Vortex‐assisted surfactant‐enhanced‐emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction of biogenic amines in fermented foods before their simultaneous analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and environmentally friendly method, based on modified dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed for the simultaneous determination of five biogenic amines in fermented food samples. Biogenic amines were derivatized with 9‐fluorenylmethyl chloroformate, extracted by vortex‐assisted surfactant‐enhanced emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction, and then analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Five biogenic amine compounds were separated within 30 min using a C₁₈ column and gradient elution with acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid. Factors influencing the derivatization and extraction efficiency such as type and volume of extraction solvent, type, and concentration of surfactant, pH, salt addition, and vortex time were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the method provided the enrichment factors in the range of 161–553. Good linearity was obtained from 0.002–0.5 mg/L for cadaverine and tyramine, 0.003–1 mg/L for tryptamine and histamine, and 0.005–1 mg/L for spermidine with coefficient of determination (R²) > 0.992. The limits of detection ranged from 0.0010 to 0.0026 mg/L. The proposed method was successfully applied to analysis of biogenic amines in fermented foods such as fermented fish (plaa‐som), wine and beer where good recoveries were obtained in the range of 83.2–112.5%     

Determination of amino acid neurotransmitters in rat hippocampi by HPLC‐UV using NBD‐F as a derivative

A simple, rapid and accurate high‐performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet–visible detection was developed for the determination of five amino acid neurotransmitters – aspartate, glutamic acid, glycine, taurine and γ‐aminobutyric acid – in rat hippocampi with pre‐column derivatization with 4‐fluoro‐7‐nitrobenzofurazan. Several conditions which influenced derivatization and separation, such as pH, temperature, acetonitrile percentage mobile phase and flow rate, were optimized to obtain a suitable protocol for amino acids quantification in samples. The separation of the five neurotransmitter derivatives was performed on a C₁₈ column using a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer (0.02 mol/L, pH 6.0)–acetonitrile (84:16, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with the column temperature at 30°C. The detection wavelength was 472 nm. Without gradient elution, the five neurotransmitter derivatives were completely separated within 15 min. The linear relation was good in the range from 0.50 to 500 µmol/L, and the correlation coefficients were ≥0.999. Intra‐day precision was between 1.8 and 3.2%, and inter‐day precision was between 2.4 and 4.7%. The limits of detection (signal‐to‐noise ratio 3) were from 0.02 to 0.15 µmol/L. The established method was used to determine amino acid neurotransmitters in rat hippocampi with satisfactory recoveries varying from 94.9 to 105.2%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal‐organic framework ZIF‐8 nanocrystals as pseudostationary phase for capillary electrokinetic chromatography

The outstanding properties such as large surface area, diverse structure, and accessible tunnels and cages make metal organic frameworks (MOFs) attractive as novel separation media in separation sciences. However, the utilization of MOFs in EKC has not been reported before. Here we show the exploration of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8), one of famous MOFs, as the pseudostationary phase (PSP) in EKC. ZIF‐8 nanocrystals were used as the PSP through dispersing in the running buffer (20 mM phosphate solution containing a 1% v/v methanol (pH 9.2)) to enhance the separation of the phenolic isomers (p‐benzenediol, m‐benzenediol, o‐benzenediol, m‐nitrophenol, p‐nitrophenol, and o‐nitrophenol). ZIF‐8 nanocrystals in the running buffer were negatively charged, and interacted with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of the analytes, and thus greatly improved the separation of the phenolic isomers. Inclusion of 200 mg L?¹ ZIF‐8 in the running buffer as the background electrolyte gave a baseline separation of the phenolic isomers within 4 min. The relative standard deviations for five replicate separations of the phenolic isomers were 0.2–1.1% for migration time and 4.5–9.7% for peak area. The limits of detection varied from 0.44 to 2.0 mg L?¹. The results show that nanosized MOFs are promising for application in EKC.     

Analysis of low‐molecular mass aldehydes in drinking waters through capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence detection

The potential of CZE with LIF detection in the separation and determination of low‐molecular mass aldehydes involving precolumn derivatization with fluorescein 5‐thiosemicarbazide was investigated. Different variables that affect derivatization (pH, fluorescein 5‐thiosemicarbazide concentration, time and temperature) and separation (pH and concentration of the BGE, kind and concentration of surfactants at levels higher and lower than CMC, and applied voltage) were studied. The separation was conducted within 16 min by using borate buffer (60 mM; pH 10) with 10 μM polyethylene glycol tert‐octylphenyl ether as modifier. Good linearity relationships (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9978 to 0.9994 for aldehydes) were obtained between the peak areas and concentration of the analytes (0.5–100 μg/L). The LODs for aldehydes were achieved at submicrogram‐per‐liter level (0.15–0.35 μg/L), which indicated that the proposed method surpassed other electrophoretric alternatives in terms of LOD, in many cases even at ca. 1000‐fold. The inter‐day precision (RSD, %) of the aldehydes ranged from 5.2 to 8.3%. Finally, the method was successfully applied to bottled drinking‐water samples, and the aldehydes were readily detected at 0.6–4.4 μg/L levels with average recoveries ranging from 99.1 to 103.5%.     

Simultaneous determination of 13 carbohydrates using high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection and mass spectrometry

A simple, accurate, and highly sensitive method was developed for the determination of 13 carbohydrates in polysaccharide of Spirulina platensis based on high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection and mass spectrometry. Samples were extracted with deionized water using ultrasonic‐assisted extraction, and the ultrasound‐assisted extraction conditions were optimized by Box–Behnken design. Then the extracted polysaccharide was hydrolyzed by adding 1 mol/L trifluoroacetic acid before determination by high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection and confirmed by high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection method was performed on a CarboPac PA20 column by gradient elution using deionized water, 0.1 mol/L sodium hydroxide solution, and 0.4 mol/L sodium acetate solution. Excellent linearity was observed in the range of 0.05–10 mg/L. The average recoveries ranged from 80.7 to 121.7%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification for 13 carbohydrates were 0.02–0.10 and 0.2–1.2  μg/kg, respectively. The developed method has been successfully applied to ambient samples, and the results indicated that high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection and mass spectrometry could provide a rapid and accurate method for the simultaneous determination of carbohydrates.     

Determination of ethyl glucuronide in human serum by capillary zone electrophoresis and an immunoassay

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a marker of recent alcohol consumption. For the optimization of the analysis of EtG by CZE with indirect absorbance detection, the use of capillaries with permanent and dynamic wall coatings, the composition of the BGE, and various sample preparation procedures, including dilution with water, ultrafiltration, protein precipitation, and SPE, were investigated. Two validated screening assays for the determination of EtG in human serum, a CZE‐based approach and an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), are described. The CZE assay uses a coated capillary, 2,4‐dimethylglutaric acid as an internal standard, and a pH 4.65 BGE comprising 9 mM nicotinic acid, ε‐aminocaproic acid and 10% v/v ACN. Proteins are removed via precipitation with ACN prior to analysis and the LOQ is 0.50 mg/L. The EIA is based upon commercial reagents which are promoted for the determination of urinary EtG. Krebs–Ringer solution containing 5% BSA is used as a calibration matrix. All samples are ultrafiltered prior to analysis of the ultrafiltrate on a Mira Plus analyzer. Assay calibration ranged between 0 and 2 mg/L and the upper reference limit was determined to be 0.05 mg/L. Both assays proved to be suitable for the analysis of samples from different individuals. For EtG levels above 0.50 mg/L, good agreement was observed for the comparison of the results of the two methods.     

Vortex-assisted surfactant-enhanced-emulsification liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of triazine herbicides in water samples by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

A novel method based on the combination of microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) and vortex‐assisted surfactant‐enhanced‐emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction (VSLLME) was developed for the determination of five triazine herbicides (simazine, atrazine, ametryn, prometryn, and terbutryn) in water samples. The five triazine herbicides were baseline separated by using the microemulsion buffer containing a 10 mmol/L borate buffer at pH 9.5, 2.5% (w/v) SDS as surfactant, 0.8% (w/v) ethyl acetate as oil phase, and 6.0% (w/v) 1‐butanol as cosurfactant. The optimum extraction conditions of VSLLME were as follows: 100 μL chloroform was used as extraction solvent, 5.0 × 10^?5 mol/L Tween‐20 was chosen as the surfactant to enhance the emulsification, and the extraction process was carried out by vortex mixing for 3 min. Under these optimum experimental conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 2.0–200.0 ng/mL, with the correlation coefficients (r²) varying from 0.9927 to 0.9958. The detection limits of the method varied from 0.41 to 0.62 ng/mL. The purposed method was applied to the determination of five triazine herbicides in real water samples, and the recoveries were between 80.6 and 107.3%.     

Effects of the Interaction of Rifamycin SV with Serum Albumins on the Resonance Rayleigh Scattering Spectra and Their Analytical Application

In pH 4.5–4.8 Britton‐Robinson buffer solution, rifamycin SV (i.e. rifamycin sodium) can react with serum albumin such as human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to form macromolecular complexes by electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic force. As a result, the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) of the drug was enhanced remarkably and the RRS peaks were at 374 and 552 nm. The enhancement of RRS (ΔI) is directly proportional to the concentration of HSA or BSA. The linear ranges and the detection limits are 0.03–6.0 µg/mL and 9.0 ng/mL for HSA, and 0.01–8.0 µg/mL and 2.0 ng/mL for BSA, respectively. In this work, a sensitive, selective, simple and fast method for the determination of trace amounts of serum albumin by RRS technique has been developed, which was applied to the determination of serum albumin in the synthesized samples and human urine samples with satisfactory results.     

A rapid CE-potential gradient detection method for determination of quinolones

A rapid CE coupled with potential gradient detection (PGD) for the separation and detection of four quinolones, namely, enoxacin, ofloxacin (OFL), fleroxacin, and pazufloxacin, was described. Separation was performed in a fused-silica capillary (75 microm x 8.5 cm) using a buffer of 30 mM Tris and 4 mM phosphoric acid at pH 8.9. Under the separation voltage of 3 kV, the quinolones were separated within 2.8 min with good linearity (r(2) >or= 0.985). The method was successfully applied in determining OFL in a pharmaceutical formulation. Also, a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method was developed and coupled to CE-PGD in determining quinolones that spiked in milk samples. With dichloromethane and hexane for enrichment and purification, the LLE recoveries of the four quinolones were in the range of 77-106%. The detection limits of the quinolones with LLE-CE-PGD were from 23 to 65 ng/mL. The proposed CE-PGD method was validated with an HPLC method, and the results indicated consistency between the two methods.     

Electrochemical Determination of Synephrine by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Using a Zwitterionic Monolith Column

A sensitive method for the electrochemical determination of synephrine (SYN) by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) has been developed. Optimal chromatographic separation and high sensitive determination by HILIC with electrochemical detection (HILIC‐ECD) was achieved using a sulfobetaine‐type zwitterionic monolith column (100×1.02 mm, i.d.), a mixture of 10 mM sodium phosphate (pH 4) and acetonitrile (20 : 80, v/v) as mobile phase, and a glassy carbon working electrode which was applied with a potential at +1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The chromatographic peak height of SYN was proportional to the concentration from 5.0 µg/L to 1.0 mg/L (r=0.999). The detection limit of SYN (S/N=3) was 3.7 pg on the column. Moreover, the present HILIC‐ECD could be applied to the accurate and precise determination of SYN in Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that an ECD is one of useful detection methods applicable to HILIC.     

Determination of Free and Total Underivatized Amino Acids Including L-Canavanine in Bitter Vetch Seeds Using Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography

A new hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography method coupled with diode-array detector was developed for the determination of 17 underivatized amino acids including L-canavanine in bitter vetch [Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.] seeds. Amino acids were extracted as free as well as total extracts after acid hydrolysis, followed by chromatographic separation on a Zorbax Rx-SIL column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile/potassium phosphate buffer (12.5?mM; pH 3.0) using gradient elution and detection at 190?nm. The method is characterized by a wide linear range (0.01–200?µg/mL, r?>?0.9987), sufficient accuracy (relative error 86.3–109.1%), and suitable precision for the results (relative standard deviation <4.9% in the case of intra-day and <9.8% in the case of inter-day precision). The limits of detection and quantification for free amino acids ranged from 0.01 to 0.24?mg/g and 0.03 to 0.72?mg/g, respectively, whereas the total amino acids ranged from 0.02 to 0.47?mg/g and 0.07 to 1.43?mg/g, respectively. The mean recoveries of free and total amino acids in spiked samples exceeded 70.3% for most amino acids. The mean total content of free and total amino acids in bitter vetch seeds was 1.71 and 14.88?g/100?g seed, whereas the corresponding values for canavanine were 0.07 and 0.19?g/100?g seed, respectively.     

Single‐step extraction followed by LC for determination of (fluoro)quinolone drug residues in muscle,eggs, and milk

In this study, a simplified method for the extraction and determination of seven fluoroquinolone residues (danofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, orbifloxacin, ofloxacin, and sarafloxacin) and three quinolones (oxolinic acid, flumequine, and nalidixic acid), in porcine muscle, table eggs, and commercial whole milk, which required no cleanup step, was devised. This procedure involves the extraction of analytes from the samples via liquid‐phase extraction, and the subsequent quantitative determination was accomplished via LC‐fluorescence detection. Analyte separation was successfully conducted on an XBridge‐C₁₈ column, with a linear gradient mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.01 M oxalic acid buffer at pH=3.5. The one‐step liquid‐liquid extraction method evidenced good selectivity, precision (RSDs=0.26–15.07%), and recovery of the extractable analytes, ranging from 61.12 to 115.93% in matrices. The LOQs ranged from 0.3 to 25 μg/kg. A survey of ten samples purchased from local markets was conducted, and none of the samples harbored fluoroquinolone residues. This method is an improvement over existing methodologies, since no additional cleanup was necessary.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis coupling with partial filling technique and field‐amplified sample injection for enantioseparation and determination of DL‐tetrahydropalmatine

A novel, simple and sensitive method for the enantioseparation and determination of DL ‐tetrahydropalmatine (DL ‐THP) was developed using ACE in combination with partial filling technique and field‐amplified sample injection. A chiral selector, i.e. BSA, was used for the enantioseparation of DL ‐THP in ACE. Effects of BSA concentration, pH and separation voltage on the effectiveness of the enantiomer separation were evaluated. In an optimal condition, D ‐ and L ‐THP were completely enantio‐separated in less than 9 min by partially filling an electrophoretic capillary with 50 μmol/L BSA (50 mbar, 100 s) and carrying out an electrophoresis with 20 mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 15 kV. The sensitivity was further improved by making use of field‐amplified sample injection to lower the LOD (defined as S/N=3) down to 6 ng/mL. Real samples were also tested and promising results for the determination of DL ‐THP enantiomers were obtained.     

Determination of γ‐hydroxybutyric acid in saliva by capillary electrophoresis coupled with contactless conductivity and indirect UV absorbance detectors

The aim of the current study was to optimise and validate the methodology for determination of γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in saliva by CE combined with a contactless conductivity detector (C⁴D) and indirect UV absorbance detection (λ_ABS = 210 nm). The optimized BGE, consisting of 8.5 mM maleic acid, 17 mM arginine, 255 μM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and 15% acetonitrile, was evaluated for the separation of GHB in saliva within 6 min. The performance characteristics of the CE‐C⁴D‐indirect UV methodology was validated. The instrument detection and quantification limits were 0.49 and 1.6 mg/L for C⁴D, and 5.1 mg/L and 17.0 mg/L for indirect UV, respectively. The linearity was obtained over the range from 2.5 to 400 mg/L for C⁴D and from 12.5 to 400 mg/L for indirect UV. The interday precisions were within 2.3–5.7% and intraday precisions were within 1.6–9.0% for C⁴D as well as 2.1–9.3%, 5.6–10.1% for indirect UV in spiked saliva, respectively. The recoveries were within 87.2–104.4%. The matrix effects were +53.2% for small concentrations up to 25 mg/L for C⁴D and +23.6% for concentrations up to 75 for mg/L for indirect UV detection. No matrix effects were observed for higher concentration levels. In conclusion, CE‐C4D‐indirect UV can offer a rapid, accurate, sensitive, and definitive method for the determination of GHB abuse in saliva samples as a forensic screening tool.     

Determination of rimantadine in human urine by HPLC using a monolithic stationary phase and on‐line post‐column derivatization

In the present study, we propose the first HPLC method coupled to postcolumn derivatization for the determination of rimantadine in human urine samples. The analyte and amantadine (internal standard) were isocratically separated using an RP monolithic stationary phase (100 × 4.6 mm id) with a mobile phase consisting of CH₃OH/phosphate buffer (25 mmol/L, pH 3.0) at a volume ratio of 50:50. Postcolumn derivatization involved on‐line reaction with o‐phthalaldehyde (20 mmol/L) and N‐acetyl‐cysteine (5 mmol/L) at alkaline medium (100 mmol/L borate pH 11.0). Spectrofluorimetric detection at λ_ex/λ_em = 340/455 nm enabled the selective and sensitive determination of rimantadine in urine samples at a range of 50–500 ng/mL with an LOD of 5 ng/mL. Human urine samples were analyzed successfully after SPE using hydrophilic‐lipophilic balanced RP cartridges (30 mg/mL, Oasis HLB). Recoveries ranged between 89.7 and 102.7%.     

Capillary electrophoresis chemiluminescence assay of naphthol isomers in human urine and river water using Ni(IV) complex‐luminol system

A capillary electrophoresis method involving online indirect chemiluminescence (CL) detection was used to determine naphthol (NAP) isomers. The method was based on the quenching effect of 1‐ and 2‐NAP on a new CL reaction of luminol with Ni(IV) complex in an alkaline medium. Separation was conducted with a 25.0 mM sodium borate buffer containing 0.8 mmol/L luminol. Under optimized conditions, 1‐ and 2‐NAP were baseline separated and detected in less than 8 min. The limits of detection of 1‐ and 2‐NAP were 3.1 and 2.7 μg/L, respectively (S/N = 3), with a linear range of 4.0–80.0 μg/L (r > 0.995). Analysis of real samples demonstrated that the spiked recoveries were in the range of 89.2–107.5% (n = 3). The proposed method was successfully used to determine 1‐ and 2‐NAP contents in three environmental water samples and 14 human urine samples. No derivatization or tedious pretreatment was required in the analysis. The proposed method is a potential approach for routine tests of naphthol isomers in a facile CE–CL system.     

Determination of galanthamine in Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae by coupling capillary electrophoresis with end‐column electrochemiluminescence detection

A novel method for the determination of galanthamine (GAL) in Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae has been developed based on coupling CE with an end‐column tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Parameters affecting CE separation and ECL detection were investigated and optimized. Baseline separation of GAL from other components in the Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae sample was achieved with an 18 mmol/L phosphate running buffer at pH 9.0. Under the optimized conditions: 12 kV CE‐separation voltage, ECL detection potential at 1.25 V with 5 mmol/L and 50 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 7.5 in the detection reservoir, the linear range of GAL concentration was from 0.8 ng/mL to 2 μg/mL, whereas the detection limit was 0.25 ng/mL (S/N=3). The proposed method was successfully demonstrated for the determination of GAL in Bulbus Lycoridis Radiatae.     

Separation of dietary omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids in food by capillary electrophoresis

A lower dietary omega‐6/omega‐3 (n‐6/n‐3) fatty acid ratio (<4) has been shown to be beneficial in preventing a number of chronic illnesses. Interest exists in developing more rapid and sensitive analytical methods for profiling fatty acid levels in foods. An aqueous CE method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 15 n‐3 and n‐6 relevant fatty acids. The effect of pH and concentration of buffer, type and concentration of organic modifier, and additive on the separation was investigated in order to determine the best conditions for the analysis. Baseline separations of the 15 fatty acids were achieved using 40 mM borate buffer at pH 9.50 containing 50 mM SDS, 10 mM β‐cyclodextrin, and 10% acetonitrile. The developed CE method has LODs of <5 mg/L and good linearity (R² > 0.980) for all fatty acids studied. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids in flax seed, Udo® oils and a selection of grass‐fed and grain‐fed beef muscle samples.     

Antioxidant activities and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry characterization and quantification of the polyphenolic contents of Rumex nervosus Vahl leaves and stems

In the present study, four compounds, viz. chlorogenic acid, catechin, orientin, and apigenin‐O‐acetylglycoside among 18 polyphenol compounds (17 flavonoids and one hydroxycinnamic acid derivative) were characterized for the first time in Rumex nervosus leaves and stems by using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation in terms of determination coefficient, limits of detection, and quantification were ≥ 0.9979, 0.68–1.61, and 2.27–5.38 mg/L, respectively. Accuracy, expressed as percent recovery for two spiking levels (10 and 50 mg/L), were in the range 78.9–110.6% with the exception of caffeic acid. The relative standard deviations were 1–17%. The total polyphenol content was higher by approximately two times in the leaf (1073 mg/kg fresh sample) than in the stem (519.86 mg/kg fresh sample). The antioxidant effects increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and the scavenging activities, investigated by measuring 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) scavenging activity, ferrous ions chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power activity, were significant (p < 0.05) using low concentrations of the leaf extract. Overall, the present study suggests that different parts of R. nervosus have great potential for producing a range of extracts with potential applications in medicine.     

Determination of thiols by capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser induced fluorescence detection using 1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐8‐phenyl‐(4‐iodoacetamido) difluoroboradiaza‐s‐indacene as labeling reagent

A sensitive and effective micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with laser‐induced fluorescence detection approach was described for the determination of low molecular‐mass thiols using 1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐8‐phenyl‐(4‐iodoacetamido) difluoroboradiaza‐s‐indacene as the labeling reagent. After precolumn derivatization, baseline separation of six thiol compounds including cysteine, glutathione, N‐acetylcysteine, homocysteine, 6‐mercaptopurine, and penicillamine were achieved within 18 min. The optimal running buffer was composed of mixtures involving 25 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, 25% (v/v) acetonitrile and 15 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.5. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were found as low as 40 pM under argon ion laser‐induced fluorescence detector (λ_ex/λ_em = 488/520 nm), which were much better than the reported approaches. The accuracy and specificity of this assay for real samples were assured by a standard addition method. The proposed method has been applied to the analysis of thiols both in human plasma and plum flower samples with recoveries of 92.0–109.4%.