María Soledad García

Low-cost electrochemical methodologies for the determination of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the analysis of juices are developed based on its electro-oxidation on carbon screen-printed electrodes. A novel chronoamperometric methodology is developed for the quantification of L-ascorbic acid in fruit juices. The proposed method stands out for its simplicity and rapidity, demonstrating its efficacy in determining L-ascorbic acid content in various fruit juices. Notably, the results obtained with this chronoamperometric approach are compared with those yielded by chromatography, with no significant differences between the two methods being found. Additionally, an electronic tongue is developed for the differentiation of juices based on the square wave voltammetric signals.

A potentiometric electronic tongue (ET) for the analysis of well and ditch irrigation water samples is herein proposed. The sensors’ array is composed of six ion-selective electrodes based on plasticized polymeric membranes with low selectivity profiles, i.e., the membranes do not contain any selective receptor. The sensors differ between them in the type of ion-exchanger (sensors for cations or anions) and the plasticizer used in the membrane composition, while the polymeric matrix and the preparation protocol were maintained. The potentiometric response of each sensor towards the main cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and anions (HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻) expected in irrigation water samples was characterized, revealing a fast response time (2+, Na⁺, and Cl⁻ concentrations and acceptable results for the rest of ions. Overall, the ET is a promising analytical tool for irrigation water quality, exceeding traditional characterization approaches (conductivity, salinity, pH, cations, anions, etc.) in terms of overhead costs, versatility, simplicity, and total time for data provision.

El objetivo del ensayo fue evaluar el peso y el crecimiento de corderos Pampinta mantenidos al pie de la madre con una alimentación diferencial (Creep Feeding) con ovejas de condición corporal entre 1 y 1,5. El ensayo se llevó a cabo en dependencias de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ciencias Veterinarias de la UNL, se utilizaron 20 ovejas Pampinta y 20 corderos nacidos en el mes de septiembre del 2017. La alimentación de los corderos se realizó bajo lactancia natural no restringida con alimentación diferencial. Durante la noche los corderos separados de sus madres fueron conducidos al patio de comida y recibían una ración de mezcla de soja y maíz espolvoreados con leche en polvo. Los resultados fueron analizados mediante ANOVA para un diseño completamente aleatorizado. Las variables peso al nacer (p=0,0065) y tasa de crecimiento (p=0,039) fueron significativamente diferentes entre sexo. La ganancia de peso diaria y el peso a los 45días no fueron diferentes entre sexo.

Resumen Se utilizaron 30 vacas en preparto que se alojaron en un corral seco con acceso a sombra artificial durante el verano. Las vacas fueron distribuidas en dos grupos: sin refrescado (TS) y con refrescado (TR) en el sector comedero. El peso corporal y la condición corporal fueron evaluadas al inicio y a los 25 días. La frecuencia respiratoria se realizó dos veces por semana en cuatro momentos del día. El registro de comportamiento dos veces a la semana. Los datos de analizaron con t Student y χ2. El peso y condición corporal no presentaron diferencia signifi cativa. Se observó un efecto del tratamiento en el día y horario para la frecuencia respiratoria (p<0,0001). La conducta de parado a la sombra fue al que dedicaron mayor tiempo en ambos tratamientos 27 % en TS y 29 % en TR. No hubo diferencias en la producción lechera entre TS y TR: 31,4 l/v/d y 30,6 l/v/d respectivamente.

The construction and characterization of a new ion-selective electrode for the determination of the antipsychotic ziprasidone in mixed solvents is presented. The electrode contains a plasticized polymeric membrane based on a ziprasidone-tetraphenylborate ion-exchanger. The influence of membrane composition on the electrode response towards ziprasidone in hydroalcoholic solutions was studied. The electrode displayed a stable response in a 2:3 (v/v) methanol/water medium from a ziprasidone concentration of 3 × 10⁻⁶ M with a fast response time of less than 20 s. The electrode also showed good selectivity towards ziprasidone over common inorganic and organic compounds and several species with pharmacological activity. The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of ziprasidone in pharmaceuticals and human urine and serum.

The construction and electrochemical response characteristics of a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane selective electrode for the determination of sulpiride (SPD) are described. The sensing membrane comprised an ion-exchanger formed between the protonated drug and tetraphenylborate (TPB^-) in a plasticized PVC matrix. The influence of membrane composition on the electrode response was studied. The electrode showed a fast, stable and Nernstian response over a sulpiride concentration range (1 × 10^-4– 1 × 10^-2 M) with a mean slope of 58.4 ± 0.9 mV dec^-1 of concentration, a mean detection limit of 4.2 × 10^-5 ± 1.2 × 10^-5 M, a wide working pH range (2 – 8) and a fast response time (< 15 s). The electrode showed good selectivity towards sulpiride with respect to some inorganic and organic compounds. When the electrode was applied to the determination of sulpiride in pharmaceuticals and human urine, a high percentage of recovery was attained with no need for sample pretreatment procedures because of the lack of interfering matrix effects.

A trazodone-selective electrode for application in pharmaceutical quality control and urine analysis was developed. The electrode is based on incorporation of a trazodone-tetraphenylborate ion exchanger in a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. The electrode showed a fast, stable and Nernstian response over a wide trazodone concentration range (5 × 10⁻⁵−1 × 10⁻² M) with a mean slope of 59.3 ± 0.9 mV/dec of concentration, a mean detection limit of 1.8 × 10⁻⁵± 2.2 × 10⁻⁶ M, a wide working pH range (5–7.5) and a fast response time (less than 20 s). The electrode also showed good accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility and selectivity with respect to some inorganic and organic compounds, including the main trazodone metabolite. The electrode provided good analytical results in the determination of trazodone in pharmaceuticals and spiked urine samples; no extraction steps were necessary. Dissolution testing of trazodone tablets, in different conditions of pH and particle size, based on a direct potentiometric determination with the new selective electrode is presented as well.

The construction and electrochemical response characteristics of a poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) membrane selective electrode for the determination of tiapride (TPD) are described. The sensing membrane comprised an ion-pair formed between the protonated drug and tetraphenylborate (TPB-) in a plasticized PVC matrix. The influence of membrane composition on the electrode response was studied. The electrode showed a fast, stable and Nernstian response over a wide tiapride concentration range (1x10^-5-1x10^-2 M) with a slope of 57.5±0.2 mV dec^-1 of concentration, a detection limit of 4.3x10^-6±2.5x10^-7 M, a wide working pH range (2-8) and a fast response time (< 5 s). The electrode showed good selectivity towards tiapride with respect to some inorganic and organic compounds. The electrode has been applied to the determination of tiapride in human urine and iontophoresis solution.