Application of different polarimetric methods for the analysis of enzyme-catalyzed enantioselective reactions

Identification of model parameters in kinetic equations requires the determination of reactant concentrations in the course of time. In the case of enzyme catalyzed enantioselective reactions, three different polarimetric methods were used for concentration measurements obtained in both initial rate experiments and under dynamically changing conditions. Two on-line methods for the determination of different numbers of chiral species and a more universal off-line method were applied. For the investigated substrate 5-benzylhydantoin and the enzyme hydantoinase it is shown, that the obtained polarimetric data are most suitable for identification of kinetic parameters. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that on-line data of only one conversion allow for an assessment of an enzyme with regard to its enantioselectivity.     

Thermal stability of piroxicam

The application of thermal method is of great importance regarding the pharmaceutical problems such as the control of raw materials, the determination of purity, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drug formulation, tests of thermal stability and compatibility and the determination of kinetic parameters etc. The purpose of a kinetic investigation is to calculate the kinetic parameters and the determination of the kinetic model for the studied process. The results are further used to predict the system’s behaviour in various circumstances. A kinetic study regarding the piroxicam—active substance’s thermal decomposition was performed under isothermal conditions and nitrogen atmosphere, for the temperature steps: 200, 205, 210, 215 and 220 °C. The TG/DTG data were processed by three differential methods: isothermal—isoconversional, Friedman’s isothermal isoconversional and isothermal model-fitting. The obtained results are in good accord between them, as well as with those obtained under non-isothermal conditions from a previous work and confirm the necessity of the kinetic parameters determining in different thermal conditions, by the adequate calculation methods.     

Determination of the swelling behavior of superabsorbent polymers by a tracer-assisted on-line spectroscopic measurement

This work reports on a method for the accurate determination of kinetic swelling behavior and properties of superabsorbent polymers by a tracer-assisted on-line spectroscopic measurement. Based on monitoring the spectral absorption of a tracer compound (blue dextran 2000) at 610 nm in a superabsorbent polymer containing solution, the swelling (water absorption) of the polymer during the process can be followed, from which the parameters in a kinetic equation can be obtained. The results showed that the data obtained by the present method has a good measurement precision and accuracy, in which the relative differences were less than 4.0% when comparing the data measured by a reference method (i.e., the tea bag method). Since the present method can perform an on-line measurement, it is much superior to the current tea bag method and therefore is very suitable to be used in the process related study for the swelling behavior of superabsorbent polymers in many applications.     

Industrial applications of SAW-sensors: on-line control of preparative HPLC

Results of on-line process control with an SAW-sensor based gas-sensor microsystem (SAGAS PC) are presented for industrial applications. The control of the solvent mixer of an HPLC-system was chosen as a typical example. All applications dealt with the detection and subsequent qualification as well as quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), e.g. organic solvents or even water by investigating their vapor. Mass-sensitive transducers, especially surface acoustic wave (SAW)-devices, have become a feasible tool for VOC-analytics. The measurement principle is based on frequency changes which are directly correlated with mass changes on the sensor surface and thus provide a particularly suitable signal transduction. The data analysis of all applications is based on pattern recognition methods, and focused on artificial neural networks for quantitative determination of these solvents and solvent-mixtures. The results obtained clearly showed the suitability of such a sensor system for on-line process-control purposes. Received: 25 September 1998 / Revised: 18 November 1998 / Accepted: 26 November 1998     

Industrial applications of SAW-sensors: on-line control of preparative HPLC

Results of on-line process control with an SAW-sensor based gas-sensor microsystem (SAGAS PC) are presented for industrial applications. The control of the solvent mixer of an HPLC-system was chosen as a typical example. All applications dealt with the detection and subsequent qualification as well as quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), e.g. organic solvents or even water by investigating their vapor. Mass-sensitive transducers, especially surface acoustic wave (SAW)-devices, have become a feasible tool for VOC-analytics. The measurement principle is based on frequency changes which are directly correlated with mass changes on the sensor surface and thus provide a particularly suitable signal transduction. The data analysis of all applications is based on pattern recognition methods, and focused on artificial neural networks for quantitative determination of these solvents and solvent-mixtures. The results obtained clearly showed the suitability of such a sensor system for on-line process-control purposes. Received: 25 September 1998 / Revised: 18 November 1998 / Accepted: 26 November 1998     

Enzymatic determination of fenitrothion by cholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase on fluorogenic substrates

 The action of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase on the substrates indoxylacetate and 2-naphthyl acetate was studied kinetically. Both enzymes convert the substrates to highly fluorescent products (3-hydroxy-indole and 2-naphthol, respectively). The kinetic curves present the initial rate as the variation of fluorescence for a unity of time (ΔF/Δt) against the substrate concentration. This enzymatic reaction was investigated in presence of the inhibitor organophosphate pesticide fenitrothion. From the kinetic curves the enzymatic parameters and enzyme and substrate concentrations used for the calibration curve can be obtained. Four simple spectrofluorimetric methods for the enzymatic determination of fenitrothion were developed showing detection limits between 5.5 to 19.5 μmol/l, depending on the enzyme and the substrate used. The precisions (R.S.D.) of the methods were between 1.6 and 9.6%. A comparative study of the kinetic enzymatic parameters and the detection limits was performed. A good correlation was obtained between inhibition constants and the detection limit. Received: 21 February 1996/Revised: 2 July 1996/Accepted: 9 July 1996     

Determination of the interconversion energy barrier of enantiomers by separation methods

Separation methods have become versatile tools for the determination of kinetic activation parameters and energy barriers to interconversion of isomers and enantiomers in the last 20 years. New computer-aided evaluation systems allow the on-line determination of these data after separating minute amount of pure compounds or mixture of isomers or enantiomers, respectively. Both dynamic interconversion during the separation process as well as static stopped-flow techniques have been applied to determine the kinetic activation parameters and interconversion energy barriers by separation methods. The use of (1) combinations of batchwise kinetic studies with enantioselective separations, (2) a continuous flow model, (3) a comparison of real chromatograms with simulated ones, (4) stopped-flow techniques, (5) stochastic methods, (6) approximation functions and (7) deconvolution methods, for the determination of interconversion energy barriers by separation methods is summarized in detail.     

Development and characterization of an immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) based on human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase for on-line enzymatic studies

Immobilized enzyme reactors (IMERs) for on-line enzymatic studies are useful tool to select specific inhibitors and may be used for direct determination of drug-receptor binding interactions and for the rapid on-line screening to identify specific inhibitors. This technique has been shown to increase the stability of enzymes. The enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) plays an important role in the life cycle of the Trypanosoma cruzi and it has become a key target in the drug discovery program for Chagas' disease. Crystallographic studies have indicated that there are significant inter-species differences in GAPDH activity and sensitivity. For example the active sites of GAPDH in T. cruzi and humans differ by a substitution of ASP(210) (T. cruzi) by Leu(194) in human. Based on this information we initiated the study to develop optimal conditions for the covalent immobilization of the human GAPDH enzyme on a modified capillary support (400 mm x 0.10 mm). The chromatographic separation of NAD from NADH was achieved using a RP-Spherex-diol-OH (10 cm x 0.46 cm, 10 microm, 100 A) column. By using multidimensional HPLC chromatography system it was possible to investigate the activity and kinetic parameters of the GAPDH-IMER. The values obtained for D-GA3P and NAD were K(m)=3.5+/-0.2 mM and 0.75+/-0.04 mM, respectively, and were compared with values obtained with the free enzyme. The activity of the immobilized GAPDH has been preserved for over 120 days.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric methods for the determination of alfuzosin hydrochloride in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations

Simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric methods were established for the determination of alfuzosin hydrochloride in bulk and in its pharmaceutical preparations using alkaline potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent. The methods involve determination of alfuzosin HCl by kinetic studies of its oxidation at room temperature for a fixed time of 15 min. The absorbance of the colored manganate ions was measured at 610 nm. Alternatively, the decrease in the absorbance of permanganate upon addition of the studied drug was also measured at 525 nm. The absorbance-concentration plots in both procedures were rectilinear over the range of 2.0–30.0 μg/mL. The different experimental parameters affecting the development were carefully studied and optimized. The determination of alfuzosin HCl by the fixed concentration and initial rate methods is also feasible with the calibration equations obtained but the fixed time method has been found to be more applicable. Both procedures were applied to the determination of alfuzosin HCl in formulations. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained using reference methods.     

Comparison of thermokinetic data obtained by isothermal, isoperibolic, adiabatic and temperature programmed measurements

In this paper isothermal, isoperibolic and adiabatic calorimeters and a Power-Compensating DSC are compared by determining kinetic data of a simple test reaction. First, the kinetic parameters were analyzed using a conventional isothermal method, based on the analytic determination of the course of reaction. Subsequently, the kinetic data of the performed reaction were determined for the different types of calorimeters by simultaneously evaluating several measurements with identical initial conditions but different temperature courses. The kinetic parameters obtained by the different calorimeters agree reasonable well, indicating the reliability of kinetic data derived from thermokinetic methods.The authors are thankful for the financial support by the Department of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMBF).     

Application of Polymerization Kinetic Modeling in High‐Throughput Screening of Catalyst Systems for Productivity

In high‐throughput research, it is essential to use “right data” and “meaningful parameters” to reach reliable conclusions. The complexity and the large amount of data obtained from each set of experiments make the analysis of reaction data a nontrivial task. The important role of reaction kinetic modeling in the analysis of polymerization reaction data is discussed, and it is shown that the application of traditional methods for the determination of catalyst productivity can be misleading. Reaction kinetic modeling provides meaningful parameters for data analysis, gives complete information about the polymerization kinetic profile, and makes it possible to evaluate assumptions and hypotheses.

     

Optimization of the gravimetric determination method of nickel as dimethylglyoximate for nickel raw materials

The method parameters of an almost one century old method for analyzing nickel as dimethylglyoximate were critically examined for the analysis of nickel raw materials and many of the method parameters were observed to have a significant effect on the Ni recovery. Thus, because the Ni precipitation method parameters vary a lot in analytical literature and also in practice, the obtained Ni results by different methods are not comparable. During this study it was found that the double precipitation worked out perfectly in eliminating the effects of impurity elements. The residual Ni content in the filtrates should also be measured to obtain accurate and precise Ni results. In complexing the impurity elements, tartaric acid, stabilized by acetic acid, turned out to be effective, and when added to the sample solution before ammonium addition, the best pH conditions for homogenous Ni precipitation with dimethylglyoxime were obtained. The optimized Ni determination method described was found to be accurate and highly reproducible when tested with Ni concentrates and standard reference materials containing high Ni concentrations. Received: 26 December 1998 / Revised: 12 April 1999 / Accepted: 14 April 1999     

Comparative kinetic study of decomposition of some diazepine derivatives under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions

Thermal analysis is one of the most widely used methods for studying the solid state of pharmaceutical substances. TG/DTG and DSC curves provide important information regarding the physical properties of the pharmaceutical compounds (stability, compatibility, polymorphism, kinetic analysis, phase transitions etc.). The purpose of a kinetic investigation is to calculate the kinetic parameters and the kinetic model for the studied process. The results are further used to predict the system’s behaviour in various circumstances. A kinetic study regarding the diazepam, nitrazepam and oxazepam thermal decomposition was performed, under non-isothermal and isothermal conditions and in a nitrogen atmosphere, for the temperature steps: 483, 498, 523, 538 and 553 K. The TG/DTG data were processed by three methods: isothermal model-fitting, Friedman’s isothermal-isoconversional and Nomen-Sempere non-parametric kinetics. In the model-fitting methods the kinetic triplets (f(α), A and E _a) that defines a single reaction step resulted in being at variance with the multi-step nature of diazepines decomposition. The model-free approach represented by isothermal and non-isothermal isoconversional methods, gave dependences of the activation energies on the extent of conversion. It is very difficult to obtain an accord with the similar data which resulted under non-isothermal conditions from a previous work. The careful treatment of the kinetic parameters obtained in different thermal conditions was confirmed to be necessary, as well as a different strategy of experimental data processing.     

Thermal stability of ketoprofen

The purpose of this investigation is to calculate the kinetic parameters and the kinetic model for the studied process. The results are further used to predict the system’s behaviour in various circumstances. A kinetic study regarding the ketoprofen—involving active substance’s thermal decomposition—was performed under isothermal conditions and in a nitrogen atmosphere, for the temperature steps: 260; 265; 270; 275; and 280 °C. The thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry data were processed by three differential methods: isothermal–isoconversional, Friedman’s isothermal–isoconversional, and isothermal model-fittings. The obtained results are in good accordance with those obtained under non-isothermal conditions of a previous study, and confirm the necessity for the kinetic parameters to be determined, under different thermal conditions, by the adequate calculation methods.     

Photometric stopped-flow determinations of butylated hydroxyanisole

Summary A kinetic study of the colour reactions between butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Gibbs and Ehrlich reagents carried out with a stopped-flow system is reported. Kinetic methods for the determination of BHA were developed with both reagents. The parameters used were the initial rate and the signal amplitude. The use of a diode-array photodetector allowed the application of an amplification method with a decreased detection limit. The different kinetic methods developed were satisfactorily applied to the determination of BHA in different commercial oil samples. Analytical recovery data are also reported.

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Photometrische Stopped-Flow Bestimmung von butyliertem Hydroxyanisol

     

Determination of Am and Cm in spent nuclear fuels by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry after separation by high-performance liquid chromatography

Elemental and isotopic determination of americium and curium in spent nuclear fuels is necessary to validate neutronic calculation codes and for nuclear waste disposal purposes. Prior to mass spectrometric analysis, it is mandatory to perform separations in order to eliminate isobaric interferences between U, Pu, Am and Cm. In the spent fuels samples analyzed, a separation of U and Pu has been first realized with an anion-exchange resin. Then a rapid Am/Cm separation has been developed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an on-line detection using the Am and Cm α-emission. The influence of the different parameters on the chromatographic separation are described and discussed. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and thermal-ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) have been used to measure the isotopic composition of U, Am and Cm and to determine the ²⁴¹Am/²³⁸U and ²⁴⁴Cm/²³⁸U ratios with the double spike isotope dilution method. The measurement procedures and the accuracy and precision of the results obtained with a quadrupole ICP-MS on different spent fuels samples are discussed and compared with those obtained by TIMS, used as a reference technique. Received: 30 November 1998 / Revised: 8 January 1999 / Accepted: 12 January 1999     

ANN-MATOPT hybrid algorithm: determination of kinetic and non-kinetic parameters in different reaction mechanisms

In this work we have applied the computational methodology based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to the kinetic study of distinct reaction mechanisms to determine different types of parameters. Moreover, the problems of ambiguity or equivalence are analyzed in the set of parameters to determine in different kinetic systems when these parameters are from different natures. The ambiguity in the set of parameters show the possibility of existence of two possible set of parameter values that fit the experimental data. The deterministic analysis is applied to know beforehand if this problem occurs when rate constants of the different stages of the mechanism and the molar absorption coefficients of the species participating in the reaction are obtained together. Through the deterministic analysis we will analyze if a system is identifiable (unique solution or finite number of solutions) or if it is non-identifiable if it possesses infinite solutions. The determination of parameters of different nature can also present problems due to the different magnitude order, so we must analyze in each case the necessity to apply a second method to improve the values obtained through ANN. If necessary, an optimization mathematical method for improving the values of the parameters obtained with ANN will be used. The complete process, ANN and mathematical optimizations constitutes a hybrid algorithm ANN-MATOPT. The procedure will be applied first for the treatment of synthetic data with the purpose of checking the applicability of the method and after, it will be used in the case of experimental kinetic data.

     

Determination of Am and Cm in spent nuclear fuels by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry after separation by high-performance liquid chromatography

Elemental and isotopic determination of americium and curium in spent nuclear fuels is necessary to validate neutronic calculation codes and for nuclear waste disposal purposes. Prior to mass spectrometric analysis, it is mandatory to perform separations in order to eliminate isobaric interferences between U, Pu, Am and Cm. In the spent fuels samples analyzed, a separation of U and Pu has been first realized with an anion-exchange resin. Then a rapid Am/Cm separation has been developed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an on-line detection using the Am and Cm α-emission. The influence of the different parameters on the chromatographic separation are described and discussed. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and thermal-ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) have been used to measure the isotopic composition of U, Am and Cm and to determine the ²⁴¹Am/²³⁸U and ²⁴⁴Cm/²³⁸U ratios with the double spike isotope dilution method. The measurement procedures and the accuracy and precision of the results obtained with a quadrupole ICP-MS on different spent fuels samples are discussed and compared with those obtained by TIMS, used as a reference technique. Received: 30 November 1998 / Revised: 8 January 1999 / Accepted: 12 January 1999     

Simultaneous determination of propanol and butanol by a fluorometric enzymatic method based on the intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme

The application of the intrinsic fluorescence of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) for the simultaneous determination of propanol and butanol was investigated by using only one kinetic run. An absolute calibration method (based on a mathematical model derived from the enzymatic reaction) and a multivariate calibration method (partial least squares regression, PLSR) were tested for this purpose. Both methods were applied to synthetic samples of both alcohols with good results. Received: 17 September 1998 / Revised: 21 December 1998 / Accepted: 28 December 1998     

Thermal behaviour of erythromycin-active substance and tablets

The application of thermal methods is of great importance in the solution of pharmaceutical problems, such as the control of raw materials, the determination of purity, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drug formulation, tests of thermal stability and compatibility, the determination of kinetic parameters etc. The evaluation of thermal stability in the solid state is mostly made by analyzing their decomposition under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. This study reports the study on the thermal behaviour of erythromycin-active substance and tablets, respectively, the determination of the kinetic parameters for the decomposition process under non-isothermal conditions. For the determination of kinetic parameters from the TG/DTG curves, were utilized the following methods: Friedman isoconversional, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Li–Tang, and Kissinger, respectively, a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere and different heating rates: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 15 °C min^?1. Thermoanalytical curves showed that the active substance is thermally more stable than the tablets and the values of activation energy indicate a considerable thermal stability of active substance. The decrease in stability was attributed to the presence of excipients.