Stable isotope dilution-mass spectrometry for determining total selenium levels in plants, soils and sewage sludges

Quantitation of selenium in plants, soils and sludges was achieved by isotope dilution-mass spectrometry using a benchtop instrument. Samples for analysis were spiked with (76)Se isotope solution. Plant material was digested on a heating block at 150 degrees C using a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Selenium in soils and sludges was released by treatment with nitric acid followed by digestion with nitric and hydrofluoric acids. Selenium in the digests was reduced to Se(IV) with hydrochloric acid and derivatised with nitro-1, 2-phenylenediamine to 5'-nitropiazselenol. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring was validated using certified reference materials (CRMs) and gave results within the certified range with a low standard deviation. The CRMs plant (Chinese cabbage leaves) and soil (Chinese soil) were found to contain (+/-95% confidence limits) 0.091(+/-0.007) mug g(-1) and 1.67(+/- 0.04) mug g(-1)Se respectively. The certified values were 0.083(+/-0.008) mug g(-1) and 1.56(+/-0.12) mug g(-1) respectively. The selenium content of four different freely drained acid Scottish soils under grasslands was in the range 0.5-0.8 mug g(-1) air-dried soil. Sewage sludges were found to contain measurably more selenium than the soils, and samples of three sludges taken from sites in the UK contained between 1.1 and 3.5 mug g(-1) dry matter.     

Differential pulse polarographic determination of selenium(IV) in whole blood using the catalytic hydrogen wave

The selenium content in blood was determined using the hydrogen catalytic peak. This peak at -1.1 V was obtained in the presence of selenium and molybdenum at pH values of 1-4 in different buffers. For the determination of selenium, the Mo(VI) concentration has to be approximately 100-200 times higher than the selenium present. The linear domain range of selenium is 1x10(-6)-5x10(-9) M. The interference of zinc is eliminated by the addition of EDTA at pH 3.5 acetate buffer. The method was applied to 1.0 ml of digested blood, and 620+/-44 mug l(-1) Se and 7.15 mg l(-1) Zn could be determined with a 90% (n=6) confidence interval.     

Simultaneous determination of manganese and selenium in serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for determination of manganese and selenium in serum by simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) is proposed. The samples (30 mul) were diluted (1+3) to 1.0% v/v HNO(3)+0.10% w/v Triton X-100 directly in the autosampler cups. A total of 20 mug Pd+10 mug Mg(NO(3))(2) was used as chemical modifier. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for the simultaneous heating program were 1200 and 2300 degrees C, respectively. The addition of an oxidant mixture (15% w/w H(2)O(2)+1.0% v/v HNO(3)) and the inclusion of a low temperature pyrolysis step (400 degrees C) attenuated the build-up of carbonaceous residues onto the integrated platform. An aliquot of 15 mul of the reference or sample solution was introduced into the graphite tube and heated at 80 degrees C; subsequently, 10 mul of oxidant mixture+10 mul of chemical modifier was introduced over that aliquot and the remaining heating program steps were executed. This strategy allowed at least 250 heating cycles for each THGA tube without analytical signal deterioration. The characteristic masses for manganese (6 pg) and selenium (46 pg) were estimated from the analytical curves. The detection limits were 6.5 pg (n=20, 3delta) for manganese and 50 pg (n=20, 3delta) for selenium. The reliability of the entire procedure was checked with the analysis of serum from Seronormtrade mark Trace Elements in Serum (Sero AS) and by addition and recovery tests (97+/-9% for manganese and 96+/-7% for selenium) using five serum samples.     

Flow-injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometric study of the automated on-line pre-reduction of arsenate, methylarsonate and dimethylarsinate and high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of their l-cysteine complexes

An automated on-line pre-reduction of arsenate, monomethylarsonate (MMA) and dimethylarsinate (DMA) using flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HGAAS) is feasible. The kinetics of pre-reduction and complexation depend strongly on the concentration of l-cysteine and on the temperature in the following increasing order: inorganic As(V)相似文献   

An insight into the solution equilibria of magnesium(II) with purpurin and spectrophotometric determination of magnesium

The complexation equilibria of magnesium(II) with purpurin (PURP) are studied spectrophotometrically as a function of pH in 50% (v/v) ethanol-water medium at 20 degrees C. The uncharged complex formed at pH 9.5 allows precise and accurate determination of magnesium over the concentration range 0.8-4.3 mug ml(-1). The molar absorptivity of the Mg-PURP complex at 540 nm and detection limit for Mg are 9.2x10(3) l mol(-1) cm(-1) and 75 ng ml(-1), respectively. The proposed method is rapid and possesses reasonable selectivity. Under the optimum conditions, the use of first-derivative spectrophotometry has the advantage of high sensitivity than normal spectrophotometry and allows the determination of 0.2 mug ml(-1) of magnesium. The validity of the method is examined by analysing several SRM Portland cement samples and a variety of cement materials of variable magnesia content.     

Cobalt determination with FI-FAAS after on-line sorbent preconcentration using 1-nitroso-2-naphthol

The suitability of 1-nitroso-2-naphthol (NN) as a complexing agent for on-line preconcentration of cobalt using C(18) microcolumn with FI-FAAS system has been tested. Various parameters affecting the complex formation and its elution were optimized. Reagent solution (2.5x10(-3) mol l(-1)) and aqueous sample solution acidified with 0.1% (v/v) nitric acid were on-line mixed in a reaction coil set at 65+/-1 degrees C and flowed through the microcolumn for 30 s. The pH of the mixed solution was adjusted to 3 approximately 4 by adding HNO(3) (1 mol l(-1)) or NaOH (1 mol l(-1)) in the reagent solution. The adsorbed complexes in the microcolumn were eluted with ethanol (acidified to 1% nitric acid) in 10 s into the nebulizer of FAAS. A good precision (1.6% for 100 mug l(-1) Co(II), n=10), high enrichment factor 17.2, with detection limit (3sigma) 3.2 mug l(-1), and sample throughput (90 h(-1)) were obtained. The method was applied on the certified reference materials (CRMs) i.e. NBS-362 and NBS-364 (special low alloy steel), for the determination of cobalt and the results were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Medium calcium concentration determines keratin intermediate filament density and distribution in immortalized cultured thymic epithelial cells (TECs).

Isolation and culture of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) using conventional primary tissue culture techniques under conditions employing supplemented low calcium medium yielded an immortalized cell line derived from the LDA rat (Lewis [Rt1l] cross DA [Rt1a]) that could be manipulated in vitro. Thymi were harvested from 4-5-day-old neonates, enzymically digested using collagenase (1 mg/ml, 37 degrees C, 1 h) and cultured in low calcium WAJC404A medium containing cholera toxin (20 ng/ml), dexamethasone (10 nM), epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml), insulin (10 mug/ml), transferrin (10 mug/ml), 2% calf serum, 2.5% Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM), and 1% antibiotic/antimycotic. TECs cultured in low calcium displayed round to spindle-shaped morphology, distinct intercellular spaces (even at confluence), and dense reticular-like keratin patterns. In high calcium (0.188 mM), TECs formed cobblestone-like confluent monolayers that were resistant to trypsinization (0.05%) and displayed keratin intermediate filaments concentrated at desmosomal junctions between contiguous cells. Changes in cultured TEC morphology were quantified by an analysis of desmosome/membrane relationships in high and low calcium media. Desmosomes were significantly increased in the high calcium medium. These studies may have value when considering the growth conditions of cultured primary cell lines like TECs.     

Use of self-plasticizing EVA membrane for potentiometric anion detection

A method based on solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography flame photometric detector for the determination of organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in aqueous samples was described. Five kinds of commercially available fibers-7, 30 and 100 mum PDMS, 85 mum PA and 65 mum PDMS-DVB-were compared and 100 mum PDMS and 85 mum PA were the most sensitive fiber coatings for the analytes. The extraction time, extraction temperature, pH and content of NaCl were found to have significant influence on extraction efficiency. The optimized conditions were 100 mum PDMS fiber, 30 min extraction time at 40 degrees C, with 3% NaCl content and no pH adjustment. The linear range was 0.5-100 mug l(-1) for most of the analytes. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.049 mug l(-1) (for parathion) to 0.301 mug l(-1) (for carbophenothion) and RSD% of repeatability at the 10 mug l(-1) level were all below 8%. Environmental water samples were analyzed, but none of the analytes was detected. The recovery of spiked water samples was from 75.3 to 102.6%.     

Study of chemical modifiers for direct determination of silver in sea water by ETA-AAS with deuterium background correction

Methods for the direct determination of silver in sea water samples by ETA-AAS using different chemical modifiers were studied. The effect of salinity was studied using synthetic sea water of high (72.8 per thousand) and low (34.2 per thousand) salinity, and the results were compared with aqueous standard solutions. The charring temperatures achieved were 800 and 900 degrees C for magnesium nitrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate respectively, being 1100 degrees C for palladium nitrate and their mixtures. The best sensitivity obtained in the peak-height measurement mode was achieved by using reduced palladium (limit of detection (LOD) between 0.5 and 1.1 mug l(-1) for an injection volume of 20 mu1) with analytical recoveries close to 100% for synthetic and real sea water samples. The use of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (LOD of 1.3 mug l(-1) for an injection volume of 20 mu1) produced good recoveries for low salinity; at high salinity an increase of around 25% was obtained, the method being unsuitable for sea water analysis. Finally, an interference study of the major components of sea water was carried out and applied to the analysis of surface sea water from the Galicia coast.     

Preconcentration of Cr(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) as calmagite chelates on cellulose nitrate membrane filter prior to their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinations

A method for the preconcentration and determination of Cr(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II) ions by atomic absorption spectrometry has been described. The method was based the collection of metal-calmagite complexes on a soluble cellulose nitrate membrane filter. The detection of the solution was obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after completely dissolving the membrane with 0.5 ml of nitric acid at 80 degrees C. The metal ions were recovered quantitatively at pH 8. Various factors which affect the collection and determination of metal ions such as, type and size of the membrane filter, solvent for dissolution of the species retained on the filter were investigated. The detection limits were varying 0.06 mug l(-1) for Cu to 2.5 mug l(-1) for Cr. An application of the proposed method for analyte ions in mineral and tap water samples was also described with satisfactory results (recoveries >95%, relative standard deviations <10%).     

Chromium speciation by a surfactant-coated alumina microcolumn using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and convenient method has been developed for the speciation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) in aqueous solutions using a sodium dodecyl sulphate coated alumina micro-column (1.5 cm x 5 mm i.d.) and graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Under the optimized conditions (pH 0.6, adjusted with hydrochloric acid; flow rate, 1 ml min(-1)) chromium(VI) is retained on the column and chromium(III) is collected and determined by GF-AAS. Total chromium is directly determined by GF-AAS and chromium(VI) is calculated by difference. The relative standard deviations (10 replicate analyses) at the 20 mug l(-1) level for chromium(III) and chromium(VI) and at the 40 mug l(-1) level for total chromium were 1.4%, 3.6% and 1.8%, and the corresponding limits of detection (based on 3sigma) were 0.57 mug ml(-1), 0.61 mug ml(-1) and 0.35 mug l(-1) respectively. No large interference effects have been observed from other investigated species and the method has been successfully applied to a range of water samples.     

Colour reaction of chromium (VI) with N,N-diethyl-1,4-phenylenediame in the presence of ethanol and cyclohexyldiamine tetraacetic acid as well as its application in the species analysis of chromium

A simple, rapid and precise spectrophotometric method for the determination of Chromium (III and IV) has been developed. The reaction of Cr(VI) with N,N-diethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine is almost complete in a twinkling, which yields a red product with a wavelength of maximum absorption at 530 nm. Beer's Law is obeyed in the Cr concentration range of 0-2.0 mug ml(-1). The molar absorptivity is 5.0x10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1), limit of detection 0.002 mug ml(-1) and relative SD=1.13% for 5.04 mug Cr. The colouring rate and absorbance are not noticeably affected by temperature from 2 to 45 degrees C. The amounts of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) were measured by determining Cr(VI) first under the condition of masking Cr(III) by cyclohexyldiamine tetraacetic acid, and then the total amount by oxidation of Cr(III). The method was applied to the analyses of some industrial waste waters containing Cr with satisfactory results.     

Kinetic determination of selenium, based on inhibition of the Pd(II)-catalysed reaction between pyronine G and hypophosphite

A new kinetic method for determination of selenium is based on its inhibitory effect on the Pd(II)-catalysed reaction between Pyronine G and hypophosphite. Under the optimum experimental conditions (6 x 10(-5)M Pyronine G, 0.4M hypophosphite, 0.4 mug/ml Pd(II), pH 2.8, temperature 22.0 +/- 0.2 degrees ), Se can be determined in the concentration range 0.033-0.50 mug/ml. The method suffers from numerous interferences and is thus limited in application. It has been applied to the determination of selenium in spring waters and pharmaceutical preparations.     

Cyclodextrin enhanced spectrofluorimetric determination of fluoxetine in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids

The characteristics of host-guest complexation between methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and fluoxetine were investigated by fluorescence spectrometry. A 1:1 stoichiometry of the complex was established and association constant of 4.35x10(-3) M(-1) at 20 degrees C was calculated. A spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of fluoxetine, with a range of application between 40 and 1000 mug l(-1) was developed. Overall least squares regression was used to find the straight line that fitted the experimental data. The detection limit, according to the error propagation theory, was 9.6 mug l(-1) and the detection limit proposed by Clayton was 15.8 mug l(-1). Repeatability and relative standard deviation were also determined according to this theory, with satisfactory results. The method was successfully applied to the determination of fluoxetine in pharmaceuticals and biological fluids.     

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of selenium

A simple, rapid and sensitive flow injection spectrophotometric method for determination of selenium (0.005-1.5 mug ml(-1)) is described. The method is based on the catalytic effect of Se(IV) on the reduction reaction of thionine (TN) with sulphide ion, monitored spectrophotometrically at 598 nm. The detection limit is 5 ng ml(-1) the relative standard deviation for eight replicate measurements is 1.1% for 1 mug ml(-1) of selenium. The sampling rate is 25-30 samples h(-1). The procedure was applied successfully to the determination of selenium in real samples.     

Preconcentration of lead complexed with O,O-diethyl-dithiophosphate by column solid-phase extraction using different sorbents in a flow injection system coupled to a flame atomic absorption spectrometer

A comparative study of C(18) immobilized on silica, activated carbon and a polyurethane foam, as sorbents for Pb complexed with O,O-diethyl-dithiophosphate in a flow injection preconcentration system is reported. The complex was formed in 1.0 M HCl medium and processed in a simple system using a peristaltic pump, a manual injector-commutator and a mini-column filled with the sorbent. Using ethanol as eluent, the richest 150-mul fraction was collected and measured (after discarding 150, 200 and 0 mul for the activated carbon, foam and C(18), respectively) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum concentration of the complexing agent was 0.05% m/v for C(18) and 0.2% m/v for the activated carbon and the polyurethane foam. The best sample loading flow rate was 4.0 ml min(-1) for the activated carbon and 2.0 ml min(-1) for C(18) and the polyurethane foam, while the best elution flow rate was 1.0 ml min(-1) (activated carbon) and 0.6 ml min(-1) (C(18) and foam). It was found that beyond a certain loading sample volume, for a constant analyte mass, the signal decreased. The maximum loading sample volume, for a constant analyte mass, before the signal started to decrease, was 50 ml for the activated carbon and 150 ml for the other materials. By processing 25 ml, the enrichment factors were 23, 55 and 166 for the activated carbon, foam and C(18), respectively. The best limit of detection (3sigma) was 0.3 mug l(-1) for the C(18) (1.2 mug l(-1) for the foam and 3 mug l(-1) for the activated carbon). As shown, the C(18) has a much superior retention performance in comparison to the other two materials.     

On-line preconcentration and determination of copper, lead and chromium(VI) using unloaded polyurethane foam packed column by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in natural waters and biological samples

A simple, sensitive and low cost, flow injection time-based method was developed for on-line preconcentration and determination of copper, lead and chromium(VI) at sub mug l(-1) levels in natural waters and biological samples. At the optimum pH, the on-line formed metal-ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) complexes were sorbed on the unloaded commercial polyurethane foam (PUF), and subsequent eluted quantitatively by isobutylmethylketone and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). All chemical, and flow injection variables were optimized for the quantitative preconcentration of each metal and a study of interference level of various ions was also carried out. The system offered improved flexibility, low backpressure and applicability to all the studied metals. At a sample frequency of 36 h(-1) and a 60 s preconcentration time, the enhancement factor was 170, 131 and 28, the detection limit was 0.2, 1.8 and 2.0 mug l(-1), and the precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (s(r)), was 2.8 (at 10 mug l(-1)), 3.4 (at 50 mug l(-1)) and 3.6% (at 50 mug l(-1)) for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The accuracy of the developed method was sufficient and evaluated by the analysis of certified reference materials and spiked water samples. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of environmental samples.     

On-line determination of antimony(III) and antimony(V) in liver tissue and whole blood by flow injection - hydride generation - atomic absorption spectrometry

A new analytical procedure for the speciation of antimony in liver tissues is presented here. For this purpose, a flow injection system has been developed for the treatment of samples and the determination of antimony by hydride generation - atomic absorption spectrometry. The method involves the sequential and the on-line extraction of antimony(III) and antimony(V) from solid lyophilized blood and hamsters liver tissues, with 1.5 mol l(-1) acetic acid and 0.5 mol l(-1) sulfuric acid for Sb(III) and Sb(V), respectively. Reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) for stibine generation is effected by the on-line pre-reduction with l-cysteine. The linear ranges were 2.5-20 and 1.0-25 mug l(-1) of Sb(III) and Sb(V), respectively. The detection limits (3sigma) were 1.0 mug l(-1) for Sb(III) and 0.5 mug l(-1) for Sb(V). The relative standard deviation values for fifteen independent measurements were 2.1 and 1.8% for Sb(III) and Sb(V), respectively. The recovery studies performed with samples of cattle liver provided results from 98 to 100% for Sb(III) and from 100 to 103% for Sb(V) for samples spiked with single species. For samples spiked with both Sb(III) and Sb(V), the recovery varied from 97 to 103% for Sb(III) and from 101 to 103% for Sb(V).     

Spectrophotometric flow injection determination of formetanate and m-aminophenol in water after reaction with p-aminophenol

An automated procedure has been developed for the determination of formetanate and its metabolite m-aminophenol (MAP) in water samples. MAP can be selectively determined in the presence of formetanate by direct on-line reaction with p-aminophenol and spectrophotometric measurement of the absorbance at 576 nm in the presence of KIO(4), as oxidizing agent. The method has a limit of detection of 5 x 10(-7)M, it provides a recovery percentage from 95 to 104% and permits one to carry out 120 measurements/hr. The spectrophotometric determination of formetanate must be carried out after a previous hydrolysis to MAP. To determine formetanate in the presence of MAP, two steps are necessary. Firstly, the MAP content is selectively determined as has been mentioned above. After that, the sample is treated with 0.05M NaOH at 90' degrees C, to hydrolyze the formetanate to MAP, and then the sum of both is determined spectrophotometrically. The difference between the results obtained in each step gives the formetanate concentration. The developed procedure for the determination of formetanate provides a sensitivity of 1070 absorbance units mol(-1) l and a limit of detection of 1.9 x 10(-7)M, which corresponds to 50 mug/l of formetanate hydrochloride. The method has been applied to the analysis of natural water samples fortified with formetanate and MAP, and formetanate has also been quantitatively recovered in irrigation waters at a concentration level of 1.9 x 10(-6)M which corresponds to 500 mug/l. On the other hand, working in the stopped-flow mode, for a reaction time of 100 sec, the sensitivity of the formetanate determination can be increased to 4642 absorbance units mol(-1) l but the limit of detection remains of the order of 44 mug/l.     

Direct determination of selenium in a wild fruit juice by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A matrix modifier composed of platinum and nickel is proposed for the determination of selenium in a wild fruit juice made from Lantingguo (Vuccinium uliginosam). Five matrix modifiers (copper/nickel, palladium/magnesium, platinum/magnesium, platinum/nickel and platinum/copper) for suppressing the interference effects of seven co-existing elements (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and iron) in a wild juice were studied and a matrix modifier composed fro;m 10 mug of platinum and 200 mug of nickel was found to give the best performance. Selenium in three juices was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry employing the proposed matrix modifier without matrix preseparation. The relative standard deviation was 14% for 0.20 mg l(-1) of selenium. The recoveries were 95-110%. A characteristic mass was 28 pg.