Trans-esterification of fatty acids from microorganisms and human blood serum by trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH) for GC analysis

Summary Trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH) can convert fatty acids into the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in a single step. These fatty acids may also be bound in biomolecules such as phospholipids and/or glycerides. Complex mixtures of saturated and unsaturated FAMEs which may contain hydroxy and cylopropyl groups are obtained by trans-esterification; they can easily be separated in most cases by capillary GC. When FAMEs are generated from different microorganisms e.g. bacteria the patterns of the chromatograms are characteristic. Examples of characteristic patterns of bacteria with different cell wall structures are shown. The described method of transesterification can also be applied directly to blood serum without sophisticated sample pretreatment. The profiles of the chromatograms match well those described in the literature obtained by other methods of trans-esterification or sample preparation.     

Extraction and determination of trace amounts of energetic compounds in blood by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD)

This paper describes an efficient and sensitive method for determining five energetic compounds at trace levels (ng/mL) in blood by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD). For seven test concentrations (1-1250 ng/mL), the average recoveries (%) were 104 ± 16, 108 ± 22, 105 ± 14, 100 ± 22 and 108 ± 16 for hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX), hexahydro-1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazine (DNX), hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) (n = 84), respectively. Analysis of DNX and RDX produced lower precision than other energetic compounds. Acetonitrile extracts of blood samples should be analyzed immediately as the test compounds can transform into unknown compounds, which lowered the recovery by 0-45% within 10 days at room temperature (∼20 °C). Maintaining sample extracts at 4 °C decreased loss of test compounds. The method described herein was validated by different analysis teams on different days. Two-way ANOVA indicated that there was no significant difference between analysis teams or days of analysis. The method was successfully employed in the analysis of blood samples from a mouse dosing study involving TNX and RDX.     

Isomer specific determination of polychlorinated technical mixtures such as polychloronaphthalenes by GC/MS

Summary A procedure has been developed which allows the determination of the concentration and composition of polychlorinated technical mixtures in environmental samples avoiding the use of standard compounds as much as possible. A common MS response of the congeners of each degree of chlorination is assumed and determined by comparison of the FID and MS response of the respective congeners in a technical mixture. A measure for the variability of the assumed common MS response is derived so that its validity is proved in an objective manner. The method presented here allows the isomer specific determination of those polychlorinated technical mixtures in environmental samples which could not so far be determined in this way for lack of standards. The polychlorinated naphthalenes are quoted as illustration and a few data of residues in environmental samples are given.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of cis-platin as platinum(II) in pharmaceutical preparation, serum and urine samples of cancer patients

Spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods have been developed for the determination of cis-platin and carboplatin based on the pre-column derivatization of platinum(II) with 2-acetylpyridine-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone. The complex was extracted in chloroform with molar absorptivity of 2.2 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 380 nm. The complex eluted from a Phenomenex C-18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) column with methanol:water:acetonitrile:tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (1 mM) (44:30:25:1, v/v/v/v) with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and UV detection at 260 nm. Ruthenium(IV) and selenium(IV) also separated completely. The linear calibration curve was with 0.5-12.5 μg/ml and detection limit of 10 ng/ml platinum(II).The analysis of cis-platin and carboplatin injections by spectrophotometric and HPLC methods indicated relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 0.66-2.1%. The method was used for the determinations of cis-platin in serum and urine of cancer patients after chemotherapy and platinum contents were found 148-444 and 50-90 ng/ml with R.S.D. of 0.3-3.0 and 0.6-2.4% for the serum and urine, respectively. The recovery of platinum(II) from serum was 97% with R.S.D. 2.2%.     

Quantitative GC determination of water in small samples

Summary A gas chromatographic method with thermal conductivity detector (TCD) was developed for the determination of water in small amounts (2mg–20 mg) of solid chemicals. Quantification of water is carried out by using ethanol as an internal standard. The method shows good linearity in the range 0.1%–10% water. The precision as repeatability tested with a sample containing 0.5% water has a coefficient of variation of 5.3%. Comparison of the GC test results with another independent method (Karl-Fischer-titration) confirms the accuracy of the new method. Easy handling, independence of the chemical structure of the test substance and the small amount of sample needed are the major advantages of this alternative method of determining the water content of solid chemicals.     

Quantitative GC determination of carbon monoxide by calibration via the production of CO from formic acid

Summary Carbon monoxide, produced from the dehydration of formic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid is proposed for the quantitative determination of the gas in the parts-per-million range. In this method the standard solution of formic acid in acidified water is introduced with a total-volume syringe from the injector and passes through a precolumn packed with sulfuric acid on diatomite support. The produced carbon monoxide is converted to methane over nickel and determined with a flame-ionization detector. The accuracy of this method is about 5% in the experimental range.     

Membrane sensors for batch and flow injection potentiometric determination of ethamsylate (cyclonamine) in pharmaceutical preparations

The lipophilic nickel(II) and iron(II) bathophenanthroline derivatives of ethamsylate are used as ion-exchangers with high selectivity characteristics for ethamsylate. Poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensors incorporating these electroactive materials display fast linear response for 1 × 10^–1–1 × 10^–4 M ethamsylate under static and hydrodynamic modes of operation. In an acetate buffer of pH 4, the calibration slope is 51–53 mV/concentration decade and the lower limit of detection is 5.3 g/ml. Except for salicylate and nitrate, most common anions, organic sulfonates, carboxylates, phenolates and various pharmaceutical excipients and diluents do not interfere. Determination of ethamsylate in various dosage forms shows an average recovery of 98.9% of the nominal and a mean standard deviation of 0.7%.     

Photoactivation of dichloro(ethylenediamine)platinum(II)

Photolysis of dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) solutions of the compound Pt(en)Cl₂, where en=ethylene-1,2-diamine, leads to solvolysis of the complex and formation of Pt(en)(dmso)Cl⁺. The reaction follows clean pseudo-first-order kinetics with parallel photolytically activated and thermally activated paths. Both paths are first-order in both Pt(en)Cl₂ and solvent. Eyring analysis of the rate constants for 25 °C≤T≤55 °C yielded a Gibbs energy of activation of 96 kJ mol⁻¹ for the thermal pathway and no measurable activation barrier for the photochemical pathway. The quantum yield for the photochemical path is 0.22, as determined using ferrioxalate actinometry.     

Voltammetric determination of isoprenaline in pharmaceutical preparations using a copper(II) hexacyanoferrate(III) modified carbon paste electrode

The electroanalytical determination of isoprenaline in pharmaceutical preparations of a homemade carbon paste electrode modified with copper(II) hexacyanoferrate(III) (CuHCF) was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Several parameters were studied for the optimization of the sensor such as electrode composition, electrolytic solution, pH effect, potential scan rate and interferences in potential. The optimum conditions were found in an electrode composition (in mass) of 15% CuHCF, 60% graphite and 25% mineral oil in 0.5 mol l⁻¹ acetate buffer solution at pH 6.0. The analytical curve for isoprenaline was linear in the concentration range from 1.96×10⁻⁴ to 1.07×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ with a detection limit of 8.0×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. The relative standard deviation was 1.2% for 1.96×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ isoprenaline solution (n=5). The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of isoprenaline in pharmaceutical preparations; the CuHCF modified carbon paste electrode gave comparable results to those results obtained using a UV spectrophotometric method.     

Comparison of two systems for sample preparation and injection by dynamic headspace GC analysis

The performance of two commercially available systems employing dynamic headspace techniques for collection, enrichment, and injection of volatile compounds has been compared by GC analysis of test mixtures and dairy products. For technical reasons, it has not been possible to crate identical sorbent materials for both kinds of trap were not available, the most similar adsorbent available were chosen. The total quantity of volatile compounds from a test mixture at the column head was calculated using a theoretical model which enables comparable working conditions to be obtained. Under these circumstances special attention was paid to the repeatability of the data obtained from a test mixture in order to ensure reliable results in quantitative analysis. Significant differences in repeatability between the two systems seemed to originate from their distinctly different technical designs. A qualitative comparison of the systems has been performed using a sample of Swiss cheese. On the basis of the results obtained the systems have been dedicated to different applications in the laboratory of the FAM.     

Large sample injection method (≥ 100 μL) for capillary GC using a commercial thermodesorption unit as injection device

A commercial thermodesorption and cold trap unit can be used as a large sample volume injection device in high resolution gas chromatography. Volumes of more than 100 μl can be injected. More than 97% of solvents, such as hexane, can be removed by a Tenax TA precolumn without any loss of compounds with volatilities comparable to naphthalene. Experimental conditions, recovery rates of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the reproducibility of the method are described in detail. The method was successfully applied for the determination of PAH in air particulate matter extracts.     

A multicommuted flow system for sequential spectrophotometric determination of hydrosoluble vitamins in pharmaceutical preparations

A multicommuted flow system is proposed for spectrophotometric determination of hydrosoluble vitamins (ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavine and pyridoxine) in pharmaceutical preparations. The flow manifold was designed with computer-controlled three-way solenoid valves for independent handling of sample and reagent solutions and a multi-channel spectrophotometer was employed for signal measurements. Periodic re-calibration as well as the standard addition method was implemented by using a single reference solution. Linear responses (r=0.999) were obtained for 0.500-10.0 mg l⁻¹ ascorbic acid, 2.00-50.0 mg l⁻¹ thiamine, 5.00-50.0 mg l⁻¹ riboflavine and 0.500-8.00 mg l⁻¹ pyridoxine. Detection limits were estimated as 0.08 mg l⁻¹ (0.5 μmol l⁻¹) ascorbic acid, 0.8 mg l⁻¹ (2 μmol l⁻¹) thiamine, 0.2 mg l⁻¹ (0.5 μmol l⁻¹) riboflavine and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ (0.9 μmol l⁻¹) pyridoxine at 99.7% confidence level. A mean sampling rate of 60 determinations per hour was achieved and coefficients of variation of 1% (n=20) were estimated for all species. The mean reagent consumption was 25-fold lower in relation to flow-based procedures with continuous reagent addition. Average recoveries between 95.6 and 100% were obtained for commercial pharmaceutical preparations. Results agreed with those obtained by reference methods at 95% confidence level. The flow system is suitable for application in quality control processes and in dissolution studies of vitamin tablets.     

Increased speed of steroid analysis by capillary GC and GC-MS; effects of sample pretreatment and sample introdution

Quantitative analysis of steroids and their metabolites in urine samples calls for increased speed of sample clean-up, of the derivatization procedure, and of separation. A fast procedure for sample pretreatment, which can be performed within 8 hours, is introduced and evaluated. It is shown that use of fast pretreatment in combination with narrow bore columns, which are compatible with existing instrumentation, can considerably increase, laboratory throughput. The effect of different sample introduction techniques (e.g. splitless, on-column, and moving needle) on column efficiency and resolution is demonstrated and discussed.     

Sub PPB level determination of eperison in human plasma by GC/MS

Summary Very low concentrations (down to 0.2 ng/mL) of an antispasmodic drug (Eperison) can be extracted from human plasma and analyzed by GC/MS. For sample preparation and preconcentration, solid phase extraction (SPE) has been employed. A double focussing mass spectrometer was interfaced with a capillary GC column for the GC/MS analysis. The gas chromatograph was equipped with an on-column injector to avoid thermal decomposition.     

Sequential injection chromatographic determination of ambroxol hydrochloride and doxycycline in pharmaceutical preparations

A new separation method based on a novel reversed-phase sequential injection chromatography (SIC) technique was used for simultaneous determination of ambroxol hydrochloride and doxycycline in pharmaceutical preparations in this contribution.The coupling of short monolith with SIA system results in an implementation of separation step to until no-separation low-pressure method.A Chromolith^® Flash RP-18e, 25-4.6 mm column (Merck, Germany) and a FIAlab^® 3000 system (USA) with a six-port selection valve and 5 ml syringe were used for sequential injection chromatographic separations in our study. The mobile phase used was acetonitrile-water (20:90, v/v), pH 2.5 adjusted with 98% phosphoric acid, flow rate 0.48 ml min⁻¹, UV detection was at 213 nm.The validation parameters have shown good results: linearity of determination for both compounds including internal standard (ethylparaben) >0.999; repeatability of determination (R.S.D.) in the range 0.5-5.4% at three different concentration levels, detection limits in the range 0.5-2.0 μg ml⁻¹, and recovery from the pharmaceutical preparation in the range 99.3-99.9%. The chromatographic resolution between peak compounds was >5.0 and analysis time was <9 min under the optimal conditions. The method was found to be applicable for routine analysis of the active compounds ambroxol hydrochloride and doxycycline in various pharmaceutical preparations.     

Computer controlled micropreparative isolation and enrichment from GC capillary columns and subsequent sample handling

This paper describes a computerized system for micropreparative enrichment of components from a mixture being separated on a capillary column. All electronic components are commercially available. Programming was performed in BASIC so that users can easily adapt the program to their own special needs. The enrichment procedure is based on a repetitive absorption of eluting compounds after separation from a capillary column, by sucking them through an absorption tube mounted at the outlet splitter. In order to perform this procedure reliably, the system searches for reference peaks which can stem from componetns of the mixture or from deliberately added reference compounds. Use of error diagnostics prevents contamination of the collected fractions in case of system failures. Optimization is easily performed during a supervised GC run in a semiautomatic mode. Using the function keys of the computer, the operator can adjust injection volume, measure the base line drift at any retention time, and perform reference peak allocation and peak switching until optimal conditions have been found. The system presented has been in operation for several years in our laboratory where, in some cases, the mixture had to be injected onto the capillary column over 500 times to obtain the amount of pure component (10–1000 μg) necessary for NMR structure elucidation. However, recording of meaningful spectra of such small amounts requires special precautions in sample handling. This technique can also be applied for sample recovery after analysis by non-destructive elucidation methods or by chemical microreactions without loss.     

Electronic structure and vibrational spectra of cis-diammine(orotato)platinum(II), a potential cisplatin analogue: DFT and experimental study

Orotic acid (vitamin B₁₃) is a key intermediate in biosynthesis of the pyrimidine nucleotides in living organisms, moreover, it may serve as the biological carrier for some metal ions. cis-Diammine(orotato)platinum(II), cis-[Pt(C₅H₂N₂O₄)(NH₃)₂] can be considered as a new potential cisplatin analogue. The FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of the title complex are reported, for the first time. The molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, and the theoretical infrared and Raman intensities have been calculated by the density functional mPW1PW91 method. The detailed vibrational assignment has been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution. The theoretically predicted IR and Raman spectra show very good agreement with experiment. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses were performed for cisplatin, carboplatin and the title complex. The results provided new data on the nature of platinum–ligand bonding in these compounds. Strong intramolecular hydrogen bond between the orotate ligand and the coordinated ammonia group stabilizes the structure of the platinum(II) complex. Thus, it is suggested that the orotate ligand in the title complex is more inert to the substitution reactions than the chloride ligands in cisplatin.     

Spectrophotometric determination of furosemide as its Fe(III) complex in pharmaceutical preparations

A new spectrophotometric method for determination of furosemide is described. The method is based on the reaction of furosemide with ferric chloride in pH range 5.2–6.2 and producing a red water-soluble (2 1) complex with maximum absorbance at 513 nm. By applying the methods of Sommer and Job involving non-equimolar solutions the conditional stability constant of the complex, at the optimum pH of 5.7, and ionic strength =0.1M, is found to be 10^6.5. Beer's law is obeyed up to 8 mmol/l furosemide concentration. The detection limit of the method is 0.03 mg/ml. The relative standard deviation (n=20) is 1.03% and relative error of the method is 0.5%. The proposed method was found to be suitable for the accurate and reproducible analysis of furosemide in tablets and ampoules, what is pointed by high recovery values 98.78–100.6% and low values of relative standard deviations 1.68–2.08%. The results obtained show that the method is applicable to routine analysis.