Development and application of a simple routine method for the determination of selenium in serum by octopole reaction system ICPMS

The aim of the study was to develop an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) method for robust and simple routine determination of selenium in serum. Polyatomic interferences on ⁷⁶Se, ⁷⁷Se, and ⁷⁸Se were removed by applying an octopole reaction system ICPMS with the reaction cell pressurized with H₂ gas. We developed a novel simple optimization routine for the H₂ gas flow based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculation of the selenium signal measured in a single selenium standard. The optimum H₂ flow was 2.9 mL min^–1. The selenium content in serum was determined after a 50-fold dilution with 0.16 M HNO₃ and quantified by using addition calibration and gallium as an internal standard. The method detection limit was 0.10 g L^–1 for ⁷⁶Se and ⁷⁸Se and 0.13 g L^–1 for ⁷⁷Se. Human serum samples from a case-control study investigating if selenium was associated with risk of colorectal adenoma were analyzed. The average selenium concentration for the control group (n=768) was 137.1 g L^–1 and the range was 73.4–305.5 g L^–1. The within-batch repeatability (a batch is ten samples) estimated from 182 replicate analyses was 6.3% coefficient of variation (CV), whereas the between-batch repeatability was 7.4% CV estimated from 361 replicates between batches. The method accuracy was evaluated by analysis of a human serum certified reference material (Seronorm Serum level II, Sero A/S, Norway). There was a fairly good agreement between the measured average of 145±3 g L^–1 (n=36) and the certified value of 136±9 g L^–1. In addition the method was successfully applied for analysis of zinc serum concentrations without further optimization. For the Seronorm certified reference material a value of 911±75 g L^–1 (n=31) for zinc was obtained, which corresponds well to the certified zinc value of 920±60 g L^–1.     

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for stable isotope tracer investigations

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has now been developed for application to stable isotope tracer investigations of several minerals/trace elements. Use of this method for such purposes requires an understanding of a number of fundamental issues: analytical chemistry performance of the method of isotopic analysis, relationship of the level of enriched isotope administered to the subject with background level of the isotope already present, the issues of cost, and finally the specific details of the biological issues to be explored.In this paper, a brief discussion of these issues is presented. As an example, the discussion is presented in relation to selected aspects of metabolism of selenium, employing the three stable isotopes⁷⁴Se,⁷⁷Se, and⁸²Se in the rat as the biological model.Analytical performance of hydride generation/ICP-MS is discussed for the required analyses of selenium isotopes. It is shown that for solutions containing 10 ng/ml Se of natural isotopic composition, optimized signal/background ratios greater than 40/1 can be obtained, resulting in worst-case detection limits (ng Se) of 2 (⁷⁴Se), and 0.6 (^77,82Se). The precision and accuracy of isotope ratio measurements for the method used routinely in biological studies is 1%. The accuracy of the method for quantitative isotopic analysis is compared with hydride generation/atomic absorption spectrophotometry (HG/AAS). The following results are given (g Se/g or ml; mean + 1 SD,n = 3–5; first HG/ICP-MS, second HG/AAS): SRM 1577a [bovine liver] 0.697 ± 0.002 versus 0.69 ± 0.01; human blood plasma 0.098 ± 0.001 versus 0.135 ± 0.008; human red cells 0.211 ± 0.002 versus 0.216 ± 0.012; and human urine 0.0473 ± 0.0003 versus 0.0489 ± 0.0003.An experiment is described with the rat to show the feasibility of the method for studies of selenium metabolism. Rats were placed on Se-free diet for eight weeks, given their Se requirements in the drinking water in the form of⁷⁶SeO ₃ ^2– and a single-day (day 3) replacement of their water with that containing highly enriched⁷⁴SeO ₃ ^2– . Isotopic analysis of carcass and selected organs revealed a high degree of isotopic enrichment with respect to⁷⁴Se during the entire eight weeks of the experiment, indicating the feasibility of this approach for detailed investigations of selenium metabolism in the rat.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, Austria     

Simultaneous determination of arsenic and selenium in biological samples by HG-AFS

A new method is proposed for simultaneous determination of traces of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) in biological samples by hydride-generation double-channel non-dispersive atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) from tartaric acid media. The effects of analytical conditions on fluorescence signal intensity were investigated and optimized. Interferences from coexisting ions were evaluated. Under optimum conditions linear response ranges above 20 g L^–1 for As and 32 g L^–1 for Se were obtained with detection limits of 0.13 and 0.12 g L^–1, respectively. The precision for elevenfold determination of As at the 4 g L^–1 level and of Se at the 8 g L^–1 level were 2.7 and 1.9% (RSD), respectively. Recoveries of 92.5–95.5% for As and 101.2–108.4% for Se were obtained for four biological samples and two certified biological reference materials. The proposed method has the advantages of simple operation, high sensitivity, and high efficiency; it was successfully used for simultaneous determination of As and Se in biological samples.     

Multielement determinations in ground water ultrafiltrates using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and monostandard neutron activation analysis

Twelve ultrafiltrates of two ground waters rich in humic substances (up to 97.8 mg CL^–1) and in salinity (up to: cations 44.3 meq L^–1, anions 44.9 meq L^–1) were investigated with ICP-MS and with NAA in parallel. With both techniques 22 elements were analysed in a wide concentration range (mg/L to ng/L). Ultrafiltration at pore sizes from 1000 nm down to 1 nm lowers the humic colloid content as well as the concentration of the colloidborne polyvalent cations. Carbon interferences were studied in detail using artificially prepared model waters. The detection limits of ICP-MS in the ultrafiltrates (0.01 g/L–10 g/L) and in pure analyte solutions (5 ng/L–600 ng/L) are compared with those of NAA for pure water analysis (0.004 ng/L–50 ng/L).Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Schmidbaur on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Determination of Arsenic in Food Samples by Hydride Generation – Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of arsenic in food samples using flow injection analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation (FI-HG AAS) was developed. The parameters of the flow injection system and the hydride generation were optimized with respect to reagent concentrations, atomization temperature, injection volume, reaction coil length and carrier flow rate. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.34µgL^–1 and 1.2µgL^–:1, respectively, and the analytical curve is linear up to 30.0µgL^–1 arsenic. The relative standard deviation for 12 replicates varies between 5% for 4.0µgL^–1 As and 1.8% for 30.0µgL^–1 As, with an injection frequency of up to 135h^–1. Interferences from Ni(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Mo(II), Bi(III), Se(IV), Se(VI), Sb(III) and Sb(V) could be masked with a mixture of ascorbic acid-KI in a 5.0molL^–1 HCl solution. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by using certified reference materials of biological samples, and the method was used to determine the content of arsenic in fish and coffee beans.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of blood serum

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been used to determine 15 trace elements in twelve blood serum samples taken from healthy students at Bilkent University in Ankara. The method allowed the determination of Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Cs, Ce, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta and Hg, which occur at the g.ml^–1 to ng.ml^–1 levels. There are no values reported for Tb, Hf, Ce, Eu and Ta before. The other results are compared with the values reported in the literature. Most are in the range of the reported values except for Fe, Zn, Se and Cs.     

Detection of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in chlorinated water at nanogram per litre levels by SPME–GC–ECD

A method involving solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography with electron capture detection (SPME–GC–ECD) has been optimised for identification and quantification of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) at ng L^–1 concentrations in disinfected (chlorinated) water samples. A central composite design was used for factorial analysis of four factors, three factors related to the SPME (PDMS fibre) procedure (adsorption time, temperature of the sample during headspace sampling, and desorption time) and one related to the GC operation (the rate of increase of the temperature of the GC oven). Good linearity (linear correlation coefficient greater than 0.999) was observed for TCA concentrations up to 50 ng L^–1, limits of detection and quantification of 0.7 and 2.3 ng L^–1, respectively, and good precision (relative standard deviation 2.8% and 3.4% for 5 and 30 ng L^–1 of TCA, respectively). Besides TCA, this system also enables the detection and quantification of the four trihalomethanes in the g L^–1 concentration range with limits of detection and quantification of approximately 0.3 g L^–1 and 1 g L^–1, respectively.     

Rapid speciation of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by flow injection–capillary electrophoresis system with contactless conductivity detection

A flow injection–capillary electrophoresis system with contactless conductivity detection and hydrostatic-pressure-generated flow was used for the fast and sensitive speciation of Se(IV) and Se(VI). The sample throughput was 25 samples per hour using a background electrolyte solution containing 8.75 mM l-histidine (His) adjusted to pH 4.00 with acetic acid. The repeatability of peak areas (n=8) was better than 1.41% and the limits of detection were 190 g L^–1 and 7.5 g L^–1 for Se(IV) and Se(VI), respectively. The interference from carbonate, typically present in water samples, was eliminated by using a low-pH electrolyte in which carbonate is uncharged and migrates at the EOF front. The method was applied to the analysis of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in soil samples that were spiked with both selenium species and the results for recovery of both selenium species were in good agreement with their introduced concentrations.     

Rapid analysis of pyrethroids in whole urine by high-performance liquid chromatography using a monolithic column and off-line preconcentration in a restricted access material cartridge

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using a monolithic column with UV detection at 238 nm was developed for the determination of fenpropathrin, betacyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and permethrin (cis and trans isomers) in whole urine. The method is based on the use of a monolithic chromatographic column and a restricted access material (RAM) cartridge for sample preparation. The mobile phase was water/acetonitrile (42:58 v/v), the flow rate was 3 mL min^–1, and chromatographic separation was carried out in 10 min. The separation of cis and trans isomers of permethrin was also possible under the above-mentioned conditions. Detection limits in reconstituted whole urine samples were between 0.9 g L^–1 for betacyfluthrin and 4.4 g L^–1 for fenpropathrin and trans-permethrin. Recoveries for urine samples spiked with different amounts of pyrethroids (between 19 g L^–1 and 75 g L^–1) were in the 70±6 to 90±7% range.     

Determination of sulfur and selected trace elements in metallothionein-like proteins using capillary electrophoresis hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an octopole reaction cell

The determination of sulfur in biologically relevant samples such as metalloproteins is described. The analytical methodology used is based on robust on-line coupling between capillary electrophoresis (CE) and octopole reaction cell inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ORC–ICP–MS). Polyatomic ions that form in the plasma and interfere with the determination of S at mass 32 are minimised by addition of xenon to the collision cell. The method has been applied to the separation and simultaneous element-specific detection of sulfur, cadmium, copper, and zinc in commercially available metallothionein preparations (MT) and metallothionein-like proteins (MLP) extracted from liver samples of bream (Abramis brama L.) caught in the river Elbe, Germany. Instrumental detection limits have been calculated according to the German standard procedure DIN 32645 for the determination of sulfur and some simultaneously measured trace elements in aqueous solution. For sulfur detection limits down to 1.3 g L^–1 (³⁴S) and 3.2 g L^–1 (³²S) were derived. For the other trace elements determined simultaneously detection limits ranging from 300 ng L^–1 (⁵⁸Ni) to 500 ng L^–1 (⁶⁶Zn, ⁵⁵Mn) were achieved. For quantification of sulfur and cadmium in a commercially available MT preparation under hyphenated conditions the use of external calibration is suggested. Finally, the need for proper sample-preparation technique will be discussed.     

Chromotropic acid,a fluorogenic chelating agent for aluminium(III)

Complexation of aluminium(III) with the fluorogenic ligand chromotropic acid (4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid) has been revisited with the aim of using enhancement of the fluorescence intensity as an analytical tool. Complexation at the optimum pH4 was shown to lead to a 1:1 complex with a stability constant log ₁₁₀=18.4±0.7. The fluorogenic effect was thoroughly investigated. Nearly selective excitation of the chelate rather than the ligand could be achieved at wavelengths longer than 360 nm. For analytical purposes the main interfering ion was Ga³⁺. The strongest competing ligand was shown to be citric acid. Competitive complexation by acetate or formate ions can also make their use in a buffer at the usual concentration, 0.2 mol L^–1, questionable, whereas a 10^–2 mol L^–1 formic acid buffer was shown to be a good alternative. The calibration plot showed that the dependence of response on Al(III) concentration was linear up to 500 g L^–1; the detection limit was 0.65 g L^–1 (3SD _blank, n=10, SD=±1.4% at 10 g L^–1 and ±0.8% at 100 g L^–1). The analytical procedure was successfully applied to several samples of tap water and the results were in good agreement with those from AAS determination.     

Determination of mineral constituents in duplicate portion diets of two university student groups by instrumental neutron activation

Concentrations of 15 elements were determined simultaneously in duplicateportion diets of two university student groups from So Paulo Universityconsisting of nine women (20–23 years) and ten men (20–24 years).Thediet samples were prepared by either freeze-drying or drying in a ventilatedoven. About 100–200 mg of diets were irradiated for 2 minutes and 8hours in the IEA-R1m research reactor and Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, K, Fe, Mn,Mg, Mo, Na, Rb, Se, and Zn were determined by instrumental neutron activationanalysis (INAA). The average daily intakes found in the women and men groupswere: 2.1 and 4.3 mg of Br, 501 and 707 mg of Ca; 3.1 and 6.0 g of Cl; 12and 25 mg of Co; 15 and 36 µg of Cs; 53 and 63 µg of Cr; 5.1 and10.8 mg of Fe; 1.3 and 2.8 g of K; 134 and 306 mg of Mg; 1.3 and 4.1 mg ofMn; 134 and 302 mg of Mo, 2.0 and 4.1 g of Na; 2.4 and 4.6 mg of Rb; 29 and41 µg of Se; 6.2 and 10.6 mg of Zn, respectively. The daily intakesof Ca, Se and Zn in both groups and Fe in the women groups appeared to bebelow the U.S. RDA recommendations. For the elements Na and Cl the daily intakeswere higher than the recommended values by RDA.     

A rapid and sensitive GC–MS method for determination of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol in water

A rapid analytical method for sensitive determination of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) in river water has been developed. 1,3-DCP is extracted from water with ethyl acetate. After filtration through sodium sulfate the ethyl acetate phase is analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method uses 1,3-DCP-d₅ as internal standard. Different extraction solvents, concentrations of ammonium sulfate in the water samples, and the effect of humic acid were tested and their influence on the recovery of DCP has been evaluated. The method quantification limit was 0.1 g L^–1. For spiked water samples (0–5.2 g L^–1, n=21) a repeatability coefficient of variation of 5.4% was obtained. The average recovery rate of 1,3-DCP was 105±3% (n=21). Stability tests, which were carried out with Danube river water, led to an estimated 1,3-DCP degradation rate of 0.008±0.0008 day^–1 at 6°C.     

Determination of hexavalent chromium by using speciated isotope-dilution mass spectrometry after microwave speciated extraction of environmental and other solid materials

Precise and accurate determination of hexavalent chromium in different types of solid environmental sample is regarded as a technical challenge with significant potential error if historically accepted methods are used. Microwave-assisted alkaline extraction (0.5 mol L^–1 NaOH+0.28 mol L^–1 Na₂CO₃) followed by anion-exchange chromatographic separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometric detection has been shown to provide accurate and precise results. To obtain a better understanding of potential species conversion during and/or after extraction steps, speciated isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (SIDMS) (EPA Method 6800) metrology has been successfully applied as a diagnostic tool with the modified accompanying extraction version of EPA Method 3060A. In our study, aggregate materials distributed over a large area of a major western US state were found to contain a high concentration of total chromium (195±13 to 709±19 g g^–1) and significant amounts of Cr⁶⁺ (141±6 to 341±29 g g^–1) which are at least three orders of magnitude higher than the US EPA threshold limit (0.5 g g^–1). Sediment samples from a major western US state, studied independently, were found to contain less (1.77±0.34 g g^–1) or no Cr⁶⁺ in the presence of significant total chromium.     

Development of a stir-bar-sorptive extraction–liquid desorption–large-volume injection capillary gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric method for pyrethroid pesticides in water samples

Stir-bar-sorptive extraction followed by liquid desorption and large-volume injection capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (SBSE–LD–LVI-GC–MS), had been applied for the determination of ultra-traces of eight pyrethroid pesticides (acrinathrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin cis and trans isomers) in water samples. Instrumental calibration for selected-ion monitoring acquisition and conditions that could affect the SBSE–LD efficiency are fully discussed. By performing systematic assays on 30-mL water samples spiked at the 0.10 g L^–1 level it was established that stir-bars coated with 47 L polydimethylsiloxane, an equilibrium time of 60 min (750 rpm), 5% methanol as organic modifier, and acetonitrile as back-extraction solvent, provided the best analytical performance to monitor pyrethroid pesticides in water matrices. Good accuracy (81.8–105.0%) and remarkable reproducibility (<11.7%) were obtained, and the experimental recovery data were in good agreement with the theoretical equilibrium described by octanol–water partition coefficients (log K_O/W), with the exception of acrinathrin for which lower yields were measured. Excellent linear dynamic ranges between 25 and 400 ng L^–1 (r²>0.994), low quantification (3.0–7.5 ng L^–1) and detection (1.0–2.5 ng L^–1) limits were also achieved for the eight pyrethroid pesticides studied. The method was successfully used for analysis of tapwater and groundwater matrices spiked at the 0.10 g L^–1, revealing the suitability of the method for determination of pyrethroid pesticides in real samples. The method was shown be reliable and sensitive and a small volume of sample was required to monitor pyrethroids at ultra-trace levels, in compliance with international regulatory directives on water quality.     

Assessment of the essential element and heavy metal content of edible fish muscle

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of some essential and toxic elements in the muscle of ten species of commercial fish consumed in Portugal. We combined two different techniques for determination of the elements—energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, and Sr and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry for analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb. The latter technique was used because of its higher sensitivity, because these elements were not detected by EDXRF. The results obtained show a similar pattern for the trace elements. K and Ca are present at the highest concentrations in all the samples studied, from 0.6–1.3% and from 0.04–0.08%, respectively, followed by Zn, Fe, Sr, Se, and Rb. Sr is present at higher concentrations than Rb in all the species studied except meagre. Concentrations of the elements in octopus do not follow this pattern—Fe is present at a higher concentration than Zn. Low concentrations of Cr (0.66–1.5 g g^–1), Ni (0.11–0.24 g g^–1), Cd (0.01–0.08 g g^–1), Hg (0.49–2.74 g g^–1), and Pb (0.02–0.06 g g^–1) were observed in all the samples analysed. The concentration of Hg was highest in Helicolenus dactylopterus—5.4 g g^–1 in one sample.     

Determination of Total Selenium Content in Cereals and Bakery Products by Flow Injection Hydride Generation Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Applying in-situ Trapping on Iridium-Treated Graphite Platforms

A flow injection hydride generation graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (FI-HG-GFAAS) method was applied to the determination of Se in Se-doped and undoped cereals and bakery products. For the purpose of doping, the soils used for the cultivation of the cereals were dosed with Se-doped foliar fertilizers. The samples were dissolved in a mixture of HNO₃ and H₂O₂ solutions using microwave-assisted digestion. The decomposition of H₂Se generated from the sample solutions and the trapping of elemental Se were performed at a temperature of 300°C on an Ir-pretreated integrated graphite platform of a transversally heated graphite atomizer (THGA). For release of the trapped Se within a fairly short atomization time (5s), an atomization temperature of 2200°C was observed to be optimal. The overall efficiency of hydride generation, transport and trapping was 86%.The upper limit of the linear dynamic range of calibration was 10µgL^–1, which corresponds to 0.5µgg^–1 for solid samples. Recovery of the samples spiked with Se^VI solutions was found to be 93±6% on average. The relative standard deviation of the determinations was less than 8%. The limit of detection was found to be 0.06µgL^–1, corresponding to 3ngg^–1 for solid samples. The accuracy of the method was verified with the use of IAEA-155 (whey powder) certified reference material. End-capped THGA tubes resulted in an extension of the linear calibration range compared to that of standard THGAs.The Se content in bakery products made of undoped cereals ranged from 7.7 to 68ngg^–1 (wet weight) in 18 samples, whereas the Se content of the corresponding cereals was found to be below 100ngg^–1 (wet weight). The Se level of cereals grown on soils treated with Se-doped fertilizers ranged from 128 to 1046ngg^–1 (wet weight), and it depended linearly on the Se concentration of the corresponding foliar fertilizer.     

Application of slurry nebulization to trace elemental analysis of some biological samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Summary The application of slurry nebulization/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to trace elemental analysis of biological samples has been investigated. Three standard samples of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were dispersed in 1% aqueous Triton X-100 solution by grinding with a planetary micronizing mill. The resulting slurries were nebulized into an ICP without any additional treatments. The 1% (m/v) slurry of the NIST bovine liver showed no significant influence on cone blockage and signal suppression/enhancement. Detection limit, precision and accuracy were discussed for the determination of 24 elements of interest in bovine liver, rice flour and pine needles. Detection limits ranged from 0.0001 g g^–1 for U to 0.52 g g^–1 for Zn at the effective integrating time of 10 s. For high mass elements, low blank values were obtained, yielding excellent limits (<0.01 g g^–1). Acceptable accuracy and precision were obtained for most of the elements in the NIST bovine liver and rice flour, even for the volatile elements, such as As, Se and Br. However, relatively poor accuracy was obtained for the analysis of pine needles.     

Development of new rat monoclonal antibodies with different selectivities and sensitivities for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and other nitroaromatic compounds

Five new rat monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and other nitroaromatic compounds, including, especially, the metabolite 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT), are described. Five heterogeneous, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed. Assay 1 uses mAb DNT4 3F6 as recognition element and gives a standard curve for TNT in 40 mmol L^–1 phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with a test midpoint (IC₅₀) of 0.26±0.08 g L^–1 (n=20). Assay 2 (mAb DNT4 4G4) has an IC₅₀ of 0.35±0.07 g L^–1 (n=18), assay 3 (mAb DNT4 1A3) has an IC₅₀ of 0.73±0.14 g L^–1 (n=15), and assay 4 (mAb DNT4 1A7) has an IC₅₀ of 2.32±0.70 g L^–1 (n=15). Assay 5 (mAb DNT2 4B4) is very selective for 2-ADNT and has an IC₅₀ of 8.5±1.7 g L^–1 (n=15) in PBS. These antibodies for nitroaromatic compounds differ not only in their sensitivity but also in their selectivity. Major cross-reactants are 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 2-ADNT, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT), 2,4-dinitroaniline, 3,5-dinitroaniline, and 2,6-dinitroaniline. Although assay 5 is not highly sensitive, the mAb DNT2 4B4 in this assay is highly selective for 2-ADNT. Of all the compounds tested, only 2,4-dinitroaniline and 3,5-dinitroaniline had relevant cross reactivities, 18% and about 26%, respectively. Two ELISAs, using mAbs DNT4 3F6 and DNT2 4B4, were used to analyze different concentrations of TNT and 2-ADNT, respectively, in three different surface water matrices (river and lake water). Both assays were affected by the matrix, but usually performed well (recovery within the range 70–120%). In addition, these ELISAs were used to analyze mixtures of TNT, 2-ADNT, and 4-ADNT, at three different concentrations, in the same water matrices. A different recognition pattern was clearly visible with both assays and depended on the cross reactivities of the corresponding mAb.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

Sample introduction assisted by compressed air in flame furnace AAS: a simple and sensitive method for the determination of traces of toxic elements

The power of detection of flame AAS for the toxic elements Cd, Hg, Pb and Tl can be improved by 1–2 orders of magnitude by using flame furnace AAS. In flame-furnace AAS, liquid samples are introduced directly into a nickel tube located in the flame, in the simplest case through a ceramic thermospray capillary. Transportation of the samples is achieved by using compressed air only. Comparatively low detection limits are achieved by both beam injection flame furnace (BIFF-AAS) and thermospray flame furnace AAS (TS-FF-AAS). For TS-FF-AAS, a pressure of less than 20 kPa (<80 in. water) is required. The TS-FF-AAS technique is very simple, robust and cheap. The detection limits were 0.2–0.4 g L^–1 (Cd), 40–100 g L^–1 (Hg), 5–9 g L^–1 (Pb) and 4–14 g L^–1 (Tl), respectively, depending on the method, flow rate and sample volume used. Pb and Cd were found at concentrations of 0.1–2 and 0.005–0.3 g g^–1, respectively, in samples of various spices.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius.