Sensitive HPLC-fluorometric and HPLC-MS determination of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (SP)-toxins as 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin esters

 Extracts containing the diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX₂), and dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX₁) were purified on a silica gel cartridge and derivatized with 4-bromomethyl-7 methoxycoumarin (BrMmc). After pre-column derivatization the BrMmc derivatives of the DSP toxins were directly injected into an HPLC system, isocratically eluted, and quantified by fluorescence detection. The signals of the esters showed good linearity in the fluorescence detector within the examined contamination range of 0.03 mg DSP/kg to 2.5 mg DSP/kg. The detection limits for the DSP toxins as 7-Mmc esters were 0.04 ng (corresponding to 0.05 mg DSP/kg). The chromatographic conditions allow to couple the HPLC device with mass spectrometry. The method was tested with various mussel tissue samples. Received: 14 December 1995/Revised: 26 January 1996/Accepted: 30 January 1996     

Phycotoxins in seafood--toxicological and chromatographic aspects.

Two typical clinical types of algae-related seafood poisoning have attracted medical and scientific attention: paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). Therefore, it became necessary to establish methods for the evaluation of possible hazards caused by contamination of seafood with these phycotoxins. Bioassays with mice or rats are the common methods for the determination of the toxin content of seafood. However, biological tests are not completely satisfactory because of a lack of sensitivity and pronounced variations. Additionally, there is growing opposition against animal testing. Therefore, many efforts have been undertaken to determine phycotoxins by chromatographic methods. PSP determination is mainly based on high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation by ion-pair chromatography followed by postcolumn oxidation of the underivatized toxins in alkaline solution and fluorescence detection. HPLC methods for the determination of the DSP toxins okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) are characterized by precolumn derivatization with 9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM) and/or 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin (Br-Mmc), followed by chromatographic separation of the DSP esters formed and fluorescence detection. The chromatographic methods discussed in this review allow the rapid, sensitive and non-ambiguous determination of individual species of the two most important phycotoxins in seafood, PSP and DSP.     

Determination of theophylline in serum by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical-ionization (APCI HPLC/MS)

 A method for the determination of theophylline (TH), without derivatization, in serum by isotope dilution mass spectrometry using labelled [1, 3-¹⁵N₂-2-¹³C]theophylline (LTH) as internal standard is described. After deproteinization, the analyte is directly injected into a high performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometer operating with atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization (APCI HPLC/MS). The concentrations of TH in sera measured by APCI HPLC/MS are compared with results from gas chromatography – isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC-ID/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). The accuracy, precision and recovery of the APCI HPLC/MS and GC-ID/MS methods are discussed. The coefficient of variation (CV) determined from duplicate samples was less than 2%. The detection limit was 10 ng/ml at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. Received: 17 January 1996/Revised: 26 March 1996/Accepted: 5 April 1996     

Determination of zinc O,O′-dialkyl dithiophosphate lubricant additives via the corresponding methyl and p-nitrobenzylic ester derivatives using GC-MS, GC-NPD and HPLC-MS

 A quantitative fingerprinting of automotive lubricants with respect to zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates (ZDP), major anti-wear/antioxidant additives, is presented. ZDPs in lubricant solutions are converted into the corresponding methyl and p-nitrobenzylic esters, respectively. After removal of the lubricant matrix the methyl esters are submitted to gas chromatography (GC). Mass spectrometric detection (MS) and comparison with reference methyl esters enable the characterisation of practical ZDP mixtures with respect to alkyl chain length and isomery of the single components. Overall recovery rates are higher than 90% and phosphorus-selective detection (NPD) allows a quantitative determination down to 0.1 pg/μl. The p-nitrobenzylic esters may be analysed by HPLC. Identification and quantification is performed by on-line HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS (APCI) with a determination limit of 20 pg/μl. The ZDP quantification via the methyl esters is applied to seven lubricants from the German market. The method is applicable to used oils allowing the monitoring of ZDP consumption during engine operation. Received: 22 March 1996/Revised: 19 June 1996/Accepted: 21 June 1996     

Determination of cadmium in indium phosphide by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and ion-selective electrode potentiometry

 Two independent methods for the determination of cadmium in cadmium-doped indium phosphide have been developed. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) utilized both platform atomization and a chemical modifier composed of magnesium nitrate and orthophosphoric acid. As the matrix mass was found to influence the cadmium sensitivity, matrix matched calibration standards were necessary. The detection limit (3s_B) is 0.20 μg/g for a 100 mg sample. The electrochemical method employed a solid-state cadmium sulfide-silver sulfide electrode as potentiometric sensor. An excess of indium (III) influenced the electrode response. A preliminary chelation-extraction of indium with acetylacetone at pH 5.0 in acetate buffer overcame the interference. The detection limit of the ISE-potentiometric method is 10 μg/g for a 200 mg sample. Two indium phosphide single crystals grown from melts doped with cadmium sulfide or cadmium telluride were analyzed for their cadmium content. Received: 27 August 1996/Revised: 27 January 1997/Accepted: 30 January 1997     

Detection of estradiol and testosterone in hair of cattle by HPL/EIA

 This study concerns the detection of natural steroid hormones in hair of cattle. Estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T) were chosen as representatives of estrogens and androgens. In particular, the influence of age, sex and hair pigmentation on the steroid concentrations was investigated. Samples were obtained from numerous steers, cows, bulls, and female and male calves. The extraction procedure for E₂ and T from hair comprised liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction and was followed by an essential high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) step for further purification of the extracts. Final quantification was performed with specific enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Lower E₂-concentrations were detected in the hair of some steers, cows, and bulls (approximately 1 ng/g), in several of these hair samples the concentrations of E₂ were below the limit of detection. Testosterone was measured in the hair of steers (approximately 3 ng/g), cows (approximately 6 ng/g), and bulls (in average 15 ng/g). There was a significant difference in the testosterone concentrations of white (approximately 8 ng/g) and of black hair (approximately 33 ng/g) of bulls. In hair from all male and female calves, E₂ and T were measured. The concentrations amounted approximately to 9 ng E₂/g and 3 ng T/g for female calves and to 5 ng E₂/g and 7 ng T/g for male calves. There was no significant influence of sex or hair colour on the steroid concentrations in hair of calves. The results suggest that the method is a powerful means to detect natural steroid hormones in hair of animal origin. Received: 2 August 1996/Revised: 30 August 1996/Accepted: 5 September 1996     

Detection of estradiol and testosterone in hair of cattle by HPL/EIA

 This study concerns the detection of natural steroid hormones in hair of cattle. Estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T) were chosen as representatives of estrogens and androgens. In particular, the influence of age, sex and hair pigmentation on the steroid concentrations was investigated. Samples were obtained from numerous steers, cows, bulls, and female and male calves. The extraction procedure for E₂ and T from hair comprised liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction and was followed by an essential high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) step for further purification of the extracts. Final quantification was performed with specific enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Lower E₂-concentrations were detected in the hair of some steers, cows, and bulls (approximately 1 ng/g), in several of these hair samples the concentrations of E₂ were below the limit of detection. Testosterone was measured in the hair of steers (approximately 3 ng/g), cows (approximately 6 ng/g), and bulls (in average 15 ng/g). There was a significant difference in the testosterone concentrations of white (approximately 8 ng/g) and of black hair (approximately 33 ng/g) of bulls. In hair from all male and female calves, E₂ and T were measured. The concentrations amounted approximately to 9 ng E₂/g and 3 ng T/g for female calves and to 5 ng E₂/g and 7 ng T/g for male calves. There was no significant influence of sex or hair colour on the steroid concentrations in hair of calves. The results suggest that the method is a powerful means to detect natural steroid hormones in hair of animal origin. Received: 2 August 1996/Revised: 30 August 1996/Accepted: 5 September 1996     

Multielement analysis by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the certification of lichen research material

 Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was applied for the certification of IAEA lichen-336. The elements Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr and Pb were determined simultaneously. The concentrations range from 1.8 mg/kg for Rb to 2360 mg/kg for Ca. The results were compared with those of other methods and laboratories having participated in this certification for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): emission spectrometry, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray spectrometry, neutron activation analysis and voltammetry. The results determined by TXRF are in good agreement with the overall means of accepted values and differ from the means by 1 to 10%. Received: 1 September 1996/Revised: 15 October 1996/Accepted: 22 October 1996     

Sensitive determination of nucleotides and polynucleotides based on the fluorescence quenching of the Tb3+-Tiron complex

 A sensitive method using fluorescence quenching for the determination of nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP, CTP, UTP) and polynucleotides[poly(A), poly(I), poly(U)] is proposed. It is based on the ability of nucleotides and polynucleotides to inhibit the formation of a strongly fluorescent complex of Tb³⁺ ion with Tiron. The possibilities of spectrofluorimetric measurements of these systems were studied under optimal conditions (pH 6.9 in hexamethylene tetramine-HCl buffer, 1.2×10^-6 mol/L of Tb³⁺, 4.0×10^-6 mol/L of Tiron, λ_ex=317 nm, λ_em=546 nm). The results showed that the Tb³⁺-Tiron complex could be used as a fluorescence test for the phosphate moieties of nucleotides and polynucleotides. The detection limits are 0.3, 1.2, 3.7, 0.2, 0.3, 1.1, 0.6 and 0.9 ng/mL for ATP, ADP, AMP, CTP, UTP, poly(A), poly(I), and poly(U), respectively. The relative standard deviations (6 replicates) are within 4.0% in the middle of the linear range. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of these systems is also discussed. Received: 16 July 1996 / Revised: 13 November 1996 / Accepted: 13 November 1996     

Determination of trace inorganic selenium in organoselenium (selenosugar) oral nutrition liquids by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation

 A method has been proposed for the determination of trace levels of inorganic selenium in organoselenium (selenosugar) oral nutrition liquids using hydride generation-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-GFAAS), taking advantage of the fact that this organic selenium compound did not generate volatile hydride upon reduction. K₂S₂O₈ was selected for the decomposition of the compound in a boiling water bath. Selenium was found to give a sharp analytical signal upon reduction with NaBH₄ in 1.0 mol L^-1HCl medium. The characteristic mass giving an integrated absorbance of 0.0044 s was 21 pg. An absolute detection limit (3s) of 36 pg was obtained. The recovery was in the range of 94.2–102.1%. Less than parts per million levels of inorganic Se in the presence of organic selenium can be determined. Received: 7 November 1996/Revised: 13 January 1997/Accepted: 29 January 1997     

Determination of trace inorganic selenium in organoselenium (selenosugar) oral nutrition liquids by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation

 A method has been proposed for the determination of trace levels of inorganic selenium in organoselenium (selenosugar) oral nutrition liquids using hydride generation-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-GFAAS), taking advantage of the fact that this organic selenium compound did not generate volatile hydride upon reduction. K₂S₂O₈ was selected for the decomposition of the compound in a boiling water bath. Selenium was found to give a sharp analytical signal upon reduction with NaBH₄ in 1.0 mol L^-1HCl medium. The characteristic mass giving an integrated absorbance of 0.0044 s was 21 pg. An absolute detection limit (3s) of 36 pg was obtained. The recovery was in the range of 94.2–102.1%. Less than parts per million levels of inorganic Se in the presence of organic selenium can be determined. Received: 7 November 1996/Revised: 13 January 1997/Accepted: 29 January 1997     

In-line flow injection extraction-preconcentration through a passive hydrophilic membrane. Determination of total phenols in oil by flow-injection analysis

 An in-line flow injection extraction-preconcentration procedure for the determination of total phenols in oil is described. The reaction between phenolic compounds and 4-aminoantipyrine in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ as oxidizing reagent was used. The phenols were extracted and preconcentrated from a xylene solution by using a more selective passive hydrophilic Spectrapor membrane which also removed interferences. The phenols deprotonated after diffusion to the basic acceptor stream and the preconcentrated phenolate was injected into a carrier stream containing 4-aminoantipyrine as colour reagent. The carrier stream then merged with the oxidant stream, followed by detection at 500 nm. The system was suitable for the determination of total phenols in oil at a sampling rate of 12 samples per hour with an RSD of better than 1.3%. The detection limit was 0.09 mg/l for phenol, 0.18 mg/l for o-cresol and 0.02 mg/l for m-cresol. The results of the proposed system compared favourably with a standard manual 4-AAP method and a standard GC procedure. Received: 30 July 1996/Accepted: 25 August 1996     

Characterization of di(2-ethylhexyl)thiophosphoric acid by potentiometric titration and capillary zone electrophoresis

 The acidity constant of di(2-ethylhexyl) thiophosphoric acid (DEHTPA) was investigated using potentiometric measurements with a pH glass electrode. Owing to the low solubility of DEHTPA in pure water, its concentration and acidity constants were determined by linearised pH-metric titration in 16.7% ethanol. A K_a value of (2.39±0.08)×10^-4 was obtained. Quantitative determination of DEHTPA was performed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with carbonate buffer (pH 11.0) as a background electrolyte, operating at −20 kV with direct UV detection at 210 nm. The migration time was 8.97 min and the detection limit was 5 ppm. Received: 2 September 1996/Revised: 19 November 1996/Accepted: 21 November 1996     

Application of rapid electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric methods to the determination of Ag, Al, Cd and Mn in cocaine and heroin samples

 Rapid methods were developed for the direct determination of Ag, Al, Cd and Mn in cocaine and heroin by ETAAS using programmes omitting the charring step . Sample pretreatment was simple: dissolution in ultrapure water or in 35.0% (v/v) HNO₃ for heroin or cocaine, respectively. Optimum drying temperatures were 250 °C for Ag, Al and Mn, and 300 °C for Cd. The run cycles were 35 and 37 s, for Ag and Al respectively, and 36 s for Cd and Mn. The best results were obtained with Pd, Mg(NO₃)₂ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄, as chemical modifiers. The limits of detection were 8.6, 55.9, 2.2 and 12.4 μg kg^-1 for Ag, Al, Cd and Mn, respectively. Received: 14 November 1996/Revised: 14 January 1997/Accepted: 18 January 1997     

Determination of lead traces in water and liqueurs by derivative atom trapping flame atomic absorption spectrometry

 A new method for the direct determination of lead traces using derivative atom trapping flame atomic absorption spectrometry (DAT-FAAS) with an improved water-cooled stainless steel trapping equipment in an air-acetylene flame was investigated. The optimum conditions concerning the sensitivity were studied. For a 1 min collection, the characteristic concentration (given as derivative absorbance of 0.0044) and the detection limit (3s) were 1.4 ng/mL and 0.27 ng/mL, respectively. This is 361 and 74-fold better than those of the conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and comparable to those of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The detection limit and sensitivity of DAT-FAAS for a 3 min collection time were 2 and 3 orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional FAAS. The present method was applied to the determination of lead in water and liqueur samples with a recovery range of 94–108% and a relative standard deviation of 3.5–5.6%. Received: 10 January 1996/Revised: 9 December 1996/Accepted: 20 December 1996     

Simultaneous voltammetric determination of molybdenum and copper in biological samples

 A selective, sensitive and reliable voltammetric method for the simultaneous determination of Cu and Mo is developed. Both metals form complexes with 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine). Mo gives two reduction peaks with oxine in acidic chloride media at −0.52 V and −0.58 V, while copper exhibits only one at −0.14 V. Common heavy metals do not interfere at all. The limit of detection is 0.29 ng/ml for Mo and 0.14 ng/ml for Cu after preconcentration on the hanging mercury drop electrode for 30 s at −0.2 V. The R.S.D. at a concentration level of 10 ng/ml is 3.8% for Cu and 5.3% for Mo. The method is applied to different biological samples. Received: 15 January 1996/Revised: 11 April 1996/Accepted: 16 April 1996     

Separation of ADAM derivatives of carnitine and acyl-carnitines by capillary electrophoresis

 The separation of carnitine, acetylcarnitine and palmitoylcarnitine as ADAM (9-anthryldiazo-methane) derivatives was performed using capillary electrophoresis. A buffer system with 90% methanol and various amounts of phosphoric acid and micelle forming SDS was optimized with respect to the best resolution of the carnitine derivatives. A detection limit of 10 μmol/l or 32 ng carnitine was determined by laser induced fluorescence detection. Under optimized conditions low carnitine contents in acylcarnitine standards have been determined. Received: 30 May 1996/Accepted: 17 June 1996     

An optosensor for tryptophan with C18 silica gel as a substrate

 A flow-through optosensor for tryptophan with C18 silica gel as a substrate is proposed. It has been developed in conjunction with a flow-injection analysis system and is based on the retention of tryptophan on the C18 column and the enhancement of its fluorescence. The detection limit is 25 ng mL^-1 with a relative standard deviation of 2.9% for 7 determinations of 10 μg mL^-1 of tryptophan. Most of the common species do not interfere. The method has been successfully applied to a pharmaceutical preparation. Received: 8 July 1996/Revised: 26 September 1996/Accepted: 30 September 1996     

Solid-phase spectrophotometric microdetermination of iron with ascorbic acid and ferrozine

 A very sensitive and selective method for the determination of trace amounts of iron has been developed, based on the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) by ascorbic acid, followed by chromogenic chelation of Fe(II) with ferrozine. The complex Fe(II)-ferrozine is easily sorbed on a dextran-type anion-exchange gel packed in a 1 mm cell, and the absorbance of the gel is measured directly at 569 and 800 nm. The extended linear range of the determination is 0.5–10 ng ml^-1 of iron (apparent molar absorptivity=4.4×10⁷ l mol^-1 cm^-1) and the precision (RSD) 1.3% for a concentration of 5 ng ml^-1 of iron (n=10). The detection limit for a sample volume of 1000 ml, using 0.040 g of anion-exchanger, corresponds to 0.12 ng ml^-1. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of iron in natural and waste waters, wine, soil extract and previously digested vegetal tissues, drugs and human hair. Received: 20 November 1995/Revised: 23 January 1996/Accepted: 26 January 1996     

Cyclodextrin-based optosensor for the determination of quinine

 A flow-through optosensor for quinine is described. It has been developed in conjunction with a flow-injection analysis system and uses immobilized β-cyclodextrin as the sensing agent. The detection limit for quinine was 0.20 ng ml^-1 with a relative standard deviation of 2.1% for the determination of 0.05 μg ml^-1 (n=7) of quinine. The method has been successfully tested for the determination of quinine in some pharmaceutical preparations. Received: 4 June 1996 / Revised: 23 August 1996 / Accepted: 24 August 1996