Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-07-19T19:36:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AllanAguiar.pdf: 1217972 bytes, checksum: 8d901c39af9d9a55e5fe7dbfb88a0ea9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-19T19:36:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AllanAguiar.pdf: 1217972 bytes, checksum: 8d901c39af9d9a55e5fe7dbfb88a0ea9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-30 / The 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ), a subproduct of the water disinfection process, is a highly reactive molecule and has a redox cycle with its semiquinone radicals that lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These species can cause severe oxidative stress in cells leading to the formation of macromolecules, such as oxidized lipids, proteins and DNA. The induced cell damage occur through alkylation of proteins and/or DNA, moreover understanding how this occurs is very complex. Thus, the study of the electrochemical behaviour of DCBQ before and after degradation in aqueous solution on glassy carbon electrode, as well as the investigation of DCBQ and DNA using dsDNAelectrochemical biosensors were performed. The DCBQ showed a reversible process at pH range from 3.7 to 12.6 when was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. For differential pulse voltammetry the peak potential of DCBQ was pH-dependent until pH 9.2. After successive scans occurred the formation of a reversible oxidation product in a pH-dependent process to pH 5.4. The electrochemical behaviour of DCBQ and its oxidation products was also investigated by square wave voltammetry. The reversibility of these two redox processes was confirmed in a wide range of pH. By varying incubation time and electrolyte solutions, DCBQ showed spontaneous degradation which was electrochemically detected by the decrease of the current peak and appearance of a new oxidation peak at less positive potential. The oxidation of the degraded DCBQ was a reversible and pH-dependent process in the pH values of 3.7 ≤ pH ≤ 6.0. Moreover, the degradation of DCBQ in aqueous solution was confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry experiments. Using incubated dsDNA solutions and dsDNA-electrochemical biosensors, it was observed that the DCBQ and pdDCBQ interacted with the dsDNA, through the release of the bases Gua and Ade. The interaction of DCBQ-dsDNA did not show any oxidative damage to DNA by the product(s) formed by DCBQ, since the 8-oxoGua/2,8-DHA was not detected. An analytical methodology for the determination of DCBQ, using gold microelectrode and square wave voltammetry, was developed in the range of 19.9 to 291.0 μmol L-1. The detection and quantification limits of 6.1 and 20.3 μmol L-1, respectively were detected. / A 2,6-dicloro-1,4-benzoquinona (DCBQ), um subproduto do processo de desinfecção da água, é uma molécula altamente reativa e apresenta um ciclo redox com seus radicais semiquinonas que levam à formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO). Essas espécies podem causar estresse oxidativo grave dentro de células por meio da formação de macromoléculas, como lipídios oxidados, proteínas e DNA. A compreensão de como isso ocorre é muito complexa e os danos celulares gerados se dão por meio de alquilação de proteínas e/ou DNA. Diante disso, um estudo do comportamento eletroquímico da DCBQ antes e após a sua degradação em solução aquosa sobre eletrodo de carbono vítreo (ECV) e a investigação da DCBQ com DNA, utilizando biossensores eletroquímicos de dsDNA (do inglês double stranded Desoxyribonucleic Acid), foram realizados. A DCBQ foi investigada inicialmente por voltametria cíclica (VC), apresentando um processo reversível no intervalo de pH de 3,7 a 12,6. Por voltametria de pulso diferencial (VPD) observou-se que o potencial de pico da DCBQ é dependente do pH da solução até pH 9,2. Após varreduras de potencial sucessivas, observou-se a formação de um produto de oxidação reversivelmente oxidado em um processo dependente do pH até pH 5,4. O comportamento eletroquímico da DCBQ e do seu produto de oxidação foram investigados por VOQ, confirmando, assim, a reversibilidade desses dois processos redox em toda a faixa de pH estudada. Após vários períodos de incubação, em diferentes eletrólitos, a degradação espontânea da DCBQ foi detectada eletroquimicamente pelo decaimento da sua corrente de pico e o aparecimento de um novo pico de oxidação, em potencial menos positivo. A oxidação da DCBQ degradada é um processo reversível e dependente do pH para valores de 3,7 ≤ pH ≤ 6,0. A degradação da DCBQ em solução aquosa foi confirmada por meio de experimentos realizados por espectrofotometria UV-Vis. Utilizando soluções de dsDNA incubadas e biossensores eletroquímicos de dsDNA, observou-se que a DCBQ e o(s) pdDCBQ (produtos de degradação da DCBQ) interagiram com o dsDNA, através da liberação das bases Gua e Ade. A interação da DCBQ-dsDNA não mostrou nenhum dano oxidativo causado ao DNA pelo(s) produtos(s) formados pela DCBQ, visto que a 8- oxoGua/2,8-DHA não foi detectada. Uma metodologia analítica, utilizando microeletrodo de ouro e VOQ foi desenvolvida para a determinação da DCBQ, obtendo-se um intervalo linear de 19,9 a 291,0 μmol L-1 com limites de detecção e de quantificação de 6,1 e 20,3 µmol L-1, respectivamente.

A utilização de eletrodos modificados com filmes de Bismuto, formados in situ, é um método prático para a determinação de metais através da pré-concentração e redissolução anódica, pois a modificação do eletrodo e a pré-concentração dos analitos são realizadas simultaneamente. O processo de fabricação de eletrodos de Au através de CD-Rs é uma alternativa barata para a confecção de eletrodos descartáveis, pois devido ao baixo custo e facilidade, com um único CD-R é possível produzir de um grande número de eletrodos possibilitando a realização de várias medições. Quando não mais apresentar o comportamento desejado, o sensor simplesmente é descartado. Tal processo é vantajoso no sentido de que após a realização da redissolução dos metais préconcentrados no eletrodo, o mesmo pode não apresentar o perfil anterior devido a uma quantidade residual de bismuto do filme remanescente no eletrodo. Devido a facilidade de produção de eletrodos de CD-R foram construídos sistemas integrados contendo os três eletrodos necessário para a célula eletroquímica através da técnica de corrosão com iodo/iodeto. Tal processo foi realizado fazendo-se a proteção das áreas dos eletrodos com toner de impressora, transferido termicamente. Após a corrosão, o toner é retirado com algodão embebido em acetonitrila. Um eletrodo de (pseudo) referência (Ag/AgCl KCl 0,1 mol L-1) foi incorporado ao sistema através da eletrodeposição de Ag sobre um dos três eletrodos de Au e posterior reoxidação de uma porção da Ag eletrodepositada em meio contendo íons cloreto para a formação de AgCl. Tal sistema apresentou uma boa repetibilidade de medidas de voltametria de onda quadrada realizadas após a pré-concentração sobre filmes de Bi formado in situ em soluções de Pb e Cd a uma concentração de 2,0x10-6 mol L-1. A concentração de Bi3+ utilizado para a formação do filme foi de 1,0x10-4 mol L-1. O estudo da concentração dos íons Bi3+ utilizado para a formação do filme mostrou-se um parâmetro que afeta crucialmente o formato das curvas analíticas para ambos os metais Cd e Pb, apresentando variações na sensibilidade do método para ambos os metais e dificultando a determinação conjunta dos mesmos para concentrações mais baixas. A quantificação destes metais foi realizada em amostras de urina e de combustíveis como óleo Diesel e Biodiesel através do método de adição de padrões, os quais se apresentaram em faixas a nível de traços (µg.L-1). / The use of in situ Bismuth film modified electrodes is a practice method for the determination of metals by a preconcentration and anodic stripping, because the modification of electrode and preconcentration of analites in made simultaneously. The Au electrode manufacturing by CD-Rs is a cheap alternative method to build disposable electrodes, due the low cost and easily, with a unique CD-R is possible the production of a great number of electrodes whose possibility the realization of many measurements. When the preview behavior is anymore observed, the sensor is just discarded. This process is advantageous in the sense of after the stripping step, in which the pre-concentrated metals is getting out the electrode, the same cannot represent itself as the beginning profile, due a residual quantity of bismuth in the film remainder in the electrode. Because the easily of production of CD-R electrodes were made array of Au electrodes containing three electrodes, necessarily to electrochemistry cell, by the etching technique with iodide/iodine. This process was made using the protection of electrodes area with laser printer ink, by the thermal transference. After the etching, the toner ink is removed with swab cotton, absorbed in acetonitrile. A pseudo reference electrode (Ag/AgCl KCl 0,1 mol L-1) was incorporated to the system by electrodepositing of a Ag film on one of the three Au electrodes and following the reoxidation of a portion of Ag in a medium containing clorine ions to the formation of Ag/AgCl. The system show a good repeatability of square-wave voltammetry measures carry out through the preconcentration on Bi film formed in situ of Pb and Cd in a concentration of 2,0x10-6 mol L-1. The concentration of Bi3+ utilized to formation of in situ film was 1x10-4 mol L-1. The study of Bi3+ ions concentration shows that the same is an important parameter who affects crucially the format of analytical curves for both metals Cd e Pb, presenting variations in the sensibility of method for both metals and difficulting the simultaneous determination of these metals for lower concentrations. The quantification of theses metals was realized in urine and fuel oils, as Diesel oil and Biodiesel samples by the standard-addition method, whose was found in traces level concentration (&#181g L-1)

Neste trabalho são apresentados resultados sobre o uso da voltametria com microeletrodos para o estudo de sistemas micelares. Estes estudos se basearam na obtenção de coeficientes de difusão de micelas em solução aquosa. Para tanto, o ferroceno foi utilizado como sonda eletroativa, haja vista que esta molécula é pouco solúvel em água e possui grande afinidade pelo interior micelar. A partir de experimentos envolvendo o tensoativo brometo de hexadecil trimetil amônio (C16TABr) pôde-se calcular parâmetros como o coeficiente de difusão do agregado na concentração micelar crítica e o coeficiente de interação intermicelar com a aplicação dos dados de coeficiente de difusão obtidos pela teoria de interação linear. O coeficiente de interação intermicelar permitiu a estimativa da concentração de eletrólito necessária para a mudança morfológica da micela (micela esférica para micela alongada). O raio hidronâmico da micela foi o calculado a partir da relação Stokes-Einstein. Um estudo complementar envolveu a adição de n-decanol à solução de tensoativo, e comparações dos coeficientes de difusão obtidos na presença e na ausência do álcool foram efetuadas. Estudos subseqüentes foram realizados empregando outros tensoativos (C14TABr, C12TABr e C10TABr) com a finalidade de verificar a dependência do coeficiente de difusão micelar com o comprimento da cauda hidrofóbica da molécula do tensoativo. A influência de outros parâmetros como o raio hidrodinâmico e a concentração de eletrólito necessária para a transição morfológica com o comprimento da cauda hidrofóbica também foi estudada. Em experimentos voltamétricos envolvendo a oxidação eletroquímica do ferroceno em meio de C16TABr e de SDS (dodecil sulfato de sódio) foi verificado que o sinal anódico ocorre em potenciais menos positivos em soluções de SDS, fato justificado pela interação da micela de SDS, negativamente carregada, com a superfície do eletrodo positivamente carregado. A investigação da interação do produto de oxidação eletroquímica do ferroceno, o íon ferrocínio, com as micelas de C16TABr foi realizada em experimentos envolvendo uma microestrutura geradora-coletora. Esta estrutura consiste em dois eletrodos de área similar separados por um canal de espessura micrométrica. A utilização deste dispositivo possibilitou a obtenção do coeficiente de difusão do ferrocínio e, a partir deste dado, foi possível fazer inferências sobre a afinidade deste íon pelo interior micelar. / Voltammetry with platinum disc microelectrodes was employed to gain information on diffusion coefficients, D, of micelles in aqueous solution. Owing to the low solubility in water and high affinity for the micellar core, ferrocene was used as electroactive probe. Diffusion coefficients of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C16TABr) were determined in solutions containing the surfactant in different concentrations and the data were fitted according to the linear interaction theory. This procedure allowed the diffusion coefficient at the critical micelle concentration to be found, as well as the intermicellar interaction parameter. The latter was used to estimate the minimum concentration of electrolyte that promotes morphological changes in the micelles (sphere to rod transition). The micellar hydrodynamic radius was calculated by using the Stokes-Einstein equation. A complementary study involved the addition of n-decanol to surfactant solutions and the diffusion coefficient was compared with the one obtained in the absence of the fatty alcohol. Experiments were also performed in solutions containing other surfactants (C14TABr, C12TABr e C10TABr) to investigate the dependence of D on the length of the hydrophobic tail. The influence of the hydrodynamic radii and supporting electrolyte concentration for the sphere to rod transition on the surfactant tail was also studied. A brief study on the electrochemical oxidation of ferrocene at two different micellar media (C16TABr and SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate) was done. The voltammetric experiments showed that the anodic process occurs at less positive potentials in solutions containing SDS and a likely explanation involves the electrostatic interaction between the micelle and the electrode surface. Experiments with a homemade twin-electrode thin-layer cell (TETLC) were performed in order to evaluate the interaction of ferrocinium, the product of ferrocene oxidation, with C16TABr micelles. The diffusion coefficient of ferrocinium was obtained and the affinity of this generated electroactive species with the micellar core was discussed.

The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system projects from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to structures associated with the limbic system, primarily the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This system has been implicated in the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse. Many drugs of abuse act in the VTA, the NAc, or both. Dopamine neurons in the VTA that project to the NAc, and the GABA neurons that inhibit DA neurons locally in the VTA or project to the NAc, play an important role in mediating addiction to various drugs of abuse, in particular alcohol. There is a growing body of evidence of co-dependence of nicotine and ethanol drug abuse. Given this evidence, it is possible that both ethanol and nicotine target similar receptors in the NAc. The GABA-A and GABA-B receptors have also been implicated in the modulation of ethanol's reinforcing properties (Anstrom, Cromwell, Markowski, & Woodward, 2003; Besheer, Lepoutre, & Hodge, 2004; Colombo et al., 2000; Moore & Boehm, 2009; Stromberg, 2004; Walker & Koob, 2007). Thus, there is a growing literature suggesting that GABA receptors are implicated in ethanol reward. In these studies, we evaluated the possibility of co-dependence of nicotine and ethanol by activity on a similar receptor in the NAc. In addition, we evaluated the role of GABA modulation of DA release, in particular GABA-A receptors and GABA-B receptors, in modulating DA release in the NAc with acute ethanol exposure. The rationale for this study was predicated on the belief that advancement in the understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying the recreational use and abuse potential of alcohol will pave the way for more effective treatment strategies that could reverse alcohol dependence and co-dependence and save lives and resources throughout the world.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive substance that is highly prevalent in today’s society, with over 1 in 20 adults over 26 having taken it at least once. While it is known that METH, a common psychostimulant, acts on both the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) and nigrostriatal DA systems by affecting proteins involved in DA reuptake and vesicular packaging, the specific mechanism of what is known as METH neurotoxicity remains obscure, but has been shown to involve oxidative stress. Studies have shown that reactive oxygen species act on the same proteins that METH affects. Oxidative species have also been known to catalyze the formation of melanins in dopaminergic cells. We explore this link more fully here. In an in vitro system, oxidative species (including Fe3+, an inorganic catalyst for oxidative stress), enhance the rate of melanization of DA. Methamphetamine increased oxidative stress in an in vivo model. Additionally, METH enhanced phasic (stimulated) DA release and caused an electrically-independent efflux of DA. Lidocaine abolished phasic DA release, but did not affect METH-induced DA efflux, indicating action-potential dependent and independent mechanisms behind METH’s effects. The sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD 1063 significantly attenuated METH’s effect on DA release. Depletion of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) reserves also attenuated METH-enhancement of DA release. We investigated the role of oxidative species in METH-induced DA efflux. Reduced glutathione (the substrate for glutathione peroxidase) and 4-hydroxy-TEMPOL (a superoxide dismutase mimetic) blocked METH’s effect on DA release, suggesting that a reactive oxygen species (ROS), most likely superoxide, is necessary for METH-induced DA efflux. Finally, oxidative stress as well as acute METH impairs the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) by S-glutathionylation modification of Cys-488, highlighting VMAT2 as a likely regulator of METH’s effects on electrically independent DA release. These findings help outline a model in which METH induces DA release in the NAc through a signaling cascade involving the sigma receptor and ROS signaling molecules.

This thesis describes the theoretical modeling of a response of an electrochemical BioMEMS sensor for detecting small amounts of cortisol hormone. The electrochemical sensor utilizes a catalyst enzyme (3a-HSD) to convert cortisone to cortisol and the Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) as a preferred method to measure the forward and reverse current of the system. The parameters and equations necessary to estimate the Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) theoretical response are determined and outlined. The response is modeled and the results are compared to the experimental data. Further, the design of the sensor is analyzed and suggestions are made on how to improve the repeatability of the sensor's response. The diffusion coefficients for cortisone and cortisol hormone are calculated to be 2.87*10-10 and 2.84*10-10 square meters per second respectively with 10 percent tolerance. The dimensionless peak current (ψ) for the system is approximately 10 percent lower than the one theoretically postulated by Bard et al. [3]. The surface area of the working electrode of the sensor varies with and is directly proportional to the concentration of the analyte. Theoretical current peaks are hypothesized to be within 10 percent tolerance limits (mainly due to the reason that the surface area of the working electrode is itself a variable).

This thesis describes the development of new adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric methods for reliable determination of some trace metals in biological and environmental materials on a glassy carbon mercury film electrode. In particular, the development of these methods involved selection of a suitable complexing agent for the respective metal ion studied, characterization of the electrode processes, investigation of factors affecting the voltammetric response such as concentration and pH of supporting electrolyte, concentration of complexing agent, accumulation potential, accumulation time and electrode rotation rate. Also, organic and inorganic interferences, linear concentration range, and detection limits were carefully considered. Furthermore, the analytical application of the method was demonstrated for each metal in biological and/or environmental materials, after optimization of the sample decomposition procedure. Some conclusions : the results obtained by the AdCSV method for the determination of tin in juices agreed reasonably with those obtained by atomic absorption method; the use of the adsorptive voltammetric technique after dry-ashing and UV treatment of the samples was successfully demonstrated for the determination of vanadium in standard reference materials such as urban particulate matter, peach leaves, apple leaves and bovine liver; and, the use of the adsorptive stripping voltammetric technique, after decomposition of samples by dry-ashing and UV treatment, was successfully demonstrated for the determination of molybdenum in peach leaves, apple leaves and bovine liver samples. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Detection of chromium and vanadium is of interest for biomedical and environmental applications. The two metals have narrow limits between being essential and toxic for humans. Ultra-sensitive techniques have been studied to measure Cr and V at low concentrations found in human blood and environmental samples. Bismuth film and mercury-alloy electrodes have been developed as alternatives to traditional Hg-based electrodes for Cr and V detection. While catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (CAdSV) has been used to detect Cr and V, little is known about the process. The mechanisms of CAdSV have been probed to provide a better understanding of its exceptional sensitivity and selectivity. Near-real time monitoring of plume gas constituents is desired as a diagnostic tool for combustion efficiency, ensuring safe testing conditions and observing releases of green house gasses. Ground testing rockets is a crucial preliminary step that ensures their performance during critical space missions. Optical sol-gel sensors for carbon dioxide have been developed for remote sensing applications. They are inexpensive and are compatible with the harsh environments encountered during rocket plume tests. The sensors are a viable approach to compliment current infrared (IR) measurements for real-time carbon dioxide detection. Additional work on kerosene and isopropyl alcohol sensing has been explored for incorporation into a multi-analyte sensing platform.

An electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) is a potential buffer for current power and energy supply. In this work, activated carbon derived from fluid coke as a brand new electrode material was studied due to its high specific surface area (SSA) and large portion of mesopores. A suitable electrode material formula, current collector, and cell configuration were investigated to fabricate a testable system and ensure the reproducibility of measurements. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and constant current charge/discharge (CD) techniques were used to characterize the performance of the electrode material, as well as to study its fundamental behaviour. A new procedure was established for quantifying the capacitance (Cc) of EDLC from CV which isolates the effect of internal resistance on the measured capacitance (CM). The specific capacitance of single electrode made of activated carbon (~1900 m2/g) with approximately 80% mesopores and macropores was able to reach 180 F/g at scan rate of 0.5mV/s.

Electrochemical detection of metals can be done at polycrystalline gold ultramicroelectrodes using repetitive cyclic voltammetry (RCV), a detection method sharing some similarities with anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). Each cycle of the potential waveform for RCV involves application of a negative preconcentration potential (for 50 to 300 ms) followed by a cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan at 20 to 1000 V/s. The response due to the metals is evident at potentials negative of the region for oxide formation in the resulting CVs. Metals are deposited at the Au surface by underpotential deposition (UPD) processes. Any metal that can be analyzed by RCV could potentially be quantified using UPD-ASV at Au (rather than by ASV at Hg). The UPD kinetics of Pb and Cu at polycrystalline Au were examined by setting kinetic parameters (rate constant, symmetry factor, and electrosorption valency) within a simulation program used to generate simulated CVs. Reasonably good agreement between experimental and simulated CVs was possible using the simulation, with the same kinetic parameters used to generate simulated CVs to match experimental CVs over a range of sweep rates for each system. Using this method, the following rate constants (k) were estimated: for UPD of Cu in H2SO4 and HClO4, ks ~ 36000 s−1 and 11000 s−1, respectively, and for UPD of Pb in H2SO4, ks ~ 400000 s−1. <p> Repetitive cyclic voltammetry was applied to the detection of metals separated by capillary electrophoresis. Separation of Tl+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ was demonstrated in 0.01 mol/L acetic acid and 0.01 mol/L ammonium acetate(pH ~ 4.6) using RCV. While stacking is commonly exploited for sensitivity enhancement during injection, it was shown that detection-end stacking is also useful. A novel technique named electrophoretic extraction (EE) was developed for analysis of particle-containing solutions (e.g. soil extracts or other colloidal suspensions). EE involves application of backpressure during CE to prevent particles from entering the separation capillary: the applied pressure is regulated so analyte ions enter the capillary and migrate to the detector, whereas other particles are prevented from entering the capillary. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated.