Chiral recognition and enantiomer assays of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)amino acid derivatives using electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry

A pair of pseudoenantiomers, anilide derivatives of N-pivaloylproline were prepared and used as chiral selectors for enantiomer discrimination of amides or esters of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)amino acids in single-stage electrospray ionization/mass spectrometric experiments. Addition of a chiral analyte to a solution of the two pseudoenantiomeric chiral selectors affords selector–analyte complexes in the electrospray ionization mass spectrum where the ratio of these complexes is dependent on the enantiomeric composition of the analyte. The relationship between the ratio of the selector–analyte complexes in the electrospray ionization mass spectrum and the enantiomeric composition of the analyte can be used to relate the extent of the measured enantioselectivity and for quantitative enantiomeric composition determinations. Effects of the added cationic ions (H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and instrument conditions on the selector–analyte ion intensity and the enantioselectivity (α_MS) were investigated. The percent ratio of the sum of the selector–analyte ion counts and the total ion counts decreases accordingly with the increase of the desolvation temperature for H⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺. The ratio for Li⁺ kept almost constant. The best α_MS was observed at a desolvation temperature of 200 °C with the added H⁺. The cone voltage has little effects on the α_MS values though the intensities of selector–analyte complexes are decreased at higher cone voltages. The observed MS enantioselectivities are comparable to the HPLC enantioselectivities and the sense of chiral recognition by MS is consistent with what is observed chromatographically. Quantitative enantiomeric composition determinations for five different samples of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucinyl butylamide at four different concentrations were performed. The average % difference between the HPLC and MS enantiomer determinations is 6.8% and 3.7% for the calibration lines constructed at a concentration of the analyte of 125 μM and 12.5 μM, respectively.     

Flow injection on-line preconcentration of low levels of Cr(VI) with detection by ETAAS: Comparison of using an open tubular PTFE knotted reactor and a column reactor packed with PTFE beads

A flow injection (FI) on-line sorption preconcentration procedure utilizing a packed column reactor and combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is proposed for the determination of low levels of Cr(VI) in water samples. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) beads packed in a mini-column is used as sorbent material. The complex formed between Cr(VI) and ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) is sorbed on the PTFE beads, and is subsequently eluted by an air-monosegmented discrete zone of absolute ethanol (35 μl), the analyte being quantified by ETAAS.The preconcentration procedure using the proposed column significantly enhances the preconcentration efficiency as compared with the preconcentration approach incorporating an open tubular PTFE knotted reactor (KR). Comparing the two procedure for equal surface sorption area, the advantages of using a packed column are observed in terms of limit of detection, enrichment factor and retention efficiency. With a preconcentration time of 60 s, and a sample flow rate of 5.0 ml l⁻¹, the enrichment factor (30.1) and the retention efficiency (24.1%) were doubled, yielding a detection limit (3σ) as low as 8.8 ng l⁻¹. The sample frequency was 16.7 h⁻¹. The concentration efficiency was 8.38 and the precision was 1.05% at 0.5 μg l⁻¹ of Cr(VI). The proposed column has been applied successfully to the analysis of natural water and synthetic seawater. Its performance was verified by the analysis of two certified Cr(VI)-reference materials and by recovery measurements on spiked samples.     

Chemiluminometric determination of the pesticide 3-indolyl acetic acid by a flow injection analysis assembly

A new method is proposed for the chemiluminescent determination of the pesticide 3-indolyl acetic acid by means of an flow injection analysis system. The chemiluminescence emission is obtained by oxidation of the analyte with Ce (IV) in nitric acid and presence of β-cyclodextrine.The continuous-flow method allows the determination of 159 samples h⁻¹ of 3-indolyl acetic acid in an interval of concentrations over the range 0.5-15.0 mg l⁻¹. The limit of detection was 0.1 μg l⁻¹ and the R.S.D. (n, 17) at 2.0 mg l⁻¹ of the pesticide level was 2.7%. The method was applied to water samples.     

Substitution–dilution method to correct the matrix effect in multi-element quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence

A mathematical model based on the dilution–addition method (DAM) for multi-elemental analysis using an X-ray fluorescence technique is proposed. The conditions for sample preparation do not require both the unknown and standard samples to be similar in composition and mineralogy, and the unknown sample is replaced quantitatively by the standard sample, hence the denomination substitution–dilution method (SDM). This method makes it possible to correct the matrix effect in multi-elemental quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence for each analyte. The proposed model presents hyperbolic behaviour of the experimental data when the X-ray fluorescence intensities are represented versus the substitution factor (h) for each analyte. After calculating the A/B parameter relations, which depend on the X-ray fluorescence intensity of each analyte (I_i^ns) and the substitution factor (h) and determining the analyte concentration in the multi-element standard sample (C_i^p), it is possible to calculate the analyte concentration in the multi-element unknown using an algorithm suggested for this purpose. This work studies the substitution–dilution phase proposed in the method, and the factors arising from incorporation of the standard and diluent are established according to the nature of the samples and the modifications. These factors make it possible to establish the experimental interval of analyte concentration, generally narrow, which corresponds to a section of the hyperbolic function which is so short that it can be accepted as linear. This linear model can be accepted for a wide variety of samples with a diluent/sample ratio greater than 10. The proposed linear method provides satisfactory results which are comparable to those calculated by applying the hyperbolic method. The proposed method (SDM) has been applied to two different types of matrices, a binary alloy (without diluent, using the hyperbolic model) and a geological sample (with diluent, using both hyperbolic and linear models). In all cases the results were satisfactory.     

Preconcentration and determination of ultra-trace amounts of U(VI) and Th(IV) using titan yellow-impregnated Amberlite XAD-7 resin

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of ultra trace amounts of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions by spectrophotometric method after solid-phase extraction on a new extractant-impregnated resin (EIR) has been reported. The new EIR was synthesised by impregnating a weakly polar polymeric adsorbent, Amberlite XAD-7, with titan yellow (TY) as extractant. The analytical method is based on the simultaneous adsorption of analyte ions in a mini-column packed with TY/XAD-7 and performing sequential elution with 0.5% (w/v) Na₂CO₃ for uranium and 2.0 M HCl for thorium. The influences of the analytical parameters including pH, salting out agent and sample volume were investigated. The interference effects of foreign ions on the retention of the analyte ions were also explored. The limits of detection for U(VI) and Th(IV) were as low as 50 and 25 ng L^?1, respectively. Relative standard deviations (n = 7) for U(VI) and Th(IV) were 3.1% and 2.9%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of ultra trace amounts of U(VI) and Th(IV) in different real matrices including industrial wastewater samples and environmental waters. The proposed method was validated using three certified reference materials and the results were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Development of a non-competitive immunoassay for cortisol and its application to the analysis of saliva

A general method of performing non-competitive immunoassays for a low-molecular-mass analyte was developed and applied to cortisol determination in saliva samples. The method is based on the use of a “blocking reagent”, which is able to bind to antibody sites not occupied by the analyte, and in a stronger way than the analyte itself. When an enzyme-labelled analyte is added it substitutes the analyte in the antibody complex, but not the blocking reagent. The measured signal is linearly correlated to the concentration of the complex and, consequently, to the analyte concentration. The 3σ limit of detection (LOD, 0.2 nmol l⁻¹) obtained by the above method was 10 times lower than that obtained by the corresponding ELISA. As non-competitive immunoassays reported for small molecules up to now have been no more than just approaches, the suitability of the proposed assay for cortisol quantification in a real matrix was investigated. Human saliva was chosen as a matrix because of the need for very sensitive techniques to determine salivary cortisol content. The matrix effect was offset by performing the calibration experiments in acidic conditions (pH=5.6) and adding 0.1% of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the buffer. In these conditions, the LOD was 1.4 nmol l⁻¹, which was adequate to measure normal levels of cortisol. Spiked samples were analysed and gave recoveries ranging from about 80 to 120%. Therefore, five subject samples, collected over 18 h showed salivary cortisol concentrations compatible with the circadian variation of reported normal values.     

A mathematical model based on the limit dilution method to obtain linear calibration curves which eliminate the matrix effect in quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence

We propose a mathematical model from an analytical application viewpoint inspired in the limit dilution method. The theoretical development of the model and its results are given. The model shows that there is a linear relation between the inverse of fluorescence intensity and the inverse of the dilution factor; each analytic system (sample, diluent and analyte) is characterised by a general linear function which is easily obtained. The analytical applications arising from this linearity are of great importance in X-ray fluorescence analysis. The following immediate applications are proposed: direct procurement of the total correction factor Y/H, rapid calculation of the fluorescence intensity of the analyte in a sample (I_i^s) and direct calculation of the corrected fluorescence intensity (I_i^sF). The suggested model makes it possible to deduce a linear function between the fluorescence intensity of the analyte and the analyte concentration in successive dilutions of a standard; this straight line behaves as a calibration curve with direct application in X-ray fluorescence analysis. The proposed model may be applied to complex samples of geological origin, with elimination of the matrix effect. The results obtained in the determination of Ca, K, Fe and Ti in a standard soil show complete agreement with the certified reference values with a relative error about 0.5%, even using a standard shale with very different chemical composition as reference sample.     

Ruthenium Hexacyanoferrate (III) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Determination of Captopril

A glassy carbon electrode modified with a ruthenium (III) hexacyanoferrate film was investigated for the determination of captopril in pharmaceutical formulations. The RuOHCF film was deposited on the surface of the electrode after applying 50 successive cycles and subsequent stabilization in a mixture of NaNO₃ 0.50 mol L^?1+HCl 0.050 mol L^?1 used as supporting electrolyte. The main processes responsible for the redox electrode response are attributed to the system Ru^II/Ru^III/Ru^IV, and appeared at ?0.080, 0.86 and 1.01 V (vs. SCE). The redox process at ?0.080 V was selected for the determination of captopril in the present study, once it provided higher sensibility and occurs in a lower potential than the other ones which can prevent interferences. The experimental parameters used in the determination of the analyte, using differential pulse voltammetry were optimized: pulse amplitude: 50 mV, scan rate: 5 mV s^?1 and potential window: ?0.5 to 0.2 V (vs. SCE). The analytical application of the sensor in real samples demonstrated a linear range between 0.060 and 0.80 µmol L^?1 (r=0.998) with a detection limit of 0.047 µmol L^?1. A mechanism based on co‐precipitation of captopril and the Ru (III) complex in the film is presented once the signal of the Ru^II/III redox couple decreases with increasing the analyte concentration. Recoveries of 99 to 100 % were achieved in pharmaceutical samples and the proposed procedure agreed with the HPLC official method within 95 % confidence level, according to the t‐Student test.     

Schiff bases as cadmium(II) selective ionophores in polymeric membrane electrodes

The construction and performance characteristics of polymeric membrane electrodes based on two neutral ionophores, N,N′-[bis(pyridin-2-yl)formylidene]butane-1,4-diamine (S₁) and N-(2-pyridinylmethylene)-1,2-benzenediamine (S₂) for quantification of cadmium ions, are described. The influences of membrane compositions on the potentiometric response of the electrodes have been found to substantially improve the performance characteristics. The best performance was obtained with the electrode having a membrane composition (w/w) of (S₁) (2.15%):PVC (32.2%):o-NPOE (64.5%):KTpClPB (1.07%). The proposed electrode exhibits Nernstian response in the concentration range of 7.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M Cd²⁺ with limit of detection 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, performs satisfactorily over wide pH range (2.0-8.0) with a fast response time (10 s). The sensor has been found to work satisfactorily in partially non-aqueous media up to 30% (v/v) content of methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile and could be used for a period of 2 months. The analytical usefulness of the proposed electrode has been evaluated by its application in the determination of cadmium in real samples. The practical utility of the membrane electrode has also been observed in the presence of surfactants.     

Solid phase extraction of trace Hg(II) on silica gel modified with 2-(2-oxoethyl)hydrazine carbothioamide and determination by ICP-AES

In this work, a new 2-(2-oxoethyl)hydrazine carbothioamide modified silica gel (SG-OHC) sorbent was prepared and applied for preconcentration of trace mercury(II) prior to the measurement by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The optimization of some analytical parameters affecting the adsorption of the analyte such as acidity, shaking time, sample flow rate and volume, eluent condition, and interfering substances were investigated. At pH 3, the maximum static adsorption capacity of Hg(II) onto the SG-OHC was 37.5 mg g⁻¹. The quantitative recovery (>95%) of Hg(II) could be obtained using 2 mL of 0.5 mol L⁻¹ HCl and 1% CS(NH₂)₂ solution as eluent. Common coexisting substances did not interfere with the separation of mercury(II) under optimal conditions. The detection limit of present method was 0.10 ng mL⁻¹, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 4.0% (n = 8). The prepared sorbent was successfully applied for the preconcentration of trace Hg(II) in certified and water samples with satisfactory results.     

Simultaneous determination of copper and iron in automotive gasoline by X-ray fluorescence after pre-concentration on cellulose paper

This paper proposes an alternative analytical method using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) to determine Fe and Cu in gasoline samples. In the proposed procedure, samples were distilled and the distillation residues were spotted on cellulose paper disk to form a uniform thin film and to produce a homogeneous and reproducible interface to the XRF instrument. The disks were dried at 60 °C for 20 min and copper and iron were determined directly in the solid phase at 6.40 and 8.04 keV, respectively. The calibration curves showed linear response in the 20-800 μg L⁻¹ concentration range of each metal. The precisions (repeatability) calculated from 15 consecutive measurements and defined as the coefficient of variation of solutions containing 100 μg L⁻¹ of Fe and Cu were 7.8 and 8.1%, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD), defined as the analyte concentration that gives a response equivalent to three times the standard deviation of the blank (n = 10), were found to be 10 and 15 μg L⁻¹ for Fe and Cu, respectively. The proposed method was applied to copper and iron determination in gasoline samples collected from different gas stations.     

Study of carbon nanotubes and functionalized-carbon nanotubes as substrates for flow injection solid phase extraction associated to inductively coupled plasma with ultrasonic nebulization: Application to Cd monitoring in solid environmental samples

A research was performed to evaluate the capabilities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and modified CNTs to serve as sorbents for preconcentrating Cd together with on-line ultrasonic nebulization (USN)-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES). Three different carbon nanotubes sustrates namely, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), oxidized-carbon nanotubes (ox-CNTs) and l-alanine-carbon nanotubes (ala-CNTs) were studied systematically and the main factors influencing the preconcentration and determination of Cd were examined thoroughly. The CNTs evaluated showed dissimilar adsorption behaviors leading to increasing preconcentration factors when used in the proposed on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) system as follows: CNT < ala-CNT < ox-CNT. Aiming to achieve the best analytical performance, ox-CNTs were used as they enable quantitative retention of Cd at pH 7.0 and instantaneous elution of the analyte with 10% HNO₃. Under optimal conditions, the adsorption capacity on ox-CNTs was found to be 130 μmol g^?1 and the detection limit (3σ) achieved was 1.03 μg L^? 1. The precision of the method expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) turned to be 3.0%. The flow injection method involving use of ox-CNTs as sorbent and USN-ICPOES for detection was successfully applied to the determination of Cd in different kinds of environmental samples.     

Determination of arsenic in diesel, gasoline and naphtha by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using microemulsion medium for sample stabilization

A procedure for the determination of As in diesel, gasoline and naphtha at μg L⁻¹ levels by GFAAS is proposed. Sample stabilization was achieved by the formation of three component solutions prepared by mixing appropriate volumes of the samples propan-1-ol and nitric acid aqueous solution. This mixture resulted in a one-phase medium, which was indefinitely stable. No changes in the analyte signals were observed over several days in spiked samples, proving long-term stabilization ability. The use of conventional (Pd) and permanent (Ir) modification was investigated and the former was preferred. Central composite design multivariate optimization defined the optimum microemulsion composition as well as the temperature program. In this way, calibration using aqueous analytical solutions was possible, since the same sensitivity was observed in the investigated microemulsion media and in 0.2% v/v HNO₃. Coefficients of correlation larger than 0.999 and an As characteristic mass of 22 pg were observed. Recoveries (n=4) obtained from spiked samples were 98±4, 99±3 and 103±5%, and the limits of detection in the original samples were 1.8, 1.2 and 1.5 μg L⁻¹ for diesel, gasoline and naphtha, respectively. Validation was performed by the analysis of a set of commercial samples by independent comparative procedures. No significant difference (Student’s t-test, p<0.05) was observed between comparative and proposed procedure results. The total determination cycle lasted 4 min for diesel and 3 min for gasoline and naphtha, equivalent to a sample throughput of 7 h⁻¹ for diesel and 10 h⁻¹ for gasoline and naphtha.     

Variability of procedural blanks leads to greater uncertainty in assessing detection limits for the measurement of polonium-210

Low-level measurements of ²¹⁰Po using alpha spectrometry with a ²⁰⁹Po tracer have been conducted at the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss) for many years, on samples with a range of activity concentrations spanning several orders of magnitude. These samples originated from a wide range of research and monitoring projects, and included a wide variety of traditional foods consumed by the indigenous population in Australia’s Northern Territory. Assessment of instrument blank and analyte blank data from these measurements collected over a period of 8 years was conducted. Instrumental blank data for ²¹⁰Po and ²⁰⁹Po generally followed a normal distribution, whereas analyte blank data for ²¹⁰Po followed a lognormal distribution. Instrumental blank data for ²⁰⁹Po indicated an increasing trend, indicative of a low level of polonium volatilisation from prepared sources. Lower limits of detection, including the critical limit, detection limit and quantification limit have been calculated. The critical limit ranges from 12 to 37 counts per day. Detection and quantification limits range from 0.18 to 0.33 mBq and 2.3 to 3.6 mBq for a 4-day count, with an assumed mean chemical recovery of 53 %. These limits are relatively high for alpha spectrometric techniques due to the high variability of the analyte blank signal and non-normal distribution for ²¹⁰Po. Native plant species have relatively low activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po in their edible fruits and the amount of sample that should be used for analysis to ensure 90 % of fruit samples analysed reach the specified quantification limit was 11 g.     

Ultrasonic nebulization extraction coupled with on-line gas chromatography for determination of trans-anethole in spices

Ultrasonic nebulization extraction (UNE) coupled with on-line gas chromatography (GC) was proposed for the determination of trans-anethole in fruits of Illicium verum Hook. f. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. The extraction was performed in a common self-made extraction system. In the UNE the analyte was transferred and enriched from the solid sample to gas phase. The sample gas containing analyte obtained by UNE was introduced into the sampling loop with the purging gas (N₂). And then the sample gas in the sampling loop was introduced into the GC column. Several experimental parameters of on-line UNE-GC, including sampling time, flow rate of purging gas, standstill time and temperature of tubing, were optimized. The calibration curve ranging from 0.05 to 1.5 mg g⁻¹ for determining the trans-anethole was obtained. The recoveries for determining trans-anethole are between 99.2% and 111.2% and RSDs are less than 8.3% when the UNE was applied. The analytes can rapidly be extracted and transferred from the solid sample to gas phase. The analytes in the gas phase are easier to be introduced into GC system than those in the solid and liquid phase. Compared with off-line systems, the proposed on-line system is more suitable to detect volatile compounds.     

Mercury Speciation in Fish by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Post-Column Ultraviolet (UV)-Photochemical Vapor Generation (PVG): Comparison of Conventional Line-Source and High-Resolution Continuum Source (HR-CS) Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)

An ultraviolet-photochemical generator (UV-PVG) capable of post-column on-line transformation of both organic and inorganic mercury species to cold vapor (Hg⁰) with subsequent detection by quartz tube-atomic absorption spectrometry (QT-AAS) was developed. Mercury(II), methylmercury(I), ethylmercury(I), and phenylmercury(I) were successfully detected after separation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Two types of AAS detectors were compared. The first was a commonly used line-source instrument while the second was a high-resolution continuum source (HR-CS) AAS. The latter provided better limits of detection: 0.47?µg?L^?1 for Hg(II), 0.84?µg?L^?1 for methylmercury(I), 0.80?µg?L^?1 for ethylmercury(I), and 2.0?µg?L^?1 for phenylmercury(I). The repeatability at 30?μg?L^?1 was 3.6%, 4.1%, 6.2%, and 4.5% for these species (n?=?10). These figures of merit were comparable with those reported for more sensitive atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Nine sample extraction procedures were investigated. Extraction by tetramethylammonium hydroxide and HCl at 75?°C was selected as the only method compatible with the proposed separation and detection steps providing high extraction efficiency and no changes in mercury speciation. The applicability of the proposed high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet-photochemical vapor generation–quartz tube-atomic absorption spectrometry method was demonstrated using fish samples and certified reference materials (CRM) DOLT-4 (dogfish liver) and ERM-CE464 (tuna fish). The results were comparable to those obtained by a reference method based on L-cysteine extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC–ICP-MS) determination.     

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Ni and Pb in diesel and gasoline samples stabilized as microemulsion using conventional and permanent modifiers

A procedure for the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Ni and Pb in diesel and gasoline samples was developed. Sample stabilization was necessary because of evident analyte losses that occurred immediately after sampling. Excellent long-term sample stabilization was observed by mixing different organic solvents with propan-1-ol and 50% vol/vol HNO₃ at a 3.3:6.5:1 volume ratio. For Pb, efficient thermal stabilization was obtained using aqueous Pd–Mg modifier as well as for Ir as permanent modifier. The drying temperature and ramp rate influenced the sensitivity obtained for Ni, and had to be carefully optimized. Taking this into account, the same sensitivity was attained in all investigated organic media stabilized as microemulsion. Thus, calibration with microemulsions prepared with a single organic solvent was possible, using aqueous or organic stock solutions. Commercial gasoline and diesel samples were directly analyzed after stabilization as microemulsion and by comparative UOP procedures. n-Hexane microemulsions were used for calibration, and good agreement was obtained between the results using the proposed and comparative procedures. Typical coefficients of variation (n = 6) ranged from 1% to 4%, and from 1% to 3% for Ni and Pb, respectively. Detection limits (k = 3) in the original gasoline or diesel samples, derived from 10 blank measurements, were 4.5 and 3.6 μg l^− 1 for Ni and Pb, respectively, comfortably below the values found in the analyzed samples.     

Chromium(III) selective membrane sensors based on Schiff bases as chelating ionophores

The two chromium chelates of Schiff bases, N-(acetoacetanilide)-1,2-diaminoethane (L₁) and N,N′-bis(acetoacetanilide)-triethylenetetraammine (L₂), have been synthesized and explored as neutral ionophores for preparing poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) based membrane sensors selective to Cr(III). The addition of lipophilic anion excluder (NaTPB) and various plasticizers viz. o-Nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE), dioctylpthalate (DOP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP), and benzyl acetate (BA) have found to improve the performance of the sensors. The best performance was obtained for the membrane sensor having a composition of L₁:PVC:DBP:NaTPB in the ratio 5:150:250:3 (w/w). The sensor exhibits Nernstian response in the concentration range 8.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M Cr³⁺ with limit of detection 5.6 × 10⁻⁸ M. The proposed sensor manifest advantages of relatively fast response (10 s) and good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The selectivity behavior of the proposed electrode revealed a considerable improvement as compared to the best previously PVC-membrane electrode for chromium(III) ion. The potentiometric response of the proposed sensor was independent of pH of the test solution in the range of 2.0-7.0. The sensor has found to work satisfactorily in partially non-aqueous media up to 20% (v/v) content of methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile and could be used for a period of 3 months. The proposed electrode was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of chromium ion with EDTA and in direct determination in different water and food samples.     

Micro-porous membrane liquid-liquid extraction as an enrichment step prior to nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis determination of sulfonylurea herbicides

A method based on micro-porous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (MMLLE) enrichment and nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation, was established for the analysis of sulfonylurea herbicides in water samples. After MMLLE, the analyte trapped in the chloroform was treated mildly with nitrogen flow to dryness and then dissolved in 200 μl of 4 mM Tris methanol solution for CE analysis. Five sulfonylurea herbicides were separated by nonaqueous CE with Tris/acetate of methanol solution as the run buffer. MMLLE related parameters such as organic solvent used as acceptor, sample flow rate, sample pH, enrichment time, and salt effect were investigated with tribenuron methyl (TBM) as a model compound. Results showed that with a sample flow rate of 3.0 ml min⁻¹ and an enrichment time of 20 min, the proposed method has good linear relationship over the scope of 1-15 ng ml⁻¹ with related coefficient of R²=0.9911, and a detection limit of 0.4 ng ml⁻¹. This method was applied to determine TBM in realworld water samples with recoveries over the range of 89-97%.     

Orthogonal array optimization of ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction for the determination of chlorinated phenoxyacetic acids in river water

Orthogonal array design (OAD) was utilized for the first time to optimize the experimental conditions of ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction (USAEME) for determining chlorinated phenoxyacetic acids (CPAs) in river water samples. The use of ultrasound facilitates the mass transfer of CPAs from an aqueous phase into a water-immiscible organic extraction solvent (dichloromethane, DCM) without adding dispersive solvent to form numerous microdroplets. The water-immiscible extractant was collected by centrifugation, dried under low pressure, reconstituted in methanol–water mixture (1:1), and injected into a HPLC system for the determination of CPAs. The linear range was 2–1000 ng mL⁻¹ (2, 5, 10, 50, 200, 500 and 1000 ng mL⁻¹) for each analyte and the relative standard deviations of CPAs among the seven different concentrations were in the range of 1.5–17.0% (n = 3). The detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) of CPAs ranged from 0.67 to 1.50 ng mL⁻¹. The ranges of intra-day precision (n = 3) for CPAs at the levels of 5 and 200 ng mL⁻¹ were 3.6–11.9% and 5.3–9.5%, respectively. The range of inter-day precision (n = 3) at 5 and 200 ng mL⁻¹ were 1.4–7.7% and 8.5–12.2%, respectively. The applicability of USAEME for environmental analysis was demonstrated by determining CPAs in river water. The recoveries of CPAs from five-spiked river water samples at 10 and 200 ng mL⁻¹ were 96.3–112.5% and 94.8–109.4%, respectively. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 2,4-D in drinking water and the tolerance of residues in food for p-CPA are 70 and 200 μg L⁻¹, respectively, according to the US EPA regulations. These contaminant levels fall in the linear range investigated in this study. In addition, this USAEME method provided detection limits lower than their contaminant levels, which made USAEME an effective sample preparation method for determining organic environmental contaminants, such as CPAs, in river water samples with little consumption of organic solvent.