Spectroelectrochemistry as a new tool for the quantification of UV filters in sun creams.

This study focuses on the spectroelectrochemical quantification of four UV filters, butylmethoxy dibenzoylmethane (BM), benzophenone-3 (BP3), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EM) and octocrylene (OC) used as sunscreens in cosmetics. Three of them exhibited electrochemical activity resulting in the modification of their absorption spectrum under the application of an oxidizing potential of +1.8 V vs. Ag. When working with a mixture containing both electroactive and nonelectroactive UV filters, UV-vis absorption spectra recorded before and after the application of the potential differed. The combination of spectral deconvolution of the spectra pair allowed a more accurate identification and quantification of UV filters than spectral deconvolution of the initial absorbance spectrum alone. This method was effective for the assessment of UV filters in model mixtures and commercial sun creams.

Pharmaceutical Residues in Senior Residences Wastewaters: High Loads, Emerging Risks.

Senior residences are health-care facilities that are socially-accepted for the assistance of elderly people. Since the elderly account for the foremost pharmaceutical-consuming age-group, senior residences become a hot-spot for pharmaceuticals discharge to the sewage grid. The objectives of the present study were to identify the bioactive pharmaceuticals in sewage waters from senior residences and to propose an on-site monitoring strategy for their control. In this study, we have studied the presence of 43 pharmaceuticals highly consumed by the elderly population in six senior residences located in Spain, France and Portugal. Wastewater was sampled directly from the water-chest in each residence during different times of the day throughout one week. Main compounds detected at the high µg L-1 level were analgesic and antipyretic drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen; antibiotics such as amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole; compounds for the treatment of neuropathies as gabapentin, trazodone and valsartan; pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diabetes (vildagliptin) and anticancer drugs. The daily loads discharged were estimated and their fate was evaluated. The final objective of this study is to highlight the need to implement at-source waste water treatment procedures in senior residences, which have been identified as a point source pollution of pharmaceuticals.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis-1,2,3-Triazole Ligand and its Corresponding Copper Complex for the Development of Electrochemical Affinity Biosensors.

The bis-triazole ligand and its corresponding copper complexes were synthesized and characterized for the first time and proposed as new labels for the development of electrochemical aptasensors. The bis-triazole ligand was prepared from methyl 1,6-heptadiyne-4-carboxylate and 2-(azidomethyl)phenol using classical CuAAC in presence of different copper salts. The X-ray structure of bis-triazole showed a symmetry center (C1). UV-Vis and X-band EPR spectra showed that the coordination capacity of the bis-triazole ligand was improved in the presence of triethylamine due to deprotonation of the triazole and phenolate moieties. After complexation with copper, the obtained complex was successfully attached to an anti-estradiol aptamer through thiol-maleimide coupling, and the resulting labelled aptamer was immobilized on a carbon screen-printed electrode by carbodiimide coupling. The electrochemical response of the resulting sensor was shown to decrease in the presence of estradiol, demonstrating that the developed complexes can be applied for the development of aptasensors.

The importance of household pharmaceutical products disposal and its risk management: Example from Southwestern Europe.

The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is an emergent unknown environmental problem, linked to increased production and consumption of pharmaceuticals and, as such, understanding risk perception is fundamental. This study focuses on exploring causes (trust and knowledge) and effects (intention and proper individual disposal of pharmaceutical leftovers) of environmental and health risk perception. Survey data was collected in Portugal, Spain, and France (sample of 509 individuals). Data illustrated that in France, where the quantity of recycled pharmaceuticals is much higher, respondents reported a higher need for knowledge, but not a higher risk perception nor self-reported behaviour. Although previous research illustrates that higher trust correlates with lower risk perception, we found a positive correlation, which highlights the need to comprehend these variables in emergent risks. Results further confirmed a hypothesized moderated mediation model to explain proper disposal behaviour. We found an indirect effect of risk perception on behaviour through intention, which was stronger for participants with higher environmental identity. Understanding the causes and effects of risk perception of pharmaceuticals in the environment thereby contributes to improve pharmaceutical waste management processes and to promote the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals.

Salen/salan metallic complexes as redox labels for electrochemical aptasensors.

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of salen/salan metal complexes for their future application as electrochemical labels in affinity sensors. Due to its stability and electrochemical properties, an oxovanadium salan complex was selected and coupled to an estradiol-specific aptamer. The response of the resulting aptasensor was shown to decrease with increasing estradiol concentration.

Detection of Bisphenol A in aqueous medium by screen printed carbon electrodes incorporating electrochemical molecularly imprinted polymers.

Electrochemical molecularly imprinted polymers (e-MIPs) were for the first time introduced in screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) as the sensing element for the detection of an organic pollutant. To play this sensing role, a redox tracer was incorporated inside the binding cavities of a cross-linked MIP, as a functional monomer during the synthesis step. Ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate was used for this purpose. It was associated with 4-vinylpyridine as a co-functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker for the recognition of the endocrine disruptor, Bisphenol A (BPA), as a target. Microbeads of e-MIP and e-NIP (corresponding non-imprinted polymer) were obtained via precipitation polymerization in acetonitrile. The presence of ferrocene inside the polymers was assessed via FTIR and elemental analysis and the polymers microstructure was characterized by SEM and nitrogen adsorption/desorption experiments. Binding isotherms and batch selectivity experiments evidenced the presence of binding cavities inside the e-MIP and its high affinity for BPA compared to carbamazepine and ketoprofen. e-MIP (and e-NIP) microbeads were then incorporated in a graphite-hydroxyethylcellulose composite paste to prepare SPCE. Electrochemical properties of e-MIP-SPCE revealed a high sensitivity in the presence of BPA in aqueous medium compared to e-NIP-SPCE with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 nM. Selectivity towards carbamazepine and ketoprofen was also observed with the e-MIP-SPCE.

Pharmaceuticals released from senior residences: occurrence and risk evaluation.

One of the main pursuits, yet most difficult, in monitoring studies is to identify the sources of environmental pollution. In this study, we have identified health-care facilities from south European countries as an important source of pharmaceuticals in the environment. We have estimated that compounds consumed in by the elderly and released from effluents of senior residences can reach river waters at a concentration higher than 0.01 µg/L, which is the European Medicines Agency (EMA) threshold for risk evaluation of pharmaceuticals in surface waters. This study has been based on five health institutions in Portugal, Spain, and France, with 52 to 130 beds. We have compiled the pharmaceuticals dispensed on a daily base and calculated the consumption rates. From 54.9 to 1801 g of pharmaceuticals are consumed daily, with laxatives, analgesics, antiepileptics, antibiotics, and antidiabetic agents being the main drug families administered. According to excretion rates, dilution in the sewerage system, and elimination in wastewater treatment plants, macrogol, metformin, paracetamol, acetylcysteine, amoxicillin, and gabapentin, among others, are expected to reach river waters. Finally, we discuss the risk management actions related to the discharge of pharmaceuticals from senior residences to surface waters.

Chemiluminescence immunoassays for estradiol and ethinylestradiol based on new biotinylated estrogen derivatives.

New chemiluminescence-based immunoassays for sensitive detection of 17-ß estradiol (E2) and ethinylestradiol (EE2) are described on the basis of the use of biotinylated estrogen derivatives. Estrogen derivatives bearing a carboxylic group (E2-COOH and EE2-COOH) on C-3 position were synthesized, covalently bound to aminated biotin and subsequently immobilized on avidin-coated microtiter plates. The assay principle was based on competition between free and immobilized estrogens for their binding to primary antibodies, with subsequent revelation using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled secondary antibodies. Under optimized conditions, the chemiluminescence immunoassays showed a highly sensitive response to E2 and EE2, with respective detection limits of 0.5 and 1.2 ng L-1. The LOD achieved using biotinylated E2 was in the same order of magnitude as those obtained using commercially available E2-bovine serum albumin conjugate (E2-BSA). The developed devices were successfully applied to analysis wastewater treatment plants effluents (WWTP) with negligible matrix effect.

Biosensor-assisted selection of optimal parameters for designing molecularly imprinted polymers selective to phosmet insecticide.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for phosmet insecticide were synthesized by batch polymerization. The affinity of functional monomers to phosmet was tested using an original method involving an electrochemical biosensor based on acetylcholinesterase inhibition. It was demonstrated that association of phosmet with appropriate functional monomers resulted in a decrease of enzyme inhibition. Using this method, it was shown that N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) displayed the highest interactions with phosmet using DMSO as solvent. These results were in good accordance with those obtained by conventional computational modeling. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) were synthesized and adsorption isotherms were studied to describe their interaction with phosmet. Freundlich isotherm was able to fit phosmet adsorption on MIPs with good agreement (R2 = 0.9). The pre-exponential factor KF determined for MIPs was 1.439mg(1-N)g-1LN, more that 10 times higher than for NIPs (0.125mg(1-N)g-1. LN), indicating an increase of binding sites number and average affinity.

A novel amperometric biosensor for ß-triketone herbicides based on hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibition: A case study for sulcotrione.

An amperometric biosensor was designed for the determination of sulcotrione, a ß-triketone herbicide, based on inhibition of hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), an enzyme allowing the oxidation of hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) in homogentisic acid (HGA). HPPD was produced by cloning the hppd gene from Arabidopsis thaliana in E. coli, followed by overexpression and purification by nickel-histidine affinity. The electrochemical detection of HPPD activity was based on the electrochemical oxidation of HGA at +0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, using a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate-modified screen-printed electrode. Assays were performed at 25°C in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 8 containing 0.1M KCl. The purified HPPD was shown to display a maximum velocity of 0.51 µM(HGA) min(-1), and an apparent K(M) of 22.6 µM for HPP. HPPD inhibition assays in presence of sulcotrione confirmed a competitive inhibition of HPPD, the calculated inhibition constant K(I) was 1.11.10(-8) M. The dynamic range for sulcotrione extended from 5.10(-10) M to 5.10(-6) M and the limit of detection (LOD), estimated as the concentration inducing 20% of inhibition, was 1.4.10(-10) M.

Biosensor-based real-time monitoring of paracetamol photocatalytic degradation.

This paper presents for the first time the integration of a biosensor for the on-line, real-time monitoring of a photocatalytic degradation process. Paracetamol was used as a model molecule due to its wide use and occurrence in environmental waters. The biosensor was developed based on tyrosinase immobilization in a polyvinylalcohol photocrosslinkable polymer. It was inserted in a computer-controlled flow system installed besides a photocatalytic reactor including titanium dioxide (TiO2) as photocatalyst. It was shown that the biosensor was able to accurately monitor the paracetamol degradation with time. Compared with conventional HPLC analysis, the described device provides a real-time information on the reaction advancement, allowing a better control of the photodegradation process.

Amperometric biosensor based on a high resolution photopolymer deposited onto a screen-printed electrode for phenolic compounds monitoring in tea infusions.

An amperometric biosensor based on laccase, from Trametes versicolor (LTV), was developed and optimized for monitoring the phenolic compounds content in tea infusions. The fungal enzyme was immobilized by entrapment within polyvinyl alcohol photopolymer PVA-AWP (azide-unit pendant water-soluble photopolymer) onto disposable graphite screen-printed electrodes (SPE). Sensitivity optimization in terms of pH, temperature and applied potential was carried out. The linear range, detection limit, operational and storage stabilities were also determined. The laccase biosensor (LTV-SPE) was calibrated for o-, m- and p-diphenol as well as caffeic acid. The highest response was found at 0.1M acetate buffer pH 4.7, though it must be added the good reproducibility and operational stability were also obtained. The useful lifetime of the biosensor is estimated to be greater than 6 months. LTV-SPE was used for the determination of the equivalent phenol content (EPC) in tea infusions by the direct addition into the electrochemical cell: the results were compared with those from the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method. The amperometric detection exhibits some interesting advantages such as high simplicity, minimal sample preparation and shorter response time. A stable and sensitive amperometric response was obtained toward standard diphenolic compounds and herbal infusions. These biosensors are useful for easy and fast monitoring of EPC that can be related to the antioxidant capacity of natural extracts.

Determination of the antioxidants' ability to scavenge free radicals using biosensors.

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules generated during cellular metabolism. However, their overproduction results in oxidative stress, a deleterious process that can damage cell structures, including lipids and membranes, proteins and DNA. Antioxidants respond to this problem, scavenging free radicals. This chapter critically reviews the electrochemical biosensors developed for the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of specific compounds. Due to the ability of these devices to perform simple, fast and reliable analysis, they are promising biotools for the assessment ofantioxidant properties.

Biosensors as analytical tools in food fermentation industry.

The food industries need rapid and affordable methods to assure the quality ofproducts and process control. Biosensors, combining a biological recognition element and a sensitive transducer, are versatile analytical tools that offer advantages as classical analytical methods due to their inherent specificity, selectivity and simplicity. This paper reviews the recent trends in the development and applications of biosensors used in food fermentation industry, focusing on amperometric enzymatic and microbial sensors.

Electrochemical characterization of a superoxide biosensor based on the co-immobilization of cytochrome c and XOD on SAM-modified gold electrodes and application to garlic samples.

This paper describes the characterization and optimization of an amperometric cytochrome c (cyt c)-based sensor for the determination of the antioxidant capacity of pure substances and natural samples. The cyt c and the xanthine oxidase (XOD) enzyme were co-immobilized on the electrode using the combination of several long-chain thiols. The self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was optimized in terms of composition and ratio between thiols. The immobilization protocol for both cyt c and XOD and the SAM formation time were evaluated through electrochemical methods, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), chronoamperometry (CA) and impedance spectroscopy (IS). Finally, the biosensor was applied to the determination of the antioxidant capacity of pure alliin and two compounds extracted from garlic bulbs.

Development of a cytochrome c-based screen-printed biosensor for the determination of the antioxidant capacity of orange juices.

This paper describes the development of an amperometric cytochrome c (cyt c)-based biosensor and its later application to the quantification of the scavenging capacity of antioxidants. The enzymatic biosensor was constructed by covalently co-immobilizing both cyt c and XOD on a mercaptoundecanol/mercaptoundecanoic acid (MU/MUA) mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-modified screen-printed gold electrode. The applicability of this method was shown by analyzing the antioxidant capacity of pure substances, such as ascorbic acid and Trolox, and natural sources of antioxidants, particularly 5 orange juices.

Strategies for developing NADH detectors based on Meldola Blue and screen-printed electrodes: a comparative study.

Three strategies have been compared to produce screen-printed amperometric detectors for NADH: mixing Meldola Blue (MB) in the screen-printing ink, incorporation of MB-Reinecke salt (MBRS) in the graphite ink and electrodeposition of films of MB-derived polymer (poly (MB)) on electrode surface. Following modification of graphite electrodes the mediators displayed values of the formal potential E degrees ' from -0.129 to -0.160 V vs. Ag/AgCl and pK(a)s of 5.09-6.02. A second redox couple with E degrees '=-0.450 V vs. Ag/AgCl was observed in cyclic voltammetry experiments with poly (MB) sensors or with old electrodes obtained according to the other two strategies. Electropolymerisation of MB allowed to achieve the best operational stability and best detection limit, 2 x 10(-6) M, for amperometric detection of NADH, while the most extended linear range, 1 x 10(-5)-7.5 x 10(-4) M, corresponds to sensors with MBRS. MB and MBRS electrodes were compared with a similar NADH detector produced by Gwent Electronic Materials, England. Several characteristics of the modified-electrodes induced by the fabrication by screen-printing were also highlighted.

Interference-free biosensor based on screen-printing technology and sol-gel immobilization for determination of acetaldehyde in wine.

A monoenzymatic amperometric biosensor was developed for the detection of acetaldehyde. The sensor is based on the association of screen-printed carbon electrodes and aldehyde dehydrogenase immobilized by a sol-gel entrapment method. Modification of screen-printed carbon electrodes with Reinecke salt of Meldola's Blue (MBRS) resulted in highly sensitive and interference-free nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) detectors. Based on MBRS-mediated oxidation of NADH at -150 mV versus pseudo Ag/AgCl, acetaldehyde was determined in the range 10-260 microM, compatible with wine quality monitoring. The method of immobilization based on sol-gel entrapment was optimized to obtain the best compromise between sensitivity and operational stability. The sensor response was stable for 40 consecutive assays with methyltrimethoxysilane used as alkoxide precursor, thus allowing a possible calibration of the sensor before each measurement. The biosensors were used to analyze French wines. The method was validated with a commercially available enzymatic kit based on a standard spectrophotometric method.