Blank problems in trace analysis of diethylhexyl and dibutyl phthalate: investigation of the sources, tips and tricks

The analysis of phthalates, particularly that of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), is notorious for blank problems. Methods and tools are listed to identify the sources and reduce the system contamination to below 1 pg DEHP and DBP or below 1 ng mL⁻¹ of sample solution. Once direct contact with phthalate-containing plastic articles is ruled out, the air is the major source, primarily via absorption to the surfaces of laboratory glass ware. A main improvement was achieved by cleaning solvents with aluminium oxide permanently left in the reservoirs. The data enables to estimate the contamination to be expected and to design methods keeping blanks below a critical threshold.     

Simultaneous screening and determination eight phthalates in plastic products for food use by sonication-assisted extraction/GC-MS methods

Studies on determination of eight kinds of phthalates, e.g. di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-propyl phthalate (DPP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-cyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-octyl phthalate (DOP), in 25 kinds of plastic products for food use, including packaging bags, packaging film, containers, boxes for microwave oven use, sucking tubes, spoons, cups, plates, etc. by gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS) in electronic ionisation mode (EI) with selected-ion monitoring (SIM) acquisition method (GC-MS (EI-SIM)) have been carried out. Methods have been developed for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of phthalates. Extraction, clean-up and analysis procedure have been optimized. Determination of samples were performed after frozen in liquid nitrogen and sonication-assisted extraction with hexane, clean-up with LC-C18 SPE and analyzed by GC-MS methods. The base peak (m/z = 149) of all the phthalates was selected for the screening studies. The characteristic ions, 121, 177, 222 for DEP; 191, 209 for DPP; 57, 223 for DIBP; 104 for DBP; 91, 132, 206 for BBP; 55, 167 for DCHP; 113, 167, 279 for DEHP; 279 for DOP were chosen for quantitative studies. These techniques are possible to detect phthalates at the level of 10.0 μg/kg. Overall recoveries were 82-106% with R.S.D. values at 3.8-10.2%. Only one of the 25 examined samples was free from phthalates. The rest 24 samples were found to contain at least three or more of these phthalates. The predominant phthalate detected in the studied samples was DEHP.     

Utilization of homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction followed by HPLC-UV as a sensitive method for the extraction and determination of phthalate esters in environmental water samples

A simple and sensitive method for the extraction of four phthalate esters including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) as well as their determination in water samples was developed using homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction (HLLE) and HPLC-UV. The extraction method is based on the phase separation phenomenon by the salt addition to the ternary solvent system. The extraction parameters such as type and volume of extracting and consolute solvent, concentration of salt, pH of sample and extraction time were optimized. Under the optimal conditions (extraction solvent: 100?µL CHCl₃; consolute solvent: 2.0?mL methanol; NaCl 15% (w/v) and pH of sample: 6.5) extraction recovery was in the range of 92–102%. Linearity was observed in the range of 0.5–300?µg?L^?1 for DEP and 0.6–300?µg?L^?1 for DMP, BBP and DBP. Correlation coefficients (r ²), limits of detection (LODs) and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the ranges of 0.9976–0.9993, 0.18–0.25 and 1.5–4.8%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the preconcentration and determination of these phthalate esters in the several environmental water samples.     

薄层色谱扫描法测定塑料食品袋中酞酸酯的含量

建立了采用薄层色谱扫描测定塑料食品袋中4种酞酸酯(酞酸二甲酯(DMP)、酞酸二乙酯(DEP)、酞酸二丁酯(DBP)和酞酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP))的方法。经粉碎的样品先用乙醇浸泡24 h,然后超声提取,经0.45 μm滤膜过滤。点样在以丙酮处理过的硅胶G板上,以乙酸乙酯-无水乙醚-异辛烷(体积比为1∶4∶15)为展开剂展开,以双波长反射吸收飞点扫描测定(λS=275 nm,λR=340 nm),外标法定量。该法的线性关系较好,DMP、DEP、DBP和DEHP的检出限分别为2.1,2.4,3.4和4.0 ng,混合标准品在同一薄层板上的峰面积的相对标准偏差（RSD）为2.8%～3.5%,4种酞酸酯的样品加标回收率为78.58%～111.04%。该方法样品用量少,前处理简单,分离效果好,可用于塑料袋中4种酞酸酯的同时测定。经与气相色谱法的分析结果比较,两种方法对实际样品的分析结果接近。     

Pitfalls and Solutions for the Trace Determination of Phthalates in Water Samples

A method based on liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and automated large volume injection (LVI)-GC-MS analysis was developed for the trace determination of phthalate di-esters in water samples at sub-g L^–1 (ppb) levels. Strategies applied to reduce contamination include (i) careful selection of tools, glassware and solvents, (ii) systematic blank checks of the chromatographic system, glassware and solvents and (iii) frequent verifications of blanks during sequences. Background levels could be reduced to those present in the extraction solvent. For phthalates not present in the extraction solvent the limits of quantitation (LOQ) are 6 ng L^–1 for di-methyl phthalate (DMP), 3 ng L^–1 for benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP) and 45 ng L^–1 for the isomeric phthalate mixtures di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP). For the other phthalates, the LOQ was set at twice the blank (extraction solvent) level and are 20 ng L^–1 for di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), 60 ng L^–1 for di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), 80 ng L^–1 for di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and 30 ng L^–1 for bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).Dedicated to Professor K. Jinno on the occasion of his 60^th birthday     

Determination of airborne wood dust in Button samples by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS)

Emerging concerns regarding the toxicity of inhaled wood dust support the need for techniques to quantitate wood content of mixed industrial dusts. The diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis technique was applied to the determination of wood content of 181 inhalable dust samples (geometric mean concentration: 0.895?mg/m³; geometric standard deviation: 2.73) collected from six wood product industry factories using 25?mm glass fibre filters with the Button aerosol sampler. Prior to direct DRIFTS analysis the filter samples were treated with ethyl acetate and re-deposited uniformly. Standards ranging from 125?µg to 4000?µg were prepared for red oak, southern yellow pine, and red cedar and used for quantitation of samples depending upon the wood materials present at a given factory. The oak standards spectra were quantitated by linear regression of response in Kubelka-Munk units at 1736?cm^?1, whereas the pine standards and the cedar standards spectra were quantitated by polynomial regression of response in log 1/R units at 1734?cm^?1, with the selected wavenumbers corresponding to stretching vibration of free C=O from cellulose and hemicelluloses. For one factory which used both soft- and hard-woods, a separate polynomial standard curve was created by proportionally combining the oak and pine standards polynomial regression equations based on response (log 1/R) at 1734?cm^?1. The analytical limits of detection were approximately 52?µg of oak, 20?µg of pine, 30?µg of cedar, and 16?µg of mixed oak and pine for the factory with mixed woods. Overall, the average of dry wood dust percentage of inhalable dust was approximately 56% and the average dry wood dust weight was 0.572?mg for the Button samples. Across factories, there were statistically significant differences (p?<?0.001) for the percentage of dry wood dust in inhalable dust with factory averages ranging from 33.5 to 97.6%.     

Determination of phthalate esters in water samples using Nylon6 nanofibers mat-based solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography

A new method was developed for simultaneous determination of five phthalate esters by a combination of mat-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) with high-performance liquid chromatography. The mat is composed of Nylon6 nanofibers. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were successfully separated on a RP-C18 column. Under optimized conditions, the detection limits found for DMP, DEP, DBP, DEHP and DOP were 3, 2, 6, 10 and 33 pg mL^?1, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of various water samples. Spiked samples gave recoveries in the range from 86.9 to 101.9%, with relative standard deviations below 7.0%. A comparison of Nylon6 nanofibers mat as sorbents, and C18 cartridges and other kinds of SPE sorbents was carried out with respect to recovery, sensitivity, and reproducibility. The results indicated that the Nylon mat is a viable material for the enrichment and determination of phthalate esters in environmental water samples.     

A new experimental approach for liquid-liquid extractive spectrophotometric determination of chromium(VI) in tannery wastewater and alloy samples

In this research work, a new approach is developed for the extractive determination of chromium. The principle of this approach is based on the complexation reaction between 4-(4?-chlorobenzylideneimino)-3-methyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (CBIMMT) in dichloromethane as a complexing reagent and chromium(III) in presence of potassium iodide to form a yellow coloured complex at room temperature. The 1:2:2 [Cr(III)-CBIMMT-iodide] ternary complex was quantitatively extracted in dichloromethane from 2.5 mol L^?1 of hydrochloric acid medium which showed maximum absorption intensity at λ_max 411 nm and was stable for more than 72 h. The values of molar absorption coefficient and Sandell’s sensitivity of the complex were found to be 0.7019 × 10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1 and 0.00748 µg cm^?2, respectively. The system adheres to Beer’s law from 1.5 to 6.0 µg mL^?1; however, Ringbom’s plot suggests optimal concentration range was 1.8–5.8 µg mL^?1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the approach is 0.26 and 0.79 µg mL^?1. This approach was successfully used for the determination of chromium from wastewater effluents from the tannery industries (Kolhapur, MS, India), alloy samples and for separation of it from synthetic mixtures. The present experimental approach is apparently much simpler than the conventional method comprising multistep processes.     

Determination of phthalates in milk and milk products by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method using pneumatically assisted electrospray ionisation (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was developed for determination of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-'isononyl' phthalate (DINP) and di-'isodecyl' phthalate (DIDP) in milk and milk products including infant formulas. The phthalates were extracted by a mixture of tert-butyl methyl ether and hexane from liquid samples. DBP, BBP and DEHP were removed from fats by liquid/liquid extraction into acetonitrile while DINP and DIDP were cleaned up on deactivated silica. The phthalates were detected in positive ion mode after separation on a reversed-phase C5 analytical column. Two transition products were monitored for each compound. The detection limits related to the transition products of lowest abundance were in the range 5-9 microg/kg.     

固相萃取-气相色谱/质谱法同时测定化妆品中的邻苯二甲酸酯和对羟基苯甲酸酯

采用超声协助甲醇提取、固相萃取净化、气相色谱/选择离子质谱联用法,同时测定化妆品中8种邻苯二甲酸酯和4种对羟基苯甲酸酯。该方法线性范围广、重现性好、快速简便、干扰小。样品的加标回收率为80%～100%;含量检测的相对标准偏差小于10%;方法的检出限为0.1~5.0 μg/kg。用该方法对15种实际样品中的12种残留物进行定量检测,结果表明除了一种样品中不含待测物外,其余样品均检测到3~7种待测物。其中以对羟基苯甲酸甲酯、对羟基苯甲酸丙酯、邻苯二甲酸丙酯、邻苯二甲酸环己酯和邻苯二甲酸乙基庚基酯为主。     

Challenges encountered in the analysis of phthalate esters in foodstuffs and other biological matrices

Phthalate esters are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are recognized as environmental endocrine disruptors because of their potential to elicit reproductive and developmental toxicity. Several phthalate esters have been listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as chemicals of concern. Determination of concentrations of phthalate esters in foodstuffs, typically present at sub to low nanogram-per-gram concentrations (between 0.1 and 100?ng?g^?1), is essential for assessment of human dietary exposure. However, phthalate esters are commonly present as contaminants in several laboratory products, including organic solvents, that are used in sample preparation and analysis. Therefore, accurate analysis of phthalates in food samples is a challenging task. In this review, we summarize the methods available for the determination of phthalate esters in foodstuffs and report on concentrations of phthalates in foodstuffs and potential sources of contamination by phthalates in the analysis of foodstuffs. We offer suggestions to eliminate and/or reduce background levels of contamination by phthalates in the analysis of food and other biological samples. We also introduce methods that are suitable for trace analysis of phthalates in a variety of liquid and solid food samples, in particular, a liquid–liquid extraction method for removal of lipids from food samples, because these can substantially reduce background levels of phthalates in the analytical procedure.     

Cloud point extraction for the determination of cadmium and lead employing sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A cloud point extraction procedure for pre-concentration and determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water using sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry is described. 4-(2-thiazolylazo)-orcinol (TAO) has been used as complexing agent and the micellar phase was obtained using the non-ionic surfactant octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114) and centrifugation. The conditions for reaction and extraction (surfactant concentration, reagent concentration, effect of incubation time, etc) were studied and the analytical characteristics of the method were determined. The method allows the determination of cadmium and lead with quantification limits of 0.30?µg?L^?1 and 2.6?µg?L^?1, respectively. A precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD, n?=?10) of 2.3% and 2.6% has been obtained for cadmium concentrations of 10?µg?L^?1 and 30?µg?L^?1, respectively, and RSD of 1.3% and 1.7% for lead concentrations of 10?µg?L^?1 and 30?µg?L^?1, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed by analysis of a natural water certified reference material. The method has been applied for the determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water samples collected in the cities of Ilhéus and Itabuna, Brazil. Recovery tests have also been performed for some samples, and results varied from 96 to 105% for cadmium and 97 to 106% for lead. The cadmium and lead concentrations found in these samples were always lower than the permissible maximum levels stipulated by World Health Organization and the Brazilian Government.     

毛细管气相色谱法测定化妆品中的酞酸酯

建立了用毛细管气相色谱配氢火焰离子化检测器测定化妆品中6种酞酸酯(邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)、邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯(DEHP)和邻苯二甲酸二正辛酯(DOP))的方法。样品用甲醇超声提取,经高速冷冻离心,清液经干燥脱水过0.5 μm滤膜过滤,直接注入气相色谱仪进行分析。然后,经过气相色谱-电子电离-质谱检测分析,确证气相色谱-氢火焰检测的阳性检出结果。用保留时间定性,外标法定量。6种酞酸酯的回收率为82.90%～     

Non-Newtonian flow curves including lower and upper Newtonian regions for dilute and moderately concentrated polystyrene solutions

The non-Newtonian viscosity in steady flow was measured for solutions of polystyrene (M?_w/M?_n = 1.1) in diethyl phthalate at 30.0°C. In the moderately concentrated solutions, from 6.03 × 10^?2 to 5.62 × 10^?1g/cm³, the viscosity data modified by frictional parameters fit the Graessley theoretical curve for a narrow distribution polymer. The dilute solutions, from 3.26 × 10^?3 to 1.57 × 10^?2 g/cm³, were nonentangled systems whose non-Newtonian properties could be explained by the excluded volume effect as proposed by Fixman. On the basis of the non-Newtonian data, it was concluded that the solution of 3.30 × 10^?2 g/cm³ was a lower critical entanglement concentration, which was distinguished from the usual higher critical concentration for entanglement. This lower critical concentration was also found in the concentration dependence of the activation energy of flow and the absorbance at 310 nm.     

Quantitative determination of toluene,ethylbenzene, and xylene degradation products in contaminated groundwater by solid-phase extraction and in-vial derivatization

Benzylsuccinic acid (BSA) and methylbenzylsuccinic acids (mBSAs) are unambiguous indicators of anaerobic toluene and ethylbenzene/xylene degradation, and so the determination of these compounds in landfill leachates and contaminated groundwater is highly relevant. Samples were diluted to <0.8?mS?cm^?1 in order to reduce their ionic strength, and subsequently extracted through strong anion exchange disks, followed by simultaneous in-vial elution and methylation. A detection limit of 0.1?µg?L^?1 was obtained for 100?mL samples. Using this method, 19.3?µg?L^?1 of BSA was measured in a landfill leachate, and low µg?L^?1 levels of all of the mBSAs were measured in gasoline-contaminated groundwater. The results were compared with the findings of BSAs at 16 other contaminated sites, and BSAs as indicators of biodegradation were evaluated. The estimation of biodegradation rates based on parent hydrocarbons and BSA concentrations or ratios is questionable. However, the degradation products serve as good qualitative in situ indicators for anaerobic biodegradation in contaminated groundwater.     

Voltammetric Analysis of Naproxen in Graphite Electrodes and Its Determination in Pharmaceutical Samples

The present work discuses new findings in the electrochemistry of naproxen over graphite electrodes. This new approach, allows the proposal of a simple and competitive low‐cost method to carry out naproxen’s voltammetric quantification. Naproxen’s indirect quantification through an adsorption anodic wave was performed at a graphite bar electrode using differential pulse voltammetry. An anodic current maximum was recorded at a potential of ?0.3 V referred to a saturated Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The calibration plot having a correlation coefficient of 0.990, sensibility of 4.19±0.62 µA cm³ µg^?1, with detection and quantification limits of 0.68 and 3.3 µg cm^?3, respectively.     

Release and speciation of uranium in low-ionic-strength groundwaters at an abandoned uranium mine in Val Vedello (Orobic Alp—Italy) by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry

Adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV) with HDME and a chloranilic acid ligand was used in the trace analysis of uranyl ions at pH?=?2 in low-ionic-strength groundwaters around mining areas. Upon optimization, the limit of detection around 0.10?µg?L^?1 was found with linearity up to 10?µg?L^?1. In the abandoned mining area of Val Vedello (Orobic Alps, Italy), measured uranium concentrations in water ranged from 0.3?µg?L^?1 above the uranium mineralization levels to 145?µg?L^?1 in groundwaters percolating from mine galleries. Such uranium concentrations are related to natural weathering effects of CO₂ and/or hydrogen carbonate ion on uranium mineralizations under oxic conditions. A marked seasonal dependence was then found, in agreement with literature data on a pre-operational survey dating back to 1980–1981. No significant chemical impact of the abandoned mining activity on groundwater quality could be found. Accordingly, no significant increase in contaminants derived from the heat-burn of explosives, such as chloride and nitrate, in groundwaters from mine galleries was found.     

Determination of Selenium by Single-Drop Microextraction and Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy

A simple and convenient assay based on single-drop microextraction with infrared spectroscopy is reported for the determination of selenium. The extraction conditions were carefully optimized and selenium was preconcentrated through single-drop microextraction in 1,2-dichloroethane containing N-hydroxy-N-phenyl-N′-(o-tolyl) benzimidamide. The method is selective and almost all common ions including molybdenum(VI), chromium(VI), and tungsten(VI) did not interfere with the isolation protocol. The selenite band at 875?±?2?cm^?1, which is assigned to the asymmetric vibrational stretch (υ₃), was used for the quantification of selenium. Low limits of detection and quantification of 2.0 and 6.6?µg?L^?1 demonstrate the sensitivity of the method. Good precision was evaluated by the standard deviation (2.0?µg?L^?1) and relative standard deviation (0.5%) for 8?µg?L^?1 was achieved for 10 measurements. The method was used to analyze human blood, urine, and water for selenium.     

A novel method for the simple and simultaneous preconcentration of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions with aid of diethylenetriamine functionalized SBA-15 nanoporous silica compound

A rapid method for the extraction and monitoring of nanogram level of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions using uniform silanized mesopor (SBA-15) functionalized with diethylenetriamine groups and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is presented. The preconcentration factor of the method is 100 and detection limit of the technique is 5.5?ng?mL^?1 and 1.4?ng?mL^?1 and 0.1?ng?mL^?1 for Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ respectively. The time and the optimum amount of the sorbent, pH and minimum amount of acid for stripping of ions from functionalized SBA-15 were tested. The maximum capacity the functionalized SBA-15 was found to be 183.0 (±1.9) µg, 156.0 (±1.5) µg and 80.0 (±1.6) µg of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺/mg functionalized SBA-15, respectively.