A novel and simple naphthol azo dye chemosensor as a naked eye detection tool for highly selective, sensitive and accurate determination of thiourea in tap water, juices and fruit skins

In the present study, a highly accurate and sensitive azo-dye-based colorimetric sensor based on Eriochrome Black T (EBT) was proposed to detect and determine thiourea (TU). TU is truly an important toxic and carcinogenic hazardous pollutant as approved by EPA and IARC. This chemosensor shows a distinct color change from blue to pink during interaction with TU in aqueous medium. So EBT is capable as an applied tool for naked eye detection of TU as its color change is easily observed without any means. The sensing mechanism was also investigated using UV-vis absorption and FT-IR spectra. The linear range and the detection limit of TU sensing were respectively 0.15-18.5 μmol/L and 0.02 μmol/L. In addition, the relative standard deviation (RSD) based on ten repetitions calculated for two different TU concentrations 4.4 and 9.0 μmol/L were 2.3 % and 1.8 %, respectively. Besides its useful application as a naked eye detection tool, the advantages of the developed method include simplicity, elimination of tedious separation and pre-concentration steps, executable in neutral aqueous media, low costs, high accuracy, linear response for wide range of concentrations, low detection limit, high sensitivity, compatibility, and excellent selectivity. The concentration of TU in tap water, fruit juices or fruit skin samples can be visually detected and determined easily using this method. The results showed that EBT is an ideal colorimetric chemosensor for TU, which has been reported for the first time.

Bioactive compounds of Punica granatum L. wastes by high performance liquid chromatography analysis

The massive pomaces of Punica granatum L. exhibit a challenging losses exposure difficulty for the processing industries. The resent study was aimed to investigate the bioactive compounds of pomace extracts to introduce it to different industries such as pharmaceutical, food, medicinal, agricultural etcetera for optimum use. Four different extracts were prepared and the phenolic compounds were quantified using HPLC-DAD. Different amounts of phenolic compounds were detected in the samples including gallic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, rosmarinic acid, hesperidin, p-coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid. Gallic acid was major compound in all studied extracts of pomaces, with the maximum amount belonging to water extract (at 60 °C). The average amount of gallic acid detected in water extract (at 60 °C) of Punica granatum L. was 11.25 mg g^-1dry weight, while it was 3.24 3.02 and 1.09 mg g^-1dry weight for the extracts obtained by distilled water, methanol and methanol 80%, respectively.

A novel design of multiple ligands for ultrasensitive colorimetric chemosensor of glutathione in plasma sample

In this study, we developed a novel colorimetric chemosensor for selective and sensitive recognition of Glutathione (GSH) using a simple binary mixture of commercially accessible and inexpensive metal receptors with names, Bromo Pyrogallol Red (BPR) and Xylenol Orange (XO). This procedure is based on the synergistic coordination of BPR and XO with cerium ion (Ce3+) for the recognition of GSH over other available competitive amino acids (AAs) especially thiol species in aqueous media. Generally, cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (hCys) can seriously interfere with the detection of GSH among common biological species because they possess similar chemical behavior. Using all the information from 1HNMR and FT-IR studies, the proposed interaction is presented in which GSH acts as a tri-dentate ligand with three N donor atoms in conjunction with BPR and XO as mono and bi-dentate ligands respectively. This approach opens a path for selective detection of other AAs by argumentatively selecting the ensemble of mixed organic ligands from commercially available reagents, thereby eliminating the need for developing synthetic receptors, sample preparation, organic solvent mixtures, and expensive equipment. Evaluating the feasibility of the existing method was led to the determination of GSH in human plasma samples.

An Efficient and Simultaneous Analysis of Caffeine and Paracetamol in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using TLC with a Fluorescence Plate Reader

A simple, rapid, and effcient method using TLC with a fluorescence plate reader has been described for simultaneous determination of caffeine and paracetamol. Determination was carried out using the fluorescencequenching action of caffeine and paracetamol on a TLC plate with a fluorescent indicator at λ ex = 254 nm in the linear ranges of 0.2–1.9 and 0.03–1.5 µg/L, respectively. Separation of caffeine and paracetamol were performed on the TLC plate, and the best results were obtained using the optimized mobile phase n-hexane–ethyl acetate–ethanol (2.5 + 1.5 + 0.4, v/v). Some important parameters, such as solvent type and ratio of the mobile phase, the presence of other components, and instrumental parameters, were studied. Caffeine and paracetamol detection limits were 0.025 and 0.032 µg/L, and RSD values for 0.6 µg/L caffeine and 0.06 µg/L paracetamol (n = 5) were 1.93 and 2.06%, respectively. Using this technique, some pharmaceuticals containing caffeine and paracetamol were analyzed with satisfactory results.

A reversible and dual responsive sensing approach for determination of ascorbate ion in fruit juice, biological, and pharmaceutical samples by use of available triaryl methane dye and its application to constructing a molecular logic gate and a set/reset memorized device

Since dyes are available in huge quantities and have the well-established chemistry involved in their synthesis, their use in chemosensing could be continued. In the current study, a new and reversible colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor based on available triaryl methane dye (brilliant green (BG)) - phosphotungstic acid (PTA) complex has been designed for determination of ascorbate (AscH^-1) ion in water/DMSO (90:10v/v, 1.0mmolL^-1 HEPES, pH7.0). The "ON-OFF" fluorescence and colorimetric responses of this ion association complex to AscH^-1 were based on a displacement mechanism. For the detection of AscH^-1, the linear ranges achieved for UV-Vis absorbance and fluorescence experiments were 3.9-62.6μmolL^-1 and 1.9-85.4μmolL^-1, respectively. The limits of detection for both of them were also calculated to be 0.4 and 0.2μmolL^-1. The proposed method was also successfully utilized for rapid recognition of ascorbate in juice samples, human serum, and the formulation of supplement products. Moreover, the proposed chemosensor capability of functioning as INHIBITION-type sensor with PTA and AscH^-1 as chemical inputs was indicated by the investigation of the molecular logic behavior of this chemosensor. Eventually, a sequential memory unit displaying "Write-Read-Erase-Read" function could be integrated based on the reversible and reproducible system.

Development of a New Colorimetric Chemosensor for Selective Determination of Urinary and Vegetable Oxalate Concentration Through an Indicator Displacement Assay (IDA) in Aqueous Media

The paper proposes a method that exhibits operational simplicity for the indirect spectrophotometric determination of oxalate ion. We developed Reactive Blue 4 (RB4) as a sensor by complexation with copper ion as a simple, inexpensive yet selective colorimetric chemosensing ensemble for the recognition of oxalate over other available competitive analytes via indicator displacement assay (IDA) in both solution (aqueous medium) and solid state (paper-based experiment). The addition of oxalate to RB4-Cu²⁺ complex changed the colour from sky blue to dark blue due to the regeneration of RB4 by the chelation of oxalate as the competitive analyte with Cu²⁺. The absorbance band increase is linear with oxalate concentration from 1.76 to 49.4 µmol/L with a detection limit of 0.62 µmol/L. This measurement mode did not show any influence of interferences (available anions and ascorbic acid). This approach eliminated the need for the separation stages, enzymatic multiple-step reactions, sample preparation, organic solvent mixture, chemical modifications and equipment developed to a high degree of complexity. The oxalate determination gave results in different real samples such as urine, mushroom and spinach, which demonstrated the applicability of the existing method. Furthermore, this colorimetric system can serve as IMPLICATION molecular logic gate using Cu²⁺ and oxalate (C₂O₄^2–) as inputs and UV-Vis absorbance signal as the output with potential monitoring applications.

Indigo Carmine-Cu complex probe exhibiting dual colorimetric/fluorimetric sensing for selective determination of mono hydrogen phosphate ion and its logic behavior

A new selective probe based on copper complex of Indigo Carmine (IC-Cu₂) for colorimetric, naked-eye, and fluorimetric recognition of mono hydrogen phosphate (MHP) ion in H₂O/DMSO (4:1v/v, 1.0mmolL^-1 HEPES buffer solution pH7.5) was developed. Detection limit of HPO₄^2- determination, achieved by fluorimetric and ₃lorimetric method, are 0.071 and 1.46μmolL^-1, respectively. Potential, therefore is clearly available in IC-Cu₂ complex to detect HPO₄^2- in micromolar range via dual visible color change and fluorescence response. Present method shows high selectivity toward HPO₄^2- over other phosphate species and other anions and was successfully utilized for analysis of P₂O₅ content of a fertilizer sample. The results obtained by proposed chemosensor presented good agreement with those obtained the colorimetric reference method. INHIBIT and IMPLICATION logic gates operating at molecular level have been achieved using Cu²⁺and HPO₄^2- as chemical inputs and UV-Vis absorbance signal as output.

An efficient and ultrasensitive rhodamine B-based reversible colorimetric chemosensor for naked-eye recognition of molybdenum and citrate ions in aqueous solution: sensing behavior and logic operation

In this paper we manifest a novel rhodamine B (RhB) based colorimetric chemosensor for molybdenum and citrate ions (Cit(3-)) in an absolutely aqueous media. It has been identified as highly sensitive probe for Mo(6+) which responds at 4.0 nmol L(-1) concentration levels. RhB while combined with Mo(6+) in aqueous solution displays a color changing from pink to purple which could be quickly dissociated by the addition of citrate in this system so that reversible color changes from purple to pink can be achieved. The comparison of this method with some other methods for citrate indicates that this is the only method which can detect citrate in aqueous solution by color changes. This chemosensor can be applied for quantification of citrate with a linear range covering from 1.67×10(-7) to 1.22×10(-5) M and a detection limit of 2.0×10(-8) M. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Mo(6+) and citrate is fast. In addition, based on above sensing mechanism, an IMPLICATION logic operation can be achieved using Mo(6+) ion and Cit(3-) as the inputs, making RhB a promising candidate for further applications in molecular logic devices and also indicates that RhB is suitable for the detection of Mo(6+) and Cit(3-) ions in real samples.

A novel cyanide-selective colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor: first molecular security keypad lock based on phosphotungstic acid and CN- inputs

Rhodamine B (RhB) an available dye has been developed as novel and efficient colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor for cyanide ions in an absolutely aqueous media. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescent emission titrations experiments have been employed to study the sensing process. RhB could act as an efficient "ON-OFF" fluorescent response for phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40 or PTA) based on an ion associate process. Also (RhB(+))3 · PTA(3-) could operate as an "OFF-ON" fluorescent sensor for cyanide anions based on a ligand substitution process. It has been identified as highly sensitive probe for CN(-) which responds at 0.3 and 0.04 μmol L(-1) concentration levels by absorption and fluorescent method respectively. Depending upon the sequence of addition of PTA and CN(-) ions into the solution, RhB could be as a molecular security keypad lock with PTA and CN(-) inputs. The ionic inputs to new fluorophore have been mimicked as a superimposed electronic molecular keypad lock. The results were compared successfully (>96%) with the data of a spectrophotometry approved method (EPA 9014-1) for cyanide ions.

Dithizone as novel and efficient chromogenic probe for cyanide detection in aqueous media through nucleophilic addition into diazenylthione moiety

A new selective chemodosimeter probe was developed by the introduction of dithizone (DTZ) as a simple and available dye for detection of cyanide in aqueous media which enables recognition of cyanide over other competing anions such as acetate, dihydrogen phosphate, fluoride and benzoate through covalent bonding. The sensing properties of DTZ were investigated in DMSO/H2O (1:9) and have demonstrated a very high selectivity toward the cyanide anions. A reasonable recognition mechanism was suggested using UV-Vis, (1)H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. Time dependent density function theory (TDDFT) computations of UV-Vis excitation for DTZ2-CN adduct agreed well with our experimental findings. The detection limit of the new chromogenic probe was measured to be 0.48 μmol L(-1) which is much lower than most recently reported chromogenic probes for cyanide determination. The analytical utility of the method for the analysis of cyanide ions in electroplating wastewater (EPWW), human serum, tap and mineral water samples was demonstrated and the results were compared successfully with the conventional reference method. The short time response and the detection by the naked eye make the method available for the detection and quantitative determination of cyanide in a variety of real samples.

Preconcentration and speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water and soil samples by spectrometric detection via use of nanosized alumina-coated magnetite solid phase

A novel nanomaterial has been developed for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water and soil samples. In this study, a new type of alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4/Al2O3 NPs) modified by the surfactant Triton X-114 has been successfully synthesized and used in magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction procedure. The procedure was based on the reaction of chromium(III) with 1-(2-pyridilazo)-2-naphtol as a ligand, yielding a complex, which was entrapped "in situ" in the surfactant hemimicelles. The concentration of chromium(III) was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. After reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by ascorbic acid, the system was applied to the total chromium. Cr(VI) was then calculated as the difference between the total Cr and the Cr(III) content. This method can also be used for complicated matrices such as soil samples without any special pretreatment. Under the optimum conditions of parameters, the recoveries of Cr(III) by analyzing the spiked water and soil samples were between 98.6 and 100.8 % and between 96.5 and 100.7 %, respectively. Detection limits of Cr(III) were between 1.4 and 3.6 ng mL(-1) for water samples and 5.6 ng mg(-1) for soil samples.

A novel development of dithizone as a dual-analyte colorimetric chemosensor: detection and determination of cyanide and cobalt (II) ions in dimethyl sulfoxide/water media with biological applications

The behavior of dithizone (DTZ), an easily available dye has been studied for the first time in chromogenic sensing of CN(-) as an anionic species and for Co(2+) as a cationic species in DMSO/H2O media. So employing DTZ an efficient colorimetric chemosensor was afforded with a chromogenic selectivity for Co(2+) over other cations with detection limit of 0.04 μmol L(-1). The complex of Co(2+) with DTZ also displayed ability to detect up to 0.43 μmol L(-1) CN(-) (K(+) salts) among other competing anions through a fast response time of less than 30s which is much lower than most recently reported chromogenic probes. The linear dynamic ranges for the determination of Co(2+) and CN(-) were 0.3-4.4 and 3.3-58.6 μmol L(-1) respectively. This method could have potential application in a variety of cases requiring rapid and accurate analysis of Co(2+) and CN(-) for human serum and water samples.

Cloud point extraction-atomic absorption spectrometry for pre-concentration and determination of cadmium in cigarette samples

A new complexing agent, 2-((2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2yl)methoxy)phenoxy)methyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (BIMPI), was used in cloud point extraction and applied for selective pre-concentration of trace amounts of cadmium in cigarette samples. Cadmium was complexed with BIMPI in a buffer solution (pH = 10) using Triton X-114 as surfactant and quantitatively extracted into a small volume of the surfactant-rich phase after centrifugation. Under optimized conditions (pH = 10.0, 0.8 × 10(-4) mol L(-1) BIMPI and 0.08 % (w/v) Triton X-114), calibration graph was linear in the range of 34.0-1,670.0 μg L(-1). The proposed method was applied to the determination of Cd in various cigarette (tobacco) samples which gave satisfactory results.

Preconcentration of Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions from food and vegetable samples using modified activated carbon

In this work, two N/S-containing chelating agents 2-(4-methoxybenzylideneamino)thiophenol (2-4-MBAT) and 2-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino) benzenethiol (2-4-CBABT) were synthesized as new sorbents and were used for preconcentration of Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) ions in food and vegetable samples. In the proposed procedure, the trace amount of Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) ions from 250 mL of sample solution at pH = 5.0 was preconcentrated by 1 g of activated carbon (AC) loaded with 15 mg of 2-4-MBAT and 2-4-CBABT separately. The breakthrough volumes (maximum sample volume that their metal ions quantitatively can be enriched) for solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure based on the AC modified with 2-4-MBAT and 2-4-CBABT were 800 and 750 mL, respectively. The sorbed Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) ions were efficiently eluted by 8 mL of 4 mol L(-1) HNO(3) and preconcentration factor of 112.5 and 93.7 and experimental enhancement factor of 30 and 35 ions were obtained for Zn(2+) and Cu(2+), respectively. The application of this enrichment procedure allowed the extraction of trace metal ions with recoveries exceeding of 90%.

Colorimetric detection of copper and chloride in DMSO/H₂O media using bromopyrogallol red as a chemosensor with analytical applications

We report bromopyrogallol red (BPR) as an easily available dye for detection of copper and chloride with distinct visual color changes in DMSO/H(2)O (9:1 v/v). The chemosensor has a high chromogenic selectivity for Cu(2+) over other cations with detection limit of 0.07 μg mL(-1). The obtained complex of Cu(2+) with BPR displayed ability to detect Cl(-) up to 0.79 μg mL(-1) in DMSO/H(2)O (9:1v/v) media over a large number of other anions. The linear dynamic ranges for the determinations of Cu(2+) and Cl(-) were 0.53-14.60 and 6.00-36.00 μg mL(-1), respectively. This receptor was successfully applied for the determination of Cl(-) and Cu(2+) in water samples.

A highly selective optode for determination of Hg (II) by a modified immobilization of indigo carmine on a triacetylcellulose membrane

A new mercury optical sensor was designed with indigo carmine (IC) as a dye indicator. The water-soluble indicator was lipophilized in the form of an ion-pair with N-cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) and dissolved in methanol (70 °C), then immobilized on a triacetylcellulose membrane. This optode exhibits a linear range of 24.0-468.0 μM of the Hg (II) ion concentration with detection limit of 7.2 μM at 669.5 nm. Response time was within 8-10 min, depending on the Hg (II) ion concentration. The sensor could readily be regenerated with a hydrochloric acid solution (0.01 M) in a reversible manner and its response was reproducible (RSD=3.2%). The method was applied to the determination of mercury content of a variety of samples which gave satisfactory results.

Preparation of low cost activated carbon from Myrtus communis and pomegranate and their efficient application for removal of Congo red from aqueous solution

In this research, the potential applicability of activated carbon prepared from Myrtus communis (AC-MC) and pomegranate (AC-PG) as useful adsorbents for the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions in batch method was investigated. The effects of pH, contact time, agitation time and amount of adsorbents on removal percentage of Congo red on both adsorbents were examined. Increase in pH up to 6 for AC-MC and pH 7 for AC-PG increase the adsorption percentage (capacity) and reach equilibrium within 30 min of contact time. Fitting the experimental data to conventional isotherm models like Freundlich, Langmuir, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich show that the experimental data fitted very well to the Freundlich isotherm for AC-MC and Langmuir isotherm for AC-PG. Fitting the experimental data to different kinetic models such as pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion mechanism showed the applicability of a pseudo second-order with involvement of intraparticle diffusion model for interpretation of experimental data for both adsorbents. The adsorption capacity of AC-PG and AC-MC for the removal of CR was found to be 19.231 and 10 mg g(-1). These results clearly indicate the efficiency of adsorbents as a low cost adsorbent for treatment of wastewater containing CR.

An efficient and simultaneous analysis of caffeine and paracetamol in pharmaceutical formulations using TLC with a fluorescence plate reader

A simple, rapid, and efficient method using TLC with a fluorescence plate reader has been described for simultaneous determination of caffeine and paracetamol. Determination was carried out using the fluorescence-quenching action of caffeine and paracetamol on a TLC plate with a fluorescent indicator at lambda ex = 254 nm in the linear ranges of 0.2-1.9 and 0.03-1.5 microg/L, respectively. Separation of caffeine and paracetamol were performed on the TLC plate, and the best results were obtained using the optimized mobile phase n-hexane-ethyl acetate-ethanol (2.5 + 1.5 + 0.4, v/v). Some important parameters, such as solvent type and ratio of the mobile phase, the presence of other components, and instrumental parameters, were studied. Caffeine and paracetamol detection limits were 0.025 and 0.032 microg/L, and RSD values for 0.6 microg/L caffeine and 0.06 microg/L paracetamol (n = 5) were 1.93 and 2.06%, respectively. Using this technique, some pharmaceuticals containing caffeine and paracetamol were analyzed with satisfactory results.

Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of zinc, nickel, iron and lead in different matrixes after solid phase extraction on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated alumina as their bis (2-hydroxyacetophenone)-1, 3-propanediimine chelates

A sensitive and simple solid phase extraction method for the simultaneous determination of trace and toxic metals in food samples has been reported. The method is based on the adsorption of zinc, nickel, iron and lead on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated alumina, which is also chelated with bis (2-hydroxyacetophenone)-1, 3-propanediimine (BHAPN). The retained analyte ions on modified solid phase were eluted using 8 mL of 4 mol L(-1) HNO(3). The analyte determinations were carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The influences of some metal ions and anions on the recoveries of understudy analyte ions were investigated. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the evaluation of these trace and toxic metals in some traditional food samples from Iran.