Application of microcrystalline cellulose as an efficient and cheap sorbent for the extraction of metoprolol from plasma and wastewater before HPLC–MS/MS determination

A dispersive solid-phase extraction method based on a new sorbent has been performed on plasma and wastewater samples to determine metoprolol by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In this study, the analyte was adsorbed from the samples onto microcrystalline cellulose as a green and efficient sorbent and then eluted for use in the determination step. In the mass spectrometer, the analyte was detected in the positive mode and selectivity of the analysis was increased by sequential mass analysis through multiple reaction monitoring. All of the effective parameters in the extraction of metoprolol from plasma and wastewater were optimized. Under optimal conditions the method was linear in the ranges of 1–1,000 and 0.1–1,000 ng/ml in plasma and wastewater samples, respectively. The detection limits of the method were 0.30 and 0.03 ng/ml in plasma and wastewater samples, respectively. The data showed that the method provides low detection limit, wide linear range, good precision and high extraction recovery. Finally several plasma and wastewater samples were successfully analyzed using the method. The use of a small amount of a green and inexpensive sorbent and a low volume of plasma without the need for further pretreatment steps are the main advantages of the method.     

A gadolinium-based magnetic ionic liquid for supramolecular dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by HPLC/UV for the determination of favipiravir in human plasma

Favipiravir is a potential antiviral medication that has been recently licensed for Covid-19 treatment. In this work, a gadolinium-based magnetic ionic liquid was prepared and used as an extractant in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) of favipiravir in human plasma. The high enriching ability of DLLME allowed the determination of favipiravir in real samples using HPLC/UV with sufficient sensitivity. The effects of several variables on extraction efficiency were investigated, including type of extractant, amount of extractant, type of disperser and disperser volume. The maximum enrichment was attained using 50 mg of the Gd-magnetic ionic liquid (MIL) and 150 μl of tetrahydrofuran. The Gd-based MIL could form a supramolecular assembly in the presence of tetrahydrofuran, which enhanced the extraction efficiency of favipiravir. The developed method was validated according to US Food and Drug Administration bioanalytical method validation guidelines. The coefficient of determination was 0.9999, for a linear concentration range of 25 to 1.0 × 10⁵ ng/ml. The percentage recovery (accuracy) varied from 99.83 to 104.2%, with RSD values (precision) ranging from 4.07 to 11.84%. The total extraction time was about 12 min and the HPLC analysis time was 5 min. The method was simple, selective and sensitive for the determination of favipiravir in real human plasma.     

Ultrasonics as a tool for development of pine-needle extract loaded bee wax edible packaging for value addition of Himalayan cheese

In the present study, Himalayan cheese, kradi was coated with beeswax loaded with pine needle extract (PNE) to increase its shelf life and nutraceutical potential. PNE was extracted via ultrasonication and incorporated into beeswax at concentrations, 2:1, 1:1, and 2:3 (grams of beeswax to mL of PNE). The dispersion of PNE in the coatings was carried out using an ultrasonic probe at a frequency of 20 kHz for 15 min and at power rating of 500 W. The coatings were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy. DLS revealed a hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of 12.11 ± 0.41 µm and −19.32 ± 0.61 mV for coating loaded with highest concentration of PNE. The bioactivities of the coating including antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial assays revealed significantly higher values with the increase in PNE concentration. Shelf life and sensory evaluation study including microbiological and sensory analysis revealed inhibition of mould growth and good score of texture and appearance with the increase in concentration of PNE. The study provides a future perspective for application of beeswax loaded PNE coatings in cheese industry.     

Microextraction of metal ions based on solidification of a floating drop: Basics and recent updates

This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of solidified floating organic drop microextraction (SFODME) procedures for metal ions preconcentration and their contributions to green chemistry. In this article we focused on the modifications that have been performed in the recent years to improve this environmentally friendly procedure. Among the most important of these modifications are the inclusion of ultrasonic energy, vortex and air agitation to enhance the dispersion process. The article also discussed new challenges in the procedure by using more ecofriendly solvents as extractants such as ionic liquids, deep eutectic. and supramolecular solvents. The coupling of SFODME with solid phase extraction increases selectivity and efficiency of the preconcentration procedure.     

(Sm0.5Gd0.2Nd0.3)2(Hf0.3Ce0.7)2O7复合氧化物的热物理性能

为寻求新型热障涂层用陶瓷材料,本文采用高温固相烧结法制备了(Sm_0.5Gd_0.2Nd_0.3)₂(Hf_0.3Ce_0.7)₂O₇复合氧化物。利用XRD分析了其晶体结构,SEM分析其显微组织,膨胀仪测试其热膨胀性能,激光热导仪测试其热扩散系数。结果表明,成功制备了具有单一萤石晶体结构的(Sm_0.5Gd_0.2Nd_0.3)₂(Hf_0.3Ce_0.7)₂O₇复合氧化物。其显微组织结构致密,晶界清晰无其他相存在。由于复杂的元素组成和较大的原子量,其热导率明显低于7YSZ和Sm₂Ce₂O₇。其较低的热膨胀系数则归因于B位离子较小的离子半径,但其热膨胀系数依然满足热障涂层的要求。     

Quantification of fenoprofen in human plasma using UHPLC–tandem mass spectrometry for pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects

A rapid, simple and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method has been developed to quantify fenoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in human plasma for a pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects. Owing to high levels of protein binding, protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction was employed for the extraction of fenoprofen and fenoprofen-d3 (used as internal standard) from 200 μL human plasma. Separation was performed on a BEH C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column using methanol−0.2% acetic acid in water (75:25, v/v) under isocratic elution. Electrospray ionization was operated in the negative mode for sample ionization. Ion transitions used for quantification in the selected reaction monitoring mode were m/z 241/197 and m/z 244/200 for fenoprofen and fenoprofen-d3, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, fenoprofen showed excellent linearity in the concentration range 0.02–20 μg/mL (r² ≥ 0.9996), adequate sensitivity, favorable accuracy (96.4–103.7%) and precision (percentage coefficient of variation ≤4.3) with negligible matrix effect. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of fenoprofen in healthy subjects. The significant features of the method include higher sensitivity, small plasma volume for processing and a short analysis time.     

Enhanced headspace single drop microextraction method using deep eutectic solvent based magnetic bucky gels: Application to the determination of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in water and urine samples

A facile headspace single drop microextraction method was developed using deep eutectic solvent‐based magnetic bucky gel as the extraction solvent for the first time. The hydrophobic magnetic bucky gel was formed by combining choline chloride/chlorophenol deep eutectic solvent and magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite. Magnetic susceptibility, high viscosity, high sorbing ability, and tunable extractability of organic analytes are the desirable advantages of the prepared gel. Using a rod magnet as a suspensor in combination with the magnetic susceptibility of the prepared gel resulted in a highly stable droplet. This stable droplet eliminated the possibility of drop dislodgement. The prepared droplet made it possible to complete the extraction process in high temperatures and elevated agitation rates. Furthermore, using larger micro‐droplet volumes without any operational problems became possible. These facts resulted in shorter sample preparation time, higher sensitivity of the method, and lower detection limits. Under the optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 520–587, limit of detection of 0.05–0.90 ng/mL, and linearity range of 0.2–2000 ng/mL (coefficient of determination = 0.9982–0.9995) were obtained. Relative standard deviations were < 10%. This method was successfully coupled with gas chromatography and used for the determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers as harmful volatile organic compounds in water and urine samples.     

Rapid analysis of ultraviolet filters using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled to headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

An ionic‐liquid‐based in situ dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method coupled to headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was developed for the rapid analysis of ultraviolet filters. The chemical structures of five ionic liquids were specifically designed to incorporate various functional groups for the favorable extraction of the target analytes. Extraction parameters including ionic liquid mass, molar ratio of ionic liquid to metathesis reagent, vortex time, ionic strength, pH, and total sample volume were studied and optimized. The effect of the headspace temperature and volume during the headspace sampling step was also evaluated to increase the sensitivity of the method. The optimized procedure is fast as it only required ∼7–10 min per extraction and allowed for multiple extractions to be performed simultaneously. In addition, the method exhibited high precision, good linearity, and low limits of detection for six ultraviolet filters in aqueous samples. The developed method was applied to both pool and lake water samples attaining acceptable relative recovery values.     

The kinetics of solid-phase microextraction measured for freshly added and aged hydrophobic compounds in two different soils

The proper choice of exposure times is critical if the freely dissolved concentration of chemicals in soil porewater is to be measured via the equilibrium solid-phase microextraction (SPME) as the times to equilibrium may vary depending on compound and soil properties. To reveal the effects of compound hydrophobicity, ageing and soil organic matter content on times to equilibrium, the SPME uptake was measured for five freshly added and aged hydrophobic organic compounds (phenanthrene, pyrene, lindane, p,p′-DDT and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 153) in two contrasted soils (arable and forest soil). The tested compound-soil systems behaved kinetically different. Longer equilibrium times were observed with increasing hydrophobicity of compounds for aged compared to freshly added chemicals and for the forest soil in comparison to the arable soil. The calculated soil–porewater partition coefficients (i.e. sorption coefficients, K_d) of chemicals differed between soil types mainly due to various organic carbon (OC) contents as evidenced by the comparable K_oc values (i.e. K_d values normalised to soil OC content). Similar K_oc values were also found with the various extent of ageing, indicating that both the freshly added and aged compounds linearly partitioned between the soil organic matter and porewater. Our results suggest that, for a respective compound, variations in equilibrium times may be expected depending upon the residence time and the organic matter content in soil where the longest equilibrium times seems to appear for a combination of aged compounds and high organic soils. With regard to this outcome, the effect of the level of sample depletion due to the SPME extraction (LD_SPME) on equilibrium times was assessed. At LDs_SPME of up to 10%, equilibrium times increases linearly with LDs_SPME for p,p′-DDT and PCB 153. For phenanthrene (LD_SPME<10%), and for lindane and pyrene (1.2% < LD_SPME > 40%), no clear relationships were observed.     

A sensitive and efficient method for trace analysis of some phenolic compounds using simultaneous derivatization and air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction from human urine and plasma samples followed by gas chromatography–nitrogen phosphorous detection

In present study, a simultaneous derivatization and air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction method combined with gas chromatography–nitrogen phosphorous detection has been developed for the determination of some phenolic compounds in biological samples. The analytes are derivatized and extracted simultaneously by a fast reaction with 1‐flouro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene under mild conditions. Under optimal conditions low limits of detection in the range of 0.05–0.34 ng mL^?1 are achievable. The obtained extraction recoveries are between 84 and 97% and the relative standard deviations are less than 7.2% for intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 4) precisions. The proposed method was demonstrated to be a simple and efficient method for the analysis of phenols in biological samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.