Complementary chromatography separation combined with hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for arsenic speciation in human urine

This study aimed to establish complementary high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods including three modes of separation: ion pairing, cation exchange, and anion exchange chromatography, with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The ion pairing mode enabled the separation of inorganic arsenate (As(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)). However, the ion pair mode was unable to differentiate inorganic arsenite (As(III)) from arsenobetaine (AsB); instead, cation exchange chromatography was used to isolate and quantify AsB. Anion exchange chromatography was able to speciate all of the aforementioned arsenic species. Potential inaccurate quantification problem with urine sample containing elevated concentration of AsB, which eluted immediately after As(III) in anion exchange or ion pairing mode, was overcame by introducing a post-column hydride generation (HG) derivatization step. Incorporating HG between HPLC and ICPMS improved sensitivity and specificity by differentiating AsB from hydride-forming arsenic species. This paper emphasizes the usefulness of complementary chromatographic separations in combination with HG-ICPMS to quantitatively determine concentrations of As(III), DMA(V), MMA(V), As(V), and AsB in the sub-microgram per liter range in human urine.     

Fast method for routine simultaneous analysis of methylmercury and butyltins in seafood

A simple, fast, and accurate method for the simultaneous determination of methylmercury (MeHg(+)), monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) in seafood is proposed. The method makes use of relatively cheap instrumentation and allows simultaneous analysis of those four species in a routine basis. The sample is treated with methanolic potassium hydroxide in an ultrasound bath, derivatised with sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt(4)), preconcentrated into n-hexane and analysed by gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (GC-MIP/AES). The soft extraction conditions provided by ultrasound energy prevent chemical decomposition of the analytes and allow fast and efficient recovery of the species considered. Both the extraction and the derivatisation/preconcentration steps were optimised. Detection limits of 34, 3, 6 and 8 ng g(-1) (dry mass) were obtained for MeHg(+), MBT, DBT and TBT, respectively, using the best experimental conditions found. The uncertainty of the analysis ranged from 11% (MeHg(+)) to 15% (MBT). The accuracy of the method was checked by the analysis of several certified reference materials, e.g., BCR 477 (mussel tissue, MBT, DBT and TBT), DOLT-2 (dogfish liver, MeHg(+)), BCR 463 (tuna fish, MeHg(+)) and NIST 2976 (mussel tissue, MeHg(+)) with satisfactory results. Several oyster samples collected in the estuary of the Oka River (Urdaibai, Unesco Reserve of the Biosphere, Basque Country) during four sampling campaigns in 2003-2004 were processed following the proposed procedure. Concentrations ranging from 65 to 149 ng g(-1) (MeHg(+)), 相似文献   

Extraction and detection of arsenicals in seaweed via accelerated solvent extraction with ion chromatographic separation and ICP-MS detection

An accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) device was evaluated as a semi-automated means of extracting arsenicals from ribbon kelp. The effect of the experimentally controllable ASE parameters (pressure, temperature, static time, and solvent composition) on the extraction efficiencies of arsenicals from seaweed was investigated. The extraction efficiencies for ribbon kelp (approximately 72.6%) using the ASE were fairly independent (< 7%) of pressure, static time and particle size after 3 ASE extraction cycles. The optimum extraction conditions for the ribbon kelp were obtained by using a 3 mL ASE cell, 30/70 (w/w) MeOH/H2O, 500 psi (1 psi = 7 KPa), ambient temperature, 1 min heat step, 1 min static step, 90% vol. flush, and a 120 s purge. Using these conditions, two other seaweed products produced extraction efficiencies of 25.6% and 50.5%. The inorganic species present in the extract represented 62.5% and 27.8% of the extracted arsenic. The speciation results indicated that both seaweed products contained 4 different arsenosugars, DMA (dimethylarsinic acid), and As(V). One seaweed product also contained As(III). Both of these seaweed products contained an arsenosugar whose molecular weight was determined to be 408 and its structure was tentatively identified using ion chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (IC-ESI-MS/MS).     

Extraction and detection of arsenicals in seaweed via accelerated solvent extraction with ion chromatographic separation and ICP-MS detection

An accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) device was evaluated as a semi-automated means of extracting arsenicals from ribbon kelp. The effect of the experimentally controllable ASE parameters (pressure, temperature, static time, and solvent composition) on the extraction efficiencies of arsenicals from seaweed was investigated. The extraction efficiencies for ribbon kelp (approximately 72.6%) using the ASE were fairly independent ¶(< 7%) of pressure, static time and particle size after 3 ASE extraction cycles. The optimum extraction conditions for the ribbon kelp were obtained by using a 3 mL ASE cell, 30/70 (w/w) MeOH/H₂O, 500 psi (1 psi = 7 KPa), ambient temperature, 1 min heat step, 1 min static step, 90% vol. flush, and a 120 s purge. Using these conditions, two other seaweed products produced extraction efficiencies of 25.6% and 50.5%. The inorganic species present in the extract represented 62.5% and 27.8% of the extracted arsenic. The speciation results indicated that both seaweed products contained 4 different arsenosugars, DMA (dimethylarsinic acid), and As(V). One seaweed product also contained As(III). Both of these seaweed products contained an arsenosugar whose molecular weight was determined to be 408 and its structure was tentatively identified using ion chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (IC-ESI-MS/MS).     

Certification of methylmercury in cod fish tissue certified reference material by species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometric analysis

A new cod fish tissue certified reference material, NMIJ CRM 7402-a, for methylmercury analysis was certified by the National Metrological Institute of Japan in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). Cod fish was collected from the sea close to Japan. The cod muscle was powdered by freeze-pulverization and was placed into 600 glass bottles (10 g each), which were sterilized with γ-ray irradiation. The certification was carried out using species-specific isotope dilution gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SSID–GC–ICPMS), where ²⁰²Hg-enriched methylmercury (MeHg) was used as the spike compound. In order to avoid any possible analytical biases caused by nonquantitative extraction, degradation and/or formation of MeHg in sample preparations, two different extraction methods (KOH/methanol and HCl/methanol extractions) were performed, and one of these extraction methods utilized two different derivatization methods (ethylation and phenylation). A double ID method was adopted to minimize the uncertainty arising from the analyses. In order to ensure not only the reliability of the analytical results but also traceability to SI units, the standard solution of MeHg used for the reverse-ID was prepared from high-purity MeHg chloride and was carefully assayed as follows: the total mercury was determined by ID–ICPMS following aqua regia digestion, and the ratio of Hg as MeHg to the total Hg content was estimated by GC–ICPMS. The certified value given for MeHg is 0.58 ± 0.02 mg kg⁻¹ as Hg. Figure NMIJ CRM 7402-a: cod fish tissue for MeHg analysis     

Preparation of a sewage sludge laboratory quality control material for butyltin compounds and their determination by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry

The characterisation of a laboratory quality control material (QCM) for dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) in sewage sludge is described. The reference values were determined by the use of two different types of isotope-dilution mass spectrometry: gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To avoid possible analytical errors such as non-quantitative extraction and species degradation during sample preparation, different extraction methods were tested (microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction and mechanical stirring). The reference values were based on the unweighted means of results from the homogenisation and characterisation studies. The reference values obtained were 1,553 ± 87 and 534 ± 38 ng Sn g^-1 for DBT and TBT, respectively. In the uncertainty budget estimation, the sample inhomogeneity and between-method imprecision were taken into account. The concentrations of DBT and TBT in QCM are similar to those in the harbour sediment certified reference material PACS-2. Likewise, the levels of DBT and TBT are in the range of these compounds normally present in sewage sludge worldwide. In the future, the QCM will be used for an intercomparison study on DBT and TBT in sewage sludge, and as a day-to-day QCM during studies concerning the application of sewage sludge as an additive to artificial soil or as a raw material in civil engineering construction.     

Speciation analysis of mercury by solid-phase microextraction and multicapillary gas chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry

This paper reports the development of an analytical approach for speciation analysis of mercury at ultra-trace levels on the basis of solid-phase microextraction and multicapillary gas chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Headspace solid-phase microextraction with a carboxen/polydimethylsyloxane fiber is used for extraction/preconcentration of mercury species after derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate and subsequent volatilization. Isothermal separation of methylmercury (MeHg), inorganic mercury (Hg2+) and propylmercury (PrHg) used as internal standard is achieved within a chromatographic run below 45 s without the introduction of spectral skew. Method detection limits (3 x standard deviation criteria) calculated for 10 successive injections of the analytical reagent blank are 0.027 pg g(-1) (as metal) for MeHg and 0.27 pg g(-1) for Hg2+. The repeatability (R.S.D., %) is 3.3% for MeHg and 3.8% for Hg2+ for 10 successive injections of a standard mixture of 10pg. The method accuracy for MeHg and total mercury is validated through the analysis of marine and estuarine sediment reference materials. A comparison of the sediment data with those obtained by a purge-and-trap injection (PTI) method is also addressed. The analytical procedure is illustrated with some results for the ultra-trace level analysis of ice from Antarctica for which the accuracy is assessed by spike recovery experiments.     

液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定稻米中的5种砷形态

建立了稻米中砷酸根[As（Ⅴ）]、亚砷酸根[As（Ⅲ）]、砷甜菜碱（AsB）、一甲基砷（MMA）和二甲基砷（DMA）的液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱（LC-ICP-MS）检测方法。以0.3 mol/L硝酸水溶液为提取试剂,样品在石墨消解仪中于95 ℃消解1.5 h,上清液供LC-ICP-MS分析。5种砷形态采用Dionex IonPac AS19阴离子交换柱（250 mm×4 mm）分离,经ICP-MS检测。比较了4种提取液对稻米中5种砷形态的提取效率,并对提取溶剂的浓度、提取温度和提取时间等条件进行了优化。通过加标回收试验结合测定标准物质考察了方法准确度及精密度,在2个加标水平上各形态的回收率为89.6%~99.5%,RSD（n=5）不大于3.6%,大米标准物质中各形态之和的测定结果与其标准值吻合,5种砷形态的线性范围AsB和DMA为0.05~200 μg/L,As（Ⅲ）和MMA为0.10~400 μg/L,As（V）为0.15~600 μg/L,方法检出限为0.15~0.45 μg/kg。结果表明,本方法简单、灵敏、耐用,可用于稻米中5种砷形态的准确定量和风险评估。     

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Application to the determination of arsenic species

The application of ion-pair reversed phase chromatography (HPLC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to the determination of six species of arsenic is described: arsenious acid (As^III), arsenic acid (As^V), monomethylarsinic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenocholine (AsC) and arsenobetaine (AsB) in marine biota and in natural fresh water. The coupling conditions of HPLC-ICP-MS are given and also the evaluation of the extraction procedure applied to determine these species in marine organisms. The limits of detection are between 6 and 25 g.l^–1.     

Application of fast ultrasound water-bath assisted enzymatic hydrolysis--high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry procedures for arsenic speciation in seafood materials

Enzymatic hydrolysis of seafood materials for isolating arsenic species (As(III), As(V), DMA and AsB) has been successfully performed by assisting the procedure with ultrasound energy (35 kHz) supplied by an ultrasound water-bath. The use of pepsin, as a proteolytic enzyme, under optimized operating conditions (pH 3.0, temperature 40 °C, enzyme to sample ratio of 0.3) led to an efficient assistance of the enzymatic process in a short period of time (from 4.0 to 30 min). The enzymatic extract was then subjected to a clean-up procedure based on ENVI-Carb™ solid phase extraction (SPE). An optimized anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) permitted the fast separation (less than 15 min) of six different arsenic species (arsenite, As(III); arsenate, As(V); dimethylarsinic acid, DMA; and arsenobetaine, AsB; as well as monomethylarsonic acid, MMA; and arsenocholine, AsC) in a single run. Relative standard deviations (n = 11) of the over-all procedure were 7% for AsB and DMA, 11% for As(III) and 9% for MMA. HPLC–ICP-MS determinations were performed using aqueous calibrations covering arsenic concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 25, 100 and 200 μg L⁻¹ (expressed as arsenic) for As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA and AsC; and 0, 125, 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 2000 μg L⁻¹ (expressed as arsenic) for AsB. Germanium (5 μg L⁻¹) was used as an internal standard. Analytical recoveries from the anion exchange column varied from 96 to 105% (enzymatic digests spiked with low target concentrations), from 97 to 104% (enzymatic digests spiked with intermediate target concentrations), and from 98 to 103% (enzymatic digests spiked with high target concentrations). The developed method was successfully applied to two certified reference materials (CRMs), DORM-2 and BCR 627, which offer certified AsB and DMA contents, and also to different seafood samples (mollusks, white fish and cold water fish). Good agreement between certified and found AsB concentrations was achieved when analyzing both CRMs; and also, between certified and found DMA concentrations in BCR 627. In addition, the sum of the different arsenic species concentrations found in most of the analyzed samples was statistically similar to the assessed total arsenic concentrations after a total sample matrix decomposition treatment.     

Investigation of the degradation of arsenobetaine during its contact with natural zeolites and the identification of metabolites using HPLC coupled with ICP-MS and ESI-MS

Combined detection by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for elemental information (quantification) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for molecular information (identification) by means of splitting of the eluent after chromatographic separation is a suitable means of analysis for unknown and not commercially available arsenic species. Simultaneous parallel ESI-MS and ICP-MS detection was applied to identify possible metabolites during the interaction of arsenobetaine (AsB) with natural zeolites. AsB, mainly produced by freshwater and marine organisms, is known to be a candidate of low toxicity. To estimate the possible toxicological risk originating from AsB in contact with natural and synthetic zeolites, small particles of a naturally occurring zeolite were mixed with an AsB solution. After a contact time of 56 days the degradation of AsB proceeded with different yields in the case of the natural Mexican zeolites. In contrast, no additional components were detected in the control samples. It was possible to clearly identify the degradation products dimethylarsinate (m/z 139) and dimethylarsinoylacetate (m/z 181) by comparison of the peaks monitored by ESI-MS and ICP-MS. In some other cases the unknown arsenic species could not be identified so clearly from their molecular masses.     

高效色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法分析海藻类海产品中砷的形态

采用阴(Hamilton PRP-X100柱)阳(Dionex Ionpac CS-10柱)离子交换色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱联用技术,分别以pH 10.3的20 mmol/L NH4HCO3和pH 2.0的5 mmol/L吡啶溶液为流动相,建立了As(Ⅲ)、As(Ⅴ)、一甲基砷酸(MMA)、二甲基砷酸(DMA)、砷甜菜碱AsB、砷糖PO4、砷糖OH、砷糖SO3、砷糖SO4砷形态的分析方法。采用微波消解法和超声溶剂提取法对不同海域10种紫菜和海带产品进行前处理,对As含量及其化学形态进行分析。实验表明,样品总砷的质量分数为1.7～38.7 mg/kg,样品萃取物中,As糖PO4和As糖OH为As的主要形态,其含量分别占可提取As的6.5%～67.7%和12.9%～86.2%,海带样品萃取物中还有As糖SO3和DMA被检测,其含量分别占可提取As的13.0%～52.1%和5.9%～17.4%。在紫菜和海带海藻类产品中,含As的化合物主要是毒性较低的有机砷。     

A quantitative extraction method for the determination of trace amounts of both butyl- and phenyltin compounds in sediments by gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A simple and reliable extraction method was developed for quantitative determination of both butyl- and phenyltin compounds in sediments by capillary gas chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS). Both types of organotin compounds were extracted quantitatively from sediment by mechanical shaking into tropolone-toluene and HCl-methanol. After phase separation and pH adjustment, these organotins were ethylated with sodium tetraethylborate. The method was evaluated by analyzing PACS-2 and NIES No. 12 sediment certified reference materials. The dibutyltin (DBT; 1.14 +/- 0.02 micrograms g-1) and tributyltin (TBT; 1.01 +/- 0.04 micrograms g-1) values observed in PACS-2 sediment closely matched the certified values (DBT, 1.09 +/- 0.15; TBT, 0.98 +/- 0.13 microgram g-1 as tin). The monobutyltin (MBT) value was higher (0.62 +/- 0.02 microgram g-1) by more than two fold over the reference value (0.3 microgram g-1 as tin). The concentrations of TBT (0.18 +/- 0.04 microgram g-1) and triphenyltin (TPhT; 0.0099 +/- 0.002 microgram g-1) in the NIES No. 12 sediment were also in good agreement with the certified and reference values of TBT (0.19 +/- 0.03 microgram g-1 as compound) and TPhT (0.008 microgram g-1 as compound), respectively. Recoveries of TBT, tripentyltin (TPeT) and TPhT from spiked sediments were satisfactory (TBT, 102 +/- 3.4%; TPrT, 96 +/- 3.4%; TPhT, 99 +/- 8.5%). The detection limits as tin were in the range 0.23-0.48 ng g-1 for a 0.5 g sample size. It is also noteworthy that clean-up of the extract is not necessary because of the superior selectivity of ICP-MS detection. The present method was successfully applied to marine sediment samples.     

Simultaneous separation and determination of six arsenic species in rice by anion‐exchange chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The simultaneous separation and determination of arsenite As(III), arsenate As(V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), and arsenocholine (AsC) in rice samples have been carried out in one single anion‐exchange column run by high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To estimate the effect of variables on arsenic (As) speciation, the chromatographic conditions including type of competing anion, ionic strength, pH of elution buffer, and flow rate of mobile phase have been investigated by a univariate approach. Under the optimum chromatographic conditions, baseline separation of six As species has been achieved within 10 min by gradient elution program using 4 mM NH₄HCO₃ at pH 8.6 as mobile phase A and 4 mM NH₄HCO₃, 40 mM NH₄NO₃ at pH 8.6 as mobile phase B. The method detection limits for As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA, AsB, and AsC were 0.4, 0.9, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.3 μg/kg, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to separation and quantification of As species in real rice samples collected from Hunan Province, China. The main As species detected in all samples were As(III), As(V) and DMA, with inorganic As accounting for over 80% of total As in these samples.     

Capabilities of mixed-mode liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the simultaneous speciation analysis of inorganic and organically-bound selenium

This work investigates for the first time the potential of mixed-mode (anion-exchange with reversed-phase) high performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the simultaneous retention and selective separation of a range of inorganic and organically-bound selenium (Se) species. Baseline separation and detection of selenocystine (SeCys₂), Se-methyl-selenocysteine (SeMC), selenomethionine (SeMet), methylseleninic acid (MSA), selenite, γ-glutamyl-methyl-selenocysteine (γ-glutamyl-SeMC), and selenate in a Se standard mixture by mixed-mode HPLC-ICP-MS was achieved by switching between two citrate mobile phases of different pH and ionic strength within a single chromatographic run of 20 min. Limits of detection obtained for these Se species ranged from 80 ng kg^?1 (for SeMC) to 123 ng kg^?1 (for selenate). Using this approach as developed for selenium speciation, an adequate separation of inorganic and organic As compounds was also achieved. These include arsenite, arsenate, arsenobetaine (AsB) and dimethylarsenic acid (DMA), which may coexist with Se species in biological samples. Application of the newly proposed methodology to the investigation of the elemental species distribution in watercress (used as the model sample) after enzymatic hydrolysis or leaching in water by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was addressed. Only SeMet, SeMC and selenate could be tentatively identified in watercress extracts by mixed-mode HPLC-ICP-MS and retention time matching with standards. Recoveries (n = 3) of these Se species from samples spiked with standards averaged 102% (for SeMC), 94.9% (for SeMet) and 98.3% (for selenate). Verification of the presence of SeMet and SeMC in an enzymatic watercress extract was achieved by on-line HPLC-ESI MS/MS in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode.     

Determination of methylmercury in marine sediment samples: Method validation and occurrence data

The determination of methylmercury (MeHg) in sediment samples is a difficult task due to the extremely low MeHg/THg (total mercury) ratio and species interconversion. Here, we present the method validation of a cost-effective fit-for-purpose analytical procedure for the measurement of MeHg in sediments, which is based on aqueous phase ethylation, followed by purge and trap and hyphenated gas chromatography–pyrolysis–atomic fluorescence spectrometry (GC–Py–AFS) separation and detection. Four different extraction techniques, namely acid and alkaline leaching followed by solvent extraction and evaporation, microwave-assisted extraction with 2-mercaptoethanol, and acid leaching, solvent extraction and back extraction into sodium thiosulfate, were examined regarding their potential to selectively extract MeHg from estuarine sediment IAEA-405 certified reference material (CRM). The procedure based on acid leaching with HNO₃/CuSO₄, solvent extraction and back extraction into Na₂S₂O₃ yielded the highest extraction recovery, i.e., 94 ± 3% and offered the possibility to perform the extraction of a large number of samples in a short time, by eliminating the evaporation step. The artifact formation of MeHg was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC–ICP–MS), using isotopically enriched Me²⁰¹Hg and ²⁰²Hg and it was found to be nonexistent. A full validation approach in line with ISO 17025 and Eurachem guidelines was followed. With this in mind, blanks, selectivity, working range (1–800 pg), linearity (0.9995), recovery (94–96%), repeatability (3%), intermediate precision (4%), limit of detection (0.45 pg) and limit of quantification (0.85 pg) were systematically assessed with CRM IAEA-405. The uncertainty budget was calculated and the major contribution to the combined uncertainty (16.24%, k = 2) was found to arise from the uncertainty associated with recovery (74.1%). Demonstration of traceability of measurement results is also presented. The validated measurement procedure was applied to the determination of MeHg incurred in sediments from a highly polluted and scarcely studied area in the Caribbean region.     

A methodological study of mercury speciation using dogfish liver CRM (DOLT-2)

The purpose of the study was to optimise analytical methods for determination of the chemical speciation of mercury in studies of protective mechanisms of selenium. Optimisation of the methods was performed using CRM DOLT-2 (Dogfish liver), both in its original form and after separation of various fractions. The sample was homogenised with 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.6) and ultracentrifuged. The soluble phase obtained was applied to a size exclusion chromatography column (Sephadex G-75 column) for separation of various protein fractions. Total mercury (total Hg), monomethyl mercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) were determined in whole dogfish liver tissue and its soluble and insoluble phases (pellet). Different approaches for determination of total Hg and MeHg were compared. Simultaneous determination of MeHg and inorganic mercury (Hg2+) was based on alkaline dissolution and/or acid leaching, followed by ethylation, room temperature precollection, isothermal gas chromatography (GC), pyrolysis and detection with cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS). The sum of MeHg and Hg2+ was compared to total Hg results obtained by acid digestion and CVAAS detection. The accuracy of MeHg determination was checked by its determination using acid leaching at room temperature, solvent extraction, back extraction into Milli-Q water, ethylation, GC and CVAFS detection. For the insoluble phase it is recommended to use solvent extraction for MeHg and acid digestion CVAAS for total Hg. For determination of MeHg and Hg2+ in the lyophilised sample and water soluble fractions containing low concentrations of mercury species, the simultaneous measurement of MeHg and Hg2+ after alkaline dissolution is the most appropriate method.     

Speciation of butyltin compounds in environmental and biological samples using headspace single drop microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method based on headspace single drop microextraction (HS-SDME) in combination with gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS) was proposed for the speciation analysis of butyltin compounds in environmental and biological samples. The sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt4) and sodium tetrahydroborate (NaBH4) were used as the derivatizing reagent for in situ derivatization of the butyltins. For the two derivatizations, the HS-SDME parameters such as organic solvent, drop volume, sample pH, stirring rate, temperature, extraction time and the ionic strength were examined systematically. The analytical performance including the linearity ranges, limits of detection (LODs) and reproducibilities of the two derivatizations were compared under the respective optimized conditions. Derivatization with NaBEt(4) proved to be more sensitive and robust than that with NaBH4, leading to the LODs of 1.4 ng/L for MBT, 1.8 ng/L for DBT and 0.8 ng/L for TBT. The reproducibilities, expressed as relative standard deviations (RSDs), were in the range of 1.1-5.3% (c=1 microg/L, n=3). With tripropyltin (TPrT) as internal standard, HS-SDME-GC-ICP-MS with NaBEt(4) derivatization was applied for the speciation analysis of butyltins in real seawater and shellfish samples. The butyltins found in the real-world samples are 31ng/L MBT, 79 ng/L DBT and 32 ng/L TBT for seawater, and 11.6-30.4 ng/g MBT, 11.8-8.9 ng/g DBT and 12.8-52.6 ng/g TBT for different shellfish samples. For validation, the developed method was also employed for the speciation analysis of butyltins in certified reference material (CRM) of PACS-2 sediment, and the determined values are in a good agreement with the certified values. The developed method is simple, rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective and provides an attractive alternative for butyltins speciation in biological and environmental samples with complex matrix.     

Enzyme-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for the determination of arsenic species in chicken meat

Chicken is the most consumed meat in North America. Concentrations of arsenic in chicken range from μg kg⁻¹ to mg kg⁻¹. However, little is known about the speciation of arsenic in chicken meat. The objective of this research was to develop a method enabling determination of arsenic species in chicken breast muscle. We report here enzyme-enhanced extraction of arsenic species from chicken meat, separation using anion exchange chromatography (HPLC), and simultaneous detection with both inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESIMS). We compared the extraction of arsenic species using several proteolytic enzymes: bromelain, papain, pepsin, proteinase K, and trypsin. With the use of papain-assisted extraction, 10 arsenic species were extracted and detected, as compared to 8 detectable arsenic species in the water/methanol extract. The overall extraction efficiency was also improved using a combination of ultrasonication and papain digestion, as compared to the conventional water/methanol extraction. Detection limits were in the range of 1.0–1.8 μg arsenic per kg chicken breast meat (dry weight) for seven arsenic species: arsenobetaine (AsB), inorganic arsenite (As^III), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), inorganic arsenate (As^V), 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid (Roxarsone), and N-acetyl-4-hydroxy-m-arsanilic acid (NAHAA). Analysis of breast meat samples from six chickens receiving feed containing Roxarsone showed the presence of (mean ± standard deviation μg kg⁻¹) AsB (107 ± 4), As^III (113 ± 7), As^V (7 ± 2), MMA (51 ± 5), DMA (64 ± 6), Roxarsone (18 ± 1), and four unidentified arsenic species (approximate concentration 1–10 μg kg⁻¹).     

Determination of methylmercury and phenylmercury in water samples by liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis

A novel method for determination of methylmercury (MeHg) and phenylmercury (PhHg) by liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction (LLLME) coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE) with ultraviolet (UV) technique was developed. The method based on MeHg and PhHg was complexed with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) to form hydrophobic complexes. When the sample solution was stirred, analytes were extracted into the organic layer (200 microL toluene) and back-extracted simultaneously into the 4.0 microL 0.1% (w/v) l-cysteine microdrop. The factors affecting on the LLLME of two mercury species, including sample pH, complex reagent concentration, extraction time, volume of organic solvent, stirring rate and phase volume ratio, were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits (S/N=3) of MeHg and PhHg were 0.94 and 0.43 ngmL(-1) (as Hg), respectively. The precisions (RSDs, c=10 ngmL(-1), n=7) were in the range of 3.3-3.4% for migration time, 6.1-7.2% for peak area response, and 6.7-7.5% for peak height response for the two mercury species. The enrichment factors of 324 for MeHg and 210 for PhHg were obtained with 40 min LLLME. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of MeHg and PhHg in water samples.