Determination of fecal sterols by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with solid-phase extraction and injection-port derivatization

Injection-port derivatization combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed and applied for the first time to determine five types of fecal sterols (coprostanol, cholestanol, epicholestanol, epicoprostanol and cholesterol) with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In this method, silylation of fecal sterols was performed with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) at GC injection-port. The factors influential to this technique such as injection-port temperature, purge-off time, derivatization reagent (BSTFA) volume, and the type of organic solvent were investigated. In addition, the conditions of SPE (including the type of SPE cartridge, the type of elution organic solvent) were also studied. After SPE followed by injection-port silylation by GC–MS, good linearity of analytes was achieved in the range of 0.02–10 ng/mL with coefficients of determination, R² > 0.995. Good reproducibility was obtained with relative standard deviation less than 19.6%. The limits of detection ranged from 1.3 ng/mL to 15 ng/mL (S/N = 3) in environmental water samples. Compared with traditional off-line silylation of fecal sterols performed with water bath (60 °C, 30 min), this injection-port silylation method is much simpler and convenient. The developed method has been successfully applied for the analysis of fecal sterols from real environmental water samples.     

The Ethylbenzene/Styrene Preferential Separation with Ionic Liquids in Liquid–Liquid Extraction

The objective of this work was to explore the feasibility of using ionic liquids (ILs), namely N-ethyl-N-methylmorpholinium dicyanamide, [EMMor][DCA], (3-hydroxypropyl)-1-methylmorpholinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃OHMMor][DCA], 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide, [N-C₃OHMIM][DCA], 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyridinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃OHPy][DCA], (3-cyanopropyl)pyridinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃CNPy][DCA], and (3-cyanopropyl)methylpyrrolidinium dicyanamide, [N-C₃CNMPyr][DCA] for the separation of ethylbenzene and styrene. The liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data in ternary systems of {IL (1)?+?styrene (2)?+?ethylbenzene (3)} at T?=?298.15 K and ambient pressure is presented for the six ILs synthesized by us. The final chromatography analysis of the composition of tie-lines has shown that the studied ILs are not found in the raffinate phase and they show interesting results on the selectivity and solute distribution ratio for styrene extraction. A comparison of different ILs is presented for the studied separation problem. It was observed that the best separation selectivities were found for [N-C₃CNPy][DCA] (S_Av?=?2.38) and [N-C₃OHMMor][DCA] (S_Av?=?2.42) in comparison with other studied ILs in this work and those presented in the literature. While the data presented here are useful from a theoretical standpoint, the possibility of applications for these ILs in technological processes is questionable because of low solute distribution ratios, especially those calculated from the masses [N-C₃CNPy][DCA] (β_MAv?=?0.08) and [N-C₃OHMMor][DCA] (β_MAv?=?0.07). The experimental tie-lines were correlated with the non-random two liquid NRTL model.     

LLE for (water + ionic liquid) binary systems using [Cxmim][BF4] (x = 6, 8) ionic liquids

Liquid–liquid equilibrium diagrams were determined for (IL + water) systems using the family of ILs 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates, where the alkyl groups are hexyl and octyl ([C_xmim][BF₄] with x = 6 and 8). The gravimetric method was used to determine the equilibrium compositions at temperatures ranging from 278.15 to 340.15 K. Both systems present an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), which increases from [C₆mim][BF₄] to [C₈mim][BF₄]. The experimental data were correlated using the NRTL and eNRTL models. The binary interaction parameters were calculated for each system and model, and good agreement between experimental and calculated equilibrium compositions was obtained. Finally, the apparent Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of water solution in the ILs were calculated using a modified van’t Hoff equation. The three thermodynamic functions were found to be positive for both ILs.     

Insight into the cation–anion interaction in 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium lactate ionic liquid

In order to deepen the understanding of cation–anion interaction in ionic liquids (ILs), the structure and interionic interaction of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium lactate ([tmg][L]) ion pair, including stable configuration, hydrogen bond, frontier molecular orbital, electron density, ion interaction energy and charge transfer, are studied by using ab initio calculations. It is found that more charge-localized character of [tmg][L], especially the C1 carbocation on [tmg]⁺, and the intermolecular –NH₂-associated hydrogen bonds can substantially increase the cation–anion interaction, the interaction energy is 65.3–109.3 kJ/mol higher than that of 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ILs. It is also found that the frontier molecular orbitals, i.e., the HOMO, HOMO + 1 of [L]⁻ and the LUMO, LUMO + 1 of [tmg]⁺, can effectively interact and more charges are transferred between cation and anion. Based on the above results, the physical property of ILs is discussed.     

Optimisation of derivatisation for the analysis of estrogenic compounds in water by solid-phase extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

An optimisation of derivatisation methods for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water by solid-phase extraction (SPE) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed in this study. Seven highly potent EDCs including 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), 16α-hydroxyestrone, 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol A, 4-nonylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol were selected as the target compounds. The SPE technique, followed by the derivatisation with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) was used for the extraction recoveries of compounds from water and effluent samples. The stability of the silylation derivatives under different reaction conditions was investigated. The combined use of BSTFA and pyridine as derivatisation reagents, together with the use of hexane as the final solvent, was preferred in order to generate more stable derivatives of EDCs. The relative response factor (RRF) of all derivatives except that of EE2 was stable 120 h after derivatisation. The addition of pyridine as derivatisation reagent with BSTFA can prevent the conversion of EE2 to other products during the reaction. Several parameters that may affect the recovery of EDCs, such as the SPE flow rate, and water properties including aquatic colloid content and surfactant concentration were tested. The results showed that the flow rate (1-25 mL min⁻¹), colloid concentration (0-50 mg L⁻¹) and surfactants concentration (0-10 μg L⁻¹) did not cause significant decrease in the EDCs recovery.     

Determination of carbohydrates in tobacco by pressurized liquid extraction combined with a novel ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method

A novel derivatization-ultrasonic assisted-dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) method for the simultaneous determination of 11 main carbohydrates in tobacco has been developed. The combined method involves pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), derivatization, and UA-DLLME, followed by the analysis of the main carbohydrates with a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). First, the PLE conditions were optimized using a univariate approach. Then, the derivatization methods were properly compared and optimized. The aldononitrile acetate method combined with the O-methoxyoxime-trimethylsilyl method was used for derivatization. Finally, the critical variables affecting the UA-DLLME extraction efficiency were searched using fractional factorial design (FFD) and further optimized using Doehlert design (DD) of the response surface methodology. The optimum conditions were found to be 44 μL for CHCl₃, 2.3 mL for H₂O, 11% w/v for NaCl, 5 min for the extraction time and 5 min for the centrifugation time. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the detection limit of the method (LODs) and linear correlation coefficient were found to be in the range of 0.06–0.90 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.9987–0.9999. The proposed method was successfully employed to analyze three flue-cured tobacco cultivars, among which the main carbohydrate concentrations were found to be very different.     

Solid-phase microextraction on-fiber derivatization for the analysis of some polyphenols in wine and grapes using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The present study describes a new environmentally friendly sample pretreatment system based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the sensitive determination of polyphenols. A derivatization process was necessary to convert the polar non-volatile compounds into volatile derivatives. Direct immersion (DI) SPME was used for the adsorption of polyphenols, and then the fiber was placed in the headspace of the derivatizing reagent, bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The separation was carried out by coupling gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode, after silylation. Optimal extraction conditions were 25 °C for 10 min under continuous stirring using DI and a polyacrylate fiber. After extraction, the fiber was inserted into the headspace of BSTFA (10 μL) and the polyphenols were derivatized for 15 min at 50 °C. Desorption was carried out at 280 °C for 5 min. The method allowed the determination of both isomers cis- and trans-resveratrol, piceatannol, catechin and epicatechin in wine and grapes, and it was validated for linearity, detection and quantitation limits, selectivity, accuracy and precision. Detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 0.9 ng mL⁻¹ at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, depending on the compound. Recoveries obtained for spiked samples were satisfactory for all compounds.     

Comparison of dimethylformamide dialkylacetal derivatization reagents for the analysis of heterocyclic amines in meat extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and selective methodology for the analysis of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in a meat extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is proposed. A comparative study of several HAs derivatization procedures based on the formation of Schiff bases using N,N-dimethylformamide dialkylacetals reagents was performed. Optimization of the reaction conditions was carried out, such as reagent volume (2 μl to derivatize 1 ng of HAs) temperature (100 °C) and time (10 min). After that, the GC-MS working parameters for the analysis of HAs derivatives were also studied in order to achieve the best chromatographic separation with the maximum sensitivity. Among the derivatization reagents, N,N-dimethylformamide di-tert-butylacetal (DMF-DtBA) was selected because it provided the best yield in the derivatization process, and consequently the best sensitivity in the GC-MS method. Quality parameters such as limits of detection and repeatability were established using a meat extract sample. A complete validation of the methodology was achieved using a laboratory reference material previously analyzed in a European interlaboratory exercise.     

Determination of mono- and dichloroacetic acids in betaine media by liquid chromatography

A simple and sensitive method has been developed for the analysis of residue amounts of chloroacetic acids in betaine samples based on derivatization by 1-naphthylamine (NA). The derivatized compounds are analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography using methanol and water as mobile phase in the ratio of 32/68 (v/v) and phenyl column and PDA detection at 222 nm. The detection limits (LOD) of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) and dichloroacetic acid (DCA) are 0.1 and 0.15 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) and the linear dynamic ranges (LDR) of MCA are found to be 1 and 1-400 μg mL⁻¹, respectively, and for DCA are found to be 3 and 3-400 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The precision at the 5 ppm level for MCA and DCA are about 3% and 2%, (n = 5), respectively. The average recovery for MCA and DCA spiked to betaine samples are 98% and 97%, respectively.     

Transport properties in two pyrrolidinium-based protic ionic liquids as determined by conductivity,viscosity and NMR self-diffusion measurements

Conductivity and viscosity measurements of pyrrolidinium hydrogen sulfate, [Pyrr][HSO₄], and pyrrolidinium trifluoroacetate [Pyrr][CF₃COO] were performed at various temperatures over a wide temperature range (i.e., from T = 273 K to 353 K). The results were utilized in the Stokes–Einstein equation to investigate the proton conductivity in both PILs. The self-diffusion coefficients (D) of the cation and anion species in both studied PILs were independently determined in the same temperature range by observing ¹H and ¹⁹F nuclei with the pulsed-field gradient spin-echo NMR technique. With regard to the mechanism of self-diffusion, based on the values of the coefficients, a relatively large difference was observed between the two ionic liquids (ILs). Independently of the temperature, the D values indicated that the diffusion of both ions was similar, signifying that they were tightly bound together as ion pairs. Nevertheless, mobile protons attached to nitrogen atoms exhibited D values five times higher than those of the pyrrolidinium cation or hydrogenosulfate anion in [Pyrr][HSO₄], and twofold those in the case of [Pyrr][CF₃CO₂]. In order to comment d.c. conductivities results, the self-diffusion coefficients determined by PGSE NMR were converted into charge diffusivity D by means of the Nernst–Einstein equation. In a similar way, a viscosity-related diffusivity D was calculated with the aid of the Stokes–Einstein equation. The temperature-independent cation transference number and the effective hydrodynamic radius were also deduced from these equations. Such parameters play an important role in charge and mass transports in ILs. Moreover, proton conduction follows a combination of Grotthuss- and vehicle-type mechanisms, which confirms that Brønsted acid–base ionic liquid systems are good candidates as proton conductors in fuel cells or supercapacitor electrolyte devices operating under anhydrous conditions at elevated temperatures.     

Solubility of H2S in 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids with different anions

The solubility of hydrogen sulfide in a series of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium ([HOemim]⁺)-based ionic liquids (ILs) containing different anions, viz. hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻), trifluoromethanesulfonate ([OTf]⁻), and bis-(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide ([Tf₂N]⁻) at temperatures ranging from 303.15 to 353.15 K and pressures of up to about 1.8 MPa was measured by a volumetric based static apparatus. The solubility data were correlated using two models: (1) the Krichevsky–Kasarnovsky equation and (2) the extended Henry's law combined with the Pitzer's virial expansion for the excess Gibbs energy. Henry's law constants (at zero pressure) in mole-fraction and molality scales were obtained at different temperatures by means of these two models. Using the solubility data, the partial molar thermodynamic functions of solution, i.e. Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy were calculated. Comparison showed that the solubility of H₂S is greater than that of CO₂ in the corresponding ILs studied in this work and that the solubility of both gases increases as the number of trifluoromethyl (–CF₃) groups in the anion increases, i.e. the solubility behavior of both gases follows the order [HOemim][Tf₂N] ≥ [HOemim][OTf] > [HOemim][PF₆] > [HOemim][BF₄].     

Ionic liquids as porogens in the microwave-assisted synthesis of methacrylate monoliths for chromatographic application

Several imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) with varying cation alkyl chain length (C₄–C₁₀) and anion type (tetrafluoroborate ([BF₄]⁻), hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]⁻) and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]⁻)) were used as reaction media in the microwave polymerization of methacrylate-based stationary phases. Scanning electron micrographs and backpressures of poly(butyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate) (poly(BMA-EDMA)) monoliths synthesized in the presence of these ionic liquids demonstrated that porosity and permeability decreased when cation alkyl chain length and anion hydrophobicity were increased. Performance of these monoliths was assessed for their ability to separate parabens by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Intra-batch precision (n = 3 columns) for retention time and peak area ranged was 0.80–1.13% and 3.71–4.58%, respectively. In addition, a good repeatability of RSD_{Retention time} = <0.30% and ∼1.0%, RSD_{Peak area} = <1.30% and <4.3%, and RSD_Efficiency = <0.6% and <11.5% for intra-day and inter-day, respectively exemplify monolith performance reliability for poly(BMA-EDMA) fabricated using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₆mim][BF₄]) porogen. This monolith was also tested for its potential in nanoLC to separate protein digests in gradient mode. ILs as porogens also fabricated different alkyl methacrylate (AMA) (C4–C18) monoliths. Furthermore, employing binary IL porogen mixture such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄mim][BF₄]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) successfully decreased the denseness of the monolith, than when using [C₄mim][Tf₂N] IL alone, enabling a chromatographic run to be performed with 1:1 ratio produced baseline separation for the analytes. The combination of ILs and microwave irradiation made polymer synthesis very fast (∼10 min), entirely green (organic solvent-free) and energy saving process.     

Sensitive determination of rhodamine 110-labeled monosaccharides in glycoprotein by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Rhodamine 110 (Rho110) has been used in the highly sensitive analysis of monosaccharides, as it reacts with the reducing carbonyl group of the saccharides. The monosaccharide derivatives were investigated by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The derivatization was performed at 90 °C for 30 min for all monosaccharides. The derivatized monosaccharides were separated using 200 mM borate (pH 10.5) as running buffer within 20 min. The fluorescence intensities of Rho110-derivatives were significantly decreased by the presence of excess reducing agent, but were greatly increased by the addition of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The concentration and mass detection limits for monosaccharides were in the range of 1.4–2.8 nM and 36–70 amol, respectively. We have applied this derivatization method to the analysis of the composition of monosaccharides in glycoproteins (ribonuclease B, fetuin, and erythropoietin) following their subjection to strong acid hydrolysis. The results from these analyses were in good agreements with the reported values established previously.     

Extraction and high performance liquid chromatographic determination of 3-indole butyric acid in pea plants by using imidazolium-based ionic liquids as extractant

In this paper, imidazolium-based ionic liquids [C₄mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][PF₆], [C₈mim][PF₆], [C₆mim][BF₄] and [C₈mim][BF₄] were tested as extracting solvents for removal of 3-indole butyric acid (IBA) from aqueous media with subsequent determination using HPLC. Percent extraction of IBA was strongly affected by pH of aqueous phases and the chemical structures of ionic liquids (ILs). Extraction of IBA was quantitative in the pH values lower than pK_a of IBA. Considering both extraction and stripping efficiencies of IBA, [C₄mim][PF₆] was found to act more efficient than other studied ILs. Capacity of [C₄mim][PF₆] was 17.6 × 10⁻⁴ mmol IBA per 1.0 mL of IL. Ionic strength of aqueous phase and temperature had shown no serious effects on extraction efficiency of IBA. A preconcentration factor of 100 and a relative standard deviation of 1.16% were obtained. It was found that ionic liquid phase was reusable almost five times for extraction/stripping purposes. 3-Indole acetic acid showed interferential effect in the extraction step. In order to assess the applicability of the method, extraction and stripping of IBA from pea plants and some other samples were studied.     

痕量氨基糖和中性单糖的高效毛细管电泳及液相色谱分析

由于糖缀合物具有较弱的紫外吸收,采用了一种与单糖有高反应活性的新型紫外、荧光衍生试剂芴甲氧羰基肼（ＦＭＯＣ－Ｈｙｄｒａｚｉｎｅ）和芴甲氧羰基氯（ＦＭＯＣ－ｃｌ）对单糖进行衍生。利用高效毛细管电泳（ＨＰｃＥ）和液相色谱技术对衍生产物进行了分析。结果表明：以上衍生试剂可用于ｆｍｏｌ级单糖的测定。对单糖的ＨＰＣＥ分离因素进行了详细讨论。     

In-tube silylation in combination with thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water

For the determination of hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), a simple and sensitive method based on the silylation of OH-PAHs using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoro acetamide (BSTFA) in combination with thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) is described. This method was performed by way of direct silylation in a TD unit (in-tube silylation) coupled to a GC inlet. Both a good detection limit (4.1-1200 pg L⁻¹, S/N = 3) and higher precision (relative standard deviation < 4% on average) were achieved for 21 OH-PAHs studied using the full scan mode (m/z = 40-550). These good results were due to the highly efficient derivatization of the OH-PAHs, which was attributed to not only the moisture-free environment and programmable heating in the TD tube for the in-tube silylation, but also to the constant vapor generation of BSTFA using a capillary introduction method. Although recoveries of 21 OH-PAHs from the spiked 3% NaCl solution ranged between 9 and 304%, those of 11 OH-PAHs fell between 70 and 130% (R.S.D. < 11%). Thus, the present method was applied to a seawater sample collected from an industrial port, and nine OH-PAHs including 1- and 2-OH-fluorenone and 1,8- and 2,6-OH-anthraquinone were determined at concentrations of 0.49-5.8 ng L⁻¹. Along with these OH-PAHs, significant amounts of several long chain fatty acids (C₁₂, C₁₆, C₁₈, C₂₀ and C₂₂) and bisphenol A were also identified in the seawater sample using reference data in a library of mass spectra (match factor: >80%).     

Determination of biothiols by a novel on-line HPLC-DTNB assay with post-column detection

A novel on-line HPLC-DTNB method was developed for the selective determination of biologically important thiols (biothiols) such as l-cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), homocysteine (HCys), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and 1,4-dithioerythritol (DTE) in pharmaceuticals and tissue homogenates. The biothiols were separated on C18 column using gradient elution, reacted with the postcolumn reagent, DTNB in 0.5% M-β-CD (w/v) solution at pH 8, to form yellow-colored 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid (TNB), and monitored with a PDA detector (λ = 410 nm). With the optimized conditions for chromatography and the post-column derivatization, 40 nM of NAC, 40 nM of Cys, and 50 nM of GSH can be determined. The relative standard deviations of the recommended method were in the range of 3.2–5.4% for 50 μM biothiols. The negative peaks of biothiol constituents were monitored by measuring the increase in absorbance due to TNB chromophore. The detection limits of biothiols at 410 nm (in the range of 0.04–0.58 μM) after post-column derivatization with DTNB + M-β-CD were much lower than those at 205 nm UV-detection without derivatization, and were distinctly lower than those with post-column DTNB alone. The method is rapid, inexpensive, versatile, nonlaborious, uses stable reagents, and enables the on-line qualitative and quantitative estimation of biothiol constituents of biological fluids and pharmaceuticals.     

An easy-to-use excimer fluorescence derivatization reagent, 2-chloro-4-methoxy-6-(4-(pyren-4-yl)butoxy)-1,3,5-triazine,for use in the highly sensitive and selective liquid chromatography analysis of histamine in Japanese soy sauces

In this study, a novel pre-column excimer fluorescence derivatization reagent, 2-chloro-4-methoxy-6-(4-(pyren-4-yl)butoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (CMPT), was developed for polyamines, specifically histamine. By CMPT derivatization, the polyamines, histamine and tyramine were converted to polypyrene derivatives, and emitted intra-molecular excimer fluorescence at 475 nm. This could clearly be distinguished from the normal fluorescence emitted from reagent blanks at 375 nm. Unlike conventional excimer fluorescence derivatization reagents, CMPT is chemically stable and its reactivity sustained over at least 36 days even in solution state. We successfully applied this reagent to the sensitive and selective analysis of histamine in different kinds of Japanese commercial soy sauces. The detection and quantification limits of histamine were 15 and 50 μg L⁻¹, respectively, equating to 1.35 pmol and 4.5 pmol for a 6 μL injection. This sensitivity helped the direct analysis of soy sauce samples only treated by one-step liquid–liquid extraction without concentration. The histamine levels of commercial soy sauce samples (koikuchi, usukuchi and saishikomi) investigated were 1.24–768.5 mg L⁻¹.     

Determination of hydroxy-PCBs in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with solid-phase extraction and derivatization

A sensitive derivatization and extraction method is proposed for the determination of hydroxy-PCBs in urine. Phenolic hydroxyl groups of PCBs were allowed to react with five different reagents such as iodomethane, iodoethane, iodopropane, BSTFA and MTBSTFA. Propylated products at 100 °C for 30 min showed the best sensitivity with mass selective detector. Extraction recoveries and relative standard deviations of hydroxy-PCBs by SPE using C2 column were in the range of 78.0-112.3% and 2.5-9.6%, respectively. Instrumental detection limits for derivatized hydroxy-PCBs were in the range of 1-2 pg and were 10-1000 times more sensitive than those of non-derivatized hydroxy-PCBs. The correlation coefficients of the linear regression curves exceed 0.99, and the intra- and inter-day precisions were evaluated by RSDs within 10% at the concentrations of 0.4 and 4.0 ng/mL.