Radka Mikelová

Utilizing of Square Wave Voltammetry to Detect Flavonoids in the Presence of Human Urine

About biological affecting of flavonoids on animal organisms is known less, thus we selected flavonoids, flavanones and flavones, and their glycosides, which were examined as potential inducers of cytochrome(s) P450 when administrated by gavages into experimental male rats. The study was focused on induction of CYP1A1, the major cytochrome P450 involved in carcinogen activation. The data obtained demonstrate the necessity of taking into account not only ability of flavonoids to bind to Ah receptor (induction factor) but also to concentrate on their distribution and metabolism (including colon microflora) in the body. After that we examined certain flavonoids as potential inducers of cytochrome P450, we wanted to suggest and optimize suitable electrochemical technique for determination of selected flavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, chrysin and diosmin) in body liquids. For these purposes, we selected square wave voltannetry using carbon paste electrode. Primarily we aimed on investigation of their basic electrochemical behaviour. After that we have optimized frequency, step potential and supporting electrolyte. Based on the results obtained, we selected the most suitable conditions for determination of the flavonoids as follows: frequency 180 Hz, step potential 1.95 mV/s and phosphate buffer of pH 7 as supporting electrolyte. Detection limits (3 S/N) of the flavonoids were from units to tens of nM except diosmin, where the limit were higher than μM. In addition, we attempted to suggest a sensor for analysis of flavonoids in urine. It clearly follows from the results obtained that flavonoids can be analysed in the presence of animal urine, because urine did not influence much the signals of flavonoids (recoveries of the signals were about 90 %).

Determination of bromadiolone in pheasants and foxes by differential pulse voltammetry

Bromadiolone, a commercially used anticoagulant rodenticide, was determined in tissues of various animals by differential pulse voltammetry with a carbon-paste electrode. Under the most suitable experimental conditions (step potential of 25 mV s−1 and 0.2 mol L−1 acetate buffer, pH 4.2), the limit of detection was 0.5 ng mL−1. The electroanalytical method was consequently used to investigate the bromadiolone transport within the food chain. Pheasants were exposed to bromadiolone and then used as feed for a fox. The average levels were 528 and 198 ng of bromadiolone per gram of fresh weight of liver of pheasant and fox, respectively. Due to the surprisingly lower content of bromadiolone in the latter, a basic biochemical analysis, particularly blood coagulation, was performed. Among the parameters studied (thrombin time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen), there was prolongation of the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time.

Rapid Detection of Adenine and Cytosine Nucleotides in Short Hetero-Oligodeoxynucleotides

Electrochemical methods are suitable techniques for study of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and their components. The combination of new techniques, the elimination voltammetry with linear scan (EVLS) and adsorptive stripping (AdS) and/or adsorptive transfer stripping (AdTS), was used for the rapid and low-cost detection of adenine and cytosine nucleotides in short synthetic hetero-ODNs. Using a mercury drop electrode and/or an amalgam electrode (AE) we are able not only to analyze ODNs at picomolar concentrations but also to resolve the adenine (A) and cytosine (C) nucleotide sequences in ODN chains.