Simultaneous determination of pinoxaden,cloquintocet-mexyl,clodinafop-propargyl ester and its major metabolite in barley products and soil using QuEChERS modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes coupled with LC–MS/MS

Herein, a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as a dispersive solid-phase extraction was developed for simultaneous determination of pinoxaden (PXD), cloquintocet-mexyl (CLM), clodinafop-propargyl ester (CPE) and its major metabolite (clodinafop, CP) in barley grass powder, barley grain, and soil using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). We found that MWCNT as an absorbent could improve the recoveries of the tested analytes, particularly CP, in complex matrices. Under the optimum conditions, the established MWCNT-modified QuEChERS coupled with LC–MS/MS method exhibited excellent linearity (R²) of ≥0.9912, low limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) of 0.02–0.07 and 0.29–1.26 μg kg⁻¹, and acceptable recoveries of 80–130% with intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 10.5%. No strong matrix effect (ME) has been observed on the respective samples. The method was successfully applied to monitor the tested analytes in the representative field incurred samples. Conclusively, the proposed method is sensitive and reliable and could be used to monitor the residues of PDX, CLM, CPE, and CP in complicated agro-products and soil matrices.     

Analysis of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides and their phenolic conversion products in soil by microwave assisted solvent extraction and subsequent analysis of extracts by on-line solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography

A multiresidue method for the determination of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides and their phenolic conversion products in soil was developed. The method was based on microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) of soil samples by an aqueous methanolic mixture and subsequent analysis of extracts by automated solid-phase extraction followed by on-line high-performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection. MASE parameters (extraction temperature and time, composition of the extraction mixture and extraction volume) were optimized with respect to analyte recoveries. The method was validated with two types of soils containing 1.5 and 3.5% organic matter, respectively, both types containing fresh and aged residues of sought analytes. Under the selected analytical conditions when soils with fresh residues were analyzed all target analytes were recovered above 80% from the soil containing 1.5% organic matter, while limits of identification at the level of 20-40 ng/g were achieved. From the soil containing 3.5% organic matter the least polar phenolic analytes exhibited slightly reduced recoveries, while identification limits of 30-50 ng/g were achieved. Samples with aged residues exhibited reduced recoveries for some analytes, the reduction amounting up to 6-12% within 1 month of aging period depending on soil organic matter.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of auxins and flavonoids in plant samples by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Simultaneous determination of indole-3-acetic acid and methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester in small amounts of plant tissue is essential for elucidating their mutual transformation mechanism and the in vivo function of methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester. Rapid quantification of flavonoids in the same sample is important for clarifying their roles in the transport of auxins and other phytohormones. Herein, we describe a simple method for the simultaneous determination of indole-3-acetic acid and its methyl ester in the roots of the Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and a protocol for the rapid extraction and quantification of quercetin and kaempferol in these seedlings. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was used for the detection of all the compounds. Negative data for indole-3-acetic acid and positive data for methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester were collected in two successive files with a single injection of the extracted sample. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection for the four compounds was 2 ng/mL for indole-3-acetic acid, 0.5 ng/mL for methyl indole-3-acetic acid ester, 5 ng/mL for quercetin, and 1 ng/mL for kaempferol, respectively. Because of the high sensitivity of the assay, only 2-10 mg of the plant material was required to obtain quantitative results.     

Quantitative analysis of caffeic acid phenethyl ester in crude propolis by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis from honeybee hives, is known to have antimitogenic, anticarcinogenic, antinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The paper describes a rapid and simple liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry method for qualitative and quantitative determination of CAPE. The chromatographic separation was performed with a Luna RP-C18 column using a water-acetonitrile linear gradient. The method was linear over a 0.125-80 ng/mL range (LOD = 62.5 pg/mL). The method was applied for the quantitation of caffeic acid phenethyl ester in crude propolis samples, which were analysed directly after extraction with ethyl acetate solution.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of phosphorus-containing amino acid herbicides in soil samples by capillary zone electrophoresis with diode laser-induced fluorescence detection

A straightforward and sensitive method has been developed for the analysis of phosphorus-containing amino acid herbicides (glufosinate and aminomethylphosphonic acid, the major metabolite of glyphosate) in soil samples. For this purpose, the analytical features of two indocyanine fluorescent dyes, sulfoindocyanine succinimidyl ester (Cy5) and 1-ethyl-1-[5-(N-succinimidyl-oxycarbonyl)pentyl]-3,3,3,3-tetramethyl-indodicarbocyanine chloride, as labeling reagents for the determination of these herbicides by CZE with diode LIF detection were investigated. Practical aspects related to the labeling chemistry and CZE separation showed that the two probes behave similarly, Cy5 being the best choice for the determination of these herbicides on account of its higher sensitivity. The optimum procedure includes a derivatization step of the pesticides at 25 degrees C for 30 min and direct injection to CZE analysis, which is conducted within about 14 min using ACN in the running buffer. The lowest detectable analyte concentration ranged from 0.025 to 0.18 microg/L with a precision of 3.6-5.4%. These results indicate that indocyanine fluorescence dyes are useful as rapid and sensitive labels for the determination of these herbicides when compared with typical fluorescein dyes such as FITC and 5-(4,6-dichloro-s-triazin-2-ylamino) fluorescein, because they provide faster labeling reactions even at room temperature and the excess of reagent practically does not interfere the determination. Finally, the Cy5 method was successfully applied to soil samples without a preliminary clean-up procedure, and the herbicides were measured without any interference from coexisting substances. The recoveries of these compounds in these samples at fortification levels of 100-500 ng/g were 90-93%.     

Utilization of a Novel Immunofluorescence Instrument Prototype for the Determination of the Herbicide Glyphosate

An enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFIA) method has been developed for the quantitative analytical determination of the herbicide active ingredient glyphosate in environmental matrices (surface water, soil, and plant tissues). Glyphosate, as a ubiquitous agricultural pollutant, is a xenobiotic substance with exposure in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems due its extremely high worldwide application rate. The immunoassay developed in Project Aquafluosense is part of a fluorescence-based instrumentation setup for the in situ determination of several characteristic water quality parameters. The 96-well microplate-based competitive immunoassay method applies fluorescence signal detection in the concentration range of 0–100 ng/mL glyphosate. Application of the fluorescent signal provides a limit of detection of 0.09 ng/mL, which is 2.5-fold lower than that obtained with a visual absorbance signal. Beside the improved limit of detection, determination by fluorescence provided a wider and steeper dynamic range for glyphosate detection. No matrix effect appeared for the undiluted surface water samples, while plant tissues and soil samples required dilution rates of 1:10 and 1:100, respectively. No cross-reaction was determined with the main metabolite of glyphosate, N-aminomethylphosphonic acid, and related compounds.     

Determination of triazine herbicides in environmental samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, efficient, and environmentally friendly method for the determination of five triazine herbicides in water and soil samples was developed by using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The water samples were directly used for DLLME extraction. For soil samples, the target analytes were first extracted by water-methanol (99:1, v/v). In the DLLME extraction method, chloroform was used as an extraction solvent, and acetonitrile as a dispersive solvent. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors of DLLME were in the range between 183-221. The linearity of the method was obtained in the range of 0.5-200 ng/mL for the water sample analysis, and 1-200 ng/g for the soil samples, respectively. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9968 to 0.9999. The limits of detection were 0.05-0.1 ng/mL for the water samples, and 0.1-0.2 ng/g for the soil samples. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of target triazine herbicides (simazin, atrazine, prometon, ametryn, and prometryn) in water and soil samples with satisfactory results.     

On-line Micro Solid-Phase Extraction of Clodinafop Propargyl from Water,Soil and Wheat Samples Using Electrospun Polyamide Nanofibers

An on-line extraction/determination set up was designed for micro solid-phase extraction of clodinafop propargyl from water, soil and wheat samples using electrospun polyamide nanofiber mats. The prepared mats were packed in a stainless steel tube which conveniently acted as a high-performance liquid chromatography injection loop. Influential parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized using a distilled water sample fortified with 25 μg L^?1 of clodinafop propargyl. An enrichment factor of 440 was achieved for clodinafop propargyl indicating the ability of the whole procedure. Under the optimum conditions, the linearity for the analyte was in the range of 6–700 μg L^?1, while a limit of detection and limit of quantification of 2 and 6 μg L^?1 were achieved, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day RSD% at the concentration level of 25 μg L^?1 were 4.6 and 9.3 %, respectively. To investigate the matrix effect, the developed method was applied to the analysis of real water samples including paddy and river waters as well as the wheat and soil samples. The relative recovery percentages for the spiked samples were in the range of 63–95 %.     

固相萃取/超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定不同水体中5种人造甜味剂、6种造影剂及咖啡因

建立了快速检测不同水样(地表水、污水处理厂进水和出水)中5种人造甜味剂、6种造影剂和咖啡因的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)方法。利用HR-X固相萃取柱对过滤后的水样进行富集净化。采用Zorbax SB-C_(18)色谱柱分离,电喷雾正模式(ESI+)和负模式(ESI-)下分别以乙腈-水(10 mmol/L乙酸铵,0.01%甲酸)和乙腈-水(5 mmol/L乙酸铵,1 mmol/L Tris)为流动相,多反应监测模式(MRM)检测。各目标化合物在5~5 000μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.998。地表水、污水处理厂进水和出水的回收率为70%~120%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.8%~19.0%,方法检出限(MDL)分别为0.43~13.8、1.80~34.8、2.30~134 ng/L。应用该方法对广州某污水处理厂进水和出水及受纳河流河水进行检测,除阿斯巴甜、碘他拉酸、碘普罗胺、碘美普尔外,其他物质均有检出且浓度较高。该方法准确、灵敏、操作简便,适用于多种环境水样中人造甜味剂、造影剂和咖啡因的分析检测。     

固相萃取/高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定黄瓜及土壤中的春雷霉素残留

建立了测定黄瓜和土壤中春雷霉素残留的固相萃取/高效液相色谱-串联质谱(SPE/HPLC-MS/MS)方法。黄瓜和土壤样品分别经1%甲酸的甲醇、0.5%甲酸水提取后,采用MCX固相萃取柱净化,以Waters Xbridge BEH Amide色谱柱分离,0.2%甲酸水-乙腈溶液进行梯度洗脱,电喷雾正离子(ESI+)模式电离,多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,基质匹配标准曲线外标法定量。该方法灵敏、准确、简单快速、重复性好,在2~250μg/L浓度范围内,不同基质中春雷霉素的线性相关系数均大于0.999,检出限为0.002 mg/kg,定量下限为0.008 mg/kg;在0.008、0.040、0.200、0.400 mg/kg 4个加标水平下,春雷霉素在黄瓜和土壤样品中的平均回收率为77.5%~97.0%,相对标准偏差为2.6%~10.7%,能够满足黄瓜及土壤中春雷霉素残留的检测需求。应用该法对田间样品进行检测,结果表明,春雷霉素在黄瓜中的残留量不超过0.053 mg/kg,小于我国规定的黄瓜中最大残留限量(0.2 mg/kg);土壤中春雷霉素的残留量不超过0.013 mg/kg。     

Simultaneous spectrofluorimetric determination of 1-naphthylacetic acid and 1-naphthalenacetamide in commercial formulations and soil samples

A spectrofluorimetric method for the simultaneous determination of 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) and 1-naphthalenacetamide (NAD) was developed. The sample solution containing both analytes was equilibrated with Sephadex QAE A-25 gel by agitation and then only NAA was fixed on gel, while the remaining NAD stayed in the solution. The relative fluorescence intensity of NAA fixed on Sephadex QAE A-25 gel was measured directly after packing the gel beads in a 1-mm silica cell, using a solid-phase attachment. NAD was determined spectrofluorimetrically in the solution. The wavelengths of excitation and emission chosen for the determination of NAA were 280 and 336 nm, respectively, and for NAD determination 222 and 337 nm, respectively. The applicable concentration range was 12-60 ng ml(-1) for NAA and 6-120 ng ml(-1) for NAD. The detection limit was 3 ng ml(-1) for NAA and 2 ng ml(-1) for NAD. The method was applied satisfactorily to the determination of NAA and NAD in commercial formulations of phytohormones and soil samples.     

Methods for determination of hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorophenol in soil samples

The efficiency of methods for the determination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil samples was evaluated. An on-line method was applied for HCB determination. Soil samples were transferred to chromatographic columns prepacked with alumina. The HCB elution was processed with n-hexane. The PCP was extracted from soil samples with n-hexane-acetone in an ultrasonic bath. After re-extraction with K(2)CO(3) solution PCP was acetylated with acetic anhydride. The pentachlorophenyl acetate derivative was then extracted with n-hexane. The HCB and PCP derivative were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Mean recoveries obtained from soil samples fortified at levels of 0.5; 4 and 20 ng g(-1), ranged from 91 to 100% for HCB, and for PCP, at levels of 10; 40 and 200 ng g(-1), ranged from 88 to 101%. These results demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed methods.     

Determination of chlortetracycline residues in tissues using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A method is described for the determination of chlortetracycline residues in tissue samples. The samples were extracted into a hydrochloric acid - glycine solution and the extracts concentrated and purified on cyclohexyl-bonded reversed-phase cartridges. Any chlortetracycline present was converted to iso-chlortetracycline at pH 12, which was then separated from interfering compounds on a reversed-phase polymeric column using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The detection and determination limits of the assay were 20 and 50 ng g-1, respectively, making it suitable for statutory residue testing purposes.     

First-derivative solid-phase spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum at the ng ml(-1) level

Derivative spectrophotometry was applied to solid-phase spectrophotometry in order to enhance its sensitivity and remove the large background noise caused by the absorption of the resin layer itself, and avoid the necessity of preparing a blank. The determination of micro-amounts of molybdenum (at the ng ml(-1) level) with pyrocatechol violet to form a 11 blue complex in acid medium, which is fixed on a dextran-type anion-exchange resin (Sephadex QAE-A-25), is described as an example of the application of this technique. The absorbance of the resin, packed in a 1 mm spectrophotometric cell, was measured directly. The characteristic peak amplitude of the signal at 716 nm in the first-derivative spectra is useful for quantitative determination of molybdenum (2-8 ng ml(-1); RSD = 4, 30%) in natural and industrial water samples, plant tissues and soil extracts.     

Isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry in connection with a chromatographic separation for ultra trace determinations of platinum group elements (Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir) in environmental samples

An isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometric (ID-ICP-QMS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the platinum group elements Pt, Pd, Ru, and Ir in environmental samples. Spike solutions, enriched with the isotopes 194Pt, 108Pd, 99Ru, and 191Ir, were used for the isotope dilution step. Interfering elements were eliminated by chromatographic separation using an anion-exchange resin. Samples were dissolved with aqua regia in a high pressure asher. Additional dissolution of possible silicate portions by hydrofluoric acid was usually not necessary. Detection limits of 0.15 ng x g(-1), 0.075 ng x g(-1), and 0.015 ng x g(-1) were achieved for Pt, Pd, Ru, and Ir, respectively, using sample weights of only 0.2 g. The reliability of the ID-ICP-QMS method was demonstrated by analyzing a Canadian geological reference material and by participating in an interlaboratory study for the determination of platinum and palladium in a homogenized road dust sample. Surface soil, sampled at different distances from a highway, showed concentrations in the range of 0.1-87 ng x g(-1). An exponential decrease of the platinum and palladium concentration with increasing distance and a small anthropogenic contribution to the natural background concentration of ruthenium and iridium was found in these samples.     

Determination of fipronil by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A method for the determination of trace amounts of the insecticide fipronil was developed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring. Fipronil was extracted with a fused-silica fiber coated with 85 microm polyacrylate. The effects of pH, ionic strength, sample volume, extraction and desorption times as well as the extraction temperature were studied. Lindane was used as an internal standard. The linear concentration range of application was 0.3-100 ng ml(-1) of fipronil, with a relative standard deviation of 9.5% (for a level of 50 ng ml(-1)) and a detection limit of 0.08 ng ml(-1). The method was applied to check the eventual existence of fipronil above this limit in water and soil samples from Granada (Spain) as well as in human urine samples. The method validation was completed with spiked matrix samples. The method can be applied as a monitoring tool for water, soil and urine, in the investigation of environmental and occupational exposure to fipronil.     

Analysis of flufenacet in soil, wheat grain and straw by gas chromatography

An analytical procedure for detecting residues of a new herbicide, flufenacet, in soil, wheat grain and straw by gas chromatographic method using various solvents and extraction methods was standardized. The best results were obtained when samples fortified with flufenacet and were extracted with acetone-0.2 M HCl (95:5) using a horizontal shaker for soil and Soxhlet extractor for plant samples. The clean up was done by partitioning with dichloromethane. The GC equipped with an electron-capture detector and a column packing of HP-1 as stationary phase and nitrogen as a carrier gas at a flow-rate of 15 ml min(-1) was used. Temperatures of oven, injector and detector were adjusted at 190, 210 and 270 degrees C, respectively. The retention time of flufenacet was 2.07 min. The herbicide recoveries ranged between 81 to 100% from the three matrices.     

Determination of ivermectin B(1a) in animal plasma by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A novel, sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of ivermectin B(1a) in animal plasma using liquid chromatography combined with positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) is presented. Abamectin was used as the internal standard. Extraction of the samples was performed with a deproteinization step using acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Nucleosil ODS 5 microm column, using gradient elution with 0.2% (v/v) acetic acid in water and 0.2% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile. The method was validated according to the requirements defined by the European Community. Calibration curves using plasma fortified between 1 and 100 ng ml(-1) showed a good linear correlation (r > or = 0.9989, goodness-of-fit coefficient < or =8.1%). The trueness at 2 and 25 ng ml(-1) (n = 6) was +4.2 and -17.1%, respectively. The trueness and between-run precision for the analysis of quality control samples at 25 ng ml(-1) was -4.0 and 11.0%, respectively (n = 16). The limit of quantification of the method was 1.0 ng ml(-1), for which the trueness and precision also fell within acceptable limits. Using a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 : 1, the limit of detection was calculated to be 0.2 ng ml(-1). The specificity was demonstrated with respect to ivermectin B(1b).The method was successfully used for the quantitative determination of ivermectin B(1a) in plasma samples from treated bovines, demonstrating the usefulness of the developed method for application in the field of pharmacokinetics.     

逐级提取-高效液相色谱法快速测定植物组织中8种有机酸

针对植物组织中草酸存在的不同形态,建立了水和稀盐酸作为提取介质的逐级提取方法,获得了水溶态和酸溶态草酸及乙醇酸、乙醛酸、酒石酸、苹果酸、乙酸、柠檬酸、琥珀酸等有机酸。采用Hypersil ODS (200 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm)色谱柱,以5 mmol/L磷酸二氢钾水溶液(pH 2.8)作为流动相,在进样量5 μL、检测波长210 nm、柱温30 ℃的条件下,通过分时段控制流速实现了8种有机酸的快速分离,同时去除了盐酸对酸溶态草酸测定的干扰。本方法精确灵敏、回收率高、重复性好,可应用于实际样品的测定分析。     

Residue determination of glyphosate, glufosinate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in water and soil samples by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes a method for the sensitive and selective determination of glyphosate, glufosinate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues in water and soil samples. The method involves a derivatization step with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC) in borate buffer and detection based on liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). In the case of water samples a volume of 10 mL was derivatized and then 4.3 mL of the derivatized mixture was directly injected in an on-line solid phase extraction (SPE)-LC-MS/MS system using an OASIS HLB cartridge column and a Discovery chromatographic column. Soil samples were firstly extracted with potassium hydroxide. After that, the aqueous extract was 10-fold diluted with water and 2 mL were derivatized. Then, 50 microL of the derivatized 10-fold diluted extract were injected into the LC-MS/MS system without pre-concentration into the SPE cartridge. The method has been validated in both ground and surface water by recovery studies with samples spiked at 50 and 500 ng/L, and also in soil samples, spiked at 0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg. In water samples, the mean recovery values ranged from 89 to 106% for glyphosate (RSD <9%), from 97 to 116% for AMPA (RSD < 10%), and from 72 to 88% in the case of glufosinate (RSD < 12%). Regarding soil samples, the mean recovery values ranged from 90 to 92% for glyphosate (RSD <7%), from 88 to 89% for AMPA (RSD <5%) and from 83 to 86% for glufosinate (RSD <6%). Limits of quantification for all the three compounds were 50 ng/L and 0.05 mg/kg in water and soil, respectively, with limits of detection as low as 5 ng/L, in water, and 5 microg/kg, in soil. The use of labelled glyphosate as internal standard allowed improving the recovery and precision for glyphosate and AMPA, while it was not efficient for glufosinate, that was quantified by external standards calibration. The method developed has been applied to the determination of these compounds in real water and soil samples from different areas. All the detections were confirmed by acquiring two transitions for each compound.