Use of zwitterionic micelles in the eluent II: a new approach to ion chromatographic analysis of inorganic cations in biological fluids with direct sample injection

A new ion chromatographic (IC) technique has been developed for the determination of inorganic cations in biological fluids with direct sample injection. This involved the use of a mixed zwitterionic-micelle/electrolyte solution as an eluent. The proteins in the sample became bound to the zwitterionic micelles in the eluent and were thus eliminated from the column. The cations were separated by cation exchange. This method is ideal for the online, simultaneous determination of common inorganic cations (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) in urine and serum samples. Such an application was demonstrated experimentally. Non-suppressed conductivity was used for analyte detection. The detection limits obtained using this IC system were 2.94, 5.22, 34.9, 32.6, and 56.7 microg/L for Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, respectively.     

Use of zwitterionic micelles in the eluent: a new approach for ion chromatographic (IC) analysis of ions in biological fluids with direct sample injection

The problem of column performance degradation due to irreversible binding of proteins encountered in ion chromatographic (IC) analysis of ions in protein-containing samples was overcome by using zwitterionic micelles (e.g., Zwittergent-3-14) as a portion of the eluent. A zwitterionic micellar eluent showed high ability for solubilization of proteins, and, hence, the protein-containing samples could be analyzed without need for deproteinization. On the other hand, the zwitterionic micelle was insensitive to conductivity but interacted with the analyte ions, due mainly to its unique configuration of charges (namely, the zwitterionic micelle containing both positively and negatively charged groups but carrying no net charge). Using a zwitterionic micellar eluent, the analyte ions could be detected selectively and sensitively, and moreover, the selectivity for the analyte ions was unique. A conventional anion-exchange column conditioned with a Zwittergent-3-14 micellar eluent was applied for the analysis of real biological samples (serum and urine) with direct sample injection. The results of the successful detection of inorganic anions (Cl-, SO4(2-), NO2-, Br-, and NO3-) have demonstrated the usefulness of this new IC approach for the analysis of biological samples.     

Use of zwitterionic micelles in the eluent: a new approach for ion chromatographic (IC) analysis of ions in biological fluids with direct sample injection

The problem of column performance degradation due to irreversible binding of proteins encountered in ion chromatographic (IC) analysis of ions in protein-containing samples was overcome by using zwitterionic micelles (e.g., Zwittergent-3–14) as a portion of the eluent. A zwitterionic micellar eluent showed high ability for solubilization of proteins, and, hence, the protein-containing samples could be analyzed without need for deproteinization. On the other hand, the zwitterionic micelle was insensitive to conductivity but interacted with the analyte ions, due mainly to its unique configuration of charges (namely, the zwitterionic micelle containing both positively and negatively charged groups but carrying no net charge). Using a zwitterionic micellar eluent, the analyte ions could be detected selectively and sensitively, and moreover, the selectivity for the analyte ions was unique. A conventional anion-exchange column conditioned with a Zwittergent-3-14 micellar eluent was applied for the analysis of real biological samples (serum and urine) with direct sample injection. The results of the successful detection of inorganic anions (Cl^–, SO₄ ^2–, NO₂ ^–, Br^–, and NO₃ ^–) have demonstrated the usefulness of this new IC approach for the analysis of biological samples.     

Determination of inorganic anions in biological fluids with direct sample injection by electrostatic ion chromatography using zwitterionic micelles in both stationary and mobile phases

A new ion chromatographic (IC) system, which uses zwitterionic (e.g., Zwittergent 3-14) micelles as both stationary and mobile phases, highly useful for the analysis of inorganic anions in biological samples, was developed. The zwitterionic micellar stationary phase (which is obtained by immobilizing the zwitterionic surfactant on surfaces of the reversed-phase ODS) showed high ability to confine the elution bands of the large amount of SO4(2-) and Cl- to narrow zones. As a result, a base-line separation of NO2-, Br- and NO3- from SO4(2-) and Cl- is always achieved. The zwitterionic micellar mobile phase, (which is obtained by dissolving the zwitterionic surfactant with a suppressive electrolytic solution, e.g., aqueous NaHCO3 solution), on the other hand, showed high ability for rapid elution of proteins. The separation column is therefore always being cleaned up even after the protein-containing sample is directly injected. The zwitterionic micelles are also insensitive to conductivity detection, therefore either the suppressed or the non-suppressed conductivity detection method is applicable for detection of the analyte ions. Urine and serum were chosen as the model real samples and were analysed with direct sample injection; the results of successful determination of a number of inorganic anions (SO4(2-), Cl-, NO2-, Br- and NO3-) in both samples have demonstrated the usefulness of this new IC system.     

SPE and large-volume sample stacking in MEKC for determination of doxycycline in biological fluids: comparison of direct injection to SPE-MEKC

A novel and simple method has been developed for the determination of doxycycline (DOX) in biological fluids. The method is based on SPE, large-volume sample stacking (LVSS) and MEKC with UV-DAD detection. Six SPE cartridges have been used in investigation for sample clean up and pre-concentration (Supelco LC-8, LC-18, LC-SCX, and LC-WCX, as well as Strata-X and X-C). DOX was determined on a 56 cm (effective length 50 cm) x 50 microm id fused-silica capillary. The BGE was 20 mM borate buffer, pH 9.3, containing 80 mM SDS and 7.5% v/v of methanol (30 sx50 mbar), and the temperature and voltage were 25 degrees C and 30 kV, respectively. The analytical wavelength was set at 210 nm. Under optimized conditions it is possible to determine DOX in human serum, urine, semen, tears and saliva with recovery of 97.5% (RSD 2.5%). The method was shown to be sensitive (LOD is 1 microg/L) and precise (intra-day RSD 0.2 and 2.4%; inter-days 0.4 and 3.5% for migration time and peak area, respectively). Results for developed SPE-LVSS-MEKC were compared with LVSS-MEKC method with direct sample injection. The new LVSS-MEKC method is presented as a useful technique for rapid determination without extraction procedure of DOX in human urine and serum, using 80 mM of SDS, 10% v/v of methanol and 40 mM borate buffer (pH 9.3; 30 s x 50 mbar; 25 degrees C; 30 kV; 350 nm), but not for the other biological fluids, according to lower sensitivity of the method and because of the sample composition.     

Determination of inorganic cations in biological fluids using a hybrid capillary electrophoresis device coupled with contactless conductivity detection

We describe the assembly of a hybrid electrophoresis device that contains fused silica capillaries interconnected to a microfabricated interface in a cross format for the determination of inorganic cations in biological samples. The sample transport in the proposed hybrid device was performed under gated injection mode and the separations were monitored with a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector. The capillary extremities were inserted into polypropylene tubes to create solution reservoirs. Sensing electrodes were produced using stainless‐steel hypodermic needles previously cut with 2.0 mm length. The running composition and injection time were optimized and the best results were found using 50 mmol/L lactic acid, 20 mmol/L histidine and 3 mmol/L 18‐crown‐6 ether, and an electrokinetic injection time of 15 s. The separation of six inorganic cations was achieved with baseline resolution, and efficiencies were between 9.1 × 10³ and 5.4 × 10⁴ plates/m. The proposed hybrid device was explored for determining the concentration levels of inorganic cations in urine, saliva, and tear samples, employing Li⁺ as an internal standard. The achieved results were in good agreement with the data reported in the literature. The reliability of the proposed method ranged from 93 to 98%, thus suggesting satisfactory accuracy for bioanalytical applications.     

Gas chromatographic water analysis by direct injection of large sample volumes in an adsorbent-packed PTV injector

Chromatographia - A GC method is described for the determination of pollutants in aqueous samples by direct enrichment out of large sample volumes in a PTV injector. The vaporized water is...     

Mobile phase versus stationary phase approaches to the direct injection of biological fluids in liquid chromatography

The liquid chromatographic analysis of drugs in urine through direct injection without any sample pretreatment was extended to micellar chromatography with nonionic surfactants, the Pinkerton ISRP column and the shielded hydrophobic phase (Hisep) column. The feasibility of using each was demonstrated through the determination of the diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, in urine. Good separation, recovery, precision and linearity, and adequate limits of detection were obtained for this analysis with all three techniques. The advantages and limitations of the mobile phase approach of micellar chromatography and the two stationary phase approaches are discussed for the direct injection of urine as well as other biological fluids.     

Restricted access media-molecularly imprinted polymer for propranolol and its application to direct injection analysis of beta-blockers in biological fluids

A restricted access media-molecularly imprinted polymer (RAM-MIP) for propranolol (PRP) has been prepared for direct injection analysis of beta-blockers in biological fluids. First, the MIP for PRP was prepared using methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively, by a multi-step swelling and polymerization method. Next, a 1:1 mixture of glycerol monomethacrylate and glycerol dimethacrylate was used for hydrophilic surface modification, and added directly to the MIP for PRP after 4 h from the start of polymerization. Then further polymerization was carried out for 20 h. The obtained RAM-MIP for PRP showed excellent molecular recognition ability for PRP, good ones for alprenolol (ALP) and pindolol, and fair ones for other beta-blockers. The RAM-MIP was applied for direct injection analysis of ALP enantiomers in a rat plasma sample by a column-switching HPLC system using a beta-cyclodextrin phenylcarbamate-bonded silica column as the analytical column. The calibration graph, constructed from peak area versus each ALP enantiomer concentration, was linear with a correlation coefficient of > 0.999 over the concentration ranges of 12.5-250 ng ml(-1). The limit of quantitation was 12.5 ng ml(-1) with a 50 microl injection. This method could be applicable for the assay of ALP enantiomers at the therapeutic plasma levels, and have wide applicability for the assay of beta-blockers in biological fluids.     

气相色谱直接进样法分析环己烷氧化废液中的有机酸

环己烷氧化废液经酸化、抽滤等预处理后 ,采用气相色谱直接进样法分离了样品中的 1 0种有机酸 ,并测定了其含量。测定废液中各有机酸的回收率在 95 %～ 1 0 5 %之间。气相色谱固定相为 5 %新戊二醇己二酸酯 +0 .2 %磷酸/1 0 1酸洗白色担体。     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the mycotoxin citrinin and its application to biological fluids

Critinin is a toxic metabolite produced by several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus. Citrinin is nephrotoxic and has been implicated in disease outbreaks in animals and humans. Citrinin was resolved as a sharp peak by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chormatography on a small-particle 10μm) column by elution in 4.25 min with a phosphoric acid (0.25 nN)-acetonitrile-2-propanol solvent (55:35:10). Detection was by ultraviolet absorbance at 340 nm. The relationship between peak height and area and quantity injected was linear over a range of 2–50 ng at 340 mn and 5–200 ng at 365 nm. Retention time and peak area were highly reproducible. As little as 2–5 ng citrinin was detectable. Complete recovery of citrinin from plasma samples containing known quantities of [¹⁴C]citrinin was obtained over a range of 5–40 μg/ml by treatment of the plasma with 1 N hydrochloric acid followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The method provides for the direct analysis of citrinin in urine and bile without prior extraction.     

New approach to the simultaneous analysis of catecholamines and tyrosines in biological fluids

New high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods with amperometric-CoulArray detection were developed for simultaneous analyses of norepinephrine, epinephrine, L-DOPA, dopamine, 3-nitrotyrosine, m-, o-, and p-tyrosines. Overall, detection limit was in the low pmol range with amperometry, and in the low fmol range for the CoulArray method. Linear (r2 = 0.99) detector performances were observed in the ranges of 2-200 pmol with amperometry, and 0.2-20 pmol for the CoulArray method. Analytical precision values were better than 80 and 95% for HPLC-amperometry and HPLC-CoulArray method, respectively. These methods offer sensitivity, specificity, minimal sample requirement, and especially the HPLC-CoulArray method allows simultaneous assessment of various similar biomolecules.     

Determination of substituted purines in body fluids by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with direct sample injection.

Many substituted purines (theobromine, caffeine, paraxanthine, theophylline and uric acid, as well as other methylated xanthines and uric acids) can easily be separated and analysed in one run using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with a boratephosphate buffer containing 75 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate (pH approximately 9). Serum, saliva and urine samples collected after the self-administration of caffeine and serum samples from patients receiving theophylline or caffeine pharmacotherapy were screened for substituted purines. The data presented show the ease of using on-column multi-wavelength detection for investigating the feasibility of direct sample application, the characterization of sample pretreatment procedures and peak confirmation by comparing absorption spectra. It is shown that the determination of purines in serum and saliva samples, including therapeutic concentrations of caffeine and theophylline, can be accomplished without any sample pretreatment, whereas sample extraction is required for the determination of purines in urine. Quantitative data for the determination of micromolar amounts of theophylline (samples from adult patients) and caffeine (samples from infants born prematurely) in serum samples compared well with data obtained by non-isotopic immunoassays. Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with the direct injection of serum or saliva samples requires only microlitre volumes of sample and several different compounds can be determined within a few minutes.     

Evaluation of an ODS column modified with zwitterionic/nonionic mixed surfactants and its application to direct injection determination of inorganic anions.

An octadecylsilica (ODS) column modified with zwitterionic/nonionic mixed surfactants was evaluated for the direct injection determination of inorganic anions in biological fluids by ion chromatography. A zwitterionic surfactant (sulfobetaine-type) and a nonionic surfactant (polyoxyethylene-type) were used for a stationary-phase modification. When aqueous electrolyte solutions with concentrations of sub-mM to several mM were used as a mobile phase, the zwitterionic surfactant coated on the ODS surface exhibited unique separation selectivity for ionic species, while the nonionic surfactant coated on the ODS might have formed a hydrophilic network over the ODS surface and restricted matrix proteins from adsorbing on the stationary phase. Consequently, the mixed surfactant-modified column system allowed an efficient ion chromatographic separation of inorganic anions as well as a size-exclusive removal of column-fouling proteins. This separation system was applied to the direct injection determination of UV-absorbing anions in human saliva. The detection limits for nitrite, nitrate, iodide and thiocyanate were 3.1, 2.7, 4.5 and 25 microM, respectively, with UV detection at 210 nm (injection volume; 20 microl), and their relative standard deviations for 5 replicate measurements of saliva samples spiked with 100 microM each of those anions were 1.4, 0.9, 2.2 and 5.5%, respectively.     

Suppressed electrostatic ion chromatography with tetraborate as eluent and its application to the determination of inorganic anions in snow and rainwater

Tetraborate is investigated as the eluent ion for suppressed electrostatic ion chromatography (EIC) using a zwitterionic stationary phase. Good separation of a range of inorganic anions (SO4(2-), Cl-, NO3-, Br-, NO3-, ClO3-, and I-) was obtained, with detection limits for highly conducting ions (SO4(2-), Cl-, NO2-, Br- , and NO3-) being less than 8 x 10(-8) M, and for weakly conducting anions (ClO3- and I-) being 2.7 x 10(-7) and 5.8 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Calibration curves were linear up to 1.8 mM of each analyte. Retention times were found to increase with increasing eluent concentration and a linear relationship was observed between log k' and log[Na2B4O7] for all analytes. This behaviour is attributed to the progressive formation of a binary electrical double layer at the surface of the zwitterionic stationary phase. Retention times of analytes could be manipulated by varying the concentration of the eluent. This new suppressed-EIC system was applied to the determination of inorganic anions (SO4(-2) , CI-, NO3-, NO2-, and Br-) in snow and rainwater samples.     

A new approach to the integrated calibration in flow injection analysis

A new proposal how to perform the analytical procedure according to the integrated calibration method is presented. An original flow injection system has been designed for this purpose. When using only a single standard solution, the measurement information gathered during a single analytical course permits construction of four calibration graphs and calculation of as many as four independent estimations of the analyte concentration in the sample examined. As the calibration method applied integrates the set of standards method and the standard addition method, the analytical estimations may be obtained in both the interpolative and the extrapolative manner and the final result can be effectively verified in terms of accuracy. The system developed was experimentally tested on the example of spectrophotometric determination of chromium. It has been proved to be capable of saving time and reagents as well as providing reliable analytical results. Owing to the instrumental simplicity and analytical efficiency the system is expected to be useful for routine analysis.     

Manipulation of separation selectivity of inorganic anions in electrostatic ion chromatography by the use of mixed cationic–zwitterionic micelles as the column coating solution

This paper describes an electrostatic ion chromatographic system in which the separation selectivity for inorganic anions, especially for sulfate and phosphate, could be manipulated by altering the molar ratio of the zwitterionic and cationic surfactants in the column coating solution used to prepare the stationary phase. The zwitterionic surfactant used for this study was 3-(N,N-dimethyltetradecylammonio)propanesulfonate (Zwittergent-3-14) and the cationic surfactant was tetradecyltrimethylammonium (TTA). Using a reversed-phase C₁₈ column (250×4.6 mm I.D.) coated with 10/10 (mM/mM) of TTA/Zwittergent-3-14 mixed micelles as the stationary phase and either NaHCO₃ or Na₂CO₃ aqueous solution as the eluent, together with suppressed conductivity detection, baseline separation of seven model inorganic anions was obtained. The elution order for those anions was found to be F⁻4²⁻−4²⁻2⁻−3⁻. Under the same conditions but using 1/10 (mM/mM) of TTA/Zwittergent-3-14 mixed micelles as the column coating solution, the elution order for these model ions was F⁻4²⁻4²⁻−2⁻−3⁻. The early elution of phosphate and sulfate is a unique attribute of this system. Detection limits for F⁻, HPO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ (S/N=3, sample injection volume 100 μl) were 0.11, 0.12, 0.12, 0.18, 0.49, 0.49, 0.52 μM, respectively.