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In the first part of this work, magnetized nanoporous silica based microparticles (MMPs) are used for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilization and applied in amperometric peroxidase-based biosensors. A homemade magnetized carbon paste electrode permits the MMPs attraction close to the electrode surface. The resulting original biosensor is applied to the investigation of enzymatic oxidation of model drug compounds namely, clozapine (CLZ) and acetaminophen (APAP) by HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The biosensor operates at a low applied potential and the signal corresponds to the electro-reduction of electroactive species enzymatically generated. The biosensor allows performing the quantitation of the two drug compounds in the micromolar concentration range. It allows also the study of thiol compounds based on the inhibition of the biosensor response. Interestingly, distinct inhibition results are observed for HRP entrapped in the silica microparticles compared to the soluble HRP. We expect that this type of biosensors holds high promise in quantitative analysis and in biotransformation studies of drug compounds. In the second part of this thesis work, HRP immobilized magnetic nanoparticles are injected on-line and magnetically retained, as a microreactor, in the capillary of a CE setup. The purpose of such a configuration is to develop an analytical tool for studying “in vitro” drug biotransformation. The advantages expected are (i) minimum sample (drug compound) and biocomponent (enzyme) consumption, (ii) high analysis throughput, (iii) selectivity and sensitivity. In order to illustrate the potential of such an instrumental configuration, it has been applied to study acetaminophen as model drug compound. The mechanistic information obtained by the HRP/H2O2 system is in agreement with literature data on acetaminophen metabolization. Horseradish peroxidase kinetic studies are realized by this setup and the apparent Michaelis constant is determined. Capillary electrophoresis permitted the identification of APAP off-line biotransformed products such as N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), the APAP dimer and APAP polymers as inferred from literature data. The formation of the APAP dimer was further confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Polystyrene (PS) fiber mats incorporating iron (Fe) particles were fabricated by electrospinning and the hydrophobicity of the resulting magnetic fabrics was investigated with and without an applied magnetic field. The results show that the hydrophobicity (as measured using water droplet contact angle) increases in the presence of a magnetic field and the hysterisis in the advancing/receding contact angle (a measure of the stickiness of the surface) decreases in the presence of a magnetic field. It is also shown that the contact angle and hysterises increase with decreasing fiber diameter and mat thickness.

CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots--QDs) with diameters ranging between 1.5 and 8 nm exhibit strong, tunable luminescence [1-5]. They have been widely investigated for their size-dependent optoelectronic properties [6], and for their potential use in optical devices [7], biological labels [8] and sensors [9]. Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) show higher photostability and narrower emission peaks compared to organic fluorophores [8]. The objective of my project was to apply QDs magnetic/luminescent nanoparticle as biological labels in cells. Luminescent CdSe QDs emit bright visible light with high quantum yield and sharp emission peak. The CdSe QDs were capped with a ZnS layer. This increased their emission efficiency and photostability due to the larger band gap of ZnS. The QDs were transferred from organic solvent (e.g. chloroform, hexane) to water by exchanging the capping group (Trioctylphosphine Oxide—TOPO) with mercaptoacetic acid. To develop a separation and detection tool for cells, we combined γ-Fe2O3 magnetic particles with CdSe/ZnS QDs in core-shell composite. The composite nanoparticles showed strong fluorescence emission and high water solubility. Different antibodies were attached to the particles through EDAC coupling. The antibody-coated particles were used to successfully separate and detect breast cancer cells in blood cells.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) hold great promise in the fields of biology and medicine. The synthesis of functional MNPs with precisely controlled crystallographic, physicochemical, and magnetic properties on a large scale still remains the challenge today. This thesis reports the exploration of liquid-fed flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) in the synthesis of functional MNPs, their surface modifications, and potential bio-applications. Superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, and silica-coated maghemite (SiO2/γ-Fe2O3) nanocomposites were synthesised using FSP. The size of γ-Fe2O3 was controllable from 6 to 53 nm, with morphology evolving from a disordered near-spherical shape to fully ordered 2-D hexagonal/octagonal platelet. The saturation magnetisation (Ms) increased from 21 to 74 emu/g with increasing particle size, up to 13 nm when Ms approached the bulk γ-Fe2O3 characteristics. In the case of SiO2/γ-Fe2O3, three distinct morphologies, namely the single segregated γ-Fe2O3 core- SiO2 shell, transitional mixed morphologies, and multi γ-Fe2O3 cores embedded in submicron SiO2 shell, were obtained. The core size, composite size, and morphology of γ- Fe2O3 were tunable by varying %SiO2 loading and the use of a quartz tube enclosure during flame synthesis. The magnetic behaviour correlated well with the crystal microstructure. Following the core particle design, protein adsorption-desorption behaviour on FSP-madeMNPs was studied. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm, with high binding capacities (150−348 mg BSA/g particle) and fast association constants. Electrostatically governed BSA orientations were proposed for different particle-buffer systems. The adsorbed BSA was effectively recovered by pH-shift using K2HPO4. Subsequently, terminal amine, aldehyde, carboxylic, epoxy, mercapto and maleimide functionality were anchored onto the FSP-made γ-Fe2O3 particles. These versatile functional groups led to conjugation of active trypsin. The immobilised trypsin exhibited superior durability with >60% residual activity after one week, and excellent reusability for >5 cycles. The trypsin-conjugated MNPs are promising carriers in proteomics, demonstrating good substrate specificity with equivalent or better sequence coverage compared to free trypsin in insulin and BSA digestion. In another application, a refined silanisation procedure simultaneously reduced γ-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4, and generated thiol enriched surface for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) conjugation. The highly active MMP-2-conjugated MNPs could potentially enhance the interstitial transport of macromolecule/nanoparticles in drug delivery.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) hold great promise in the fields of biology and medicine. The synthesis of functional MNPs with precisely controlled crystallographic, physicochemical, and magnetic properties on a large scale still remains the challenge today. This thesis reports the exploration of liquid-fed flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) in the synthesis of functional MNPs, their surface modifications, and potential bio-applications. Superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, and silica-coated maghemite (SiO2/γ-Fe2O3) nanocomposites were synthesised using FSP. The size of γ-Fe2O3 was controllable from 6 to 53 nm, with morphology evolving from a disordered near-spherical shape to fully ordered 2-D hexagonal/octagonal platelet. The saturation magnetisation (Ms) increased from 21 to 74 emu/g with increasing particle size, up to 13 nm when Ms approached the bulk γ-Fe2O3 characteristics. In the case of SiO2/γ-Fe2O3, three distinct morphologies, namely the single segregated γ-Fe2O3 core- SiO2 shell, transitional mixed morphologies, and multi γ-Fe2O3 cores embedded in submicron SiO2 shell, were obtained. The core size, composite size, and morphology of γ- Fe2O3 were tunable by varying %SiO2 loading and the use of a quartz tube enclosure during flame synthesis. The magnetic behaviour correlated well with the crystal microstructure. Following the core particle design, protein adsorption-desorption behaviour on FSP-madeMNPs was studied. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm, with high binding capacities (150−348 mg BSA/g particle) and fast association constants. Electrostatically governed BSA orientations were proposed for different particle-buffer systems. The adsorbed BSA was effectively recovered by pH-shift using K2HPO4. Subsequently, terminal amine, aldehyde, carboxylic, epoxy, mercapto and maleimide functionality were anchored onto the FSP-made γ-Fe2O3 particles. These versatile functional groups led to conjugation of active trypsin. The immobilised trypsin exhibited superior durability with >60% residual activity after one week, and excellent reusability for >5 cycles. The trypsin-conjugated MNPs are promising carriers in proteomics, demonstrating good substrate specificity with equivalent or better sequence coverage compared to free trypsin in insulin and BSA digestion. In another application, a refined silanisation procedure simultaneously reduced γ-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4, and generated thiol enriched surface for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) conjugation. The highly active MMP-2-conjugated MNPs could potentially enhance the interstitial transport of macromolecule/nanoparticles in drug delivery.

Nanoparticles have potential biomedical applications because of their special physical properties. Multi-scale nanoparticles contrast agents are those particles that provide contrast in different scale imaging modalities. Such particles are of great interest for monitoring anti-cancer drug delivery, allowing investigations of whole body drug distribution as well as that at the microscopic level. Magnetic nanoparticles in particular have been used as contrast agents in MRI and optical techniques such as confocal microscopy and two photon fluorescence (TPF) microscopy to achieve multiple scale imaging. However, confocal microscopy has a limited optical penetration in biological tissue. Moreover, both techniques, confocal microscopy and TPF microscopy, require labelling of the biological tissue which alters the particle distribution and complicates the biological system under-investigation.

The method for the study of protein phoshorylation sites was elaborated. This method is based on the IMAC separation of phosphopeptides from protein proteolytic digests using new magnetic sorbents and on their subsequent identification by mass spectrometry (MS). Magnetic non-porous hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) particles prepared by the dispersion polymerization and modified with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) with immobilized Fe(III) and Ga(III) ions were employed for the enrichment of phosphopeptides from the proteolytic digests of two model proteins, porcine pepsin A and bovine α-casein. The optimum conditions for phosphopeptide adsorption and desorption in both cases were investigated and compared. The phosphopeptides separated from both proteolytic digests were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS. For the immunochemical separation of phosphoproteins, protein fraction containing antibodies was obtained from egg yolk of hens immunized with O-phosphoryl-L-serine conjugated to key limpet hemocyanin. Antibodies were purified using affinity chromatography on immobilized α-casein and their presence was proven by MS. Specificity of the obtained antibodies was examined using ELISA tests. Obtained results showed, that specificity...

O presente projeto teve como objetivo sintetizar matrizes magnetizadas para imobilização da lipase de Burkholderia cepacia para aplicação na síntese de ésteres alquilicos. Foram testadas duas metodologias para síntese de compósitos formados por óxidos magnéticos dispersos em matriz de sílica, a saber: a) matriz polissiloxano-álcool polivinílico (SiO2-PVA) dopada com Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3 e b) matriz polissiloxano-álcool polivinílico (SiO2-PVA) sintetizada com incorporação de Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3. As matrizes polissiloxano-álcool polivinílico (SiO2-PVA) e partículas de Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3 foram usadas como controles. As características texturais e morfológicas das matrizes magnéticas e não magnética foram determinadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difratograma de raios-X, espectroscopia no infravermelho (IV) e análise de tamanho de poros (BET). As partículas de magnetita (Fe3O4) e maghemita (?Fe2O3) apresentaram comportamento superparamagnético. A lipase de B. cepacia foi imobilizada nas quatro matrizes (magnetizada e não magnetizada) por adsorção física e ligação covalente e os rendimentos de imobilização similares obtidos sugerem que as partículas de ferro não interferiram na interação enzima-suporte. Entretanto, os parâmetros cinéticos (Km e Vmax) determinados indicaram que a lipase imobilizada nos suportes magnetizados tem menor afinidade pelo substrato. Os valores determinados de Km e Vmax da lipase de B. cepacia na forma livre (Km = 400 ± 32 mM e Vmax = 16019 ± 749 Ug-1) mostraram que independente do suporte a imobilização reduziu aproximadamente 50% da afinidade da enzima pelo substrato. Os derivados imobilizados obtidos por ligação covalente foram selecionados para mediar reações de transesterificação do óleo de coco pela rota etanólica e demonstraram eficiente desempenho, fornecendo conversões praticamente totais em ésteres de etila entre 72-96h. A menor velocidade de reação foi verificada para a lipase imobilizada em partículas de Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3, provavelmente devido à interferência negativa do óxido de ferro que reduziu a afinidade da enzima pelo substrato, corroborando com os parâmetros cinéticos Km e Vmax. As amostras purificadas apresentaram propriedades que atendem às especificações exigidas pela Agência Nacional de Petróleo (ANP) para uso como biocombustível, incluindo: pureza elevada em ésteres etílicos (mínimo 96%), densidade (873-876 kgm-3) e viscosidade cinemática (3,76-3,93 mm2s-1). / The objective of this work was to synthesize magnetic matrices for immobilization of Burkholderia cepacia lipase to be used in the synthesis of alkyl esters. Two methods for the synthesis of the magnetic composites dispersed in silica matrices were tested: a) matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2-PVA) coating with Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3 and b) matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2-PVA) synthesized with incorporation of Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3. The matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2-PVA) and the composite Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3 particles were used as controls. The morphological and textural characteristics of the magnetic and nonmagnetic matrices were determined by analysis of pore size (BET), scanning electron microscopy (MEV), X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy (IV). The magnitete (Fe3O4) and maghmitite (?Fe2O3) particles showed super paramagnetic behavior. The lipase B. cepacia was immobilized in the matrices (magnetized and non-magnetized) by physical adsorption and covalent attachment and the similar immobilization yields obtained suggest that the iron particles did not affect the enzyme-support interaction. However, the determined kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) indicated that the lipase immobilized in both magnetized SiO2-PVA matrices had lower affinity for the substrate. The Km and Vmax values determined for free lipase (Km = 400 ± 32 mM and Vmax =16019 ± 749 Ug-1), showed that independely of the immobilization support the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate was reduced by 50%. The immobilized derivatives prepared by covalent attachment were used to mediate the transesterification reactions of coconut oil by ethanolysis route. All immobilized derivatives were efficient in the ethanolysis of coconut oil attaining total conversion to ethyl esters in 72 hours, with the exception of the immobilized lipase on Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3 particles, which provided total conversion in 96 h, probably due to the negative influence of the iron particles on the enzyme. The purified product samples (biodiesel) were essentially odorless and translucent appearance. The purity of the ethyl esters was high. In addition, other properties such as density (873-876 kg m-3) and viscosity (3.76-3.93 mm2 s-1) meet the specifications required by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) to be used as a biofuel.

O presente projeto teve como objetivo sintetizar matrizes magnetizadas para imobilização da lipase de Burkholderia cepacia para aplicação na síntese de ésteres alquilicos. Foram testadas duas metodologias para síntese de compósitos formados por óxidos magnéticos dispersos em matriz de sílica, a saber: a) matriz polissiloxano-álcool polivinílico (SiO2-PVA) dopada com Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3 e b) matriz polissiloxano-álcool polivinílico (SiO2-PVA) sintetizada com incorporação de Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3. As matrizes polissiloxano-álcool polivinílico (SiO2-PVA) e partículas de Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3 foram usadas como controles. As características texturais e morfológicas das matrizes magnéticas e não magnética foram determinadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difratograma de raios-X, espectroscopia no infravermelho (IV) e análise de tamanho de poros (BET). As partículas de magnetita (Fe3O4) e maghemita (?Fe2O3) apresentaram comportamento superparamagnético. A lipase de B. cepacia foi imobilizada nas quatro matrizes (magnetizada e não magnetizada) por adsorção física e ligação covalente e os rendimentos de imobilização similares obtidos sugerem que as partículas de ferro não interferiram na interação enzima-suporte. Entretanto, os parâmetros cinéticos (Km e Vmax) determinados indicaram que a lipase imobilizada nos suportes magnetizados tem menor afinidade pelo substrato. Os valores determinados de Km e Vmax da lipase de B. cepacia na forma livre (Km = 400 ± 32 mM e Vmax = 16019 ± 749 Ug-1) mostraram que independente do suporte a imobilização reduziu aproximadamente 50% da afinidade da enzima pelo substrato. Os derivados imobilizados obtidos por ligação covalente foram selecionados para mediar reações de transesterificação do óleo de coco pela rota etanólica e demonstraram eficiente desempenho, fornecendo conversões praticamente totais em ésteres de etila entre 72-96h. A menor velocidade de reação foi verificada para a lipase imobilizada em partículas de Fe3O4 e ?Fe2O3, provavelmente devido à interferência negativa do óxido de ferro que reduziu a afinidade da enzima pelo substrato, corroborando com os parâmetros cinéticos Km e Vmax. As amostras purificadas apresentaram propriedades que atendem às especificações exigidas pela Agência Nacional de Petróleo (ANP) para uso como biocombustível, incluindo: pureza elevada em ésteres etílicos (mínimo 96%), densidade (873-876 kgm-3) e viscosidade cinemática (3,76-3,93 mm2s-1). / The objective of this work was to synthesize magnetic matrices for immobilization of Burkholderia cepacia lipase to be used in the synthesis of alkyl esters. Two methods for the synthesis of the magnetic composites dispersed in silica matrices were tested: a) matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2-PVA) coating with Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3 and b) matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2-PVA) synthesized with incorporation of Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3. The matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2-PVA) and the composite Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3 particles were used as controls. The morphological and textural characteristics of the magnetic and nonmagnetic matrices were determined by analysis of pore size (BET), scanning electron microscopy (MEV), X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy (IV). The magnitete (Fe3O4) and maghmitite (?Fe2O3) particles showed super paramagnetic behavior. The lipase B. cepacia was immobilized in the matrices (magnetized and non-magnetized) by physical adsorption and covalent attachment and the similar immobilization yields obtained suggest that the iron particles did not affect the enzyme-support interaction. However, the determined kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) indicated that the lipase immobilized in both magnetized SiO2-PVA matrices had lower affinity for the substrate. The Km and Vmax values determined for free lipase (Km = 400 ± 32 mM and Vmax =16019 ± 749 Ug-1), showed that independely of the immobilization support the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate was reduced by 50%. The immobilized derivatives prepared by covalent attachment were used to mediate the transesterification reactions of coconut oil by ethanolysis route. All immobilized derivatives were efficient in the ethanolysis of coconut oil attaining total conversion to ethyl esters in 72 hours, with the exception of the immobilized lipase on Fe3O4 and ?Fe2O3 particles, which provided total conversion in 96 h, probably due to the negative influence of the iron particles on the enzyme. The purified product samples (biodiesel) were essentially odorless and translucent appearance. The purity of the ethyl esters was high. In addition, other properties such as density (873-876 kg m-3) and viscosity (3.76-3.93 mm2 s-1) meet the specifications required by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) to be used as a biofuel.