Beatriz López de Mishima

Modulation of optical properties of dissolved humic substances by their molecular complexity.

In this study, we show that several UV–Vis absorbance, steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence parameters of a series of dissolved humic substances (DHS) from different sources (e.g. terrestrial fulvic and humic acids, and humic acid‐like molecules extracted from composted and vermicomposted wastes) correlate with the molar absorptivity at 280 nm per mole of organic carbon (ε280), which in turn is proportional to the molecular complexity (e.g. molecular size, aromaticity and oxidation degree) of the DHS. Both absorbance and fluorescence spectral responses were sensitive to the molecular complexity associated with the maturation degree of the DHS. Depending on the DHS, different emitting responses by excitation at the UVA (340 nm) and VIS (460 nm) regions of the absorption spectra were observed. The results were explained in terms of the extent of intramolecular electronic interactions between electron donor groups, such as polyhydroxylated aromatics and indoles, and more oxidized acceptor groups (e.g. quinones or other oxidized aromatics) as the molecular complexity of the DHS increased.

Caracterización de acelga fresca de Santiago del Estero (Argentina). Comparación del contenido de nutrientes en hoja y tallo. Evaluación de los carotenoides presentes

An integrated characterization study of Swiss chard grown in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, was carried out. As Swiss chard is a vegetable of important regional consumption, the determination of its basic constituents, minerals and pigments was done to appraise the nutritional value offered by this food in our area. Moisture, ash content, proteins, fats, available carbohydrates, total dietary fiber, chlorophylls and carotenoids were analysed, comparing the leaves and the stems. As to minerals, calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorous, potassium, and boron were determined. Differences in the concentration of minerals, proteins, fats and fiber between the leaves and the stems were found, as well as the carotenoid content mainly in the leaves. These findings revealed important differences in energy content and provitamin A value, showing that the stem is a usable part of this vegetable to be recommended in diets with low calories.

A highly sensitive and stable glucose biosensor using thymine-based polycations into laponite hydrogel films.

A series of glucose bioelectrodes were prepared by glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilization into laponite hydrogel films containing DNA bioinspired polycations made of vinylbenzyl thymine (VBT) and vinylbenzyl triethylammonium chloride (VBA) with general formulae (VBT)m(VBA)n](n+)≈25 with m=0, 1 and n=2, 4, 8, deposited onto glassy carbon electrode. The bioelectrodes were characterized by chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results indicated that the electrochemical properties of the laponite hydrogel films were largely improved by the incorporation of thymine-based polycations, being proportional to the positive charge density of the polycation molecule. After incorporation of glucose oxidase, the sensitivity of the bioelectrode to glucose increased with the positive charge density of the polycation. Additionally, the presence of the vinylbenzyl thymine moiety played a role in the long-term stability and reproducibility of the bioelectrode signal. As a consequence, the [(VBT)(VBA)8](8+)≈25 was the most appropriate polycation for bioelectrode preparation and glucose sensing, with a specific sensitivity of se=176 mA mmol(-1)Lcm(-2)U(-1), almost two-order of magnitude larger than other laponite immobilized GOx bioelectrodes reported elsewhere. These features were confirmed by testing the bioelectrode for a selective determination of glucose in powder milk and blood serum samples without interference of either ascorbic or uric acids under the experimental conditions. The present study demonstrates the suitability of DNA bioinspired water-soluble polycations [(VBT)m(VBA)n](n+)≈25 for enzyme immobilization like GOx into laponite hydrogels, and the preparation of highly sensitive and stable bioelectrodes on glassy carbon surface.

Extracción de naringina de Citrus paradisi L. estudio comparativo y optimización de técnicas extractivas

The comparative study of the different extractive techniques of naringin was made, using grapefruit peel (Citrus paradisi). The best conditions for previous preparation of the material are the fragmentation of fresh peel and drying through a drying chamber and subsequent fragmentation. For fresh peel it turns to be more convenient the extraction with ethyl alcohol by Soxhlet system (obtaining 26 g/kg of fresh weight), while for dried peel the best results are obtained in the extraction with the mixture ethyl alcohol - water in the proportions 70:30 by maceration (20 g/kg of fresh weight) and reflux (22 g/kg of fresh weight). Evidences of the importance of water in the extraction process were observed. The values of naringin concentration in peel of different varieties of Citrus paradisi of the region of Argentinean North West were determined.

Interaction of green silver nanoparticles with model membranes: possible role in the antibacterial activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) constitute a very promising approach for overcoming the emergence of antibiotic resistance bacteria. Although their mode of action could be related with membrane damage, the AgNPs-lipid membrane interaction is still unclear. In this sense, the present work investigated the interaction of model lipid membranes with AgNPs coated with different capping agents such as citrate (C-AgNPs) and phytomolecules (G-AgNPs) obtained via a green synthesis. The AgNPs-membrane interactions were evaluated studying i) the surface pressure changes on both zwitterionic (DMPC) and negatively charged (DMPC:DMPG) lipid monolayers, ii) the zeta potential and DLS of DMPC:DMPG liposomes and iii) Zeta potential on Escherichia coli membranes, incubated with this nanomaterials. The results showed that both negatively charged-AgNPs can interact with these lipid monolayers inducing an increase in the surface pressure but G-AgNPs presented a significantly higher affinity toward both monolayers in comparison with C-AgNPs. Zeta potential data confirmed again the interaction event showing that both DMPC:DMPG liposomes and E. coli bacteria became more negative with the addition of G-AgNPs. This increased net negative charge of the liposomes and E. coli allows to indicate an interfacial interaction where the green nanometal should keep adsorbed to the membrane via the insertion of aromatic/hydrophobic moieties of capping agents on the surface of AgNPs into the lipid bilayer. Summarizing, the AgNPs-membrane interaction should be an essential step in the antibacterial activity either because the membrane is the main target or by increasing the local concentration of silver from G-AgNPs accumulation which could cause the bactericidal effect.