Comparison of UV derivative-spectrophotometry and partial least-squares (PLS-1) calibration for determination of methotrexate and leucovorin in biological fluids

Binary mixtures of methotrexate (MTX) and leucovorin (LV) have been resolved by application of first-derivative spectrophotometry and partial least squares calibration (PLS-1). By measuring the first-derivative signals of MTX and LV at 354 and 300 nm, respectively, simultaneous determination was possible. The mean recoveries for urine samples were 91 and 96% for MTX and LV, respectively. Partial least squares (PLS-1) multivariate calibration has been applied to the determination of these compounds in serum and in urine without pretreatment of the samples. The absorption spectra of serum or urine samples spiked with methotrexate and/or leucovorin, were used to optimize the calibration matrixes by the PLS-1 method. The sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed procedures were calculated. Mean recoveries were 101 and 97% for MTX and LV, respectively, for serum samples, and 101 and 98% for MTX and LV, respectively, for urine samples.     

Spectrophotometric determination of sorbic and benzoic acids in fruit juices by a net analyte signal-based method with selection of the wavelength range to avoid non-modelled interferences

Sorbic (SOR) and benzoic (BEN) acids were determined in fruit juice samples by using a net analyte signal-based methodology named HLA/GO (an hybrid linear analysis presented by Goicoechea and Olivieri) applied to spectroscopic signals. The calibration set was built with several fruit juices in order to take into account the natural variability and concentrations of both analytes covering the range usually present in commercial samples. Relative errors of prediction (REP %) of 3.6 and 5.2% were calculated for SOR and BEN respectively. Several figures of merit were calculated-sensitivity, selectivity, analytical sensitivity, and limit of detection. The method is quantitative, with reasonably good recoveries and excellent precision (less than 1%). Wavelength selection was applied, based on the concept of net analyte signal regression, and it allowed us to improve the method performance in samples containing non-modelled interferences, e.g. fruit juices different to those used to build the calibration model.     

Net analyte signal-based simultaneous determination of ethanol and water by quartz crystal nanobalance sensor

Net analyte signal (NAS)-based method called HLA/GO was applied for the selectively determination of binary mixture of ethanol and water by quartz crystal nanobalance (QCN) sensor. A full factorial design was applied for the formation of calibration and prediction sets in the concentration ranges 5.5-22.2 μg mL⁻¹ for ethanol and 7.01-28.07 μg mL⁻¹ for water. An optimal time range was selected by procedure which was based on the calculation of the net analyte signal regression plot in any considered time window for each test sample. A moving window strategy was used for searching the region with maximum linearity of NAS regression plot (minimum error indicator) and minimum of PRESS value. On the base of obtained results, the differences on the adsorption profiles in the time range between 1 and 600 s were used to determine mixtures of both compounds by HLA/GO method. The calculation of the net analytical signal using HLA/GO method allows determination of several figures of merit like selectivity, sensitivity, analytical sensitivity and limit of detection, for each component. To check the ability of the proposed method in the selection of linear regions of adsorption profile, a test for detecting non-linear regions of adsorption profile data in the presence of methanol was also described. The results showed that the method was successfully applied for the determination of ethanol and water.     

Application of Quartz Crystal Nanobalance for Simultaneous Determination of Vanillylmandelic and Homovanillic Acids by a Net Analyte Signal-Based Method

Homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were selectively determined by quartz crystal nanobalance sensor in conjunction with net analyte signal (NAS)-based method called HLA/GO. An orthogonal design was applied for the formation of calibration and prediction sets including HVA, VMA, and some common and structurally similar urine compounds. The selection of the optimal time range involved the calculation of the NAS regression plot in any considered time window for each test sample. The searching of a region with maximum linearity of NAS regression plot (minimum error indicator) and minimum of predicted error sum of squares value was carried out by applying a moving window strategy. Based on the obtained results, the differences on the adsorption profiles in the time range between 1 and 300 s were used to determine mixtures of compounds by HLA/GO method. Several figures of merit like selectivity, sensitivity, analytical sensitivity, and limit of detection were calculated for both compounds. The results showed that the method was successfully applied for the determination of VMA and HVA.     

Determination of carbendazim, thiabendazole and fuberidazole using a net analyte signal-based method

The net analyte signal (NAS)-based method HLA/GO, modification of the original hybrid linear analysis (HLA) method, has been used to determine carbendazim, fuberidazole and thiabendazole in water samples. This approach was used after a solid-phase extraction (SPE) step, using the native fluorescence emission spectra of real samples, previously standardized by piecewise direct standardization (PDS). The results obtained show that the modification of HLA performs in a similar way that partial least-squares method (PLS-1). The NAS concept was also used to calculate multivariate analytical figures of merit such as limit of detection, selectivity, sensitivity and analytical sensitivity (γ⁻¹). With this purpose, blanks of methanol and ternary mixtures, with the target analyte at low concentration and the other two ranging according to the calibration matrix, were used, with different results. Detection limits calculated in the last way are more realistic and show the influence of the other components in the sample. Selectivity for carbendazim is higher than the corresponding values for fuberidazole and thiabendazole, whereas sensitivity, as well as the values obtained for their detection limits, are lower for carbendazim, followed by thiabendazole and fuberidazole. Results obtained by modification of HLA vary in the same way that the ones obtained by PLS-1.     

Indirect extraction-spectrophotometric determination of 2-(thiocyanomethylthiol)benzothiazole in chrome tanning liquors after its breakdown to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole

The simple extraction-spectrophotometric procedure is proposed in this work for the determination of 2-(thiocyanomethylthiol)benzothiazole (TCMTB) in chrome tanning liquors after its breakdown to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT). The sample (50mul) was 4-fold diluted with deionized water and the conversion of TCMTB to MBT was obtained with cysteine (400 mul, 0.1 moll(-1)) in alkaline conditions (pH 10). After acidification to pH 2.5 (100 mul phosphoric acid, 2 moll(-1)), the extraction was carried out with 800 mul of ethyl acetate, containing 0.2% of beta-mercaptoethanol and absorbance was measured at 324 nm with the cut-off filter 295 nm. To avoid possible errors due to MBT presence in the sample, this same sample was taken for blank, but the reagents were added in form of one acid solution (omitting the conversion step). The calibration range was 10-120 mugml(-1) of TCMTB with the regression coefficient 0.9999, the quantitation limit was 2.80 mugml(-1) and the within day precision was 3.34 and 0.20%, respectively, for 10 and for 100 mugml(-1) of TCMTB. The results obtained in the analysis of the three industrial liquor samples by the proposed procedure were in a good agreement with the results obtained using liquid chromatography method.     

A Graphene Oxide‐DNA Electrochemical Sensor Based on Glassy Carbon Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Methotrexate

Methotrexate (MTX) was used as an anti‐cancer drug, but its excessive use can cause serious side effects, it was necessary to monitor MTX in vivo. In this report, DNA was immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with graphene oxide (GO) to develop an electrochemical sensor for sensitive determination of MTX for the first time. The adsorptive voltammetric behaviors of MTX on DNA sensor were investigated using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The peak current response of guanine in DNA was used as a determination signal of MTX in acetate buffer solution pH 4.6. Voltammetric investigations revealed that the proposed method could determine MTX in the concentration range from 5.5×10⁻⁸ to 2.2×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with a lower detection limit of 7.6×10⁻9 mol L⁻¹ (S/N=3). The method was applied to detect MTX in human blood serum and diluted urine samples with excellent recoveries of 97.4–102.5 %. Compared with the previous studies, the DNA/GO/GCE electrode constructed by us based on the change rate of guanine current (R%) in DNA, proportionally reflecting the MTX concentration, is simple and sensitive .     

Spectrophotometric determination of lead in industrial, environmental, biological and soil samples using 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole

A very simple, ultra-sensitive and fairly selective non-extractive spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of lead with 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMTD) has been developed. DMTD reacts in slightly acidic (0.0015-0.01 M HCl) aquatic media with lead(II) to give a greenish-yellow chelate, which has an absorption maximum at 375 nm. The reaction is instantaneous and absorbance remains stable for 24 h. The average molar absorption coefficient and Sandell's sensitivity were found to be 4.93x10(4) lmol(-1)cm(-1) and 15 ngcm(-2) of Pb, respectively. Linear calibration graphs were obtained for 0.1-40 mugml(-1) of Pb; the stoichiometric composition of the chelate is 1:2 (Pb-DMTD). The interference from over 50 cations, anions and complexing agents has been studied at 1 mugml(-1) of Pb. The method developed was used successfully in the determination of lead in several standard reference materials (alloys and steels), environmental waters (potable and polluted), biological samples (human blood and urine), soil samples, solutions containing both lead(II) and lead(IV) and complex synthetic mixtures. The method has high precision and accuracy (S=+/-0.01 for 0.5 mugml(-1)).     

Determination of oxalate based on its enhancing effect on the oxidation of Mn(II) by periodate

A new kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of oxalate has been described, based on its enhancing effect on the oxidation of Mn(II) to MnO(4)(-), which is measured at 525 nm, by potassium periodate. Under the optimum conditions of 20 mugml(-1) Mn(II) in MnSO(4).H(2)O/0.015 moll(-1) H(3)PO(4)/0.013 moll(-1) sodium acetate and 3x10(-3) moll(-1) KIO(4) at 35 degrees C, calibration graphs in the range of 0.05-1.25 and 0.05-1.75 mugml(-1) oxalate concentration were obtained with detection limits of 27 and 5 ngml(-1) by the fixed time and the induction period methods, respectively. No serious interference was identified. The proposed method is simple, inexpensive, sensitive and accurate. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the determination of the oxalate in spinach and urine samples.     

Determination of bromhexine in cough-cold syrups by absorption spectrophotometry and multivariate calibration using partial least-squares and hybrid linear analyses. Application of a novel method of wavelength selection

The mucolitic bromhexine [N-(2-amino-3,5-dibromobenzyl)-N-methylcyclohexylamine] has been determined in cough suppressant syrups by multivariate spectrophotometric calibration, together with partial least-squares (PLS-1) and hybrid linear analysis (HLA). Notwithstanding the spectral overlapping between bromhexine and syrup excipients, as well as the intrinsic variability of the latter in unknown samples, the recoveries are excellent. A novel method of wavelength selection was also applied, based on the concept of net analyte signal regression, as adapted to the HLA methodology. This method allows one to improve the performance of both PLS-1 and HLA in samples containing nonmodeled interferences.     

Spectrophotometric resolution of ternary mixtures of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and sodium benzoate in syrups using wavelength selection by net analyte signals calculated with hybrid linear analysis

Hybrid linear analysis (HLA), as a recent factor-based multivariate calibration technique, was applied for the spectrophotometric determination of ternary mixtures of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSU), dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXT), and sodium benzoate (BNZ). The utilized HLA was assisted by a wavelength selection procedure which was based on the calculation of the net analyte signal (NAS) regression plot in any considered wavelengths window for each test sample, in addition to a moving window strategy for searching the region with maximum linearity of NAS regression plot (minimum error indicator (EI)). HLA was applied because it was simpler to adapt to the NAS regression plot methodology, and also used less factors than partial least squares (PLS). An orthogonal array design was applied for formation of calibration and prediction sets in the concentration ranges 0-7500 μmol L⁻¹ for PSU, 0-300 μmol L⁻¹ for DXT, and 0-1400 μmol L⁻¹ for BNZ. The method had the ability to select wavelength regions that minimize the effect of non-linearity of the spectral data, in addition to that of non-modeled interferences. The application of the selected wavelength regions improved the obtained relative standard error of predictions for PSU, DXT, and BNZ, respectively, from 5.24, 8.67, and 5.48% to 2.19, 5.21, and 3.62% (using lower number of factors). To check the ability of the proposed method in selection of linear regions of spectra, a test for detecting non-linear regions of spectral data in multivariate spectroscopic assays was also described. Additives in the commercial syrup samples did not interfere with their determinations. The method was successfully applied for the determination of pseudoephedrine HCl, dextromethorphan HBr, and sodium benzoate in cough suppressant syrup samples.     

Practical determination of methotrexate in serum of rheumatic patients by LC-MS/MS

A rapid and simple liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatic patients' serum is described. Serum spiked with pterin as an internal standard was deproteinized with methanol. The separation of MTX from interfering peaks in matrix was achieved on a Luna 3 µm C₁₈ (100 × 4.6 mm i.d.) column with a mixture of 1% acetic acid and acetonitrile (88:12, v/v) within 5 min. Multiple reaction monitoring transitions monitored for MTX were m/z 455.2–308.1. The calibration curve of MTX in serum showed a good linearity (r = 0.999). Limits of detection and quantification of MTX at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 and 10 were 3.0 n m (4.4 fmol/injection) and 10.0 n m (14.5 fmol/injection), respectively. The accuracy and precision for intra‐ and inter‐day assays were 94.6–106.5% and <5.5 and <5.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied to the sera nine rheumatic patients receiving MTX treatment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of net analyte signal-based methods and partial least squares for the simultaneous determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid by stopped-flow kinetic analysis

A comparative study about advantages and limitations of net analyte signal (NAS)-based methods (NBMs) and partial least squares (PLS) calibration in kinetic analysis has been performed. The different multivariate calibration methods were applied to the determination of binary mixtures of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid, by stopped-flow kinetic analysis. The reactions of oxidation of these compounds with cerium(IV), in sulphuric acid medium, were monitored by following the changes on the fluorescence of the oxidation products, in stopped-flow mode. The differences on the kinetic profiles obtained at λ_ex=256 nm and λ_em=351 nm, were used to determine mixtures of both compounds by multivariate calibration of the kinetic data, using PLS-1, a modification of hybrid linear analysis (HLA) and net analyte pre-processing combined with classical least squares (NAP/CLS) methods. The NBMs allowed the selection of optimal time data regions by calculating the minimum error indicator function (EIF), improving the results and making NBMs very convenient for the analysis. In addition, the use of the net analyte signal concept allows the calculation of the analytical figures of merit, limit of detection (LOD), sensitivity and selectivity, for each component.     

Preconcentration of lanthanum, europium and ytterbium with tribromoarsenazo-cetylpyridinium bromide supported on microcrystalline naphthalene and their determinations by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A sensitive and rapid method for the determination of lanthanum, europium and ytterbium by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after solid-liquid extraction with microcrystalline naphthalene was developed. Analytes could be quantitatively adsorbed on tribromoarsenazo-cetylpyridinium bromide-naphthalene (TBA-CPB-naphthalene) packed in a column and determined by ICP-AES after desorption with 3 moll(-1) HCl. The effect of various experimental parameters, such as pH, reagent amounts, naphthalene concentrations and diverse ions, on the determination of interesting elements were investigated in detail. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the detection limits of this method for La(3+), Eu(3+) and Yb(3+) were 1.3-8.6 ngml(-1), and the relative standard deviations obtained for nine replicate determinations at a concentration of 0.5 mugml(-1) were 1.4-2.2%. The proposed method has been applied in the analysis of NIES CRM No. 8 vehicle exhaust particulates and GBW 07602 GSV-1 bush branches and leaves for La, Eu and Yb, and La in NIST SRM 1752 citrus leaves samples; the analytical results were in good agreement with reference values.     

Multivariate standard addition method solved by net analyte signal calculation and rank annihilation factor analysis

This article describes the use of the net analyte signal (NAS) concept and rank annihilation factor analysis (RAFA) for building two different multivariate standard addition models called “SANAS” and “SARAF.” In the former, by the definition of a new subspace, the NAS vector of the analyte of interest in an unknown sample as well as the NAS vectors of samples spiked with various amounts of the standard solutions are calculated and then their Euclidean norms are plotted against the concentration of added standard. In this way, a simple linear standard addition graph similar to that in univariate calibration is obtained, from which the concentration of the analyte in the unknown sample and the analytical figures of merit are readily calculated. In the SARAF method, the concentration of the analyte in the unknown sample is varied iteratively until the contribution of the analyte in the response data matrix is completely annihilated. The proposed methods were evaluated by analyzing simulated absorbance data as well as by the analysis of two indicators in synthetic matrices as experimental data. The resultant predicted concentrations of unknown samples showed that the SANAS and SARAF methods both produced accurate results with relative errors of prediction lower than 5% in most cases.     

Stopped-flow fluorimetric determination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid by partial least-squares multivariate calibration

Mixtures of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid were determined by using kinetic data in combination with partial least-squares multivariate calibration. The reaction of oxidation of these compounds with cerium(IV) in sulfuric acid medium has been monitored fluorimetrically. To follow the kinetics of the reaction, the stopped-flow mixing technique was used. Partial least-squares calibration of the kinetic data allowed the resolution of the analytes investigated in the concentration ranges between 0 and 4 mugml(-1). The method was applied satisfactorily to several pharmaceutical formulations, including Clavucid, Augmentine, Pangamox, Eupeclanic and Clamoxyl. The results obtained were validated by using an HPLC method. The percentages of recovery range from 91 to 105% for amoxycillin and from 78 to 117% for clavulanic acid, respectively.     

Reflectance near-infrared spectroscopic method with Chemometric techniques for simultaneous determination of Chondroitin, glucosamine, and methyl sulfonyl methane

Reflectance near-IR (RNIR) spectroscopy was used for the simultaneous determination of chondroitin (CH), glucosamine (GO), and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) in tablets. Simple sample preparation was done by grinding, sieving, and compression of the tablets for improving RNIR spectra. Principal component regression and partial least squares (PLS-1 and PLS-2) were successfully applied to quantify the three components in the studied mixture using information included in RNIR spectra in the range of 4350-9100 cm(-1). The calibration model was developed with drug concentration ranges of 14.5-44.2% (w/w) for CH, 18.4-55.3% (w/w) for GO, and 6-18.6% (w/w) for MSM with addition of tablet excipients to the calibration set in the same ratio as in the tested tablets. The calibration models were evaluated by internal validation, cross-validation, and external validation using synthetic and pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed method was applied for analysis of six batches of the pharmaceutical product. The results of the proposed method were compared with the results of the pharmacopoeial method for the same batch of the pharmaceutical product. No significant differences between the results were found. The RNIR method is accurate and precise, and can be used for QC of pharmaceutical products.     

Simultaneous determination of antazoline and naphazoline by the net analyte signal standard addition method and spectrophotometric technique

A novel net analyte signal standard addition method (NASSAM) was used for simultaneous determination of the drugs anthazoline and naphazoline. The NASSAM can be applied for determination of analytes in the presence of known interferents. The proposed method is used to eliminate the calibration and prediction steps of multivariate calibration methods; the determination is carried out in a single step for each analyte. The accuracy of the predictions against the H-point standard addition method is independent of the shape of the analyte and interferent spectra. The net analyte signal concept was also used to calculate multivariate analytical figures of merit, such as LOD, selectivity, and sensitivity. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of anthazoline and naphazoline in a commercial eye drop sample.     

Chemometric assisted simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of four-component nasal solutions with a reduced number of calibration samples

The use of multivariate spectrophotometric calibration for the simultaneous determination of three active components and one excipient in nasal solutions is presented. The resolution of four-component mixtures of phenylephrine, diphenhydramine, naphazoline and methylparaben in a matrix of excipients has been accomplished by using partial least-squares (PLS-1) and a variant of the so-called hybrid linear analysis (HLA) named net analyte preprocessing (NAP). Notwithstanding the presence of a large number of components and their high degree of spectral overlap, they have been rapidly and simultaneously determined with high accuracy and precision, with no interference, and without resorting to extraction procedures using non-aqueous solvents. A simple and fast method for wavelength selection in the calibration step is used, based on the minimisation of the predicted error sum of squares (PRESS) calculated as a function of a moving spectral window. The use of calibration designs of reduced size has been attempted. Satisfactory results were obtained when the number of calibration samples was reduced from 25 (full central composite) to 17 (fractional central composite) using the net analyte-based NAP method.     

Direct determination of closely overlapping drug mixtures of diflunisal and salicylic acid in serum by means of derivative matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence spectrometry

A direct method for the simultaneous fluorimetric determination of two anti-inflammatory drugs in serum is proposed. The combination of matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence (MISF) and first derivative technique provides good analytical results and permits the simultaneous determination of diflunisal and salicylic acid in human serum. MISF spectra are obtained by calculating the isopotential trajectory in the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum for a serum solution. In the spectral contour, the trajectory is taken to be the portion of the line that passes by the fluorescence maxima of both compounds ensuring a sensitivity level similar to that of a direct determination in absence of background fluorescence. Analysis was carried out in water using a pH of 7.2 provides by 0.1 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer. Serum samples are diluted 100 times and provide linear calibration plots at diflunisal and salicylic acid concentrations up to 800 ng mL⁻¹. The goodness of the analytical signal was checked by using variance analysis. Signals recorded throughout the calibration range were subjected to three calibrations per each analyte, both in the absence and in the presence of variable amounts of the other analyte. Differences between individual calibrations and slopes were compared with those within individual calibrations. Based on the results, diflunisal and salicylic acid can be accurately quantified in the presence of each other. The limit of detection calculated according to Clayton who uses error propagation throughout the calibration curve and a non-centralized security factor was 36.8 and 37.3 ng mL⁻¹ for diflunisal and salicylic acid, respectively.