Reagent synthesis and testing assays to detect and quantify manganese (II)
Inventors
Holmes, Anna Merritt • Waddell, Emanuel Austin
Assignees
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Publication Number
US-11815463-B1
Publication Date
2023-11-14
Expiration Date
2040-06-29
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to methods of detecting manganese in a solution using resacetophenone oxime by spectrophotometric analysis wherein the resacetophenone oxime produces colorimetric responses to indicate the presence of manganese. The resacetophenone oxime is not only stable in solution, but it also may be inserted into a hydrocolloid gel to facilitate a “spot test” for the detection of manganese, resulting in a long shelf life. These manganese testing methods disclosed herein may be used at the pre-disinfection process at water treatment facilities. The disclosed methods of manganese testing may be combined with an ammoniacal buffer reagent that may be used by water processing facilities, prior to final disinfection, to augment existing manganese (II) efforts of removal. A secondary flocculation with this buffer will scavenge additional manganese (II), that can then be removed by sedimentation or filtration.
Core Innovation
The present disclosure relates to methods for detecting and quantifying manganese (II) in solutions using resacetophenone oxime, which produces a colorimetric response upon interaction with manganese. The method involves preparing positive control samples containing manganese and negative controls without manganese, adding resacetophenone oxime, incubating the mixtures, and then measuring for a color change indicating manganese presence. The colorimetric reaction can be quantified using spectrophotometry, thus enabling sensitive detection.
To improve stability and facilitate easy testing, resacetophenone oxime can be incorporated into a hydrocolloid gel, such as gellan gum, allowing for spot tests with long shelf lives. The hydrocolloid format means reagents can be stored as gel beads, which dissolve in sample wells to release the reactive compound without interfering with the assay. This format eliminates the need for handling unstable liquid reagents and does not affect spectrophotometric measurements.
The problem addressed by this invention is that existing methods for manganese detection in water, such as the persulfate and atomic absorption methods, are toxic, require advanced laboratory equipment, have high detection limits, and are expensive to outsource. There is a critical need for a safer, simpler, and more accessible method for manganese detection, particularly one that can operate at the low concentrations required by global water standards for pharmaceutical and bottled water. The disclosed approach provides a user-friendly, non-toxic alternative, allowing water treatment and processing facilities to conduct in-house testing and remediation.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims, one directed to a method for testing for the presence of manganese in a sample solution, and another directed to a kit for testing for the presence of manganese.
Method for testing for manganese using resacetophenone oxime in a hydrocolloid gel
The inventive feature centers on a process that includes: 1. Preparing at least one positive control containing manganese and a negative control without manganese. 2. Adding resacetophenone oxime, contained within a hydrocolloid gel, to all controls and the sample solution, with the gel configured to at least partially dissolve upon mixing. 3. Incubating the mixture. 4. Measuring for a colorimetric reaction, where the occurrence of color change indicates the presence of manganese.
Kit for testing for manganese using resacetophenone oxime in a hydrocolloid gel
The inventive feature includes a kit comprising: - A manganese positive control. - A negative control containing no manganese. - Resacetophenone oxime contained within a hydrocolloid gel. The kit may also further comprise a multi-well plate.
The claims are directed to both a method and a kit enabling the detection of manganese via a stable, hydrocolloid gel-based resacetophenone oxime system, allowing for practical, reliable, spot-based or multi-well assays for manganese detection.
Stated Advantages
The method and reagents are less toxic and safer to use than existing EPA-approved methods, eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals.
Testing can be performed easily at water treatment facilities without requiring specialized, outsourced laboratory services.
The hydrocolloid gel format provides long shelf life and increased reagent stability.
The method allows for detection of manganese (II) at low threshold concentrations meeting strict international water quality standards.
The method and reagents facilitate in-house, immediate remediation of manganese contamination in water supplies.
Spectrophotometric measurement enables simple, quantitative analysis that does not require highly skilled personnel.
The approach results in substantial cost reduction compared to methods requiring expensive waste disposal and high specialization.
Documented Applications
Use in water treatment facilities to detect and quantify manganese (II) at the pre-disinfection stage.
Application in water processing facilities prior to final disinfection to augment removal of manganese (II).
Testing of solutions sampled from water supplies to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical and bottled water standards.
Use as a remediation step with ammoniacal buffer to scavenge and allow removal of manganese (II) by sedimentation or filtration.
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