Intracluster Sulphur Dioxide Oxidation by Sodium Chlorite Anions: A Mass Spectrometric Study

The reactivity of [NaL·ClO2]− cluster anions (L = ClOx−; x = 0–3) with sulphur dioxide has been investigated in the gas phase by ion–molecule reaction experiments (IMR) performed in an in-house modified Ion Trap mass spectrometer (IT-MS). The kinetic analysis revealed that SO2 is efficiently oxidised by oxygen-atom (OAT), oxygen-ion (OIT) and double oxygen transfer (DOT) reactions. The main difference from the previously investigated free reactive ClO2− is the occurrence of intracluster OIT and DOT processes, which are mediated by the different ligands of the chlorite anion. This gas-phase study highlights the importance of studying the intrinsic properties of simple reacting species, with the aim of elucidating the elementary steps of complex processes occurring in solution, such as the oxidation of sulphur dioxide.

Chromato-mass-spectrometric research in Salvia grandiflora L., Salvia pratensis L. and Salvia verticillata L. aboveground organs

The genus Salvia L. has more than 900 species distributed throughout the globe. 21 species are growing in Ukraine. All species of this genus have essential oils. Salvia officinalis and Salvia sclarea have been used in the culture and are widely used in medical practice. The chemical composition of other species of sage and the possibility of their use in pharmaceutical and medical practice are almost not studied. Taking into account the results of chemotaxonomic studies of species of the flora genus of Ukraine, their prevalence and prospects for introduction into the culture, for further studies were selected raw materials of S. grandiflora, S. pratensis and S. verticillata. The aim. The aim of the study was to conduct a chromato-mass spectrometric study of the aboveground organs of S. grandiflora L., S. pratensis L. and S. verticillata L. to establish the prospects for the use of raw materials of these species in medical and pharmaceutical practice. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were leaves of S. officinalis, leaves, stems and flowers of S. grandiflora, S. pratensis and S. verticillata, which were harvested on the basis of the botanical garden of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. The research of volatile substances in the objects of the research was carried out by the method of GC-MS on the basis of the Department of Natural Sciences for Foreign Students and Toxicological Chemistry of Zaporizhia State Medical University. Results. As a result of the study, 243 substances were found in the objects of the study, of which 149 were identified. 77 substances were found in the leaves of S. officinalis, 80, 26 and 63 substances in the leaves, stems and flowers of S. grandiflora, respectively, in the leaves , stems and flowers of S. pratensis – 28, 30 and 48 substances, respectively, in leaves, stems and flowers of S. verticillata – 39, 22 and 39 substances, respectively. Dominant compounds among substances of terpenoid nature are: cyclofenchene, camphene, 1,8-cineole, α-thujone, β-thujone, camphor borneol, caryophyllene, humulene, viridiflorol, sabinene, pyranone, β-pinene, phytol, kolavenol, β-copaen, loliolide, pseudolimonene and spatulenol. Among the dominant substances, 8 were detected for the first time in these species: cyclofenchene, viridiflorol, sabinene, pyranone, phytol, kolavenol, loliolide and pseudolimonene. Conclusions. The leaves of S. officinalis, leaves, stems and flowers of S. grandiflora, S. pratensis and S. verticillata of the flora of Ukraine were studied by chromato-mass spectrometric method. As a result of the study, 243 substances were identified, of which 149 were identified. Promising raw materials containing terpene compounds for S. grandiflora there are leaves, and for S. pratensis and S. verticillata – flowers, so they are promising agents for introduction into pharmaceutical practice

Comparative chromato-mass spectrometric study of tinctures based on Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

An urgent problem today is the spread of secondary immunodeficiencies associated with increased stress, urbanization, and negative changes in the environment that lead to impaired immune function. Herbal remedies are milder, less likely to become addictive and have side effects, and are long-lasting. A promising plant with immunomodulatory action is Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, a member of the family Asteraceae. The main active ingredients of echinacea are phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and alkylamides. The chemical composition of echinacea is also represented by flavonoids, tannins, saponins, higher fatty acids, amino acids, betaine, essential oil, macro- and microelements (Se, Co, Ag, Mo, Zn, Mg, K, Na, Fe, etc.). Drugs have immunostimulatory, antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing effect, promote healing of wounds, burns, ulcers, are used in infectious and viral diseases, especially HF. They are traditionally used for furunculosis, septicemia (infection of the blood), pyorrhea, tonsillitis, especially for the treatment of boils, carbuncles, and abscesses. It is also important that in modern pharmaceutical science the leading place is occupied by research related to the introduction into medical practice of herbal medicines, the study of their chemical composition, standardization, development of optimal technologies for the manufacture of phytopreparations. That is why the objects of our research were tinctures based on Echinacea purpurea. The aim of the work is to study and compare the component composition of tinctures based on Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench using gas chromatography (GC). Materials and methods. Tinctures of rhizomes with roots of Echinacea purpurea were used for the study: experimental – made according to industrial technological recipe (1:5, extractant – ethanol 70 %) from raw materials harvested in July 2019 at the research site of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University and control – finished products LLC “Zhytomyr Pharmaceutical Factory”, series 20319. Tinctures were investigated on a gas chromatograph Agilent 7890B with mass spectrometric detector 5977B. The NIST14 mass spectrum library was used to identify the components. Results. 31 (experimental) and 23 (control) components were identified by GC in rhizomes with rhizomes of Echinacea purpurea. The results of the study indicate that the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of rhizomes with roots of Echinacea purpurea was characterized by complexity and variability. This fact complicates the process of standardization of phytopreparations and can affect their effectiveness and safety. Therefore, members of the genus Echinacea should be the subject of further in-depth chemical study. Conclusions. A comparative analysis of the component composition of tinctures based on Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench was studied and performed with the help of GC. The GC method is suitable for the determination of natural BAS in the composition of phytopreparations from echinacea and can be used in the development of methods for their standardization. The results of the study were of value for further development and improvement of analytical regulations for raw materials and phytopreparations from Echinacea purpurea. They can also be the basis for the creation of new substances with immunomodulatory activity based on the underground organs of echinacea.

Mass spectrometric study of the leak tightness of products made of technical sintered beryllium

Beryllium products exhibiting a low level of absorption of the radiation energy are widely used in scientific instrumentation design (x-ray technology, radiation detectors, etc.). We present the results of studying the leak tightness of products (disks, plates) made of technical sintered beryllium of standard purity and foil obtained by «warm» rolling from high-purity beryllium. The relevant standards and requirements for testing are given. The leak tightness control was performed using mass spectrometric helium leak detectors with forevacuum backing pumps (oil and dry diaphragm pumps) and specialized vacuum equipment. The parameters of tightness of samples made of technical sintered beryllium were determined. The level of the helium signal during blowing was (0.6 – 7.4) × 10–11 Pa · m3/sec, which corresponds to the tightness standard of foreign analogues and matches the requirements of domestic manufacturers of x-ray equipment. The data spread tended to increase due to the growth of the background value. The obtained results can be used to improve high-tech equipment intended for flaw detection, medical devices, rapid analysis of ore raw materials, radiation safety equipment, etc.