An easy-to-use platform for colorimetric determination of dextran: A potential application for the sugar industry.

A user-friendly platform based on foam sheets and silica solid support was developed for colorimetric sensing of dextran via phenol-sulfuric acid assay. The chemical reagents, sulfuric acid and phenol were separately preserved by silica gel. The brown color product of the phenol-sulfuric acid reaction occurred on the silica solid support when sample solutions were added. The color intensity of brown products was easily obtained by a smartphone and color processing software. Subsequently, a broad concentration range of dextran could be determined up to 10,000 mg/L dextran, with a detection limit of 360 mg/L. Furthermore, a precision study, including inter-day and intra-day studies, presented a satisfactory performance for dextran detection. The developed platform was successfully applied for the sugar industry's dextran determination of syrup samples.

Selective colorimetric detection of Cr(VI) using starch-stabilized silver nanoparticles and application for chromium speciation.

The selective quantitation of Cr(VI) was developed through colorimetric detection using starch-stabilized silver nanoparticles (starch-AgNPs). The detection of Cr(VI) was based on oxidative degradation of starch-AgNPs as the reduction of UV-Vis signal and the distinctive color change from yellow to colorless of starch-AgNPs were observed. To achieve the highest sensitivity by this method, pH 3, and only 1 min were required for the determination of Cr(VI). For analytical performances, two linear ranges of 0-6 µM and 10-80 µM with limit of detection of 0.93 µM (48 µg/L) and 11.57 µM (0.60 mg/L) were obtained, respectively. The developed colorimetric method was combined with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the speciation analysis of chromium. The concentration of Cr(III) was calculated by subtraction of Cr(VI) from the total chromium concentration determined by ICP-OES. A satisfactory accuracy and precision based on the AOAC guidelines also proved that this simple and rapid sensor was successfully applied for speciation of chromium in real water samples.

Paper-based cation-selective optode sensor containing benzothiazole calix[4]arene for dual colorimetric Ag+ and Hg2+ detection.

A new paper-based analytical device based on bulk ion-selective optodes (ISOs) for dual Ag+ and Hg2+ detection has been developed. A plasticized PVC hydrophobic phase composed of 25,27-di(benzothiazolyl)-26,28-hydroxycalix[4]arene (CU1) as an ion-selective ionophore, potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate as an ion-exchanger and chromoionophore XIV as a lipophilic pH indicator was entrapped in the pores of cellulose paper. This paper strip showed higher selectivity for Ag+ and Hg2+ over common alkali, alkaline earth and some transition metal ions with a color change from blue to yellow. With the proposed sensor, Ag+ and Hg2+ can be measured with the range of 1.92 × 10-6 to 5.00 × 10-3 M for Ag+ and 5.74 × 10-7 to 5.00 × 10-5 M for Hg2+ with a limit of detection of 1.92 × 10-6 M for Ag+ and 5.74 × 10-7 M for Hg2+. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to determine the amount of mercury in various water sources and the amount of silver in cleaning product samples containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The results were in good agreement with inductively couple plasma-optical emission spectrometric measurements (ICP-OES).

Biocompatible film sensors containing red radish extract for meat spoilage observation.

pH-sensitive films were developed based on biocompatible materials and natural pH sensitive dye. The films were successfully fabricated using starch/gelatin and red radish anthocyanin. The colors of films could be differentiated by naked eye within 5 min changing from orange to grey-purple at pH 2-12 and captured by a smartphone. The color parameters were evaluated by the Image J software. In addition, the color change of films was observed in ammonia gas atmosphere. The color stability of sensing films was evaluated and the results indicated that the films had great stability and were able to store more than two weeks. The results from intra-day and inter-day color response study showed good precision. Finally, the pH-sensitive films could be applied to real samples for real-time meat spoilage observation.

Arsenite and arsenate removal from wastewater using cationic polymer-modified waste tyre rubber.

Waste tyre rubber (WTR) granulate was modified with a cationic polymer, poly(3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride (p(APTMACl)). The resulting WTR/p(APTMACl) was utilized for the adsorption of arsenite, As(III) and arsenate, As(V) from aqueous medium in both batch and column methods. The level of adsorption increased gradually with increasing monomer concentration and contact time. The adsorption behavior obeyed the Freundlich model, and the rate of adsorption could be predicted by employing the pseudo-second order model. In the column method, As(V) could be adsorbed onto the sorbent more effectively than As(III). Remarkable desorption of As(III) and As(V) (99 and 92%, respectively) from the adsorbent was achieved using 0.10 M HCl as eluent. An approach of evaluation of adsorption capacity uncertainty is proposed.

Naked-eye and colorimetric detection of arsenic(III) using difluoroboron-curcumin in aqueous and resin bead support systems.

This work presents a new colorimetric method that is simple, rapid and cost effective for the determination of arsenic(III) in water samples. The method is based on changes in the absorbance of difluoroboron-curcumin (BF2-curcumin), prepared by the reaction of borontrifluoride diethyletherate ((C2H5)2OBF3) and curcumin. The BF2-curcumin was dissolved in 60% ethanol, which yielded an orange solution with the maximum absorbance at 509 nm. Upon the addition of arsenic(III), the color of the BF2-curcumin solution changed from orange to blue and the absorbance was measured by UV-visible spectrometry at 632 nm. The BF2-curcumin was applicable in both solution and coated resin. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits achieved by means of UV-visible spectrometry, naked-eye detection with BF2-curcumin solution and naked-eye detection with BF2-curcumin-coated resin were found to be 0.26, 25 and 30 µM, respectively.

Simple spectrophotometric method for determination of melamine in liquid milks based on green Mannich reaction.

A new and simple spectrophotometric method has been developed and validated for measuring the contamination of melamine in different milk products. The method is based upon measuring the absorption of the complex formed from melamine, 4-hydroxyacetophenone (Hap) and 1-pyrene carboxaldehyde (Pcd), which was adapted from the Mannich reaction. Quantitative analysis was done at a wavelength of 236 nm within a few minutes. The reaction was optimized by focusing on both obtaining high performance of the method and to concern the volatility and toxicity of used reagents. This method provided a linear dynamic range, limit of detection and limit of quantification of 0.100-3.78, 0.08 and 0.14 mg L(-1), respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.6% (n=10). The recoveries of melamine spiked liquid milk samples, with melamine concentrations of 0.63, 1.26, 1.89 and 2.52 mg L(-1), were 87.7±3.7%, 91.1±8.8%, 89.2±4.4% and 90.6±3.6% (n=3), respectively.

Naked eye screening of 11 phenolic compounds and colorimetric determination using polydiacetylene vesicles with α-cyclodextrin.

The colorimetric response (CR) of poly(10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid) vesicles (PPCDA) induced by α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in an aqueous solution has been studied. Various parameters affecting the CR, such as response time and concentration were investigated. The blue color of 0.01 mM PPCDA solution became pinkish red with the addition of α-CD at the concentration higher than 3 mM. The inhibition of the color transition from blue to red was investigated using 11 phenolic compounds. The color transition could be inhibited and observed by naked eye in the presence of 4 phenolic compounds, i.e. 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 4-bromophenol (4-BP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 3-nitrophenol (3-NP). A colorimetric method for the determination of these compounds was validated and applied for surface water analysis. The linear range from the plot of CR against phenolic compounds concentration was in the order of 0.5-2.0 mM with R(2) more than 0.99. The recoveries were 90-95% with good precision (1-4%RSD, n=10).

Humic acids removal from water by aminopropyl functionalized rice husk ash.

The use of rice husk ash (RHA) as an adsorbent for the adsorption of humic acids from water was studied. Optimum conditions for humic acids adsorption were found in batch method as follows, 60 min equilibrium time and initial in the range of pH 3-4. In addition, RHA was functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Again, the adsorption behavior of the modified rice husk ash (RHA-NH(2)) was studied. Optimum conditions for humic acids adsorption were found to be 30 min equilibrium time and initial pH in the range of 3-4. The adsorption capacity of RHA-NH(2) was higher than that of RHA. Experimental adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir equation and the maximum adsorption capacity was 8.2mg/g. at pH 6. The column method was also performed. The comparative adsorption efficiencies of RHA-NH(2) and commercial activated carbons showed insignificant difference. The RHA-NH(2) adsorbent was applied for humic acids removal from surface water.

Bulk optode sensors for batch and flow-through determinations of lead ion in water samples.

A sensitive optode consisting of highly lead-selective ionophore (Lead IV), proton-selective chromoionophore (ETH 5294) and lipophilic anionic sites (KTpClPB) in plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane was fabricated. The optode membranes were used for determination of Pb(2+) by absorption spectrophotometry in batch and flow-through systems. The influence parameters such as pH, type of buffer solution, response time and concentration of regenerating solution were optimized. The membrane responded to Pb(2+) by changing its color from blue to pinkish purple in Tris buffer containing different concentration of Pb(2+) at pH 7.0. The optode provided the response range of 3.16x10(-8) to 5.00x10(-5) mol L(-1) Pb(2+) with the detection limit of 2.49x10(-8) mol L(-1) in the batch system within the response time of 30 min. The dynamic range of 1.26x10(-8) to 3.16x10(-5) mol L(-1) Pb(2+) with detection limit of 8.97x10(-9) mol L(-1) were obtained in the flow-through system within the response time of 15 min. Moreover, the proposed optode sensors showed good selectivity towards Pb(2+) over Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Ag(+). It was successfully applied to determine Pb(2+) in real water samples and the results were compared with well-established inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). No significant different value (t(critical)=4.30>t(exp)=1.00-3.42, n=3 at 95% of confidence level) was found.

Highly selective preconcentration of Cu(II) from seawater and water samples using amidoamidoxime silica.

Chemically modified silica containing amidoamidoxime group was studied as a sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and preconcentration of Cu(II) prior to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The sorbent showed an extremely high selectivity towards Cu(II) in the pH range of 4-6, while the extraction of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) was low. The adsorption isotherm followed the Langmuir model and the maximum sorption capacity of 0.0163 mmol Cu(II)g(-1) was achieved. In the flow system, Cu(II) was completely retained on a column containing 40 mg of the modified silica at the flow rate of 4.0 mL min(-1) and quantitatively eluted by 5 mL of 1% (v/v) HNO(3). No interference from Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) at 10, 100 and 1000 mg L(-1) was observed. When applied for preconcentration and determination of Cu(II) in tap water, pond water, and seawater, the recoveries were 96, 101, and 95%, respectively, with high precision (% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.)<4) and low method detection limit (9 microg L(-1)).

Extraction of heavy metal ions from leachate of cement-based stabilized waste using purpurin functionalized resin.

A new chelating resin was synthesized by functionalization of a polymer support, Amberlite XAD-2 with purpurin through an azo linkage (NN). The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The optimum conditions for the extraction of Cd(II), Cr(III) and Pb(II) in two matrices; leachate from cement-based material and de-ionized water, were studied by batch and column methods. The determination of the metal ions was carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum pH for the extraction of all metal ions in both matrices were at 4.0. Their sorption equilibrium was reached within 1h. The sorbed Cd(II) and Pb(II) were eluted by 1% HNO3 within 10 min with the desorption recovery of >90%. The elution of Cr(III) by 3% H2O2 in 0.1 M NaOH was achieved within 30 min with the desorption recovery of >80%. The sorption capacity of Cd(II), Cr(III) and Pb(II) onto the resin was 75.0, 68.2, 82.7 micromol g(-1) resin in DI water and 54.1, 46.5 and 55.7 micromol g(-1) resin in leachate, respectively. The extraction efficiency in the column method can be improved using the recirculation system. This new method gave a good accuracy in batch system with the recovery of 86.5 and 89.9% for Cd(II) and Pb(II) and R.S.D. less than 2.3% (n=14).

Multi-element preconcentration of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by APDC impregnated activated carbon.

Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate impregnated activated carbon (APDC-AC) has been used for the preconcentration of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solution by column solid phase extraction (SPE) technique. Trace metal ions in aqueous solution were quantitatively sorbed onto APDC-AC packed in a SPE column at pH 5.0 with a flow rate of 1.0mLmin(-1). The sorbed metals were eluted with 1M nitric acid in acetone solution at a flow rate of 0.6mLmin(-1) and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of sample volume, amount of APDC-AC, volume of eluent and ionic strength of working solution on metal ion recovery have been investigated. The present methodology gave recoveries from 90 to 106% and R.S.D. from 0.6 to 5.5%.