Sequential injection lab-on-valve simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of copper and iron

A sequential injection (SI) method in a lab-on-valve (LOV) format for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of copper and iron has been devised. The detection chemistry is based on the complex formation of 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-[N-n-propyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)amino]aniline (5-Br-PSAA) with copper(II) and/or iron(II) at pH 4.6. Copper(II) reacts with 5-Br-PSAA to form the complex which has an absorption maximum at 580 nm but iron(III) does not react. In the presence of a reducing agent only iron(II)-5-Br-PSAA complex is formed and detected at 558 nm. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the determinable ranges are 0.1-2 mg l⁻¹ for copper and 0.1-5 mg l⁻¹ for iron, respectively, with a sampling rate of 18 h⁻¹. The limits of detection are 50 μg l⁻¹ for copper and 25 μg l⁻¹ for iron. The relative standard deviations (n = 15) are 2% for 0.5 mg l⁻¹ copper and 1.8% for 0.5 mg l⁻¹ iron when determined in standard solutions. The recoveries range between 96 and 105% when determining 0.25-2 mg l⁻¹ of copper and 0.2-5 mg l⁻¹ of iron in artificial mixtures at copper/iron ratios of 1:10 to 5:1. The proposed SI-LOV method is successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of copper and iron in multi-element standard solution and in industrial wastewater samples.     

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical formulations

A flow-injection spectrophotometric procedure is proposed for methyldopa determination in pharmaceutical preparations. The determination is based on formation of a yellow product (measured at 410 nm) after complexation of methyldopa with molybdate. Under optimal conditions, Beer's law is obeyed in a concentration range of 50-200 mg l⁻¹ methyldopa. Typical correlation between absorbance and analyte concentration was 0.9999. Usual excipients used as additives in pharmaceuticals do not interfere with the proposed method. The analytical frequency was 210 h⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was ≤2% for sample solution containing 150 mg l⁻¹ methyldopa (n = 11). The analytical results obtained in commercial formulations by applying the proposed FIA method were in good agreement with labeled values and those obtained by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia procedure at 95% confidence level.     

Spectrophotometric flow-injection determination of copper and nickel in plant digests exploiting differential kinetic analysis and multi-site detection

A novel strategy for implementing differential reaction-rate methods in flow-injection analysis is proposed and applied to the determination of copper and nickel in plant digests using 2-(5-brom-2-pyridylazo)-5-(diethylamino)-phenol (Br-PADAP) as the color-forming reagent. Multi-site detection is involved, therefore the flow cell is displaced between two monitoring sites, and the analytical signals refer to different conditions of sample dispersion, reaction development and timing.The system handles 20 samples h⁻¹ and requires 0.32 mg Br-PADAP per determination. Signal additivity was evaluated within 98 and 102%, and linear responses (r > 0.999; n = 6) were verified for both copper and nickel up to 0.80 mg l⁻¹. Detection limits of 0.01 and 0.04 mg l⁻¹ Cu and Ni were estimated by considering the highest concentration of the counter analyte. Results are precise (R.S.D. < 2%) and in agreement with ICP-OES (95% confidence level). Potentialities and limitations of the approach are discussed.     

Flow injection-chemiluminescence determination of propranolol in pharmaceutical preparations

A rapid and precise continuous-flow method is described for the determination of propranolol based on the chemiluminescence (CL) produced by its reaction with potassium permanganate in a sulphuric acid medium. The optimum chemical conditions for the chemiluminescence emission were investigated. Two manifolds were tested and their characteristics such as the length of the reactor, injection volume and flow rate were compared. When using the selected manifold, propranolol gives a linear calibration graph over the concentration range 1.0-17.5 mg l⁻¹. The detection limit calculated as proposed by IUPAC was 70 ng ml⁻¹ and the detection limit calculated as proposed by Clayton was 0.87 mg l⁻¹. For analysis of 10 solutions of 10.0 mg l⁻¹ propranolol, if error propagation theory is assumed, the relative error was 0.1%. The standard deviation (S.D.) for 10 replicate samples was 0.07 mg l⁻¹. The method has been validated versus a published fluorimetric method.The present chemiluminescence procedure was applied to the determination of propranolol in simple British and Spanish pharmaceutical formulations, with excellent recoveries, as the determination is free from interference from common excipients. However, some drugs, such as hydralazine and bendroflumethizide which may also be present in the formulation, increase the emission intensity.     

A multicommuted flow system for sequential spectrophotometric determination of hydrosoluble vitamins in pharmaceutical preparations

A multicommuted flow system is proposed for spectrophotometric determination of hydrosoluble vitamins (ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavine and pyridoxine) in pharmaceutical preparations. The flow manifold was designed with computer-controlled three-way solenoid valves for independent handling of sample and reagent solutions and a multi-channel spectrophotometer was employed for signal measurements. Periodic re-calibration as well as the standard addition method was implemented by using a single reference solution. Linear responses (r=0.999) were obtained for 0.500-10.0 mg l⁻¹ ascorbic acid, 2.00-50.0 mg l⁻¹ thiamine, 5.00-50.0 mg l⁻¹ riboflavine and 0.500-8.00 mg l⁻¹ pyridoxine. Detection limits were estimated as 0.08 mg l⁻¹ (0.5 μmol l⁻¹) ascorbic acid, 0.8 mg l⁻¹ (2 μmol l⁻¹) thiamine, 0.2 mg l⁻¹ (0.5 μmol l⁻¹) riboflavine and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ (0.9 μmol l⁻¹) pyridoxine at 99.7% confidence level. A mean sampling rate of 60 determinations per hour was achieved and coefficients of variation of 1% (n=20) were estimated for all species. The mean reagent consumption was 25-fold lower in relation to flow-based procedures with continuous reagent addition. Average recoveries between 95.6 and 100% were obtained for commercial pharmaceutical preparations. Results agreed with those obtained by reference methods at 95% confidence level. The flow system is suitable for application in quality control processes and in dissolution studies of vitamin tablets.     

Chemiluminometric determination of the pesticide 3-indolyl acetic acid by a flow injection analysis assembly

A new method is proposed for the chemiluminescent determination of the pesticide 3-indolyl acetic acid by means of an flow injection analysis system. The chemiluminescence emission is obtained by oxidation of the analyte with Ce (IV) in nitric acid and presence of β-cyclodextrine.The continuous-flow method allows the determination of 159 samples h⁻¹ of 3-indolyl acetic acid in an interval of concentrations over the range 0.5-15.0 mg l⁻¹. The limit of detection was 0.1 μg l⁻¹ and the R.S.D. (n, 17) at 2.0 mg l⁻¹ of the pesticide level was 2.7%. The method was applied to water samples.     

Sequential injection spectrophotometric determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations

A fully automated sequential injection spectrophotometric method for the determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations is reported. The method is based on the condensation reaction of the analyte with 4-aminoantipyrine in the presence of potassium ferricyanide. The absorbance of the condensation product was monitored at 503 nm. A linear relationship between the relative peak height and concentration was obtained in the range 0.5-17.5 mg l⁻¹. The detection limit (as 3σ value) was 0.09 mg l⁻¹ and repeatability was 0.8 and 0.6% at 2.5 and 5 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Results obtained by this method agreed very well with those obtained by the AOAC official method.     

Solvent extraction flow-injection manifold for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of free cyanide and thiocyanate ions based upon on-line masking of cyanides by formaldehyde

This study reports a sensitive solvent extraction flow-injection (FI) method for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of free cyanide and thiocyanate in human saliva and pralidoxime solutions. Cyanide and thiocyanate form colored (λ_max=540 nm) ternary complexes with copper and 2,2′-dipyridyl-2-quinolylhydrazone (DPQH) that are extractable into chloroform. The determination of thiocyanates in the presence of cyanides is accomplished after on-line masking of the latter with formaldehyde through a binary inlet static mixer (BISM). Total thiocyanates and cyanides are determined in a second run, without the use of the masking agent. The proposed method allows the determination of the analytes in the range of 0-4 mg l⁻¹ thiocyanates and 0-3 mg l⁻¹ cyanides, with the 3σ detection limits being 0.007 and 0.004 mg l⁻¹, respectively. The precision of the method (s_r<1.0% at 1 mg l⁻¹ CN⁻ or SCN⁻, n=12 in both cases) and the sampling rates were quite satisfactory (60 injections per hour). The method was applied to the analysis of human saliva and pralidoxime solutions and gave recoveries in the range of 98.0-102.2% for both analytes whereas the mean relative error was e_r=1.7%.     

Determination of bromide ions in seawater using flow system with chemiluminescence detection

A simple flow-based procedure with chemiluminescence (CL) detection is proposed for bromide ion determination in seawater. The procedure was based on the oxidation of bromide to bromine by chloramine-T followed by the reaction of bromine with luminol resulting in CL emission. Since no significant reaction within chloramine-T and luminol was observed, the detection was carried out without bromine extraction from the oxidant medium. The proposed flow system had a sampling rate of 40 determinations per hour, reagents consumption of 100 μg luminol and 60 μg chloramine-T per determination, a limit of detection of 0.5 mg l⁻¹ bromide ions, a linear concentration range (r = 0.999 and n = 7) between 0 and 100 mg l⁻¹, and a coefficient of variance better than 2.5% (for 10 measurements of a 10 mg l⁻¹ Br⁻ solution) were achieved. The analytical system was applied for the determination of bromide in seawater and estuarine-water samples, obtaining an analyte recovery ranging from 94 to 102% and comparing the results with a reference spectrophotometric method no significant difference was observed in 95% confidence level.     

Spectrophotometric catalytic determination of Fe(III) in estuarine waters using a flow-batch system

A flow-batch system was developed for the determination of Fe(III) in estuarine waters with high variability in salinity. The method is based on the catalytic effect of iron(III) on the oxidation rate of N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediammonium dichloride (DmPD) by hydrogen peroxide and the formed product is spectrophotometrically monitored at 554 nm. A controlled addition of sodium chloride to every assayed sample is accomplished for in-line individual salinity matching.The proposed system processes about 30 samples h⁻¹ and yields reproducible results. Relative standard deviations were estimated as <1.5% after 10 injections of typical samples (10.0-50.0 μg l⁻¹ Fe; ca. 0.5 mol l⁻¹ Cl). Synthetic samples (15.0 μg l⁻¹ Fe; 0.25-1.0 mol l⁻¹ NaCl) were efficiently processed, and no significant differences in results were found at a probability level of 99.7%. The method works for the full range of salinities. Only 120 μg DmPD are consumed per determination. The analytical curve is linear up to about 60 μg l⁻¹ Fe (r>0.999; n=5) and the detection limit is 5 μg l⁻¹ Fe. Results are in agreement with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Normal spectrophotometric and stopped-flow spectrofluorimetric sequential injection methods for the determination of alendronic acid, an anti-osteoporosis amino-bisphosphonate drug, in pharmaceuticals

A normal spectrophotometric and a stopped-flow (SF) spectrofluorimetric method have been developed and optimized for the determination of alendronic acid (ALD) in its pharmaceutical formulations. Both methods are automated using the sequential injection analysis (SIA) principle. The spectrophotometric assay is based on the reaction of the analyte with Cu(II) ions in acidic medium to form an UV-absorbing derivative (λ_max = 240 nm). The SF spectrofluorimetric method is based on the reaction of ALD with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol at basic medium (λ_ex = 340 nm/λ_em = 455 nm). Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range 1.0-60.0 mg l⁻¹ ALD for the UV method, and in the range 0.13-10.0 mg l⁻¹ ALD for the SF spectrofluorimetric one. The sampling rates were 60 and 30 h⁻¹, respectively. The developed assays are critically compared and their advantages are discussed. Both methods were applied to the analysis of an ALD containing pharmaceutical formulation with satisfactory accuracy and precision.     

Factorial design for optimization of experimental variables in preconcentration of copper by a chromotropic acid loaded Q-Sepharose adsorbent

An agarose-based anion exchanger (Q-Sepharose) was loaded with chromotropic acid (CTA) and used for column preconcentration and determination of copper by flame AAS. Preliminary experiments indicated that a sample pH of 5.7-6.5 is best suited for accumulation of copper and a 2.5 ml portion of a 0.02 mol l⁻¹ HCl solution can efficiently desorb the analyte from the column. An incomplete factorial design was used for optimization of five different variables that affect recovery of copper. The results indicated that ionic strength, pH and sample volume variables are the most important effects, respectively. Hence, these variables and their possible interactions were studied more carefully. In optimized conditions, the column could tolerate up to 0.18 mol l⁻¹ sodium nitrate in the matrix. A 5 ml portion of a 0.02 mol l⁻¹ CTA was sufficient for loading of a 0.5 ml column prior to preconcentration of copper from a 150 ml sample solution. Matrix ions of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ and potentially interfering ions of Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ with relatively high concentrations did not have any significant effect on the recovery of the analyte. A preconcentration factor of 60 and a detection limit of 1.0 μg l⁻¹ was obtained for the determination of copper by the flame AAS method. A precision better than 2.5%, expressed as R.S.D., was also achieved. Application of the method to tap water and two different river water samples resulted in values well confirmed by direct determinations with ET-AAS.     

Determination of bismuth and zinc in pharmaceuticals by first derivative UV-Visible spectrophotometry

A first order derivative spectrophotometric method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of bismuth and zinc by dithizone without time-consuming extraction step. The reactions of bismuth and zinc with dithizone in a three component solution prepared in water, acetone and n-propanol mixture have been investigated. These cations react with dithizone in this mixture at pH 5.0, forming coloured complex that is stable for at least 2 h. The linear range in D evaluation was between 3.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.8 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ for Zn and 2.4 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ for Bi. The limits of detection for the analytical procedure were found 0.05 mg l⁻¹ for both cations. The relative standard deviations for the determination of 0.5 mg l⁻¹ bismuth and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ zinc were 1.2 and 1.1%, respectively, for five determinations. The procedure is simple, rapid and reliable. This method was applied to the determination of bismuth and zinc in the pharmaceutical materials successfully. Good agreement was achieved between the results obtained by the proposed and comparative methods.     

Kinetics independent spectrometric analysis using non-linear calibration modelling and exploitation of concentration gradients generated by a flow-batch system for albumin and total protein determination in blood serum

An automatic method for kinetics independent spectrometric analysis is proposed in this study. It uses a non-linear calibration model that explores concentration gradients generated by a flow-batch analyser (FBA) for the samples, dye, and the single standard solution. The procedure for obtaining the gradients of the dye and standard solution is performed once at the beginning of analysis. The same procedure is applied thereafter for each sample. For illustration, the proposed automatic methodology was applied to determine total protein and albumin in blood serum by using the Biuret and Bromocresol Green (BCG) methods. The measurements were made by using a laboratory-made photometer based on a red and green bicolour LED (Light-Emitting Diode) and a phototransistor, coupled to a “Z” form flow cell. The sample throughput was about 50 h⁻¹ for albumin and 60 h⁻¹ for total protein, consuming about 7 μL of sample, 2.6 mL of BCG and 1.2 mL of biuret reagents for each determination. Applying the paired t-test for results from the proposed analyser and the reference method, no statistic differences at 95% confidence level were found. The absolute standard deviation was usually smaller than 0.2 g dL⁻¹. The proposed method is valuable for the determination of total protein and albumin; and can also be used in other determinations where kinetic effects may or may not exist.     

Method for monitoring urea and ammonia in wine and must by flow injection-pervaporation

An easy to automate flow injection-pervaporation method for monitoring urea and ammonia in must and wine was developed. The method is based on separation of the ammonia from the sample matrix by pervaporation followed by its reaction with salicylate, hypochlorite and nitroprusside to form a diazonium salt with maximum absorption at 647 nm. Conversion of urea into ammonia catalysed by urease was mandatory before pervaporation. After optimisation by either the univariate or multivariate approaches as required, the linear range was established (between 0 and 25 mg l⁻¹) for both analytes. Then, the assessment of the proposed method versus a reference one for urea and ammonia was studied in terms of repeatability (0.52 and 0.43 mg l⁻¹, respectively), reproducibility (1.34 and 1.21 mg l⁻¹, respectively), detection and quantification limits (LOD=0.9 and 0.6 mg l⁻¹, LQ=1.02 and 0.67 mg l⁻¹, respectively) and traceability. The sample throughput was 16 samples h⁻¹. The method can be applied to the monitoring of the target analytes in must and young wine in order to control their contents, preventing formation of ethyl carbamate.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of tannins based on their activative effect on the Cu(II) catalytic oxidation of rhodamine 6G by hydrogen peroxide

A simple and highly sensitive kinetic fluorimetric method is proposed for the determination of trace tannins, based on the activation of tannins on the oxidation of rhodamine 6G (Rh 6G) by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Cu(II) ion. The calibration graph was rectilinear in the range 0.08-1.28 mg l⁻¹ for tannin, the 3σ detection limit for tannin is 0.0455 mg l⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for 11 determinations of 0.4 mg l⁻¹ tannin is 0.96%. The proposed method has been successfully used to determine tannins in tea and Chinese gall. The results obtained were compared with those provided by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. This is the first procedure to be reported for the determination of tannins based on fluorimetric measurements.     

Rapid spectrophotometric determination of fosfestrol following on-line hydrolysis by alkaline phosphatase using flow injection and chasing zones

A new flow injection (FI) method is reported for the spectrophotometric determination of fosfestrol (diethyl-stilbestrol (DES) diphosphate) in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method is based on the on-line hydrolysis of the analyte by alkaline phosphatase (Al-Pase) using a “chasing zones” FI manifold. The orthophosphate ions, thus, generated are determined spectrophotometrically (λ_max=690 nm) using the molybdenum blue approach. The chemical and FI variables affecting the enzymatic reaction were investigated. The proposed method is very precise (s_r=1.1% at 1×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ fosfestrol, n=12), fast (allowing up to 40 samples h⁻¹ to be analyzed) and has a determination range of 2×10⁻⁵ to 2×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹, with a satisfactory 3σ detection limit of 5×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹. The method was shown to provide accurate determinations of the fosfestrol concentration in a pharmaceutical formulation, giving relative errors, e_r, of +0.6 and −0.5% compared to the value stated by the supplier (Asta Medica Inc.) and the concentration derived using a method recommended by the United States Pharmacopoeia XXI, respectively. In addition, the average recoveries of known amounts of the analyte ranged between 99.2 and 101.2%.     

Simultaneous determination of fluorophores with overlapped spectra by sequential injection analysis coupled to variable angle scanning fluorescence spectrometry and multivariate linear regression algorithms

An automated and versatile sequential injection spectrofluorimetric procedure for the simultaneous determination of multicomponent mixtures in micellar medium without prior separation processes is reported. The methodology is based upon the segmentation of a sample slug between two different buffer zones in order to attain both an improvement of sensitivity and residual minimization for the whole species. Resolution of overlapping fluorescence profiles is achieved using a variable angle scanning technique coupled to multivariate least-squares regression (MLR) algorithms at both sample edges.The potentialities of the described methodology are illustrated with the spectrofluorimetric determination of four widespread pesticides with different acid-base properties; viz. carbaryl (CBL) (1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate), fuberidazole (FBZ) (2-(2′-furyl)benzimidazole), thiabendazole (TBZ) (2-(4′-thiazolyl)benzimidazole) and warfarin (W) (3-α-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin). Detection limits at the 3σ level were 3.9, 0.02, 0.03 and 10 μg l⁻¹ for CBL, FBZ, TBZ and W, respectively at the maximum sensitivity pH. Dynamic ranges of 13-720 μg l⁻¹ CBL, 0.10-14 μg l⁻¹ FBZ, 0.19-60 μg l⁻¹ TBZ and 0.05-5 mg l⁻¹ W were achieved. Relative standard deviations (n=10) were 0.2% for 100 μg l⁻¹ CBL and 2.4 μg l⁻¹ FBZ, 0.7% for 8 μg l⁻¹ TBZ and 1.0% for 1 mg l⁻¹ W. The proposed automated methodology, which handles 17 samples/h, was validated and applied to spiked real water samples with very satisfactory results.     

Stability-indicating assay using capillary zone electrophoresis for an azaphenothiazine in an ointment formulation

A stability-indicating assay using a capillary zone electrophoresis method is reported for the determination of isothipendyl in an ointment formulation. Sample preparation consisted of a simple dissolution of the ointment in an internal standard (3-aminobenzoic acid hydrochloride) solution. Separation was carried out in a short fused silica capillary using a pH 2.5 phosphate buffer as electrolyte. After introduction of the sample solution into the capillary, the compounds were separated as cations and detected within 3 min. The procedure was validated following the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonisation. The method was found to be specific in relation to potential degradation products and excipients. Linearity determined between 50 and 150% of the target concentration was satisfactory (r² = 0.999). Recovery studies from an analytical placebo spiked with the analyte at five concentration levels (50-150% of the target concentration) on each of 3 days ranged from 103.5 to 99.2%. The repeatability of the entire procedure (n = 7) was better than 1.0%. The detection limit was estimated to be approximately 0.5 mg l⁻¹.     

Direct estimation of nitrate, total and fractionated water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) in an agricultural soil using direct UV absorbance deconvolution

In this study, a multiwavelength UV spectral deconvolution (UVSD) procedure is proposed as a robust and simple procedure for direct estimation of carbon and nitrate contents in soil water extracts. Soil samples were collected from an open-air field cultivated with maize at 3 different depths, 30 cm each, between 0 and 90 cm of soil surface during a period of 7 months. Fractionation of water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) into hydrophobic (Hpo-WEOC), transphilic (Tpi-WEOC), and hydrophilic (Hpi-WEOC) fractions is performed using XAD-8 and XAD-4 resins connected in series. In order to perform UVSD, 3 representative reference spectra of WEOC fractions were selected automatically, in addition to a 4th spectrum representative of NO₃⁻ selected manually in order to compose the deconvolution basis. The restitution of UV spectra was made in the range 235-350 nm. Through exploitation of soil water extract UV spectra, it was possible in a single-step deconvolution procedure to determine the organic carbon (mg C l⁻¹) and NO₃⁻ (mg l⁻¹) concentrations and to differentiate and to quantitatively estimate carbon content of WEOC fractions. Statistical tests indicated satisfactory correlations between values estimated using UVSD and those determined by conventional reference methods for each parameter determined. The ranges of concentrations of carbon and NO₃⁻ in the soil water extracts studied are between 3.00 and 15.00 mg C l⁻¹ and 60-300 mg l⁻¹, respectively. The limits of quantification (LQ) and of detection (LD) of WEOC and NO₃⁻ were found to be 0.10 and 0.05 mg C l⁻¹, and 0.10 and 0.03 mg l⁻¹, respectively.