Integrated microfluidic enzyme reactor mass spectrometry platform for detection of anthrax lethal factor.

In this work, we have developed a coupled microfluidic enzyme reactor mass spectrometry platform for the detection of protein toxins such as anthrax lethal factor. The lethal toxin produced during Bacillus anthracis infection is a complex protective antigen, which localizes the toxin to the cell receptor and lethal factor (LF). We have demonstrated, in this work, the applicability of a microfluidic reactor for the capture and concentration of enzyme reaction solid-phase.

Phase-transfer catalyst separation by CO2 enhanced aqueous extraction.

CO2 is used to enhance the environmentally benign and efficient recovery of phase transfer catalysts with aqueous extraction; this method can alter the distribution of phase transfer catalysts so dramatically that even in dilute organic solutions they can be separated selectively from an organic reaction mixture with only a small fraction of the water required in a traditional aqueous extraction.