SERS activity and spectroscopic properties of Zn and ZnO nanostructures obtained by electrochemical and green chemistry methods for applications in biology and medicine.

This work for the first time evaluates the ability of homogeneous, stable, and pure zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs-GS) synthesized by "green chemistry" - an environmentally friendly, cheap, and easy method that allows efficient use of plant waste, such as banana peels, for the selective detection of four neurotransmitters present in body fluids and promotion of the SERS effect. Selective adsorption on ZnONPs-GS was compared with adsorption on the surface of (1) ZnONPs, which were obtained by electrochemical dissolution of zinc in a solution free of surfactants and (2) mechanically polished surface of bare Zn. The study showed that SERS spectroscopy using unique marker bands allows distinguishing whether the adsorbate is deposited on the surface of zinc or zinc oxide.

Ions-free electrochemically synthetized in aqueous media flake-like CuO nanostructures as SERS reproducible substrates for the detection of neurotransmitters.

The process of catalytic destruction of tumor cells can be strengthened by introducing copper(II) oxide nanostructures (CuONSs) with receptor's agonists/antagonists immobilized on their surface. Here we show a simple and reliable electrochemical method for the fabrication ions-free flake-like CuO nanostructures in a surfactant/ions free aqueous environment. For the determination of the metal surface plasmon, size, rheology, and structure of the fabricated nanostructures ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (HDTEM-EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis were used.

Interaction of bombesin and its fragments with gold nanoparticles analyzed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

This work demonstrates the application of commercially available stable surface composed of gold nanograins with diameters ranging from 70 to 226nm deposited onto silicon wafer for surface-enhanced Raman scattering investigations of biologically active compounds, such as bombesin (BN) and its fragments. BN is an important neurotransmitter involved in a complex signaling pathways and biological responses; for instance, hypertensive action, contractive on uterus, colon or ileum, locomotor activity, stimulation of gastric and insulin secretion as well as growth promotion of various tumor cell lines, including: lung, prostate, stomach, colon, and breast. It has also been shown that 8-14 BN C-terminal fragment partially retains the biological activity of BN.

Study of cellulolytic enzyme immobilization on copolymers of N-vinylformamide.

This study was focused on finding of effective carriers suitable for the immobilization of cellulase. Copolymers of N-vinylformamide (NFV) and divinylbenzene (DVB) were synthesized by free radical crosslinking polymerization in inverse suspension. Methyl silicone oil was used as the continuous phase.