Coupling Pervaporation-Gas Chromatography for Speciation of Volatile Forms of Selenium in Sediments

Abstract

A method for speciation of dimethylselenide (DMeSe), dimethyldiselenide (DMeDSe) and diethylselenide (DEtSe) in sediments based on a coupling between a pervaporation module, a preconcentration sorptive trap and a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer is reported. The coupling is performed through a high pressure injection valve which allows two different operational modes: (a) analysis without preconcentration, in which analytes are directly driven from the pervaporation chamber to the injection port of the chromatograph, and (b) analysis with preconcentration in a trap, in which the analytes from the pervaporation chamber are first trapped on a Tenax minicolumn and then thermally desorbed and driven to the GC. This second approach improves the sensitivity compared to the direct coupling, reaching estimated absolute detection limits lower than 0.6 ng Se for each tested species. The method is applied to the determination of volatile organic selenium species in several sediments collected from different areas in the Southwest of Spain.     

Potencies of ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis in the determination of biologically active compounds

The analytical potencies of ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis (LECE) in regard to the determination of bioactive substances are discussed. As it is shown, complexation with copper(II) in the electrophoretic determination with UV detection makes possible the determination of amino acids, amines, and sugars, which do not absorb in the UV region, with the limits of detection 5–10 mg/L, and reduce the detection limits of the absorbing analytes, such as tryptophane, tyrosine, and histamine by 2–3 times. Prospects for using online preconcentration for the reduction of c _min are shown on an example of aliphatic amino acids, i.e., thirtyfold preconcentration is attained. LECE is shown to be applicable to the simultaneous determination of glucose, Na(⁺), and K(⁺) in human blood serum. Also versions of ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis with direct UV detection and capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect one are compared in terms of efficiency, time of analysis, and limit of detection. The potencies of the LECE method are compared with those of ligand-exchange chromatography.     

Microchip Electrophoresis: A New Platform for Metal Speciation

Abstract

Metal speciation is of considerable interest to the scientific community, due to the significant roles played by individual metal species in biomedicine and in the environment. Microchip electrophoresis, as specifically applied to metal speciation, is reviewed here. The review covers microchip-based determinations of metal cations (directly), metal cations as complexed species using laser induced fluorescence, absorbance (LED) and chemiluminescence detection, oxidation states, and the speciation of simultaneously existing metal complex species. Rapid microchip analysis clearly opens up the potential for species distribution analysis of environmentally and biologically important metal complexes.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) using solid phase extraction and determination of total As inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric (ICP-AES) method was developed for speciation and simultaneous determination of Cr and As, since these two analytes are commonly determined in various water samples in order to assess their toxicity. The objective of this research was to study the speciation of Cr(III), Cr(VI) in the presence of As(III) and/or As(V) using solid phase extraction (SPE) and ICP-AES. For these measurements, four spectral lines were used for each analyte with the purpose of selecting the most appropriate for each element. Finally with the use for first time of a cation-exchange column filled with benzosulfonic acid and elution with HCl, the speciation in solutions which contained [Cr(III)?+?Cr(VI)?+?As(V)] and [Cr(III)?+?Cr(VI)?+?As(III)] was examined. It was demonstrated that the separation of the two chromium species is almost quantitative and the simultaneous determination of chromium species and total arsenic analytes is possible, with very good performance characteristics. The estimated limits of detection for Cr(III), Cr(VI), As(III) and/or As(V) were 0.9?µg?L^?1, 1.1 µg?L^?1, 4.7 µg?L^?1 and 4.5 µg?L^?1 respectively, the calculated relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 3.8%, 4.1%, 5.2% and 5.1% respectively, and finally the accuracy of the methods was estimated using a certified aqueous reference material and found to be 5.6% and 4.8% for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) respectively. The method was applied to the routine analysis of various water samples.     

Simplified sample preparation for GC speciation analysis of organotin in marine biomaterials

Two simple sample preparation methods for the speciation analysis of triphenyltin and butyltin compounds in marine biotissues, using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solubilization and enzymic hydrolysis, have been developed and compared with conventional acid digestion. Derivatization was carried out in situ using sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄) without prior separation of the analytes from the tissue matrix. Separation and detection was performed using capillary gas chromatography (GC) coupled to microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MIP AE) allowing detection limits of 2 ng g^?1 (as tin) to be reached. The accuracy of the presented methods was demonstrated by the analysis of a fish reference material (NIES No. 11). the necessity for sample clean-up is discussed and examples of the analysis of mussel tissue are shown.     

Separation of Sulfur Species in Water by Co-Electroosmotic Capillary Electrophoresis with Direct and Indirect UV Detection

Co-electroosmotic capillary electrophoresis (co-CZE) with both direct and indirect UV detection was investigated for the separation of sulfur species. With direct UV detection, the separation of S₂O^2? ₃, S₂O^2? ₄ was possible using 20 mM phosphate electrolyte containing 0.75 mM tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and 15% acetonitrile. To obtain optimal peak shape and sensitivity using indirect UV detection, a range of background electrolytes (BGEs), including benzoate, phthalate, 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate (2,6-PDCA) and trimellitate, were examined as the BGEs. Of all the BGEs, 2,6-PDCA gave high selectivity and indirect UV response due to its mobility matching to that of sulfur species and its high absorptivity. Detection limits in range of 3-6 μM were obtained using either direct UV or indirect UV detection. The proposed CZE methods were used for the determination of sulfur species in water samples, and provided fast separation of sulfur species in less than 5 min.     

Mercury speciation by CE: a review

CE methods for the speciation of inorganic and organomercury compounds are reviewed. Sample preparation, separation conditions and detection modes are discussed. Efficient separation and sensitive determination of mercury species by CE typically involves complexation with various thiols, chromogenic and other chelating agents; however, some methods do not require complexation. Spectrophotometric detection based on UV-visible absorption is by far the most commonly used. Hyphenated techniques, such as CE/inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS, hydride generation coupled to ICP-MS or atomic fluorescence spectrometry and CE/atomic absorption spectrometry are gaining popularity due to their high sensitivity and selectivity. Last, but not least, the potential and applications of electrochemical methods for detection of separated mercury species are outlined.     

Use of inorganic, complex-forming ions for selectivity enhancement in capillary electrophoretic separation of organic compounds

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a powerful separation method based on the migration of charged species under the influence of electric field. The main merits of CE are high separation efficiency, short analysis time and small consumption of solvents and samples. However, the main drawbacks of CE are generally lower sensitivity compared to classical column-chromatographic methods.Selectivity and/or sensitivity of CE separation can be improved by forming complexes between analytes and a complex-forming reagent present as an additive in the background electrolyte (BGE). We focus this review primarily on the application of inorganic complex-forming reagents added to the BGE to separate organic ligands. We briefly mention common CE separations of inorganic analytes (mainly metal ions) using BGEs with organic ligands (e.g., hydroxycarboxylic or aminopolycarboxylic acids) as selectors.The review involves brief theoretical consideration of the significance of the effect of complex formation on separation selectivity and/or sensitivity in CE, but the major topic is critical evaluation of different inorganic complex-forming reagents used recently in the CE analysis of organic compounds, including:

(i)

borate, tungstate and molybdate in separating organic compounds possessing vicinal -OH groups;

(ii)

ligand-exchange CE and capillary electrochromatography in chiral analysis; and,

(iii)

the role of metal ions as central ions employed for selectivity enhancement of CE separation of various classes of organic compounds, including biopolymers.

     

Mass Spectrometric and Contactless Conductivity Detection Approaches in the Determination of Muscle Relaxants by Capillary Electrophoresis

Novel and rapid capillary electrophoresis-coupled tandem mass spectrometry (CE-MS/MS) and capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C⁴D) methods have been developed for the separation and determination of three neuromuscular blocking agents: pancuronium, vecuronium, and rocuronium. In both cases, the separation was conducted in background electrolytes based on acidic acetate-ammonium buffers to avoid possible decomposition of the analytes that are known to be unstable in alkaline media. Baseline resolution of the analytes was achieved in the presence of modified γ-cyclodextrin by CE with C⁴D detection. The two detection techniques were compared with regard to analytical figures of merit including linear dynamic range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and accuracy. The calibration curves showed good linearity for both detection methods examined (characterized by r² ≥ 0.9908). The LODs of the CE-MS/MS and the CE-C⁴D methods differed at least by two orders of magnitude considering all analytes. The differences in precision and accuracy of these methods were evaluated and discussed. The assays of pancuronium, vecuronium, and rocuronium in commercial injection solutions by CE-MS/MS and CE-C⁴D were performed and the results compared.     

Methods for the determination and speciation of mercury in natural waters—A review

This review summarises current knowledge on Hg species and their distribution in the hydrosphere and gives typical concentration ranges in open ocean, coastal and estuarine waters, as well as in rivers, lakes, rain and ground waters. The importance of reliable methods for the determination of Hg species in natural waters and the analytical challenges associated with them are discussed. Approaches for sample collection and storage, pre-concentration, separation, and detection are critically compared. The review covers well established methods for total mercury determination and identifies new approaches that offer advantages such as ease of use and reduced risk of contamination. Pre-concentration and separation techniques for Hg speciation are divided into chromatographic and non-chromatographic methods. Derivatisation methods and the coupling of pre-concentration and/or separation methods to suitable detection techniques are also discussed. Techniques for sample pre-treatment, pre-concentration, separation, and quantification of Hg species, together with examples of total Hg determination and Hg speciation analysis in different natural (non-spiked) waters are summarised in tables, with a focus on applications from the last decade.     

Estimation of Performance Characteristics of an Analytical Method Using the Data Set Of The Calibration Experiment

Abstract

A model to calculate the analytical sensitivity, limit of detection, limit of determination and precision of a method of instrumental analysis through a data set obtained by calibration experiment using the statistical analysis of linear regression, is proposed. This model has been applied to spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric and chromatographic methods. The values obtained are independent of the instrument used and can be applied as a criterion of comparison between different methods proposed for the same analyte. Also, these characteristics have been calculated using the IUPAC suggested model and both results have been compared.     

Speciation of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) via Reversed Phase HPLC with Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopic Detection (HPLC-ICP)24

Abstract

Chromium ions, viz., chromic (Cr^±3=III) and chromate (Cr^±6 = VI), can be reliably, conveniently, reproducibly, and quickly separated and detected by the use of conventional paired-ion, reversed phase (RP) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) together with refractive index (RI) and/or inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopic (ICP) detection. A number of novel paired-ion approaches have now been developed, using PIC A (tetrabutylammonium hydroxide) or PIC B (sodium n-alkyl sulfonate) separately in the mobile phase. This allows for the retention of each Cr species depending on the particular ion pairing reagent being used, while the remaining Cr ion elutes in the solvent front. Changing the ion pairing reagent reverses the overall situation. The total time for each HPLC analysis is about 10 mins. ICP detection provides for a complete, overall method of speciation for both Cr (III) and Cr (VI) via two separate injections, together with quantitation for both species. This method of using paired-ion RP-HPLC can easily be applied to other mixtures of inorganic cations and anions, presumably with equally successful results. Minimum limits of detection are computed for chromate via direct-ICP, using at least two basic methods for such computations. It is suggested that virtually all chromatographic detection limits can be significantly improved by the application of newer, spectroscopic based methods of automated computation of detection limits.     

Comparison of standard and reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the determination of chromium and selenium species by HPLC-ICP-MS

Elemental speciation is becoming a common analytical procedure for geochemical investigations. The various redox species of environmentally relevant metals can have vastly different biogeochemical properties, including sorption, solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity. The use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to elemental specific detectors, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has become one of the most important speciation methods employed. This is due to the separation versatility of HPLC and the sensitive and selective detection capabilities of ICP-MS. The current study compares standard mode ICP-MS to recently developed reaction cell (RC) ICP-MS, which has the ability to remove or reduce many common polyatomic interferences that can limit the ability of ICP-MS to quantitate certain analytes in complex matrices. Determination of chromium and selenium redox species is achieved using ion-exchange chromatography with elemental detection by standard and RC-ICP-MS, using various chromium and selenium isotopes. In this study, method performance and detection limits for the various permutations of the method (isotope monitored or ICP-MS detection mode) were found to be comparable and generally less than 1 μg L⁻¹. The method was tested on synthetic laboratory samples, surface water, groundwater, and municipal tap water matrices.     

On-line solid-phase microextraction of triclosan, bisphenol A, chlorophenols, and selected pharmaceuticals in environmental water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection

A method using on-line solid-phase microextraction (SPME) on a carbowax-templated fiber followed by liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the determination of triclosan in environmental water samples. Along with triclosan, other selected phenolic compounds, bisphenol A, and acidic pharmaceuticals were studied. Previous SPME/LC or stir-bar sorptive extraction/LC-UV for polar analytes showed lack of sensitivity. In this study, the calculated octanol–water distribution coefficient (log D) values of the target analytes at different pH values were used to estimate polarity of the analytes. The lack of sensitivity observed in earlier studies is identified as a lack of desorption by strong polar–polar interactions between analyte and solid-phase. Calculated log D values were useful to understand or predict the interaction between analyte and solid phase. Under the optimized conditions, the method detection limit of selected analytes by using on-line SPME-LC-UV method ranged from 5 to 33 ng?L^?1, except for very polar 3-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol which was obscured in wastewater samples by an interfering substance. This level of detection represented a remarkable improvement over the conventional existing methods. The on-line SPME-LC-UV method, which did not require derivatization of analytes, was applied to the determination of TCS including phenolic compounds and acidic pharmaceuticals in tap water and river water and municipal wastewater samples.

Capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Chemical speciation (extraction of elemental information and identification of molecular environment for an analyte in a complex sample) has been a long sought after goal for analytical chemists. Recently, because of successful developments in more sensitive element-specific detectors and gentle separation schemes, which preserve the true chemical information in a real sample, routine speciation experiments are becoming a common occurrence in the scientific literature. For many reasons, the combination of capillary electrophoresis (for separation of different chemical species) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (for element and isotope specific detection) has emerged as the method of choice for these analyses. In this article the basic principles of capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are discussed. Design consideration for instrument interface, anticipated difficulties with speciation experiments and applications for specific matrices and analytes are also presented in this article.     

Method development approaches for capillary ion electrophoresis

Capillary ion electrophoresis (CIE) is a capillary electrophoretic technique optimized for rapid determination of low-molecular-mass inorganic and organic ions. CIE predominantly employs indirect UV detection since the majority of the analytes lack specific chromophores. Described are three methods for detection and electrolyte optimization. The first method discussed approaches for optimizing sensitivity, selectivity and peak confirmation using a chromate electrolyte and selected detection wavelengths. Peak confirmation is aided by using both direct detection of analytes. The second and third methods involve an unattended electrolyte development approach for instruments that only provide fresh electrolyte on the injection side of the capillary. The electrolyte composition is changed in both the injection side vial and in capillary before each sample injection while leaving the receiving side electrolyte vial constant at the initial electrolyte composition. In one mode, the concentration of the electroosmotic flow (EOF) modifier used to induce anodic flow is varied while keeping the background electrolyte composition constant. In a second experiment, the background electrolyte co-ion is sequentially changed from high mobility to low mobility while keeping the EOF modifier concentration constant. The end effect is to achieve a broad range of controlled peak symmetry for analytes in a simple matrix. The results are compared to separations obtained when the injection side and receiving side electrolytes are manually matched.     

Optical and electrochemical sol-gel sensors for inorganic species

The use of sol-gels as a sensing matrix for the development of unique sensing strategies is discussed. Sol-gels offer almost limitless possibilities for sensing substrates due to the variety of physical properties that can be obtained by altering a number of discussed fabrication conditions and techniques. By careful consideration of the sensing requirements, novel detection methods have been developed for a variety of analytes and applications. Here, sol-gels have been used to monitor pH at the extreme ends of the scale ([H⁺] = 1–11 M and [OH⁻] = 1–10 M) and in mixed solvent/solute systems using dual sensing approaches. The use of ligand-grafted sol-gel monoliths for optical determination of metal ion species is also discussed. The electrochemical determination of Cr(VI) by electrodeposited sol-gel modified electrodes is also presented.     

单细胞分析中的荧光标记化学*

细胞内组分复杂、含量低,因此测定单细胞内化学组分的分析方法必须具有灵敏度高、选择性好和分辨率高的特点。高灵敏度的荧光检测技术是单细胞分析中应用最多的检测方法之一。但是细胞内绝大部分物质其天然态是没有荧光的,且由于细胞膜的阻碍,衍生试剂不能自由地进入细胞内。为了使衍生试剂透过细胞膜标记细胞内待测物质而不引起显著的稀释效应,已进行了大量的研究工作。本文综述了在单细胞分析中常用的荧光标记方法,包括细胞作为微反应器的衍生法,借助于脂质体与聚乙二醇（PEG）等增加细胞膜通透性的衍生方法和在毛细管/芯片毛细管电泳分析单细胞时柱上衍生和柱后衍生法以及量子点的标记法等。对这些方法的原理、特点和在单细胞分析中的应用也做了较为详细的阐述。     

Method optimization and quality assurance in speciation analysis using high performance liquid chromatography with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Achievement of optimum selectivity, sensitivity and robustness in speciation analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection requires that each instrumental component is selected and optimized with a view to the ideal operating characteristics of the entire hyphenated system. An isocratic HPLC system, which employs an aqueous mobile phase with organic buffer constituents, is well suited for introduction into the ICP-MS because of the stability of the detector response and high degree of analyte sensitivity attained. Anion and cation exchange HPLC systems, which meet these requirements, were used for the seperation of selenium and arsenic species in crude extracts of biological samples. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratios obtained for these incompletely ionized elements in the argon ICP were further enhanced by a factor of four by continously introducing carbon as methanol via the mobile phase into the ICP. Sources of error in the HPLC system (column overload), in the sample introduction system (memory by organic solvents) and in the ICP-MS (spectroscopic interferences) and their prevention are also discussed. The optimized anion and cation exchange HPLC-ICP-MS systems were used for arsenic speciation in contaminated ground water and in an in-house shrimp reference sample. For the purpose of verification, HPLC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization was additionally used for arsenic speciation in the shrimp sample. With this analytical technique the HPLC retention time in combination with mass analysis of the molecular ions and their collision-induced fragments provide almost conclusive evidence of the identity of the analyte species. The speciation methods are validated by establishing a mass balance of the analytes in each fraction of the extraction procedure, by recovery of spikes and by employing and comparing independent techniques. The urgent need for reference materials certified for elemental species is stressed.