Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers coupled with UPLC-MS/MS for simultaneous detection of 19 steroid hormones in human plasma

Steroid hormones constitute a group of hormones with molecular weights ranging from 200 to 400 daltons, characterized by their highly similar chemical structures. Each hormone within this group holds significant value for the diagnosis of various diseases. Accurate clinical measurement of the levels of each hormone is crucial for the diagnosis in clinical settings. Due to the wide variety and different properties of steroid hormones in organisms, sample pretreatment is the rate-limiting step for analysis and detection. In this paper, magnetic molecule-imprinting polymers (MMIPs) were prepared by surface imprinting on silicon coated magnetic spheres, and a detection method of MMIPs-combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for 19 steroid hormones in plasma was developed and verified. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to confirm the formation of MMIPs materials, and the conditions of material synthesis and pretreatment of steroid hormones from plasma were optimized. The detection method was evaluated by using linearity, LOD and LOQ, precision, accuracy and matrix effect. The linearity of 19 steroid hormones was good, and the linear correlation coefficient was greater than 0.995. The coefficients of variation were 2.1-9.8 % and 1.1-9.7 % for intra-day and inter-day, respectively, and the recoveries were 83.6 %-118.2 % at low concentration, and the recoveries of medium and high concentrations were 94.6 %-113.8 % and 89.5 %-113.6 %, respectively. The coefficient of variation of Relative matrix effect of 19 steroid hormones measured in different batches of plasma was 2.1-5.4 % after isotope internal standard correction, which eliminated the influence of matrix effect.

Preparation of a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer on fibrous silica nanosphere via self-polycondensation for micro solid-phase extraction of chlorpyrifos

Throughout this research, a new magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer on fibrous silica nanosphere was prepared through self-polycondensation. The selective extraction of chlorpyrifos was performed by the synthesized sorbent and as a determination system, a gas chromatography-electron capture was applied. The formation of sorbent was confirmed through the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. The parameters affecting the extraction efficacy of the proposed method were scrutinized in an optimized way. The linear range and the detection limit of the studied method were 0.003-0.3 and 0.001 ng mL-1, respectively. The relative standard deviations were 4.1-5.2 and 5.6-7.6 % for intra- and inter-day (n = 3), respectively. To assess the performance of the proposed method, some water and fruit samples were analyzed and the extraction recoveries of 83-109 % were obtained. These results revealed the method's performance in the analysis of chlorpyrifos in real samples.

Multipoint Immobilization at Inert Center of Papain on Homo-Functional Diazo-Activated Silica Support: A Way of Restoring "Above Room-Temperature" Bio-Catalytic Sustainability

Although enzymes play a significant role in industrial applications, their potential usage at high-level efficiency, particularly above room temperature, has not yet been fully harnessed. It brings above room-temperature catalytic sustainability of an immobilized (imm.) bio-catalyst as a long pending issue to improve enzyme stability, activity, specificity, or selectivity, particularly the enantio-selectivity over the native-enzymes. At this juncture, in a robust methodology, a heterogeneous solid phase bio-catalyst, {Si(OSi)₄(H₂O)_1.03}_n=328{OSi(CH₃)₂-NH-C₆H₄-N═N}₄{papain}(H₂O)₂₅₁, has efficiently been prepared by immobilizing papain on homo-functionalized SG (silica-gel) via multipoint covalent attachment. The bio-catalyst is easy to be recovered and reused multiple times. The homo-functional -N═N⁺, which appears on the SG-surface, makes the multipoint diazo-links with the inert center of the tyrosine-moiety to couple the enzyme where all the amino, thiol, phenol, and so forth, groups of the protein, including those that belong to the active-site, remain intact. The immobilized enzyme (13.9 μmol g^-1) swims in pore-water within the pore-channel, remains stable up to 70 ± 5 °C, and exhibits wider temperature adaptability in performing its hydrolyzing activities. The relative activity, 78 ± 2% at 27 °C, remains quantitative for 60 days and can be reused for 60 cycles with 53% activity at room-temperature. The thermal (relative activity: 87%; incubated at 70 ± 5 °C for 24 h) and mechanical (relative activity: 92%; incubated at 2500 rpm for 2 h at 27 °C) stability was outstanding.

Design strategies, surface functionalization, and environmental remediation potentialities of polymer-functionalized nanocomposites

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have a tunable shape, size, surface morphology, and unique physical properties like catalytic, magnetic, electronic, and optical capabilities. Unlike inorganic nanomaterials, organic polymers exhibit excellent stability, biocompatibility, and processability with a tailored response to external stimuli, including pH, heat, light, and degradation properties. Nano-sized assemblies derived from inorganic and polymeric NPs are combined in a functionalized composite form to import high strength and synergistically promising features not reflected in their part as a single constituent. These new properties of polymer/inorganic functionalized materials have led to emerging applications in a variety of fields, such as environmental remediation, drug delivery, and imaging. This review spotlights recent advances in the design and construction of polymer/inorganic functionalized materials with improved attributes compared to single inorganic and polymeric materials for environmental sustainability. Following an introduction, a comprehensive review of the design and potential applications of polymer/inorganic materials for removing organic pollutants and heavy metals from wastewater is presented. We have offered valuable suggestions for piloting, and scaling-up polymer functionalized nanomaterials using simple concepts. This review is wrapped up with a discussion of perspectives on future research in the field.

Analytical perspective and environmental remediation potentials of magnetic composite nanosorbents

The synthesis and application of magnetic nanosorbents to remove emerging pollutants have been considered the best environmental remediation and sustainability option. Incorporating magnetism shortens the treatment time and allows the sorbent to be recovered quickly using external magnetic with many cycles. The implementation of magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) using magnetic materials of different shapes, sizes, and surface morphology can be a valuable tool in applying materials to prepare analytical samples. In MSPE applications, materials with strong magnetic domain can be used as precursors for constructing magnetic composite as a promising sorbent. This article focuses on the most recent and exceptional applications of magnetic adsorbents for preconcentration and removal purposes. Magnetic adsorbents, such as nanoparticles (NPs), foam, sponges, nanocomposites, hydrogels, and beads with multifunctional attributes have been comprehensively studied in terms of preparation procedures, limitations, advantages, and interactions between pollutants and magnetic composites. The role of magnetic sorbents in sample preparation methods, such as simple solid-phase extraction and microextraction, as well as sorptive extraction using a stir bar, was also examined. The use of magnetic adsorbents with analytical techniques, such as solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction improves the method for preparing samples concerning the influential role of magnetic adsorbents. Towards the end, promising features and future outlook are also directed.

Robust nanocarriers to engineer nanobiocatalysts for bioprocessing applications

The synergistic integration of bio-catalysis engineering with nanostructured materials, as unique multifunctional carrier matrices, has emerged as a new interface of nanobiocatalysis (NBC). NBC is an emerging innovation that offers significant considerations to expand the designing and fabrication of robust catalysts at the nanoscale with improved catalytic characteristics for multipurpose bioprocessing applications. In addition, nanostructured materials with unique structural, physical, chemical, and functional entities have manifested significant contributions in mimicking the enzyme microenvironment. A fine-tuned enzyme microenvironment with an added-value of NBC offers chemo- regio- and stereo- selectivities and specificities. Furthermore, NBC is growing rapidly and will become a powerful norm in bio-catalysis with much controlled features, such as selectivity, specificity, stability, resistivity, induce activity, reaction efficacy, multi-usability, improved mass transfer efficiency, high catalytic turnover, optimal yield, ease in recovery, and cost-effectiveness. Considering the above critics and unique structural, physicochemical, and functional attributes, herein, we present and discuss advances in NBC and its bioprocessing applications in different fields. Briefly, this review is focused on four parts, i.e., (1) NBC as a drive towards applied nanobiocatalysts (as an introduction with opportunities), (2) promising nanocarriers to develop nanobiocatalysts, (3) applications in the fields of biotransformation, biofuel production, carbohydrate hydrolysis, bio-/nanosensing, detergent formulations, and extraction and purification of value-added compounds, and (4) current challenges, concluding remarks, and future trends.

Lipase Immobilization in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Biofuel Production

Lipases are ubiquitous enzymes whose physiological role is the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol into fatty acids. They are the most studied and industrially interesting enzymes, thanks to their versatility to promote a plethora of reactions on a wide range of substrates. In fact, depending on the reaction conditions, they can also catalyze synthesis reactions, such as esterification, acidolysis and transesterification. The latter is particularly important for biodiesel production. Biodiesel can be produced from animal fats or vegetable oils and is considered as a biodegradable, non-toxic and renewable energy source. The use of lipases as industrial catalysts is subordinated to their immobilization on insoluble supports, to allow multiple uses and use in continuous processes, but also to stabilize the enzyme, intrinsically prone to denaturation with consequent loss of activity. Among the materials that can be used for lipase immobilization, mesoporous silica nanoparticles represent a good choice due to the combination of thermal and mechanical stability with controlled textural characteristics. Moreover, the presence of abundant surface hydroxyl groups allows for easy chemical surface functionalization. This latter aspect has the main importance since lipases have a high affinity with hydrophobic supports. The objective of this work is to provide an overview of the recent progress of lipase immobilization in mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a focus on biodiesel production.

Immobilization of GH78 α-L-Rhamnosidase from Thermotoga petrophilea with High-Temperature-Resistant Magnetic Particles Fe3O4-SiO2-NH2-Cellu-ZIF8 and Its Application in the Production of Prunin Form Naringin

To efficiently recycle GH78 thermostable rhamnosidase (TpeRha) and easily separate it from the reaction mixture and furtherly improve the enzyme properties, the magnetic particle Fe₃O₄-SiO₂-NH₂-Cellu-ZIF8 (FSNcZ8) was prepared by modifying Fe₃O₄-NH₂ with tetraethyl silicate (TEOS), microcrystalline cellulose and zinc nitrate hexahydrate. FSNcZ8 displayed better magnetic stability and higher-temperature stability than unmodified Fe₃O₄-NH₂ (FN), and it was used to adsorb and immobilize TpeRha from Thermotoga petrophilea 13995. As for properties, FSNcZ8-TpeRha showed optimal reaction temperature and pH of 90°C and 5.0, while its highest activity approached 714 U/g. In addition, FSNcZ8-TpeRha had better higher-temperature stability than FN. After incubation at 80°C for 3 h, the residual enzyme activities of FSNcZ8-TpeRha, FN-TpeRha and free enzyme were 93.5%, 63.32%, and 62.77%, respectively. The organic solvent tolerance and the monosaccharides tolerance of FSNcZ8-TpeRha, compared with free TpeRha, were greatly improved. Using naringin (1 mmol/l) as the substrate, the optimal conversion conditions were as follows: FSNcZ8-TpeRha concentration was 6 U/ml; induction temperature was 80°C; the pH was 5.5; induction time was 30 min, and the yield of products was the same as free enzyme. After repeating the reaction 10 times, the conversion of naringin remained above 80%, showing great improvement of the catalytic efficiency and repeated utilization of the immobilized α-L-rhamnosidase.

Functionalized Silicas for Metal-Free and Metal-Based Catalytic Applications: A Review in Perspective of Green Chemistry

Heterogeneous catalysis plays a key role in promoting green chemistry through many routes. The functionalizable reactive silanols highlight silica as a beguiling support for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. Metal active sites anchored on functionalized silica (FS) usually demonstrate the better dispersion and stability due to their firm chemical interaction with FSs. Having certain functional groups in structure, FSs can act as the useful catalysts for few organic reactions even without the need of metal active sites which are termed as the covetous reusable organocatalysts. Magnetic FSs have laid the platform where the effortless recovery of catalysts is realized just using an external magnet, resulting in the simplified reaction procedure. Using FSs of multiple functional groups, we can envisage the shortened reaction pathway and, reduced chemical uses and chemical wastes. Unstable bio-molecules like enzymes have been stabilized when they get chemically anchored on FSs. The resultant solid bio-catalysts exhibited very good reusability in many catalytic reactions. Getting provoked from the green chemistry aspects and benefits of FS-based catalysts, we confer the recent literature and progress focusing on the significance of FSs in heterogeneous catalysis. This review covers the preparative methods, types and catalytic applications of FSs. A special emphasis is given to the metal-free FS catalysts, multiple FS-based catalysts and magnetic FSs. Through this review, we presume that the contribution of FSs to green chemistry can be well understood. The future perspective of FSs and the improvements still required for implementing FS-based catalysts in practical applications have been narrated at the end of this review.

Design of epoxy-functionalized Fe3O4@MCM-41 core-shell nanoparticles for enzyme immobilization

The scope of our research was to prepare the organosilane-modified Fe₃O₄@MCM-41 core-shell magnetic nanoparticles, used for L-ASNase immobilization and explored screening of immobilization conditions such as pH, temperature, thermal stability, kinetic parameters, reusability and storage stability. In this content, Fe₃O₄ core-shell magnetic nanoparticles were prepared via co-precipitation method and coated with MCM-41. Then, Fe₃O₄@MCM-41 magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized by (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) as an organosilane compound. Subsequently, L-ASNase was covalently immobilized on epoxy-functionalized Fe₃O₄@MCM-41 magnetic nanoparticles. The immobilized L-ASNase had greater activity at high pH and temperature values. It also maintained >92% of the initial activity after incubation at 55 °C for 3 h. Regarding kinetic values, immobilized L-ASNase showed a higher Vmax and lower Km compared to native L-ASNase. In addition, it displayed excellent reusability for 12 successive cycles. After 30 days of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C, immobilized L-ASNase retained 54% and 26% of its initial activities while native L-ASNase lost about 68% and 84% of its initial activity, respectively. As a result, the immobilization of L-ASNase onto magnetic nanoparticles may provide an advantage in terms of removal of L-ASNase from reaction media.