Laser-induced fluorescence microscopic system using an optical parametric oscillator for tunable detection in microchip analysis

A laser-induced fluorescence microscopic system based on optical parametric oscillation has been constructed as a tunable detector for microchip analysis. The detection limit of sulforhodamine B (Ex. 520 nm, Em. 570 nm) was 0.2 mol, which was approximately eight orders of magnitude better than with a conventional fluorophotometer. The system was applied to the determination of fluorescence-labeled DNA (Ex. 494 nm, Em. 519 nm) in a microchannel and the detection limit reached a single molecule. These results showed the feasibility of this system as a highly sensitive and tunable fluorescence detector for microchip analysis.     

指数程序薄涂柱气相色谱法测定甲胺磷

甲胺磷是一种兼具杀虫、肥料两种性能的高效、广谱农药,由于甲胺磷加热到一定温度时分解(185～190℃),所以其色谱分析时操作温度不能太高,用气相色谱法测定甲胺磷已有报道,但用指数程序薄涂柱气相色谱法测定尚未见报道,该法选择了DEGS为固定液,将0.34％、0.49％、0.7％的DEGS涂在80～100目硅烷化玻璃微球载体上,填入1 m不锈钢色谱柱进行测定,当柱温为150℃时甲胺磷即与其它成分分离,出峰时间仅为2.25 min,且峰形对称,这样既避免了操作温度高易使甲胺磷分解的缺陷,又提高了定量的准确性和分析速度,该法应用于多种样品中甲胺磷的测定,结果令人满意。     

Cholera toxin subunit B detection in microfluidic devices

Fluorescence and electrochemical microfluidic biosensors were developed for the detection of cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) as a model analyte. The microfluidic devices were made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography from silicon templates. The polymer channels were sealed with a glass plate and packaged in a polymethylmethacrylate housing that provided leakproof sealing and a connection to a syringe pump. In the electrochemical format, an interdigitated ultramicroelectrode array (IDUA) was patterned onto the glass slide using photolithography, gold evaporation and lift-off processes. For CTB recognition, CTB-specific antibodies were immobilized onto superparamagnetic beads and ganglioside GM₁ was incorporated into liposomes. The fluorescence dye sulforhodamine B (SRB) and the electroactive compounds potassium hexacyanoferrate (II)/hexacyanoferrate (III) were used as detection markers that were encapsulated inside the liposomes for the fluorescence and electrochemical detection formats, respectively. Initial optimization experiments were carried out by applying the superparamagnetic beads in microtiter plate assays and SRB liposomes before they were transferred to the microfluidic systems. The limits of detection (LoD) of both assay formats for CTB were found to be 6.6 and 1.0 ng mL⁻¹ for the fluorescence and electrochemical formats, respectively. Changing the detection system was very easy, requiring only the synthesis of different marker-encapsulating liposomes, as well as the exchange of the detection unit. It was found that, in addition to a lower LoD, the electrochemical format assay showed advantages over the fluorescence format in terms of flexibility and reliability of signal recording.     

Development of liposomal immunosensor for the measurement of insulin with femtomole detection

The monitoring of insulin is of great relevance for the management of diabetes, the detection of pancreatic islet-cell malfunction, the definition of hypoglycemia, and the diagnosis of insulinoma. A liposomal immunosensing system for the determination of insulin was developed in this study. The insulin sensor was constructed by the immobilization of anti-insulin antibodies on the inner wall of the microcapillary immunoseparator. Liposomes tagged with anti-insulin and encapsulating a fluorescent dye were used as the detectable label. In the presence of insulin, sandwich immunocomplexes were formed between the immobilized antibodies in the column, the sample of insulin, and the antibody-tagged sulforhodamine B-dye-loaded liposomes. Signals generated by lysing the bound liposomes with 30 mM n-octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside were measured by a fluorescence detector. The detected signal was directly proportional to the amount of insulin in the test sample. The liposomal immunosensing system successfully detected as low as 136 attomole. MeOH (30%) was used for the regeneration of antibody-binding sites in the microcapillary after each measurement, which allowed the immunoseparator to be used for at least 70 repeated assays. The antibody activity in this proposed microcapillary immunoseparator could be well maintained for at least 1 week. The calibration curve for insulin in Tris-buffered saline had a linear dynamic range of 10 pM-10 nM, and the total assay time was less than 30 min. The coefficient of variation for triplicate measurements was <5.00%, which indicated that well-reproducible results can be obtained by this newly developed method.     

LASER MEDIATED RELEASE OF DYE FROM LIPOSOMES

Liposomes made from phospholipids and containing sulforhodamine dye (1-50 mM) have been irradiated with nanosecond and picosecond laser pulses. Individual liposomes were locally heated by laser absorption of dye dimers during a single laser pulse, and heating was sufficient to release the liposome contents. The extent of dye release produced by a single laser pulse was shown to be quantitatively dependent on several interdependent variables, including dye concentration, liposome size, laser excitation parameters and initial temperature of the dye-liposome system. Fluorescence lifetime data having three components have been obtained and analyzed in terms of three dye environments. Quantitative estimates support a photo-induced thermal mechanism for liposome lysis and release of its contents. These results may be useful for laser induced delivery of therapeutic agents or other applications of lasers in biological systems.     

LIGHT SENSITIVE LIPOSOMES

Two phospholipids were designed and synthesized that have the property of forming liposomes which undergo a dramatic increase in permeability when irradiated with light (360 nm). Liposomes prepared from these phospholipids leak 100% of entrapped aqueous space marker, carboxyfluorescein, when irradiated for 30-120 s (average light intensity 50 W/m²). Liposomes not irradiated showed much lower rates of temperature dependent release. Such liposomes may be useful as biochemical tools or drug delivery systems in vitro and in vivo.     

Quantitation of metal complexes by reverse-pulse amperometry and molecular-exclusion chromatography

An electrochemical flow cell in conjunction with modified molecular-exclusion chromatographic techniques is used to identify and quantify a series of copper complexes. A reverse-pulse amperometric mode is used to quantify the complexes and to minimize oxygen interference. The chromatographic eluent is modified by “buffering” with copper(II) to prevent dissociation of labile complexes. A Sephadex G-25 column is shown to resolve a mixture of copper complexes of polyaminocarboxylic acids. A detection limit of 0.65 μg was obtained for the Cu-EDTA complex. Copper(II)-citrate complexes were well resolved on the Sephadex column as a dimeric complex with a detection limit of 1.0 μg. Fulvic acid complexes of copper were quantified with the above techniques upon elution from a Sephadex G-15 column. A detection limit of 5 μg was found for a copper-fulvic acid complex. EDTA can be quantified in the presence of fulvic acid by these techniques.     

Analysis of aldehydes by micro high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization on enzyme-immobilized glass beads

Summary Aldehydes in liquors were analyzed by micro high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization on the enzyme-immobilized glass beads. β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) was converted to its reduced form (NADH) on the enzyme-immobilized column in the presence of an aldehyde and a thiol, followed by fluorometric detection. A detection limit of 2.5 ppm (50 pg) was achieved for acetaldehyde.     

Liposome chromatography: liposomes immobilized in gel beads as a stationary phase for aqueous column chromatography

Liposomes have been used as a stationary phase for column chromatography with an aqueous mobile phase. They were immobilized in the pores of carrier gel beads by two methods: (A) hydrophobic ligands were coupled to the matrix of gel beads, which then were packed into a column and liposomes were applied and became associated with the ligands by hydrophobic interaction; and (B) phospholipids and detergent were dialysed in the presence of gel beads; many of the liposomes that formed in the pores of the beads were sterically immobilized by the gel matrix. Proteoliposomes containing red cell glucose transport protein in the lipid bilayers were immobilized in a column by method A. This column retained D-glucose longer than L-glucose. In contrast to L-glucose, D-glucose was transported into and out of the immobilized liposomes, causing an increased retention. Liposomes with (stearylamine)+ or (phosphatidylserine)- in their lipid bilayers were immobilized by method B and the gel beads were packed into a column. A protein of opposite charge was applied in excess. Under suitable conditions, the protein molecules became close-packed on the liposome surfaces. Ion-exchange chromatographic experiments with proteins showed that these sterically immobilized liposomes were also stable enough to be used as a stationary phase. The loss of lipids was 5-23% in the first run at high protein load and with sodium chloride gradient elution but was lower in subsequent runs. It is proposed that water-soluble molecules can be separated and their interactions with liposome surfaces studied by chromatography on immobilized liposomes in detergent-free aqueous solution. Membrane proteins can be inserted and ligands can be anchored in the lipid bilayers for chromatographic purposes.     

Determination of 2,3-benzodiazepine derivatives in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection at 240 nm for determination of a novel AMPA/kainate antagonist 1-(4'-aminophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-2,3-benzodiazepine (2,3-BZ 6), and its derivatives in rat plasma is described. The procedure involves a fast extraction of the drugs from the plasma spiked with an internal standard. The samples are applied to a pre-packed glass column and drugs are eluted using ethyl acetate. A linear response was observed over the examined concentration range. The lower limit of detection of 2,3-BZ 6 was 5.5 ng/ml. The assay has been used to determine the time course of plasma levels of the 2,3-benzodiazepine derivatives in Sprague-Dawley rats.     

整体柱高效液相色谱法测定草甘膦原药中甲醛含量

建立了衍生化-高效液相色谱法对草甘膦原药中痕量甲醛含量进行测定的方法。样品中残留甲醛经超声波水浴提取，与2，4-二硝基苯肼衍生反应，生成的2，4-二硝基苯腙用反相整体柱色谱进行快速分离，在360nm紫外波长下检测，外标法定量。该分析方法在2．0～200mg/L浓度范围呈良好线性，添加回收率在88％～105％之间，相对标准偏差小于5％。样品中甲醛的最小检测浓度为0．5mg/kg。比较了整体色谱柱和常规C18反相柱分离效果，表明整体色谱柱可在1．5min内实现衍生化产物的快速分离并进行定性定量，同时发现相对于常规柱，采用整体柱提高了检测灵敏度约10倍。     

Electrochemical microfluidic biosensor for the detection of nucleic acid sequences

A microfluidic biosensor with electrochemical detection for the quantification of nucleic acid sequences was developed. In contrast to most microbiosensors that are based on fluorescence for signal generation, it takes advantage of the simplicity and high sensitivity provided by an amperometric and coulorimetric detection system. An interdigitated ultramicroelectrode array (IDUA) was fabricated in a glass chip and integrated directly with microchannels made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The assembly was packaged into a Plexiglas housing providing fluid and electrical connections. IDUAs were characterized amperometrically and using cyclic voltammetry with respect to static and dynamic responses for the presence of a reversible redox couple-potassium hexacyanoferrate (ii)/hexacyanoferrate (iii) (ferri/ferrocyanide). A combined concentration of 0.5 microM of ferro/ferricyanide was determined as lower limit of detection with a dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude. Background signals were negligible and the IDUA responded in a highly reversible manner to the injection of various volumes and various concentrations of the electrochemical marker. For the detection of nucleic acid sequences, liposomes entrapping the electrochemical marker were tagged with a DNA probe, and superparamagnetic beads were coated with a second DNA probe. A single stranded DNA target sequence hybridized with both probes. The sandwich was captured in the microfluidic channel just upstream of the IDUA via a magnet located in the outside housing. Liposomes were lysed using a detergent and the amount of released ferro/ferricyanide was quantified while passing by the IDUA. Optimal location of the magnet with respect to the IDUA was investigated, the effect of dextran sulfate on the hybridization reaction was studied and the amount of magnetic beads used in the assay was optimized. A dose response curve using varying concentrations of target DNA molecules was carried out demonstrating a limit of detection at 1 fmol assay(-1) and a dynamic range between 1 and 50 fmol. The overall assay took 6 min to complete, plus 15-20 min of pre-incubation and required only a simple potentiostat for signal recording and interpretation.     

Ion chromatographic analysis of the purity and synthesis of sulfonium and selenonium ions.

The use of single-column ion chromatography with conductometric detection was shown to be useful for the analysis of sulfonium and selenonium ions. A Hamilton PRP X-200 cation column was eluted with either solvent A (5 mM nitric acid in 30% methanol) or solvent B (4 mM nitric acid). With solvent B, trimethylsulfonium ion was separated from trimethylselenonium ion. With solvent A, amounts of trimethylsulfonium ion from 2 to 250 nmol were detected with a linear response. The retention times and response factors for a series of sulfonium ions with various organic groups were determined. In general the ions with more hydrophobic groups eluted later, but all had similar response factors. The method was shown to be useful for optimizing conditions for the synthesis of methylsulfonium ions, specifically the reaction of methyl iodide with diallyl sulfide.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of vinblastine, 4-O-deacetylvinblastine and the potential metabolite 4-O-deacetylvinblastine-3-oic acid in biological fluids.

Procedures for the determination of vinblastine (VBL), 4-O-deacetylvinblastine (DVBL) and 4-O-deacetylvinblastine-3-oic acid (DVBLA) in biological samples using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with selective sample clean-up are presented. VBL and DVBL were determined in plasma and urine using ion-exchange normal-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. The limit of detection was 1 microgram/l for both compounds using a 500-microliter sample. Successful chromatographic analyses of DVBLA were achieved by using a glass column packed with 5-microns Hypersil ODS and acetonitrile-0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 2.7) (23:77, v/v). Positive identification was supported by the use of diode-array detection. The limit of detection (at 270 nm) was 10 micrograms/l using 1-ml samples.     

Determination of epoxidized soybean oil by gas chromatography/single quadrupole and tandem mass spectrometry stable isotope dilution assay

PVC lids of glass jars often contain epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), able to migrate and contaminate food. To establish a stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA), the 13C18-labelled internal standard ethyl 9,10,12,13-diepoxyoctadecanoate (13C(18:2E)Et) was synthesized, providing after sample preparation the same retention time as methyl 9,10,12,13-diepoxyoctadecanoate ((18:2E)Me), commonly used as a marker for ESBO in gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. For eleven different food matrices, the GC capillary columns VF-17ms, DB1701 and DB1 were tested with single quadrupole (GC/MS) as well as tandem mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS/MS). Overall, the VF-17ms column coupled with MS/MS detection showed the best results in terms of separation and sensitivity. The method validation for the matrix spiked olive oil resulted in a limit of detection (LOD) of 5 mg kg-1, a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 11 mg kg-1, a mean recovery (n=5, c=106.5 mg kg-1) of 99.7+/-5.5%, with a repeatability (within-run precision) of 6.0%. By means of GC/MS an LOQ of 21 mg kg-1 and a mean recovery (n=5, c=106.5 mg kg-1) of 103.3+/-0.8% with a repeatability of 0.9% were determined.     

Size separation and size determination of liposomes

We developed a method for separating liposomes by size and determining their average diameters. Liposomes with different average diameters were separated on a monolithic silica capillary column, and the size of the liposomes corresponding to each peak was determined online with a dynamic light scattering detector coupled to the capillary liquid chromatography system. The calculated diameters for the separated liposomes were similar to the diameter values measured in batch mode. We demonstrate that this combination of a monolithic capillary column and light scattering detection could be used for size separation of liposomes and could provide more details about average diameters than batch-mode analysis.     

Direct determination of Benzo[a]pyrene in oil distillates by on-line two-dimensional HPLC with column switching

Summary A selective and sensitive HPLC method for the determination of Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]p) in oil fractions by means of column switching is described. The diluted oil samples were injected directly onto a silica column with isooctane as eluent. After fast elution of the main part of the sample matrix, the B[a]p containing fraction was transferred on-line to a dinitro-aryl-modified silica column for final separation with isooctane/tetrahydrofuran. A detection limit of 50 ppt B[a]p was found when using fluorescence detection.Dedicated to Professor Leslie S. Ettre on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Determination of trace concentrations of bromate in municipal and bottled drinking waters using a hydroxide-selective column with ion chromatography

The International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that bromate is a potential human carcinogen, even at low micro/l levels in drinking water. Bromate is commonly produced from the ozonation of source water containing naturally occurring bromide. Traditionally, trace concentrations of bromate and other oxyhalides in environmental waters have been determined by anion exchange chromatography with an IonPac AS9-HC column using a carbonate eluent and suppressed conductivity detection, as described in EPA Method 300.1 B. However, a hydroxide eluent has lower suppressed background conductivity and lower noise compared to a carbonate eluent and this can reduce the detection limit and practical quantitation limit for bromate. In this paper, we examine the effect of using an electrolytically generated hydroxide eluent combined with a novel hydroxide-selective anion exchange column for the determination of disinfection byproduct anions and bromide in municipal and bottled drinking water samples. EPA Methods 300.1 B and 317.0 were used as test criteria to evaluate the new anion exchange column. The combination of a hydroxide eluent with a high capacity hydroxide-selective column allowed sub-microg/l detection limits for chlorite, bromate, chlorate, and bromide with a practical quantitation limit of 1 microg/l bromate using suppressed conductivity detection and 0.5 microg/l using postcolumn addition of o-dianisidine followed by visible detection. The linearity, method detection limits, robustness, and accuracy of the methods for spiked municipal and bottled water samples will be discussed.     

Determination of abamectin in citrus fruits by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ES-MS) with positive ion detection was used to determine abamectin in oranges. MS conditions were optimized to achieve maximum sensitivity. The main ion for abamectin was [M+Na]+ at a fragmentor voltage of 180 V. Abundant structural information can be obtained at different fragmentor voltages. The detection limit for the standard solution was 12 pg injected, and good linearity and reproducibility were observed. Abamectin residues were extracted using matrix solid-phase dispersion. Orange samples were homogenized with C18 bonded silica placed onto a glass column and eluted with dichloromethane. Recoveries of the abamectin from oranges fortified with approximately 0.01-10 mg/kg ranged from 94 to 99% with an overall average recovery of 96%. The quantification limit is 0.0025 mg/kg, which means detection limit for this analyte could be set at a few hundred picograms per gram of fruit. The presence in the electrosprayed solution of numerous citrus constituents did not interfere significantly with the ionization process of abamectin. The assay procedure provides a simple, rapid, and sensitive method for monitoring residues in oranges. The method was applied to field treatment orange samples.     

Analysis and quantitation of rotenoids and flavonoids in Derris (Lonchocarpus urucu) by high-temperature high-resolution gas chromatography

A glass capillary column coated with PS-086 (15% phenyl-80% methylpolysiloxane, 15 m x 0.30-mm i.d., 0.1-microm film thickness) is used to analyze extracts from Lonchocarpus urucu (Derris urucu). Several secondary metabolites (8 flavonoids, 10 rotenoids) are characterized without derivatization, and the rotenoids are quantitated by high-temperature high-resolution gas chromatography (HTHRGC) and HTHRGC coupled with mass spectrometry (HTHRGC-MS). The limit of detection in flame ionization detection of rotenone is approximately 0.5 microg/mL, and the limit of quantitation was 2 microg/mL. Derris urucu bark is an excellent source of rotenone isomers (80 mg/g), deguelin (30 mg/g), and rotenolone (26 mg/g). Single solvent extractions (hexane, methylene dichloride, acetone, or methanol) are not able to fully extract the flavonoids and rotenoids. Complete extraction is achieved using a mixture of methanol-methylene dichloride (1:1), indicating a complex association of these compounds with the plant tissue. HTHRGC and HTHRGC-MS are shown to be quick and informative tools for the rapid analysis of crude extracts without the need for prior derivatization and fractionation.