Determination of antioxidants in polyolefins by pressurized liquid extraction prior to high performance liquid chromatography

The effect that a high amount of mineral filler might have on the extraction process of antioxidants from polyethylene and polypropylene was investigated. Extraction of Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076 and Irgafos 168, along with its oxidation product 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, from freeze ground polyethylene–based (PE–based) and polypropylene–based (PP–based) mineral concentrates of 85 w/w calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and 75 w/w talc was carried out by pressurized fluid extraction (PLE) prior to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicate that 85 w/w CaCO₃ did not affect the extraction process from PE or PP. For talc concentrates, additive recovery from PE and PP was considerably lower. The relation of recovery yield and mixing time was investigated for the talc concentrates and it was concluded that the presence of talc seemed to accelerate the rate of antioxidant consumption during sample processing, thus, less antioxidant was left to be extracted from the polyolefin; rather than talc has limited the extraction process. The method developed in this work has been applied to determine these compounds in several commercial samples.     

Separation and characterization of antioxidants from Spirulina platensis microalga combining pressurized liquid extraction, TLC, and HPLC-DAD

A new procedure has been developed to separate and characterize antioxidant compounds from Spirulina platensis microalga based on the combination of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and different chromatographic procedures, such as TLC, at preparative scale, and HPLC with a diode array detector (DAD). Different solvents were tested for PLE extraction of antioxidants from S. platensis microalga. An optimized PLE process using ethanol (generally recognized as safe, GRAS) as extraction solvent has been obtained that provides natural extracts with high yields and good antioxidant properties. TLC analysis of this ethanolic extract obtained at 115 degrees C for 15 min was carried out and the silica layer was stained with a DPPH (diphenyl-pycril-hydrazyl) radical solution to determine the antioxidant activity of different chromatographic bands. Next, these colored bands were collected for their subsequent analysis by HPLC-DAD, revealing that the compounds with the most important antioxidant activity present in Spirulina extracts were carotenoids, as well as phenolic compounds and degradation products of chlorophylls.     

Determination of carotenoids in tomato juice by liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to determine the various carotenoids in tomato juice. A C30 column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-1-butanol (7:3, v/v) (A) and methylene chloride (B) with the following gradient elution were used: 99% A and 1% B intitally, increased to 4% B in 20 min, 10% B in 50 min and returned to 1% B in 55 min. Sixteen carotenoids, including all-trans-lutein, all-trans-beta-carotene, all-trans-lycopene and their 13 cis isomers were identified and resolved within 52 min with flow-rate at 2.0 ml/min and detection at 476 nm. Of the various extraction solvent systems, the best extraction efficiency of carotenoids in tomato juice was achieved by employing ethanol-hexane (4:3, v/v). Lycopene was found to be present in largest amount in tomato juice, followed by beta-carotene and lutein.     

Determination of preservatives in cosmetics and food samples by micellar liquid chromatography

An analytical procedure has been developed for the analysis of benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, and butyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid by micellar liquid chromatography. After dilution in n-propanol the sample was directly injected onto a Lichrosorb ODS, 5 microm (250 x 4.6 mm ID) column and eluted with aqueous 2% Brij-35 adjusted to pH 3.0 with phosphoric acid:propanol (80:20 v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL min(-1) and UV detection at 254 nm. A linear calibration curve was obtained simultaneously for each component in the range of 50-500 microg mL(-1) for benzoic acid and 5-150 microg mL(-1) for the other components; detection limits were within 25-250 ng mL(-1) corresponding to 125-1250 pg per injection (5 microL). The reproducibility in terms of average peak area and average retention time was obtained with coefficients of variation (CV) of 1.2% and 0.5%. The method was applied to analysis of these compounds in cosmetics (shampoos, hand lotions, creams, and bath foam) and food samples.     

Characterization via liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry of supercritical fluid antioxidant extracts of Spirulina platensis microalga

Spirulina platensis microalga has been extracted on a pilot scale plant using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) under various extraction conditions. The extraction yield and the antioxidant activity of the extracts were evaluated in order to select those extracts with both the highest antioxidant capacity and a good extraction yield. These extracts were characterized using LC coupled to diode array detection (DAD) and LC coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) with two different interfaces, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray (ESI) which allowed us to perform tandem MS by using an ion trap analyzer. The best extraction conditions were as follows: CO2 with 10% of modifier (ethanol) as extraction solvent, 55 degrees C (extraction temperature) and 220 bar (extraction pressure). Fractionation was achieved by cascade depressurization providing two extracts with different activity and chemical composition. Several compounds have been identified in the extracts, corresponding to different carotenoids previously identified in Spirulina platensis microalga along with chlorophyll a and some degradation products. Also, the structure of some phenolic compounds could be tentatively identified. The antioxidant activity of the extracts could be attributed to some of the above mentioned compounds.     

Surfactant-assisted pressurized liquid extraction for determination of flavonoids from Costus speciosus by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), a mode of capillary electrophoresis (CE), is considered an efficient analytical technique allowing for the reduction of organic solvent consumption during the experimental procedure. However, during sample preparation of natural products, the usage of large amount of organic solvent is generally unavoidable. In this article, therefore, a fast, simple, efficient, highly automatic and organic solvent-free sample preparation method, namely surfactant-assisted pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), was developed for the extraction of flavonoids in Costus speciosus flowers before MEKC analysis. The various experimental parameters such as the type and concentration of surfactant, and extraction time were evaluated systematically. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction efficiencies of surfactant-assisted PLE methods were comparable with Soxhlet extraction using organic solvent. The combination of surfactant-assisted PLE and MEKC was shown to be a green, rapid and effective approach for extraction and analysis of flavonoids in C. speciosus flowers.     

Determination of flavonoid aglycones in several food samples by mixed micellar electrokinetic chromatography

The application of mixed micellar electrokinetic chromatography to the separation of ten flavonoid aglycones (catechin, epicatechin, naringenin, morin, fisetin, quercetin, kaempferol, galangin, apigenin, and chrysin) belonging to four different classes (flavanols, flavanones, flavonols, and flavones), and expected to be prominent in commonly consumed foods, has been developed. A micellar system composed of 25 mM SDS and 25 mM sodium cholate buffered at pH 7.0 provided a simultaneous separation of all compounds in less than 20 min. The procedure could be easily adapted to the determination of some flavonoids from each of these classes in real complex samples (propolis, Ginkgo biloba, etc.). The LODs of these compounds were in the range of 1.2-4 microg/mL, and the peak area and migration time repeatabilities were below 6.0 and 3.1%, respectively.     

Determination of benzoylurea insecticides in food by pressurized liquid extraction and LC‐MS

A method based on pressurized liquid extraction and LC‐MS/MS has been developed for determining nine benzoylureas (BUs) in fruit, vegetable, cereals, and animal products. Samples (5 g) were homogenized with diatomaceous earth and extracted in a 22 mL cell with 22 mL of ethyl acetate at 80°C and 1500 psi. After solvent concentration and exchange to methanol, BUs were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS using an IT mass analyzer, which achieved several transitions of precursor ions that increase selectivity providing identification. LOQs were between 0.002 and 0.01 mg/kg, which are equal or lower than maximum residue limits established by the Codex Alimentarius. Excellent linearity was achieved over a range of concentrations from 0.01 to 1 mg/kg with correlation coefficients 0.995–0.999 (n=7). Validation of the total method was performed by analyzing in quintuplicate seven different commodities (milk, eggs, meat, rice, lettuce, avocado, and lemon) at three concentration levels (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg). The recoveries ranged from 58 to 97% and the RSDs from 5 to 19% depending on the compound and the commodity. The combination of pressurized liquid extraction with LC‐MS/MS provides a sensitive and selective method for the determination of BUs in food.     

Determination of tetracycline residues in soil by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

An optimized extraction and cleanup method for the analysis of chlortetracycline (CTC), doxycycline (DC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and tetracycline (TC) in soil is presented. Soil extraction in a pressurized liquid extraction system, followed by extract clean up using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and tetracycline determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) provided appropriate efficiency and reproducibility. Different dispersing agents and solvents for soil extraction and several SPE cartridges for cleanup were compared. The best extraction results were obtained using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-treated sand as dispersing agent, and water at 70 °C. The most effective cleanup was obtained using Strata-X^TM sorbent in combination with a strong anion exchange cartridge. Recoveries ranged from 71% to 96% and precision, as indicated by the relative standard deviations, was within the range of 8–15%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) by using LC-MS/MS, based on signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 10, ranged from 1 μg kg⁻¹ for TC to 5 μg kg⁻¹ for CTC. These results pointed out that this technique is appropriate to determine tetracyclines in soils. Analysis of 100 samples taken in the Valencian Community revealed that, in soil, up to 5 μg kg⁻¹ CTC, 15 μg kg⁻¹ OTC, 18 μg kg⁻¹ TC, and 12 μg kg⁻¹ DC could be detected. Detection of the analytes in several samples, which typify great part of the Spanish agricultural soils, should be outlined as most important result of this study. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Pressurized liquid extraction and anticholinesterase activity-based thin-layer chromatography with bioautography of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids

Modern extraction technique-pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was optimised for extraction of lycorine and galanthamine (Amaryllidaceae alkaloids) from Narcissus jonquilla ‘Pipit’. Crude extracts were purified on Oasis MCX cartridges, and the alkaloids eluted with 80-100% recoveries using methanol-10% ammonia solution (3:1, v/v). Quantitative results were obtained by both HPTLC-densitometry on silica gel plates and RP-HPLC with diode array (DAD) on XTerra C₁₈ stationary phase. Both methods were fully validated in terms of specificity, precision (including intra- and inter-day measurements), LOD and LOQ values, correlation of UV spectra and linearity of calibration curves. The methods were also well correlated each other with correlation coefficients (r) 0.98823 and 0.99081, respectively, for the mean values of galanthamine and lycorine.Among the investigated solvents methanol and 1% tartaric acid methanolic solution at default conditions (120 °C, p = 60 bar, time: 10 min, one static cycle) permit the highest yields of the total sum of the alkaloids, whereas for toluene the lowest amounts were measured. Lycorine to galanthamine mean ratios were dependant on the type of solvent used, and in toluene galanthamine and related alkaloids were preferably extracted.In temperature experiments for galanthamine, the levels of this compound increased from the temperature of 20 till 150 °C in the investigated solvent systems, then decreased with slight increase from the temperature of 175 to 200 °C in 1% tartaric acid methanolic solution. When lycorine was analysed, similar trends were observed, however the maximum of the concentration was measured at a temperature about 125 °C. The ratios of the mean values of these two compounds differed in temperature-dependant experiments in both solvent systems.Further more, two TLC with bioautography approaches were used in screening for anticholinesterese properties of the extracts. No qualitative differences were found among the different solvent extracts, and AChE inhibition was correlated with galanthamine and related compounds.In conclusion, optimised PLE was much more effective than previously applied hot-solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) or ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE).     

Determination of bioactive diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

The present paper describes the development of a micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) method for simultaneous determination of andrographolide, deoxyandrographolide and neoandrographolide in ethanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata. Separations were carried out in a fused-silica capillary tube with UV detection at 214 nm. Good separation was achieved using a 20 mM borate buffer, containing 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate and 10 mM sodium cholate, adjusted to pH 8.3 at an operating voltage of 25 kV, temperature of 35°C and a hydrodynamic injection of 5 s. The method was validated with good correlation coefficients obtained (0.9986–0.9989) while relative standard deviation (RSD) of migration time was between 1.14 and 2.42. It is concluded that this method could be used for speedy and accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioactive diterpenoids in andrographis herb and its derived products.     

Determination of ethinylestradiol and gestodene in oral contraceptives by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Summary A micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method is presented which permits quantification of ethinylestradiol and gestodene in pharmaceutical products. Separation was carried out at 25°C and 25 KV, using a 20 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2), 15 mM sodium dodecylsulfate in 30% acetonitrile-water (v/v). Under these conditions analyses were carried out in 7 min. Four different oral contraceptives were analysed and the results compared favourably with those of a reference liquid chromatographic method.     

Characterization of proteins from Spirulina platensis microalga using capillary electrophoresis-ion trap-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis-time of flight-mass spectrometry

In this work, a new capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) procedure is developed to analyze proteins in Spirulina platensis microalgae. It is demonstrated that a fine optimization of several separation parameters is essential in order to achieve suitable CE-MS analysis of these proteins in natural extracts from microalgae. Namely, optimization of the composition of the separation buffer, electrospray conditions, and washing routine between runs are required in order to obtain reliable and reproducible CE-MS analyses of the main proteins found in this microalga (namely, allophycocyanin-alpha chain, allophycocyanin-beta, c-phycocyanin-alpha, and c-phycocyanin-beta). The relative molecular mass of these biopolymers is determined using two different MS instruments coupled to CE, i.e., CE-ion trap-MS and CE-time of flight-MS (CE-TOF-MS). A comparison between the results obtained with both instruments is carried out. The high resolution of the TOF-MS enables the distinction of small modifications in proteins and, thus, a more accurate mass determination. Interestingly, molecular mass values obtained by both CE-MS procedures agree very well while these experimental values are only in partial agreement with those theoretically expected (i.e., genetically derived masses). Some protein modifications due to amino acids exchange induced by nucleotide codon mutations are proposed to explain this difference.     

Simultaneous pressurized liquid extraction and clean-up for the analysis of polybrominated biphenyls by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes a fast and simple pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method combined with gas chromatography coupled to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) for the determination of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in fish samples. The method is based on a simultaneous extraction/clean-up step to reduce analysis time and solvent consumption. The effect of several PLE operating conditions, such as solvent type, extraction temperature and time, number of cycles, and lipid retainer, was optimized to obtain maximum recovery of the analytes with the minimum presence of matrix-interfering compounds. The best conditions were obtained at 100 °C with n-hexane using 15 g of silica modified with sulphuric acid (44%, w/w) as sorbent for lipid removal. Quality parameters of the GC-ITMS-MS method were established, achieving good linearity (r > 0.998), between 1 and 500 ng ml⁻¹, and low instrumental limits of detection (0.14-0.76 pg injected). For the whole method, limits of detection ranging from 0.03 to 0.16 ng g⁻¹ wet weight and good precision (RSD < 16%) were obtained.     

Pressurized liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography with atomic emission detection for the determination of fenbutatin oxide in soil samples

A novel method for the determination of the miticide bis[tris(2-methyl-2-phenylpropyl)tin] oxide, also known as fenbutatin oxide (FBTO), in agricultural soils is presented. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by analyte derivatization and extraction into isooctane was the used sample preparation approach. Selective determination was achieved by gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (GC-AED). Influence of different parameters on the performance of the extraction process is thoroughly discussed; moreover, some relevant aspects related to derivatization, determination and quantification steps are also presented. As regards PLE, the type of solvent and the temperature were the most relevant variables. Under optimized conditions, acetone, without any acidic modifier, was employed as extractant at 80 °C. Cells were pressurized at 1500 psi, and 2 static cycles of 1 min each were applied. Acetone extracts (ca. 25 mL) were concentrated to 1 mL, derivatized with sodium tetraethyl borate (NaBEt₄) and the FBTO derivative, resulting from cleavage of the Sn-O-Sn bond followed by ethylation of the hydroxyl fragments, extracted into isooctane and determined by GC-AED. Under final working conditions, the proposed method provided recoveries from 76 to 99% for spiked soil samples, a limit of quantification of 2 ng g⁻¹ and an acceptable precision. Analysis of samples from vineyards sprayed with FBTO, confirmed the persistence of the miticide in soil for more than 1 year after being applied.     

Determination of tetracycline antibiotics in fatty food samples by selective pressurized liquid extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

For the determination of trace residues of tetracycline antibiotics in fatty food samples, selective pressurized liquid extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was applied in this study. Copper(II) isonicotinate was first used as online cleanup adsorbent in the selective pressurized liquid extraction process. The adsorbent to sample ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time, and recycle times, etc. were optimized. The tetracyclines in food samples of pork, chicken meat, and clam meat were detected by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Tetracycline was found at levels of 0.32 and 0.53 μg/g and oxytetracycline was found at 0.14 and 0.21 μg/g in chicken meat and clam meat, respectively, while chlorotetracycline and deoxytetracycline were below the detection limit. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for these four tetracyclines were from 0.2 to 3.3 ng/g, the recoveries were from 75.8 to 110.5%, and relative standard deviations were from 5.5 to 13.6%. Copper(II) isonicotinate showed a higher purification capacity than other cleanup adsorbents for extraction of antibiotics in fatty food and the recovery showed predominance compared with a pressurized liquid extraction method without adsorbent. The study demonstrated that copper(II) isonicotinate would be a promising cleanup adsorbent in pressurized liquid extraction for the analysis of trace organic pollutants in complicated samples.     

Study of the polyphenol content of red and white grape varieties by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and its relationship to antioxidant power

There is considerable interest in the analysis of phenolic compounds due to their involvement in the organoleptic characteristics of foods and drinks, and their contribution to protection against cardiovascular diseases and cancers through their antioxidant activity. This article describes studies of the polyphenol content, both total (by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu method) and individual (by means of HPLC, LC-MS and LC-MS-MS) and the antioxidant power, of six varieties of grape over the course of their maturation. A good correlation is found to exist between the total polyphenol content of the samples and their antioxidant power, and both seem diminish along the maturation.     

Determination of pesticides in milk-based infant formulas by pressurized liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

An efficient and selective automated analytical method for the determination and quantification of a selected group of 12 organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides in milk-based infant formulas has been developed. The samples were extracted by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and analysed using GC-MS/MS. The use of alumina as the fat retainer in the PLE extraction cell, together with the application of an injector temperature program during the GC injection process, avoided typical matrix interferences without the application of additional cleanup steps. Mean recoveries of between 70 and 110% were achieved for most of the compounds, except for chlorpyrifos methyl (50%), vinclozoline (48%), fenitrothion (56%) and procymidone (53%), with relative standard deviations ranging from 9 to 17%. Low limits of quantification were obtained for the studied compounds, from 0.01 to 2.6 μg kg⁻¹, thus guaranteeing their accurate determination within the rigorous requirements established for baby food. The validated method was applied to a pilot monitoring study in Spain. Twenty five samples of different brands of powdered infant formulas were obtained from supermarkets. Positive findings of endosulfan I, endosulfan II, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos ethyl and bifenthrin were detected at concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 5.03 μg kg⁻¹.     

Validation of a method for the analysis of nine quinolones in eggs by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A multiresidue method for the analysis, in egg matrices, of residues of nine quinolones used in veterinary medicine, has been developed and validated according to the provisions of Council Decision 2002/657. Compounds were extracted by a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) technique using a 1:1 mixture of acetonitrile and a phosphoric acid buffer (pH 3.0) at 70 °C. The obtained extract was clear enough, so that no further clean-up was necessary. Analytes were determined by liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detection (FL). Two chromatographic columns were compared: a high-purity silica Inertsil C₈ column and a newly developed Kinetex C₁₈ core-shell technology column. Validation was carried out at four concentration levels, using both chromatographic columns. Precision in terms of reproducibility standard deviation was between 7% and 23%, and good recoveries were obtained. Decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) values obtained with the Inertsil and Kinetex columns were in the 0.2-19.8 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.4-33.5 μg kg⁻¹ concentration ranges, respectively. The proposed method allows residues of quinolones banned for use with laying hens to be detected and quantified in eggs. About twenty-four samples per day can be processed.     

Fast determination of five components of coumarin,alkaloids and bibenzyls in Dendrobium spp. using pressurized liquid extraction and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography

A fast method for simultaneous determination of five compounds (one coumarin, two alkaloids and two bibenzyls) in Dendrobium spp. using pressurized liquid extraction and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo diode array detection was developed. The separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (50 mm×2.1 mm id, 1.7 μm) with gradient elution of phosphate buffer (pH=7.1, 20 mM) and acetonitrile within 6 min. The method was validated for linearity, LOD and LOQ, precision and accuracy. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R²≥0.9999) within test ranges. The overall intra‐ and inter‐day variations (RSDs) of five analytes were less than 2.5%, and the detection recoveries were between 95.6 and 102.3%. The developed method was successfully applied to quantitative analysis of five investigated compounds in different species of Dendrobium. The results showed that there were great variations of their contents, though all these materials were officially used as Chinese herb, Shihu. In addition, the chromatographic fingerprints of Dendrobium spp. were also investigated.