Bioaccumulative and conchological assessment of heavy metal transfer in a soil-plant-snail food chain

Background

Alendronate (ALD) is a member of the bisphosphonate family which is used for the treatment of osteoporosis, bone metastasis, Paget's disease, hypocalcaemia associated with malignancy and other conditions that feature bone fragility. ALD is a non-chromophoric compound so its determination by conventional spectrophotometric methods is not possible. So two derivatization reactions were proposed for determination of ALD through the reaction with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) as chromogenic derivatizing reagents.

Results

Three simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of ALD. Method I is based on the reaction of ALD with NBD-Cl. Method II involved heat-catalyzed derivatization of ALD with DNFB, while, Method III is based on micellar-catalyzed reaction of the studied drug with DNFB at room temperature. The reactions products were measured at 472, 378 and 374 nm, for methods I, II and III, respectively. Beer's law was obeyed over the concentration ranges of 1.0-20.0, 4.0-40.0 and 1.5-30.0 ??g/mL with lower limits of detection of 0.09, 1.06 and 0.06 ??g/mL for Methods I, II and III, respectively. The proposed methods were applied for quantitation of the studied drug in its pure form with mean percentage recoveries of 100.47 ± 1.12, 100.17 ± 1.21 and 99.23 ± 1.26 for Methods I, II and III, respectively. Moreover the proposed methods were successfully applied for determination of ALD in different tablets. Proposals of the reactions pathways have been postulated.

Conclusion

The proposed spectrophotometric methods provided sensitive, specific and inexpensive analytical procedures for determination of the non-chromophoric drug alendronate either per se or in its tablet dosage forms without interference from common excipients.

Graphical abstract

     

Sensitive and selective spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) ion following its preconcentration using modified magnetite nanoparticles and 3-phasic backextraction

We report on a method for selective extraction and backextraction for the ultra-sensitive determination of Pd(II). Magnetite nanoparticles modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate were used to extract Pd(II) as its green 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphtholate complex prior to zero- and first-derivative spectrophotometric determination at 659 and 681?nm, respectively. A sample volume of 70?mL was backextracted with 0.50?mL of n-butanol in a 3-phasic system. The effects of reaction time and the other variables were optimized. The enrichment factor is 134 and the calibration plots are linear in the range from 2 to 90?ng?mL^-1 of Pd(II). The detection limit is 0.3?ng?mL^-1 and the relative standard deviations and recoveries at levels of 10 and 72?ng?mL^-1 of Pd(II) are in the range from 1.1?C4.9%, and from 98.5?C102.6%, respectively. Most ions do not significantly interfere. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Pd(II) in water and urine samples, alloys, and palladium catalysts.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Selected Antibiotics Using Prussian Blue Reaction

A simple, sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric method has been described for the determination of ampicillin(I), amoxicillin trihydrate(II) and cefazolin sodium(III). The procedure is based on the formation of Prussian Blue (PB) complex. The reaction between the acidic hydrolysis products of antibiotics (T = 60 °C) with mixture of Fe³⁺ and hexacyanoferrate(III) ions was evaluated for the spectrophotometric determination of the mentioned drugs. The maximum absorbance of the colored complex occurs at λ = 700 nm and the molar absorptivity is 3.0 × 10⁴ 1 mol^?1cm^?1. The effect of various parameters such as concentration of K₃Fe(CN)₆ and Fe³⁺, nature and amount of acids used, temperature and time of heating were investigated. Under optimum conditions the linear range of calibration graph was 2.0–12.0, 5.0–13.5 and 3.0–12.0 μg mL^?1 for ampicillin, amoxicillin and cefazolin, respectively. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 10 μg mL^?1 of antibiotics was about 0.5–1.5%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of selected antibiotics from pharmaceutical preparations. The validity of the method was tested by the official methods and by the recovery studies of standard addition to pharmaceuticals.     

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in soft drinks and beer

Two spectrophotometric methods, a photochemical and a non-photochemical, for the determination of ascorbic acid in soft drinks and beer using a flow-injection system are proposed. The non-photochemical method is based on the redox reaction that takes place between ascorbic acid and Fe(III), yielding dehydroascorbic acid and Fe(II). Fe(II) reacts with 1,10-phenantroline, originating the reddish orange Fe(phen)₃ ²⁺ complex (ferroin). This complex is spectrophotometrically monitored at 512 nm, and the signal is directly related to the concentration of ascorbic acid in the sample. The photochemical method has the same basis, nevertheless, uses the irradiation with visible light to enhance the redox reaction and so achieve higher sensitivities in the analysis. The non-photochemical method shows a linear range between 5 and 80 μg mL^?1, with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% (n = 11), a detection limit of 2.7 μg mL^?1 and a sample throughput of ¶60 samples h^?1. The photochemical method shows a linear range between 1 and 80 μg mL^?1, with a relative standard deviation of 1.0% (n = 11), a detection limit of 0.5 μg mL^?1 and a sample throughput of 40 samples h^?1.     

A cloud point extraction for spectrophotometric determination of ultra- trace antimony without chelating agent in environmental and biological samples

We report on a simple, sensitive and reliable method for the cloud point extraction of antimony (Sb) and its subsequent spectrophotometric detection. It is based on the color reaction of Sb (III) with iodide in acidic medium and subsequent micelle-mediated extraction of tetraiodoantimonate using a non-ionic surfactant in the absence of any chelating agent. The effects of reaction and extraction parameters were optimized. The calibration plot is linear in the range of 0.80–95?ng?mL^?1 of antimony in the sample solution, with a regression coefficient (r) of 0.9994 (for n?=?9). The detection limit (at SNR?=?3) is 0.23?ng?mL^?1, and the relative standard deviations at 10 and 70?ng?mL^?1 of antimony are 3.32 and 1.85?% (at n?=?8), respectively. The method compared favorably to other methods and was applied to determine antimony in seawater, anti-leishmania drug (glucantime), and human serum.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Thioctic Acid in its Dosage Forms through Complex Formation with Pd(II)

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of thioctic acid in pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed method is based upon the formation of a complex with palladium(II) in acetate buffer of pH 4.8 with an absorption maximum at 318 nm. The absorbance obeyed Beer's law over the range of 2–20 μg mL^?1 with a minimum detection limit of 0.15 μg mL^?1 and molar absorptivity (ζ) of 7 × 10³ L mol^?1.cm^?1. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the color were carefully studied and optimized. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial tablets and ampoules. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained using a reference spectrophotometric method. A proposal of the reaction pathway is presented.     

Lead ion sensor with electrodes modified by imidazole-functionalized polyaniline

Glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) and carbon paste electrodes (CPE) were modified with imidazole functionalized polyaniline with the aim to develop a sensor for lead (II) in both acidic and basic aqueous solution. The electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The limit of detections obtained with glassy carbon electrode and carbon paste electrode are 20?ng?mL^-1 and 2?ng?mL^-1 of lead ion, respectively. An interference study was carried out with Cd(II), As(III), Hg(II) and Co(II) ions. Cd(II) ions interfere significantly (peak overlap) and As(III) has a depressing effect on the lead signal. The influence of pH was investigated indicating that bare and modified GCE and CPE show optimum response at pH?4.0 ± 0.05.

Investigation of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole azodye derivatives as reagents for determination of mercury(II)

The reaction of mercury(II) with 3-(2,4-dihydroxyphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL¹), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL²), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-ethoxycarbonylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL³), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-acetylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL⁴), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-formylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL⁵), and 3-(2-hydroxy-5-bromophen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL⁶) was studied. A new, direct, and simple procedure was suggested for the spectrophotometric determination of mercury(II) based on its complexation reaction with HL¹-HL⁶. The best reagent was found to be HL³ due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. In aqueous media of pH 9.0 containing 40 vol. % of methanol, Hg(II) reacts with HL³ to form a 1:2 (Hg(II) · HL³) complex having a sensitive absorption peak at 490 nm with the molar extinction coefficient of 3.31 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ using 4 × 10⁻⁴ M of the reagent. Beer’s law is obeyed over the range from 0.00 μg mL⁻¹ to 12.04 μg mL⁻¹ of mercury(II). The proposed method was applied in the determination of mercury(II) in tap water, seawater and synthetic seawater samples, without the need of prior treatment, with satisfactory results.     

Kinetic Spectrophotometric Determination of Metoprolol Tartrate in Commercial Dosage Forms

A kinetic spectrophotometric method has been described for the determination of metoprolol tartrate in commercial dosage forms. The procedure is based on the reaction of the drug with 1‐chloro‐2, 4‐dinitrobenzene (CDNB) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at 100 ± 1 °C. The reaction is investigated by measuring the change in absorbance with time at 420 nm. Fixed‐time (ΔA) and equilibrium methods are chosen for obtaining the calibration curves. Both calibration curves were found to be linear over the concentration range of 5‐60 μg mL^?1. The regression analysis of calibration data resulted in the linear regression equations of ΔA = ?1.608 × 10^?4 + 3.96 × 10^?3 C and A = 7.31 × 10^?4 + 1.90 × 10^?2 C for fixed time (ΔA) and equilibrium methods, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) for fixed time and equilibrium methods are 1.16 and 0.415 μg mL^?1, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the quantitation of metoprolol tartrate in commercial dosage forms. Statistical comparison of the results shows that there is no significant difference between the proposed methods and El‐Ries's spectrophotometric method.     

Supported hydrophobic ionic liquid on magnetic nanoparticles as a new sorbent for separation and preconcentration of lead and cadmium in milk and water samples

We have prepared a highly selective and efficient sorbent for the simultaneous separation and preconcentration of lead and cadmium ions from milk and water samples. An ionic liquid was deposited on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (IL-MNPs) and used for solid phase extraction of these ions. The IL-MNPs carrying the target metals were then separated from the sample solution by applying an external magnetic field. Lead and cadmium were almost quantitatively retained by the IL-MNPs, and then eluted with nitric acid. The effect of different variables on solid phase extraction was investigated. The calibration curve is linear in the range from 0.3 to 20?ng mL^?1 of Cd(II), and from 5 to 330?ng mL^?1 of Pb(II) in the initial solution. Under optimum conditions, the detection limits are 1.61 and 0.122?μg?L-1 for Pb(II) and Cd(II) respectively. Relative standard deviations (n?=?10) were 2.87?% and 1.45?% for 0.05?μg?mL^-1 and 0.2?μg?mL^-1 of Cd (II) and Pb (II) respectively. The preconcentration factor is 200 for both of ions.

Sensitive immunoassay for porcine pseudorabies antibody based on fluorescence signal amplification induced by cation exchange in CdSe nanocrystals

We report on a novel immunoassay for porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibody that is based on fluorescence signal amplification induced by silver(I) ion exchange in CdSe nanocrystals. An antigen-antibody-secondary antibody sandwich structure was first formed from PRV, PRV antibody, and CdSe-labeled rabbit anti-pig antibody. Then, the Cd(II) ions in the CdSe labels were released by a cation exchange reaction with Ag(I). Released Cd(II) was finally quantified using the sensitive fluorescent probe Rhodamine 5 N. Due to this signal amplification, the sensitivity and linear range of the immunoassay were largely improved (compared to the traditional ELISA) in having a limit of detection as low as 1.2 ng?mL^?1 of PRV antibody and a linear range from 2.44 to 312 ng?mL^?1. The successful determination of PRV antibody in pig serum samples is proof for the utility of the method.

Spectrophotometric determination of glimepiride in pharmaceutical preparations based on the formation of charge-transfer and ion-pair complexes

Two rapid, simple, accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of glimepiride in pharmaceutical preparations. The first method was based on the formation of a charge-transfer complex of the drug, as n-electron donor, with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), as π-acceptor. The second method was based on the formation of ion-pair complexes between the examined drug and bromothymol blue (BTB). The proposed methods were validated for linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, robustness and specificity. The calibration was linear over the concentration range of 10–80 and 20–120 μg/mL for methods I and II, respectively. The limits of detection were 2.6 and 2.8 μg/mL. The proposed methods were applied to the determination of the drug in pharmaceutical preparations. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained using the reference method (HPLC). There was no significant difference in the accuracy and precision as revealed by the accepted values of t- and F-tests, respectively.     

Cetyltrimethylammonium-coated magnetic nanoparticles for the extraction of bromate,followed by its spectrophotometric determination

We report on a combination of magnetic solid-phase extraction and spectrophotometric determination of bromate. Cetyltrimethylammonium ion was adsorbed on the surface of phenyl-functionalized silica-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Ph-SiO₂@Fe₃O₄), and these materials served as the sorbent. The effects of surfactant and amount of sorbent, the composition of the desorption solution, the extraction time and temperature were optimized. Under optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 12 was achieved, and the relative standard deviation is 2.9 % (for n?=?5). The calibration plot covers the 1–50 ng mL^?1 range with reasonable linearity (r ²?>?0.998); and the limit of detection is 0.5 ng mL^?1. The method is not interfered by ionic compounds commonly found in environmental water samples. It was successfully applied to the determination of bromate in spiked water samples.

Sensitive and selective spectrophotometric methods for the determination of pheniramine maleate in bulk drug and in its formulations using sodium hypochlorite

Two simple, selective and sensitive spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of pheniramine maleate (PAM) in pure and dosage forms. The method is based on the reaction of PAM with hypochlorite in the presence of Kolthoff buffer (phosphate-borate) of pH 7.0 to form the chloro derivative of PAM, destruction of the excess hypochlorite by nitrite ion (the chloro derivative of drug is unaffected under the optimized conditions) followed by the oxidation of iodide with the chloro derivative of PAM to iodine (I ₃ ^? which is either measured directly at 355 (method A) or reacted with starch to form a blue chromogen measurable at 590 nm (method B). The optimum conditions that affect the reaction were ascertained, and under these conditions linear relationship was obtained in the concentration ranges of 2–50 and 1–25 μg/mL PAM in methods A and B, respectively. The calculated molar absorptivity values are 7.26 × 10³ and 1.28 × 10⁴ L/(mol cm) for method A and method B, respectively. Sandell’s sensitivity values, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) are calculated as per ICH guidelines. The proposed methods were applied successfully to the determination of PAM in tablets and injection with good accuracy and precision and without interferences from common additives. The results obtained by the proposed methods were compared favourably with those of the reference method. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed methods were further checked by recovery studies via standard addition procedure.     

Improved spectrofluorimetric methods for determination of penicillamine in capsules

Two simple, sensitive and specific fluorimetric methods have been developed for the determination of Penicillamine (PNC), a sulphur containing compound. Method (I) involves the reaction of PNC with 2′,7′-bis(acetoxymercuri)-fluorescein (AMF) in the presence of Kolthoff’s buffer, pH 8.2, with subsequent measurement of fluorescence spectra at 520 nm (λ_Ex 497 nm). Method (II) is based on PNC being oxidized into penicillaminic acid using Cerium (IV) in an acidic medium. Method sensitivity has been improved using sodium triphosphate which enhances the luminescence intensity of Ce(III). Fluorescence spectra were then measured at 348 nm (λ_Ex 293 nm). The reaction conditions and the fluorescence spectral properties have been investigated for both methods. Under the described conditions, the proposed methods were applicable over the concentration ranges 0.0048 − 0.0288 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.096 − 0.288 μg mL⁻¹ with mean percentage recoveries 99.95 ± 1.29 and 100.04 ± 1.10 for methods I and II, respectively. The proposed methods were validated in terms of accuracy, precision, LOD and LOQ and robustness and then were successfully applied to the determination of PNC in bulk powder and in capsules as well as in the presence of the related disulphide. The results obtained were determined to be in good agreement with those obtained using a previously reported method.      

Determination of trace silver in environmental samples by room temperature ionic liquid-based preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometry

We report on a new method for preconcentration of silver ion at trace level in environmental samples, and its subsequent determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafuorophosphate and the chelator 5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)-rhodanine were used for extraction. Ag(I) was back-extracted from the organic phase into thiosulfate solution and then determined via FAAS. The effects of pH, concentration of chelating agent, extraction time and temperature, amounts of ionic liquid, ionic strength and potentially interfering ions were studied. Under optimized conditions, the enhancement factor is 30 was achieved. The detection limit (3???) is 0.28?ng?mL^?1, and the relative standard deviation is 4.1% for 7 replicate determinations at 5?ng?mL^?1 of Ag(I). The method was validated by analysis of certified reference materials and applied to the determination of Ag(I) in environmental samples with satisfactory results.

Novel microwell assay with high throughput and minimum consumption for organic solvents in the charge transfer-based spectrophotometric determination of clarithromycin in pharmaceutical formulations

Background

Clarithromycin (CLM) is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic with a broad antibacterial spectrum. It has a potent activity against Myc. Pneumonia, Legionella Spp., H. Influenza, and Mor. Catarrhalis. It is also used for prevention and treatment of disseminated M. Avium infections in patients with AIDS. The therapeutic importance and wide use of CLM promotes the growing interest in developing proper methods for its determination in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations.

Results

The present study describes the development and validation of a novel assay that can increase the throughput and reduce the consumption of organic solvents in the charge transfer (CT)-based spectrophotometric determination of CLM. In this assay, the CT reaction between CLM as n-electron donor and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as a π-electron acceptor was performed in the 96-microwells of an assay plate. The color signals of the CT complex were measured at 450 nm by microwell-plate absorbance reader. The linear range of the assay was 20?850 μg mL^?1. The limits of detection and quantitation were 15.5 and 51.2 μg mL^?1, respectively. The proposed assay gave very high precisions; the relative standard deviation (RSD) values did not exceed 1.82%.

Conclusions

The assay described herein has a high throughput property that facilitates the processing of large number of samples in a reasonable time. As well, it consumes minimum volumes of organic solvents, thus it significantly reduces the exposures of the analysts to the toxic effects of organic solvents, and reduce the analysis cost by 50-folds. The results demonstrated that the proposed assay has great practical value in the routine analysis of CLM in quality control laboratories.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Nickel(II) and Copper(II) by Second‐Derivative Spectrophotometric Method in Micellar Media

A second‐derivative spectrophotometric method based on zero‐crossing over technique is developed in simultaneous determination of copper(II) and nickel(II) ions. Methylthymol blue (MTB) as a chromogenic reagent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a surfactant were used, and measurements were carried out in buffered solution at pH 6 and at a temperature of 25 °C. The amplitude of derivative spectra was measured at wavelengths of 631.9 and 587.7 nm for the simultaneous determination of Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively. Linearity was obtained in the range of 0.5–5.0 μg mL^?1 for both ions in the presence of 0.0–5.0 μg mL^?1 of the other ion as an interfering ion. IUPAC detection limits for Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions were obtained at 0.48 and 0.43 μg mL^?1, respectively. The proposed procedure has been applied successfully for the simultaneous determination of copper and nickel in synthetic binary mixtures and real samples.     

Ionic liquid based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with ICP-OES for the determination of trace quantities of cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel and zinc in environmental water samples

We describe a method for ionic liquid based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II), followed by their determination via flow injection inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The method is making use of the complexing agent 1-(2-thenoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoracetone, the ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and of ethanol as the dispersing solvent. After extraction and preconcentration, the sedimented ionic liquid (containing the target analytes) is collected, diluted with 1-propanol, and introduced to the ICP-OES. Effects of pH, ionic strength, ligand to metal molar ratio, volumes of extraction and disperser solvents on the performance of the microextraction were optimized in a half-fractional factorial design. The significant parameters were optimized using a face-centered central composite design. The method has detection limits between 0.10 and 0.20?ng?mL^?1 of the metal ions, preconcentration factors between 79 and 102, linear responses in 0.25 to 200?ng?mL^?1 concentration ranges, and relative standard deviations of 3.4 to 6.0%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of drinking water, a fish farming pond water, and waste water from an industrial complex.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Cadmium(II) Using p,p′‐Dinitro‐SYM‐Diphenylcarbazid in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

A sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method is proposed for the rapid determination of cadmium(II) using, p,p′‐dinitro‐sym‐diphenylcarbazid, directly in aqueous solution. The reaction between cadmium(II) and p,p′‐dinitro‐sym‐diphenylcarbazid occurs immediately in strong basic media (0.02 N sodium hydroxide solution). The complex shows a maximum of absorption at 630–640 nm, and the absorbance remains stable for at least 24 h. The method allows the cadmium determination over the range 0.5–6.0 µg mL^?1, with a molar absortivity of 2.05×10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1 and features a detection limit of 0.13 ppm. The interferences caused by several ions [Ca(II), K(I), Ba(II), Al(III), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cl^?1, NO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2?], which are present in most of environmental samples, were determined. The validation of the spectrophotometric method was done by recovery test of cadmium(II) in tap water and sea water. The results show that the proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of cadmium(II) in water samples.