Determination of Sulfite in Botanical Medicine Using Headspace Thin-Film Microextraction and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectrometry

A facile method using headspace thin-film microextraction (HS-TFME) coupled with surface enhanced Raman spectrometry (SERS) has been developed for the determination of sulfite in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The extraction substrate was synthesized by depositing urchin-like ZnO micron particles on glass sheets using chemical liquid phase deposition. Under the optimal conditions, the intensity of the SERS signal at 630–640?cm^?1 provided a good linear relationship with the concentration of sulfite from 25 to 400?mg/kg, and the linear correlation coefficient (R) was 0.996 with a detection limit of 6?mg/kg. The method was employed for the determination of sulfite in herbal medicines, and the results were confirmed by a traditional distillation-titration method. Therefore, this developed HS-TFME-SERS method may play an important role in the rapid, simple, and selective determination of sulfite residues in Chinese herbal medicine and become a potentially universal method for this analyte in various solid samples.     

聚合物整体柱固相微萃取-高效液相色谱法测定中成药和保健食品中枸橼酸西地那非

采用聚(甲基丙烯酸-乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯)聚合物整体柱固相微萃取(PMME),并与高效液相色谱联用,建立了中成药中枸橼酸西地那非的检测方法。实验优化了影响萃取效率的因素,包括萃取流速、萃取体积、样品基质pH值等参数。中成药样品经溶解和过滤后可直接进行分离分析。结果表明,枸橼酸西地那非在0.5～50μg/mL的浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系,检出限为0.05μg/mL,日内、日间测定的相对标准偏差不高于9.7%。方法已成功地应用到实际样品检测中,其加标回收率大于83.40%。该方法简单、快速、灵敏度高,适用于中成药及保健品中西地那非的分析检测。     

Quantification of sugars and organic acids in hygroscopic pharmaceutical herbal dry extracts

Three chromatographic methods have been employed for the determination of hydrophilic compounds, namely carbohydrates and organic acids in herbal dry extracts of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. The hydrophilic compounds were separated from the other components of the dry extracts by solid-phase extraction methods, which were optimised with respect to recovery rates. Carbohydrates were quantified using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Organic acids were analysed by ion-exclusion chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Using the latter method, large amounts of glyceric acid were separated from the extracts of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. This substance together with sugars may be responsible for the increased hygroscopicity and the poor processing behaviour of the extracts.     

基于电化学安培法的中药降血糖活性成分筛选

为建立一种简单高效的中药活性成分的提取分离、定性鉴定、含量测定以及降血糖活性研究的新方法,采用绿色无毒的水提酸沉法提取了黄芩的活性成分-黄芩苷,通过薄层色谱法做定性鉴定和紫外分光光度法测定其含量,构建一个高效的电化学葡萄糖传感器,并建立一种基于电化学安培法的降血糖活性研究新方法。 以临床降糖药阿卡波糖论证了电化学安培法检测葡萄糖淀粉酶抑制活性的可靠性和稳定性,并成功应用于黄芩苷的降血糖活性研究。 结果表明,黄芩苷具有较好的葡萄糖淀粉酶抑制活性,其半数抑制浓度(IC₅₀)为0.056 g/L。 本研究为从天然药物中提取分离降血糖活性成分提供了一种新颖的研究方法。     

Bioactivity fingerprint analysis of cyclooxygenase-2 ligands from radix Aconiti by ultrafiltration–UPLC–MSn

A novel fingerprinting method, bioactivity fingerprint analysis, based on an ultrafiltration–ultraperformance liquid chromatography–multistage tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS ⁿ ) method is proposed for the quality control of herbal medicines from the bioactivity viewpoint concerning the efficacy of herbal medicines. The bioactivity fingerprints reflecting the anti-inflammatory activities of radix Aconiti and radix Aconiti preparata were established. With use of ultrafiltration UPLC–MS ⁿ , 11 cyclooxygenase-2 ligands from radix Aconiti preparata and 14 cyclooxygenase-2 ligands from radix Aconiti were found after incubation with cyclooxygenase-2. Twelve of the cyclooxygenase-2 ligands were identified by the ultraperformance UPLC–MS ⁿ method. The enrichment factor of each peak in the bioactivity fingerprint was calculated and was demonstrated to be characteristic, which makes bioactivity fingerprint analysis for the quality control of herbal medicines possible from the viewpoint of their bioactivities.

微波辅助提取-气相色谱法同时测定中草药中有机磷和氨基甲酸酯农药残留

建立了中草药中有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类农药同时检测的气相色谱分析新方法.中药材试样依据正交实验的优化条件,用正己烷-丙酮(1∶4,V∶V)混合提取剂进行微波辅助提取,经弗罗里硅土和中性氧化铝混合层析柱净化后,采用HP-5毛细管柱分离,氮磷检测器同时检测中草药中15种有机磷和6种氨基甲酸酯类农药残留量.21种农药在0.01～1.0 mg/L的浓度范围内线性良好,线性相关系数为0.9950～1.000,检出限为0.002～0.01 mg/L.在0.05、0.2、0.5 mg/kg三个添加水平的平均回收率分别为75.11%～128.57%、75.85%～120.71%和76.43%～117.25%,相对标准偏差分别为 3.10%～10.58%、5.27%～9.94%和4.03%～9.03%.方法用于中草药中有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类农药残留的同时检测,结果良好.     

Determination of total dietary fiber in selected foods containing resistant maltodextrin by enzymatic-gravimetric method and liquid chromatography: collaborative study

A method was developed for determination of total dietary fiber (TDF) in foods containing resistant maltodextrin (RMD) which includes nondigestible carbohydrates that are not fully recovered as dietary fiber by conventional TDF methods such as AOAC 985.29 or 991.43. Because the average molecular weight (MW) of RMD is 2000 daltons, lower MW soluble dietary fiber components do not precipitate in 78% ethanol; therefore, RMD is not completely quantitated as dietary fiber by current AOAC methods. The accuracy and precision of the method was evaluated through an AOAC collaborative study. Ten laboratories participated and assayed 12 test portions (6 blind duplicates) containing RMD. The 6 test pairs ranged from 1.5 to 100% RMD. The method consisted of the following steps: (1) The insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and high MW soluble dietary fiber (HMWSDF) were determined by AOAC 985.29. (2) Ion exchange resins were used to remove salts and proteins contained in the AOAC 985.29 filtrates (including ethanol and acetone). (3) The amount of low MWRMD (LMWRMD) in the filtrates were determined by liquid chromatography. (4) The TDF was calculated by summation of the IDF, HMWSDF, and LMWRMD fractions having nondigestible carbohydrates with a degree of polymerization of 3 and higher. Repeatability standard deviations (RSDr) were 1.33-7.46%, calculated by including outliers, and 1.33-6.10%, calculated by not including outliers. Reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) were 2.48-9.39%, calculated by including outliers, and 1.79-9.39%, calculated by not including outliers. This method is recommended for adoption as Official First Action.     

固相萃取-柱后衍生-反相高效液相色谱法测定脱水蒜粉中的亚硫酸盐

建立了测定脱水蒜粉中亚硫酸盐含量的柱后衍生-反相高效液相色谱分析方法.样品用HCl/甘露醇缓冲溶液提取,经固相萃取(SPE)小柱净化本底并富集待测物后,与甲醛缓冲液反应生成稳定的化合物羟甲基磺酸盐,采用高效液相色谱柱及柱后衍生分离,紫外检测器检测,外标法定量.色谱柱为:Agila Venusil MP-C18(4.6 mm×250 mm),流动相为0.005 mol/L四丁基氢氧化铵离子溶液(pH 4),检测波长为450 nm,结果表明,检出限为2.0 mg/kg,在0.1～10.0 μg/mL范围内线性关系良好,相关系数R2=0.9998,样品添加回收率为86.5%～97.6%,RSD为2.2%～4.0%(n=5).     

Influence of processing procedure on the quality of Radix Scrophulariae: A quantitative evaluation of the main compounds obtained by accelerated solvent extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography

An improved high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection combined with accelerated solvent extraction method was used to simultaneously determine six compounds in crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae samples. Accelerated solvent extraction parameters such as extraction solvent, temperature, number of cycles, and analysis procedure were systematically optimized. The results indicated that compared with crude Radix Scrophulariae samples, the processed samples had lower contents of harpagide and harpagoside but higher contents of catalpol, acteoside, angoroside C, and cinnamic acid. The established method was sufficiently rapid and reliable for the global quality evaluation of crude and processed herbal medicines.     

Determination of some aliphatic carboxylic acids in anaerobic digestion process waters by ion-exclusion chromatography with conductimetric detection on a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin column

The determination of seven aliphatic carboxylic acids, formic, acetic, propionic, isobutyric, n-butyric, isovaleric and n-valeric acids in anaerobic digestion process waters was examined using ion-exclusion chromatography with conductimetric detection. The analysis of these biologically important carboxylic acids is necessary as a measure for evaluating and controlling the process. The ion-exclusion chromatography system employed consisted of polymethacrylate-based weakly acidic cation-exchange resin columns (TSKgel OApak-A or TSKgel Super IC-A/C). weakly acidic eluent (benzoic acid), and conductimetric detection. Particle size and cation-exchange capacity were 5 microm and 0.1 meq./ml for TSKgel OApak-A and 3 microm and 0.2 meq./ml for TSKgel Super IC-A/C, respectively. A dilute eluent (1.0-2.0 mM) of benzoic acid was effective for the high resolution and highly conductimetric detection of the carboxylic acids. The good separation of isobutyric and n-butyric acids was performed using the TSKgel Super IC-A/C column (150 mm x 6.0 mm i.d. x 2). The simple and good chromatograms were obtained by the optimized ion-exclusion chromatography conditions for real samples from mesophilic anaerobic digestors, thus the aliphatic carboxylic acids were successfully determined without any interferences.     

Efficient discovery and capture of new neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95 uncouplers from herbal medicines using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers as artificial antibodies

In the scope of stroke treatment, new neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95 uncouplers from herbal medicines were discovered and captured. To do so, highly selective magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers with a core–shell structure were prepared as artificial antibodies. According to the results of computational simulations, we designed and synthesized various polymers with varying amounts and types of template, functional monomer, cross‐linker, and solvent. Characterization and performance tests revealed that the most appropriate artificial antibodies showed uniform spherical morphologies, large adsorption capacities, fast‐binding kinetics, high selectivity, and quick separation. These artificial antibodies were then used as sorbents for dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to capture and identify structural analogs to ZL006 from extracts of Scutellariae radix, Psoraleae fructus, and Trifolium pratense. Furthermore, according to the neuroprotective effect and coimmunoprecipitation test, Baicalein, Neobavaisoflavone, Corylifol A, and Biochanin A can be the potential uncouplers of neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95. Therefore, this present study contributes valuable information for the discovery of neuronal nitric oxide synthase–postsynaptic density protein‐95 uncouplers from herbal medicines.     

Vacancy ion-exclusion chromatography of carboxylic acids on a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin

In this preliminary study, a new approach to ion-exclusion chromatography is proposed to overcome the relatively poor conductivity detection response which occurs in ion-exclusion chromatography when acids are added to the eluent in order to improve peak shape. This approach, termed vacancy ion-exclusion chromatography, requires the sample to be used as eluent and a sample of water to be injected onto a weakly acidic cation-exchange column (TSKgel OApak-A). Vacancy peaks for each of the analytes appear at the retention times of these analytes. Highly sensitive conductivity detection is possible and sharp, well-shaped peaks are produced, leading to efficient separations. Retention times were found to be affected by the concentration of the analytes in the eluent, and also by the presence of an organic modifier such as methanol in the eluent. Detection limits for oxalic, formic, acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids were 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 microM, respectively, and linear ranges for some acids extended over two orders of magnitude. Precision values for retention times were 0.21% and for peak areas were <1.90%. The vacancy ion-exclusion chromatography method was found to give detection responses four to 10 times higher than conventional ion-exclusion chromatography using sulfuric acid eluent and two to five times higher than conventional ion-exclusion chromatography using benzoic acid eluent.     

Study of the ESI and APCI interfaces for the UPLC–MS/MS analysis of pesticides in traditional Chinese herbal medicine

In this work, 53 selected pesticides of different chemical groups were extracted from Chinese herbal medicines and determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using both electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Extracts were obtained using the acetonitrile-based quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation technique. Cleanup was performed by dispersive solid-phase extraction using primary secondary amine, graphitized carbon black, and octadecylsilane. Two atmospheric-pressure interfaces, ESI and APCI, were checked and compared. The validation study, including detection limits, linearity, and matrix effects, was conducted on fritillaria, radix ginseng, folium isatidis, semen persicae, and flos lonicerae in multiple reaction monitoring mode. These matrices represent a variety of plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fritillaria and radix ginseng were chosen as representatives for roots, folium isatidis was chosen as a representative for leaves, semen persicae was chosen as a representative for seeds, and flos lonicerae was chosen as a representative for flowers. The limits of detection for pesticides were lower in the UHPLC–ESI-MS/MS method than in the UHPLC–APCI-MS/MS method. Matrix effects on the two ionizations were evaluated for the five matrices. Soft signal enhancement in UHPLC–APCI-MS/MS and signal suppression in UHPLC–ESI-MS/MS were observed.

Chemical fingerprinting of Gardenia jasminoides fruit using direct sample introduction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection

A rapid, rugged, and inexpensive approach is described to develop chemical fingerprints of volatile and semivolatile fractions in herbal medicine. The method is based on the combination of direct sample introduction and gas chromatography (GC) analysis with mass spectrometry detection. In comparison with routine methods, the proposed approach provides the most informative fingerprint and does not demand time-consuming extraction, pretreatment, and cleanup procedures. The approach was applied to establish the GC fingerprint of gardenia fruit (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis), in which 39 components were identified. With the help of principal components analysis, the obtained fingerprint could reveal the variation in and within different herb samples as affected by season and developmental state (wild or cultivated). The results indicated that the proposed approach could serve as a rapid, simple, and effective technique for the quality control of herbal medicines.     

Use of Griess reagent containing vanadium(III) for post-column derivatization and simultaneous determination of nitrite and nitrate in baby food

An ion chromatographic method with post-column derivatization and spectrophotometric detection is presented for the determination of nitrate and nitrite (NOx) in baby food. NOx residues found naturally or added as preservatives were extracted from baby foods and determined by using ion chromatography with post-column derivatization and spectrophotometric detection. Nitrate was reduced to nitrite online by post-column reduction using vanadium(lll) chloride and heat. Nitrite reacted with Griess reagent to produce a dye that was detected at 525 nm. The use of V(III) and heat to promote the reduction of nitrate to nitrite online is a novel feature of this detection system. The determination of incurred NOx residues in samples by using AOAC Method 993.03 yielded results comparable to those obtained by ion chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. The toxic and carcinogenic metal cadmium used in the AOAC Method to reduce the nitrate to nitrite was avoided. The proposed method provides simultaneous determination of nitrate and nitrite. Average recoveries of nitrate and nitrite residues ranged from 82 to 107% for fortification levels of 25-400 ppm.     

Facile synthesis of a novel magnetic covalent organic frameworks for extraction and determination of five fungicides in Chinese herbal medicines

A novel magnetic covalent organic framework was synthesized via a one-step coating approach with solvothermal reaction employing 2,4,6-tris(4-aminophen-yl)-1,3,5-triazine and 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol as two building blocks by covalent bonding. The prepared magnetic covalent organic frameworks were properly characterized by different techniques and employed as adsorbents of magnetic solid-phase extraction. An analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five fungicides in two Chinese herbal medicine samples via magnetic solid-phase extraction coupled to ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Under optimized magnetic solid-phase extraction conditions, the method exhibited satisfactory recoveries (74.0−109.6%) with relative standard deviations of 0.4−4.6%, low limits of detection (0.003−0.015 μg/kg), and good linearity (R² > 0.9960). Compared with the traditional extraction method, the proposed method required a lower amount of adsorbent (3 mg) and extraction time (5 min). The adsorbent also had favorable reusability (not less than eight times). Therefore, the magnetic covalent organic frameworks could be a promising adsorbent for the extraction and quantitation of fungicides in Chinese herbal medicines.     

A fiber optic biosensor for sulfite analysis in food

The sulfite fiber optic biosensor developed herein is based on the enzymatic oxidation reaction of sulfite catalyzed by sulfite oxidase (SOD). The consumption of O(2) is measured with an O(2) fiber optic sensor which monitors the fluorescence quenching of the indicator, perylene, by molecular oxygen. Perylene is immobilized into a polymer matrix and attached to the end of a fiber bundle forming an O(2) sensor. The enzyme, sulfite oxidase is immobilized on a pre-activated membrane and mounted onto the O(2) sensor. Several analytical characteristics of this sulfite biosensor were investigated including dynamic range, reversibility, reproducibility, stability and selectivity. The sulfite contents of various food samples, e.g. dried fruits, potato flakes, lemon juice were determined and the results obtained were in good agreement with the standard AOAC method.     

Determination of sulfite in dried garlic by reversed-phase ion-pairing liquid chromatography with post-column detection

A method is described for determining sulfite in dried garlic. Garlic is extracted with an HCl solution to inhibit the formation of allicin, which interferes with the determination of sulfite. After cleanup of the extract on a C18 solid-phase extraction column, sulfite is converted to hydroxymethylsulfonate (HMS) by adding formaldehyde and heating to 50 degrees C. HMS is determined by reversed-phase ion-pairing liquid chromatography with post-column detection. The post-column reaction system consists of the addition of KOH to convert HMS to sulfite ion, followed by the addition of 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) to produce 5-mercapto-2-nitrobenzoic acid which is detected spectrophotometrically at 450 nm. Background levels in unsulfited dried garlic equivalent to < 20 ppm SO2 were found. Recoveries of HMS from spiked garlic averaged 94.8% with a coefficient of variation of 3.8%. Sulfite was found in 13 of 21 samples of dried garlic produced in China, with sulfite ranging from 114 to 445 ppm. Sulfite was found in 60% of commercial dried garlic products purchased locally. The suitability of the Monier-Williams method for determining sulfite in garlic is discussed.     

Simultaneous determination of organophosphorus pesticides in Chinese herbal medicines by microwave‐assisted extraction coupled with dispersive‐solid phase extraction and gas chromatography

A reliable, rapid and nontoxic analytical method was proposed for the simultaneous determination of 16 organophosphorus pesticides in Chinese herbal medicines. The pesticides were extracted by ethanol and the experimental variables, such as temperature, extraction time and volume of ethanol, were optimized through orthogonal array experimental design. Cleanup of extracts was performed with dispersive‐solid phase extraction using primary secondary amine as the sorbent. The determination of pesticides in the final extracts was carried out by gas chromatography–flame photometric detection. Under optimized conditions the obtained recoveries, except for isocarbophos, were in the range 73.8–123%, with relative standard deviations equal to or lower than 15.2% and limits of detection ranging from 0.001 to 0.009 mg/kg. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vacancy ion-exclusion chromatography of haloacetic acids on a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin

A new and simple approach is described for the determination of the haloacetic acids (such as mono-, di- and trichloroacetic acids) usually found in drinking water as chlorination by-products after disinfection processes and acetic acid. The new approach, termed vacancy ion-exclusion chromatography, is based on an ion-exclusion mechanism but using the sample solution as the mobile phase, pure water as the injected sample, and a weakly acidic cation-exchange resin column (TSKgel OApak-A) as the stationary phase. The addition of sulfuric acid to the mobile phase results in highly sensitive conductivity detection with sharp and well-shaped peaks, leading to excellent and efficient separations. The elution order was sulfuric acid, dichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and acetic acid. The separation of these acids depends on their pKa values. Acids with lower pKa values were eluted earlier than those with higher pKa, except for trichloroacetic acid due to a hydrophobic-adsorption effect occurring as a side-effect of vacancy ion-exclusion chromatography. The detection limits of these acids in the present study with conductivity detection were 3.4 microM for monochloroacetic acid, 0.86 microM for dichloroacetic acid and 0.15 microM for trichloroacetic acid.