Comparison of chemometric methods in the analysis of pharmaceuticals with hyperspectral Raman imaging

Chemical imaging method of vibrational spectroscopy, which provides both spectral and spatial information, creates a three‐dimensional (3D) dataset with a huge amount of data. When the components of the sample are unknown or their reference spectra are not available, the classical least squares (CLS) method cannot be applied to create visualized distribution maps. Raman image datasets can be evaluated even in such cases using multivariate (chemometric) methods for extracting the needed hidden information. The capability of chemometrics‐assisted Raman mapping is evaluated through the analysis of pharmaceutical tablets (considered as unknown) with the aim of estimating the pure component spectra based on the collected Raman image. Six chemometric methods, namely, principal component analysis (PCA), maximum autocorrelation factors (MAF), sample–sample 2D correlation spectroscopy (SS2D), self‐modeling mixture analysis (SMMA), multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS), and positive matrix factorization (PMF), were compared. SMMA was found to be the best choice to determine the number of components. MCR‐ALS and PMF provided the pure component spectra with the highest quality. MCR‐ALS was found to be superior to PMF in the estimation of Raman scores (which correspond to the concentrations) and yielded almost the same results as CLS (using the real reference spectra). Thus, the combination of Raman mapping and chemometrics could be successfully used to characterize unknown pharmaceuticals, identify their ingredients, and obtain information about their structures. This may be useful in the struggles against illegal and counterfeit products and also in the field of pharmaceutical industry when contaminants are to be identified. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of counterfeit and unregistered medicines using Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy was used to classify a group of seized counterfeit medications associated with erectile dysfunction. Using appropriate data preprocessing, principal component analysis and the classification method soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA), it was possible to classify genuine from unregistered generic and counterfeit Cialis® batches. However, SIMCA did not effectively classify samples on the basis of their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Partial least squares discriminant analysis, principal component regression and support vector machines effectively distinguished between the API of the samples but were unable to correctly distinguish all samples as genuine or generic/counterfeit. This study highlights the importance of choosing the correct preprocessing procedures and classification method for the data set. Despite diverse tablet contents in addition to the drug, it was possible to quantify the levels of drug in the medicines as high, medium or low (within ±20 mg g⁻¹ tablet concentration). Overall, the potential for Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of counterfeit medicines was demonstrated, and the approach may be used to determine the potential level of harm in counterfeit medicines on the basis of API identity and amount. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optofluidic Raman sensor for simultaneous detection of the toxicity and quality of alcoholic beverages

We report a chemometric prediction of the toxicity and quality of liquor using an optofluidic sensor based upon Waveguide Confined Raman Spectroscopy (WCRS). The WCRS sensor was used to record the Raman spectra, each obtained from a 20 µl sample of a given alcoholic beverage with and acquisition time of 20 s. This was used to predict, simultaneously, both the methanol concentration (toxicity) and ethanol concentration (quality), with an accuracy of 0.1% and 0.7% by volume, respectively, using a Partial Least Squares‐based chemometric model. The model sensor is shown to be capable of identifying toxic liquors, based on the test performed on different types of liquor samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermoelectric generator based on a bismuth-telluride alloy fabricated by addition of ethylene glycol

This paper introduces a new method to selectively fabricate n-type and p-type bismuth (Bi)-telluride (Te) thermoelectric materials by the rate of addition of ethylene glycol (EG) in the Bi–Te co-electrodeposition solution. As the amount of added EG is increased, the atomic ratio of Bi in the deposited Bi–Te alloy reached a slope of 0.463 (at.% of Bi/vol.% of EG), and increased in a linear manner. When the EG content reached approximately 20%v/v, the n-type material changed into a p-type. This change implies that adjusting the EG content in the electrodeposition solution affords simple control of the Bi–Te composition. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed thermoelectric materials, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) were fabricated using electrodeposited n-type (using solution without EG) and p-type (using solution with 30%v/v EG) Bi–Te alloys. The Seebeck voltage of the pair of n-type and p-type thermoelectric materials was 140 mV and the power generated from the pair was 24.36 nW at a 10 °C temperature difference.     

H-SAPO-34分子筛催化醇类转化的差异性研究

本文研究了H-SAPO-34催化甲醇和丁醇转化反应及其产物分布的差异,结合气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用、¹³C交叉极化魔角旋转核磁共振(¹³C CP MAS NMR)技术捕获了反应过程中生成的重要反应中间物种．甲醇转化过程以乙烯、丙烯和丁烯为主要产物;而丁醇转化过程中主要产物是丁醇脱水生成的丁烯,反应初期以丙烯和丁烯作为主要产物．两种醇类转化均以低碳烯烃作为主要产物,且存留物种和¹³C CP MAS NMR分析均观察到芳烃物种,说明H-SAPO-34催化甲醇和丁醇转化存留在催化剂上的有机物种相近．虽然起始于不同的醇类反应,但H-SAPO-34上限域空间的酸催化环境都能引导甲醇和丁醇制取低碳烯烃的反应过程．     

Experimental and kinetic modelling studies of flammability limits of partially dissociated NH3 and air mixtures

This paper presents a set of experimental and kinetic modelling studies of the flammability limits of partially dissociated NH₃ in air at 295 K and 1 atm. The experiments were carried out using a Hartmann bomb apparatus. The kinetic modelling was performed using Ansys Chemkin-Pro with opposed-flow premixed flame model employing three detailed reaction mechanisms, namely, the Mathieu and Petersen, Otomo et al., and Okafor et al. mechanisms. The degree of NH₃ dissociation was varied from 0 to 25% (0 to 20%v/v H₂ in the fuel mixture with a fixed H₂/N₂ ratio of 3). It was found that the lower (LFL) and upper (UFL) flammability limits of pure NH₃ in air were 15.0%v/v and 30.0%v/v, respectively, consistent with the literature data. The flammability limits of the mixture widened significantly with increasing the degree of NH₃ dissociation. At 25% NH₃ dissociation, LFL decreased to 10.1%v/v and UFL increased to 36.6%v/v. All tested mechanisms were able to predict the extinction characteristics exhibited by the lean and rich mixtures of partially dissociated NH₃ in air with non-unity Lewis numbers. While all three mechanisms predict well LFL, the Otomo et al. mechanism showed the best agreement with the experimental data of UFL. The rate of production of radicals, sensitivity, and reaction path analyses were performed to identify the key elementary reactions and radicals during combustion of partially dissociated NH₃. The production of key radicals including OH, H, O, and NH₂ was enhanced in the presence of H₂ and thus the conversion of NH to NO and then NO to N₂ near LFL and the conversion of NH₂ and NO to N₂ near UFL leading to wider flammability limits.     

Raman Spectroscopy for the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory: Quantification of Ethanol Concentration in Consumer Alcoholic Beverages and Qualitative Identification of Marine Diesels Using a Miniature Raman Spectrometer

Raman spectroscopy has steadily gained popularity as a powerful tool in both the analytical lab and the undergraduate classroom. The technique is attractive because it allows for rapid, nondestructive qualitative or quantitative analyses of many analytes with little or no sample preparation requirements. The introduction of less expensive, smaller, and more powerful diode laser excitation sources and the recent availability of rugged, red‐sensitive, charge‐coupled device–based miniature modular spectrometers has prompted the integration of Raman spectroscopy into the undergraduate curriculum. We have evaluated the analytical utility of a small, portable Raman instrument for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of two “real” samples. The experiments in this paper were designed to be used as a laboratory component for undergraduate education and include the quantification of ethanol in consumer alcoholic beverages and the qualitative identification of marine diesel fuels that had been spilled on surface waters. In the case of the liquor samples, the ethanol concentration in colorless, odorless alcoholic beverages could be determined very rapidly, but colored and heavily scented liquors proved more difficult and required pretreatment with activated carbon to remove fluorescence that masked the Raman signal. Similarly, a high‐intensity fluorescence background was observed to mask characteristic Raman bands of the diesel fuels. Some reduction in the intensity of the fluorescence was observed after carbon pretreatment of the fuels. The set of undergraduate experiments described in this paper treat the concepts of quantitative and qualitative analysis using portable instrumentation, instrumental calibration by the standard addition and external curve methods, and method development for the analysis of real consumer and environmental samples.     

Fast detection and identification of counterfeit antimalarial tablets by Raman spectroscopy

During the last decade there has been an apparent increase in the prevalence of counterfeit medicines in developing as well as developed countries. The pivotal antimalarial artesunate has been counterfeited on a large scale in SE Asia. In this work, the possibilities of Raman spectroscopy are explored as a fast and reliable screening method for the detection of counterfeit artesunate tablets. In this study, 50 ‘artesunate tablets’, purchased in SE Asia, were examined. This spectroscopic method was able to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit artesunate and to identify the composition of the counterfeit tablets. These contained no detectable levels of artesunate, but consisted mostly of starch, calcite (CaCO₃), and paracetamol (4‐acetamidophenol). In one particular case an admixture of rutile (TiO₂) and artesunate was detected. The results of the investigation by Raman spectroscopy were in agreement with those of colorimetric tests and of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry on the artesunate. Moreover, principal components analysis (PCA) was combined with hierarchical cluster analysis to establish an automated approach for the discrimination between different groups of counterfeits and genuine artesunate tablets. These results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis is a promising and reliable methodology for the fast characterization of genuine and counterfeit artesunate antimalarial tablets. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

傅里叶变换红外光谱和近红外傅里叶变换拉曼光谱法无损鉴定中国字画

利用傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)和近红外傅里叶变换拉曼(NIR FT-Raman)光谱法鉴定了中国字画,结果表明：与荧光光谱法相比,根据谱峰的强度和位置可更容易地将真伪字画区别开来。拉曼光谱和红外光谱相互印证,互相补充,在鉴定中具有快速、准确、操作简单、重复性好、不需对样品进行预处理的优点,适于珍贵字画的无损鉴定。     

The potential of CO2 laser photoacoustic spectrometry for?detection of methanol in alcoholic beverage

The first use of CO₂ laser photoacoustic measurements for detecting the methanol contents in alcohol-like solutions is presented. With an intracavity cell configuration, the minimum detectable concentration was ∼200 ppm for methanol and the linear range of the calibration curve for methanol was from 200 to 70000 ppm. For demonstrating the reliability of analysis in alcoholic beverages, a series of different concentrations of two-component samples was prepared and measured by the same procedures. The results showed the feasibility on determining methanol and ethanol contents accurately within a specific tolerance, limited mainly by background signal and laser stability. This potential method with no pre-treatment of samples takes only ∼10 min to finish one single measurement. It suggests that the PA detection is suitable for routine diagnosis of adulterated wines in commercial products.     

A novel method for quantification of ethanol and methanol in distilled alcoholic beverages using Raman spectroscopy

In this study, direct quantification of ethanol and methanol in distilled alcoholic beverages using Raman spectroscopy was performed. Raman spectra of varying ethanol–methanol mixtures were obtained, baseline corrections were made, and the data were normalized using Raman scattering intensity of an internal standard (acetonitrile, 921 cm^–1). Then, calibration graphs were produced for ethanol and methanol concentrations in the ranges of 0–7 M and 0–10 M, respectively. Accurate R² values of the calibration graphs proved the notable linear correlations (0.998 for ethanol and 0.998 for methanol). The method was validated based on linearity, sensitivity, intraday and interday repeatability, and recovery tests. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values of the validated method were determined for ethanol concentration as 1.2 and 3.7 mM, and for methanol concentration as 3.4 and 10.3 mM, respectively. The ability of the developed method to detect ethanol and methanol concentrations in real samples was also investigated. The results of the developed method were compared with the experimental results from traditional method and high correlation value (R² = 0.926) was obtained. Besides being sensitive and cheap, the developed method is rapid with the analysis time of less than 30 s. Furthermore, it eliminates labor‐consuming operations, chromatographic separation, and measurement error due to the high number of experiment steps in the standard method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Applications of Raman Spectroscopy in Agricultural Products and Food Analysis: A Review

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has been gaining popularity as an analytical tool due to advances in development of Raman spectrometry and the power of personal computers. Due to to its narrow and highly resolved bands, Raman spectroscopy allows for nondestructive extraction of chemical and physical information about samples and aids in rapid on-line analysis without any special sample preparation. In this review, Raman spectroscopic techniques such as dispersive Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and spatially offset Raman spectroscopy are briefly introduced. In addition, applications of Raman spectroscopy are explored, within various fields of agricultural products and food, including fruits and vegetables, crops, meat and dairy products, oil, as well as beverages. In addition, some discussion on the importance of Raman spectroscopy as fundamental and applied research of agricultural products and food is provided.     

拉曼光谱结合偏最小二乘的甲醇汽油甲醇含量快速定量分析方法研究

甲醇汽油是一种用以替代传统汽油的新型燃料,其品质受到甲醇含量的严重影响。因此,甲醇汽油中甲醇含量的快速分析对其品质把控具有深远意义。基于拉曼光谱（Raman）结合偏最小二乘（PLS）建立了一种甲醇汽油中甲醇含量快速定量分析方法。采用激光拉曼光谱仪对49组甲醇汽油样品的Raman光谱进行采集,并进行光谱解析。比较了五种光谱预处理方法对甲醇汽油原始Raman光谱的预处理效果,并采用变量重要性投影（VIP）对小波变换（WT）预处理后的甲醇汽油Raman光谱数据进行了特征变量提取。其次,采用五折交叉验证（5-flod cross-validation (CV)）对PLS校正模型的潜变量数目（LVs）及VIP阈值进行优化。在最优输入变量和模型参数下,分别构建了基于不同输入变量的PLS模型。研究表明,相较于原始光谱-偏最小二乘模型（RAW-PLS）和小波变换-偏最小二乘模型（WT-PLS）,变量重要性投影-偏最小二乘模型（VIP-PLS）可以获得更好的分析性能,其预测集决定系数（R2_p）为0.960 4,均方根误差（RMSEP）为0.0341。因此,Raman光谱结合PLS是一种快速准确的甲醇汽油中甲醇含量分析方法。     

ToF-SIMS PCA analysis of Myrtus communis L.

Nowadays there is a growing interest of researchers for the application of sophisticated analytical techniques in conjunction with statistical data analysis methods to the characterization of natural products to assure their authenticity and quality, and for the possibility of direct analysis of food to obtain maximum information. In this work, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in conjunction with principal components analysis (PCA) are applied to study the chemical composition and variability of Sardinian myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) through the analysis of both berries alcoholic extracts and berries epicarp. ToF-SIMS spectra of berries epicarp show that the epicuticular waxes consist mainly of carboxylic acids with chain length ranging from C20 to C30, or identical species formed from fragmentation of long-chain esters. PCA of ToF-SIMS data from myrtle berries epicarp distinguishes two groups characterized by a different surface concentration of triacontanoic acid. Variability in antocyanins, flavonols, α-tocopherol, and myrtucommulone contents is showed by ToF-SIMS PCA analysis of myrtle berries alcoholic extracts.     

Spectroscopic analysis using a hybrid LIBS-Raman system

A novel setup, combining two spectroscopic techniques, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy in a hybrid unit, is described. The work presented herein is part of a broader project that aims to demonstrate the applicability of the hybrid LIBS-Raman unit as an analytical tool for the investigation of samples and objects of cultural heritage. The system utilizes a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) for both LIBS and Raman analysis. In the Raman mode, a low intensity beam from the laser probes the sample surface and the scattering signal is collected into a grating spectrograph coupled to an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) detector, which records the Raman spectrum. In the LIBS mode a single high intensity pulse from the laser irradiates the sample surface and the time- and spectrally-resolved emission from the resulting laser ablation plume yields the LIBS spectrum. The use of a non-gated CCD detector was found to produce similar quality data (in terms of S/N ratio and fluorescence background) in the Raman mode, while in the LIBS mode spectral features were clearly broader but did not prevent identification of prominent atomic emission lines. Several model pigment samples were examined and the data obtained show the ability of the hybrid unit to record both Raman and LIBS spectra from the same point on the sample, a clear advantage over the use of different analytical setups. PACS 39.30.+w; 82.80.Dx; 82.80.Gk; 52.38.Mf     

拉曼光谱检测生物大分子损伤的研究进展

拉曼光谱是基于拉曼散射效应而发展起来的一种光谱分析技术,体现的是分子的振动或转动信息。由于拉曼光谱技术与常规化学分析技术相比,具有对样品无损、样品制备简单和所需样品量少等特点,广泛用于生物大分子结构变化的研究。拉曼光谱不仅可以用于蛋白质、核酸和脂类等生物大分子损伤的快速检测,而且可以用于癌症的诊断与手术治疗。通过对比正常组织与癌变组织的拉曼光谱,可以找到两种组织特征吸收峰的差异,从而为癌症的最终确诊和确定肿瘤切除范围提供重要信息。文章综述了拉曼光谱检测生物大分子损伤的研究进展,介绍了利用表面增强拉曼光谱、傅里叶变换拉曼光谱和紫外共振拉曼光谱等技术在检测蛋白质二级结构、膜脂及DNA损伤中的应用,并展望了未来拉曼光谱技术的发展前景。     

近红外光谱技术用于豆浆粉品牌与假冒豆浆粉的鉴别

采用近红外光谱分析技术结合化学计量学方法研究对不同品牌的豆浆粉以及假冒的豆浆粉鉴别的可行性。采集不同品牌豆浆粉以及假冒豆浆粉在12 500～4 000 cm-1范围内光谱,并进行不同的预处理。采用偏最小二乘-判别分析(partial least squares-discriminant analysis, PLS-DA)对不同预处理的光谱进行建模比较,去趋势算法(De-trending)预处理光谱与多元散射校正(multiplicative scatter correction, MSC)结合De-trending(MSC+De-trending)预处理光谱的PLS-DA模型预测集判别正确率最高, 均为100%。采用x-loading weights方法分别基于De-trending和MSC-De-trending预处理光谱选择了6个和7个特征波数,并以特征波数分别建立了线性判别分析(linear discriminant analysis, LDA)和误差反向传播神经网络(back-propagation neural network, BPNN)的判别分析模型。结果表明,以所选出的不同的特征波数建立的BPNN判别分析模型取得了最佳的判别效果,建模集和预测集的判别正确率均为100%。采用近红外光谱分析技术可以准确的判别豆浆粉品牌以及假冒豆浆粉产品。     

Applications of Raman spectroscopy in herbal medicine

Raman spectroscopic techniques are a group of chemical fingerprint detection methods based on molecular vibrational spectroscopy. They are compatible with aqueous solutions and are time saving, nondestructive, and highly informative. With complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) becoming increasingly popular, more people are consuming natural herbal medicines. Thus, chemical fingerprints of herbal medicines are investigated to determine the content of these products. In this study, I review the different types of Raman spectroscopic techniques used in fingerprinting herbal medicines, including dispersive Raman spectroscopy, resonance Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform (FT)–Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, and confocal/microscopic Raman spectroscopy. Lab-grade Raman spectroscopy instruments help detect the chemical components of herbal medicines effectively and accurately without the need for complicated separation and extraction procedures. In addition, portable Raman spectroscopy instruments could be used to monitor the health and safety compliance of herbal products in the consumer market.     

基于逆向空间偏移拉曼光谱分析技术的无损药物检测方法研究

发展新型药物检测技术不仅能够杜绝假药对健康和生命的危害,更可以避免假药对社会道德和商业风气等产生不良影响。该研究工作,通过建立逆向空间偏移拉曼光谱（SORS）实验装置,克服了传统拉曼探测深度有限（约几百微米）的应用瓶颈,以无损、非接触的方式,克服不/半透明容器光学背景对光谱测量结果产生的影响,实现多种空间偏移量（Δs）条件下,样品特征光谱信息检测与分析,为开发基于逆向SORS技术的新型药物检测方法奠定实验基础。实验装置搭建过程中,采用785 nm半导体激光器与WITec UHTS300型拉曼光谱仪构建逆向SORS光谱分析装置。通过使用准直光束照射锥透镜形成环形激发光斑,并控制锥透镜与样品之间的距离,实现Δs连续可控变化。利用所搭建的光谱检测装置,分别测量聚乙烯方瓶（厚度为1.5 mm）和聚四氟乙烯离心管（厚度为4 mm）内对乙酰氨基酚和甲硝唑的拉曼特征光谱。利用环形光束照射会抑制容器峰强度这一特点,选取容器拉曼特征峰作为标准峰,分别对点光斑（Spot）和环形（Ring）光斑测量结果进行归一化处理,并将其强度相减（Ring-Spot）,得到逆向SORS光谱测量结果。实验结果表明,逆向SORS光谱检测方法能够克服表层容器光学背景对测量结果产生的干扰性因素,真实反映不/半透明容器内样品的分子指纹光谱信息。在实验测量范围内,当环形光束半径增大1倍时,聚乙烯方瓶内对乙酰氨基酚拉曼特征峰强度增大6倍,而聚四氟乙烯离心管内的甲硝唑各特征峰强度增强1倍。以上实验结果表明,逆向SORS技术能够准确检测不/半透明容器内,或有漫散射介质覆盖的样品深层化学成分的指纹光谱。通过提高系统信噪比并优化系统结构与功能,在建立小型化、集成化检测系统的条件下,逆向SORS技术可与现有的多种药物检测技术相互补充,发展成一种快捷、准确、操作简便的新型药物检测手段。     

应用于低折射率样品检测的SERS活性液芯光纤

用纳米组装方法在空心光纤内壁修饰SERS活性基底构成内壁具有表面增强拉曼光谱活性层的液芯光纤。激发光由光纤壁横截面入射,并在光纤壁中传播。由于光纤壁的折射率大于检测样品溶液的折射率,使得激发光在光纤壁中发生全反射,并在消逝场下穿透修饰层,激发样品拉曼散射。本方法融合了表面增强拉曼光谱技术与液芯光纤技术的优势,可成为应用于低折射样品溶液体系检测的又一手段。