Analysis of flavonoid glycosides with potential medicinal properties on Bauhinia uruguayensis and Bauhinia forficata subspecies pruinosa.

Several Bauhinia species are widely used in Southern South America in the treatment of infections, pain and several diseases including diabetes. Flavonoid compounds based on quercetin and kaempferol glycoside derivatives are believed to be responsible for their therapeutic properties. To investigate this, we have studied two native species from Argentina: B. uruguayensis (BU) and B. forficata subsp. pruinosa (BF). We have analyzed the major polyphenol components in hydro-methanolic extracts of leaves, by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic analysis yielded five main compounds in BF, corresponding to rutinosides and rhamnosides derivatives of kaempferol and quercetin, which are considered chemotaxonomic markers and responsible for antioxidant activity. The presence of kaempferitrin, an antidiabetic agent, has been confirmed. In extracts of BU, four major compounds were identified as rhamnosides and galloyl derivates from quercetin and kaempferol. One of these compounds, quercitrin-3-rhamnoside may confer anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties to BU extracts.

Food safety control of zeranol through voltammetric immunosensing on Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticle surfaces.

This study reports an accurate and sensitive strategy for zeranol (ZER) determination in bovine urine samples. ZER is a mycotoxin widely used as a synthetic growth promoter in the livestock production whose residues could present a potential risk for human health. Therefore, its use as an animal feed additive has been banned in most countries. ZER determination was accomplished using an electrochemical system in which bimetallic Au-Pt nanoparticles (Au-PtNPs) were electro-synthesized on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The obtained Au-PtNP platform was immunofunctionalized using specific anti-ZER antibodies as a strategy to avoid potential interference. After biorecognition, ZER was directly oxidized and detected by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The Au-PtNP surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The limit of detection calculated was 0.01 ng mL(-1) with a wide linear range from 0.03 to 30 ng mL(-1). This method promises to be suitable for ZER quantification in bovine urine samples ensuring food quality and safety, as well as consumer's health.

Ultra sensitive microfluidic immunosensor for determination of clenbuterol in bovine hair samples using electrodeposited gold nanoparticles and magnetic micro particles as bio-affinity platform.

In this article, we report the first integrated microfluidic immunosensor coupled to a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) applied to determination of clenbuterol (CLB) in bovine hair samples. CLB is a member of the ß(2)-agonist drugs which is used in animal production and is banned in Argentine and the European Union. It represents a potential risk and has to be carefully monitored to avoid the illegal use of high amounts of this compound that could result in human food poisoning. In order to perform the CLB detection, the SPCE was modified by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) electrodeposition. Quantitative determination of CLB was carried out using a competitive indirect immunoassay, method based on the use of anti-CLB antibodies immobilized on magnetic micro particles. The CLB present in bovine hair samples competes immunologically with alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme-labeled CLB conjugate for the anti-CLB specific antibodies. Later, p-aminophenyl phosphate was converted to p-aminophenol by AP, and the electroactive product was quantified on AuNPs/SPCE at +0.1 V. The limit of detection for electrochemical method was 0.008 ng mL(-1) and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 6%. This being a veterinary control tool very useful for rapid, sensitive and selective detection of CLB in an "in vitro" technique.