Determination of cholesterol in milk fat by gas chromatography with direct injection and sample saponification

Summary A rapid and direct gas chromatographic (GC) method for determining free cholesterol in milk fat using a capillary column and programmed-temperature vaporizerinjector was assayed. It was compared with other procedures involving saponification of fat, solvent extraction of unsaponifiable matter—with and without fractionation by thin-layer chromatography—and transformation of sterols into silyl derivatives prior to GC analysis. This paper proposes an alternative to other published procedures. Repeatability of the method was assessed and the coefficient of variation determined as 2.1%. The alternative saponification method exhibited comparable accuracy (coefficient of variation=1.8%). Recovery ranged from 99.1% to 105.6%.     

Multivariate optimization and validation studies in on-line pre-concentration system for lead determination in drinking water and saline waste from oil refinery

The present paper proposes an on-line pre-concentration procedure for lead determination in drinking water and saline waste from oil refinery by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). It is based on the sorption of lead (II) ions in a minicolumn of polyurethane foam loaded with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR) reagent. The optimization step was performed using Doehlert matrix involving the variables: sampling flow rate (SR), buffer concentration (BC), pH and eluent concentration (EC). The validation process was performed considering the parameters: linearity and other characteristics of the calibration curve, analytical features of on-line system, precision, robustness, effect of other ions in the pre-concentration system and accuracy. Using the established experimental conditions, the procedure allows lead determination with detection limit (3δ/S) of 0.4 μg l⁻¹, quantification limit (10δ/S) of 1.4 μg l⁻¹, and a precision, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD) of 5.7 (n=8) and 2.1% (n=8) for lead concentration of 5 and 50 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The pre-concentration factor (PF) considering the ratio among the slopes of the analytical curves with and without pre-concentration is 51. The achieved recovery for lead determination in presence of several cations demonstrated that this procedure could be applied for analysis of water samples. The accuracy was confirmed by analysis of the standard reference material NIST 1640 Trace elements in natural water. The sorption process was characterized by the Langmuir isotherm. The method was applied for lead determination in drinking water collected in Salvador City, Brazil and in saline effluent samples from oil refinery. The lead content for 16 samples of drinking water analyzed varied from 0.77 to 6.98 μg l⁻¹.     

Determination of cholesterol in milk fat by gas chromatography with direct injection and sample saponification

Summary A rapid and direct gas chromatographic (GC) method for determining free cholesterol in milk fat using a capillary column and programmed-temperature vaporizer-injector was assayed. It was compared with other procedures involving saponification of fat, solvent extraction of unsaponifiable matter — with and without fractionation by thin-layer chromatography — and transformation of sterols into silyl derivatives prior to GC analysis. This paper proposes an alternative to other published procedures. Repeatability of the method was assessed and the coefficient of variation determined as 2.1 %. The alternative saponification method exhibited comparable accuracy (coefficient of variation=1.8 %). Recovery ranged from 99.1 % to 105.6 %.     

石墨炉原子吸收法测定食用油中砷的简捷皂化前处理法

利用油脂的皂化作用，改变样品基本性状，使其适用于石墨炉原子的吸收光谱仪的测定。食用植物油是高级脂肪酸的甘油酯，因此可以用氢氧化水解，生成甘油和高级脂肪酸的钾盐，两者均溶于水，可在石墨炉原子吸收光谱仪上直接测定。     

Ultrasound-assisted treatment of palm oil samples for the determination of copper and lead by stripping chronopotentiometry

The concentration of trace metals in vegetable oils is an important criterion for the assessment of oil qualities with regard to freshness, keeping properties, storage and their influence on human nutrition and health. In this work, an effective and simple method for the determination of copper and lead in palm oil by stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) is proposed. The metal ions were concentrated as their amalgams on the glassy carbon surface of a working electrode that was coated with a thin mercury film. An ultrasonic bath was used for the extraction of copper and lead from eleven oil samples using a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Efficient extraction of copper and lead (∼ 100%) was attained after 60 min of ultrasonic pre-treatment. A good correlation between the amount of sample and the time necessary for complete liberation of the metals was observed. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by means of a reference sample of skim milk powder containing trace elements (BCR 151). Quantitative analysis was carried out by the method of standard additions. Good linearity was obtained in the range of the concentrations examined. Detection limits of 13 and 50 ng g^− 1 were found for Cu and Pb, respectively, in the palm oil samples. The average values found for the palm oil samples analyzed were in the range of < 0.013-2.67 µg g^− 1 for copper and < 0.050-1.82 µg g^− 1 for lead. The palm oil samples were also analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), demonstrating a very good correlation between the results.     

Hexafluorophosphate salts of bis and tetrakis(2,2′-bipyridine)lead(II) complexes

Both bis- and tetrakis-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine complexes of lead(II), [Pb(bpy)₂](PF₆)₂ and [Pb(bpy)₄](PF₆)₂ · bpy, respectively, have been characterized by X-ray crystallography as hexafluorophosphate salts when three equivalents of bipyridine is combined with Pb(NO₃)₂ in aqueous solution prior to metathesis. The tetrakis-substituted product, [Pb(bpy)₄](PF₆)₂ · bpy, shows an unusual combination of intramolecular and intermolecular π-stacking of two of the bipyridine ligands throughout the crystal. Incomplete metathesis also produces a catenated, mixed-anion complex, [Pb(bpy)₂(µ-NO₃)](PF₆), where the nitrate bridges lead(II) metal centers to form a 1-D coordination polymer. If metathesis is carried out using perchlorate, a known [Pb(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ analog is produced along with [bpyH](ClO₄), which has not been previously characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Exploring lead exposure in ancient Chilean mummies using a single strand of hair by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Lead exposure has received increased attention over the past few decades since it has been shown to have adverse effects on physical and intellectual development in humans. The use of biological tissues such as blood, teeth, hair, and bone for assessment of lead exposure has been previously demonstrated. While analysis of blood for trace metals provides information concerning recent exposure, hair offers insight into a period of several months, and is preferable since it is non-invasively collected and easily stored. The present study analyzed total of 49 ancient hair samples for lead (Pb_H) using LA-ICP-MS. Samples belonged to an ancient fisher hunter–gatherer culture called the “Chinchorro,” and who occupied regions of the Atacama Desert on the northern coast of Chile from approximately 5000–1500 B.C. and practiced the first-known form of artificial mummification. Several samples from a post-Chinchorro agricultural community (n = 12) ca. 1000–1400 A.D. were also analyzed. A suite of hair standards was developed using contemporary hair from the same region and was subsequently used to make linear calibration functions for lead determination in single strands of hair using LA-ICP-MS. Three linear scans ranged from 500 to 1000 μm were performed for each sample and signal intensities were normalized over ¹³C. The distribution of lead in the central medulla in a 100 μm cross-section scan of hair strand demonstrated minimal exogenous contamination. Hair lead (Pb_H) concentrations ranged between 2.2 μg/g and 12.8 μg/g could be accurately quantified with these standards. Twenty one out of 49 samples (43%) showed Pb_H concentrations higher than the average value of 5 μg/g for unexposed individuals (range 1.1–228.0 μg/g). Median hair lead concentrations by burial sites and are shown in order of decreasing concentration: Morro (13.8 μg/g) > Iquique (6.6 μg/g) > Azapa (4.5 μg/g) > Yungay (4.1 μg/g) > Camarones (2.7 μg/g). Most of the burial sites showed Pb_H concentrations greater than the normal value for unexposed individuals and outliers heavily influenced average concentrations. The results suggest that the Chinchorro and later agro-pastoral populations were not widely exposed to naturally elevated lead.     

Determination of levodopa in pharmaceutical preparations by irreversible biamperometry

Based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of levodopa at gold electrode and the reduction of permanganate at platinum electrode, a novel flow injection irreversible biamperometric method is developed for the determination of levodopa under the potential difference of 0 V imposed between two electrodes. In H2SO4 solution, the linear relationships between currents and the concentrations of levodopa are obtained in the range from 0.04 mg/L to 20 mg/L with the detection limit of 0.012 mg/L. The proposed method is applied to the determination of levodopa in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Determination of ethamsylate in pharmaceutical preparations by irreversible biamperometry

A novel flow-injection irreversible biamperometric method is described for the determination of ethamsylate. The proposed method is based on the oxidation of ethamsylate at one platinum electrode and the reduction of permanganate at another to form an irreversible biamperometric detection system. Ethamsylate can be determined over the range 1.0×10⁻⁶-1.0×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ with a sample measurement frequency of 180 samples h⁻¹. The detection limit for ethamsylate is 4.0×10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹. The stability of the proposed method is shown by a RSD of 0.52% for 11 replicate determinations of 2.0×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ ethamsylate. The proposed method was applied to the determination of ethamsylate in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Determination of streptomycin in pharmaceutical preparations by gas chromatography

The antibiotic streptomycin can be reliably quantitated in injectable pharmaceuticals by GC. The manipulations are not difficult, and total analysis time for duplicate samples is less than twenty minutes. Reaction of the drug with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution generates maltol, which is extracted into chloroform prior to silylation. The silyl ether of maltol is then assayed, using naphthalene as internal standard. Duplicate analyses of twenty pharmaceutical samples showed a relative standard deviation of ±1.3%.     

Identification of lead pigments in nanosamples from ancient paintings and polychromed sculptures using voltammetry of nanoparticles/atomic force microscopy

Voltammetry of nanoparticles coupled with atomic force microscopy was used to identify lead pigments in nanosamples proceeding from works of art. Upon mechanical attachment of few nanograms of sample to a graphite plate, well-defined voltammetric responses were obtained for lead orange, lead yellow, lead white, litharge, minium, Naples yellow, and tin-lead yellow, allowing for an unambiguous identification of such pigments. Atomic force images provide evidence for the occurrence of pigment-characteristic reduction processes accompanied by metal deposition on the graphite substrate. Electrochemical parameters are used for pigment identification. Application to the method for identifying lead pigments in different model binder + pigment specimens and pictorial samples from the canvas painting collection (anonymous, 17th century) of the Saint Joseph Church in Taormina (Italy), the frescoes painted by Antonio Acisclo Palomino y Velasco (1698) in the vault of the Sant Joan del Mercat church in València (Spain) and an anonymous polychromed sculpture (16th century) representing a Martyr Saint from Alacant (Spain) is described.     

Quantification of erythromycin in pharmaceutical formulation by transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

A simple, cost-effective and environmental friendly analytical method was developed for the quantification of erythromycin in tablet formulation using transmission Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for routine quality control analysis. There is no need of sample preparation except pellet formation for FT-IR analysis. Use of solvent was totally avoided in this method. Calibration was carried out by using simple Beer’s law in the FT-IR region between 1743 and 1697 cm⁻¹. The excellent coefficient of determination (R² = 0.998) was achieved with 0.0247 and 1.14 root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV), respectively. The results of the study revealed that the transmission FT-IR spectroscopy could be effectively used for rapid determination of active ingredients like erythromycin in pharmaceutical formulations to control the quality of finished products.     

Determination of diclofenac in pharmaceutical preparations by diffuse reflectance photometry

A quantitative analytical method for the determination of diclofenac in pharmaceutical preparations by diffuse reflectance in the visible region of the spectrum is presented. The color reaction is done directly in the measuring cell immediately after mixing, using small volumes of the analyte solution, of the reagent and of the buffer solutions. All reflectance measurements were carried out in a home made reflectometer equipped with a red LED as light source and a LDR as detector. The calibration curves were constructed from 1.0 to 18 mg mL⁻¹ (about 3.0 × 10⁻³ to 5.5 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹) of sodium diclofenac or of potassium diclofenac in the analytical solution, with typical correlation coefficients equal to 0.999. The detection limit was estimated to be about 0.7 mg mL⁻¹ (2 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹). The method was applied to determine diclofenac in solid and liquid pharmaceutical preparations. The R.S.D. varied from 2% to 4% depending of the sample. The results were compared with those obtained with the HPLC procedure recommended by the United States Pharmacopoeia using the statistical Student's t-test procedure.     

Spectrophotometric determination of terfenadine in pharmaceutical preparations by charge-transfer reactions

A simple, rapid and accurate method for the spectrophotometric determination of terfenadine has been developed. The proposed method based on the charge-transfer reactions of terfenadine, as n-electron donor, with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) or 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranilic acid, p-CLA) as π-acceptors to give highly colored complexes. The experimental conditions such as reagent concentration, reaction solvent and time have been carefully optimized to achieve the highest sensitivity. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration ranges of 3–72, 3–96, 12–168 and 24–240 μg mL⁻¹ terfenadine using TCNQ, TCNE, DDQ and p-CLA, respectively, with correlation coefficients 0.9999, 0.9974, 0.9997 and 0.9979 and detection limits 0.3, 0.4, 2.6 and 12.3 μg mL⁻¹, for the reagents in the same order. DDQ and p-CLA react spontaneously with terfenadine to give colored complexes that can be applied for the flow injection analysis of terfenadine in the concentration ranges 2.4–120 and 24–240 μg with correlation coefficients 0.9990 and 0.9985 and detection limits 0.8 and 2.7 μg for DDQ and p-CLA, respectively, in addition to the high sampling through output of 40 sample h⁻¹.     

矿石中铅锌快速络合滴定法

利用铅锌矿中铅生成复盐沉淀 ,用EDTA标准溶液滴定锌 ,然后溶解复盐沉淀 ,加入过量EDTA标准溶液 ,用硝酸铅标准溶液反滴定。利用本方法测定铅锌矿中铅、锌 ,其铅的检测范围为质量分数 0 .4%～ 2 5 % ,锌的检测范围为质量分数 >1 % ,能满足地质检验中的分析误差要求。     

火焰原子吸收法测定铅锌矿中微量镓

将样品中的硫化物用HNO3氧化为硫酸盐后，再用HNO3、HF、H2SO4进一步溶解，在6mol/LHCl介质中用乙酸丁酯萃取镓，水反萃取后，用火焰析子吸收法测定Ga，该法检出限为0．80μg/mL，相对标准偏差为2．1％，用该法测得国家一级标准品的结果均与推荐值相符。     

氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法测定铬矿中铅

建立了一种过氧化钠熔融、盐酸酸化提取,氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法定量测定铬矿中铅的方法。试验优化了样品熔样温度、熔样时间、熔剂用量及上机测试条件,检验了共存元素的干扰。实验结果表明,方法精密度(RSD, n=11)为1.47%～3.68%,加标回收率为96%~105%,检出限为0.2μg/g。方法用于铬矿中元素铅的测定,精密度高、准确性好,检出限低,满足铬矿中铅元素的定量检测要求。     

Preparation of poly(vinyl pivalate) microspheres by dispersion polymerization in an ionic liquid and saponification for the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol) with high syndiotacticity

We report here a successful free-radical dispersion polymerization of vinyl pivalate (VPi) in an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmim][TFSI]) using poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a stabilizer. Morphological analysis by FE-SEM revealed that poly(vinyl pivalate) (PVPi) obtained from dispersion polymerizations were in the form of spherical particles. Micron-sized, PVPi particles with a number-average molecular weight (M_n) of 166,400 g/mol could be obtained using 5% stabilizer (w/w to monomer) at 65 °C for 20 h. The effects of varying concentration of stabilizer, initiator and monomer upon polymer yield, molecular weight, and morphology of PVPi were also investigated. Analogous polymerizations in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and bulk served as references. In addition, the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by saponification of the resultant PVPi was described.     

Determination of quinine in beverages, pharmaceutical preparations and urine by isotachophoresis

The suitability of isotachophoresis for the determination of quinine in different samples was investigated. The operational conditions were 0.01 M potassium-morpholinoethanesulphonic acid (MES) (pH 6.0) with 0.05% Mowiol as the leading electrolyte and ca. 0.005 M creatinine-MES as the terminating electrolyte. The analyses were carried out at 25 microA in a 0.2 mm I.D. PTFE capillary with UV and conductivity detection. Quinine-containing beverages were degassed by sonification and directly injected. The limit of detection was 5 mg/l with a 4 microliter injection volume. The allowed concentrations could be determined with sufficient accuracy. Analgesic preparations were dissolved in a solution of 5 X 10(-3) M MES with sonification. The quinine levels found agreed well with the declared values. The other constituents of the pharmaceuticals did not interfere with the analysis. Urine samples from volunteers were analysed after consumption of tonic. The samples were extracted with dichloromethane-isopropanol (95:5), vortexed, centrifuged, evaporated to dryness, the residue dissolved in 5 X 10(-3) M MES and analysed. At a concentration factor of 33, the limit of detection was ca. 60 micrograms in 48-h urine: 2-15% of the quinine consumed was excreted as the parent compound in the first 48 h after consumption. The combination of the extraction procedure and the operational system makes the method suitable for the determination of a number of other alkaloids in physiological samples.