Feasibility of Separation and Quantification of Inorganic Arsenic Species Using Ion-Exchange Membranes and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Analytical methods for the determination of inorganic arsenic species have attracted much attention due to the high toxicity of these compounds and related legislative regulations for food. A new method for the separation and quantitation of As(III) and As(V) was developed using ion-exchange membranes and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Using the anion-exchange polymer membrane, As(V) was selectively collected on the membrane, and As(III) was filtered through the membrane. The separated As(V) on the membrane was directly determined by LIBS. The As(III) in the filtrate was subsequently oxidized to As(V) and collected by the membrane for LIBS analysis. The detection limit for As(V) was estimated to be 10?mg/kg. The recovery efficiencies for the arsenic species as standards were in the range of 97–99%. This method was applied for the analysis As-spiked water certified reference materials, and the results showed that the recovery for As(V) was 98.9%. This new speciation method is cost-effective, simple, and low labor-intensive for the quantitation of inorganic arsenic.     

Liquid-liquid distribution of ion-associates of dichlorocuprate(I) with quaternary ammonium counter-ions

The dichlorocuprate(I) anion CuCl(-)(2) can be extracted as its ion-associates Q(+).CuCl(-)(2) with quaternary ammonium cations (Q(+)) into chloroform. The extraction constants K(ex) have been determined, and the log K(ex) values found for the various counter-ions used are 1.93 for (C(3)H(7))(4)N(+), 4.10 for (C(4)H(9))(4)N(+), 6.57 for (C(5)H(11))(4)N(+), 1.57 for C(8)H(17)N(+) (CH(3))(3), 2.83 for C(10)H(21)N(+) (CH(3))(3) 4.12 for C(12)H(25)N(+) (CH(3))(3) and 5.21 for C(14)H(29)N(+)(CH(3))(3), respectively. A linear relationship was found between log K(ex) and the total number of carbon atoms in Q(+); from the slope of the line, the contribution of a methylene group to log K(ex) was calculated to be 0.59. The extractability with alkyltrimethylammonium cations was larger than that with symmetrical tetra-alkylammonium cations and the difference in log K(ex) for two cations (one of each type) with the same number of carbon atoms was about 0.4. From the extraction constants obtained, the extractability of CuCl(-)(2) was found to lie between that of ReO(-)(4) and ClO(-)(4).     

A sol-gel-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) electrophoresis microchip with a hydrophilic channel wall

A sol-gel method was employed to fabricate a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) electrophoresis microchip that contains a hydrophilic channel wall. To fabricate such a device, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was injected into the PMMA channel and was allowed to diffuse into the surface layer for 24 h. After removing the excess TEOS, the channel was filled with an acidic solution for 3 h. Subsequently, the channel was flushed with water and was pretreated in an oven to obtain a sol-gel-modified PMMA microchip. The water contact angle for the sol-gel-modified PMMA was approximately 27.4 degrees compared with approximately 66.3 degrees for the pure PMMA. In addition, the electro-osmotic flow increased from 2.13x10(-4) cm2 V(-1) s(-1) for the native-PMMA channel to 4.86x10(-4) cm2 V(-1) s(-1) for the modified one. The analytical performance of the sol-gel-modified PMMA microchip was demonstrated for the electrophoretic separation of several purines, coupled with amperometric detection. The separation efficiency of uric acid increased to 74,882.3 m(-1) compared with 14,730.5 m(-1) for native-PMMA microchips. The result of this simple modification is a significant improvement in the performance of PMMA for microchip electrophoresis and microfluidic applications.     

Surface-activated chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry for the analysis of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in hair after extraction and sample dilution

Surface-activated chemical ionization (SACI) was employed for the analysis of cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, extracted from hair. Following decontamination and acid hydrolysis procedures on the hair sample, the sample solution was diluted (1:10) and directly analyzed by liquid chromatography/surface-activated chemical ionization multiple collisional stage single reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC/SACI-MS(3)-SRM) without solid-phase extraction (SPE) pre-purification and concentration procedures. To increase the selectivity of the method, MS(3) was chosen instead of the less selective MS/MS. This data was compared with that achieved using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), the reference method used by the Italian Government Institute of Health protocol. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.003 ng/(mg hair) for cocaine and 0.02 ng/(mg hair) for benzoylecgonine and the limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 0.01 ng/(mg hair) for cocaine and 0.04 ng/(mg hair) for benzoylecgonine. The squared correlation coefficient (R(2)) of the calibration curve was 0.9887-0.9980 for cocaine and 0.9987-0.9997 for benzoylecgonine. The percent accuracy error was 2-5% for both cocaine and benzoylecgonine using the LC/SACI-MS(3)-SRM approach, whereas it was higher for benzoylecgonine (20-25%) using the LC/SACI-MS/MS-SRM approach compared with the GC/MS data due to hair matrix contamination. In both cases, high precision was achieved (1-3% precision error), which confirmed the stability of the developed methods.     

Single-column ion-chromatographic determination of chromium(VI) in aqueous soil and sludge extracts

Single-column ion-chromatography (SCIC) was investigated as a routine, rapid, precise and selective analytical method for the determination of chromium(VI) in aqueous extracts of soil and sewage sludge. Chromatographic parameters were optimized for determination of Cr(VI), NO(-)(3) and SO(2-)(4). A low-capacity resin-based column was used for the separation and the anions were determined by conductometric detection. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid (5mM) at pH 8.5 was used as the eluent. The limit of detection, defined as S/N = 3, was 92 mug/l. The resolution between Cr(VI) and SO(2-)(4) was 2.8, the precision ranged from 0.9% for NO(-)(3) to 2.0% for Cr(VI) with a 500-mul injection. The SCIC results for Cr(VI) agreed closely with those obtained by inductively coupled argon-plasma emission and spectrophotometry.     

Preconcentration of lead complexed with O,O-diethyl-dithiophosphate by column solid-phase extraction using different sorbents in a flow injection system coupled to a flame atomic absorption spectrometer

A comparative study of C(18) immobilized on silica, activated carbon and a polyurethane foam, as sorbents for Pb complexed with O,O-diethyl-dithiophosphate in a flow injection preconcentration system is reported. The complex was formed in 1.0 M HCl medium and processed in a simple system using a peristaltic pump, a manual injector-commutator and a mini-column filled with the sorbent. Using ethanol as eluent, the richest 150-mul fraction was collected and measured (after discarding 150, 200 and 0 mul for the activated carbon, foam and C(18), respectively) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum concentration of the complexing agent was 0.05% m/v for C(18) and 0.2% m/v for the activated carbon and the polyurethane foam. The best sample loading flow rate was 4.0 ml min(-1) for the activated carbon and 2.0 ml min(-1) for C(18) and the polyurethane foam, while the best elution flow rate was 1.0 ml min(-1) (activated carbon) and 0.6 ml min(-1) (C(18) and foam). It was found that beyond a certain loading sample volume, for a constant analyte mass, the signal decreased. The maximum loading sample volume, for a constant analyte mass, before the signal started to decrease, was 50 ml for the activated carbon and 150 ml for the other materials. By processing 25 ml, the enrichment factors were 23, 55 and 166 for the activated carbon, foam and C(18), respectively. The best limit of detection (3sigma) was 0.3 mug l(-1) for the C(18) (1.2 mug l(-1) for the foam and 3 mug l(-1) for the activated carbon). As shown, the C(18) has a much superior retention performance in comparison to the other two materials.     

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography for the determination of Viagra and its metabolite (UK-103,320) in human serum

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) was investigated for the determination of Viagra (sildenafil citrate, SC) and its metabolite (UK-103,320) in human serum in a concentration range of clinical interest. For MEKC, human serum samples spiked with SC and UK were obtained directly after elution with methanol from a tC18 cartridge. The extract was evaporated and regenerated in a solution 1 mM of phosphate buffer (pH 12.3) which contained a methanol percentage of 20% that was analyzed using phosphate buffer (pH 12.3, 10 mM) containing 30 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as separation electrolyte and a fused-silica capillary. This method gave satisfactory interday precision with respect to migration times relative standard deviation (RSD < 1%) and linear responses for the concentration ranges investigated (0.50-3.50 mg L(-1) for the compound SC and 0.90-4.60 mg L(-1) for UK). An intraday RSD (n = 5 graphs) between the slopes of the calibration graphs was acceptable (6.40%) for SC and (3.37%) for UK. A satisfactory interday precision between slopes was also obtained (RSD 4.10% for SC and a RSD 2.72% for UK) which demonstrated the ruggedness of this method. Detection limits (S/N = 3) were about 200 ng/mL for both compounds in human serum. MEKC was shown as a good method with regards to simplicity, precision and sensitivity.     

Analysis of aesculin and aesculotin in Cortex fraxini by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple method for quantitative analysis of aesculin and aesculetin in Cortex fraxini was developed using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Berberin was employed as an internal standard, The running buffer was 6 mM Na(2)B(4)O(7) and 10 mM NaH(2)PO(4) (pH 6.70). The linear calibration range was 32-256 mug ml(-1) (r=0.9996) for aesculin and 23-230 mug ml(-1) (r=0.9993) for aesculetin. The contents of aeculin and aesculetin in C. fraxini were easily determined within 12 min the pKa values of aesculin and asculetin determined by CZE were 6.56 and 5.62, respectively. A simple method for estimation of the temperature inside the capillary during running was also proposed.     

Synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe based on acridine skeleton used for sensitive determination of DNA

In this study, a novel fluorescent probe of acridine derivative N-((N-(2-dimethylamino)ethyl)acridine-4-carboxamide)-alpha-alanine (N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA) was synthesized. The structure of the new compound was characterized by (1)H NMR, MS, elemental analysis, fluorescent and ultraviolet spectra. It was found that DNA had the ability to quench the fluorescence of N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA, and the quenched intensity of fluorescence was proportional to the concentration of DNA. A method for DNA determination based on the quenching fluorescence (lambda(ex) = 260 nm, lambda(em) = 451 nm) of N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA was established. Under optimal conditions, the linear range is 0.05-2.0 microg mL(-1) for both fish semen (fsDNA) and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA). The corresponding determination limits are 9.1 ng mL(-1) for fsDNA and 8.7 ng mL(-1) for ctDNA, respectively. The results suggested that the interaction mode between N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA and DNA was intercalative binding. The intrinsic binding constant was determined and the result showed a large binding constant of N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA with DNA.     

Determination of coenzyme Q10 in human breast milk by high-performance liquid chromatography

An isocratic HPLC method was developed for the determination of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in human breast milk. After a single-step liquid-liquid extraction, the milk extract was injected directly into the HPLC system. The analytical method is based on pre-column inline treatment of CoQ(10). Chromatographic separation of CoQ(10) and coenzyme Q(9) (CoQ(9)) internal standard was achieved using a reversed-phase Microsorb-MV C(18) analytical column. CoQ(10) and CoQ(9) were monitored by an electrochemical detector (ECD). An excellent linearity (r = 0.999) was observed for CoQ(10) in the concentration range 0.06-2.5 micromol L(-1) in breast milk. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 60 nmol L(-1). Coefficients of variations (CVs) for intra-day and inter-day assay precisions were less than 5%. A total of 194 breast milk samples were analyzed for the CoQ(10) concentration; the mean value was 0.32 +/- 0.21 micromol L(-1).     

Pressurometric titrations with xenon trioxide as oxidant

The reaction of XeO(3) with thirteen reducing agents was studied qualitatively. From these, Fe(II) and Ti(III) were chosen for direct titration with XeO(3) with pressurometric end-point detection. The precision was a few parts per thousand. Evidence was found for the production of oxygen during both titrations, and of hydrogen peroxide formation during the Ti(III) reaction. The Ti(III)/Xe reacting ratio was independent of the amount of Ti(III) from 35.5 to 87.7 micromole and was 5.93 +/- 0.03 instead of the expected 6.00. The ratio for the Fe(II) reaction varied from 5.85 to 5.95 over the Fe(II) range from 10.05 to 78.7 micromole. The stoichiometric ratio for the iodometric standardization of XeO(3) solutions was confirmed as 6.00.     

Simultaneous determination of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, epirubicin and daunorubicin in human urine using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: bioanalytical method validation

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) system interfaced with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of cyclophosphamide (CP), ifosfamide (IF), daunorubicin (DNR), doxorubicin (DXR), and epirubicin (EPI) in human urine. The analysis of samples containing multiple analytes with a dissimilar range of polarities was carried out using a conventional reversed-phase chromatographic BDS Hypersil C8 column. The analytical run was 15 min. The triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used for drug quantification. The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.2 to 4.0 microg.L(-1) for CP, IF, DXR, EPI and 0.15-2.0 microg.L(-1) for DNR in human urine. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2 microg.L(-1) for CP, IF, EPI and was set at 0.3 and 0.15 microg.L(-1) for DXR and DNR, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD%) were <11.2% for inter- and intra-day precisions. The overall accuracy was also within 114.7% for all analytes at the concentrations of the quality control samples. The potential of ionization suppression resulting from the endogenous biological material on the rp-HPLC/MS/MS method was evaluated and measured. The feasibility of the proposed HPLC/ESI-MS/MS procedure was demonstrated by analyzing urine samples from pharmacy technicians and nurses working in hospitals or personnel employed in drug-manufacturing plants.     

Development of Graphene/CdSe Quantum Dots‐Co Phthalocyanine Nanocomposite for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Nanocomposites containing CdSe quantum dots, tetra(4‐(4,6‐diaminopyrimidin‐2‐ylthio) phthalocyaninatocobalt(II)) (CoPyPc) and reduced graphene nanosheets (rGNS) were devoloped and used for the modification of a glassy carbon electrode. Characterization of the nanocomposites was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for electrochemical characterization of the prepared nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction. The oxygen reduction activity for rGNS/CdSe‐CoPyPc nanocomposite was found to be superior over the individual nanomaterials in this study. The activity of the nanocomposite towards oxygen reduction was also tested for tolerance to methanol crossover effect using chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies.     

Electron Transfer Studies of TIN(IV)/TIN(II) in Acid Media

Abstract

Cyclic voltammaetry of mixed tin(II)/tin(IV) solutions was investigated in 6M HCl on gold and mercury electrodes. It was found that the reduction of tin(II) to tin(iv) proceeded irreversibly while tin(II) to tin(IV) was reversible. Two forms of tin(IV) are postulated. The peak potential for the reduction of tin(IV) was a function of both tin(II) and tin(IV) while that for the oxidation of tin(II) was a function only of tin(II) concentration Potentials for all oxidations and reductions were a function of potential scan rate.     

C-O-bond cleavage of esters with a naphthyl group in the higher triplet excited state during two-color two-laser flash photolysis

A C-O-bond cleavage of esters having a naphthyl group, NpCO-OR and RCO-ONp (Np=alpha- and beta-naphthyl ((alpha)Np and (beta)Np, respectively), R=Ph and Me), was found during the two-color two-laser flash photolysis in acetonitrile. The C-O-bond cleavage occurred when NpCO-OR and RCO-ONp were excited to the singlet excited states (S1). On the other hand, no reaction occurred from the lowest triplet excited states (T1). When NpCO-OR(T1) and RCO-ONp(T1) were excited to the higher triplet excited states (Tn) using the second laser during the two-color two-laser flash photolysis, the C-O-bond cleavage occurred. The C-O-bond cleavage quantum yield (Phi) was estimated from the plots of the T1-state esters disappeared within a laser flash versus the second laser intensities. The C-O-bond cleavage in (beta)NpCO-OPh(Tn) occurred more efficiently than in (alpha)NpCO-OPh(Tn) and that in PhCO-O(beta)Np(Tn) occurred more efficiently than in PhCO-O(alpha)Np(Tn). The Phi value for ester with Ph and beta-Np groups was larger than that for ester with Ph and alpha-Np groups. The Phi value for MeCO-O(alpha)Np(Tn) was similar to those for PhCO-ONp(Tn), while that for MeCO-O(beta)Np(Tn) was much smaller than those for PhCO-ONp(Tn) and MeCO-O(alpha)Np(Tn). On the other hand, no C-O-bond cleavage was observed in NpCO-OMe(Tn). The Phi value depended on the characters of the groups (Np, Ph, and Me) on the ester. Whether R is Ph or Me with or without pi electron, respectively, is important for the C-O-bond cleavage. In other words, electronic delocalization of the T(n) state including Np and ester groups is necessary for the occurrence of the C-O-bond cleavage in NpCO-OR(Tn) and RCO-ONp(Tn).     

Reactions of neutral gas-phase yttrium atoms with two cyclohexadiene isomers

The reactions of neutral ground-state yttrium (Y) atoms with 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD) were studied using crossed molecular beams. Formation of YC(6)H(6) + H(2) and YH(2) + C(6)H(6) was observed for both isomers at collision energies (E(coll)) of 31.3 and 13.0 kcal/mol. Measured product branching ratios at E(coll) = 31.3 kcal/mol indicated that YH(2) + C(6)H(6) was the dominant channel, accounting for >97% of the products. An additional minor product channel, YC(4)H(4) + C(2)H(4), was observed for 1,3-CHD at the higher E(coll). The reaction threshold for YC(4)H(4) formation was determined to be 29.5 ± 2.0 kcal/mol based on fits to the data.     

Migration behavior and separation of active components in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and its commercial extract by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

1-Anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (1,8-ANS), 4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid (bis-ANS) and 2-(p-toluidino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (2,6-TNS) were evaluated as additives in different buffers for the detection of bovine whey proteins using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) monitoring in capillary electrophoresis (CE). These N-arylaminonaphthalene sulfonates furnish a large fluorescence emission when associated to some proteins whereas their emission in aqueous buffers, such as those used in CE separations, is very small. To select the best detection conditions, the fluorescence of these probes was first compared using experiments carried out in a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, it was demonstrated that 2-(N-cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid (CHES) buffer (pH 8 and pH 10.2) and the fluorescent probe 2,6-TNS gave rise to the highest increase in fluorescence for BSA. When the composition of these separation buffers was optimized for the electrophoretic separations, CHES buffer, pH 10.2 was chosen as the most suitable buffer to detect bovine whey proteins. The limit of detection obtained for some whey proteins in CE separations was about 6.10(-8) M for BSA, 3.10(-7) M for beta-lactoglobulin A (beta-LGA), 3.10(-7) M for beta-lactoglobulin B (beta-LGB), and 3.10(-6) M for alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA). These detection limits were compared to those achieved using UV detection under the same separation conditions. The results showed that the detection limits of BSA, beta-LGA and beta-LGB were twice as good using LIF than with UV detection. However, the limit of detection for alpha-LA was better when UV was used. The applicability of LIF detection to CE separation of whey proteins in bovine milk samples was also demonstrated.     

Simultaneous determination of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) in aqueous solutions by ion chromatography and chemiluminescence detection.

A method for the simultaneous determination of chromium(iii) and chromium(vi) in a flow system based on chemiluminescence was developed. A Dionex cation-exchange guard column was used to separate chromium(iii) from chromium(vi), and chromium(vi) was reduced by potassium sulfite, whereupon both species were detected by use of the luminol-hydrogen peroxide chemiluminescence system. Linear calibration for both species was established over the concentration range 1-1000 micrograms l-1. The precision at the 20 micrograms l-1 level was 3.5% for chromium(iii) and 3.3% for chromium(vi), respectively. The detection limit was 0.5 micrograms l-1 for both species. Data were in agreement with Zeeman-effect background corrected atomic absorption spectrometry measurements.     

Evaluation of luminol-H(2)O(2)-KIO(4) chemiluminescence system and its application to hydrogen peroxide, glucose and ascorbic acid assays

A novel chemiluminescence (CL) system was evaluated for the determination of hydrogen peroxide, glucose and ascorbic acid based on hydrogen peroxide, which has a catalytic-cooxidative effect on the oxidation of luminol by KIO(4). Hydrogen peroxide can be directly determined by luminol-KIO(4)-H(2)O(2) CL system. The detection limit was 3.0x10(-8) mol l(-1) and the calibration graph was linear over the range of 2.0x10(-7)-6.0x10(-4) mol l(-1). The relative standard deviation of H(2)O(2) was 1.1% for 2.0x10(-6) mol l(-1) (N=11). Glucose was indirectly determined through measuring the H(2)O(2) generated by the oxidation of glucose in the presence of glucose oxidase at pH 7.6. The present method provides a source for H(2)O(2), which, in turn, coupled with the luminol-KIO(4)-H(2)O(2) CL reaction system. The CL was linearly correlated with glucose concentration of 0.6-110 mug ml(-1). The relative standard deviation was 2.1% for 10 mug ml(-1) (N=11). Detection limit of glucose was 0.08 mug ml(-1). Ascorbic acid was also indirectly determined by the suppression of luminol-KIO(4)-H(2)O(2) CL system. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 1.0x10(-7)-1.0x10(-5) mol l(-1) of ascorbic acid. The relative standard deviation was 1.0% for 8.0x10(-7) mol l(-1) (N=11). Detection limit of ascorbic acid was 6.0x10(-8) mol l(-1). These proposed methods have been applied to determine glucose, ascorbic acid in tablets and injection.     

Solid-phase extraction of 4(5)-methylimidazole (4MeI) and 2-acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole (THI) from foods and beverages with subsequent liquid chromatographic-electrospray mass spectrometric quantification

A method for the simultaneous determination of 4(5)-methylimidazole (4MeI) and 2-acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole (THI) was developed using SPE and HPLC/MS. Solid-phase extraction using SCX Disc cartridges was used for isolation of the analytes from liquid samples. The lower LOQwas 0.1 ng/mL for 4MeI and 0.2 ng/ mL for THI. The linearity of the calibration curves was satisfactory as indicated by correlation coefficients >0.999. The CV for the intra- and inter-day precision was <5% (n = 6); the accuracy was in the range 98-103%. The recovery was > or = 97 and > or = 98% for THI and 4MeI, respectively. The method was used to determine THI and 4MeI in beverages, coffee, caramel colours and other samples.