Silver Nanoparticle Based Analysis of Aminoglycosides

Colorimetric silver nanoparticle sensor was developed for determination of aminoglycosides in milk. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by using sodium borohydride as reducing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate as stabilizer. Yellow color of silver turned into orange and red in proportion to the concentrations of analytes. Quantitative analyses were performed by using decrease in absorbance of silver nanoparticles at 394 nm. Linear ranges were 20–60 ng mL^?1, 23–60 ng mL^?1, and 60–100 ng mL^?1 for gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin, respectively. The method was optimized in terms of pH, ionic strength, and time. This simple and validated method was applied to milk samples and pharmaceutical preparations.     

Ultrasonic Nebulization,Multimode Sample Introduction System for Simultaneous Determination of Hydride-Forming,Cold Vapor,and Non-Hydride-Forming Elements by Microwave-Induced Plasma Spectrometry

A novel synergic effect of ultrasonic nebulization (USN) and a multimode sample introduction system (MSIS) when used in combination has been exploited for efficient generation of conventional hydride-forming (As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, Sn), Hg vapor, and non-hydride-forming (Ba, Ca, Li, Mg, Sr) elements. The ultrasonic nebulizer supplied a microliter sample to a quartz oscillator, converting liquid into aerosol at the entrance of the MSIS spray chamber. The argon carrier gas is passed to remove and transport the generated vapor species (from the MSIS) and aerosol (from the USN) to a microwave-induced plasma (MIP) for simultaneous element determination by optical emission spectrometry (OES). The experimental concentration detection limits for simultaneous determination, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times the standard deviation of the blank (LOD, 3σ_blank criterion, peak height) were 0.3, 1.5, 1.9, 0.5, 1.7, 0.6, 0.8, 9, 1.6, 1.9, 2.2, and 2.9 ng mL^?1 for As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, Sn, Hg, Ba, Ca, Li, Mg, and Sr, respectively. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 5% to 9%) for liquid analysis and microsampling capability. The methodology was validated through determination of elements in four certified reference materials (NIST 2710, NRC GBW 07302, NRCC DOLT-2, NIST 1643e) and by the aqueous standard calibration technique. Good agreement with certified values was obtained when this approach was applied to the determination of hydride-forming, cold vapor, and other elements in biological and environmental certified reference materials.     

UV–Vis Spectrophotometric Determination of Mercury Based on Room Temperature Ionic Liquids Enhanced Hollow-Fiber Liquid-Phase Microextraction

A novel method based on the enhancement effect of room temperature ionic liquids for hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction trace amounts of mercury combined with UV–Vis spectrophotometry for the determination of Hg was developed. The addition of room temperature ionic liquids led to 6.0 times improvement in the determination of mercury. Under optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 120 could be obtained, and the detection limit for Hg was 0.2 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviations for five replicate determinations of 20 ng mL^?1 Hg(II) was 5.4%. The proposed method was successfully applied to certified reference materials and environmental water samples with satisfactory results for the determination of Hg.     

Multipumping Nitrite Determination in Exhaled Breath Condensate

Abstract

A flow system based on multicommutation is proposed for the rapid, clean, and inexpensive determination of nitrites in small volumes of breath condensates. The procedure exploits the colorimetric detection of nitrite with the Griess reagent [0.03% naphthylethylene diamine dihydrochloride (NED), 0.5% sulpfhanilamide, and 3.0% phosphoric acid] in acidic medium at 540 nm correcting the variations of the baseline with measurements at 424 nm. The flow system was designed with a set of solenoid micropumps to minimize sample and reagent consumption and waste generation. The detection limit was estimated as 3.8 ng mL^?1 (99.7% confidence level) with a linear response ranging up to 500 ng mL^?1. The coefficient of variation was estimated as 0.7% for a solution containing 300 ng mL^?1 nitrite (n=9). Approximately 144 determinations can be carried out per hour, consuming only 678.4 µg Griess reagent and generating 1.184 mL of effluent per determination, thus providing an environmentally friendly alternative and a nonexpensive method. The procedure was successfully applied to determine nitrite in breath condensates.     

Solid-Phase Extraction Using Polymer-Based Cartridge Modified with 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-3-hydroxyphenol for Preconcentration of Uranium(VI) Ions from Water and Real Samples

ABSTRACT

A highly sensitive, selective, and rapid method for the determination of ng mL^?1 level of U(VI) based on the rapid reaction of U(VI) with 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-3-hydroxyphenol (BTAHP) and the solid-phase extraction of the colored complex with a reversed-phase polymer-based C18 cartridge was developed. The BTAHP reacted with U(VI) to form a violet complex of molar ratio 2:1 [BTAHP to U(VI)] in the presence of 4.0 M of phosphoric acid solution and Triton X-114 medium. This complex was enriched by the solid-phase extraction with a polymer-based C18 cartridge. The enrichment factor of 200 was achieved. The molar absorptivity of the complex is 2.73 × 10⁶ L mol^?1 cm^?1 at 639 nm in the measured solution. The system obeys Beer's law in the range of 2.0–125 ng mL^?1, whereas the optimum concentration range obtained from Ringbom plot was 8.0–115 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation for 10-replicates sample of 100 ng mL^?1 level is 1.05%. The detection and quantification limits are 0.6 and 1.98 ng mL^?1 in the original sample. This method was applied to the determination of uranium(VI) in sea, tap, and waste waters, ore standard reference material, soil and sediment samples with good results comparing to the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) method.     

Improved Performance of On-line Atom Trapping in Flame Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry by Chemical Vapor Generation: Determination of Cadmium in High-Salinity Water Samples

ABSTRACT

On-line atom trapping inside a nickel flame furnace using chemical vapor generation for sample introduction was proposed for the determination of trace cadmium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Cadmium volatile species was generated upon reaction with potassium borohydride and then flushed into a flame furnace for on-line trapping by a flow of nitrogen carrier gas. The middle part of the flame furnace, where the carrier gas impacts, is cooled by the gas flow, and this provides a fine strategy for on-line atom trapping for the purpose of preconcentration. A stainless steel plate is put on the top of the flame burner in the middle to form a flame-free zone, which also greatly lowers the temperature of the flame furnace and facilitates the atom-trapping process. Due to the introduction of chemical vapor generation, matrix effect was greatly alleviated compared with direct pneumatic nebulization for on-line atom trapping in flame furnace AAS. With trapping time of 35 s, the current approach achieved an excellent limit of detection of 20 ng L^?1. The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantification of cadmium in high-salinity samples.     

Vortex-Assisted Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for the Determination of Residual Sulfonamides in Meat Samples with Spectrofluorophotometer

A simple and fast extraction termed vortex-assisted liquid–liquid microrextraction coupled with molecular fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed and used for the detection of three sulfonamides (sulfadiazine sodium, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfaguanidine) in the meat samples. In the vortex-assisted liquid–liquid microrextraction method, 400 µL of nonanoic acid was used as extractant and directly injected into 10 mL centrifuge tube containing a derivative, which sulfonamides derived with o-phthaladehyde. And the extraction solvent was dispersed into the water phase under mechanical force with the vortex-mix. The polar side was reduced and the strong fluorescence produced at λ_ex = 295 nm. Variable parameters affecting the derivatization and vortex-assisted liquid–liquid microrextraction procedure were evaluated and optimized. The vortex-mix substituted effect of disperser solvent in this procedure. The limits of detection were 2.0 ng mL^?1 for sulfadiazine sodium and sulfamethoxazole, 0.5 ng mL^?1 for sulfaguanidine with the relative standard deviations of the method ranging from 2.5% to 6.1%. And the calibration graph was linear from 5 to 5000 ng mL^?1 with coefficient of determinations more than 0.9995. Recoveries of the three sulfonamides on spiked meat samples at different levels were 92.2–102.5%. Finally, the method has been successfully applied to the determination of sulfonamides from meat samples.     

Mixture Design Optimization of an Analytical Procedure for Iron Extraction and Determination From Cassava Leaves by Slurry Sampling Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

This paper applies statistical simplex-centroid design to mixture modeling for optimization of the liquid phase composition of cassava slurry leaves in the development of an analytical procedure for iron determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). This procedure is based on a slurry formation from powdered cassava leaves and a liquid mixture composed of HNO₃, HCl, and H₂O₂ after an ultrasonication process. A quadratic model fitted to the analytical response shows the existence of an experimental region, characterized by low proportions of H₂O₂, for which higher responses are obtained. The proposed procedure allows the determination of iron in the cassava leaves with a detection limit of 1.1 µg g^?1. The precision expressed as relative standard deviation (%RSD, n = 10) was 1.5% for iron concentrations of 25 µg g^?1. The developed procedure was validated by the comparison of results obtained from the application of the digestion procedure and the analysis of certified reference materials: Apple leaves (NIST 1515). Results found were in agreement with the certified values. The proposed method was applied for the determination of iron in four samples of cassava leaves acquired in markets of Feira de Santana City, Brazil. The concentration of iron found in the cassava leaves varied from 250.8 ± 0.7 to 283.4 ± 0.7 µg g^?1.     

Analytical Evaluation of an Integrated Ultrasonic Nebulizer-hydride Generator System for Simultaneous Determination of Hydride and Non-hydride Forming Elements by Microwave Induced Plasma Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

The commercial ultrasonic nebulizer NOVA-DUO (ultrasonic nebulizer dual capillary system USN/DCS) has been evaluated for the simultaneous determination of classical hydride forming (As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, Sn) and conventional non-hydride forming (Ba, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, Sr) elements by microwave induced plasma-optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES). Simultaneous mixing and nebulization of the two solutions (acidified sample and reductant) on the piezoelectric transducer, with the possibility of flow rate adjustment, permits a wide variation of sensitivity. The hydrides and aerosols were rapidly transported via a stream of Ar carrier to a MIP for simultaneous multi-element determination by OES. A univariate approach and simplex optimization procedure was used to achieve optimized conditions and derive analytical figures of merit. Analytical performance of the ultrasonic nebulization system was characterized by determination of the limits of detection (LODs) and precision (RSDs) with the USN/DCS observed at 11 µL min^?1 flow rate. The experimental concentration detection limits for simultaneous determination, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times of standard deviation of the blank (LOD, 3σ_blank criterion, peak height) were 1.3, 5.9, 6.6, 1.8, 3.6, 2.6, 41, 8.1, 11, 7.5, 9.2, and 12 ng mL^?1 for As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se Sn, Ba, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, and Sr, respectively. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 9 to 13%) for liquid analysis and microsampling capability. Interference effects by transition metals have been shown to be corrected by the addition of thiourea, as a pre-reducing agent and masking agent. The accuracy of the method was verified by the use of certified reference materials (NRCC DOLT-2, NRC GBW 07302, NIST SRM 2710, NIST SRM 1643e) and by aqueous standard calibration technique. All results obtained for reference materials were in agreement with certified values at 95% confidence level by Student t-test.     

The Mineral Content of Rhizona cyperi after Microwave-Assisted Digestion and Determination by AAS

ABSTRACT

Rhizoma cyperi (tuberal part of Cyperus rotundus Linn) obtained from 15 different zones of China was studied to determine the contents of 16 trace elements such as 4 minor (Ca, K, Mg, and Na), 9 trace (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, and Zn), and 3 toxic (Ag, Cd, and Pb) elements. The concentration determination of 16 elements was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) after microwave-assisted digestion. A microwave-assisted digestion procedure based on the mixture nitric acid–hydrogen peroxide was evaluated. The method was successfully validated with the good recoveries (97–105%) against CRM GBW07603 (bush twigs and leaves). The calibration curve furnished good linear correlation coefficients (r = 0.9956–0.9999), excellent recoveries (99.35–103.7%), and limits of detection (LOD = 1–50 ng·mL^?1) suitable to determine in Rhizoma cyperi. The results showed that K, Ca, Mg, and Na were the most abundant of the major elements in Rhizoma cyperi with average concentrations of K, 26,221 µg·g^?1; Ca, 1097 µg·g^?1; Mg, 714 µg·g^?1, and Na, 293 µg·g^?1, respectively. K element was determined for the first time in this plant.     

Sensitive Chemiluminescence Assay for Patulin in Apple Juice by Flow Injection

Abstract

A sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) procedure for the determination of patulin by flow injection is described. It was found that patulin inhibits the CL generated from the luminol–dissolved oxygen system significantly. The decrement of chemiluminescence intensity was linear with the patulin concentration over the range from 0.04 to 10.0 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 0.01 ng mL^?1 (3σ_noise). At a flow rate of 2.0 mL min^?1, a complete analytical process could be performed within 0.5 min, including sampling and washing, with a relative standard deviation of less than 3.0% (n=5). The proposed method was applied successfully in the determination of patulin in apple juice, and the recovery was between 96.9% and 103.9%.     

Method Development for Simultaneous Determination of Transition (Au,Ag, Cd,Cu, Mn,Ni, Pb,Zn) and Noble (Pd,Pt, Rh) Metal Volatile Species by Microwave-Induced Plasma Spectrometry Using Ultrasonic Micronebulizer Dual Capillary Sample Introduction System

ABSTRACT

The commercial ultrasonic nebulizer NOVA-DUO (Optolab, Warsaw, Poland) has been evaluated for the simultaneous determination of transition (Au, Ag, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and noble (Pd, Pt, Rh) volatile metal species by microwave induced plasma–optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES). Simultaneous mixing and nebulization of the two solutions (acidified sample and reductant) on the piezoelectric transducer, with the possibility of flow rate adjustment, permits a wide variation of sensitivity. The vapor-phase species were rapidly transported via a stream of Ar carrier to an MIP–OES for simultaneous multi-element determination. A univariate approach and simplex optimization procedure was used to achieve optimized conditions and derive analytical figures of merit. Analytical performance of the ultrasonic nebulization system was characterized by determination of the limits of detection (LODs) and precision (RSDs) with the ultrasonic nebulizer/dual capillary system (USN/DCS) observed at 15 µL min^?1 flow rate. An improvement in detection limits was achieved compared with pneumatic nebulization. Detection limits are superior to conventional pneumatic nebulization of elements. The experimental concentration detection limits for simultaneous determination, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times of standard deviation of the blank (LOD, 3σ_blank criterion, peak height), were 2.49, 1.75, 3.39, 2.13, 4.80, 6.21, 4.26, 2.01, 7.65, 3.92, and 4.65 ng mL^?1 for Au, Ag, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, and Zn, respectively. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 8 to 12%) for liquid analysis and microsampling capability. The accuracy of the method was verified by the use of digested certified reference materials (NRCC TORT-1, NIES CRM-13, NIST SRM 2710, INCT SBF-4) and by aqueous standard calibration technique. The measured elements content in reference materials was in satisfactory agreement with the certified values.     

A Sensitive Chemiluminescence Flow Injection Procedure for Assay of Fluoride in Waters and Humane Urine by Use of Immobilized Reagents

A new simple, rapid, selective and sensitive analytical procedure based on chemiluminescence (CL) detection is described for the determination of free fluoride at sub‐nanogram levels by use of controlled‐reagent‐release technology in a flow injection system. The analytical reagents involved in the CL reaction, including luminol and periodate, were both immobilized on anion‐exchange resins in a flow injection system. Through water injection luminol and periodate were eluted from the anion exchange column to generate the chemiluminescence, which was enhanced in the presence of fluoride. The increased CL intensity was linear with fluoride concentration in the range from 0.1 to 10 ng·mL^? 1. The limit of detection was 20 pg·mL^? 1 (3σ) and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.02% (n = 5) for a 1.0 ng·mL^? 1 fluoride. At a flow rate of 2.0 mL·min^? 1, including sampling and washing, a typical analytical procedure could be performed in 0.5 min with a RSD of less than 3.0%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the free fluoride in water and human urine, and the results were in good agreement with those obtained by ion chromatography.     

Novel Method for Determination of Anthracene by Coupling Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Extraction to First-Derivative Synchronous Spectrofluorimetry

A novel method could be adopted successfully for determination of anthracene in environmental samples, utilizing dispersive liquid-liquid extraction followed by first-derivative synchronous fluorimetry at a constant wavelength difference Δλ?=?165 nm, where a linear calibration curve was obtained in a concentration range of 0.5–100 ng mL^?1 at 244 nm. The detection limit was 0.1 ng mL^?1. The method can be easily adopted for determination of anthracene in aqueous media including tap water and river water. The recoveries obtained were 85.40–108.02 %. The proposed method was validated according to International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guide lines and successfully applied to determine anthracene in pure form and in water samples including real life water samples from different sources. All the results obtained were compared with those of published method, where no a significant difference was observed.     

Ultrasonic Extraction–Ozonation Sequential Sample Treatment for the Determination of Arsenic in Environmental Certified Reference Materials by Hydride Generation–Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

A sample pretreatment method based on ultrasound‐assisted extraction followed by ozonation is developed for sensitive determination of total As in biological and environmental certified reference materials and an unknown plant sample (Acacia dealbata) by flow injection and continuous‐flow hydride generation–atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The method is meant to minimize the use of corrosive and oxidizing acids for sample decomposition and common errors in trace analysis. Problems derived from introduction of sonicated extracts in continuous flow and flow injection manifolds in combination with an atomic fluorescence detector, such as excessive foaming and flame instability, are addressed. The following certified reference materials (CRMs) were employed for method assessment: BCR CRM 482 lichen; BCR CRM 60 and 61 aquatic plants; BCR CRM 279 sea lettuce; NIST 1633b fly ash; BCR 320 river sediment; RTC CRM 024‐050 soil. Effect of variables such as extraction time, ultrasound amplitude, concentration of extractant acid, sample mass, drying mode, and particle size was investigated. Leaves of Acacia dealbata were also employed for method development. Limits of detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.15 µg/g As depending on the sample. Between‐batch precision values ranged from 2% to 11%. Sample throughput was 40 hr^?1 with flow injection.     

Determination of Nucleic Acids Sensitized by Emulsifier OP‐micelle Using Ethyl Rhodamine B as a Resonance Light‐Scattering Probe

Abstract

The resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra of ethyl rhodamine B with nucleic acid (calf thymus DNA and herring sperm DNA) have been studied. The effective factors and the optimum conditions have been studied, and the enhanced intensity of RLS is in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 0～5.00 µg mL^?1 for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and 0～3.50 µg mL^?1 for herring sperm DNA (hsDNA). The limits of detection are 3.42 and 3.14 ng mL^?1, respectively. Based on this, a RLS method for the determination of nucleic acids sensitized by emulsifier OP‐micelle was accordingly established. The binding mode concerning the interactions of ethyl rhodamine B with nucleic acids was also studied, and this method has good selectivity and high sensitivity and it has been applied to the determination of DNA in synthetic samples and real samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of Selenium (IV) in Natural Waters by HG‐AAS Using an Integrated Reaction Chamber Gas–Liquid Separator

Abstract

A simple online sequential insertion manifold coupled to a hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometer (HG‐AAS) has been developed for selective inorganic Se(IV) determination. The online method is based on the sequential insertion of sample and reagents in the integrated reaction chamber gas–liquid separator (RC‐GLS), which operates initially as reaction chamber for various sample volumes (up to 20 mL) and subsequently as gas–liquid separator with limited dead volume. The generated hydride from a large sample volume is trapped in the RC‐GLS for a short time and then it is flashed in the atomic absorption cell. The HCl and the NaBH₄ concentration was optimized for selective inorganic Se(IV) determination. For 8‐mL and 16‐mL sample consumption, the sampling frequency is 40 h^?1 and 24 h^?1, while the detection limit is 0.04 µg L^?1 and 0.03 µg L^?1, respectively. The precision (relative standard deviation) for 2.0 µg L^?1 Se(IV) (n=10) is 2.6% and 2.8% for 8 mL and 16 mL sample volumes, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by analyzing the certified reference material, NIST CRM 1643d, and also by analyzing spiked natural water.     

Spectroscopic Study on the Interaction of Pyronine Y with Nucleic Acids and Its Analytical Application

ABSTRACT

The interaction of pyronine Y (PY) with nucleic acids was studied by resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) for nucleic acid detection. The enhanced RRS intensity of nucleic acids reacted with PY was proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids in the ranges of 27.0–625 ng ml^?1 for fish sperm DNA, 39.0–500 ng ml^?1 for calf thymus DNA, and 59.0–375 ng ml^?1 for yeast RNA. The limits of determination were 0.2 ng ml^?1 for fish sperm DNA, 0.6 ng ml^?1 for calf thymus DNA, and 0.7 ng ml^?1 for yeast RNA. The method had been successfully applied to the quick determination of nucleic acids in synthetic and natural samples.     

Determination of Cd in Water Samples by Hollow-Fiber–Supported Liquid-Membrane Extraction Coupled with Thermospray-Flame–Furnace Atomic-Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A new method of hollow-fiber–supported liquid-membrane extraction (HF-SLME) coupled with thermospray-flame–furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS) for the determination of cadmium in water samples was developed. 1-Octanol was immobilized in the pores of the polypropylene hollow fiber as liquid membrane and used as the acceptor solution. Cd was selectively extracted from water samples into 1-octanol that filled the inner part of hollow fiber as the acceptor solution. The authors evaluated in detail some parameters that influence extraction and determination, such as the concentration of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), pH of samples, stirring rate, extraction time, flow rate of the pump, and interferences. Under optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 146 could be obtained. In combination with thermospray-flame–furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry, a very low limit of detection (LOD) (5 ng L^?1) was achieved. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 4.3% for five determinations of 0.1 ng mL^?1 cadmium. The accuracy of this method was validated by determination of certified reference water samples (GBW(E) 08607 and GSBZ(E) 50009-88). The proposed method was also applied to the determination of cadmium in tap water and river water, with the recoveries in the range of 90–96% for spiked samples.