How to measure greenness? : metrics in green chemistry

The presentation delves into the metrics used to assess the "greenness" of chemical procedures and processes, categorizing them into two primary segments. The first, "Simple Greenness Indicators", are quantitative parameters derived from empirical or estimated data, offering insights into environmental impacts such as waste generation, energy consumption, or hazardous substance involvement. Especially, the Chlortox scale is introduced as a significant metric to gauge the toxicity of substances. The second segment encompasses "Models", intricate tools providing a holistic view of greenness by considering multiple criteria. Notable models include the Green Analytical Procedures Index (GAPI), its complex variant ComplexGAPI, the Analytical GREEnness metric approach (AGREE), and AGREEprep, which focuses on sample preparation. The RGB model stands out, with Red representing performance, Green symbolizing sustainability, and Blue indicating practical and economic criteria. This presentation serves as a valuable resource for academic teachers, offering a structured approach to seamlessly integrate the metrics of green chemistry into the curriculum, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to sustainable practices in the next generation of chemists

Capillary electrophoresis screening method for six tri-cyclic antidepressants in human serum

A capillary electrophoretic (CE) method for screening of six tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, doxepin and nordoxepin, in human serum, has been developed. The drugs were separated in a bare fused silica capillary (50 μm i.d.) using the background electrolyte: 50 mM CAPSO (pH 9.54) in methanol/water with KCl addition. For increasing the method sensitivity, the sample con- centration in the capillary (sample stacking) using pressure and electrokinetic injection has been applied. The standard addition method was used for calibration of the developed analytical procedure. The precision of the identification parameter (the relative migration time) and the quantitative parameter (the relative peak area) was within the range of 0.05ñ1.65 and 0.73ñ6.7 (RSD %), respectively. The detection limits were found to be 30 ng/mL for desipramine, 62.5 ng/mL for nortriptyline, and 50 ng/mL for remaining analytes

Green chemistry : introduction

The educational video is meticulously crafted with the primary aim of elucidating the background, principles, and forward-looking perspectives of green chemistry. Originating as a response to the detrimental environmental and health impacts of traditional chemical processes, green chemistry emerged as a beacon of hope. It was introduced to revolutionize the way we perceive and practice chemistry, ensuring that it aligns with the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship. The presentation delves into the history of green chemistry, highlighting the pivotal moments and discoveries that paved the way for its establishment. It meticulously unpacks the principles that underpin green chemistry, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of its foundational tenets. A noteworthy inclusion in the presentation is the concept of "unified greenness theory". This innovative idea extends the principles of green chemistry, suggesting a broader, more general and universal approach to sustainability, eliminating unnecessary barriers and supporting the clarity of the message, cooperation and fair competition. Interwoven throughout the presentation are self-reflection activities. These moments are designed to engage the audience, prompting them to introspect and relate the principles of green chemistry to their own experiences and understanding. Concluding, the video underscores the universal significance of green chemistry. It's not just a niche for researchers and developers but a crucial paradigm for education. By understanding the essence of green chemistry, educators, students, and professionals alike can appreciate its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future, making the world a safer and greener place for all

Carbon footprint of the analytical laboratory and the three-dimensional approach to its reduction

What is the carbon footprint of a common HPLC instrument per one measurement? How much will it increase when we use a mass detector instead of a spectrophotometer? What is the carbon footprint of an average laboratory in comparison to a household, petrol and electric cars, and group of people breathing simultaneously? How much do these results depend on the specifics of energy production in a given country? Is it possible to ensure the carbon neutrality of an advanced analytical method by using dedicated solar and wind farms? How large infrastructure is needed to supply the entire laboratory with green energy? What are the most reasonable activities which should be realized in the near future to reduce the environmental impact of analytical laboratories? This article attempts to answer these questions. The predictions are based on the simple measurements of the electricity consumption for selected laboratory instruments (separation techniques) and the commonly available statistical reports. The presented outcomes allow to imagine the magnitude of laboratory-related emissions. A future perspective is shown and discussed, embracing the three-dimensional space of possible efforts and the inclusion of energy consumption and associated carbon footprint as a mandatory validation criterion of new analytical methods

Optimization of conditions for organic acid extraction from edible plant material as applied to radish sprouts

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the influence of sprouts on health. Fruit and vegetables are the main sources of organic acids for humans; however, little is yet known about organic acids in sprouts. In this study, the selection of the optimal parameters for extraction of organic acids from fresh, edible sprouts is reported. Two extraction techniques: microwave-assisted (MAE) and ultrasound- assisted were compared. The experimental conditions were optimized in terms of ext raction time, temperature, and composition of extraction solution. To determine the influence of time and temperature of extraction or sample cooling, solvents used for extraction, on the analytical signal in isotachophoretic separation, the methods of experimental planning fractional factorial design: 3^{k-1} were used (three factor, three-level design). The optimal conditions for extraction of organic acids from radish sprouts were MAE, 90 °C; 18 min; and 0.01 M NaOH as a solvent

Identification and determination of ergot alkaloids in Morning Glory cultivars

Seeds of plants from Ipomoea genera contain numerous ergot alkaloids, including psychoactive ergine and ergometrine, and are often abused as so-called “legal highs.” In this work, an analytical method for determination of ergine and ergometrine, and identification of other alkaloids was developed, optimized, and validated. Three extraction techniques, ultrasound-assisted extraction in bath, or with sonotrode, and microwave-assisted extraction were evaluated, and it was concluded that ultrasonic bath is the most suitable technique for extraction of ergot alkaloids. The extraction method was later optimized using a Doehlert experimental design with response surface methodology and used together with the optimized LC-Q-TOF-MS method. The analytical procedure was validated in terms of recovery and matrix effect, repeatability, and intermediate precision. Limits of detection and quantification were 1.0 and 3.0 ng mL(–1), respectively, and were sufficient for determination of ergot alkaloids in Ipomoea seeds. The analysis revealed that from five kinds of seeds purchased from different vendors, only three contained ergot alkaloids. Concentration of alkaloids and their relative abundance was similar in samples representative for whole seeds packs; however, when single seeds were analyzed, significant discrepancies in ergine and ergometrine concentrations were detected. [Figure: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00216-016-9322-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users