Tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) electrogenerated chemiluminescence of alkaloid type drugs with solid phase extraction sample preparation

An electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method for the determination of pethidine, atropine, homatropine and cocaine is described. The optimum conditions were found to be similar for all of these compounds although the ECL emission intensity for cocaine was an order of magnitude lower than for pethidine due to their different chemical structures. Linear calibrations were obtained for all the compounds at pH 10 in borate buffer (0.05 mol l-1) at 1.3 V. Limits of detection of 6.8 x 10(-8), 2.2 x 10(-7), 3.2 x 10(-7) and 6.5 x 10(-7) mol l-1, respectively, were achieved for pethidine, atropine, homatropine and cocaine in standard solutions. Solid-phase extraction was used to separate the drugs from their matrix and the method was applied to the determination of spiked urine samples. The limits of quantitation for pethidine, atropine, homatropine and cocaine in urine were 1.0 x 10(-6), 2.0 x 10(-6), 2.0 x 10(-6) and 4.0 x 10(-6) mol l-1, respectively, with recoveries of between 90 and 110%.     

UV-detection capillary electrophoresis for benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene following a two-step concentration system using homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction and a sweeping method

10(-9) mol l-1 levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) suspected for certain noxious materials can be determined and separated by UV-detection capillary electrophoresis following a two-step concentration system. When the conditions of the homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction were [THF]T = 5 vol%, [HCl]T = 0.66 mol l-1, and [PFOA]T = 2 x 10(-3) mol l-1 (i.e., the volume of sample solution; 50 ml-->sedimented phase; 30 microliters), the extraction percentages of benzo[a]pyrene (Bap) and pyrene (Py) at 10(-6) mol l-1 were 102 and 97.5%, respectively. Also, when the total concentration factor(volume ratio), which includes that of the sweeping method, was 8335-fold, the determination range of Bap was 6.4 x 10(-9)-8.0 x 10(-7) mol l-1 and for Py, 8.0 x 10(-9)-7.0 x 10(-7) mol l-1. The detection limits (3 sigma) of Bap and Py were 1.6 x 10(-9) and 4.8 x 10(-9) mol l-1, respectively.     

Rapid determination of lactulose in milk by microdialysis and biosensors

A simple and rapid flow system for the determination of lactulose in milk samples was developed. It is based on the hydrolysis of lactulose to galactose and fructose by the enzyme beta-galactosidase immobilised in a reactor. The amount of fructose produced was measured with an electrochemical biosensor based on the fructose dehydrogenase enzyme, K3[Fe(CN)6] as mediator and a platinum based electrochemical transducer. Parameters such as the enzyme immobilisation in the reactor and under the electrode surface, the lifetime of the beta-galactosidase reactor and of the dehydrogenase biosensor and the flow parameters were studied and optimised. Fructose was determined in the range 1 x 10(-6)-5 x 10(-3) mol l-1 with an RSD of about 2% and a detection limit of 5 x 10(-7) mol l-1. The use of a microdialysis probe as the sampling system permitted the direct measurement of lactulose in milk samples without pre-treatment in the range 1 x 10(-5)-5 x 10(-3) mol l-1. The sensitivity of the procedure allowed pasteurised, UHT and in-container sterilised milk to be distinguished.     

The enhanced electrogenerated chemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)3(2+) by glutathione on a glassy carbon electrode modified with some porphine compounds

It has been found that the electrochemical activity of glutathione was increased greatly at the glassy carbon electrodes modified with 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphine ruthenium(II) carbenyl (RuTPP), meso-tetraphenylporphine copper(II) complex (CuTTP) and hemin. It has been also found that glutathione would enhance the electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)3(2+) at a hemin glassy carbon electrode; the enhanced ECL intensity was linear with the concentration of glutathione in the range of 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-4) mol l-1, based on which method for determination of glutathione has been developed. The detection limit of glutathione was 2 x 10(-8) mol l-1, and the relative standard deviation for 1 x 10(-6) mol l-1 glutathione was 2.7%. The mechanism for this ECL system has been proposed.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of anthranilic acid derivatives based on terbium sensitized fluorescence.

Terbium sensitized fluorescence was used to develop a sensitive and simple spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of the anthranilic acid derivatives furosemide and mefenamic and tolfenamic acids. The method makes use of radiative energy transfer from anthranilates to terbium ions in alkaline methanolic solutions. Optimum conditions for the formation of the anthranilate-Tb3+ complexes were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits are 6 x 10(-9), 1.4 x 10(-8) and 9.0 x 10(-9) mol l-1 for furosemide, mefenamic acids and tolfenamic acid, respectively. The range of application is 2.5 x 10(-8)-5.0 x 10(-5) mol l-1 for all three drugs. The method was successfully applied to the determination of furosemide and mefenamic and tolfenamic acids in serum after extraction of the samples with ethyl acetate, evaporation of the organic layer under a stream of nitrogen at 40 degrees C and reconstitution of the residue with alkaline methanolic terbium solution prior to instrumental measurement. The mean recoveries from serum samples spiked with furosemide (5.0 x 10(-7), 2.0 x 10(-6) and 8.0 x 10(-6) mol l-1), mefenamic acid (3.0 x 10(-6), 9.0 x 10(-6) and 3.0 x 10(-5) mol l-1) and tolfenamic acid (3.1 x 10(-6), 12.5 x 10(-6) and 2.5 x 10(-5) mol l-1) were 96 +/- 8, 101 +/- 5 and 98 +/- 7%, respectively. The within-run precision (RSD) for the method for two serum samples of each drug varied from 2 to 8% and the day-to-day precision for two concentration levels varied from 2 to 13%.     

Mechanised flow system for on-line microwave digestion of food samples with off-line catalytic spectrophotometric determination of cobalt at ng l-1 levels

A mechanised system for on-line slurry food sample digestion was developed and an off-line cobalt determination was performed. The stabilised slurry sample was introduced into an air carrier stream until reaching the digestion coils located inside a household microwave oven. Software written in Visual Basic 3.0 was developed to permit the transport of the slurry samples and the programming of the microwave oven and also the control of the mineralization valve. The proposed system was optimized for determination of cobalt in certified samples such as mussels, bovine liver and fish and also uncertified fish samples. The digestion parameters were established as 3 mol l-1 HNO3 for mussels, 3 mol l-1 HNO3 plus 0.16% v/v H2O2 for bovine liver and 12 mol l-1 HNO3 for fish employing maximum power for 5 min of microwave actuation. In the subsequent spectrophotometric method for the catalytic determination of cobalt, the Tiron and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were 1.8 x 10(-3) and 3.0 x 10(-4) mol l-1, respectively, and the sample residence time was 300 s as determined by an optimisation process. The proposed method features a linear range from 10 to 200 ng l-1 Co (r > 0.996) with detection and quantification limits of 1.7 and 5.5 ng l-1 Co, respectively. The precision, expressed as RSD, was 2.4% (n = 12) for repeatability and 5.2% (n = 10) for reproducibility and the accuracy of the proposed method was assessed by using certified samples and an alternative technique (ETAAS).     

Catalytic spectrophotometric determination of vanadium in seawaters based on the bromate oxidative coupling reaction of metol and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid.

A new, simple, sensitive and selective catalytic method is developed for the determination of vanadium in natural and sea waters. The method is based on the catalytic effect of V(V) and/or V(IV) on the bromate oxidative-coupling reaction of metol with 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid (THBA). The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by tracing the oxidation product at 380 and/or 570 nm after 5 min of mixing the reagents. The optimum reaction conditions are 6.4 x 10(-3) mol l-1 of metol, 2.0 x 10(-3) mol l-1 of THBA and 0.16 mol l-1 of bromate at 35 degrees C and in the presence of an activator-buffer solution of 1 x 10(-2) mol l-1 of tartrate (pH = 3.10). Following the recommended procedure, V(V) and/or V(IV) can be determined with linear calibration graphs up to 0.75 ng ml-1 and detection limits, based on the 3Sb criterion, of 0.008 and 0.018 ng ml-1 at 380 and 570 nm, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied, without any separation or preconcentration processes, to the determination of vanadium in natural and seawaters following the direct calibration and standard addition techniques, respectively.     

DNA binding studies of a solvatochromic fluorescence probe 3-methoxybenzanthrone

A fluorescence probe of 3-methoxybenzanthrone (MBA) exhibits significant solvatochromic characteristics correlated with the polarity of solvents. The interaction of the solvatochromic fluorescence probe with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) has been investigated. In the presence of ct-DNA the fluorescence of MBA is strongly quenched with a blue-shift of emission peak and a hypochromism in absorption spectra. The absorption spectra, fluorescence quenching and fluorescence polarization experiments show that the MBA molecule as an intercalator is inserted into the base-stacking domain of the ct-DNA double helix, and the interaction of the nucleobases with the MBA molecule causes quenching of fluorescence and hypochromism in the absorption spectra. The intrinsic binding constant and the binding site number were determined to be 1.70 x 10(5) mol l-1 in base pairs and six, respectively. The I0/I versus [ct-DNA] plot shows linear relationship in the range covering 4.3 x 10(-7)-1.02 x 10(-4) mol l-1 in base pairs which can be used for ct-DNA determination. The limit of detection was found to be 4.3 x 10(-7) mol l-1 in base pairs (0.5 microgram ml-1).     

Titania sol–gel-derived tyrosinase-based amperometric biosensor for determination of phenolic compounds in water samples. Examination of interference effects

For detection of phenolic compounds in environmental water samples we propose an amperometric biosensor based on tyrosinase immobilized in titania sol-gel. The analytical characteristics toward catechol, p-cresol, phenol, p-chlorophenol, and p-methylcatechol were determined. The linear range for catechol determination was 2.2 x 10(-7)-1.3 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) with a limit of detection of 9 x 10(-8) mol L(-1) and sensitivity 2.0 x 10(3) mA mol(-1) L. The influence of sample matrix components on the electrode response was studied according to Plackett-Burman experimental design. The potential interferents Mg(2+), Ca(2+), HCO3(-), SO4(2-), and Cl(-), which are usually encountered in waters, were taken into account in the examination. Cu(2+) was also taken into account, because CuSO(4) is sometimes added to a water sample, as a preservative, before determination of phenolic compounds. It was found that among the ions tested only Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) did not directly affect the electrode response. The developed biosensor was used for determination of catechol in spring and surface water samples using the standard addition method.     

Capillary electrophoretic determination of sulfite using the zone-passing technique of in-capillary derivatization.

A new capillary electrophoretic (CE) method was developed for the simple and selective determination of sulfite. The proposed method is based on the in-capillary derivatization of sulfite with iodine using the zone-passing technique and direct UV detection of iodide formed. The optimal conditions for the separation and derivatization reaction were established by varying concentration of iodine, electrolyte pH and applied voltage. The optimised separations were carried out in 20 mmol l(-1) Tris-HCl electrolyte (pH 8.5) using direct UV detection at 214 nm. Experimental results showed that the injection of the iodine zone from anodic end of the capillary gives significantly better precision. Common UV absorbing anions such as Br-, l-, S2O3(2-), NO3-, NO2-, SCN- did not give any interferences. Valid calibration (r2=0.998) is demonstrated in the range 1 x 10(-5) - 8 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) of sulfite. The detection limit (SIN=3) was 2 x 10(-6) mol l(-1). The proposed system was applied to the determination of free sulfite in wines. The recovery tests established for wine samples were within the range 92-103%. The CE results were compared with those obtained by iodometric titration technique.     

Chemiluminescence of tryptophan and histidine in Ru(bpy)3(2+)-KMnO4 aqueous solution

Amino acids with different chemical structures have different abilities in terms of increasing the intensity of chemiluminescence (CL) of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)3(2+)]. In a flow system, CL caused by the reaction between Ru(bpy)3(3+) and 15 amino acids was observed, but only tryptophan (Trp) and histidine (His) enhanced the intensity obviously, and so the CL of Trp and His and their molecular groups was studied. A calculation of the ionization potentials (IPs) of their N atom indicated that the CL intensities of these compounds depended on their IPs. In addition, the flow system was used for the determination of Trp and His, and the detection limits were 3 x 10(-8) mol L(-1) for His and 2.5 x 10(-9) mol L(-1) for Trp. The calibration curves for the two amino acids were 1.0 x 10(-7) to 5.0 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) for His and 1.0 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) for Trp. The proposed approach was applied to the determination of His in Ganoderma.     

A remote flow cell for UV absorbance detection with capillary HPLC based on a single strand fiber optic

A remote flow cell based on a single strand of fused-silica fiber optic was built for UV absorbance detection with a packed capillary HPLC system, using commercially available pumps, detection electronics (Shimadzu) and fittings. This 'off-column' flow cell design is applicable to both pressure and electro-osmotically driven systems. The goals were to minimize the linearity and light leakage problems that often limit the performance of UV absorbance detection with capillary chromatography. A linear dynamic range of 10(3) (reserpine, lambda = 220 nm), and a concentration detection limit of 5.1 x 10(-8) mol l-1 were observed. Baseline noise was measured at 3.5 x 10(-5) absorbance units (AU), with a standard deviation of 1.7 x 10(-5) AU. The illuminated volume of approximately 3 nl was optimized for capillaries with inner diameters in the range 50-100 microns, and flow rates from 100 nl min-1 to 1 microliter min-1. These modifications of readily available instrumentation have allowed the construction of a practical system for fractionating complex mixtures of peptides in small amounts, prior to mass spectrometry or additional wet chemistry steps.     

Determination of trace amounts of estriol and estradiol by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry.

Estriol and estradiol are electroinactive in the potential range from -200 to -1000 mV versus a silver-silver chloride electrode at a mercury electrode. The conversion of these estrogens into electroactive nitro derivatives of estrogens, which are used for voltammetric determination, was studied. Such nitro derivatives give a well defined cathodic stripping wave at -600 mV in pH 10.5 borate buffer. Estriol and estradiol are determined in the ranges 1 x 10(-9)-1.5 x 10(-6) and 5 x 10(-9)-2 x 10(-6) mol dm-3, respectively, by differential-pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode. Some steroids, such as estrone, interfere because the three estrogens have almost the same molecular structure and have similar nitro derivatives, but progesterone does not interfere and is reduced at significantly more negative potentials than the nitrated estrogens. It can be determined simultaneously with estriol or estradiol. A method was developed for the assay of estriol in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Flow-injection determination of trace amounts of dopamine by chemiluminescence detection

A flow-injection analysis (FIA) for the determination of dopamine has been developed. The method is based on the inhibition effect of dopamine on the iron(II)-induced chemiluminescence (CL) of 10,10'-dimethyl-9,9'-biacridinium dinitrate (lucigenin). The presence of a non-ionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether (Brij 35), caused an increase in the inhibition effect. The present method allows the determination of dopamine over the range 1x10(-8)-2x10(-7) mol dm(-3). The relative standard deviation was 0.7% for eight determinations of 6x10(-8) mol dm(-3) dopamine. The detection limit (S/N=3) was 2x10(-9) mol dm(-3) with the sampling rate of 40 samples h(-1). The effect of other catecholamines and compounds of similar structure on the lucigenin CL reaction was studied: quinone, hydroquinone, norepinephrine, pyrocatechol and l-dopa suppressed the CL intensity.     

PVC matrix membrane sensor for potentiometric determination of cetylpyridinium chloride.

A novel cetylpyridinium chloride-selective membrane sensor consisting of cetylpyridinium-ferric thiocyanate ion pairs dispersed in a PVC matrix placticized with dioctylphthalate is described. The electrode shows a stable, near-Nernstian response for 1 x 10(-3)-1 x 10(-6) mol l-1 cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) at 25 degrees C over the pH range 1-6 with a cationic slope of 57.5 +/- 0.4. The lower detection limit is 8 x 10(-7) mol l-1 and the response time is 30-60 s. Selectivity coefficients for CPC relative to a number of interfering substances were investigated. There is negligible interference from many cations, anions and pharmaceutical excipients; however, cetyltrimethylammonim bromide (CTMAB) interfered significantly. The determination of 0.5-350 micrograms/ml of CPC in aqueous solutions shows an average recovery of 98.5% and a mean relative standard deviation of 1.6% at 56.0 micrograms/ml. The direct determination of CPC in Ezafluor mouthwash gave results that compare favorably with those obtained by the British Pharmacopoeia method. Precipitation titrations involving CPC as titrant are monitored with a CP sensor. The CP electrode has been utilized as an end point indicator electrode for the determination of anionic surfactants in some commercial detergents.     

Molecularly imprinted polymers for on-line clean up and preconcentration of chloramphenicol prior to its voltammetric determination

The performance of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a selective solid-phase extraction sorbent for the clean-up and preconcentration of the antibiotic chloramphenicol is described. The MIP was prepared using chloramphenicol as the template, (diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate as the functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking monomer, and using tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. Detection of chloramphenicol was carried out by square-wave voltammetry at electrochemically activated carbon fiber microelectrodes. Chloramphenicol was eluted from the MIP microcolumn with methanol. Different experimental variables (sample pH, eluent volume, analyte and eluent flow rates and sample volume) associated with the rebinding/elution process were optimized. For a 250 mL sample, a nominal enrichment factor of 500 was attained, and for a chloramphenicol concentration of 3.0x10(-8) mol L(-1) (9.7 microg L(-1)) a recovery of 96+/-4% was obtained. A range of linearity for chloramphenicol between 3.0x10(-8) and 1.0x10(-5) mol L(-1) was obtained by loading 17 mL of analyte solutions of different concentration, eluting with 0.5 mL methanol, evaporating under a stream of nitrogen and dissolving the residue in phosphate buffer of pH 7.8. The MIP selectivity was evaluated by checking several substances with similar molecular structures to that of chloramphenicol. The applicability of the MIP for both clean up and preconcentration was demonstrated by determining chloramphenicol in ophthalmic solutions and spiked milk at different concentration levels.     

l- and d-Lactate assay in real milk samples with immobilized enzyme reactors and graphite electrode

A sensitive flow system for the determination of l- and d-lactate in milk samples is described. l- and d-Lactate dehydrogenase, LDH, were immobilized on aminopropyl-controlled pore glass beads. l- and d-Lactate are oxidized to pyruvate in the presence of NAD(+) and NADH is produced. The electrochemical determination of NADH allows the measurement of the substrate involved in the reaction. We used a graphite-based anode sensor without any mediator at +500 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The analytes were measured, in standard solutions, in the concentration range from 1 x 10(-6) to 4 x 10(-4)M using 1 mM NAD(+) concentration and 0.1M Tris buffer pH 9. Experiments with real milk samples showed large values of currents probably due to electroactive substances usually contained in milk. To eliminate interfering compounds a microdialysis probe coupled with a pre-oxidizing cell was used. This method of pre-treatment removes the interfering substances, but leaves the analytes under study unaffected. The procedure allows the determination of l- and d-lactate in milk samples in the concentration range from 1 x 10(-5) to 5 x 10(-4)M. The assay was applied to monitor continuously the bacterial fermentation of Staphylococcus aureus in UHT milk as an example of possible contamination detection in the manufacturing process.     

Flow injection determination of vitamin K3 by a photoinduced chemiluminescent reaction

The determination of vitamin K3 using the coupling between a photochemical reaction and a chemiluminescent reaction in a flow system is described. The method is based on the photooxidation of ethanol sensitized by vitamin K3 to yield hydrogen peroxide, which is monitored through the chemiluminescent reaction with luminol catalysed by hematin. The new approach allows the determination of vitamin K3 in a wide concentration range (1 x 10(-7)-5 x 10(-4) mol l-1) with a throughput of 30 samples h-1. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the determination of vitamin K3 in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Simultaneous square-wave voltammetric determination of aspartame and cyclamate using a boron-doped diamond electrode

A simple and highly selective electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of aspartame and cyclamate in dietary products at a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. In square-wave voltammetric (SWV) measurements, the BDD electrode was able to separate the oxidation peak potentials of aspartame and cyclamate present in binary mixtures by about 400 mV. The detection limit for aspartame in the presence of 3.0x10(-4) mol L(-1) cyclamate was 4.7x10(-7) mol L(-1), and the detection limit for cyclamate in the presence of 1.0x10(-4) mol L(-1) aspartame was 4.2x10(-6) mol L(-1). When simultaneously changing the concentration of both aspartame and cyclamate in a 0.5 mol L(-1) sulfuric acid solution, the corresponding detection limits were 3.5x10(-7) and 4.5x10(-6) mol L(-1), respectively. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) obtained was 1.3% for the 1.0x10(-4) mol L(-1) aspartame solution (n=5) and 1.1% for the 3.0x10(-3) mol L(-1) cyclamate solution. The proposed method was successfully applied in the determination of aspartame in several dietary products with results similar to those obtained using an HPLC method at 95% confidence level.     

An on-line galvanic cell-generated electrochemiluminescence and flow injection determination of calcium in milk and vegetables.

An on-line Ag/Al galvanic cell was studied and employed to generate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of calcein blue. The potential of the galvanic cell could be adjusted by varying the components of flow reagent or by using different metals to substitute for Ag or Al. The reported cell exhibited perfect capability of supplying a stable potential for ECL generation. Because the weak ECL of calcein blue could be greatly sensitized in the presence of calcium in alkaline solution, calcium contents in milk and vegetable samples were assayed; the results were validated with ICP-AES method. The method gave linear results in 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) to 8.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) calcium concentration range and the 3(sigma)limit of detection was to be 2.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1). Experiment results imply that this model of ECL detection could be applied for instrument miniaturization with easy fabrication.