Comparative Study of the Determination of Parabens in Shampoos by Liquid Chromatography with Amperometric and Coulometric Detection

The simultaneous determination of four para‐hydroxybenzoic acid esters (parabens) in shampoos was studied by liquid chromatography (LC) with amperometric (LC‐AD) and coulometric (LC‐CD) detection. The parabens were separated on an ODS C18 reversed column by isocratic elution with a mobile phase based on methanol‐0.1 M acetic acid (60 : 40%, v/v) with 0.02 M NaClO₄ at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min^?1. The limit of detection (S/N>3) for the analytes was in the 15–25 pg (injected mass) range at an applied potential of 1.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl using the LC‐AD and in the 2–3 pg range at a potential of 0.790 V vs. Pd using the LC‐CD. The peak ratio of the internal standard peak (IS: 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid sec‐butyl ester) versus the analyte peak was found to be related to the amount injected from 0.1 ng to 100ng (r=0.996–0.999) with the LC‐AD and from 0.050 ng to 100 ng range (r=0.999–1.000) with the LC‐CD. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n=10) was comprised between 1.8 to 3.5% by LC‐AD ( 5 ng injected) and between 2.0 to 2.4% by LC‐CD (0.5 ng injected). The determination of four most used parabens in ten different shampoos was successfully realized.     

Quantitative determination of capsaicinoids by liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry

Eight naturally occurring capsaicinoids have been determined in Capsicum by use of high-purity standards, with norcapsaicin as an internal standard. The solid standards were rigorously checked for purity. The sensitivity of electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and coordination ion-spray (CIS; with silver) toward the capsaicinoids were measured and compared. The highest sensitivity was found for positive-ion ESI. Method validation of the liquid chromatography–ESI-mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS) determination is reported, including tests for repeatability (4%), detection limit (5 pg injected), linear range (20–6 ng injected), quantitation (excellent linearity; <2% relative standard deviation), and recovery (99–103%). The major and minor capsaicinoids in a commercial plant extract and in chili pepper fruits were quantified.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the isolation and HPLC-DAD determination of three major capsaicinoids in Capsicum annuum L.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) for the extraction and quantitation of three major capsaicinoids (i.e. capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin) from pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Chloroform (extraction solvent, 100 μL), acetonitrile (disperser solvent, 1250 μL) and 30 s extraction time were found optimum. The analytes were back-extracted into 300 μL of 50 mM sodium hydroxide/ methanol, 45/55% (v/v), within 15 s before being injected into the instrument. Enrichment factors ranged from 3.3 to 14.7 and limits of detection from 5.0 to 15.0 µg g^-1. Coefficients of determination (R²) and %RSD were higher than 0.9962 and lower than 7.5%, respectively. The proposed method was efficiently applied for the extraction and quantitation of the three capsaicinoids in six cultivars of Capsicum annuum L. with percentage relative recoveries in the range of 92.0%–108.0%. DLLME was also scaled up for the isolation of the three major capsaicinoids providing purity greater than 98.0% as confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, which significantly reduced the extraction time and organic solvent consumption.     

Simultaneous Determination of Aluminum,Cadmium and Lead in Whole Blood by Simultaneous Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Oxygen Charring

A method for the simultaneous determination of aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in whole blood has been developed by using simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) with oxygen charring. The optimized conditions for the simultaneous determination of Al, Cd and Pb were obtained in the presence of palladium (Pd) as the chemical modifier, using 600 °C and 2400 °C as the pyrolysis and the atomization temperature, respectively. The whole blood samples were diluted 1+5 (v/v) directly with 0.1% (v/v) Triton X‐100. Oxygen was employed to eliminate the interference of carbonaceous residues in the charring step before pyrolysis. The calibration curves were carried out with aqueous standard solutions and the linear ranges were 0–40 ng mL⁻¹, 0–4 ng mL⁻¹ and 0–40 ng mL⁻¹ for Al, Cd and Pb, respectively. The detection limits were 0.96 ng mL⁻¹ (19.2 pg) for Al, 0.03 ng mL⁻¹ (0.6 pg) for Cd and 0.60 ng mL⁻¹ (12.0 pg) for Pb. The spiked recoveries of Al, Cd and Pb in whole blood were 98.0%, 100.0% and 101.7%, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated with the analysis of a whole blood certified reference material (Seronorm, level 2). The found concentrations were in agreement with the recommended values. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of Al, Cd and Pb in whole blood of healthy volunteers before and after eating barbecued foods.     

Determination of Capsaicinoids in Red Pepper Products from South Korea by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection

This study aimed at determining the concentrations of the major capsaicinoids, namely, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, in commonly consumed red pepper products from South Korea. The capsaicinoids were extracted with 95% methanol and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with florescence detection. The analytical method was validated by quality assurance parameters such as the linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, and accuracy. Satisfactory results were obtained in accordance to the specified criteria for application of analytical techniques in food. The concentration of capsaicinoids was the highest for red pepper powder (4.18–139.4?mg/100?g), followed by gochujang (0.93–23.20?mg/100?g), kimchi (0.05–1.16?mg/100?g), and sliced kimchi (0.06–0.88?mg/100?g). Comparing the capsaicinoid contents in samples from different production areas, no significant differences were found. This research concluded that the capsaicinoid content of red pepper products provided valuable information regarding the samples.     

Determination of dye precursors in hair coloring products by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

The simultaneous determination of seven aminophenols, resorcinol and p-phenylenediamine in hair coloring products was performed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) with amperometric detection (ED). The aminophenols were separated on a ODS C18 reversed-phase column by isocratic elution with a mobile phase based on 0.1 M acetate buffer pH 4.5-methanol (90:10%, v/v) at a flow rate 0.8 mL min⁻¹. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) for the aminophenols was in the 15-40 pg (injected mass) range at an applied potential of 0.950 V versus Ag/AgCl. Peak heights for the aminophenols and the two others compounds were found to be linearly related to the amount injected, from 0.3 to 300 ng (r > 0.994-0.999).The relative standard deviation (R.S.D., n = 10) for 1 ng injected was comprised in the range from 2.5 to 6.2%, depending on the aminophenol tested. The present method minimizes troublesome and time-consuming pretreatment procedures and it was applied to the determination of aminophenols, resorcinol and phenylenediamine in hair coloring formulations.     

The simultaneous determination of capsaicinoids,tocopherols, and carotenoids in pungent pepper powder

From nutritional points of view, carotenoids, capsaicinoids, and tocopherols are valuable constituents in pungent peppers. A rapid and reliable high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of phytonutrients in spice red peppers and chili products was developed and validated. The method included simultaneous detection by fluorescence and diode-array detectors. The major capsaicinoids, two tocopherols and 43 carotenoid components, were simultaneously separated, detected, and identified in the appointed pepper powder (containing Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens) for method validation. The separation was performed on a Nucleosil C18 reverse phase column and optimized gradient elution. Resolution ranged between 0.96 and 1.46 with the highest values corresponding to γ-tocopherol and α-tocopherol. The limits of detection and quantification of target compounds ranged between 18.77 and 148.08 ng mL^?1. Recoveries were between 89.83–100.26 and 79.72–88.86% when standard materials were spiked at low and high amounts, respectively. The most sufficient extraction of the different phytonutrients was achieved by mixture of methanol and acetone, although it was only slightly better than the mixture of methanol and acetonitrile. These results suggest that the developed method could be used for rapid, one-step determination of a wide range of phytonutrients in chili and pepper powders.     

Selective Determination of Total Capsaicinoids in Plant Material Using Poly(Gallic Acid)‐modified Electrode

Novel voltammetric approach for the selective determination of total capsaicinoids has been developed using glassy carbon electrode modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and poly(gallic acid) (PGA/MWNT/GCE). The modified electrode provides significant improvements in the capsaicinoids voltammetric characteristics in comparison to GCE and MWNT/GCE. The electrooxidation of capsaicinoids is irreversible adsorption‐controlled process with the anodic transfer coefficient of 0.49–0.53 and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant of 1300–2400 s^?1. The analytical ranges of 0.010–1.0 and 1.0–50 μM for capsaicin, 0.025–0.75 and 0.75–75 μM for dihydrocapsaicin and 0.025–5.0 and 5.0–75 μM for nonivamide with the detection limits of 2.9, 5.9 and 6.1 nM, respectively, have been obtained using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The selectivity of the capsaicinoids quantification in the presence of ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol and carotenoids is shown. The method has been tested on the samples of red hot pepper spices and Capsicum annuum L. tinctures. The results correspond to the chromatographic data.     

Determination of selenium in infant foods using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with direct slurry sample introduction

Slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption (SS ETAAS) was applied to the development of a sensitive and precise method for selenium determination in infant foods without sample pretreatment. Suspensions prepared in a medium containing 0.1% Triton X-100, 0.5 or 5% v/v concentrated HNO₃ were directly introduced into the furnace. The accuracy of the procedure was confirmed by analysis of a standard reference material and comparison with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometric (HGAAS) procedure. The characteristic mass is 44 pg and detection limit 0.43 μg·l⁻¹.     

Determination of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using zirconium containing chemical modifiers.

A method for direct determination of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Zr, Ir, etylenediamine acetic acid (EDTA), Zr + EDTA, Ir + EDTA, Zr + Ir and Zr + Ir + EDTA as chemical modifiers in 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.2% (v/v) nitric acid mixture used as diluent was developed. The effects of mass and mass ratio of modifiers on analytes in sample solutions were studied. The optimum masses and mass ratios of modifiers: 20 microg of Zr, 4 microg of Ir, 100 microg of EDTA and 20 microg of Zr + 4 microg of Ir + 100 microg of EDTA, were used to enhance the analyte signals. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, and detection limits of analytes in samples were compared in the presence or absence of a modifier. The detection limits and characteristic masses of analytes in a 0.5% (m/v) dissolved sample (dilution factor of 200 ml g(-1)) obtained with Zr + Ir + EDTA are 8.0 ng g(-1) and 1.2 pg for Cd, 61 ng g(-1) and 4.3 pg for Cr, 32 ng g(-1) and 23 pg for Cu, and 3.4 ng g(-1) and 19 pg for Pb, respectively. The Zr + Ir + EDTA modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of analytes in sediment and soil-certified and standard reference materials. Depending on the sample type, the percent recoveries of analytes were increased from 81 to 103% by using the proposed modifier mixture; the results obtained are in good agreement with the certified values.     

Determination of fluoroquinolones in edible animal tissue samples by high performance liquid chromatography after solid phase extraction

In the present work, a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method has been developed for the quantitative determination of five fluoroquinolones (enoxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin) in edible animal tissues (muscle tissue, liver, kidney, and eggs). The separation was accomplished on an Inertsil (250 x 4 mm) C8, 5 microm, analytical column, at ambient temperature within 15 min. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of citric acid (0.4 mol L(-1))-CH3OH-CH3CN (87:9:4% v/v). UV detection at 275 nm yielded the following limits of detection: 100 pg per 20 microL injected volume for enoxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, 20 pg for ofloxacin, and 200 pg for enrofloxacin. Peaks in real samples were identified by means of a photodiode array detector. The method was validated in terms of intra-day (n = 8) and inter-day (n = 8) precision and accuracy. Tissue samples were purified from endogenous interference by solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges. The solid-phase extraction protocol was optimized in terms of retention and elution. Recovery rates at fortification levels of 40, 60, and 80 ng/g ranged from 82.5% to 111.1%. The applicability of the method was examined using real samples from a chicken treated orally with the five studied fluoroquinolones.     

Isotope dilution GC-MS routine method for the determination of butyltin compounds in water

A standard GC-MS instrument with electron impact ionisation has been used to develop a fast, simple and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) in water samples. Isotope dilution analysis (IDA) is used for the determination of species, taking advantage of a commercially available spike solution containing a mixture of MBT, DBT and TBT enriched in ¹¹⁹Sn. Method detection limits for 100-mL samples were between 0.18 and 0.25 ng L⁻¹ for the three butyltin compounds with typical RSD between 2 and 4% at levels between 100 and 10 ng L⁻¹, respectively. Recovery of tin species in spiked samples (natural water, wastewater and seawater) was quantitative. The stability of butyltin compounds in collected seawater samples was also studied. The addition of a 1% (v/v) glacial acetic acid preserved tin species in the samples for at least 5 days at room temperature. The IDA method was finally implemented in a routine testing laboratory and it was subsequently accredited by the Spanish National Accreditation Body according to the requirements of UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025.     

Determination of ortho-phenylphenol residues in lemon rind by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection using a microbore column.

A simple and highly sensitive method has been developed for determining ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) in lemon rind by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection using a microbore column (microHPLC-ECD). Based on the voltammetric behavior of OPP, microHPLC-ECD was established using a CAPCELL PAK C-18 UG 120 microbore ODS column, 17 mM acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.0)/acetonitrile (60/40, v/v) as a mobile phase and an applied potential at +0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The current peak height was found to be linearly related to the amount of OPP injected from 3.4 pg to 1.7 ng (r > 0.999). The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 3.4 pg (20 fmol), which was 100 times greater in terms of sensitivity when compared to conventional HPLC with UV detection. Standard OPP at 0.425 ng was detected with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.9% (n = 10). The OPP contents in several lemon samples were determined by the present method. The recoveries of OPP from lemon rind exceeded 98% with an RSD (n = 5) of less than 3.01%.     

超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法测定焙烤食品及其原料中11种真菌毒素

建立了超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(UPLC-HRMS)测定焙烤食品及其原料中11种真菌毒素的检测分析方法。样品经20 mL含1%(体积分数)甲酸的乙腈-水(9∶1,v/v)溶液提取,经2.0 g无水硫酸、0.5 g氯化钠和300 mg C18盐析、净化后进行检测。采用CORTECS C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.6μm),以含0.1%(体积分数)甲酸的2 mmol/L乙酸铵溶液和含0.1%(体积分数)甲酸的2 mmol/L乙酸铵甲醇溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱。结果显示,11种真菌毒素在各自的质量浓度范围内线性关系良好(相关系数r2≥0.996 0),方法的定量限为0.15~20.00μg/kg,样品加标回收率为64.38%~122.61%,相对标准偏差为1.52%~12.99%(n=6)。该方法简单快速、灵敏度高、结果准确、可靠,利用该方法可有效测定焙烤食品及其原料中常见真菌毒素的含量。     

Determination of rotenone in river water utilizing packed capillary column switching liquid chromatography with UV and time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection

Fast and sensitive packed capillary column switching liquid chromatography methodology has been developed for the determination of the pesticide rotenone in river water. Sample volumes of up to 1 ml are loaded onto a 23 x 0.25 mm, 5 microm Kromasil C18 packed capillary precolumn using a noneluting solvent composition of water-acetonitrile (99:1, v/v) at flow-rates up to 100 microl/min prior to solute backflushing onto a 200 x 0.32 mm, 3.5 microm Kromasil C18 packed capillary analytical column using a mobile phase of water-acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) at a flow-rate of 5 microl/min. The method was evaluated using river water samples spiked with rotenone in the concentration range 0.5-50 ng/ml using UV detection. The within-assay precision was between 5.0 and 7.7% relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 6) and the between assay precision was between 7.5 and 8.9% RSD (n = 6). The method was linear within the investigated mass range displaying a calibration curve correlation factor of 0.997. The mass limit of detection was 10 pg corresponding to a concentration limit of detection of 10 pg/ml, using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

Chemiluminescence Determination of Sulpiride in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Biological Fluids Based on KMnO4‐Tween 80 Reaction

Chemiluminescence (CL) of an acidic KMnO₄ system in the presence of Tween 80 was investigated for the determination of sulpiride. Strong CL was recorded when a mixture of sulpiride and Tween 80 was injected into acidic KMnO₄ solution. The experimental parameters affecting the CL intensity were carefully studied using flow injection mode. Under the optimum conditions, the CL intensity was proportional to the concentration of sulpiride in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ ∼ 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ g mL⁻¹. The detection limit is 1.6 × 10⁻⁷ g mL⁻¹ sulpiride, and the relative standard deviation for 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ sulpiride solution is 1.5% (n = 11). The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of sulpiride in tablets and in spiked human plasma and urine samples.     

Determination of honokiol and magnolol by micro HPLC with electrochemical detection and its application to the distribution analysis in branches and leaves of Magnolia obovata

A simple and sensitive method has been developed for determining honokiol and magnolol in fresh Magnolia obovata (M. obovata) by micro high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (microHPLC-ECD). Chromatography was performed using a Capcell Pak C-18 UG 120 microbore octadecylsilica (ODS) column, methanol-water-phosphoric acid (65 : 35 : 0.5, v/v/v), as a mobile phase and applied potential at +0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Peak heights were found linearly related to the amounts of honokiol and magnolol injected from 0.67 pg to 2.0 ng (r>0.999). The detection limits (S/N=3) were 0.13 pg, respectively. Honokiol and magnolol of 0.27 ng were detected with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.73 and 1.17% (n=5), respectively. Honokiol and magnolol in Magnolia Bark of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia were extracted with 70% methanol, diluted with a mobile phase, and injected into the microHPLC-ECD for determination. Recoveries of honokiol and magnolol in Magnolia Bark exceeded 98.7% with RSD, less than 0.93% (n=5). Determination of the distributions of honokiol and magnolol in bark, phloem, wood, leaf blades, and petioles of fresh M. obovata were made using weight samples of 40-238 mg. This method is useful to determine honokiol and magnolol in M. obovata, which is a candidate for crude magnolia bark for traditional Japanese herbal medicines.     

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

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

A modified HPLC method for the determination of ochratoxin A by fluorescence detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) with fluorescent detector is described for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water:acetic acid (99:99:2, v/v/v) was used for the resolution of the compound on a C(18) Hypersil column. The retention time for OTA and diflunisal which was used as an internal standard (IS) were 11.7 and 12.8 min, respectively. The method is selective, reliable, reproducable with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.70 and linear in the range of 2.5 x 10(-9)-1.5 x 10(-8) M OTA. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 2.5 x 10(-10) M corresponding to 0.1 ng mL(-1) and 8.2 x 10(-10) corresponding to 3.3 ng mL(-1), respectively. Recovery studies were 81.2 +/- 1.9 (SD). The method was applied for analysis of OTA in wheat, corn, red pepper, cheese and wine. The proposed method can be used for the routine analysis of OTA in food and animal feed.     

Cloud point extraction and spectrophotometric determination of amaranth in food samples using nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate

Cloud point extraction methodology was successfully employed for preconcentration of trace amounts of amaranth prior to its determination by spectrophotometry. The method was based on the extraction of amaranth as an ion pair with tetrabutylammonium ion from aqueous solution using Triton X-100 as non-ionic surfactant. The extracted surfactant rich phase was diluted with ethanol and its absorbance was measured at 518 nm by a spectophotometer. An optimum set of surfactant concentration, pH, equilibration temperature and time, tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate and salt concentration were obtained. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 20–1600 ng ml^?1 of amaranth in the initial solution with r = 0.9993 (n = 12). Detection limit based on three times the standard deviation of the blank (3S_b) was 13.0 ng ml^?1 (n = 10), and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D) for 100 and 1000 ng ml^?1 of amaranth was 4.2 and 1.4% (n = 10), respectively. The proposed procedure was applied to the determination of amaranth in different food samples.