Monitoring and modelling of membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment incorporating 2D fluorescence spectroscopy

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Química e Bioquímica, Especialidade em Engenharia Bioquímica

Investigation of single tryptophan proteins encapsulated in TEOS-derived sol-gel matrices by fluorescence spectroscopy /

In the work reported here, optically clear, ultrathin TEOS derived sol-gel slides which were suitable for studies of tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence from entrapped proteins were prepared by the sol-gel technique and characterized. The monitoring of intrinsic protein fluorescence provided information about the structure and environment of the entrapped protein, and about the kinetics of the interaction between the entrapped protein and extemal reagents. Initial studies concentrated on the single Trp protein monellin which was entrapped into the sol-gel matrices. Two types of sol-gel slides, termed "wet aged", in which the gels were aged in buffer and "dry-aged", in which the gels were aged in air , were studied in order to compare the effect of the sol-gel matrix on the structure of the protein at different aging stages. Fluorescence results suggested that the mobility of solvent inside the slides was substantially reduced. The interaction of the entrapped protein with both neutral and charged species was examined and indicated response times on the order of minutes. In the case of the neutral species the kinetics were diffusion limited in solution, but were best described by a sum of first order rate constants when the reactions occurred in the glass matrix. For charged species, interactions between the analytes and the negatively charged glass matrix caused the reaction kinetics to become complex, with the overall reaction rate depending on both the type of aging and the charge on the analyte. The stability and conformational flexibility of the entrapped monellin were also studied. These studies indicated that the encapsulation of monellin into dry-aged monoliths caused the thermal unfolding transition to broaden and shift upward by 14°C, and causedthe long-term stability to improve by 12-fold (compared to solution). Chemical stability studies also showed a broader transition for the unfolding of the protein in dry-aged monoliths, and suggested that the protein was present in a distribution of environments. Results indicated that the entrapped proteins had a smaller range of conformational motions compared to proteins in solution, and that entrapped proteins were not able to unfold completely. The restriction of conformational motion, along with the increased structural order of the internal environment of the gels, likely resulted in the improvements in themial and long-term stability that were observed. A second protein which was also studied in this work is the metal binding protein rat oncomodulin. Initially, the unfolding behavior of this protein in aqueous solution was examined. Several single tryptophan mutants of the metal-binding protein rat oncomodulin (OM) were examined; F102W, Y57W, Y65W and the engineered protein CDOM33 which had all 12 residues of the CD loop replaced with a higher affinity binding loop. Both the thermal and the chemical stability were improved upon binding of metal ions with the order apo < Ca^^ < Tb^"^. During thermal denaturation, the transition midpoints (Tun) of Y65W appeared to be the lowest, followed by Y57W and F102W. The placement of the Trp residue in the F-helix in F102W apparently made the protein slightly more thermostable, although the fluorescence response was readily affected by chemical denaturants, which probably acted through the disruption of hydrogen bonds at the Cterminal end of the F-helix. Under both thermal and chemical denaturation, the engineered protein showed the highest stability. This indicated that increasing the number of metal ligating oxygens in the binding site, either by using a metal ion with a higher coordinatenumber (i.e. Tb^*) which binds more carboxylate ligands, or by providing more ligating groups, as in the CDOM33 replacement, produces notable improvements in protein stability. Y57W and CE)OM33 OM were chosen for further studies when encapsulated into sol-gel derived matrices. The kinetics of interaction of terbium with the entrapped proteins, the ability of the entrapped protein to binding terbium, as well as thermal stability of these two entrapped protein were compared with different levels of Ca^"*^ present in the matrix and in solution. Results suggested that for both of the proteins, the response time and the ability to bind terbium could be adjusted by adding excess calcium to the matrix before gelation. However, the less stable protein Y57W only retained at most 45% of its binding ability in solution while the more stable protein CDOM33 was able to retain 100% binding ability. Themially induced denaturation also suggested that CDOM33 showed similar stability to the protein in solution while Y57W was destabilized. All these results suggested that "hard" proteins (i.e. very stable) can easily survive the sol-gel encapsulation process, but "soft" proteins with lower thermodynamic stability may not be able to withstand the sol-gel process. However, it is possible to control many parameters in order to successfully entrap biological molecules into the sol-gel matrices with maxunum retention of activity.

Size dependent fluorescence spectroscopy of nanocolloids of ZnO

In this article we present size dependent spectroscopic observations of nanocolloids of ZnO. ZnO is reported to show two emission bands, an ultraviolet (UV) emission band and another in the green region. Apart from the known band gap 380 nm and impurity 530 nm emissions, we have found some peculiar features in the fluorescence spectra that are consistent with the nanoparticle size distribution. Results show that additional emissions at 420 and 490 nm are developed with particle size. The origin of the visible band emission is discussed. The mechanism of the luminescence suggests that UV luminescence of ZnO colloid is related to the transition from conduction band edge to valence band, and visible luminescence is caused by the transition from deep donor level to valence band due to oxygen vacancies and by the transition from conduction band to deep acceptor level due to impurities and defect states. A correlation analysis between the particle size and spectroscopic observations is also discussed.

Absolute Kr 4s-electron photoionization cross sections between 30 and 90 eV measured by photon-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (PIFS)

Absolute Kr 4s-electron photoionization cross sections as a function of the exciting-photon energy between 30 and 90 eV were measured by photon-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (PIFS). The measurements were compared with available experimental data and theoretical calculations.

Detection of citrus canker in citrus plants using laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Citrus canker is a serious disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri bacteria, which infects citrus plants (Citrus spp.) leading to a large economic loss in citrus production worldwide. In Brazil citrus canker control is done by an official eradication campaign, therefore early detection of such disease is important to prevent greater economic losses. However, detection is difficult and so far it has been done by visual inspection of each tree. Suspicious leaves from citrus plants in the field are sent to the laboratory to confirm the infection by laboratory analysis, which is a time consuming. Our goal was to develop a new optical technique to detect and diagnose citrus canker in citrus plants with a portable field spectrometer unit. In this paper, we review two experiments on laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF) applied to detect citrus canker. We also present new data to show that the length of time a leaf has been detached is an important variable in our studies. Our results show that LIF has the potential to be applied to citrus plants.

Fluorescence spectroscopy to diagnose hepatic steatosis in a rat model of fatty liver

Steatosis is diagnosed on the basis of the macroscopic aspect of the liver evaluated by the surgeon at the time of organ extraction or by means of a frozen biopsy. In the present study, the applicability of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy was investigated as a method for the diagnosis of different degrees of steatosis experimentally induced in rats. Rats received a high-lipid diet for different periods of time. The animals were divided into groups according to the degree of induced steatosis diagnosis by histology. The concentration of fat in the liver was correlated with LIF by means of the steatosis fluorescence factor (SFF). The histology classification, according to liver fat concentration was, Severe Steatosis, Moderate Steatosis, Mild Steatosis and Control (no liver steatosis). Fluorescence intensity could be directly correlated with fat content. It was possible to estimate an average of fluorescence intensity variable by means of different confidence intervals (P=95%) for each steatosis group. SFF was significantly higher in the Severe Steatosis group (P < 0.001) compared with the Moderate Steatosis, Mild Steatosis and Control groups. The various degrees of steatosis could be directly correlated with SFF. LIF spectroscopy proved to be a method capable of identifying the degree of hepatic steatosis in this animal model, and has the potential of clinical application for non-invasive evaluation of the degree of steatosis.

Temperature dependence of molecular dynamics and supramolecular aggregation in MEH-PPV films: A solid-state NMR, X-ray and fluorescence spectroscopy study

This article presents an investigation of the temperature induced modification in the microstructure and dynamics of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2`-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) cast films using Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Fluorescence Spectroscopy (PL). MEH-PPV chain motions were characterized as a function of temperature by NMR. The results indicated that the solvent used to cast the films influences the activation energy of the side-chain motions. This was concluded from the comparison of the activation energy of the toluene cast film, E(a) = (54 +/- 8) kJ/mol, and chloroform cast film, E(a) = (69 +/- 5) kJ/mol, and could be attributed to the higher side-chain packing provided by chloroform, that preferentially solvates the side chain in contrast to toluene that solvates mainly the backbone. Concerning the backbone mobility, it was observed that the torsional motions in the MEH-PPV have average amplitude of similar to 10 degrees at 300 K, which was found to be independent of the solvent used to cast the films. In order to correlate the molecular dynamics processes with the changes in the microstructure of the polymer, in situ WAXS experiments as a function of temperature were performed and revealed that the interchain spacing in the MEH-PPV molecular aggregates increases as a function of temperature, particularly at temperatures where molecular relaxations occur. It was also observed that the WAXS peak associated with the bilayer spacing becomes narrower and its intensity increases whereas the peak associated with the inter-backbone planes reduces its intensity for higher temperatures. This last result Could be interpreted as a decrease in the number of aggregates and the reduction of the interchain species during the MEH-PPV relaxation processes. These WAXS results were correlated with PL spectra modifications observed upon temperature treatments. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A fresh look at the validity of the diffusion approximation for modeling fluorescence spectroscopy in biological tissue

Fluorescence has become a widely used technique for applications in noninvasive diagnostic tissue spectroscopy. The standard model used for characterizing fluorescence photon transport in biological tissue is based on the diffusion approximation. On the premise that the total energy of excitation and fluorescent photon flows must be conserved, we derive the widely used diffusion equations in fluorescence spectroscopy and show that there must be an additional term to account for the transport of fluorescent photons. The significance of this additional term in modeling fluorescence spectroscopy in biological tissue is assessed.

Simultaneous Determination of Phenanthrene and Benzo(a)pyrene in Water Samples by Synchronous Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fluorescence spectroscopy for the detection of tongue carcinoma - validation in an animal model

The efficacy of fluorescence spectroscopy to detect squamous cell carcinoma is evaluated in an animal model following laser excitation at 442 and 532 nm. Lesions are chemically induced with a topical DMBA application at the left lateral tongue of Golden Syrian hamsters. The animals are investigated every 2 weeks after the 4th week of induction until a total of 26 weeks. The right lateral tongue of each animal is considered as a control site (normal contralateral tissue) and the induced lesions are analyzed as a set of points covering the entire clinically detectable area. Based on fluorescence spectral differences, four indices are determined to discriminate normal and carcinoma tissues, based on intraspectral analysis. The spectral data are also analyzed using a multivariate data analysis and the results are compared with histology as the diagnostic gold standard. The best result achieved is for blue excitation using the KNN (K-nearest neighbor, a interspectral analysis) algorithm with a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 91.6%. These high indices indicate that fluorescence spectroscopy may constitute a fast noninvasive auxiliary tool for diagnostic of cancer within the oral cavity. (C) 2008 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Characterization of humic acids from a Brazilian Oxisol under different tillage systems by EPR, C-13 NMR, FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy

The importance of soil organic matter functions is well known, but structural information, chemical composition and changes induced by anthropogenic factors such as tillage practices are still being researched. In the present paper were characterized Brazilian humic acids (HAs) from an Oxisol under different treatments: conventional tillage/maize-bare fallow (CT1); conventional tillage/maize rotation with soybean-bare fallow (CT2)-, no-till/maize-bare fallow (NT1); no-till/maize rotation with soybean-bare fallow (NT2); no-till/maize-cajanus (NT3) and no cultivated soil under natural vegetation (NC). Soil HA samples were analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), solid-state C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (C-13 NMR), Fourier transform intra-red (FTIR) and UV-Vis fluorescence spectroscopies and elemental analysis (CHNS). The FTIR spectra of the HAs were similar for all treatments. The level of semiquinone-type free radical determined from the EPR spectra was lower for treatments no-till/maize-cajanus (NT3) and noncultivated soil (1.74 X 10(17) and 1.02 x 10(17) spins g(-1) HA, respectively), compared with 2.3 X 10(17) spins g(-1) HA for other soils under cultivation. The percentage of aromatic carbons determined by C-13 NMR also decreases for noncultivated soil to 24%, being around 30% for samples of the other treatments. The solid-state C-13 NMR and EPR spectroscopies showed small differences in chemical composition of the HA from soils where incorporation of vegetal residues was higher, showing that organic matter (OM) formed in this cases is less aromatic. The fluorescence intensities were in agreement with the percentage of aromatic carbons, determined by NMR (r = 0.97 P < 0.01) and with semiquinone content, determined by EPR (r = 0.97 P < 0.01). No important effect due to tillage system was observed in these areas after 5 years of cultivation. Probably, the studied Oxisol has a high clay content that offers protection to the clay-Fe-OM complex against strong structural alterations. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Upconversion fluorescence spectroscopy of Er3+/Yb3+-doped heavy metal Bi2O3-Na2O-Nb2O5-GeO2 glass

Upconversion fluorescence emission of Er3+/Yb3+-doped Bi2O3-Na2O-Nb2O5-GeO2 heavy metal glass samples excited at 1.06 mu m is experimentally investigated. The results reveal the existence of intense emission bands centered around 520, 545, and 655 nm. The germano-niobate based host glass presents high transparency in the region of 400-2700 nm, the capability of incorporating high dopant concentrations, high melting temperature, and large resistance to atmospheric moisture. The observed intensity of the green fluorescence emission, suggested that the niobium based host glass material plays an important role in the efficiency of the upconversion process. Emission lines centered at 425, 483, 503, 608, and 628 nm were also observed. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.

Exploring the binding mechanism of Guaijaverin to human serum albumin: Fluorescence spectroscopy and computational approach

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Study of SnO2 gels by Eu3+ fluorescence spectroscopy

Eu3+ fluorescence spectroscopy was used as a probe to study the changes in local arrangements of tin oxyhydroxide precipitate → sol → gel → glass conversion. Electronic transition intensities and 5D0 excited state lifetime variations were followed during the entire process. Adsorption of Eu3+ ions on the colloid and changes of chemical interactions occurring in each step are described. © 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved.