In situ mineralization by the release of calcium and phosphate ions from nanogels

Biomimetic hydroxyapatite was synthesized by the controlled release of calcium and phosphate ions from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (poly(NIPAAm-co-AA)) nanogels. Mixing nanogels containing calcium chloride (CaCl2 ·2H2O) and nanogels containing sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4·2H2O) in simulated body fluid (SBF) at physiological conditions of 37 °C and pH 7.4, biomimetic hydroxyapatite was obtained. By studying separately the loading and controlled release of the salts from the nanogels, adequate conditions were chosen to synthesize the hydroxyapatite: Calcium loaded (Ca-loaded) nanogels (1000 mg/ml; 400:3) and inorganic phosphate loaded (Pi-loaded) nanogels (90 mg/ml; 12:1) in a ratio of 2:1 were placed in SBF solution. The obtained powders characterization showed that a low crystalline and substituted hydroxyapatite similar to bone apatite was formed. Such a strategy could be used in medical and dental procedures to induce rapid inorganic mineral formation from a nanogel-containing biomaterial. © 2012 American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.

The effect of pre- and postharvest calcium applications on 'Hayward' kiwifruit storage ability

The benefits of calcium applications pre and postharvest on fruit storage ability have been mentioned in the bibliography. It was objective of this work to study the effect of calcium preharvest application in two different forms and calcium chloride application postharvest on 'Hayward' kiwifruit storage ability. Kiwifruit vines were sprayed with 0.03% CaCl2 or 0.03% CaO at one, three and four months before harvest. The control did not have any treatment. After harvest, half fruits were dipped for 2 min in a solution of 1% CaCl2, left to dry and stored at 0 degrees C. The other half was stored at the same temperature without any treatment. The commercial yield was not affected by treatments. During storage, fruits dipped in 1% CaCl2 softened slower and than fruits not treated. Weight loss was higher in fruits treated with CaO preharvest. SSC showed a significant decrease in fruits sprayed with CaO from 4 to 6 months storage. This work suggests that immersion of kiwifruit in 1% CaCl2 postharvest benefits storage life capacity; preharvest spraying with CaCl2 seems to be better than with CaO. However, we have to try higher calcium concentrations in order to get better results in storage ability but, without causing toxicity on the vines.

The effect of pre- and postharvest calcium applications on 'Hayward' kiwifruit storage ability

The benefits of calcium applications pre and postharvest on fruit storage ability have been mentioned in the bibliography. It was objective of this work to study the effect of calcium preharvest application in two different forms and calcium chloride application postharvest on 'Hayward' kiwifruit storage ability. Kiwifruit vines were sprayed with 0.03% CaCl2 or 0.03% CaO at one, three and four months before harvest. The control did not have any treatment. After harvest, half fruits were dipped for 2 min in a solution of 1% CaCl2, left to dry and stored at 0 degrees C. The other half was stored at the same temperature without any treatment. The commercial yield was not affected by treatments. During storage, fruits dipped in 1% CaCl2 softened slower and than fruits not treated. Weight loss was higher in fruits treated with CaO preharvest. SSC showed a significant decrease in fruits sprayed with CaO from 4 to 6 months storage. This work suggests that immersion of kiwifruit in 1% CaCl2 postharvest benefits storage life capacity; preharvest spraying with CaCl2 seems to be better than with CaO. However, we have to try higher calcium concentrations in order to get better results in storage ability but, without causing toxicity on the vines.

Controlled release of ethylene gas from the ethylene-α-cyclodextrin inclusion complex powder with deliquescent salts

Deliquescent calcium chloride (CaCl2) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) were investigated for their practical application to release ethylene gas from an ethylene-α-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (CD IC) powder at relative humidities (RHs) between 11.2 and 93.6 % at 18 °C. The IC powder and deliquescent salts were mixed at a ratio of 1:5, respectively. CaCl2 and MgCl2 started to deliquesce at 32.7 % RH. The IC powder dissolved in the concentrated salt solutions to release ethylene gas. Increasing the RH accelerated the release rate. Maximum release of ethylene gas was achieved after 24 h at 75.5 and 93.6 % RH for both IC powder-deliquescent salts mixture. The deliquescent salts proved to be a simple option for releasing ethylene gas from the IC powder.

Flocculation, filtration and selective flocculation studies on haematite ore fines using starch

The flocculation and filtration characteristics of typical Indian iron ore fines have been studied using starch as flocculant in the presence of an inorganic electrolyte, namely calcium chloride. The effect of various parameters such as pH, starch and calcium chloride concentrations and pulp density on the settling and filtration rates, turbidity of the supernatant and on residual starch and calcium ion concentrates has been investigated through a statistical design and analysis approach and subsequently optimised on a laboratory scale. The adsorption mechanisms of starch onto haematite have been elucidated through adsorption density measurements, infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic techniques. The rheological property of the polymer solutions of relevance to flocculations has also been investigated. Further, the role of metal ion-starch interactions in the bulk solution, has been studied. In order to understand the nature of polymer adsorption at the double-layer, electrokinetic studies have been carried out with the iron ore mineral samples using starch and calcium chloride. Based on the above findings, selective floculaation tests on artificial mixtures of iron ore minerals have been carried out to determine the separation efficiencies from the view point of alumina and silica removal from haematite as well as the control of alumina: silica ratio in Indian iron ores.

pH Induced switching in hydrogel coated fiber bragg grating sensor

In this paper we report a novel hydrogel functionalized optical Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor based on chemo-mechanical-optical sensing, and demonstrate its specific application in pH activated process monitoring. The sensing mechanism is based on the stress due to ion diffusion and polymer phase transition which produce strain in the FBG. This results in shift in the Bragg wavelength which is detected by an interrogator system. A simple dip coating method to coat a thin layer of hydrogel on the FBG has been established. The gel consists of sodium alginate and calcium chloride. Gel formation is observed in real-time by continuously monitoring the Bragg wavelength shift. We have demonstrated pH sensing in the range of pH of 2 to 10. Another interesting phenomenon is observed by swelling and deswelling of FBG functionalized with hydrogel by a sequence of alternate dipping between acidic and base solutions. It is observed that the Bragg wavelength undergoes reversible and repeatable pH dependent switching.

Laboratory Studies on Stabilization of an Expansive Soil by Lime Precipitation Technique

Lime stabilization prevails to be the most widely adopted in situ stabilization method for controlling the swell-shrink potentials of expansive soils despite construction difficulties and its ineffectiveness in certain conditions. In addition to the in situ stabilization methods presently practiced, it is theoretically possible to facilitate in situ precipitation of lime in soil by successive permeation of calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions into the expansive soil. In this laboratory investigation, an attempt is made to study the precipitation of lime in soil by successive mixing of CaCl2 and NaOH solutions with the expansive soil in two different sequences.Experimental results indicated that in situ precipitation of lime in soil by sequential mixing of CaCl2 and NaOH solutions with expansive soil developed strong lime-modification and soil-lime pozzolanic reactions. The lime-modification reactions together with the poorly de- veloped cementation products controlled the swelling potential, reduced the plasticity index, and increased the unconfined compressive strength of the expansive clay cured for 24 h. Comparatively, both lime-modification reactions and well-developed crystalline cementation products (formed by lime-soil pozzolanic reactions) contributed to the marked increase in the unconfined compressive strength of the ex-pansive soil that was cured for 7–21 days. Results also show that the sequential mixing of expansive soil with CaCl2 solution followed by NaOH solution is more effective than mixing expansive soil with NaOH solution followed by CaCl2 solution. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT .1943-5533.0000483. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Efficacy and safety of autologous platelet rich plasma for the treatment of vascular ulcers in primary care: Phase III study

Background: Vascular ulcers are commonly seen in daily practice at all levels of care and have great impact at personal, professional and social levels with a high cost in terms of human and material resources. Given that the application of autologous platelet rich plasma has been shown to decrease healing times in various different studies in the hospital setting, we considered that it would be interesting to assess the efficacy and feasibility of this treatment in primary care. The objectives of this study are to assess the potential efficacy and safety of autologous platelet rich plasma for the treatment of venous ulcers compared to the conventional treatment (moist wound care) in primary care patients with chronic venous insufficiency (C, clinical class, E, aetiology, A, anatomy and P, pathophysiology classification C6). Design: We will conduct a phase III, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre, randomized study. The subjects will be 150 patients aged between 40 and 100 years of age with an at least 2-month history of a vascular venous ulcer assigned to ten primary care centres. For the treatment with autologous platelet rich plasma, all the following tasks will be performed in the primary care setting: blood collection, centrifugation, separation of platelet rich plasma, activation of coagulation adding calcium chloride and application of the PRP topically after gelification. The control group will receive standard moist wound care. The outcome variables to be measured at baseline, and at weeks 5 and 9 later include: reduction in the ulcer area, Chronic Venous Insufficiency Quality of Life Questionnaire score, and percentage of patients who require wound care only once a week. Discussion: The results of this study will be useful to improve the protocol for using platelet rich plasma in chronic vascular ulcers and to favour wider use of this treatment in primary care.

Ensaios dinâmicos de biossorção de cobre com macroalgas em leitos-fixos contendo materiais adsorventes de natureza não-biológica

A biossorção é o termo aplicado à tecnologia de adsorção de íons metálicos em solução, por meio de materiais de natureza biológica inativa, comparável à adsorção utilizando-se adsorventes convencionais. A biossorção depende da temperatura, pH, concentração inicial do íon metálico, e tipo de biosorvente. O objetivo principal dessa dissertação é estudar e comparar os processos de adsorção de cobre iônico a partir de soluções aquosas utilizando Sargassum sp., alginato de cálcio úmido e desidratado e carvão ativo em pó e granular, em regime de batelada e contínuo. O alginato de cálcio foi preparado através de uma solução 4% (m/v) de alginato de sódio gotejada em solução 37% (m/v) de cloreto de cálcio dihidratado. O alginato de cálcio apresentou uma umidade de 89% após secagem em estufa a 100C por 24 horas. Os parâmetros da biossorção foram fixados em: a dose de adsorventes de 2 g/L; a temperatura em 30C; pH da solução em 5,0; e velocidade de rotação da chapa rotatória em 150 rpm. Para os estudos de cinética e equilíbrio, os ensaios foram feitos em regime de batelada. Nos ensaios cinéticos para duas concentrações medias (0,16 e 3,15 mmol/L) variou-se o tempo de contato (1 a 120 min) para se atingir o equilíbrio. Nos ensaios de equilíbrio variou-se as concentrações (0,16 a 15,72 mmol/L) utilizando o tempo de equilíbrio determinado nos ensaios cinéticos. Foram utilizadas duas modelagens cinéticas (a de pseudo-primeira ordem e a de segunda ordem) e duas modelagens do equilíbrio (Langmuir e Freundlich). O modelo cinético de segunda ordem ajustou melhor os resultados. O tempo de equilíbrio para adsorção do cobre foi de 60 minutos para Sargassum sp. e pellets de alginatos de cálcio úmido e desidratado. Para os carvões ativos os tempos de equilíbrio para a adsorção do cobre foram mais rápidos, mas a capacidade de remoção do cobre foram muito baixas. Com base nos resultados desfavoráveis obtidos para os carvões ativos eles foram descartados para se prosseguir com os ensaios de equilíbrio. A isoterma de Freundlich melhor ajusta os dados experimentais para Sargassum sp. e alginato de cálcio úmido. A capacidade de adsorção máxima calculada pelo modelo de Freundlich: na concentração de equilíbrio de 11,66 0,06 mmol/L foi de 1,97 0,07 mmol/g para Sargassum sp.; e na concentração de equilíbrio de 12,12 0,03 mmol/L foi de 1,69 0,04 mmol/g para alginato de cálcio úmido. O processo de biossorção em regime contínuo, com alturas de leito variável de 10 a 40 cm, teve melhor desempenho com a altura de 40 cm. Em regime de batelada, o desempenho da Sargassum sp. foi superior ao dos alginatos de cálcio (úmido melhor que o desidratado), que por sua vez foram superiores ao desempenho dos carvões ativos em pó e granular (em pó melhor que o granular). O sistema contínuo com concentração inicial de cobre de 8,5 mmol/L deve ser operado com altura de leito igual ou superior a 40 cm, ou com sistemas multicolunas para soluções mais concentradas

不同贮藏条件下果实角质层成分及其与耐贮性关系研究

角质层是果实抵御外界环境胁迫的一个屏障，既能调节果实自身的生理活动，也能增加对病原菌入侵的抵抗力，在果实贮藏保鲜中具有重要的作用。本文利用傅里叶变换红外光谱检测（Fourier-transform-infrared-spectroscopy）法，重点研究了不同贮藏条件下果实角质层和果肉细胞壁成分变化，及对果实品质和贮藏性的影响，为进一步阐明角质层在果实贮藏保鲜中的作用提供依据。研究内容包括：（1）壶瓶枣果实在冷藏和气调下软化率、品质、角质层和果肉细胞壁成分变化；（2）即时冷藏和延迟冷藏下，桃果实好果率、品质、角质层和果肉细胞壁成分变化；（3）采前喷施氯化钙或油菜素内酯对甜樱桃单果重、品质、果肉细胞壁结构以及耐贮性的影响。 试验结果表明：（1）与冷藏（-1±1 ºC）相比，气调贮藏（10% O2 + 0% CO2， -1±1 ºC）能够显著降低壶瓶枣软化率，更好地保持果实的硬度、可溶性固形物（SSC）和可滴定酸（TA）含量以及较高含量的果肉细胞壁物质和较低含量的角质层物质。（2）与延迟冷藏（25 ºC，48 h后转入0 ºC）相比，即时冷藏使“八月脆”桃果实能保持较高的果实硬度和好果率，显著减慢TA含量下降，能保持较高含量的果肉细胞壁物质和角质层物质，但对SSC和Vc含量没有显著的影响。（3）与对照相比，采前喷施CaCl2（1%，m/v）能够增加“红灯”（6.94%）的单果重，对甜樱桃果实的品质指标（硬度、SSC、TA）和细胞壁结构没有明显的影响。（4）与对照相比，采前喷施0.15 mg•L-1油菜素内酯能增加“红灯”（3.68%）和“大紫”（8.61%）的单果重，降低“红灯”果实的自然腐烂率，并不影响果实的品质指标（硬度、SSC、TA）。 这些研究结果说明：（1）与冷藏（-1±1 ºC）相比，气调贮藏（10% O2 + 0% CO2， -1±1 ºC）更利于壶瓶枣果实贮藏保鲜；（2）与延迟冷藏（25 ºC，48 h后转入0 ºC）相比，即时冷藏（0 ºC）更利于“八月脆”桃果实贮藏保鲜；（3）气调贮藏和即时冷藏通过调节果实角质层和细胞壁代谢等途径发挥作用。气调贮藏会降低壶瓶枣果实角质层物质含量，增强其透气性，减少壶瓶枣酒软发生；但即时冷藏会延缓“八月脆”桃果实角质层降解，维持角质层物质较高的含量以及结构完整性，以充分发挥角质层的保护作用，减缓果实的软化进程，维持果实硬度和品质；（4）采前适当浓度的钙或油菜素内酯处理对增加甜樱桃单果重，降低自然腐烂率有一定的作用，但在不同品种中的作用效果有差异。

Development of a process for canning fresh water fish rohu (Labeo rohita)

Results of experiments conducted to work out a process for canning fresh water fish rohu (Labeo rohita) from culture sources are presented. In order to impart a proper firm texture to the meat cold blanching the skinless boneless meat in 15% brine containing 0.25% calcium chloride was found necessary. Increasing the concentration of calcium chloride beyond 0.25% resulted in impairing the quality of meat, the texture becoming more fibrous and the flavour being adversely affected. Other firming agents tried did not yield any beneficial effect. The meat so blanched yielded a good product when canned in natural style.

红发夫酵母发酵虾青素的研究

红发夫酵母分离于北美西部高山地区和日本一些岛屿上落叶树的渗出液中，因其所产主要色素为在水产养殖、食品和医药工业有广阔应用前景的虾青素而成为研究的热点。本论文对红发夫酵母Phaffia rhodozyma 的生长特性、培养参数与培养基组分对生长和虾青素积累的影响及其优化、虾青素合成的调节控制、虾青素的提取测定及红发夫酵母耐高温菌种的诱变进行了系统的研究。 虾青素是红发夫酵母的胞内色素，要对其进行分析首先要对红发夫酵母进行破壁处理，实验发现二甲亚砜是最有效的破壁溶剂，用氯仿和丙酮可以有效地把类胡萝卜素从二甲亚砜破壁后的红发夫酵母细胞中提取出来。 在固定摇床转速为200 rpm，温度为20 ℃的条件下，当种龄为36 h，以10％的接种量接入装液量为30 mL的250 mL三角瓶，初始pH为5.5时最有利于红发夫酵母的生长及类胡萝卜素的合成。 本实验中红发夫酵母最佳利用碳、氮源分别为蔗糖和蛋白胨，但蛋白胨价格昂贵，不适宜作单一氮源，因此使用硫酸铵和酵母膏作为复合氮源。 本论文采用了BP神经网络结合遗传算法的方法来优化红发夫酵母的发酵培养基，得到红发夫酵母发酵培养基的最佳配比为：蔗糖45.10 g/L、硫酸铵3.00 g/L、硫酸镁0.80 g/L、磷酸二氢钾1.40 g/L、酵母膏3.00 g/L、氯化钙0.50 g/L，使用优化后的培养基发酵类胡萝卜素产量达到8.20 mg/L，干重达到9.47 g/L，类胡萝卜素的产量比起始培养基提高了95.90%，干重提高了89.40%。 从代谢途径出发对红发夫酵母合成虾青素调控调控，选择谷氨酸、乙醇、VB1作为添加剂，通过正交试验设计得出三者添加水平分别为0.2 g/L，0.1% (V/V)，10 mg/L时，类胡萝卜素产量提高了25.73%，达到了10.31mg/L。 通过上述优化培养，本论文中红发夫酵母的虾青素产量从1.33 mg/L提高到9.12 mg/L，产量提高了6.86倍；总类胡萝卜素产量从4.23 mg/L提高到10.31 mg/L，产量提高了2.44倍；细胞干重从5.00 g/L提高到11.35 g/L，提高了2.27倍，总体提高效果显著。 红发夫酵母属于中低温菌，本论文采用紫外复合诱变的方式，通过高温筛选，得到一株能在35 ℃下能生长的突变株，但所产类胡萝卜素中虾青素所占比例很小，可能是诱变改变了红发夫酵母的代谢途径，阻断了虾青素的合成。 Phaffia rhodozyma is a heterobasidiomyceteous yeast that was originally isolated from the slime fluxes of brich tree wounds in mountain regions of northern Japan and southern Alaska. Phaffia rhodozyma produces astaxanthin as its principal carotenoid pigment, which has potential applications in acquaculture, food and pharmaceutical industry. This paper researched ways to break cell, analysis of astaxanthin, characteristics of growth, culture parameters and the effects of components of medium on growth and astaxanthin formation , optimization of culture medium, control of astaxanthin synthesis and mutagenesis of Phaffia rhodozyma. It is necessary to disrupt the yeast cell for extracting astaxanthin considering the yeast accumulating carotenoids in cell. Dimethyisulphoxide was the most effective solvent for breaking the yeast cell; acetone and chloroform were effective to extract carotenoids out of the disrupted cell. The optimum pH for growth and carotenoids synthesis is 5.5, the optimum medium volume is 30 mL (in 250 mL flask), the optimum culture time of inoculum is 36 h, the optimum inoculum concentration is 10%. The research on culture medium showed: sucrose is the best one of 6 carbon sources for growth and astaxanthin synthesis. Peptone is the best nitrogen source for growth and astaxanthin synthesis. Uniform Design was used for trial design of the formula medium components, then back-propagation neural network was established to modeling the relationships between the carotenoid yield and the concentration of medium components. Genetic algorithm (GA) was used for global optimization of the model. The optimum combination of the medium was obtained: sucrose 45.10 g/L, ammonium sulfate 3.00 g/L, magnesium sulfate 0.80 g/L, potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1.40 g/L, yeast extract 3.00 g/L, calcium chloride 0.50 g/L. The yield of carotenoid reached 8.20 mg/L, which was 95.90% higher than that of the original medium. Glu, VB1 and ethanol were selected as fermentation addictives, after Orthogonal Test, the carotenoid contents increased by 25.73% when adding 0.16 g/L Glu, VB1 10 mg/L and ethanol 0.1% (V/V). After the above optimization, the astaxanthin content increased 6.86 folds, which is 9.12 mg/L. The carotenoids content increased 2.44 folds, which is 10.31 mg/L. The biomass increased 2.27 folds, which is 11.35 g/L. Phaffia rhodozyma grows in the mild temperature range of 0 to 27 ℃, in this work, a thermotolerant mutant was selected through UV-irradiation. It can grows at 35 ℃, and showed increased carotenoid content. The optimal growth temperature for this mutant is 30 ℃. But the mutant can only produce carotenoids with little astaxanthin accumulation.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um sistema de monitorização da corrosão electroquímica no betão armado

O presente trabalho teve como principal objectivo desenvolver e avaliar o desempenho de um sistema de monitorização da corrosão no betão armado. Para tal foram construídos dois provetes de classe 20/25, e outros dois de classe 30/35. Dentro desses quatro provetes foram instalados sensores de corrosão designados por Monicorr. Para cada classe de betão utilizaram-se dois tipos diferentes de contaminação, designadas por A e B. A contaminação do tipo A é feita adicionando durante a amassadura do betão uma solução aquosa de cloreto de cálcio a 4% em massa de cimento e sujeitando esses provetes a ciclos de condensação de 50h, durante um período de 1000h. A contaminação do tipo B é feita sujeitando os outros dois provetes de classes diferentes a ciclos de 100h de nevoeiro salino a 3% em massa de água, durante um período de 2000h. Para avaliar o desempenho do sistema de monitorização Monicorr foram comparados os valores da velocidade de corrosão instantânea por LPR, a resistividade do betão e o potencial de corrosão da armadura, obtidos pelo sistema Monicorr, com os obtidos por aparelhos utilizados para o mesmo efeito em laboratório. Paralelamente, estudou-se também a variação do potencial de corrosão da armadura em função da área oxidada. Para além disso desenvolveu-se um conjunto de pseudo referências de grafite dopada com diferentes percentagens de cimento e avaliou-se a sua estabilidade relativamente ao eléctrodo de calomelanos e óxido de managanês manganês em soluções de hidróxido de cálcio saturada e de betão armado contaminado com sais cloreto. Finalmente foram ainda desenvolvidas duas tarefas, a primeira relacionada com os resultados obtidos na medição da resistividade do betão armado pelas técnicas de dois pinos e quatro pinos, e a segunda com o desenvolvimento de um método rápido de contaminação do betão armado com dióxido de enxofre. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que: - o sistema de monitorização Monicorr apresenta um comportamento muito semelhante aos utilizados em laboratório para medir grandezas como o potencial de corrosão da armadura, resistividade do betão e velocidade de corrosão instantânea por LPR; - a monitorização das três grandezas atrás referidas pode ser uma ferramenta importante para permitir saber qual é o desenvolvimento corrosivo de uma estrutura de betão armado; os eléctrodos de grafite dopada com cimento apresentam uma elevada estabilidade nos meios testados tendo um desempenho muito semelhante à referência de manganês óxido de manganês para os mesmos meios. Relativamente à influência da área oxidada no potencial de corrosão da armadura não foi possível tirar conclusões. Foi possível, também, concluir que existe uma clara concordância entre as medições da resistividade do betão utilizando o método dos dois pinos e o método dos quatro pinos. Finalmente pode-se concluir que a metodologia desenvolvida para contaminar provetes de betão com iões sulfato obtém bons resultados ao fim de, apenas, 48h de contaminação.

Desenvolvimento e aplicação de um biossensor para monitorização de creatinina, um biomarcador associado a doenças emergentes

Este trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um material sensor para creatinina por impressão molecular em estrutura polimérica (MIP) e a sua aplicação no desenvolvimento de um dispositivo de natureza potenciométrica para a determinação da molécula alvo em fluidos biológicos. A creatinina é um dos biomarcadores mais utilizados no acompanhamento da doença renal, já que é um bom indicador da taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG). Os materiais biomiméticos desenhados para interação com a creatinina foram obtidos por polimerização radicalar, recorrendo a monómeros de ácido metacríclico ou de vinilpiridina e a um agente de reticulação apropriado. De modo a aferir o efeito da impressão da creatinina na resposta dos materiais MIP à sua presença, foram também preparados e avaliados materiais de controlo, obtidos sem impressão molecular (NIP). O controlo da constituição química destes materiais, incluindo a extração da molécula impressa, foi realizado por Espectroscopia de Raman e de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourrier. A afinidade de ligação entre estes materiais e a creatinina foi também avaliada com base em estudos cinéticos. Todos os materiais descritos foram integrados em membranas selectivas de elétrodos seletivos de ião, preparadas sem ou com aditivo iónico lipófilo, de carga negativa ou positiva. A avaliação das características gerais de funcionamento destes elétrodos, em meios de composição e pH diferentes, indicaram que as membranas com materiais impressos e aditivo aniónico eram as únicas com utilidade analítica. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos em solução tampão Piperazine-N,N′-bis(2- ethanesulfonic acid), PIPES, de pH 2,8, condição que permitiu obter uma resposta quasi-Nernstiana, a partir de 1,6×10-5 mol L-1. Estes elétrodos demonstraram ainda uma boa selectividade ao apresentaram uma resposta preferencial para a creatinina quando na presença de ureia, carnitina, glucose, ácido ascórbico, albumina, cloreto de cálcio, cloreto de potássio, cloreto de sódio e sulfato de magnésio. Os elétrodos foram ainda aplicados com sucesso na análise de amostras sintéticas de urina, quando os materiais sensores eram baseados em ácido metacrilico, e soro, quando os materiais sensores utilizados eram baseados em vinilpiridina.

Label-free human chorionic gonadotropin detection at picogram levels using oriented antibodies bound to graphene screen-printed electrodes

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a key diagnostic marker of pregnancy and an important biomarker for cancers in the prostate, ovaries and bladder and therefore of great importance in diagnosis. For this purpose, a new immunosensor of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) is presented here. The device was fabricated by introducing a polyaniline (PANI) conductive layer, via in situ electropolymerization of aniline, onto a screen-printed graphene support. The PANI-coated graphene acts as the working electrode of a three terminal electrochemical sensor. The working electrode is functionalised with anti-hCG, by means of a simple process that enabled oriented antibody binding to the PANI layer. The antibody was attached to PANI following activation of the –COOH group at the Fc terminal. Functionalisation of the electrode was analysed and optimized using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Chemical modification of the surface was characterised using Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopy with confocal microscopy. The graphene–SPE–PANI devices displayed linear responses to hCG in EIS assays from 0.001 to 50 ng mL−1 in real urine, with a detection limit of 0.286 pg mL−1. High selectivity was observed with respect to the presence of the constituent components of urine (urea, creatinine, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium chloride, potassium sulphate and sodium chloride) at their normal levels, with a negligible sensor response to these chemicals. Successful detection of hCG was also achieved in spiked samples of real urine from a pregnant woman. The immunosensor developed is a promising tool for point-of-care detection of hCG, due to its excellent detection capability, simplicity of fabrication, low-cost, high sensitivity and selectivity.