Selective substoichiometry for inorganic arsenic(V) by ion-pair extraction with pyrogallol/tetraphenyl-arsnium chloride and its application in the analysis of seaweed

Arsenic(V) is substioichiometrically extracted from 0.4–3 M sulfuric acid solutions into 1,2-dichloroethane with 1.0 × 10^?5 M teraphenylarsnium chloride in the presence of 2.0 × 10^?1 M pyrogallol. Reproducibility of the substoichiometric extractions with a constant amount of tetraphenylarsonium chloride is high (0.5% RSD). This substiochiometric extraction is very selective for arsenic(V) from arsenic(III), monomethylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid. The extraction combined with the isotope dilution principle was applied to the determination of arsenic(V) in an acid-digestd solution of a seaweed sample (Laminaria religiosa Miyabe) and to the determination of total arsenic in this sample.     

Substoichiometric isotope-dilution analysis for strontium by liquid-liquid extraction with a macrocyclic crown ether or cryptand

Strontium(II) is substoichiometrically extracted into 1,2-dichloroethane with 1.0 × 10^?4 M cryptand-2.2.2 or 18-crown-6 in the presence of 1.0 ×10.2 M picrate at pH 8–10 or 7–9, respectively. A constant substoichiometric amount of strontium(II) is extracted (relative standard deviation, 0.5%). The method combined with isotope dilution is applied to determine strontium(II) in a seaweed sample (Laminaria religiosa Miyabe); the values obtained were 546 ± 9 μg g^?1 with cryptand-2.2.2 and 546 ± 7 μg g^?1 with 18-crown-6.     

Spectrophotometric determination of sodium dodecyl sulfate with preconcentration by reversed micelles of triton N-42

Micellar preconcentration has been proposed to improve the procedure of spectrophotometric determination of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). It involves quantitative extraction by reversed micelles of Triton N-42 in n-decane and the subsequent formation of an ion associate with methylene blue and azure A upon destruction of the micellar solution by diluting it with a mixture of chloroform and n-decane in the presence of small concentrations of a dye solution. The absence of losses of 10^?7?10^?5 M SDS upon from 5-to 50-fold preconcentration is confirmed by the standard addition method (RSD = 4–5%); the determination limit of SDS equals 5 × 10^?8 M.     

Determination of triclosan in human dental plaque by gas chromatography with atomic emission detection

A validated gas chromatographic method for the determination of triclosan in human dental plaque is described. Based on plaque sample weights of 10 mg, the limit of detection (2 × S/N) is 0.5 μg/g. The method is linear (r = 0.9986) from the limit of detection to 50 μg/g. Recoveries from placebos spiked with 2.0, 25, and 50 μg/g of triclosan were 105.6%±7.5%, 107.2%±3.1%, and 99.1%±1.1%, respectively (n = 3 at each level). Twenty replicate preparations and analyses of a homogenized sample, conducted by two operators over the course of 4 days, showed agreement to within 9% RSD. Analyses of dental plaque collected from patients after brushing with dental cream containing triclosan, shows triclosan to be retained in dental plaque at concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (1 μg/g) after 12 h.     

Miniaturized flow-injection-analysis (μFIA) system with on-line chemiluminescence detection based on the luminol-hypochlorite reaction for the determination of ammonium in river water

A miniaturized flow-injection-analysis system constructed from glass and polydimethylsiloxane was employed for the determination of ammonium in river water. The sample was filtered and delivered to the reactor chip electro-osmotically using a disposable fritted capillary, while reagents were delivered to the system by gravity. Ammonia was mixed with the hypochlorite, to form a monochloramine. Once the alkaline luminol (3-aminophthalhydrazide) was delivered to the system, it was oxidized by the unconsumed hypochlorite emitting a bright blue light (λ _max?～?440?nm) that was detected using a miniaturized photomultiplier tube (PMT) located directly under the chip. The calibration model for ammonium standards was linear up to 0.1?µg?mL^?1 (y?=??8.96x?+?1.02; correlation coefficient, r ²?=?0.9715) over a working range of 0.0–0.5?µg?mL^?1. A detection limit of 10?±?6?µg?mL^?1 was achieved with a precision value of (RSD ≤ 6.4%), for n?=?5. A direct and standard addition method were used to determine the concentration of ammonium in a river-water sample (from the Humber Estuary, UK) which was found to be 0.075?±?0.005?µg?mL^?1, with a precision value of (RSD?≤?3.7%), for n?=?9. The results obtained showed good agreement with the average concentration 0.065?µg?mL^?1 (provided by the local environmental agency), for the analysis of ammonia at different sample points on the estuary.     

On-line simultaneous pre-concentration procedure for the determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water employing sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry

An on-line pre-concentration system for the sequential determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water by using fast sequential flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FS-FAAS) is proposed in this paper. Two minicolums of polyurethane foam loaded with 2-(6-methyl-2-benzothiazolylazo)-orcinol (Me-BTAO) were used as sorptive pre-concentration media for cadmium and lead. The analytical procedure involves the quantitative uptake of both analyte species by on-column chelation with Me-BTAO during sample loading followed by sequential elution of the analytes with 1.0?mol?L^?1 hydrochloric acid and determination by FS-FAAS. The optimisation of the entire analytical procedure was performed using a Box–Behnken multivariate design utilising the sampling flow rate, sample pH and buffer concentration as experimental variables.

The proposed flow-based method featured detection limits (3σ) of 0.08 and 0.51?µg?L^?1 for cadmium and lead, respectively, precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.63% and 3.87% (n?=?7) for cadmium at the 2.0?µg?L^?1 and 10.0?µg?L^?1 levels, respectively, and RSD of 6.34% and 3.26% (n?=?7) for lead at the 5.0?µg?L^?1 and 30.0?µg?L^?1 levels, respectively. The enrichment factors achieved were 38.6 and 30.0 for cadmium and lead, respectively, using a sample volume of 10.0?mL. The sampling frequency was 45 samples per hour. The accuracy was confirmed by analysis of a certified reference material, namely, SRM 1643d (Trace elements in natural water). The optimised method was applied to the determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water samples collected in Santo Amaro da Purificação City, Bahia, Brazil.     

Evaluation of electrochemical hydride generation for the determination of arsenic and selenium in sea water by graphite furnace atomic absorption with in situ concentration

A continuous flow electrochemical hydride generation technique coupled with in situ concentration in a graphite furnace has been developed for determination of As and Se in seawater. Lead is used as cathode material for the production of arsine and hydrogen selenide. The efficiency of generation of arsine from As(III) is 86 ± 6%, that from As(V) ranges from 73% to 86%. The efficiency of generation of hydrogen selenide from Se(IV) is 60 ± 5% and from Se(VI) is 30 ± 5%. The hydrides are trapped in an iridium-palladium coated graphite furnace prior to atomization. Absolute detection limits and concentration detection limits of 84 pg (3s_blank) and 84 pg ml⁻¹ for determination of As using 1 ml sample volume and 75 pg (3s_blank) and 7.5 pg ml⁻¹ for determination of Se using 10 ml sample volumes are obtained, respectively. The precision of replicate measurement for the analysis of reference materials at the 1.3 μg l⁻¹ level for As(III) (0.8 ng absolute mass level) and at the 0.042 μg l⁻¹ level for Se(IV) (0.42 ng absolute mass level) is better than 4% and 23% (relative standard deviation, RSD), respectively. The RSD values quoted above for Se include errors introduced by the sample preparation procedure.     

Determination of total sulphur in soil and plant material

A rapid and accurate method for the determination of the total sulphur content of soil or plant material is described. The sample is heated with sodium bicarbonate and silver oxide at 550° for ₃h, and the sulphur content of the whole residue is reduced to hydrogen sulphide and determined as methylene blue. The results compare favourably with those of other methods.In routine use, at least 30 analyses may be completed in a day.     

Assay of mixtures of chlorpheniramine maleate,pyrilamine meleate and phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride in cold-allergy tablets by difference spectrophotometry

Mixtures of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA), with and without pyrilamine maleate (PRM), are assayed by u.v. difference spectrophotometry without prior separation. The spectra for CPM and PRM in solutions at pH 1 and pH 6 show differences whereas the spectra for PPA remain the same at pH 1 and 6. For PPA, quantitation is based on the spectral change on oxidation to benzaldehyde with metaperiodate; this oxidation does not affect CPM and PRM. Calibration plots are linear for 6.7–99.9 μg ml^?1 CPM (r = 0.9992), 12.7–50.6 μg ml^?1 PRM (r = 0.9997) and 25–115.3 μg ml^?1 PPA (r = 0.9980) in the presence of one another. Average recoveries (± RSD) from simulated PPA/CPM tablets were: PPA, 98.4 ± 0.4% (without PRM, n = 3), 99.8 ± 0.4% (with PRM, n = 5); CPM, 99.3 ± 0.6% (without PRM, n = 3), 99.2 ± 0.4% (with PRM, n = 5); and PRM, 99.5 ± 0.2% (in PPA/CPM/PRM tablets, n = 5). The method was successfully applied to commercial cold-allergy tablets containing these compounds.     

On-line-sorption preconcentration and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry determination of rare earth elements

The system for on-line microcolumn sorption preconcentration and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry determination of 14 rare earth elements (REEs) is described. Aminocarboxylic sorbents of different structure are used. Preconcentration of REEs from the 20 ml of sample solution and elution with 210 μl of 1 mol l⁻¹ HCl results in an enrichment factor of 99. The detection limit of REEs is about n × 0.1 μg l⁻¹ (RSD 3–5%). The possibility of simultaneous REE determination in complicated solutions is demonstrated.     

Microtitrimetric and photometric determination of sulphur in metals in the low μg g-1 range after wet or dry evolution of hydrogen sulphide

Wet and dry techniques have been optimized for the separation of sulphur traces from metals (e.g. Ag, Cu, Cu alloys, Pb, Sn, Fe) as hydrogen sulphide, in combination with a final microtitrimetric or spectrophotomefcric determination. The metal sample can be dissolved in a mixture of hydroiodic, formic and hypophosphorous acids, and the evolved hydrogen sulphide swept with nitrogen into an absorption vessel. Alternatively, in the hydrogenation technique, the metal sample is heated in a stream of pure hydrogen up to ?1150°C and the hydrogen sulphide produced is absorbed in sodium hydroxide solution or cadmium hydroxide suspension. The sulphide is determined in the absorption vessel by microtitration with cadmium(II) titrant and dithizone as indicator. The methylene blue colour reaction is applied for the speetrophotometric determination. Precautions are taken to avoid systematic errors (losses by absorption, contamination by laboratory air) and to lower reagent blanks, so that concentrations as low as ?0.2 μg g^-1 (sample weight ?1 g) can be determined. The coefficients of variations are ?10% and 2.5% at concentration ranges of 1–10 μg g^-1 and > 10 μg g^-1, respectively.     

On-line matrix removal of lead for the determination of trace elements in forensic bullet samples by flow injection inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

The determination of trace elements in lead by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source mass spectrometry (MS) is not possible without the removal of a substantial proportion of the lead matrix. This was achieved by the retention of lead from a 130-μl sample solution (100 mg l⁻¹ lead in 2% v/v nitric acid) injected into a single-line (3% v/v nitric acid) flow injection manifold, on 100 mg of Pb-Spec® packed into a cylindrical column (6 cm×4 mm internal diameter). The analytes, Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Sb and Sn, passed through the column and were quantified against matrix-matched standards. Only Ag showed significant retention, but could still be measured in an 8-min run. The column was rinsed by flushing with 0.1 M ammonium citrate solution. Lead was monitored by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in preliminary experiments concerning column capacity and breakthrough. Although the capacity of the material in the dynamic, flow-through mode was less than the literature value based on equilibrium studies, the lead from up to 13 successive injections was sufficiently retained to allow accurate determination of the analytes without intermediate rinsing of the column. The precision [percentage relative standard deviation (%R.S.D.), n=5] of the procedure ranged from 1.7% (100 ng ml⁻¹ copper) to 2.8% (5 ng ml⁻¹ cadmium), and detection limits were in the range 0.2–10 ng ml⁻¹. The accuracy of the procedure was assessed by the analysis of three National Institute of Standards and Technology standard reference materials (SRM 2416 bullet lead, SRM 2415 battery lead, and SRM 2417 lead base alloy). For each SRM, duplicate determinations of seven analytes were made. Of the 42 determinations, 36 fell within the confidence interval around the accepted value. Three real bullets were analyzed for seven elements by both the flow injection solid-phase extraction ICP-MS method and by aspiration of the bullet solutions (10 000 mg l⁻¹ lead) directly into an ICP emission spectrometer. A linear least squares regression of these two sets of results gave a line with slope 1.01±0.04 and an intercept of −5±100 μg g⁻¹, where the ± terms are 95% confidence intervals. The column lifetime was in excess of 5 months of daily use.     

Relativkonduktometrisches Verfahren zur simultanen Bestimmung extrem niedriger Kohlenstoff- und Schwefelgehalte in Metallen

The simultaneous determination of carbon and sulphur in the ppb-range (or in rag-samples in the low ppm-range) in high purity metals is described. The combustion of the sample (1–1000 mg) is performed in purest oxygen without additives by means of induction heating (6 MHz, 3 kW). The combustion products CO₂ and SO₂, after separation in a gaschromatographic column, are detected using a relative conductometric method. The limits of detection for the determination of carbon and sulphur in vanadium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, noble metals, copper, aluminium, iron, chromium are 5 ng. With amounts of 100 ng the relative standard deviations of ±5% for carbon and ±6% for sulphur were found. Problems in lowering the blank values (e.g. sample preparation, gas purification, combustion), in absorption of CO₂ and SO₂, and in conductivity measurement are discussed in detail and some calibration methods are compared.     

Evaluation of As,Se and Zn in octopus samples in different points of sales of the distribution chain in Brazil

Three CRMs of different matrix composition were analysed, representing an environmental matrix sample (BCR–320R Channel Sediment), a botanical matrix sample (SRM 1547 Peach Leaves) and a zoological matrix sample (SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue). The element mass fractions were obtained using the KayWin program. Analytical measurement uncertainty was determined by two approaches: (1) the routine procedure applying combination of the overall uncertainty u(m) = 3.5 % and statistical uncertainty of the peak area determination and (2) the procedure applying the dedicated ERON program for calculating uncertainty. Performance of altogether 31 certified values was tested by means of calculating E _n numbers. For the remaining 52 non-certified values, comparison between uncertainties obtained by the two approaches was made. When using the first approach, the E _n number showed satisfactory performance in 28 cases; by using the second approach, the E _n number showed satisfactory performance in 27 cases. None of the unsatisfactory performances (E _n  > 1) appeared to be of systematic nature. The uncertainties obtained by applying the two approaches revealed a big extent of consistency. As the present nuclear database lacks lot of data that serve as input to the ERON program, in particular uncertainties of Q ₀ factors, estimates need to be introduced for the missing values, emphasising the urgent need to upgrade the database with missing data.     

Substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis of iron in biological materials by the 8-quinolinol-extraction

A highly precise and accurate method for the determination of minor amounts of iron by substoichiometric isotope dilution analysis is described. The constant amount of Fe(III) is substoichiometrically extracted with 2·10⁻⁴M oxine in chloroform from the aqueous phase of pH 9.2–10.0 containing 6·10⁻³M tartrate. The interfering ions such as Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), can be removed by the preliminary extraction of Fe(III) from 7.5M hydrochloric acid solutions into isopropyl ether. The present method has been applied to the determination of iron in biological standard reference materials, i.e., the NBS Spinach (SRM-1570) and the NIES Pepperbush (SRM No. 1), and the results obtained are 548±9 ppm (NBS certified value: 550±20 ppm) and 193±4 ppm, respectively.     

Metabolic variations in seaweed,Sargassum polycystum samples subjected to different drying methods via 1H NMR-based metabolomics and their bioactivity in diverse solvent extracts

Seaweeds are known as excellent sources of unique bioactive metabolites. In the present study, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) combined with principal component analysis (PCA) was used to distinguish the metabolic variations in Brown seaweed, Sargassum polycystum treated under different drying processes. The study also evaluated the phytochemistry, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of S. polycystum extracted in different solvents. Mutually under the different drying processes investigated, a total of 12 metabolites were identified from ¹H NMR analysis. Freeze drying emerged as the most efficient process that preserved most of the potentially beneficial metabolites in the samples. The results of the qualitative phytochemical screening of differentially dried S. polycystum extracts revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites. The 70% ethanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (627 ± 50.81 mg GAE/100 g dried samples) and also displayed the highest DPPH scavenging activity (61.4 ± 0.171%) at the highest concentration (3 mg ml⁻¹) tested. Methanol extract on the other hand contained the highest total antioxidant capacity (121.00 ± 0.003 mmol/g) followed by 70% ethanol extract (120.00 ± 0.001 mmol/g) at concentration of 1.25 mg/mL. The 70% ethanol extract also showed inhibition zone towards all bacteria samples tested compared to others solvent extracts. Based on these results, the identification of metabolites variations using PCA is considered as very useful procedure as a basis to recommend the most efficient processing (drying) method. The potential utilization of the tested Brown seaweed S. polycystum species as a source of antioxidants and antibacterial agents were also highlighted. The commercial cultivation of the species therefore, needs to be encouraged and promoted.     

Thermodynamic studies of methylene blue adsorption onto Fe-doped sulfated titania

Adsorption equilibrium of methylene blue onto Fe-doped sulfated titania (FST) samples was studied at different temperatures (298, 303, and 308 K). Based on the wavelength scanning from 580 to 760 nm, the wavelength of maximum absorbance of methylene blue was determined to be 666 nm and the corresponding calibration curve can be described by the equation of A = 0.0068 + 0.1514C. The adsorption of methylene blue onto FST samples was conformed to the Langmuir isotherms. The absorption capacity of each FST sample for methylene blue increases with increasing temperature. The increase in the adsorption parameters (q _m, b, and K ₀) and the positive ΔH ^θ reveal the endothermic feature of this adsorption process. The negative ΔG ^θ shows the adsorption of methylene blue onto FST samples can be carried out spontaneously at the examined temperatures. Furthermore, with the calcination temperature increases, the variation in crystallization degree, the surface and the sulfur species will obviously influence the adsorption properties of FST samples and the thermodynamic parameters of this adsorption process.     

The determination of sulphur in copper,nickel and aluminium alloys by proton activation analysis

The ³⁴S(p, n)^34mCl reaction induced by 13-MeV protons is used for the determination of sulphur in copper, nickel and aluminium alloys. The ^34mCl is separated by repeated precipitation as silver chloride. The results obtained were 3.08 ± 0.47, 1.47 ± 0.17 and <1μg g^-1 for copper, nickel and aluminium alloys, respectively.     

Silica Microspheres for SPE and Determination of Fungicides in Water by LC

A new method has been developed for the determination of metalaxyl, myclobutanil, and tebuconazole in environmental water samples with preconcentration by cartridges packed with SiO₂ microspheres prior to LC. Several parameters such as the volume and composition of eluent, sample flow rate, sample pH, and sample volume were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, excellent detection limits (S/N = 3) and precision (RSD, n = 6) were 0.02 ng mL^?1, 1.3% for metalaxyl, 0.02 ng mL^?1, and 2.4% for myclobutanil and 0.08 ng mL^?1 and 4.3% for tebuconazole, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of real-water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained. The average spiked recoveries were in the range of 86.3–97.5%. These results indicate that SiO₂ microspheres have great potential to be used as a novel solid phase extraction adsorbent that could have wide applications in the environmental field.     

Polarographic determination of cyanide as nickelcyano complex in blood plasma after selective extraction in a methylene blue impregnated polyethylene column

A method for the determination of cyanide in blood plasma by differential pulse polarography (DPP) is described without a drastic acidification of the sample. Cyanide was determined as tetracyanonickelate(II)-anion complex after a microwave-acid assisted cleanup and a selective complex extraction in a polyethylene methylene blue (PE-MB) impregnated column. The cyano complex was eluted from the column with water/acetonitrile and determined by pulse-polarography at –380 mV (Ag/AgCl). The linear range of calibration was obtained from 1.2 to 9.6 μg of cyanide with r = 0.99 and RSD = 9% of 1.2 μg of cyanide. A detection limit of 40 μg L^–1 was calculated and the recoveries of cyanide from spiked samples were about 80%. This method was compared with the classical pyridine-pyrazolone method.