Determination of Barium in Bottled Drinking Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

In relation to the wide environmental spread of barium and to its cardiovascular effects, barium levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in 60 different brands of bottled water marketed in Italy.

Matrix interferences were investigated in order to evaluate the use of an analytical calibration function rather than the much more time consuming addition technique.

The barium content ranged from limit of detection C_L (7.0 μg/l) up to 660 μg/l, the median value being 80 μg/l, while the recovery tests varied between 90 and 110 % and the precision of the method (s_yx) was 2.5 %.     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Acetazolamide in Human Plasma

Abstract

A simple, rapid and specific HPLC method has been developed to determine acetazolamide concentrations in human plasma. The assay procedure requires only 250 μl of sample with direct injection of the organic supernatant after protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chlorothiazide was used as an internal standard. A reversed-phase C₁₈ μBondapak column was employed for the chromatographic separation. The eluent was monitored at 265 nm using a UV variable wavelength detector. The retention times for acetazolamide (ACZ) and chlorothiazide (CTZ) were 6 and 8 min respectively. A linear relationship (r).995) was obtained over the 1-20 μg/ml concentration range. The limit of sensitivity for ACZ was 0.5 μg/ml, with greater than 85% recovery of ACZ and internal standard. The method was applied to human plasma samples obtained after administration of a 250 mg acetazolamide tablet.     

Disposable Screen-Printed Electrodes (Spe) Mercury-Free for Lead Detection

ABSTRACT

Strategies to modify screen-printed electrodes (SPE) for lead determination are reported. Dithizone was mixed with graphite ink to obtain a modified screen-printed strip to detect ppb levels of lead(II) (detection limit 12 μg/l) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). In addition, screen-printed electrodes were also modified by casting a few μl of a Nafion® solution onto the working electrode surface. In this case, ppb levels of lead were detected (detection limit 15 μg/1), using potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA). The addition of an ionophore to Nafion® polymer was also investigated, but this did not yield a significant improvement.     

Second Derivative Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorometric Detection of Cycloserine Using 9-Chloro-10-methyl Acridinium Triflate as a New UV and Fluorescent Labeling Agent

Abstract

Sensitive and simple second derivative UV spectrophotometric and HPLC with fluorometric detection methods were developed for cycloserine based on derivatization with 9-chloro-10-methyl acridinium triflate (CMAT) to yield a reaction product which absorbs in the UV at 361 nm and is fluorescent using excitation and emission wavelengths of 257 nm and 475 nm, respectively. The CMAT derivatization reaction takes 30 minutes at 70°C. Cycloserine was linear in the 0.3 – 5.0 μg/ml range (r=0.999, n=5) for the second derivative UV method and the 0.8 – 5 μg/ml range for the HPLC method (r=0.999, n=5). The limit of detection for cycloserine in the HPLC method can be improved to 0.15 μg/ml with the addition of glacial acetic acid to the analytical sample. The HPLC assay was applied to the determination of cycloserine in spiked human urine samples. The correlation coefficient (r) was in the 0.999 range and sensitivity was at the low pg/ml level.     

A Simple Isocratic High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) Determination of Naproxen in Human Plasma using a Microbore Column Technique

Abstract

A simple and sensitive HPLC method was developed for the determination of naproxen in human plasma. The assay employs a microbore column packed with a C18 reversed-phase material (5 μm ODS Hypersil) with an isocratic mixture of acetonitrile and 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.5 (40:60, v/v) as the mobile phase. The mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. For sample analysis 200 μl of acetonitrile containing internal standard (flurbiprofen) was added to 100 μl of plasma. After centrifugation 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 (200 μl) was added to the tube, then vortexed and centrifuged. The supernatant (20 μl) was injected onto the HPLC column. The chromatographic separation was monitored by a fluorescence detector at an emission wavelength of 350 nm with an excitation wavelength of 225 nm. The direct precipitation of plasma protein using acetonitrile gave a good recovery for both naproxen and the internal standard. The detection limit was 0.1 μg/ml for naproxen. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation at different concentrations evaluated were less than 10%.     

Detection of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid by Microtiter Particle Agglutination Inhibition Test and Polarisation Fluoroimmunoassay

Abstract

A simple microtiter particle agglutination inhibition (MPAI) assay for detection of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been developed on the basis of coloured polyacrolein latex particles sensitized with monoclonal antibodies to 2,4-D. MPAI test has been applied to the quantification of 2,4-D in water and extracts from grain and compared with the polarisation fluoroimmunoassay. The detection limit of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid in MPAI was 0.6 μg/1 which was about two orders higher than that of polarisation fluoroimmunoassay. The cross-reactivity of various structurally related substances was less than 10.%. Good correlation of MPAI and polarisation fluoroimmunoassay was shown when testing 2,4-D in the extracts from grain. MPAI assay is rapid, robust, easy to perform, doesn't need any instrumentation and specially trained personnel.     

Determination of Traces of Chromium in Foods by Solvent Extraction Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A simple methodology for Cr(III) determination in foods was developed through flame atomic absorption spectrometry with air/acetylene after a fast oxidation of Cr(III) with KM_nO₄ and pre-concentration of Cr(VI) in MIK as C_rO₂CI₂. A limit of detection and limit of quantification (LOQ), respectively, of 4 μg/Kg and 13 μg/Kg Cr(III) were obtained in commercialized foods in São Paulo, Brazil. Two certificated samples as well as some food samples were analyzed with good results. A study of sample treatment showed that the dry ash method is the best.     

High Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Mecillinam in Human Plasma and Urine

Abstract

A simple, specific, rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of mecillinam in plasma and urine using high pressure liquid chromatography is described. The assay is performed by direct injection of a plasma protein free supernatant or a dilution of urine. A μBondapak phenyl column with an eluting solvent of 16% CH₃CN-0.2% H₃PO₄ was used, with UV detection of the effluent at 220 nm. Desacetyl-cephalothin was used as the internal standard and quantitation was based on peak height ratio of mecillinam to that of the internal standard. The lowest concentration detectable without extraction was 0.25 μg/ml for plasma and 8.9 μg/ml for urine. No interference from plasma and urine was noted.     

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography Assay for Determination of 18-β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid in Plasma

Abstract

This report presents a useful high pressure chromatography assay for determination of the proposed chemopreventive agent 18-β-glycerrhetinic acid (GA) in murine and human plasma. Drug was released from plasma proteins through precipitation with a mixture of sodium bisulfate and sodium chloride after which it was extracted with acetonitrile. Standard calibration curves of GA covered the concentration range of 2.5 to 120 μg/ml. The lower limit of detection was 0.5 μg/ml. No endogenous plasma constituents from plasma were found to interfere with the determination of GA. Recover of GA from plasma was greater than 95% over a concentration range of 20 to 100 μg/ml. Linearity of the assay was excellent; within-run precision showed a C.V. of 4.2% at 25 μg/ml, 5.6% at 20 μg/ml and 3.4% at 120 μg/ml. Between-run assay precision and accuracy was also considered to be excellent. The specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the procedure are adequate for proposed clinical pharmacology studies of this agent.     

A Fluorimetric Method for the Determination of Atmospheric Sulphur Dioxide With 2′, 7′—Dichlorofluorescein∗

Abstract

A rapid, simple and sensitive fluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of atmospheric sulphur dioxide with dichlorofluorescein as fluorogenic reagent (λ_ex = 505 nm, λ_em = 520 nm) at pH 4.0–6.0. A linear calibration curve was obtained in the range 0.01–0.40 μg SO₂/25 ml. The detection limit is 0.01 μg SO₂/25 ml. Nitrogen dioxide does not interfere with the method. The method was successfully applied to the determination of atmospheric sulphur dioxide.

     

Indirect Determination of Cyanide by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Two methods for determination of cyanide by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) are developed. Both methods are based on the formation of an ion association compound between a metal complex, (Ag(CN)₂ ^? or Cu(CN)₃ ^2-), and a quaternary ammonium ion (benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium ion). The ion association compound is extracted into isomethylbutylketone (IBMK) and the metal is determined by AAS directly in extract. The method based on the formation of silver cyanide complex provides a reproducibility of 2.5%, a recovery of 99% and a detection limit of 1.7 μg/L while the method based on the formation of copper complex gives a reproducibility of 6%, a recovery of 93% and a detection limit of 0.6 μg/L. Several foreign ions were studied: the method based on the formation of Ag(CN)₂ ^? presents minor interferences.     

A Fluorimetric Method for the Determination of Cyanide with Fluorescein and Iodine∗

Abstract

A rapid, simple and sensitive fluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of cyanide with fluorescein as fluorogenic reagent (λ_ex = 494 nm, λ_em = 514 nm) at pH 6.0–7.0. A linear calibration curve was obtained in the range 0.004–2.0 μg CN^?/25 ml. The detection limit is 0.004 μg CN^-/25 ml. The method was successfully applied to the determination of cyanide in waste water.

     

An Isocratic HPLC Method for the Determination of Cephalosporins in Plasma

Abstract

An isocratic reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the determination of eight cephalosporins in human plasma using UV detection at 254 nm is described. Plasma proteins were precipitated using acetonitrile prior to injection of a 10 μl aliquot onto an octadecylsilane column. The mobile phases consisted of 6–11% acetonitrile in sodium dihydrogen phosphate (0.01M). The minimum detectable limit for each drug was less than 1 γg/ml of plasma. Possible interference from other drugs which might be administered concurrently is discussed. The reproducibility and precision of the method for cephalosporin assay are shown from the analysis of plasma containing 5–500 γg/ml of plasma. The chromatographic behavior of the eight cephalosporins was examined by varying mobile phase conditions.     

Flow Injection Analysis of Hydrogen Peroxide,Sulfite, Formaldehyde and Hydroxymethanesulfonic Acid in Precipitation Samples

Abstract

Hydroxymethanesulfonic acid (HMSA), the reaction product of sulfite and formaldehyde plays an important part in the aqueous phase conversion of sulfite to sulfate. HMSA is fairly stable under acidic conditions and in presence of hydrogen peroxide. Sulfite is unstable under these conditions.

A flow injection set-up was developed, which allows the determination of H₂O₂, sulfite, formaldehyde and hydroxymethanesulfonic acid.

H₂O₂ analysis by amperometric detection offers the possibility of a simple, robust field instrument. The detection limit is 5μg/l and the method is linear up to 5mg/l.

Based on the 4,4-dithiodipyridine/sulfite reaction selective and sensitive spectrophotometric detections were developed for sulfite, formaldehyde and hydroxymethanesulfonic acid. The detection limit of these compounds is 50μg/l and the method is linear up to 5mg/l.

A large fraction of S(IV) is present as HMSA in fog, dew and precipitation samples in The Netherlands.     

Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic and Thin Layer Chromatographic Methods for the Simultaneous Determination of Benazepril Hydrochloride and Hydrochlorothiazide in Cibadrex Tablets

ABSTRACT

Two procedures were developed for simultaneous determination of benazepril hydrochloride (I) and hydrochlorothiazide (II) in pure, laboratory made mixtures and in pharmaceutical dosage form “Cibadrex tablets® using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic and thin layer chromatographic methods.

For reversed phase HPLC, a new very sensitive, rapid, selective method was developed. The linearity ranges were 32-448 ng/20 μl and 40-560 ng/20 μl for benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The corresponding recoveries were 99.38 ± 1.526 and 99.2 ± 1.123.

The minimum detection limits were 7 ng/20 μl and 14 ng/20 μl for benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide respectively.

On the other hand, a new, simple, sensitive and fast thin layer chromatographic scanning densitometric method was developed for simultaneous determination of benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide using ethyl acetate: methanol: ammonia (85: 20: 10 v/v) as the developing system. The R_f values were 0.33 & 0.68 for benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide respectively. The minimum detection limit obtained was 0.12 μg/spot for benazepril hydrochloride and 0.24 μg/spot for hydrochlorothiazide. The mean percentage recoveries were 100.04 ± 1.102 and 99.31 ± 1.009 for benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide respectively.

The two proposed methods were simple, precise, sensitive and could be successfully applied for the determination of pure, laboratory made mixtures and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The results obtained were compared with those obtained by A ^1%.     

Linear Scan Stripping Voltammetry at Glassy-Carbon Based Thin Mercury Film Electrodes for Determination of Trace Aluminium in Dialysis Fluids.

Abstract

Linear scan cathodic stripping voltammetry at glassy-carbon based thin mercury film electrodes is a simple and inexpensive alternative for determining trace Al(III) in dialysis fluids.

The efficiency of a variety of ligands (SVRS, Cupferron and Blue Black Eriochrome R) was evaluated comparing their voltamperometric response by application of a linear scan mode, after preconcentration into the mercury film electrode as Al(III) complexes.

The best results were obtained when Cupferron was used as ligand, since its stripping current compares favourably in terms of sensitivity and resolution. The sharply defined cathodic peak at -1.3 V, corresponding to the reduction of the interfacial accumulated complex, could be used for quantitation. The response is linear up to 50 μg/l; correlation coefficient, 0.995. The relative standard deviation (at 20 μg/l level) is 3.5%, a detection limit of 0.5μg/l was estimated from the signal to noise characteristics of the response for 5 μg/l, which compares favourably among the reported electroanalytical methods for aluminium.

We calibrated the method under conditions of use estimating the trace aluminium exposure in patients undergoing dialytic treatment.     

New Rapid Assay for Nafcillin by Spectrofluorimetry in Pharmaceutical Dosage

Abstract

A method for the spectrofluorimetric determination of nafcillin is proposed (λ_ex = 226 nm, λ_em = 366 nm), for concentrations between 0.10 and 1.0 μg mL^?1. The method was performed in ethanol/water medium (30% V/V), at apparent pH 6.0 provided by adding of phosphate buffer solution with pH = 6.20.

The obtained values of detection and determination limits are 0.016 and 0.054 μg mL^?1, respectively.

The method was successfully applied to assay a commercial injection containing nafcillin sodium monohydrate.     

Kinetic Flow Injection Spectrophotometric Determination of Nitrite by its Catalytic Effect on the Oxidation of Chlorophosphonazo-pN by Bromate

Abstract

A flow injection kinetic method has been developed for the determination of nitrite, based on its catalytic effect on bromate oxidation of chlorophosphonazo-pN in H₂SO₄ medium. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance at 551 nm. The sampling frequency was 83 h^?1. The calibration curve was linear between 0.050 and 1.00 μg/ml, and the detection limit was 0.018 μg/ml. The proposed method was applied to the determination of nitrite in waters and soil with satisfactory results.     

Optimization of a Direct Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay for Carbofuran and Application to Water Samples

Abstract

A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for carbofuran was developed, which was based on the anti-BFNB IgG monoclonal antibody (McAb) and a homologous enzyme tracer (BFNB-HRP). The influence of several physicochemical factors (salt, pH, detergent, and solvent) on the immunoassay was studied. For the standard curve, an I₅₀ of 2.98 µg/l and a limit of detection (I₁₀) of 0.27 µg/l was obtained in a high salt concentration buffer (0.08 M PBS, pH 7.0) with 0.03% BSA. A common challenge for immunoassay, time-dependent drift, was effectively circumvented in our study. The optimized ELISA has been used to quantify carbofuran in water samples spiked at different amounts. The excellent recoveries (71% to 130%) achieved confirmed the potential of the immunoassay for monitoring of carbofuran in waters without purification steps.     

Determination of Suramin in Plasma and Urine by Ion-Paired Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay has been developed for the quantification of the anti-viral drug suramin (SUR) in human plasma and urine. This assay is simple and accurate, using an isocratic mobile phase in a reverse-phase ion-pairing mode.

This assay was developed for the determination of high levels of suramin in the urine and plasma of patients being treated for the acquired immunodefficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The limit of detection of this assay was 0.25 μg/mL. Congo red (CR) was used as the internal standard with a retention time of 5.9 min, while suramin had a retention time of 13 min.