Chocolate composition and its crystallization process: A multidisciplinary analysis.

In this work, the composition of different types of chocolate was studied by using microscopy (optical and confocal fluorescence) and vibrational spectroscopy (Raman) aimed at obtaining more chemical information about this important food. By combining these techniques, it is possible to distinguish different components of chocolate. It was not possible to obtain Raman spectra of dark chocolate due to the presence of fluorescent flavonoids in cocoa particles.

The impact of dihydrogen phosphate anions on the excited-state proton transfer of harmane. Effect of β-cyclodextrin on these photoreactions.

Photoinduced proton transfer reactions of harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) (HAR) in the presence of a proton donor/acceptor such as dihydrogen phosphate anions in aqueous solution have been studied by stationary and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The presence of high amounts of dihydrogen phosphate ions modifies the acid/base properties of this alkaloid. Thus, by keeping the pH constant at pH 8.

Coupled hydrogen-bonding interactions between beta-carboline derivatives and acetic acid.

In this work, we have analysed the tendency of two beta-carboline derivatives, harmane and norharmane, in the formation of hydrogen bonds. We obtained the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of different mixtures of these derivatives with acetic acid (AcOH) in CDCl(3). A cyclic 1:3 complex is proposed between harmane and AcOH, while a 1:2 complex is proposed for norharmane.

Electrodeposition of polythiophene assisted by sonochemistry and incorporation of fluorophores in the polymeric matrix.

This work studies the effect of an ultrasonic field of 530 kHz frequency on the electrodeposition of polythiophene in an acetonitrile solution using lithium perchlorate as background electrolyte. The results obtained show an increase in the polymer mass transfer produced and a more compact and homogenous morphology of the films yielded by sonoelectrochemistry. Electrodeposition of the polymer was also carried out in the presence of the fluorophores Harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) or BCCM (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester).

Photophysical properties of methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate mediated by hydrogen-bonded complexes--a comparative study in different solvents.

The hydrogen bonding interactions of methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (BCCM) in both ground and first singlet excited electronic states have been studied in solvents with different properties in the presence of acetic acid, a hydrogen-bonding donor/acceptor. The methyl ester substituent reduces the pyridinic nitrogen basicity of this beta-carboline derivative. This fact has let us study the hydrogen bonding interactions in a higher range of acetic acid concentrations than for other beta-carboline derivatives previously studied.