Determination of diquat by flow injection–chemiluminescence

A simple, economic, sensitive and rapid method for the determination of the pesticide diquat was described. This new method was based on the coupling of flow injection analysis methodology and direct chemiluminescent detection; to the authors’ knowledge, this approach had not been used up to now with this pesticide. It was based on its oxidation with ferricyanide in alkaline medium; significant improvements in the analytical signal were achieved by using high temperatures and quinine as sensitiser. Its high throughput (144 h⁻¹), together with its low limit of detection (2 ng mL⁻¹), achieved without need of preconcentration steps, permitted the reliable quantification of diquat over the linear range of (0.01–0.6) μg mL⁻¹ in samples from different origins (river, tap, mineral and ground waters), even in the presence of a 40-fold concentration of paraquat, a pesticide commonly present in the commercial formulations of diquat. Figure Quartz luminometer cell     

Control of ionic transport through gated single conical nanopores

Control of ionic transport through nanoporous systems is a topic of scientific interest for the ability to create new devices that are applicable for ions and molecules in water solutions. We show the preparation of an ionic transistor based on single conical nanopores in polymer films with an insulated gold thin film “gate.” By changing the electric potential applied to the “gate,” the current through the device can be changed from the rectifying behavior of a typical conical nanopore to the almost linear behavior seen in cylindrical nanopores. The mechanism for this change in transport behavior is thought to be the enhancement of concentration polarization induced by the gate. Figure   Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of an automated system for isolation and purification of humic substances

Characterization of humic substances (HS) in environmental samples generally involves labor-intensive and time-consuming isolation and purification procedures. In this paper, the development of an automated system for HS isolation and purification is described. The novelty of the developed system lies in the way the multiple liquids and columns used in the isolation/purification procedure are handled in both forward and back-elution mode by solenoid valves. The automated procedure significantly reduces the total throughput time needed, from 6–7 days to 48 h, and the amount of labor to obtain purified HS for further characterization. Chemical characterization of purified HS showed that results were in good agreement with previously published values for HS from a variety of sources, including the IHSS standard HS collection. It was also shown that the general properties of HS were consistent among the different source materials (soil, waste, aquatic) used in this study. The developed system greatly facilitates isolation and characterization of HS and reduces the risk of potential (time-dependent) alteration of HS properties in the manual procedure. Figure Photograph of the rear (left) and front (right) of the automated system for the isolation and purification of humic substances Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A headspace solid-phase microextraction procedure coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the analysis of volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in milk samples

A sensitive and solvent-free method for the determination of ten polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene, with up to four aromatic rings, in milk samples using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry detection has been developed. A polydimethylsiloxane–divinylbenzene fiber was chosen and used at 75°C for 60 min. Detection limits ranging from 0.2 to 5 ng L⁻¹ were attained at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, depending on the compound and the milk sample under analysis. The proposed method was applied to ten different milk samples and the presence of six of the analytes studied in a skimmed milk with vegetal fiber sample was confirmed. The reliability of the procedure was verified by analyzing two different certified reference materials and by recovery studies. Figure Milk is safe, healthy food     

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a tool to study structural properties of cytochromes P450 (CYPs)

Cytochrome P450 proteins (CYPs) are a big class of heme proteins which are involved in various metabolic processes of living organisms. CYPs are the terminal catalytically active components of monooxygenase systems where the substrate binds and is hydroxylated. In order to be functionally competent, the protein structures of CYPs possess specific properties that must be explored in order to understand structure–function relationships and mechanistic aspects. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is one tool that is used to study these structural properties. The application of FTIR spectroscopy to the secondary structures of CYP proteins, protein unfolding, protein–protein interactions and the structure and dynamics of the CYP heme pocket is reviewed. A comparison with other thiolate heme proteins (nitric oxide synthase and chloroperoxidase) is also included. Figure The protein secondary structure, protein unfolding, redox-partner protein–protein interaction, structural changes induced by the reduction of the heme iron, and the structure and dynamics of the active site of cytochromes P450 (CYP) can be studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR spectroscopy is a good approach for gaining a deeper insight into structure–function relationships in CYPs. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of a colloidal gold-based lateral-flow immunoassay for the rapid simultaneous detection of clenbuterol and ractopamine in swine urine

A multianalyte lateral-flow immunochromatographic technique using colloidal gold-labeled polyclonal antibodies was developed for the rapid simultaneous detection of clenbuterol and ractopamine. The assay procedure could be accomplished within 5 min, and the results of this qualitative one-step assay were evaluated visually according to whether test lines appeared or not. When applied to the swine urines, the detection limit and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of the test strip under an optical density scanner were calculated to be 0.1 ± 0.01 ng mL⁻¹ and 0.1 ± 0.01 ng mL⁻¹, 0.56 ± 0.08 ng mL⁻¹, and 0.71 ± 0.06 ng mL⁻¹, respectively, the cut-off levels with the naked eye of 1 ng mL⁻¹ and 1 ng mL⁻¹ for clenbuterol and ractopamine were observed. Parallel analysis of swine urine samples with clenbuterol and ractopamine showed comparable results obtained from the multianalyte lateral-flow test strip and GC-MS. Therefore, the described multianalyte lateral-flow test strip can be used as a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective on-site screening technique for the simultaneous determination of clenbuterol and ractopamine residues in swine urine.      

Evaluation of solid-phase microextraction conditions for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic species using gas chromatography

This paper describes a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) procedure coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC–MS) for the determination of eight PAHs in aquatic species. The influence of various parameters on the PAH extraction efficiency was carefully examined. At 75 °C and for an extraction time of 60 min, a polydimethylsiloxane–divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber coating was found to be most suitable. Under the optimized conditions, detection limits ranged from 8 to 450 pg g⁻¹, depending on the compound and the sample matrix. The repeatability varied between 7 and 15% (RSD). Accuracy was tested using the NIST SRM 1974b reference material. The method was successfully applied to different samples, and the studied PAHs were detected in several of the samples. Figure Headspace SPME sampling followed by GC–MS facilitates routine monitoring of PAHs in aquatic species     

Instrumental modification intended to save time,and volumes of sample and reagent solutions,in the atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of mercury

Use of small membrane pumps, instead of peristaltic pumps, to introduce sample and reagent solutions into the spectrometer has several advantages in atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of mercury. This simple modification results in a substantial saving in the time required for the measurements and so 90% of reagent solution volumes and 95% of sample solution volumes are saved, with a consequent decrease in the volume of waste generated. The sampling frequency is almost tripled, with no deterioration in sensitivity, which is similar to that obtained by use of peristaltic pumps. The relative standard deviation for ten consecutive measurements of a 1 μg L⁻¹ mercury solution was approximately 2%. Figure Small membrane pumps for the atomic fluorescene spectro metric determination of mercury     

Integration of an electrochemical-based biolithography technique into an AFM system

An ordinary atomic force microscopy (AFM) was functionalized and applied to electrochemically draw micropatterns of biomolecules. To fabricate an electrochemical AFM probe having an electrode at the tip, a metal-coated AFM probe was first insulated with Parylene C, and then the apex of the tip was ground mechanically to expose the electrode. The effective electrode diameter was estimated to be ca. 500 nm. The electrode probe was positioned close to a heparin-coated antibiofouling substrate and used to locally generate hypobromous acid from a dilute Br⁻ solution to render the substrate surface protein-adhesive. In situ topographical imaging after the electrochemical treatment suggested the heparin layer became detached to allow the adsorption of proteins, in this case fibronectin. The diameter of the drawn fibronectin pattern was 2 μm, which is one order of magnitude smaller than we achieved previously using a microdisk electrode (tip diameter 10 μm). Figure AFM configuration integrated with the electrochemical-based surface modification and resultant micropatterns of fluorescence-labeled fibronectin Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Results of an interlaboratory comparison on the determination of polybrominated flame retardants in poly(ethyleneterephthalate)

An intercomparison to establish the performance of routine laboratories in the determination of polybrominated flame retardants in polymers was organised. Commercial poly(ethyleneterephthalate) was fortified with technical pentabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ether mixtures and with a decabromobiphenyl technical mixture at 0.4–0.8 g/kg. Homogeneity and stability of the total Br content in the material was confirmed. Thirty-seven laboratories from Europe, Asia and the Americas submitted results. Relative repeatability standard deviations for individual congeners ranged from 7 to 17%. Relative between-laboratory standard deviations ranged from 22 to 61%. No significant influence of a common standard, application of a standard method or method parameters could be identified. The quality and uncertainty of the results of this study are significantly worse than those reported in the environmental field and indicate a clear need for a learning process among the laboratories involved. Figure Mandel’s h (between labs): critical level: 1.91     

Disposable screen-printed chemiluminescent biochips for the simultaneous determination of four point-of-care relevant proteins

A screen-printed (SP) microarray is presented as a platform for the achievement of multiparametric biochips. The SP platform is composed of eight (0.28-mm²) working electrodes modified with electroaddressed protein A-aryl diazonium adducts. The electrode surfaces are then used as an affinity immobilisation support for the orientated binding of capture monoclonal antibodies, having specificity against four different point-of-care related proteins (myoglobin, cardiac troponin I, C-reactive protein and brain natriuretic peptide). The immobilised capture antibodies are involved in sandwich assays of the four proteins together with biotinylated detection antibodies and peroxidase-labelled streptavidin in order to permit a chemiluminescent imaging of the SP platform and a sensitive detection of the assayed proteins. The performances of the system in pure buffered solutions, using a 25-min assay duration, were characterised by dynamic ranges of 0.5–50, 0.1–120, 0.2–20 and 0.67–67 μg/L for C-reactive protein, myoglobin, cardiac troponin I and brain natriuretic peptide, respectively. The four different assays were also validated in spiked 40-times-diluted human sera, using LowCross buffer, and were shown to work simultaneously in this complex medium. Figure Principle of the screen-printed POC microarray and a schematic representation of the assay architecture. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Comparison of two solid-phase microextraction methods for the quantitative analysis of VOCs in indoor air

Competitive adsorption on adsorptive solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres implies careful determination of operating conditions for reliable quantitative analysis of VOCs in indoor air. With this objective, two analytical approaches, involving non-equilibrium and equilibrium extraction, were compared. The average detection limit obtained for GC-MS analysis of nine VOCs by the equilibrium method is 0.2 μg m⁻³, compared with 1.9 μg m⁻³ with the non-equilibrium method. The effect of the relative humidity of the air on the calibration plots was studied, and shown to affect acetone adsorption only. Hence, the concentrations that can be accurately determined are up to 9 μmol m⁻³. The methods were then applied to indoor air containing different concentrations of VOCs. The non-equilibrium method, involving short extraction time, can be used for detection of pollution peaks whereas equilibrium extraction is preferable for measurement of sub-μg m⁻³ ground concentration levels.      

A study of the interaction between enantiomers of zolmitriptan and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin by capillary electrophoresis

The enantioresolution of zolmitriptan was performed using cyclodextrin (CD)-modified capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HP-β-CD) as the chiral selector. The influence of experimental conditions on the enantioseparation of zolmitriptan, such as pH, temperature, applied voltage, and concentrations of running electrolyte and CD, was systematically investigated, obtaining a baseline separation of two enantiomers by the use of a 25 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate (SDPH) running electrolyte (pH 2.4) containing 30 mM HP-β-CD at 15 °C. Binding constants for each enantiomer–HP-β-CD pair at different temperatures, as well as thermodynamic parameters for binding, were calculated. A nonlinear van’t Hoff plot was obtained, indicating that the thermodynamic parameters of complexation were temperature-dependent for zolmitriptan enantiomers. The significant contribution of the enthalpy difference to the Gibbs free energy change suggested a stereomeric barrier mechanism for chiral recognition. Figure Resolution of zolmitriptan enantiomers was achieved by using CD-modified CZE Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The potentiometric behavior of polymer-supported metallophthalocyanines used as anion-selective electrodes

Liquid polymer membrane electrodes based on nickel and manganese phthalocyanines were examined for use as anion-selective electrodes. The electrodes were prepared by incorporating the ionophores into plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes, which were directly coated onto the surfaces of graphite electrodes. The resulting electrodes demonstrate near-Nernstian responses over a wide linear range of perchlorate anion (5 × 10⁻⁷ to 1 × 10⁻¹ M). The electrodes have a fast response time, submicromolar detection limits (5 × 10⁻⁷ M perchlorate), and could be used over a wide pH range of 3.5–10. The influences of lipophilic cationic and anionic additives on the response properties of the electrodes were investigated. The proposed sensors revealed high selectivity for perchlorate over a number of common inorganic and organic anions. The highest selectivity was observed for the electrode based on manganese phthalocyanine in the presence of the lipophilic anionic additive sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate. Application of the electrodes to determine perchlorate in tap water and human urine is also reported.      

Enhanced recognition of non-complementary hybridization by single-LNA-modified oligonucleotide probes

Locked nucleic acid (LNA) is a deoxyribonucleotide analogue with an unusual ‘locked’ furanose conformation. LNA-modified oligonucleotide probes have demonstrated an enhanced binding affinity towards their complementary strands; however, their potential to discriminate non-complementary hybridization of mismatches has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of the chemical nature of LNA nucleobases on the hybridization stability and the capability of LNA-modified oligonucleotides to discriminate the LNA:DNA mismatched base pairs. It was observed that LNA modification indeed improves the discrimination capability of oligonucleotides by increasing the melting temperature differences between the complementary duplexes and hybrids containing mismatches. Particularly, LNA purines offer a greater potential to recognize the mismatches than LNA pyrimidines and DNA purines. Real-time PCR experiments further confirmed that LNA modifications at the 3′-end are more effective. The results and conclusions in this study provide useful information for hybridization-based nucleic acid analysis where designing sound oligonucleotide probes is crucial to the success of the analyses.   Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Reference materials to evaluate measurement systems for the nutrient composition of foods: results from USDA’s National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP)

Over a 6.5-year period a total of 2554 values were reported by nine laboratories for 259 certified or reference nutrient concentrations in 26 certified reference materials (CRM) submitted to contract laboratories, blinded, as part of the qualifying process for analytical contracts and in the routine sample stream as part of the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program. Each value was converted to a Z′-score, reflecting the difference from the assigned value related to the combined expected analytical uncertainty plus the uncertainty in the CRM value. Z′-scores >|3.0| were considered unacceptable. For some nutrients (Na, folate, dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, thiamin, tocopherols, carotenoids, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids), >20% of Z′-scores were >|3.0|. For total fat, vitamin C, and niacin >25% of Z′-scores were >|2.0|. Components for which CRM data were best (more than 90% of Z′-scores <|2.0|) were Mg, P, Mn, Se, and vitamin B12. In some cases deviations from assigned values were not uniform across laboratories and materials. For Na almost all high Z′-scores were for low-Na matrices, suggesting analytical problems related to concentration. Figure Z′-scores for vitamins in certified reference materials Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order to specify the experimental procedure adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or the United States Department of Agriculture, nor is it intended to imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.     

Advantages of LC–MS–MS compared to LC–MS for the determination of nitrofuran residues in honey

In the framework of developing analyses for exogenous contaminants in food matrices such as honey, we have compared data obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS) to those provided by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS). Initial results obtained with LC–MS showed that the technique lacked selectivity, which is why the method was validated by LC–MS–MS. This method involves a solid-phase extraction (SPE) of nitrofuran metabolites and nitrofuran parent drugs, a derivatization by 2-nitrobenzaldehyde for 17 h, and finally a clean-up by SPE. The data obtained show that the limits of detection varied between 0.2 and 0.6 μg kg⁻¹ for the metabolites and between 1 and 2 μg kg⁻¹ for nitrofuran parent drugs. The method was applied to different flower honeys. The results showed that nitrofurans (used as antibiotics) are consistently present in this matrix, the predominant compound being furazolidone. Figure Working bees     

A novel microfluidic flow-injection analysis device with fluorescence detection for cation sensing. Application to potassium

A microfabricated device has been developed for fluorimetric detection of potassium ions without previous separation. It is based on use of a fluorescent molecular sensor, calix–bodipy, specially designed to be sensitive to and selective for the target ion. The device is essentially made of a Y-shape microchannel moulded in PDMS fixed on a glass substrate. A passive mixer is used for mixing the reactant and the analyte. The optical detection arrangement uses two optical fibres, one for excitation by a light-emitting diode, the other for collection of the fluorescence. This system enabled the flow-injection analysis of the concentration of potassium ions in aqueous solutions with a detection limit of 0.5 mmol L⁻¹ and without interference with sodium ions. A calibration plot was constructed using potassium standard solutions in the range 0–16 mmol L⁻¹, and was used for the determination of the potassium content of a pharmaceutical pill. Figure Photography of the microfluidic channel showing the ridges in the PDMS substrate at the top of the channel     

Liquid injection field desorption/ionization of reactive transition metal complexes

Liquid injection field desorption/ionization (LIFDI) has been applied to identify transition metal complexes that are highly reactive to air and moisture by mass spectrometry. The complexes of nickel and rhodium were supplied as dilute solutions (∼0.2 mg ml⁻¹) in toluene, tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile, and were applied onto the field desorption emitter inside the vacuum of the ion source under inert conditions by means of the injection capillary unique to the LIFDI set-up. LIFDI mass spectrometry on a double-focusing magnetic sector instrument provided spectra exhibiting intense molecular ion peaks for the species investigated or signals that could easily be related to the target compound by assuming neutral loss of the weakest-bound ligand. Eventually, byproducts of the synthesis or other components resulting from incomplete reactions or some degree of decomposition were also detected. Dedicated to Prof. J. J. Veith on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Development of a chemiluminescent ELISA and a colloidal gold-based LFIA for TNT detection

To identify the explosive used in a terrorist attack, or to obtain an early sign of environmental pollution it is important to use simple and rapid assays able to detect analytes at low levels, possibly on-site. This is particularly true for TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), one of the most employed explosives in the 20th century and at the same time, because of its toxicity, a well known pollutant. In this work we describe the development of an indirect competitive ELISA with chemiluminescent detection (CL-ELISA) and of a lateral-flow immunoassay (LFIA) based on colloidal gold nanoparticle labels. A commercially available monoclonal antibody was used and 13 specially synthesized conjugates were tested. We optimized the assay by determining the optimal concentration of monoclonal antibody and conjugates and the influence of various non-specific factors such as: tolerance to organic solvents at different concentrations, the washing and competitive step time, and the cross-reactivity with related compounds. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the CL-ELISA were good (LOD and IC₅₀ values in the ng mL⁻¹ range, and CV value about 7%). It has been applied to real samples of various materials involved in a controlled explosion of an “improvised explosive device”. Three extraction procedures were tested on these samples, all employing methanol as the solvent. The lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), developed by using the same immunoreagents, reached a detection limit of 1 μg mL⁻¹ when tested on the same samples analysed by CL-ELISA.