Improved extraction and clean-up of imidazolinone herbicides from soil solutions using different solid-phase sorbents

Extraction and quantification of herbicide residues from soil are important in understanding the behaviour of persistent herbicides. This research investigated extraction and clean-up methods for imidazolinone herbicides from soil and soil amended with organic material. A series of solvent mixes, pH conditions and sorbents was tested. Across three imidazolinone herbicides: imazapyr, imazethapyr and imazaquin, 0.5 M NaOH extraction gave greater than 90% recovery from soil samples; however, 0.5 M NaOH:MeOH (80:20) resulted in higher recovery for imazaquin, but not for the other two herbicides. Of the sorbents tested, the use of chromatographic mode sequencing using C₁₈ and SCX sorbents provided consistent high (>85%) recovery of all three herbicides from soil and separation of the herbicides from other soil components by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These two methods will allow high recovery of these imidazolinone herbicides from soil and have the ability to detect these herbicides without interference from other soil components.     

Evaluation of double solid-phase extraction system for determining triazine herbicides in milk

Summary High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was used to determine eight triazine herbicides in milk. Solid-phase extraction was performed using a double trap; first, a nonspecific adsorbent (Carbograph), and then a cation exchanger (SCX). Eluate from the SCX was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and redissolved in mobile phase. An aliquot was injected into the chromatograph, which was operated isocratically in the reverse-phase mode with UV detection at 225 nm. Analytical recoveries for the eight triazines ranged from 73.0 % to 92.4 %. The limit of sensitivity of this method was about 0.09 ng mL⁻¹ of milk. The method was validated and evaluated by comparison with a method reported in literature.     

Evaluation of double solid-phase extraction system for determining triazine herbicides in milk

Summary High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was used to determine eight triazine herbicides in milk. Solid-phase extraction was performed using a double trap; first, a nonspecific adsorbent (Carbograph), and then a cation exchanger (SCX).Eluate from the SCX was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and redissolved in mobile phase. An aliquot was injected into the chromatography, which was operated isocratically in the reverse-phase mode with UV detection at 225 nm.Analytical recoveries for the eight triazines ranged from 73.0% to 92.4%. The limit of sensitivity of this method was about 0.09 ng mL^–1 of milk. The method was validated and evaluated by comparison with a method reported in literature.     

Simultaneous determination of base/neutral and acid herbicides in natural water at the part per trillion level

Summary A new method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of base/neutral and acidic pesticides at a low nanogram per liter concentration level in natural waters is presented. The method includes enrichment of the compounds by solid phase extraction on graphitized carbon black, followed by sequential elution of the base/neutral and acidic pesticides. Identification and quantification of the compounds is performed with HPLC-ESI-MS. This procedure involves passing 1 L of ground water and 2 L of drinking water samples through a 0.5 g graphitized carbon black (GCB) extraction cartridge. A conventional 4.6-mm-i.d. reversed phase LC C-18 operating with a 1 mL min⁻¹ flow of the mobile phase was used to chromatograph the analytes. A flow of 100 μL min⁻¹ of the column effluent was diverted to the ESI source. The ESI source was operated in positive ion mode for base/neutral pesticides and in negative-ion mode for acid pesticides. For the analyte considered, the response of the mass detector was linearly related to the amount of the analytes injected between 5 and 250 ng. In all cases, recoveries of the analytes were better than 90%. The limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio=3) of the method for the pesticides considered in drinking water samples was estimated to be about 3–10 ng L⁻¹.     

Rapid method for determination of phenylurea herbicides in milk

Summary A method has been developed for the determination of thirteen phenylurea herbicide residues in milk. It involves one-step solvent extraction of the milk with methanol by ultrasonication. The extract is cleaned up on an Amberchrom resin cartridge. Reversed-phase, gradient elution, high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection at 242 nm is used to analyse the residues. The recovery of thirteen phenylurea pesticides is quantitative, ranging from 71.4% to 97.9% for the individual herbicides investigated at concentrations around 0.05 mg kg^–1 and from 65.1% to 95.6% around 0.005 mg kg^–1. The method is not associated with any of the emulsion problems common to conventional solvent extraction, which considerably reduce the sample clean-up process compared with existing methods.     

Determination of maize and grain herbicides and their transformation products in soil by use of soil column extraction then liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Summary A multiresidue method has been developed for identification and quantitation of the herbicides most commonly used in cultivation of maize and grain, and of their transformation products, in soil samples. The analytes were isolated by soil column extraction (SCE) and the extracts were purified by use of a Carbograph-1 cartridge. Analysis was performed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-TISP-MS-MS) in negative-ion mode. To optimize the extraction conditions affecting the performance of SCE, e.g. the extracting solvent used, temperature, extracting volume, and solvent flow rate, were studied. To evaluate the matrix effect in SCE, recovery experiments were performed on soil samples, with different physical and chemical characteristics, fortified with the 100 ng g⁻¹ of the target compounds. Recovery data were satisfactory and the method detection limits were between 3 and 100 ng g⁻¹, depending on the compound.     

Determination of imazethapyr and imazapyr residues in soil by coupled-column liquid chromatography

Summary A column-switching method using two separation columns combined with UV detection at 260 or 236 nm has been used to determine the imidazolinone herbicides imazethapyr and imazapyr in soils. The residues were extracted from the soil with 0.1 M aqueous sodium carbonate solution and, after adjusting the pH to 2.0, the solution was partitioned with dichloromethane. Limits of determination for imazethapyr and imazapyr were 3 μg/kg. Recoveries were from 55 to 75% for both imidazolinone herbicides in the range 3–100 μg/kg in soil.     

Automated sample preparation using supported liquid membranes for liquid chromatographic determination of sulfonylurea herbicides

Summary Sample preparation for determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in aqueous samples is investigated. The technique studied utilizes extraction and back extraction in an automated flow system and is coupled on-line to a liquid chromatographic system. The extraction unit consists of an immobilized liquid membrane, separating two aqueous phases. From the acidified donor phase the analytes are extracted into the organic solvent of the membrane. After traversing the membrane they are back extracted into an alkaline/neutral aqueous acceptor phase. They are trapped in the acceptor by dissociation, making them insoluble in the membrane.Studies of the sample preparation system concern factors like channel length of separators, distribution coefficients of analytes and use of a precolumn instead of loop for chromatographic injections. Effects of the internal diameter of the analytical column as well as the detection of the sulfonylurcas are investigated.     

Microwave-assisted water extraction of acid herbicides from soils coupled to continuous filtration, pre-concentration, chromatographic separation and UV detection

A microwave-assisted extraction procedure using water as extractant has been performed for the extraction of acid herbicides (namely, bentazone, 2,4-D, trichlopyr, 2,4,5-T and 2,4,5-Tp) from different types of soil. Two experimental designs were used for the optimization of the leaching step. The selection of water as extractant provided a clean approach by avoiding the use of organic solvents. The use of water also enhanced the extraction efficiency due to the high interaction of the microwave irradiation with polar solvents. The time required for total removal of the target compounds was 35 min. The recoveries yield were from 87.64 to 106.14% with a repeatability (expressed as relative standard deviation) ranging between 1.34 and 9.24%. A within-laboratory reproducibility, also expressed as relative standard deviation, varied from 3.97 to 10.41%. A flow-injection manifold allowed automation of the whole process by hyphenating the steps subsequent to extraction (namely, filtration, preconcentration, chromatographic separation and UV detection) for the determination of the analytes.     

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

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

High-performance-liquid chromatographic separation of 1,3,5-trizine herbicides

Summary A number of 11 triazine herbicides and 7 of their corresponding metabolites were separated in a single HPLC run. The separation was achieved on a reversed-phase column using gradient elution with acetonitrile/buffer. Detection was by UV absorption at a wave-length of 220 nm.     

Ion-trap versus quadrupole for analysis of quaternary ammonium herbicides by LC-MS

Summary An ion-trap mass spectrometer for determination of quaternary ammonium herbicides in water samples is evaluated. Implementation of the method previously optimized in a quadrupole mass spectrometer (VG Platform II) in an ion-trap (LCQ) required modifications to the sample inlet of the electrospray source. Quality parameters were established and detection limits, after trace enrichment, range 5–50 ng L⁻¹. Good reproducibilities (day-to-day and run-to-run) <12% were obtained. The method was applied to analysis of spiked samples and the results were comparable with those determined using a quadrupole mass spectrometer.     

Comparison of adsorbents for on-line solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons before liquid chromatography with UV detection

Summary On-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography and UV detection at 254 nm has been used for the determination of trace-level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil extracts. Five commercially available adsorbents (C₈, C₁₈, PLRP-S, PRP-1, and Bond-Elut Env) were evaluated. Results showed that recovery of the PAH decreased with increasing molecular weight, because of their poorer solubility. Recovery of high-molecular-weight PAH was significantly improved by addition of 10% (v/v) acetonitrile to the sample before loading of the SPE adsorbent. PAH recovery ranged from 64.0 to 108% when a 50 mL sample spiked with 1 μg L⁻¹ was applied to these adsorbents. Determination of PAH was possible with detection limits below 0.05 μg L⁻¹, which corresponds to 0.2 μg kg⁻¹ soil. The method was successfully used to determine PAH in soil extracts.     

Semi-automated, solid-phase extraction procedure for liquid chromatographic determination of papaverine, diltiazem, desipramine and nicardipine in urine

Summary A solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for sample clean-up followed by a reversed-phase HPLC procedure is reported for the assay of papaverine, diltiazem, desipramine and nicardipine in urine. Disposable extraction cartridges (DECs) filled with C18, C8, C2, CH and PH silica-bonded phases were used. The effect on recovery of sample pH, composition of washing and elution solvents and nature of SPE cartridge were evaluated. The selectivity of SPE was examined using spiked urine samples and the PH cartridge gave rise to the cleanest extracts. Phenyl cartridges were conditioned with methanol and acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer. Urine sample was buffered and then applied to the DEC. The washing step was with acetone-water and subsequently with methanol-acetate buffer. The analytes were eluted with methanol-acetate buffer. The extract was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted in mobile phase, and chromatographed on a reversed-phase C18 column with UV detection at 212 nm. Recoveries of the tested compounds from spiked urine samples using the PH cartridge were in all cases>80%. The within-day and between-day repeatabilities were<5% and 9%, respectively.     

Sensitive and selective bioanalytical assay for the determination of dobutamine in rat plasma samples

Summary Dobutamine is one of the synthetic catecholamines acting directly onβ ₁-receptors. For the analysis of dobutamine in rat plasma samples, a selective and sensitive liquid chromatographic method is described. After a simple liquid-liquid extraction, separation of the analyte was performed using a reversed-phase ion-pair system with an octyl modified silica column. The solute was detected by fluorescence detection, applying an excitation wavelength of 285nm and an emission wavelength of 313nm. The (im)possibilities of the application of the normally used assays for the isolation, concentration and quantitation of catecholamines are discussed. By the addition of a minimum amount of modifier to the mobile phase, the selectivity of the system was increased significantly. With this method the detection limit is 9ng/ml in 0.2ml plasma samples. The application of the method is shown in rat plasma samples by measuring the concentration-time curves to establish plasma level-effect relationships for this drug.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography-DAD detection for the determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in water samples

A new method for the determination of four sulfonylurea herbicides (metsulfuron-methyl, chlorsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl and chlorimuron-ethyl) in water samples was developed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Parameters that affect the extraction efficiency, such as the kind and volume of the extraction and disperser solvent, extraction time and salt addition, were investigated and optimised. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors were in the range between 102 and 216. The linearity of the method was obtained in the range of 1.0–100 ng mL^?1 with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9982 to 0.9995. The method detection limits were 0.2–0.3 ng mL^?1. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of target sulfonylurea herbicides in river, stream and well water samples with satisfactory results.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定红小豆中残留的6种咪唑啉酮类除草剂

建立了同时测定红小豆中6种咪唑啉酮类除草剂残留的高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。样品经0.1 mol/L NH4HCO3(pH 5)-甲醇(体积比为70∶30)溶液提取,二氯甲烷液-液萃取和凝胶渗透色谱净化后,采用Inertsil ODS-3色谱柱(2.1 mm×150 mm, 5 μm)分离,以甲醇-0.1%乙酸为流动相梯度洗脱,离子阱质谱在选择离子模式下测定。咪唑啉酮类除草剂在10～200 μg/L(灭草喹在5～100 μg/L)内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9987～0.9997;方法的检出限为0.2～0.5 μg/kg;在红小豆中3个加标水平的平均加标回收率为81.6%～99.4%,相对标准偏差为3.1%～7.8%。该方法简便、灵敏度高、精密度好,适用于红小豆中多种咪唑啉酮类除草剂残留的测定。     

Development of ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction for the determination of triazine herbicides in environmental water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, efficient, and environmentally friendly method for the determination of some triazine herbicides (simazine, atrazine, prometone, ametryn and prometryne) in water samples was developed by ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The main parameters that affect the extraction efficiencies, such as the kind and volume of the extraction solvent, ultrasound emulsification time and salt addition, were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the method was sensitive and showed a good linearity within a range of 0.5 to 200?ngm?L^?1 for simazine, atrazine, prometone, ametryn and prometryne, with the correlation coefficients (r) varying from 0.9993 to 0.9998. High enrichment factors were obtained ranging from 148 to 225. The limits of detection (LODs) were in the range between 0.06 and 0.1?ngm?L^?1 and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range between 0.2 and 0.3?ngm?L^?1. The recoveries of the analytes from water samples at spiking levels of 5.0 and 50.0?ngm?L^?1 were ranged from 82.4% to 107.0%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) varied from 3.0% to 4.6%. The results demonstrated that the USAEME-HPLC-DAD method was an ef?cient pretreatment and enrichment procedure for the determination of triazine pesticides in real water samples.     

An integrated coupled column liquid chromatography system for the determination of leukotriene metabolites in biological samples

Summary A fully integrated chromatographic system was developed for the determination of leukotrienes in biological samples using photodiode-array detection (PDAD), which eliminates time consuming manual sample handling steps. A special solid phase extraction, (SPE) methodology for leucotriene metabolite stability was developed which increased the recoveries and eliminates the contamination risk of biological samples. The inherent instability (autooxidation) of many of the leukotriene mediators, and the adsorption effects onto exposed surfaces in vials and in the chromatographic system were found to be very important parameters to control in order to circumvent high loss of sample analytes. By binding the cell supernatants to the functionalities of the SPE support stabilised these mediators. Cell culture samples were eluted through a disposable C₁₈ SPE column. The SPE columns were allowed to thaw and deposited in an automated sample handling unit (ASPEC XL). Desorption of the analytes was followed by a second on-line SPE step, to eliminate remaining interfering matrix compounds. Typical recoveries when stored at −70°C were in-between 55–97% except for (LTE₄) which was found to be around 40% after 72 days of storage. Seven reversed-phase packings were studied. Selectivity factors, as well as the separation efficiencies, were found to differ for the various C₁₈ bonded silica stationary phases. This integrated on-line column liquid chromatographic system was applied to the determination of leukotriene B₄, leukotriene C₄, leukotriene D₄, leukotriene and E₄ in human cell extracts using prostaglandin B₂ as the internal standard. More than 1500 biological samples were analysed. Some validation data are presented for unattended operations.     

Determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in soil extracts by solid-phase extraction and capillary zone electrophoresis

Summary Sulfonylurea herbicides in soil extracts were concentrated using off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE), and determined by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and UV detection. The method involves extraction of soils with 0.1 M NaHCO₃ solution and subsequent preconcentration by using C₁₈ cartridges prior to separation of the pesticide using CZE. The results show that a C₁₈ cartridge is suitable for the purification of sulfonylurea herbicides in soil extracts with the recoveries ranging from 65–103%. The separation conditions affecting the resolution and detection sensitivity was systematically investigated. The sulfonylureas were resolved well using 30 mM sodium acetate (NaAc)/acetic acid (HAc)+10% acetonitrile (ACN) buffer at pH 4.80. The calibration plots for the test solutes in the concentration of 0.2–50 mg L⁻¹ were linear with detection limits in the range of 0.05–0.10 mgL⁻¹. The proposed method has been successfully demonstrated for the determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in soil samples.