Electrochemical Studies of Vitamin K1 Microdroplets: Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The voltammetry of a basal-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode modified with a random ensemble of unsupported microdroplets of vitamin K₁ is investigated when the electrode is immersed in aqueous electrolytes. It is shown that in dilute acidic solutions, electroreduction occurs in a single two-electron two-proton process to yield the corresponding hydroquinone at the electrode|vitamin K₁ microdroplet|aqueous-electrolyte three-phase boundary. On addition of ionic alkali-metal salts to the aqueous acidic phase, the electrochemical reduction of vitamin K₁ to the quinol is accompanied by catalytic hydrogen evolution within and alkali-metal-cation insertion into the organic microdroplets. In strongly alkaline solutions, electrochemical reduction of vitamin K₁ at the triple-phase junction is proposed as being a single two-electron process with concomitant uptake of alkali-metal cations in order to maintain electroneutrality within the oil phase. Surprisingly, the relative ease of cation insertion into the oil phase is demonstrated to be governed by the degree of ion-pair formation rather than by the Gibbs transfer energy of the cation across the liquid|liquid interface.     

Determination of the diastereomers of vitamin K1

A method is described for the gas-chromatographic determination of the diastereomers of vitamin K₁ (phylloquinone) in the form of their dihydro dimethyl ethers. The reported method of derivatization and chromatographic analysis in conjunction with optical rotation measurements are useful approaches for characterization of vitamin K₁ samples with respect to their origin.     

The external quality assurance of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) analysis in human serum

The vitamin K external quality assurance scheme (KEQAS) aims to assist in the harmonization of phylloquinone (vitamin K₁) analysis in order to improve the comparability of clinical and nutritional studies. Serum samples were despatched to 17 groups from eight countries during 2000–2006. Using pilot data (1996–1999), an analytical performance target of 20% absolute difference from the all‐laboratory trimmed mean (ALTM) was assigned and formed the basis for interlaboratory comparison. Assay specificity, analytical bias and assay performance were evaluated. From 21 batches of samples distributed, 414 results were reported of which 2.7% were outliers. The mean interlaboratory absolute difference from the ALTM was 21.7% with 47% of groups consistently meeting the performance target. The mean interlaboratory coefficient of variation was 29.6%. The false positive rate for phylloquinone depleted samples was high at 35%. Bias was found to be independent of HPLC‐detector type (fluorescence vs electrochemical). Assay characteristics for the measurement of phylloquinone in human serum compare favourably with methods for analytes at equivalent concentrations. The high proportion of false positive results suggest that poor assay specificity at low phylloquinone concentrations is a common problem, which in the clinical setting could lead to underreporting of vitamin K deficiency. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization and traceability of two generations of standard reference material for the measurement of vitamin K1(phylloquinone) at endogenous concentrations in human plasma and serum

Vitamin K is an essential micronutrient required for blood coagulation, regulation of vascular calcification and bone mineralization. Plasma and serum measurements of vitamin K₁(phylloquinone, K₁) made using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, or tandem mass spectrometry are used clinically and in population studies to assess vitamin K status. Standard reference materials provide a validation tool for laboratories, helping assure clinical diagnosis and the comparability of data from different populations. We manufactured two K₁ standard reference materials, in 2009 (KEQAS SRM-001) and in 2019 (KEQAS SRM-002). The target concentrations of K₁ were assigned to each SRM using the All Laboratory Trimmed Mean of results reported by selected laboratories enrolled in the Vitamin K External Quality Assurance Scheme (KEQAS). The assigned concentrations of K₁ for KEQAS SRM-001 and SRM-002 were 0.25 and 0.36 μg/L respectively. In 2019 KEQAS SRM-001 was re-analysed simultaneously with KEQAS SRM-002 to provide traceability between the two standards, therefore aiding comparability of analysis performed using these materials. Both standards were stored as aliquots at −80°C in the dark; annual re-analysis of the materials indicated that K₁ is stable for at least 12 years in these conditions.     

Determination of vitamin k1 in plasma by differential pulse polarography and its possible clinical application

Differential pulse polarography, following solvent extraction, is used to monitor the clearance of vitamin K₁ (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) from human plasma after a 20-mg intravenous injection. The average recovery of vitamin K₁ added to plasma (200–3000 ng ml^-1) was 72.2%. The coefficient of variation was 3.0% at a concentration of 2.75 μg ml^-1 of plasma. Measurements of vitamin K₁ in plasma from patients given an intravenous injection of the vitamin, support the idea that a metabolic cycle involving vitamin K₁ underlies calcification of bone.     

Time-resolved EPR investigation on the photoreactions of vitamin K with antioxidant vitamins in micelle systems

The photochemical reactions of vitamin K (VK) with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin E (VE) and vitamin C (VC)) in aqueous hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and Triton X-100 micelle systems, and in an aerosol OT (AOT) reversed micelle system were investigated by a time-resolved EPR (TR-EPR). The photolysis of VK with VE in the aqueous micelle solutions gave the TR-EPR spectra having strong intensity and net emissive polarization, suggesting that the excited triplet state of VK (³VK^*) was rapidly quenched by VE coexisting inside the micelle. On the other hand, the photolysis of VK with VC in the aqueous SDS and CTAC micelle systems gave the spectra having weak intensity, showing that the reaction between ³VK^* and VC was inefficient in these micelle systems, probably because ³VK^* scarcely diffused out from the micelle. The photolysis of VK with VC in the AOT reversed micelle solution gave the spin-correlated radical pair CIDEP spectrum. The result suggests that the long-lived radical pair was generated from the reaction between ³VK^* and VC in the water/oil interface region of the AOT micelle, although one of the reactants dissolved in the oil phase and another did in the separated water phase.     

Selective chemiluminescence method for monitoring of vitamin K homologues in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism. The detection and monitoring of vitamin K homologues in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is a challenging problem due to the smaller concentrations of vitamin K and the presence of several interfering medications. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new highly sensitive and selective chemiluminescence (CL) method designated to quantify vitamin K homologues in plasma of RA patients including phylloquinone (PK, vitamin K₁), menaquinone-4 (MK-4, vitamin K₂) and menaquinone-7 (MK-7, vitamin K₂). The method was based on the unique photochemical properties of vitamin K homologues that were exploited for selective luminol CL reaction. The correlation coefficients of 0.998 or more were obtained in the concentration ranges of 0.1-100 ng mL⁻¹ vitamin K homologues. The detection limits were 0.03-0.1 ng mL⁻¹ in human plasma for vitamin K homologues. The developed HPLC-CL system was successfully applied for selective determination of vitamin K homologues in plasma of RA patients. The developed method may provide a useful tool for monitoring vitamin K homologues in different clinical studies such as RA, osteoporosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in which vitamin K is intervented.     

1H and 13C NMR chemical shift assignments and conformational analysis for the two diastereomers of the vitamin K epoxide reductase inhibitor brodifacoum

Proton and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts and ¹H? ¹H scalar couplings for the two diastereomers of the potent vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR) inhibitor brodifacoum have been determined at 293 K from acetone solutions containing both diastereomers. To facilitate difficult assignments, homo‐ and heteronuclear correlation spectra were acquired at 750 and 900 MHz over 268–303 K temperature range. Conformations of both diastereomers inferred from the scalar couplings and 1‐D NOE measurements reveal that one diastereomer (SS/RR) adopts a strained geometry in the cyclohexene ring system of the tetralin group. The NMR spectra also show evidence of line broadening due to conformational exchange at room temperature for the SR/RS diastereomer. These assignments and conformational analyses may be useful in studies of biomolecular interactions of brodifacoum with target proteins such as VKOR and in source determination of brodifacoum. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biodistribution of ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in BALB mice

Recently ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used for medical applications. One of their important applications is using these particles as MRI contrast agent. While various research works have been done about MRI application of USPIOs, there is limited research about their uptakes in various organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodistribution of dextran coated iron oxide NPs labelled with ^99mTc in various organs via intravenous injection in Balb/c mice. The magnetite NPs were dispersed in phosphate buffered saline and SnCl₂ which was used as a reduction reagent. Subsequently, the radioisotope ^99mTc was mixed directly into the reaction solution. The labeling efficiency of USPIOs labeled with ^99mTc, was above 99 %. Sixty mice were sacrificed at 12 different time points (From 1 min to 48 h post injections; five mice at each time). The percentage of injected dose per gram of each organ was measured by direct counting for 19 harvested organs of the mice. The biodistribution of ^99mTc-USPIO in Balb/c mice showed dramatic uptake in reticuloendothelial system. Accordingly, about 75 percent of injected dose was found in spleen and liver at 15 min post injection. More than 24 % of the NPs remain in liver after 48 h post-injection and their clearance is so fast in other organs. The results suggest that USPIOs as characterized in our study can be potentially used as contrast agent in MR Imaging, distributing reticuloendothelial system specially spleen and liver.     

Electrosorption of vitamin K1 at mercury and its determination at submicrogram levels by differential pulse voltammetry at a hanging mercury electrode

The electrochemical behaviour of vitamin K₁ has been studied in ethanolic and methanolic acetate buffers by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (d.p.v.) at the h.m.d.e. and differential pulse polarography at the d.m.e. Increased adsorption occurs at the mercury electrode as the percentage of water is increased. The most sensitive signal was obtained by d.p.v. with acetate-buffered 60% methanolic solutions; vitamin K₁ could then be measured down to 10 ng ml^-1.     

LC-UV Column-Switching for Quantitation of Vitamin K1 in Infant Formula

This study was undertaken in order to develop an analytical method for vitamin K₁ in infant formula. The content of vitamin K₁ was investigated by using a column-switching LC-UV method. A Certified Reference Material sample of infant formula containing 0.94 ± 0.04 mg kg^?1 of vitamin K₁ was extracted with hexane followed by enzymatic digestion of fat and precipitation of the fatty acids. The linearity of this method was calculated using five consecutive standard curves, and the coefficient of determination (r ²) was found to be 0.9995. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 3.31 and 11.12 μg L^?1, respectively. The accuracy of intra- and inter-day measurements was in the range from 96.67 to 108.67%, and the precision of intra- and inter-day measurements was less than 5.13%. The recoveries were 109.27 ± 5.92%, and the recoveries of inter-laboratory results were in the range from 97.59 ± 1.29 to 109.27 ± 5.92%. The newly developed method uses the optimum conditions required to determine the content of vitamin K₁ in infant formula.     

The Chemistry of Tetrafluoroallene： One－pot Synthesis of Trifluoromethylindolizines from 1,3－Diiodo－1,1,3,3－tetrafluoropropane by 1,3－Dipolar Cycloaddition

Heating a mixture of 1, 3-diiodo-1, 1, 3, 3-tetrafluoropropane (2), K2CO3, pyridinium bromides (3) in CH3CN at 65℃ for 10 h gives the corresponding trifluoromethylindolizines.     

Simplified post-column reduction and fluorescence detection for the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of vitamin K1(20)

A simplification of the instrumental set-up is described for the post-column reduction and fluorescence detection in the high-performance liquid chromatographich determination of vitamin K₁₍₂₀₎. The reductant (tetramethylammonium octahydridotriborate) is incorporated in the eluent, so that one pumping system can be eliminated. The system is 3–4 times more sensitive than the previous arrangement.     

Electron transport across liquid membranes with an asymmetrically located electron mediator

The addition of a surface active dipyridinium or nicotinamide chloride into a liquid membrane containing vitamin K₃ (VK₃), brought about a large enhancement in the rate of the electron transport from S₂O₄^2? to Fe(CN)₆^3?. The asymmetric location of this salt at one interface of the membrane was achieved by the used of a small porre-sized millipore filter.     

Synthetic,Structural, and Spectroscopic Investigations of K3Nb8O21‐type Complex Oxides K3MTa7O21 (M = Ti,Zr)

Potassium‐containing zirconium(IV)/titanium(IV) tantalum(V) oxides, K₃TiTa₇O₂₁ ( 1 ) and K₃ZrTa₇O₂₁ ( 2 ), of K₃Nb₈O₂₁‐type of compounds are afforded from potassium‐molybdate flux. Both compounds crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6₃/mcm (no. 193) with a = 908.69(2), c = 1202.83(7) pm and c/a = 1.324 (Z = 2) for 1 and a = 913.30(3), c = 1219.21(6) pm and c/a = 1.335 (Z = 2) for 2 , respectively. The Structural motif of [MTa₇O₂₁]^3– (M = Ti⁴⁺ or Zr⁴⁺) consists of edge‐shared (M,Ta)₆O₂₄‐units that are similar to corner‐sharing Ta₆O₂₇ units of synthetic soro‐silicate K₃Ta₃Si₂O₁₃ and double borate K₃Ta₃B₂O₁₂. The solid state bandgap measurements revealed that calculated values (3.26 eV for K₃TiTa₇O₂₁ and 3.14 eV for K₃ZrTa₇O₂₁) are dependent on aperture of Ta–O–Ta bond angle as it was previously shown for perovskite‐type tantalate photocatalysts.     

Catalytic Synthesis of 2-Methyl-1,4-Naphthoquinone (Vitamin K3) Over Silica-Supported Aminomethyl Phosphine-Ru(II), Pd(II), and Co(II) Complexes

Ru(II), Pd(II), and Co(II) complexes of the free ditertiary aminomethylphosphine ligand, N,N-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)aminopropyltriethoxysilane [(EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃ N(CH₂PPh₂)₂] (DIPAPTES), and its SiO₂-DIPAPES have been synthesized under a nitrogen atmosphere using Schlenk techniques. All the complexes were used as catalysts for the oxidation of 2-methyl naphthalene (2MN) to give 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (vitamin K₃, menadione, 2MNQ) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as a clean and cheap oxidant. The catalytic synthesis of vitamin K₃ was investigated using both homogeneous catalysis with free complexes and heterogeneous catalysis with silica-supported complexes. [(DIPAPTES)PdCl₂] and its silica-supported form showed the best catalytic activity for the selective oxidation of 2-methyl naphthalene to 2-methyl-1,4-naphtoquinone compared to the other metal complexes. 2MNQ yield reached 52.26% with the 2MN conversion of 90.52% using complex [(DIPAPTES)PdCl₂] and 58.59% with the 2MN conversion of 99.56% using the silica supported [SiO₂(DIPAPES)PdCl₂] complex for 1 h. Recycling was investigated for the silica-supported Pd(II) complex and compared with the classical production of vitamin K₃.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Two Minute Separation of the cis- and trans-Isomers of Vitamin K1 without Heptane, Chlorinated Solvents, or Acetonitrile

Resolution of the cis-, trans-isomers of vitamin K₁ (phylloquinone) is important in nutritional analysis since only the trans-isomer is biologically active, while artificial vitamin K₁ may contain significant amounts of the inactive cis-isomer. The cis-, trans-isomers of vitamin K₁ were separated, with a resolution of 3.4, using pure carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the mobile phase, with a run time ≈6 min, on a 4.6 × 150 mm, 3.5 μm RX-Sil bare silica column, using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). With 2.5 % ethyl acetate in CO₂, R_s = 2.77, with a run time <4 min. On a 3 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm RX-Sil column R_s remained at 2.69, with a run time just over 2 min. This is the first report on the apparent separation of these isomers by SFC, and is up to 3–5 times faster than separations using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the literature. Unlike most HPLC separations, no dichloromethane, acetonitrile, or hexane/heptane was used. The CO₂ was beverage grade, at 1/20th to 1/50th the cost of the replaced organics, is recycled, and is considered “green”.     

THE USE OF CARBOXYMETHYL ETHOXYLATE SURFACTANT TO DISSOLVE VITAMIN K1 AND TO OBTAIN LOW INTERFACIAL TENSION AND STABLE EMULSION SYSTEMS

Abstract

The presence of vitamin K₁ in human body is important for preventing the hemorrhagic disease. Due to its very long side chain, vitamin K₁ is highly insoluble in water. We have successfully dissolve a substantial amount of vitamin K₁ in solutions of a commercial surfactant containing carboxymethyl ethoxylates (Hüls B433) and obtained low interfacial tension (IFT) and stable emulsion systems. This paper will present the details of these experiments. The solubilization of vitamin K₁ was estimated from UV absorption. The IFT values were measured by using a spinning drop apparatus and all particle sizes were determined by using laser light scattering. By using the Hüls B433 surfactant and an optimum amount of CaCl₂, we can dissolve vitamin K₁ in water and obtain low IFT systems in the order of 10^?2 dyne/cm. The emulsions obtained in these systems are stable and contain droplet sizes below 65 nm. The dissolution of vitamin K₁ and the IFT behavior in these systems follow the rules for crude oil and prefer larger surfactant micelles.     

Pulse radiolysis studies of vitaminK1 in an aqueous–organic mixed solvent

Pulse radiolysis studies of VK₁ were carried out in a nitrogen-saturated aqueous–isopropanol–acetone mixed solvent. We studied the spectroscopic characteristics of semiquinone radicals of VK₁ and determined the kinetic parameters of formation and decay of the species. It was found that the decay process of semiquinone radicals of VK₁ was according to a first-order reaction, this was different from the case in ethanol solution, possible reasons were also analyzed.     

A Highly K+‐Selective Two‐Photon Fluorescent Probe

A highly K⁺‐selective two‐photon fluorescent probe for the in vitro monitoring of physiological K⁺ levels in the range of 1–100 mM is reported. The two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) probe shows a fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of about three in the presence of 160 mM K⁺, independently of one‐photon (OP, 430 nm) or two‐photon (TP, 860 nm) excitation and comparable K⁺‐induced FEs in the presence of competitive Na⁺ ions. The estimated dissociation constant (K_d) values in Na⁺‐free solutions (K_d^OP=(28±5) mM and K_d^TP=(36±6) mM ) and in combined K⁺/Na⁺ solutions (K_d^OP=(38±8) mM and K_d^TP=(46±25) mM ) reflecting the high K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity of the fluorescent probe. The TP absorption cross‐section (σ_2PA) of the TPEF probe+160 mM K⁺ is 26 GM at 860 nm. Therefore, the TPEF probe is a suitable tool for the in vitro determination of K⁺.