Development of a headspace-gas chromatography (HS-GC-PID-FID) method for the determination of VOCs in environmental aqueous matrices: Optimization, verification and elimination of matrix effect and VOC distribution on the Fortaleza Coast, Brazil

An analytical protocol combining a headspace technique with gas chromatography and detection by photoionization detector and flame ionization detector (HS-GC-PID-FID) was developed. This procedure was used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental aqueous matrices and was applied in determination of VOCs on the coast of Fortaleza, Brazil. At optimum operating conditions, analytical figures of merit such as linearity (R ranged from 0.9983 to 0.9993), repeatability (5.62 to 9.63% and 0.02 to 0.19% for the quantitative and qualitative analyses, respectively), detection limits (0.22 to 7.48 μg L⁻¹) and sensibility were estimated. This protocol favors a fast sampling/sample preparation (in situ), minimizes the use of laboratory material, eliminates the matrix effect from environmental samples, and can be applied to river, estuarine and oceanic waters. The advantage of detectors in series is that a low sensitivity in detection in one is compensated by the other. Toluene was the most abundant VOC in the studied area, with an average concentration of 1.63 μg L⁻¹. It was followed by o-xylene (1.15 μg L⁻¹), trichloroethene (1.08 μg L⁻¹), benzene (0.86 μg L⁻¹), ethylbenzene (0.74 μg L⁻¹), carbon tetrachloride (0.55 μg L⁻¹), m/p-xylene (0.48 μg L⁻¹) and tetrachloroethene (0.46 μg L⁻¹), compounds which are very commonly detected in urban runoff from most cities. The results of the VOC distribution showed that port activity was not the main source of VOCs along the Fortaleza Coast, but that the contribution from urban runoff seemed more significant.     

Rapid determination of BTEXS in olives and olive oil by headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS)

In this work, a straightforward, reliable and effective automated method has been developed for the direct determination of monoaromatic volatile BTEXS group (namely benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m- and p-xylenes, and styrene) in olives and olive oil, based on headspace technique. Separation, identification and quantitation were carried out by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Sample pretreatment or clean-up were not necessary (besides olives milling) because the olives and olive oil samples are put directly into an HS vial, automatically processed by HS and then injected in the GC-MS for chromatographic analysis. The chemical and instrumental variables were optimized using spiked olives and olive oil samples at 50 μg kg⁻¹ of each targeted species. The method was validated to ensure the quality of the results. The precision was satisfactory with relative standard deviations (RSD (%)) in the range 1.6-5.2% and 10.3-14.2% for olive oil and olives, respectively. Limits of detection were in the range 0.1-7.4 and 0.4-4.4 μg kg⁻¹ for olive oil and olives, respectively. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the analysis of real olives and olive oil samples, finding positives of the studied compounds, with overall BTEXS concentration levels in the range 23-332 μg kg⁻¹ and 4.2-87 μg kg⁻¹ for olive oil and olives, respectively.     

Development of a sequential injection chromatography (SIC) method for determination of simazine,atrazine, and propazine

This paper describes the development of a sequential injection chromatography (SIC) procedure for separation and quantification of the herbicides simazine, atrazine, and propazine exploring the low backpressure of a 2.5 cm long monolithic C₁₈ column. The separation of the three compounds was achieved in less than 90 s with resolution >1.5 using a mobile phase composed by ACN/1.25 mmol/L acetate buffer (pH 4.5) at the volumetric ratio of 35:65 and flow rate of 40 μL/s. Detection was made at 223 nm using a flow cell with 40 mm of optical path length. The LOD was 10 μg/L for the three triazines and the quantification limits were of 30 μg/L for simazine and propazine and 40 μg/L for atrazine. The sampling frequency is 27 samples per hour, consuming 1.1 mL of ACN per analysis. The proposed methodology was applied to spiked water samples and no statistically significant differences were observed in comparison to a conventional HPLC–UV method. The major metabolites of atrazine and other herbicides did not interfere in the analysis, being eluted from the column either together with the unretained peak, or at retention times well‐resolved from the studied compounds.     

A single analytical method for the determination of 53 legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous matrices

A quantitative method for the determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed and applied to aqueous wastewater, surface water, and drinking water samples. Fifty-three PFAS from 14 compound classes (including many contaminants of emerging concern) were measured using a single analytical method. After solid-phase extraction using weak anion exchange cartridges, method detection limits in water ranged from 0.28 to 18 ng/L and method quantitation limits ranged from 0.35 to 26 ng/L. Method accuracy ranged from 70 to 127% for 49 of the 53 extracted PFAS, with the remaining four between 66 and 138%. Method precision ranged from 2 to 28% RSD, with 49 out of the 53 PFAS being below < 20%. In addition to quantifying > 50 PFAS, many of which are currently unregulated in the environment and not included in typical analytical lists, this method has efficiency advantages over other similar methods as it utilizes a single chromatographic separation with a shorter runtime (14 min), while maintaining method accuracy and stability and the separation of branched and linear PFAS isomers. The method was applied to wastewater influent and effluent; surface water from a river, wetland, and lake; and drinking water samples to survey PFAS contamination in Australian aqueous matrices. The compound classes FTCAs, FOSAAs, PFPAs, and diPAPs were detected for the first time in Australian WWTPs and the method was used to quantify PFAS concentrations from 0.60 to 193 ng/L. The range of compound classes detected and different PFAS signatures between sample locations demonstrate the need for expanded quantitation lists when investigating PFAS, especially newer classes in aqueous environmental samples.

Graphical abstract

     

Optimization of analytical procedures for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of total Hg(II) in presence of Cu(II) in environmental matrices

The present work reports the critical comparison about the employment of three different supporting electrolytes (0.1 mol L⁻¹ HClO₄, 0.01 mol L⁻¹ EDTA-Na² + 0.06 mol L⁻¹ NaCl + 2.0 mol L⁻¹ HClO₄ and 0.1 mol L⁻¹ KSCN + 0.001 mol L⁻¹ HClO₄) and their instrumental and chemical optimisation for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of total mercury(II) and copper(II) in sediments and sea water at gold electrode, especially discussing the reciprocal interference problems.     

Development and validation of an SPE methodology combined with LC-MS/MS for the determination of four ionophores in aqueous environmental matrices

A multi-residue analytical methodology has been established for the determination of the four ionophores: lasalocid, monensin, salinomycin and narasin in aqueous environmental matrices, using nigericin as internal standard. The samples were filtrated prior to solid phase extraction. All compounds were measured using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry applying electro spray ionisation. The absolute recoveries ranged from 92 to 110% (relative standard deviation: 2–14%) for spiked river water. The final method allowed for detection of ionophores down to a few ng/L in natural water bodies with LOQs for the entire methodology being 40, 49, 67, and 14 ng/L for lasalocid, monensin, salinomycin, and narasin, respectively.     

Multiresidue method for the determination of 13 pesticides in three environmental matrices: water, sediments and fish muscle

Pesticides residues in aquatic ecosystems are an environmental concern which requires efficient analytical methods. In this study, we proposed a generic method for the quantification of 13 pesticides (azoxystrobin, clomazone, diflufenican, dimethachlor, carbendazim, iprodion, isoproturon, mesosulfuron-methyl, metazachlor, napropamid, quizalofop and thifensulfuron-methyl) in three environmental matrices. Pesticides from water were extracted using a solid phase extraction system and a single solid-liquid extraction method was optimized for sediment and fish muscle, followed by a unique analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Limits of quantification were below 5 ng L⁻¹ for water (except for fluroxypyr and iprodion) and ranged between 0.1 ng g⁻¹ and 57.7 ng g⁻¹ for sediments and regarding fish, were below 1 ng g⁻¹ for 8 molecules and were determined between 5 and 49 ng g⁻¹ for the 5 other compounds. This method was finally used as a new routine practice for environmental research.     

A method for the determination of tritium distribution in environmental and biological samples

A method for the determination of the tritium distribution in environmental and biological samples is described. Tritium as HTO is removed by freeze-drying and the residue is combusted to obtain organically bound tritium. Each tritium fraction is electrolytically enriched and determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Enrichment and large sample sizes are required due to the low environmental tritium levels. During the analyses of more than 600 samples over a two-year period all aspects of the method (freeze-drying, combustion, enrichment and counting) have provided reproducible and precise results.     

Optimization and single-laboratory validation study of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of phenolic Echinacea constituents

Three species of Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida) are commonly used for medicinal purposes. The phenolic compounds caftaric acid, cichoric acid, echinacoside, cynarin, and chlorogenic acid are among the phytochemical constituents that may be responsible for the purported beneficial effects of the herb. Although methods for the analysis for these compounds have been published, documentation of their validity was inadequate as the accuracy and precision for the detection and quantification of these phenolics was not systematically determined and/or reported. To address this issue, the high-performance liquid chromatography method, originally developed by the Institute for Nutraceutical Advancement (INA), was reviewed, optimized, and validated for the detection and quantification of these phenolic compounds in Echinacea roots and aerial parts.     

Rapid spectrophotometric method (aqueous and extractive) for the determination of titanium in silicate rocks

A sensitive and highly selective aqueous as well as extractive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of titanium(IV) using 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (H(2)ND) as a chromogenic agent. The reagent (H(2)ND) forms a 1:3 (TiOH(3+):ligand) complex at pH 4-9. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity are 3.2 x 10(4) l . mol(-1)mol . cm(-1) and 0.001 microg/cm(2), respectively at lambda(max) 375 nm. The method has been found highly selective for Ti(IV) determination in rock samples. Solvent extraction of Ti(IV) in ethylacetate greatly improves the detection limit of the method. The method has been successfully applied to diverse silicate rock samples and results obtained are favourably comparable with those obtained from the tiron method. The reagent (H(2)ND) used in the present investigation is a much better variant than tiron for titanium(IV) determination in silicate rock samples in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, operational simplicity and economy.     

Utilisation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determination of alkylphenols in various environmental matrices. Comparison with LC-MS/MS method

Among the wide range of substances discharged continuously in the environment, alkylphenols became a major focus of environmental research in the last decades, as it was found that they possess endocrine disrupting properties. Knowledge about the occurrence and levels of alkylphenols in environment is critical for the risk assessment of these compounds on both ecosystem and human health. However, the analysis of traces of alkylphenols in environmental matrices is a very difficult task, and the suitable methods involve generally an extraction followed by an extensive sample clean-up before detection, steps often time-consuming and costly.In order to reduce the analysis time, obtain a high throughput of analysis and thus improve work efficiency, the objective of the present study is to investigate the use of immunochemical technique (ELISA) for the determination of nonylphenol and octylphenol in soils and various kinds of water. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the determination of alkylphenols in soil using immunoassay technique is described. A methodology is developed, based on the combination of a single preparation step and the use of a simply ELISA kit. The performances of the method are compared with LC-MS/MS, considered as reference. The developed procedure offers the sensitivity and selectivity necessary for the detection of the target alkylphenols in the ng/g or ng/L range, and is successfully applied to the analysis of several samples. Results indicate that alkylphenols are quantified with concentrations in the same order than LC-MS/MS, meaning that ELISA may be useful not only in screening the samples and get a positive/negative response, but also it allows a good approximation of the concentrations.     

Determination of gliclazide in pharmaceutical preparations by capillary gas chromatography with cool on-column injection and elimination of the matrix effect.

Conditions were established for the identification and quantitation of gliclazide in pharmaceutical preparations by capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and cool on-column injection. Gliclazide was extracted with methanol and, after filtration, assayed on a (25 m x 0.25 mm id, 0.2 microm film thickness) CP-WAX 58 (FFAP)-CB WCOT fused silica column. Because the available preparations were of various origins and, therefore, could differ in auxiliary substances and their qualitative parameters, the influence of the matrix constituents on the analytical results was taken into account. Good separation conditions were established for the developed method. The retention time of gliclazide is about 36 min and differs from the retention times of the internal standard (approximately 29 min) and additional peaks present in chromatograms (20-26 min), which were assigned to matrix constituents. The recoveries of gliclozide were high and reached 96.5%. The developed method is characterized by selectivity and precision (relative standard deviation 0.38-1.26%), a wide range of linearity (0.1-10.0 mg/mL), and a limit of detection of 30 ng. In addition, the results of chromatographic analyses calculated in 3 ways were compared with those obtained by UV spectrophotometry. The suggested technique of cool on-column injection, in contrast with split-splitless injection (used in preliminary investigations), reduces to a minimum the possibility of thermal decomposition of gliclazide.     

Two-photon excited fluorescent chemosensor for homogeneous determination of copper(II) in aqueous media and complicated biological matrix

In the present work, a two-photon excited fluorescent chemosensor for Cu(2+) was prepared. The probe was constructed on the basis of internal charge transfer (ICT) principle with macrocyclic dioxotetraamine as the Cu(2+) receptor. The good water-solubility of the molecule enabled recognition and assay of Cu(2+) ions in biological media. The photophysical properties of the chemosensor were investigated in detail, exhibiting favorable fluorescence quantum yield and moderate two-photon absorption cross-section. The studies on binding thermodynamics demonstrated the formation of 1?:?1 complex between the chemosensor and Cu(2+) and an association constant of ca. 1.04 × 10(5) M(-1). Due to the rational design of the molecular structure, the sensor was highly specific to Cu(2+), which ensured high selectivity in Cu(2+) determination. Upon Cu(2+) binding, the intramolecular charge-transfer extent within the chromophore was weakened resulting in a remarkable quenching of fluorescence, based on which quantitative determination of Cu(2+) was performed. Good linearity was obtained between the fluorescence quenching value and Cu(2+) concentration ranging from 0.04 to 2.0 μM in aqueous solution. Benefiting from the merits of two-photon excitation, the chemosensor was free of interference from background luminescence in serum. A homogeneous quantitative determination of Cu(2+) was achieved in the serum medium with a linear range of 0.04 to 2.0 μM. Considering the structural flexibility of the sensor, this work also opens up the possibility to construct other two-photon excited chemosensors for direct homogeneous assay of various molecules/ions in complicated biological sample matrices.     

Simple method for the determination of trace levels of pesticides in honeybees using matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography

A simple multiresidue method for the determination of insecticides in honeybees is described. The developed method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique. A total number of 12 insecticides (azinfos-methyl, buprofezin, chlorpyriphos, chlorpyriphos-methyl, diazinon, ethion, fenitrothion, fipronil, methidathion, phosalone, pirimicarb, propoxur) used on flowering fields are determined by this method. The method uses Florisil and silica as dispersing agents, alumina and silica as cleanup adsorbents and a low polarity solvent system to elute pesticide residues from the honeybee samples. The insecticides were quantified using capillary gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The method has shown good recovery (70-110%) for various levels of spiked samples (0.01-1.0 mg/kg). The relative standard deviations were in the range of 2-8% for all pesticides studied. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.005-0.05 mg/kg. The procedure can be applied for the determination of residues of low-polarity and medium polarity pesticides in honeybee samples.     

Optimization for the determination of residual levomycetin (chloramphenicol) in cow milk by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A sensitive, selective, accurate, and precise method is developed for determining residual levomycetin (chloramphenicol), in raw and pasteurized milk. It includes sample filtration, purification of sample by solid-phase extraction, purification of eluate by liquid-liquid extraction, preconcentration by evaporation under reduced pressure, and analysis by reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection at 278 nm. The mobile phase is an acetonitrile-water mixture 15: 85 with an addition of 1 vol % of isopropanol. The method detection limit is 0.45 μg/kg; the limit of quantification is 1.40 μg/kg; the repeatability limit is 6.93%.     

Development and statistical validation of a quantitative method for the determination of steroid hormones in environmental water by column liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

This paper presents an analytical method applied to the determination of 3 natural steroid hormones, estrone, 17 beta-estradiol, and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone, and the contraceptive estrogen, 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol, at the sub-ng/L level in water samples [surface water and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) samples]. The solid-phase extraction conditions were optimized using C18 cartridges. Identification and quantification were performed using a column liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric system with electrospray ionization in the negative mode. Before analyzing steroids in complex matrixes, statistical tools permitted a fine validation of the analytical method, and performance was evaluated for spring water in terms of recovery, specificity, trueness, repeatability, and intralaboratory reproducibility. The results showed the accuracy of the method, and limits of detection (LOD) ranged between 0.02 and 0.21 ng/L. The determination of steroids in WWTP effluents, which contain high levels of organic matter, required an additional purification step on silica cartridges. The high efficiency of the purification was proved with LOD < 0.3 ng/L from 200 mL sample. Specificity of the entire analytical procedure was shown by repeatable recoveries at low and high levels of the calibration range.     

Comparative methodology in the determination of alpha-oxocarboxylates in aqueous solution ion chromatography versus gas chromatography after oximation, extraction and esterification

A direct, simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of ketoprofen with ibuprofen as internal standard. Samples were chromatographed on a 5 μm Kromasil 100 C₁₈ column. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile–0.01 M KH₂PO₄ adjusted to pH 1.5 with orthophosphoric acid 85% (60:40, v/v). Detection was at 260 nm and the run time was 10 min. The detector response was found to be linear in the concentration range 0.02 to 40 μg/ml. This HPLC assay has been applied to measure the “in vitro” percutaneous penetration of ketoprofen through rat skin.     

Development of a liquid chromatography assay for the determination of opicapone and BIA 9–1079 in rat matrices

Opicapone is a novel potent, reversible and purely peripheral third generation catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitor, currently under clinical trials as an adjunct to levodopa therapy for Parkinson's disease. To support additional nonclinical pharmacokinetic studies, a novel high‐performance liquid chromatographic method coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) to quantify opicapone and its active metabolite (BIA 9–1079) in rat plasma and tissues (liver and kidney) is herein reported. The analytes were extracted from rat samples through a deproteinization followed by liquid‐liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 10 min on a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column, applying a gradient elution program with 0.05 M monosodium phosphate solution (pH 2.45 ± 0.05) and acetonitrile. Calibration curves were linear (r² ≥ 0.994) within the ranges of 0.04‐6.0 µg/mL for both analytes in plasma, 0.04‐4.0 µg/mL for opicapone in liver and kidney homogenates, and 0.07‐4.0 µg/mL and 0.06‐4.0 µg/mL for BIA 9–1079 in liver and kidney homogenates, respectively. The overall intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ranged from ?12.68% to 7.70% and the imprecision values did not exceed 11.95%. This new HPLC‐DAD assay was also successfully applied to quantify opicapone and BIA 9–1079 in a preliminary pharmacokinetic study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.