Weak affinity ligands selection using quartz crystal microbalance biosensor: multi-hydroxyl amine ligands for protein separation.

Multi-hydroxyl amines including tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), serinol and ethanolamine were selected as weak affinity ligands using a rapid screening by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor. Based on the specific recognition between the ligands and two proteins, lysozyme (LZM) and cytochrome c (Cyt c), a weak affinity chromatography method was developed for specific separation of the two proteins. The frontal analysis results showed that the apparent dissociation constants (K(D)) of ligand-protein complexes were all in the order of weak affinity (10(-4) M). By weak affinity columns modified with the three multi-hydroxyl amines individually, LZM and Cyt c were baseline separated as retarded peaks from non-specific protein and each other in a single cycle of loading and eluting. Moreover, the Tris-modified column typically showed the satisfactory repeatability and stability as a new type of weak affinity columns. The present strategy composed of QCM selecting and affinity chromatography separating was promising to extend the variety of weak affinity ligands and develop inexpensive specific affinity methods for separation and purification of multiple proteins on one single column.

Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-modified magnetic microspheres for rapid affinity purification of lysozyme.

A novel affinity purification method for lysozyme (LZM) based on functionalized magnetic microspheres was developed. Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)-modified magnetic microspheres with specific affinity toward LZM were prepared using Tris as ligand and silica-coated magnetic microshperes as support. Transmission electron microscopy and magnetic property measurement results showed that the Tris-modified magnetic microspheres have a very good core-shell structure and high magnetization.The maximum binding capacity of LZM was about 108.6 mg/g magnetic microspheres. LZM purified from chicken egg white had high purity and well-maintained activity of 8140 U/mg. This magnetic-mediated LZM purification strategy has advantages of high efficiency, low cost and easy operation.

Entrapment and release difference resulting from hydrogen bonding interactions in niosome.

In this study the influence of hydrogen bonding interaction between niosomal membrane and solutes on the drug loading and release was investigated. Salicylic acid (SA) and p-hydroxyl benzoic acid (p-BA) were selected as models. Niosomes were prepared with 1:1 molar ratios of various surfactants and cholesterol by film hydration technique, and the corresponding formulation variables were optimized to achieve the maximum entrapment efficiencies (EE%). The EE% of different formulations followed the trend Span 60>Span 40>Span 20>Span 80. Additionally, it was also found that the EE% of p-BA was much higher than that of SA. This difference may be due to the formation of hydrogen bond between p-BA and niosomal membrane, and the corresponding interaction diagram has been proposed and confirmed indirectly by UV spectroscopy method. The quantitative analysis of hydrogen binding interaction between solutes and niosome has been finished firstly, and the corresponding entrapment equilibrium constant K has been calculated as well. Moreover, in vitro the release of both drugs from niosomes was examined in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), respectively. The results indicated that the release of p-BA in SIF was much slower than that in SGF, and the release rate of SA in SGF is apparently slower than that in SIF. The possible mechanism was given as well.

Determination of human urinary kanamycin in one step using urea-enhanced surface plasmon resonance light-scattering of gold nanoparticles.

The purpose of this study was to establish a simple, sensitive analytical method for kanamycin (KANA) in human urine. Enhancement of the plasmon resonance light-scattering (PRLS) of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by KANA provided the basis for this analytical method. At pH 6.7, KANA induced AuNPs aggregation with enhanced PRLS. The PRLS of the AuNPs-KANA system was further enhanced by addition of urea. The linear range and detection limit for KANA were from 20-800 nmol L(-1) and 2 nmol L(-1), respectively. Potential interfering substances present in urine had a negligible effect on the determination, thus preliminary sample separations were not necessary. Recovery of KANA from spiked human urine was 94-104%. This simple, sensitive method, using urea to enhance the PRLS of the AuNPs-KANA system, may provide a new approach for determination of compounds rich in OH groups.

Gold nanoparticle based plasmon resonance light-scattering method as a new approach for glycogen-biomacromolecule interactions.

A model was developed for the interactions between glycogen and biomacromolecules by gold nanoparticle plasmon resonance light-scattering method. The interactions between glycogen and biomacromolecules can alter the aggregation status of gold nanoparticles, which produced intensity changes in plasmon resonance light-scattering. This is a sensitive method to study the interactions between glycogen and biomacromolecules from nano- to micromolar level. And it is also a simple method that measurement can be carried out with a common fluorospectrometer using label-free gold nanoparticles as the transducer.

Real-time molecular recognition between protein and photosensitizer of photodynamic therapy by quartz crystal microbalance sensor.

Real-time investigation of molecular recognition between protein and the photosensitizer of photodynamic therapy (PDT) was carried out by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor integrated into a flow injection analysis (FIA) system. The photosensitizer meso-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (p-THPP) was immobilized on the gold electrode of the QCM chip by combining the sol-gel and self-assembly methods. Such a rapid screen analysis of molecular recognition showed that the p-THPP-immobilized sensor exhibited sensitive and specific interaction only with hemoglobin (Hb). The kinetic rate constants (k(ass) and k(diss)) and the equilibrium association constant (K(A)) for p-THPP-Hb interaction were calculated by linear regression. The sensing performance characteristics of the proposed sensor were investigated. The sensor showed excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and repeatability for the detection of Hb. A linear calibration plot was obtained over a range from 0.2 to 1.0 microM with a detection limit (signal/noise ratio=3) of 0.15 microM. The response mechanism of the sensor is discussed in detail. Due to its low cost and simple manipulation, this QCM-FIA system was shown to be a highly effective method for the investigation of interaction between biomacromolecules and the PDT photosensitizer. It also provides a potential strategy for screening an efficient and less harmful photosensitizer for PDT application.

Highly efficient and low-cost purification of lysozyme: a novel tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane immobilized affinity column.

A highly efficient and low-cost affinity chromatography strategy for lysozyme (LZM) purification is reported. Using tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) as ligand and macroporous silica spheres as matrix, a novel affinity column was prepared. The high specificity, stability and repeatability of this Tris immobilized affinity column were proved by LZM separations from protein mixture solutions for 20 circles and 6 months test. LZM purified from chicken egg white on the Tris affinity column had even higher purity than the commercial standard and well-maintained activity of 8287 U/mg (activity of commercial LZM was 8171 U/mg). The efficient affinity process avoiding expensive or fragile ligand would bring advantages to the routine production of LZM from chicken egg white.

[Research progresses of anabolic steroids analysis in doping control].

Anabolic steroids, a kind of physiological active substance, are widely abused to improve athletic performance in human sports. They have been forbidden in sports by the International Olympic Committee since 1983. Since then, many researchers have been focusing their attentions on the establishment of reliable detection methods. In this paper, we review the research progresses of different analytical methods for anabolic steroids since 2002, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, immunoassay, electrochemistry analysis and mass spectrometry. The developing prospect of anabolic steroids analysis is also discussed.

Partition of horseradish peroxidase with maintained activity in aqueous biphasic system based on ionic liquid.

Enzyme activity and partition behavior in aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) consisting of ionic liquid (IL) and salt (IL-ABSs) were investigated to increase our understanding of IL-ABSs and shed light on their application potential as enzyme extraction system. With horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the model enzyme, several effects of alkylimidazolium chloride-K(2)HPO(4) ABSs on activity and partition behavior of enzyme were studied including alkyl chain length of ILs and concentrations of each component. High lyotropic ILs (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) and adequate water content (>40%) were both essential for the activity maintenance of HRP in IL-ABS. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(4)mim]Cl) was found to be an appropriate IL for phase forming and HRP activity retaining. After optimization of phase condition, about 80% HRP amount was distributed in the IL-rich upper phase, and greater than 90% enzyme activity was obtained. Moreover, compared with the commonly used polymer-based ABSs, this [C(4)mim]Cl-ABS has a much lower viscosity, which is very beneficial to the experimental operation. Therefore, the tested IL-ABS could be considered as a potential enzyme extraction system.

[Study on determination of acetamiprid and interaction between acetamiprid and deoxyribonucleic acid by resonance light scattering].

The interaction between acetamiprid and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was used to determine acetamiprid by resonance light scattering (RLS). The RLS signals of DNA were greatly enhanced by acetamiprid in the spectrum region of 300-600 nm. The spectrum peak is around 316.0 nm. The optimum conditions: pH is 1.73; the concentration of DNA is 2.0 microg x mL(-1)bration curve is 0-2. 25 pg * mLU , with the detection2limit of 0. 2 ig * mL '. The acetamiprid in river water sample was determined. The results were satisfactory, and the recovery rates were in the range of 98%-106%. The interaction mechanism of acetamiprid and DNA was discussed: the interactions between acetamiprid and nucleic acid base include electrostatic effect and Tr-r cumulate effect.

Selective enhancement of resonance light-scattering of gold nanoparticles by glycogen.

Simple and sensitive methods for the determination of glycogen are desirable. This study was to establish the determination of glycogen based on the enhancement of the light-scattering intensity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at nanogram per milliliter levels. Glycogen enhancement was independent of temperature and was highest at pH 7. The enhancement was linear from 10 to 800 ngmL(-1) with a 2 ngmL(-1) detection limit (3S/N). The standard deviation of the slope for 5 consecutive calibration runs was within 5%. Analysis of three artificial samples with varied glycogen concentrations had 98-102% recovery. Selected amino acids, glucose, lactose, BSA and trichloroacetic acid all showed minor effects on glycogen enhancement demonstrating the potential for glycogen determination in complex samples.

Enhanced anodic Ru(bpy)3(2+) electrogenerated chemiluminescence by polyphenols.

Anodic Ru(bpy)3(2+) electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) can be enhanced by polyphenols in alkaline solution. Spin trapping-electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments verified that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated during the electrolysis of Ru(bpy)3(2+) in alkaline solution, and oxidation of quercetin enhanced Ru(bpy)3(2+) ECL at anodic potential by producing additional ROS. This ECL enhancement can be used to analyze real sample and evaluate antioxidant activity of polyphenols.

A method to determine quercetin by enhanced luminol electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) and quercetin autoxidation.

Quercetin greatly enhanced luminol electrochemiluminescence of quercetin in alkaline solution. When the concentration of luminol was 0.1 mol L(-1), the detection limit for quercetin was 2.0x10(-8) mol L(-1) with a linear range from 1.0x10(-7) to 2x10(-5) mol L(-1). The pH and buffer substantially affected ECL intensity. Quercetin was autoxidized in alkaline aqueous solution. The rate of autoxidation of quercetin in various pH buffers and borate concentrations were measured. Borate was found to inhibit quercetin autoxidation and compromise quercetin enhancement effect on luminol ECL to some extent. Two final autoxidation products were identified with LC-MS methods. Autoxidation process was associated with enhancement of ECL intensity. The ROS generated during quercetin autoxidation enhanced the ECL intensity.

J-aggregates of diprotonated tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin induced by ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate.

The J-aggregation behavior of diprotonated tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (H2TPPS4(2-)) in aqueous solution in the presence of the hydrophilic ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmimBF4) was investigated in detail using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, resonance light scattering (RLS) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. With the addition of bmimBF4, increasing peaks appeared at a wavelength of 490 nm in the absorption spectra to account for the formation of H 2TPPS4(2-) J-aggregates. In addition, the experimental results also showed decreased fluorescence emission, enhanced RLS signals, intensified Raman scattering peaks, and the disappearance of NMR signals to further indicate that porphyrin J-aggregates exist in the studied system. NMR shifts of bmimBF 4 toward high field occurred corresponding to H2, H4, and H5 in the cationic imidazolium ring (bmim+), suggesting that bmim+ enters the magnetic shielding domain of the anionic phenyl sulfonate ion owing to the association process between the "large" cation and anion. Additionally, the fact that the absorption spectral shifts occurred in the nonprotonated porphyrin TPPS4(4-) further indicates the existence of the ion association effect of bmim+, which functions as an important factor in porphyrin aggregation.

Resurveying the Tris buffer solution: the specific interaction between tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and lysozyme.

An unusual phenomenon, the specific interaction between tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) and lysozyme (LZM), was demonstrated for the first time by rapid screen analysis of interactions using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor. This phenomenon was also observed in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system. Further study using high-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) confirmed this specific interaction between LZM and immobilized Tris with an apparent dissociation constant (K(D)) of 6.7 x 10(-5)M. Molecular docking was carried out to identify possible modes of binding between LZM and Tris linked to a binding arm. The estimated binding free energy was -6.34 kcal mol(-1), corresponding to a K(D) of 2.3 x 10(-5)M, which correlated well with the experimental value. Based on the docking model, the three hydroxyl groups of Tris form intermolecular H bonds with Asp52, Glu35, and Ala107 in LZM. This study reinforces the importance of buffer selection in quantitative biochemical investigations. For a lysozyme ligand binding study, it is better to avoid using Tris when the ligands under study are weak binders.

Molecularly imprinted silica prepared with immiscible ionic liquid as solvent and porogen for selective recognition of testosterone.

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim]BF(4)), an ionic liquid (IL) immiscible with water, was used as a new type of solvent and porogen for the preparation of molecularly imprinted silica. The new imprinted silica was prepared by a sacrificial spacer molecular imprinting approach with testosterone as template molecule. The new covalent monomer-template complex used in the imprinting procedure was synthesized via the reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with testosterone. The imprinted silica was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, N(2) gas adsorption-desorption isotherm and the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the selective adsorption ability of the imprinted particles towards testosterone was investigated by the steady-state binding experiment with testosterone propionate as its structural analogue. Results showed that the imprinted silica obtained in this study had relatively homogenous structure with numerous mesopores, indicating that the IL used here is an excellent solvent and satisfactory porogen for the preparation of imprinted materials. Moreover, ILs are more environmentally friendly than traditional organic solvents due to their negligible vapor pressure. The imprinted silica possesses highly specific recognition property and high binding capacity towards testosterone, showing that the new imprinting technique is relatively successful.

Free-radical scavenging capacity using the fenton reaction with rhodamine B as the spectrophotometric indicator.

A spectrophotometric method was developed to measure antioxidant free-radical scavenging capacity. Rhodamine B (RhB) was oxidized by hydroxyl radical generated via the Fenton reaction to yield a photoinactive RhB product. RhB absorption at 550 nm was restored when antioxidant agents scavenged hydroxyl radical to protect RhB from oxidation. On the basis of the dose response of antioxidant recovery capacity, a model was developed to calculate the free-radical scavenging ability. This method was sensitive to a wide range of antioxidant activity with ascorbic acid reference set as one; the antioxidant recovery capacity of quercetin was 635 compared to 2 for benzoic acid.

Molecularly imprinted polymer using beta-cyclodextrin as functional monomer for the efficient recognition of bilirubin.

Bilirubin (BR) imprinted polymer was successfully prepared using supramolecular host compound beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as functional monomer. The adsorption equilibrium was attained in about 4 h, which indicated that the adsorption kinetics was comparatively fast. The results of adsorption and selectivity experiments indicated that BR-imprinted beta-CD polymer was able to bind BR specifically and reversibly. The specific recognition of BR-imprinted beta-CD polymer for BR may be due to the cooperative effects of inclusion interaction and hydrogen bonding. This BR-imprinted beta-CD polymer was further applied to eliminate BR in human serum sample. It was verified that the binding specificity of the BR-imprinted polymer for BR was essentially sufficient in the presence of other compounds coexisting in serum sample. Therefore, as a reusable material possessing high affinity and selectivity, BR-imprinted beta-CD polymer has a potential application perspective as a clinical hemoperfusion material.

Extraction and determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris using aqueous two-phase system of poly(ethylene glycol)-(NH4)2SO4 coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography.

Based on aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-(NH4)2SO4, a simple pretreatment approach was developed for the extraction and determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris. The influence factors on phase behavior of the ATPS and partition behavior of papaverin was investigated, and partition mechanism based on the hydrophobic interaction between PEG and analyte molecules was proposed. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction efficiencies for papaverin were 93-96%, and the recoveries of the added standard were 97-106% with relative standard deviations of 1.8-2.5%. Combined with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, this extraction technique has been successfully applied to the determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris with the detection limit of 2 ng mL(-1) and the linear range of 0.10-10 microg mL(-1). Compared with the conventional liquid-liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction, this method was more environmentally benign, more cost effective and much simpler due to the direct injection of the upper phase into HPLC system.

Extraction and determination of morphine in compound liquorice using an aqueous two-phase system of poly(ethylene glycol)/K2HPO4 coupled with HPLC.

An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/K(2)HPO(4) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the separation and determination of morphine in compound liquorice. Morphine and its analogs were used as model compounds to investigate influence of various factors on extraction behaviors of ATPS, such as the types and concentrations of salts, PEG molecular mass, temperature and pH. It was observed that the types of salt had much influence on extraction efficiencies of morphine and its analogs. The results indicated that hydrophobic force cooperating with hydrogen bond interaction between analytes and phases played important role in extraction process. In the optimal system of containing 0.5g PEG2000 and 1.5g K(2)HPO(4), the recoveries of the spiked standards for the analytes were all 91.7-100.3% with relative standard deviation of 1.0-3.0%. Morphine in compound liquorice was determined by the proposed method and the results were consistent with those of LC-MS method. Compared with conventional liquid-liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction, this extraction method can be completed in one operation and is low-cost. Since the entire extraction process is organic solvent-free, this new technique is environmental friendly.