N-bromosuccinimide-fluorescein system for the determination of protein by flow injection chemiluminescence

A method for flow injection with chemiluminescence (CL) detection has been developed for the determination of proteins. It is based on the luminescence of the N-bromosuccinimide-fluorescein-protein system, where fluorescein is used as an energy transfer reagent in alkaline medium. The CL of the system is strongly enhanced by hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Optimum conditions and possible mechanisms have been investigated. Under optimum experimental conditions, the linear range is from 0.4 to 40 µg·mL^?1 for egg albumin, 0.2 to 20 µg·mL^?1 for bovine serum albumin, and from 1 to 100 µg·mL^?1 for bovine hemoglobin. The detection limits are 37, 62, and 240 ng·mL^?1, respectively.     

Identification and Quantification of Heterologous Compounds Parthenin and Organic Acids in Parthenium Hysterophorus L. Using HPLC-PDA-MS-MS

Parthenium hysterophorus L., is an obnoxious weed known for its environmental health hazards and medicinal uses. These characteristics are due to presence of sesquiterpene lactones and organic acids; therefore a rapid and sensitive analytical procedure using HPLC-PDA-MS-MS was developed and optimized for separation, identification, and quantification of parthenin and six organic acids. Separation and characterization of compounds was achieved on a RP-C18 column with 1% acetic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL min^?1 and by matching their UV and mass spectra with reference compounds. Six organic acids (ferulic acid, 0.1 mg g^?1 to coumaric acid, 13.6 mg g^?1) and parthenin (27.4 mg g^?1) were characterized within 26 minutes of chromatographic separation in plant extract. The calibration curves are linear with correlation coefficients from 0.985 to 0.998, limit of detection and quantification ranged between 1.0 µg mL^?1 (anisic acid) to 2.2 µg mL^?1 (parthenin) and 2.5 µg mL^?1 (coumaric acid) to 5.2 µ g mL^?1 (parthenin) and recovery ranged between 90.9% to 97.3%. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report for the simultaneous separation of parthenin and organic acids. The method is applicable for screening of commercial crops, medicinal plants, and their products which might be mixed with P. hysterophorus during harvesting period.     

Determination of Hormone Antagonists in Waste-Water Samples by Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography

The contamination of water represents a major problem in many parts of the world. Endocrine disrupting compounds belong to the water contaminants and affect, besides other things, hormonal equilibrium in the living organisms. Such compounds are of different chemical structures and there is a demand for their fast determination in water samples. In our work, we focused on the development of a simple and fast method for separation and determination of five model hormone antagonists, exemestane, toremifene, letrozole, anastrozole, and mifepristone, by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Within the best conditions, 50 mM sodium borate pH 9.5, 50 mM SDS, 15% 1-propanol, 20 kV, the separation of all the compounds lasted 8 min. The method was successfully validated with LODs of 1.2–7.7 µg mL^?1, LOQs of 4.0–25.6 µg mL^?1 and intraday repeatability of peak areas of 0.8–1.1%. Moreover, it was applied to the analysis of spiked water samples from a local waste-water treatment plant using SPE as a pretreatment step.     

Simultaneous Determination of Mepyramine Maleate,Lidocaine Hydrochloride,and Dexpanthenol in Pharmaceutical Preparations by Partial Least‐Squares Multivariate Calibration

Abstract

A partial least‐squares calibration (PLS) method has been developed for simultaneous quantitative determination of mepyramine maleate (MAM), lidocaine hydrochloride (LIH), and dexpanthenol (DPA) in pharmaceutical preparations. The resolution of these mixtures has been accomplished by using partial least‐squares (PLS‐2) regression analysis of electronic absorption spectral data without prior separation or derivatization. The experimental calibration matrix was constructed with 27 samples. The concentration ranges considered were 2, 3, 4 µg mL^?1 for MAM, 2, 3, 4 µg mL^?1 for LIH, and 8, 10, 12 µg mL^?1 for DPA. The absorbances were recorded between 190 and 340 nm every 5 nm. The results show that PLS‐2 is a simple, rapid, and accurate method applied to the determination of these compounds in pharmaceuticals.     

Fast and High-Performance Screening of Narcotic Drugs on a Microfluidic Device by Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography

This work presents a new approach for fast and sensitive ultraviolet detection of 12 kinds of narcotic drugs on a microfluidic device by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Under optimal sampling and separation conditions the baseline separation of 12 drugs with resolution values ranging from 1.06 to 4.04 and separation efficiency up to 5.14 × 10⁵ plates m^?1 was achieved within 200 s. The widest linear range for detection of these analytes was 1.0 to 1500.0 µg mL^?1. The correlation coefficients are higher than 0.9994. This system can successfully be applied to analyze narcotic drugs in human urine with the aid of liquid-liquid extraction of the samples. This method allows minimum detectable concentrations of these drugs down to 33 ng mL^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. This rapid method with high resolution and sensitivity, and little solvent consumption possessed potential application in screening of narcotic drugs in forensic analysis.     

Nonextractive Trace Level Simultaneous Determination of Mercury(II) and Zinc(II) in Environmental Samples with 2‐(5‐Bromo‐2‐pyridylazo)‐5‐diethylaminophenol and Cetylpyridinium Chloride

Abstract

A simple, rapid, selective, and sensitive method for the derivative spectrophotometric determination of Hg(II) and its simultaneous determination in the presence of Zn(II) using 2‐(5‐bromo‐2‐pyridylazo)‐5‐diethylaminophenol in the presence of cetylpyridinium chloride, a cationic surfactant, has been developed. The molar absorption coefficient and analytical sensitivity of the 1∶1 Hg(II) complex at 558 nm (λ_max) are 5.78×10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1 and 0.67 ng mL^?1, respectively. The detection limit of Hg(II) is 1.40×10^?2 ng mL^?1, and Beer's law is valid in the concentration range 0.05–2.40 µg mL^?1. Overlapping spectral profiles of Hg(II) and Zn(II) complexes in zero‐order mode interfere in their simultaneous determination. However, 0.10–2.00 µg mL^?1 of Hg(II) and 0.065–0.650 µg mL^?1 of Zn(II), when present together, can be simultaneously determined at zero cross point of the derivative spectrum, without any prior separation. The relative standard deviation for six replicate measurements of solutions containing 0.134 µg mL^?1 of Hg(II) and 0.620 µg mL^?1 of Zn(II) is 1.72 and 1.47%, respectively. The proposed method has successfully been evaluated for trace level simultaneous determination of Hg(II) and Zn(II) in environmental samples.     

Magnetic Stirring-Assisted Dispersive Suspended Microextraction with Solidification of a Floating Organic Droplet for the Determination of Trace Fungicides in Water and Wine

For the first time, a simple method for magnetic stirring-assisted dispersive suspended microextraction has been developed for the determination of three fungicides (azoxystrobin, diethofencarb, and pyrimethanil) in water and wine samples. The method is based on the solidification of a floating organic droplet coupled with high performance liquid chromatography. In the proposed method, the low toxicity solvent 1-dodecanol was used as the extractant. Both the extraction and phase separation process were performed with magnetic stirring. No centrifugation step was involved. After separating the two phases, the extraction solvent droplet was easily collected through solidification at lower temperature. Important parameters such as the kind and volume of organic extraction solvent, extraction and restoration speed, extraction and restoration time, and salt concentration were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection for the analytes varied from 0.14 to 0.26 µg L^?1. The enrichment factors ranged from 125–200. The linearity ranges were 1–2000 µg L^?1, yielding correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.9990. The relative standard deviation (n = 6) at two spiked level of 0.2 µg mL^?1 and 4 µg L^?1 varied between 2.2% and 7.8%. Finally, the developed technique was successfully applied to determine target fungicides in real water and wine samples, where the obtained recoveries ranged from 83.8–105.3%     

Colorimetric Determination of Lead Using Gold Nanoparticles

A combined homogeneous assay and colorimetric determination method using gold nanoparticles was developed for rapid determination of lead(II) in contaminated natural waters. The presence of lead(II) in the colloidal gold suspension causes a change in the absorbance of the suspension. An increase in the absorption property at 595 nm is accompanied by a change in the size of the gold nanoparticles. High concentrations of lead cause aggregation of the gold colloids. Colloidal gold nanoparticles were synthesized using tannic acid as the reducing agent; this reagent allowed selective determination of lead in 10 µL of water, with a detection limit of 310 ng mL^?1 with an analysis time of 5 min. The coefficient of variation for lead(II) within the working range of the assay (520 ng mL^?1–13 µg mL^?1) varied from 1.3% to 9.2%. The limit of detection using this method with a sample volume of 50 µL was 60 ng mL^?1. The coefficient of variation for lead over the working range of the determined concentrations (80 ng mL^?1–25 µg mL^?1) varied from 0.2% to 9.3%, while the values for the inter-day assay (n = 8) were less than 10%. The method was employed for the analysis of river, lake, marsh, and spring water; the recovery of lead was determined to be 72.5%–130% for 10 µL of water and 93.6%–114.7% for 50 µL.     

HPLC and UPLC Methods for the Simultaneous Determination of Enalapril and Hydrochlorothiazide in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

High efficiency and less elution are the basic requirements of high-speed chromatographic separation. In this study, a new gradient reverse phase chromatographic methods were developed using HPLC and UPLC systems for simultaneous determination of enalapril maleate (ENL) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCZ) in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The chromatographic separations of ENL and HCZ were achieved on a Waters μ-Bondapak C 18, (300 × 3.9 mm, 10 μm) and Waters Acquity BEH C18 (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) columns for HPLC within 5.30 min and UPLC within a short retention time of 1.95 min, respectively. A linear response was observed over the concentration range 0.270–399 μg mL^?1 of ENL, 0.260–399 μg mL^?1 of HCZ for HPLC system and 0.270–399 μg mL^?1 of ENL and 0.065–249 μg mL^?1 of HCZ for UPLC system. Also, limit of detection for ENL was 1.848 ng mL^?1 and 31.477 ng mL^?1 for HCZ, 2.804 ng mL^?1 for ENL and 2.943 ng mL^?1 for HCZ using HPLC and UPLC, respectively. The proposed methods were validated according to ICH guideline with respect to precision, accuracy, and linearity. Forced degradation studies were also performed for both compounds in bulk drug samples to demonstrate the specificity and stability indicating power of the HPLC method. Comparison of system performance with conventional HPLC was made with respect to analysis time, efficiency, and resolution.     

Improved Multianalyte Determination of the Intense Sweeteners Aspartame and Acesulfame‐K with a Solid Sensing Zone Implemented in an FIA Scheme

Abstract

A multianalyte flow‐through sensor is proposed for the simultaneous determination of aspartame (AS) and acesulfame‐K (AK) in tabletop sweeteners. The procedure is based on the transient retention of AK in the ion exchanger Sephadex DEAE A‐25 placed in the flow‐through cell of a monochannel flow injection analysis (FIA) set‐up using pH 2.70 ortophosphoric acid/sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer 0.06 M as carrier. In these conditions AS is very weakly retained, which makes it possible to measure the intrinsic ultraviolet (UV) absorbance of first AS and then AK after desorption by the carrier itself. The applicable concentration range, the detection limit, and the relative standard deviation were the following: for AS, from 10 to 100 µg mL^?1; 5.65 µg mL^?1; 3.4% (at 50 µg mL^?1); and for AK, between 40 and 100 µg mL^?1; 11.9 µg mL^?1 and 1.61% (at 50 µg mL^?1). The method was applied and validated satisfactorily for the determination of AS and AK blends in tabletop sweeteners. The results were compared against an HPLC reference method.     

Rapid and Highly Sensitive HPLC and TLC Methods for Quantitation of Amlodipine Besilate and Valsartan in Bulk Powder and in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and in Human Plasma

Two simple, sensitive, and specific high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography methods were developed for the simultaneous estimation of Amlodipine besilate (AM) and Valsartan (VL). Separation by HPLC was achieved using a xTerra C18 column and methanol /acetonitrile /water/ 0.05% triethylamine in a ratio 40:20:30:10 by volume as mobile phase, pH was adjusted to 3 ± 0.1 with o-phosphoric acid. The flow rate was 1.2 mL min^?1. The linearity range was 0.2 to 2 µg mL^?1 for amlodipine besilate and 0.4 to 4 µg mL^?1 for Valsartan with a mean percentage recovery of 99.59 ± 0.523% and 100.61 ± 0.400% for amlodipine besilate and valsartan, respectively. The TLC method used silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates; the optimized mobile phase was ethyl acetate/ methanol / ammonium hydroxide (55:45:5 by volume). Quantitatively, the spots were scanned densitometrically at 237 nm. The range was 0.5–4.0 µg spot^?1 for amlodipine besilate and 2.0–12.0 µg spot^?1 for valsartan. The mean percentages recovery was 99.80 ± 0.451% and 100.61 ± 0.363% for amlodipine besilate and valsartan, respectively. The HPLC method was found to be simple, selective, precise, and reproducible for the estimation of both drugs from spiked human plasma.     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Tussilago farfara (L.) essential oil from Quebec,Canada

Abstract

The chemical composition of Tussilago farfara L. essential oil from the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec, Canada was analyzed by gas chromatography–flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the antibacterial activity of the oil was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Forty-five (45) compounds were identified from the GC profile. The main components were 1-nonene (40.1%), α-phellandrene (26.0%) and ρ-cymene (6.6%). The essential oil demonstrated antibacterial activity against E. coli (MIC₅₀ = 468 µg·mL^?1; MIC₉₀ = 6869 µg·mL^?1) and S. aureus (MIC₅₀ = 368 µg·mL^?1; MIC₉₀ = 773 µg·mL^?1). Dodecanoic acid was found to be active against both bacteria having a MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of 16.4 µg·mL^?1 and 95 µg·mL^?1, respectively for E. coli and a MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of 9.8 µg·mL^?1 and 27.3 µg·mL^?1, respectively for S. aureus. In addition, 1-decene and (E)-cyclodecene were also found to be active against E. coli.     

Gas Chromatographic Determination of Guanidino Compounds Using Hexafluoroacetylacetone and Ethyl Chloroformate as Derivatizing Reagents

Guanidino compounds guanidine, methylguanidine, guanidinoacetic acid, guanidinobutyric acid, guanidinopropionic acid, and guanidinosuccinic acid after derivatization with hexafluoroacetylacetone and ethyl chloroformate at pH 9 in aqueous phase, eluted, and separated from gas chromatographic column HP-5 (30 m × 0.32 mm id) with film thickness of 0.25 μm at an initial column temperature 90 °C for 2 min, followed by heating rate of 10 °C min^?1 up to 220 °C with nitrogen flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. The detection was by flame ionization detector. The linear calibration ranges of each of guanidino compounds were obtained within 1–10 μg mL^?1, and the limit of detection was within 0.014–0.19 μg mL^?1. The derivatization and gas chromatography elution and separation were repeatable in terms of retention time and peak height/peak area with relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 4) within 1.7–2.9 % and 1.4–2.8 %, respectively. The method was applied for the determination of guanidino compounds from deproteinized serum of uremic patients and healthy volunteers, and was found in the range below the limit of quantitation (BLOQ) to 1.25 μg mL^?1 with RSD within 1.4–3.6 %, and BLOQ to 0.4 μg mL^?1 with RSD 1.3–3.4 %, respectively. A number of pharmaceutical additives did not effect the determination with RSD within ±3.1 %.     

Cadmium and Lead Distribution in Marine Soil Sediments,Terrestrial Soil,Terrestrial Rock,and Atmospheric Particulate Matter around Split,Croatia

The distributions of cadmium and lead in marine sediments, surrounding soil, stones, and atmospheric particulate matter were determined at different locations in Split, Croatia. The determination of cadmium and lead was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry whereas atmospheric particulate matter samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Cadmium concentrations in the stones and soil were between 0.2 to 0.6 µg g^?1 and 0.2 to 0.9 µg g^?1. The concentration in the atmospheric particulate matter were <0.2 µg m^?2 d^?1(detection limit) to 1.4 µg m^?2 d^?1. Lead concentrations in marine sediments, stones, soil, and atmospheric particulate matter ranged from 31.2 to 144.4 µg g^?1, 9.3 to 29.4 µg g^?1, 11.3 to 66.1 µg g^?1, and 0.5 to 241.4 µg m^?2 d^?1, respectively. The relationship between determined parameters was established using principal component analysis and the results are in agreement with the assumption that anthropogenic sources play important roles for lead and cadmium distribution.     

A novel chemiluminescence reaction system for the determination of lincomycin with diperiodatonickelate(IV)

A sensitive and high selective chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the determination of lincomycin in acid medium using diperiodatonickelate as a reagent. The mechanism leading to luminescence is discussed by comparing the spectra of fluorescence and CL. Relative CL intensity is linear in the range from 8.0 ng mL^?1 to 1.0 µg mL^?1, the limit of detection is 2.5 ng mL^?1 (3σ), and the relative standard deviation is 4.0% at 0.1 µg mL^?1 of lincomycin (n?=?7). The method was successfully applied to the determination of lincomycin in injections, human urine, and in serum samples.     

Development and Validation of a UHPLC UV Method for the In-Process Control of Bosentan Monohydrate Synthesis

Bosentan monohydrate (4-tert-butyl-N-[6-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yl) pyrimidin-4-yl]benzene-1-sulfonamide monohydrate) is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) applied in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. To achieve effective process control of the bosentan monohydrate synthesis, it was necessary to develop a selective and not highly time-consuming method for ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The method is characterized by adequate sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of bosentan monohydrate and related compounds from all synthetic stages. The UHPLC separation was carried out by reversed phase chromatography on the Acquity BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) with a mobile phase composed of solvent A (0.1 %, v/v, acetic acid in water) and solvent B (methanol), in the gradient mode at the flow rate of 0.4 mL min⁻¹. Limits of detection and quantification for the compounds were ≤0.1 µg mL⁻¹ and 0.3 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. The linearity for all related compounds was investigated as in the range for the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and as in the range for the in-process control. The developed method was validated according to the current guidelines, proving the suitability of the method for its intended purpose.

     

Analysis of Carbamazepine in Tablet and Human Serum by Sweeping‐Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography Method

Abstract

A sensitive and simple micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method was developed for the determination of the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) using a sweeping on‐line concentration method with photodiode array detection. The effect of pH, concentration of the running buffer solution, organic modifier, applied voltage and injection time on the concentration efficiency and separation was investigated. An untreated fused‐silica capillary was used (50 cm; effective length, 40 cm, 75 µm i.d.) for the analysis. The background solution (BGS) was 50 mmol · L^?1 NaH₂PO₄ (pH 3.0) containing 100 mmol · L^?1 SDS and 20% acetonitrile (5.82 ms · cm^?1) with an applied voltage of ?20 kV at 25°C. Sample introduction was performed at 0.5 psi for 90 s with diode array detection at 214 nm. For the method, the calibration curve was linear over a range of 0.5–40 µg · mL^?1 for CBZ with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The detection limit (S/N=3∶1) of CBZ was 0.10 µg · mL^?1. About 100‐fold improvement in concentration sensitivity was achieved in terms of peak height by the sweeping method compared to conventional injection method. The sweeping‐MEKC method has been successfully applied to the analysis of CBZ in tablet and human serum.     

Determination of Poisonous Trace Element Thallium(I) by Kinetic Catalytic Reaction

Abstract

A effective and simple determination of poisonous trace element thallium(I) by means of kinetic catalytic reaction is proposed. The method is based on a catalytic effect of thallium(I) on a luminol-hydrogen peroxide system. Three different kinds of surfactants, cetrimonium bromide (CTMAB), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and Tween-80, are also investigated to improve the detection sensitivity. In optimum conditions, a highly selective and sensitive method for detecting trace thallium(I) has been established. The detection limit is 0.0073 µg · mL^?1, the relative standard deviation for six determinations of 0.04 µg · mL^?1 thallium(I) is less than 4.0%, and the linear range of determination is 0.02–0.1 µg · mL^?1.     

Determination of Explosives in Water Using Disposable Pipette Extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography

The use of disposable pipette extraction was examined for the simple and rapid determination of seven high explosives (cyclotrimethyl-enetrinitramine, cyclotetramethyl-enetetranitramine, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-methylnitramine, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, nitroglycerin, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate) in water. The current study involved the determination of slightly polar and nonpolar explosives in water with a reversed phase sorbent followed by high performance liquid chromatography. The method was based on a styrene divinylbenzene sorbent loosely placed inside a 5-mL pipette tip. Water samples were drawn into the tip and mixed with the sorbent. Air bubbles were also drawn through the tip following sample solution to enhance mixing. Because disposable pipette extraction uses small amounts of sorbent, minimal solvent is required to elute analytes and solvent evaporation is not necessary. The method provided rapid sample preparation, and required less than five minutes to extract 1.0 mL of water sample in the current study. Matrix-matched calibration was performed, and the limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be below 0.1 µg mL^?1 for all targeted explosives in water with an enrichment factor of two. Coefficients of determination (r²) were greater than 0.9990 for all studied explosives, and the recoveries ranged from 69.76% to 87.51%, 83.77% to 91.25%, and 83.62% to 98.99% for samples spiked at 0.25 µg mL^?1, 1.0 µg mL^?1, and 5.0 µg mL^?1, respectively. The relative standard deviations of recoveries at all spiked levels were below 8.97%. These results indicate that the disposable pipette extraction method provided good accuracy and precision for the determination of explosives in water.     

A Stability-Indicating Assay of Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution and Stress Testing Using HILIC

A stability-indicating hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of Brimonidine tartrate (BT) formulated as an ophthalmic solution. Isocratic separation was achieved using an acetonitrile-buffer mixture (92:8, v/v) at pH 7.1 on an unmodified silica column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The drug was subjected to oxidative, hydrolytic, photolytic and thermal stress conditions and complete separation was achieved for the parent compound and degradation products. The influence of acetonitrile, pH and ionic strength of the buffer was studied. Linearity range and recoveries for BT were 100–400 μg mL^?1 and 100.12%, respectively. The method was validated for BT and indicated that the method was sufficiently sensitive with a limit of detection at 0.005 μg mL^?1 and a limit of quantitation at 0.02 μg mL^?1, respectively.