Enantiomeric and isomeric separation of herbicides using cyclodextrin-modified capillary zone electrophoresis

Cyclodextrin-modified capillary zone electrophoresis (CD-CZE) was applied successfully to the enantiomeric and isomeric separation of three herbicides (imazaquin, diclofop and imazamethabenz). Commercially available cyclodextrins were evaluated for separation of the enantiomers and isomers of the three herbicides having varied molecular structures. The enantiomers of imazaquin and diclofop, and the isomers of imazamethabenz could be resolved with a resolution of ≥1.5. The resolution was found to depend on pH of the run buffer, cyclodextrin type and cyclodextrin concentration. By employing mixed cyclodextrins in the running buffer, the three herbicides were simultaneously separated in a single run. In addition, rapid (less than 3 min) enantiomeric separation is demonstrated using imazaquin as a model herbicide. The reported capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods are simple, rapid, efficient and reproducible and our results demonstrate that CE provides a powerful analytical tool for enantiomeric and isomeric separation of herbicides.     

Comparison of theoretical and experimental models for characterizing solvent properties using reversed phase liquid chromatography

Theoretical and experimental quantitative structure–retention relationships (QSRR) models are useful for characterizing solvent properties and column selectivity in reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). The chromatographic behavior of a model analyte, the herbicide atrazine, in a system derived from nine organic solvents and three chromatographic columns was used for developing QSRR models. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) were used as statistical approaches. The similarities and differences between linear solvation energy relationships (LSER), and semi-empirical and theoretical molecular models were demonstrated. QSRR models show high predictive power, and can successfully predict retention factor (log k) for new solvents. The models are useful for solvent optimization and reducing time for method development in RPLC. The herbicide atrazine can be readily analyzed at a low level, and all three columns provided good resolution, high-performance and symmetrical peaks. The method is suitable for analysis of atrazine in water samples.     

Electrostatic orientation of enzymes on surfaces for ligand screening probed by force spectroscopy

In this letter, we show that electrostatic immobilization provides a simple but effective approach for the immobilization and orientation of carbonic anhydrase onto charged surfaces. The enzyme is oriented differently on oppositely charged surfaces, with the majority of active sites facing upward on a positively charged surface and downward on a negatively charged surface. An array of negatively charged microscale surface patterns within a positively charged background was prepared by microcontact printing and used as the substrate to immobilize the enzymes. This enabled the probing of the enzyme orientations on the two differently charged surface regions by force spectroscopy with the same atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe modified with a thiolated sulfonamide inhibitor. The unbinding forces between the inhibitor tip and the enzyme immobilized on the two differently charged surfaces were measured. Two control experiments, blocking of the enzyme active site with a competitive inhibitor and removal of the zinc ion from the enzyme catalytic center, were employed to distinguish between specific and nonspecific interactions and to further verify the differences in enzyme orientation. Autocorrelation analysis of the force histograms was carried out to evaluate the specific single enzyme-inhibitor interaction force.     

Increased sensitivity and selectivity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of atrazine by use of non-ionic surfactants

Different non-ionic detergents have been investigated for their use in a competitive enzymatic immunoassay for the determination of atrazine. Addition of surfactants enhances the activity of the horseradish peroxidase and modifies the selectivity by changing the cross-reactivity of other triazine herbicides. This allows a confirmation of the analyte identity without using different antibodies. If the addition of a surfactant leads to a different result in the analyte quantification, the presence of cross-reacting compounds is likely. In combination with the cloud point extraction the detection limit can be improved by a factor of ten (8 ng/l).     

Preparation and application of simetryn‐imprinted nanoparticles in triazine herbicide residue analysis

This work provides a simple and rapid method for synthesis uniform simetryn imprinted nanoparticles, which can be used to pretreat the tested samples before detecting. A series of computational approach were employed for design simetryn‐imprinted polymer. Based on the conclusion of theoretical calculation, the simetryn imprinted nanoparticles were synthesized using simetryn as template, methacrylic acid as monomer with different solvent volume and synthesis conditions. The obtained nanoparticles have small size, uniform distribution and high imprinted factor. Scatchard analysis and quantum chemical calculations were applied for evaluating the interaction of simetryn with methacrylic acid in the imprinting process. The selectivity and recognition ability of the simetryn imprinted nanoparticles for six triazine herbicides and two other type herbicides were investigated. The results show that the simetryn imprinted nanoparticles had high selectivity and binding capacity and could be used for the separation and enrichment of four triazine pesticide residues from actual samples. A method of molecularly imprinted matrix solid phase extraction ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was established for detecting four kinds of triazine herbicide residues in tobacco. The recovery rate of terbuthylazine, simetryn, atrazine, and prometryn in tobacco was 84.03–119.05%, and the relative standard deviation was 0.35–10.12%.     

Isothermal calorimetry as a tool for estimating resistance of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) to aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides

The application of isothermal calorimetry for the early detection of the resistance of wild oat to fenoxaprop¹ and diclofop² was investigated. In the first test, three leaf tillers were sprayed with field doses of fenoxaprop or diclofop. For resistant biotypes, the rate of heat flow after 48 h was similar to that in control plants. In susceptible biotypes, fenoxaprop significantly reduced and diclofop significantly increased the rate of heat flow. In the second test, 3-day-old seedlings were put into calorimetric ampoules on filter paper moistured with herbicide solution (152% and 40% of the field dose for fenoxaprop and diclofop, respectively). Rate of heat flow was measured for 72 h, however, differences were already visible in the first hours of germination on each herbicide. Rate of heat flow for seedlings resistant to both herbicides was higher than for susceptible ones. The most evident differences between susceptible and resistant biotypes were noticed after 10-20 h and 25-40 h (of the seedlings’ growth) on fenoxaprop and diclofop, respectively, when a sharp increase of rate of heat flow was observed. In conclusion, calorimetry may be used as a rapid test for the detection of the resistance of wild oat biotypes to fenoxaprop and diclofop.     

Characterization and Use of Copper Solid Amalgam Electrode for Electroanalytical Determination of Triazines‐Based Herbicides

This paper reports the construction, characterization and use of copper solid amalgam electrode in the study of the electrochemical behavior of atrazine and ametryne herbicides by square‐wave voltammetry. This study was used as basis for the development of sensitive analytical methods for the determination of these herbicides in natural water, avoiding the use of mercury, by means of a solid electrode that presents high sensitivity and minimizes any environment contamination with mercury residues. The experimental and voltammetric conditions were evaluated and the results showed a reduction peak for atrazine at ?0.98 and at ?1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl 3.0 mol L^?1 for ametryne, both with characteristic of an irreversible electrode reaction in an electrochemical diffusion controlled process, involving two electrons for each herbicide reduction. Based on voltammetric studies, it has been demonstrated that the most possible mechanism for the reduction of herbicides involved reduction of bond carbon‐chloride for atrazine and the reduction of bond carbon–SCH₃ for ametryne. The detection limit of herbicides obtained in pure water (laboratory samples) was shown to be lower than the maximum limit of residue established for natural water by the Brazilian Environmental Agency, demonstrating that this methodology is very suitable for determining any contamination by atrazine and ametryne residues in different samples, proving a good substitute for mercury electrodes.     

Development of Polarization Fluoroimmunoassay for the Detection of s-Triazine Herbicides

Abstract

A rapid, non-isotopic polarization fluoroimmunoassay (PFIA) for the monitoring of the simazine (striazine herbicide) level in water was developed. Polyclonal antiserum was raised in rabbits by immunization with simazine – Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin conjugate. Sensitivity of the PFIA with the use of heterologous tracer with the shortest bridge between antigen and fluorescein proved to be the highest. All analytical criteria for PFIA were satisfied. The detection limit of simazine (3 ng/ml in 50 μl of sample) was comparable to that for liquid or gas chromatography method. The detection limit of ELISA using the same antiserum and conjugate derivative of atrazine with horseradish peroxidase was 0.1 ng/mL of simazine. The cross-reactivity for PFIA with widely used s-triazine herbicides: atrazine, propazine, terbuthylazine was 100%, 32% and 20%, respectively. The cross-reactivity for PFIA with some metabolites of s-triazines and other herbicides was negligible.     

Towards the D1 Protein Application for the Development of Sensors Specific for Herbicides

Abstract

One of the most widespread groups of pesticides are the triazine herbicides. These substances inhibit photosynthesis by blocking electron transport in plant chloroplasts. The possibility of the chloroplast D1 protein application for determination of the herbicide concentration in solution was investigated. Potentiometry and cyclic voltammetry have been selected to monitor specific interaction between the D1 protein and herbicide. It was found that membranes with well-defined structure, like Langmuir-Blongett film are more suitable for sensitive sensor construction than cross-linked membranes. After addition of atrazine, the current through these multilayers appeared to increase 5 fold. The effect was found to be fast and irreversible. It has been proposed that the toxic action of herbicides on chloroplasts, traditionally interpreted by inhibition of electron flow along the chloroplast membrane, may also be the result of the thylakoid membrane depolarization.     

恒电压下百草枯和阿特拉津在纳米通道中迁移特性研究

采用化学沉积法将金沉积到聚碳酸酯膜内孔壁,制备了呈负电性的阵列金纳米通道.在外加恒电压作用下,阳离子型的百草枯选择性通过负电性的金纳米通道,阿特拉津为分子型化合物,不受电荷选择性和电泳作用影响,难以在金纳米通道内迁移.借此,可实现二者的分离.     

Investigating the specific interactions between carbonic anhydrase and a sulfonamide inhibitor by single-molecule force spectroscopy

In this communication, we report on the interaction landscape of an active site-specific enzyme-inhibitor complex by single-molecule force spectroscopy. Electrostatic immobilization was employed to orient a carbonic anhydrase enzyme on a positively charged surface so its active site is pointing upward. This approach to immobilization effectively increases the number of specific interactions measured between the zinc ion of the active site on carbonic anhydrase and a sulfonamide inhibitor tethered to an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe. Further, it reduces the time required for data collection and thereby minimizes the possible mechanical damage to the probe and contamination of the enzyme surface. The rupture force measured at various loading rates is interpreted in terms of a single energy barrier for the carbonic anhydrase enzyme-sulfonamide inhibitor complex from which the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were estimated on the basis of microscopic models and were compared to the Bell-Evans model. The dissociation rate for the enzyme-inhibitor complex was found to be significantly faster (~35 times) than the natural spontaneous dissociation rate.     

Determination of diclofop-methyl and diclofop residues in soil and crops by gas chromatography

A method is described for the determination of residues of the herbicide diclofop-methyl and its metabolite, diclofop, in soil and crops. The residues were extracted with acetone-light petroleum and extracts were concentrated (diclofop was derivatized to its pentafluorobenzyl derivative), and then the products were purified on a chromatographic column containing alumina, silver-alumina and Florisil. Finally, they were determined by gas chromatography using an electron-capture detector. The detection limits of diclofop-methyl and diclofop were between 0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg. The average recoveries were 76.4-97.2% and 72.8-105.2%, respectively, making the method suitable for statutory residue testing purposes.     

Development of a microparticle-based on-site immunoassay for the detection of atrazine in soil and water samples

Atrazine is widely used as a herbicide in agriculture and has been identified as a major groundwater contaminant in the US. Because of the possible hazard associated with its usage, there is a need for an efficient and economic screening method for on-site field testing of atrazine and other s-triazine herbicides in soil and water. We have developed a rapid, on-site test for the detection of atrazine based on the principle of microparticle agglutination inhibition immunoassay. The test detects 50 microg kg(-1) (0.050 ppm) atrazine in soil samples with direct extraction and 1.0 microg L(-1) atrazine in water samples when coupled with solid phase extraction.     

快速基质分散净化-超快速液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定玉米中22种三嗪类除草剂残留

建立了玉米中扑灭津、莠去津、敌草净、特丁通等22种三嗪类除草剂多残留的分析方法。样品以乙腈为提取剂,经高速匀浆方法提取并浓缩后,以增强型脂质去除净化剂(EMR-Lipid)净化,除去了样品中的脂质,有效地降低了样品中的复杂基质所带来的背景干扰,净化液再经增强型脂质去除萃取剂(EMR-Polish)盐析萃取,以 Kinetex XB-C18柱为分离柱,用乙腈和0.1%甲酸溶液进行梯度洗脱,电喷雾正离子(ESI+)多反应模式监测,超快度液相色谱-串联质谱(UFLC-MS/ MS)测定,基质匹配标准曲线法定量。加标水平为5,10和20μg/ kg 时,22种农药的回收率为72%~105%,相对标准偏差小于15%。22种农药的检出限为0.16~1.8μg/ kg,在1.0~50μg/ L 范围内线性关系良好(r>0.993)。本方法具有快速、准确、灵敏度高等优点,能够准确测定玉米中22种三嗪类除草剂的残留量。     

Development of a highly sensitive enzyme-immunoassay for the determination of triazine herbicides

A monoclonal antibody (Mab) with extraordinary sensitivity and high class selectivity to triazine herbicides is described. With an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Mab 4A54 IC₅₀ values for terbuthylazine, atrazine, propazine and simazine below 0.1 μg/L (the EU maximum admissible concentration for individual pesticides) have been obtained. Detection limits of 0.004 μg/L for terbuthylazine, 0.006 μg/L for atrazine, 0.003 μg/L for propazine, 0.01 μg/L for simazine and 0.05 μg/L for deethylterbuthylazine could be achieved. Therefore, Mab 4A54 allows a sum screening of these five triazines in a relevant concentration range. To our knowledge, this is the most sensitive antibody to terbuthylazine at all and also the most sensitive Mab to all these four triazines. Another monoclonal antibody resulting from the same immunization, clone 4A118, exhibits best sensitivity for propazine (detection limit: 0.02 μg/L) at lower cross-reactivity to terbuthylazine and atrazine compared to clone 4A54. Affinity constants of both Mabs towards several triazines have been calculated. The application of both Mabs for the analysis of triazines in water samples of different origin has been tested and their resistance towards humic acid influence could be shown. A good correlation of the analysis of water samples with GC and ELISA was observed.     

Influence of surfactants and antibody immobilization strategy on reducing nonspecific protein interactions for molecular recognition force microscopy

Specific and nonspecific interactions between antibody-modified probes and substrate-immobilized proteins were monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Probes were modified with anti-ovalbumin IgG antibodies immobilized in either an oriented or a random manner. The oriented immobilization of whole IgG was accomplished through the use of Protein A, and random immobilization was carried out with glutaraldehyde. Nonspecific interactions may lead to false detection of antibody-antigen binding events even when the antigen binding sites are properly positioned by an oriented immobilization strategy. Thus, nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants, including Tween 20, Tween 80, Triton X-100, and CHAPS, were evaluated to determine if nonspecific binding events could be reduced without compromising the desired specific antibody-antigen binding. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance assays were also employed to study antibody-antigen binding as a function of immobilization strategy and surfactant concentration. The data from these studies indicate that Protein A can be used to immobilize whole IgG onto AFM probes for force measurement experiments and that a surfactant is useful for improving the selectivity for such measurements.     

3种芳氧苯氧丙酸类除草剂在CDMPC与万古霉素手性固定相上的对映体分离

在纤维素三（3,5-二甲基苯基氨基甲酸酯）（CDMPC）手性柱上成功分离了3种高效芳氧苯氧丙酸类除草剂——稳杀得、千金和禾草灵。正相系统下,分别考察了流动相醇类添加剂的种类、浓度以及溶质结构对手性分离的影响,3种溶质中千金的保留最强而禾草灵的分离效果最好。并在万古霉素手性固定相上对3种芳氧苯氧丙酸类除草剂进行了手性拆分。在正相流动相中,它们在万古霉素手性固定相上的手性分离效果明显不如在CDMPC上的好。探讨了2种手性固定相对3种溶质的手性识别机理。     

气相色谱-串联质谱检测烟草中15种苯氧羧酸类除草剂残留

建立了气相色谱-串联质谱技术对烟草中15种苯氧羧酸类除草剂农药残留量的分析方法。样品采用乙腈提取、Carbon TPT固相萃取柱净化、三甲基硅烷化重氮甲烷衍生化,采用气相色谱-串联质谱对15种苯氧羧酸类除草剂进行测定,通过保留时间、选择离子及相对丰度定性,外标法定量。结果表明,15种苯氧羧酸类除草剂在20~1 000μg/L浓度范围内均呈良好线性关系,相关系数大于0.992,检出限为0.9~3.3μg/kg,定量下限为3.2~10.8μg/kg。在20,100,200μg/kg 3个加标水平下的平均回收率为71.5%~105.6%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为4.5%~14.9%。该方法简便、快速、灵敏,适用于烟草中15种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的同时检测。     

Determination of Simazine and Atrazine in River Water by Cloud-Point Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Atrazine and simazine are endocrine-disrupting herbicides that may be transported to surface water, unbalancing ecosystems. Sensitive and low-cost methods are required for monitoring the residues of these compounds. Although several highly sensitive chromatographic methods coupled to tandem mass spectrometry are available, these methods use high-cost instrumentation. Ultraviolet detection usually does not provide the sensitivity and selectivity for monitoring these herbicide residues at the maximum concentrations levels permitted by regulatory agencies, so that extraction and concentration steps are required. Cloud-point extraction in Triton X-114 micelles was investigated to extract and preconcentrate atrazine and simazine. Treatment of 10?mL of sample solutions with 5?mL of 5% (m v^?1) Triton X-114 in the presence of NaCl (0.3?g) with heating at 60°C for 30?min led to phase separation and the transfer of herbicides to the surfactant-rich phase, which was dissolved in 90:10 methanol:water for liquid chromatography analysis with ultraviolet detection. The linear dynamic range was 1–50?µg?L^?1 for the herbicides. The limits of detection were 0.13 and 0.27?µg?L^?1 for simazine and atrazine, respectively. The methodology was applied to water samples fortified with 1, 5, 15, and 50?µg?L^?1 of the analytes, resulting in recoveries between 86 and 132% with relative standard deviations less than 6%. The method is low cost and uses small volumes of toxic solvents with useful application in trial studies.     

气相色谱-质谱法同时测定蔗汁中的莠去津与莠灭净残留量

建立了气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS/SIM)同时测定蔗汁样品中莠去津和莠灭净的方法,并优化了样品前处理和色谱条件.在优化条件下,两种除草剂在0.00-0.60 mg/L范围内线性关系良好,方法的检出限(S/N=3)均为0.001 mg/L.在加标水平为0.050-0.100 mg/L时,两种除草剂的回收率在93%-10...