High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of proteins by post-column fluorescence derivatization with thiamine reagent.

A post-column derivatization method for the high-performance liquid chromatography of peptides and proteins giving a fluorescence intensity proportional to the number of peptide bonds is described. Peptide bonds were chlorinated with hypochlorite and the N-chlorite formed was allowed to react with thiamine to give fluorescent thiochrome. This method was applied the determination of membrane-forming proteins of microorganisms.     

Automatic optosensing device based on photo-induced fluorescence for determination of piceid in cocoa-containing products

Piceid (3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene-3-β-d-glucoside) is a stilbene which occurs naturally in various families of plants and has been shown to protect lipoproteins from oxidative damage and to have cancer chemopreventive activity. This paper deals with the determination of piceid in cocoa-containing products by using photo-induced fluorescence and the aid of a multicommutated continuous-flow assembly which was provided with an on-line photoreactor. A strongly fluorescent photoproduct is generated from piceid when it is irradiated under UV light for 30 s, which is retained on Sephadex QAE A-25 and directly monitored on this active solid support at 257/382 nm (λ _exc/λ _em, respectively). The pre-concentration of the photoproduct of piceid on the solid support greatly improves both sensitivity and selectivity. The influence of different experimental parameters, both chemical (pH, ionic strength) and hydrodynamic (irradiation time, flow rate, photoreactor length, sampling time), was tested. The sample pre-treatment included delipidation with toluene and cyclohexane, stilbene extraction with ethanol/water (80:20, v/v) and clean-up by solid-phase extraction on C₁₈ cartridges and methanol/water (40:20, v/v) as eluting solution. This procedure allowed the elimination of the aglycon of piceid, resveratrol and other potential interfering species and a recovery of about a 90% piceid. The method was applied to the analysis of piceid in cocoa powder, dark chocolate and milk chocolate. The quantification limits were 1.4, 1.1 and 0.09 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Relative standard deviations ranged from 1.8% to 3.1%. This is the first reported non-chromatographic method for determination of piceid in these foods.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of taurine in biological fluids by post-column fluorescence reaction with thiamine.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the selective determination of taurine in biological fluids by post-column fluorescence reaction. Taurine was separated on an adsorption-distribution type Shodex Ionpac KC-811 column. Then it was converted with hypochlorite into the corresponding N-chloramine, which was allowed to react with thiamine to give fluorescent thiochrome. As little as 6 ng per injection of taurine could be determined. The average recoveries of spiked taurine in serum and urine were 99.5 +/- 2.7 and 101.8 +/- 2.9%, respectively. The method could be applied to the assay of taurine in human serum and urine with simple pretreatment.     

Low-level determination of silicon in steels by anodic stripping voltammetry on a hanging mercury drop electrode

The sensitive differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) proposed originally by Ishiyama et al. (2001) has been revised and improved to allow the accurate measurement of silicon on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) instead of a glassy carbon electrode. We assessed the rate of formation of the partially reduced β-silicododecamolybdate and found that metallic mercury promotes the reaction in the presence of a large concentration of Fe³⁺. The scope of the method has been broadened by carrying out the measurements in the presence of a constant amount of Fe³⁺. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method described in the present paper is 100 μg Si g⁻¹ of steel, with a relative precision ranging from 5% to 12%. It can be further enhanced to 700 ng Si g⁻¹ of steel provided the weight of the sample, the dilution factors, the duration of the electrolysis and the ballast of iron are adequately revised. The tolerance to several interfering species has been examined, especially regarding Al³⁺, Cr³⁺ and Cr VI species. The method was validated using four low-alloy ferritic steels certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its application to nickel base alloys as well as to less complicated matrixes is straightforward. It has also been successfully applied to the determination of free silicon into silicon carbide nano-powder.     

Chemiluminescence optosensing implemented with multicommutation: determination of salicylic acid

In this paper we have coupled, for the first time, chemiluminescent detection with multicommuted optosensing principles. This approach has been implemented with the use of a commercial flow cell of 1 mm optical path length filled with an appropriate anionic exchanger gel as chemiluminescence sensing phase. The cell was placed in front of the window of the photosensor module of a home-made luminometer developed in our laboratory and a flat mirror was stuck on the back of the cell. The suitability of using chemiluminescence as detection technique in multicommuted flow-through optosensors has been demonstrated: the determination of salicylic acid by simple oxidation with permanganate on the sensing solid phase was chosen as model reaction. The proposed system allows the determination of salicylic acid in pharmaceuticals, with a sample frequency as high as even 60 samples h⁻¹ and showing a detection limit of 0.30 μg mL⁻¹, the linear response range is 1–30 μg mL⁻¹ and the R.S.D. is 3.1%. Satisfactory results have been obtained when applying the sensor to pharmaceuticals. The accuracy of the proposed methodology has been tested by using a reference method.     

二氢蒽醌用于荧光猝灭法测定痕量汞

荧光动力学分析法常以罗丹明类、荧光素类、桑色素等作为指示物,用蒽醌作为指示物较少见。本文报道了以2,3二-氢-9,10二-羟基-1,4蒽-醌(R)为指示物,荧光动力学分析法测定痕量汞的新方法。直接用硼酸代替三氯化铝加硫酸封环一步法制得1,4二-羟基-9,10蒽-醌,再经冰醋酸和锌粉还原     

Data processing technique for mercury determination by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence,using amalgamation with gold

We have developed a method to determine mercury concentrations using total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) which leads to reliable results. The usual sample preparation procedure of TXRF is not applicable due to element loss by evaporation on account of its high vapor pressure. The method we developed consists of forming an amalgam on a thin layer of gold affixed in a specular-surface quartz reflector while it is in contact with a mercury ionic solution. Subsequently, a traditional TXRF analysis is performed. Since the mercury and gold peaks overlap, we have developed a data processing scheme to achieve the most precise results. Using a molybdenum anode X-ray tube at 40 kV and 20 mA, the limit of detection achieved for a 10-μl specimen with 2000 s counting time is 250 ppb.     

The determination of mercury by non-flame atomic absorption and fluorescence spectrometry.

An isotopic dilution method has been developed for the determination of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra in sea water and sediments with ²²³Ra as a yield tracer. An alternative procedure which obviates the need for ²²³Ra is demonstrated for sediments by the assay of ²²⁴Ra and ²²⁸Th which occur naturally in sediments. In addition, a direct method for β-counting ²²⁸Ra–²²⁸Ac is proposed. Radium, polonium, thorium and uranium isotopes and ²¹⁰Pb are coprecipitated from sea water with aluminum phosphate carrier. The radium and lead-210 are coprecipitated with lead nitrate in sediment leachings. All radium procedures utilize identical chemical isolation and the cathodic electrodeposition of radium. Subsequently, the α-radiation emitted by ²²⁶Ra, ²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra is determined by pulse-height analysis: the ²²⁸Ra-²²⁸Ac and ²¹⁰Pb-²¹⁰Bi are measured by low background anticoincidence β-counting techniques. This method was used for samples containing 10^-11–0.5 · 10^-12 g of ²²⁶Ra and 10^-13–10^-15 g of ²²⁸Ra and gave a precision of 3–6% and 5–10% respectively, even though radium levels an order of magnitude less can be measured. The ²²⁶Ra method is applicable to all environmental samples, whereas ²²⁸Ra determinations are limited to applications where the ${}^{228}\text{Ra}{}^{226}\text{Ra}$ activity ratio is greater than 0.1. This method is especially attractive for studies of parent-daughter disequilibria.     

Improved instrument for mercury determination by atomic fluorescence spectrometry with a high-frequency electrodeless discharge lamp

An instrument for the determination of mercury at nanogram levels is described. With aeration, collection on gold wool and a mercury radiofrequency electrodeless discharge lamp, high sensitivity is obtained with a detection limit of 0.01 ng. The system is used for analysis of sea water.     

Laser ablation-atomic fluorescence approach for the determination of mercury

A method for the determination of mercury in solid samples using laser ablation coupled with atomic fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed. An Nd-YAG laser was used for ablation and the vaporised and atomised material was rapidly led to an atomic fluorescence detector, where excitation and emission took place. The experimental approach was applied to the assessment of different procedures as sensitive as possible for implementing standard addition methods. Calibration curves were recorded using the prepared standards, which exhibited linear ranges between 0.5–100 μg/g, with excellent regression coefficients in all instances (0.9907). The precision, expressed as RSD %, was 3 and 4% for contents of 1 and 30 μg/g, respectively, in the same pellet; and 7 and 12% for the same contents and different type of pellets. The method has been applied to the determination of mercury in CRM of sewage sediment and a sludge sample with a known amount of mercury determined by an interlaboratory study. The results obtained show good agreement with those expected.     

Improvements in the non-flame atomic fluorescence determination of mercury

A new non-flame atomic fluorescence system with a detection limit of 5 parts per trillion (p.p.t.) or 5 pg of mercury(II) has been developed. The relative precision is 5% or better above 50 p.p.t. Hg(II), and the dynamic range in terms of linearity is from 0–100 p.p.b. Hg(II). The system is useful for analysis of residual mercury levels in water at a rate of about thirty samples per h.     

Determination of sub-ppb reserpine by an optosensing device based on photochemically induced fluorescence

A flow injection–solid-phase spectroscopy (FI-SPS) system implemented with photochemically induced fluorescence (PIF) is described for the rapid and very sensitive determination of reserpine in biological fluids and pharmaceutical formulations. An intensively fluorescent photoproduct is in-line generated, retained on C₁₈ silica gel in the detection area and monitored at 394/489 nm (λ _ex/λ _em). After the establishment of the appropriate working variables, the system is calibrated at two different injection volumes, 100 and 800 μL, achieving detection limits of 0.33 and 0.05 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The RSD for reserpine at 2 ng mL⁻¹ (800 μL) was 1.5% (n = 10). The sampling rates were 46 and 43 h⁻¹ for each injection volume, respectively. The potential interference of some common species coexisting with reserpine in the analysed samples was also studied. The procedure was successfully applied to commercial formulations, urine and serum without any previous treatment of samples. Recoveries ranged from 94.9 to 100.2%.     

Laser ablation-atomic fluorescence approach for the determination of mercury

A method for the determination of mercury in solid samples using laser ablation coupled with atomic fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed. An Nd-YAG laser was used for ablation and the vaporised and atomised material was rapidly led to an atomic fluorescence detector, where excitation and emission took place. The experimental approach was applied to the assessment of different procedures as sensitive as possible for implementing standard addition methods. Calibration curves were recorded using the prepared standards, which exhibited linear ranges between 0.5–100 μg/g, with excellent regression coefficients in all instances (0.9907). The precision, expressed as RSD %, was 3 and 4% for contents of 1 and 30 μg/g, respectively, in the same pellet; and 7 and 12% for the same contents and different type of pellets. The method has been applied to the determination of mercury in CRM of sewage sediment and a sludge sample with a known amount of mercury determined by an interlaboratory study. The results obtained show good agreement with those expected. Received: 21 December 1998 / Revised: 12 April 1999 / Accepted: 14 April 1999     

Liquid chromatographic--cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of mercury species

Solvent extraction, sonication, and microwave-assisted extractions in the presence of extraction agents (thioacetic acid, citric acid, cysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol, HCl + NaCl, etc.) were tested for the isolation of mercury species. A mixture of 6 M HCl and 0.1 M NaCl was selected as the most suitable extraction agent. The extraction efficiency was about 10% higher and the RSD below 3.3% when microwave-assisted extraction was applied instead of sonication. The liquid chromatography-cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (LC/CV-AFS) method was optimised and used for separation and determination of inorganic mercury cations and alkylated and arylated mercury species. Isocratic elution at a flow rate of 0.15 mL/min (with a mobile phase containing 0.05% 2-mercaptoethanol (pH = 5) and 7% methanol and with a stepwise increase of methanol content up to 100% MeOH in the 15th min) was used for separation of mercury species on a Hypersil BDS C18 RP column. The limits of detection of the LC/CV-AFS system were estimated as 0.2 microg/L (3%) for MeHg+, 0.07 microg/L (5.3%) for inorganic Hg, 0.06 microg/L (3.4%) for PhHg+, and 0.12 microg/L (4.4%) for EtHg with the corresponding RSDs at 5 microg/L (n = 10) given in parentheses. The concentrations (2-10 mg/kg fresh weight) of total mercury and methylmercury (90-99% of the total mercury) in selected fish obtained by HPLC/CV-AFS were in good agreement (absolute deviations 0.05 mg/kg) but more precise (RSDs <5.4% at 5 mg/L, n = 10) than those determined by GC coupled to an electron capture detector. The RSDs (3.1-8.2% and 4.1-9.0%) of the overall analytical procedure for the determination of total mercury (AMA 254) and methylmercury (HPLC/CV-AFS) were determined for intra-day and inter-day assays, respectively.     

水为载流-原子荧光光谱法同时测定土壤中痕量砷、汞

改变原子荧光光谱法以稀酸为载流的进样方式,以水为载流在新型双道原子荧光光谱仪上同时测定了土壤中的痕量砷(As)、汞(Hg)。方法采用王水水浴加热溶解样品,用50 g/L硫脲-抗坏血酸混合溶液预先将砷还原为+3价,保持10%(体积分数)以上盐酸浓度,不转移直接定容静置后测定。优化了仪器工作条件,详细考察了以水为载流测定的可行性,选择了同时测定As、Hg所需的硼氢化钾浓度和盐酸浓度。方法节省了酸试剂用量,操作快速,单个样品测定仅需20s左右。方法检出限As为0.005 mg/kg,Hg为0.0008 mg/kg,相对标准偏差(RSD%,n=7)在1.0%～7.4%,经土壤国家标准物质和实际样品验证,适合土壤中痕量As、Hg的同时快速测定。     

氧弹分解-原子荧光法测定煤中汞的研究进展

介绍氧弹分解-原子荧光法测定煤中汞含量的研究进展。影响该方法主要因素为称样量、氧气浓度、吸收剂、还原剂、煤种以及灰分含量。分别综述了各个因素对该方法的影响,可为相关标准的制定提供参考。该方法能够简单、经济、快速地测定煤中汞的含量,但是目前学者们对于该方法的相关研究还存在分歧,需要进一步的研究验证;同时,还需要注意以下几个研究方向:吸收剂和还原剂的选择对汞回收率的影响;吸收剂在密闭氧弹中对汞的回收率及吸收时间的研究;氧弹废气中汞含量的测定;煤种和灰分含量对汞含量测定的影响。     

Cold vapour atomic fluorescence determination of mercury in milk by slurry sampling using multicommutation

A highly sensitive mechanized method has been developed for the determination of mercury in milk by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Samples were sonicated for 10 min in an ultrasound water bath in the presence of 8% (v/v) aqua regia, 2% (v/v) antifoam A and 1% (m/v) hydroxilamine hydrochloride, and after that, they were treated with 8 mmol l⁻¹ KBr and 1.6 mmol l⁻¹ KBrO₃ in an hydrochloric medium. Atomic fluorescence measurements were made by multicommutation, which provides a fast alternative in quality control analysis, due to the easy treatment of a large number of samples (approximately 70 h⁻¹), and is an environmentally friendly procedure, which involves a waste generation of only 94.5 ml h⁻¹ as compared with the 605 ml h⁻¹ obtained by using continuous AFS measurements. The limit of detection found was 0.011 ng g⁻¹ Hg in the original sample. The method provided a relative standard deviation of 3.4% for five independent analysis of a sample containing 0.30 ng g⁻¹ Hg. To validate the accuracy of the method, a certified reference material NIST-1459 (non-fat milk powder) containing 0.3±0.2 ng g⁻¹ Hg was analysed and a value of 0.27±0.06 ng g⁻¹ Hg was found. A comparison made between data found by the developed procedure and those obtained by microwave-assisted digestion and continuous AFS measurements evidenced a good comparability between these two strategies. Results obtained for commercially available milk samples varied between 0.09 and 0.61 ng g⁻¹ Hg depending on the type of sample and its origin. The confluence of the analytical waste with a 6 mol l⁻¹ NaOH allowed us to reduce the waste generation in a working session from 1 l to 5 g solid residue with a matrix of Fe(OH)₃ which contributes to the deactivation of traces of heavy metals presents in the samples that does not form volatile hydrides.     

The fluorimetric determination of phosphate with thiamine

A method for the microdetermination of sulphur in organic compounds by means of combustion in a flow of oxygen is described. The oxides of sulphur are absorbed and stored on a small silver layer. After completion of the combustion, the oxygen is replaced first by nitrogen and secondly by hydrogen which liberates the sulphur as sulphur dioxide and regenerates the silver layer. The sulphur dioxide can be easily absorbed by dilute hydrogen peroxide and determined by any convenient method.