Determination of organotin compounds in-water by headspace solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This investigation evaluates headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine trace levels of organotins in water. The organotins were derivatized in situ with sodium tetraethylborate and adsorbed on a poly(dimethysiloxane) (PDMS)-coated fused silica fiber. The SPME experimental procedures to extract organotins in water were at pH 5, with extraction and derivatization simultaneously at 45 degrees C for 30 min in a 2% sodium tetraethylborate solution and a sample solution volume in the ratio of 1:1, and desorption in the splitless injection port of the GC at 260 degrees C for 2 min. Detection limits are determined to be in the low ng/L range. According to the analysis, the linearity range is from 10 to 10,000 ng/L with R.S.D. values below 12% except triphenyltin (24%). The proposed method was tested by analyzing surface seawater from the harbors on the Taiwanese coast for organotins residues. Some organotins studied were detected in the analyzed samples. Results of this study demonstrate the adequacy of the headspace SPME-GC-MS method for analyzing organotins in sea water samples.     

Multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction for the quantitative determination of volatile organic compounds in multilayer packagings

The theory of multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and a method based on multiple HS-SPME for the quantitative determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in packaging materials is presented. The method allows the direct analysis of solid samples without using organic solvents to extract analytes. Multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction is a stepwise method proposed to eliminate the influence of the sample matrix on the quantitative analysis of solid samples by HS-SPME. Different amounts of packaging and different volumes of standard solution were studied in order to remove a substantial quantity of analytes from the headspace at each extraction and obtain the theoretical exponential decay of the peak area of the four successive extractions and, thus, the total area was calculated from these four extractions. In addition, two fibres were compared: carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (CAR-PDMS) and divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS), as they showed differences in the linearity of the exponential decay with the number of extractions depending on the compound. The CAR-PDMS fibre was better for the VOCs with a low molecular mass, whereas the DVB-CAR-PDMS fibre was better for the VOCs with a high molecular mass. Finally, the method was characterised in terms of linearity, detection limit and reproducibility and applied to analyse four multilayer packaging samples with different VOCs contents.     

Application of headspace solid-phase microextraction to the determination of sulphur compounds with low volatility in wines

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) has been used for determining sulphur compounds with low volatility in wines. With this technique, handling of samples is minimal so undesirable loses and reactions between compounds are prevented. Furthermore, this kind of extraction is fast and does not require any organic solvent. Under optimal conditions, the HS-SPME, using a new fibre coated with Stable Flex divinylbenzene-Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane, makes possible the quantification of sixteen sulphur compounds with low volatility which may be present in wines. The limits of detection for the analytes studied ranged between 0.05 and 10 microg/l, and the recovery and repeatability found were acceptable. The method developed was successfully applied to determine the concentration of the target analytes in varietal wines from the Catalonian region (Spain) with some aromatic defects such as an odour of rubber, onion, rotten, unpleasant herbaceous, etc. The results show that the contents of the sulphur compounds studied in these wines are higher than in those without defects. This shows a relationship exists between the presence of sulphur compounds and the quality of the wine aroma.     

Determination of odour-causing volatile organic compounds in cork stoppers by multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction

Multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction (MHS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been applied in order to determine 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (2,4,6-TCA), guaiacol, 1-octen-3-ol and 1-octen-3-one in three samples of cork stoppers. These compounds are responsible for cork taint in wine and can modify the organoleptic properties of bottled wine. Variables such as temperature, addition of water, extraction time, and amount of cork were studied. The extractions were performed with a 50/30 microm divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS) fibre for 45 min at 100 degrees C using 20 mg of cork. For calibration, 50 microL of VOC aqueous solutions were used and the extraction were carried out for 45 min at 75 degrees C. The limits of detection of the method expressed as ng of VOC per g of cork were 0.3 for 2,4,6-TCA, 7.5 for guaiacol, 1.7 for 1-octen-3-one and 1.9 for 1-octen-3-ol. Relative standard deviation of replicate samples was less than 10%. Significant losses of analytes were observed when the samples were ground at room temperature. Finally, a recovery study was performed and the MHS-SPME results were validated using Soxhlet extraction results.     

Optimisation of headspace solid-phase microextraction for analysis of aromatic compounds in vinegar

Headspace solid-phase microextraction has been applied to the analysis of aroma compounds in vinegar. Silica fibre coated with Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane was found to be more efficient at extracting these compounds than other fibres such as those coated with polydimethylsiloxane, Carbowax-divinylbenzene, and polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene, but its repeatability was low. Different parameters such as extraction time, temperature of the sample during the extraction, ionic strength, and sample volume were optimised using a two-level factorial design expanded further to a central composite design. This chemometric tool is very appropriate in screening experiments where the aim is to investigate several possibly influential and/or interacting factors. The extraction efficiency is inversely affected by the acetic acid content-an increase in the acetic acid concentration decreases the extraction efficiency. No interference is observed with the increase in content of polyphenols.     

Determination of Brett character responsible compounds in wines by using multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction

This study presents a method based on the use of multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction (MHS-SPME) for the quantitative analysis of 4-ethylphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-vinylphenol and 4-vinylguaiacol. MHS-SPME is a modification of SPME that implies several consecutive extractions from the same sample and avoids possible matrix effects. This study demonstrates the existence of a matrix effect in the analysis of compounds responsible for Brett character in wine when an HS-SPME based method is used with a carbowax/divinylbenzene (CW/DVB) fibre. For this reason, MHS-SPME is proposed as an alternative technique with respect to HS-SPME. The method proposed was validated and the detection limits obtained were 0.06 microg/l for 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol and, 0.20 microg/l for 4-vinylguaiacol and 0.12 microg/l for 4-vinylphenol. These detection limits are below the odour detection thresholds of the compounds in wine matrices. The repeatability obtained, in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), was considered acceptable, ranging from 1 to 12%. To evaluate the applicability of the proposed MHS-SPME method, concentration results were compared with those obtained with the standard addition method, and the results were similar with both methods. Furthermore, the new method was satisfactorily applied to a number of commercial red, white and rosé wines. Therefore, MHS-SPME can be considered as an alternative to avoid the matrix effect in wine samples.     

Determination of major compounds in sweet wines by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was studied by high resolution gas chromatographic analysis of major compounds (ethyl acetate, methanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 1-propanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol) in sweet wines. Five different SPME fibres were tested and the influence of different factors such as temperature and time of desorption, extraction time, stirring, sample and vial volume, sugar and ethanol content were studied and optimized using model solutions. The SPME method was validated with the direct injection method. The proposed HS-SPME-GC method is an appropriate technique for the quantitative analysis of the mentioned analytes in real sweet wines.     

Fully automated determination of N-nitrosamines in environmental waters by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS-MS

A fully automated method for determining nine Environmental Protection Agency N-nitrosamines in several types of environmental waters at ng/L levels is presented. The method is based on a headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS-MS using chemical ionization. Three different fibers (carboxen/PDMS, divinylbenzene/carboxen/PDMS, and PEG) were tested. Solid-phase microextraction conditions were best when a divinylbenzene/carboxen/PDMS fiber was exposed for 60?min in the headspace of 10?mL water samples at pH 7 containing 360?g/L of NaCl, at 45°C. All compounds were analyzed by GC-MS-MS within 18?min. The method was validated using effluent from an urban wastewater treatment plant and the LODs ranged from 1 to 5?ng/L. The method was then applied to determine the N-nitrosamines in samples of different complexities, such as tap water and several influent and effluent wastewater samples from urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants and a potable water treatment plant. Although the analysis of influent industrial wastewater revealed high concentrations of some compounds (N-nitrosomorpholine and N-nitrosodimethylamine at μg/L levels), in industrial effluents and other samples, the concentrations were substantially lower (ng/L levels). The new method is suitable for the simple and reliable determination of N-nitrosamines in highly complex water samples in a completely automated procedure.     

Rapid determination of paeonol in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations by microwave-assisted extraction followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was developed for rapid determination of paeonol in four traditional Chinese medicinal preparations (TCMPs) including Liuwen Dihuang pills, Maiwei Dihuang pills, Guifu Dihuang pills, and Zhibai Dihuang pills. The optimal MAE conditions obtained were: microwave power of 540 W and irradiation time of 4 min, and HS-SPME optimal conditions were: fiber coating of 65 μm PDMS/DVB, extraction temperature of 70°C, extraction time of 10 min, stirring rate of 1100 rpm, and NaCl concentration 30%. The optimized method provided satisfactory precision (RSD 6.5%), good linearity (R ₂ > 0.997) and recovery (90%). The results showed that MAE-HS-SPME-GC-MS is a simple, rapid, efficient, and solvent-free technique for the quantitative determination of paeonol in TCMPs.     

Fast determination of paeonol in plasma by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Paeonol is the active component in the traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), such as Cynanchum paniculatum, which has been used to treat many diseases, such as eczema. In this work, a simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for the determination of paeonol in rabbit plasma, which was based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extraction parameters of fiber coating, sample temperature, extraction time, stirring rate and ion strength were systemically optimized; the method linearity, detection limit and precision were also investigated. It was shown that the proposed method provided a good linearity (0.02-20 μg mL⁻¹, R² > 0.990), low detection limit (2.0 ng mL⁻¹) and good precision (R.S.D. value less than 8%). Finally, GC/MS following HS-SPME was applied to fast determination of paeonol in rabbit plasma at different time point after oral demonstration of Cynanchum paniculatum essential oil. The experimental results suggest that the proposed method provided an alternative and novel approach to the pharmacokinetics study of paeonol in the TCMs.     

Determination of chloroanisole compounds in red wine by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The objectives of this study, were the development and validation of an analytical method for the determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroanisole (TeCA) and pentachloroanisole (PCA) in red wine by headspace solid-phase microextraction and GC-MS as well as the application of the optimized and validated method for the quatification of chloroanisoles in different red wines from Navarra. To carry out this study, the extraction variables have been optimized. The fiber and the experimental design selected permit the determination of low analyte concentrations (ng/L) with good accuracy (<5%). Moreover, an analytical method for the determination of TCA and TeCA in wine by GC-MS has been validated. The results obtained in the validation step, recovery values, detection and quantitative limits, and precision were acceptable for all the analytes in the ranges of concentration studied (<5% and <10% for TCA and TeCA, respectively). This method has been used as an analytical method for the quantification of TCA and TeCA in red wine samples that were selected for this study, yielding good results.     

Trace determination of volatile sulfur compounds by solid-phase microextraction and GC-MS

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the following nine volatile sulfur compounds in gas samples: carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, ethyl sulfide, ethyl methyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, isopropanethiol, methanethiol, methyl disulfide and methyl sulfide. The target compounds were preconcentrated by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and determined by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Experimental design was employed to optimize the extraction time and temperature and concurrent detection of the nine compounds was achieved by using an SPME fiber coated with Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (75 microns). Detection limits ranged from 1 ppt (v/v) for carbon disulfide to 350 ppt (v/v) for hydrogen sulfide and calibration functions were linear up to 20 ppb (v/v) for all the compounds investigated.     

Determination of volatile oak compounds in wine by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) method was developed to identify and quantify 14 volatile oak compounds in aged red wines. The most important HS-SPME variables were optimised by experimental design technique in order to improved the extraction process. The selected conditions were: 10 mL of sample in 20 mL sealed vials with addition of 30% of sodium chloride (saturated solution), divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS) fibre, 10 min of pre-incubation time, 70 degrees C of temperature and 60 min of extraction time without agitation. The features of the method were established for the studied compounds in terms of linear range, slope and intercept of the calibration graphs, detection and quantification limits and repeatability. For all compounds detection limits were below their threshold levels and repeatability, in terms of relative standard deviation, was good, with values between 3 and 11%. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of six aged red wines by both internal standard and standard addition calibration methods. The concentrations obtained with both methods were statistically compared.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in soil by headspace solid-phase microextraction

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been developed for the analysis of common organophosphorus pesticides in soil. Factors such as adsorption-time, sampling temperature and matrix modification by addition of water were carefully considered to optimize the extraction efficiency. This technique could achieve limits of detection of 143 ng/g for Malathion and Parathion, and 28.6 ng/g for Phorate, Diazinon and Disulfoton in humic soil when the extracted sample was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Lower limits of detection of 28.6 ng/g for Malathion and Parathion, and 14.3 ng/g for Phorate, Diazinon and Disulfoton can be achieved by analyzing the extracted sample with gas chromatography/mass spectrometric detector (GC/MS). As the extraction efficiency was generally better when analyzing sandy soil, the limits of detection are envisaged to be even better for such a matrix. The technique was found to be reliable with good precision of about 6.5% RSD for the sandy soil and about 15% for the humic material. The poorer precision of extraction from the humic material is probably related to the poorer homogeneity of this material. The linearity of extraction was good with linear calibration in the range of 0.143 to 28.6 μg/g. Finally, headspace SPME was compared to aqueous extraction of soil followed by SPME (LE-SPME). The recoveries obtained by headspace SPME were comparable to those from liquid-liquid extraction of soil followed by SPME. However, the analysis of headspace SPME has less background interference. Perhaps, the greatest advantage of this technique is its non-destructive nature so that it is possible to perform further laboratory analysis of the samples after headspace SPME has been carried out.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in soil by headspace solid-phase microextraction

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been developed for the analysis of common organophosphorus pesticides in soil. Factors such as adsorption-time, sampling temperature and matrix modification by addition of water were carefully considered to optimize the extraction efficiency. This technique could achieve limits of detection of 143 ng/g for Malathion and Parathion, and 28.6 ng/g for Phorate, Diazinon and Disulfoton in humic soil when the extracted sample was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Lower limits of detection of 28.6 ng/g for Malathion and Parathion, and 14.3 ng/g for Phorate, Diazinon and Disulfoton can be achieved by analyzing the extracted sample with gas chromatography/mass spectrometric detector (GC/MS). As the extraction efficiency was generally better when analyzing sandy soil, the limits of detection are envisaged to be even better for such a matrix. The technique was found to be reliable with good precision of about 6.5% RSD for the sandy soil and about 15% for the humic material. The poorer precision of extraction from the humic material is probably related to the poorer homogeneity of this material. The linearity of extraction was good with linear calibration in the range of 0.143 to 28.6 μg/g. Finally, headspace SPME was compared to aqueous extraction of soil followed by SPME (LE-SPME). The recoveries obtained by headspace SPME were comparable to those from liquid-liquid extraction of soil followed by SPME. However, the analysis of headspace SPME has less background interference. Perhaps, the greatest advantage of this technique is its non-destructive nature so that it is possible to perform further laboratory analysis of the samples after headspace SPME has been carried out. Received: 13 July 1998 / Revised: 10 November 1998 / Accepted: 17 November 1998     

Optimization of the headspace solid-phase microextraction for determination of glycol ethers by orthogonal array designs

A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), in conjunction with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection for use in the determination of six frequently used glycol ethers at the microg/l level is described. A 75 microm Carboxenpolydimethylsiloxane fiber was used to extract the analytes from an aqueous solution. Experimental HS-SPME parameters such as extraction temperature, extraction time, salt concentration and sample volume, were investigated and optimized by orthogonal array experimental designs. The relative standard deviations for the reproducibility of the optimized HS-SPME method varied from 1.48 to 7.59%. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves exceeded 0.998 in the microg/l range of concentration with at least two orders of magnitude. The method detection limits for glycol ethers in deionized water were in the range of 0.26 to 3.42 microg/l. The optimized method was also applied to the analysis of glycol ethers in urine and blood samples with the method detection limits ranged from 1.74 to 23.2 microg/l.     

Rapid determination of alkylphenols in aqueous samples by in situ acetylation and microwave-assisted headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A rapid and solvent‐free procedure for the determination of 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐nonylphenol isomers in aqueous samples is described. The method involves in‐situ acetylation and microwave‐assisted headspace solid‐phase microextraction prior to their determination using gas chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry operated in the selected ion storage mode. The dual experimental protocols to evaluate the effects of various derivatization and extraction parameters were investigated and the conditions optimized. Under optimized conditions, 300 μL of acetic anhydride mixed with 1 g of potassium hydrogencarbonate and 2 g of sodium chloride in a 20 mL aqueous sample were efficiently extracted by a 65 μm polydimethylsiloxane‐divinylbenzene fiber that was located in the headspace when the system was microwave irradiated at 80 W for 5 min. The limits of quantitation were 5 and 50 ng/L for 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐nonylphenol isomers, respectively. The precision for these analytes, as indicated by relative standard deviations, were less than 8% for both intra‐ and inter‐day analysis. Accuracy, expressed as the mean extraction recovery, was between 74 to 88%. A standard addition method was used to quantitate 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐nonylphenol isomers, and the concentrations ranged from 120 to 930 ng/L in various environmental water samples.     

Applicability of headspace solid-phase microextraction to the determination of multi-class pesticides in waters

The applicability of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) to pesticide determination in water samples was demonstrated by evaluating the effects of temperature on the extraction of the pesticides. The evaluations were performed using an automated system with a heating module. The 174 pesticides that are detectable with gas chromatograph were selected objectively and impartially based on their physical properties: vapor pressure and partition coefficient between octanol and water. Of the 174 pesticides, 158 (90% of tested) were extracted with a polyacrylate-coated fiber between 30 and 100 degrees C and were determined with gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. The extraction-temperature profiles of the 158 extracted pesticides were obtained to evaluate the effects of temperature on the extraction of pesticides. The pesticides were classified into four groups according to the shape of their extraction-temperature profiles. The line of demarcation between extractable pesticides and non-extractable pesticides could be drawn in the physical property diagram (a double logarithmic plot of their vapor pressure and partition coefficient between octanol and water). The plot also revealed relationships between classified extraction features and their physical properties. The new method for multi residue screening in which the analytes were categorized into sub-groups based on extraction temperature was developed. In order to evaluate the quantitivity of the developed method, the 45 pesticides were chosen among the pesticides that are typically monitored in waters. Linear response data for 40 of the 45 was obtained in the concentration range below 5 microg/l with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.979 and 0.999. The other five pesticides had poor responses. Relative standard deviations at the concentration of the lowest standard solution for each calibration curve of the pesticides ranged from 3.6 to 18%. The value of 0.01 microg/l in the limits of detection for 17 pesticides was achieved only under the approximate conditions for screening, not under the individually optimized conditions for each pesticide. Recoveries of tested pesticides in actual matrices were essentially in agreement with those obtained by solid-phase extraction.     

Experimental design applied to the analysis of volatile compounds in apple juice by headspace solid-phase microextraction

A simple and fast method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by fast gas chromatography (Fast GC) has been developed for the analysis of volatile compounds in Asturian apple juices employed in the cider production. Three different fiber coatings have been checked (PDMS, PDMS-DVB and CAR-PDMS) and PDMS-DVB has been presented to be the most suitable one. Experimental design has been employed in the optimization of extraction factors and robustness assessment. The use of Fast GC allowed the separation of 14 compounds (esters, aldehydes and alcohols) in approximately 4 min, clearly reducing the analysis time when compared to conventional GC. Good linearity, recoveries and repeatability of the solid-phase microextraction were obtained with r(2) values, recoveries and relative standard deviations ranging from 0.9822 to 0.9998, 83.2 to 109.8% and 0.5 to 11.7%, respectively, using standard solution.     

Preparation of novel solid-phase microextraction fibers by sol-gel technology for headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatographic analysis of aroma compounds in beer

3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA) was first used as precursor as well as selective stationary phase to prepare the sol-gel-derived TMSPMA-hydroxyl-terminated silicone oil (TMSPMA-OH-TSO) solid-phase mircroextraction (SPME) fibers for the analysis of aroma compounds in beer. TMSPMA-OH-TSO was a medium polarity coating, and was found to be very effective in carrying out simultaneous extraction of both polar alcohols and fatty acids and nonpolar esters in beer. The extraction temperature, extraction time, and ionic strength of the sample matrix were modified to allow for maximium sorption of the analytes onto the fiber. Desorption temperature and time were optimized to avoid the carryover effects. To check the matrix effects, several different matrices, including distilled water, 4% ethanol/water (v/v) solution, a concentrated synthetic beer, a "volatile-free" beer and a real beer were investigated. Matrix effects were compensated for by using 4-methyl-2-pentanol as internal standard and selecting the "volatile-free" beer as working standard. The method proposed in this study showed satisfactory linearity, precision and detection limits and accuracy. The established headspace SPME-gas chromatography (GC) method was then used for determination of volatile compounds in four beer varieties. The recoveries obtained ranged from 92.8 to 105.8%. The relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 5) for all analytes were below 10%. The major aroma contributing substances of each variety were identified via aroma indexes.