Comparison of two digestion procedures for the determination of lead in lichens by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The efficiency of two procedures for the digestion of lichen was investigated using a heating block and a microwave oven. In the open vessels, concentrated nitric acid was added to the samples, left for 1 h, and the addition of 30% (v / v) hydrogen peroxide completed the digestion. In the closed system, the complete digestion was performed using concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, reducing the amount of chemicals, time and contamination risk. Both digestion methods gave comparable results, and recoveries were statistically not different. For a lichen sample spiked with 10 μg Pb, the recovery was 111% and 110% using microwave and heating block digestion, respectively, while it was 100% and 103% for a 100 μg Pb spike. For the determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry samples were diluted 20 times with water and a volume of 20 μL was injected into the graphite furnace without chemical modifier. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 700 °C and 1500 °C, respectively, were used. The characteristic mass was 8.4 ± 0.6 pg for aqueous calibration solutions and 8.9 ± 0.8 pg for samples. Calibration was against matrix matched standards. The recovery test showed some contamination problem with the lowest concentrations in both procedures. The detection limits were 4.4 μg L^− 1 with microwave oven and 5.4 μg L^− 1 with the heating block in the undiluted blank.     

Determination of edible oil parameters by near infrared spectrometry

A chemometric method has been developed for the determination of acidity and peroxide index in edible oils of different types and origins by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) measurements. Different methods for selecting the calibration set, after an hierarchical cluster analysis, were applied. After discrimination of olive oils from maize, seed and sunflower, the prediction capabilities of partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibration of NIR data were evaluated. Several preprocessing alternatives (first derivative, multiplicative scatter correction, vector normalization, constant offset elimination, mean centering and standard normal variate) were investigated by using the root mean square error of validation (RMSEV) and prediction (RMSEP), as control parameters. Under the best conditions studied, the validation set provides RMSEP values of 0.034 and 0.037% (w/w) for acidity in (I) olive oil group and (II) sunflower, seed and maize oils group. RMSEP values for peroxide in both sample groups, expressed as mequiv. O₂ kg⁻¹, were, respectively 1.87 and 0.79. The limit of detection of the methodology developed was 0.03% for acidity in both groups of edible oils (I and II), and 0.9 and 0.8 mequiv. O₂ kg⁻¹ for peroxide in the olive oil and other edible oils groups, respectively. In fact, the methodology developed is proposed for direct acidity quantification and for the screening of peroxide index in edible oils, requiring less than 30 s per sample without any previous treatment.     

The determination of wax esters in lube oil by infrared spectrometry

A simple and rapid method for estimating the content of wax esters in lubricating oils has been developed through the use of isopropanol extraction to concentrate the wax esters. The ratio of the absorption bands at 1740 and 1385 cm^-1 can be used directly for the determination of wax esters in lube oil samples. The method can be satisfactorily applied at levels down to 1 %, with an overall deviation of less than 10 %; for samples containing as low as 0.5 %, the procedure can be used semi-quantitatively with an error of about 20 %. This infrared method can also be used to determine marine and sulfurized wax esters.     

Comparison of two extraction procedures for urinary organic acids prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

We have compared a new isolation procedure for urinary organic acids using strong anion-exchange columns with a solvent partition (ethyl acetate) method. Urinary samples from two healthy children and from nine children with organic acidurias were analysed by both procedures. Although the solid-phase extraction is more efficient for polyhydroxy acids, some polar acids, and some glycine derivatives, clinically important compounds such as oxalic, methylcitric, pyruvic, glyoxylic and 2-ketoglutaric acids, are not recovered or are only poorly recovered. However, both procedures may be used as a routine method for the diagnosis of the organic acidurias included in this study.     

Reaction products in mass spectrometry elucidated with infrared spectroscopy

Determining the structure and dynamics of large biologically relevant molecules is one of the key challenges facing biology. Although X-ray crystallography (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) yield accurate structural information, they are of limited use when sample quantities are low. Mass spectrometry (MS) on the other hand has been very successful in analyzing biological molecules down to atto-mole quantities and has hence begun to challenge XRD and NMR as the key technology in the life sciences. This trend has been further assisted by the development of MS techniques that yield structural information on biomolecules. Of these techniques, collision-induced dissociation (CID) and hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) are among the most popular. Despite advances in applying these techniques, little direct experimental evidence had been available until recently to verify their proposed underlying reaction mechanisms. The possibility to record infrared spectra of mass-selected molecular ions has opened up a novel avenue in the structural characterization of ions and their reaction products. On account of its high pulse energies and wide wavelength tunability, the free electron laser for infrared experiments (FELIX) at FOM Rijnhuizen has been shown to be ideally suited to study trapped molecular ions with infrared photo-dissociation spectroscopy. In this paper, we review recent experiments in our laboratory on the infrared spectroscopic characterization of reaction products from CID and HDX, thereby corroborating some of the reaction mechanisms that have been proposed. In particular, it is shown that CID gives rise to linear fragment ion structures which have been proposed for some time, but also yields fully cyclical ring structures. These latter structures present a possible challenge for using tandem MS in the sequencing of peptides/proteins, as they can lead to a scrambling of the amino acid sequence information. In gas-phase HDX of an amino acid it is shown that the structure can be changed from a charge solvated to a zwitterionic structure, thereby demonstrating that HDX can be an invasive technique, in fact changing the structure of the analyte. These results emphasize that more fundamental work is required in order to understand the underlying mechanisms in two of the most important structural techniques in MS.     

Optimization of transmission near infrared spectrometry procedures for quality control of pesticide formulations

The use of different response functions to be optimized in the frame of the use of near infrared spectrometry for quality control of active principles in agrochemical formulations has been evaluated. Both, simple functions, based on parameters like sensitivity, repeatability, accuracy, signal to noise ratio, limit of detection or sample throughput, and a complex function, considering all the aforementioned aspects, were employed in the development of a new method for Iprodione determination in agrochemicals. Optimization strategies were based on the previous screening of the most important instrumental factors like number of cumulated scans, nominal resolution, mirror velocity and zero filling factor, based on a two-level full factorial design and on the search for the optimum conditions using central composite designs. Data found evidenced the influence of the response function on the optimum values of experimental conditions and could be employed as a general guide to evaluate the experimental factors in routine use of near infrared spectrometry. Finally the optimized method for Iprodione has been applied to the determination of Diuron and results found compared with those obtained by a conventional approach.     

Assessment of three digestion procedures for Zn contents in Pakistani soil by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Evaluation of three different digestion procedures for accurate determination of elemental concentration in soils was undertaken. The digestion procedures, two leaching and a total dissolution processes were compared for twenty-one soil samples. The soil standard reference materials (SRMs), IAEA Soil-5 and IAEA Soil-7 were analysed for quality control purposes. Zinc (Zn) was analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Precise analysis was accomplished in the SRM and soil samples, which was better than 4.7% for leaching and total dissolution procedure. Compared with the elemental concentration in soil samples, HF–HClO₄ procedure achieved greater accuracy, where as HNO₃–H₂O₂ and HNO₃–H₂SO₄–HCl procedures were comparable with slight variation in a few samples.     

Comparison of two infrared spectroscopic methods for cheese analysis

Two infrared spectroscopic methods, optothermal near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform mid-infrared-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy, were applied to 24 cheese samples in order to obtain protein, fat and moisture contents. Reference values of the protein, fat and moisture contents in weight percent were obtained using standard wet chemistry analysis. Prediction correlation coefficients between 0.93 and 0.96 and standard errors of prediction between 2% and 5% were obtained using optothermal spectroscopy while the corresponding values for FTIR-ATR were 0.81–0.92 and 4–9%. Inhomogeneities in the cheeses, primarily due to the fat droplets, are probably the main reason for the differences in the error sizes. The superior results for optothermal spectroscopy are the more attractive because the instrument is easier to use than the FTIR-ATR instrument, it provides results more quickly with simpler statistical analysis and it is more compact and robust.     

Comparison of digestion procedures for the determination of mercury in soils by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry

Five digestion procedures were investigated for the determination of mercury in soils by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. These methods included three acid leaching procedures in open systems and two acid digestion procedures in closed decomposition vessels. The closed vessels were heated in a conventional laboratory oven or a laboratory microwave oven. In the open systems, digestion with concentrated acids at elevated temperatures led to considerable losses of (organo) mercury compounds, while digestion at ambient temperature gave incomplete oxidation of the sample matrix. To prevent any losses of mercury and to obtain complete oxidation, the use of a closed decomposition system at elevated temperatures appeared to be necessary. The results obtained with these closed systems were in good agreement with those obtained by neutron activation analysis. Heating in a microwave oven appeared to be a considerable improvement over conventional thermal heating.     

Comparison of microextraction procedures to determine pesticides in oranges by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric method has been developed for the determination of bitertanol, carbendazim, fenthion, flusilazole, hexythiazox, imidacloprid, methidathion, methiocarb, pyriproxyfen and trichlorfon. Two procedures, based on stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), have been evaluated for the extraction of these compounds in oranges. Their respective advantages and disadvantages are also discussed. The recoveries obtained by MSPD ranged from 47 to 96% and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 1 to 15%, whereas with the SBSE method the recoveries were between 8 and 84% and the RSDs between 4 and 16%. Although, the limits of quantitation of most compounds are much better (0.001–0.05 mg kg⁻¹) by SBSE, it is not suitable to determine some polar pesticides as carbendazim, imidacloprid and trichlorfon. Results obtained by both methods were compared, in terms of sensitivity and selectivity, with a classical ethyl acetate extraction method, and the three methods were applied to analyze real samples. As MSPD is easier to perform, faster than the organic solvent extraction, and shows equal accuracy and resolution, its application for analyzing pesticides in oranges is recommended.     

Investigation of two computerized procedures for energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry by the fundamental parameter approach

Both the computerized procedures investigated for x-ray fluorescence spectrometry exploit the fundamental parameter approach. Procedures 1 and 2 are without and with absolute calibration of the spectrometer, respectively. The basic fundamental parameter equations are shown and the equivalence with the notation of influence coefficients is demonstrated. The advantages and limitations of the two procedures are discussed. If the sample contains no appreciable fraction of light elements, procedure 1 is well suited for standardless quantitative calculations. Procedure 2 is not limited by this restriction, and its use may indicate if the qualitative elemental analysis is complete. Even in the case of incomplete qualitative analysis, procedure 2 gives usable quantitative results. Calibration inaccuracies with procedure 2 are easily tested by procedure 1, thus the two procedures complement each other.     

Comparison of ten digestion procedures for the determination of arsenic in soils by hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Ten different digestion methods were investigated for the determination of arsenic in soils by hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry. These methods included a dry ashing/digestion, several acid-leaching procedures, and digestions in a pressure decomposition vessel or a Kjeldahl apparatus. A certified reference sample was analysed and the results obtained for five other soil samples were compared with the data obtained by spectrophotometry. A nitric/sulphuric acid digestion was the most suitable. A brief interference study is reported.     

Solid-phase extraction and cleanup procedures for determination of acrylamide in fried potato products by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

In response to recent discoveries of acrylamide in heated foods, a solid-phase extraction and cleanup protocol was developed for the determination of acrylamide in fried or baked potato samples by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The analyte was extracted from the matrix by using 2M NaCl, and an aliquot of the initial extract was loaded onto a reversed-phase cartridge. After the analyte was eluted from the cartridge, the eluate was cleaned up on a mixed-mode cation-exchange cartridge. The eluate was then evaporated, and the residue was reconstituted in mobile phase before LC/MS analysis. Recoveries, based on the recovery of an added internal standard, ranged from 96 to 101% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 5-11%. The response was linear for a concentration range of 100-2000 ng/g with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.992 (n = 25). An interday study showed good accuracy and precision of the method over a 3-day period with a recovery of 98% and an RSD of 9.5% (n = 15). The analyses of 6 potato chip samples showed concentrations of incurred acrylamide ranging from 260 to 1500 ng/g.     

Use of ediap mass spectrometry for determining composition of products obtained in periodate oxidation of sucrose

The possibility has been demonstrated of using EDIAP mass spectrometry for the express determination of the composition of the products obtained in the periodate oxidation of sucrose and its subsequent reduction with NaBH₄. It has been shown that the method permits the amount of oxidized glycol and triol groupings to be determined and can therefore be used successfully to establish the structure of carbohydrates. The method also permits the recording directly in the reaction mixture of the presence of the equilibrium forms produced in the interaction of aldehyde groups with molecules of the solvent or of hydroxylamine. Analysis with the aid of EDIAP mass spectrometry requires 100–200 picomoles, calculated on the initial amount of sucrose. The time of analysis is 5 min. The mass spectra contain only the peaks of quasimolecular ions of the type of [M + Na]⁺.Institute of Analytical Instrument-construction, Leningrad. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 687–695, September–October, 1988.     

气相色谱-串联质谱法测定食用油中两种非邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂

建立了气相色谱-串联质谱同时测定食用油中对苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯和偏苯三甲酸三（2-乙基己基）酯两种非邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂的方法。样品采用乙腈提取,于-20℃冷冻除脂净化,用气相色谱-串联质谱选择反应监测模式测定。两种化合物的检出限为0.03 mg/kg,定量限为0.1 mg/kg,线性范围为0.1~10 mg/kg。3个添加水平（0.1、0.3和1.0 mg/kg）下的回收率为81.04%~108.31%,相对标准偏差为0.70%~9.91%。该方法简便、准确,适用于食用油中对苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯和偏苯三甲酸三（2-乙基己基）酯的检测。     

超声波提取-原子吸收光谱法测定油区土壤中重金属的含量

优化了超声波辅助提取土壤中重金属的条件,建立了原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn的方法.各元素的线性关系良好(r=0.9991～0.9998),检出限为0.002～0.013 mg/L,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.4％～5.8％,加标回收率为92.0％～110％.在优化的超声提取条件下分析标准物质GBW07439,并与湿法消解结果相比较,两种方法的测定值与参考值均相符,但超声提取法速度较快、安全性较好、污染小、试剂消耗少、残渣少.利用该方法分析辽河油田周边土壤中重金属含量,采用单因子污染指数法和内梅罗综合污染指数法评价了土壤受重金属污染的程度.     

Comparison of mild extraction procedures for determination of plant-available arsenic compounds in soil

In this work three mild extraction agents for determination of plant-available fractions of elements in soil were evaluated for arsenic speciation in soil samples. Pepper (Capsicum annum, L.) var. California Wonder was cultivated in pots, and aqueous solutions of arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid, at a concentration of 15 mg As kg^–1 soil, were added at the beginning of the experiment. Control pots (untreated) were also included. Deionized water, 0.01 mol L^–1 CaCl₂, and 0.05 mol L^–1 (NH₄)₂SO₄ were used to extract the plant-available fraction of the arsenic compounds in soil samples collected during the vegetation period of the plants. Whereas in control samples the extractable arsenic fraction did not exceed 1% of total arsenic content, soil amendment by arsenic compounds resulted in extraction of larger amounts, which varied between 1.4 and 8.1% of total arsenic content, depending on soil treatment and on the extracting agent applied. Among arsenic compounds determined by HPLC–ICPMS arsenate was predominant, followed by small amounts of arsenite, methylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid, depending on the individual soil treatment. In all the experiments in which methylarsonic acid was added to the soil methylarsonous acid was detected in the extracts, suggesting that the soil bacteria are capable of reducing methylarsonic acid before a further methylation occurs. No significant differences were observed between analytical data obtained by using different extraction procedures.     

Development of an automated method for determining oil in water by direct aqueous supercritical fluid extraction coupled on-line with infrared spectroscopy

A direct aqueous supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system was developed which can be directly interfaced to an infrared spectrometer for the determination of oil in water. The technique is designed to provide an environmentally clean, automated alternative to established IR methods for oil in water analysis which require the use of restricted organic solvents. The SFE-FTIR method involves minimum sample handling stages, with on-line analysis of a 500 ml water sample being complete within 15 min. Method accuracy for determining water samples spiked with gasoline, white spirit, kerosene, diesel or engine oil was 81-100% with precision (RSD) ranging from 3 to 17%. An independent evaluation determined a 2 ppm limit of quantification for diesel in industrial effluents. The results of a comparative study involving an established IR method and the SFE-FTIR method indicate that oil levels calculated using an accepted equation which includes coefficients derived from reference hydrocarbon standards may result in significant errors. A new approach permitted the derivation of quantification coefficients for the SFE-FTIR analyses which provided improved results. In situations where the identity of the oil to be analysed is known, a rapid off-line SFE-FTIR system calibration procedure was developed and successfully applied to various oils. An optional in-line silica gel clean-up procedure incorporated within the SFE-FTIR system enables the same water sample to be analysed for total oil content including vegetable oils and selectively for petroleum oil content within a total of 20 min. At the end of an analysis the SFE system is cleaned using an in situ 3 min clean cycle.