This paper describes the development of an automated Flow Injection analyzer for water toxicity assessment. The analyzer is validated by assessing the toxicity of heavy metal (Pb2+, Hg2+ and Cu2+) solutions. One hundred μL of a Vibrio fischeri suspension are injected in a carrier solution containing different heavy metal concentrations. Biosensor cells are mixed with the toxic carrier solution in the mixing coil on the way to the detector. Response registered is % inhibition of biosensor bioluminescence due to heavy metal toxicity in comparison to that resulting by injecting the Vibrio fischeri suspension in deionised water. Carrier solutions of mercury showed higher toxicity than the other heavy metals, whereas all metals show concentration related levels of toxicity. The biosensor’s response to carrier solutions of different pHs was tested. Vibrio fischeri’s bioluminescence is promoted in the pH 5–10 range. Experiments indicate that the whole cell biosensor, as applied in the automated fluidic system, responds to various toxic solutions.
Pectin is a natural polysaccharide used in food and pharma industries. Pectin degree of methylation is an important parameter having significant influence on pectin applications. A rapid, fully automated, kinetic flow method for determination of pectin methyl esters has been developed. The method is based on a lab-made analyzer using the reverse flow-injection/stopped flow principle. Methanol is released from pectin by pectin methylesterase in the first mixing coil. Enzyme working solution is injected further downstream and it is mixed with pectin/pectin methylesterase stream in the second mixing coil. Methanol is oxidized by alcohol oxidase releasing formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide. This reaction is coupled to horse radish peroxidase catalyzed reaction, which gives the colored product 4-N-(p-benzoquinoneimine)-antipyrine. Reaction rate is proportional to methanol concentration and it is followed using Ocean Optics USB 2000+ spectrophotometer. The analyzer is fully regulated by a lab written LabVIEW program. The detection limit was 1.47 mM with an analysis rate of 7 samples h−1. A paired t-test with results from manual method showed that the automated method results are equivalent to the manual method at the 95% confidence interval. The developed method is rapid and sustainable and it is the first application of flow analysis in pectin analysis.
Diversas biomoléculas analisadas na Condensação Respiratória Exalada (CRE) podem ser usadas como biomarcadoras, fornecendo informação clínica útil em doenças inflamatórias pulmonares. Peróxido de hidrogênio é um biomarcador especial, pois pode estar relacionado diretamente ao stress oxidativo gerado no corpo humano. Métodos para peróxido de hidrogênio em CRE são essenciais para um grande número de estudos, desde básicos até diagnósticos de doenças. Os métodos usados atualmente não são automatizados, são demorados e cansativos. Além disso, a maioria dos equipamentos de condensação não é portátil. Assim, desenvolvemos um equipamento portátil como uma alternativa extra e um método totalmente automático de injeção em fluxo (FI) com detecção por quimioluminescência para determinação de peróxido de hidrogênio. O equipamento proposto proporciona uma eficiência de coleta superior a 86%, permitindo coletar 2-3 mL de amostra em 20 min. O método envolve uma mistura em fluxo de solução de luminol como carregador da amostra com uma solução de cobalto(II). A reação de CRE com luminol na presença de cobalto(II) como catalisador produz luz proporcional à concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio. As características do método são limite de detecção de 10 nmol L -1 e boa linearidade (r= 0,997). Precisão e recuperações são melhores do que 6,0% RSD e 64,9%, respectivamente. A comparação com o método fluorimétrico manual, comumente usado para CRE, mostrou diferença não significativa, P > 0,001, enquanto a correlação entre os métodos é alta, r=0,94. O método proporciona automatização no manuseio avaliando 180 amostras h -1 e baixo limite de detecção.Several biomolecules in Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) can be used as breath biomarkers providing useful clinical information concerning inflammatory lung diseases. Hydrogen peroxide has a special place among biomarkers as it can be directly linked to oxidative stress built up in the human body. Methods for hydrogen peroxide in EBC are essential for a vast number of studies spanning from basic studies to disease diagnosis. Methods currently in use are not automated, timeconsuming and tedious. Moreover, most condensing equipment in use is not portable. To address these, we developed portable condensing equipment as an extra alternative and a fully automated Flow Injection (FI) -Chemiluminescence method for hydrogen peroxide determination. The proposed condensing equipment provides collection efficiency better than 86% allowing the collection of 2-3 mL sample in 20 min. The method involves mixing a luminol solution stream that is used as sample carrier with a cobalt(II) stream. Reaction of EBC with luminol in the presence of cobalt(II) catalyst produces light proportional to hydrogen peroxide concentration. The automated FI method features a 10 nmol L -1 detection limit and good linearity (r= 0.997). Precision and recoveries are better than 6.0% RSD and 64.9%, respectively. Comparison with the, commonly used for EBC, manual fluorimetric method showed no significant difference, P > 0.001, whil...
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