Browsing by Author "Lima-Neto, Pedro de"
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- Biosensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes paste electrode modified with laccase for pirimicarb pesticide quantificationPublication . Oliveira, Thiago M. B. F.; Barroso, M. Fátima; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P. P.; Delerue-Matos, CristinaThis study focused on the development of a sensitive enzymatic biosensor for the determination of pirimicarb pesticide based on the immobilization of laccase on composite carbon paste electrodes. Multi- walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)paste electrode modified by dispersion of laccase(3%,w/w) within the optimum composite matrix(60:40%,w/w,MWCNTs and paraffin binder)showed the best performance, with excellent electron transfer kinetic and catalytic effects related to the redox process of the substrate4- aminophenol. No metal or anti-interference membrane was added. Based on the inhibition of laccase activity, pirimicarb can be determined in the range 9.90 ×10- 7 to 1.15 ×10- 5 molL 1 using 4- aminophenol as substrate at the optimum pH of 5.0, with acceptable repeatability and reproducibility (relative standard deviations lower than 5%).The limit of detection obtained was 1.8 × 10-7 molL 1 (0.04 mgkg 1 on a fresh weight vegetable basis).The high activity and catalytic properties of the laccase- based biosensor are retained during ca. one month. The optimized electroanalytical protocol coupled to the QuEChERS methodology were applied to tomato and lettuce samples spiked at three levels; recoveries ranging from 91.0±0.1% to 101.0 ± 0.3% were attained. No significant effects in the pirimicarb electro- analysis were observed by the presence of pro-vitamin A, vitamins B1 and C,and glucose in the vegetable extracts. The proposed biosensor- based pesticide residue methodology fulfills all requisites to be used in implementation of food safety programs.
- Chitosan-magnetite nanocomposite as a sensing platform to bendiocarb determinationPublication . Oliveira, Raissa C. de; Sousa, Camila P.; Freire, Tiago M.; Freire, Rafael M.; Denardin, Juliano C.; Fechine, Pierre B. A.; Becker, Helena; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.A novel platform for carbamate-based pesticide quantification using a chitosan/magnetic iron oxide (Chit-Fe3O4) nanocomposite as a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modifier is shown for an analytical methodology for determination of bendiocarb (BND). The BND oxidation signal using GCE/Chit-Fe3O4 compared with bare GCE was catalyzed, showing a 37.5% of current increase with the peak potential towards less positive values, showing method's increased sensitivity and selectivity. Using square-wave voltammetry (SWV), calibration curves for BND determination were obtained (n = 3), and calculated detection and quantification limits values were 2.09 × 10-6 mol L-1 (466.99 ppb) and 6.97 × 10-6 mol L-1 (1555.91 ppb), respectively. The proposed electroanalytical methodology was successfully applied for BND quantification in natural raw waters without any sample pretreatment, proving that the GCE/Chit-Fe3O4 modified electrode showed great potential for BND determination in complex samples. ᅟ Graphical abstract.
- Chlorhexidine digluconate on chitosan-magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles modified electrode: Electroanalysis and mechanistic insights by computational simulationsPublication . Sousa, Camila P.; Oliveira, Raissa C. de; Freire, Tiago. M.; Fechine, Pierre B.A.; Salvador, Michele A.; Homem-de-Mello, Paula; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.In this work, an electrochemical sensor based on modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and chitosan (CS) was developed to quantify chlorhexidine digluconate (CHD), a worldwide used antiseptic. Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy assays showed that the permeable Fe3O4/CS film on the GCE surface improved the conduc-tivity and facilitated electron transfer. CHD response at GCE/Fe3O4/CS corresponds to an irreversible anodic diffusion-controlled process (at about 1.13 V in 0.04 mol L−1 Britton-Robinson buffer, pH 4.0) involving the transfer of two electrons and an equal number of proton. Quantum mechanics and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to give insights on the CHD oxidation process. The modification with Fe3O4/CS induced alterations in CHD geometry that led to degeneration of the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and HOMO−1), facilitating the oxidation process because both sides of the molecule contribute to these orbitals. It facilitated also, at least thermodynamically, the first electron lost. The oxidation of CHD probably conducts to the formation of two p-chloroaniline and, possibly, two biguanidine molecules. GCE/Fe3O4/CS exhibited suitable electroanalytical characteristics in terms of sensitivity (8.78 ± 0.58 A mol−1 L), linearity range (2.10 × 10−8–2.09 × 10−7 mol L−1), detection limit (5.7 × 10−9 mol L−1; 0.005 mg kg−1), intra-day repeatability (2.8% RSD), and reproducibility (4.6% RSD). To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the proposed electroanalytical methodology, two CHD com-mercial formulations were analysed and the attained results were in agreement with those attained by the chromatographic reference method. Overall, the developed GCE/Fe3O4/CS exhibits appropriate performance and relevant advantages for CHD electroanalysis in commercial products.
- Dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in [BMIM]PF 6 for electrochemical sensing of acetaminophenPublication . Gomes, Rayane N.; Sousa, Camila P.; Casciano, Paulo N.S.; Ribeiro, Francisco Wirley P.; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.The influence of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNT) in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF6) in different ratios was investigated on the acetaminophen (ACOP) electrochemical determination. The electrochemical behavior of the ACOP exhibited a pair of well-defined redox peaks, suggesting that the reversibility of ACOP was significantly improved in comparison to irreversible oxidation peak on bare GCE. The redox process was controlled by adsorption, involves two electrons and the value of apparent rate constant (ks) was equal to 14.7 s-1 ± 3.6 s-1. The analytical curves were obtained for concentrations of ACOP ranging from 0.3 to 3.0 μmol L-1. The values of the detection limit were calculated from SWV and found to be 6.73 × 10-8 mol L-1. The proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited good stability and reproducibility and was applied for ACOP determination in tablets (Tylenol® and Tylenol®DC) with satisfactory results.
- Electroanalysis of formetanate hydrochloride by a cobalt phthalocyanine functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified electrode: characterization and application in fruitsPublication . Ribeiro, Francisco Wirley Paulino; Lucas, Francisco Willian de Souza; Mascaro, Lucia H.; Morais, Simone; Casciano, Paulo Naftali da Silva; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.This study characterizes the electroanalytical behavior of the carbamate pesticide formetanate hydrochloride (FMT) at a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNT) modified glassy carbon electrode (CoPc-fMWCNT/GCE). Nafion1 was used to improve solubility and dispersibility of fMWCNT. The construction of the developed electrode was characterized by high-resolution field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. FMT exhibited a behavior consistent with a three-step reaction of the electrochemical-chemical-electrochemical mechanistic type at CoPcfMWCNT/ GCE (three anodic peaks at 0.26, 0.55 and 1.2 V, and two cathodic peaks at 0.35 and 0.50 V vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl). Highly reproducible and well-defined peaks were obtained at the optimum experimental conditions (Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 5.0, accumulation potential 1.55 V, accumulation time 5 s, frequency 100 s-1, amplitude 30 mV, and scan increment 3 mV). Peak currents were found to be proportional to the FMT concentrations in the range of 9.80*10-8 to 3.92*10-6 mol dm-3 with a detection limit (LOD) of 9.7*10-8 mol dm-3. The modification of GCE with CoPc-fMWCNT enhanced the electrocatalytic activity and provided high sensitivity (3.51 A mol-1dm3). The developed electroanalytical methodology was successfully applied to FMT residue analysis in mango and grape samples with recoveries in the range of 94.2+_4.5 to 105.7+_1.8%. The proposed electroanalytical approach represents a reliable, sensitive and environmental friendly analytical alternative for determination of FMT.
- Evaluation of degradation mechanism of chlorhexidine by means of Density Functional Theory calculationsPublication . Salvador, Michele Aparecida; Sousa, Camila Pinheiro; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana Nunes; Homem-de-Mello, PaulaChlorhexidine (CHD), a germicidal drug, has degradation products that can be hemotoxic and carcinogenic. However, there is no consensus in literature about the degradation pathway. In order to shed light on that mechanism, we have employed Density Functional Theory to study reactants, in different protonation states, products and intermediates involved in the different pathways. Based on free energy values comparison and frontier molecular orbital analysis, we have obtained the most stable structures in each protonation state. CHD in saturated form has HOMO localized in one p-chloroaniline, and, due to molecule's symmetry, HOMO-1 has contributions from the other side of the molecule, but mainly from the biguanide portion of the molecule, instead of from the p-chloroaniline. For the saturated form, we have studied two possible degradation pathways, starting from the monoprotonated structure, and three pathways starting from the neutral structure. We found out that the mechanisms proposed in literature, whose pathways lead to p-chloroaniline (PCA) formation in a smaller number of steps, are more likely than the mechanisms with more intermediate steps or pathways that do not predict PCA formation. Also, based on free energy results, we have found that the formation of another sub-product (PBG-AU) is favorable as well.
- Experimental and computational studies of the interactions between carbon nanotubes and ionic liquids used for detection of acetaminophenPublication . Salvador, Michele A.; Sousa, Camila P.; Maciel, Cleiton D.; Gomes, Rayane N.; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Coutinho-Neto, Maurício D.; Correia, Adriana N.; Homem-de-Mello, PaulaThe interactions between multi-walled carbon nanotubes and different amounts of an ionic liquid (IL), as well asthe interactions between this system (used as electrochemical sensor) and acetaminophen (ACOP), were in-vestigated through both experimental and theoretical methodologies. Experiments indicated that there is anoptimal concentration of ionic liquid for ACOP detection. A host of techniques and model systems were em-ployed to investigate the adsorption and oxidation processes. To investigate the source of the increased elec-trochemical current in the presence of an IL, we computed the adsorption energy values of ACOP in the nanotube–IL system via Monte Carlo simulations and Density Functional Theory (DFT). DFT allowed us to explore thechanges in adsorption energy due to oxidation. Our theoretical results support the experimentalfindings thatmoderate amounts of IL modulates ACOP/ACOP+adsorption, pointing to a cooperative effect that tends to wanewith increasing amounts of IL pairs. We observed that the IL favors desorption of the oxidized species andfacilitates charge transfer from the ACOP to the nanotube. Therefore, our studies point towards multifactorialeffects with clear physical basis that modulates binding leading to an optimal ratio to promote ACOP detection
- Laccase–Prussian blue film–graphene doped carbon paste modified electrode for carbamate pesticides quantificationPublication . Oliveira, Thiago M. B. F.; Barroso, M. Fátima; Morais, Simone; Araújo, Mariana; Freire, Cristina; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P. P.; Delerue-Matos, CristinaA novel enzymatic biosensor for carbamate pesticides detection was developed through the direct immobilization of Trametes versicolor laccase on graphene doped carbon paste electrode functionalized with Prussianblue films (LACC/PB/GPE). Graphene was prepared by graphite sonication-assisted exfoliation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectro- scopy. The Prussian blue film electrodeposited onto graphene doped carbon paste electrode allowed considerable reduction of the charge transfer resistance and of the capacitance of the device.The combined effects of pH, enzyme concentration and incubation time on biosensor response were optimized using a 23 full-factorial statistical design and response surface methodology. Based on the inhibition of laccase activity and using 4-aminophenol as redox mediator at pH 5.0,LACC/PB/GPE exhibited suitable characteristics in terms of sensitivity, intra-and inter-day repeatability (1.8–3.8% RSD), reproducibility (4.1 and 6.3%RSD),selectivity(13.2% bias at the higher interference: substrate ratios tested),accuracy and stability(ca. twenty days)for quantification of five carbamates widely applied on tomato and potato crops.The attained detection limits ranged between 5.2×10−9 mol L−1(0.002 mg kg−1 w/w for ziram)and 1.0×10−7 mol L−1 (0.022 mg kg−1 w/w for carbofuran).Recovery values for the two tested spiking levels ranged from 90.2±0.1%(carbofuran)to 101.1±0.3% (ziram) for tomato and from 91.0±0.1%(formetanate)to 100.8±0.1%(ziram)for potato samples.The proposed methodology is appropriate to enable testing pesticide levels in food samples to fit with regulations and food inspections.
- Modeling of laccase inhibition by formetanate pesticide using theoretical approachesPublication . Martins, Ana C. V.; Ribeiro, Francisco W. P.; Zanatta, Geancarlo; Freire, Valder N.; Morais, Simone; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Correia, Adriana N.The inhibition of laccase enzymatic catalytic activity by formetanate hydrochloride (FMT) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and by quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory with a protein fragmentation approach. The cyclic voltammograms were obtained using a biosensor prepared by enzyme immobilization on gold electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles and 4-aminophenol as the target molecule. The decrease in the peak current in the presence of FMT was used to characterize the inhibition process. The calculations identified Asp206 as the most relevant moiety in the interaction of FMT with the laccase enzymatic ligand binding domain. The amino acid residue Cys453 was important, because the Cys453–FMT interaction energy was not affected by the dielectric constant, although it was not a very close residue. This study provides an overview of how FMT inhibits laccase catalytic activity.
- Molinate quantification in environmental water by a glutathione-S-transferase based biosensorPublication . Oliveira, Túlio I. S.; Oliveira, Marcela; Viswanathan, Subramanian; Barroso, M. Fátima; Barreiros, Luísa; Nunes, O. C.; Rodrigues, José A.; Lima-Neto, Pedro de; Mazzetto, Selma E.; Morais, Simone; Delerue-Matos, CristinaA glutathione-S-transferase (GST)based biosensor was developed to quantify the thiocarbamate herbicide molinate in environmental water.The biosensor construction was based on GST immobilization onto a glassy carbon electrode via aminosilane–glutaraldehyde covalent attachment. The principle supporting the use of this biosensor consists of the GST inhibition process promoted by molinate. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to obtain a calibration curve for molinate concentration, ranging from 0.19 to 7.9 mgL -1 and presenting a detection limit of 0.064 mgL- 1. The developed biosensor is stable,and reusable during 15 days.The GST-based biosensor was successfully applied to quantify molinate in rice paddy field floodwater samples. The results achieved with the developed biosensor were in accordance with those obtained by high performance liquid chromatography. The proposed device is suitable for screening environmental water analysis and, since no sample preparation is required, it can be used in situ and in real-time measurements.