Determination of lanthanoids and some heavy and toxic elements in plant certified reference materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The possibilities of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (choice of isotopes, instrument optimisation) for the determination of lanthanoids, and some heavy and toxic elements in plants are discussed. A variety of plant certified materials (NIST-SRM-1515, NIST-SRM-1547, NIST-SRM-1573a, NIST-SRM-1575, GBW 08504, GBW 08505) are analysed and the elements: As, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Ga, Gd, Ho, La, Lu, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sm, Sr, Th, Te, Th, Tl, U, V, Y, Yb and Zn are determined. The comparison with certified values and literature values indicated that ICP-MS is a very promising method for the instrumental determination of Be, lanthanoids, Th and U and other elements at ng/g level in plants.     

Calibration of gamma-ray spectrometers coupled to Compton suppression and fast pneumatic systems for the k<Subscript>0</Subscript>-standardized NAA method

A new Compton suppression system (CSS) for the gamma-ray spectrometer portion of the neutron activation analysis (NAA) was set up at the RPI/ITN. The pneumatic transfer system, SIPRA, for short-lived nuclides and cyclic irradiations was improved. A full calibration procedure of the CSS and SIPRA systems was performed. Two certified reference materials, NIST-SRM-1572 (Citrus Leaves) and NIST-SRM-1633a (Coal Fly Ash) were analyzed using the calibration factors. The CSS was instrumental in lowering the detection limits of Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sr, Th and Zn by reducing background and/or spectral interference considerably. The analytical results were evaluated by comparison to the NIST certified values with deviations ranging from 2% to 8% for the above mentioned elements, except Zn ranging from 10% to 15% for biological and environmental samples, respectively.     

Marine mammal blubber reference and control materials for use in the determination of halogenated organic compounds and fatty acids

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a diverse collection of control materials derived from marine mammal blubber, fat, and serum. Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1945 Organics in Whale Blubber was recertified for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners. SRM 1945 has also been assigned mass fraction values for compounds not frequently determined in marine samples including toxaphene congeners, coplanar PCBs, and methoxylated PBDE congeners which are natural products. NIST also has assigned mass fraction values, as a result of interlaboratory comparison exercises, for PCB congeners, organochlorine pesticides, PBDE congeners, and fatty acids in six homogenate materials produced from marine mammal blubber or serum. The materials are available from NIST upon request; however, the supply is very limited for some of the materials. The materials include those obtained from pilot whale blubber (Homogenates III and IV), Blainville’s beaked whale blubber (Homogenate VII), polar bear fat (Homogenate VI), and California sea lion serum (Marine Mammal Control Material-1 Serum) and blubber (Homogenate V).     

Comparative evaluation of the possibilities of INAA, ED-XRF, ICP-AES and AAS in the analysis of plants

The usefulness of INAA, radionuclide ED-XRF, ICP-AES and AAS are comparatively evaluated for the determination of nutrients, essential and trace elements in various plant matrices. The comparison is performed by analysis of the following reference materials: NIST-SRM-1573, NIST-SRM-1575, NIES-1, NIES-3, NIES-6, IAEA-V-10 and Bowen's kale. The detection limits, accuracy and precision of the methods are discussed and a combination of INAA and GFAAS is recommended for analysis of plants for monitoring purposes.     

Determination of zinc in clay and pottery materials by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The problems of determination of zinc in clay, ceramics and soils via ⁶⁵Zn using INAA are discussed. The applicability of different approaches for solving the influence of ⁴⁶Sc and ¹⁵²Eu by gamma-spectrometry on the line of ⁶⁵Zn at 1115.5 keV are experimentally evaluated. The application of the correction program ANGES for the calculation of the net peak area is demonstrated. All discussed approaches are checked by analyses of 10 SRM"s: Ohio Red Clay, Lefkandi brick, IAEA-SRM-Soil-1, IAEA-SRM-Soil-5, IAEA-SRM-Soil-7, IAEA-SRM-SL-3, GBW-08303, GBW-07406, NIST-SRM-2709 and BCR-SRM-520.     

Analytical Method Validation and Determination of Iron and Phosphorus in Vegetable Oil by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry with Microwave Assisted Digestion

Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometric determination of iron and phosphorus in three vegetable oils (soybean, coconut, and sunflower) was validated for the intermediate precision, trueness, linearity, and quantitation limit. The overall precision (n?=?5) for the analytes, which were above the method’s practical limit of quantification, were less than 2% relative standard deviation and the same as the laboratory control, NIST-SRM-1849a. Trueness was demonstrated with spike recoveries of the analytes in all vegetable oils at limit of quantification-level spiking. Although good linearity (regression coefficient greater than 0.9990) obtained, the recovery of phosphorus (156–189%) was high, possibly due to oil matrix enhancement, compared to the recovery of iron (91–106%). For soybean oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, and medium chain triglycerides, the concentrations (mg/kg) of iron were in the range of 0.10–1.47, 0.09–1.51, 0.20–0.35, and 0.09–0.13, respectively. Similarly, phosphorus concentrations (mg/kg) were in the range of 0.77–124.56, 0.49–125.57, 0.52–9.72, and 0.85–11.90, respectively. The study achieved considerably low instrument-based practical limits of quantification for iron (0.005?mg/kg) and phosphorus (0.05?mg/kg), which are fivefold lower than the AOAC Official Method 2015.06. The high instrument sensitivity and selectivity of the method allow the determination of trace levels of iron and phosphorus in vegetable oils with good precision and trueness.     

Development and implementation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript>-INAA standardization at PINSTECH

The k ₀ method has been introduced at the 30 kW miniaturized neutron source reactor (MNSR) at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH). It involved the full energy peak efficiency calibration of the HPGe detector for different counting geometries and the characterization of the neutron flux at four inner irradiation channels. The latter involved the determination of the thermal to the epithermal flux ratio, epithermal flux shape factor, the modified spectral index, Westcott’s g-factor, the Maxwellian neutron temperature and the fast flux. The method was validated by analyzing IAEA-SL1 (Lake Sediment) and NIST-SRM-1572 (Citrus Leaves) reference materials. All calculations were performed in Excel, including the optimization step. The results revealed that most of the elements were estimated with less than 10% relative deviation from the certified value.     

Characterisation of some exotic fruits (Morus nigra, Morus alba, Salvadora persica and Carissa opaca) used as herbal medicines by neutron activation analysis and estimation of their nutritional value

In the under developed countries, the people of far-flung rural areas still depend to a large extent upon herbal medicines. At the foundation of usage of herbal medicine is the experience of thousands of years. The present paper deals with the characterisation of exotic fruits for essential and toxic elements. The samples include Morus nigra, Morus alba, Salvadora persica and Carissa opaca (from low and high altitude). Two standardizations of neutron activation analysis, that is, semi-absolute k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k ₀-INAA) and epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) were employed for the quantification of elements. The analysis methodologies were validated by analyzing the IAEA-336 (lichen) and NIST-SRM-1572 (citrus leaves). Sixteen elements including Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc Sr, and Zn were determined in all samples. Daily intakes of various elements from the samples were measured and compared with the dietary reference intakes. Additionally, principal component analysis was performed to extract information regarding samples and elements.     

The certification of SRM 1546--Meat Homogenate, a new reference material for nutrients in a high protein, high fat matrix

In response to reference material needs expressed by the food industry and government regulators, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new Standard Reference Material (SRM) consisting of a canned meat product with certified and reference values for a large number of constituents. SRM 1546 Meat Homogenate consists of a mixture of finely ground pork and chicken prepared and canned by a commercial process. NIST determined the concentration levels of cholesterol, sodium, calcium, iron, and seven fatty acids in this SRM using well defined methods and procedures. These analytes as well as 34 other constituents or properties were determined in an interlaboratory comparison exercise involving 21 laboratories, most of which are associated with the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) Food Industry Analytical Chemists Subcommittee (FIACS). From statistical analysis of the data, NIST assigned certified concentrations for the eleven analytes measured at NIST and reference concentrations for the proximates, six additional fatty acids, seven minerals, and seven water-soluble vitamins. Information values without uncertainties are provided for the concentrations of six additional constituents for which the uncertainties could not adequately be assessed. SRM 1546 will provide laboratories with a means to evaluate the accuracy of the methods they use to assign nutrient levels to processed meats and similar products.     

The certification of SRM 1546 – Meat Homogenate, a new reference material for nutrients in a high protein, high fat matrix

In response to reference material needs expressed by the food industry and government regulators, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new Standard Reference Material (SRM) consisting of a canned meat product with certified and reference values for a large number of constituents. SRM 1546 Meat Homogenate consists of a mixture of finely ground pork and chicken prepared and canned by a commercial process. NIST determined the concentration levels of cholesterol, sodium, calcium, iron, and seven fatty acids in this SRM using well defined methods and procedures. These analytes as well as 34 other constituents or properties were determined in an interlaboratory comparison exercise involving 21 laboratories, most of which are associated with the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) Food Industry Analytical Chemists Subcommittee (FIACS). From statistical analysis of the data, NIST assigned certified concentrations for the eleven analytes measured at NIST and reference concentrations for the proximates, six additional fatty acids, seven minerals, and seven water-soluble vitamins. Information values without uncertainties are provided for the concentrations of six additional constituents for which the uncertainties could not adequately be assessed. SRM 1546 will provide laboratories with a means to evaluate the accuracy of the methods they use to assign nutrient levels to processed meats and similar products. Received: 11 October 2000 / Revised: 15 December 2000 / Accepted: 21 December 2000     

The effect of high amounts of chlorine and sodium on measurement of aluminum by instrumental neutron activation analysis and decrease of spectrum noises by means of digital low pass filter equations

Aluminum is a pathogenic factor in some diseases, like Alzheimer and aluminum toxicity in dialysis patients. This subject signifies Al measurement in biological samples. Different methods have been proposed for Al determination. One of the known methods for the analysis of this element is instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). ³¹P, ²⁸Si, ³²Cl and ²⁴Na interfere the determination of Al in this method. In this study, the effects of high amounts of ³⁸Cl and ²⁴Na on the measurement of ²⁸Al are discussed. The data gathered by the detector is filtered by an equation named digital low pass filter equation with the help of a computer. The net-areas of filtered and non-filtered peaks of ²⁸Al are compared. Finally these areas are compared with the net-area of ²⁸Al peak in the standard reference material, NIST-SRM-1547. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Neutron Capture Prompt Gamma-Ray Activation Analysis of Meat Homogenates

Thermal neutron capture prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA) was used to determine mass fractions of H, B, C, N, Na, Cl, K, and S in 2 meat homogenates. Twelve units of candidate Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1546 Meat Homogenate produced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were analyzed to provide NIST with certification data. This SRM is a realistic processed food matrix, ideal for food analysis programs such as the Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study. Another meat homogenate, Certified Reference Material LGC 7002 Pork/Chicken (along with NIST SRMs 1549 Non-Fat Milk Powder and 1571 Orchard Leaves) was analyzed for quality control. Candidate SRM 1546 unit-to-unit heterogeneity was <2% for H, Na, Cl, and K, and 3.5% for N and within-unit heterogeneity was <2% for H, N, Cl, and K, and 2.9% for Na, similar to LGC 7002 homogeneity results. Control material mass fractions agreed well with certificate and consensus values. Protein mass fractions, calculated from N results, were 15.2% and 11.9% for candidate SRM 1546 and LGC 7002, respectively. Protein content calculated for SRM 1549 (36.0%) agreed well with known values for dried non-fat milk powder.     

Recent developments in food-matrix Reference Materials at NIST

Since 1996, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed several food-matrix Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) characterized for nutrient concentrations. These include SRM 1544 Fatty Acids and Cholesterol in a Frozen Diet Composite, SRM 1546 Meat Homogenate, SRM 1548a Typical Diet, SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue, SRM 1846 Infant Formula, and SRM 2383 Baby Food Composite. Three additional materials--SRM 1946 Lake Superior Fish Tissue, SRM 2384 Baking Chocolate, and SRM 2385 Spinach--are in preparation. NIST also recently assigned values for proximate (fat, protein, etc.), individual fatty acid, and total dietary fiber concentrations in a number of existing SRMs and reference materials (RMs) that previously had values assigned for their elemental composition. NIST has used several modes for assignment of analyte concentrations in the food-matrix RMs, including the use of data provided by collaborating laboratories, alone and in combination with NIST data. The use of data provided by collaborating food industry and contract laboratories for the analysis of food-matrix RMs has enabled NIST to provide assigned values for many analytes that NIST does not have the resources or analytical expertise to measure.     

N-rich salts of 2-methyl-5-nitraminotetrazole: secondary explosives with low sensitivities

2-Methyl-5-nitraminotetrazole (1) was formed by nitration of 2-methyl-5-aminotetrazole. 2-Methyl-5-aminotetrazole was obtained by an improved synthesis starting from sodium 5-aminotetrazolate, which is methylated with dimethyl sulfate in dimethyl formamide giving 2-methyl-5-aminotetrazole in 29% yield. Nitrogen-rich salts such as guanidinium (2), 1-aminoguanidinium (3), 1,3-diamino-guanidinium (4), 1,3,5-triamino-guanidinium (5), azidoformamidinium (6), hydrazinium (7), diaminouronium 2-methyl-5-nitraminotetrazolate (8), as well as an urea adduct (9), were prepared by facile deprotonation or metathesis reactions. Diaminourea was synthesized by hydrazinolysis of dimethyl carbonate with hydrazine hydrate. All compounds were fully characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The crystal structures of 2-6, 8, and 9 could be determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The heats of formation of 2-9 were calculated using the atomization method based on CBS-4M enthalpies. With these values and the experimental (X-ray) densities several detonation parameters such as the detonation pressure, velocity, energy, and temperature were computed using the EXPLO5 code. In addition, the sensitivities toward impact, friction, and electrical discharge were tested using the BAM drop hammer, BAM friction tester, as well as a small scale electrical discharge device.     

Ab initio base-pairing energies of an oxidized thymine product, 5-formyluracil, with standard DNA bases at the BSSE-free DFT and MP2 theory levels

Oxidation of the thymine methyl group produces two stable products, non-mutagenic 5-hydroxymethyluracil and highly mutagenic 5-formyluracil. We have calculated the interaction energy of base-pair formation involving 5-formyluracil bound to the natural DNA bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T), and discuss the effects of the 5-formyl group with respect to similar base-pairs containing uracil, 5-hydroxyuracil, thymine (5-methyluracil), and 5-hydroxycytosine. The interaction geometries and energies were calculated four ways: (a) using density functional theory (DFT) without basis set super-position error (BSSE) corrections, (b) using DFT with BSSE correction of geometries and energies, (c) using M?ller-Plesset second order perturbation theory (MP2) without BSSE correction, and (d) using MP2 with BSSE geometry and energy correction. All calculations used the 6-311G(d,p) basis set. Notably, we find that the A:5-formyluracil base-pair is more stable than the precursor A:T base-pair. The relative order of base-pair stabilities is A:5-Fo-U > G:5-Fo-U > C:5-Fo-U > T:5-Fo-U.     

Strontium Nitriminotetrazolates – Suitable Colorants in Smokeless Pyrotechnic Compositions

The new compounds strontium 5‐nitriminotetrazolate dihydrate ( 1 ), strontium bis(1‐hydro‐5‐nitriminotetrazolate) tetrahydrate ( 2 ), strontium bis(1‐methyl‐5‐nitriminotetrazolate) monohydrate ( 3 ) and strontium bis(2‐methyl‐5‐nitraminotetrazolate)·x H₂O (x = 2–4) ( 4 ) were synthesized by the reactions of strontium hydroxide octahydrate and 5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 5 ), 1‐methyl‐5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 6 ) and 2‐methyl‐5‐nitraminotetrazole ( 7 ), respectively. The compounds were characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The solid state structures of 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 were determined using low temperature X‐ray diffraction. In addition, the sensitivities (impact, friction, electrical discharge) of 1 – 4 were investigated and their use as red colorants in pyrotechnic compositions was tested.     

Salts of methylated 5-aminotetrazoles with energetic anions

1-methyl-5-aminotetrazole (4, MAT) can easily be protonated by strong acids, yielding known but largely uninvestigated 1-methyl-5-aminotetrazolium nitrate (4a) and perchlorate (4b). Methylation, rather than protonation, of 4 with iodomethane followed by the exchange of the iodide (5a) for nitrate (5b), perchlorate (5c), azide (5d), and dinitramide (5e) yields a new family of energetic methylated aminotetrazole salts. In all cases, stable salts were obtained and fully characterized by vibrational (IR, Raman) spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray structure determination. Compounds 4a, 4b, and 5c crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, whereas compounds 5b and 5e crystallize in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and 5d in the orthorhombic Fddd. Initial safety testing (impact, friction, and electrostatic sensitivity) and thermal stability measurements (DSC) were also carried out. The MAT salts all exhibit good thermal stabilities (decomposition above 150 degrees C). The constant volume energies of combustion (DeltacU) of 4a, 5b, 5d, and 5e were determined to be -2510(10) cal/g, -3190(30) cal/g, -4500(100) cal/g, and -2570(70) cal/g, respectively, experimentally using oxygen bomb calorimetry. From the experimentally determined density, chemical composition and energies of formation (back calculated from the heats of combustion), the detonation pressures and velocities of 4a (8100 m/s, 25.6 GPa), 5b (7500 m/s, 20.2 GPa), 5d (8200 m/s, 21.7 GPa), and 5e (7500 m/s, 21.2 GPa) were predicted using the EXPLO5 code.     

Novel and versatile reactions of trifluoroamine oxide: a new route to polyfluorinated ethers

A series of pyrimidine methyl and polyfluoroalkyl ethers were synthesized from the reactions of trifluoroamine oxide (1) with several 5-substituted uracils in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and methanol, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (6), or 1H,1H-pentafluoropropanol (7). With 5-(trifluoromethyl)uracil (2), the new ethers formed were 5-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-6-methoxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (8), 5-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-6-(trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (9), and 5-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-6-(1H,1H- pentafluoropropoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (10). With 5-chlorouracil (3), the new ethers 5-chloro-5-fluoro-6-methoxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (11), 5-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (12), and 5-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(1H,1H-pentafluoropropoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (13) were obtained. With 5-fluorouracil (4), the new ethers 5,5-difluoro-6-methoxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (14), 5,5-difluoro-6-(trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (15) and 5,5 difluoro-6-(1H,1H-pentafluoropropoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (16) were found. By reaction of 5-nitrouracil (5), the new ethers 5-nitro-5-fluoro-6 methoxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (17), 5-nitro-5-fluoro-6-(trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (18), and 5-nitro-5-fluoro-6-(1H,1H-pentafluoropropoxy)pyrimidine-2,4-dione (19) were obtained. Each of the new compounds was characterized by using IR, 19F and 1H NMR, and mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 8 was helpful in confirming compound structure.     

Standard reference materials for foods and dietary supplements

Well-characterized certified reference materials are needed by laboratories in the food testing, dietary supplement, and nutrition communities to facilitate compliance with labeling laws and improve the accuracy of information provided on product labels, so that consumers can make good choices. As a result of the enactment of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 and the Infant Formula Act of 1980, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) worked to develop a series of food-matrix standard reference materials (SRMs) characterized for nutrient concentrations. These include SRM 1544 Fatty Acids and Cholesterol in a Frozen Diet Composite, SRM 1546 Meat Homogenate, SRM 1548a Typical Diet, SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue, SRM 1846 Infant Formula, SRM 1946 Lake Superior Fish Tissue, SRM 1947 Lake Michigan Fish Tissue, SRM 2383 Baby Food Composite, SRM 2384 Baking Chocolate, SRM 2385 Slurried Spinach, and SRM 2387 Peanut Butter. With the enactment of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, NIST has been working to develop suites of dietary supplement SRMs characterized for active and marker compounds and for toxic elements and pesticides, where appropriate. An updated SRM 1588b Organics in Cod Liver Oil, a suite of ephedra-containing materials (SRMs 3240–3245), a carrot extract in oil (SRM 3276), and a suite of ginkgo-containing materials (SRMs 3246–3248) are available. Several other materials are currently in preparation. Dietary supplements are sometimes provided in forms that are food-like; for these, values may also be assigned for nutrients, for example SRM 3244 Ephedra-Containing Protein Powder. Both the food-matrix and dietary supplement reference materials are intended primarily for validation of analytical methods. They may also be used as “primary control materials” in assignment of values to in-house (secondary) control materials to confirm accuracy and to establish measurement traceability to NIST.     

Synthesis, characterization, tautomerism and theoretical study of some new Schiff base derivatives

New Schiff base derivatives were prepared by the condensation of 5-chloro and 5-bromo salicylaldehyde with bis(o-aminophenol)ethers. Five bis(o-nitrophenol)ether compounds were synthesized using some ditosylate, 1,3-dibromopropane and 1,4-dibromobuthane with o-nitrophenol. These compounds were reduced to bis(o-aminophenol)ethers. The products have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H, 13C NMR, HETCOR and HMBC spectroscopic techniques. The tautomerisms of all of the Schiff bases compounds were determined in DMSO, CHCl3, C2H5OH and C6H12 solvents and in both acidic and basic media using the UV-vis spectrophotometric method. The heat of formation (ΔHf), enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), Gibbs free energy (ΔGf and ΔG), stable isomers, conformations and tautomers of the synthesized compounds are calculated using the MOPAC2009 (PM6) program.