Organic fuelled flames in selective ionization detectors for chromatography

Summary The selectivities of two flame-based ionization detectors identified as a Remote FID (RFID) and a Flame Thermionic Ionization Detector (FTID) have been improved by introducing methane as a fuel for the flame. Both the RFID and FTID feature a detector struture in which the ionization polarizer and collector are located several centimeters downstream of an oxygen-rich flame, rather than immediately adjacent to the flame as in a flame ionization detector. The RFID detects long-lived negative ions produced in the flame by the combustion of lead, tin, phosphorus, or silicon compounds. The FTID re-ionizes and detects neutral electronegative products generated by combustion of nitrogen, halogen, or phosphorus compounds. An organic-fuelled RFID can detect 1 pg Pb (Sn, P)/sec with a selectivity of the order of 10⁶ versus hydrocarbons. An organic fuelled FTID is applicable to detection of compounds at nanogram and higher levels. FTID selectivity for PCB compounds in a transformer oil matrix is of the order of 10⁵1. The improved selectivity achieved by using an organic-fuelled flame is also applicable to the detection of phospholipid and other non-volatile N, P, or Cl compounds using an FID/FTID detector accessory for a TLC/FID analyser.     

Application of single-drop microextraction to the determination of dialkyl phthalate esters in food simulants

A fast and simple method, using static single-drop microextraction (SDME), has been developed to facilitate the identification and quantification of seven dialkyl phthalate esters in the three aqueous food simulants. The simulants were: A, distilled water; B, 3% (w/v) acetic acid/water; and C, 15% (v/v) ethanol/water. The extraction is performed by simply suspending a drop of organic solvent in the aqueous sample using a conventional gas chromatography (GC) microsyringe. Following extraction, the organic phase is withdrawn into the syringe and analyzed by gas chromatography and flame ionization detection (FID). The optimized method yields a linear calibration curve over three orders of magnitude for all the simulants, and method detection limits (MDLs) allowing detection of all the studied compounds at concentrations below migration limits established by the European Union. The accuracy of the SDME method was tested and compared to that of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) by recovery experiments using spiked samples, with results ranging from 85 to 115% in most cases.     

Application of two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with pixel-based chemometric processing for the chemical profiling of illicit drug samples

The chemical profiling of illicit drugs is a complex process. The results are affected by many different factors such as sample size, the sample processing conditions, the used analytical technique as well as the statistics that are applied. Within this proof-of-concept study, which was done in cooperation with the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA), the adaptability of comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography (GCxGC) combined with a pixel-based chemometric data processing method is demonstrated. Samples of heroin and cannabis are extracted and analyzed with GCxGC-TOF-MS (time-of-flight mass spectrometry) and GCxGC-FID (flame ionization detection). The obtained second-order data are then used to identify possible marker compounds for the discrimination of the samples according to their chemical profile. The pixel-based chemometric process includes preprocessing steps (background correction, alignment of chromatograms and normalization) followed by an adaptation of hierarchical clustering to identify chemically similar samples, and finally a subsequent calculation of Fisher criterion based on the found clustering in order to identify promising marker compounds. The results of the pixel-based data analysis are compared to a limited peak-based study for cannabis and to a well-established standard method for the chemical profiling of heroin.     

A Rapid Nano-Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Analysis of Cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L. Extracts

Cannabis sativa L. is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family of Cannabaceae. It is classified into three different chemotypes based on the different cannabinoids profile. In particular, fiber-type cannabis (hemp) is rich in cannabidiol (CBD) content. In the present work, a rapid nano liquid chromatographic method (nano-LC) was proposed for the determination of the main cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) inflorescences belonging to different varieties. The nano-LC experiments were carried out in a 100 µm internal diameter capillary column packed with a C18 stationary phase for 15 cm with a mobile phase composed of ACN/H₂O/formic acid, 80/19/1% (v/v/v). The reverse-phase nano-LC method allowed the complete separation of four standard cannabinoids in less than 12 min under isocratic elution mode. The nano-LC method coupled to ultraviolet (UV) detection was validated and applied to the quantification of the target analytes in cannabis extracts. The nano-LC system was also coupled to an electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) detector to confirm the identity of the cannabinoids present in hemp samples. For the extraction of the cannabinoids, three different approaches, including dynamic maceration (DM), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and an extraction procedure adapted from the French Pharmacopeia’s protocol on medicinal plants, were carried out, and the results achieved were compared.     

A Comparison of Some Derivatives of Primary Amines for Gas Chromatography Using Electron Capture Detection

Abstract

Thirteen derivatives of phenethylamine were prepared. The sensitivities of flame ionization and electron capture detectors to these compounds and the original amine were determined. All compounds showed approximately the same sensitivity of detection with a flame ionization detector, but with an electron capture detector there was a 2 × 10⁵ difference in sensitivity of detection between the derivatives showing the greatest and the least sensitivity. The derivative with the greatest sensitivity of detection was the pentafluorobenzaldehyde-amine condensation product and amounts of the amine down to 10 picograms could easily be quantified.     

Highly sensitive determination of haloperidol in human serum by capillary gas chromatography using a surface ionization detector

A method has been developed for highly sensitive determination of haloperidol in human serum involving a simple extraction procedure followed by gas chromatographic separation. Target components were separated from the extracting solvents with a Van den Berg type solventless sample injector before introduction Into a DB-1 capillary separation column. A surface ionization detector (SID), which has highly selective sensitivity for Substituted amines, was employed for quantitation using bromperidol as an internal standard. Chloroform proved to be the best extracting solvent, yielding a quantitative detection limit of 5 ng/ml (S/N = 2). Comparison of the response to target compounds obtained by the SID, FTD (flame thermionic detector), and FID (flame ionization detector) showed the SID to be superior.     

Column switching-back flushing technique for the analysis of aromatic compounds in gasoline

A simple method, based on the technique of capillary column switching-back flushing, has been developed for the detailed analysis of aromatic compounds in gasoline. The sample was first separated on a 30-m long OV-2330 polar precolumn and then backflushed onto a nonpolar analytical column. The early eluting components from the precolumn and the components of interest (aromatic compounds plus heavier compounds) eluting from the analytical column are all directed to the same flame ionization detection system through a T piece, which permits the quantitative analysis of aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline by a normalization method using correcting factors. The switching time window of the method is +/-5 s, resulting in easier operation and higher reliability. The reproducibility of the quantitative analysis was < or = 3% RSD for real gasoline samples.     

Analysis of cannabinoids in fiber hemp plant varieties (Cannabis sativa L.) by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary An analytical procedure was developed for the detection of neutral and acidic cannabinoids in herbal cannabis without the need of any preliminary derivatization. The method was used to assay cannabinoid content of over one hundred fiber hemp samples grown in different Italian localities and harvested at different maturation level degrees during the summer. No interferences were observed due to the vegetal matrix. The influence of genetic factors and environmental conditions on cannabinoid content is discussed; the results may be of interest to enhance potential of fiber hemp in compliance with law enforcement purposes. Part of this work was presented at the 7^th Meeting on Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis, September 16–20, 1997, Island of Elba, Italy.     

Monitoring the extraction of additives and additive degradation products from polymer packaging into solutions by multi-residue method including solid phase extraction and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis

The use of polymer materials in industry for product packaging is increasing. The presence of additives in the polymer matrix enables the modification or improvement of the properties and performance of the polymer, but these industries are concerned regarding the extractability of these additives. The quantification of these additives is particularly challenging because of the presence of these substances as contaminants in all the analytical equipment and the diversity of their physicochemical properties. In this context, a multi-residue analytical method was developed for the trace analysis of the twenty main additives (and their degradation products) authorized in plastic products such as pharmaceutical packaging (e.g., antioxidants, release agents, and light absorbers). This analytical method consisted of a solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by an analysis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS). A comparison of two ionization interfaces and the optimization of the extraction procedure were discussed. The influence of the quality of the solvent type (distilled versus not distilled) and the nature of the SPE cartridges (Polypropylene versus Teflon^®) were demonstrated. The optimized method exhibited a quantification limit lower than 20 ng mL^?1 and recoveries between 70 % and 120 % for all compounds. Finally, the method was validated according to the ICH directive and was subsequently applied to the extraction of polymers under different pH conditions and storage temperatures. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first methodology allowing the simultaneous quantification of 24 additives at low ng mL^?1.     

An electropolymerized aniline-based fiber coating for solid phase microextraction of phenols from water

An aniline-based polymer was electrochemically prepared and applied as a new fiber coating for solid phase microextraction (SPME) of some priority phenols from water samples. The polyaniline (PANI) film was directly electrodeposited on the platinum wire surface in sulfuric acid solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The efficiency of new coating was investigated using a laboratory-made SPME device and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection for the extraction of some phenols from the headspace of aqueous samples. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the homogeneity and the porous surface structure of the film. The results obtained proved the ability of this polymer as a suitable SPME fiber coating for trapping the selected phenols. Influential parameters affecting the extraction process were optimized and an extraction time of 50 min at 50 °C gave maximum efficiency, when the aqueous sample was saturated with NaCl and adjusted at pH 2. This new coating can be prepared easily in a reproducible manner and it is rather inexpensive and stable against most of organic solvents. The PANI thickness can be precisely controlled by the number of CV cycles. At the optimum conditions, the R.S.D. for a double distilled water spiked with phenol and chlorophenols at ppb level were 4.8-17% (n = 3) and detection limits for the studied compounds were between 0.69 and 3.7 ng ml⁻¹, except for phenol and 4-chlorophenol. The optimized method was successfully applied to some real-life water samples.     

Thorough evaluation of the validity of conventional enantio-gas chromatography in the analysis of volatile chiral compounds in mandarin essential oil: A comparative investigation with multidimensional gas chromatography

The present research is focused on the determination of the enantiomeric distribution of chiral compounds, contained in mandarin essential oils, by means of conventional chiral gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (enantio-GC-FID); the results attained were compared with those derived from heart-cutting multidimensional GC-mass spectrometry (MDGC/MS), to evaluate the reliability of the monodimensional technique as a tool for quality control. The Deans-switch MDGC system was equipped with two GC ovens, which were connected via a heated transfer line, a flame ionization detector (FID1) in the first dimension and a quadrupole MS as second-dimension detector. The a priori knowledge of potential co-elutions concerning target compounds (an enantiomer and an interfering compound), when using enantio-GC-FID, could enable the use of corrected enantiomer excess values. Correction factors could be calculated through a preliminary GC-FID analysis (using an apolar column), considering the peak areas of the known interferences. The method used for the calculation of a so-called “coelution correction factor” is described, along with some examples.     

Gas chromatographic quantitative analysis of methanol in wine: operative conditions, optimization and calibration model choice

The influence of the wine distillation process on methanol content has been determined by quantitative analysis using gas chromatographic flame ionization (GC-FID) detection. A comparative study between direct injection of diluted wine and injection of distilled wine was performed. The distillation process does not affect methanol quantification in wines in proportions higher than 10%. While quantification performed on distilled samples gives more reliable results, a screening method for wine injection after a 1:5 water dilution could be employed. The proposed technique was found to be a compromise between the time consuming distillation process and direct wine injection. In the studied calibration range, the stability of the volatile compounds in the reference solution is concentration-dependent. The stability is higher in the less concentrated reference solution. To shorten the operation time, a stronger temperature ramp and carrier flow rate was employed. With these conditions, helium consumption and column thermal stress were increased. However, detection limits, calibration limits, and analytical method performances are not affected substantially by changing from normal to forced GC conditions. Statistical data evaluation were made using both ordinary (OLS) and bivariate least squares (BLS) calibration models. Further confirmation was obtained that limit of detection (LOD) values, calculated according to the 3sigma approach, are lower than the respective Hubaux-Vos (H-V) calculation method. H-V LOD depends upon background noise, calibration parameters and the number of reference standard solutions employed in producing the calibration curve. These remarks are confirmed by both calibration models used.     

Optimization of preconcentration and isolation for the determination of 15 phenols by supercritical-fluid extraction and gas chromatography with metallomesogenic stationary phase

Based on the merits of well-established capillary gas chromatography (GC), metallomesogenic polymer was used as the stationary phase and flame ionization detector (FID) was used as the detector, the analysis of phenolic compounds explored the possibility of application in complex matrices. We proposed the method combined supercritical-fluid extraction (SFE) of phenolic compounds, which had been enriched on the solid supports of XAD-4 resins, and then with their determinations by capillary GC-FID. The SFE parameters suitable for 15 phenols simultaneously adsorbed onto XAD-4 resins in aqueous solution were assessed by a 4⁵ factorial design method. The best results were 5 min static time, 10 min dynamic time, 0.25 ml methanol spiked, 80 °C oven temperature and 410 atm CO₂ pressure. Also, other parametric conditions for specific phenols were revealed and analyzed. In the comparison with Soxhlet extraction with regard to the recoveries and reproducibility, the developed SFE was quite superior and helped to reduce the detection limit of aqueous samples to 10⁻²-fold. Eventually, the polluted soils near a pharmaceutical factory were primarily tested and given the probable distribution.     

Selective determination of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in indoor air by gas chromatography, positive-ion chemical ionization and collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry with in-source ionization and dissociation was used in positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) mode for the determination of organophosphate triesters in indoor air. These compounds are widely used as additive flame retardants and plasticizers in different types of materials and have become ubiquitous pollutants in indoor environments. When using collision-induced dissociation in PICI mode the fragmentation of the organophosphate triesters can be performed in a more controllable way than in electron ionization (EI) mode. The developed selected-reaction monitoring method provided high selectivity for the investigated compounds. For 8-h air measurements (corresponding to 1.5 m3 of sampled air) the limit of detection of the method was determined to be in the range 0.1-1.4 ng m(-3), which is comparable with nitrogen-phosphorus detection and about 50-fold lower than when using EI in selected-ion monitoring mode. The presented method was applied to samples from three common indoor environments, in which a number of organophosphate triesters were identified and quantified. The dominating compound was found to be tris(2-chloropropyl) phosphate, which occurred at levels up to 0.8 microg m(-3).     

固相微萃取新型涂层的制备和特性(英文)

 以聚甲基苯基乙烯基硅氧烷为主要成分 ,采用溶胶 凝胶技术和自由基引发交联反应的方法首次制备了一种固相微萃取新涂层 ,并与气相联用 ,分析了芳香族化合物 ,考察了它的萃取性能。结果表明 :该涂层提供了大的比表面积 ,可获得高的萃取效率。与相应的商用固相微萃取涂层相比 ,该涂层具有更好的灵敏度和选择性 ,且热稳定性好 ,使用寿命长。     

Improvements in analytical methodology for the determination of frequently consumed illicit drugs in urban wastewater

Rapid and sensitive analytical methodology based on ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of widely consumed drugs of abuse (amphetamines, MDMA, cocaine, opioids, cannabis and ketamine) and their major metabolites in urban wastewaters. Sample clean-up and pre-concentration was performed by a generic off-line SPE procedure using Oasis HLB. Special effort was made to incorporate amphetamine, which was found highly problematic in the wastewater samples tested, including an additional clean-up with Oasis MCX SPE and dispersive primary secondary amine. Correction for possible SPE losses or degradation during storage was made by the use of isotope-labelled internal standards (ILIS), available for all compounds, which were added to the samples as surrogates. Although ILIS were also efficient for matrix effects correction, the strong ionization suppression observed was not eliminated; therefore, a four-fold dilution prior to SPE was applied to influent wastewaters and a low injection volume was selected (3 μL), in order to reach a compromise between matrix effects, chromatographic performance and sensitivity. The method was validated at 25 and 200 ng L^?1 (effluent), and 100 and 800 ng L^?1 (influent), obtaining limits of quantification (i.e. the lowest level that the compound can be quantified and also confirmed with at least two MS/MS transitions) between 0.4–25 ng L^?1 (effluent) and 2–100 ng L^?1 (influent). The applicability of the method was demonstrated by analysis of 14 influent and 14 effluent wastewater samples collected over 2 weeks in Castellón (Spain) within a European collaborative study.     

N-D-labeled ionic probes for mass spectrometry

An effective ¹⁵N- and deuterium (D)-labeled 2,6-bis(oxazolin-2-yl)pyridine (pybox)-La complex based probe ionization method that produces a distinct isotopic shift was developed. The distinct isotopic shift was detected by using the newly synthesized ¹⁵N-D-labeled pybox complexes. Moreover, O-[3-(tetramethylpybox)-propyl]-hydroxylamine (oxime-TMpybox) was prepared for attachment to the carbonyl group of the target molecule. Distinct isotopic shifts and multiple charged ions were detected for various compounds having amino, thiol, carboxyl, and carbonyl groups and fullerenes, using the TMpybox ionic probe series in cold-spray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Potential of Flame Ionization Detection Coupled On‐Line with Microcolumn Liquid Chromatography Using Aqueous Eluents and an Eluent‐Jet Interface

The potential of the on‐line coupling of microcolumn liquid chromatography (μLC) using aqueous eluents with a flame ionization detector (FID) was evaluated. An eluent‐jet interface was modified to allow the efficient introduction of the eluent into the FID. The potential of the method is demonstrated by the μLC–FID determination of lower alcohols and bis(2‐hydroxyethylthio)alkanes on porous and non‐porous stationary phases, respectively. Flow injection analysis (FIA)–FID experiments with highly polar, thermolabile, semi‐volatile and non‐volatile compounds like amino acids, organic acids, alkylphosphonic acids, and carbohydrates showed the developed configuration to be a promising approach for the detection of a wide range of analytes. Compared with a nebulization interface, the eluent‐jet interface showed 4–10 times higher peaks for citric acid. Detection limits by FIA for all compounds were in the range of 0.2–5 ng injected. With ribose as test compound, plots of peak height vs. amount injected showed good linearity (r² > 0.999) in the range of 75–12,000 μg/mL. The repeatability showed relative standard deviations of less than 5%.     

Quantitative structure–ion intensity relationship strategy to the prediction of absolute levels without authentic standards

The lack of authentic standards represents a major bottleneck in the quantitative analysis of complex samples. Here we propose a quantitative structure and ionization intensity relationship (QSIIR) approach to predict the absolute levels of compounds in complex matrixes. An absolute quantitative method for simultaneous quantification of 25 organic acids was firstly developed and validated. Napierian logarithm (LN) of the relative slope rate derived from the calibration curves was applied as an indicator of the relative ionization intensity factor (RIIF) and serves as the dependent variable for building a QSIIR model via a multiple linear regression (MLR) approach. Five independent variables representing for hydrogen bond acidity, HOMO energy, the number of hydrogen bond donating group, the ratio of organic phase, and the polar solvent accessible surface area were found as the dominant contributors to the RIIF of organic acids. This QSIIR model was validated to be accurate and robust, with the correlation coefficients (R²), R² adjusted, and R² prediction at 0.945, 0.925, and 0.89, respectively. The deviation of accuracy between the predicted and experimental value in analyzing a real complex sample was less than 20% in most cases (15/18). Furthermore, the high adaptability of this model was validated one year later in another LC/MS system. The QSIIR approach is expected to provide better understanding of quantitative structure and ionization efficiency relationship of analogous compounds, and also to be useful in predicting the absolute levels of analogous analytes in complex mixtures.     

Development, validation and application of a SDME/GC-FID methodology for the multiresidue determination of organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in water

A single-drop microextraction (SDME) procedure was developed for the analysis of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in water by gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The significant parameters that affect SDME performance, such as the selection of microextraction solvent, solvent volume, extraction time, and stirring rate, were studied and optimized using a tool screening factorial design. The limits of detection (LODs) in water for the four investigated compounds were between 0.3 and 3.0 μg L⁻¹, with relative standard deviations ranging from 7.7 to 18.8%. Linear response data were obtained in the concentration range of 0.9-6.0 μg L⁻¹ (λ-cyhalothrin), 3.0-60.0 μg L⁻¹ (methyl parathion), 9.0-60.0 μg L⁻¹ (ethion), and 9.0-30.0 μg L⁻¹ (permethrin), with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9337 to 0.9977. The relative recoveries for the spiked water ranged from 73.0 to 104%. Environmental water samples (n = 26) were successfully analyzed using the proposed method and methyl parathion presented concentration up to 2.74 μg L⁻¹. The SDME method, coupled with GC-FID analysis, provided good precision, accuracy, and reproducibility over a wide linear range. Other highlights of the method include its ease of use and its requirement of only small volumes of both organic solvent and sample.