A High Yield Method of Extracting Alkaloid from Aconitum coreanum by Pulsed Electric Field

A high yield method to extract alkaloids from Aconitum coreanum using pulsed electric field (PEF) was developed, and the optimized extraction method compared to the other four extraction methods, consisting of cold maceration extraction, percolation extraction, heat reflux extraction (HRE), and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UE). The experimental factors of the extraction methods such as electric field intensity, pulse frequency and solid-to-solvent ratio were evaluated. The content of Guanfu base A (GFA) was quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the highest yield of GFA was 3.94 mg g⁻¹ by PEF with conditions of 20 kV cm⁻¹ electric field intensity, 8 pulse, 1:12 solid-to-solvent ratio, and 90 % ethanol–water solution. Meanwhile, the extraction time of PEF was <1 min, which is much less than the HRE of 10 h and even the newly used technique UE of 40 min. Moreover, the results of PEF extraction method showed obvious advantages, with the highest efficiency (120 L h⁻¹), the shortest extraction time (0.5–1 min), and the lowest energy costs, which could be applied in the industrial production of alkaloids from A. coreanum. Therefore, the application of the PEF extraction method is a promising and constructive method for extraction of GFA.

     

Ionic Liquid-Based Ultrasonic/Microwave-Assisted Extraction Combined with UPLC for the Determination of Anthraquinones in Rhubarb

Ionic liquid-based ultrasonic/microwave-assisted extraction (IL-UMAE) of five anthraquinones (physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, rhein, and aloe-emodin) from rhubarb was first studied. Several parameters of UMAE were optimized, and the results were compared with of the heat-reflux extraction (HRE), ultrasound, and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE and UAE). The optimal UMAE conditions were as follows: the solvent was 2.0 mol L^?1 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [bmim]Br solution, the ration of solid/liquid (g mL^?1) was 1:15, time was 2 min, and microwave power was 500 W. Under these UMAE conditions, total content of five anthraquinones was 28.00 mg g^?1. Compared with the conventional HRE, regular MAE and UAE techniques, the proposed approach exhibited higher efficiency (18.90?C24.40% enhanced) and shorter extraction time (from 6 h to 2 min). The anthraquinones were then determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Based on optimized conditions, contents of physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, rhein and aloe-emodin in rhubarb collected from different cultivated areas were 0.68?C2.99, 5.03?C15.40, 0.48?C4.34, 0.025?C3.93 and 0.26?C2.56 mg g^?1, respectively. This study suggests that IL-UMAE was an efficient, rapid, simple and green preparation technique.     

RP–LC Simultaneous Determination of Aconitine, Solanine and Piperine in an Ayurvedic Medicine

By optimizing the extraction, separation and analytical conditions, a reliable, rapid, simple and accurate liquid chromatography method with UV detection was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of aconitine, solanine and piperine in an ayurvedic preparation prepared from Aconitum ferox, Solanum indicum, Piper nigrum and Piper longum. The separation of these alkaloids was achieved on an reversed phase C-18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm particle size), with isocratic elution using a mixture of acetonitrile–potassium hydrogen phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.5)–methanol (60:25:15, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1 with UV detection at 227 nm for aconitine and solanine while 343 nm for piperine. The calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients of 0.9990, 0.9942, 0.9989 for solanine, piperine and aconitine, respectively. The % Relative standard deviation (%RSD) values were less than 2% in the concentration range of 10–100 μg mL^?1 for all the three alkaloids. Intra-day assay and inter-day assay precision of the analytes were less than 2%, and the average recovery rates obtained were in the range of 98–102% for all with %RSD below 2%. Quantitative analysis of the alkaloids in the laboratory and marketed formulations showed that the contents of the alkaloids varied significantly. This method can provide a scientific and technical platform to the product manufacturers for setting up a quality control standard as well as to the public for quality and safety assurance of the proprietary ayurvedic formulations.     

Rotating disk sorptive extraction of triclosan and methyl-triclosan from water samples

A method of sample preparation based on use of rotating disk sorptive extraction (RDSE) has been developed for determination of triclosan (TCS) and methyl-triclosan (MTCS) in water samples. The sorptive and desorptive behavior of the analytes was studied by use of a rotating disk coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on one of its surfaces. Chemical and extraction behavior were studied to establish the best conditions for extraction. The optimum conditions for both analytes were: sample volume 25 mL, pH?4.5, NaCl concentration 6 % (w/v), disk rotational velocity 1,250 rpm, and extraction time 80 min. A desorption time of 30 min was used with 5 mL methanol. The detection limits for TCS and MTCS were 46 and 34 ng?L^?1, respectively. Recovery was evaluated at two concentrations, 160 and 800 ng?L^?1, and the values obtained were between 80 and 100 %. The method was applied to analysis of influent water at two treatment plants in Santiago, Chile.     

Development of a group contribution method for the estimation of heat capacities of ionic liquids

In this communication, a new approach is presented which combines a group-contribution (GC) method approach with genetic function approximation (GFA) for the prediction of liquid heat capacities at constant pressure (C _pL) for ionic liquids at atmospheric pressure. The proposed method can be used instead of complicated nonlinear modeling approaches like artificial neural networks and support vector machine. The NIST standard reference database was used to prepare a dataset for C _pL data. The dataset comprised 82 ionic liquids and consisted of 3,726 experimental data points. The dataset was divided such that 80 % of the data were used as a training set, and 20 % as a validation and test set. GFA was used to select functional groups, from which the GC based model was developed. Statistical analysis of the model shows that it has an overall average absolute relative deviation of 1.68 %, coefficient of determination (R ²) of 0.990, and root mean square of error (RMSE) of 18.42 J mol^?1 K^?1.     

A Pretreatment Method for GC–MS Determination of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Mollusk Tissues

Automatic soxhlet extraction followed by silica gel cartridge cleanup process was developed as a pretreatment method for GC–MS determination of seven endocrine disrupting chemicals in mollusk tissues. Operation parameters including extraction time, adsorption flow rate and elution flow rate were optimized as 140 min, 2 mL min^?1 and 2 mL min^?1, respectively. Thirty percent dichloromethane in n-hexane and 70% dichloromethane in n-hexane were used as elution solvents in turn. Recovery rates were 93.7, 91.7, 84.5, 83.3, 88.4, 81.2, and 79.7% for nonylphenols (NPs), bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3), respectively. Acceptable relative standard derivations ranged from 8.5 to 12.1%. Method detection limits ranged from 0.27 to 0.68 ng g^?1 dry weight (dw), and quantitative detection limits ranged from 0.62 to 1.26 ng g^?1 dw. The method was successfully applied to five mollusk species in Dapeng Bay of China to verify its practicability, and NPs, BPA, EE2, E1 and 17α-E2 were detected in the range from 1.6 to 131.5 ng g^?1 dw.     

Ultrasonic-Assisted Drop-to-Drop Solvent Microextraction in a Capillary Tube for Analyzing Trace Benzene, Toluene, Xylene in One Drop of a Water Sample

A novel analytical technique termed ultrasonic-assisted drop-to-drop solvent microextraction (USA-DDSME) in a capillary tube was developed to determine trace benzene, toluene, xylene in one drop of a water sample, which was combined with gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID). The advantages of this method are rapidity, convenience, ease of operation, simplicity of the device, and extremely little solvent and sample consumption. Extraction conditions including the type of extraction solvent, the volume of extraction solvent, the volume of sample, extraction time and effect of salt concentration were optimized. The best optimum parameters for extraction were achieved with 3 μL of extraction solvent. Chloroform was divided into four equal divisions in 20 μL water sample (without salt addition) in a capillary tube and ultrasonicated for 10 min, centrifugated at 2,500 rpm for 5 min to let the extraction solvent settle at the bottom of the capillary tube, then 1 μL of the separated extraction solvent was injected into the GC–FID for analysis. Linearity of the method was determined by analyzing spiked water samples over a concentration range of 0.1–50 μg mL^?1. Correspondingly, the LOD values were 0.01 μg mL^?1. All calibration curves were found to have good linearity with correlation coefficients (r ²) > 0.995. The precision (RSD) of the system, measured by six repeated determinations of the analytes at 1 μg mL^?1 were in the range of 1.6–3.5%.     

A high-throughput method based on microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous analysis of amphetamines,ketamine, opiates,and their metabolites in hair

A total sample-preparation and analysis time of 50 min is required for the high-throughput method of hair analysis proposed in this paper. The method is applicable to analysis of drugs commonly used in Asia, and their metabolites—methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AMP), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), ketamine (K), norketamine (NK), dehydronorketamine (DHNK), 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), morphine (MOR), and codeine (COD). Cut and weighed hair (10 mg) was incubated for 3 min with methanol–trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) during microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) at 700 W. The incubation solution was evaporated, the residue was reconstituted in deionized water–methanol, 99:1 (v/v), and 20 μL was injected on to a core-shell column (50?×?4.6 mm, 2.6 μm particle size) for liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS–MS) analysis. Gradient elution separation was performed in 8 min at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. No signal interfering with any of the analytes was found in fourteen blank hair samples from different sources. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.5 pg mg^?1 and 2.0 pg mg^?1, respectively, for MA, AMP, MDMA, MDA, K, NK, and DHNK, and 2.0 pg mg^?1 and 5.0 pg mg^?1, respectively, for 6-AM, MOR and COD. The linear range was between the LOQ and 1000 pg mg^?1, and the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.999. Investigation of matrix effects revealed that all the analytes were suppressed by less than 20 % and the standard deviation (SD) was always less than 7 %. Recovery was always greater than 90 % and the SD for each compound was less than 6 %. Precision and accuracy for each analyte were within 15 %. Eight authentic hair specimens from known drug abusers were successfully analyzed. Compared with traditional overnight incubation methods, the rapid 3-min extraction time achieved similar or greater extraction yields. Sample preparation by MAE was a reliable procedure for extraction of the analytes from hair but substantially simpler and faster than other methods.

Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Extraction and UPLC Determination of Sudan Dyes in Chili Powder

A new method involving matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction and UPLC in conjunction with photodiode array detection was developed for the rapid and simple determination of Sudan dyes in chili powder. Separation of Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, and Sudan IV was achieved within 2 min on the 1.7 μm Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column by using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–water at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min^?1. Optimization of MSPD extraction parameters, such as type of solid sorbent and elution solvent were carried out. Optimal conditions selected for MSPD extraction were 0.25 g of sample, 0.5 g of silica gel as solid sorbent, and 7 mL of acetonitrile–methanol (9:1, v/v) as eluting solvent. Limits of detection ranged between 0.25 and 0.30 mg kg^?1 depending on the dye involved. All analytes provided average recoveries from spiked (at 1, 1.5, and 2 mg kg^?1) chili powder samples ranging from 81 to 106%. The method was applied to the analysis of chili powder samples obtained from different countries.     

Preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of trace amount of formaldehyde using hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction based on derivatization by Hantzsch reaction

Formaldehyde is known as a highly toxic compound to humans and identified as a carcinogenic substance. In this study, Hantzsch reaction was utilized for the derivatization of trace amounts of formaldehyde in aqueous samples with acetylacetone in the presence of ammonia to form an extractable colored product named 3,5-diacetyl 1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL) and its further extraction using two-phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction. The main experimental variables affecting the extraction performance were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions (sample volume 12 mL; reaction temperature 70 °C; ammonium acetate buffer solution 4 mL 0.1 mol L^?1; acetylacetone 5 mL 0.15 mol L^?1; solvent octanol, salt concentration 20% (w/v) NaCl; pH of donor phase 7.0; stirring speed 400 rpm and extraction time 30 min), the linear dynamic range, limit of detection (LOD as 3S _b/m) and relative standard deviation (RSD %) of the proposed method were obtained as 5–250 μg L^?1 (r ² = 0.9979), 3.6 μg L^?1 and 2.5%, respectively. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method was examined, and very good results were obtained. The results confirmed the applicability of the proposed method as a versatile, low-cost and sensitive preconcentration method for determination of low concentrations of formaldehyde in aqueous solutions.     

Simple, Sensitive, High-Throughput Method for the Quantification of Mitragynine in Rat Plasma Using UPLC-MS and Its Application to an Intravenous Pharmacokinetic Study

A simple, sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of mitragynine in rat plasma using amitriptyline hydrochloride as an internal standard. Sample preparation involved a one-step liquid?Cliquid extraction using methyl t-butyl ether. Mitragynine was separated on an Acquity UPLC^? BEH HILIC column using isocratic elution with a mobile phase of 10 mM ammonium formate buffer containing 0.1% formic acid:acetonitrile (15:85, v/v). At a flow rate of 0.2 mL min^?1, the retention time of mitragynine was found to be 1.3 min. Ionization was performed in the positive ion electrospray mode. The selected mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio transition of mitragynine ion [M + H]⁺ used in the selected ion recording (SIR) was 399.1. The calibration curve was found to be linear over a concentration range of 1?C5,000 ng mL^?1 (r = 0.999) with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1 ng mL^?1. Intra- and inter-day assay variations were found to be less than 15%. The extraction recoveries ranged from 85?C93% at the three concentrations (2, 400 and 4,000 ng mL^?1) in rat plasma. This method was successfully used to quantify mitragynine in rat plasma following intravenous administration of the compound.     

Fast Analysis of Synthetic Pyrethroid Metabolites in Water Samples Using In-Syringe Derivatization Coupled Hollow Fiber Mediated Liquid Phase Microextraction with GC-ECD

A fast and efficient method has been demonstrated for the trace determination of six important metabolites of synthetic pyrethroids including cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (cis- and trans-Cl₂CA), cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (cis-Br₂CA), 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4-F-3-PBA), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), and 2-phenoxybenzoic acid (2-PBA) in environmental water samples using hollow fiber (HF)-mediated liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) coupled with in-syringe derivatization (ISD) followed by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detector (ECD) analysis. This method utilizes a HF membrane segment impregnated with extraction solvent as the LPME sampling probe, which was connected to a microsyringe pre-filled with derivatizing agents, and it was immersed into sample solution for extraction. After extraction, the extracting solution was subjected to derivatization reaction that was performed inside the syringe barrel followed by GC-ECD analysis. Under optimal conditions, the best extraction efficiency was obtained using sampling probe (2.0 cm hollow fiber) impregnated with 1-octanol immersed into water sample (5.0 mL, adjusted pH below 1.0) and stirring (1,250 rpm) for 10 min at 70 °C and diisopropylcarbodiimide (2 μL) and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (1 μL) were the derivatizing agents used. The detection limits of 3 ng mL^?1 for cis- and trans-Cl₂CA, 2 ng mL^?1 for cis-Br₂CA, 6 ng mL^?1 for 4-F-3-PBA, and 0.6 ng mL^?1 for 3-PBA and 2-PBA. The method showed good linearity (R ² = 0.973?0.998), repeatability from 4.0 to 13 % (n = 5), recovery from 79.2 to 95.7 %, and enrichment factors ranged between 109 and 159 for target analytes spiked in water samples. The proposed method and conventional methods were compared. Results suggested that the proposed HF-LPME-ISD/GC-ECD method was a rapid, simple, inexpensive, and eco-friendly technique for the analysis of metabolites of pyrethroids.     

Simultaneous Quantitation of Quinolone Residues in Biological Fluid by CE Combined with Electrogenerated-Chemiluminescent Detection

A simple, rapid and sensitive method has been proposed for simultaneous electrogenerated-chemiluminescent detection of quinolone residues in biological fluid after effective separation by capillary electrophoresis. Enrofloxacin, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin can be assayed in the range of 3.0 × 10^?8–5.0 × 10^?6 g mL^?1 within 10 min. The relative standard deviations of the signal intensity and the migration time were less than 4.9 and 2.4% for a standard sample containing 1.0 × 10^?7 g mL^?1 of each quinolone (n = 5), respectively. The presented method has been successfully applied to determine the amounts of quinolones in pig urine after clean-up by C₁₈ solid phase extraction column.     

Chemiluminescence competitive indirect enzyme immunoassay for 20 fluoroquinolone residues in fish and shrimp based on a single-chain variable fragment

A chemiluminescent competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, based on a mutant single-chain variable fragment (scFv), was developed to detect a broad range of fluoroquinolones (FQs) in fish and shrimp matrices. In this study, the best scFvC4A9H1_mut2 was adopted, which showed 10-fold improved affinity to sarafloxacin (SAR), difloxacin (DIF), and trovafloxacin (TRO), while the affinity to other FQs was fully inherited from wild-type scFvC4A9H1. In the optimized generic test, scFvC4A9H1_mut2 in combination with norfloxacin–ovalbumin conjugate and horseradish peroxidase-labeled anti-c-myc 9E10 antibody showed 50 % binding inhibition (IC₅₀) at 0.12 μg kg^?1 for norfloxacin in buffer. Screening for the class of FQ antibiotics is accomplished using a simple, rapid extraction carried out with ethanol/acetic acid (99:1, v/v). This common extraction was able to detect 20 FQ residues such as s ciprofloxacin (CIP), danofloxacin, DIF, enoxacin, enrofloxacin (ENR), fleroxacin, amifloxacin, flumequine, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin hydrochloride, marbofloxacin, norfloxacin (NOR), ofloxacin, orbifloxacin, pazufloxacin, pefloxacin-d5 (PEF), prulifloxacin, SAR, sparfloxacin, and TRO in fish and shrimp. The limit of detection (LOD) for NOR was 0.2 μg kg^?1 and the LODs for CIP and ENR were all <0.2 μg kg^?1. Values of LODs inferred from the cross-reactivity data will range from approximately 0.23 μg kg^?1 for PEF to 2.1 μg kg^?1 for TRO. Field fish and shrimp samples were analyzed and compared to the results obtained from liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method. All five instances (from 0.25 to 15.6 μg kg^?1) in which FQs were present at concentrations near or above the assay LOD were identified as positive by the newly developed assay, demonstrating the usefulness of this assay as a screening tool.

Extraction and Hydrolysis Parameters for Determination of Quercetin in Hypericum perforatum

The optimum conditions for extraction of rutin and quercetin from Hypericum perforatum were investigated. The best efficiency of extraction was achieved with aqueous methanol 40–80% (v/v). For quercetin analysis as aglycone the effect of acid concentration and hydrolysis time on the extraction recovery were also studied. Hydrolysis for 5 min in the presence of 2.8 mol L^?1 HCl as well as for 10 min with 1.1 mol L^?1 HCl efficiently released quercetin from rutin. The content of quercetin?3-O-glycosides (rutin, hyperoside and quercetrin) and quercetin aglycone as well as chlorogenic and caffeic acids in H. perforatum leaves and flowers were determined by HPLC with photodiode-array detection and confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

LC–MS Method for the Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol in Small Volume Plasma Samples

A quantitative method has been developed and validated for the determination of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in hairless guinea pig plasma by liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The analytes were extracted from the plasma samples of guinea pig by a single step liquid extraction technique using acetonitrile. The chromatographic separation was conducted on a C18 column using a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and water at a flow rate of 0.3 mL min^?1. The analytes were quantified by positive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring mode of m/z 401. The limit of detection for 2-AG was 0.5 ng mL^?1. This method required only simple processing of the samples to prevent the isomerization of 2-AG during sampling and handling and could be applied to determine the plasma concentration profiles in hairless guinea pigs. The volume of distribution at steady state (V _ss), total plasma clearance (CL) and half life (t _1/2β) of 2-AG in hairless guinea pigs were 0.21 ± 0.025 L kg^?1, 9.2 ± 1.5 L h^?1 kg^?1, and 17.7 ± 3.8 min, respectively.     

A Sensitive Method for Methyl tert-Butyl Ether Analysis in Water Samples by a New HS-SPME Vial and GC

In this study, a new sample vial has been designed for the extraction and determination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction method. The special feature of this new vial is cooling the HS above the aqueous sample by cold water stream for maximum analyte absorption on SPME fiber coating. The analysis was by a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector and a capillary column (CP-sil 13 CB). Some significant variables affecting the extraction procedure were optimized. By use of divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fiber, a sample volume of 10 mL, stirring rate of 1,000 rpm, salt concentration of 24%, extraction time of 15 min and extraction temperature of 83 °C, detection limit of 0.022 μg L^?1 and a good linearity (R ² = 0.998) in a calibration range of 0.1–400 μg L^?1 were achieved. The relative standard deviation for triplicate runs ranged between 6 and 8%. The method could be applied to the analysis of trace levels of MTBE in various water samples.     

LC�CMS�CMS Method for Quantification of Hydralazine in BALB/C Mouse Plasma and Brain: Application to Pharmacokinetic Study

A rapid, sensitive and accurate high performance liquid chromatography method using tandem mass spectrometry detection for hydralazine in BALB/C mouse plasma and brain was developed and validated. The method involved a derivatization with 2,4-pentanedione at 50 °C for 1 h, and a step of solid phase extraction to purify and concentrate hydralazine derivative. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column by elution with methanol?C0.01 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (60:40, v/v). The multiple reaction monitoring transition used for quantification was m/z 225.2 ?? 129.5 in the electrospray positive ionization mode. Good linearity was obtained over the concentration range of 10?C200 ng mL^?1. The limits of detection were 0.49 and 1.05 ng mL^?1 for hydralazine in mouse plasma and brain, respectively. The limits of quantitation were 1.5 and 3.18 ng mL^?1 for hydralazine in mouse plasma and brain, respectively. Sample analysis time was 6 min including sample separation. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study following intraperitoneal injection of hydralazine in BALB/C mice at the dose of 20 mg kg^?1.     

In Situ Biphasic Extractive Fermentation for Hexanoic Acid Production from Sucrose by Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 702410

Hexanoic acid production by a bacterium using sucrose as an economic carbon source was studied under conditions in which hexanoic acid was continuously extracted by liquid–liquid extraction. Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 702410, selected from five M. elsdenii strains, produced 4.69 g l^?1 hexanoic acid in a basal medium containing sucrose. Production increased to 8.19 g l^?1 when the medium was supplemented by 5 g l^?1 sodium butyrate. A biphasic liquid–liquid extraction system with 10 % (v/v) alamine 336 in oleyl alcohol as a solvent was evaluated in a continuous stirred-tank reactor held at pH 6. Over 90 % (w/w) of the hexanoic acid in a 0.5 M aqueous solution was transferred to the extraction solvent within 10 h. Cell growth was not significantly inhibited by direct contact of the fermentation broth with the extraction solvent. The system produced 28.42 g l^?1 of hexanoic acid from 54.85 g l^?1 of sucrose during 144 h of culture, and 26.52 and 1.90 g l^?1 of hexanoic acid was accumulated in the extraction solvent and the aqueous fermentation broth, respectively. The productivity and yield of hexanoic acid were 0.20 g l^?1 h^?1 and 0.50 g g^?1 sucrose, respectively.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer for selective determination of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid using LC-MS/MS in urine and oral fluid

The use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for solid phase extraction (MISPE) allows a rapid and selective extraction compared with traditional methods. Determination of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 11-nor-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in oral fluid (OF) and urine was performed using homemade MISPEs for sample clean-up and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Cylindrical MISPE shaped pills were synthesized using catechin as a mimic template. MISPEs were added to 0.5 mL OF or urine sample and sonicated 30 min for adsorption of analytes. For desorption, the MISPE was transfered to a clean tube, and sonicated for 15 min with 2 mL acetone:acetonitrile (3:1, v/v). The elution solvent was evaporated and reconstituted in mobile phase. Chromatographic separation was performed using a SunFire C18 (2.5 μm; 2.1?×?20 mm) column, and formic acid 0.1 % and acetonitrile as mobile phase, with a total run time of 5 min. The method was fully validated including selectivity (no endogenous or exogenous interferences), linearity (1–500 ng/mL in OF, and 2.5–500 ng/mL in urine), limit of detection (0.75 and 1 ng/mL in OF and urine, respectively), imprecision (%CV <12.3 %), accuracy (98.2–107.0 % of target), extraction recovery (15.9–53.5 %), process efficiency (10.1–46.2 %), and matrix effect (<?55 %). Analytes were stable for 72 h in the autosampler. Dilution 1:10 was assured in OF, and Quantisal? matrix effect showed ion suppression (<?80.4 %). The method was applied to the analysis of 20 OF and 11 urine specimens. This is the first method for determination of THC and THC-COOH in OF using MISPE technology.