Separation of boric acid from radioactive wastes by liquid-liquid extraction

The extraction of boric acid from a solution modeling radioactive waste has been studied. Different aliphatic alcohols were used as extractants. Factors affecting the distribution ratio of boric acid and the behaviour of some other components of the solution under conditions of boric acid extraction were investigated. The composition of species extracted was determined from distribution data of n-hexanol and H₃BO₃.     

Separation, quantitation and isolation of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. by overpressured layer chromatography

Two overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) methods have been developed for the separation of neutral and acidic cannabinoids. The first is an adaptation of Korte's well known method to the OPLC system, which improves its reproducibility. The second one is a new technique based on the phenomenon of chromatographic solvent demixing. The eluent itself is also divided into zones. In the alpha-zone the neutral cannabinoids and in the beta-zone the acidic ones are separated. As a result of the good and reproducible separation, there is a possibility to quantitate cannabinoids by densitometry. The on-line version of OPLC proved suitable for the isolation of hemp constituents.     

Separation and quantitation of jasmonic acid using HPTLC

A rapid, simple, and stringent protocol for the detection and quantitation of jasmonic acid (JA) is designed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Acidified culture filtrate of Lasiodiplodia theobromae is extracted with an equal volume of ethyl acetate and spotted on silica gel 60 F(254) foil using Linomat-5 spray-on applicator. Standard JA is also spotted either internally or adjacent to the sample, and the foils are developed with isopropanol-ammonia-water [10:1:1 (v/v)] as the mobile phase. A quantitative estimation of the separated JA is performed by measuring the absorbance at 295 nm in the reflective mode. The sensitivity of the method is improved by adding internal standard to obtain a detection limit of 1 microg. The limit of quantitation is found to be 80 microg with this method. The method is shown to have selectivity, accuracy, precision, and high sample throughput, making it useful for the routine analysis of JA in basic science and perfumery industries.     

Mercury(II) ion-selective polymeric membrane sensors for analysis of mercury in hazardous wastes.

Two novel potentiometric sensors that are highly selective to Hg2+ ions are described. These are based on the use of 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and tricyclazole (TCZ) as neutral carriers in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes. Fast Nernstian responses are obtained for Hg2+ ions over the concentration ranges 7.0 x 10(-6) - 1.0 x 10(-2) and 7.7 x 10(-6) - 1.0 x 10(-2) mol l(-1) at pH 1.8 - 3.3 with lower detection limits of 5.0 x 10(-6) and 5.6 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) (approximately 1 microh ml(-1)) and calibration slopes of 30.0 and 29.7 mV decade(-1) with DTNB- and TCZ-based membrane sensors, respectively. Validation of the assay method reveals good performance characteristics, including long life span, good selectivity for Hg2+ ions over a wide variety of other metal ions, long term response stability, and high reproducibility. Applications for direct determination of mercury in hazardous wastes including dental amalgam, mercury bulbs, and fluorescent lamps give results with good correlation with data obtained using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.     

The effect of sodiumlignosulphonate on cement properties for conditioning the hazardous wastes

Sodiumlignosulphonate was added to sulphate resisting cement as chemical additive to modify its physical and chemical properties for conditioning hazardous and radioactive wastes for long term disposal. The effect of some organic and inorganic chemicals on sulphate resisting cement was investigated. The physical properties such as density, porosity percent and absorption percent for all the studied samples as well as the compressive strength values and the leaching properties were also determined. The thermal stability and the radiation stability were also investigated.     

Separation and quantitation of components in FD&C Red No. 3 using capillary electrophoresis

The use of capillary electrophoresis as a technique to separate and quantitate components of FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine, color index No. 45430) is described. The fluorescein isomers, 2',4',5'-triiodofluorescein (2,4,5-I3F) and 2',4',7'-triiodofluorescein (2,4,7-I3F), the most abundant by-products formed during the preparation of the dye, were selected for quantitation studies. The separation of other lower halogenated impurities was also demonstrated. Electrophoretic mobility of the compounds was achieved in a 50 mM borate, 25 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer at pH 9.3. The limits of quantitation were found to be 0.15% (w/w) (2,4,5-I3F) and 0.14% (w/w) (2,4,7-I3F) (relative to the mass of FD&C Red No. 3). The method is linear from 0.08 to 20.0% (w/w) for 2,4,5-I3F and between 0.06 and 17.0% (w/w) for 2,4,7-13F. In addition, relative standard deviations of 2.03 and 5.11% were determined from precision studies in the repeat analysis of FD&C Red No. 3 for 2,4,5-I3F and 2,4,7-I3F, respectively. Overall, the CE method produced data in excellent agreement with the reference HPLC method, used considerably less solvent and sample, generated less waste and was found to be considerably more cost efficient.     

Determination of monobutyl phosphate and dibutyl phosphate in mixed hazardous wastes by ion-pair chromatography

Ion-pair chromatography was tested for its applicability in determining monobutyl phosphate (MBP) and dibutyl phosphate (DBP), which are degradation products of tributyl phosphate, in Hanford tank wastes. In tests with simulant waste mixtures, tetrahexylammonium bromide, an ion-pairing agent, was used to complex with all three phosphate species. Recovery studies indicated that ion-pairing chromatography is quantitative for determining the analytes in spiked samples. Initial results demonstrated that DBP could be detected easily and was fairly well separated from other peaks, but MBP was frequently lost due to large negative peaks. Then a preconcentration column procedure was used to clean up the waste-sample matrix, and the negative peaks disappeared. Results indicated that 80% of MBP and 90% of DBP could be recovered. Most of the radioactivity was removed from actual waste tank samples so that additional sample preparation could be performed safely in a fume hood rather than a hot cell. Dibutyl phosphate was identified in an actual tank waste, but MBP was not found; this result was confimed by ion chromatography with conductivity detection.     

Separation and quantitation of fatty acids by high-performance liquid chromatography

To facilitate the determination of the fatty acid composition of tissues and the investigation of fatty acid metabolism, we developed a method for the rapid separation by high-performance liquid chromatography and quantitation (by ultraviolet light absorption) of p-bromophenyl esters of fatty acids which vary in chain length from 10 to 22 carbon atoms. The utility of the method was demonstrated by evaluating the fatty acid composition of human uterine decidua vera tissue and human endometrial stromal cells that are maintained in monolayer culture.     

Separation and quantitation of serum proinsulin and proinsulin intermediates in humans

Two reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) systems were developed for the separation of human insulin, proinsulin and the major proinsulin intermediates. The individual components were quantified using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for insulin and proinsulin immunore-active material (PIM) after (passive) evaporation of the organic modifier. Serum samples from normal subjects and patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were immunopurified and analysed in one of the RP-HPLC systems. The proportion of PIM relative to insulin immunoreactive material was higher in the diabetic patient compared with that in the normal subject. In both, PIM was heterogeneous, consisting of intact proinsulin and des-proinsulin intermediates.     

Separation and quantitation of milk whey proteins of close isoelectric points by on-line capillary isoelectric focusing--electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in glycerol-water media

On-line coupling between CIEF and ESI/MS based on the use of bare fused-silica capillaries and glycerol-water media, recently developed in our laboratory, has been investigated for the separation of milk whey proteins that present close pI values. First, a new rinsing procedure, compatible with MS detection, has been developed to desorb these rather hydrophobic proteins (α-casein (α-CN), bovine serum albumin (BSA), lactoferrin (LF)) from the inner capillary wall and to avoid capillary blockages. Common hydrochloric acid washing solution was replaced by a multi-step sequence based on the use of TFA, ammonia and ethanol. To achieve the separation of major whey proteins (β-lactoglobulin A (β-LG A), β-lactoglobulin B (β-LG B), α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and BSA, which possess close pI values (4.5-5.35), CIEF parameters i.e. carrier ampholyte nature, capillary partial filling length with ampholyte/protein mixture and focusing time, have been optimized with respect to total analysis time, sensitivity and precision on pI determination. After optimization of sheath liquid composition (80:20 (v/v) methanol-water+1% HCOOH), quantitation of β-LG A, β-LG B, α-LA and BSA was performed. The limits of detection obtained from extracted ion current (EIC) and single ion monitoring (SIM) modes were in the 57-136 nM and 11-68 nM range, respectively. Finally, first results obtained from biological samples demonstrated the suitability of CIEF-MS as a potential alternative methodology to 2D-PAGE to diagnose milk protein allergies.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric quantitation of tri-, di- and monomethylxanthines and uric acids from hepatocyte incubation media

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method is described for the measurement of the concentration of fourteen methylxanthines and methyluric acid metabolites of methylxanthines, especially caffeine, from cell incubation media. The method shows linearity, accuracy and recovery suitable for metabolic studies. The reproducibility of relative retention times is satisfactory (less than 0.07%) and allows rapid and conclusive identification of chromatographic peaks corresponding to metabolites. Moreover, this method enables the simultaneous determination of 3.7-methylxanthine and its 1.7-isomer, which are not chromatographically resolved. This method can be successfully applied when molecules labelled with stable isotopes are used as tracers for metabolic studies.     

Separation and quantitation of urinary trypsin inhibitors by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary Human urines contain a family of trypsin inhibitors (UTIs) in small quantities, which seem to be involved in important biological processes. A procedure for separation and quantitative determination of such endogenous inhibitors in human urine has been developed. The urine sample is adjusted to pH 8.3 and percolated through a trypsin-Sepharose 4B column: the inhibitors are eluted with acid solution. The eluate (1000 l) is analysed by RP-HPLC with programmed elution and ultraviolet detection (200 nm). Three principal peaks have been evidenced: they are due to the elution of urinary trypsin inhibitors (UTIs) having apparent m.w. of ca. 6000, 72000, 18000 daltons, respectively. Characteristics of the procedure are: limited sample volume (ca. 200 ml) and recovery of the global inhibition activity (95%). For each UTI determination reproducibility and linearity ranges are reported.

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Trennung und Bestimmung von Trypsin-Inhibitoren im Harn durch Umkehrphasen-HPLC

     

Separation and quantitation of alkylphosphocholines and analogues of different liposome formulations by HPTLC

High-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) analysis of non UV-active phospholipids in biological matrixes is a common method for separation, detection, and quantitation. Liposomes containing new alkylphosphocholines and analogues with enhanced cytostatic activity had been prepared. The liposomal formulations were designed to enable the intravenous application of the alkylphosphocholines and analogues and to reduce dose-limiting toxicities observed after oral administration. For quality control the liposomes were analyzed by HPTLC for content of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DPPG), cholesterol, alkylphosphocholines, and analogues and their related compounds (main degradation products). Due to the differences in lipophily of the compounds, different mobile phases were necessary to achieve separation. Automated Multiple Development was used to reduce the number of plates and to improve the selectivity and the capacity of the chromatographic system to separate the described alkylphosphocholines and analogues from DPPG and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in one chromatographic system.     

Quantitative determination of chelators and their degradation products in mixed hazardous wastes from Tank 241-SY-101 using derivatization GC/MS

Considerable attention has been focused on chelators such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), which form water-soluble complexes with most heavy metals. Most radionuclides are included in this class of constituents. As a result, chelator complexes have become very important environmentally because of their tendency to enhance the mobility of heavy metals through the soil and potentially contaminate groundwater. In addition, there is a correlation between chelator concentration and crust formation/gas release. The chelators are a class of compounds whose low volatility and high polarity preclude analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) without prior derivatization. Waste samples from a double-shell storage tank at Hanford were derivatized with BF₃/methanol and analyzed using GC/MS. Results indicate the presence of EDTA, HEDTA, nitrilotriacetic (NTA), and citric acid. Nitrosoiminodiacetic acid was identified and determined to be an artifact of the derivatization procedure; it is assumed to arise from nitrosation of iminodiacetic acid in the waste sample.     

Separation and quantitation of human plasma acid stable trypsin inhibitors by RP-HPLC

Summary Human plasma contains acid stable trypsin inhibitors (ASTIs) which are present in small quantities and are bound tightly but reversibly to the enzyme. For the analysis of such endogenous inhibitors a procedure has been proposed analogous to that described by us for urinary trypsin inhibitors (UTIs). This chromatographic procedure allows a direct measurement of such substances and avoids the remarkable losses which, as a rule, are connected with the isolation methods so far used. Two ASTIs are selectively isolated by affinity chromatography on immobilized trypsin and separated by RP-HPLC when an acidified plasma sample (1 ml) is treated. These ASTIs have apparent m.w. of ca. 72000 and 18000 daltons, respectively. A third ASTI, having apparent m.w. of ca. 6000 daltons, is evidenced when at least 20 ml of plasma sample were processed with an unusual procedure which avoids the adsorption on the protein precipitate formed in acid treatment. For each ASTI determination, reproducibility, linearity range, recovery (95%) and detection limit are reported.

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Trennung und quantitative Bestimmung von säurebeständigen Trypsininhibitoren des menschlichen Plasmas durch RP-HPLC

     

Separation,detection and quantitation of peptides by liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography

This review discusses different liquid chromatographic and capillary electrochromatographic approaches to the separation and quantitation of peptides using silica-based and polymeric-based columns with emphasis on liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry detection and quantitation of peptides using labeled and label-free procedures, will also be discussed, as well as the effect of amino acids’ properties on the solubility of peptides, an important parameter that influences the selection of the mobile phase. A discussion of different column packing materials, reversed-phase, cyclodextrins, macrocyclic antibiotics, porous graphitic carbon, mixed-phases, and normal-phase will be included, as well as a short discussion of multi-dimensional approaches for the separation of complex peptide mixtures.     

Separation of fission produced 106Ru from simulated high level nuclear wastes for production of brachytherapy sources

An effective and simple process for the isolation of ¹⁰⁶Ru from high-level liquid wastes was developed. Radioactive ruthenium was oxidized by H₅IO₆ in HNO₃ solution and was extracted to CCl₄ phase in the form of RuO₄. In order to obtain ruthenium in the suitable form for production of brachytherapy sources, RuO₄ in organic phase was reduced and re-extracted to aqueous phase. The efficiency of extraction of ¹⁰³Ru to organic phase was 86 %, re-extraction to aqueous solution was near 100 %, so the overall recovery of ¹⁰³Ru is estimated at more than 80 %.