Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial behavior of curcumin-conjugated gold nanoparticles

Owing to the rise in multidrug-resistant bacterial diseases and the dwindling supply of newer antibiotics, it is crucial to discover newer compounds or modify current compounds for more effective antimicrobial therapies. According to reports, more than 80% of bacterial infections have been linked to bacterial biofilms. In addition to having antimicrobial properties, the hydrophobic polyphenol curcumin (Cur) also inhibits quorum sensing. The application of curcumin was constrained by its weak aqueous solubility and quick degradation. Over the past years, nanotechnology-based biomaterials with multi-functional characteristics have been engineered with high interest. The present study focused on the development of nano-biomaterials with excellent testifiers for bacterial infection in vitro. In this study, water dispersibility and stability of curcumin were improved through conjugation with gold nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of curcumin-conjugated gold nanoparticles (Cur-AuNPs) was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed an average particle size of about 10-13 nm. The antibacterial characteristics in terms of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cur-AuNP treatments were found to be lowest than those with AuNPs and Cur treatments. The quantitative analysis revealed the superior antibacterial characteristics of Cur-AuNP-treated bacterial cells compared to the untreated samples. In addition, curcumin-conjugated AuNPs, produced more reactive oxygen species and increased the membrane permeability. Besides, the biocompatibility of Cur-AuNPs was also assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Statistical analyses revealed the augmented MG-63 cell proliferation in Cur-AuNPs compared to those with Cur and AuNPs treatments. Overall, Cur-AuNPs exhibited enhanced antibacterial, and antibiofilm characteristics and cytocompatibility.

Forest biomass estimation using remote sensing and field inventory: a case study of Tripura, India

Forests are the potential source for managing carbon sequestration, regulating climate variations and balancing universal carbon equilibrium between sources and sinks. Further, assessment of biomass, carbon stock, and its spatial distribution is prerequisite for monitoring the health of forest ecosystem. Moreover, vegetation field inventories are valuable source of data for estimating aboveground biomass (AGB), density, and the carbon stored in biomass of forest vegetation. In view of the importance of biomass, the present study makes an attempt to estimate temporal AGB of Tripura State, India, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI) and the field inventory data through geospatial techniques. A model was developed for establishing the relationship between biomass, LAI, and NDVI in the selected study site. The study also aimed to improve method for quantifying and verifying inventory-based biomass stock estimation. The results demonstrate the correlation value obtained between LAI and NDVI were 0.87 and 0.53 for the years 2011 and 2014, respectively. The correlation value between estimated AGB with LAI were found as 0.66 and 0.69, while with NDVI, the values were obtained as 0.64 and 0.94 for the years 2011 and 2014, respectively. The regression model of measured biomass with MODIS NDVI and LAI was developed for the data obtained during the period 2011-2014. The developed model was used to estimate the spatial distribution of biomass and its relationship between LAI and NDVI. The R² values obtained were 0.832 for estimated and the measured AGB during the training and 0.826 for the validation. The results indicate that the methodology adopted in this study can help in selecting best fit model for analyzing relationship between AGB and NDVI/LAI and for estimating biomass using allometric equation at various spatial scales. The developed output thematic map showed an average biomass distribution of 32-94 Mg ha^-1. The highest biomass values (72-95 Mg ha ^-1) was confined to the dense region of the forest while the lowest biomass values (32-46 Mg ha^-1) was identified in the outer regions of the study site.

Modeling of Electric Demand for Sustainable Energy and Management in India Using Spatio-Temporal DMSP-OLS Night-Time Data

Changes in the pattern of electric power consumption in India have influenced energy utilization processes and socio-economic development to greater extent during the last few decades. Assessment of spatial distribution of electricity consumption is, thus, essential for projecting availability of energy resource and planning its infrastructure. This paper makes an attempt to model the future electricity demand for sustainable energy and its management in India. The nighttime light database provides a good approximation of availability of energy. We utilized defense meteorological satellite program-operational line-scan system (DMSP-OLS) nighttime satellite data, electricity consumption (1993-2013), gross domestic product (GDP) and population growth to construct the model. We also attempted to examine the sensitiveness of electricity consumption to GDP and population growth. The results revealed that the calibrated DMSP and model has provided realistic information on the electric demand with respect to GDP and population, with a better accuracy of r ² = 0.91. The electric demand was found to be more sensitive to GDP (r = 0.96) than population growth (r = 0.76) as envisaged through correlation analysis. Hence, the model proved to be useful tool in predicting electric demand for its sustainable use and management.

Role of Organic Carbonyl Moiety and 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane on the Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Specific to pH- and Salt-Tolerance

The synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) having better dispersibility and catalytic ability than the conventional AuNPs is the challenging task. The fact that aldehydes and ketones results in the formation of catalytic hybrid material with amino functionalized silanes directed the use of carbonyl functional group (aldehydes and ketones) specifically formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and t-butyl methyl ketone alongwith 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (3-APTMS) to meet such requirement. Accordingly, a comparative study on the synthesis of 3-APTMS and organic reducing agent mediated synthesis of AuNPs are reported herein. The findings reveal that 3-APTMS capped gold ions are converted into AuNPs with precise control of pH- and salt- sensitivity. The major findings reveal the following: (1) 3-APTMS being amphiphilic, dispersibility of as prepared AuNPs largely depends on the organic reducing agents. (2) An increase in the hydrocarbon content of the reducing agent facilitate the dispersibility of AuNPs in organic solvent whereas decrease of the same increases the dispersibility in water, (3) AuNPs made through aldehydic reducing agents (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) have relatively better salt and pH tolerance as compared to ketonic reducing agents (acetone, t-butyl methyl ketone), and (4) an increase in 3-APTMS concentrations imparts better salt- and pH- resistant property to AuNPs irrespective of organic reducing agents. A typical example on the role of AuNPs in homogeneous catalysis during potassium ferricyanide mediated oxidation of ascorbic acid is also reported.

Vigorous Appraisal of Fluoride on Industrial Proponent in Thermal Power Plant over Anthropoid Biosphere Using F−Ion-Selective Electrode

This study was conducted to analyze the impact of fluoride in the anthropogenic condition in an industrial region promoting and affecting the health of the workers. Fluoride is toxic to humans in high concentrations, such as can occur in persons working in fluoride-containing mineral industries like aluminum industries. When workers are exposed to fluoride-containing minerals, they can suffer from a variety of health problems, such as dental disease. This paper presents the relationship of different clinical conditions correlated against the fluoride level. Contributing clinical aspects, such as morbidity, dysentery, overcrowding, and skin disease, are also studied to assess the consequences of fluoride upon consistent exposure. The relationship between pH and hardness of water with fluoride was measured, and then spatial maps were generated. The investigations resulted in a conclusion that hardness of water had a more pronounced impact on the level of fluoride concentration as compared with pH. Water with more hardness contains more fluoride concentration (25 mg/ml) as compared with soft water (4 mg/ml). This paper also revealed the concentration of fluoride content in the bodies of aluminum plant workers, which varied from 0.06 to 0.17 mg/L of blood serum in the case of pot room workers and 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L in the case of non-pot room workers. In fingernails, it varied from 0.09 to 3.77 mg/L and 0.39 to 1.15 mg/L in the case of pot room and non-pot room workers, respectively. In urine, it varied from 0.53 to 9.50 mg/L in pot room workers and 0.29 to 1.80 mg/L in non-pot room workers. This paper concluded that water was safe for drinking purposes if it has a low hardness (60–140 mg/ml) and pH (7.1–7.4).

Role of nanostructured networks as analytical tools for biological systems

In recent years, nanostructured materials have emerged as potential candidates offering excellent prospects for interfacing the detection of biomolecules. Nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanostructured silicates, nano-sized metal oxides, nanostructured polymers, quantum dots, nanocomposites and sensing nanodevices are being utilized worldwide for fabrication of chemical sensors and sensor arrays with tailored characteristics and tuneable properties. Among above, the materials that create a matrix structure at the nanoscale level are particularly fascinating. The exceptional physical, chemical, mechanical and electrical properties of these matrices advocate their application in the electrode modification resulting in sensing devices and transducers with superior performance. Here we present an overview of different types of nanostructured networks that are applied in sensor development. The role of these materials in chemical sensors is described along with the techniques that are the backbone of the sensing process. Special attention has been given to some key sensors that are directly related to human physiology and have clinical significance.

Geospatial strategy for sustainable management of municipal solid waste for growing urban environment

This paper presents the implementation of a Geospatial approach for improving the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal suitability site assessment in growing urban environment. The increasing trend of population growth and the absolute amounts of waste disposed of worldwide have increased substantially reflecting changes in consumption patterns, consequently worldwide. MSW is now a bigger problem than ever. Despite an increase in alternative techniques for disposing of waste, land-filling remains the primary means. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with land-filling by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations environmental safety and economic practicality. The waste disposed by the municipal corporation in the Bhagalpur City (India) is thought to be different from the landfill waste where clearly scientific criterion for locating suitable disposal sites does not seem to exist. The location of disposal sites of Bhagalpur City represents the unconsciousness about the environmental and public health hazards arising from disposing of waste in improper location. Concerning about urban environment and health aspects of people, a good method of waste management and appropriate technologies needed for urban area of Bhagalpur city to improve this trend using Multi Criteria Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing for selection of suitable disposal sites. The purpose of GIS was to perform process to part restricted to highly suitable land followed by using chosen criteria. GIS modeling with overlay operation has been used to find the suitability site for MSW.

Bacteriorhodopsin—Novel biomolecule for nano devices

The aim of this article is to provide insight on the use of a biological molecule--bacteriorhodopsin (bR) having all the basic properties necessary for the assembly of nanoscale electronic devices. Recent developments made during last decade supported by key references are reviewed in this contribution. Major emphasis on bR-based observations conducted in our laboratory has been elaborated. Important issues concerning structure, widely accepted photocycle of bR has been summarized. The possibility of nano-devices emanating from this biomolecule is briefly presented.

Role of palladium in the redox electrochemistry of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid encapsulated within ORMOSIL networks

We report herein the effect of palladium on the redox electrochemistry of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid encapsulated within an organically modified sol-gel glass network (ORMOSIL). It has been found that amount of palladium and its geometrical distribution significantly alter the redox electrochemistry of FcMCA. The geometrical distribution of palladium has been controlled by two methods: (i) palladium is allowed to link within nanostructured network of the ORMOSIL which was subsequently availed from the reactivity of palladium chloride and trimethoxysilane; (ii) palladium powder is encapsulated together FcMCA thus allowing the presence of palladium within the nanoporous domain. The content of palladium is varied by controlling the reaction dynamics of palladium chloride and trimethoxysilane interaction. For this we initially allowed to trigger hydrolysis, condensation and poly-condensation of trimethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane in acidic medium and subsequently partially dried ORMOSIL film was allowed to interact with palladium chloride. Even with partially dried ORMOSIL derived from trimethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane undergoes rapid interaction with palladium chloride and the transparent color of ORMOSIL changed to a black colour due to the formation of palladium silicon linkage. The palladium-silicon linkage has been identified by NMR, UV-VIS and transmission electron spectroscopy. The electrochemistry of FcMCA encapsulated within such an ORMOSIL matrix has been studied. Excellent redox electrochemistry of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid having peak potential separation tending to 0 for a multilayered electrode was investigated. The palladium content has been found to affect the redox electrochemistry of ferrocene as well as electrocatalytic efficiency of new ORMOSIL material. The electroanalysis of NADH is reported. The modified electrode is very sensitive to NADH with lowest detection limit of < 1 microM.

Studies on differential sensing of dopamine at the surface of chemically sensitized ormosil-modified electrodes

We report herein the preparation of few chemically sensitized organically modified sol-gel glass (ormosil) films and sensing of dopamine at the surface of the modified electrodes derived from these films. The chemical sensitization in ormosil-modified electrodes is introduced by incorporating: (a) potassium ferricyanide and (b) either Nafion, or dibenzo-18-crown-6 or in situ generated Prussian blue from potassium ferricyanide. Electrochemical sensing of dopamine on the surfaces of these modified electrodes have been investigated and found that: (i) the presence of dibenzo-18-crown-6 facilitate the magnitude of dopamine sensing, (ii) conversion of potassium ferricyanide into Prussian blue also enhances the magnitude of dopamine sensing as compared to that of control and Nafion sensitized modified electrodes, (iii) both dibenzo-18-crown-6 and Nafion sensitized ormosil-modified electrodes are found selective to dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid present under physiological concentration range. These finding again directed our attention to investigate the sensing of dopamine: (a) on dibenzo-18-crown-6 incorporated within Prussian blue sensitized modified electrode and (b) in the presence of varying concentrations of dibenzo-18-crown-6 in the Prussian blue modified electrodes. The investigations made on these lines again suggested the following: (1) increase in dibenzo-18-crown-6 concentrations in the modified electrode increases the magnitude of dopamine sensing upto an optimum concentration of macrocycle; (2) the detection limit of dopamine sensing goes down to 30nM as compared to that of dibenzo-18-crown-6 incorporated with potassium ferricyanide which was found to the order of 100nM. Investigations of the interference of ascorbic acid revealed that the presence of dibenzo-18-crown-6 introduces selectivity in dopamine sensing in the presence such common interfering analyte like ascorbic acid.

Studies on the electrochemical performance of glucose biosensor based on ferrocene encapsulated ORMOSIL and glucose oxidase modified graphite paste electrode

The electrochemical performance of a new glucose biosensor is reported. The glucose biosensor is developed using glucose oxidase (GOD) and ferrocene encapsulated palladium (Pd)-linked organically modified sol-gel glass (ORMOSIL) material incorporated within graphite paste electrode. The ORMOSIL material incorporated within graphite paste electrode behaves as an excellent electrocatalyst for the oxidation of enzymatically reduced GOD. The electrochemical behavior of new glucose biosensor has been examined by cyclic volammetry and amperometric measurements. The bioelectrocatalysis of ORMOSIL embedded within graphite paste as a function of storage time and varying concentration of ORMOSIL is reported. The initial amperometric response on glucose sensing is recorded to be 145 microA at 15% (w/w) concentration of the ORMOSIL which is decreased to 20 microA at 5% of the same keeping GOD concentration constant. The variation of electrochemical behavior of the ORMOSIL embedded within graphite paste as a function of time has also been studied based on cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms showing the reversible electrochemistry of ORMOSIL encapsulated ferrocene is changed into a plateau shape as a function of time, however, the electrocatalytic behavior is still retained. The practical usability of new glucose sensor has been compared with earlier developed glucose sensor. The sensitivity, response time and linearity of the new glucose biosensor are found to be excellent over earlier reported glucose biosensor. The amperometric response, calibration curve and practical applications of new glucose sensor are reported.

A novel bioassay for screening and quantification of taxanes

We report a novel method for screening and quantifying tubulin-binding antimitotic agents that promote microtubule formation. The method is based on the shift in the peak of the fluorescence emission difference spectrum of tubulin complexed to metal free tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) in the presence of antimitotic agents. Taxol (paclitaxel), an anti-tumor drug approved for the treatment of a variety of cancers, caused the appearance of a new fluorescence peak at 645 nm at concentrations as low as 125 nM, the intensity of which was a function of the paclitaxel concentration. Cephalomannine caused the induction of a new fluorescence peak at 651 nm only above 1 muM. Baccatin did not induce the appearance of any new peak within detectable operating measurement conditions. These observations are in accordance with the biological activities/cytotoxicities of these compounds. Accordingly, it is proposed that the new method can be used for high throughput screening of antimitotic compounds.

An organically modified silicate-based ethanol biosensor

A novel electrocatalytic ethanol biosensor using ferrocene-encapsulated palladium (Pd)-linked organically modified sol-gel glass (ormosil) is reported. The alkoxy precursors used to prepare the new ormosil-based electrocatalytic biosensor are Pd-linked glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and trimethoxysilane. Pd-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (black solution) is made by mixing aqueous solutions of palladium chloride and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The new ormosil is made using a Pd-linked silane precursor, trimethoxysilane, an aqueous solution of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid, and HCl. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is assembled over the ferrocene-ormosil layer using polyvinyl alcohol and then protecting the immobilized enzyme layer using Millipore filter membranes (pore size 1 microm). The electrocatalytic response of immobilized ADH, soluble nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and Pd-linked ormosil-encapsulated ferrocene is then observed. The electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH and the subsequent ADH-catalyzed formation of NADH are monitored electrochemically. Typical results recorded after the addition of varying concentrations of ethanol are reported; however, the sensor is sensitive to other alcohol and known ADH-sensitive substrates. The stability and reproducibility of the new ethanol biosensor are reported.

Bistability and Electrokinetic Oscillations

Nonlinear dynamic behavior and electrokinetic oscillations have been investigated for the membrane systems (a) 0.1 N NaCl/KCl parallel Millipore filter parallel 0.01 N NaCl/KCl; (b) 0.1 N NaCl/KCl parallel Whatman Inorganic filter parallel 0.01 N NaCl/KCl; and (c) 0.1 N NaCl/KCl parallel silver-coated filter parallel 0.01 N NaCl/KCl, from the viewpoint of testing the theories for the phenomena and elucidating the mechanism. To achieve these objectives, studies on hydrodynamic permeability, electroosmotic permeability, bistability, and electrokinetic oscillations were undertaken. Relaxation time for buildup and decay of electroosmotic pressures was experimentally determined. Bistability was not observed showing that it is not a prerequisite for oscillations and nonlinear relations between (J(v))(Deltarho=0) and Delta&phi; involving cubic or higher-order terms are necessary for bistability. The oscillations were studied at different current strengths. The period is found to be independent of current, while amplitude A is found to be linearly related to current I which is the bifurcation parameter. The bifurcation point occurs at approximately 0.4 mA. Studies have also been made with membranes of different pore size that show that amplitude increases with increase in pore size of the membranes. The validity of the two-variable model of Teorell was examined by comparing the experimental results with computer simulation based on parameters determined experimentally. Theory does not meet expectation and the results suggest that modification of theory is needed. The weakness of the theory has been critically examined. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Ethanol biosensors and electrochemical oxidation of NADH

Comparative studies of the electrochemical oxidation of reduced nicotinamide coenzyme (NADH) at the surfaces of chemically modified graphite paste electrodes (CMEs) are reported. Three different electroactive materials, tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), and dimethyl ferrocene (dmFc), were used to construct three different chemically modified paste electrodes. The oxidation of NADH was examined on the basis of cyclic voltammetric measurements. The results show that all three mediators (TCNQ, TTF, and dmFc) behave as efficient mediators of the oxidation of NADH. The typical response curves of NADH at the CMEs surfaces are reported. Incorporating alcohol dehydrogenase and electroactive materials (TCNQ, TTF, and dmFc) within the graphite paste electrodes has led to the development of ethanol biosensors. Typical response curves for the ethanol analysis are reported. Comparative studies on the mediated electrochemical responses of the biosensors to ethanol are discussed.

Peroxide biosensors and mediated electrochemical regeneration of redox enzymes

This article describes the research investigations on the development of the amperometric biosensors based on mediated bioelectrochemistry. The mediated bioelectrochemistry involving horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase within the graphite paste is reported. The enzyme horseradish peroxidase together with electrochemical mediator was incorporated within the graphite paste electrode. The amperometric response is based on the mediated electrochemical regeneration of peroxidase within the paste. The mediated electrochemical regeneration of peroxidase and glucose oxidase was studied and compared using three different electron transfer mediators-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), and dimethyl ferrocene (dmFc). The mediated electrochemistry involving these three mediators was studied based on the cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical measurements show that TTF is better mediator for the development of peroxide biosensor compared to TCNQ and dmFc. On the other hand, TCNQ is better mediator for the development of glucose sensor. The response curves for peroxide have been reported using these three mediators. A comparative study on the amperometric response based on the mediated electrochemical oxidation of peroxidase and glucose oxidase has also been made using these three mediators. The various parameters, i.e., background current, stability of the mediator within the graphite paste during the electrochemical measurements, and reproducibility of the amperometric response, are discussed.

Evanescent fluorobiosensor for the detection of polyaromatic hydrocarbon based on DNA intercalation

A flow-injection analysis (FIA) system coupled with an evanescent wave (EW) biosensor employing total internal reflection of fluorescence radiation (TIRF) for the detection of polyaromatic hydrocarbon that intercalates into DNA is reported. A highly fluorescent intercalator, "ethidium bromide," has been used as the reference compound for detection. The EW biosensor was developed according to the procedure described earlier (1,2). Data on the analysis of Naphthalene, 3-methylcholanthrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, and some standard reference materials supplied by the National Institute of Standards and Technology are reported. The relative ability of the polyaromatic hydrocarbon to displace ethidium bromide, based on the relative binding ratio, is found to be on the order of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene > 3-methylcholanthrene > 1,2-benzanthracene > napthalene.

Tetracyanoquinodimethane mediated glucose sensor based on a self-assembling alkanethiol/phospholipid bilayer

An amperometric tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) mediated biosensor for glucose is described, based on a self-assembling alkanethiol/phospholipid bilayer laid down onto a gold surface. Gold was sputter deposited onto chromium coated silicon wafers to a thickness of 200 nm. A monolayer of alkanethiol was allowed to self-assemble from an ethanolic solution of dodecanethiol onto a freshly cleaned gold electrode in an overnight incubation. The monolayer was characterized by ellipsometric, impedance and cyclic voltammetry measurements (capacitance = 1.60 +/- 0.06 microF/cm2, and thickness 1.34 +/- 0.15 nm). A mixture of phospholipid liposomes containing free amino groups was placed on the monolayer and allowed to incubate overnight. The self-assembly of a phospholipid monolayer and allowed to incubate overnight. The onto the alkanethiol monolayer, resulted in the formation of a bilayer. The formation of bilayer was again characterized by impedance and cyclic voltammetry measurements (capacitance = 0.98 +/- 0.09 microF/cm2, and thickness = 1.85 +/- 0.22 nm). TCNQ has been incorporated into the liposomes before the formation of the bilayer. Glucose oxidase was cross-linked with the amino-groups of the phospholipids using bis [2-(sulphosuccinimiidooxicarbonyloxy) ethyl] sulphone. TCNQ which was incorporated in the bilayer acted as an efficient mediator to regenerate glucose oxidase. Cyclic voltammetry of the modified electrode and a response curve for the glucose sensor are reported.

Peroxidase- and tetracyanoquinodimethane-modified graphite paste electrode for the measurement of glucose/lactate/glutamate using enzyme-packed bed reactor

A flow injection analysis sensor for the measurement of glucose/lactate/glutamate is reported. The glucose oxidase/glutamate oxidase/lactate oxidase was immobilized on silanized controlled pore glass particles and packed into a Teflon column (i.d., 1.2 mm; length, 40 mm) to give a bed for glucose/lactate/glutamate. The hydrogen peroxide formed by the enzymatic reaction in the packed bed was monitored by a horseradish peroxidase- and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)- modified graphite paste electrode at 50 mV vs Ag/AgCl. The glucose oxidase/lactate oxidase/glutamate oxidase were regenerated in the packed bed, whereas peroxidase was regenerated in the TCNQ-mediated graphite paste electrode by the oxidation of TCNQ. The oxidized TCNQ was electrochemically reduced at 50 mV vs Ag/AgCl. The cathodic current obtained by the reduction of TCNQ determined the concentration of the injected analytes in the packed bed. The system showed very rapid response. Response curves for the analysis of peroxide, glucose, lactate, and glutamate are reported.

Tetracyanoquinodimethane-mediated flow injection analysis electrochemical sensor for NADH coupled with dehydrogenase enzymes

A flow injection analysis (FIA) sensor for the oxidation of NADH is reported. The system utilizes a graphite paste electrode modified with the electroactive material tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). TCNQ acts as an efficient mediator for the oxidation of NADH to biologically active NAD+. Alcohol dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase and NAD+ were coimmobilized in TCNQ-modified graphite paste using polyethylenimine to develop a FIA sensor for ethanol/lactate. The system responded rapidly with wide linearity. Response curves for ethanol/lactate and NADH are reported.

Application of photochemical reaction in electrochemical detection of DNA intercalation

A flow injection analysis (FIA) system for the detection of the compounds that intercalate within DNA is reported. A derivative of 9,10-anthraquinone has been used as the reference compound for photoelectrochemical detection. The sodium salts of 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid and 9,10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid are photochemically activated and then reduced in the presence of an electron donor (glucose). The electrochemical signal is based on the measurement of the anodic current resulting from the oxidation of the reduced form of 9,10-anthraquinone. The reduced form of the 9,10-anthraquinone is oxidized through a mediated mechanism at the surface of a tetracyanoquinodimethane-(TCNQ)-modified graphite paste electrode covered by a Nucleopore membrane. TCNQ acts as an efficient mediator for the oxidation of reduced 9,10-anthraquinone. Cyclic voltammetry, photocyclic voltammetry, and the photoelectrochemical FIA response of 9,10-anthraquinone are reported. Experimental results show that these anthraquinones can be intercalated within the helix of double-stranded calf thymus DNA. The anthraquinone molecules that are intercalated within DNA cannot be oxidized due to their limited transport to the modified electrode surface. This results in a decrease in the anodic current at a constant concentration of anthraquinone after intercalation. There is a linear relation between the decrease in electrochemical response and the DNA concentration at a constant concentration of anthraquinone. The intercalated anthraquinone molecules can be completely replaced by another intercalating agent (i.e., ethidium bromide) that is more strongly intercalated within DNA, thereby regenerating the electrochemical response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An amperometric flow-injection analysis biosensor for glucose based on graphite paste modified with tetracyanoquinodimethane

A biosensor system using flow injection analysis (FIA) has been developed for the analysis of glucose in human serum. The system consists of the enzyme glucose oxidase incorporated into graphite paste modified with the electroactive material tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). TCNQ acts as an efficient mediator for oxidation of the reduced enzyme at 200 mV vs Ag/AgCl. The flow injection assay described has detection limits of 2 mM glucose using a 100-microliters sample injection through a 250-microliters sample loop. Data are presented to show the effect of sample injection volume and flow rate on the response of the FIA sensor. The biosensor exhibited excellent reproducibility for 800 injections. The loss of response after 800 injections was due to leaching of TCNQ from the graphite paste. Each assay takes 3 min giving a sample throughput of 20 per hour at a flow rate of 30 ml/h. The sensor was applied to the determination of glucose in human serum. The glucose measurements are in good agreement with those of a commercially available spectrophotometric method. Data showing the effect of interfering substances, ascorbic acid and acetaminophen, on the response of the sensor are also reported.

Amperometric enzyme sensor for glucose based on graphite paste-modified electrodes

Amperometric enzyme electrode for glucose is described based on the incorporation of glucose oxidase (GOD) into graphite paste modified with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). The incorporated enzyme exhibits high activity and long-term stability over the earlier TCNQ-based glucose sensor (1). The sensor provides a linear response to glucose over a wide concentration range. The response time of the sensor is 15-50 sec, and the detection limit is 0.5 mM. Stable response to the substrate was obtained during a period of 35 d. Application of the sensor in the plasma analysis is reported.

A new membrane electrode for the detection of antibody

A new membrane electrode sensitive to specific antibody is described which incorporates dinitrophenyl antigen in polyvinyl chloride matrix membrane on to the surface of a solid-state graphite-loaded epoxy-resin electrode. The sensitivity of the electrode is based on the ionophoric property of the dinitrophenyl antigen. Response curves for the potassium ion and its specific antibody are reported.

Urease purification from the seeds of Cajanus cajan and its application in a biosensor construction

Urease has been purified from the seeds of Cajanus Cajan. The purification process involves three solvent extraction steps followed by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme is found to be 1920 U/mg with the recovery of 8%. The application of the purified enzyme in a biosensor construction is discussed.

Studies on acetylcholine sensor and its analytical application based on the inhibition of cholinesterase

Acetylcholine esterase electrodes, based on glass, Pd/PdO and Ir/IrO2 electrodes as pH sensor, using the immobilized acetylcholine esterase in acrylamide-methacrylamide hydrazides prepolymer are reported and compared. New data on the analysis of nicotine, fluoride ion, and some organophosphorus compounds are reported using the present AChE sensor based on the inhibition of the immobilized acetylcholine esterase. Reactivation of immobilized AChE after inhibition with reversible inhibitor, i.e. nicotine and fluoride ion is carried out using a mixture of working buffer and acetylcholine, whereas reactivation after inhibition with irreversible inhibitor, i.e. organophosphorus compounds is carried out using a mixture of acetylcholine and pyridine-2-aldoxime methiodide (PAM). The detection limits for the nicotine and fluoride ion are found to be 10(-5) M whereas for paraoxon, methyl parathion and malathion are found to be 10(-9) M and 10(-10) M.

Disruptive effects of auditory signal delay on speech perception with lipreading

The effect of auditory signal delay on audio-visual perception of videotaped sentence lists by Ss with normal hearing was measured. The test material consisted of sentences read by a man, with or without a picture representing as context one of the key words in each sentence. In Exper. I, 12 Ss (6M, 6F), inexperienced with lipreading, were presented test material in the audio-only (A), visual-only (V) and audio-visual (AV) modes. Speech signals were presented at 0 or -10 db S/N re a multitalker babble fixed at 60 dbA. The audio signal was delayed (re visual signal) in 6 steps from 0-300 msec. Exper. II repeated Exper. I with 6 Ss (2M, 4F) familiar with lipreading; the speech signal was presented at -5 db S/N and 4 audio delays from 0-240 msec. While these Ss performed better in the V mode than those in Exper. I, the main effects of context and delays were similar. The disruptive effect of the audio delay on speech perception with lipreading (AV mode) was a function of S/N, being relatively more disruptive at the worse S/N, but it was not significant for delays up to a range of 80-120 msec. The results are in agreement with the theory (McGrath and Summerfield, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 1985, 77, 678-685) that sensitivity to audio-visual desynchrony is significant only at a syllabic level in connected speech. The results further imply that moderate delays of up to 80 msec introduced by speech-processing aids for lipreading, as for cochlear-implanted patients, will not interfere with the advantages of providing the auditory information.