The use of ultrasonic treatment for improvement of metrological performance of sorption atomic absorption determination of lead(II) and cadmium(II) traces

The optimal parameters for ultrasonic treatment (frequency 200–300 kHz, intensity 2–4 W cm^?2) were obtained to intensify Pb(II) and Cd(II) sorption concentration by carbon sorbent from apricot pit. The combined action of ultrasonic frequency of 18 kHz and 1 MHz on concentrate slurry increases its sedimentation stability from 3 to 180 minutes and decreases S_r value up to 7% at Pb(II), Cd(II) hybrid sorption atomic absorption determination in natural waters, brines, common salt.      

Sensitive and fast determination of papaverine by adsorptive stripping voltammetry on renewable mercury film electrode

The renewable mercury film electrode, applied for the determination of papaverine traces using differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DP AdSV) is presented. The calibration graph obtained for papaverine is linear from 1.25 nM (0.42 µg L^?1) to 95 nM (32.2 µg L^?1) for a preconcentration time of 60 s, with correlation coefficient of 0.998. For the renewable mercury electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) with a surface area of 9.1 mm² the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 60 s is 0.7 nM (0.24 µg L^?1). The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 17 µg L^?1, expressed as RSD is 3.3% (n=5). The proposed method was successfully applied and validated by studying the recovery of papaverine from drugs, urine and synthetic solution.      

Voltammetric behavior and quantitative determination of ambazone concentrations in urine and in a pharmaceutical formulation

The use of square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) in conjunction with a cyclic renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) for the analytical determination of ambazone in urine samples and pharmaceutical formulations is described. A single reduction peak in Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 4.0 was detected at about ?1.4 V versus Ag/AgCl. Mechanistic studies have shown that the compound can act as an electrocatalyst. The method was validated. The analytical curve was linear in the concentration range from 1.0×10^?9 to 1.0×10^?7 mol L^?1. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 3.0×10^?10 mol L^?1 and 1.0×10^?9 mol L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to ambazone determination in real samples.      

Flow injection analysis of ethambutol in synthetic urine using a graphite-polyurethane composite electrode as an amperometric detector

Ethambutol (ETB) is a first-line antitubercular drug effective against actively growing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Resistance of the mycobacterium to ethambutol among tuberculosis (TB) patients results from inadequate or inappropriate dosing of treatment or using low quality medication. It is therefore necessary to develop reliable methods for determining ethambutol metabolic profiles of patients at point of care for proper dosing. Herein an efficient ETB sensor device is illustrated. It consists of a graphite-polyurethane composite electrode. In order to characterise the electrochemical behaviour of ethambutol at pH = 8.0 voltammetric studies were performed. The detector was assembled in a flow injection apparatus and operated at +1.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl(NaCl sat.)). The influence of sample volume and flow rate was studied. The linear response for the method was extended up to a 1.1 mmol L^?1 ethambutol solution with a detection limit of 0.0634 mmol L^?1. The reproducibility of current responses for injections of 0.7 mmol L^?1 ethambutol solution was evaluated to be 5.1% (n = 30) and the analytical frequency was 161 determinations h^?1. Two different samples were successfully analysed and the results were in good agreement with those obtained using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE).      

Differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of methotrexate using a functionalized carbon nanotubes-modified glassy carbon electrode

A glassy carbon electrode (GC) containing multiwalled functionalized carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) immobilized within a dihexadecylhydrogenphosphate film (DHP) is proposed as a nanostructured platform for determination of methotrexate (MTX) concentration (a drug used in cancer treatment) using differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV). The voltammograms for a MTX solution using MWCNTs-DHP/GC electrode presented an oxidation peak potential at 0.98 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L^?1 KCl) in a 0.1 mol L^?1 sulphuric acid. The apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant of 0.46 s^?1 was calculated. The recovery area of 2.62×10^?9 mol cm² was also obtained. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the analytical curve was linear in the MTX concentration range from 5.0×10^?8 to 5.0×10^?6 mol L^?1, with a detection limit of 3.3×10^?8 mol L^?1. The MWCNTs-DHP/GC electrode can be easily prepared and was applied for the determination of MTX in pharmaceutical formulations, with results similar to those obtained using a high-performance liquid chromatography comparative method.      

Determination of some frequently used antibiotics in waste waters using solid phase extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometry detection

This study is focused on the determination of some important antibiotics from different classes in waste water samples using solid phase extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography with two detectors, diode array and mass spectrometer in positive ionisation mode. The investigated antibiotics include three penicillins (amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin G), two cephalosporins (ceftazidime, ceftriaxone), and two tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline). The studied antibiotics were extracted from waste water samples using hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced cartridges. The extraction of antibiotics from water matrices was tested at several pH values. The best recoveries were obtained at pH 3 and 7 respectively. Depending on the nature of antibiotic, the limits of detection and quantification were obtained in the range of 0.07–0.92 µg mL^?1 and 0.21–2.77 µg mL^?1 respectively. Influent and effluent waste water samples were collected from a Waste Water Treatment Plant from Romania in order to detect the studied antibiotics. The antibiotics detected in the influent waste water samples were ceftriaxone (334 µg L^?1), tetracycline (146 µg L^?1) and doxycycline (110 µg L^?1). In effluent waste water samples no target antibiotics were detected.      

Organoruthenium(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes: synthesis, spectral characterization, DNA binding and DNA cleavage studies

A series of new ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized with Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde / o-hydroxyacetophenone/ o-vanillin / 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide and acetyl furan. They are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectral studies. The elemental analysis suggests the stoichiometry to be 1:1 (metal:ligand). Four of these complexes were tested for its binding with CT-DNA using absorption spectroscopic studies and two of these complexes exhibit efficient DNA cleavage activity.      

Vortex-assisted ionic liquid based liquid-liquid microextraction of selected pesticides from a manufacturing wastewater sample

The ionic liquid based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-VALLME) procedure was developed and validated for determination of four pesticides in a manufacturing wastewater sample: acetamiprid, imidacloprid, linuron and tebufenozide. The following ILs were tested as extractants: 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. The extraction efficiency and the enrichment factor dependencies on the type and amount of ionic liquids, extraction and centrifugation time, volume, pH and the ionic strength of the sample, were investigated. The concentration of pesticides in the aqueous and IL phases was determined by HPLC-DAD. The optimal conditions for extraction of the pesticides were determined: the aqueous sample volume of 10 mL with the addition of 0.58 g NaCl, 40 µL of the 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as extractant, 2 min extraction under vigorous mixing applying the vortex agitator, and separation of the phases by centrifugation for 2 min at 1000 rpm. The calibration curves of the pesticides showed good linear relationship (r² ≥ 0.9996) in the concentration range from 0.005 to 1.00 mg L^?1. Determined LOD values are 1.8, 2.3, 4.8 and 8.6 µg L^?1 for Tebf, Linr, Acet and Imid, respectively. The optimized IL-VALLME was applied for determination of the pesticides in the pesticide manufacturing wastewater.      

Voltammetric quantitation at the mercury electrode of the anticholinergic drug flavoxate hydrochloride in bulk and in a pharmaceutical formulation

Flavoxate hydrochloride, 2-piperidinoethyl 3-methyl-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4-H-chromene-8-carboxylate, is a smooth muscle antispasmodic. Its electrochemical behavior was studied at the mercury electrode in buffered solutions containing 30% (v/v) methanol using dc-polarography, differential-pulse polarography, cyclic voltammetry, and linear sweep-and square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Sensitive and precise procedures were developed for determination of bulk flavoxate hydrochloride and in the pharmaceutical formulation Genurin® S.F, without sample pretreatment or extraction. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) of 1 × 10^?5, 5 × 10^?6, 1 × 10^?8 and 1 × 10^?9 M flavoxate hydrochloride were achieved by dc-polarography, differential-pulse polarography, linear sweep and square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric, respectively.      

Epoxy resin modified with amine as an effective complexing agent of metal cations

A simple synthesis of a material capable of metal cation removal is proposed. The material was a derivative of epoxy resin containing amine groups. It is insoluble in water and in this study it was characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The sorbent obtained was tested for its ability to remove coper(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) from water solutions. The tests were performed for different concentrations of metal ions (10–200 mg L^?1) and at different pH (2.0–9.0). The effects of temperature and stirring time, as well as reusability of the sorbent were also studied in batch experiments. In the optimum conditions, the decrease in the cation concentration in aqueous solutions was observed in the order Cu>Pb>Cd but for each ion the decrease was at least 50% of the initial concentration. The sorbent has demonstrated high effectiveness in cation sorption and after regeneration it can be applied repeatedly in the process described.      

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of dipyrone in pharmaceutical formulations using a solid-phase reactor with copper(II) phosphate

In this work, a flow-injection spectrophotometric method for dipyrone determination in pharmaceutical formulations was developed. Dipyrone sample solutions were injected into a carrier stream of deionized water and the reaction was carried out in a solid-phase reactor (12 cm, 2.0 mm i.d.) packed with Cu₃(PO₄)_2(s) entrapped in a matrix of polyester resin. The Cu(II) ions were released from the solid phase reactor by the formation of Cu(II)-(dipyrone)_n complex. When the complex is released, it reacts with 0.02% m/v alizarin red S in deionized water to produce a Cu(VABO₃)₃ complex whose absorbance was monitored at 540 nm. The calibration graph was linear over the range 5.0×10^?5–4.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 2.0×10^?5 mol L^?1 and relative standard deviation for 10 successive determinations of 1.5% (2.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 dipyrone solution). The calculated sample throughput was 60 h^?1. The column was stable for at least 8 h of continuous use (500 injections) at 25°C. Pharmaceutical formulations were analyzed and the results from an official procedure measurement were compared with those from the proposed FIA method in order to validate the latter method.      

Solvent extraction with organophosphorus extractants in environmental samples: determination of cadmium(II) in natural water

In this work, Cd(II) extraction in natural waters by organophosphorus extractants as organic phase, as well as its back-extraction in an acidic media, has been studied. Cadmium extraction behavior at natural waters’ pH conditions (values in the range 7–8) was studied with two different extractants and co-ions, obtaining the highest extraction efficiency when using 0.1M Cyanex 272 in kerosene as organic phase and 0.1 M NO₃ ^? as co-ion. Once they were selected, the effect on the extraction efficiency of sample pH, buffer concentration, extraction time, Cyanex 272 concentration as well as back-extractant concentration, was studied. The presence of the main inorganic and organic ligands in the sample was also studied, observing that extraction efficiency was affected most significantly when chlorides were present, with a decrease of about 14%, proving negligible for the others. Under the selected conditions, spiked real samples were successfully analyzed.      

Spectrophotometric study of competitive complexation equilibria involving overlapped spectral responding species: Determination of the stability constant of bismuth-pyrophosphate complex

Spectrophotometric study of competitive complex formation equilibria involving overlapped spectral responding species applying a simple and versatile algorithm was carried out. The algorithm involves multivariable regression for calculation of equilibrium concentrations from multiwavelength data and mass action law for the stability constant calculation. The used regression functions are part of common statistical software. Stability constants and complex stoichiometry of competing equilibria were simultaneously determined. The species concentration profiles at several spectral overlapping and ??-coefficient of competing reaction were obtained. Non-absorbing bismuth ?? pyrophosphate (PPh) system was studied as a competitive reaction of bismuth ?? 4-(2-Pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) complex. The formation of Bi-PPh complex with 1:1 stoichiometry was proved in the studied concentration region (C_Bi = 1×10^?5 mol L^?1; C_PPh = 5×10^?6 ? 1×10^?4 mol L^?1). The stability constant of the complex at pH 1 and ?? = 1.0 have been determined: log?? = 4.2±0.2.      

Debromination of 2,4,6-tribromophenol coupled with biodegradation

The application effect of aluminium and their alloys and mixtures with nickel was studied for the complete hydrodebromination of 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) to phenol in aqueous NaOH solution at room temperature. It was found that the Raney Al-Ni alloy can rapidly transform TBP to phenol. Removal efficiency of 25 mM TBP solution in aqueous NaOH (15 g L^?1) solution at the end of 1h reaction was 100% using 4 g L^?1 Al-Ni. The hydrodebromination is accompanied by the dissolution of aluminium and formation of soluble Al(OH)₄ ^?1 anions under these reaction conditions. After completion of the hydrodebromination reaction removal of the dissolved metals was achieved by precipitation of appropriate hydroxides by adjustment of the pH value and filtration, the filtrate was treated with Pseudomonas or Rhodococcus bacterial strains to degrade dissolved phenol. The combined application of both (chemical-biological) treatments produced degradations of 100% of aromatic compounds.      

Electrode processes of selected redox active substances on poly(o-aminophenol) film electrode

Using the method of cyclic voltammetry, the electrode process of Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and pyrocatechin on a poly(o-aminophenol) (PoAP) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was investigated. The PoAP polymer was found to affect the redox process of copper and pyrocatechin. The use of polymer of different thicknesses showed that the obtained film has a dense, nonporous structure. The redox process of the examined substances may be considered as proceeding on the polymer surface. The PoAP polymer obtained in the described conditions takes part in charge transfer.      

Optimization methodology based on neural networks and genetic algorithms applied to electro-coagulation processes

An optimization methodology based on neural networks and genetic algorithms was developed and used to optimize a real world process — an electro-coagulation process involving three pollutants at different concentrations: kaolin (250–1000 mg L^?1), Eriochrome Black T solutions (50–200 mg L?1), and oil/water emulsion (1500–4500 mg L^?1). Feed-forward neural networks using heterogeneous combination of transfer functions were developed, leading to good results in the validation stage (relative error about 8%). The parameters of the process (concentration of pollutant, time, pH₀, conductivity and current density) were optimized handling the genetic algorithm parameters, in order to obtain a maximum removal efficiency for each pollutant. Therefore, the optimization methodology combines neural networks as modeling tools with genetic algorithms as solving method. Validation of the optimization results using supplementary experimental data reveals errors under 11%.      

Complexes of platinum and palladium with 4-nitrobenzoic hydrazide: synthesis and cytotoxic activity

New complexes of platinum and palladium were isolated with 4-nitrobenzoic hydrazide (4-NH) and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Results show that the ligand is coordinated to metallic ions by the basic nitrogen of NH₂ group and have the general structure cis-[M(4-NH)₂X₂] where M= Pt or Pd and x = Cl or I. The compound III, [Pt(4-NH)₂I₂], was found to display cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 0.96 μmol L^?1) against the K562 tumoral cell line. This complex is significantly more cytotoxic than cisplatin.      

A low-cost automated flow analyzer based on low temperature co-fired ceramic and LED photometer for ascorbic acid determination

An automated flow analyzer based on low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), a solid-phase reactor (SPR) and a low-cost photometer was designed for ascorbic acid (AA) determination in pharmaceutical formulations. It consists of a peristaltic pump, three-way solenoid valves, SPR to chemically convert Cu(II) into Cu(I), and a LTCC device for mixing the liberated copper with bathocuproine and detection. The flow cell in the LTCC employed an ultrabright LED — photodiode photometer. The analyzer successfully determined AA in pharmaceutical formulations. The analytical curve from 8.5×10^?6 to 7.0×10^?4 M gave a detection limit of 7.0×10^?7 M and a RSD of 2.1% for a 2.0×10^?4 M AA solution (n = 10). A high sampling frequency of 102 h^?1 and low reagent and sample consumption (150 µL) resulted.      

Simultaneous analysis of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in tablets by UV spectrophotometry compared to capillary zone electrophoresis

The development and optimization of a novel UV spectrophotometric methodology was proposed for simultaneous analysis of ethambutol (ETB), isoniazid (ISO), rifampicin (RIF) and pyrazinamide (PYR), using multivariate calibration based on the partial least squares method (PLS). The methodology was successfully applied for analysis of four-drug fixed dose combination (4-FDC) tablets used for tuberculosis treatment. A 3⁴ Box-Behnken design, with triplicate in central point, was used for sample preparation in the calibration step. In the present case, nine latent variables were chosen for the model development that presented the smallest RMSECV and explain 98.76% of data variance in Y block (concentrations of ETB ISO, RIF and PYR) and 99.93% of data variance in X block (spectral data). PLS models for ETB, ISO, RIF and PYR presented RMSEP and R² values of 0.23 mg L^?1 and 0.971; 0.14 mg L^?1 and 0.731; 0.11 mg L^?1 and 0.990 and 0.57 mg L^?1 and 0.972, respectively. A validation step was performed based on the comparison between the UV spectrophotometric proposed methodology and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in 4-FDC real samples and no significant difference was found between two methodologies at 95% of confidence level.      

Synthesis,structure and capacitive properties of cobalt hydroxide films on stainless steel substrates

Cobalt (hydro)oxide films on AISI 304 stainless steel and sintered metal fibre filter Bekipor ST 20AL3 were prepared using electrochemical deposition from neutral cobalt acetate solutions under galvanostatic conditions. Deposited films were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. All electrochemical measurements were performed in aqueous NaOH solution. Capacitive behavior of different films was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry data. The highest specific capacitance (965 F g^?1) was reached when Bekipor ST 20AL3 mesh was used as a support for electroactive substance.