The Presence of Organophosphates in Agricultural Products

This study will investigate the presence of specific organophosphates in agricultural products in Lancaster County and in alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine made from agricultural products. Acetone extraction will be used to prepare samples for analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISA) will be performed on all samples to confirm the presence of the pesticides. The ELISA results will be corroborated with GCMS studies.

Refinement of Biochemistry Laboratory Experiments

Biochemistry uses liquid chromatography and electrophoresis to study the properties of macromolecules used as the basis for their separation. This research involves refining two experiments currently performed in the introductory biochemistry course; one is the separation of proteins based on molecular weight, and the second is the separation of proteins based on their net charge. In the first experiment we will use gel permeation chromatography to separate the proteins by relative size. The chromatography will be carried out at ambient conditions. Absorbance spectra of the fractions collected will be read at different wavelengths to determine the elution volume of the protein from the column. The second experiment will use agarose gel electrophoresis. A mixture of protein molecules will be subjected to electrophoresis carried out at with buffers of different pH values. The proteins will migrate to the anode or cathode depending on how the buffer pH affects the net charge on the protein. Since the proteins used will have different colors it will be easy to visualize the separation.

Analysis of Cholesterol and Lipid Content of Foods

A total lipid fraction can be isolated from various foods by solubilizing with chloroform/methanol. Depending on whether this is a plant or animal source, that fraction may also include cholesterol. We have had difficulty detecting cholesterol in these isolated samples using the Leibermann-Buchard assay though controls work well. A first goal will be adapt our process to allow for reliable testing of cholesterol from a variety of samples. A second goal will be to expand the analysis of the lipids isolated using thin layer chromatography (TLC). The total lipid will be separated by TLC, and the identity of various lipids will be determined by comparison to standards.

• Analytical
• Art
• Biochemistry
• Education
• Environmental
• Inorganic
• Nanotechnology
• Organic
• Physical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry