A ternary eutectic solvent for cellulose nanocrystal production: exploring the recyclability and pre-pilot scale-up.

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) formed using choline chloride (ChCl), -toluenesulfonic acid (TSA) of stoichiometry ChCl: pTSA (1:1) and (1:2), and its ternary eutectic mixtures with phosphoric acid (PA) 85% as an additive (ChCl: TSA: PA) were evaluated for cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) isolation. Initially, the hydrolytic efficiency to produce CNC of each DES was compared before and after adding phosphoric acid by Hammett acidity parameters and the Gutmann acceptor number. Moreover, different DES molar ratios and reaction time were studied at 80°C for CNC optimization.

Synergistic effect of electrotrophic perchlorate reducing microorganisms and chemically modified electrodes for enhancing bioelectrochemical perchlorate removal.

Perchlorate has been described as an emerging pollutant that compromises water sources and human health. In this study, a new electrotrophic perchlorate reducing microorganism (EPRM) isolated from the Atacama Desert, Dechloromonas sp. CS-1, was evaluated for perchlorate removal in water in a bioelectrochemical reactor (BER) with a chemically modified electrode.

Cysteine-Mediated Green Synthesis of Copper Sulphide Nanoparticles: Biocompatibility Studies and Characterization as Counter Electrodes.

A one-pot green method for aqueous synthesis of fluorescent copper sulphide nanoparticles (NPs) was developed. The reaction was carried out in borax-citrate buffer at physiological pH, 37 °C, aerobic conditions and using Cu (II) and the biological thiol cysteine. NPs exhibit green fluorescence with a peak at 520 nm when excited at 410 nm and an absorbance peak at 410 nm.

Phenoxy- and Phenylamino-Heterocyclic Quinones: Synthesis and Preliminary Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Activity.

The successful application of fragment-based drug discovery strategy for the efficient synthesis of phenoxy- or phenylamino-2-phenyl-benzofuran, -benzoxazole and -benzothiazole quinones is described. Interestingly, in the final step of the synthesis of the target compounds, unusual results were observed on the regiochemistry of the reaction of bromoquinones with phenol and aniline. A theoretical study was carried out for better understanding the factors that control the regiochemistry of these reactions.

New Hybrid Copper Nanoparticles/Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Composite with Antibacterial Activity.

In the search for new materials to fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a hybrid composite from metallic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and a novel cationic π-conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) were designed, synthesized, and characterized. The CuNPs were prepared by chemical reduction in the presence of CPE, which acts as a stabilizing agent. Spectroscopic analysis and electron microscopy showed the distinctive band of the metallic CuNP surface plasmon and their random distribution on the CPE laminar surface, respectively.

Exploring the Effect of the Irradiation Time on Photosensitized Dendrimer-Based Nanoaggregates for Potential Applications in Light-Driven Water Photoreduction.

Fourth generation polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM, G4) modified with fluorescein units (F) at the periphery and Pt nanoparticles stabilized by L-ascorbate were prepared. These dendrimers modified with hydrophobic fluorescein were used to achieve self-assembling structures, giving rise to the formation of nanoaggregates in water. The photoactive fluorescein units were mainly used as photosensitizer units in the process of the catalytic photoreduction of water propitiated by light.

Effects of non-covalent interactions on the electronic and electrochemical properties of Cu(i) biquinoline complexes.

A Cu(i) complex {[Cu(biq)]ClO-biq} with biq = 2,2'-biquinoline was prepared, fully characterized and its properties compared with those of the well-known [Cu(biq)]ClO complex. The crystal structures were obtained for both complexes (crystal structure for [Cu(biq)]ClO has not been previously reported). Complex [Cu(biq)]ClO crystallizes as a racemate where each enantiomer has a different τ value while compound {[Cu(biq)]ClO-biq} crystallizes as a non-chiral supramolecular aggregate with an uncoordinated biq molecule forming a π-π stacking interaction with a coordinated biq.

Improving myoblast differentiation on electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds.

Polymer scaffolds are used as an alternative to support tissue regeneration when it does not occur on its own. Cell response on polymer scaffolds is determined by factors such as polymer composition, topology, and the presence of other molecules. We evaluated the cellular response of murine skeletal muscle myoblasts on aligned or unaligned fibers obtained by electrospinning poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), and blends with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or decorin, a proteoglycan known to regulate myogenesis.

Chitosan/poly-octanoic acid 2-thiophen-3-yl-ethyl ester blends as a scaffold to maintain myoblasts regeneration potential in vitro.

Satellite cells are a small cell population that function as muscle-specific adult stem cells. When muscle damage occurs, these cells are able to activate, proliferate, and ultimately fuse with each other in order to form new myofibers or fuse with existing ones. For tissue engineering applications, obtaining a sufficient number of myoblasts prior transplantation that maintains their regenerative capacity is critical.

Electrocatalytic Transformation of Carbon Dioxide into Low Carbon Compounds on Conducting Polymers Derived from Multimetallic Porphyrins.

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is studied herein by using conducting polymers based on metallotetraruthenated porphyrins (MTRPs). The polymers on glassy carbon electrodes were obtained by electropolymerization processes of the monomeric MTRP. The linear sweep voltammetry technique resulted in polymeric films that showed electrocatalytic activity toward carbon dioxide reduction with an onset potential of -0.

Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide on Quantum-Dot-Modified Electrodes by Electric Field Directed Layer-by-Layer Assembly Methodology.

The photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2 on ITO-modified electrodes, with electrostatic assemblies (polycations/quantum dots) (polycations=poly diallyldimethylammonium, PDDA, and poly(2-trimethylammonium)ethyl methacrylate, PMAEMA)), is described in the present work. Nanoparticles of CdTe (5.6 nm) were incorporated through an electric field directed layer-by-layer assembly method on ITO electrodes.

Toward a pK(a) scale of N-base amines in ionic liquids.

An electrochemical technique was used to investigate pKa values of some substituted secondary alicyclic (SA) amines, pyridines (py), anilines (AN), and triethylamine (Et3N) in different ionic liquids. The method involves cyclic voltammetry at a platinized Pt electrode. The experimental data were correlated with pKa values reported previously in aqueous solution, and Hammett parameters were correlated with pKa values in ionic liquids to determine ρ values in these media.

Anthocyanin composition in aged Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon red wines.

Anthocyanins in aged Cabernet Sauvignon red wines were studied by HPLC-MS. The major anthocyanin in 6, 7, and 8year old red wine extracts was the dimer vitisin A produced by condensation of malvidin-3-O-glucoside mediated by pyruvic acid. In aged wine, the content of malvidin-3-O-glucoside decreased with age with a concomitant increase of vitisin A.

Antifungal activity of resveratrol against Botrytis cinerea is improved using 2-furyl derivatives.

The antifungal effect of three furyl compounds closely related to resveratrol, (E)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-β-(2-furyl)-styrene (1), (E)-4-methoxy-β-(2-furyl)-styrene (2) and (E)-3,5-dimethoxy-β-(2-furyl)-styrene (3) against Botrytis cinerea was analyzed. The inhibitory effect, at 100 µg ml(-1) of compounds 1, 2, 3 and resveratrol on conidia germination, was determined to be about 70%, while at the same concentration pterostilbene (a dimethoxyl derivative of resveratrol) produced complete inhibition. The title compounds were more fungitoxic towards in vitro mycelial growth than resveratrol and pterostilbene.

Detection of hydrophobic microdomains in anionic polyelectrolytes with tris-(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)3Cr(III).

This paper describes the changes in the luminescent properties of the tris-(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(3)Cr(III), [Cr(dip)(3)](3+) complex in an aqueous solution of three polyelectrolytes containing cyclohexyl, phenyl or 1-naphthyl groups in the side chain. When the polyelectrolytes form hydrophobic microdomains the luminescence of [Cr(dip)(3)](3+) is affected. The luminescence increases in the presence of cyclohexyl groups in the side chains, but decreases in the presence of phenyl and naphthyl groups (in that order).