Ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for determination of trace amounts of iron in water, rock and human blood serum samples

A green and sensitive dispersive liquid-phase microextraction procedure based on room-temperature ionic liquid (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) for preconcentration and determination of total iron in real samples prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. 2-Mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (pyrithione) and ethanol were used as complexing agent and dispersive solvent in the proposed method, respectively. The factors influencing the extraction were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the enhancement factor of 15 was obtained from only 11.35 mL of aqueous phase. The linear dynamic range and the detection limit were 10.0–700 and 2.4 μg L^?1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for ten replicate measurements of 500 μg L^?1 of iron is 3.1 %. The developed method has been successfully applied for the determination of iron in water samples, human blood serum and rock certified reference material with high efficiency.     

Voltammetric determination of 17β-estradiol in human urine and buttermilk samples using a simple copper(II) oxide-modified carbon paste electrode

This paper reports the voltammetric determination of 17β-estradiol in urine and buttermilk samples using a simple detector based on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with copper(II) oxide (CuO). The CuO was obtained by the Pechini method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopies. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV) demonstrated that the CuO-modified carbon paste electrode (CuO/CPE detector) displayed much higher electrocatalytic activity in the 17β-estradiol oxidation reaction than the CPE without modification, exhibiting a low detection limit of 21.0 nmol L^?1 with a wide linear range from 60.0 to 800.0 nmol L^?1 (R = 0.998). Satisfactory results were obtained for the determination of 17β-estradiol in human urine and buttermilk samples. The proposed electrochemical detector offers high repeatability, stability, fast response, low cost, and potential for practical application in the quantification of this hormone.

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Soft template synthesis in copper(II)–dithiooxamide–methanal,copper(II)–dithiooxamide–ethanal and copper(II)–dithiooxamide–propanone triple systems in a copper(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix

Novel complexing processes in the Cu^II–dithiooxamide–methanal, Cu^II–dithiooxamide–ethanal and Cu^II–dithiooxamide–propanone triple systems proceeding under specific conditions, to copper(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix systems in contact with aqueous-alkaline (pH 12) solutions containing dithiooxamide and methanal, ethanal or propanone, have been studied. It has been shown that template synthesis leading to the formation of macrocyclic coordination compounds (2,8-dithio-3,7-diaza-5-oxanonandithioamide-1,9)copper(II), (2,8-dithio-3,7-diaza-4,6-dimethyl-5-oxanonandithio-amide-1,9)copper(II) and (4,4,6-trimethyl-2,8-dithio-3,7-diazanonen-6-dithioamide-1,9)copper(II), respectively, takes place under such conditions. Dithiooxamide, methanal, ethanal and propanone act as ligand synthons in these processes.     

New UPLC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of irbesartan and hydrochlorthiazide in human plasma

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) is a preeminent analytical tool for rapid biomedical analysis with the objective of reducing analysis time and maintaining good efficiency. In this study a simple, rapid, sensitive and specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantification of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, irbesartan and hydrochlorthiazide in human plasma. After a simple protein precipitation using methanol and acetonitrile, irbesartan, hydrochlorthiazide and internal standard (IS) telmisartan were separated on Acquity UPLC BEH? C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, i.d. 1.7 μm, Waters, USA) using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:10 mM ammonium acetate:formic acid (85:15:0.1 % v/v/v) pumped at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min and detected by tandem mass spectrometry with negative ion mode. The ion transitions recorded in multiple reaction monitoring mode were m/z 427.2 → 193.08 for irbesartan, m/z 295.93 → 268.90 for hydrochlorthiazide and m/z 513.2 → 287.14 for IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 30–500 ng/mL for irbesartan and 1–500 ng/mL in human plasma with good correlation coefficient of (0.996) and (0.997) and with a limit of quantitation of 30  and 1 ng/mL for irbesartan and hydrochlorthiazide, respectively. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were satisfactory; the relative standard deviations did not exceed 10.13 % for irbesartan and 11.14 % for hydrochlorthiazide. The proposed UPLC–MS/MS method is simple, rapid and highly sensitive, and hence it could be reliable for pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic study in both animals and humans.     

Preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid silica monolith with octyl and sulfonic acid groups for capillary electrochromatograhpy and application in determination of theophylline and caffeine in beverage

An organic–inorganic hybrid silica monolithic column with octyl and sulfonic acid groups has been prepared by sol–gel technique for capillary electrochromatograhpy. The structure of hybrid monolith was optimized by changing the composition of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), octyltriethoxysilane (C₈-TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) in the mixture of precursors. Then, the obtained hybrid monolith was oxidized using hydrogen peroxide (30%, w/w) to yield sulfonic acid groups. The sulfonic acid group, which served as strong cation-exchanger, dominated the charge on the surface of the capillary column and generated stable electroosmotic flow (EOF) in a wide range of pH. The monolithic column was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis (EA), and the performance of column was evaluated in detail by separating different kinds of compounds with column efficiency up to 155,000 plates/m for thiourea. In addition, this monolithic column was also applied in the analysis of theophylline (TP) and caffeine (CA) in beverages. The detection limits were 0.39 and 0.48 μg/mL for theophylline and caffeine, respectively. The method reproducibility was tested by evaluating the intra- and inter-day precisions, and relative standard deviations of less than 3.9 and 8.4%, respectively, were obtained. Recoveries of compounds from spiked beverage samples ranged from 87.2 to 105.2%.     

Copper(II)–8-mercaptoquinoline,copper(II)–5,8-dimercaptoquinoline and copper(II)–5-thiomethyl-8-mercaptoquinoline complexing in a copper(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix

Novel complexing processes in the Cu^II–8-mercaptoquinoline, Cu^II–5,8-dimercaptoquinoline and Cu^II–5-thiomethyl-8-mercaptoquinoline systems proceeding in the copper(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix in contact with aqueous solutions of the ligands indicated, have been studied. Under the conditions specified for complexing in the Cu^II–8-mercaptoquinoline system, only a monomeric water-insoluble coordination compound was formed. In the Cu^II–5,8-dimercaptoquinoline system, three coordination compounds were formed and, in the Cu^II–5-thiomethyl-8-mercaptoquinoline system, two such compounds were formed. Conversely, complexing in solution or solid phase results in the formation only coordination compounds in each of the system studied.     

A new treatment by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of parabens in human serum samples

Alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) are a family of compounds that have been in use since the 1920s as preservatives in cosmetic formulations, with one of the lowest rates of skin problems reported in dermatological patients. However, in the last few years, many scientific publications have demonstrated that parabens are weak endocrine disruptors, meaning that they can interfere with the function of endogenous hormones, increasing the risk of breast cancer. In the present work, a new sample treatment method is introduced based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction of the most commonly used parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben) from human serum samples followed by separation and quantification using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method involves an enzymatic treatment to quantify the total content of parabens. The extraction parameters (solvent and disperser solvent, extractant and dispersant volume, pH of the sample, salt addition, and extraction time) were accurately optimized using multivariate optimization strategies. Ethylparaben ring ¹³C₆-labeled was used as surrogate. Limits of quantification ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 ng mL^?1 and an interday variability (evaluated as relative standard deviations) from 3.8 to 11.9 % were obtained. The method was validated using matrix-matched calibration standard and a spike recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 96 to 106 %, and a good linearity up to concentrations of 100 ng mL^?1 was obtained. The method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of target compounds in human serum samples.     

Micellar and Mixed-Micellar Effects on Alkaline Hydrolysis of tris(1,10–phenanthroline)iron(II): Kinetic Exploration

The kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of tris(1,10–phenanthroline)iron(II) has been studied in the presence of nonionic and mixed nonionic–ionic micellar media at 308 K. The effects of mixed-micellar environments of nonionic with ionic surfactants (C₁₂E₂₃/ATABs and C₁₂E₂₃/SDS) on the hydrolytic rate have been studied. The rate decreases monotonically with an increment of [C₁₂E₂₃]_T (total Brij 35 concentration) at constant [^?OH]₀ and has been discussed with the pseudo-phase micellar model. The rate also decreases with [C₁₂E₂₃]_T at a continuous addition of ionic surfactants (ATABs and SDS). The observed rate constant k_obs follows the empirical relation: k_obs = (k₀ + θK [C₁₂E₂₃]_T)/(1 + K [C₁₂E₂₃]_T) (where θ and K are empirical constants). The values of θ remain unaffected, whereas K decreases nonlinearly with [ATABs]_T in a mixed C₁₂E₂₃?ATAB micellar system. But the k_obs in a mixed C₁₂E₂₃–SDS micellar system is much lower than that of the C₁₂E₂₃–ATAB system and do not comply with any micellar kinetic models.     

Validated HPLC–MS–MS method for simultaneous determination of atorvastatin and 2-hydroxyatorvastatin in human plasma—pharmacokinetic study

Cholesterol-reducing statin drugs are the most frequently prescribed agents for reducing morbidity and mortality related to coronary heart disease. In this publication a validated, highly sensitive, and selective isocratic HPLC method is reported for quantitative determination of the major statin drug atorvastatin (ATV) and its metabolite 2-hydroxyatorvastatin (HATV). Detection was performed with an electrospray ionization triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an ESI interface operating in positive-ionization mode. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used for MS–MS detection. The calibration plot was linear in the concentration range 0.10–40.00 ng mL⁻¹ for both ATV and HATV. Inter-day and intra-day precision and accuracy of the proposed method were characterized by measurement of relative standard deviation (RSD) and percentage deviation, respectively; both were less than 8% for both analytes. The limit of quantitation was 0.02 ng mL⁻¹ for ATV and 0.07 ng mL⁻¹ for HATV. The method was used for pharmacokinetic study of ATV and HATV. Pharmacokinetic data for all analytes are also reported.     

An ESR study of the copper(II)–glycyl-l-serine and copper(II)–l-seryl-glycine systems by the simultaneous analysis of multi-component isotropic spectra. Formation constants and coordination modes

The formation constants and the isotropic ESR parameters (g-factors, ⁶³Cu, ⁶⁵Cu, ¹⁴N hyperfine coupling constants and relaxation parameters) of the various species were determined by the simultaneous analysis of a series of spectra, taken in a circulating system at various pH and ligand-to-metal concentration ratio. For both systems the new [CuLH]²⁺ complex was identified in acidic solutions. With the glycyl-l-serine ligand below pH 11.5 the same complexes and coordination modes are formed than with simple dipeptides. The side-chain donor group is bound only over pH 11.5 in the complex [CuLH₋₂(OH)]²⁻, where it is deprotonated and substitutes the carboxylate O in the third equatorial site. For the bis complex [CuLH₋₁(L)]⁻ an isomeric equilibrium was shown, where the difference between the isomers was based on which of the donor atoms of the ‘L’ ligand, the peptide O or the amino N, occupies the fourth equatorial position, and which one is coordinated axially. The l-seryl-glycine ligand forms the same species as simple dipeptides and glycyl-l-serine up to pH 8. The only difference is that the axial binding of the alcoholic OH group fairly stabilizes the bidentate equatorial coordination of the ‘L’ ligand through the amino N and peptide O atoms in the [CuL]⁺ complex as well as in the major isomer of the [CuLH₋₁(L)]⁻ complex. For this system we showed that (1) proton loss and the equatorial coordination of the alcoholic OH group occurs at relatively low pH (over pH 8–9), which results in the [CuL₂H₋₂]²⁻ complex with excess ligand, and also the newly identified species [Cu₂L₂H₋₄]²⁻: (2) this process is in competition with the proton loss of a coordinated water molecule. For both systems, the ESR-inactive species [Cu₂L₂H₋₃]⁻ was also shown.     

HPLC–based methods for the determination of levetiracetam in biological and pharmaceutical samples

Levetiracetam is one of the new generation anti–epileptic agents (also known as anticonvulsants or antiseizure drugs). Following its approval for marketing in 2000, levetiracetam has been widely used in the treatment of epilepsy due to its broad spectrum effects. One of the advantages of this antiseizure drug is its rapid and complete absorption after oral administration. It has also minimal drug–drug and food interactions, and shows more than 95% bioavailability. The determination of levetiracetam in various samples is carried out using several analytical methods including HPLC–based methods. HPLC–based methods are used for different pharmaceutical analyses and play an important role in drug monitoring during patient follow–ups. This review provides a summary of the HPLC–based methods used in the determination and quantification of levetiracetam in biological fluids and pharmaceutical preparations.     

UHPLC method for the simultaneous determination of β-blockers, isoflavones, and flavonoids in human urine

A simple method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) for the simultaneous determination of β-blockers, isoflavones, and flavonoids in human urine is developed. A statistical central composite design and response surface analysis is used to optimize the separation of the analytes. These multivariate procedures are efficient in determining the optimal separation condition using resolutions and retention time as responses. A gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid in water and acetonitrile is applied on a Hypersil GOLD column within a short analysis time of 4.5 min. UV detection was used to monitor the analytes. The suggested method was linear in a concentration range from 0.04-20.00 μg/mL, depending on the compound. The limits of detection ranged from 8.9 to 66.2 ng/mL. The precision was lower than 2.74%, and the accuracy was between 0.01-3.65%. The Oasis HLB column, with the highest recoveries, is selected for the pre-concentration step. This present paper reports, for the first time, a method for the simultaneous determination of β-blockers, isoflavones, and flavonoids in human urine samples. Furthermore, the developed method can also be applied to the routine determination of examined compounds concentrations in human urine.     

DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of metallofluorescein–porphyrin complexes of zinc(II) and copper(II)

The DNA-binding behaviors of the fluorescein?Cporphyrinatozinc(II) complex Zn(Fl-PPTPP) (Fl-PPTPP?=?5-(4-fluoresceinpropyloxy)phenyl-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin) and fluorescein?Cporphyrinatocopper(II) complex Cu(Fl-PPTPP) with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by UV?CVis absorption titrations, fluorescence spectra, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation and circular dichroism. The results suggest that both complexes interact with CT-DNA by intercalation. In addition, their photocleavage reactions with pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA were investigated. Both complexes exhibit significant DNA cleavage activity, and singlet oxygen may play an important role in these reactions.     

Solidified floating organic drop microextraction–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for ultra trace determination of antimony species in tea, basil and water samples

Solidified floating organic drop microextraction was applied as a separation/preconcentration step prior to the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (ETAAS) determination of ultra trace of antimony species. The method was based on the formation of an extractable complex between Sb(III) and ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate at pH ~ 5, while Sb(V) was remained in the aqueous phase. The antimony extracted into 1-undecanol was determined by ETAAS. Total antimony was determined after the reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) with potassium iodide and ascorbic acid. The amount of Sb(V) was determined from the difference of concentration of total antimony and Sb(III). Under the optimum conditions an enhancement factor of 437.5 and a detection limit of 5.0 ng L^?1for the preconcentration of 25 mL of sample was achieved. The relative standard deviation at 300 ng L^?1 of antimony was found to be 3.5 % (n = 6). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of antimony in tea, basil and natural water samples.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of androgens,estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestagens in human serum

We present a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of 16 endogenous steroids (androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids and progestogens) in human serum. Samples (250 μl of matrix) were extracted with t-butylmethyl ether prior to LC–MS/MS analysis. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed-phase column using a methanol–water gradient. The HPLC was coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source with acquisition in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated using surrogate matrices and human serum samples. The specificity of the method was confirmed for all of the considered steroids; linearity was also assessed (R² > 0.99, lack-of-fit test) in the ranges of concentrations investigated. The lower limits of quantification were in the range 10–400 pg/ml depending on the target steroid. Accuracy was in the range 85–115% for all target steroids except for the lower limit of quantitation levels where it was 80–120%. The extraction recovery was always >65%. No significant matrix effects were observed. To test the reliability of the method, the analysis of serum samples collected from 10 healthy subjects (5 M/5F) was performed. The present method can be used to identify the trajectories of deviation from the concentration normality ranges applied to disorders of the gonadal and adrenal axes.     

Electrochemical determination of Sn(IV)/Sn(II) ratio in tin sol formed in copper–tin sulphate solution containing laprol 2402C

The electrochemical method was applied to determine Sn(IV)/Sn(II) molar ratio in negatively charged colloid which forms in bronze plating sulphate solution containing laprol 2402C as a surface-active substance. An analysis of characteristic voltammetric minimum the onset of which is highly sensitive to Sn²⁺ concentration was used for this purpose. The Sn(IV)/Sn(II) ratio was found to be constant for completely formed colloid and independent on Cu(II) concentration in the solution. Particles involving Sn(IV) are supposed to be the main component responsible for stability of the sol.     

Ferromagnetic copper(II)–copper(II) interaction in a single chlorido and dicyanamido bridged mixed–valence copper(I/II) 2-D polymer generated by in situ partial reduction of copper(II)

A mixed-valence 2-D Cu(I/II) complex, [{Cu(II)(dmen)(μ-Cl)(μ_1,5-dca)}{Cu(I)(μ_1,5-dca)}]_n (1) (dmen = N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, dca = dicyanamide = [N(CN)₂]^?), has been synthesized by in situ partial reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) using benzoin (2-hydroxy-1,2-di(phenyl)ethanone) as reductant. Complex 1 was characterized by spectroscopic techniques, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and low temperature magnetic measurements. Structural investigation reveals that 1 represents a mixed-valence 2-D coordination polymer formed by parallel 1-D [Cu(II)(dmen)(Cl)Cu(I)(μ_1,5-dca)₂]_n chains running along the b axis, where chloride bridges Cu(II) ions of adjacent polymers through long connections (2.8401(1) Å) to form a 2-D network. The metal centers have two different geometrical environments (distorted square pyramidal and distorted trigonal planar geometries for Cu(II) and Cu(I), respectively). The Cu(II) ions in [Cu(II)(dmen)(μ-Cl)(dca)]_n are interconnected through single chloride bridges while within the [Cu(I)(μ_1,5-dca)]_n units, the dca connects adjacent Cu(I) ions through μ_1,5-dca bridges. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal weak ferromagnetic interactions (J = +0.3 cm^?1) within the chlorido-bridged Cu(II) regular chain present in 1. Simultaneous presence of μ_1,5-dca and single chlorido bridges with ferromagnetic coupling is believed to be unique in mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) complexes.