Determination of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives from a PTFE wipe using thermal desorption-gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A method for the detection of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives from a PTFE wipe has been developed using thermal desorption andgas chromatography with electron-capture detection (TD-GC-ECD). For method development a standard mixture containing eight nitroaromatic and two nitramine (HMX and RDX) explosive compounds was spiked onto a PTFE wipe. Explosives were desorbed from the wipe in a commercial thermal desorption system and trapped onto a cooled injection system, which was incorporated into the injection port of the GC. A dual column, dual ECD configuration was adopted to enable simultaneous confirmation analysis of the explosives desorbed. For the desorption of 50 ng of each explosive, desorption efficiencies ranged between 80.0 and 117%, for both columns. Linearity over the range 2.5-50 ng was demonstrated for each explosive on both columns with r2 values ranging from 0.979 to 0.991 and limits of detection less than 4 ng. Desorption of HMX from a PTFE wipe has also been demonstrated for the first time, albeit at relatively high loadings (100 ng).     

气相色谱-氮化学发光检测法分析催化汽油中含氮化合物类型的分布

建立了催化汽油馏分中各种含氮化合物类型分布的气相色谱-氮化学发光检测分析方法,考察了各种色谱条件对含氮化合物分离的影响。采用化学预处理的方法浓缩了催化汽油中的含氮化合物,并结合气相色谱-质谱检测以及部分含氮化合物标准样品,对某催化汽油中的20多个含氮化合物进行了定性(或归类)。催化汽油中几种主要含氮化合物(苯胺、2-甲基苯胺、二甲基苯胺)含量测定值的相对标准偏差(RSD)均不大于2.5%。当信噪比(S/N)为3时,苯胺氮的检出限为1.0 mg/L。该方法可用于不同来源和不同加工工艺的汽油馏分中各种含氮化合物类型分布的研究。     

Comprehensive two-dimensional separation system by coupling capillary reverse-phase liquid chromatography to capillary isoelectric focusing for peptide and protein mapping with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A comprehensive two-dimensional (2-D) separation system, coupling capillary reverse-phase liquid chromatography (cRPLC) to capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), is described for protein and peptide mapping. cRPLC, the first dimension, provided high-resolution separations for salt-free proteins. CIEF, the second dimension with an orthogonal mechanism to cRPLC afforded excellent resolution capability for proteins with efficient protein enrichment. Since all sample fractions in cRPLC effluents could be transferred to the CIEF dimensions, the combination of the two high-efficiency separations resulted in maximal separation capabilities of each dimension. Separation effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated using complex protein/peptide samples, such as yeast cytosol and a BSA tryptic digest. A peak capacity of more than 10 000 had been achieved. A laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detector, developed for this system, allowed for high-sensitive detection, with a fmol level of peptide detection for the BSA digest. FITC and BODIPY maleimide were used to tag the proteins, and the latter was found better both for separation and detection in our 2-D system.     

Low-capacity cation-exchange chromatography of amino acids using a novel sulfoacylated macroreticular polystyrene-divinylbenzene column with binary gradient elution.

This paper describes a versatile technique for amino-acid separation using a novel low-capacity sulfoacylated macroreticular polystyrene-divinylbenzene cation-exchange column with a simple binary high-pressure pH gradient elution. Proteinic 16 amino acids were well separated within 50 min using a H3PO4/Na2HPO4-CH3CN eluent system, and the cycle time was about 70 min. The chromatography with postcolumn OPA fluorescent detection was reproducible with RSDs less than 1% for retention times, and was quantitative with RSDs less than 5% for area responses. A linear regression line with an r2 value above 0.9990 was obtained for each analyte in concentration from 0.1 to 10 microM by 20 microL injection. The method was applicable to the separation and detection of urinary diagnostic amino acid due to inborn errors of metabolism, such as phenylketonuria. The analytical costs would be decreased by using the proposed method.     

Determination of quinolones in animal tissues and eggs by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection

A rapid, specific reversed-phase HPLC method is described, with solid-phase extraction, for assaying five quinolones (ciprofloxacin, difloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin and marbofloxacin) with confirmative diode-array detection in samples of bovine kidney, muscle and eggs. The least efficient extraction was marbofloxacin from kidney tissue (64%). The lower detection limit for each quinolone was: enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, 1 ng; norfloxacin and difloxacin, 2 ng; marbofloxacin, 4 ng injected. The intra-day relative standard deviations were lower than 7.9% and lower than 8.6% for inter-day assays. These results indicate that the developed method had an acceptable precision.     

Improved high performance liquid chromatographic determination of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng-based pharmaceuticals using a diol column

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the simultaneous quantitative determination of seven ginsenosides, Rb(1), Rb(2), Rc, Rd, Rg(1), Re and Rf in pharmaceutical preparations is described. Chromatographic separation was achieved in less than 20 min using a 250 x 4 mm Lichrospher, 5 microm, 100 A diol column with detection at 203 nm. The method was validated over the range of 2.5-20 ng/microL using a 20 microL sample volume. The average accuracy at five concentrations was 90-100%, and the within-day and between-day precision ranged from 1 to 7% expressed as coefficient of variation. The detection limit and the quantitation limit of the method were 20 and 50 ng injected for each ginsenoside, respectively.     

在线式红外分光测油仪的校准

建立在线式红外分光测油仪的校准方法。在线式红外分光测油仪的校准主要包括绝缘电阻、示值误差、重复性、漂移和最小检出浓度等项目。通过分析实验数据,测量范围不大于10 mg/L时,示值误差不超过±0.8 mg/L;测量范围大于10 mg/L时,示值相对误差不超过±8%;重复性不大于2%;零点漂移不超过±0.5 mg/L,示值漂移不超过±5%;最小检出浓度不大于0.5 mg/L,仪器的计量性能正常。据此对影响仪器性能的各个参数进行全面评价,确认各项指标控制在合理范围内。该校准方法切实可行,可用于在线式红外分光测油仪的校准。     

Use of principal components analysis for mutation detection with two-dimensional electrophoresis protein separations.

The application of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) to mutation detection requires the capability to monitor each protein in a 2-DE pattern for significant changes in abundance indicative of a mutation event. Previously, mutation searches were done using a univariate outlier detection method in which each protein spot was considered independently in a classical outlier search. An alternative approach to analysis of 2-DE patterns for quantitative changes is a multivariate procedure which takes advantage of the observation that protein spots in a 2-DE pattern often represent correlated rather than independent measurements. We have compared the efficiency of univariate and multivariate procedures for mutation detection using data from the Argonne National Laboratory 2-DE database of mouse liver proteins. Analyses involving a total of over 1500 gels were performed to compare the performance of a multivariate method based on principal components analysis (PCA) with the univariate method. Up to 279 spots from each pattern were used for PCA. First, a simulation was performed to assess the detection efficiency of PCA for single protein spots decreased in abundance by 50%. Then, the ability to detect actual mutations was tested using eight confirmed mutations. Results show that, compared to a univariate approach to analysis of data from the mouse model system, the multivariate method increases the number of protein spots on each 2-DE pattern that can be monitored for quantitative changes indicative of mutations by compensating for variables that contribute to the background quantitative variability of protein spots.     

Quantum Dot Nanobeads as Multicolor Labels for Simultaneous Multiplex Immunochromatographic Detection of Four Nitrofuran Metabolites in Aquatic Products

A multicolor immunochromatographic assay platform based on quantum dot nanobeads (QBs) for the rapid and simultaneous detection of nitrofuran metabolites in different aquatic products is documented. These metabolites include 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), 1-aminohydantoin (AHD), semicarbazide (SEM), and 3-amino-5-morpholino-methyl-1,3-oxazolidinone (AMOZ). QBs with emission colors of red, yellow, green, and orange were employed and functionalized with the corresponding antibodies to each analyte to develop a multicolor channel. The visual detection limits (cutoff values) of our method for AOZ, AHD, SEM, and AMOZ reached up to 50 ng/mL, which were 2, 20, 20, and 20 times lower than those of traditional colloidal gold test strips, respectively. The test strip is capable of detection within 10 min in real samples while still achieving good stability and specificity. These results demonstrate that the developed multicolor immunochromatographic assay platform is a promising technique for multiplex, highly sensitive, and on-site detection of nitrofuran metabolites.     

Simultaneous determination of mexiletine and four hydroxylated metabolites in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography and its application to pharmacokinetic studies.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of mexiletine and its four hydroxylated metabolites in human serum. The method involves a single-step extraction of mexiletine, hydroxymethylmexiletine, p-hydroxymexiletine and their corresponding alcohols with diisopropyl ether-dichloromethane-propan-2-ol (2.5:1.5:0.5, v/v). Separation of the compounds on a deactivated Supelcosil LC8-DB column is accomplished by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 203 nm. Overall the recovery of each compound is reproducible and greater than 75%. The lower limit of detection is 2 ng/ml for mexiletine and its metabolites. The application of the method is shown by measuring the concentrations in serum of mexiletine and its metabolites over 24 h in a healthy volunteer after a single intravenous injection of the drug and by monitoring serum concentrations in patients receiving long-term treatment by mouth of the drug.     

Sensitized phosphorescence as detection method for the enantioseparation of bupropion by capillary electrophoresis

A new CE detection method was developed for the chiral drug bupropion (a second-generation antidepressant), based on phosphorescence both in the direct and in the sensitized mode using pulsed laser excitation at 266 nm. Electrokinetic chromatography using 5 mM sulfated-α-CD as chiral selector in 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 3 allowed the separation of bupropion enantiomers with a high chiral resolution (Rs>3). In the sensitized phosphorescence detection mode, excitation energy is transferred from the analyte to an acceptor (1-bromo-4-napthhalenesulfonic acid or biacetyl) followed by time-resolved phosphorescence detection under deoxygenated buffer conditions. Using 2 × 10(-4) M biacetyl as the acceptor an LOD of 2 × 10(-7) M was obtained for each enantiomer, about 40 times better than in the direct mode. Under these separation conditions, no significantly different phosphorescence lifetimes (measured on-line) were obtained for the two bupropion enantiomers. The suitability of the method was demonstrated with the quantification of bupropion in a pharmaceutical formulation and its determination in a spiked urine sample.     

Assistant deoxyribonucleic acid recycling with Zn and molecular beacon for electrochemical detection of deoxyribonucleic acid via target-triggered assembly of mutated DNAzyme

A novel enzyme-free amplification strategy was designed for sensitive electrochemical detection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based on Zn²⁺ assistant DNA recycling via target-triggered assembly of mutated DNAzyme. A gold electrode was used to immobilize molecular beacon (MB) as the recognition probe and perform the amplification procedure. In the presence of target DNA, the hairpin probe 1 was opened, and the DNAzyme was liberated from the caged structure. The activated DNAzyme first hybridized and then cleaved the MB in the presence of cofactor Zn²⁺. After cleavage, the MB was cleaved into two pieces and the ferrocene (Fc) labeled piece dissociated from the gold electrode, thus obviously decreasing the Fc signal and forming a free DNAzyme strand. Finally, each target-induced activated DNAzyme underwent many cycles to trigger the cleavage of many MB substrates. Therefore, the peak current of Fc dramatically decreased to approximately zero. The strategy showed a detection limit at 35 fM levels, which was about 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of the conventional hybridization without Zn²⁺-based amplification. The Zn²⁺ assistant DNA recycling offers a versatile platform for DNA detection in a cost-effective manner, and has a promising application in clinical diagnosis.     

Determination of diclofenac and its metabolites in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection for the quantitation of diclofenac and metabolites in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid has been developed. Pirprofen is employed as internal standard. Samples are extracted with C18 solid-phase extraction columns and eluted with methanol. Oxidation potentials for detection were established by constructing voltammograms for each compound. In the concentration range found in human studies, the intra-day coefficients of variation were always less than 6%. The procedure allows the simultaneous determination of diclofenac and its four major metabolites with very low detection limits (less than 1 ng/ml), which were sufficient even for kinetic studies in cerebrospinal fluid.     

Determination of conjugated bile acids in human bile by isotachophoresis in a non-aqueous solvent using a.c. conductivity and UV detection

A method for the determination of conjugated bile acids in human bile using isotachophoresis in 95% methanol is described. The leading ion is 0.01 M chloride, the counter ion is hydroxylamine at its pK value and the terminating ion is N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulphonic acid (HEPES). The sample preparation consists of C18-silica cartridge adsorption. Microlitre amounts of the methanol eluate are injected and analysed within 20 min in a 0.2 mm I.D. PTFE capillary. The sensitivity of the method is better than 50 ng of each of the conjugated bile acids using a.c. conductivity detection.     

Voltammetric/amperometric detection for liquid chromatography

A voltammetric/amperometric detector based on a dual-electrode electrochemical detector is described for liquid chromatography. The detector combines the advantages of both voltammetric and amperometric detection. A three-dimensional data array of current response as a function of both time (chromatographic domain) and potential (electrochemical domain) is obtained. From the chromatographic point of view, this allows post-experimental choice of the optimal detection potential. Different detection potentials can even be chosen for each chromatographic peak. Having the voltammetric data as well as the chromatographic data provides ready identification of chromatographically unresolved compounds and the ability to resolve such co-eluting compounds voltammetrically. The voltammetric data also provide a second method of peak identification for greater certainty in peak assignments. Voltammetric detection limits of less than 10 pmol of material injected on the column were achieved with this detection method. From the electrochemical perspective, voltammetric/amperometric detection provides a technique for obtaining hydrodynamic voltammograms with small amounts or small volumes of sample. Voltammograms can also be obtained for the individual components of complex mixtures without the need for isolation steps.     

Determination of a new 2-amino-2-oxazoline (COR 3224) in plasma and brain tissue of the rat by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A reversed-phase (CN as stationary phase) liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection is described for the quantitation of COR 3224, a new 2-amino-2-oxazoline in plasma and brain tissue of the rat. Extraction was performed with dichloromethane and detection was achieved at a working electrode potential of +0.85 V versus an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The recovery of the method is about 80 and 60% for plasma and brain, respectively. The limit of detection was less than 10 ng/ml for both plasma and brain, five times lower than that with ultraviolet detection.     

Stereospecific high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of tocainide

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the determination of tocainide enantiomers in plasma. Following extraction of tocainide from plasma, the enantiomers were derivatized with S-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylisocyanate. The resulting diastereomers were separated and quantified using normal-phase chromatography with fluorescence detection set at 220/345 nm (excitation/emission). The peaks, resolved with a resolution factor greater than 1.5, were free from interference. Linearity was established over the concentration range 0.25-10.0 mg/l for each enantiomer in plasma (r2 greater than 0.998). The inter-assay variability was less than 10% at all concentrations examined. The method can be used to determine the pharmacokinetics of tocainide enantiomers in man.     

Intra- and intermolecular topological properties of amino acids: a comparative study of experimental and theoretical results

The charge densities rho(r) of the six amino acids L-Asn.H(2)O, DL-Glu.H(2)O, DL-Lys.HCl, DL-Pro.H(2)O, DL-Ser, and DL-Val were determined from high-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments at 100 K using synchrotron radiation and area detection (CCD) techniques. Bond topological parameters derived from these densities and from those of six additional amino acids published earlier are compared to each other and to the results of ab initio calculations. Experimental and theoretical properties for each chemically equivalent bond are in a fair agreement, and their variances are of similar magnitude. A noticeable outlier is the positive curvature of the density at the bond critical point, for which no correlation between the experimental and theoretical values can be established. The location of nonbonded valence shell charge concentrations derived from the crystalline densities scatter in a wider range than those obtained for the isolated molecules.     

Ion chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS) and radiometric techniques for the determination of actinides in aqueous leachate solutions from uranium oxide

The choice of the analytical method for the determination of actinide isotopes in leachate solutions has to be made considering several parameters: detection limit for each isotope, sample preparation procedure in terms of duration and complexity, counting time and interferences. A leachate solution obtained by keeping a pellet of UO2 doped with 238Pu in contact with distilled water was investigated for the content of U and Pu isotopes by radiometric methods (alpha-, gamma-spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting). The results of the radiometric methods were compared with those obtained from the analysis performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on-line to a system for chromatographic separation (IC-ICP-MS). The comparison confirmed that IC-ICP-MS is a powerful method for the detection of long-lived radionuclides. The radiometric methods have a detection limit two orders of magnitude lower than IC-ICP-MS in the case of short-lived radioisotopes mostly due to the low background in the detector. On the other hand, the sample preparation and the analysis duration are more time-consuming compared to IC-ICP-MS; moreover, not all isotopes can be determined by using only one radiometric technique.     

Development of a method for automated quantitative analysis of ores using LIBS

This paper reports the development of a method for real-time automated quantitative analysis of mineral ores using a commercial laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument, TRACER™ 2100, fitted with a recently developed computer controlled auto-sampler. The auto-sampler permits the execution of methods for performing calibrations and analysis of multiple elements on multiple samples. Furthermore, the analysis is averaged over multiple locations on each sample, thus compensating for heterogeneous morphology. The results for phosphate ore are reported here, but similar methods are being developed for a range of ores and minerals. Methods were developed to automatically perform metallic element calibrations for supplied phosphate ore samples containing known concentrations of the following minerals: P₂O₅, CaO, MgO, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃. A spectral line for each desired element was selected with respect to the best combination of peak intensity and minimum interferences from other lines. This is a key step, because of the observed matrix dependence of the technique. The optimum combination of the time interval between the laser firing (plasma formation), signal detection, and the duration of the optical detection was then determined for each element, to optimize spectral line intensity and resolution. The instrument was capable of analyzing the required elements in the phosphate ore samples supplied with 2–4% relative standard deviations for most elements. Calibrations were achieved for P, Ca, Mg, Al and Si with linear regression coefficients of 0.985, 0.980, 0.993, 0.987 and 0.985, respectively. Preparation and analysis time for each sample was less than 5 min.