Sodium borohydrate (NaBH4) pretreatment for efficient enzymatic saccharification of wheat straw

In this study, the aim was to examine bioethanol production of wheat straw residues using an alternative chemical, sodium borohydrate (NaBH(4)) in chemical pretreatment step. The obtained results showed that sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and NaBH(4) treated straw resulted in 87.8% and 83.3% glucan conversion in enzymatic hydrolysis, but hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (74.7%) and sulfuric acid (H(2)SO(4)) (71.7%) had lower glucan conversion. The highest ethanol yield from untreated straw (115 g/kg) was observed for 4% NaBH(4) pretreated sample (60 min) and the theoretical yield (86.9%) was also calculated to be highest for the sample.

Sodium borohydride reduction of individual polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Many chemicals in use today lack appropriate documentation on their environmental properties, fate, and effects. To counteract this lack of documentation it is vital to thoroughly investigate a compound's fate in the environment before it comes into use. The present study is describing a novel method for assessing the reduction potential of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as a part of a project aimed to create an experimental model for determination of chemical persistence. The reductive transformation of 15 PBDE congeners using sodium borohydride was determined. Pseudo-first-order reaction rate constants of the transformations were determined by monitoring the disappearance of the investigated congeners. The reductions lead primarily to formation of lower brominated PBDEs. Each PBDE congener was tested in a total of ten replicates which showed a relative standard deviation of 31% or less. The decaBDE, BDE-209 was approximately 3 times as prone to reductive transformation as BDE-207. The three nonaBDEs, BDE-206, BDE-207, and BDE-208, showed similar reductive potential. The reactivity of the tested octaBDEs was quite variable, from 5% to 24% of the reactivity of BDE-209 for BDE-196 and BDE-198, respectively. The heptaBDEs studied were in the range of the less reactive octaBDEs, except for BDE-181 which was as high as 13% of the reactivity of BDE-209. The results presented give a method for measuring the propensity of PBDEs, and possibly similar compounds, to undergo reductions. They indicate a potential route to a vital piece of information in the assessment of environmental persistence of chemicals.

A simple fluorescence labeling method for studies of protein oxidation, protein modification, and proteolysis

Proteins are sensitive to oxidation, and oxidized proteins are excellent substrates for degradation by proteolytic enzymes such as the proteasome and the mitochondrial Lon protease. Protein labeling is required for studies of protein turnover. Unfortunately, most labeling techniques involve (3)H or (14)C methylation, which is expensive, exposes researchers to radioactivity, generates large amounts of radioactive waste, and allows only single-point assays because samples require acid precipitation. Alternative labeling methods have largely proven unsuitable, either because the probe itself is modified by the oxidant(s) being studied or because the alternative labeling techniques are too complex or too costly for routine use. What is needed is a simple, quick, and cheap labeling technique that uses a non-radioactive marker, binds strongly to proteins, is resistant to oxidative modification, and emits a strong signal. We have devised a new reductive method for labeling free carboxyl groups of proteins with the small fluorophore 7-amino-4-methycoumarin (AMC). When bound to target proteins, AMC fluoresces very weakly but when AMC is released by proteinases, proteases, or peptidases, it fluoresces strongly. Thus, without acid precipitation, the proteolysis of any target protein can be studied continuously, in multiwell plates. In direct comparisons, (3)H-labeled proteins and AMC-labeled proteins exhibited essentially identical degradation patterns during incubation with trypsin, cell extracts, and purified proteasome. AMC-labeled proteins are well suited to studying increased proteolytic susceptibility after protein modification, because the AMC-protein bond is resistant to oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite and is stable over time and to extremes of pH, temperature (even boiling), freeze-thaw, mercaptoethanol, and methanol.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering study of riboflavin on borohydride-reduced silver colloids: Dependence of concentration, halide anions and pH values

The influences of concentration, halide anions and pH on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of riboflavin adsorbed on borohydride-reduced silver colloids were studied. The optimum concentration for the SERS of riboflavin is 10(-6)mol/L while the SERS enhancement varies for different modes. The addition of 0.2mol/L halide (NaCl, NaBr, and NaI) aqueous solutions, leads to a general decrease of the SERS intensity and a change of spectral profile of riboflavin excited at 514.5nm. Riboflavin interacts with the silver surface possibly through the CO and N-H modes of the uracil ring. The SERS spectra of riboflavin were recorded in the 3.4-11.6 pH range. By analyzing several SERS marker bands, the protonated, deprotonated or the coexistence of both molecular species adsorbed on the colloidal silver particles was proved.

Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol using biogenic gold and silver nanoparticles derived from Breynia rhamnoides

A simple, green method is described for the synthesis of Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) from the stem extract of Breynia rhamnoides. Unlike other biological methods for NP synthesis, the uniqueness of our method lies in its fast synthesis rates (~7 min for AuNPs) and the ability to tune the nanoparticle size (and subsequently their catalytic activity) via the extract concentration used in the experiment. The phenolic glycosides and reducing sugars present in the extract are largely responsible for the rapid reduction rates of Au(3+) ions to AuNPs. Efficient reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of AuNPs (or AgNPs) and NaBH(4) was observed and was found to depend upon the nanoparticle size or the stem extract concentration used for synthesis.

Solution-phase synthesis of silver nanodiscs in HPMC-matrix and simulation of UV-vis extinction spectra using DDA based method

Present investigation demonstrates a very simple seed-mediated route, using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as stabilizing agent, for the synthesis of silver nanodiscs in aqueous solution. Central to the concept of seed-mediated growth of nanoparticles is that small nanoparticle seeds serve as nucleation centres to grow nanoparticles to a desired size and shape. It is found that the additional citrate ions in the growth solution play the pivotal role in controlling the size of silver nanodiscs. Similar to the polymers in the solution, citrate ions could be likewise dynamically adsorbed on the growing silver nanoparticles and promote the two-dimensional (2D) growth of nanoparticles. Morphological, structural, and spectral changes associated with the seed-mediated growth of the nanoparticles in the presence of HPMC are characterized using UV-vis and TEM spectroscopic studies. Metal nanoparticles have received increasing attention for their peculiar capability to control local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) when interacting with incident light waves. Extensive simulation study of the UV-vis extinction spectra of our synthesized silver nanodiscs has been carried out using discrete dipole approximation (DDA) methodology.

Cycloquest: identification of cyclopeptides via database search of their mass spectra against genome databases

Hundreds of ribosomally synthesized cyclopeptides have been isolated from all domains of life, the vast majority having been reported in the last 15 years. Studies of cyclic peptides have highlighted their exceptional potential both as stable drug scaffolds and as biomedicines in their own right. Despite this, computational techniques for cyclopeptide identification are still in their infancy, with many such peptides remaining uncharacterized. Tandem mass spectrometry has occupied a niche role in cyclopeptide identification, taking over from traditional techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). MS/MS studies require only picogram quantities of peptide (compared to milligrams for NMR studies) and are applicable to complex samples, abolishing the requirement for time-consuming chromatographic purification. While database search tools such as Sequest and Mascot have become standard tools for the MS/MS identification of linear peptides, they are not applicable to cyclopeptides, due to the parent mass shift resulting from cyclization and different fragmentation patterns of cyclic peptides. In this paper, we describe the development of a novel database search methodology to aid in the identification of cyclopeptides by mass spectrometry and evaluate its utility in identifying two peptide rings from Helianthus annuus, a bacterial cannibalism factor from Bacillus subtilis, and a θ-defensin from Rhesus macaque.

Facile synthesis of two-dimensional graphene/SnO₂ /Pt ternary hybrid nanomaterials and their catalytic properties

In this paper, we reported a simple, aqueous-phase route to the synthesis of two-dimensional graphene/SnO(2) composite nanosheets (GSCN) hybrid nanostructures consisting of 5 nm Pt nanoparticles supported on the both sides of GSCN. Functional two-dimensional GSCN were obtained through the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) using SnCl(2) in the presence of polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The main advantages of this preparation are that the reduction of GO, the formation of SnO(2) and the functionalization of GSCN were achieved simultaneously through one-pot reaction. GSCN/Pt ternary hybrid nanomaterials were generated by in situ reduction of negatively charged PtCl(6)(2-) precursors adsorbed on the positively charged surface of GSCN through electrostatic attraction. The as-synthesized GSCN/Pt ternary hybrid nanomaterials exhibited high cycle stabilization during the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol into p-aminophenol by NaBH(4). Additionally, our approach is expected to extend to other hybrid nanomaterials. We believe that the obtained GSCN/Pt ternary hybrid nanomaterials have great potential for applications in other field, such as electrochemical energy storage, sensors, and so on.

Development of catalytically active silver colloid nanoparticles stabilized by dextran

Colloidal silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with a mean diameter of 6.1 nm and a narrow size distribution were prepared by reduction of the correspondent metal salt with injection of NaBH(4), in the presence of dextran, and characterized by UV-vis, TEM, and DLS. The concentration of all reactants involved in the formation of the nanoparticles was optimized with the use of a new multivariate method, which revealed a significant reduction in the number of experiments when compared with the vast majority of univariate methods described in the literature. The Ag-NPs-dextran composite was able to efficiently catalyze the p-nitrophenol reduction in water by NaBH(4) with a rate constant normalized to the surface area of the nanoparticles per unit volume (k(1)) of 1.41 s(-1) m(-2) L, which is higher than values ever reported for Ag-NPs catalytic systems.

Enhanced Cr(vi) removal using iron nanoparticle decorated graphene

Nanoscale iron particles decorated graphene sheets synthesized via sodium borohydride reduction of graphene oxide, showed enhanced magnetic property, surface area and Cr(vi) adsorption capacity compared to bare iron nanoparticles.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles in chitosan, gelatin and chitosan/gelatin bionanocomposites by a chemical reducing agent and their characterization

In this research, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in chitosan (Cts), Cts/gelatin and gelatin suspensions using a chemical reducing agent. Cts and gelatin were used as natural stabilizers and solid support, whereas AgNO(3) was used as the silver precursor. Sodium borohydride (NaBH(4)) was used as the reducing agent. The properties of AgNPs in Cts, Cts/gelatin and gelatin bionanocomposites (BNCs) were studied in terms of their surface plasmon resonance, crystalline structure, average diameter size, particle distributions, surface topography and functional groups. All the samples were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

NaBH4-induced assembly of immobilized Au nanoparticles into chainlike structures on a chemically modified glass surface

A facile method of obtaining chainlike assemblies of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on a chemically modified glass surface based on NaBH(4) treatment is developed. Citrate-stabilized AuNPs (17 nm) are immobilized on a glutaraldehyde-functionalized glass surface and assembled into chainlike structures after treatment with aqueous sodium borohydride (NaBH(4)) solution. The production and morphology of the AuNP chainlike assemblies are controlled by the density of the immobilized NPs, the concentration of NaBH(4) solution, and the treatment time. The AuNP assemblies are stable in water and can undergo drying. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic data show that the number of citrate ions on the AuNPs decreased by 43% after treatment with 5 mg/mL NaBH(4) solution. The NaBH(4)-induced partial removal of the citrate ions and the roughness of the glass surface greatly affect the binding force of AuNPs on the substrate. The immobilized AuNPs begin to move at the solid-liquid interface without desorbing when the strength of the binding force was decreased. These mobile NPs form chainlike assemblies under the driving force of van der Waals interaction and diffusion. This interface-based formation of chainlike assemblies of AuNPs may provide a simple protocol for the 1D assembly of other Au-coated colloidal nanoparticles.

A method for detection of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducts in proteins

We developed a procedure to measure 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-amino acid adducts using the fluorescent probe 2-aminopyridine (2-AP). The method is based on the fact that HNE forms Michael addition-type amino acid adducts possessing an aldehyde functionality, which upon reaction with 2-AP in the presence of NaBH₃CN can be converted to their pyridylaminated derivatives. The HNE-amino acid adducts, namely Michael addition-type HNE-cysteine, HNE-histidine, and HNE-lysine adducts, after pyridylamination were resistant to conventional acid-hydrolysis conditions for protein (6N HCl/110°C/24 h) and could be detected by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The reductive amination-based fluorescent labeling of HNE adducts is a simple and accurate technique that may be widely used to reveal increased levels of covalently modified proteins with HNE and its related aldehydes during aging and disease.

Reduction of nitroarenes to azoxybenzenes by potassium borohydride in water

The synthesis of the azoxybenzenes by the reduction of nitroarenes with reducing agent potassium borohydride in water was reported for the first time. PEG-400 was used as a phase transfer catalyst and could effectively catalyze the reduction. The electronic effects of substituent groups play an important role in determining the reduction efficiencies. Electron-withdrawing substituents promote the formation of the azoxybenzene products, while electron-releasing groups retard the reductions to various degrees depending on the extent of their electron-donating ability.

Nano-phases of NaBH4 and KBH4

Phase stability and chemical bonding of beta-NaBH4 and beta-KBH4 derived nano-structures and possible low energy surfaces of them from thin film geometry have been investigated using ab initio projected augmented plane wave method. Structural optimizations based on total energy calculations predicted that, for beta-NaBH4 and beta-KBH4 phases, the (011) and (101) surfaces are more stable among the possible low energy surfaces. The predicted critical size of the nano-cluster for beta-NaBH4 and beta-KBH4 is 1.35 and 1.8 nm, respectively. The corresponding critical diameter for the nano-whisker is 2.6 and 2.8 nm respectively for beta-NaBH4 and beta-KBH4. Structural optimization based on total energy calculations show that the bond distances in the surfaces of nano-whisker are found to be higher than that in the bulk material and the calculated H site energies and bond overlap population analysis suggesting that it is considerably easier to remove hydrogen from the surface of the clusters and nano-whiskers than that from the bulk crystals.

Reductive debromination of nonabrominated diphenyl ethers by sodium borohydride and identification of octabrominated diphenyl ether products

A method was developed to study reductive transformation of highly brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs). The method development is a part of a broader project where it will be used to determine the susceptibility of environmental pollutants to reductive conditions, in an attempt to create a scheme for determination of chemical's persistence. This paper focuses on identification of octabrominated diphenyl ether transformation products from reductive debromination of the three nonabrominated diphenyl congeners (nonaBDE), BDE-206, -207 and -208. Sodium borohydride was used to explore the reductive debromination of the nonaBDEs. The transformation products were collected at two time-points and identified products were quantified by GC-MS. The reduction of the nonaBDEs lead primarily to debrominated products, mainly octaBDEs. The three nonabrominated DEs gave isomer-related transformation product patterns. BDE-207 and BDE-208 showed a propensity for ortho-debromination in the initial reaction step, while no discrimination between initial debromination positions was seen for BDE-206. All three nonabrominated DEs displayed a preferred initial debromination on the fully brominated DE ring.

4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine as a powerful auxiliary reagent in the electroless synthesis of gold nanotubes

Gold nanotubes of small particle sizes down to 5 nm and high aspect ratios were synthesized in ion track etched polycarbonate following a rational reaction design. 4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) was employed to adjust the electroless deposition by interfering with the autocatalytically active gold surface. Modification of the pH value and DMAP concentration led to a wide range of products which were characterized by SEM, TEM, and EDS. Filigree nanotubes of 10-15 nm wall thickness and 5.0 ± 2.1 nm grain size were obtained as well as robust and free-standing structures proving homogeneous deposition along the whole template length of 30 μm. Template-supported gold nanotubes were applied in the UV-vis monitored reduction of 4-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride under pseudo-first-order conditions. They proved to be a reliable microfluidic system of excellent catalytic activity coming up with an apparent rate constant of 1.3 × 10(-2) s(-1). Despite a high flow rate, the reaction showed 99% conversion after a distance of just 60 μm.

Selenium speciation in flue desulfurization residues

Flue gas from coal combustion contains significant amounts of volatile selenium (Se). The capture of Se in the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber unit has resulted in a generation of metal-laden residues. It is important to determine Se speciation to understand the environmental impact of its disposal. A simple method has been developed for selective inorganic Se(IV), Se(VI) and organic Se determination in the liquid-phase FGD residues by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). It has been determined that Se(IV), Se(VI) and organic Se can be accurately determined with detection limits (DL) of 0.05, 0.06 and 0.06 microg/L, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by analyzing the certified reference material, NIST CRM 1632c, and also by analyzing spiked tap-water samples. Analysis indicates that the concentration of Se is high in FGD liquid residues and primarily exists in a reduced state as selenite (Se(IV)). The toxicity of Se(IV) is the strongest of all Se species. Flue gas desulfurization residues pose a serious environmental risk.

Purification, functionalization, and bioconjugation of carbon nanotubes

Bioconjugation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with biomolecules promises exciting applications such as biosensing, nanobiocomposite formulation, design of drug vector systems, and probing protein interactions. Pristine CNTs, however, are virtually water-insoluble and difficult to evenly disperse in a liquid matrix. Therefore, it is necessary to attach molecules or functional groups to their sidewalls to enable bioconjugation. Both noncovalent and covalent procedures can be used to conjugate CNTs with a target biomolecule for a specific bioapplication. This chapter presents a few selected protocols that can be performed at any wet chemistry laboratory to purify and biofunctionalize CNTs. The preparation of CNTs modified with metallic nanoparticles, especially gold, is also described since biomolecules can bind and self-organize on the surfaces of such metal-decorated CNTs.

Destabilisation of complex hydrides through size effects

Nanoparticles of NaAlH4, LiAlH4 and LiBH4 were prepared by encapsulating their respective hydrides within carbon nanotubes by a wet chemical approach. The resulting confinement had a profound effect on the overall hydrogen storage properties of these hydrides, with NaAlH4 and LiAlH4 releasing hydrogen from room temperature, for example.

Photocatalytic dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls using leuco-methylene blue sensitization, broad spectrum visible lamps, or light emitting diodes

Photocatalytic routes to dechlorinate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have considerable potential for development. This paper describes efficient dye-photocatalyzed processes which can be driven by long wavelength light sources including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent lamps, and quite probably sunlight. The reduced form of methylene blue (MB), leuco-methylene blue (LMB), has previously been found to photoinduce dechlorination of chloroaromatics with an electron transfer from its triplet excited state. Sodium borohydride, used in this case is an efficient sacrificial reductant, which can maintain LMB as the major species in competition with air oxidation of LMB to MB. There is also evidence that it plays a further (chain reaction) role in promoting the LMB photodechlorination process as well. The generality of the photoelectron transfer from reduced members of the phenothiazine dye family is demonstrated with phenothiazine and leuco-methylene green when a wavelength (UV) is chosen to produce the highly reductive triplet. It is likely that dechlorination can be initiated by many triplet excited states with adequate reduction potential.

Formation of catalytic silver nanoparticles supported on branched polyethyleneimine derivatives

A new and straightforward method for screening highly catalytically active silver nanoparticle-polymer composites derived from branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) is reported. The one-step systematic derivatization of the PEI scaffold with alkyl (butyl or octyl) and ethanolic groups led to a structural diversity correlated to the stabilization of silver nanoparticles and catalysis. Analysis of PEI derivative libraries identified a silver nanoparticle-polymer composite that was able to efficiently catalyze the p-nitrophenol reduction by NaBH(4) in water with a rate constant normalized to the surface area of the nanoparticles per unit volume (k(1)) of 0.57 s(-1) m(-2) L. Carried out in the presence of excess NaBH(4), the catalytic reaction was observed to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics and the apparent rate constant was linearly dependent on the total surface area of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), indicating that catalysis takes place on the surface of the nanoparticles. All reaction kinetics presented induction periods, which were dependent on the concentration of substrates, the total surface of the nanoparticles, and the polymer composition. All data indicated that this induction time is related to the resistance to substrate diffusion through the polymer support. Hydrophobic effects are also assumed to play an important role in the catalysis, through an increase in the local substrate concentration.

Stereoselectivity of sodium borohydride reduction of saturated steroidal ketones utilizing conditions of Luche reduction

A series of keto steroids were reduced with sodium borohydride in the presence of cerium(III) chloride or samarium(III) iodide (Luche reduction). The ratios of axial and equatorial alcohols were determined by HPLC and the results were compared with those obtained by a standard sodium borohydride reduction. The best results were obtained with the 2-keto derivative 1, 7-keto derivatives 5 and 6, and 12-keto derivative 8 where the cerium(III) ion addition resulted in the inversion of the axial/equatorial ratios. The Luche reduction of the 20-keto derivative 11 improved the proportion of the (20S)-alcohol in a mixture of (20S)/(20R) alcohols up to 35% from 5% in a standard sodium borohydride reduction.

Synthesis of self-supporting gold microstructures with three-dimensional morphologies by direct replication of diatom templates

Diatoms (unicellular algae) form porous silica walls (frustule) with intricate, hierarchically organized three-dimensional (3D) structures with micro- to nanoscale dimensions. This paper presents the fabrication of self-supporting gold microstructures with complex 3D morphologies by using electroless gold deposition onto a diatom silica substrate, followed by the substrate removal by acid dissolution. It was demonstrated that gold diatom replicas with distinct micro- to nanoscale structures can be created by a simple and scalable process based on electroless gold deposition. Excellent catalytic properties (catalytic rate constant k = 23.5 +/- 1 x 10(-2) min(-1)) of prepared gold replica catalysts were confirmed for the reduction process of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of NaBH(4) as the reductant. This synthetic approach is general and flexible, and it is envisaged that it can be applied for the preparation of a wide range of different metals (Pt, Pd, Ag, Ni, etc.) offering more efficient catalytic, optical, or magnetic properties.

[Preparation and characterization of activated carbon-silver composite with antibacterial behavior via NaBH4 reduction method]

Activated carbon-silver composite (Ag/AC) for antibacterial behavior with capability of controlling silver release was prepared by NaBH4 reduction method. The antibacterial activity towards E. coil and resistance of water erosion was investigated through a point of view of water purification. N2 adsorption isotherm, Scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM)-Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer(EDS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to characterize the surface morphology and pore properties. As an experiment result, silver was deposited on AC in the state of Ag0. The content of silver supported, specific surface area, nucleus formation and growth mechanism, particle size and distribution of the generated silver particles were determined by the concentration of the aqueous solution of AgNO3. With the increasing of AgNO3 solution concentration, the activity of the obtained Ag/AC changed from non-active to inhibitory and then to high antibacterial. Ag/AC supported silver content of 2.70% killed all the concentration of 2 x 10(6) CFU/mL of E. coil. However, it showed high resistance to water erosion that silver loss was 21.1% in 600 h for surging. High antibacterial activity and control silver release can be simultaneously realized by the NaBH4 reduction method.