Determination of aromatic primary amines at microg l(-1) level in environmental waters by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry involving N-allyl-n'-arylthiourea formation and their on-line pyrolysis to aryl isothiocyanates

Derivatization of aromatic primary amines to N-allyl-N'-arylthioureas by reaction with allyl isothiocyanate and GC-MS of the derivatives, when pyrolysis to aryl isothiocyanates occurs in the heated injector, has been used to determine aromatic amines in the range 0.5-50 microg l(-1) with a correlation coefficient, r, in the range 0.9902-0.9992. The limit of detection ranged 8 to 30 ng l(-1) when 60 ml of sample were preconcentrated, after derivatization, on a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer sorbent. The pyrolytic cleavage of sym- and unsym-diaryl or alkyl-/arylthioureas has been rationalized. The chromatography of isothiocyanates is much superior to that of aryl amines and the specific mass fragmentation permits positive identification of amines. The method has been applied to spiked drinking water, groundwater and river water samples, when the recovery ranged from 84 to 109% with RSD of 5-9%, and to detect aromatic amines formed by reductive cleavage of azo dyes in effluents when the recovery of amine was in the range 81-95% with RSD 8-15%. The method is not applicable to nitroanilines.     

Exposure to 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) during production of flexible foam: determination of airborne TDI and urinary 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediamine (TDA)

Occupational exposure to 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (2,4- and 2,6-TDI) was measured during the production of flexible foam. The usefulness of urinalysis of the TDI-derived amines, 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediamine (2,4- and 2,6-TDA), for exposure assessment was compared with air monitoring. Urine samples were collected from 17 employees at two plants. The workers' personal exposure was measured using 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine (2MP)-impregnated glass fibre filters for sampling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) and electrochemical (EC) detection for quantification. The limit of detection (LOD) of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI was 0.01 microtg ml(-1) for a 20 microl injection. The precision of sample preparation, expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD), was 0.6% with UV detection and 0.8% with EC detection at a 2,4-TDI concentration of 0.2 microg ml(-1) (n = 6). For 2,6-TDI, the corresponding RSDs were 0.5% and 0.8%. The urinary 2,4- and 2,6-TDA metabolites were determined after acid hydrolysis as heptafluorobutyric anhydride derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The LOD in urine was 0.35 nmol l(-1) for 2,4-TDA and 0.04 nmol l(-1) for 2,6-TDA. The precision (RSD) of six analyses of human urine spiked to a concentration of 100 nmol l(-1) was 3.7% for 2,4-TDA and 3.6% for 2,6-TDA. There was a trend for linear correlation between urinary TDA concentration and the product of airborne TDI concentration and sampling time. Urinalysis of TDA is proposed as a practical method for assessing personal exposures in workers exposed intermittently to TDI.     

Determination of trace level chemical warfare agents in water and slurry samples using hollow fibre-protected liquid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and solvent-minimised sample preparation technique based on hollow fibre-protected liquid-phase microextraction was investigated for the gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis of chemical warfare agents in water and slurry samples. The chemical warfare agents included four nerve agents and a blister agent. Parameters such as extraction solvent, salt concentration, stirring speed and extraction time were optimised using spiked deionised water samples. The technique provided a linear range of two orders of magnitude, good repeatability (RSDs < 10%, n = 6), good linearity (r2 >or= 0.995) and limits of detection (LODs) in the range of 0.02-0.09 microg l(-1) (S/N = 3) under full scan mode. The optimised technique was also applied to more complex slurry samples and similar precision (RSD < 15%, n = 3) and limits of detection (0.02-0.2 microgl(-1), S/N = 3) were obtained.     

Automated solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of nitrosamines using post-column photolysis and tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(III) chemiluminescence

A sensitive and selective post-column detection system for nitrosamines is described. The principle upon which the detector works is that UV irradiation of aqueous solutions of nitrosamines leads to cleavage of the N-NO bond. The amine generated is subsequent detected by chemiluminescence using tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(III), which is on-line generated by photo-oxidation of the ruthenium(II) complex in the presence of peroxydisulfate. Factors affecting the photochemical and chemiluminescent reactions were optimized to minimise their contribution to the total band-broadening. This detection system was tested for N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitroso-diethylamine, N-nitrosomorpholine, N-nitrosopiperidine and N-nitrosopyrrolidine, which were separated on an ODS column by isocratic reversed-phase chromatography with acetonitrile-water containing 5 mM acetate buffer at pH 4.0. A linear relationship between analyte concentration and peak area was obtained within the range 0.13-500 microg l(-1) with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9995 and detection limits of between 0.03 and 0.76 microg l(-1). Intra- and inter-day precision values of about 1.2% RSD (n = 11) and 2.5% RSD (n = 10), respectively, were obtained. The sensitivity may increase from 9 to 280 times with respect to UV detection, depending on the nitrosamine in question. An automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) system was used in conjunction with HPLC to determine nitrosamine residues in waters. Detection limits within the range 0.10-3.0 ng l(-1) were achieved for only 250 ml of sample.     

Determination of pesticides in red wines with on-line coupled microporous membrane liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography

Microporous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (MMLLE) was coupled on-line with gas chromatography for the determination of pesticides in wine. The MMLLE-GC provided to be efficient and selective and the method was linear, repeatable and sensitive. The limits of detection ranged from 0.05 to 2.3 microg/l and the limits of quantification were 0.2-7.5 microg/l for all the analytes using FID as detector. With MS detection LODs in the range 0.03-0.4 and LOQs of 0.3-3.5 microg/l were achieved. The method was applied to the determination of pesticides in several red wines of different origin.     

Optimization of chromatographic parameters for the determination of biogenic amines in wines by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A method suitable for the determination of eight biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine, tryptamine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine) in wines has been developed. The method involves derivatization of the amines by treatment with dabsyl chloride, after which the derivates were analysed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with gradient elution and spectrophotometric detection at 446 nm. Different variables affecting separation were optimized. Validation of the method included calibration experiments, the addition of standards amines for the determination of recovery and repeatability tests. Good linearity of the responses was obtained up to 500 microg l(-1), except for putrescine (up to 2100 microg l(-1)). The detection limits ranged between 10 and 60 microg l(-1) for standard solutions. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of five Spanish wines.     

Determination of primary aromatic amines in water food simulant using solid-phase analytical derivatization followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Solid phase analytical derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride has been introduced as sample preparation for the determination of primary aromatic amines in water by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Water was used as a food simulant for testing migration from laminated flexible food packaging materials. The method was evaluated for 8 primary aromatic amines in 200 ml water samples, which resulted in detection limits in the 0.1-0.4 microg/l range, relative standard deviations in the 4-17% range and acceptable linearity (R2 = 0.997-1.000). Detectable levels of 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene and 4,4'-methylenedianiline were found in water food simulant from some of the investigated food packaging materials.     

捕集阱顶空气相色谱/质谱法测定水中的二氯一溴甲烷

建立了捕集阱顶空气相色谱/质谱测定水中二氯一溴甲烷的方法。采用正交实验设计对平衡温度、平衡时间、循环次数3个参数进行了优化,在平衡温度70 ℃、平衡时间20 min、循环次数2次的优化条件下,对水中的二氯一溴甲烷进行测定。结果显示,在0.1～10.0 μg/L范围内,二氯一溴甲烷的质量浓度和峰面积呈良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.9991。方法的检出限(S/N=3)为0.03 μg/L,定量限(S/N=10)为0.1 μg/L,回收率为83.1%～111.3%,相对标准偏差为1.7%～5.2%(n=6)。将该方法应用于水中二氯一溴甲烷的定性定量分析,效果良好。     

Spectrophotometric determination of aluminum with m-carboxyphenylfluorone, a novel chemical probe, and its application.

A highly spectrophotometric method for the determination of aluminum was developed. This method used the color reaction between m-carboxyphenylfluorone (MCPF) as a novel chemical probe and aluminum in the presence of a surfactant, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP, K-90) (0.03 - 1.40 microg of aluminum in a final volume of 10 ml at 561 nm). The proposed method showed excellent sensitivity (molar absorptibity of 1.70 x 10(5) l mol(-1) cm(-1)) and reproducibility (within-day precision: RSD = 0.35% n = 6, between-day precision: RSD = 0.44% n = 6). Linearity was achieved over the range 3 - 140 microg L(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999, and the effects of foreign substances were low.     

Separation of purine and pyrimidine bases by ion chromatography with direct conductivity detection

A simple, rapid and accurate method for the simultaneous determination of four purine and pyrimidine bases (cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, adenine and N6-methyladenine) has been developed. The quantitative determination of these bases was accomplished by ion chromatography (IC) with direct conductivity detection (CD) based on their ionization in acidic medium without chemical suppression. The recovery of cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, and adenine in calf thymus DNA was more than 98% (n=3) and the relative standard deviation (RSD, n=5) less than 2.4%. In a single chromatographic run, the four bases could be separated and determined in less than 10 min. The detection limits were found to be 0.05 microg/mL for cytosine, 0.08 microg/mL for 5-methylcytosine, 0.07 microg/mL for adenine, and 0.07 microg/mL for N6-methyladenine. Linear ranges were 0.2-95.1 microg/mL for cytosine (r2=0.9996), 0.3-196.6 microg/mL for 5-methylcytosine (r2=0.9994), 0.3-105.5 microg/mL for adenine (r2=0.9998), and 0.3-159.1 microg/mL for N6-methyladenine (r2=0.9999). With the proposed method, purine and pyrimidine bases could be successfully detected in calf thymus DNA. We also determined these bases in calf thymus DNA using RP-HPLC. Compared to RP-HPLC, the IC method offers advantages such as high selectivity and simple mobile phase.     

Ion chromatography determination of trace level bromate by large volume injection with conductivity and spectrophotometric detection after post column derivatisation

Bromate is a well known by-product produced by the ozonisation of drinking water; the allowed concentration for human consumption has to be regulated to the low microg l(-1) range. A direct injection, ion chromatographic method was developed using a tetraborate eluent with serially connected conductivity and spectrophotometric detection. Bromate was detected after post-column reaction with fuchsin at 520 nm. Sample capacity was investigated by injecting large volumes (up to 6 ml) using a high total hardness and chloride tap water. Linear correlation of bromate response with volumes from 1 ml to 6 ml was demonstrated, the main limitation being the overlapping of the chloride peak with bromate. Up to 1.5 ml sample can be injected without any pre-treatment. With more than 1.5 ml injection volume, a sample pre-treatment with a cartridge in Ag and H form, followed by a 10 min degassing in an ultrasonic bath, was needed. This method was validated by analysing secondary reference materials and real samples from a drinking water treatment plant. The method was linear from the limit of quantification to 20 microg l(-1). Reproducibilities in tap water were 18% (5 microg l(-1), n=12) and 21% (1 microg l(-1), n=4) respectively for 1.5 and 6 ml injection volumes with conductivity detection, and 17% at 0.5 microg l(-1) (n=9) with spectrophotometric detection. Calculated detection limits were 0.5 microg l(-1) (6 ml) ahd 2 microg l(-1) (1.5 ml) for conductivity detection and 0.3 microg l(-1) (1.5 ml) for spectrophotometric detection.     

Separation of monosaccharides by hydrophilic interaction chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was used to separate monosaccharides that are common in N-linked oligosaccharides in glycoproteins and other compounds. A TSKgel Amide-80 column was eluted with 82% acetonitrile, in 5 mM ammonium formate (pH 5.5). Column temperature was 60 degrees C and evaporative light scattering was used for detection (ELSD). With this method, L-fucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and D-glucuronic acid were separated, with detection limits of 0.3-0.5 microg for each monosaccharide, and intermediate precisions were 3-6% RSD (n=6).     

Determination of trace metals by capillary electrophoresis

A new analytical procedure is developed using a strong complexing agent, 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), for direct UV detection of Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Cd, and Fe at microg/L concentrations in environmental water samples. The metal chelates formed showed different electrophoretic mobilities and solved the comigration problem for capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation of free metal ions. To obtain stable metal-Phen chelates during the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) run, both pre-column and on-column complexation are required and threefold excess of Phen over metal ions should be added to the sample. The optimized background electrolyte (BGE) consists of 30 mM hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 0.1% methanol at pH 3.6. Under hydrodynamic sampling, CE run at + 20 kV in 65 cm x 0.05 mm ID fused-silica column with detection at 265 nm, baseline separation, satisfactory working ranges (10 microg/L to 5.5 mg/L), sensitive detection limits (1-3 microg/L), good repeatability for migration times (relative standard deviation, RSD 0.36-0.81%, n = 5), peak area (RSD 3.2-4.2%, n = 5) and peak height (RSD 3.2-4.5%, n = 5) were obtained for the metal cations investigated. The reliability of the method was established by parallel determination using the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) method giving results within statistical variation. The procedure developed is shown to provide a quick, sensitive, precise, and economic method for simultaneous determination of metal cations that can form stable chelates with Phen.     

Optimization of nonequilibrium liquid-phase microextraction for the determination of nitrobenzenes in aqueous samples by gas chromatography-electron capture detection.

In the present work, a novel method for the determination of nitrobenzenes in water has been described. It is based on nonequilibrium liquid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Extraction conditions such as solvent selection, organic solvent dropsize, stirring rate, content of NaCl and extraction time were found to have significant influence on extraction efficiency. The optimized conditions were 1.5 microl toluene and 20 min extraction time at 400 rpm stirring rate without NaCl addition. The linear range was 0.1 - 50 microg l(-1) for most nitrobenzenes. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.02 microg l(-1) (for 2.6-DNT) to 0.4 microg l(-1) (for NB); and relative standard deviations (RSD) for most of the nitrobenzenes at the 10 microg l(-1) level, except for 2,6-DNT in 3 microg l(-1), were below 10%. Natural samples collected from Miyun Reservoir and tap water samples from a laboratory were successfully analyzed using the proposed method, but none of the analytes were detected. The relative recoveries of spiked water samples (at the 10 microg l(-1) level except for 2,6-DNT in 3 microg l(-1)) were from 82.6 to 118.7%.     

Determination of beryllium and selenium in human urine and of selenium in human serum by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

For human urine beryllium (Be), each sample (500 microl) was diluted (1+1) with Nash reagent (containing 0.2% (v/v) acetylacetone and 2.0 M ammonium acetate buffer at pH 6.0) and then a 20-microl volume of Triton X-100 (0.4%, v/v) aqueous solution was added. An aliquot (10 microl) of the diluted urine mixture was introduced into a graphite cuvette and was atomized according to a temperature program. The method detection limit (MDL, 3sigma) for Be was 0.37 microg/l in the undiluted urine sample and the calibration graph was linear up to 65.0 microg/l. Calibration graphs were prepared by the standard addition method. Accuracies of 98.6-102% were obtained when testing standard reference material (SRM 2670) freeze dried human urine samples. Precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) for urine Be was < or = 2.3% (withinrun, n = 5) and was < or = 3.0% (between-run, n = 3). For human urine and serum selenium (Se), samples (100 microl) were diluted with HNO3 (0.2%, v/v) to make a (1+1) dilution for urine analysis or a (1+4) dilution for serum analysis. An additional aliquot (10 microl) of Triton X-100 (0.1%, v/v) was added to each 200 microl of (1+1) diluted urine (or 20 microl of the Triton X-100 was added to each 500 microl of (1+4) diluted serum) sample. After the diluted sample mixture (10 microl) was introduced into a graphite cuvette, the corresponding chemical modifier (10 microl, containing Ni2+ + Pd + NH4NO3 in HNO3 (0.2%, v/v)) was added to it and the mixture was atomized. The MDL (3sigma) for Se in urine and in serum was 4.4 and 21.4 microg/l in undiluted sample, respectively, and the calibration graphs were linear up to 150 and 400 microg/l. Accuracies of urine Se were 98.9 - 99.4% by testing SRM 2670 (NIST) urine standards with RSD (between-run, n = 3) within 2.9%; and that of serum Se was 97.2% when testing a certified second-generation human serum (No. 29, #664) with RSD (between-run, n = 3) of 1.4%. The proposed method can be applied easily, directly, and accurately to the measurement of Be and Se in real samples (including six urine Se and four serum Se from patients of Blackfoot Disease in Taiwan).     

New fluorimetric method of liquid chromatography for the determination of the neurotoxin domoic acid in seafood and marine phytoplankton

Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxic amino acid that is responsible for the human toxic syndrome, amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). A new rapid, sensitive liquid chromatographic (LC) method has been developed for the determination of DA in various marine samples. DA in marine biological materials was derivatised with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F) and analysed using isocratic reversed-phase LC with fluorimetric detection. The calibration, based on standard DA solutions, was linear in the range 0.04-2 microg/ml (r2=0.998) and the detection limit (3:1, signal/noise) was better than 1 ng/ml. Using the certified reference material (MUS-1B), recoveries of DA from shellfish tissue were >95% (n=5). When a strong anion exchange SPE cartridge was used for sample clean-up the detection limit was 6 ng DA/g mussel tissue. Good reproducibility was achieved with RSD values ranging from 3% for 8 microg DA/g (n=5), to 5% for 0.04 microg DA/g (n=5). This new method was successfully applied to the determination of DA in naturally contaminated shellfish and in marine phytoplankton cultures of Pseudonitzschia sp.     

Solid-phase microextraction for the analysis of short-chain chlorinated paraffins in water samples

A novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method coupled to gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) was developed as an alternative to liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction for the analysis of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in water samples. The extraction efficiency of five different commercially available fibres was evaluated and the 100-microm polydimethylsiloxane coating was the most suitable for the absorption of the SCCPs. Optimisation of several SPME parameters, such as extraction time and temperature, ionic strength and desorption time, was performed. Quality parameters were established using Milli-Q, tap water and river water. Linearity ranged between 0.06 and 6 microg l(-1) for spiked Milli-Q water and between 0.6 and 6 microg l(-1) for natural waters. The precision of the SPME-GC-ECD method for the three aqueous matrices was similar and gave relative standard deviations (RSD) between 12 and 14%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.02 microg l(-1) for Milli-Q water and 0.3 microg l(-1) for both tap water and river water. The optimised SPME-GC-ECD method was successfully applied to the determination of SCCPs in river water samples.     

Separation of sympathomimetic amines of abuse and related compounds by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

Separation of twelve sympathomimetic amines and related compounds by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with UV absorbance detection is described. These amines were well separated within 25 min using 50 mM sodium tetraborate solution containing 15 mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) of pH 9.3 as a running solution and detected at 210 nm. MEKC was performed with an applied voltage of 13 kV at 25 degrees C using a fused-silica capillary (50 cm x 75 mm i.d.) with effective length of 37.5 cm. The detection limits of these compounds were in the range from 4 to 97 fmol/injection at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3. The reproducibility of the method expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) for within-day (n=6) and between-day (n=5) assays was less than 4.8 and 8.8%, respectively. The proposed method could be applied to the determination of an anorectic drug, phentermine, in Chinese tea with a detection limit of 99 microg/g (105 fmol/injection, S/N=3).     

Determination of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in plasma and urine by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/positive ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A new method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in plasma and urine samples is described. It involves the conversion of GHB to gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), its subsequent headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and detection by gas chromatography/positive ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC/PICI-MS), using D(6)-GBL as internal standard. The assay is linear over a plasma GHB range of 1-100 microg/mL (n = 5, r = 0.999) and a urine GHB range of 5-150 microg/mL (n = 5, r = 0. 998). Relative intra- and inter-assay standard deviations, determined for plasma and urine samples at 5 and 50 microg/mL, are all below 5%. The method is simple, specific and reasonably fast. It may be applied for clinical and forensic toxicology as well as for purposes of therapeutic drug monitoring.     

Comparison of the sensitivities of seven N-nitrosamines in pre-screened waters using an automated preconcentration system and gas chromatography with different detectors

A simple, expeditious procedure for confirming the presence of N-nitrosamines in previously screened positive water samples was proposed. Water samples were continuously aspirated into a photometric flow system for screening. Positive samples were then confirmed and N-nitrosamines were identified by gas chromatography using different detectors (mass spectrometry, flame ionization and nitrogen-phosphorus). The system for the screening purpose was based on the preconcentration of the analytes onto a sorbent column, elution, and derivatization to form nitrite, then formation of a coloured product (Griess reaction) and photometric detection. The detection limits of the gas chromatographic method for 100 ml of sample were 2.0-3.5 microg/l, 20-80 and 3-13 ng/l for flame ionization, nitrogen-phosphorus and mass spectrometric detectors, respectively. The precision as RSD was similar for all detectors (3.0-6.5%). The screening of different types of water showed that wastewaters contain levels of N-nitrosamines that can be detected only using MS as a detector.