Determination of Heavy Metal Ions in Chinese Herbal Medicine by Microwave Digestion and RP-HPLC with UV-Vis Detection

A new method for the simultaneous determination of heavy metal ions in Chinese herbal medicine by microwave digestion and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) has been developed. The Chinese herbal medicine samples were digested by microwave digestion. Lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc, and tin ions in the digested samples were pre-column derivatized with tetra-(4-chlorophenyl)-porphyrin (T₄-CPP) to form the colored chelates which were then enriched by solid phase extraction with C₁₈ cartridge and eluted from the cartridge with tetrahydrofuran (THF). The chelates were separated on a Waters Xterra RP₁₈ column by gradient elution with methanol (containing 0.05molL^–1 pyrrolidine-acetic acid buffer salt, pH=10.0) and THF (containing 0.05molL^–1 pyrrolidine-acetic acid buffer salt, pH=10.0) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5mLmin^–1 and detected with a photodiode array detector in the range of 350–600nm. In the original samples the detection limits of lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc and tin are 4ngL^–1, 3ngL^–1, 6ngL^–1, 5ngL^–1, 2ngL^–1, 6ngL^–1, and 4ngL^–1, respectively. This method was applied to the determination of lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper, zinc and tin in Chinese herbal medicine samples with good results.     

Voltammetric Behavior of Dopamine at ct-DNA Modified Carbon Fiber Microelectrode

A sub-micrometer thin-layer DNA modified carbon fiber microcylinder electrode was prepared by electrodeposition of ct-DNA at 1.5V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The voltammetric behavior of dopamine (3-hydroxytyramine) was investigated at the modified electrode. It was found that the modified electrode exhibits a highly electrocatalytic activity toward dopamine oxidation. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for determination of dopamine in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. A linear response of the peak current versus the concentration was found in the range of 4×10^–6 to 10^–4molL^–1 at 10^–4molL^–1 AA (ascorbic acid) coexistence (R=0.9959) and the range of 6×10^–5 to 10^–3molL^–1 at 10^–3molL^–1 AA (R=0.9960). The presence of a high concentration of ascorbic acid did not interfere with the determination. The proposed method exhibited good recovery and reproducibility. This method can be applied to the detection of DA in real samples.     

Adsorptive Catalytic Voltammetry of Physcion in the Presence of Dissolved Oxygen at a Carbon Paste Electrode

A novel electroanalytical method for the determination of physcion is described for the first time. Physcion yields an adsorption catalytic voltammetric peak at –0.74V (vs. SCE) in 0.4molL^–1 NH₄Cl–NH₃·H₂O buffer solution (pH 10.5) at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The experimental results indicated that physcion is efficiently accumulated at a CPE by adsorption. In the subsequent potential scan, physcion was reduced to a homologous anthrahydroquinone compound. The compound was then immediately oxidized to physcion by the dissolved oxygen in the solution, and then physcion was again reduced at the CPE. As a result, a cyclic catalytic reaction was established. The second-order derivative peak current is proportional to the physcion concentration in the ranges of 2.0×10^–104.0×10^–9molL^–1 (accumulation 90s) and 4.0×10^–92.0×10^–8molL^–1 (accumulation 60s). The limit of detection is 8×10^–11molL^–1 (S/N=3) for a 120s accumulation time. The method was applied to the direct determination of physcion in the medicinal plant polygonum multiflorum Thumb with satisfactory results.     

Determination of Iron in Tap and Waste Water Using Liquid–Liquid Extraction in a Flow-Injection System

A flow-injection procedure for the determination of iron(III) in water is described. The procedure is based on the formation of an ion pair between the tetraphenylarsonium (Ph₄As⁺) (TPA) or tetrabutylammonium (But₄N⁺) (TBA) cations and the tetrathiocyanatoferrate(III) complex (TTF). This ion pair is extracted with chloroform, and the absorbance of the organic phase is measured at 503nm (for Ph₄As⁺) or 475nm (for But₄N⁺). Iron concentrations higher than 0.9×10^–6molL^–1 (50µgL^–1) can be detected in the first case, with a relative standard deviation of 1.9% (n=12), a linear application rangeof between 1.34 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1 (75–3015µgL^–1), and a sampling frequency of 30h^–1. For the ion pair with But₄N⁺, the detection limit is 0.52×10^–6molL^–1 (29µgL^–1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% and a linear application range between 0.73 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1. Under the proposed working conditions, only Pd(IV), Cu(II) and Bi(III) interfere. With the application of the merging zones technique, considerable amounts of organic reagent can be saved. The TBA method was applied to the analysis of iron(III) in tap and industrial waste waters.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Epinephrine at a Penicillamine Self-Assembled Gold Electrode,and its Analytical Application

The fabrication and electrochemical characteristics of a penicillamine (PCA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode were investigated. The self-assembled electrode shows obvious electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of epinephrine (EP). In phosphate buffer (pH 7.73), a sensitive oxidation peak was observed at 0.190V with the PCA modified Au electrode. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 2.0×10^–56.0×10^–4molL^–1 and 5.0×10^–6 2.0×10^–4molL^–1 for cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with the detection limits of 1.8×10^–7 and 1.3×10^–7molL^–1, respectively. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed. The PCA self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode is highly stable and can be applied to the determination of EP in practical injection samples. Application is simple, rapid and produces accurate results.     

Electrochemical Determination of Ascorbic Acid at γ-MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Modified Carbon Black Microelectrodes

A carbon black microelectrode modified by -MnO₂ has been prepared. The electrocatalytical oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) at this microelectrode was investigated. The 2nd-order linear scan voltammograms of AA are recorded from –0.5 to 0.5V (vs. SCE). The relationship between the oxidation peak current of AA and its concentration in the range of 1.0×10^–64.0×10^–3molL^–1 is linear. The detection limit (3) was found to be 6.0×10^–7molL^–1. Also, the determination of AA in samples is evaluated, and the results are satisfactory.     

Oxidation of isomeric η6- and η5-fluorenylchromiumtricarbonyl anions

The oxidation of the carbon-centered [(⁶-C₁₃H₉)Cr(CO)₃]^– anion (1 ^–) results in formation of (-⁶:⁶-9,9-bifluorenyl)bis-chromiumtricarbonyl (3) due to coupling of the intermediate carbon-centered radical (1^.). The oxidation of the metal-centered anion [(⁵-C₁₃H₉)Cr(CO)₃]^– (2 ^–), which is isomeric to the 1^– anion, gives an equilibrium mixture of the chromium-centered radical {(⁵-C₁₃H₉)Cr(CO)₃}^. (2 ^.) and its dimer [(⁵-C₁₃H₉)Cr(CO)₃]₂ (6). Radical2 ^. readily reacts with MeI and the solvent (THF); the resulting derivatives, (⁵-C₁₃H₉)Cr(CO)₃R (R=Me (10); R=H (7)), undergo fast ricochet inter-ring ⁵⁶ rearrangements into (⁶-9R-C₁₃H₉)Cr(CO)₃ (R=CH₃ (9); R=H (4)).Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1354–1358, July, 1995.The authors are grateful to D. V. Zagorevskii who recorded the mass spectra. This study was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 94-03-05209) and the International Science Foundation (Grant Nos. MQ 4000 and REV 000).     

Determination of Arsenic in Food Samples by Hydride Generation – Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A method for the determination of trace amounts of arsenic in food samples using flow injection analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation (FI-HG AAS) was developed. The parameters of the flow injection system and the hydride generation were optimized with respect to reagent concentrations, atomization temperature, injection volume, reaction coil length and carrier flow rate. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.34µgL^–1 and 1.2µgL^–:1, respectively, and the analytical curve is linear up to 30.0µgL^–1 arsenic. The relative standard deviation for 12 replicates varies between 5% for 4.0µgL^–1 As and 1.8% for 30.0µgL^–1 As, with an injection frequency of up to 135h^–1. Interferences from Ni(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Mo(II), Bi(III), Se(IV), Se(VI), Sb(III) and Sb(V) could be masked with a mixture of ascorbic acid-KI in a 5.0molL^–1 HCl solution. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by using certified reference materials of biological samples, and the method was used to determine the content of arsenic in fish and coffee beans.     

Ein Ger?t zur h?chstempfindlichen Differentialspektrophotometrie mit dem Rapidspektroskop

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode zur Differentialspektrophotometrie durch Modulation eines Monochromators wird beschrieben. Der Monochromator oscilliert mit variabler Bandbreite zwischen ₁ und ( ₁+). Wenn ( ₁+) die Wellenlänge des Absorptionsmaximums ist, erscheint am Photo multiplierausgang einer Sinuswelle, deren Amplitude der Extinktions differenz zwischen ¹ und ( ₁+) proportional ist. Die Schaltung zur ultralinearen Messung dieser Amplitude ist angegeben und ihre Anwendung mit dem Zweistrahlphotometer Rapidspektroskop gezeigt. Die Empfindlichkeit wird durch die Kombination um den Faktor 10 bis 100 gesteigert. Der Rauschpegel ist bei der Monochromator-Modulationstechnik etwa 10^–4 E.Das Differentialspektrum stellt die erste Ableitung eines Spektrums dar und gestattet die genauere Lokalisation von Schultern in steilen Flanken eines Spektrums. Die Kombination der beschriebenen Methode mit der Technik des Rapidspektroskops erlaubt es, dasselbe mit gleichem Erfolg wie ein Dual-Wavelength-Gerät einzusetzen.

---

Summary A method for differential spectrophotometry by modulation of a single monochromator is described. A single monochromator oscillates with variable bandwidth between ₁ and ( ₁+ ). If ( ₁ + ) is the wavelength at maximal optical density, the photomultiplier output gives a sinus-wave, the amplitude of which is proportional to the optical density difference between ₁ and ( ₁+). The circuit for ultralinear measurement of this amplitude is described and details of its application with the split-beam spectrophotometer Rapidspektroskop are given. The sensitivity of the entire assembly is increased by a factor of between ten and one hundred. The noise level of the monochromator-modulated technique is about 10^–4 optical density units. The differential spectrum represents the first derivative of a spectrum and allows one to determine more exactly the location of shoulders in the slope of a spectrum.The combination of the described method with the techniques of the Rapid spektroskop thus provides facilities which equal those of a dual-wavelength apparatus.

     

Photometric detection of cyclodextrins in liquid chromatography by using iodine generated electrochemically in-situ

A method has been developed for photometric detection of cyclodextrins (CD) in liquid chromatography using iodine (I₂) generated electrochemically in-situ. Iodide ion in the mobile phase was electrochemically oxidized to I₂ which was subsequently reacted with I^–, in an electrochemical flow cell, forming I₃^–. The absorbance of I₃^– was found to be greatly enhanced when CD were present in the mobile phase. The absorbance enhancement was caused by the change in the mole fraction of I₃^–, because of the inclusion reaction of I₃^– with CD. On the basis of this phenomenon, CD were detected by means of a photodiode-array UV–visible detector positioned downstream of the electrochemical flow cell. The signals were found to be linearly dependent on CD concentration. Because the formation constants of I₃^– with CD decrease in the order -CD>-CD>-CD, -CD was most detectable by the method. Detection limits were 1.0 mol L^–1 for -CD, 65 mol L^–1 for monoG1--CD, 100 mol L^–1 for -CD, and 200 mol L^–1 for -CD.     

2,3-Dihydroxypyridine Loaded Amberlite XAD-2 (AXAD-2-DHP): Preparation, Sorption–Desorption Equilibria with Metal Ions, and Applications in Quantitative Metal Ion Enrichment from Water, Milk and Vitamin Samples

2,3-Dihydroxypyridine loaded (via –N=N–linker) Amberlite XAD-2 (AXAD-2-DHP) was prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, TGA and FT-IR spectra. It (1g packed in a column of 1cm diameter; surface area 135.5m²g^–1) was found to be an effective solid phase sorbent for enriching Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺ at pH 3.5 to 7.0 using flow rates between 1.0–5.0mLmin^–1. For desorption (recovery 97.0–99.8%) of the metal ions, 8 to 10mL of 2.0molL^–1 HCl or 1.5molL^–1 HNO₃ at a flow rate of between 2.0 and 4.0mLmin^–1 were found most suitable. The t_1/2 (time for 50% sorption) is between 2 and 10min when a 50mL solution (containing a total amount of metal of 2mg) was equilibrated with 0.5g of resin. Sorption of all metal ions except Pb²⁺ follows the Langmuir model, whereas for Pb the data fits with the Freundlich model. The sorption capacity is between 60.7 (for Cd) and 406.7 (for Cu) µmolg^–1. The resin can withstand an acid concentration of 6molL^–1 and can be reused for thirty cycles of sorption–desorption. The preconcentration factor varies between 100 and 300. For Cd, Ni and Cu the sorption capacity of 2,3-dihydroxypyridine loaded cellulose is lower than that of the present resin. The tolerance limits of electrolytes, humic acid, complexing agents, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the enrichment of all metal ions are reported. The limits of detection are 3.88, 5.37, 8.72, 13.88, 4.71, 1.24, 0.59 and 0.30µgL^–1 for Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺, respectively. The calibration curves for flame AAS determination were linear in the ranges 0.018–1.0, 0.067–5.0, 0.2–5.0, 0.9–20, 0.028–2.0, 0.077–5.0, 0.19–10 and 0.1–3.5µgmL^–1, respectively. All the eight metal ions in river and synthetic water samples, Co in vitamin tablets and Zn in milk samples have been quantitatively enriched with Amberlite XAD-2-DHP and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p-Aminophenol at a ω-Mercaptopropionic Acid Self-Assembled Gold Electrode

A -mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer modified electrode (MPA/SAM/Au) on a gold electrode has been fabricated. The characterization of the MPA/SAM/Au was investigated using attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and A.C. impedance. The electrochemical behaviors of p-aminophenol (p-AP) were studied at the MPA/SAM/Au by cyclic voltammetry and semi-derivative voltammetry (SDV) in BR buffer solution. The modified electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of p-AP and accelerates the electron transfer rate. The diffusion coefficient (D) is 4.55×10^–6cm²s^–1. The oxidative peak current increases linearly with the concentration of p-AP in the range of 4.0×10^–88×10^–6molL^–1 and 1.0×10^–52×10^–4molL^–1 by square wave voltammetry response, respectively. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) is up to 1.2×10^–8molL^–1. The modified electrode is able to eliminate the interference of p-benzenediol, o-benzenediol and o-AP at a 40-, 90- or 70-fold concentration of p-AP, and it has been satisfactorily used for the determination of the real sample.     

Fluorimetric Flow-Through Sensing of Quinine and Quinidine

We describe a single continuous-flow method for the determination of Quinine (QN) and Quinidine (QD) based on the enhancement of their native fluorescence by on-line transitory retention on a solid support placed in a flow cell. KCl solution was used as carrier/self-eluting solution. The active solid surface is regenerated by the carrier itself which also acts as eluting solution, thus making the microsensing zone reusable for subsequent measurements.In the range of 40 to 1260µL, the response of the sensor (_exc/_em=250/450nm) was directly proportional to the sample volume injected. The sensor was calibrated for three injection volumes: 40, 600 and 1000µL, responding linearly in the range of 40–800, 2–40 and 0.4–20µgL^–1 of QN and 20–600, 5–40 and 0.9–20µgL^–1 of QD with detection limits of 2.2, 0.2 and 0.1µgL^–1 (QN) and 3.9, 0.4 and 0.2µgL^–1 (QD), respectively. The relative standard deviation for ten independent determinations is 1.0% (QN) and 3.9% (QD). The sampling frequency ranges between 40 and 22h^–1 depending on the sample volume injected. This sensor was satisfactorily applied to the determination of QN in soft drink samples and a shampoo, and to the determination of QD in pharmaceutical preparations with equally satisfactory results.     

A Highly Sensitive and Selective Assay for Cysteine Using the Chemiluminescence Reaction of Luminol and Hydrogen Peroxide

A very simple, highly sensitive and selective chemiluminescence (CL) method was established for the determination of cysteine. This method is based on the fact that the CL reaction of luminol and hydrogen peroxide can be greatly enhanced by cysteine. The CL intensities at maximum light emission were linearly correlated with the concentration of cysteine over the range of 2.0×10^–8–6.0×10^–6molL^–1 with a detection limit of 7.5×10^–9molL^–1. The relative standard deviation was 1.7% for the determination of 1.0×10^–7molL^–1 cysteine (n=9). The feasibility of utilizing the proposed method for the determination of total concentration of cysteine in human serum was examined.     

Application of a Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrode in Anodic Stripping Voltammetry for Determination of Trace Amounts of 6-Benzylaminopurine

Carbon nanotubes were modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GC) and initially applied in semi-derivative anode stripping voltammetry for the determination of 6-benzylaminopurine. The experiments demonstrated that the presence of the carbon nanotube greatly increased the current of the oxidation peak of benzylaminopurine. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and semi-derivative voltammetry were used in a comparative investigation into the electrochemical oxidation of benzylaminopurine with the modified electrode. Studies on the effect of pH on the peak current and potential were carried out over the pH range of 9.013.0 with the NH₃–NH₄Cl buffer solution. A pH of 10.0 was chosen as the optimum pH. Other experimental parameters, such as film thickness, accumulation potential, temperature etc. were optimized. The anodic peak current was found to be linearly related to the concentration of benzylaminopurine over the range of 4.0×10^–8 to 1.0×10^–5mol·L^–1 with a detection limit of 5.0×10^–9mol·L^–1 in an accumulation time of 5min. Interferences of some inorganic and organic species on the response have been studied.     

Energy Transfer Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence for the Determination of Sulfite

A simple and novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method for the determination of sulfite has been developed based on the energy transfer ECL process. It was found that a weak ECL signal of sulfite was electrochemically generated on a platinum electrode in neutral aqueous solution. The signal was strongly enhanced by rhodamine B as an energy receptor and further enhanced by the neutral surfactant Tween 80. In 0.10M phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.5) containing 2.0×10^–6gmL^–1 rhodamine B and 0.4% (v/v) Tween 80, the ECL response to the concentration of sulfite at a potential of 0.82V was linear over a range of 1.0×10^–7gmL^–1 to 8.0×10^–6gmL^–1, and the detection limit was 5×10^–8gmL^–1. The relative standard deviation (n=11, 1.0×10^–6gmL^–1) was 3.8%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of sulfite in pharmaceutical injections and white sugar samples.     

Determination of Lead Using a New Chromogenic Reagent 2-(2-Sulfo-4-acetylphenylazo)-7-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic Acid

A novel chromogenic reagent, 2-(2-sulfo-4-acetylphenylazo)-7-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid 1, was prepared by diazo coupling of 4-acetylaniline-2-sulfonic acid and 2,4,6-trichloroaniline to chromotropic acid through –N=N– groups. Based on this reagent, a simple, sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of lead. In 0.20M phosphoric acid medium, lead reacts with 1 to form a 1:2 blue complex with an absorption maximum of 654nm. Beers law is obeyed in the range of 0–0.6mgL^–1 of lead. The apparent molar absorptivity is 1.25×10⁵Lmol^–1cm^–1. The detection limit and quantification limit were found to be 0.63µgL^–1 and 2.1µgL^–1, respectively. The relative standard deviation for eleven replicate measurements was of 2.6%. The interference of foreign ions was also investigated. All the other foreign ions studied did not interfere with lead determination except for Ca(II) and Ba(II). The interference caused by Ca(II) and Ba(II) can be eliminated by prior extraction of lead with potassium iodide-methylisobutylketone (KI-MIBK). The proposed method was applied to the determination of lead in certified samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Beverage and Coffee Samples by Purge-and-Trap On-Line Coupling with a Gas Chromatography-Flame Photometric Detector

A sensitive and fast analytical method using purge-and-trap on-line coupling with gas chromatography was developed for the determination of trace volatile sulfur compounds including dimethyl sulfide (DMS), ethyl-methyl sulfide (EMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in beverage and coffee samples. The analytes were purged for 12min from the sample by high purity nitrogen at a flow rate of 35KPa and preconcentrated in the cooled fused-silica capillary trap at –75°C. The NaCl content in the samples was maintained at 10%. The volatile sulfur compounds were separated with an Agilent-6890 gas chromatograph by a suitable temperature program and detected by means of a flame photometric detector (FPD). The detection limits were 80ngL^–1 for DMS, 80ngL^–1 for EMS, and 100ngL^–1 for DMDS, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the determination of volatile sulfur compounds in different beverage and coffee samples.     

Voltammetric Determination of Bismuth in Water and Nickel Metal Samples with a Sodium Montmorillonite (SWy-2) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A simple and reliable electrochemical method for the determination of bismuth in water and nickel metal samples using a sodium montmorillonite (SWy-2) modified carbon paste electrode was described. Due to its strong cation-exchange ability and adsorptive characteristics, SWy-2 significantly enhances the sensitivity of determination for Bi³⁺. Bi³⁺ is firstly preconcentrated and then reduced on the modified electrode surface at –0.50V. After that, reduced bismuth is stripped from the electrode surface during the positive potential sweep of –0.50V to 0.20V, and a well-defined stripping peak at –0.12V appears. The stripping peak current is proportional to the concentration of Bi³⁺ from 4×10^–9molL^–1 to 1×10^–6molL^–1. The detection limit (signal-to-noise=3) is 1×10^–10molL^–1 after 5min. accumulation. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of bismuth in water and nickel metal samples.     

Molecular Imprinting-Chemiluminescence Determination of Norfloxacin Using a Norfloxacin-Imprinted Polymer as the Recognition Material

A selective molecular imprinting-chemiluminescence method was developed for the determination of norfloxacin by using a norfloxacin-imprinted polymer as recognition material and the Ce(IV)-sodium sulfite-norfloxacin chemiluminescence reaction as the detection system. The chemiluminescence intensity responded linearly to the concentration of norfloxacin within 1.0×10^–71.0×10^–5molL^–1 with a detection limit of 3×10^–8molL^–1. The relative standard deviation for 5.0×10^–7molL^–1 norfloxacin solution was 2.4% (n = 7). This method was applied to the determination of norfloxacin in urine samples, and the results obtained were satisfactory.