Automated capillary liquid chromatography for simultaneous determination of neuroactive amines and amino acids

A method for the separation and quantitative determination of neuroactive amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, citrulline, arginine, glycine, taurine, gamma-aminobutyric acid) and neuroactive amines (noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin) in a single chromatographic analysis is presented. The method is based on pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and tert.-butyl thiol, on-column preconcentration and separation using 50 microns I.D. packed capillary columns, and detection by amperometry. Mass limits of detection are 80-900 amol for all neurotransmitters with RSDs of 0.71 and 4.6% or better for retention time and peak area, respectively. The method was demonstrated by application to the determination of neurotransmitters in microdialysis samples collected from striatum of live rats and tissue samples extracted from butterfly brains.     

Application of capillary isoelectric focusing with universal concentration gradient detector to the analysis of protein samples.

The design of a new capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) instrument, composed of a rugged cartridge holding a short piece of capillary and a universal, inexpensive concentration gradient detector, was optimized and applied to the analysis of various protein samples. High-efficiency cIEF separations with sub-femtomole detection limits for absolute amounts were obtained using 10 microns I.D. capillaries with large O.D.-to-I.D. ratios. An electric field strength of 1 kV/cm applied in the focusing step resulted in a 10(-8) M on-column concentration detection limit, which corresponded to 10(2) amol absolute amount of proteins. The detection volume was estimated to be 2 pl, which is among the smallest values reported to date for any optical or spectroscopic detector. When a 6-cm long capillary was used, proteins with isoelectric points ranging from 4.7 to 8.8 could be analyzed in about 5 min, the shortest analysis time ever reported for cIEF. Compared with commercial cIEF instruments with UV-visible absorbance detectors, the instrument is easier to use and has lower detection limits and better resolution. Several protein mixtures and real samples were separated with this instrument.     

Simultaneous determination of phosphorus-containing amino acid-herbicides by nonionic surfactant micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The potential of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for the separation and determination of phosphorus-containing amino acid-herbicides (glufosinate and glyphosate), and aminomethylphosphonic acid (the major metabolite of glyphosate), involving derivatization with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) isomer I, was investigated. Different variables that affect derivatization (pH, FITC concentration, time and temperature) and separation (pH and concentration of the buffer, kind and concentration of surfactants and applied voltage) were studied. The analysis was conducted within about 8 min and the use of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 improved the selectivity, thus indirectly enhancing sensitivity by shifting of the interfering peaks of the FITC excess. Dynamic ranges of 2.0-3,000 microg/L, limits of detection at microgram or submicrogram-per-liter level, and relative standard deviations from 4.7 to 6.4% were obtained. The ensuing method--nonionic surfactant MEKC-- is a useful choice for the determination of these herbicides as it provides limits of detection similar or lower than those reported by existing chromatographic alternatives without the use of an additional preconcentration technique such as solid-phase extraction. The separation of a mixture of nine FITC-derivatized amino acids, selected as target compounds, was also carried out to assess the discrimination power of the nonionic surfactant MEKC method for the analysis of closely related anionic analytes.     

Facile and sensitive method for the determination of mesna in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

The use of 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate, an ultraviolet tagging reagent, for the ion-pair, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of mesna in human plasma is reported. In order to achieve this objective optimization of the two-step procedure, derivatization and separation of mesna S-quinolinium derivative from that of other thiols present in plasma and internal standard, was investigated. The derivatization was optimized in terms of pH, reagent excess and time of the reaction, and the mobile phase in terms of ion-pairing reagent concentration, pH, organic modifier content and temperature. Baseline separation was achieved on an analytical Waters Nova-Pak C18 (150x3.9 mm, 5 microm) column with a mobile phase consisting of pH 2.3 0.05 M trichloroacetic acid-acetonitrile (89:11, v/v) pumped at 1.2 ml/min. The peak height ratios of the mesna derivative to that of the internal standard (thiomalic acid) varied linearly with the concentration of the analyte added to normal plasma with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The lower limits of detection and quantitation were 40 pmol/ml (0.8 pmol on-column) and 160 pmol/ml (3.2 pmol on-column), respectively. The intra-run imprecision and inaccuracy were from 1.3 to 2.4 and from 1.3 to 2.0%, respectively.     

On-column trace enrichment by sequential frontal and elution electrochromatography II. Enhancement of sensitivity by segmented capillaries with z-cell configuration--application to the detection of dilute samples of moderately polar and nonpolar pesticides

An on-column trace enrichment method for capillary electrochromatography of dilute samples is described. It involves the sequential use of frontal and elution electrochromatography on a segmented capillary column comprising of two contiguous segments each packed with a different sorbent. While the entering segment is for preconcentration by frontal electrochromatography the second segment is much longer and is meant for separation of the enriched analytes in the subsequent elution electrochromatography step. The preconcentration segment is usually packed with a sorbent that affords the highest affinity towards the solutes of interest while the separation segment is packed with a stationary phase that exhibits the highest selectivity and separation efficiency for the analytes. The detection is performed in the UV using a z-cell configuration for achieving an increased path length for detection. The effectiveness of this on-column trace enrichment is demonstrated on dilute samples of moderately polar solutes (e.g., carbamate insecticides) and nonpolar solutes (e.g., pyrethroid insecticides). Under optimal frontal and elution electrochromatography conditions. 817- and 1100-fold sensitivity increase are achieved for permethrin (a pyrethroid insecticide) and methiocarb (a carbamate insecticide), respectively, with a UV detector. The method is demonstrated with real water samples (e.g., tap and lake water samples) spiked with carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides. The limits of detection for the pesticides achieved in tap and lake waters reached 10(-8) to 10(-9) M.     

Determination of abscisic acid by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A novel method based on capillary electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) was developed for the determination of abscisic acid (ABA), which is an essential phytohormone during plant growth and development. ABA was labeled with 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate via reductive amination in presence of acetic acid and sodium cyanoborohydride. The derivatization yield was maximized by optimizing several derivatization parameters including derivatization reagent concentration, reaction temperature and time. The conjugate was separated and quantitated by CE-LIF. The linearity of ABA was determined in the range from 0.1 to 10 micromol l(-1) with a correlation of 0.9979. The derivatization limit of detection for ABA was found to be 56 fmol (corresponding to the concentration of 2.8 x 10(-8) mol l(-1)). The detection limit for ABA was 5.5 amol for an injection volume of 5 nl. As a preliminary application, the proposed method was successfully applied to determining trace amount of ABA in the crude extracts of tobacco without extra purification and enrichment procedure and showed a better selectivity and sensitivity than those conventional methods used in determination of ABA.     

Analysis of carbamate pesticides in water samples using single-drop microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Single-drop microextraction (SDME) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry detection was used for the determination of some carbamate pesticides in water samples. The studied pesticides were thiofanox, carbofuran, pirimicarb, methiocarb, carbaryl, propoxur, desmedipham and phenmedipham. Two alternative sample introduction methods have been examined and compared; SDME followed by cool on-column injection (without derivatization) and SDME followed by in-microvial derivatization and splitless injection. Acetic anhydride was used as derivatization reagent. Parameters that affect the derivatization reaction yield and the extraction efficiency of the SDME method were studied and optimized. The analytical performances and possible applications of both approaches were investigated. Relative standard deviations for the studied compounds ranged from 3.2 to 8.3%. The detection limits obtained by the derivatization method were found to be in the range 3–35 ng/L. Using cool on-column injection (without derivatization), the detection limits were between 30 and 80 ng/L.     

On-column complexation capillary electrophoretic separation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ using 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid coupled with large-volume sample stacking

On-column complexation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (2,6-PDCA) formed anionic complexes, which were then separated by capillary zone electrophoresis with direct UV detection at 214 nm. To achieve reasonable separation selectivity and on-column complexation, the conditions such as pH, the concentration of 2,6-PCDA and the EOF modifiers in the electrolyte were examined. The electrolyte contained 5.0 mM 2,6-PDCA, 0.25 mM tetradecyltrimethlammonium bromide (TTAB) and 5% (v/v) acetonitrile at pH 4.0 was optimised for on-column complexation and the separation of Fe[PCDA]2(2-) and Fe[PCDA]2(-). To enhance the detection sensitivity, large-volume sample stacking (LVSS) was used for the on-line preconcentration of Fe[PCDA]2(2-) and Fe[PCDA]2(-). Under the optimised conditions, satisfactory working ranges (0.5-50 microM), lower detection limits (less than 0.1 microM) and good repeatability of the peak areas (R.S.D.: 5.2-7.8%, n = 5) was achieved using LVSS (300 s). With LVSS, the detection sensitivity was enhanced more than 50-fold compared to conventional hydrodynamic injection. The proposed method was used successfully for the determination of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in water samples.     

On-line concentration of neutral and charged species in capillary electrochromatography with a methacrylate-based monolithic stationary phase

A method involving self-concentration, on-column enrichment and field-amplified sample stacking for on-line concentration in capillary electrochromatography with a polymer monolithic column is presented. Since monolithic columns eliminate the frit fabrication and the problems associated with frits, the experimental conditions could be more flexibly adjusted to obtain higher concentration factor in comparison with conventional particulate packed columns. With self-concentration effect, the detection sensitivity of benzene and hexylbenzene is improved by a factor of 4 and 8, respectively. With on-column enrichment and ultralong injection, improvement as high as 22,000 times in detection sensitivity of benzoin is achieved. Furthermore, a combination of the three above-mentioned methods yields up to a 24,000-fold improvement in detection sensitivity for caffeine, a charged compound. Parameters affecting the efficiency of on-line concentration are investigated systematically. In addition, equations describing on-line concentration process are deduced.     

Multiresidue determination of thermolabile insecticides in cereal products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: evaluation with on-column injection and conventional hot splitless injection

This communication presents a study on the simultaneous determination of thermolabile N-methylcarbamate and organophosphorus insecticides in cereal products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The thermal stability of the multiple insecticides was evaluated with conventional hot splitless injection and on-column injection. The results obtained by GC-MS with these two injection techniques were compared in terms of the recovery, the limit of detection, the limit of qualification, and the reproducibility. With on-column injection, the pesticide recoveries in cereal samples were better than 82%, with relative standard deviations lower than 5.4%. The limits of qualification for most insecticides were in the range of 0.009-0.08 mg/kg, i. e. lower than the maximum residue limits established for insecticides in cereal products by the European Union. The long-term stability using on-column injection for analysis of insecticides in real samples was evaluated and normal chromatographic performance could be obtained within 50 analyses. The results revealed that it was possible for application of on-column injection in the analysis of thermolabile multiple insecticides in food sample after comprehensive sample clean-up, despite the highly contaminated nature of the column system.     

Chromatographic determination of copper speciation in jet fuel

A method is described that allows one to distinguish and quantitate two different classes of copper compounds in the same hydrocarbon sample. This will enable the study of the effects of different copper compounds on the performance and stability of petroleum samples. Copper N,N'-disalicylidene-1,2-propylenediamine (CuDMD) and several copper carboxylates were preconcentrated from a hydrocarbon matrix using a column packed with polyvinylpyrrolidone, (C(6)H(9)NO)(x), a novel polymeric stationary phase. The copper complexes were then sequentially eluted using a step gradient program beginning with hexane/isopropyl alcohol as the eluent and ending with an acetic acid/isopropyl alcohol eluent. The copper complexes were detected by serial UV absorbance and flame atomic absorbance (FAA) detection. With on-column preconcentration and FAA detection, the limits of detection were 7 and 40 ppb copper for CuDMD and the copper carboxylates respectively. With this method, it was possible to distinguish between the two different classes of copper compounds in the same hydrocarbon sample, which will help to provide an understanding of the catalytic activity of different copper compounds, leading to a better understanding of the factors causing fuel instability. The method promises to be a valuable tool in the analysis and characterization of copper compounds in petroleum samples.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of baclofen in plasma and urine of man after precolumn extraction and derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the skeletal muscle relaxant baclofen in human plasma and urine is described. Cation-exchange extraction, precolumn derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde, and on-column concentration precede fluorimetric detection (excitation at 340 nm, emission at 460 nm). The precision of the assay was always better than 6%. Recoveries of standards added to plasma and urine were 92% and 93%, respectively. With a sample size of 0.5 ml, a detection limit of a few nanograms, and the possibility of analysing up to four samples per hour, this method is suitable for pharmacokinetic studies. An example is presented.     

Sensitive determination of inosine RNA modification in single cell by chemical derivatization coupled with mass spectrometry analysis

Inosine is a vital RNA modification across three kingdoms of life. It has been demonstrated that inosine plays important roles in modulation of the fate of RNAs. In the current study, we developed a highly sensitive method to determine inosine in a single cell by N-cyclohexyl-N’-β-(4-methylmorpholinium)ethylcarbodiimide p-toluenesulfonate(CMCT) derivatization in combination with mass spectrometry analysis. The results showed that the detection sensitivity of inosine was increased by 556-fold aft...     

Improved coupled-column liquid chromatographic method for the determination of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid residues in environmental waters

An existing method for the determination of glyphosate and its main metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in water has been improved. It is based on precolumn derivatization with the fluorescent reagent 9-fluorenylmethylcloroformate (FMOC) followed by large-volume injection in a coupled-column LC system using fluorescence detection (LC-LC-FD). The derivatization step was slightly modified by changing parameters such as volume and/or concentration of sample and reagents to decrease the limits of quantification (LOQ) of glyphosate and AMPA to 0.1 microg/l. Additionally, the use of Amberlite IRA-900 for preconcentration of glyphosate, prior to the derivatization step, was investigated; the LOQ of glyphosate was lowered to 0.02 microg/l. Drinking, surface and ground water spiked with glyphosate and AMPA at 0.1-10 microg/l concentrations were analysed by the improved LC-LC-FD method. Recoveries were 87-106% with relative standard deviations lower than 8%. Drinking and ground water spiked with glyphosate at 0.02 and 0.1 microg/l were analysed after preconcentration on the anion-exchange resin with satisfactory recoveries (94-105%) and precision (better than 8%).     

On-line complexation/cloud point preconcentration for the sensitive determination of dysprosium in urine by flow injection inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry

An on-line dysprosium preconcentration and determination system based on the hyphenation of cloud point extraction (CPE) to flow injection analysis (FIA) associated with ICP-OES was studied. For the preconcentration of dysprosium, a Dy(III)-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol complex was formed on-line at pH 9.22 in the presence of nonionic micelles of PONPE-7.5. The micellar system containing the complex was thermostated at 30 degrees C in order to promote phase separation, and the surfactant-rich phase was retained in a microcolumn packed with cotton at pH 9.2. The surfactant-rich phase was eluted with 4 mol L(-1) nitric acid at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min(-1), directly in the nebulizer of the plasma. An enhancement factor of 50 was obtained for the preconcentration of 50 mL of sample solution. The detection limit value for the preconcentration of 50 mL of aqueous solution of Dy was 0.03 microg L(-1). The precision for 10 replicate determinations at the 2.0 microg L(-1)Dy level was 2.2% relative standard deviation (RSD), calculated from the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for dysprosium was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9994 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 100 microg L(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of dysprosium in urine.     

Determination of methimazole in urine by liquid chromatography

A liquid chromatography methodology is developed and validated for detection and quantification of methimazole in urine. The approach is based on derivatization with 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of so formed methimazole 2-S-quinolinium derivative from other urine matrix components, followed by detection and quantification with the use of ultraviolet–visible detector. Neither extraction, nor preconcentration of the sample are necessary. The methimazole standards added to normal urine before derivatization step show that the response of the detector, set at 345 nm, is linear within the concentration range studied, that is, from 0.25 to 50 mg/l urine. The relative standard deviation values for precision and recovery within the calibration range were from 1.8 to 5.0% and from 95.7 to 103.3%, respectively. Lower limits of detection and quantitation were 0.15 and 0.25 mg/l urine, respectively.     

Combination of liquid-phase microextraction and on-column stacking for trace analysis of amino alcohols by capillary electrophoresis

We described a new method for the enrichment of basic drugs present in water samples via liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) combined with on-column stacking in capillary electrophoresis. Two steps were employed to enhance the detection sensitivity of four amino alcohols. The analytes were first extracted from aqueous sample (donor solution) that were adjusted to basic through a thin layer of 1-octanol entrapped within the pores of a polypropylene hollow fiber, and then into a 5-microl acidic acceptor solution inside the hollow fiber. The extract was then further enriched through on-column stacking in capillary electrophoresis. With this two-step enrichment procedure, the method provided 72-110-fold preconcentration of the target amino alcohols. The limits of detection were 0.08-0.5 microg/ml. Relative standard deviation (n=6) ranged between 4.3 and 6.9% for the studied drugs utilizing 2-amino-1-phenylethanol as internal standard. The extraction of amino alcohols in spiked urine samples was evaluated using the developed procedure.     

Determination of carbohydrates as their 3-aminophthalhydrazide derivatives by capillary zone electrophoresis with on-line chemiluminescence detection

A method based on pre-capillary derivatization with luminol (3-aminophthalhydrazide) for carbohydrate analysis using capillary electrophoresis with on-line chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed. The derivatives of seven monosaccharides were separated and detected by using 200 mM borate buffer containing 100 mM hydrogen peroxide at pH 10.0 as separation electrolyte and 25 mM hexacyanoferrate in 3 M sodium hydroxide solution as post-capillary chemiluminescence reagent with separation efficiencies ranging from 160,000 to 231,000 plates per metre. The minimum amount of carbohydrate derivatized was 2 pmol (corresponding to the concentration of 2 microM). The method also provided a linear response for glucose in the concentration range of 0.1-250 microM with a mass detection limit of 420 amol or a concentration detection limit of 0.1 microM. Preliminary work using the CE-CL format to determine glucose in a rat brain microdialysis sample is presented as a typical case.     

Sensitive chiral analysis by CE: an update

A general view of the different strategies used in the last years to enhance the detection sensitivity in chiral analysis by CE is provided in this article. With this purpose and in order to update the previous review by García-Ruiz et al., the articles appeared on this subject from January 2005 to March 2007 are considered. Three were the main strategies employed to increase the detection sensitivity in chiral analysis by CE: (i) the use of off-line sample treatment techniques, (ii) the employment of in-capillary preconcentration techniques based on electrophoretic principles, and (iii) the use of alternative detection systems to the widely employed on-column UV-Vis absorption detection. Combinations of two or three of the above-mentioned strategies gave rise to adequate concentration detection limits up to 10(-10) M enabling enantiomer analysis in a variety of real samples including complex biological matrices.     

Sensitive determination of rhodamine 110-labeled monosaccharides in glycoprotein by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Rhodamine 110 (Rho110) has been used in the highly sensitive analysis of monosaccharides, as it reacts with the reducing carbonyl group of the saccharides. The monosaccharide derivatives were investigated by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The derivatization was performed at 90 °C for 30 min for all monosaccharides. The derivatized monosaccharides were separated using 200 mM borate (pH 10.5) as running buffer within 20 min. The fluorescence intensities of Rho110-derivatives were significantly decreased by the presence of excess reducing agent, but were greatly increased by the addition of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The concentration and mass detection limits for monosaccharides were in the range of 1.4–2.8 nM and 36–70 amol, respectively. We have applied this derivatization method to the analysis of the composition of monosaccharides in glycoproteins (ribonuclease B, fetuin, and erythropoietin) following their subjection to strong acid hydrolysis. The results from these analyses were in good agreements with the reported values established previously.