Determination of amitraz and its transformation products in pears by ethyl acetate extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for identification and quantification of the acaricide amitraz and its transformation products, 2,4-dimethylaniline (DMA), 2,4-dimethylformamidine (DMF) and N-2,4-dimethylphenyl-N-methylformamidine (DMPF) in pears. The analytes were extracted using ethyl acetate and anhydrous sodium sulphate. Analysis was performed by liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS/MS) in the positive ion mode using a triple quadrupole (QqQ) instrument. Two precursor-product ion transitions were monitored for each compound in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The method was validated with pears taken from the orchard before the amitraz treatment and spiked at the limit of quantification (LOQ), 10 times the LOQ and the maximum residue limit (MRL). Recoveries were between 70 and 106% and relative standard deviations were below 19% (n = 5 at each spiked level). Excellent sensitivity resulted in limits of detection (LODs) for all the compounds below 10 μg kg⁻¹. Quantification was carried out using matrix-matched standards calibration, response was a linear function of the concentration from the LOQs to, at least, three orders of magnitude. Recoveries and standard deviations were comparable to those obtained after hydrolysis of amitraz and its metabolites to DMA. Occurrence of amitraz and its metabolites in field-treated pears showed that, seven days after the treatment, DMPF and DMF are the main degradation products. This work reports for the first time the use of a conventional pesticide multiresidue method and LC–ESI-MS/MS for determining amitraz and its metabolites in pears.     

Solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography with ion trap detector (GC-ITD) analysis of amitraz residues in beeswax after hydrolysis to 2,4-dimethylaniline

An analytical method for the determination of amitraz residues in beeswax after hydrolysis to 2,4-dimethylaniline is reported. It consists of wax extraction with an acid buffer solution, head space solid phase microextraction and GC-ITD analysis. The limit of determination is 1 ng g⁻¹. Wax samples from beekepers and commercial foundations were analysed, content of residues varied from <1 to 20.5 ng g⁻¹.     

Fluoride determination in some mouth wash preparations by a novel La(III) graphite coated membrane sensor based on amitraz

Solution studies on the binding properties of N-2,4-dimethylphenyl-N′-ethylformamidine (amitraz) toward nine lanthanide ions including lanthanum, cerium, neodium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, ytterbium and some other transition and heavy metal ions such as copper, lead, cobalt, nickel ions, showed a selective 1:1 complexation between amitraz and lanthanum ions. Consequently, amitraz was applied as an ion carrier in construction of a novel poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensor for La(III). The sensor has a linear dynamic range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with a Nernstian slope of 19.8 ± 0.2 mV per decade and a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M. The proposed sensor displays a fast response time (<8 s), and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergences in the potentials. The La(III) membrane sensor revealed comparatively good selectivity with respect to most of cations including alkaline, alkaline earth, and some transition and heavy metal ions. It could be used in a pH range of 3.0-9.0. The proposed membrane electrode was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of La(III) ions with an EDTA solution, and also in the determination of fluoride concentration in some mouth wash preparations.     

Determination of amitraz and its degradation products and monitoring degradation process in quince and cucumber

Amitraz is a non-systemic acaracide and insecticide. Current maximum residue limits for amitraz are stated as ‘Amitraz including the metabolites containing the 2,4-dimethylaniline moiety’. Therefore, determination of amitraz and its all degradation products are important. In this study, we develop a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for determination of amitraz and its degradation products 2,4 dimethylaniline (DMA), 2,4 dimethylformamidine (DMF) and N-(2,4-dimethyl phenyl)-N’-methylformamidine (DMPF) in cucumber and quince. The mechanism of the degradation process was monitored at different temperatures. Amitraz and its degradation products were extracted using the QuEChERS method. To determine amitraz and its degradation products, we used GC/MS. Quantification was carried out by using selected ion monitoring, and total ion chromatogram was used to monitor additional degradation products. The method was validated by studying linearity, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), recovery and precision. The mechanism of the degradation process was monitored at different temperatures. Degradation of amitraz mainly to three degradation products, namely DMA, DMF and DMPF, increased with temperature. Besides these three main degradation products, two other new degradation products were detected.     

Indirect determination of cyanide ion and hydrogen cyanide by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a mercury electrode

An indirect voltammetric method is described for determination of cyanide ions and hydrogen cyanide, using the effect of cyanide on cathodic adsorptive stripping peak height of Cu-adenine. The method is based on competitive Cu complex formation reaction between adenine at the electrode surface and CN⁻ ions in solution. Under the optimum experimental conditions (pH=6.42 Britton-Robinson buffer, 1×10⁻⁴ M copper and 8×10⁻⁷ M adenine), the linear decrease of the peak current of Cu-adenine was observed, when the cyanide concentration was increased from 5×10⁻⁸ to 8×10⁻⁷ M. The detection limit was obtained as 1×10⁻⁸ M for 60 s accumulation time. The relative standard deviations for six measurements were 4 and 2% for the cyanide concentrations of 5×10⁻⁸ and 2×10⁻⁷ M, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of cyanide in various industrial waste waters such as electroplating waste water and also for determination of hydrogen cyanide in air samples.     

Analysis of parabens in cosmetics by low pressure liquid chromatography with monolithic column and chemiluminescent detection

This paper presents an application of chromatographic separation based on an ultra-short monolithic column and chemiluminescent detection in an FIA type instrument manifold for the determination of four paraben mixtures: methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP) and butylparaben (BP). The separation is achieved in 150 s using two consecutive carriers: first 12% ACN:water that changes 75 s after injection to 27% ACN:water. The detection is based on the oxidation of the hydrolysis product of parabens, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, with Ce(IV) in the presence of Rhodamine 6G which evokes chemiluminescence of sufficient intensity to enable a sensitive determination of these species. After optimization of the variables involved, the analytical method is characterized, displaying the following values for concentration ranges, detection limits and precision, as relative standard deviation at low concentration (0.15 mg l⁻¹)—MP: from 9.9 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.3 × 10⁻⁴ M; 1.9 × 10⁻⁸; 5.6%; EP: from 9.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.3 × 10⁻⁴ M; 2.8 × 10⁻⁸; 3.5%; PP: from 8.3 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.9 × 10⁻⁵ M; 2.3 × 10⁻⁸; 4.2%; and BP: from 7.7 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.9 × 10⁻⁵ M; 4.2 × 10⁻⁸ M; 6.2%. The method was applied and validated satisfactorily for the determination of these parabens in cosmetic samples, comparing the results against a liquid chromatography reference method.     

Quantum dot-enhanced chemiluminescence detection for simultaneous determination of dopamine and epinephrine by capillary electrophoresis

A sensitive method based on quantum dot (QD)-enhanced capillary electrophoresis-chemiluminescence (CE-CL) detection was developed for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and epinephrine (E). In this work, CdTe QD was added into the running buffer of CE to catalyze the post-column CL reaction between luminol and hydrogen peroxide, achieving higher CL emission. Negative peaks were produced due to the inhibitory effects on CL emission from DA and E eluted from the electrophoretic capillary. The decrease in CL intensity was proportional to the concentration of DA and E in the range of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸-5.0 × 10⁻⁶ M and 4.0 × 10⁻⁸-5.0 × 10⁻⁶ M, respectively. Detection limits for DA and E were 2.3 × 10⁻⁸ M and 9.3 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively. Using this method, the levels of DA and E in human urine from healthy donors were determined.     

Time measurement-visual analysis of l-cysteine using the autocatalytic sodium sulfite/hydrogen peroxide reaction system and its application to length detection-flow analysis

Trace amounts of l-cysteine can function as a trigger, i.e., reaction initiator, in the autocatalytic sodium sulfite/hydrogen peroxide reaction system. Rapidly changing of pH after induction time is visually confirmed by color changing of bromothymol blue in this autocatalytic reaction. Based on this finding, μg L⁻¹ levels of l-cysteine were measured over time using the autocatalytic reaction system. The determination range using the above method was 5.0 × 10⁻⁸-2.5 × 10⁻⁶ M, the detection limit (3σ) was 1.8 × 10⁻⁸ M (1.94 μg L⁻¹), and the relative standard deviation was 2.41% at an l-cysteine concentration of 5 × 10⁻⁷ M (n = 5). This method was also applied to length detection-flow injection analysis. The determination range for the flow injection analysis was 2.0 × 10⁻⁷-1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M. The detection limit (3σ) was 1.4 × 10⁻⁷ M (17.0 μg L⁻¹), and the relative standard deviation was 0.91% at an initial l-cysteine concentration of 10⁻⁶ M (n = 5).     

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of Tween 80

A novel kinetic spectrophotometic method for the determination of Tween 80 based on its interaction with 5(p-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine (PDR) in alkaline media is reported. The effect of variable on the rate of interaction of Tween 80 and PDR was investigated in order to establish the optimum conditions. The interaction was monitored spectrophotometically and change in absorbance (ΔA) of PDR at 464 nm at times of 30 and 270 s was used as an analytical parameter. Tween 80 can be measured in the range of 2.5×10⁻⁵ to 1.25×10⁻³ M with detection limit of 1.5×10⁻⁵ M. The relative standard deviation for eight replicate determinations of 2×10⁻⁴ and 1×10⁻³ M of Tween 80 solution was 4.08 and 3.88%, respectively. This method was used to determine Tween 80 in biscuit and multivitamin syrup.     

Flow-injection fluorometric quantification of pyruvate using co-immobilized pyruvate decarboxylase and aldehyde dehydrogenase reactor: Application to measurement of acetate, citrate and l-lactate

A flow-injection system for the quantification of pyruvate based on the coupled reactions of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (AlDH) was conceived and optimized. A co-immobilized PDC and AlDH reactor was introduced into the flow line. Sample and reagent (NAD⁺) were injected into the flow line by an open sandwich method and the increase of NADH produced by the immobilized-enzyme reactor was monitored fluorometrically at 455 nm (excitation at 340 nm). Linear relationships between the responses and concentrations of pyruvate were observed in the ranges of 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.5 × 10⁻³ M at the flow rate of 1.0 ml min⁻¹ and 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ M at the flow rate of 0.5 ml min⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for 10 successive injections was 0.95% at the 1.0 mM level. This FIA system for pyruvate was applied to the measurement of acetate, citrate and l-lactate.     

Cu nanoparticles incorporated polypyrrole modified GCE for sensitive simultaneous determination of dopamine and uric acid

Cu nanoparticles have been electrochemically incorporated polypyrrole film that was used for modification of the glassy carbon electrode surface. The performance of the electrode has been characterized by cyclic voltammetry and atomic force microscopy. The electrode has shown high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) simultaneously in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.00). The electrocatalytic oxidation currents of UA and DA were found linearly related to concentration over the range 1 × 10⁻⁹ to 1 × 10⁻⁵ M for UA and 1 × 10⁻⁹ to 1 × 10⁻⁷ M for DA using DPVs method. The detection limits were determined as 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M (s/n = 3) for UA and 8.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M (s/n = 3) for DA at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.     

Electrochemically monitoring the binding of concanavalin A and ovalbumin

To evaluate protein-protein interactions, a new voltammetric method was developed using a protein labeled with an electroactive compound. Concanavalin A (ConA), which is a lectin, recognizes α-mannose residues. Because the ConA was to be bound to ovalbumin (OVA), which has a high-mannose sugar chain, ConA labeled with daunomycin was prepared as the probe to monitor the binding. The binding to OVA was caused by the label modification of the ConA. As a result, the electrode response of the labeled ConA decreased as the OVA concentration increased. The electrode response of the labeled ConA was linearly over the range of 1.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ M OVA. The relative standard deviation of 1.5 × 10⁻⁸ M labeled ConA and 1.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M OVA was 6.9% (n = 5). The labeled ConA-OVA binding could then be conveniently monitored based on the change in response. In contrast, interactions between the labeled ConA and a protein with no specific sugar chain also were investigated. Incubation scarcely influenced the peak current of the labeled ConA. When several concentrations of OVA were added to a serum, good recovery determined it. Consequently, this method could be applied to the measurement of protein-protein interactions.     

Flow-injection chemiluminescence determination of formaldehyde in water

A modification of the Trautz-Schorigin reaction into a flow-injection analysis configuration is described. Different approaches were used at the optimization of chemiluminescence determination of formaldehyde in water based on the reaction of formaldehyde, gallic acid and hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline solution. Detection system with a 218 μl chemiluminescence cell was optimized by both a one-variable-at-a-time method, and a modified simplex method. A calibration graph is linear in the concentration range 4 × 10⁻⁸ to 1 × 10⁻⁵ M HCHO. The detection limit of formaldehyde for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 is 4 × 10⁻⁸ M. The relative standard deviations for 15 repeated measurements of 1 × 10⁻⁶ and 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹ HCHO are 4.32 and 3.33%, respectively. The analysis time is 1.5 min. The method was applied to the determination of formaldehyde in urban rainwater. A comparison of results found by proposed method with those obtained by fluorimetric reference method provided a good agreement.     

Application of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole self-assembled monolayer on polycrystalline gold electrode as a nanosensor for determination of Ag(I)

Fabrication and application of a voltammetric sensor based on gold 2-mercaptobenzothiazole self-assembled monolayer (Au-MBT SAM) for determination of silver ion is described. Preliminary experiments were performed to characterize the monolayer. The surface pK_a determined for the MBT monolayer is 7.0. This value was obtained by impedimetric titration of the monolayer in the presence of Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− as a redox probe. The extent of surface coverage was evaluated as 1.52 × 10⁻⁹ mol cm⁻² based on charged consumed for reductive desorption of the monolayer in the 0.50 M NaOH solution. Then the sensor was used for determination of Ag(I) by square wave voltammetry. The parameters affecting the sensor response, such as pH and supporting electrolyte, were optimized. A dynamic calibration curve with two linear parts was obtained in the concentration ranges of 5 × 10⁻⁸-8 × 10⁻⁷ and 1 × 10⁻⁶-1 × 10⁻⁵ M of Ag(I). The detection limit adopted from cathodic striping square wave voltammetry was as 1 × 10⁻⁸ M for n = 7. Furthermore, the effect of potential interfering ions on the determination of Ag(I) was studied, and an appropriate method was used for the elimination of this effect.     

Determination of levodopa by capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection

A rapid and simple method using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed for the determination of levodopa. This method was based on enhance effect of levodopa on the CL reaction between luminol and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) (K₃[Fe(CN)₆]) in alkaline aqueous solution. CL detection employed a lab-built reaction flow cell and a photon counter. The optimized conditions for the CL detection were 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M luminol added to the CE running buffer and 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M K₃[Fe(CN)₆] in 0.6 M NaOH solution introduced postcolumn. Under the optimal conditions, a linear range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ M (r = 9991), and a detection limit of 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M (signal/noise = 3) for levodopa were achieved. The precision (R.S.D.) on peak area (at 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M of levodopa, n = 11) was 4.1%. The applicability of the method for the analysis of pharmaceutical and human plasma samples was examined.     

Quantification of biogenic amines by microchip electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection

A highly sensitive microchip electrophoresis (MCE) method with chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed for the determination of biogenic amines including agmatine (Agm), epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA), tyramine, and histamine in human urine samples. To achieve a high assay sensitivity, the targeted analytes were pre-column labeled by a CL tagging reagent, N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI). ABEI-tagged biogenic amines after MCE separation reacted with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), producing CL emission. Since no CL reagent was added to the running buffer, the background of the CL detection was extremely low, resulting in a significant improvement in detection sensitivity. Detection limits (S/N = 3) were in the range from 5.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 7.7 × 10⁻⁸ M for the biogenic amines tested, which were at least 10 times lower than those of the MCE–CL methods previously reported. Separation of a urine sample on a 7 cm glass/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchip channel was completed within 3 min. Analysis of human urine samples found that the levels of Agm, E and DA were in the ranges of 2.61 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.30 × 10⁻⁷ M, 0.81 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.12 × 10⁻⁷ M, and 8.76 × 10⁻⁷ to 11.21 × 10⁻⁷ M (n = 4), respectively.     

11-Molybdobismuthophosphate—A new reagent for the determination of ascorbic acid in batch and sequential injection systems

The guanidinium salt of the new heteropolymolybdate 11-molybdobismuthophosphate Gua₆PBiMo₁₁O₄₀ (11-MBP) was synthesized, characterized and used as a reagent for batch spectrophotometric (SP) and sequential injection determination of ascorbic acid (AsA). When compared to other Keggin's heteropolyanions, the reduction of 11-MBP with AsA is both fast and maximal within a pH range of 1.6-2.0. The stoichiometry of the reaction was determined using molar ratio and continuous variation methods and was shown to be 1:1. The molar absorptivity of the reduced form of 11-MBP was 6.0 × 10³ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 720 nm. The reaction is also specific for AsA. Only cysteine, hydroquinone and hydroxyacids were found to interfere with the reaction, while no interference was observed with the common reducing agents, including reducing sugars, catecholamines, nitrite, sulfite and iron(II) ions. Batch SP and sequential injection analysis (SIA) systems were developed for the determination of AsA, with calibration ranges of the SP methods at 2 × 10⁻⁶-8 × 10⁻⁵ M for a 10 mm cell and 5 × 10⁻⁷-3 × 10⁻⁵ M for a 50 mm cell and a limit of detection at 3 × 10⁻⁷ M. The linear range of the SIA method was 6 × 10⁻⁶-5 × 10⁻⁴ M, with a detection limit of 2 × 10⁻⁶ M and a sample throughput of 15 h⁻¹. The proposed methods were successfully used for the determination of AsA in both pharmaceuticals and fruit juices, and the results were consistent with those provided by the 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol method.     

Synthesis and analytical application of a novel tetradentate N(2)O(2) Schiff base as a chromogenic reagent for determination of nickel in some natural food samples

A novel sensitive chromogenic reagent, N,N′-bis(3-methylsalicylidene)-ortho-phenylene diamine (MSOPD), has been synthesized and used in the spectrophotometric determination of nickel. At pH 8, MSOPD can react with nickel ion at room temperature to form a 1:1 complex. The apparent molar absorptivity is 9.5 × 10⁴ l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 430 nm. Beer's low is obeyed over the range 0-1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M of nickel with a detection limit of 1.36 × 10⁻⁸ M. The relative standard deviation for measurement of 3.41 × 10⁻⁶ M nickel is 1.3% (n = 10). The method has successfully been applied to determination of trace amounts of nickel in some natural food samples.     

Monitoring of vitamin C species in aqueous solution by flow injection analysis coupled with an on-line separation with reversed-phase column

Two vitamin C species of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in aqueous solution were monitored by flow injection analysis. Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid were resolved by a reversed-phase column, and dehydroascorbic acid was reduced to ascorbic acid by an on-line post-column reaction with dithiothreitol. Both natural and reduced ascorbic acids were photometrically detected at 260 nm, and the two vitamin C species were simultaneously determined. The determination range was from 0 to 8 × 10⁻⁵ M with a limit of detection of 1.7 × 10⁻⁶ M. The proposed method was applied to the conversion monitoring of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in weakly acidic to weakly alkaline aqueous solutions, as well as to the determination of the vitamin C in some beverage samples.     

Determination of mefenacet by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection with capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation system was used to the rapid analysis of mefenacet within 7 min. The linear response range of mefenacet was from 1.07 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ M. This technique was also applied to analyze residues of mefenacet in seedling and soil.