Cancer treatment represents one of the main scientific study targets today, mainly due to the pronounced side effects arising from chemotherapy. This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of ten compounds from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. Ethylene glycol diacrylate was used as a double Michael acceptor in reactions with isatin derivatives to give homodimers of 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one core, recognized in the literature for its extensive pharmacological profile. The use of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) as a catalyst and room temperature were the optimal conditions for the study reaction. The isolated yields were up to 63%, with most reaction times inferior to 24 h, some as fast as 15 min. The anticancer potential of the synthesized dimers was evaluated in vitro against three cancer strains, resulting in average inhibitory concentrations up to 0.72 µM. It was also found that the best performing homodimers are more active than their monomeric counterparts. Considering the promising selectivity indices observed, the preliminary results obtained here act as a basis for broader tests regarding the effectiveness of homodimeric adducts against cancer cells.

This investigation describes the synthesis of eugenol analogs presenting 1,2,3-triazole fragments and evaluation of their antileishmanial activity. The alkylation of guaiacol (1) with allyl bromide afforded 1-(allyloxy)-2-methoxybenzene (2) (93% yield). The Claisen rearrangement conducted with 1 gave ortho eugenol (3) (82% yield). Alkylation procedures performed with 3 produced 1-allyl-3-methoxy-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzene (4) (73% yield) and 1-allyl-3-methoxy-2-(pent-4-yn-1-yloxy)benzene (6) (53% yield). The copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions involving alkynes 4 and 6 with different benzylic azides afforded twenty-two eugenol analogs with 1,2,3-triazole functionalities (48-93% yield). We screened the compounds at 10 μmol L 1 against Leishmania braziliensis intracellular amastigotes during macrophage infection. The action of these compounds was compared with the known leishmanicidal drug amphotericin B. None of the analogs were toxic to macrophages at 10 μmol L-1. The cytotoxic concentration at 50% (CC50), effective concentration at 50% (EC50), and selectivity index (SI) were determined to the best compounds 4-((2-allyl-6-methoxy)phenoxymethyl)-1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1 H-1,2,3-triazole (8c) and 4-((2-allyl-6-methoxy)phenoxymethyl)-1-(4-trifluoromethoxybenzyl)-1 H-1,2,3-triazole (8h). They showed a significant leishmanicidal effect, with EC50 of 28.09 µmol L-1 (8c) and 52.03 µmol L-1 (8h). The SIs were 9.7 for 8c and > 5.7 for 8h. These compounds have the potential as new leishmanicidal agents against L. braziliensis and may represent a starting point for the development of alternative treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Abstract Biosurfactants and waterflooding have been widely reported thus far for enhancing oil production. Nevertheless, there is a lack of literature to explore enhanced oil recovered methods effects on its chemical composition. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of a biosurfactant produced by Bacillus safensis and brine injection on the recovered petroleum composition, and their implications for geochemical interpretation. Original and oils recovered from displacement tests were analyzed by gas chromatography and ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry, emphasizing saturated and aromatic biomarkers and basic and acidic polar compounds. Geochemical parameters based on some saturated compounds were subtly affected by the recovery methods, showing their reliable applicability in geochemical studies. Contrarily, parameters based on some aromatic compounds were more affected by biosurfactant flooding, mostly the low molecular weight compounds. Thus, these aromatic parameters should be applied with caution after such methods. The distribution of basic and acidic polar compounds can also be modified affecting the geochemical interpretation. In the case of the basic ones, the biosurfactant greatly influenced the N class species with favorable loss of lower aromaticity compounds. In addition to water solubilization, the compositional changes described in this study can be related to fractionation due to adsorption on reservoir rocks.

This study proposes a new, efficient, and selective method for the analysis of cocaine in oral fluid. For this purpose, an extractive phase with restricted access materials (RAM) capable of extract and pre-concentrate low molecular weight analytes and simultaneously exclude macromolecules was developed for disposable pipette extraction (DPX) followed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses. The proposed method was optimized using a 24 factorial design which pointed higher extraction efficiency under the following conditions: pH 9, 10 cycles of extraction (aspirate/dispense), 3 cycles of desorption (aspirate/dispense) and acetonitrile as desorption solvent. The DPX-RAM/LC-MS method showed linearity range from 10 to 100 ng mL-1 with determination coefficient (R2) = 0.999, accuracy values ranged from -0.9 to 4.3%, precision values ranged from 1.7 to 9.1% and recovery values ranged from 97.9 to 101.1%. The benefits of this method are that it can be performed in few minutes and that the analytical performances, including the limit of detection (3.13 ng mL-1), limit of quantitation (10 ng mL-1) and linear range were found to be in agreement with other methods used for similar analysis.

The usefulness of molecularly imprinted polymer assisted paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (MIP-PSI-MS) for the determination of methamphetamine in urine has been demonstrated. MIP-PSI-MS is a method in which a MIP is synthesized on the surface of a paper, producing a chemically selective paper surface with molecular recognition sites for a target analyte. The analyte is extracted by the MIP substrate, which is posteriorly used for conventional PSI-MS analysis. As methamphetamine is one of the most widely used drugs of abuse in the world, it was selected to be studied in synthetic urine by the MIP-PSI-MS method. Methamphetamine was detected at higher ion signals compared to other different drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and cocaine, suggesting that MIP-PSI-MS has a chemical affinity for methamphetamine. In experiments to validate the method, a linear calibration curve was achieved with R-squared (R2) > 0.99. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 0.8 and 2.8 µg L-1, respectively. Precision (relative standard deviation) and accuracy (relative error) were less than 10%, and the recoveries were close to 100%. The matrix effect was below 10%. These data demonstrate the possibility of using MIP-PSI-MS as an analytical tool for a specific/selective analysis of methamphetamine in forensic sciences.

Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) is a class of polyfunctional molecules that has been standing out due to their versatility and expressive biological activities. Therefore, this paper describes the synthesis and antiproliferative activity of some new MBHA/7-choroquinoline hybrids. The Michael acceptors were obtained starting from 4,7-dichloroquinoline which were submitted to the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction with ortho, meta and para-nitrobenzaldehyde. The in vitro screening of the synthetized MBHA against NCI-H292, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cancer cells suggests the influence of the spacer chain in its inhibition potential. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) obtained in the antiproliferative assay using MCF-7, HCT-116, HL-60 and NCI-H292 cancer cells indicate expressive cytotoxic potential of the adducts containing nitro group in the ortho position, with IC50 of 4.60 µmol L-1. MBHA/7-choroquinoline hybrids were more active than MBHA described in literature, indicating the improvement of the cytotoxic effect due to 7-chloroquinoline moiety in the molecular structure, with maximum selectivity index values of 11.89.

Wax deposit is of a great concern in the petroleum industry and causes partial or total blockage of the pipelines. In this work, four Brazilian crude oils (P1-P4) and five inhibitors solutions (I1-I5) were used associating rheology results to understand, at a molecular level, the characteristics of the saturated fractions by high-resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source) and two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC × GC-MS). The effectiveness of wax inhibitors can be demonstrated by the viscosity decrement. The characterization of the saturated fractions by GC × GC-MS and high resolution mass spectrometry showed that is possible to conclude that inhibitor I1 favored the inhibition process of paraffins when oils have a smaller and monocyclic saturated chain hydrocarbon (HC) profiles, whereas for oils with larger amounts of polycyclic chain HCs, the inhibitor I4 appeared to be the alternative.

Determination of two drugs of abuse in saliva has been performed by Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PSI-MS) using a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) coated paper as substrate. The method has been optimized for quantification of 3,4-methylenedioxy- N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) from synthetic saliva samples. Rapid analysis (~ 1 min) of designer drugs in saliva is demonstrated using MIP-PSI-MS. Both precursor ions of MDMA and MDA were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments by elucidating the fragmentation patterns formed via collisioninduced dissociation (CID). The MIP-PSI-MS method showed greater selectivity for MDMA and MDA in comparison with other analytes. Signal intensity ratios of the most important transitions for MDMA (194 →163) and MDA (180 →163) were found linear (R > 0,99) in the range 25-500 µg L-1. The LOD and LOQ for MDMA were 1.11 µg L-1 and 18.73 µg L-1, respectively, and for MDA were 3.42 µg L-1 and 21.66 µg L-1, respectively. The precision and accuracy values were determined below 4%, and the recoveries about 100%, without pre-concentration/enrichment or separation steps. The MIP-PSI-MS method displays the potential for rapid screening for selective quantitative determination of illicit drugs in saliva samples.

Hydrocarbons present in saturated fractions of crude oils can be assessed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) using small hydrocarbons as ionizing reagents in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS). In this work, five paraffin standards of different average molar mass distributions (Mw) were easily ionized by APCI(+)FT-ICR MS using isooctane as the reagent gas. Data of Mw, carbon number and double bond equivalent (DBE) distributions corresponding to linear and cyclic hydrocarbons (HCs) were compared to results obtained from analysis of high temperature gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (HTGC-FID), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS) and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. APCI(+)FT-ICR MS data showed good agreement with those of analytical techniques. Furthermore, the ability of APCI(+) to assess n-paraffin, even in blends with polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules such as coronene (Mw = 301 Da) at concentrations from 2.5 to 25 µg mL-1, was demonstrated. The typical MS paraffin profile (containing repeating mass units of 14 Da) was clearly confirmed, being totally suppressed when a concentration of 25 µg mL-1 of coronene was used. This phenomenon was also evidenced in one of two saturated fractions produced using saturates, aromatics and polar (SAP) compound fractionation methodology.

Paper spray ionization (PSI) is a promising analytical tool for direct analysis in mass spectrometry (MS). However, this technique usually uses chromatographic paper, which rarely accomplishes a stable MS signal and could vary with the sample matrix effect. In the present study, the application of graphene oxides (GO) was scrutinized as modifier paper substrate for PSI-MS methods. The developed substrate efficiency was evaluated towards creatinine determination in urine samples. The GO-PSI-MS developed method for creatinine in urine samples showed linearity in the range of 0.1 to 3.4 ppm with R2 = 0.9991. The precision was evaluated and the values were between 1.1 to 6.8% and the accuracy above 96.8%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) were 0.05 and 0.17 ppm, respectively. The GO-PSI developed was compared to conventional chromatographic paper for PSI-MS methods, and the results showed that the modified paper with GO bolsters method linearity, precision, and LOQ values.

The Cannabis sativa L. plant has a complex chemical composition, containing various chemical compounds such as terpenes, sugars, hydrocarbons, steroids, flavonoids, and amino acids. Few works have attempted to identify the constitutional isomers of cannabinoids that are found in the plant. The present study reported the analysis of seven cannabinoid standards: five neutral and two acidic, as well as Cannabis products (hashish and marijuana) and parts of the Cannabis plant (flower and leaf) using mono-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole MS (GC × GC-QMS), ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight (UPLC-ESI-QTOF)-MS and UPLC-ESI-travelling wave ion mobility (TWIM)-MS. The results of GC-MS demonstrated close retention times (∆tR = 1.303 min) in separation of the five cannabinoid standards, whereas GC × GC-QMS provided a substantially better identification and distinction of constitutional isomers of cannabinoids, where a total of 11 cannabinoids were identified in the hashish sample. UPLC-QTOF-MS and UPLC-TWIM-MS data obtained complete chemical information, in which ESI(+) revealed the presence of seven constitutional isomers of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC), whereas ESI(-) proved the presence of four isomers of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (∆9-THCA A).

ABSTRACT Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg., Myrtaceae, is a plant popularly used for its anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal and urinary antiseptic activities. The aims of this study were to obtain the crude ethanolic extract and the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, aqueous and concentrated aqueous tannin fractions from C. adamantium leaves, perform biomonitored fractionation to isolate and identify chemical compounds, study the chemical composition of the volatile oils of the leaves and flowers and test the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract, fractions, isolated substances and volatile oils. Phytochemical screening and chromatographic and spectrometric techniques were used. Volatile oils were isolated by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial activity was tested by a broth microdilution test. The component stictane-3,22-diol was isolated and identified from the hexane fraction, while valoneic and gallic acid were isolated and identified from the concentrated aqueous tannin fraction. The major constituents of the volatile oils of the leaves were verbenene (13.91%), β-funebrene (12.05%) and limonene (10.32%), while those of the volatile oils of the flowers were sabinene (20.45%), limonene (19.33%), α-thujene (8.86%) and methyl salicylate (8.66%). Antibacterial activity was verified for the hexane fraction, while antifungal activity was observed for the aqueous fraction and concentrated aqueous tannin fraction and for vanoleic acid. These results may justify the popular use of C. adamantium.

A furanoditerpene-enriched fraction was obtained from the fruits of Pterodon emarginatus and submitted to semipreparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two new furanoditerpenes, 6α,19β-diacetoxy-7β,14β-dihydroxyvouacapan and 6α-acetoxy-7β,14β-dihydroxyvouacapan, in addition to the known compound methyl 6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate were obtained. Compound structures were determined by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS). The major compound methyl 6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate was evaluated against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis, presenting the concentration which causes lysis on 50% of parasites IC50 < 30 µg mL-1.

Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling-partial least squares (CARS-PLS) and negative-ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI(-) FT-ICR MS) data were adopted to assess the total acid number (TAN) of crude oil distillation cuts. Two crude oil samples and 24 derivatives with TAN ranging from 0.20 to 0.39 mg of KOH g-1 were investigated. The multivariate calibration PLS model was built with 18 calibration samples and tested with 8 validation samples. CARS-PLS reduced the number of variables from 1610 to only 4, allowing the identification of molecular formulas that are truly related to the TAN. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) obtained was 0.01 mg of KOH g-1, which is lower than the error when using all variables (0.03 mg of KOH g-1). Finally, it was observed that the N and O2 compound classes are the most important classes for providing a better correlation between ESI(-) FT-ICR mass spectra and TAN values.

Jatropha curcas L. is an oil crop that has been studied as a potential source of biodiesel. A high protein pie is produced as a byproduct of the biodiesel production, which could be used as animal feed. However, the pie has toxic compounds, as phorbol esters and other toxins, which prevents the use as animal feed. For this reason, Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) has been working in genetic breeding to develop non-toxic J. curcas genotypes. To evaluate this process, a simple and fast analytical technique was employed to obtain responses in a short time. Leaf spray (LS) is a recent ambient ionization mass spectrometry technique in which the sample itself serves as support and ion source. Here, toxic and non-toxic J. curcas leaves were differentiated by LS using a linear ion trap mass spectrometer and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model chemometrics. It was possible to differentiate toxic and non-toxic leaves and to identify the m/z values that contribute to discrimination between the groups.