Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Poultry Feed by Three Gas Chromatographic Detection Techniques

Three different gas chromatographic detection techniques were applied for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) present in poultry feed samples. Extraction and cleanup procedures were kept the same for GC–FID, GC–ECD and GC–MS methods. Although all three GC methods provided good and comparable results, but more attention was focused on GC–FID due to its lower cost and easy availability in many laboratories. Therefore, a short 15 m DB-1 short column was introduced for the determination of DON in poultry feed to reduce the time of analysis and initial cost of column. An inter-laboratory study for GC–FID was performed in two laboratories using four naturally DONS-contaminated feed samples and one spiked with standard. The relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) and relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSD_R) of naturally contaminated feed were in the range 5–23 and 11–24 %, respectively. The Horwitz Ratio (HORRAT) was less than 1.0 in each sample. From the spiking test, recovery, RSDr, RSD_R and value of HORRAT were 93, 5, 11 and 0.6 %, respectively. For GC–FID method, limit of quantification was found to be 6 μg kg^?1. Thus, GC–FID method using 15 m DB-1 capillary column is sensitive and validated analytical method for the determination of DON for poultry feed.     

Chromatography–mass spectrometry determination of alkyl methylphosphonic acids in urine

The potentials of different chromatography–mass spectrometry methods for the determination of alkyl methylphosphonic acids (AMPAs)—the chemical markers of nerve agents in urine—are compared. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) characteristics of various volatile AMPA derivatives are studied. The preference of perfluorobenzyl derivatives over methyl, trimethylsilyl and tert-butyldimethylsilyl esters for the GC–MS determination of AMPAs in urine is demonstrated. An optimal technique for the determination of AMPAs in urine is HPLC combined with high-resolution MS² mass spectrometry with the isotope–labeled forms of target compounds as internal standards. The detection limits of AMPAs in the proposed analytical procedures vary from 0.1 to 1.0 ng/mL.     

Analysis of Paraben Preservatives in Cosmetic Samples: Comparison of Three Different Dynamic Hollow Fiber Liquid-Phase Microextraction Methods

This study focused on a comparison of three different dynamic hollow fiber-based liquid-phase microextraction (DHF-LPME) methods for extraction and preconcentration of parabens from wastewater, toothpaste, cream, and shampoo samples. The first method is two-phase DHF-LPME, in which n-octanol was used as the extraction solvent. The second is three-phase DHF-LPME, in which n-octanol and basic aqueous solution were used as the extraction solvent and acceptor phase, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC–UV) was applied for determination of the parabens in both methods. The third method is a recently introduced method; three-phase DHF-LPME based on two immiscible organic solvents (n-dodecane as organic solvent and acetonitrile as an acceptor phase). The quantitative analyses were performed by the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) after injection port derivatization. The effect of different extraction conditions (i.e., extraction solvent, pH, ionic strength, stirring rate, and dynamic and extraction times) on the extraction efficiency of the parabens was investigated and optimized. All the three procedures provide similar working parameters characterized by high repeatability (3.9–6.3 %) and good linearity (correlation coefficient ranging from 0.989 to 0.998). Results of real sample analyses obtained by these three methods were highly correlated. Although all methods provide compatible alternatives for paraben analysis, the three-phase DHF-LPME based on two immiscible organic solvents may be a more appropriate technique due to its higher extraction efficiency and thus lower limits of detection (LODs). LODs for all the parabens ranged from 0.2 to 5.0 μg L^?1 using the two first methods combined with HPLC–UV. An improvement in sensitivity of several orders of magnitude was achieved using three-phase DHF-LPME based on two immiscible organic solvents followed by single-ion monitoring GC–MS analyses (0.01–0.2 μg L^?1) due to compatibility of this technique with GC instrument.     

Graphene as an efficient sorbent for the SPE of organochlorine pesticides in water samples coupled with GC–MS

The determination of organochlorine pesticides in water samples, which are harmful to humans, is very important for environmental risk assessment. Based on the excellent adsorption properties of graphene, an SPE coupled with GC–MS method for the monitoring of organochlorines (four hexachlorcyclohexanes and four dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes) was developed. Owing to the hydrophobic interaction and π–π stacking interaction between the analytes and graphene, the analytes quantitatively adsorbed onto the graphene‐based SPE cartridge were eluted by ethyl acetate for analysis. Several parameters influencing the analytical performance, such as the kind of elution, sample volume, reusability of the cartridge, have been investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions, detection of limits of 1.95–9.38 ng/L, recoveries of 83.9–107.3% at two spiked concentration levels (0.1 and 10 ng/mL) and RSDs in the range of 2.9–7.4% for real water samples were obtained for all the analytes. This work reveals the great potential of graphene in sample preparation procedures.     

Coupling stir bar sorptive extraction‐dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for preconcentration of triazole pesticides from aqueous samples followed by GC‐FID and GC‐MS determinations

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been developed as a new approach for the extraction of six triazole pesticides (penconazole, hexaconazole, diniconazole, tebuconazole, triticonazole and difenconazole) in aqueous samples prior to GC‐flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). A series of parameters that affect the performance of both steps were thoroughly investigated. Under optimized conditions, aqueous sample was stirred using a stir bar coated with octadecylsilane (ODS) and then target compounds on the sorbent (stir bar) were desorbed with methanol. The extract was mixed with 25 μL of 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane and the mixture was rapidly injected into sodium chloride solution 30% w/v. After centrifugation, an aliquot of the settled organic phase was analyzed by GC‐FID. The methodology showed broad linear ranges for the six triazole pesticides studied, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.993, lower LODs and LOQs between 0.53–24.0 and 1.08–80.0 ng/mL, respectively, and suitable precision (RSD < 5.2%). Moreover, the developed methodology was applied for the determination of target analytes in several samples, including tap, river and well waters, wastewater (before and after purification), and grape and apple juices. Also, the presented SBSE‐DLLME procedure followed by GC‐MS determination was performed on purified wastewater. Penconazole, hexaconazole and diniconazole were detected in the purified wastewater that confirmed the obtained results by GC‐FID determination. In short, by coupling SBSE with DLLME, advantages of two methods are combined to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity of the method. This method showed higher enrichment factors (282–1792) when compared with conventional methods of sample preparation to screen pesticides in aqueous samples.     

The determination of organotins (TBT) in fish and shellfish via gas chromatography–flame photometric detection and direct current plasma emission spectroscopy (GC–FPD/DCP)

Gas chromatography (GC) has been interfaced very simply and inexpensively with a flame photometric detector (FPD) and a direct current plasma (DCP) atomic emission spectrometer in order to perform highly specific and selective determination of organotins in fish and shellfish samples. GC–FPD studies employed a fused-silica, megabore column with a thin, immobilized stationary phase of DB-17 (1 μm thickness), with a commercially available GC–FPD instrument. No prior alkylation or hydridization reactions were performed on the organotins; rather they were separated as the original, native species. Separate GC–FPD and GC–DCP injections and quantitative determinations have been performed, though simultaneous FPD/DCP detection on a single injection is suggested. This permitted routine qualitative and quantitative determinations of organotin species in complex food matrices (fish/shellfish) via both element selective detectors. Isothermal GC–FPD/DCP conditions permitted baseline resolution of all four tin species of interest today: monobutyl-, dibutyl-, tributyl- (TBT), and tetrabutyl-tin. Optimization of the GC–DCP interface was accomplished, followed by a determination of detection limits and linearity of the calibration plots, and a comparison of the results with those obtained by the newer GC–FPD approach (which was also developed here). In three sample instances, qualitative and quantitative results for naturally occurring and spiked levels agreed for both the GC–FPD and GC–DCP approaches. Improved sample preparation and extraction procedures have been developed for organotins from fish samples involving extraction with an organic solvent, concentration, saponification, back-extraction, and injection of the eluent onto the GC column. Quantitative levels of organotins (solely TBT) in fish and shellfish are reported for samples from Europe, Korea, Scandinavia, and the USA.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible fats and oils: occurrence and analytical methods

This review deals with analytical methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) determination in oils and fats. The data reported in the introduction deal with PAH dietary intake from this group of food and contamination levels recently found by some authors in different vegetable oils, stressing the importance of establishing a method suitable for routine analyses. Traditional sample preparation relies on tedious, time-consuming procedures. They generally consist of an extraction step (liquid-liquid partition, caffeine complexation, saponification) followed by one or more purification procedures (column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, solid-phase extraction). The analytical determination is usually carried out by HPLC and spectrofluorometric detection, or through high-resolution capillary GC coupled to flame ionisation detection or mass spectrometry. LC is a valid alternative to the traditional sample preparation, and off-line LC-LC allows performing an accurate PAH analysis in less than 2 h. Also supercritical fluid extraction, allowing performing both extraction and clean-up in one combined step, is a promising technique. Hyphenated techniques such as LC-GC and LC-LC-GC seem to be very promising. A completely on-line method for alkylated PAH determination in oils or lipidic extracts contaminated with mineral oil involves a two-dimensional LC-step with intermediate eluent evaporation and GC transfer through a vaporiser/overflow interface.     

Application of counter-current chromatography as a new pretreatment method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water

Counter‐current chromatography (CCC) was investigated as a new sample pretreatment method for the determination of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water environmental samples. The experiment was performed with a non‐aqueous binary two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐heptane and acetonitrile. The CCC column was first filled with the upper stationary phase, and then a large volume of water sample was pumped into the column while the CCC column was rotated at 1600 rpm. Finally, the trace amounts of PAHs extracted and enriched in the stationary phase were eluted out by the lower mobile phase and determined by gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) or gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The enrichment and cleanup of PAHs can be fulfilled online by this method with high recoveries (84.1–103.2%) and good reproducibility (RSDs: 4.9–12.2%) for 16 EPA PAHs under the optimized CCC pretreatment conditions. This method has been successfully applied to determine PAHs in lake water where 8 PAHs were detected in the concentration of 40.9–89.9 ng/L. The present method is extremely suitable for the preparation of large volume of environmental water sample for the determination of trace amounts of organic pollutants including PAHs as studied in this paper.     

Analytical approaches for arsenic determination in air: A critical review

This review describes the different steps involved in the determination of arsenic in air, considering the particulate matter (PM) and the gaseous phase. The review focuses on sampling, sample preparation and instrumental analytical techniques for both total arsenic determination and speciation analysis. The origin, concentration and legislation concerning arsenic in ambient air are also considered. The review intends to describe the procedures for sample collection of total suspended particles (TSP) or particles with a certain diameter expressed in microns (e.g. PM10 and PM2.5), or the collection of the gaseous phase containing gaseous arsenic species. Sample digestion of the collecting media for PM is described, indicating proposed and established procedures that use acids or mixtures of acids aided with different heating procedures. The detection techniques are summarized and compared (ICP-MS, ICP-OES and ET-AAS), as well those techniques capable of direct analysis of the solid sample (PIXE, INAA and XRF). The studies about speciation in PM are also discussed, considering the initial works that employed a cold trap in combination with atomic spectroscopy detectors, or the more recent studies based on chromatography (GC or HPLC) combined with atomic or mass detectors (AFS, ICP-MS and MS). Further trends and challenges about determination of As in air are also addressed.     

At-line SPE–GC–MS of micropollutants in water using the PrepStation

An automated at-line SPE–GC–MS system for the determination of micropollutants in aqueous samples, which is based on the PrepStation and uses large-volume on-column injections, has been redesigned. A cartridge made from stainless steel and polychlorotrifluoroethylene and a 2-needle system was constructed which allow the determination of micropollutants at the low ng/L level without interferences from impurities extracted from the septa of the vials or the commercial cartridges. No time-consuming pre-cleaning of the cartridges or septa is required. The SPE sample extract (300 μL) is transferred from the sample preparation module to the autosampler of the GC–MS and 50 or 100 μL are injected. The analytical characteristics of the integrated procedure such as analyte recovery (typically 80–105%) and repeatability (RSDs, 2–9%), were satisfactory. Several micropollutants were detected in (unfiltered) river water at the 0.2–400 ng/L level using full-scan MS acquisition. The system proved to be robust during the analysis of more than 100 tap and river water samples.     

The role of sample preparation in multidimensional gas chromatographic separations for non‐targeted analysis with the focus on recent biomedical,food, and plant applications

In this review, we consider and discuss the affinity and complementarity between a generic sample preparation technique and the comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography process. From the initial technical development focus (e.g., on the GC×GC and solid‐phase microextraction techniques), the trend is inevitably shifting toward more applied challenges, and therefore, the preparation of the sample should be carefully considered in any GC×GC separation for an overreaching research. We highlight recent biomedical, food, and plant applications (2016–July 2020), and specifically those in which the combination of tailored sample preparation methods and GC×GC–MS has proven to be beneficial in the challenging aspects of non‐targeted analysis. Specifically on the sample preparation, we report on gas‐phase, solid‐phase, and liquid‐phase extractions, and derivatization procedures that have been used to extract and prepare volatile and semi‐volatile metabolites for the successive GC×GC analysis. Moreover, we also present a milestone section reporting the early works that pioneered the combination of sample preparation techniques with GC×GC for non‐targeted analysis.     

Ion-Pair Single-Drop Microextraction Determinations of Degradation Products of Chemical Warfare Agents in Water

Ion-pair single-drop microextraction (SDME) coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) methods for the determination of four degradation products of chemical warfare agents were investigated in water. Acidic analytes were converted into their ion-pair complexes with cation surfactants in aqueous sample and then extracted into the organic single drop containing the derivatising agent. Upon injection, the analytes were derivatised in the GC injection hot port. Parameters, such as type of extraction solvent, ion-pairing (IP) reagent, reagent concentration, salt concentration, stirring speed and pH, were all optimized. This method is reproducible for spiked water sample for four different analytes (RSDs < 9.33 %, n = 5) and linear (r ² > 0.9945). The limit of detection (LOD) is in the range of 0.08–0.01 ng mL^?1 (S/N = 5) under GC–MS selected ion monitoring mode. The method was successfully applied to the proficiency test samples from the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).     

Ion-Pair Single-Drop Microextraction Determinations of Degradation Products of Chemical Warfare Agents in Water

Ion-pair single-drop microextraction (SDME) coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) methods for the determination of four degradation products of chemical warfare agents were investigated in water. Acidic analytes were converted into their ion-pair complexes with cation surfactants in aqueous sample and then extracted into the organic single drop containing the derivatising agent. Upon injection, the analytes were derivatised in the GC injection hot port. Parameters, such as type of extraction solvent, ion-pairing (IP) reagent, reagent concentration, salt concentration, stirring speed and pH, were all optimized. This method is reproducible for spiked water sample for four different analytes (RSDs < 9.33 %, n = 5) and linear (r ² > 0.9945). The limit of detection (LOD) is in the range of 0.08–0.01 ng mL⁻¹ (S/N = 5) under GC–MS selected ion monitoring mode. The method was successfully applied to the proficiency test samples from the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

     

Direct analysis of alkylphenols in Ginkgo biloba leaves by thermochemolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide

Thermochemolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) was applied to the determination of alkylphenols in Ginkgo biloba leaves directly using a vertical microfurnace pyrolyzer. TMAH thermochemolysis–GC enabled the highly sensitive determination of alkylphenols including ginkgolic acids and ginkgols in G. biloba leaves as their methyl derivatives on the resulted pyrograms. On the basis of their peak areas, the contents of the alkylphenols in G. biloba leaf sample were rapidly and precisely determined without using any tedious and time-consuming pretreatment.     

Simultaneous determination of pyrethroids from pesticide residues in porcine muscle and pasteurized milk using GC

The principal goal of this work was to develop an efficient method for the simultaneous determination of four pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin, in porcine muscle and pasteurized milk using liquid–liquid extraction (LLE). Sample extraction was carried out with and without additional column cleanup procedures, and the final determination was made using GC with electron‐capture detector (ECD). The pesticide identity was confirmed using GC‐MS in the SIM mode. Since there were minor differences between the extraction procedures, extraction without the additional cleanup procedure was used throughout the work. The method was validated by fortifying blank samples with half, two, and four times the maximum residue limit (MRL) of each PYR. The average recoveries (n = 6) ranged from 83.5 to 99.2% and 82.9 to 109% in porcine muscle and pasteurized milk, respectively. The repeatability of measurements expressed as RSDs, was in the range of 1.7–11.9 and 1.5–10.3% in porcine muscle and pasteurized milk, respectively. The LODs ranged from 3.3 to 9 and 3 to 8.1 ppm, whereas the LOQs ranged from 10 to 27.4 and 9 to 24.6 ppm, in porcine muscle and pasteurized milk, respectively. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by analyzing real samples collected from major cities in the Republic of Korea. No residues of the selected pesticides were detected in any of the samples.     

Determination of residual monomer in polymer latex by full evaporation headspace gas chromatography

This study demonstrated a full evaporation (FE) headspace gas chromatographic technique for the determination of residual monomer in methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymer latex. A very small amount (approximately 10-30 mg) of latex was added to a sealed headspace sample vial (20 ml). A near-complete monomer mass transfer from both liquid (aqueous phase) and solid phase (polymer particles) to the vapor phase (headspace) is achieved within 5 min at a temperature of 110 degrees C. The method eliminates sample pretreatment procedures such as the solvent extraction. Thus, it avoids the risk of polymer deposition on the GC system caused by a directly injection of extraction solvent in the conventional GC monomer analysis. The present method is simple, rapid, and accurate.     

GC Methods for the Determination of Methanol and Ethanol in Insulating Mineral Oils as Markers of Cellulose Degradation in Power Transformers

Methanol and ethanol in transformer oils have been recently proposed as new markers of thermal and mechanical degradation of cellulose (the solid insulation in power transformers). In this work, we optimized and compared the performance of two headspace gas chromatographic methods based on flame ionization (HS–GC–FID) and mass spectrometry detection (HS–GC–MS) to determine methanol and ethanol in insulating mineral oil. For methanol and ethanol, the detection limits were 12 and 27 μg kg^?1 (HS–GC–FID) and 1.3 and 3.1 μg kg^?1 (HS–GC–MS). Repeatability was evaluated in transformer oils for both the methods at different concentration levels of analytes and RSD values were found to lie between 1.8 and 16 %. The accuracy of the methods was assessed under a proficiency test (Cigré JWG A2/D1.46). The methods were compared by a F-test and a one-sided paired t test performed on 21 transformer oils in service. Correlations of methanol and ethanol content in sampled oils against their actual time of service are provided. For each sample, the content of traditional markers (furan-2-carbaldehyde and CO₂) was also measured, finding a correlation between light alcohols and CO₂ content. This indicates that methanol and ethanol determination may be helpful in providing further information on the thermal degradation conditions of transformers’ solid insulation. The method developed is currently routinely applied by the laboratories of Sea Marconi Technologies for the assessment of transformers’ conditions.     

Determination of trans fat in edible oils: current official methods and overview of recent developments

The adverse effects of dietary trans fat on biomarkers of chronic disease are well documented. Regulatory authorities in many countries have enacted legislation aimed at reducing trans fat content of their food supplies, either by requiring trans fat labeling on pre-packaged foods or by limiting the amount of trans fat in oils used for food production. Increased use by the food industry of oils with a low trans fat content necessitates reevaluation of official methods used by the food industry and regulatory agencies for the determination of total trans fat. Attenuated total reflection–Fourier-transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC–FID) are two techniques used in official methods approved by method-endorsing organizations, for example AOAC International and the American Oil Chemists’ Society. Here, we review current official ATR–FTIR and GC–FID methods for determination of trans fat, with a focus on factors affecting quantification of low levels of trans fat. We include new data on method performance that have only recently become available, and provide an overview of notable recent developments in lipid analysis (e.g. IR spectroscopy procedures, ionic-liquid GC columns, and multidimensional chromatographic techniques) that have the potential to substantially improve the accuracy, sensitivity, and/or speed of trans fat determination.     

Ultrasonication followed by single-drop microextraction combined with GC/MS for rapid determination of organochlorine pesticides from fish

A novel, rapid and simple sample pretreatment technique termed ultrasonication followed by single-drop micro-extraction (U-SDME) has been developed and combined with GC/MS for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fish. In the present work, the lengthy procedures generally used in the conventional methods like, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction and microwave assisted solvent extraction for extraction of OCPs from fish tissues are minimized by the use of two simple extraction procedures. Firstly, OCPs from fish were extracted in organic solvent with ultrasonication and then subsequently preconcentrated by single-drop micro-extraction (SDME). Extraction parameters of ultrasonication and SDME were optimized in spiked sample solution in order to obtain efficient extraction of OCPs from fish tissues. The calibration curves for OCPs were found to be linear between 10-1000 ng/g with correlation of estimations in the range 0.990-0.994. The recoveries obtained in blank fish tissues were ranged from 82.1 to 95.3%. The LOD and RSD for determination of OCPs in fish were 0.5 ng/g and 9.4-10.0%, respectively. The proposed method was applied for the determination of bioconcentration factor in fish after exposure to different concentrations of OCPs in cultured water. The present method avoids the co-extraction of lipids, long extraction steps (>12 h) and large amount of organic solvent for the separation of OCPs. The main advantages of the present method are rapid, selective, sensitive and low cost for the determination of OCPs in fish.