Simultaneous derivatization and extraction of amphetamine and methylenedioxyamphetamine in urine with headspace liquid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new method is reported for the simultaneous extraction and derivatization of amphetamine (AM) and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) using headspace hollow fiber protected liquid-phase microextraction (HS-HF-LPME); quantitation is by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The derivatizing reagent, pentafluorobenzaldehyde (PFBAY), was added to the extraction solvent. The analytes, volatile and basic, were released from the sample matrix into the headspace first, then extracted and derivatized in the solvent. After that, 2 microl of extract was directly injected into the GC-MS system. Parameters affecting extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. This method showed good linearity in the concentration range investigated (50-350 ng ml(-1) for AM and 50-700 ng ml(-1) for MDA). Excellent repeatability of the extraction (RSD< or = 4%, n=5), and low limits of quantitation (0.25 ng ml(-1) for AM and 1.00 ng ml(-1) for MDA) were achieved. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated by analyzing human urine samples.     

Enantiomeric separation of N-protected amino acids by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis with dimeric forms of quinine and quinidine derivatives serving as chiral selectors

A simple method for analysis of anatoxin-a in aqueous samples was developed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Anatoxin-a was derivatized to a fluorogenic agent on the surface of the SPME fiber. In the method an SPME fiber was immersed for 30 min in the aqueous sample. The fluorogenic derivatizing reagent (4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, 1.0 mg/ml in methanol) was dropped or sprayed onto the fiber containing extracted analytes. The fiber was then heated for 10 min in an empty vial at 70 degrees C in a waterbath to promote derivatization. The derivatives formed on the fiber were desorbed in a SPME-HPLC interface. The interface was filled with methanol-1 mM hydrochloric acid (7:3, v/v) before inserting of the fiber into the interface. For desorption, the fiber was inserted in the interface for 5 min. For anatoxin-a in an aqueous sample, the calibration curve showed linearity in the range of 50-1500 ng/ml and the limit of detection of anatoxin-a was 20 ng/ml. No interferences were found, and the time for analysis was 55 min for one sample.     

Quantitative determination of wine highly volatile sulfur compounds by using automated headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection. Critical study and optimization of a new procedure

The quantitative determination of wine volatile sulfur compounds by automated headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with a carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (CAR-PDMS) fiber and subsequent gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection (GC-PFPD) has been evaluated. The direct extraction of the sulfur compounds in 5 ml of wine has been found to suffer from matrix effects and short linear ranges, problems which could not be solved by the use of different internal standards or by multiple headspace SPME. These problems were attributed to saturation of the fiber and to competitive effects between analytes, internal standards and other wine volatiles. Another problem was the oxidation of analytes during the procedure. The reduction in sample volume by a factor 50 (0.1 ml diluted with water or brine) brought about a reduction in the amount of sulfur compounds taken in the fiber by a factor just 3.3. Consequently, a new procedure has been proposed. In a sealed vial containing 4.9 ml of saturated NaCl brine, the air is thoroughly displaced with nitrogen, and the wine (0.1 ml) and the internal standards (0.02 ml) are further introduced with a syringe through the vial septum. This sample is extracted at 35 degrees C for 20 min. This procedure makes a satisfactory determination possible of hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, ethanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide. The linear dynamic ranges cover the normal ranges of occurrence of these analytes in wine with typical r2 between 0.9823 and 0.9980. Reproducibility in real samples ranges from 10 to 20% and repeatability is better than 10% in most cases. The method accuracy is satisfactory, with errors below 20% for hydrogen sulfide and mostly below 10% for the other compounds. The proposed method has been applied to the analysis of 34 Spanish wines.     

Determination of different recreational drugs in hair by HS-SPME and GC/MS

A simple procedure combining headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect and quantify amphetamines, ketamine, methadone, cocaine, cocaethylene and ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hair is described. This procedure allows, in a single sample, even scant, analysis of drugs requiring different analytical conditions. A hair sample (10 mg) is washed and subjected to acidic hydrolysis. Then the HS-SPME is carried out (10 min at 90 °C) for amphetamines, ketamine, methadone, cocaine and cocaethylene. For derivatization of analytes, the fibre is introduced into the headspace of another closed vial containing acetic anhydride. After a chromatographic run, an alkaline hydrolysis for THC analysis is carried out in the same vial containing the hair sample previously used. For adsorption, the solid-phase microextraction needle is inserted into the headspace of the vial and the fibre is exposed for 30 min at 150 °C. For derivatization of analytes, the fibre is introduced into the headspace of another closed vial containing N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. The GC/MS parameters were the same for both chromatographic runs. The linearity was proved to be between 0.01 and 10.00 ng/mg. The repeatability (intra- and interday precision) was below 10% as the coefficient of variation for all compounds. The accuracy, as the relative recovery, was 96.2–103.5% (spiked samples) and 88.6–101.7% (quality control sample). The limit of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.12 ng/mg, and the limit of quantification ranged from 0.02 to 0.37 ng/mg. Application of the procedure to real hair samples is described. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed procedure combining HS-SPME and GC/MS is the first one be to successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of most of the common recreational drugs, including THC, in a single hair sample.     

Field analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene in water by portable gas chromatography-microflame ionization detector combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction

In this work, portable gas chromatography-microflame ionization detection (portable GC-μFID) coupled to headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was developed for the field analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in water samples. The HS-SPME parameters such as fiber coating, extraction times, stirring rate, the ratio of headspace volume to sample volume, and sodium chloride concentration were studied. A 65 μm poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) SPME fiber, 900 rpm, 3.0 ml of headspace (1.0 ml water sample in 4.0 ml vial), and 35% sodium chloride concentration (w/v) were respectively chosen for the best extraction response. An extraction time of 1.0 min was enough to extract BTEX in water samples. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for the procedure varied from 5.4% to 8.3%. The method detection limits (MDLs) found were lower than 1.5 μg/l, which was enough sensitive to detect the BTEX in water samples. The optimized method was applied to the field analysis of BTEX in wastewater samples. These experiment results show that portable GC-μFID combined with HS-SPME is a rapid, simple and effective tool for field analysis of BTEX in water samples.     

Comparison of tetraethylborate and tetraphenylborate for selenite determination in human urine by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, after headspace solid phase microextraction

Two different derivatizing reagents were tested for the development of a fast and sensitive method for the determination of selenites (Se^IV) in human urine. The reagents were sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄) and tetraphenylborate (NaBPh₄), respectively, and the procedure is based on in situ derivatization of selenites in aqueous medium. Selenite ions are converted to diethylselenide (DESe) or diphenylselenide (DPhSe) and subsequently collected from the headspace by solid phase microextraction using a silica fiber coated with polydimethylsiloxane (HS-SPME). Finally, they are quantitated by GC/MS in SIM mode. Ethylation over phenylation was proved preferable for the headspace extraction because of the higher volatility of the diethyl-derivative of selenites. The optimization of the HS-SPME conditions was performed both in aqueous and urinary solutions. Under the optimum conditions for HS-SPME, the gas chromatographic conditions were also optimized. Between the two alkylation reagents tetraethylborate was proved more efficient and the quantitation was satisfactory. Aqueous certified reference materials were analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of the method. The precision of the method was 4.2% and the calculated detection limit was 0.05 μg L⁻¹ for human urine.     

Headspace solid-phase microextraction applied to the simultaneous determination of sorbic and benzoic acids in beverages

A new analytical procedure was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) for the simultaneous determination of sorbic and benzoic acids in beverages. The sample were processed depending on their nature, either only diluted with water, or treated with a NaOH solution and filtered through a 0.45-μm membrane filter. The samples were heated in a vial in the presence of sulfuric acid and anhydrous sodium sulfate and the analytes were collected from the headspace by using a 65-μm polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) coated fiber and determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). To enhance the sensitivity of HS-SPME, the temperature and time of the extraction and desorption, the acidity and salt concentration of the extraction solution were optimized. Linear range of the analytes was found to be between 0.1 and 20 mg/L with regression coefficients (R²) of 0.9998 for sorbic acid and 0.9980 for benzoic acid. Limits of detection (LOD) were 5.83 μg/L and 11.4 μg/L for sorbic and benzoic acids, respectively. Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for six replicate analyses within 3 days (two times/day) was found to be lower than 8.62% at three concentration levels (2, 6, 10 mg/L). Recoveries ranged from 81.20% to 108.1% for real samples. The results demonstrate the suitability of the HS-SPME technique to analyze sorbic and benzoic acids in a variety of beverages.     

Direct quantitation of volatile organic compounds in packaging materials by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flexible multilayer packaging materials using headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was studied. The analytes imclude 22 compounds such as aldehydes. ketones, carboxylic acids and hydrocarbons formed by thermooxidative degradation of polyethylene during the extrusion coating process in the manufacture of the packaging, and many of them are involved in the unpleasant and undesirable odour of these materials. External standard calibration using a solution of the analytes in an appropriate solvent was the first approach studied. Aqueous solutions of the analytes provided low reproducibility and the reduction of aldehydes to alcohols under the HS-SPME conditions. Hexadecane was chosen as the solvent since its polarity is similar to that of polyethylene and its volatility is lower than that of the analytes. However, hexadecane should be added to the sample before the analysis as it modifies the absorption capacity of the fibre. A 75-microm Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane) fibre was used to extract the VOCs from the headspace above the packaging in a 15-ml sealed vial at 100 degrees C after 5 min of preincubation. The influence of the extraction time on the amount extracted was studied for a standard solution of the analytes in hexadecane, together with the influence of the volume of the standard solution and the amount of the sample placed in the vial. Standard addition and multiple HS-SPME were also studied as calibration methods and the results obtained in the quantitative analysis of a packaging material were compared.     

Novel fiber coated with β-cyclodextrin derivatives used for headspace solid-phase microextraction of ephedrine and methamphetamine in human urine

Heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) blending with hydroxy-terminated silicone oil (OH-TSO) coated solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber (DM-β-CD/OH-TSO) was first prepared with sol-gel technology and applied to headspace SPME for analysis of ephedrine (EP) and methamphetamine (MA) in human urine by gas chromatography (GC). By exploiting the advantages of the unique cavity-shaped cyclic molecular structure of CD and the superiorities of sol-gel coating technique, the novel fiber showed desirable extraction ability and operational stability. Influence of relevant experimental parameters (extraction time, extraction temperature, basicity, ionic strength, etc.) was systematically investigated. In the optimal conditions the proposed headspace SPME-GC method provided good linearity over four orders of magnitude with limit of detection (LOD) of ng/ml (0.33 ng/ml for EP, 0.60 ng/ml for MA). The recoveries of EP and MA in urine were 98.0% and 98.2%. And the relative standard deviations (R.S.D., n = 6) for EP and MA were 3.9% and 5.0%, respectively.     

Optimization of headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-atomic emission detection analysis of monomethylmercury

Optimum conditions for headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) in the analysis of monomethylmercury (MeHg) have been determined. Sodium tetra(n-)propylborate (NaBPr(4)) is used as derivatization reagent to promote volatility. A simple aluminium bar was used to cool the SPME fiber to about 2 degrees C during the equilibration phase just before extraction. HS-SPME was performed using different fibers. The 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and 65 microm polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) fibers showed the best results. Although the extraction efficiency for MeHg derivative of the polydimethylsiloxane-Carboxen (PDMS-CAR) fiber is similar to the other fibers, desorption of MeHg derivative from a PDMS-CAR fiber is poor. Factors affecting the HS-SPME process such as adsorption and desorption times, ionic strength (salting-out) and extraction temperature have been evaluated and optimized thoroughly. The highest extraction efficiency for the PDMS fiber was obtained by extraction at a low temperature (2 degrees C) immediately after equilibration at 30 degrees C. With the PDMS-DVB and PDMS-CAR fiber improvement of extraction efficiency at lower temperatures is negligible. Repeated extraction out of the same vial revealed that about 30% of MeHg derivative is extracted from the headspace with a PDMS fiber at 2 degrees C and about 70% with a PDMS-DVB fiber. Repeated extraction with two different fiber coatings showed that the PDMS-CAR fiber also extracts about 70% but that the desorption is incomplete. Attempts to improve the desorption failed due to degradation of the MeHg derivate at high injection temperatures. The limit of detection (3sigma) was 16 pg/L MeHg. The relative standard deviation (n = 8) for 100 pg/L of MeHg was found to be 5%. Linearity of the HS-SPME-GC-atomic emission detection method was established over at least two orders of magnitude in the range 0-2000 pg/L. Recovery of a surface water sample spiked at 2 ng/L was 85%. The suitability of the procedure was demonstrated by analysis of a surface water sample that showed a concentration of 100 pg/L MeHg. The optimized method can be used with standard commercial equipment without further adaptations.     

Headspace gas-chromatographic determination of formaldehyde in urine

A method is proposed for determining formaldehyde by headspace gas chromatography using an o-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBHA) derivatizing agent. Formaldehyde in urine was derivatized to o-(pentafluorobenzyl)oxime and extracted by heating an urine sample with PFBHA in a sealed vial. Gas-chromatographic analysis of the headspace was performed in the temperature-programmed mode using an HP-5 capillary column with a flame ionization detector. The limit of detection is 3.5 μg/L. The accuracy of the procedure, equivalent to an extended relative uncertainty, does not exceed 21%. The examination of the procedure using urine samples of the population of the Irkutsk region has shown that the regional reference levels of formaldehyde concentration are in the range 44–83 μg/L.     

顶空固相微萃取气相-质谱法测定纺织品中防虫蛀剂的残留

 采用顶空固相微萃取技术和气相 质谱联用技术对纺织品中的挥发性防虫蛀剂的残留进行了测定。该方法对挥发性二氯苯和萘的检测限量为 1μg/kg ,回收率为 83 6 %～ 115 2 % ,相对标准偏差为 8 1%～ 9 8%。     

Coupling of Dynamic Headspace Sampling and Solid Phase Microextraction

A simple lab-made apparatus allowing the use of a SPME fiber as sorptive device for isolation of analytes from varied samples using dynamic headspace sampling (DHS) is presented here. The principal parameters for the operation of this device - the extraction time and the flow of purging gas - were studied using aqueous test solutions of volatile and semi-volatile analytes. Compared to conventional HS-SPME, DHS-SPME provided a substantial reduction in the extraction time with linearity, accuracy and precision comparable to the conventional approach. For a complex matrix such as mango pulp, the extraction efficiency of volatiles using the DHS-SPME combination was up to six times higher than that of conventional HS-SPME.     

SPME 涂层中硅烷化反应机理的研究

建立了SPME 涂层中硅烷化衍生化样品预处理方法,并用于葡萄酒中白黎芦醇的测定.SPME 硅烷化的反应动力学过程研究表明,涂层中硅烷化反应遵循假一级反应动力学,高温条件下硅烷化试剂会破坏极性聚丙烯酯(PA)涂层.     

Optimization of the headspace solid-phase microextraction for determination of glycol ethers by orthogonal array designs

A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), in conjunction with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection for use in the determination of six frequently used glycol ethers at the microg/l level is described. A 75 microm Carboxenpolydimethylsiloxane fiber was used to extract the analytes from an aqueous solution. Experimental HS-SPME parameters such as extraction temperature, extraction time, salt concentration and sample volume, were investigated and optimized by orthogonal array experimental designs. The relative standard deviations for the reproducibility of the optimized HS-SPME method varied from 1.48 to 7.59%. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves exceeded 0.998 in the microg/l range of concentration with at least two orders of magnitude. The method detection limits for glycol ethers in deionized water were in the range of 0.26 to 3.42 microg/l. The optimized method was also applied to the analysis of glycol ethers in urine and blood samples with the method detection limits ranged from 1.74 to 23.2 microg/l.     

Determination of methylmalonic acid and glutaric acid in urine by aqueous-phase derivatization followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

In this work, a novel technique of aqueous-phase derivatization followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of organic acids in urine. The analytical procedure involves derivatization of organic acids to their ethyl esters with diethyl sulfate, headspace sampling, and GC/MS analysis. The proposed method was applied to the determination of methylmalonic acid and glutaric acid in urine. The experimental parameters and method validation were studied. Optimal conditions were obtained: PDMS fiber, extraction temperature 55 degrees C, extraction time 30 min, and 60 microL of diethyl sulfate as derivatization reagent with 2 mg of the ion pairing agent tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate. The method was linear over three orders of magnitude, and detection limits were 21 nM for methylmalonic acid and 34 nM for glutaric acid, respectively. Consequently, in-situ derivatization/HS-SPME/GC/MS is an alternative and powerful method for determination of organic acids as biomarkers in biological fluids.     

Determination of oxadiazon residues by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of the herbicide oxadiazon was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and selected ion monitoring. It was applied to determine oxadiazon in ground water, agricultural soil, must, wine and human urine samples. To determine oxadiazon in liquid samples, a response surface methodology generated with a Doehlert design was applied to optimize the HS-SPME conditions using a 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane fibre. For the analysis of soil samples, they were mixed with water and the SPME fibre suspended in the headspace above the slurry. Ground water, human urine and must show linear concentration range of application of 0.5-50 ng ml(-1)' with detection limits < or =0.02 ng ml(-1). HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis yielded good reproducibility (RSD values between 6.5 and 13.5%). The method validation was completed with spiked matrix samples. The developed analytical procedure is solvent free, cost effective and fast.     

Headspace gas chromatography of stimulants in urine by in-column trifluoroacetyl derivatization method

The analysis of stimulants in urine using a headspace gas chromatography system equipped with an in-column sample trifluoroacetylation unit was investigated. A 5-ml aliquot of urine containing stimulants was pipetted into a 20-ml autosampler vial together with 3.5 g of potassium carbonate. The vial was sealed and heated for 20 min at 80 degrees C, then 0.8 ml of the headspace gas and N-methylbis(trifluoroacetamide) gas were injected simultaneously into the gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector and a fused-silica capillary column (DB-1, 30 m x 0.32 mm I.D., film thickness 0.25 micron), with a gas-tight syringe. Calibration graphs prepared by the absolute calibration curve method showed good linearity over the concentration range of 0.04 to 50 micrograms/ml for methamphetamine hydrochloride and amphetamine sulphate. The detection limits were 0.03 micrograms/ml for both of these compounds.     

Automated headspace solid-phase microextraction and in-matrix derivatization for the determination of amphetamine-related drugs in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

An automated extraction and determination method for the gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of amphetamine-related drugs in human urine is developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and in-matrix derivatization. A urine sample (0.5 mL, potassium carbonate (5 M, 1.0 mL), sodium chloride (0.5 g), and ethylchloroformate (20 microL) are put in a sample vial. Amphetamine-related drugs are converted to ethylformate derivatives (carbamates) in the vial because amphetamine-related drugs in urine are quickly reacted with ethylchloroformate. An SPME fiber is then exposed at 80 degrees C for 15 min in the headspace of the vial. The extracted derivatives to the fiber are desorbed by exposing the fiber in the injection port of a GC-MS. The calibration curves show linearity in the range of 1.0 to 1000 ng/mL for methamphetamine, fenfluramine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine; 2.0 to 1000 ng/mL for amphetamine and phentermine; 5.0 to 1000 ng/mL for methylenedioxyamphetamine; 10 to 1000 ng/mL for phenethylamine; and 50 to 1000 ng/mL for 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine in urine. No interferences are found, and the time for analysis is 30 min for one sample. Furthermore, this proposed method is applied to some clinical and medico-legal cases by taking methamphetamine. Methamphetamine and its metabolite amphetamine are detected in the urine samples collected from the patients involved in the clinical cases. Methamphetamine, amphetamine, and phenethylamine are detected in the urine sample collected from the victim of a medico-legal case.     

Headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for profiling free volatile compounds in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and wines

The complex aroma of wine is derived from many sources, with grape-derived components being responsible for the varietal character. The ability to monitor grape aroma compounds would allow for better understanding of how vineyard practices and winemaking processes influence the final volatile composition of the wine. Here, we describe a procedure using GC–MS combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) for profiling the free volatile compounds in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Different sample preparation (SPME fiber type, extraction time, extraction temperature and dilution solvent) and GC–MS conditions were evaluated to optimize the method. For the final method, grape skins were homogenized with water and 8 ml of sample were placed in a 20 ml headspace vial with addition of NaCl; a polydimethylsiloxane SPME fiber was used for extraction at 40 °C for 30 min with continuous stirring. Using this method, 27 flavor compounds were monitored and used to profile the free volatile components in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at different maturity levels. Ten compounds from the grapes, including 2-phenylethanol and β-damascenone, were also identified in the corresponding wines. Using this procedure it is possible to follow selected volatiles through the winemaking process.