Determination of biogenic amines in fermented beverages and vinegars by pre-column derivatization withpara-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl chloride (PNZ-Cl) and reversed-phase LC

Summary The reagentp-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl chloride (PNZ-CI) was used for pre-column derivatization of biogenic amines (BAs) at ambient temperature followed by reversed-phase, liquid-chromatographic separation of the derivatives. Optimized derivatization of samples was achieved within 10 min in borate buffer by adding PNZ-Cl in acetonitrile (MeCN). Excess reagent was scavenged by subsequent addition of glycine in water. For LC a Superspher^? RP-18e column and gradient elution using a ternary gradient system containing sodium acetabe buffer (pH 6.1), sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.3) and MeCN, were used. The PNZ-derivatives were quantified by their UV-absorption at 265 nm. Detection limits of BAs were approximately 62–1000 μg L⁻¹ (injected amounts: 53–850 pg) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. The coefficients of determination were 0.9906–0.9992. Diaminohexane was used as internal standard. Recoveries of BAs ranged from 78–93% depending on the food matrix. This method was applied to the quantitative determination of 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine, serotonin, putrescine, histamine, cadaverine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine, in beer, wine, vinegars, and lactic fermented cabbage juice. Parts of the results were presented at the 35th Congress of the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ern?hrung”, Kiel, 19^th–20^th March 1998, and the “Regionaltagung der Lebensmittelchemiker”, Giessen, 9^th–10^th March 1998     

Fast supercritical fluid chromatography using capillaries packed with nonporous particles

Summary Packed columns containing microparticles provide high column efficiency per unit time and strong retention characteristics compared with open tubular columns, and they are favored for fast separations. Nonporous particles eliminate the contribution of solute mass transfer resistance in the intraparticle void volume characteristic of porous particles, and they should be more suitable for fast separations. In this paper, the evaluation of nonporous silica particles of sizes ranging from 5 to 25 μm in packed capillary columns for fast supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) using neat CO₂ is reported. These particles were first deactivated using polymethyl-hydrosiloxanes and then encapsulated with a methylphenylpolysiloxane stationary phase. The retention factors, column efficiencies, column efficiencies per unit time, separation resolution, and separation resolution per unit time for fast SFC were determined for various length capillaries packed with various sizes of polymerencapsulated nonporous particles. It was found that 15 μm nonporous particles provided the highest column efficiency per unit time and resolution per unit time for fast packed capillary SFC. Under certain conditions, separations were completed in less than 1 min. Several thermally labile silylation reagent samples were separated in times less than 5 min. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Synthesis and evaluation of new propazine-imprinted polymer formats for use as stationary phases in liquid chromatography

Silica particles have been used as supports for the preparation of three different propazine-imprinted polymer formats. First format refers to grafting of thin films of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) using an immobilised iniferter-type initiator (inif-MIP). The other two new formats were obtained by complete filling of the silica pores with the appropriate polymerisation mixture leading to a silica-MIP composite material (c-MIP) followed by the dissolution of the silica matrix resulting in spherical MIP beads (dis-MIP). These techniques offer a mean of fine-tuning the particle morphology of the resulting MIP particles leading to enhanced capacity in chromatographic applications. Porous silica (specific surface area S = 380 m² g⁻¹, particle size p_s = 10 μm, pore volume V_p = 1.083 ml g⁻¹ and pore diameter d_p = 10.5 nm), methacrylic acid and ethylenglycol dimethacrylate were used for the preparation of the materials. All the MIP formats imprinted with propazine have been characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy. Further, the materials were assessed as stationary phases in HPLC. Capacity factors, imprinting factors and theoretical plate numbers were calculated for propazine and other related triazines in order to compare the chromatographic properties of the three different stationary phases. For the inif-MIPs the column efficiency depended strongly on the amount of grafted polymer. Thus, only the polymers grafted as thin films of ca. 1.3 nm average thickness show imprinting effects and the highest column efficiency giving plate numbers (N) of 1600 m⁻¹ for the imprinted propazine. The performance of the c-MIP stationary phase decreases as result of the complete pore filling after polymerisation and increases again after the removal of the silica matrix due to a better mass transfer in the porous mirror-image resulting polymer. From this study can be concluded that the inif-MIP shows the best efficiency for use as stationary phase in HPLC for the separation of triazinic herbicides.     

<Superscript>3</Superscript>H and <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr in urine radiobioassay intercomparison results from the intercomparison studies program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: statistical analysis of laboratory performance

The Intercomparison Studies Program (ISP) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Oak Ridge, TN USA) provides natural-matrix human urine quality-assurance/quality-control (QA/QC) samples to radiobioassay analysis laboratories. Samples are provided to these laboratories as “single-blind” or “double-blind” unknowns, spiked with radioactive-solution standards at “low” levels (e.g., 0.7–7 Bq g⁻¹ for ³H and 0.7–7 Bq kg⁻¹ for ⁹⁰Sr). Participants use the results as a tool for self-evaluation and a measure of performance. In this paper, sample preparation and the results of testing during the years 2001–2005 for ³H and ⁹⁰Sr are presented and discussed.     

Orientation of water molecules by the diamond surface

The properties of water in suspensions of diamond powders with particle sizes from 125–160 μm to 2–10 nm were studied. The dielectric constant of water in these suspensions changed from 1.3 × 10³ to 2.6 × 10⁶. The particle sizes correlated with the dielectric constants. The sound velocity of “diamond” water exceeded the initial velocity by 15–20 m/s. The crystals isolated from “diamond” water after prolonged storage had specific diffraction patterns and IR spectra. Their composition was not determined.     

Determination of <Superscript>237</Superscript>Np, <Superscript>93</Superscript>Zr and other long-lived radionuclides in medium and low level radioactive waste samples

The majority of long-lived radionuclides produced in the nuclear fuel cycle can be regarded as “difficult-to-measure” nuclides, hence chemical separation is needed before the nuclear measurement of them. A combined radiochemical procedure that enables the simultaneous determination of some “difficult-to-measure” nuclides in medium and low level radioactive wastes has been developed in our laboratory. Recently, this method has been extended for determination of ²³⁷Np and ⁹³Zr. ²³⁷Np and ⁹³Zr are pre-concentrated by co-precipitation on iron(II) hydroxide and zirconium oxide, separated by extraction chromatography using UTEVA, and measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). As even traces of polyatomic ions and isotopes at m/z 237 or 93 cause considerable interferences during ICP-MS detection, a purification step by extraction chromatography was needed. Analyzing real samples (evaporation concentrates of a nuclear power plant) 66–99% and 31–99% chemical yields were achieved for Np and Zr, respectively.     

Means of validation of HPLC systems and components

Summary The performance of HPLC pumps is determined by applying Hagen-Poiseuille's law. As restrictor a fused silica column is used. The pulsation height and frequency is measured via a pressure transducer. Fourier transformation of pulsation data permits the characterization of pump identity. The absolute calibration of HPLC detectors and the determination of their linear and dynamic range as well as the noise level can be achieved by a single measurement applying the exponential dilution flask. Wavelength accuracy of variable wavelength detectors can be determined by comparing spectral data of aromatic hydrocarbons from the literacture with those determined with the detectors. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Development of new methods for the analysis of carboxylic acids and carbonyl compounds in size classified raindrops by CE for application in modelling atmospheric processes

Summary At the present time the formation processes of clouds and precipitation are not totally understood. Because cloud- and raindroplets are major sinks for chemical species in the atmosphere it is important to understand the physical and the chemical processes which occur during precipitation. The development of models is hindered by the scarcity of information about the scavenging of gases or aerosol particles by raindrops of different sizes. These processes can only be investigated by field experiments using microanalytical methods and analysing single raindrops as well as size-classified raindrop samples. Raindrops were collected according to their size by freezing them in liquid nitrogen (“Guttalgor” method). Sample volumes of the smallest raindrop sizes (radius <200μm) were usually smaller than 2 μL. The analysis of microvolumina in the size range of μL down to pL required the development of methods designed especially for this purpose. Analysis of rain samples was carried out by capillary electrophoresis. Organic acids were determined using a new electrolyte system for indirect detection. With this system it was possible to determine monocarboxylic acids (C₁−C₄) dicarboxylic acids (C₂−C₄, C₉) and inorganic anions (Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻) in the rain samples. Carbonyl compounds were analysed after derivatisation with dansylhydrazine using direct UV-detection. The system allows the identification of aliphatic carbonyl compounds (C₁−C₃, C₅) as well as benzaldehyde. It was found that carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids showed concentration maxima at different raindrop radii. These concentration maxima are a consequence of particle scavenging. By using the results of a former experiment we concluded that the two species are located on different aerosol particle sizes. Reasons for the different particle sizes where these species are located are discussed. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Speciation analysis of bromine-containing drug metabolites in feces samples from a human in vivo study by means of HPLC/ICP-MS combined with on-line isotope dilution

The aim of this work was speciation analysis of metabolites in feces samples collected within a clinical study during which a bromine-containing anti-tuberculosis drug (TMC207) was administered to patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis infection. Owing to slow elimination of the drug, no ¹⁴C label was used within this study. Quantification of the bromine species was accomplished using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (HPLC/ICP-MS) in combination with on-line isotope dilution (on-line ID), while structural elucidation of the species was performed using HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry. The ICP-MS-based method developed shows a good intra- and inter-day reproducibility (relative standard deviation = 3.5%, N = 9); the limit of detection (1.5 mg TMC207 L⁻¹) is of the same order of magnitude as that for HPLC/radiodetection; the dynamic range of the method covers more than two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the column recovery was demonstrated to be quantitative (recoveries between 90.6% and 99.5%). Based on the excellent figures of merit, the “cold” HPLC/ICP-MS approach could be deployed for the actual human in vivo metabolism study, such that exposure of the human volunteers to the ¹⁴C radiolabel was avoided.     

Kinetics of interaction of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane with silica gel using elemental analysis and 29Si NMR spectra

 Three silica gel sample systems, modified with 3-amino-propyltriethoxy silane (APTS), were prepared by sequentially sampling the reaction mixture at various time intervals. The concentrations of 3-aminopropylsilyl groups (APS) bound on the silica surface were determined by elemental analysis. For the same sample systems, ²⁹Si NMR intensities of an (–O)₄Si species belonging only to the silica gel particles and corrected by a cross-polarization correction factor were also measured. Both the APS-concentrations and the correc-ted ²⁹Si NMR intensities depended upon reaction time, reflecting the rate of the APTS–silica gel reaction. Kinetic analysis of these data was made by use of the Gauss–Newton method, and the overall reaction was found to consist of three reaction processes (an initial fast reaction, a slower second reaction and a much slower third reaction). In particular, the conversion of (–O)₃SiOH to (–O)₄Si is predominant in the second reaction process and the pore size of a silica gel particle affects the reaction mechanism. Received: 1 November 1996 Accepted: 24 January 1997     

Analysis of halogenated methoxybenzenes and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the picogram m−3 range in marine air

Summary Halogenated methoxybenzenes (halogenated anisoles) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) have been analyzed in marine air samples from the lower troposphere of the East Atlantic Ocean, taken on the German, research vessel ‘Polarstern’ during two cruises in 1993 and 1994, and in air samples from the North Pacific Ocean (1995). The high-volume sampling method, sample preparation and analysis by HRGC-ECD and HRGC-MSD-SIM are described. The effectiveness of a new graphitized-carboncovered silica sorbent (ANGI-Sorb B) for the sampling of semi-volatiles is demonstrated. Eight congeners of the halogenated anisoles and HCB were detected in almost all marine air samples. The concentrations of the chloroanisoles, which show a distinct north-south interhemispherical gradient, were between 0.2 and 145 pg m⁻³; for the bromaanisoles concentrations were between 0.2 and 42 pg m⁻³. Only a weak inter-hemispheric gradient was observed for HCB at levels of 10–40 pg m⁻³. Levels of HCB were approximately 100 pg m⁻³ in continentally influenced air. Biogenic and indirect anthropogenic sources of the halogenated anisoles are discussed. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Identification of organic colourants in cosmetics by HPLC-diode array detection

Summary A method for the analysis of organic cosmetic colourants was developed. The colourants extracted from the cosmetic products were analysed by HPLC followed by diode-array detection across the wavelength range 275 nm–760 nm. The chromatographic separation was performed on a column with a polymeric packing using gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of citrate buffer, the ion-pairing reagent tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran. The colourants were identified on the basis of their retention times as well as their UV-visible spectra. A spectral library consisting of retention times and UV-visible spectra of 130 organic cosmetic colourants has been built for the purpose of identifying of colouring matter in cosmetic products. Solid-phase extraction methods using C-18 silica and aminobonded silica have been developed for the extraction of colourants from various types of cosmetic products. The method for the identification of colourants in nail varnishes and lipsticks has been optimized for routine analysis. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

New dynamic axial compression columns with means for monitoring floating adapter position. Column design and utilisation in low pressure LC on soft packings

Summary The design of new dynamic, axial-compression columns with a system for continous packed bed adjustment and monitoring of the floating adapter position is described. The columns are meant for liquid chromatography at low pressures (up to 8 bar) in aqueous and organic media with stationary phases of all types. The columns have adapter position pickups for continuous automatic monitoring of the bed height (original “swellographic” monitoring). The column described with gas pressurisation was tested with soft Sephadex G-10 and G-25. In spite of the reduction in external porosity there was no dramatic increase in back-pressure. The column proved to provide long-term stability of the packed bed and improvement in resolution. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Analysis of organic pollutants in water at trace levels using fully automated solid-phase extraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary A method has been developed for the determination of trace levels of 32 pesticides, 19 explosives and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in water in three individual steps. Solid-phase enrichment (SPE) is coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fully automated system. The organic pollutants are enriched on reusable cartridges packed with adsorbent materials: pesticides and explosives on a mixed bed of divinylbenzene-ethylvinylbenzene copolymers (LiChrolut EN^?) and perfluorinated polyethylene (PolyF^?), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on C₁₈-modified silica (Zorbax^? ODS1). Thermally assisted desorption (TAD) has been shown to increase the recovery of analytes significantly. As all enriched analytes are transferred to the detector, only fifty millilitres of sample is needed for each single on-line analysis, compared with at least a litre for conventional methods. The separation of the enriched organic analytes is performed on specialized HPLC columns based on reversed-phase materials. The limits of detection of the system employed were found to be below 100 ng L⁻¹. Use of fluorescence detection for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons resulted in limits of detection in the upper pg L⁻¹ range. Thek values, number of theoretical plates, the recovery rates and the limits of detection of this method for fast screening of organic pollutants from three fifty-millilitre aqueous samples are described. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Determination of highly polar compounds in water samples around former ammunition plants

Summary A method was developed for the determination of nitrobenzoic acids and nitrophenols as well as of diaminoaromatics and was applied to the analysis of water samples from the former ammunition plant at Elsnig (Saxony, Germany). The procedure is based on a preseparation into a neutral, an acidic and a basic fraction by multi-step extraction at different pH values followed by HPLC analysis with UV and electrochemical detectors, coupled in series. Applying optimized enrichment conditions, all investigated compounds were extracted from spiked distilled water with recoveries >80% and variation coefficients <7%. Similar results were obtained with spiked ground water samples. After enrichment, all compounds can be analysed by HPLC with UV detection at concentrations below 100 ngL⁻¹. The electrochemical detector (ELCD) allowed a selective and sensitive detection of the nitrophenols and especially of the diaminoaromatics and, therefore, provides, some advantages in the analysis of real samples. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Polymeric cryogels as a new family of macroporous and supermacroporous materials for biotechnological purposes

The review is devoted to a specific kind of polymeric gels formed as a result of non-deep freezing of solutions or colloidal sols of the corresponding precursors. These materials are termed as cryogels. They possess a series of unique properties, first of all, the specific character of porosity (macroporous cryogels with the pore cross-section from tenth fractions of μm to ∼10 μm and supermacroporous (gigaporous) cryogels with pores of tens and hundreds of μm) and are attractive from the viewpoint of biotechnological implementation. Approaches to the preparation of the so-called “smart” composites based on the cryogels are considered. The use of various cryogels as carriers of immobilized biocatalysts (enzymes, cells), matrices for wide-porous affinity sorbents and immunosorbents, and spongy scaffolds for 3D culturing of animal cells is discussed. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 996–1013, May, 2008.     

Extension of the measuring range of balances

The basic principle of comparing the sample mass with the mass of a reference body in equilibrium gives the equal-armed beam balance a unique accuracy. Main parameters characterising the suitability of the instrument are measuring range, resolution and relative sensitivity (resolution/maximum load). The historical development of the values of these parameters achieved depended strongly on the practical need in those times. Technically unfavourable scales of the oldest Egyptian dynasties (~3000 BC) could resolve mass differences of 1 g and had a relative sensitivity of at least 10^–3. More sophisticated instruments from the 18^th Dynasty (~1567–1320 BC) achieved a relative sensitivity of 10^–4 independent of the size of the instrument. In 350 BC Aristotle clarified the theory of the lever and at about 250 BC Archimedes used the balance for density determinations of solids. The masterpiece of a hydrological balance was Al Chazini’s 'Balance of Wisdom’ built about 1120. Its relative sensitivity was 2⋅10^–5. Real progress took place when scientists like Lavoisier (1743–1794) founded modern chemistry. At the end of the 19^th century metrological balances reached a relative sensitivity of 10^–9 with a maximum load of several kilogrammes. That seems to be the high end of sensitivity of the classical mechanical beam balance with knife edges. Improvements took place by electrodynamic compensation (Emich, Gast). In 1909 Ehrenhaft and Millikan could weigh particles of 10^–15 g by means of electrostatic suspension. In 1957 Sauerbrey invented the oscillating quartz crystal balance. By observing the frequency shift of oscillating carbon nanotubes or of silica nanorods, masses or mass changes in the attogram or zeptogram have been observed recently.     

Separation of the stereoisomers of a homologeous series of bis-amides on chiral stationary phases

Summary A homologeous series of stereoisomericbis-amides derived from racemic N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leuchine and various α,ω-diamines has been chromatographed on chiral stationary phases (CSP) derived from N-(2-naphthyl)alanine. Plots of α, the separation factor for enantiomers, versus N, the number of methylene groups in the α,ω-diamines, are convex in shape and show a maximum in α when N=B. This maximum is attributed to optimal “bridging” between adjacent binding sites on the CSP. “Bridging” is simultaneous interaction of the two ends of thebis-derivative with sites on the CSP. Separation factors for thebis-analytes are approximately the square of those of correspondingmono-amides. Presented at the 11^th International Symposium on Column Liquid Chromatography, Amsterdam, June 28–July 3, 1987.     

Selective water sorbents for multiple applications, 3. CaCl2 solution confined in micro- and mesoporous silica gels: Pore size effect on the “solidification-melting” diagram

In this communication we present a low-temperature “solidification-melting” phase diagram for CaCl₂/H₂O solutions confined in KSK and KSM silica gels. At salt concentrations of 0–48 wt. %, the diagram has been found to lie below the diagram reported for the bulk system by 15–30°C. It shows a depression of the solution melting point due to its confinment to the pores. Several other peculiarities of melting and solidification in this system are also reported and discussed. Beside fundamental interest, the data obtained could be of importance in many commercial areas such as refrigeration, accumulation of low temperature heat, frost prevention in building materials,etc.     

The kinetics of silylation of hydroxylated silica II CPG-10 porous glasses

 The kinetics of chemisorption of trimethylchlorosilane, trimethylbromosilane, and triethylchlorosilane on samples of porous silica, CPG-10 porous glasses, of varying pore diameter were investigated and found to follow a first-order kinetics law in which the reaction is retarded by one of its products. At constant temperature, the rate was found to increase with increasing diameter of the pores in the range used. Increasing the molecular cross-sectional area of the adsorptive, the silane molecule, in the range 0.35–0.465 nm² decreased the rate of reaction. Received: 3 November 1999/In revised form: 21 January 1999/Accepted: 27 January 1999