Just Published: Talanta

A new issue of this journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

Talanta

http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5288

Selected papers from the latest issue:

1.

Label-free detection of glycoproteins by the lectin biosensor down to attomolar level using gold nanoparticles   Original Research Article Available online 1 March 2013 Tomas Bertok, Alena Sediva, Jaroslav Katrlik, Pavol Gemeiner, Milan Mikula, Martin Nosko, Jan Tkac Highlights ► Lectin biosensor based on gold nanoparticles detects glycoproteins down to attomolar (aM) concentration level. ► A 2-D array of gold nanoparticles were characterised by AFM, SEM and SPR. ► The biosensor performance was validated by fluorescent lectin microarray. ► The device was able to quantify glycan amount on a glycoprotein in a quantitative way. ► The biosensor has a great potential to be employed in an early biomedical diagnosis of various diseases including cancer.

2.

Optimisation and application of accelerated solvent extraction and flash chromatography for quantification of PCBs in tree barks and XAD-2 passive samplers using GC-ECD with dual columns   Original Research Article Available online 1 March 2013 Florence Guéguen, Peter Stille, Maurice Millet Highlights ► Extraction of XAD-2 passive samplers and tree barks by Accelerated solvent Extraction. ► Field calibration of XAD-2 passive samplers. ► Analysis by GC-ECD with dual columns. ► Application of the method for quantifying PCBs in tree barks with accuracy.

3.

Development of a new chromium reducing antioxidant capacity (CHROMAC) assay for plants and fruits   Original Research Article Available online 1 March 2013 Esra Işik, Saliha Şahin, Cevdet Demir Highlights ► CHROMAC assay was proposed for determination of total antioxidant capacity. ► The method is based on the spectrophotometric measurement of a colored complex. ► The method could be applied to hydrophilic antioxidants. ► Comperable results were obtained with well known antioxidant capacity assays.

4.

Simultaneous separation, identification and activity evaluation of three butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors from Plumula nelumbinis using On-line HPLC-UV coupled with ESI-IT-TOF-MS and BChE biochemical detection   Original Research Article Available online 28 February 2013 Zongtao Lin, Hong Wang, Qingrong Fu, Haijuan An, Yi Liang, Baobao Zhang, Yuki Hashi, Shizhong Chen Graphical abstract Highlights ► On-line HPLC-ESI-MS-BChEBCD method was firstly established. ► Enable simultaneously separating, identifying, evaluating activity of BChE inhibitor. ► Liensinine, isoliensinine, and neferine are new-found BChE inhibitors. ► BChE activity of 1gPlumula nelumbinisis equal to that of 127.88μmol tacrine. ► Norisoliensinine and 6-hydroxynorisoliensinine were proposed as two new compounds.

5.

Quantification of uncertainty in mercury wastewater analysis at different concentration levels and using information from proficiency test with a limited number of participants   Original Research Article Available online 28 February 2013 Marcelo T. Pereyra, Adriana G. Lista, Beatriz S. Fernández Band Highlights ► A PT scheme for limited number of analytical laboratories was developed, conducted and assessed in a restrictive scenario. ► Measurement uncertainty was calculated for a non simple method in complex matrix samples without highest references of traceability. ► The worst case-scenario (with two different levels of analyte concentration) presented in this paper is not included in international guidelines for the assessment of measurement uncertainty. ► The procedure designed could be applied to many other common and similar scenarios. ► The study provided useful information for analytical quality assessments, official controls and environmental managements.

6.

Speciation analysis of selenium in plankton, Brazil nut and human urine samples by HPLC-ICP-MS   Original Research Article Available online 28 February 2013 Elidiane Gomes da Silva, Lidiane Raquel Verola Mataveli, Marco Aurélio Zezzi Arruda Graphical abstract Highlights ► A method for selenium speciation in biological materials was described ► The coupling LC-ICP-MS was used for this purpose. ► Recoveries of ca. 90% were attained. ► Extraction of Se species was carried out using water. ► Selenomethionine and selenocystine were the species found in Brazil nuts. ► selenocystine was found in urine samples. ► Significant differences of organic Se species were observed from men and women urine samples after Brazil nuts consumption.

7.

Selection and identification of streptomycin-specific single-stranded DNA aptamers and the application in the detection of streptomycin in honey   Original Research Article Available online 28 February 2013 Nandi Zhou, Jingyuan Wang, Juan Zhang, Can Li, Yaping Tian, Joseph Wang Highlights ► Sixteen ssDNA aptamers specific to streptomycin were screened and identified. ► The structures and the dissociation constants of the aptamers were characterized. ► STR1 was used in the detection of streptomycin in both solution and honey samples. ► The sensitivity, specificity and repeatability of the assay were studied.

8.

A highly selective sandwich-type FRET assay for ATP detection based on silica coated photon upconverting nanoparticles and split aptamer   Original Research Article Available online 27 February 2013 Xiaoxiao He, Zhangxiu Li, Xuekun Jia, Kemin Wang, Jinjin Yin Highlights ► A sandwich-type FRET assay for ATP detection has been developed. ► This assay was based on Si@UCNPs and ATP-induced recombination of split aptamer. ► The proposed strategy has high selectivity to ATP. ► This assay provided a detection limit of 1.70μM for ATP.

9.

Development and validation of an environmentally friendly attenuated total reflectance in the mid-infrared region method for the determination of ethanol content in used engine lubrication oil   Original Research Article Available online 27 February 2013 Rafael Rodrigues Hatanaka, Rodrigo Sequinel, Carlos Eduardo Gualtieri, Antônio Carlos Bergamaschi Tercini, Danilo Luiz Flumignan, José Eduardo de Oliveira Graphical abstract Highlights ► A method to quantify ethanol content in used lubrication oil is proposed. ► The samples are pretreated in a miniaturized system of extraction. ► NaCl aqueous solution is used as extractant (environmentally friendly). ► The method was validated and considered linear, precise, accurate and sensitive. ► The method can be implemented in routines for quality control of lubricant oils.

10.

Towardscombinatorial spectroscopy: the case of minor milk fatty acids determination   Original Research Article Available online 27 February 2013 I. Stefanov, V. Baeten, B. De Baets, V. Fievez Highlights ► The concept of ‘Combinatorial Spectroscopy’ is introduced. ► New robust, simple and improved FA PLS prediction models are constructed. ► New covariance between different vibrational signals is evident. ► The importance of variable selection algorithms is emphasized.