be possible that the difference in the isotopic partial molar volume difference between B(OH)(3) and B(OH)(4)(-) caused the S value to decrease with increasing pressure.

Fast determination of tetrafluoroborate by high-performance liquid chromatography using a monolithic column.

Fast determination of tetrafluoroborate by high-performance liquid chromatography using a silica-based monolithic column and direct conductivity detection was carried out. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Chromolith Speed ROD RP-18e column (50 mm x 4.6 mm i.d.) with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA-OH)+ phthalic acid as eluent. The effects of eluent concentration, eluent pH, column temperature and flow rate on retention time of tetrafluoroborate were investigated. The optimized chromatographic conditions for determination of tetrafluoroborate were using 0.5mM TBA-OH + 0.31 mM phthalic acid (pH 5.5) as eluent, column temperature of 30 degrees C and flow rate of 6.0 mL/min. Retention time of tetrafluoroborate was less than 1min under the conditions. Common anions (Cl(-), Br(-), NO3(-) and SO4(2-)) did not interfere with the determination of tetrafluoroborate. Detection limit (S/N = 2) for tetrafluoroborate was 1.4 mg/L. The linear range of calibration curve between peak area and the concentration of tetrafluoroborate was from 1.4 to 100.0 mg/L. The reproducibility was 0.09% and 1.8% (n = 5) relative standard deviation (RSD) for retention time and peak area, respectively. The method has been applied to the determination of tetrafluoroborate in ionic liquids. Recoveries of tetrafluoroborate after spiking were 98.2-101.5%.

Preparation and evaluation of a reversed-phase/hydrophilic interaction/ion-exchange mixed-mode chromatographic stationary phase functionalized with dopamine-based dendrimers.

In this work, a novel dendritic stationary phase was synthesized by the repeated grafting of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) and dopamine (DA) on the surface of silica for performing mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography (MHPLC). Elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) showed the successful preparation of the dendritic stationary phase. The prepared stationary phase showed the retention mechanisms of reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) under different mobile phase conditions. In detail, alkylbenzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and hydrophobic positional isomers were separated successfully in the RPLC mode. The baseline separation of nucleobases, nucleosides and flavonoids was achieved under HILIC mode, respectively. Meanwhile, some acidic and basic analytes were used to evaluate the IEC mode. The effects of different chromatographic conditions, such as acetonitrile content, salt concentration and pH in the mobile phase, on the different chromatographic modes were also investigated. In addition, the application of the mixed-mode dendritic stationary phase was demonstrated by the analysis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including Carthamus tinctorius L. and Abelmoschus manihot (Linn.) Medicus. Interestingly, the stationary phase also has the ability for the capture and separation of boric acids. These meaningful applications confirmed that the mixed-mode dendritic stationary phase can be potentially applied in the analysis of complex samples.

Accidental boric acid poisoning following the ingestion of household pesticide.

Borate-containing compounds were formerly used as topical antiseptics and were components of many medicinal preparations including skin powders and ointments used for the treatment of burns and diaper rash. These compounds were also used as irrigants for body cavities, including the pleural, vaginal, and rectal cavities. These applications were subsequently discontinued by the medical community when the toxicity and potential lethality of borates were recognized. Although documented cases of borate poisoning are now rare, the chemical is still an active component commonly used in high concentrations in household disinfectants/cleaners, pesticides, and wood preservatives. While the majority of documented borate-related deaths have occurred in infants, the toddler population is currently at risk due to possible exposure to these household products. We present the case of an 18-month-old child who died following the accidental ingestion of a boric acid-containing, commercially available roach pesticide product.

Simultaneous Quantitation of Boric Acid and Calcium Fructoborate in Dietary Supplements by HPTLC-Densitometry.

The paper describes a new, simple, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous identification and quantitative determination of boric acid (BA) and calcium fructoborate (CFB) in bulk and tablet/capsule dosage forms of dietary supplements. HPTLC silica gel G 60 F254 precoated glass plates were used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of 2-propanol-water 8:2 (v/v). The two boron-based compounds were adequately separated with the Rf values of 0.83 ± 0.01 (BA) and 0.59 ± 0.01 (CFB).

Direct solid surface fluorescence spectroscopy of standard chemicals and humic acid in ternary system.

The front face fluorescence spectroscopy is often used to quantify chemicals in well-known matrices as it is a rapid and powerful technique, with no sample preparation. However it was not used to investigate extracted organic matter like humic substances. This work aims to fully investigate for the first time front face fluorescence spectroscopy response of a ternary system including boric acid, tryptophan and humic substances, and two binaries system containing quinine sulfate or humic substance in boric acid. Pure chemicals, boric acid, tryptophan, quinine sulfate and humic acid were mixed together in solid pellet at different contents from 0 to 100% in mass. The measurement of excitation emission matrix of fluorescence (3D fluorescence) and laser induced fluorescence were then done in the front face mode. Fluorescence matrices were decomposed using the CP/PARAFAC tools after scattering treatments. Results show that for 3D fluorescence there is no specific component for tryptophan and quinine sulfate, and that humic substances lead to a strong extinction effect for mixture containing quinine sulfate. Laser induced fluorescence gives a very good but non-specific related response for both quinine sulfate and tryptophan. No humic substances fluorescence response was found, but extinction effect is observed as for 3D fluorescence. This effect is stronger for quinine sulfate than for tryptophan. These responses were modeled using a simple absorbance versus emission model.

Autoinducer-2 detection among commensal oral streptococci is dependent on pH and boric acid.

Autoinducer-2, considered a universal signaling molecule, is produced by many species of bacteria; including oral strains. Structurally, autoinducer-2 can exist bound to boron (borated autoinducer-2). Functionally, autoinducer-2 has been linked to important bacterial processes such as virulence and biofilm formation. In order to test production of autoinducer-2 by a given bacterial strain, a bioassay using marine bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio harveyi as a reporter for autoinducer-2 has been designed. We hypothesize that pH adjustment and addition of boron are required for optimal bioluminescence and accurate autoinducer-2 detection. Using this reporter strain we tested autoinducer-2 activity from two oral commensal species, Streptococcus gordonii DL1 and Streptococcus oralis 34. Spent broth was collected and adjusted to pH 7.5 and supplemented with boric acid prior to measuring autoinducer- 2 activity. Results show that low pH inhibits bioluminescence of the reporter strain, but pH 7.5 allows for bioluminescence induction and proper readings of autoinducer-2 activity. Addition of boric acid also has a positive effect on bioluminescence allowing for a more sensitive detection of autoinducer-2 activity. Our data suggests that although autoinducer-2 is present in spent broth, low pH and/or low levels of boric acid become an obstacle for proper autoinducer-2 detection. For proper autoinducer-2 detection, we propose a protocol using this bioassay to include pH adjustment and boric acid addition to spent broth. Studies on autoinducer-2 activity in several bacteria species represent an important area of study as this universal signaling molecule is involved in critical bacterial phenotypes such as virulence and biofilm formation.

GEMAS: prediction of solid-solution phase partitioning coefficients (Kd) for oxoanions and boric acid in soils using mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

The authors' aim was to develop rapid and inexpensive regression models for the prediction of partitioning coefficients (Kd), defined as the ratio of the total or surface-bound metal/metalloid concentration of the solid phase to the total concentration in the solution phase. Values of Kd were measured for boric acid (B[OH]3(0)) and selected added soluble oxoanions: molybdate (MoO4(2-)), antimonate (Sb[OH](6-)), selenate (SeO4(2-)), tellurate (TeO4(2-)) and vanadate (VO4(3-)). Models were developed using approximately 500 spectrally representative soils of the Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural Soils of Europe (GEMAS) program. These calibration soils represented the major properties of the entire 4813 soils of the GEMAS project. Multiple linear regression (MLR) from soil properties, partial least-squares regression (PLSR) using mid-infrared diffuse reflectance Fourier-transformed (DRIFT) spectra, and models using DRIFT spectra plus analytical pH values (DRIFT + pH), were compared with predicted log K(d + 1) values. Apart from selenate (R(2) = 0.43), the DRIFT + pH calibrations resulted in marginally better models to predict log K(d + 1) values (R(2) = 0.62-0.79), compared with those from PSLR-DRIFT (R(2) = 0.61-0.72) and MLR (R(2) = 0.54-0.79). The DRIFT + pH calibrations were applied to the prediction of log K(d + 1) values in the remaining 4313 soils. An example map of predicted log K(d + 1) values for added soluble MoO4(2-) in soils across Europe is presented. The DRIFT + pH PLSR models provided a rapid and inexpensive tool to assess the risk of mobility and potential availability of boric acid and selected oxoanions in European soils. For these models to be used in the prediction of log K(d + 1) values in soils globally, additional research will be needed to determine if soil variability is accounted on the calibration.

Procedure for determination of trace ions in boric acid by matrix volatilization-ion chromatography.

A method for determination of anions and cations in boric acid is proposed by matrix volatilization. The boric acid matrix was eliminated as trimethyl borate ester in a vapour phase matrix elimination (VPME) system using a mixture of glycerol-methanol. In this VPME system, in situ reagent purification, sample decomposition and digest evaporation were achieved in a single step. Trace anions were separated on anion-exchange column (IonPac AS17) by an isocratic elution with 15 mM sodium hydroxide and the cations on a cation-exchange column (IonPac CS12) by 20 mM hydrochloric acid as eluents. Method detection limits (3sigma) for most ions ranged from 0.3 to 8 ng/g (ppb). Recovery experiments combined with comparison of data obtained by other methods were employed to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. Application of the method to determine trace levels of anions like acetate, oxalate, sulfate, phosphate and cations such as lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium in two highly pure grades of boric acid using ion chromatography is demonstrated.

Enhancement of conductometric detection of weak acids in ion chromatography.

Anions of weak acids can represent a problem when determined via chemically suppressed ion chromatography as the acids can be weakly ionised, giving low conductivity and hence low sensitivity. Previous work showed that converting some weak acids back to their sodium salts, using a second micromembrane suppressor, greatly enhanced conductivity and thus sensitivity. This paper will discuss further work in optimising the conversion for boric acid by using sodium salts of EDTA and the mechanisms involved.

Borate in mummification salts and bones from Pharaonic Egypt.

Mummification processes in Pharaonic Egypt were successful using sodium salts. Quite frequently sodium concentrations in mummified bones ranged from 300 to 4000 micromol/g. In the search for an effective inorganic conservation compound our choice fell on boric acid. The possible presence of borate in mummification salts used in Pharaonic Egypt was of special interest both historically and biochemically. In two salt samples, one from the embalming material of Tutankhamen (18th dynasty, 1336-1327 BC) and the second from Deir el-Bahari (25th dynasty, 700-600 BC) borate was found, amounting to 2.1+/-0.2 and 3.9+/-0.1 micromol/g, respectively. In five of the examined bone fragments from the Junker excavation at Giza (Old Kingdom) similar borate concentrations i.e., 1.2 micromol borate/g bone were seen. It must be emphasized that the usual borate content of contemporary autopsy is far below the detection limit. The elevated borate content in both mummification salt and ancient bone samples support the suggestion that borate-containing salt had been used. There is a striking correlation of both borate concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity. When both sodium salts and borate were essentially absent no activity at all was detectable. With increasing borate concentrations the enzyme activity rises significantly. Attributable to the distinct biochemistry of the tetrahydroxyborate anion it was of interest whether or not borate may stabilize alkaline phosphatase, an important and richly abundant bone enzyme. This enzyme was chosen, as it is known to survive more than 4000 years of mummification. In the presence of borate oligomeric species of this zinc-magnesium-glycoprotein at 400,000 Da became detectable. Attributable to this borate-dependent stabilization of the enzyme molecule a significant temperature resistant increase of the enzymic activity was measured in the presence of up to 2.5 mM borate.

Automated flow-injection pseudotitration of boric acid.

An automated flow-injection pseudotitrimetric determination of boric acid, using a flow-injection photometric analyzer controlled by a microcomputer, is described. The method is based on the injection of 200 microL of sample in a flowing stream of mannitol-bromothymol blue "titrant" and measuring the peak width in time units. Equivalent times of 10-70 s are measured with CV values of 0.1-0.4% (n = 5) and the analytical range is 1.5-309 mg/100 mL (2.5 X 10(-4)-5 X 10(-2 M) of boric acid. The method was evaluated by performing recovery studies in mixtures (mean 99.8%) and assays of commercial preparations which were compared with the official classical titrimetric method.

Measurement of borate in occupational environments.

The hydration stability for inhalable borate particles has been characterized as a function of temperature and relative humidity when collected by a field personnel monitor. The rate of hydration was measured for boric acid (B[OH]3); Neobor borax 5 mol (Na2O x 2B2O3 x 5H2O); borax 10 mol (Na2O x 2B2O3 x 10H2O); anhydrous boric acid (B2O3); and anhydrous borax (Na2O x 2B2O3). The particle size is large in bulk commercial products, such that they can be handled and stored without problems. However, inhalable dust particles, in the range of 20 microm (MMD), undergo hydration/dehydration rapidly owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio. The hydration state of a collected air sample was found to be strongly dependent on the conditions of relative humidity and temperature during its collection. As a consequence, the actual chemical species of dust being inspired cannot be identified accurately. Inhalable particles of borax 10 mol placed in a field personal monitoring cartridge and exposed to dry air at 2.0 L/min at 70 degrees F for 7 h undergo rapid dehydration, producing a sodium borate residue having significantly less than four waters of hydration. Likewise, inhalable particles of anhydrous boric acid and anhydrous borax were found to hydrate under normal atmospheric conditions. Borax 5 mol and boric acid were found to be stable to dehydration. In most cases, the specific borate species or borate compounds collected in a field monitor cannot be accurately characterized other than by their boron (B) content.

Determination of diborane by adsorption sampling using modified silica gel and the chromotropic acid-HPLC method.

A method for determining atmospheric diborane in concentrations higher than 1/10 of TLV, i.e., 0.01 ppm, has been developed using the adsorption sampling method. Silica gel impregnated with potassium permanganate, synthetic resin activated carbon impregnated with or without mercury(II) chloride and activated carbon impregnated with chromate salt showed adsorption capacities larger than 18 l of 3 ppm diborane test gas when the test gas was drawn at 300 ml/min. Complete desorption of the adsorbed diborane was possible only from silica gel impregnated with potassium permanganate into a hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution. As methods for determining the desorbed boron, both the chromotropic acid-HPLC method and ICP-AES were applied. The former was more sensitive, but the latter was less influenced by coexistent substances. The most sensitive and reproducible procedure for diborane determination was as follows: diborane is collected with silica gel impregnated with potassium permanganate (0.05% (w/w)) and desorbed into hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution (400 micrograms/ml) followed by the determination of boron by the chromotropic acid-HPLC method. When diborane in 3 l of 0.1 ppm test gas was collected, the desorption efficiency was 105.3% with an RSD of 13.5%. The limit of quantitation of this method was 0.0026 ppm in 3 l air. Much lower concentrations can be determined by sampling larger amounts of air.

Leaching characteristics of paraffin waste forms generated from Korean nuclear power plants.

Leaching tests of paraffin waste forms including boric acid, cobalt, strontium and cesium were performed to investigate the leaching characteristics of paraffin waste forms which had been generated in Korean nuclear power plants. The leaching tests were conducted according to ANSI/ANS-16.1 test procedure and the cumulative fractions leached (CFLs) of boric acid, cobalt, strontium and cesium were obtained. The compressive strength before and after the leaching test was measured for various waste forms with different mixing ratios of boric acid to paraffin. It was observed that boric acid and other nuclides immobilized within paraffin waste forms were congruently released and the leaching rates were influenced by reacted layer depth as the dissolution reaction progressed. A shrinking core model based on the diffusion-controlled dissolution kinetics was developed in order to simulate the test results. The CFLs and the leaching rates were well expressed by the shrinking core model and the cross-sectional view of specimen after the test demonstrated the applicability of this model with the shrinking dissolution front to the leaching analysis of paraffin waste forms.

[Spectrophotometric determination of boric acid by the curcumin method].

We have contrived an improved curcumin method for a spectrophotometric determination of the boric acid content, suitable for use on biologic materials to determine cases of poisoning. The use of this method enables detection of boric acid from a level of 10 micrograms/ml up to 5 mg/ml. The steps of this measurement method follow. Initially, boric acid was extracted by using a modification of Agazzi's method, i.e., to 1 ml of the sample solution, 0.2 ml of a 50% solution of sulfuric acid is added, along with 4 ml of 10 v/v% 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol/chloroform (an EHD solution). This mixture was then shaken for 5 min and then centrifuged for 10 min at 3,000 rpm. The extract of this chloroform phase was dehydrated with anhydrous sodium sulfate and used for the coloring reaction sample. The colorimetry procedure for determining the boric acid content follows. Fifty microliters of the extract solution was placed into a dry tube, to which 0.5 ml of a 0.3% curcumin/acetic acid solution and 50 microliters concentrated sulfuric acid were added, and the contents mixed thoroughly. The reaction mixture was then allowed to stand for 30 min at room temperature. (Rosocyanin is formed by the reaction of boric acid and protonated curcumin). Next, ethanol (3-138 ml) was added to the reaction mixture to decompose the excess protonated curcumin. Then, the absorbancy of the resulting solution was measured at 550 nm against a blank test solution. Ethanol was added to enable the measurement of the absorbancy (ethanol amounts tested were 3, 6, 12, 24, and 138 ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)