The need for reference materials when monitoring nitrate intake

Whether dietary exposure to nitrate metabolites is detrimental or beneficial to human health has long been a matter of controversy. In spite of no consistent epidemiological evidence, nitrate metabolites are associated with the formation of carcinogenic-nitrosamines and gastric cancer. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrate that ingested nitrate plays a role in host defence against gastrointestinal pathogenic bacteria. Analytical values of nitrate content in foods are essential for estimating nitrate intake. The analytical process is of paramount importance for assessing human nitrate exposure and for establishing a link between these exposures and the current and future observed health effects. Therefore, the quality assurance of the measurement process is crucial to obtaining reliability, comparability and traceability of results. Certified Reference Materials (CRM) should play a role in the consistency of the measurement process. However, the availability of nitrate CRMs is still poor. When food monitoring is demanded, an approach could be to use In House Reference Materials (IHRM), prepared at a high metrological level, and all preparation steps should be quality driven. IHRMs were prepared, and available CRMs were used to provide traceability of the process. The homogeneity of IHRM was evaluated using an appropriate statistical design. The stability was monitored using an isochronous method. The material shelf life and storage conditions are presented.HPLC was optimised for the determination of nitrates in four vegetable categories. When a suite of IHRMs were used, the response of the HPLC system was linear over the range 1 to 8 mg L^–1. The detection limit for these compounds was 0.2 g L^–1 and the determination limit 1.2 g L^–1.The relationship between measurement uncertainty and critical points of the analytical process is presented. The differences in observed relative uncertainty between food categories could reflect current limitations in the food matrix reference materials.     

Infrared spectral analysis during the thermal decomposition of pure and irradiated crystalline NH4ClO4

Variable temperature /303–553 K/ IR spectroscopic studies are made during thermal decomposition of pure and -treated ammonium perchlorate /AP/. Decomposition is enhanced by radiation or in the presence of an additive /Gd₂O₃/. Intensity of the stretching /1100 cm^–1/ and bending /625 cm^–1/ frequencies of ClO ₄ ^– decrease on heating the KBr matrix even below 360 K. Above this temperature, a broad band develops over 480–510 cm^–1 in the pure and -treated AP which is attributed to ClO ₃ ^– /₄/.     

Implementation of proficiency testing schemes for a limited number of participants

A metrological background for the selection and use of proficiency testing (PT) schemes for a limited number N of laboratories-participants (less than 20–30) is discussed. The following basic scenarios are taken into account: (1) adequate matrix certified reference materials (CRM) or in-house reference materials (IHRM) with traceable property values are available for PT use as test items; (2) no appropriate matrix CRM is available, but a CRM or IHRM with traceable property values can be applied as a spike or similar; (3) only an IHRM with limited traceability is available. The discussion also considers the effect of a limited population of PT participants N _p on statistical assessment of the PT results for a given sample of N responses from this population. When N _p is finite and the sample fraction N/N _p is not negligible, a correction to the statistical parameters may be necessary. Scores suitable for laboratory performance assessment in such PT schemes are compared. Presented at the 3rd International Conference on Metrology, November 2006, Tel Aviv, Israel.     

Application of l-cysteine-capped nano-ZnS as a fluorescence probe for the determination of proteins

Nanometer-sized l-cysteine-capped ZnS particles have been synthesized and used as a fluorescence probe to investigate the effect of proteins on fluorescent intensity. With =190 nm, maximum and constant synchronous fluorescence enhancement was produced at 267 nm and pH 5.12 in the presence of proteins. A highly sensitive synchronous fluorescence method for the rapid determination of proteins has been developed. Under optimum conditions, calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.03–8.0 g mL^–1 for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 0.01–6.0 g mL^–1 for human serum albumin (HSA), 0.05–8.0 g mL^–1 for -globulin (-G), and 0.04–4.0 g mL^–1 for ovalbumin, respectively. The relative standard deviations of seven replicate measurements were 1.75% for 1.0 g mL^–1 BSA, 1.90% for 1.0 g mL^–1 HSA, 1.65% for 1.0 g mL^–1 -G, and 2.32% for 1.0 g mL^–1 ovalbumin.     

Adsorptive Catalytic Voltammetry of Physcion in the Presence of Dissolved Oxygen at a Carbon Paste Electrode

A novel electroanalytical method for the determination of physcion is described for the first time. Physcion yields an adsorption catalytic voltammetric peak at –0.74V (vs. SCE) in 0.4molL^–1 NH₄Cl–NH₃·H₂O buffer solution (pH 10.5) at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The experimental results indicated that physcion is efficiently accumulated at a CPE by adsorption. In the subsequent potential scan, physcion was reduced to a homologous anthrahydroquinone compound. The compound was then immediately oxidized to physcion by the dissolved oxygen in the solution, and then physcion was again reduced at the CPE. As a result, a cyclic catalytic reaction was established. The second-order derivative peak current is proportional to the physcion concentration in the ranges of 2.0×10^–104.0×10^–9molL^–1 (accumulation 90s) and 4.0×10^–92.0×10^–8molL^–1 (accumulation 60s). The limit of detection is 8×10^–11molL^–1 (S/N=3) for a 120s accumulation time. The method was applied to the direct determination of physcion in the medicinal plant polygonum multiflorum Thumb with satisfactory results.     

Fluorimetric Flow-Through Sensing of Quinine and Quinidine

We describe a single continuous-flow method for the determination of Quinine (QN) and Quinidine (QD) based on the enhancement of their native fluorescence by on-line transitory retention on a solid support placed in a flow cell. KCl solution was used as carrier/self-eluting solution. The active solid surface is regenerated by the carrier itself which also acts as eluting solution, thus making the microsensing zone reusable for subsequent measurements.In the range of 40 to 1260µL, the response of the sensor (_exc/_em=250/450nm) was directly proportional to the sample volume injected. The sensor was calibrated for three injection volumes: 40, 600 and 1000µL, responding linearly in the range of 40–800, 2–40 and 0.4–20µgL^–1 of QN and 20–600, 5–40 and 0.9–20µgL^–1 of QD with detection limits of 2.2, 0.2 and 0.1µgL^–1 (QN) and 3.9, 0.4 and 0.2µgL^–1 (QD), respectively. The relative standard deviation for ten independent determinations is 1.0% (QN) and 3.9% (QD). The sampling frequency ranges between 40 and 22h^–1 depending on the sample volume injected. This sensor was satisfactorily applied to the determination of QN in soft drink samples and a shampoo, and to the determination of QD in pharmaceutical preparations with equally satisfactory results.     

Determination of some trace elements in high-purity aluminium, zinc and commercial steel by AAS after preconcentration on amberlite XAD-1180 resin

The determination of trace metals, e.g. Bi, Cd, Pb, in high-purity aluminium, zinc and commercial steel by flame or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry following their preconcentrations as iodo complexes on XAD-1180 resin by means of a short column system is described. The recoveries are quantitative (95%). The relative standard deviations varies between 6% and 10%. The relative errors are less than 8% in a concentration range of 1 × 10^–3 –4 × 10^–5%. Detection limits for flame AAS and GFAAS were in the ranges of 0.002–0.110 g/ml and 0.0003–0.004 g/ml or in the ranges of 0.08–4.40 g/g and 0.012–0.16 g/g with respect to the solid samples, respectively.     

Fällungsanalyse im Mikrogrammbereich: Eine neue Methode

Zusammenfassung Eine neue Methode zur Durchführung gravimetrischer Bestimmungen im Mikrogrammbereich wurde beschrieben; diese beruht im wesentlichen darauf, daß der Niederschlag nicht mehr zusammen mit dem Filter, sondern nach Überführen mit einem geeigneten Lösungsmittel in einem separaten Wägegefäß gewogen wird.Die dazu nötigen Geräte und deren Herstellung wurden beschrieben. Nach dieser Methode wurden folgende Bestimmungen mit zufriedenstellender Richtigkeit durchgeführt: 2,5–25g Al, 5–50g Cu und 5–50g Zn mit Oxin, 2,5–25g Fe(III) und 2,5–25g Ti(IV) mit N-Benzoyl-phenylhydroxylamin, 5–50g Ni und 5–50g Cu mit Salicylaldoxim, 2,5–50g Co(II) und 2,5–50g Fe(III) mit -Nitroso--naphthol sowie 5–50g Chlorid als Silberchlorid.

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Precipitation analysis in the microgram-scale: A new method

Summary A new method for gravimetric determinations in the microgram-scale is described. This method is based on the fact that the precipitate is not weighed together with the filter but is transferred to a separate weighingvessel using a suitable solvent. The necessary simple devices and their use are described. The following determinations were carried out with satisfying accuracy: 2,5–25g Al, 5–50g Cu and 5–50g Zn with Oxine, 2,5–25g Fe and 2,5–25g Ti withN-benzoylphenylhydroxylamine, 5–50g Ni and 5–50g Cu with salicylaldoxime, 2,52–50g Co and 2,5–50g Fe with -nitroso--naphthol and 5–50g chloride as silver chloride.

     

Application of Lanthanide-Sensitised Chemiluminescence to the Determination of Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin and Trovafloxacin in Tablets

A flow injection method including chemiluminescence detection has been developed and applied to the determination of fluoroquinolones levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin in tablets. The proposed method is based on the luminescent properties of the system Ce(IV)–sulphite–fluoroquinolone and the addition of a trivalent lanthanide ion as emission-sensitizer. The optimum conditions for chemiluminescence emission were investigated for each fluoroquinolone. The best results were achieved when employing Eu(III) as lanthanide cation for levofloxacin and moxifloxacin, and Tb(III) for trovafloxacin. These fluoroquinolones were determined over the concentration range of 0.5–3.5µgmL^–1, 0.2–3.0µgmL^–1 and 0.008–0.400µgmL^–1, with detection limits of 0.100, 0.035 and 0.008µgmL^–1, respectively. The relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.0–2.5% for all three cases. The method was applied to the determination of three fluoroquinolones in their respective pharmaceutical preparations and compared with an independent UV-spectrophotometric method. The results were satisfactory.     

Certified reference materials (CRM 408 and 409) for quality control of main components (ammonium, calcium, hydronium, magnesium, nitrate, potassium, sodium and sulphate) in simulated rain water

Analyses of rainwater are routinely performed by a number of organisations to monitor the contribution from rainwater to the component occurrences in the environment and the acidification of the environment. To control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) has organised a certification campaign to produce two simulated rainwater reference materials (CRM 408, low mineral content and CRM 409, high mineral content). The materials were carefully prepared (addition of pro analysis and supra pure reagents with the mentioned elements to silica-free deionised water) and its homogeneity and long-term stability were verified. The materials were certified for their contents of ammonium (106 mol/kg) (CRM 409), calcium (7.68 and 15.5 mol/kg), chloride (67.3 and 113 mol/kg), hydronium (16.6 and 48.0 mol/kg), magnesium (6.14 and 12.3 mol/kg), nitrate (20.1 and 78.1 mol/kg), potassium (4.25 mol/kg) (CRM 409), sodium (42.0 and 82.9 mol/kg) and sulphate (10.5 and 53.2 mol/kg). Indicative values (not certified) are given for ammonium and potassium in CRM 408. This paper presents the certification work performed, as well as the analytical work for the certification of the contents of relevant species.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of nucleic acids as 8-hydroxyquinoline/ yttrium ternary complexes

The formation of nucleic acids/8-hydroxyquinoline/yttrium(III) ternary complexes and their fluorescent properties have been studied. The nucleic acids studied include native and thermally denatured calf thymus DNA, fish sperm DNA and yeast RNA. In the range of pH 7.6–8.5, controlled by NH₃-NH₄C1 buffer, ternary complexes are formed that fluoresce at different wavelengths with different nucleic acids. Based on the fluorescence reactions, sensitive spectrofluorimetric methods for nucleic acids are proposed. In optimal conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range 0.5–4.0 gml^–1 for calf thymus DNA, 0.5–2.5 g ml^–1 for fish sperm DNA and 0.5–4.0 g ml^–1 for yeast RNA. The limits of determination (3 ) were 0.030 g ml^–1 for calf thymus DNA, 0.020 g ml^–1 for fish sperm DNA and 0.090 g ml^–1 for yeast RNA. Corresponding to the interferences of coexisting substances, six synthetic samples were constructed and the results of determination were satisfactory.     

Solid Phase Extractive Preconcentration of Cobalt and Nickel in Hair Samples Using Ethyl Xanthate Modified Benzophenone

The ethyl xanthate complexes of cobalt and nickel are quantitatively retained on benzophenone in the pH range of 8.0–10.0. The solid mixture consisting of metal complex together with benzophenone is dissolved in 5mL of dimethyl formamide, and the cobalt and nickel contents were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The calibration graphs are rectilinear over the concentration range of 0–75 (Co) and 0–100 (Ni) µgL^–1. The detection limits of flame AAS for cobalt and nickel are lowered by a factor of 200 due to the solid phase extraction preconcentration procedure. NIES CRM Human Hair No. 5 and IAEA Reference Hair HH-1 certified reference materials were used in order to verify the accuracy of the developed preconcentration method in analysing human hair samples. The results obtained were found to be in excellent agreement with certified values. Furthermore, hair samples collected from various inhabitants of different age groups and sex living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were successfully analysed by flame AAS in conjunction with the solid phase extraction preconcentration procedure developed for cobalt and nickel.     

Proanthocyanidins ofPolygonum coriarium III. Structures of proanthocyanidins T1 and T2

The roots ofPolygonum coriarum have yielded two oligomeric proanthocyanidins, T1 and T2, and their structures have been established: 3-O-galloyl-7-O-[O-(6-O-galloyl)--D-glucopyranosyl]-(–)-epigallocatechin-(4-8)-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-(–)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (T1) and (–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-[3-O-galloyl-(–)-epigallocatechin]-(4-8)-(–)-epicatechin-(4-8)-(+)-catechin (T2).The material of this paper were presented at the IInd International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Compounds (SCNC, Eskisehir, Turkey, October 22–24, 1996).Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 588–593, July–August, 1977.     

Determination of Na,K, Rb and Cs Distribution in Human Brain Using Neutron Activation Analysis

This study aims to investigate the distribution of Na, K, Rb and Cs in human brains (5 individuals, 12 brain parts, mean age: 75 years). Distribution of the trace metals between lipid fraction and brain tissue was investigated in solvent extraction experiments. Determinations were carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The present results show a rather non-homogeneous distribution for Na and a relatively uniform distribution for K, Rb and Cs. The mean concentrations found are 7440µgNag^–1 dry weight, 12800µgKg^–1, 14µgRbg^–1 and 50ngCsg^–1. A highly significant positive correlation was found between Rb and Cs. Solvent extraction experiments showed that 19% of Rb and 26% of Cs of the total content is located in lipid fraction.     

Development of an FI-ICP Method for On-Line Preconcentration and Determination of Platinum

This paper presents a new simple and rapid procedure for the preconcentration and determination of platinum. It is based on the adsorption of the metal ion and preconcentration on a micro-column (3cm×3mm) placed in the injection valve of a flow injection (FI) manifold and packed with 1,5-bis[(2-pyridyl)-3-sulphophenyl-methylene]thiocarbonohydrazide (PSTH) immobilised on an anion-exchange resin (Dowex 1X8-200). The metal was eluted from the column using a solution of 2M HNO₃. Various parameters and chemical variables affecting the preconcentration and determination of this metal by ICP-AES were evaluated. Five variables (sample flow rate, eluent flow rate, nebulizer flow rate, buffer concentration and mixing coil length) were considered as factors in the optimisation process. Interactions between analytical factors, and their optimal levels were investigated using two level factorial and central matrix designs. The optimum conditions established were applied to the determination of platinum by flow injection inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (FI-ICP-AES). The method has a linear calibration range of 25 to at least 200ngmL^–1 with a detection limit of 7.4ngmL^–1 (S/N=3) and a throughput of 10 samples h^–1 using 5min. preconcentration time. The precision of the method (RSD) was 3.06% ngmL^–1 at the 50ngmL^–1 level of Pt(IV) and 2.93% at the 150ngmL^–1 level. The accuracy of the method was examined by determining the analyte content in spiked waters and by analysing an automobile catalyst standard reference material. The results show good agreement with the certified value and sufficiently high recoveries.     

A toxic reagent-free method for normal-phase matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction and reversed-phase liquid chromatographic determination of aldrin,dieldrin, and DDTs in animal fats

A method for the determination of aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, DDE, and DDD contamination in animal fats (beef tallow, lard, and chicken fat) without using toxic reagents is developed, that uses high-performance liquid chromatography after the sample has been prepared by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) with acidic alumina oxide. A reversed-phase C₁-silica column with a mobile phase of 50% (v/v) ethanol solution (in water) and a photo-diode array detector were used for the determination. Average recoveries of the target compounds (0.2–5.0 g g^–1) ranged from 84–98%, with coefficients of variation of <5%. The limits of quantitation were 0.16 g g^–1 for AD, 0.10 g g^–1 for DD, 0.06 g g^–1 for DDT, 0.07 g g^–1 for DDE, and 0.05 g g^–1 for DDD. No toxic reagents were used at all.     

Determination of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Beverage and Coffee Samples by Purge-and-Trap On-Line Coupling with a Gas Chromatography-Flame Photometric Detector

A sensitive and fast analytical method using purge-and-trap on-line coupling with gas chromatography was developed for the determination of trace volatile sulfur compounds including dimethyl sulfide (DMS), ethyl-methyl sulfide (EMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in beverage and coffee samples. The analytes were purged for 12min from the sample by high purity nitrogen at a flow rate of 35KPa and preconcentrated in the cooled fused-silica capillary trap at –75°C. The NaCl content in the samples was maintained at 10%. The volatile sulfur compounds were separated with an Agilent-6890 gas chromatograph by a suitable temperature program and detected by means of a flame photometric detector (FPD). The detection limits were 80ngL^–1 for DMS, 80ngL^–1 for EMS, and 100ngL^–1 for DMDS, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the determination of volatile sulfur compounds in different beverage and coffee samples.     

Trace and minor elements in four commercial honey brands

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of 24 elements in four honey brands commercially available in Austin, Texas (USA). The measured elements (and concentration) were: As, (<30 ng/g); Ba, (<2 g/g); Br, (0.24–0.49 g/g); Ce, (<20 ng/g); Co, (9–180 ng/g); Cr, (37–64 ng/g); Cs, (<3–45 ng/g); Fe, (<4–15.9 g/g); Hf, (<3 ng/g); Hg, (1 ng/g); K, (91–230 g/g); La, (<4 ng/g); Na, (20.3–25.3 g/g); Ni, (0.39–0.77 g/g); Rb, (68–340 ng/g); Sb, (13–61 ng/g); Sc, (<0.3–200 ng/g); Se, (<20 ng/g); Sm, (<9 ng/g); Sr, (<2 ng/g); Th, (<4 ng/g); U, (<30 ng/g); Zn, (3.36–4.61 g/g); and Zr, (<0.5–0.84 g/g). The results obtained were compared to the concentration of the same elements in honey produced or commercially available in Turkey, Mexico, El-Salvador, China, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.     

Simultaneous determination of cobalt,nickel and iron by multi-wavelength spectrophotometry

A method for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of cobalt, nickel and iron based on the formation of their complexes with 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridylmethylene) thiocarbonohydrazide is proposed. The absorption curves of these complexes overlap severely in the scanning range 390–510 nm. The analyte concentrations are calculated by a least squares fit of the pure spectra to the mixture spectra, which therefore makes the simultaneous determination of these metallic ions possible without tedious pretreatment. The detection limits afforded by the proposed method range from 0.05 g/ml for Fe and Ni to 0.1 g/ml for Co. Root-mean-squared errors of prediction of 0.085 g/ml for Co, 0.048 g/ml for Ni and 0.1172 g/ml for Fe were obtained using the wavelength range 400–510 nm and 0.147 g/ml for Co, 0.107 g/ml for Ni and 0.127 g/ml for Fe using the wavelength range 420–434 nm. The effect of interferences is studied and the proposed method is applied to analysis for the above elements in synthetic samples and real samples, such as biological materials and alloys.     

Determination of nitrogen in uranium and uranium-oxide by high-temperature gas-extraction

Summary The reducing fusion gas extraction method has been used for the determination of nitrogen in uranium metal and uranium dioxide reference materials at levels of about 10–15g·g^–1. It has been found that when extracting at temperatures above 2700° C the use of a platinum flux is no longer necessary. Pure nitrogen and nitrogen-helium mixtures were used for calibrating the detection unit in the range of 1.5–670 g. The calibration of the extraction was performed with metallic reference materials in the range of 8–331 g N₂ content.

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Bestimmung von Stickstoff in Uran und Uranoxid durch Hochtemperatur-Gasextraktion

Zusammenfassung Die Gasextraktion aus reduzierender Schmelze wurde zur Stickstoffbestimmung in Uranmetall- und Urandioxid-Referenzmaterialien bei Gehalten von 10–15 g·g^–1 angewendet. Bei Temperaturen über 2700° C ist kein Platinbad mehr erforderlich. Zur Eichung der Detektionseinheit im Bereich von 1,5–670 g wurden reiner Stickstoff oder Stickstoff-Helium-Mischungen benutzt. Zur Eichung der Extraktion wurden metallische Referenzmaterialien mit (8–331g) N₂ eingesetzt.