Performance of Ti/TiO-ZIF-67 photoanode under LED irradiation applied to the photoelectrodegradation of the antidepressant venlafaxine (VEN) in municipal wastewater effluent.

This work describes the direct deposition of ZIF-67 metal-organic framework (MOF) onto Ti/TiO nanotubes forming a photoanode for the degradation of the antidepressant Venlafaxine (VEN). This material combines the excellent characteristics of ZIF-67 MOF in enhancing photocatalytic reduction and oxidation reactions induced by UV LED irradiation, as well as the storage of VEN molecules in its pores. Ti/TiO-ZIF-67 features an eco-friendly technology for degradation of pharmaceutical micropollutants such as antidepressants.

Paper microfluidic device using carbon dots to detect glucose and lactate in saliva samples.

Bioanalyses are commonly performed with blood or serum samples. However, these analyses often require invasive and painful blood collection using a needle or finger pricking. Saliva is an alternative and very attractive biological medium for performing clinical analyses, since it contains many types of clinically relevant biomarkers and compounds.

Direct Analysis of Doping Agents in Raw Urine Using Hydrophobic Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry.

In this study, the direct analysis of doping agents in urine samples with no sample preparation by a modified paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) methodology has been demonstrated for the first time. We have described a paper surface treatment with trichloromethylsilane using a gas-phase reaction to increase the ionization of target compounds. This approach was applied for the analysis of two classes of banned substances in urine samples: anabolic agents (trenbolone and clenbuterol) and diuretics (furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide).

Bioactive paper platform for detection of hydrogen peroxide in milk.

This paper describes the development and application of a paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for the determination of hydrogen peroxide, an important adulterant in milk. The method employs the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and guaiacol, catalyzed by peroxidase, producing a red product, which is then quantified by digital imaging. Experimental design methodology was used to optimize the experimental conditions.

Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots for determination of glucose in biofluids using a paper platform.

In this paper, we describe a novel carbon dot (CD) synthesized from citric acid and tyramine using a one-step microwave heating route. Under UV irradiation, the CD displayed blue emission that was quenched in the presence of HO and peroxidase. This property was used to quantify glucose in biological samples, using a standard additions procedure employing a paper platform and the HO formed in the enzymatic reaction with glucose oxidase.

A paper platform for colorimetric determination of aluminum hydrochloride in antiperspirant samples.

A simple, fast, low-cost, portable, and eco-friendly method using a spot test on a paper platform, together with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, was developed and validated for the quantification of aluminum hydrochloride, a potential neurotoxic agent, in antiperspirant samples. The determination of aluminum hydrochloride was performed at a wavelength of 615 nm, by measuring consumption of the purple colorimetric reagent Alizarin S, due to reaction with aluminum. The linear range was from 10.

Simultaneous determination of renal function biomarkers in urine using a validated paper-based microfluidic analytical device.

In this paper, we describe a validated paper-based microfluidic analytical device for the simultaneous quantification of two important biomarkers of renal function in urine. This paper platform provides an inexpensive, simple, and easy to use colorimetric method for the quantification of creatinine (CRN) and uric acid (UA) in urine samples. The microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) consists of a main channel with three identical arms, each containing a circular testing zone and a circular uptake zone.