Simultaneous separation and determination of thallium in water samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An analytical method for separation and determination of thallium species in water using high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The composition and concentration of mobile phase, injection volume, and pH value were optimized respectively with an anion or cation exchange column. The results showed that Tl(I) and Tl(III) were effectively separated using anion exchange column Hamilton PRP‐X100, with the mobile phase consisting of 200 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 10 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (pH = 4.2). When using a Dionex cation exchange guard column, CS12A, 15 mmol/L HNO₃, and 3 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid as the mobile phase, Tl(I) and Tl(III) could be effectively separated. The detection limits of the methods were 3–6 and 9–12 ng/L, respectively. In a solution containing Fe ions and oxalic acid, a significant quantity of Tl(I) was oxidized. Fe ions and oxalic acid in the water samples did not interfere with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement results.     

Separation of selenium species and their sensitive determination in rice samples by ion‐pairing reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry

A highly sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of organic and inorganic selenium species in rice by ion‐pairing reversed‐phase chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry. To achieve a good separation of these species, a comparison between anion‐exchange chromatography and ion‐pairing reversed‐phase chromatography was performed. The results indicated that ion‐pairing reversed‐phase chromatography was more suitable due to better separation and higher sensitivity for all analytes. In this case, a StableBond C18 column proved to be more robust or to have a better resolution than other C18 columns, when 0.5 mM tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and 10 mM ammonium acetate at pH 5.5 were used as the mobile phase. Moreover, an excellent sensitivity was obtained in terms of interferences by means of tandem mass spectrometry in the hydrogen mode. The detection limits were 0.02–0.12 μg/L, and recoveries of five selenium species were 75–114%, with relative standard deviations ≤ 9.4%. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of rice samples. Compared with previous studies, the proposed method not only gave comparable results when used for measuring selenium‐enriched rice, but it can provide greater sensitivity for the detection of low concentrations of selenium species in rice.     

高效阴离子交换色谱-脉冲安培检测法测定烤烟中的水溶性葡萄糖、果糖和蔗糖

用高效阴离子交换色谱-脉冲安培检测法（HPAEC-PAD）测定了烤烟中的水溶性葡萄糖、果糖和蔗糖。采用水浸取及膜过滤法处理烤烟样品,以Dionex CarboPac PA-1阴离子交换柱为色谱柱,0.2 mol/L NaOH水溶液为淋洗液进行分离测定。葡萄糖、果糖和蔗糖的含量与其峰面积的线性关系良好,回收率均在97%以上。方法简便易行,灵敏度高,重现性良好,可以实现对烟草中单糖的快速分离和测定。     

Coupling nanoliter high‐performance liquid chromatography to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for arsenic speciation

Nanoliter high‐performance liquid chromatography shows low consumption of solvents and samples, offering one of the best choices for arsenic speciation in precious samples in combination with inuctively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A systematic investigation on coupling nanoliter high‐performance liquid chromatography to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry from instrument design to injected sample volume and mobile phase was performed in this study. Nanoflow mobile phase was delivered by flow splitting using a conventional high‐pressure pump with reuse of mobile phase waste. Dead volume was minimized to 60 nL for the sheathless interface based on the previously developed nanonebulizer. Capillary columns for nanoliter high‐performance liquid chromatography were found to be sensitive to sample loading volume. An apparent difference was also found between the mobile phases for nanoliter and conventional high‐performance liquid chromatography. Baseline separation of arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsenic, and dimethylarsenic was achieved within 11 min on a 15 cm C₁₈ capillary column and within 12 min on a 25 cm strong anion exchange column. Detection limits of 0.9–1.8 μg/L were obtained with precisions variable in the range of 1.6–4.2%. A good agreement between determined and certified values of a certified reference material of human urine (GBW 09115) validated its accuracy along with good recoveries (87–102%).     

Magnetic micro‐solid‐phase extraction based on magnetite‐MCM‐41 with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of antidepressant drugs in biological fluids

A new facile magnetic micro‐solid‐phase extraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection was developed for the extraction and determination of selected antidepressant drugs in biological fluids using magnetite‐MCM‐41 as adsorbent. The synthesized sorbent was characterized by several spectroscopic techniques. The maximum extraction efficiency for extraction of 500 μg/L antidepressant drugs from aqueous solution was obtained with 15 mg of magnetite‐MCM‐41 at pH 12. The analyte was desorbed using 100 μL of acetonitrile prior to gas chromatography determination. This method was rapid in which the adsorption procedure was completed in 60 s. Under the optimized conditions using 15 mL of antidepressant drugs sample, the calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 0.05–500 μg/L (r ² = 0.996–0.999). Good limits of detection (0.008–0.010 μg/L) were obtained for the analytes with good relative standard deviations of <8.0% (n  = 5) for the determination of 0.1, 5.0, and 500.0 μg/L of antidepressant drugs. This method was successfully applied to the determination of amitriptyline and chlorpromazine in plasma and urine samples. The recoveries of spiked plasma and urine samples were in the range of 86.1–115.4%. Results indicate that magnetite micro‐solid‐phase extraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is a convenient, fast, and economical method for the extraction and determination of amitriptyline and chlorpromazine in biological samples.     

高效阴离子交换色谱-脉冲安培法检测小鼠尿液中的甘露醇、单糖和乳果糖

采用高效阴离子交换色谱-脉冲安培检测法(HPAEC-PAD)建立了小鼠尿液中甘露醇、单糖(包括半乳糖、葡萄糖、甘露糖和果糖)和乳果糖的分析方法。样品经离心沉淀除去蛋白并过分子膜,以CarboPacTM PA1阴离子交换柱为分离柱,采用NaOH梯度淋洗,脉冲安培四电位检测。结果表明,甘露醇、半乳糖、葡萄糖、甘露糖、果糖和乳果糖在0.1～5.0 mg/L内线性良好,线性相关系数r2为0.988～0.999,样品加标回收率为95.5%～104.2%,检出限为0.0013～0.0048 mg/L。此法准确、快速、简便,能同时对6种糖类化合物进行分析,可以跟踪检测整个糖类代谢过程中甘露醇、单糖和乳果糖之间的代谢关系。     

HPAEC‐PAD method for the analysis of alkaline hydrolyzates of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide

A gradient method has been devised for the rapid analysis of alkaline hydrolyzates of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide‐based vaccines by high‐performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC‐PAD). As compared with published procedures, peak shape and sensitivity were significantly improved with this approach, analysis time was short and there was little interference from impurities. The limits of detection and quantification were established with a purified reference polysaccharide. We propose this method as a practical alternative for the analysis of minute amounts of Hib polysaccharide, which can be lower than with the conventional approaches. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly(ionic liquids)‐coated stainless‐steel wires packed into a polyether ether ketone tube for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction

An in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction device was developed by packing poly(ionic liquids)‐coated stainless‐steel wires into a polyether ether ketone tube. An anion‐exchange process was performed to enhance the extraction performance. Surface properties of poly(ionic liquids)‐coated stainless‐steel wires were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry. The extraction device was connected to high‐performance liquid chromatography equipment to build an online enrichment and analysis system. Ten polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were used as model analytes, and important conditions including extraction time and desorption time were optimized. The enrichment factors from 268 to 2497, linear range of 0.03–20 μg/L, detection limits of 0.010–0.020 μg/L, extraction and preparation repeatability with relative standard deviation less than 1.8 and 19%, respectively were given by the established online analysis method. It has been used to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental samples, with the relative recovery (5, 10 μg/L) in the range of 85.1–118.9%.     

Extraction and identification of matrine‐type alkaloids from Sophora moorcroftiana using double‐templated molecularly imprinted polymers with HPLC–MS/MS

Double‐templated molecularly imprinted polymers with specific recognition of three matrine‐type alkaloids were prepared using matrine and oxymatrine as the template molecules. An approach based on double‐templated molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was then developed to extract and purify matrine, oxymatrine, and sophocarpine from Sophora moorcroftiana in the Tibetan plateau herbs. The polymers were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Their adsorption characteristics were evaluated using adsorption kinetics, isotherms, selectivity, and recycling experiments. This polymer exhibited excellent molecular recognition ability and good selectivity. The obtained polymers as adsorbent was further used for the determination of three matrine‐type alkaloids coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, the recoveries of three matrines spiked at three concentration levels in samples were 73.25–98.42% (n = 5) with a relative standard deviation less than 6.82%. The limits of detection for the method were 9.23–15.42 μg/kg (S/N = 3). This proposed method was assessed to be an effective method for simultaneous extraction, isolation, and identification of matrine, oxymatrine, and sophocarpine from Sophora moorcroftiana.     

Speciation analysis of orthophosphate and myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate in soil‐ and plant‐related samples by high‐performance ion chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A novel method based on high‐performance ion chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry employing strong anion exchange chromatography with HNO₃ gradient elution for simultaneous analysis of orthophosphate and myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate (IP₆) in soil solution and plant extracts is presented. As inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of phosphorus at m/z 31 is hampered by N‐based interferences, ³¹P was measured as ³¹P¹⁶O⁺ at m/z 47 employing dynamic reaction cell technique with O₂ as reaction gas. Orthophosphate and IP₆ were separated within a total chromatographic run‐time of 12 min revealing a limit of detection of 0.3 μmol/L. The coefficients of determination obtained in a working range of 1–100 and 1–30 μmol/L were 0.9991 for orthophosphate and 0.9968 for IP₆, respectively. The method was successfully applied to extracts from three different soils as well as root and shoot extracts of Brassica napus L. The precision of three independently prepared soil extracts was in the range of 4–10% relative standard deviation for PO₄^3? and 3–8% relative standard deviation for IP₆. Soil adsorption/desorption kinetics for IP₆/orthophosphate were performed for investigating the sorption behavior of the two P species in the experimental soils.     

Poly[(2‐(acryloyloxy) ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate monolith on‐line solid‐phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for the fast determination of salicylic acid in foodstuffs

We report the fabrication of an anion‐exchange monolithic column in a stainless‐steel chromatographic column (10 mm × 2.1 mm i.d.) using [2‐(acryloyloxy) ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride as the monomer and ethylene dimethacrylate as the crosslinker. The prepared monolith was developed as the adsorbent for the on‐line solid‐phase extraction of salicylic acid in various animal‐origin foodstuffs combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The monolith was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption analysis, and elemental analysis. Potential factors affecting the on‐line solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis were studied in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the total analysis time including cleanup and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry separation was 17 min. The developed method gave the linear range of 15–750 μg/kg, detection limits (S/N = 3) of 5 μg/kg, and quantification limits (S/N = 10) of 15 μg/kg. The recoveries obtained by spiking 10, 20, and 100 μg/kg of salicylic acid in the animal‐origin food samples were in the range of 85.2–98.4%. In addition, the monolith was stable enough for 550 extraction cycles with the precision of peak area ≤11.6%.     

Preparation of metal‐organic framework UiO‐66‐incorporated polymer monolith for the extraction of trace levels of fungicides in environmental water and soil samples

A zirconium terephthalate metal‐organic framework‐incorporated poly(N‐vinylcarbazole‐co‐divinylbenzene) monolith was fabricated in a capillary by a thermal polymerization method. The optimized monolith had a homogeneous structure, good permeability, and stability. The monolith could be used for the effective enrichment of fungicides through π‐π interactions, electrostatic forces, and hydrogen bonds. The potential factors that affect the extraction efficiency, including ionic strength, solution pH, sample volume, and eluent volume, were investigated in detail. The monolith‐based in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction coupled with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography and high‐resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry was performed for the analysis of five fungicides (pyrimethanil, tebuconazole, hexaconazole, diniconazole, and flutriafol) in environmental samples. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges were 0.005–5 ng/mL for pyrimethanil, 0.01–5 ng/mL for flutriafol, and 0.05–5 ng/mL for other fungicides, respectively, with coefficients of determination ≥0.9911. The limits of detection were 1.34–14.8 ng/L. The columns showed good repeatability (relative standard deviations ≤9.3%, n = 5) and desirable column‐to‐column reproducibility (relative standard deviations 5.3–9.4%, n = 5). The proposed method was successfully applied for the simultaneous detection of five fungicides in water and soil samples, with recoveries of 90.4–97.5 and 84.0–95.3%, respectively.     

Developing a novel packed in‐tube solid‐phase extraction method for determination ∆9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in biological samples and cannabis leaves

A novel plate‐like nano‐sorbent based on copper/cobalt/chromium layered double hydroxide was synthesized by a simple coprecipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticels were introduced into a stainless steel cartridge using a dry packing method. Then, the packed cartridge was introduced as a novel on‐line “packed in‐tube” configuration and followed by high performance liquid chromatography for the determination of trace amounts of ^?9‐tetrahydrocannabinol from biological samples and cannabis leaves. The as‐prepared sorbent exhibited long lifetime, good chemical stability, and high anion‐exchange capacity. Several important factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as extraction and desorption times, pH of the sample solution and flow rates of the sample and eluent solutions, were investigated and optimized. Under optimized conditions, this method showed good linearity for ^?9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in the ranges of 0.09–500, 0.3–500, and 0.4–500 µg/L with coefficients of determination of 0.9999, 0.9991, and 0.9994 in water, serum and plasma samples, respectively. The inter‐ and intra‐assay precisions (n = 3) were respectively in the ranges of 1.8–4.6% and 1.9–4.0% at three concentration levels of 10, 50, and 100 µg/L. The limits of detection were also in the range of 0.02–0.1 µg/L.     

Simultaneous analysis of current‐use pesticides and their transformation products in water using mixture‐sorbent solid phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Pesticides have posed significant threats to aquatic ecosystems, yet little is known about their transformation products. The challenge is to simultaneously analyze various pesticides and transformation products in water as they have distinct physicochemical properties. A mix‐mode solid phase extraction method was established to simultaneously analyze current‐use pesticides and their transformation products using a mixture of hydrophile–lipophile balance, weak anion, and cation exchange resins (2:1:1, w/w/w) in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for chemical quantification. Neutral, acidic, and alkaline methanol were used as the elution solvent. Box‐Behnken design was applied to optimize extraction conditions. Optimal conditions were as follows: sorbent mass, 200 mg; volume of elution solvent, 5 mL × 3; pH 4. The method was validated for compounds at concentrations from 20 to 1000 ng/L in different types of water samples, with recovery being from 43.5 ± 3.1 to 141 ± 35%. Low method detection limits (0.02?5.6 ng/L) implied that the developed method was sensitive. Finally, the method was applied to monitor current‐use pesticides and their transformation products in natural waters. Frequent detection of transformation products of pesticides indicated that their contribution to aquatic risk should not be ignored.     

烟叶和烟草料液中氨基酸的直接检测及碳水化合物的去除

建立了高效阴离子交换色谱-积分脉冲安培法(HPAEC-IPAD)直接检测烟叶和烟草料液中氨基酸的方法。利用离线除糖的方法,去除烟叶和烟草料液中大量干扰糖类,包括葡萄糖、果糖和蔗糖及麦芽低聚糖等。采用AminoPac PA10阴离子交换柱,以NaOH和NaAc的强碱性溶液为淋洗液,采用梯度洗脱,流速为0.25 mL/min;积分脉冲安培法对氨基酸进行检测,回收率可达76%~105%。此方法可以有效的解决烟叶、烟草料液等含糖量高的样品中糖类化合物的干扰,对氨基酸实现灵敏、准确的定量分析。     

Lanthanide‐IMAC enrichment of carbohydrates and polyols

In this study a new type of immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography resin for the enrichment of carbohydrates and polyols was synthesized by radical polymerization reaction of vinyl phosphonic acid and 1,4‐butandiole dimethacrylate using azo‐bis‐isobutyronitrile as radical initiator. Interaction between the chelated trivalent lanthanide ions and negatively charged hydroxyl groups of carbohydrates and polyols was observed by applying high pH values. The new method was evaluated by single standard solutions, mixtures of standards, honey and a more complex extract of Cynara scolymus. The washing step was accomplished by acetonitrile in excess volumes. Elution of enriched carbohydrates was successfully performed with deionized water. The subsequent analysis was carried out with matrix‐free laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry involving a TiO₂‐coated steel target, especially suitable for the measurement of low‐molecular‐weight substances. Quantitative analysis of the sugar alcohol xylitol as well as the determination of the maximal loading capacity was performed by gas chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometric detection after chemical derivatization. In a parallel approach quantum mechanical geometry optimizations were performed in order to compare the coordination behavior of various trivalent lanthanide ions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of methyl methanesulfonate and ethyl methanesulfonate in methanesulfonic acid by derivatization followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

Methanesulfonic acid is routinely used in pharmaceuticals but can contain potentially genotoxic impurities such as methyl methanesulfonate and ethyl methanesulfonate. The aim of this study was to develop a simple high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection method for determining methyl methanesulfonate and ethyl methanesulfonate in methanesulfonic acid. Samples (250 mg) in water/acetonitrile (200 μL) were first combined with 10.0 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution (270 μL). Then they were mixed with 2.0 mg/mL N ,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (500 μL), diluted to 5 mL with N ,N‐dimethylacetamide and allowed to react at 80°C for 1 h. The derivatives were analyzed using gradient high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (277 nm) and structurally elucidated by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. With acetonitrile/5 mmol/L ammonium acetate solution as the eluent and 1 mL/min as the flow rate on a C18 column, the derivatives were eluted at 10.6 and 14.8 min. Good linearity (correlation coefficients > 0.999) and low limits of quantitation (0.6 ppm) were obtained. The recoveries were in the range of 80–115% with relative standard deviation < 5.0%. Finally, the established method was successfully used for the determination of methyl methanesulfonate and ethyl methanesulfonate in methanesulfonic acid.     

Vortex‐assisted surfactant‐enhanced‐emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction of biogenic amines in fermented foods before their simultaneous analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and environmentally friendly method, based on modified dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed for the simultaneous determination of five biogenic amines in fermented food samples. Biogenic amines were derivatized with 9‐fluorenylmethyl chloroformate, extracted by vortex‐assisted surfactant‐enhanced emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction, and then analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Five biogenic amine compounds were separated within 30 min using a C₁₈ column and gradient elution with acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid. Factors influencing the derivatization and extraction efficiency such as type and volume of extraction solvent, type, and concentration of surfactant, pH, salt addition, and vortex time were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the method provided the enrichment factors in the range of 161–553. Good linearity was obtained from 0.002–0.5 mg/L for cadaverine and tyramine, 0.003–1 mg/L for tryptamine and histamine, and 0.005–1 mg/L for spermidine with coefficient of determination (R²) > 0.992. The limits of detection ranged from 0.0010 to 0.0026 mg/L. The proposed method was successfully applied to analysis of biogenic amines in fermented foods such as fermented fish (plaa‐som), wine and beer where good recoveries were obtained in the range of 83.2–112.5%     

Novel polymeric monolith materials with a β‐cyclodextrin‐graphene composite for the highly selective extraction of methyl jasmonate

A novel polymeric monolith column with a  β‐cyclodextrin‐graphene composite was prepared for extraction of methyl jasmonate. A simple, sensitive, and effective polymeric monolith microextraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography method has been presented for the determination. To carry out the best microextraction efficiency, several parameters such as sample flow rate, sample volume, and sample pH value were systematically optimized. In addition, the method validation showed a wide linear range of 5–2000 ng/mL, with a good linearity and low limits of detection for methyl jasmonate. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of methyl jasmonate in wintersweet flowers with recoveries of 90.67%. The result was confirmed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.     

阴离子交换色谱-积分脉冲安培法测定鱼粉和玉米粉水解液中氨基酸

将高效阴离子交换色谱．积分脉冲安培直接检测法应用于鱼粉和玉米粉水解液中的氨基酸的分析测定。该方法使用Dionex AminoPac PA10阴离子交换柱为分析柱，控制柱温为35℃，以NaOH和NaAc的强碱性溶液为淋洗液，在合适的梯度条件下，可以实现对17种常见氨基酸的高效分离。在强碱性条件下，获得良好分离的各个氨基酸可在配有金工作电极的电化学检测器上以积分脉冲安培法获得高灵敏度的检测。在优化的测定条件下，该方法对这17种氨基酸的检出限在0．21—3．38pmol之间；峰面积校正曲线的线性范围为2—3个数量级；5次平行测定的峰面积的相对标准偏差RSD在0．32％—4．7％之间。该方法应用于玉米粉和鱼粉水解液中氨基酸含量的测定，结果良好。对玉米粉和鱼粉水解液标准加入的回收率分别在81．9％—108．0％和90．0％～108．0％之间。