Purification Of Protoporphyrin Ix Using The Fplc, Ken Overway, Laura Narby

Honors Projects

Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) is the main pigment in brown eggshells, and it is embedded in the shell gland of hens during the final stages of the egg-making process. This natural dye can be used as a substitute for organic sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). One benefit of PPIX is that it is a natural resource and has a high absorption coefficient in the visible and near-infrared region (NIR). Purified PPIX is extremely helpful in dye-sensitized solar cells because it improves electron injection efficiency, can be chemically modified to improve its absorption efficiency, and can be mixed with nanomaterials such …

Photochemistry At The Air-Aerosol Interface, Yi Rao

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Quantitative Analysis Of Blue 1 Dye In Commercial Sports Drinks By Uv -Vis Spectroscopy And Hplc-Dad, Mikayla Bush

Forensic Science Master's Projects

Food dyes are natural or synthetic substances added to foods, beverages, and cosmetics to enhance color and visual appeal. Although they provide no nutritional value, they are widely used to attract consumers, particularly children. Concerns have been raised about the potential health effects of synthetic dyes, including links to hyperactivity in children, tumor formation at high doses, and possible impacts on gut and brain function. In response, regulatory efforts are ongoing. In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an initiative to phase out petroleum-based food dyes, including …

Development Of Ultrafast Protein Digestion And Standards Free Quantitation Methods For Mass Spectrometric Analysis, Praneeth Ivan Joel Fnu

Dissertations

A wide variety of biologically important molecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, hormones, transporters and receptors are proteins by composition and they play key roles in biological functions such as cellular regulation, communication, metabolism and physiological function. Protein dysfunctions and abnormalities are associated with numerous diseases, making proteins critical targets for understanding disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions. Protein-based therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies, hormones and vaccines gained popularity due to their high specificity, efficacy, and ability to treat complex diseases that are often difficult to address with small-molecule drugs.

Given the important role of proteins in a variety of biological …

Electrolyte Development And Interfacial Reactions At Multivalent Metal Anode For Next Generation Energy Storage Systems, Leslie Gates

Graduate Masters Theses

The increasing demand for safe, sustainable, and high-performance energy storage systems has driven significant interest in multivalent-ion batteries, including aluminum, magnesium, and zinc-based systems. These technologies have attracted attention due to their high theoretical energy densities, natural abundance, low cost, and environmentally benign nature. However, their development remains hindered by a limited fundamental understanding of electrolyte development and interfacial processes at the electrode–electrolyte interface, where complex electrochemical interactions govern battery performance and stability.

This thesis investigates electrode–electrolyte interactions in both a novel aluminum electrolyte and divalent magnesium and zinc systems. Beginning with the development and characterization of a novel aluminum …

In Situ Electrochemical Characterization Techniques For Active Hydrogen In Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction To Ammonia, Hong-Mei Li, Mei Yi, Zhao-Yu Jin, Ming-Hao Xie, Khalid M. Omer, Yong Guo, Pan-Pan Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NitRR) represents a sustainable pathway that integrates environmental remediation with the production of high-value ammonia. However, the activity and selectivity of this process are limited by the generation, consumption, and dynamic equilibrium of the key transient intermediate—active hydrogen (*H). Precise modulation of *H necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its behavior, which relies fundamentally on advanced in situ electrochemical characterization techniques. However, a systematic review dedicated to the rational selection and application of in situ electrochemical techniques for the specific characterization of *H in NitRR, with clear definitions of each technique's "detectable targets, quantitative accuracy, and …

Addressing Knowledge And Data Gaps That Limit Pesticide Risk Assessment For Managed Solitary Bees Used For Alfalfa Pollination, Kimberly J. Hageman

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Isolation Of Lavender Compounds Via Steam Distillation, Emma Norris, Gwendolyn Flippin

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Steam distillation was used to extract (R)- Linalool, Linalyl acetate, and Camphor from lavender during the steam distillation experiment. The compounds were extracted via a steam distillation apparatus. A 250 mL two-neck round-bottom flask, a thermometer adapter, 25 mL a thermometer, a condenser, a distillation head, a vacuum adapter, lab jacks, and clamps made up the apparatus. Then the lavender was massed out and added to a beaker with 100 mL of water. Over time, the distillate is collected in a vial to be analyzed. (R)- Linalool is a nonaromatic alcohol containing two alkenes with the chemical formula C_10 H_18 …

Chemical Profiling Of Star Anise (Illicium Verum) Via Gc–Ms: Identifying Compounds With Pharmaceutical Potential, Legacy Wilson, Yegor Bushnev

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Title: Chemical Profiling of Star Anise (Illicium verum) via GC–MS: Identifying Compounds with Pharmaceutical Potential   Abstract: Star anise (Illicium verum) has been used for both medicinal and culinary applications due to its diverse bioactive compounds. It is a primary natural source of shikimic acid (𝐶7𝐻10𝑂5), a key precursor in the synthesis of the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), used to treat influenza. Additionally, star anise has been used to treat respiratory and digestive conditions and is widely used for flavoring due to its licorice-like aroma, mainly from trans-anethole (𝐶10𝐻12𝑂) , its major component. Previous studies have also demonstrated mild central nervous …

Extracting Aromatic Compounds From Dehydrated Rose Buds, Lana Sheridan

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Eugenol (C10H12O2), methyl eugenol (C11H14O2), and 2-phenylethanol (C8H10O) are chemically aromatic, natural compounds commonly present in various botanical sources and essential oils. Structurally, eugenol is a methoxyphenol bearing an allyl side chain; its methyl ether derivative, methyl eugenol, shares a similar framework but features a methoxy group replacing the free phenolic hydroxyl group found in eugenol. 2-Phenylethanol is an aromatic alcohol comprised of a benzene ring linked to an ethanol moiety. The objective of this project was to isolate and characterize these compounds in dried rose buds using distillation followed by chromatographic and spectrometric analysis. For the experiment, a steam …

Steam Distillation Star Anise, Makayla Maso, Kiara Maso

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Star anise (Illicium verum) contains several volatile organic compounds responsible for its characteristic aroma, including trans-anethole, estragole, limonene, and linalool. These compounds differ in structure and chemical properties, which influence their behavior during isolation and analysis. Trans-anethole and estragole are classified as aromatic phenylpropene derivatives that contain benzene rings and ether functionalities. In contrast, limonene and linalool are non-aromatic terpenes, with linalool additionally possessing an alcohol functional group. These compounds are widely utilized as flavoring agents and fragrance components, while terpenes such as limonene and linalool are also commonly employed as solvents and in formulation chemistry due to their volatility …

Extraction Of Cedarwood Essential Oils Via Steam Distillation, Forrest Dohner

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Many natural materials, including pine and eucalyptus, produce distinct scents due to the presence of volatile organic compounds. In cedarwood, this aroma arises from a combination of aromatic molecules, which are organic compounds containing conjugated carbon ring systems that interact with olfactory receptors. Specifically, cedarwood contains three primary compounds responsible for its scent: cedrol, cedrene, and thujopene. The objective of this experiment was to extract these essential oils from cedarwood and identify their chemical composition. Steam distillation was used to isolate the volatile components by passing steam through the cedarwood, causing the essential oils to vaporize at temperatures below their …

Production And Analysis Of Lavender Essential Oil: Extraction, Composition, And Applications, Mary Zoeller

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Steam distillation was performed to extract essential oil from lavender and analyze its chemical composition. Lavender is known to contain several compounds such as linalool, terpinen-4-ol, and linalyl acetate, which contribute to its characteristic aroma and biological activity. The purpose of this experiment was to isolate these compounds without decomposition and identify them using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Approximately 14.851 g of lavender was heated with water to generate steam, which carried the volatile compounds into a condenser where the vapor was cooled and collected. The distillate was transferred to a separatory funnel to isolate the organic layer from the …

Steam Distillation Of Jasmine, Mikayla Hulvey, Meliah Martin

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This experiment aimed to isolate various components, including benzyl acetate, linalool, indole, and farnesene, from jasmine buds. The functional groups include an ester in benzyl acetate, an alcohol in linalool, an amine in indole, and alkenes in farnesene. Jasmine buds were combined with distilled water and steam distilled using a standard distillation apparatus. The distillate, containing hydrosol and trace amounts of essential oil, was then collected for extraction using methyl tert-butyl (MTBE) for a liquid-liquid extraction. The organic layer was then separated, washed using brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and then transferred for later analysis. The essential oil obtained …

Effects Of Bidisperse Gold Nanoparticles On Near-Infrared Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (Sers) In Quick-Freezing-Induced Gold Nanoparticle Aggregates (Qfiaas), Elissa M. Dojka

Forensic Science Master's Projects

Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) aggregates formed via rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen exhibit strong near-infrared (NIR) plasmonic coupling. These quick-freezing-induced AuNP aggregates (QFIAAs) form moderately sized, colloidally stable structures that remain suspended for over three months, supporting a variety of analytical applications. Mechanistically, QFIAA formation arises from the confinement of nanoparticles and ions within advancing ice grain boundaries during freeze-concentration. This mechanical crowding promotes extreme physical proximity while simultaneously elevating local ionic strength, which screens electrostatic barriers to drive the assembly of dense, tightly coupled plasmonic networks.

This study investigates the plasmonic and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) behavior of bidisperse QFIAA …

Analysis Of Terpenes In Cannabis Flowers Using Gas Chromatography Via Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction (Hs-Spme), Hannah I. Bergner

Forensic Science Master's Projects

As cannabis commercialization grows, rigorous profiling of cannabinoids, terpenes, and chemical contaminants is legally required for industry standardization and consumer safety. Terpenes are highly volatile components that dictate the unique aromatic profiles and therapeutic properties of cannabis via receptor pathways. This project focused on a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector/mass selective detector (GC-FID/MSD) combined with headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) sampling to analyze terpenes present in four cannabis samples. Cannabis samples were tightly sealed in vials (10 mL) and heated to vaporize terpenes in the headspace above the samples, followed by the extraction of the vaporized terpenes using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated SPME …

On The Operation Of A Proteomics Core Facility: Selected Mass Spectrometric Studies And Methods, Rachel E. Muriph

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Mass spectrometry has become an indispensable analytical platform for investigating complex biological systems owing to its sensitivity, selectivity, and molecular specificity. This Dissertation demonstrates the versatility of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) through three studies focused on nanoparticle characterization, protein structural analysis, and plasma proteomics. In Chapter 2, LC-MS methods were developed to characterize novel lipidoid incorporated into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and to evaluate their in vivo biodistribution following systematic administration. Comparative proteomic analysis of the resulting protein coronas revealed distinct differences between liver and lung targeting LNP formulations, providing insight into the potential role of adsorbed blood proteins in …

The Study Of Hydrophobic Biomolecules With Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry And Atomic Force Microscopy, Brandy L. Perkins

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) can be used to obtain localization and chemical information of hydrophobic biomolecules on tissue samples.  A technique has been developed to modify a standard MALDI matrix that improves the selectivity for hydrophobic biomolecules on the tissue sample. The modification involves the use of a Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts (GUMBOS). GUMBOS are ionic liquids (IL) that are bulky organic ions with a counter ion that can be changed for tuning.  They are more stable than traditional matrices under vacuum.  Unlike traditional IL’s, the GUMBOS melting point ranges …

Information Theory Analysis Of Water Vapor Stable Isotopes From The Sail Campaign, Matthew John Rybecky

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Understanding the processes that control water vapor isotopic composition in mountain environ- ments is essential for interpreting isotope records and predicting water resource responses to cli- mate change. This thesis applies information theory to continuous, high-resolution water vapor stable isotope measurements from the Surface Atmosphere Integrated Field Laboratory (SAIL) campaign in the East River watershed of Colorado’s Upper Gunnison Basin, spanning the winter- to-spring transition of 2022–2023. The analysis employs Shannon entropy, mutual information, transfer entropy, and joint transfer en- tropy (JTE) to quantify how environmental variables, including surface meteorology, radiation, tur- bulent fluxes, and ERA5 reanalysis products, transfer information …

Refining A Flow Injection Analysis Method For Trace Concentrations Of Iron In Seawater, Brooke I. Stafford, Liam W. Hodgson, Noah S. Schuhmann, Elijah J. Vestal, Claire P. Till

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Iron is an essential micronutrient required for the growth of phytoplankton, the base of the oceanic food chain. Iron exists in the ocean in extremely low concentrations, limiting primary productivity in ~⅓ of the surface ocean, and can be affected by physical processes such as upwelling of water masses, and by biological and chemical processes within the water. In order to further our understanding of iron availability in the ocean, here we refine and improve our understanding of an analytical method to measure nanomolar iron in seawater. The method used is an adaptation of Lohan et al. (2006), a flow …