Analytical Methods Blog

Take a look at our selected HOT articles free to read until June 3rd.

A new DNA detection methodology based on Rayleigh scattering, the optimised analysis of cellulose depolymerisation and the evaluation of a standard method to measure diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposures in underground mines are among the studies presented in these papers.

To access the full articles, just click on the links below:

Analysis of cellulose using high performance liquid chromatography with polar IL as an eluent.

A resonance Rayleigh scattering detection of DNA hybridization based on interaction between DNA and surfactants
Ying Ma, Changqun Cai, Lin Luo, Jiaqi Xie and   Xiaoming Chen  
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY40291F

Dissolution determination of five components in Huoxiang Zhengqi tablets using partitioned dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with HPLC-UV
Huaizhong Guo, Xiaomin Pang, Weiquan Zhang, Wenyue Jiang and   Xiaocong Pang  
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY40153G

A person-wearable instrument to determine DPM exposures in underground metal/nonmetal mines

Direct HPILC analysis of cellulose depolymerisation in ionic liquids
Kosuke Kuroda, Yukinobu Fukay and   Hiroyuki Ohno
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY40182K

Real-time diesel particulate monitor for underground mines
James Noll, Samuel Janisko and   Steven E. Mischler  
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY40083B

Lipid bilayer structure of the liposome

The small size and lipid bilayer structure of liposomes make them an excellent carrier for use in drug delivery and gene therapy. Determining the chemical and physical properties of a liposome is key to evaluating its potential for different applications.

A range of techniques have been used to measure factors such as size, surface charge and encapsulation efficiency of these spherical structures. In this minireview, Xiaomei Yan and colleagues at Xiamen University, China, explore recent advances in techniques for single-liposome characterization. They evaluate the latest adaptations of traditional microscopy techniques and investigate the advantages and limitations of using flow cytometry for characterisation. Recently developed commercial techniques such as scanning ion occlusion sensing (SIOS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) also offer more advanced methods of single-liposome analysis.

To access the full article, please click on the link below. This paper will be free to read until May 14th.

Analytical techniques for single-liposome characterization
Chaoxiang Chen, Shaobin Zhu, Tianxun Huang, Shuo Wanga and   Xiaomei Yan  
Anal. Methods, 2013,5, 2150-2157
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY40219C

Synthesis of gold-antibody nanocomposite and AFP immunoassay

The construction of successful biosensors is often hampered by the difficulty of immobilising biomolecules onto the desired surface in an orderly fashion. As a support medium, nanoparticles display a particularly large surface-to-volume ratio and their physical properties can be adjusted to match requirements.

Researchers led by Zhihui Dai from the Nanjing Normal University, China, have used a liquid-liquid interface technique to immobilise Ab₁ antibodies onto gold nanoparticles, characterising the material using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

Detection of abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can indicate the presence of cancerous cells. In this work, a sandwich immunoassay was used to test the sensitivity of the Au-Ab₁ nanocomposite towards AFP, demonstrating good selectivity, stability and reproducibility of the sensor. In clinical samples, the gold-based sensor performed well against the current enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) method of testing.

Do you want to know more about this research? Click on the link below, this article will be free to read until April 19th:

Gold–antibody nanocomposite thin film fabricated by a liquid–liquid interface technique and its application for the sensitive immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein
Kun Wang ,  Tianxiang Wei ,  Wenwen Tu ,  Min Han and Zhihui Dai
Anal. Methods, 2013,5, 1909-1914
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY26541B

Drug discovery, development, and manufacturing widely make use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate compound mixtures for identification, quantification, and purification of individual components. Hence, the quest for the “next generation” of HPLC instruments is in high demand for improved analysis. Monica Yang and colleagues from Merck and Eksigent corporations have tested the performance of Eksigent Express LC Ultra micro high pressure liquid chromatography for real-world pharmaceutical application. By combining the capability of microflow HPLC, and the function to separate under high pressures, the new instrument enables fast separation efficiency, cost reduction and high system reproducibility.

Mixture Separation Using Eksigent ExpressLC Ultra HPLC

Find out more about this recent advancement by accessing the link below:

Evaluation of micro ultra high pressure liquid chromatography for pharmaceutical analysis
Monica (Mei) Yang ,  Xiaoyi Gong ,  Wes Schafer ,  Don Arnold and Christopher J. Welch
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY26435A

Take a look at our selected HOT articles free for you to enjoy until April 4^th. Papers include innovative research such as the characterisation of grape seed residues from ethanol-distillation industry, the development of a camera phone-based platform for fluorescence sensing and a new method for analysis of low-levels of asbestos in soil. To read the full papers, please click on the links below:

Grape seeds characterisation

A proof-of-concept fluorescent strategy for highly selective detection of Cr(VI) based on inner filter effect using a hydrophilic ionic chemosensor
Dawei Zhang ,  Zhiyun Dong ,  Xiaozhi Jiang ,  Meiyun Feng ,  Wen Li and Guohua Gao
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY26555B

Evaluation of a fluidized bed asbestos segregator preparation method for the analysis of low-levels of asbestos in soil and other solid media
J. Januch ,  W. Brattin ,  L. Woodbury and D. Berry
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY26254

A camera phone-based platform for fluorescence sensing

Characterization of grape seed residues from the ethanol-distillation industry

Ángela Peralbo-Molina ,  Feliciano Priego-Capote and María Dolores Luque de Castro
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY00008G

A novel camera phone-based platform for quantitative fluorescence sensing
Stephen O’Driscoll ,  Brian D. MacCraith and Conor S. Burke
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY40116B

A non-enzymatic glucose sensor

Detecting glucose is not only important in the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes; it has also wide applications in food analysis and waste water treatment. Traditional glucose sensors are based on an enzymatic method, employing glucose oxidase. Although this makes for a highly selective electrode, enzymes are easily affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and pH.

Researchers led by Yongqing Zhao and Cailing Xu at Lanzhou University, China, have designed and created a new glucose sensor which is non-enzymatic and uses a 3D electrode architecture to increase the surface area in contact with the electrolyte. The porous nickel foam scaffold is loaded with nickel oxide, which has fast redox kinetics and better stability towards air and water than nickel metal.

The sensor has been evaluated against traditional methods by measuring glucose levels in blood serum samples and was found to perform well, with excellent response times, high selectivity, a low detection limit and good electrocatalytic activity.

To know more about this research, please access the link below. This paper will be free to read until April 2^nd.

Non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on three dimensional nickel oxide for enhanced sensitivity
Chunyan Guo,  Yinmei Wang,  Yongqing Zhao and Cailing Xu
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AY00067B