Characterization of PFAS air emissions from thermal application of fluoropolymer dispersions on fabrics

During thermal processes utilized in affixing fluoropolymer coatings dispersion to fibers and fabrics, coating components are vaporized. It is suspected that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the dispersions may undergo chemical transformations at the temperatures used, leading to additional emitted PFAS thermal byproducts. It is important to characterize these emissions to support evaluation of the resulting environmental and health impacts. In this study, a bench-scale system was built to simulate this industrial process via thermal application of dispersions to fiberglass utilizing relevant temperatures and residence times in sequential drying, baking, and sintering steps. Experiments were performed with two commercially available dispersions and a simple model mixture containing a single PFAS (6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol [6:2 FTOH]). Vapor-phase emissions were sampled and characterized by several off-line and real-time mass spectrometry techniques for targeted and nontargeted PFAS. Results indicate that multiple PFAS thermal transformation products and multiple nonhalogenated organic species were emitted from the exit of the high temperature third (sintering) furnace when 6:2 FTOH was the only PFAS present in the aqueous mixture. This finding supports the hypothesis that temperatures typical of these industrial furnaces may also induce chemical transformations within the fluorinated air emissions. Experiments using the two commercial fluoropolymer dispersions indicate air emissions of part-per-million by volume (ppmv) concentrations of heptafluoropropyl-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether (Fluoroether E1), as well as other PFAS at operationally relevant temperatures. We suspect that E1 is a direct thermal decomposition product (via decarboxylation) of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoic acid (commonly referred to as HFPO-DA) present in the dispersions. Other thermal decomposition products, including the monomer, tetrafluoroethene, may originate from the PFAS used to stabilize the dispersion or from the polymer particles in suspension. This study represents the first researcher-built coating application simulator to report nontargeted PFAS emission characterization, real-time analyses, and the quantification of 30 volatile target PFAS.Implications: Thermal processes used to affix fluoropolymers to fabrics are believed to be a source of PFAS air emissions. These coating operations are used by many large and small manufacturers and typically do not currently require any air emissions control. This research designed and constructed a bench-scale system that simulates these processes and used several off-line and advanced real-time mass spectroscopy techniques to characterize PFAS air emissions from two commercial fluoropolymer dispersions. Further, as the compositions of commercial dispersions are largely unknown, a model three-component solution containing a single PFAS was used to characterize emissions of multiple PFAS thermal transformation products at operationally relevant conditions. This research shows that fluoropolymer fabric coating facilities can be sources of complex mixtures of PFAS air emissions that include volatile and semivolatile PFAS present in the dispersions, as well as PFAS byproducts formed by the thermal transformation of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon species present in these dispersions.

A Student Perspective on the 18th Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience Meeting in Lyon

After being postponed twice due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 200 scientists gathered in Lyon, France, in late June 2022 for the 18th Biennial Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience (MMiN) Research Conference. Although there were unprecedented challenges involved with coordinating the 18th MMiN conference, the meeting was a huge success. The meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for young neuroscientists to network and learn about the current state of molecular monitoring in neuroscience research. The topics spanned advancements in well-established analytical techniques to novel method development. Some of the noteworthy techniques expediting our understanding of circuit-level neurochemical function include multiplexed detection of numerous neurochemicals, well-established sensors leveraging enzymes and other biologic components, and the development of diverse, customizable genetically encoded sensors.

Moxifloxacin: Physical-chemical and Microbiological Analytical Methods in the Context of Green Analytical Chemistry

Moxifloxacin (MOX) is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone used in the form of tablets, infusion solutions and ophthalmic solutions. It does not have a physical-chemical or microbiological analytical method described in an official compendium. However, the literature shows some analysis methods for pharmaceuticals and biological matrices. In this context, the objective is to show the analytical methods present in the literature for the investigation of MOX by physical-chemical and microbiological techniques, as well as discussing them according to the requirements of current pharmaceutical analyses and green analytical chemistry. Among the physical-chemical methods present in the literature for MOX evaluation, 33% are HPLC, 21% are UV-Vis and 17% are capillary electrophoresis. On the other hand, among the microbiological methods, all of them are based on diffusion in agar. There is still scope in the literature to incorporate new and improved analytical methods for MOX evaluation, which adopt the concepts of green and sustainable analytical chemistry, either by using less (or not using) toxic organic solvents, reducing waste generation or even reducing the analysis time according to the intended objectives.

Comprehensive Study of Si-Based Compounds in Selected Plants (Pisum sativum L., Medicago sativa L., Triticum aestivum L.)

This review describes the role of silicon (Si) in plants. Methods of silicon determination and speciation are also reported. The mechanisms of Si uptake by plants, silicon fractions in the soil, and the participation of flora and fauna in the Si cycle in terrestrial ecosystems have been overviewed. Plants of Fabaceae (especially Pisum sativum L. and Medicago sativa L.) and Poaceae (particularly Triticum aestivum L.) families with different Si accumulation capabilities were taken into consideration to describe the role of Si in the alleviation of the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stresses. The article focuses on sample preparation, which includes extraction methods and analytical techniques. The methods of isolation and the characterization of the Si-based biologically active compounds from plants have been overviewed. The antimicrobial properties and cytotoxic effects of known bioactive compounds obtained from pea, alfalfa, and wheat were also described.

Quality control and analytic best practices for testing genetic models of sex differences in large populations

Phenotypic sex-based differences exist for many complex traits. In other cases, phenotypes may be similar, but underlying biology may vary. Thus, sex-aware genetic analyses are becoming increasingly important for understanding the mechanisms driving these differences. To this end, we provide a guide outlining the current best practices for testing various models of sex-dependent genetic effects in complex traits and disease conditions, noting that this is an evolving field. Insights from sex-aware analyses will not only teach us about the biology of complex traits but also aid in achieving the goals of precision medicine and health equity for all.

Review of Characteristics and Analytical Methods for Determination of Thiabendazole

Thiabendazole (TBZ) is a fungicide and anthelmintic drug commonly found in food products. Due to its toxicity and potential carcinogenicity, its determination in various samples is important for public health. Different analytical methods can be used to determine the presence and concentration of TBZ in samples. Liquid chromatography (LC) and its subtypes, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), are the most commonly used methods for TBZ determination representing 19%, 18%, and 18% of the described methods, respectively. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and fluorimetry are two more methods widely used for TBZ determination, representing 13% and 12% of the described methods, respectively. In this review, a number of methods for TBZ determination are described, but due to their limitations, there is a high potential for the further improvement and development of each method in order to obtain a simple, precise, and accurate method that can be used for routine analysis.

Mass Spectrometry Approach for Differentiation of Positional Isomers of Saccharides: Toward Direct Analysis of Rare Sugars

Rare sugars have gained popularity in recent years due to their use in antiaging treatments, their ability to sweeten with few calories, and their ability to heal infections. Rare sugars are found in small quantities in nature, and they exist typically as isomeric forms of traditional sugars, rendering some challenges in their isolation, synthesis, and characterization. In this work, we present the first direct mass spectrometric approach for differentiating structural isomers of sucrose that differ only by their glycosidic linkages. The method employed a noncontact nanoelectrospray (nESI) platform capable of analyzing minuscule volumes (5 μL) of saccharides via the formation of halide adducts ([M+X]-; X = Cl and Br). Tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the five structural isomers of sucrose afforded diagnostic fragment ions that can be used to distinguish each isomer. Detailed mechanisms showcasing the distinct fragmentation pattern for each isomer are discussed. The method was applied to characterize and confirm the presence of all five selected rare sugars in raw honey complex samples. Aside from the five natural α isomers of sucrose, the method was also suitable for differentiating some β isomers of the same glycosidic linkages, provided the monomeric sugar units are different. The halide adduct formation via the noncontact nESI source was also proven to be effective for oligosaccharides such as raffinose, β-cyclodextrin, and maltoheptaose. The results from this study encourage the future development of methods that function with simple operation to enable straightforward characterization of small quantities of rare sugars.

A Review of Analytical Techniques for the Determination and Separation of Silver Ions and Its Nanoparticles

Many articles have already been published dealing with silver ions and its nanoparticles, but mostly from the environmental and toxicological point of view. This article is a review focused on the various analytical techniques and detection platforms used in the separation and determination of mentioned above species, especially on the trace concentration level. Commonly used are optical methods because of their high sensitivity and easy automation. The separation methods are mainly used for the separation and preconcentration of silver particles. Their combination with other analytical techniques, mainly inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) leads to very low detection limits of analysis. The electrochemical methods are also powerful and perspective mainly because of the fabrication of new sensors designed for silver determination. All methods may be combined with each other to achieve a synergistic improvement of analytical parameters with an impact on sensitivity, selectivity and reliability. The paper comprises a review of all three types of analytical methods on the determination of trace quantities of silver ions and its nanoparticles.

Stepwise Frontal Analysis Coupled with Affinity Chromatography: A Fast and Reliable Method for Potential Ligand Isolation and Evaluation from Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction

Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction (MFXD) is widely used in the treatment of asthma, however, the functional components in the decoction targeting beta2-adrenoceptor (β₂ -AR) remain unclear. Herein, we immobilized the haloalkane dehalogenase (Halo)-tagged β₂ -AR on the 6-chlorocaproic acid-modified microspheres. Using the affinity stationary phase, the interactions of four ligands with the receptor were analyzed by stepwise frontal analysis. The association constants were (4.75±0.28)×10⁴  M^-1 for salbutamol, (2.93±0.15)×10⁴  M^-1 for terbutaline, (1.23±0.03)×10⁴  M^-1 for methoxyphenamine, (5.67±0.38)×10⁴  M^-1 for clorprenaline at high-affinity binding site, and (2.73±0.05)×10³  M^-1 at low-affinity binding site. These association constants showed the same rank order as the radioligand binding assay, demonstrating that immobilized β₂ -AR had capacity to screen bioactive compounds binding to the receptor while stepwise frontal analysis could predict their binding affinities. Application of the immobilized receptor in analysis of MFXD by chromatographic method revealed that ephedrine, aconifine, karakoline, and chasmanine were the bioactive compounds targeting β₂ -AR. Among them, ephedrine and chasmanine exhibited association constants of (2.94±0.02)×10⁴ M^-1 and (4.60±0.15)×10⁴  M^-1 to the receptor by stepwise frontal analysis. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that ephedrine, chasmanine, and the other two compounds interact with β₂ -AR through the same pocket involving the key amino acids such as Asn312, Asp113, Phe289, Trp286, Tyr316, and Val114. As such, we reasoned that the four compounds dominate the therapeutic effect of MFXD against asthma through β₂ -AR mediating pathway. This work shed light on the potential of immobilized β₂ -AR for drug discovery and provided a valuable methodology for rapid screening.

Research progress on the application of different controlling strategies to minimizing ethyl carbamate in grape wine

Ethyl carbamate (EC) is a probable carcinogenic compound commonly found in fermented foods and alcoholic beverages and has been classified as a category 2A carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Alcoholic beverages are one of the main sources of EC intake by humans. Therefore, many countries have introduced a standard EC limit in alcoholic beverages. Wine is the second largest alcoholic beverage in the world after beer and is loved by consumers for its rich taste. However, different survey results showed that the detection rate of EC in wine was almost 100%, while the maximum content was as high as 100 μg/L, necessitating EC content regulation in wine. The existing methods for controlling the EC level in wine mainly include optimizing raw fermentation materials and processes, using genetically engineered strains, and enzymatic methods (urease or urethanase). This review focused on introducing and comparing the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of methods for controlling EC, and proposes two possible new techniques, that is, changing the fermentation strain and exogenously adding phenolic compounds. In the future, it is hoped that the feasibility of this prospect will be verified by pilot-scale or large-scale application to provide new insight into the regulation of EC during wine production. The formation mechanism and influencing factors of EC in wine were also introduced and the analytical methods of EC were summarized.

Extraction and Quantification of Azelaic Acid from Different Wheat Samples (Triticum durum Desf.) and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Azelaic Acid (AzA) is a 9-carbon atom dicarboxylic acid, with numerous pharmacological uses in dermatology. Its effectiveness in papulopustular rosacea and acne vulgaris, among other dermatological disorders such as keratinization and hyper-pigmentation, is thought to be related to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is a by-product of Pityrosporum fungal mycelia metabolism but also it is found in different cereals such as barley, wheat, and rye. Diverse topical formulations of AzA exist in commerce, and it is mainly produced via chemical synthesis. In this study we describe the extraction of AzA from whole grains and whole-grain flour (Triticum durum Desf.) through green methods. Seventeen different extracts were prepared and analyzed for their AzA content by HPLC-MS methods and then screened for their antioxidant activity using spectrophotometric assays (ABTS, DPPH, and Folin-Ciocalteu). Minimum-inhibitory-concentration (MIC) assays against several bacterial and fungal pathogens were performed, to validate their antimicrobial activity. The obtained results indicate that whole grain extracts provide a wider spectrum of activity than the flour matrix; in particular, the Naviglio^® extract showed higher AzA content, while the hydroalcoholic ultrasound-assisted extract provided better antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The data analysis was performed using principal component analysis (PCA), as an unsupervised-pattern-recognition technique, to extract useful analytical and biological information.

Waterborne asbestos: Good practices for surface waters analyses

Asbestos occurrence has been mainly monitored in air so far and only limitedly considered in other matrices, such as water. Waterborne asbestos could originate from natural or anthropogenic sources, leading to non-conventional exposure scenarios. It could be a secondary source of airborne asbestos in case of water-to-air migration, particularly in case of surface moving water, such as in rivers and streams. The scarce attention dedicated to waterborne asbestos has led to a considerable fragmentation in regulatory approaches regarding the study of water samples possibly contaminated by mineral fibres. In this context, this study has been designed to test the reliability of an existing analytical method devoted to natural waters investigations. Following the operational protocol issued by the Piedmont (Italy) Environmental Protection Agency, Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses have been performed on a standard sample of waterborne chrysotile, mimicking stream water. The investigations have been performed by different operators and using different analytical setups, to verify whether the method applied has a good interlaboratory reproducibility and which could be the most error-prone analytical steps. Three data sets have been obtained on the same sample, showing a low reproducibility among each other. Possible reasons causing this discrepancy have been discussed in detail and good practices to perform reliable analyses on surface water samples containing asbestos have been proposed to help the regulatory organs to better define analytical protocols.

In-line Multidimensional NMR Monitoring of Photochemical Flow Reactions

This work demonstrates the in-line monitoring of a flow photochemical reaction using 1D and ultrafast 2D NMR methods at high magnetic field. The reaction mixture exiting the flow reactor is flown through the NMR spectrometer and directly analyzed. In the case of simple substrates, suitable information can be obtained through 1D ¹ H spectra, but for molecules of higher complexity the use of 2D experiments is key to address signal overlaps and assignment issues. Here we show the usefulness of ultrafast 2D COSY experiments acquired in 70 s or less, for the in-line monitoring of photochemical reactions, and the possibility to obtain reliable quantitative information. This is a powerful framework to, for example, efficiently screen reaction conditions.

Type B Trichothecenes in Cereal Grains and Their Products: Recent Advances on Occurrence, Toxicology, Analysis and Post-Harvest Decontamination Strategies

Type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3G) are secondary toxic metabolites produced mainly by mycotoxigenic Fusarium fungi and have been recognized as natural contaminants in cereals and cereal-based foods. The latest studies have proven the various negative effects of type B trichothecenes on human health. Due to the widespread occurrence of Fusarium species, contamination by these mycotoxins has become an important aspect for public health and agro-food systems worldwide. Hence, their monitoring and surveillance in various foods have received a significant deal of attention in recent years. In this review, an up-to-date overview of the occurrence profile of major type B trichothecenes and DON-3G in cereal grains and their toxicological implications are outlined. Furthermore, current trends in analytical methodologies for their determination are overviewed. This review also covers the factors affecting the production of these mycotoxins, as well as the management strategies currently employed to mitigate their contamination in foods. Information presented in this review provides good insight into the progress that has been achieved in the last years for monitoring type B trichothecenes and DON-3G, and also would help the researchers in their further investigations on metabolic pathway analysis and toxicological studies of these Fusarium mycotoxins.

Microbial-Based Products to Control Soil-Borne Pathogens: Methods to Improve Efficacy and to Assess Impacts on Microbiome

Microbial-based products (either as biopesticide or biofertilizers) have a long history of application, though their use is still limited, mainly due to a perceived low and inconsistent efficacy under field conditions. However, their efficacy has always been compared to chemical products, which have a completely different mechanism of action and production process, following the chemical paradigm of agricultural production. This paradigm has also been applied to regulatory processes, particularly for biopesticides, making the marketing of microbial-based formulations difficult. Increased knowledge about bioinocula behavior after application to the soil and their impact on soil microbiome should foster better exploitation of microbial-based products in a complex environment such as the soil. Moreover, the multifunctional capacity of microbial strains with regard to plant growth promotion and protection should also be considered in this respect. Therefore, the methods utilized for these studies are key to improving the knowledge and understanding of microbial-based product activity and improving their efficacy, which, from farmers' point of view, is the parameter to assess the usefulness of a treatment. In this review, we are thus addressing aspects related to the production and formulation process, highlighting the methods that can be used to evaluate the functioning and impact of microbial-based products on soil microbiome, as tools supporting their use and marketing.

Paraquat and Diquat: Recent Updates on Their Pretreatment and Analysis Methods since 2010 in Biological Samples

Paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ) are quaternary ammonium herbicides which have been used worldwide for controlling the growth of weeds on land and in water. However, PQ and DQ are well known to be toxic. PQ is especially toxic to humans. Moreover, there is no specific antidote for PQ poisoning. The main treatment for PQ poisoning is hemoperfusion to reduce the PQ concentration in blood. Therefore, it is essential to be able to detect PQ and DQ concentrations in biological samples. This critical review summarizes the articles published from 2010 to 2022 and can help researchers to understand the development of the sample treatment and analytical methods for the determination of PQ and DQ in various types of biological samples. The sample preparation includes liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction based on different novel materials, microextration methods, and other methods. Analytical methods for quantifying PQ and DQ, such as different chromatography and spectroscopy methods, electrochemical methods, and immunological methods, are illustrated and compared. We focus on the latest advances in PQ and DQ treatment and the application of new technologies for these analyses. In our opinion, tandem mass spectrometry is a good choice for the determination of PQ and DQ, due to its high sensitivity, high selectivity, and high accuracy. As far as we are concerned, the best LOD of 4 pg/mL for PQ in serum can be obtained.

Energy-Resolved Mass Spectrometry as a Tool for Identification of Lignin Depolymerization Products

Lignin is the largest source of bio-based aromatic compounds in nature, and its valorization is essential to the sustainability of lignocellulosic biorefining. Characterizing lignin-derived compounds remains challenging due to the heterogeneity of this biopolymer. Tandem mass spectrometry is a promising tool for lignin structural analytics, as fragmentation patterns of model compounds can be extrapolated to identify characteristic moieties in complex samples. This work extended previous resonance excitation-type collision-induced dissociation (CID) methods that identified lignin oligomers containing β-O-4, β-5, and β-β bonds, to also identify characteristics of 5-5, β-1, and 4-O-5 dimers, enabled by quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) CID with energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS). Overall, QTOF-ERMS offers in-depth structural information and could ultimately contribute to tools for high-throughput lignin dimer identification.

Technical note: colorimetric methods for accurate determination of nutrient composition in beef cow colostrum and milk

Our objectives were to develop colorimetric methods to accurately measure nutrient concentrations of beef cow colostrum and milk, to determine if the yield of colostrum from a single rear quarter is representative of complete collection of colostrum in beef cows, and to compare data from our developed colorimetric methods with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to determine the accuracy of FTIR for beef cow colostrum and milk. In Exp. 1, colostral weight and volume of the most full rear quarter were compared with complete collection of colostrum from post-calving, unsuckled beef heifers. Both volume and weight had r2 = 0.85 (P < 0.001) between single-quarter and 4 quarter yields. In Exp. 2, colostrum (n = 35) and milk at d 35 (n = 42) and d 60 (n = 38) of lactation were collected from multiparous, fall-calving, crossbred beef cows. Subsamples were submitted for FTIR analysis and frozen for colorimetric analysis. Colorimetric analyses were developed for lactose, triglycerides (measure of fat), protein, and urea N. To validate method accuracy, spike recoveries were determined for lactose (96.8% average) and milk protein (100.1% average), triglyceride concentration was compared with fat concentration determined by the Mojonnier method (r2 ≥ 0.91, P < 0.001), and colostral or milk urea N was compared with serum urea N from the same sampling day (r2 ≥ 0.72, P < 0.001). Coefficients of determination between colorimetric methods and FTIR were determined for colostrum, d 35 milk, and d 60 milk. Colostral lactose concentration from FTIR was positively associated (r2 = 0.24, P = 0.01) with colorimetric analysis, but there was no relationship (r2 ≤ 0.09, P ≥ 0.14) between methods for colostral fat, protein, or urea N. Milk nutrient composition was positively associated for all nutrients measured at d 35 (r2 = 0.28 to 0.58, P < 0.001), and coefficients of determination strengthened for all nutrients measured at d 60 (r2 = 0.38 to 0.82, P < 0.001). In conclusion, colostrum yield of a single rear quarter can be used to indicate complete collection of colostrum for beef cows, and colorimetric methods developed have adequate accuracy for beef cow colostral and milk nutrient analysis. Based on our analyses, nutrient composition of beef cow colostrum was not accurately analyzed by FTIR. Accuracy of FTIR for beef cow milk varies with component and may be affected by the day of lactation.

Recent Advances in Strategies for Imaging Detection and Intervention of Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence is a stable cell cycle arrest state that can be triggered by a wide range of intrinsic or extrinsic stresses. Increased burden of senescent cells in various tissues is thought to contribute to aging and age-related diseases. Thus, the detection and interventions of senescent cells are critical for longevity and treatment of disease. However, the highly heterogeneous feature of senescence makes it challenging for precise detection and selective clearance of senescent cells in different age-related diseases. To address this issue, considerable efforts have been devoted to developing senescence-targeting molecular theranostic strategies, based on the potential biomarkers of cellular senescence. Herein, we review recent advances in the field of anti-senescence research and highlight the specific visualization and elimination of senescent cells. Additionally, the challenges in this emerging field are outlined.

Illuminating Sub-Cellular Organelles by Small Molecule AIEgens

Sub-cellular organelles play a critical role in a myriad biological phenomena. Consequently, organelle structures and functions are invariably highjacked in diverse diseases including metabolic disorders, aging, and cancer. Hence, illuminating organelle dynamics is crucial in understanding the diseased states as well as developing organelle-targeted next generation therapeutics. In this review, we outline the novel small molecules which show remarkable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties due to restriction in intramolecular motion (RIM). We outline the examples of small molecules developed to image organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi, lysosomes, nucleus, cell membrane and lipid droplets. These AIEgens have tremendous potential for next-generation phototherapy.

Sinapis Semen: A review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, analytical methods and pharmacokinetics

Sinapis Semen (SS), the dried mature seed of Sinapis alba L. and Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss., is one of the traditional Chinese medicinal materials with a wide range of pharmacological effects being used for asthma, cough and many other ailments. SS is also widely used in food agriculture, medicine and other industries in North America and South Asia. More recently, the research on SS has gradually intensified and increased. However, there is no systematic review of SS. In this review, through literature exploration and analysis, the research advance on phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, analytical methods and pharmacokinetics of SS was aggregated initially. Total 144 compounds have been isolated and identified from SS. Among them, glucosinolates and their hydrolysates and volatile oils are the main active ingredients and important chemical classification markers. SS has a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in cough suppressing, asthma calming, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, inhibiting androgenic effects, anti-tumor, and skin permeation promoting effects. Sinapine and sinapic acid are the main active ingredients of SS for its medicinal effects. However, SS has a strong skin irritation, presumably related to the time of application, the method of processing, and original medicinal plants. This review will provide useful data for the follow-up research and safe and reasonable clinical application of SS.

Review of Analytical Methods for Evaluating Azithromycin in the Context of Green Analytical Chemistry

BACKGROUND

Azithromycin (AZT) is an antimicrobial available in different pharmaceutical forms and many people can have access to this medicine. Therefore, the existence of adequate and reliable analytical methods for evaluating the quality of AZT and AZT-based products is essential.

OBJECTIVE/METHODS

The purpose of this review is to discuss the analytical methods for evaluating AZT present in the literature and official compendia in the context of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC).

RESULTS

Among the methods found in the literature for evaluating AZT, the most used method is HPLC (62%) followed by TLC (14%) and the microbiological method by agar diffusion (14%). Even pharmacopoeias recommend the analysis of AZT by HPLC or agar diffusion. Acetonitrile and methanol account for 35% of the most used solvents in the analyses, followed by buffer.

CONCLUSION

AZT lacks analytical methods in the context of GAC. Both physical-chemical and microbiological methods can contemplate the environmentally friendly way to analyze AZT and AZT-based products, depending only on the chosen conditions. Ethanol, purified water, acetic acid instead of methanol, acetonitrile, buffer, formic acid in the physical-chemical methods are excellent alternatives. However, in the microbiological method, turbidimetry is a great option instead of agar diffusion.

Simultaneous Broadband Suppression of Homonuclear and Heteronuclear Couplings in 1 H NMR Spectroscopy

The ¹ H NMR analysis of species containing NMR-active heteronuclei can be difficult due to signal overlap caused by the combined effects of homonuclear and heteronuclear scalar (J) couplings. Here, a general pure shift method is presented for obtaining ultra-high resolution ¹ H NMR spectra where spectral overlap is drastically reduced by suppressing both homonuclear and heteronuclear J-couplings, giving one single signal per ¹ H chemical environment. Its usefulness is demonstrated in the analysis of fluorine- and phosphorus-containing compounds of pharmaceutical and biochemical interest.

Recent Trends in Multiclass Analysis of Emerging Endocrine Disrupting Contaminants (EDCs) in Drinking Water

Ingestion of water is a major route of human exposure to environmental contaminants. There have been numerous studies exploring the different compounds present in drinking water, with recent attention drawn to a new class of emerging contaminants: endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). EDCs encompass a broad range of physio-chemically diverse compounds; from naturally occurring to manmade. Environmentally, EDCs are found as mixtures containing multiple classes at trace amounts. Human exposure to EDCs, even at low concentrations, is known to lead to adverse health effects. Therefore, the ability to evaluate EDC contamination with a high degree of sensitivity and accuracy is of the utmost importance. This review includes (i) discussion on the perceived and actual risks associated with EDC exposure (ii) regulatory actions that look to limit EDC contamination (iii) analytical methods, including sample preparation, instrumentation and bioassays that have been advanced and employed for multiclass EDC identification and quantitation.