Bar Adsorptive Microextraction Approach for Trace Determination of Local Anesthetics in Urine Matrices.

The present work reports the development, optimization, and validation, of a methodology to determine lidocaine, procaine, tetracaine, and benzocaine in urine matrices. Two extractive preconcentration techniques, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) LC Tips and bar adsorptive microextraction (BAμE), were studied and applied to the four target anesthetics, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Several parameters that could affect microextraction and back-extraction were optimized using two different designs of experiments (Box-Behnken and full-factorial) to maximize extraction efficiency from aqueous media.

An accurate and precise liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of six phosphatidylethanol homologues in whole blood with phospholipid interferences minimized.

Alcohol consumption is associated with a wide risk of different diseases, injury and death, and has significant social and economic consequences worldwide. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of promising direct alcohol biomarkers, with a significantly longer half-life in blood than ethanol, which can be measured to predict different drinking patterns, such as heavy- and social drinking. This study aimed to develop and validate an accurate and precise LC-MS/MS method for the determination of six PEth homologues in whole blood with minimal interference from unwanted phospholipids.

Bar adsorptive microextraction and liquid chromatography-diode array detection of synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid.

In recent years, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have become a major public health issue. For this reason, there is a need for innovative analytical methods that allow its monitoring in biological matrices. In this work, we propose a novel methodology to screen eight SCs (AM-694, cumyl-5F-PINACA, MAM-2201, 5F-UR-144, JWH-018, JWH-122, UR-144 and APINACA) in oral fluids.

From Threat to Opportunity: Harnessing the Invasive (L.) N.E.Br for Nutritional and Phytotherapeutic Valorization Amid Seasonal and Spatial Variability.

(L.) N.E.

HS-BAμE: A New Alternative Approach for VOCs Analysis-Application for Monitoring Biogenic Emissions from Tree Species.

In this work, a new analytical approach is proposed for monitoring biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) by combining headspace bar adsorptive microextraction (HS-BAμE) with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HS-BAμE methodology was developed, optimized, validated and applied for the analysis of BVOCs emitted from two tree species ( Labill. and Aiton) and compared with headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), commonly accepted as a reference technique.

Application of Bar Adsorptive Microextraction for the Determination of Levels of Tricyclic Antidepressants in Urine Samples.

This work entailed the development, optimization, validation, and application of a novel analytical approach, using the bar adsorptive microextraction technique (BAμE), for the determination of the six most common tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs; amitriptyline, mianserin, trimipramine, imipramine, mirtazapine and dosulepin) in urine matrices. To achieve this goal, we employed, for the first time, new generation microextraction devices coated with convenient sorbent phases, polymers and novel activated carbons prepared from biomaterial waste, in combination with large-volume-injection gas chromatography-mass spectrometry operating in selected-ion monitoring mode (LVI-GC-MS(SIM)). Preliminary assays on sorbent coatings, showed that the polymeric phases present a much more effective performance, as the tested biosorbents exhibited low efficiency for application in microextraction techniques.

Application of Microextraction-Based Techniques for Screening-Controlled Drugs in Forensic Context-A Review.

The analysis of controlled drugs in forensic matrices, i.e., urine, blood, plasma, saliva, and hair, is one of the current hot topics in the clinical and toxicological context.

Seasonal Variations of the Nutritive Value and Phytotherapeutic Potential of L. (Pohl.) Targeting Ruminant's Production.

In our endeavor to identify salt-tolerant plants with potential veterinary uses in ruminants' production strategies, we focused on L. Pohl (sawgrass), due to its high total phenolic and tannin content, anti-radical properties, and ethnomedicinal uses. Aerial parts were collected along the year in Southern Portugal and evaluated for the nutritional profile and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), aiming for its use as feed.

Photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen and caffeine using magnetite-hematite combined nanoparticles: kinetics and mechanisms.

The increased use of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) has contributed to the contamination of water systems and put pressure on the development of new techniques to deal with this problem. Acetaminophen (paracetamol), a common analgesic and antipyretic drug, and caffeine, a known central nervous system stimulant, are being used frequently by many people and found in large amounts in wastewater systems. In this work, their removal, by photocatalytic degradation, was promoted using magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) based on iron oxides.

Bar Adsorptive Microextraction Coated with Carbon-based Phase Mixtures for Performance-Enhancement to Monitor Selected Benzotriazoles, Benzothiazoles, and Benzenesulfonamides in Environmental Water Matrices.

In the present work we propose, for the first time, bar adsorptive microextraction coated with carbon-based phase mixtures, followed by microliquid desorption and high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (BAμE-μLD/HPLC-DAD) analysis, to enhance the performance of the determination of traces of benzotriazoles (BTRs), benzothiazoles (BTs), and benzenesulfonamide derivatives (BSDs) in environmental water matrices. Assessing six carbon-based sorbents (CA1, CN1, B test EUR, SX PLUS, SX 1, and R) with different selectivity properties allowed us to tailor the best phase mixture (R, 12.5%/CN1, 87.

Carbon-Based Sorbent Coatings for the Determination of Pharmaceutical Compounds by Bar Adsorptive Microextraction.

Thirteen carbon materials comprising commercial activated carbons and lab-made materials (activated carbons, hydrochars, and low-T and high-T activated hydrochars) were assayed as sorbent coatings in bar adsorptive microextration (BAμE) to monitor trace levels of ten common pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) in environmental water matrices including surface water, seawater, tap water, and wastewater. Polar and nonpolar pharmaceuticals were selected, sulfamethoxazole, triclosan, carbamazepine, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, 17-α-ethinylestradiol, 17-β-estradiol, estrone, gemfibrozil, and clofibric acid, as model compounds to cover distinct therapeutic classes. Despite having a less-developed porosity, data showed that "in-house" prepared low-T activated hydrochars, obtained from carbohydrates and an eutectic salt mixture at low temperature (i.

enzyme inhibitory and anti-oxidant properties, cytotoxicity and chemical composition of the halophyte (L.) R.Br. (Brassicaceae).

This work reports for the first time the anti-oxidant (towards DPPH, ABTS, copper and iron), enzymatic inhibitory (on AChE, BuChE, α-glucosidase, α-amylase and tyrosinase), cytotoxicity (towards HepG2 and HEK 293 cells), and metabolomics (by HPLC-MS) of extracts from organs of (L.) R.Br.

Multi-Spheres Adsorptive Microextraction (MSAμE)-Application of a Novel Analytical Approach for Monitoring Chemical Anthropogenic Markers in Environmental Water Matrices.

Multi-spheres adsorptive microextraction using powdered activated carbons (ACs) was studied as a novel enrichment approach, followed by liquid desorption and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (MSAµE(AC)-LD/HPLC-DAD) to monitor caffeine (CAF) and acetaminophen (ACF) traces in environmental matrices. In this study, commercial activated carbons (N, N, and R) were tested, with the latter showing a much better performance for the analysis of both anthropogenic drugs. The main parameters affecting the efficiency of the proposed methodology are fully discussed using commercial AC(R).

Novel in vitro and in silico insights of the multi-biological activities and chemical composition of Bidens tripartita L.

Bidens tripartita L. is a traditional phyto-remedy used in several countries, yet there is still a paucity of data on its biological potential. We aimed to provide new insights on the pharmacological potential of extracts prepared from B.

Unlocking the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of Polygonum maritimum.

Context: Several Polygonum species (Polygonaceae) are used in traditional medicine in Asia, Europe and Africa to treat inflammation and diabetes.

Objective: Evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of leaves and roots of the halophyte Polygonum maritimum L.

Material And Methods: Antioxidant activity was determined (up to 1 mg/mL) as radical-scavenging activity (RSA) of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), copper (CCA) and iron (ICA) chelating activities and iron reducing power (FRAP).

Euphorbia denticulata Lam.: A promising source of phyto-pharmaceuticals for the development of novel functional formulations.

In this study, Methanolic extracts of Euphorbia denticulata parts (flowers, leaf, stem, and mix of aerial parts) were assessed for a panoply of bioactivities. Inhibitory potential against key enzymes involved in diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), obesity (pancreatic lipase), neurodegenerative diseases (cholinesterases), and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase) was evaluated. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties were also assessed.

In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Limonium algarvense flowers' infusions and decoctions: A comparison with green tea (Camellia sinensis).

This work reports the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and toxicity of infusions and decoctions of Limonium algarvense flowers, and green tea. The total contents in different phenolic groups and the quantification of individual phenolics by HPLC are also reported. L.

In vitro antioxidant and inhibitory activity of water decoctions of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) on cholinesterases, α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

This work reports the in vitro inhibitory activity of water decoctions of leaves, germ flour, pulp, locust bean gum and stem bark of carob tree on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The antioxidant activity and the chemical characterisation of the extracts made by spectrophotometric assays and by high-performance liquid chromatography are also reported. Leaves and stem bark decoctions strongly inhibited all the enzymes tested, had significant antioxidant activity and the highest total phenolics content.

Determination of phenol compounds in surface water matrices by bar adsorptive microextraction-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection.

Bar adsorptive microextraction combined with liquid desorption followed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (BAµE-LD/HPLC-DAD) is proposed for the determination of trace levels of five phenol compounds (3-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, bisphenol-A, 4-n-octylphenol and 4-n-nonylphenol) in surface water matrices. By using a polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer (PS-DVB) sorbent phase, high selectivity and efficiency is achieved even against polydimethylsiloxane through stir bar sorptive extraction. Assays performed by BAµE(PS-DVB)-LD/HPLC-DAD on 25 mL water samples spiked at the 10.

In vitro antitumoral activity of compounds isolated from Artemisia gorgonum Webb.

Artemisia gorgonum (Asteraceae) is an endemic plant to the Cape Verde islands and plays an important role in traditional medicine. The chloroform extract of the plant aerial parts afforded six sesquiterpene lactones, two methoxylated flavonoids, two lignans, and one tetracyclic triterpene, which were isolated by chromatographic methods and their structure established by physical and spectroscopic techniques. The cytotoxic activity of the three major constituents, namely, arborescin, artemetin, and sesamin, was evaluated on neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), hepatocarcinoma (HepG2), and nontumoral bone marrow stromal (S17) cell lines.

Chemical composition and bioactivity of different oregano (Origanum vulgare) extracts and essential oil.

Background: There is a growing interest in industry to replace synthetic chemicals by natural products with bioactive properties. Aromatic plants are excellent sources of bioactive compounds that can be extracted using several processes. As far as oregano is concerned, studies are lacking addressing the effect of extraction processes in bioactivity of extracts.

Anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activity of essential oils from Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Hedychium gardnerianum leaf essential oils from S. Miguel Island were determined. All the oils inhibited acetylcholinesterase, with IC(50) values of approximately 1 mg/mL, showing no statistical differences between collection sites.

Phytochemical profile and anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities of supercritical versus conventional extracts of Satureja montana.

Winter savory Satureja montana is a medicinal herb used in traditional gastronomy for seasoning meats and salads. This study reports a comparison between conventional (hydrodistillation, HD, and Soxhlet extraction, SE) and alternative (supercritical fluid extraction, SFE) extraction methods to assess the best option to obtain bioactive compounds. Two different types of extracts were tested, the volatile (SFE-90 bar, second separator vs HD) and the nonvolatile fractions (SFE-250 bar, first and second separator vs SE).