Performance of a portable biosensor for the analysis of ethion residues.

Sensitive disposable potentiometric sensors for determination of the organophosphorus pesticide (OPs), ethion and its degradation residues have been constructed. The fabricated screen printed sensors are based on multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyvinyl chloride (MWNT-PVC) composite incorporated with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) ionophore for butyrylcholine (BuCh) determination. Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity was measured through monitoring the BuCh hydrolysis using the fabricated sensors. The electrode potential changes linearly with BuChE concentration over the range from 0.04 to 0.4 U in phosphate buffer solution. This approach can also be used to analyze ethion and its degradation products in the concentration range from 0 to 330 ng mL(-1) by measuring the relative inhibition percentage of BuChE. From different ethion degradation products, inhibition by dioxon and monooxon were more potent than the parent pesticide. The proposed method was applied for determination of ethion in different samples with good accuracy and precision. The relative simple fabrication protocol of biosensor, high sensitivity and stability represents a promising approach for determination of environmental pollutants in field conditions.

Disposable potentiometric sensors for monitoring cholinesterase activity.

A highly sensitive disposable screen-printed butyrylcholine (BuCh) potentiometric sensor, based on heptakis (2,3,6-tri-o-methyl)-ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) as ionophore, was developed for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity monitoring. The proposed sensors have been characterized and optimized according to the constituents of homemade printing carbon ink including ß-CD, anionic sites, and plasticizer. The fabricated sensor showed Nernstian responses from 10(-6) to 10(-2)mol L(-1) with detection limit of 8 × 10(-7)mol L(-1), fast response time (1.6s) and adequate shelf-life (6 months). Improved selectivity towards BuCh with minimal interference from choline (Ch) was achieved and the sensor was used for determination of 0.06-1.25 U mL(-1) BuChE. The developed disposable sensors have been successfully applied for real-time intoxication monitoring through assaying cholinesterases (ChEs) activity in human serum. Determination of organophosphate pesticide was conducted by measuring their inhibition of BuChE with successful assaying of malathion in insecticide samples with high accuracy and precision.

Towards disposable sensors for drug quality control: Dextromethorphan screen- printed electrodes.

A simple, rapid, reliable, and reproducible method for mass production of disposable sensors using screen-printing technology is described. Homemade printing has been characterized and optimized on the basis of effects of the modifier and plasticizers. The fabricated bi-electrode potentiometric strip containing both working and reference electrode was used as dextromethorphan (DXM) sensor. The proposed sensors worked satisfactorily in the concentration range from 10⁻5 to 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with detection limit reaching 6 × 10⁻6 mol L⁻¹ and adequate shelf life of 8 months. DXM was determined in pharmaceutical formulations under batch and flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions with sampling output 120 h⁻¹.

Carbon paste and PVC electrodes for the flow injection potentiometric determination of dextromethorphan.

The construction and performance characteristics of dextromethorphan (DXM) carbon paste (CPEs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) electrodes are described. Different modes for electrode modification, including incorporation of ion pairs (IPs), ion pairing agent or soaking the plain electrode in IPs suspension, have been used. Matrices compositions were optimized referring to the effect of modifier and plasticizer. The fabricated electrodes work satisfactorily in the concentration range from 10(-5) to 10(-2) mol L(-1) with fast response time (1.6s) and long operational lifetime (2 months). The developed electrodes have been successfully applied for the potentiometric determination of DXM in pharmaceutical formulation under batch and flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions. Under FIA conditions, the proposed electrodes allow the analysis of 90 samples h(-1) and offer the advantage of simplicity, accuracy and automation feasibility. The solubility products of various DXM-IPs were determined conductometrically.

Studies on the potentiometric thallium(III)-selective carbon paste electrode and its possible applications.

Construction, performance characteristics and applications of a carbon paste thallium(III) ion-selective electrode are described. The electrode, which is based on ion-associate compounds formed between cetylpyridinium and chlorothallate(III) complexes dissolved in tricresyl phosphate as pasting liquid, showed near-Nernstian response over the concentration range of 5.8 x 10(-6) - 2.9 x 10(-3) mol/L. Potentiometric titrations of thallium(III) with cetylpyridinium chloride were affected by higher concentrations of excess halides, probably due to the formation of higher halogenothallates.

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of rutin, quercetin and ascorbic acid in drugs using a Kalman Filter approach.

A UV-spectrophotometric analysis of severely overlapped spectra yielded by anti-capillary fragility pharmaceutical materials, viz. rutin, quercetin and ascorbic acid, in authentic mixtures and in tablets or soft elastic capsules was proposed. The method was based on Kalman Filter calibration of either orthogonal experimental design, i.e. standard solutions containing only one component at a time, or non-orthogonal experimental design, i.e. standard solutions containing more than one component. This calibration was followed by quantitative determinations of two- and three-component mixtures in synthetic mixtures or in oral dosages within the concentration range 2-10 microg ml(-1). A statistical analysis of the results was reported.

Multivariate analysis of Cd(II), In(III), Tl(I) and Pb(II) in mixtures using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry.

Accurate qualitative and quantitative results were obtained by the application of parameter estimation methods, viz. Classical Least Squares ;CLS', Inverse Least Squares ;ILS' and Kalman Filter ;KF' algorithms. These methods were used to separate strongly overlapping electrochemical peaks produced by binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures of traces of cited poisonous heavy metals stripped from the hanging mercury drop electrode in an acetate-bromide electrolyte using the square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The analysis was achieved using a single standard addition, the concentrations studied were down to 50 nM and molar ratios up to 1:6 for binary mixtures. A statistical analysis of the results was reported. The method was applied for the ultratrace analysis of the cited cations in a sample of sodium hydrogen carbonate AR.

Manufacture of nonfat yogurt from a high milk protein powder.

Nonfat yogurts were manufactured from skim milk fortified with a new high milk protein powder. The powder, containing approximately 84% milk protein, was added to skim milk to obtain 5.2 to 11.3% total protein, 11.1 to 15% total solids, and 1.6 to 7.9% lactose in the yogurt mix. Mixes were homogenized, pasteurized at 90 degrees C for 10 min, and fermented with a yogurt culture at 42 degrees C to pH 4.6. Controls were made from the same skim milk fortified with NDM to approximately 14% total solids. Yogurts made with the protein powder and containing 5.6% protein were similar in firmness to the control and had good flavor when fresh and after 2 wk of storage. Yogurts with more than 5.6% protein were too firm and had an astringent flavor. Acetaldehyde content of all yogurts was comparable with that of the control, and fat content ranged from .18 to .33%. As the protein content of yogurts increased, the porosity of yogurts, as seen by scanning electron microscopy, decreased. Good quality nonfat yogurts can be produced by supplementing skim milk with a high milk protein powder up to 5.6% protein. The added protein assists in providing a firm body and minimal whey separation without the use of stabilizers.

Spectrophotometric microdetermination of bismuth in organic compounds after oxygen-flask combustion.

A method has been developed for the micro and submicro determination of bismuth in organic compounds, based on combustion in an oxygen-filled flask, provided with a silica spiral instead of the conventional platinum holder (which alloys with bismuth). After absorption of the products in hydrochloric acid (1 + 1), the solution is chemically treated to convert the bismuth into the orange-yellow BiI(-)(4) complex, then the absorbance is measured at 465 nm. Analysis of 12 organic compounds containing 28-74% of bismuth yielded satisfactory results with a maximum standard deviation of 0.4%.

Simultaneous microdetermination of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine or bromine in organic compounds by various rapid empty-tube combustion methods.

A standard Pregl absorption tube packed with polyurethane foam mixed with a cation-exchanger in the silver form, backed with a layer of "Anhydrone", and connected between the water and carbon dioxide absorption tubes and kept at room temperature, has been employed successfully for the simultaneous determination of chlorine or bromine together with carbon and hydrogen. This foam tube is suitable for use with the Belcher-Ingram, rapid straight empty-tube and rapid flash-combustion methods.