Quantitative determination of benzalkonium chloride in treated wood by solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

Ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ) compound wood preservative is comprised of copper and quaternary ammonium compounds with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) as the active ingredient. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) was developed for quantitative determination of BAC in treated wood. Five species of wood were used, Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis), Yezo spruce (Picea jezoensis), Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis), and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). BAC used in the present study was composed of 66% C12, 33% C14 and less than 1% C16. BAC was added to each wood species (500 mg) then extracted with HCl-ethanol (20 ml) and quantitatively determined with LC-UV (262 nm). Wood extractives from the heartwood of each species, except western hemlock, interfered with quantitative determination of BAC, but SPE with an Oasis MCX cartridge was effective in preventing this. Using the present methods, BAC homologue peaks were clearly confirmed without interference. Recoveries from wood ranged from 92 to 101% and the limit of quantitation was approximately 240 microg/g wood for the C12 and C14 homologues.     

Determination of 22 triazole compounds including parent fungicides and metabolites in apples, peaches, flour, and water by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed for the determination of 14 parent triazole fungicides and 8 of their metabolites found in apples, peaches, flour, raw water, and tap water. The triazole fungicides chosen for this multiresidue method development project included propiconazole, fenbuconazole and its RH-9129 and RH-9130 metabolites, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, tebuconazole and its HWG 2061 metabolite, hexaconazole, bromuconazole (both stereoisomers), epoxiconazole, tetraconazole, triticonazole and its RPA-404886 and RPA-406341 metabolites, triadimefon, triadimenol, and myclobutanil. Of special concern to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were the metabolites common to all triazole fungicides: free triazole, 1,2,4-triazole (T), and its 2 conjugates: triazolylalanine (TA) and triazolylacetic acid (TAA). These metabolites were the primary focus of this project. All samples we cleaned up by a combination of C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE), mixed-mode cationic SPE, and mixed-mode anionic SPE columns. A triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometer, equipped with electrospray ionization in the positive-ion mode, was used to determine the compounds of interest. T, TA, and TAA were quantitated using isotopically labeled internal standards (IS), in which the 1,2,4-triazole ring had been synthesized by using 13C and 15N (IS_T, IS_TA, and IS_TAA). These isotopically labeled internal standards were necessary to correct for matrix effects. The T, TA, and TAA metabolites were quantitated at the 25-50 parts-per-billion (ppb) level in food commodities and at 0.50 ppb in water. Recoveries were 70-101% from apples, 60-121% from peaches, 57-118% from flour, 75-99% from raw water, and 79-99% from tap water.     

Capillary electrophoresis for analyzing pesticides in fruits and vegetables using solid-phase extraction and stir-bar sorptive extraction

Two procedures based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in combination with micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC)--diode array detection (DAD) were compared for the simultaneous extraction of acrinathrin, bitertanol, cyproconazole, fludioxonil, flutriafol, myclobutanil, pyriproxyfen, and tebuconazole in lettuce, tomato, grape, and strawberry. Selectivity and resolution of the MEKC procedure were studied changing the pH and the molarity of the buffer, the type and the concentration of surfactant, and the methanol content in the mobile phase. A buffer consisting of 6 mM sodium tetraborate decahydrate with 75 mM of cholic acid sodium solution (pH 9.2) gave the best results. Linearity, extraction efficiencies and limits of quantitation (LOQs) of both extraction methods were compared. The recoveries obtained by SPE ranged from 40 to 106% with relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) from 10 to 19% whereas by the SBSE method, the recoveries were 12-47% and the R.S.D.s 3-17%. The LOQs were much better by SPE (0.2-0.5 mg kg(-1) depending on the processed sample amount) than those obtained by SBSE (1 mg kg(-1) for each compound). Advantages and disadvantages of both procedures are also discussed. As SPE is more robust, rapid, and sensitive than SBSE, its application in combination with MEKC is recommended because provided LOQs below the MRLs established, which is not always attained by SBSE.     

Qualitative and quantitative determination of extractives in heartwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) by gas chromatography

A method for quantitative determination of extractives from heartwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) using gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection (FID) was developed. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.03 mg/g wood and the linear range (r = 0.9994) was up to 10 mg/g with accuracy within +/- 10% and precision of 18% relative standard deviation. The identification of the extractives was performed using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The yields of extraction by Soxhlet were tested for solid wood, small particles and fine powder. Small particles were chosen for further analysis. This treatment gave good yields of the most important extractives: pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether, resin acids and free fatty acids. The method is used to demonstrate the variation of these extractives across stems and differences in north-south direction.     

The effect of wood extractives on the thermal stability of different wood-LLDPE composites

The thermal stability of wood polymer composites made with extractive-free wood from four different wood species was studied. Hot water (HW) extractives, ethanol/cyclohexane (E/C) extractives and both types of extractives were eliminated from A. cyclops, E. grandis, P. radiata and Q. alba. Composites of LLDPE and 10 wt% of wood were prepared, using poly vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene (EVOH) as a compatibilizer. The thermal degradation behavior of the composites was characterized with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The obtained results showed that in all cases, the degradation temperatures shifted to higher values after removal of the extractives. The removal of E/C extractives was less effective in its improvement of the thermal stability than the removal of HW extractives. The largest improvement on the thermal stability of WPCs was achieved when both types of extractives (E/C and HW) were removed.     

固相萃取-高效液相色谱法同时检测水样中戊唑醇、乙霉威、晴菌唑、精甲霜灵和扑草净5种农药残留

利用石墨烯固相萃取柱萃取、高效液相色谱分离紫外检测,建立了戊唑醇、乙霉威、晴菌唑、精甲霜灵和扑草净5种农药同时检测的方法。确定的优化条件为:洗脱剂为5mL二氯甲烷、样品溶液的pH=7.0,样品体积为200mL。在此条件下,扑草净、戊唑醇、乙霉威、晴菌唑和精甲霜灵在0.05～100μg/L浓度范围内与峰面积呈良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.895～0.992;信噪比为3时,5种农药的检出限为1.2～5.2ng/L;方法的精密度为1.4%～4.6%。将本方法用于环境水样标准加入分析,相对回收率为80.5%～107.6%;相对标准偏差均小于5%。     

The effect of wood extractives on the thermal stability of different wood species

This study compares the thermal stability of different wood species, which is an important factor for the production of wood–polymer composites (WPCs), and investigates the effect of extraction on thermal properties. The chemical composition of four wood species – Quercus alba, Pinus radiata, Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia cyclops – has been determined, as the species is expected to affect the thermal stability of wood. Subsequently, the hot-water (HW) extractives, ethanol/cyclohexane (E/C) extractives and both extractives were eliminated from the wood via Soxhlet extraction and the thermal stability of the wood determined with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under identical conditions. The results suggest that a higher cellulose and lignin content leads to better thermal stability of wood in different temperature regimes. In all cases, the removal of extractives improved the thermal stability of the wood. The effect of combined extractions was more pronounced than of an individual extraction and E/C-extraction caused less improvement in the thermal stability of wood than HW extraction. The degradation of the investigated wood extractives occurred at low rates over a broad temperature range. Pure cellulose exhibited superior thermal stability compared to wood, but differences were observed between the investigated wood species.     

Development of analytical methods for multiresidue determination of quinolones in pig muscle samples by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper presents a comparison between liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods developed for the multiresidue determination of 8 quinolones, around their maximum residue levels (MRLs) in pig muscle. The procedure involves common extraction of the quinolones from the tissues by traditional extraction, a step for clean-up and preconcentration of the analytes by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and a subsequent liquid chromatographic analysis. The methods present satisfactory results of linearity, precision and limits of quantification much lower than the MRLs established by the European Union for quinolones in pig tissues.     

Comparison of different liquid chromatography methods for the determination of corticosteroids in biological matrices

Various extraction techniques can be combined with column liquid chromatography (LC) and ultraviolet (UV) or mass spectrometric (MS) detection for the determination of synthetic corticosteroids in biological matrices. Target analysis of low concentrations of 25 microg/kg of dexamethasone in feed can be performed by combining immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) and LC with UV detection. A straightforward multi-analyte procedure is obtained by tandem solid-phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent LC-UV. However, the limits of detection for feed samples are then relatively poor, viz. 100 microg/kg. A multi-analyte method which meets modern demands of about 5 microg/kg detection limit requires one-step SPE combined with LC-MS analysis. As regards urine corticosteroids can be determined down to a level of 0.5 microg/l by either SPE-LC-MS- MS or SPE(IAC)-LC-MS.     

Development of a fully automated sequential injection solid-phase extraction procedure coupled to liquid chromatography to determine free 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulphonic acid in human urine

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulphonic acid, commonly known as benzophenone-3 (BZ3) and benzophenone-4 (BZ4), respectively, are substances widely used as UV filters in cosmetic products in order to absorb UV radiation and protect human skin from direct exposure to the deleterious wavelengths of sunlight. As with other UV filters, there is evidence of their percutaneous absorption.This work describes an analytical method developed to determine trace levels of free BZ3 and BZ4 in human urine. The methodology is based on a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure for clean-up and pre-concentration, followed by the monitoring of the UV filters by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectrophotometry detection (LC-UV). In order to improve not only the sensitivity and selectivity, but also the precision of the method, the principle of sequential injection analysis was used to automate the SPE process and to transfer the eluates from the SPE to the LC system. The application of a six-channel valve as an interface for the switching arrangements successfully allowed the on-line connection of SPE sample processing with LC analysis.The SPE process for BZ3 and BZ4 was performed using octadecyl (C18) and diethylaminopropyl (DEA) modified silica microcolumns, respectively, in which the analytes were retained and eluted selectively. Due to the matrix effects, the determination was based on standard addition quantification and was fully validated. The relative standard deviations of the results were 13% and 6% for BZ3 and BZ4, respectively, whereas the limits of detection were 60 and 30 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The method was satisfactorily applied to determine BZ3 and BZ4 in urine from volunteers that had applied a sunscreen cosmetic containing both UV filters.     

Molecular level comparison of water extractives of maple and oak with negative and positive ion ESI FT‐ICR mass spectrometry

Soluble extractives in wood function to protect living trees from destructive agents and also contribute to wood color and fragrance. Some extractive components have biological activities with medical applications. They also play important roles in wood processing and related applications. To increase the knowledge of wood chemistry, maple and oak were extracted by water. Ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) spectroscopy indicated the presence of a phenolic compound, resorcinol, in maple extractives having higher molecular mass and more aromatic components than oak extractives. Negative and positive electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT‐ICR‐MS) identified thousands of formulas in the two samples in the m/z range of 200 to 800. They mainly fall into the lignin‐like, carbohydrate‐like, and tannin‐like compound categories. The top 25 peaks (ie, formulas) with the highest relative magnitude in negative ESI represented nearly 50% of the summed total spectral magnitude of all formulas assigned in the maple and oak extractives. Furthermore, the base peak (ie, most abundant peak) accounted for about 14% of the total abundance in each wood sample. Literature comparisons identified 17 of 20 formulas in the top five peaks of the four spectra as specific bioactive compounds in trees and other plants, implying the potential to explore utilization of maple and oak extractives for functional and medicinal applications. The various profiling of the top 25 peaks from the two samples also suggested the possible application of FT‐ICR‐MS for detecting chemical markers useful in profiling and identification of wood types and sources.     

Determination of azoles in sewage sludge from Spanish wastewater treatment plants by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid analytical method for the determination of 16 azoles in sewage sludge has been developed and validated. The method was based on ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction cleanup and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometric detection. The azoles were selected by their intensive usage as biocides (tebuconazole, propiconazole, cyproconazole and thiabendazole), antimycotic pharmaceuticals (ketoconazole, econazole, fluconazole and clotrimazole) or fungicides in agriculture (difenoconazole, flusilazole, hexaconazole, prochloraz, bromuconazole, epoxiconazole and triticonazole). The recoveries of these compounds through the method were between 71.9 and 115.8%, with relative standard deviations lower than 20%. Detection limits were in the range of 0.5-5.0 ng/g. The developed method was applied to the analysis of azoles in sewage sludge samples collected from 19 Spanish wastewater treatment plants. Although azoles used as biocides or agriculture fungicides were present in a few sludge samples, the pharmaceuticals ketoconazole, econazole and clotrimazole were present in all of the analyzed sludge samples, being ketoconazole the one found at the highest level, representing the 68.6% of the total azole content found in the 19 sludge samples studied.     

Analysis of impurities occurring in a totally chlorine free-bleached Kraft pulp

A set of impurities (specks) occurring in a TCF (totally chlorine free)-bleached Kraft pulp of Eucalyptus globulus wood was studied. The impurities were Soxhlet extracted with acetone, and the extracts subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) using high-temperature capillary columns. The lipophilic fraction isolated from E. globulus wood extractives was also analyzed for comparison. The composition of the acetone extracts was very similar to that of E. globulus wood. Fatty acids, steroid hydrocarbons, sterols, steroid ketones and sterol esters, arising from E. globulus wood extractives survived the cooking and bleaching processes and accumulated in the pulp. On the other hand, the residue left after acetone extraction was studied by pyrolysis–GC–MS. The results indicated that it was composed of small particles of polyisoprene rubber. In conclusion, the speck impurities studied here seems to be composed of two different moieties, a lipophilic part arising from wood extractives and a core of small particles of synthetic polymers (polyisoprene rubber).     

Determination of fungicides in wine by mixed-mode solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A novel procedure for the determination of nine selected fungicides (metalaxyl-M, azoxystrobin, myclobutanil, flusilazole, penconazole, tebuconazole, propiconazole, diniconazole and difenoconazole) in wine samples is presented. Sample enrichment and purification is simultaneously performed using mixed-mode, anion exchange and reversed-phase, OASIS MAX solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Analytes were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Parameters affecting the chromatographic determination and the extraction-purification processes were thoroughly investigated. Under optimized conditions, 10 mL of wine were firstly diluted 1:1 with ultrapure water and then passed through the mixed-mode SPE cartridge at a flow of ca. 5 mLmin(-1). After a washing step with 5 mL of an aqueous NH(4)OH solution (5%, w:v), analytes were recovered with just 1 mL of methanol and injected in the LC-MS/MS system without any additional purification. The selective extraction process avoided significant changes in the ionization efficiency for red and white wine extracts in comparison with pure standards in methanol. Performance of the method was good in terms of precision (RSDs<11%) and accuracy (absolute recoveries>72%, determined against pure standards in methanol) reporting method LOQs in the range of 0.01-0.79 ngmL(-1) for target compounds, which are far below the EU maxima residue levels (MRLs) for fungicides in vinification grapes and wine. Several commercial wines from different geographic areas in Spain were analyzed. In most samples, metalaxyl-M and azoxystrobin were found at concentrations up to several ngmL(-1).     

Influence of air plasma treatment at atmospheric pressure on wood extractives

The influence of an atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on wood extractives has been investigated by means of surface energy determination and XPS. Polar and disperse component of the surface energy show only marginal influence of plasma treatment, whereas XPS indicates plasma induced oxidation and degradation of the extractives.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet for the determination of triazine and triazoles in mineral water samples

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method for the determination of atrazine, simazine, cyproconazole, tebuconazole, and epoxiconazole in mineral water employing the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with solidification of a floating organic drop with determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has been developed. A mixed solution of 250 μL 1‐dodecanol and 1250 μL methanol was injected rapidly into 10 mL aqueous solution (pH 7.0) with 2% w/v NaCl. After centrifugation for 5 min at 2000 rpm, the organic solvent droplets floated on the surface of the aqueous solution and the floating solvent solidified. The method limits of detection were between 3.75 and 37.5 ng/L and limits of quantification were between 12.5 and 125 ng/L. The recoveries ranged from 70 to 118% for repeatability and between 76 and 95% for intermediate precision with a relative standard deviation from 2 to 18% for all compounds. Low matrix effect was observed. The proposed method can be successfully applied in routine analysis for determination of pesticide residues in mineral water samples, allowing for monitoring of triazine and triazoles at levels below the regulatory limits set by international and national legislations.     

Method development for the determination of wood preservatives in commercially treated wood using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Fungicides and insecticides are commonly used preservatives to protect wood products against microbiological degradations. Currently, there is a lack of analytical methods addressing the quantitative determination of a wide range of wood preserving species in wood matrices. In this study, a reliable method was developed for the determination of a mixture of wood preserving agents with differing chemical structures (i.e., properties), including tebuconazole (TAZ), propiconazole (PAZ), 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), and permethrin (PER), in pine wood. The analyte recoveries obtained by Soxhlet and multiple-stage sonication extractions were compared. While both extraction methods yielded similar results (80–100%), Soxhlet extraction was found to be less labor-intensive and thus preferred providing also lower RSDs of 1–6%. In comparison to methanol, commonly used as an extraction solvent for triazoles, acetone yielded similar extraction efficiencies for all analytes while reducing the time of sample concentration. The solid phase extraction method for triazoles was adapted to allow for a separation of IPBC and PER from the wood matrix. As opposed to previous studies, three recovery standards were employed, which enabled the correction of individual analyte losses during the sample preparation. The matrix-affected limits of detection (LODs) using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection were nearly the same for triazoles 0.07 and 0.21 ng g⁻¹ for PAZ and TAZ in sapwood and 0.18 and 0.21 ng g⁻¹ in heartwood, respectively. Higher LODs were observed for IPBC and PER: 3.9 and 1.7 ng g⁻¹ in sapwood, and 2.0 and 6.0 ng g⁻¹ in heartwood, respectively. The recoveries in the wood submitted to commercial sample treatment showed gradient distribution of analytes depending on the penetration of the treatment.     

Influences of extractives on the photodegradation of wood

Wood is susceptible to photodegradation when exposed to light. In addition to three main components of wood, the influence of extractives on photodegradation is not fully understood. This study examines the role of wood extractives in photodegradation process, and so the variations in the surface properties of non-extracted and extracted Cryptomeria japonica and Acacia confusa heartwood were examined after exposure to ultraviolet light. FTIR and UV-visible techniques were used to analyze the variations in chemical characteristics on the wood surfaces after irradiation. Following the lightfastness test, the contents of quinonoids and carbonyl groups derived from the lignin increased. However, the wood surface deteriorated less when the extractives existed. In conclusion, extractives play an essential role in the photodegradation of wood, and the rate of wood degradation was lessened by the presence of extractives.     

Pyrolysis and smoke formation of grey alder wood depending on the storage time and the content of extractives

Grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench.) wood is often used in the Baltic countries for the production of curing smoke. Unfortunately, the smoke contains an elevated concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The effect of the content of wood extractives and the wood storage time after felling on the formation of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), flavouring compounds and antioxidants was studied. Storage time demonstrated a considerable effect on the overall increase of the B(a)P formation. The extraction (elimination) of extractives did not show any definite coherency with the concentration of B(a)P in smoke primary condensates, which was within the range from 1.1 to 8.7 μg/kg. Storage time and the elimination of extractives increased the yields of both 2-hydroxyacetaldehyde and 1,6-anhydro-β,D-glucopyranose (levoglucosan) from 1.8 to 10 times during the pyrolysis process and smouldering. It is interesting that the intensified formation of both substances takes place simultaneously, which commonly does not occur. Nevertheless, the prolonged storage time and the elimination of extractives do not substantially improve the quality of smoke and its condensates.     

Sample preparation for the determination of steroids (corticoids and anabolics) in feed using LC

An improved sample preparation procedure for the determination of 17 steroids (corticoids (CC) and androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS)), used potentially as growth promoters, in feed samples has been developed. This procedure is based on two reported LC-UV methods. The improved procedure includes a leaching process using ACN, saponification, and SPE using polymeric cartridges. The proposed method was validated according to the EU criteria established for quantitative screening methods in PFS. The extraction efficiencies, decision limits (CCalpha) and detection capabilities (CCbeta), for these compounds were in the ranges of 82-100%, 19-40, and 24-53 microg/kg, respectively. The repeatability and the within-laboratory reproducibility at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 CCbeta levels were smaller than 10%. Accuracy was in the 97-101% range. The robustness was evaluated using the Youden robustness test. This method was applied to the analysis of steroids in different kinds of FS with satisfactory results.