Enrichment and trapping of volatile trace components by means of chromatographic solvent evaporation

Summary A study was carried out to evaluate an enrichment procedure for volatile trace components from a solvent or a gas employing a simultaneous chromatography and evaporation process of the solvent from a capillary tube. Quantitative concentration can be achieved for compounds that chromatograph at a slower speed through the solvent film than the speed of evaporation of the solvent. The influence of various parameters such as evaporation temperature, solvent-solute polarity etc. are discussed. Polarity influences proved to be particularly important for the behaviour of the trace components, and this is demonstrated with examples. Selected enrichments can be obtained by employing different solvents. A further development of the technique is expected to lead to significant advances in trace analyses.     

Eine Mikromethode der Flammen-Atomabsorptions- und Emissionsspektrometrie (Platinschlaufen-Methode)—III: Verbesserung der analytischen Aussage durch zeitliche Auflösung der Impulssignale

By the application of storage oscillograph or a transient recorder in combination with a common chart recorder, the transient signals obtained with the loop method were time-resolved. This approach permitted a better analysis and interpretation of the phenomena, and allowed the statement of operating conditions that yield improved analytical performance including the power of detection. From the shape of the signal, conclusions could be drawn regarding the uniformity of the sample evaporation and the formation of compounds with differing evaporation behaviour.     

Highly-sensitive micellar electrokinetic chromatographic analysis of dioxin-related compounds using on-line concentration.

An application study of an on-line concentration technique of neutral analytes for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was carried out in environmental analysis to enhance the UV detection sensitivity. Several dioxins and related compounds, such as dibenzofuran, dibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3- and 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, and 2,3,7-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, were used as test solutes. For a highly sensitive separation and detection, cyclodextrin-modified MEKC (CD-MEKC) under acidic conditions was employed as a separation mode and stacking using reverse migrating micelles and a water plug (SRW) as an on-line concentration technique. Almost a 200-fold gain in detection sensitivity was obtained for the model compounds in SRW-CD-MEKC compared to that in normal CD-MEKC without on-line concentration and the limit of detection was found to be around 0.1 ppm for each solute.     

PRODUCTION OF PEPTIDE COMPOUNDS FROM ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND HYDROXYLAMINE BY RADIATIONINDUCED SYNTHESIS*

Abstract Aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol and hydroxylamine in a 10:1 weight ratio were irradiated with an immersion-type mercury-vapour lamp, under static and dynamic conditions. The photochemical products obtained were fractionated by means of ion-exchange resins, gel filtration on Sephadex G 10, paper chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography. Biuret reaction was carried out on the various fractions, and different nitrogen forms as well as amino acids, before and after hydrolysis, were determined. Irradiation was found to bring about the formation of a number of organic compounds, including peptides. The yields of these compounds were determined in relation to the concentration and the flow rate of the solutions. The yields increased with increase in the two variables. The fractions richest in peptide compounds, coming from gel-filtration and thin-layer chromatography, were studied by the technique of DNP-derivatives. The constituent amino acids were found to be glycine, β-alanine, α-alanine, glutamic acid and leucine. The average length of the chains contained 7 amino acids.     

Elimination of matrix effects for static headspace analysis of ethanol.

The intention of this work was to develop a simple and fast procedure for a determination of small amounts of ethanol in aqueous protein containing solutions based on combined headspace gas chromatography. In order to provide for short analysis time static headspace methodology was considered for this purpose. In this context the influence of the matrix composition onto the analytical results has been established and internal standardization as well as a full evaporation technique have been evaluated as promising alternatives for a compensation of matrix effects. With respect to speed of analysis, simplicity of sample handling as well as the quality of the analytical performance parameters, precision and accuracy, the full evaporation technique proved to be superior. Thus, the static equilibration of a 20 microliters sample aliquot in a conventional headspace sample vial for 5 min at 100 degrees C is sufficient to obtain equilibrium conditions for gas chromatographic analysis. The accuracy of this method was verified by robust regression analysis and exhibited excellent robustness within the required limits of sample composition ranging from 0 to 20% (w/w) protein content and up to 5 g/l salt content.     

Preliminary Study on the Use of Water-in-Oil Microemulsion Eluents in HPLC

This paper describes the use of water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion eluents to achieve unique normal phase HPLC separations. The effects of varying the oil type, co-surfactant, surfactant, use of mixed surfactant and water concentration upon the chromatographic performance was assessed. Other parameters such as temperature and flow rate were also investigated. An optimised set of W/O microemulsion HPLC (MELC) operating conditions was then applied to the separation of a range of acids, bases and neutral compounds. The more water soluble compounds were more highly retained. W/O MELC was found to be especially suitable for determination of water insoluble compounds. The drug content in bumetanide tablets was determined by W/O MELC with good linearity and accuracy. The solubilising ability of the W/O microemulsion reduced sample preparation (precipitation and extraction) requirements compared to conventional HPLC. The results obtained compared well with those obtained by a validated reverse phase HPLC method. It is recommended that W/O MELC should be considered for routine applications, especially for the analysis of water insoluble compounds in complex sample matrices. Further research is recommended to more definitely assess the operating parameters of W/O MELC and to determine other applications.     

Development of a headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the identification of odour-causing volatile compounds in packaging materials

A method for the identification of volatile organic compounds in packaging materials is presented in this study. These compounds are formed by thermooxidative degradation during the extrusion coating process in the manufacture of packaging. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was used as sample preparation technique prior to the determination of the volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The effects of extraction variables, such as the type of fibre, the incubation temperature, the pre-incubation time, the size of the vial and the extraction time on the amounts of the extracted volatile compounds were studied. The optimal conditions were found to be: carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane 75 microm fibre, 5 min of pre-incubation time, 100 degrees C of incubation temperature, 20-ml vial, and 15 min of extraction time. The chromatograms obtained by HS-SPME and static headspace extraction were compared in order to show that the HS-SPME method surpasses the static headspace method in terms of sensitivity. Twenty-five compounds were identified including carbonyl compounds (such as 3-methyl-butanal, 3-heptanone or octanal), carboxylic acids (such as pentanoic acid or hexanoic acid) known as odour causing compounds and hydrocarbons (such as decane, undecane or dodecane). Finally, the method was applied to different packaging samples (one odour-unacceptable, two odour-acceptable, and three odourless samples) and to the raw materials in order to find out the odour-responsible volatile organic compounds and their source.     

Volatilisation,Evaporation and Vapour Pressure Studies Using a Thermobalance

There is considerable interest in performing volatilisation and evaporation measurements by thermogravimetry. A quick and simple method for determining vapour pressure using a conventional thermobalance and standard sample holders has been developed. These yield meaningful thermodynamic parameters such as the enthalpies of sublimation and vaporisation. Under favourable conditions the melting temperature and enthalpy of fusion of such compounds can be obtained. This technique has been used for the study of dyes, UV absorbers and plasticisers. The use of modulated- temperature programs for such work is also described. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of supercritical fluid extraction for isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometric quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been evaluated as an extraction technique for the isotope-dilution quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a sediment sample. A high-resolution mass-spectrometric system equipped with a gas chromatograph was employed for the determination of seven target PCB congeners. The effect of the operation parameters on the SFE efficiency was investigated, in which the analytical values of five target PCB congeners significantly increased with increases in the extraction temperature and pressure, and that of 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl further increased by applying static extraction. The following conditions were found to be optimal: extraction temperature, 140 degrees C; pressure, 30 MPa; time and mode, static for 15 min then dynamic for 30 min. Under these conditions, the addition of modifiers influenced the extraction of polar compounds, but did not affect the analytical values of the PCB congeners. The optimized method was suitable for high-throughput analysis as well as for providing accurate analytical results, which were comparable to or better than the analytical results obtained by Soxhlet extraction.     

Flash Evaporation and Headspace Solid-phase Microextraction for the Analysis of the Essential Oils in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Houttuynia Cordata Thunb

We have investigated the use of flash evaporation, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and steam distillation (SD) as sample concentration and preparation techniques for the analysis of volatile constituents present in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Comparison studies were performed. It was found that the results obtained between Headspace solid-phase microextraction HS-SPME and SD techniques were in good agreement, Seventy-nine compounds in Houlluynia cordata Thunh were identified by MS. In flash evaporation, thirty-nine compounds were identified. Discrimination in the response for many constituents studied was not observed, which can be clearly observed in SD and HS-SPME techniques. As a conclusion, HS-SPME is a powerful tool for determining the volatile constitutes present in the Houttuynia cordata.     

The influence of operating conditions on the evaluation of biological marker compound distributions in petroleum geochemistry by gas chromatorgaphy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The effects of the operating conditions for gas chromatoraphy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (g.c./m.s.) on the observed distributions of biological marker compounds in petroleum are considered. Resolution and the accuracy and precision of quantification were investigated for components of geochemical significance. Methylsilicone stationary phases were generally suitable for aliphatic biomarker analysis, although some components co-eluted on these phases. The inclusion of ca. 5% phenyl groups into methylsilicone phases provided improved resolution of certain alkane biomarkers, and also allowed satisfactory analysis of classes of aromatic biomarker compounds. Vaporising and non-vaporising injection techniques in g.c./m.s. were compared for accuracy and reproducibility of relative component quantification. Cooled on-column injection wa found to be the most suitable technique in biomarker analysis. The effect of long-term variation in the operating conditions for the spectrometer on the reproducibility of quantification data was found to be at least as significant as the effect of the sample injection technique.     

Analysis of volatile components of drugs and explosives by solid phase microextraction-ion mobility spectrometry

Current ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) devices are used to detect drugs and explosives in the form of particles and, in cases where the vapor pressure of the drugs or explosives is sufficiently high, the gas can be sampled and detected directly. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of solid phase microextraction (SPME) as a preconcentration technique coupled to an IMS for the detection of odor signature compounds of drugs and explosives. The reduced mobilities (K(o)) and IMS operating conditions for the odor signature compounds of cocaine, marijuana, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) are reported for the first time. LODs, linear dynamic ranges (LDRs), and the precision of the analysis of these odor signature compounds, and the explosive taggant 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) were obtained by SPME-IMS and normal IMS conditions. The systematic optimization of the IMS operating parameters for the detection of these odor compounds is also reported incorporating the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) for finding the optimal settings for the detection of these compounds of interest. These results support the case for targeting volatile components as a presumptive detection for the presence of the parent compounds of drugs and explosives. Furthermore, the IMS-specific GA developed can be used as an optimization tool for the detection of other compounds of interest in future work.     

Comparison of Common Solvent Evaporation Techniques in Organic Analysis

Abstract

Isolation of organic constituents from water frequently involves an extraction with a large volume of organic solvent which must be reduced to achieve the desired sensitivity. The objective of this research was to evaluate common solvent evaporation techniques to determine which are acceptable for use in pollutant analysis. Techniques for solvent reduction from 200 to 10 mL (macro) and 8 to 0.2 mL (micro) were evaluated. The macro concentration technques included Kuderna-Danish (K-D) concentration, rotary evaporation, evaporation on a hot plate in an Erlen-meyer flask, and heated nitrogen blowdown in an Erlenmeyer flask. The micro techniques included micro K-D concentration, nitrogen blowdown, and nitrogen blowdown with a modified Snyder column. A series of model compounds covering a wide range of boiling points (108° to 323°C) and polarity was used. Based upon recovery efficiency alone, nitrogen blowdown was significantly superior to the other macro techniques; however, its extreme slowness gave K-D the highest Figure of Merit. With methylene chloride as the solvent, nitrogen blowdown with a column was the superior technique.     

Efficient Synthesis of Five Types of Heterocyclic Compounds via Intramolecular Elimination Using Ultrasound‐Static Heating Technique

An experimental technique, ultrasound‐static heating, has been developed for the efficient synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. The technique involves ultrasonic irradiation and static heating processes. First, the ultrasonic irradiation process is performed to form an intermediate of the heterocyclic compound under mild conditions and the subsequent static heating process (heating the intermediate under solvent‐free conditions without stirring) produces the target heterocyclic compounds via intramolecular elimination.     

New methodologies in trace analysis of volatile organic compounds

Two methods for sampling and concentration of volatile organic compounds are reported. In the first method, traps coated with a very thick film (ca. 100 μm) of cross-linked silicone stationary phase are employed. Such thick films can be prepared with a modified dynamic coating procedure, which is briefly described. The low phase ratio traps can be utilized for enrichment of volatiles from gaseous as well as aqueous matrices. The second technique is based on chromatographic evaporation of a solvent in a capillary tube, where the process is sustained by a repeated sample injection and a cyclic flow reversal. In this way, large solvent volumes can be handled by a small volume system. Under optimal conditions, when using a solvent barrier, quantitative recovery is possible even for compounds of comparatively high volatility. Another important application of the technique is extraction of trace components from gases such as headspace samples, polluted air, etc.     

Analysis of organic and non-organic arsenious or selenious compounds by capillary electrophoresis

High-performance capillary electrophoresis appeared as an efficient tool for the separation of organic and non-organic arsenious or selenious compounds. The effect of operating conditions, such as pH, concentration of the background electrolyte and addition of surfactant to the background electrolyte in order to reverse the electroosmotic flow, has been studied. This separation technique leads to low levels of detection for both classes of compounds, if mass sensitivity is considered (several tens of pg), but it requires quite concentrated samples (several mg 1^–1), if concentration sensitivity is considered.     

Original Preparation of PEKK Dispersion for Coating by Transfer from a Chloroform Stable Dispersion to an Aqueous Stable Dispersion,by Emulsion/Solvent Evaporation

In this work, aqueous dispersions of PolyEtherKetoneKetone (PEKK) oligomers were obtained by an emulsion/dispersion solvent evaporation technique. The PEKK oligomers were synthesized by a Friedel–Crafts acylation with a number average degree of polymerization of 4. The synthesized PEKK oligomers had very good thermal stability and spontaneously formed a stable dispersion of swollen micrometric fibers in chloroform. After sonication of the chloroform dispersion in water in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and evaporation, we obtained aggregated particles with a mean diameter between 120 and 160 nm, decreasing linearly with the PEKK concentration. The most stable dispersions were obtained with 0.5% wt of surfactant and, at a fixed concentration of SDS, the stability decreased when the PEKK concentration was increased. The different dispersions of PEKK in water were very stable and, after water evaporation, formed homogeneous films for high-performance coating.     

Pressurized liquid extraction as a novel sample pre-treatment for trace element leaching from biological material

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), commonly used for organic compounds extraction, has been applied for trace element leaching from marine biological material in order to determine major and trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Pb, Se, Sr, V and Zn). The released elements by formic acid PLE have been evaluated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Different variables, such as formic acid concentration, extraction temperature, static time, extraction steps, pressure, mean particle size and diatomaceous earth (DE) mass/sample mass ratio were simultaneously studied by applying an experimental design approach (Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD)). Results showed that the extraction temperature was statistically significant (confidence interval of 95%) for most of the elements (high metal releasing was achieved at high temperatures). In addition, formic acid concentration was also statistically significant (confidence interval of 95%) for metals such as Cd and Cu. Most of the metals can be extracted using the same PLE operating conditions (formic acid concentration of 1.0 M, extraction temperature at 125 °C, static time of 5 min, one extraction step, extraction pressure at 500 psi and DE mass/sample mass ratio of 2). Taking in mind PLE requirements at the optimised operating conditions (125 °C), a time of 6 min is needed to pre-heat the cell. Therefore, the PLE assisted multi-element leaching is completed after 12 min. Analytical performances, such as limits of detection and quantification, repeatability of the over-all procedure and accuracy, by analysing GBW-08571, DORM-2, DOLT-3 and TORT-2 certified reference materials, were finally assessed.     

Solvent-assisted supercritical fluid extraction for the isolation of semivolatile flavor compounds from the cinnamons of commerce and their separation by series-coupled column gas chromatography

Solvent-assisted supercritical fluid extraction is superior to Soxhlet extraction, solvent extraction at reflux, and simultaneous setam distillation solvent extraction for the isolation of semivolatile compounds from the cinnamons of commerce. Optimized extraction conditions are described using carbon dioxide at 300 atm and 70°C to extract 0.5 g of powdered cinnamon mixed with 4.5 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate to which 1.0 ml of acetonitrile was added at the start of the sequential 30 min static and 30 min dynamic extraction. The semivolatile compounds were collected by solvent trapping in ethyl acetate and analyzed directly by series coupled-column gas chromatography after filtration and partial solvent evaporation. Twenty-one compounds identified by mass spectrometry were quantified in twenty-four samples of cinnamon and cassia purchased in Sri Lanka, Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. True cinnamon is easily distinguished from cassia by the presence of eugenol, absence of δ-cadinene, much lower amounts of coumarin, and larger amounts of benzyl benzoate. Principal component analysis using the relative composition of the twelve major semivolatile compounds provides a clear distinction between true cinnamon and cassia as well as useful interspecies differences which can be used for further classification.     

Characterization of secondary volatile profiles in Nigella sativa seeds from two different origins using accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from herbs is of great interest. In this study, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique was used to analyze the secondary volatile profiles in Nigella sativa seeds obtained from two different origins, Egypt and Bangladesh. The main extraction parameters, including extraction temperature, pressure and static extraction time, were investigated and optimized. Identification and quantification of the major constituents in nonpolar extracts (hexane) were achieved by means of GC‐FID/GC‐MS analysis with external standards. The two seeds showed a similar variety of chemical composition; however, the secondary volatiles profile of Bangladesh seed was higher than that of the Egyptian seed. A total of 25 compounds were identified from the ASE extract under the following optimum extraction conditions: 100°C, 1500 psi and 5 min, for extraction temperature, pressure and static time, respectively. The proposed technique can be used for the characterization of N. sativa varieties or cultivars. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.