@article{ZhantlessovaSavitskayaKistaubayevaetal.2022, author = {Zhantlessova, Sirina and Savitskaya, Irina and Kistaubayeva, Aida and Ignatova, Ludmila and Talipova, Aizhan and Pogrebnjak, Alexander and Digel, Ilya}, title = {Advanced "Green" prebiotic composite of bacterial cellulose/pullulan based on synthetic biology-powered microbial coculture strategy}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {14}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {15}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym14153224}, pages = {Artikel 3224}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer produced by different microorganisms, but in biotechnological practice, Komagataeibacter xylinus is used. The micro- and nanofibrillar structure of BC, which forms many different-sized pores, creates prerequisites for the introduction of other polymers into it, including those synthesized by other microorganisms. The study aims to develop a cocultivation system of BC and prebiotic producers to obtain BC-based composite material with prebiotic activity. In this study, pullulan (PUL) was found to stimulate the growth of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG better than the other microbial polysaccharides gellan and xanthan. BC/PUL biocomposite with prebiotic properties was obtained by cocultivation of Komagataeibacter xylinus and Aureobasidium pullulans, BC and PUL producers respectively, on molasses medium. The inclusion of PUL in BC is proved gravimetrically by scanning electron microscopy and by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Cocultivation demonstrated a composite effect on the aggregation and binding of BC fibers, which led to a significant improvement in mechanical properties. The developed approach for "grafting" of prebiotic activity on BC allows preparation of environmentally friendly composites of better quality.}, language = {en} } @article{WeldenSeverinsPoghossianetal.2022, author = {Welden, Melanie and Severins, Robin and Poghossian, Arshak and Wege, Christina and Bongaerts, Johannes and Siegert, Petra and Keusgen, Michael and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Detection of acetoin and diacetyl by a tobacco mosaic virus-assisted field-effect biosensor}, series = {Chemosensors}, volume = {10}, journal = {Chemosensors}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2227-9040}, doi = {10.3390/chemosensors10060218}, pages = {Artikel 218}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Acetoin and diacetyl have a major impact on the flavor of alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer. Therefore, their measurement is important during the fermentation process. Until now, gas chromatographic techniques have typically been applied; however, these require expensive laboratory equipment and trained staff, and do not allow for online monitoring. In this work, a capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensor modified with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles as enzyme nanocarriers for the detection of acetoin and diacetyl is presented. The enzyme acetoin reductase from Alkalihalobacillus clausii DSM 8716ᵀ is immobilized via biotin-streptavidin affinity, binding to the surface of the TMV particles. The TMV-assisted biosensor is electrochemically characterized by means of leakage-current, capacitance-voltage, and constant capacitance measurements. In this paper, the novel biosensor is studied regarding its sensitivity and long-term stability in buffer solution. Moreover, the TMV-assisted capacitive field-effect sensor is applied for the detection of diacetyl for the first time. The measurement of acetoin and diacetyl with the same sensor setup is demonstrated. Finally, the successive detection of acetoin and diacetyl in buffer and in diluted beer is studied by tuning the sensitivity of the biosensor using the pH value of the measurement solution.}, language = {en} } @article{WeldenPoghossianVahidpouretal.2022, author = {Welden, Melanie and Poghossian, Arshak and Vahidpour, Farnoosh and Wendlandt, Tim and Keusgen, Michael and Wege, Christina and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Towards multi-analyte detection with field-effect capacitors modified with tobacco mosaic virus bioparticles as enzyme nanocarriers}, series = {Biosensors}, volume = {12}, journal = {Biosensors}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-6374}, doi = {10.3390/bios12010043}, pages = {Artikel 43}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Utilizing an appropriate enzyme immobilization strategy is crucial for designing enzyme-based biosensors. Plant virus-like particles represent ideal nanoscaffolds for an extremely dense and precise immobilization of enzymes, due to their regular shape, high surface-to-volume ratio and high density of surface binding sites. In the present work, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles were applied for the co-immobilization of penicillinase and urease onto the gate surface of a field-effect electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor capacitor (EISCAP) with a p-Si-SiO₂-Ta₂O₅ layer structure for the sequential detection of penicillin and urea. The TMV-assisted bi-enzyme EISCAP biosensor exhibited a high urea and penicillin sensitivity of 54 and 85 mV/dec, respectively, in the concentration range of 0.1-3 mM. For comparison, the characteristics of single-enzyme EISCAP biosensors modified with TMV particles immobilized with either penicillinase or urease were also investigated. The surface morphology of the TMV-modified Ta₂O₅-gate was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the bi-enzyme EISCAP was applied to mimic an XOR (Exclusive OR) enzyme logic gate.}, language = {en} } @techreport{SiegertBongaertsWagneretal.2022, author = {Siegert, Petra and Bongaerts, Johannes and Wagner, Torsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Selmer, Thorsten}, title = {Abschlussbericht zum Projekt zur {\"U}berwachung biotechnologischer Prozesse mittels Diacetyl-/Acetoin-Biosensor und Evaluierung von Acetoin-Reduktasen zur Verwendung in Biotransformationen}, address = {Aachen}, organization = {FH Aachen}, pages = {16 Seiten}, year = {2022}, language = {de} } @article{PennerUsherovichNiedermeieretal.2022, author = {Penner, Crystal and Usherovich, Samuel and Niedermeier, Jana and B{\´e}langer-Champagne, Camille and Trinczek, Michael and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Hoehr, Cornelia}, title = {Organic Scintillator-Fibre Sensors for Proton Therapy Dosimetry: SCSF-3HF and EJ-260}, series = {electronics}, volume = {12}, journal = {electronics}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-9292}, doi = {10.3390/electronics12010011}, pages = {12 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In proton therapy, the dose from secondary neutrons to the patient can contribute to side effects and the creation of secondary cancer. A simple and fast detection system to distinguish between dose from protons and neutrons both in pretreatment verification as well as potentially in vivo monitoring is needed to minimize dose from secondary neutrons. Two 3 mm long, 1 mm diameter organic scintillators were tested for candidacy to be used in a proton-neutron discrimination detector. The SCSF-3HF (1500) scintillating fibre (Kuraray Co. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) and EJ-260 plastic scintillator (Eljen Technology, Sweetwater, TX, USA) were irradiated at the TRIUMF Neutron Facility and the Proton Therapy Research Centre. In the proton beam, we compared the raw Bragg peak and spread-out Bragg peak response to the industry standard Markus chamber detector. Both scintillator sensors exhibited quenching at high LET in the Bragg peak, presenting a peak-to-entrance ratio of 2.59 for the EJ-260 and 2.63 for the SCSF-3HF fibre, compared to 3.70 for the Markus chamber. The SCSF-3HF sensor demonstrated 1.3 times the sensitivity to protons and 3 times the sensitivity to neutrons as compared to the EJ-260 sensor. Combined with our equations relating neutron and proton contributions to dose during proton irradiations, and the application of Birks' quenching correction, these fibres provide valid candidates for inexpensive and replicable proton-neutron discrimination detectors}, language = {en} } @article{OjovanSteinmetz2022, author = {Ojovan, Michael I. and Steinmetz, Hans-J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Approaches to Disposal of Nuclear Waste}, series = {Energies}, volume = {15}, journal = {Energies}, number = {20}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1996-1073}, doi = {10.3390/en15207804}, pages = {Artikel 7804}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We present a concise mini overview on the approaches to the disposal of nuclear waste currently used or deployed. The disposal of nuclear waste is the end point of nuclear waste management (NWM) activities and is the emplacement of waste in an appropriate facility without the intention to retrieve it. The IAEA has developed an internationally accepted classification scheme based on the end points of NWM, which is used as guidance. Retention times needed for safe isolation of waste radionuclides are estimated based on the radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. Disposal facilities usually rely on a multi-barrier defence system to isolate the waste from the biosphere, which comprises the natural geological barrier and the engineered barrier system. Disposal facilities could be of a trench type, vaults, tunnels, shafts, boreholes, or mined repositories. A graded approach relates the depth of the disposal facilities' location with the level of hazard. Disposal practices demonstrate the reliability of nuclear waste disposal with minimal expected impacts on the environment and humans.}, language = {en} } @article{MonakhovaSobolevaFedotovaetal.2022, author = {Monakhova, Yulia and Soboleva, Polina M. and Fedotova, Elena S. and Musina, Kristina T. and Burmistrova, Natalia A.}, title = {Quantum chemical calculations of IR spectra of heparin disaccharide subunits}, series = {Computational and Theoretical Chemistry}, volume = {1217}, journal = {Computational and Theoretical Chemistry}, number = {Article number: 113891}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York, NY}, isbn = {2210-271X}, doi = {10.1016/j.comptc.2022.113891}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Heparin is a natural polysaccharide, which plays essential role in many biological processes. Alterations in building blocks can modify biological roles of commercial heparin products, due to significant changes in the conformation of the polymer chain. The variability structure of heparin leads to difficulty in quality control using different analytical methods, including infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In this paper molecular modelling of heparin disaccharide subunits was performed using quantum chemistry. The structural and spectral parameters of these disaccharides have been calculated using RHF/6-311G. In addition, over-sulphated chondroitin sulphate disaccharide was studied as one of the most widespread contaminants of heparin. Calculated IR spectra were analyzed with respect to specific structure parameters. IR spectroscopic fingerprint was found to be sensitive to substitution pattern of disaccharide subunits. Vibrational assignments of calculated spectra were correlated with experimental IR spectral bands of native heparin. Chemometrics was used to perform multivariate analysis of simulated spectral data.}, language = {en} } @article{MonakhovaDiehl2022, author = {Monakhova, Yulia and Diehl, Bernd W.K.}, title = {Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as an elegant tool for a complete quality control of crude heparin material}, series = {Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis}, volume = {219}, journal = {Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis}, number = {Article number: 114915}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {0731-7085}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114915}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometric methods for the quantitative analysis of pure heparin in crude heparin is proposed. For quantification, a two-step routine was developed using a USP heparin reference sample for calibration and benzoic acid as an internal standard. The method was successfully validated for its accuracy, reproducibility, and precision. The methodology was used to analyze 20 authentic porcine heparinoid samples having heparin content between 4.25 w/w \% and 64.4 w/w \%. The characterization of crude heparin products was further extended to a simultaneous analysis of these common ions: sodium, calcium, acetate and chloride. A significant, linear dependence was found between anticoagulant activity and assayed heparin content for thirteen heparinoids samples, for which reference data were available. A Diffused-ordered NMR experiment (DOSY) can be used for qualitative analysis of specific glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in heparinoid matrices and, potentially, for quantitative prediction of molecular weight of GAGs. NMR spectrometry therefore represents a unique analytical method suitable for the simultaneous quantitative control of organic and inorganic composition of crude heparin samples (especially heparin content) as well as an estimation of other physical and quality parameters (molecular weight, animal origin and activity).}, language = {en} } @article{MonakhovaDiehl2022, author = {Monakhova, Yulia and Diehl, Bernd W.K.}, title = {Multinuclear NMR screening of pharmaceuticals using standardization by 2H integral of a deuterated solvent}, series = {Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis}, volume = {209}, journal = {Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis}, number = {Article number: 114530}, publisher = {Elsevier}, isbn = {0731-7085}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114530}, year = {2022}, abstract = {NMR standardization approach that uses the 2H integral of deuterated solvent for quantitative multinuclear analysis of pharmaceuticals is described. As a proof of principle, the existing NMR procedure for the analysis of heparin products according to US Pharmacopeia monograph is extended to the determination of Na+ and Cl- content in this matrix. Quantification is performed based on the ratio of a 23Na (35Cl) NMR integral and 2H NMR signal of deuterated solvent, D2O, acquired using the specific spectrometer hardware. As an alternative, the possibility of 133Cs standardization using the addition of Cs2CO3 stock solution is shown. Validation characteristics (linearity, repeatability, sensitivity) are evaluated. A holistic NMR profiling of heparin products can now also be used for the quantitative determination of inorganic compounds in a single analytical run using a single sample. In general, the new standardization methodology provides an appealing alternative for the NMR screening of inorganic and organic components in pharmaceutical products.}, language = {en} } @article{LindnerBurgerRutledgeetal.2022, author = {Lindner, Simon and Burger, Ren{\´e} and Rutledge, Douglas N. and Do, Xuan Tung and Rumpf, Jessica and Diehl, Bernd W. K. and Schulze, Margit and Monakhova, Yulia}, title = {Is the calibration transfer of multivariate calibration models between high- and low-field NMR instruments possible? A case study of lignin molecular weight}, series = {Analytical chemistry}, volume = {94}, journal = {Analytical chemistry}, number = {9}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, address = {Washington, DC}, isbn = {1520-6882}, doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05125}, pages = {3997 -- 4004}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Although several successful applications of benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in quantitative mixture analysis exist, the possibility of calibration transfer remains mostly unexplored, especially between high- and low-field NMR. This study investigates for the first time the calibration transfer of partial least squares regressions [weight average molecular weight (Mw) of lignin] between high-field (600 MHz) NMR and benchtop NMR devices (43 and 60 MHz). For the transfer, piecewise direct standardization, calibration transfer based on canonical correlation analysis, and transfer via the extreme learning machine auto-encoder method are employed. Despite the immense resolution difference between high-field and low-field NMR instruments, the results demonstrate that the calibration transfer from high- to low-field is feasible in the case of a physical property, namely, the molecular weight, achieving validation errors close to the original calibration (down to only 1.2 times higher root mean square errors). These results introduce new perspectives for applications of benchtop NMR, in which existing calibrations from expensive high-field instruments can be transferred to cheaper benchtop instruments to economize.}, language = {en} }