Heavy Metal Levels and Mineral Nutrient Status of Natural Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Populations in Kyrgyzstan: Nutritional Values of Kernels.

In this study, mineral nutrient and heavy metal (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contents of the walnut kernels and their co-located soil samples collected from the four different zones of natural walnut forests (Sary-Chelek, Arslanbap, and Kara-Alma in Jalal-Abad Region and Kara-Shoro in Osh Region) in Kyrgyzstan were investigated. The highest concentrations for all elements determined in the soil samples were observed in the Sary-Chelek zone whereas the Arslanbap zone was found to be having the lowest concentrations except Fe and Zn. The highest concentrations in the kernels of walnut samples were found to be in the Sary-Chelek zone for Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Zn; in the Kara-Shoro zone for Cu; in the Arslanbap zone for Mn; and in the Kara-Alma zone for Na whereas the lowest concentrations were found to be in the Arslanbap zone for Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, and Zn and in the Sary-Chelek zone for Cu and Mn, respectively. Also, the levels of Al, Cd, Ni, and Pb in kernel samples could not be detected by ICP-OES because their levels were lower than the threshold detection point (10 µg.kg-1). Additionally, our data indicated that the walnut kernels from Kyrgyzstan have higher values for RDA (recommended daily allowances) in comparison with the walnut kernels from other countries.

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds: part 30. Syntheses and structural investigations, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities and DNA interactions of vanillinato-substituted NN or NO spirocyclic monoferrocenyl cyclotriphosphazenes.

The gradual Cl replacement reactions of NN (1-3) or NO spirocyclic monoferrocenyl cyclotriphosphazenes (4 and 5) with the potassium salt of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (potassium vanillinate) resulted in the mono (1a-5a), geminal (gem-1b-5b), non-geminal (cis-5b and trans -1b-4b), tri (1c, 3c-5c) and tetra-vanillinato-substituted phosphazenes (1d-5d). All the phosphazene derivatives have stereogenic P-center(s), except tetra-substituted ones. The vanillinatophosphazenes have reversible voltammograms with one-electron anodic and cathodic peaks which are attributed to ferrocenyl redox probe. The structures of the new phosphazene compounds were determined by FTIR, MS, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H} and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectral data. The solid-state structure of cis -5b was examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In addition, the compounds were tested in HeLa cancer cell lines using MTT assay. The 12 phosphazene derivatives were screened for antimicrobial activity, and 3c was very effective against S. aureus even at 4.88 µM concentration, taking into account the MIC values. Besides, interactions between the phosphazenes and pBR322 plasmid DNA were also investigated.

A novel Surface Plasmon Resonance enhanced Total Internal Reflection Ellipsometric application: electrochemically grafted isophthalic acid nanofilm on gold surface.

The scope of this study is to modify a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensor slide with isophthalic acid to evaluate the possible application on the detection of copper(II) ions in aqueous media by total internal reflection ellipsometry. A gold sensor surface was modified by an electrochemical diazonium reduction modification method. The modified surfaces are characterized with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and ellipsometry. Isophthalic acid monolayer modified gold slides were used for in situ detection of aqueous Cu(2+) solution with the SPR enhanced total internal reflection ellipsometry (SPRe-TIRE) technique. Layer formation, pH dependency of adsorption, sensor response of the SPRe-TIRE and isothermal kinetic parameters were examined. A high dependency on the number of CV cycles in the monolayer-multiple layer transition was observed. The suggested sensor gave a linear response over a wide range of Cu(2+) concentrations. It was also reported that adsorption on the SPRe-TIRE sensor gave Langmuir adsorption model behavior.

Direct electron transfer from glucose oxidase immobilized on polyphenanthroline-modified glassy carbon electrode.

This study reports direct electron transfer (DET) from immobilized glucose oxidase (GOx) via grafted and electropolymerized 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate (PMH). The layer of poly-1,10-phenanthroline (PPMH) was gained via electrochemical deposition, which was used to create the PPMH-modified GC-electrode (PPMH/GC-electrode). Further, the GOx was immobilized on the PPMH/GC-electrode. The effect of surface-modification by the PPMH on the electron-transfer between enzyme and electrode-surface and some other electrochemical/analytical-parameters of newly designed enzymatic-electrode were evaluated. The PPMH/GC-electrode showed superior DET to/from flavine adenine dinucleotide cofactor of GOx, while some redox-compounds including ferrocene and K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] were completely electrochemically inactive on the PPMH/GC-electrode. It was also found that the resulting GOx/PPMH/GC-electrode functioned as a "direct response type" glucose-biosensor. The biosensor showed excellent selectivity towards glucose and demonstrated good operational-stability. According to our best knowledge, this study is the first scientific report on electrochemical-polymerization of PMH on the GC-electrode in non-aqueous media followed by its application in the design of glucose-biosensor.

Effect of Au and Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles on the SERS of bridging organic molecules.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with about 6 nm size were produced and stabilized with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) film to produce a monolayer protected cluster (MPC) of AuS(CH(2))(2)COOH. 4-Aminothiophenol (ATP) molecules were introduced to the activated carboxylic acid ends of the film surrounding the AuNPs to produce AuS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhSH MPC. These modified AuNPs were again self-assembled with Au@Ag core-shell bimetallic nanoparticles via the -SH groups to produce an organic bridge between Au and Au@Ag metallic nanoparticles. An unusually strong enhancement of the Raman signals was observed and assigned to the plasmon coupling between the AuNPs and Au@Ag NPs bridged assembly. Formation of AuS(CH(2))(2)COOH and AuS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhSH clusters and AuS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhS(Au@Ag) assembly is confirmed by UV-Vis, reflection-absorption IR spectroscopy (RAIRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as by TEM analysis. The SERS activity of the AuNPs and Au@Ag NPs was tested using the HS(CH(2))(2)CONHPhSH molecule as a probe to compare the effectiveness of monometallic and bimetallic systems. SERS spectra show that Au@Ag bimetallic nanoparticles are very effective SERS-active substrates.

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 18. Syntheses, stereogenic properties, structural and electrochemical investigations, biological activities, and DNA interactions of new spirocyclic mono- and bisferrocenylphosphazene derivatives.

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazatriene, N(3)P(3)Cl(6), with mono- (1 and 2) and bisferrocenyldiamines (3-5), FcCH(2)NH(CH(2))(n)NHR(1) (R(1) = H or FcCH(2)-), produce mono- (6 and 7) and spirocyclic bisferrocenylphosphazenes (8-10). The fully substituted phosphazenes (11-15 and 18-21) are obtained from the reactions of corresponding partly substituted phosphazenes (6-10) with excess pyrrolidine and NH(2)(CH(2))(3)ONa, respectively. The reactions of 6 with 1-aza-12-crown-4 afford geminal (16) and tris (17) crown ether-substituted phosphazenes. The structural investigations of the compounds have been verified by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, Fourier transform IR, (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR, and DEPT, COSY, HETCOR, and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 7, 10, 11, and 15 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In 16 and 17, there are one and two stereogenic P atoms, respectively, and they are expected to be in enantiomeric mixtures. The structures of 18-21 look similar to a propeller. In 20 and 21, there are two stereogenic P atoms, and they exist as cis (meso; 20a and 21a) and trans (racemic; 20b and 21b) geometric isomers, according to the chiral solvating agent (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9'-anthryl)ethanol experiments. Moreover, the compounds 18 and 19 have three stereogenic P atoms, and they exist as enantiomeric mixtures. Cyclic voltammetric investigations of compounds 6-21a reveal that ferrocene redox centers undergo oxidation concurrently at the same potential with basically reversible peaks, and these compounds appear to be quite robust electrochemically. The compounds 11-15 have been screened for antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria and for antifungal activity against yeast strains.The compounds 11, 12, 14, and 15 are evaluated for antituberculosis activity against reference strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294). Interactions between compounds 11-15 and pBR322 plasmid DNA are studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. These compounds induce conformational changes in the DNA helix.

Preparation and characterization of diethylene glycol bis(2-aminophenyl) ether-modified glassy carbon electrode.

Diethylene glycol bis(2-aminophenyl) ether (DGAE) diazonium salt was covalently electrografted on a glassy carbon (GC) surface and behavior of this novel surface was investigated. Synthesis of DGAE diazonium salt (DGAE-DAS) and in situ modification of GC electrode were performed in aqueous media containing NaNO2, keeping the temperature below +4 degrees C. For the characterization of the modified electrode surface by cyclic voltammetry, dopamine (DA) was used to prove the attachment of the DGAE-DAS on the GC surface. Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to observe the molecular bound properties of the adsorbates at the DGAE-modified GC surface (GC-DGAE). The EIS results were analyzed using the Randles equivalent circuit. The charge transfer resistance on bare GC and the modified surface were calculated using the model equivalent circuit for the ferrocene redox system. Surface coverage was found as 0.4 showing the presence of high pinhole and defects in the modified electrode. The rate constant of electron transfer through the monolayer was calculated for ferrocene. Working potential range and the stability of the DGAE-modified GC electrode was also determined.

Molecular rectification and conductance switching in carbon-based molecular junctions by structural rearrangement accompanying electron injection.

Molecular junctions were fabricated consisting of a 3.7 nm thick layer of nitroazobenzene (NAB) molecules between a pyrolyzed photoresist substrate (PPF) and a titanium top contact which was protected from oxidation by a layer of gold. Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and AFM revealed that the NAB layer was 2-3 molecules thick and was bonded to the two conducting contacts by C-C and N-Ti covalent bonds. The current/voltage behavior of the PPF/NAB(3.7)/Ti junctions showed strong and reproducible rectification, with the current at +2 V exceeding that at -2 V by a factor of 600. The observed current density at +3 V was 0.71 A/cm(2), or about 10(5) e(-)/s/molecule. The i/V response was strongly dependent on temperature and scan rate, with the rectification ratio decreasing for lower temperature and faster scans. Junction conductivity increased with time over several seconds at room temperature in response to positive voltage pulses, with the rate of increase larger for more positive potentials. Voltage pulses to positive potentials and back to zero volts revealed that electrons are injected from the Ti to the NAB, to the extent of about 0.1-1 e(-)/molecule for a +3 V pulse. These electrons cause an activated transition of the NAB into a more conductive quinoid state, which in turn causes an increase in conductivity. The transition to the quinoid state involves nuclear rearrangement which occurs on a submillisecond to several second time scale, depending on the voltage applied. The quinoid state is stable as long as the applied electric field is present, but reverts back to NAB within several minutes after the field is relaxed. The results are interpreted in terms of a thermally activated, potential dependent electron transfer into the 3.7 nm NAB layer, which brings about a conductivity increase of several orders of magnitude.

Modified carbon surfaces as "organic electrodes" that exhibit conductance switching.

Glassy carbon (GC) surfaces modified with monolayers of biphenyl and nitrobiphenyl molecules were examined as voltammetric electrodes for ferrocene, benzoquinone, and tetracyanoquinodimethane electrochemistry in acetonitrile. The modified electrodes exhibited slower electron transfer than unmodified GC, by factors that varied with the monolayer and redox system. However, after a negative potential excursion to approximately -2.0 V versus Ag+/Ag, the modified electrodes exhibited much faster electron-transfer kinetics, approaching those observed on unmodified GC. The effect is attributed to an apparently irreversible structural change in the biphenyl or nitrobiphenyl monolayer, which increases the rate of electron tunneling. The transition to the "ON" state is associated with electron injection into the monolayer similar to that observed in previous spectroscopic investigations and causes a significant decrease in the calculated HOMO-LUMO gap for the monolayer molecule. Once the monolayer is switched ON, it supports rapid electron exchange with outer-sphere redox systems, but not with dopamine, which requires adsorption to the GC surface. The increase in electron-transfer rate with electron injection is consistent with an increase in electron tunneling rate through the monolayer, caused by a significant decrease in tunneling barrier height. The ON electrode can reduce biphenyl- or nitrobiphenyldiazonium reagent in solution to permit formation of a second modification layer of biphenyl or nitrobiphenyl molecules. This "double derivatization" procedure was used to prepare tetraphenyl- and nitrotetraphenyl-modified electrodes, which exhibit significantly slower electron transfer than their biphenyl and nitrobiphenyl counterparts. A "switching" electrode may have useful properties for electroanalytical applications and possibly in electrocatalysis. In addition, the ON state represents an "organic electrode" in which electron transfer occurs at an interface between an organic conductor and a solution rather than an interface between a solution and a metal or carbon electrode.