Automated standard addition for fluorimetric steady-state and reaction-rate measurements

Instrumentation and methodology are described in which fluorescence measurements are made on a sample before and after a microcomputer-controlled injection of a standard-addition aliquot. From the two measurements an dother information, the analyte concentration in the sample is calculated and reported. The automated standard-addition procedure is shown to reduce measurement errors of 25–40% due to the presence of matrix quenchers or absorbers to less than 2% for fluorimetric steady-state measurements of quinine sulfate and in a fluorimetric reaction-rate method for determination of aluminum.     

A calibration model to overcome non-spectral interferences in flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A calibration model has been developed in order to overcome matrix effects in atomic absorption measurements. The model uses two independent variables for analyte quantification (the amount of the sample and the amount of analyte added). The dependent variable is the absorbance measured. The method also allows matrix interferences to be controlled without prior knowledge of matrix composition. The method is applied to iron determination by FAAS in the presence of large amounts of copper. Direct calibration and standard addition are also performed in order to compare them with the new empirical model. Results show that the error in iron determination could be –42% when direct calibration is applied and +10% when the standard addition method is used, whereas the proposed model decreases the error to –20%.     

Routine catalytic determination of trace amounts of cobalt in small urine samples

The oxidation of catechol by hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by cobalt(II), is a highly sensitive and selective reaction. It makes it possible to analyze a small sample of urine (5.0 ml) for cobalt without the need for isolation of the analyte from the matrix. The sample is dried and dry-ashed according to a temperature programme, and the residue is dissolved in hydrochloric acid. After filtration of the solution, acetate buffer and sodium citrate are added and cobalt is determined catalytically in an aliquot of the solution, by the standard-addition method.     

Detection of ferricyanide as a probe for the effect of hematocrit in whole blood biosensors.

Measurement of the concentration of an analyte in whole blood can be influenced by a range of factors; the red cell content or hematocrit (Hct) of the sample, the distribution and rate of movement of analyte between red cells and plasma, the amount of protein in solution, the viscosity of the sample and fouling of the sensor. The effect of the red cells is the major factor that must be taken into account. Using the analyte molality rather than the analyte molarity, the theoretical response for a range of analytes which are found in plasma and in the red cells can be calculated. For an analyte which is found in plasma alone, the effect of hematocrit is significant, with a bias of -1% per %Hct; if the analyte can freely and rapidly diffuse between the red cells and plasma, this bias is reduced to zero. Using ferrocyanide as a model analyte, the effects of fouling and reduced sample viscosity were measured to be -0.2% per %Hct, giving an overall bias of -1.2% per %Hct, a level of bias which is not clinically acceptable. This bias can be negated by measuring the hematocrit separately and incorporating it into the measurement algorithm. Such a correction is essential for the correct measurement of the concentration of an analyte in whole blood.     

Standard-addition procedure for the determination of traces of lead in solid samples by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

A standard-addition procedure for analysis of powdered solid samples by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence is described. Different amounts of the element to be determined are added to 4–6 specimens of the unknown sample. The spiked samples are prepared by mixing the powdered sample with an aqueous standard solution and drying the mixture. Homogeneously spiked samples are thus obtained with analyte and spike concentrations at the ppm level. The procedure has been investigated theoretically, and it is found suitable for the quantitative determination of lead at the ppm level. The accuracy of the technique for traces of lead has been tested on solid reference materials for the determination of lead. The quantitative results obtained compare well with those found by potentiometric stripping analysis.     

Determination of lead in household refuse fly-ash by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and a modified standard-addition technique

Lead in fly-ash from a garbage incinerator has been determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) and a modified standard-addition method. To keep the attenuation properties of the spiked samples constant, decreasing amounts of an attenuation modifier [mercury (II) acetate] were added together with increasing amounts of the standard (lead nitrate). Linearity between fluorescence intensity and amount of lead was thus obtained, so the amount of lead in the sample could be evaluated by linear regression. The amount of modifier needed could be calculated from a simple expression. The method was validated by comparison with the results obtained by applying atomic-absorption spectrometry (AAS) to solutions made by leaching the fly-ash with strong acid. For 8 fly-ash samples, containing between 0.8 and 1.35% lead, the largest absolute difference between the two sets of results was 0.03%. Theoretical calculations based on a simplified version of the Sherman equation were performed to confirm the linearity of the modified standard-addition curves.     

Determination of bromine, chlorine, sulphur and phosphorus in peat by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry combined with single-element and multi-element standard addition

Bromine (20-40 ppm), chlorine (200-500 ppm), sulphur (0.2-3%) and phosphorus (300-1000 ppm) in peat have been determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) combined with the standard-addition method. Chlorine, sulphur and phosphorus have also been determined by other methods and agreement between the results is good. Theoretical calculations based on the Sherman equation were made to validate the linearity of the standard-addition curves. A multi-element standard-addition technique has been tested with addition of all elements at the same time. The results for chlorine were high but after correction for the difference in attenuation coefficient between the sample and added compound the results agreed with those from single-element standard addition.     

Preconcentration and differential pulse voltammetry of butylated hydroxyanisole at a carbon paste electrode

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and other tocopherols are shown to accumulate very strongly onto carbon paste, with the surface species retaining their characteristic electroactivity. This accumulation serves as a preconcentration step which improves the voltammetric measurement with respect to the sensitivity and selectivity. After 5-min preconcentration, a detection limit near 2 × 10^?8 M BHA is obtained. Enhanced selectivity is achieved if the electrode is transferred into an electrolytic blank solution between the preconcentration and measurement steps. The accumulated analyte can then be quantified in the presence of a 10³-fold amount of a solution species with similar redox potential. The differential pulse stripping response is evaluated with respect to concentration dependence, reproducibility, preconcentration period, detection limit, and other variables. The preconcentration/medium exchange approach is exploited for selective detection of BHA in a flow injection system. Applicability to various real samples is illustrated.     

双气相色谱-双脉冲火焰光度法高通量检测动物性食品中有机磷农药残留及其代谢产物

建立了动物性食品中包括代谢产物在内的54种有机磷农药残留及其代谢产物的双气相色谱-双脉冲火焰光度检测器(GC-PFPD)检测方法。动物组织样品经丙酮提取后以二氯甲烷进行液-液萃取,经凝胶渗透色谱净化后采用配有双脉冲火焰光度检测器的气相色谱仪测定。采用外标法定量,有机磷农药的响应与其浓度在线性范围内均呈良好的线性关系,相关系数在0.9905～0.9999之间。分别在空白鸡肉、羊肉、牛肉和猪肉样品中添加低、中和高3个加标水平的标准品进行了回收试验,回收率在50.5%～128.1%之间,相对标准偏差(n=6)在1.1%～25.5%之间,证明该方法的精密度和准确度良好。各有机磷农药的检出限在0.001～0.170 mg/kg之间,定量限在0.002～0.455 mg/kg之间。对从市场采集的动物组织样品进行了测定,检出敌敌畏、乙拌磷亚砜等有机磷农药残留。本方法灵敏度高、特异性强,且能同时检测有机磷农药多残留及其代谢产物,能够更加真实地反映动物性食品中有机磷农药的残留水平。     

Quantification in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of modified polymers

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry quantification is hampered by the poor reproducibility of the signal intensity and by molecular-mass and compositional discrimination. The addition of a suitable compound as an internal standard increases reproducibility and allows a calibration curve to be constructed. The concept was also verified with synthetic polymers but no instructions for practical implementation were given [H. Chen, M. He, J. Pei, H. He, Anal. Chem. 75 (2003) 6531-6535.], even though synthetic polymers are generally non-uniform with respect to molecular mass and composition and access to the polymer of the same molecular mass distribution and composition as that of the quantified one is thus the exception rather than rule. On the other hand, relative quantification of polymers e.g., the content of the precursor polymer in a batch of a modified polymer, is usually sought. In this particular case, the pure precursor is usually available and the modified polymer can serve as an internal standard. However, the calibration curve still cannot be constructed and the use of the internal standard has to be combined with the method of standard addition in which the precursor polymer is added directly to the analyzed sample. The experiments with simulated modified polymers, mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) of similar molecular-mass distribution, revealed a power dependence of the PEG/MPEG signal-intensity ratio (MS ratio) on the PEG/MPEG concentrations ratio in the mixture (gravimetric ratio). The result was obtained using standard procedures and instrumentation, which means that the basic assumption of the standard-addition method, i.e., the proportionality of the MS and gravimetric ratios, generally cannot be taken for granted. Therefore, the multi-point combined internal-standard standard-addition method was developed and experimentally verified for the quantification of the precursor in modified polymers. In this method, the two parameters of the power-type calibration curve - the proportionality constant and the exponent-are assumed. If the exponent strongly deviates from unity the minority component can be significantly underrepresented in the spectrum. Therefore, the absence of the precursor polymer signals in the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum of a modified polymer sample does not prove the absence of the precursor in the sample. Such a conclusion has to be corroborated by the standard-addition method.     

Simultaneous determination of dimetridazole and furazolidone in feed-premixes by D.C. Polarography

A polarographic method has been proposed by which dimetridazole and furazolidone can be determined in combination in feed-premixes in a single determination. The sample is treated with DMF to facilitate the dissolution of dimetridazole and furazolidone. Britton-Robinson buffer of pH = 6.8 is added and the solution is polarographed at the dropping mercury electrode vs. SCE. The waves are sufficiently separated to allow quantitative determination. The standard-addition method is used. The method is simple and very fast.     

Analysis of Local Anesthetics in Biological Samples via Kinetically Calibrated Liquid-Phase Solvent Bar Micro-Extraction Combined with HPLC

In this study, a liquid-phase solvent bar micro-extraction technique was used to investigate both the extraction and back-extraction processes of the target analyte. A novel concentration curve method and a classic time curve method, used under the same experimental conditions, verified the symmetry between the extraction process (target analyte moves from sample matrix to the organic solvent-based extraction phase) and the back-extraction process (target analyte moves from organic solvent to the sample matrix), providing the basis to use the target analyte in the back-extraction process to calibrate its extraction process. A quantitative calibration can be achieved using back extraction on the target analyte from the blank sample matrix in the organic solvent. Information from the process of back extraction of the target analyte, such as the time constant a, can be directly used to calculate the initial concentration of the target analyte in the sample matrix. This new kinetic calibration method employs a liquid-phase solvent bar micro-extraction technique combined with high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and was successfully used to analyze three local anesthetics in biological samples; it extends the application of the kinetic calibration to HPLC-DAD and establishes a novel, simple and accurate method to determine the concentration of the free drug in biological samples and its protein-binding ratio.

     

Determination of analytical limits in solid sampling ETAAS: a new approach towards the characterization of analytical quality in rapid methods

In the present study the lower analytical limits of solid sampling electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-ETAAS) were characterized by means of blank measurements and – for the first time – by means of the calibration curve method, where a calibration near the range of these limits (limit of decision, detection and quantification) was performed. The limit of decision as derived from blank measurements was calculated according to the 3σ-criterion to be 0.003 and 0.019 ng for Cd and Pb, respectively. For Pb and Cd a roughly threefold increase of these limits was observed when the calibration method according to DIN 32 645 was applied. When solid reference material was used, only a slight increase could be observed. The analytical limits were 2 to 20 times lower than reported for sample decomposition methods. The blank measurement and conventional calibration curve method, however, do not account for factors relating to solid sampling such as sample mass and matrix. Therefore, the calibration curve model was applied to data derived from comparisons between direct solid sampling ETAAS and a compound reference method (ETAAS following sample homogenization and digestion). The observed analytical limits were not found to be substantially increased if enough samples with low element contents were available for calibration. Coupling of the calibration curve model with the comparison of methods included real test samples and thus the relevant maximum sample mass and analyte content in the range of the lower analytical limits. As validation procedures frequently include comparisons of methods, the present approach might prove to be of some general interest for the characterization of analytical quality in rapid methods.     

Substitution–dilution method to correct the matrix effect in multi-element quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence

A mathematical model based on the dilution–addition method (DAM) for multi-elemental analysis using an X-ray fluorescence technique is proposed. The conditions for sample preparation do not require both the unknown and standard samples to be similar in composition and mineralogy, and the unknown sample is replaced quantitatively by the standard sample, hence the denomination substitution–dilution method (SDM). This method makes it possible to correct the matrix effect in multi-elemental quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence for each analyte. The proposed model presents hyperbolic behaviour of the experimental data when the X-ray fluorescence intensities are represented versus the substitution factor (h) for each analyte. After calculating the A/B parameter relations, which depend on the X-ray fluorescence intensity of each analyte (I_i^ns) and the substitution factor (h) and determining the analyte concentration in the multi-element standard sample (C_i^p), it is possible to calculate the analyte concentration in the multi-element unknown using an algorithm suggested for this purpose. This work studies the substitution–dilution phase proposed in the method, and the factors arising from incorporation of the standard and diluent are established according to the nature of the samples and the modifications. These factors make it possible to establish the experimental interval of analyte concentration, generally narrow, which corresponds to a section of the hyperbolic function which is so short that it can be accepted as linear. This linear model can be accepted for a wide variety of samples with a diluent/sample ratio greater than 10. The proposed linear method provides satisfactory results which are comparable to those calculated by applying the hyperbolic method. The proposed method (SDM) has been applied to two different types of matrices, a binary alloy (without diluent, using the hyperbolic model) and a geological sample (with diluent, using both hyperbolic and linear models). In all cases the results were satisfactory.     

Rotating disk sorbent extraction for pre-concentration of chromogenic organic compounds and direct determination by solid phase spectrophotometry

A novel and very simple microextraction approach for pre-concentration and direct solid phase spectrophotometric measurement has been developed for the determination of chromogenic analytes. The model analyte to assess this approach was the chromophore malachite green (MG). The analyte was extracted from water samples onto a small rotating disk made of Teflon containing a sorbent phase of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on one of its surfaces. We refer to the extraction procedure as rotating disk sorptive extraction (RDSE). After extraction, the sorbent phase with the concentrated analyte was separated from the Teflon disk and used directly for MG determination by solid phase spectrophotometry at 624 nm, without the necessity of a desorption step. Chemical and extraction variables such as concentration of sodium sulfate, pH, disk rotational velocity, extraction time, and temperature were studied in order to establish the best conditions for extraction. Under optimum conditions, the extraction of MG was carried out in 18 min and 90 min, for sample volumes of 100mL or 1000 mL, respectively. The detection limit, based on three times the standard deviation of the blank phase (3σ(b)), was 1.4 μg L?1 and the repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), for 20 μg L?1 MG was 8.1%. This study also applied the method to real samples, obtaining quantitative recovery (mean recovery of 99.3%). The PDMS phases could be reused after desorbing the MG into methanol for 3h. Replacement of the PDMS film onto the disk is very easy and low cost.     

A new approach for evaluating carryover and its influence on quantitation in high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry assay

In a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based analytical method, carryover denotes one type of systematic error that is derived from a preceding sample and introduced into the next sample. For typical bioanalytical method development, a significant amount of time and resources are spent on reducing carryover for some analytes. In this paper, the statistical characteristics of carryover were analyzed based on the experimental results. The relative carryover (RC), defined as the peak area ratio of a blank sample to the preceding sample, was constant for the analyte and independent of the concentration of the preceding sample. The influence of carryover on the quantitation of the next injected sample or the 'following' sample was proportional to the concentration ratio of two consecutive samples and the relative carryover. Based on these experiments and analyses, the influence of carryover on the quantitation of unknown samples in an HPLC assay can be evaluated by the estimated carryover influence (ECI), which is the product of the relative carryover and the concentration ratio. This new approach provides a quantitative estimation for the influence of carryover on the quantitation of the unknown sample, and removes the limit put on the dynamic range of the assay by the current criterion of carryover. In general, if the relative standard deviation (RSD) of a validated bioanalytical method is less than 10%, the carryover will not have a significant effect on the accuracy of the assay when the estimated carryover influence is less than 5%.     

Impact of the analytical blank in the uncertainty evaluation of the copper content in waters by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Chemical analysts use analytical blanks in their analyses, but seldom is this source of uncertainty evaluated. Generally, there is great confusion. Although the numerical value of the blank, in some situations, can be negligible, its source of uncertainty cannot be. This article discusses the uncertainty contribution of the analytical blank using a numerical example of the copper content in waters by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicate that the uncertainties of the analytical blank can contribute up to 50% when the blank sample is considered in this analysis, confirming its high impact. This effect can be primarily observed where the analyte concentration approaches the lower range of the analytical curve. Even so, the blank is not always computed. Therefore, the relevance of the analytical blank can be confirmed by uncertainty evaluation.     

The susceptibility of calibration methods to errors in the analytical signal

Calibration methods differ as to the number and concentration of calibration standards, and whether these are added to the samples or separate from them. The four main calibration mehods (single separate or added standard and multiple separate or added standards) and some modifications are desribed mathematically and subjected to error-propagation analysis, to examine the likely effects of errors in the analytical signal on the overall accuracy and precision of the concentration estimate. Comparison of the results throws light on the influence of the number, concentration and nature of the calibration standards, the effects of sample and standard replication, and the costs and the benefits of blank measurements. It is shown that all standard-addition methods are immune to proportional signal error, but more sensitive to nonlinearity. In separate-standard methods, all bias disappears when the true sample concentration (x_s) is equal to the standard concentration or to the mean standard concentration ($\text{x}$). Only the multiple separate standard method is unaffected by constant error common to sample and standards, without blanking. In multiple-standard methods, precision is best at x_s = $\text{x}$. Precision is always improved by increasing the number of sample and standard measurements; standard-addition methods respond best to sample replication. Whichever calibration method is used, recovery correction will eliminate proportional concentration error, at the cost of decreased precision.     

Standard-addition determination of nitrogen in coal with an ammonia-sensitive electrode

After semimicro Kjeldahl digestion of the coal sample with a K(2)SO(4)-V(2)O(5)-Se catalyst and sulphuric acid, the digest is cooled, diluted with water, neutralized and then made alkaline with NaOH/EDTA solution. The ammonia thus formed is determined by measuring the potential of a properly conditioned ammonia-sensitive electrode containing an appropriate filling solution; a gravimetric standard-addition technique is used. Known additions of 1-2 mug of N per g to blank solutions enables all measurements of potential to be made in the linear region of the electrode-response curve. The electrode measurement procedure gives blank-corrected recoveries of between 99.0 and 101.0% for synthetic sample solutions. Results obtained for nitrogen in reference coal samples by the electrode procedure have been found to agree well with those obtained by other methods.     

Determination of analytical limits in solid sampling ETAAS: a new approach towards the characterization of analytical quality in rapid methods

In the present study the lower analytical limits of solid sampling electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-ETAAS) were characterized by means of blank measurements and--for the first time--by means of the calibration curve method, where a calibration near the range of these limits (limit of decision, detection and quantification) was performed. The limit of decision as derived from blank measurements was calculated according to the 3sigma-criterion to be 0.003 and 0.019 ng for Cd and Pb, respectively. For Pb and Cd a roughly three-fold increase of these limits was observed when the calibration method according to DIN 32 645 was applied. When solid reference material was used, only a slight increase could be observed. The analytical limits were 2 to 20 times lower than reported for sample decomposition methods. The blank measurement and conventional calibration curve method, however, do not account for factors relating to solid sampling such as sample mass and matrix. Therefore, the calibration curve model was applied to data derived from comparisons between direct solid sampling ETAAS and a compound reference method (ETAAS following sample homogenization and digestion). The observed analytical limits were not found to be substantially increased if enough samples with low element contents were available for calibration. Coupling of the calibration curve model with the comparison of methods included real test samples and thus the relevant maximum sample mass and analyte content in the range of the lower analytical limits. As validation procedures frequently include comparisons of methods, the present approach might prove to be of some general interest for the characterization of analytical quality in rapid methods.