Volume 36, Issue 2

Human body odor is a unique identity feature of individual as well as an established composite of numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to significant chemical classes. Several analytical methods have been used in the characterization of human body odor in order to recognize the chemical composition of VOCs in medical, forensic, and biometric applications. Besides, real-time sensing systems (based on the chemical sensors) are being researched and developed for qualitative and quantitative recognition of VOCs in body odor. The present review focuses the state-of-the-art research outcomes related to the characterization of human body odor with the objective to identify the VOCs belonging to aldehyde class. Furthermore, the application of chemical sensors in past studies for the detection of aldehydes besides other chemical compounds in body odor is summarized and the significance of aldehydes detection in different applications is discussed.

A comprehensive review with 337 references for the analysis of some selected 4-quinolone drugs belonging to the first and second generations since 2006 up till now is presented. This group includes nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid, piromidic acid, pipemidic acid and rosoxacin from the first generation and enoxacin, fleroxacin, nadifloxacin, pefloxacin and rufloxacin from the second generation. The review covers most of the methods described for the analysis of these drugs, either per se , in dosage forms, biological fluids, environmental samples, cosmetics, animal tissues and feed-premix samples.

Metal ions play critical roles in numerous fundamental life processes. Hence, there is a great need to effectively monitor and image metal ions. Fluorescent probes are one of the most effective methods for measuring metal ions. In general, according to the different recognition mechanisms of fluorescent probes, they can be divided into two categories: reversible probes and irreversible probes. Among the various fluorophores, rhodamine and fluorescein, as the typical representatives of xanthene, have been paid much attention in biological imaging due to their high absorption coefficient, high fluorescence quantum yield, and water solubility. This review highlights the recent advances on chelation-based xanthene fluorescent probes that have been used for detecting metal ions. The focus has been on the design strategies to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of fluorescent probes by introducing different recognition moieties. Meanwhile, their recognition mechanism and applications are particularly highlighted.