HPLC determination of pesticides in green bean samples after SPE clean-up

Summary A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with an acetonitrile-methanol-water mobile phase gradient and photodiode-array detection (DAD) is described for simultaneous determination of 21 pesticides, frequently used in agriculture, of different types, namely organophosphorus, organochlorine,N-methylcarbamates, triazines and phenylureas in vegetable samples. The pesticides were extracted with acetone and then partitioned from the vegetable sample with dichloromethane. Sample clean-up was accomplished by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using both C₁₈ and florisil SPE columns. Average recoveries from green beans ranged from 70.0 to 110.1%. Detection limits of less than 0.1 mg kg^–1 were obtained.     

Evaluation of Polyaniline as a Sorbent for SPE of a Variety of Polar Pesticides from Water Followed by CD-MEKC-DAD

A recently synthesized polyaniline (PANI) has been used and evaluated as a sorbent for solid-phase extraction of a variety of polar pesticides and some of their degradation products from water samples. Several classes of pesticides including phenoxy acids, triazines, ureas, oxime carbamates and carbamates were selected for this study. The determination of these pesticides was carried out using cyclodextrin modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography equipped with diode array detection. The recovery results using PANI were compared with those obtained by C₁₈, Isolute ENV+, Oasis HLB and LiChrolut EN. Effect of humic acid, as a major interference, on extraction recovery was also studied. The performance of the method was evaluated by analysis of tap and river water. The RSD of method was between 6 and 14% (n=3) and detection limits were in the range of 0.01–0.5 g L^–1 using 350-mL water samples.     

Monitoring of pesticides in surface water: Off-line SPE followed by HPLC with UV detection and confirmatory analysis by mass spectrometry

Summary The presence of 16 of the most widely used pesticides in southern Italy (plus atrazine, the use of which is currently restricted in Europe) has been monitored in ten surface waters of the Calabria Region. The analytes were extracted from water by off-line solid-phase extraction with a Carbograph cartridge. Base-neutral, and acid pesticides were then isolated by differential elution. Analyte fractionation and quantification were performed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. Recoveries of analytes from 0.5 L river water (200 ngL⁻¹ spike level) were ≥84%. Confirmatory analysis was performed by HPLC coupled with ion-spray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS).     

Development of an Ion-Pairing Liquid Chromatography Method for the Determination of Phenoxyacetic Herbicides and Their Main Metabolites: Application to the Analysis of Soil Samples

A modified ion-pairing liquid chromatography method is developed for the analysis of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and their phenolic metabolites in water and soil samples. The separation and determination of all compounds of interest can be performed with a mobile phase containing 30% acetonitrile and 10 mM tetrabutylammonium hydroxide as the ion-pairing reagent. Separation of the two phenoxyacids is strongly affected by the pH of the mobile phase, which has to be buffered to pH 7.2 with phosphoric acid. The increase in the hydrophobicity of the sample solvent results in wider peaks for the two phenoxyacids, which reduces the resolution in their separation. The evaluation of different methanol:water solvent mixtures shows that no baseline separation for the two phenoxyacids is obtained when the methanol content in the mixture is higher than 60%.     

Solid phase extraction and HPLC determination of veterinary pharmaceuticals in wastewater

This work focuses on the application of SPE-HPLC analysis of important veterinary pharmaceuticals from different classes in highly complex wastewater matrix. The pharmaceutical investigated included three sulfonamides (sulfamethazine, sulfadiazine and sulfaguanidine), a sulfonamide synergist (trimethoprim), a tetracycline (oxytetracycline), a fluoroquinolone (enrofloxacine) and a β-lactame (penicillin G/procaine). The method involves pre-concentration and clean-up by solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB extraction catridges. Final analysis of the selected pharmaceutical compounds was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD). Recoveries were ranged from 68.3 to 97.9% with relative standard deviation below 8.4%. Only for sulfaguanidine low recovery was obtained. Limits of quantification were in the range 1.5-100 μg/L depending on pharmaceutical. The described method was applied to the determination of pharmaceuticals in wastewater samples from pharmaceutical industry.     

Evaluation of double solid-phase extraction system for determining triazine herbicides in milk

Summary High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was used to determine eight triazine herbicides in milk. Solid-phase extraction was performed using a double trap; first, a nonspecific adsorbent (Carbograph), and then a cation exchanger (SCX). Eluate from the SCX was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and redissolved in mobile phase. An aliquot was injected into the chromatograph, which was operated isocratically in the reverse-phase mode with UV detection at 225 nm. Analytical recoveries for the eight triazines ranged from 73.0 % to 92.4 %. The limit of sensitivity of this method was about 0.09 ng mL⁻¹ of milk. The method was validated and evaluated by comparison with a method reported in literature.     

Evaluation of double solid-phase extraction system for determining triazine herbicides in milk

Summary High-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was used to determine eight triazine herbicides in milk. Solid-phase extraction was performed using a double trap; first, a nonspecific adsorbent (Carbograph), and then a cation exchanger (SCX).Eluate from the SCX was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and redissolved in mobile phase. An aliquot was injected into the chromatography, which was operated isocratically in the reverse-phase mode with UV detection at 225 nm.Analytical recoveries for the eight triazines ranged from 73.0% to 92.4%. The limit of sensitivity of this method was about 0.09 ng mL^–1 of milk. The method was validated and evaluated by comparison with a method reported in literature.     

Determination of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Natural Waters Using Off-Line and On-Line SPE Followed by LC Coupled with DAD-MS

Two different procedures for simultaneous determination of six NSAIDs (diflunisal, diclofenac, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, naproxen and tolmetin) in environmental waters are described. Final analysis of target compounds is performed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography – diode array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD and LC-MS), whereas sample preparation is based on solid-phase extraction (SPE). A variety of sorbents and their respective advantages and disadvantages are discussed. For the off-line SPE of NSAIDs from water samples, a LiChrolut RP-18 was selected out of all investigated sorbents. In case of on-line coupling of SPE with chromatographic system LiChrosphere RP-18 was selected as the best one in terms of recovery of NSAIDs evaluated, RSD and availability. The applicability of the method was also evaluated. Method detection limits were in the range of 0.7−94 ng L⁻¹. Recoveries ranged from 96 to 109% and relative standard deviations were lower than 5%. The procedures were shown to be linear over a wide range of concentration, exhibited satisfactory repeatability and accuracy, and reached limits of detection in the low ng L⁻¹ range. No breakthrough volume was observed neither for off-line SPE (in the studied range of 100, 200, 300, 500, 700, 1000 and 2000 mL of tap water sample) nor for on-line SPE (in the wide range of 10 mL, 20 mL, 30 mL, 50 mL, 70 mL, 100 mL and 200 mL of tap water sample).     

Analysis of basic hair dyes by HPLC with on-line post-column photochemical derivatisation

Summary A reversed phase liquid chromatographic method is proposed for the analysis of basic hair dyes (raw materials and colourant formulations). The performance of the method was enhanced by introducing post-column on-line photochemical derivatisation in combination with a Diode Array Detector. On-line photoderivatisation provided an effective way of selectively transforming the analytes to compounds with different spectral properties. For each analyte two characteristic UV-Visible spectra (photoreactor on and off) were obtained with the same mobile phase and this information in combination with the chromatographic data (k' at pH 3.0 and 4.5) enabled the unambiguous identification of both commonly used, approved, and banned basic hair dyes. Additionally, this approach was found useful to improve the method sensitivity, allowing the determination of analytes present in low concentration (0.03%) in complex commercial formulations.This work constitutes part of the thesis for the Dottorato di Ricerche of Roberto Gotti.     

Simultaneous Determination of Cyanazine, Chlorotoluron and Chlorbenzuron in Environmental Water Samples with SPE Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and LC

In this paper, a new method based on solid-phase extraction with multiwalled carbon nanotubes as the packed materials for sensitive determination of cyanazine, chlorotoluron and chlorbenzuron in environmental water samples was demonstrated. Related parameters that may influence the enrichment efficiency of multiwalled carbon nanotubes such as the kind and volume of elute, sample flow rate, sample pH, and volume of the water samples were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits of cyanazine, chlorbenzuron and chlorotoluron were 0.015, 0.012, 0.034 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The experimental results indicated a good linearity (R ² > 0.9947) over the concentration range of 0.4–40 ng mL⁻¹ for cyanazine and chlorotoluron, and 0.8–80 ng mL⁻¹ for chlorbenzuron. The relative standard deviations of the three analytes were 3.54, 1.55 and 1.38%, respectively. The established method also was applied to the analysis of the real-world water samples and excellent achievements were obtained with average spiked recoveries from 87.8 to 110.1%. All the results indicated that this procedure could allow the simultaneous determination of these three compounds in environmental water samples at trace levels.     

HPLC Analysis of Cotinine in Urine After SPE with a Cholesterol-Modified Adsorbent

A one-step solid-phase extraction procedure, based on a new silica gel adsorbent modified with cholesterol groups, has been investigated for measurement of cotinine in urine. Cotinine is the main metabolite of nicotine in the human body and is analyzed as a biomarker for assessment of direct or passive exposure to tobacco smoke. New cholesterol-modified adsorbents have been obtained by chemical modification of silica gel of different porosity with cholesterol ligands. Although recovery by this extraction procedure were optimum over a relatively broad range of sample pH (3.1–8.0), analytical conditions such as sample loading, washing and elution conditions, concentration of cotinine to be extracted, and the type of adsorbent used for extraction were found to affect the efficiency of the procedure and had to be controlled for optimum recovery. When these conditions were controlled, recovery of cotinine from spiked human urine was reproducible and depended on compound ionization. Quantitative analysis of cotinine was performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Presented at: Conference of the Hyphenation of Liquid Chromatography–Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Related Topics, Tuebingen, Germany, March 25–29, 2006.     

HPLC determination of carminic acid in foodstuffs and beverages using diode array and fluorescence detection

Summary Carmine extracted from cochineal insects is one of the most used natural colorings for beverages and other foods. Its active ingredient is carminic acid (7-β-D-glucopyranosyl-9,10-dihydro-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid). This work describes a rapid HPLC determination of carminic acid and compares diode array and fluorescence detections for quantification. Samples with higher protein levels, such as milk and yogurt, are first treated with 1 mL of 8 M NH₄OH (5 min), the pH is reduced to 2 with 6 M HCl before centrifugation, the supernatant is then filtered and injected into the chromatograph. Low protein samples are simply filtered before injection. The separations were performed with a LiChroCART RP18 column using a mixture of acetonitrile and formic acid as mobile phase. The optimized conditions permit baseline quantification of the carminic acid even in the presence of other coloring agents. The sampling and analytical procedures are considerably faster than those of the literature and present excellent recuperation, selectivity, accuracy and precision. The method was applied to analysis of several yogurts and beverages. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Pressurized-liquid extraction for determination of imidazolinone herbicides in soil

Summary A rapid and simple method has been developed for determination of imidazolinone (IMI) residues in soil. Extraction of the analytes from the soil matrix was performed with a pressurized-liquid-extraction apparatus built in this laboratory. Four different types of soil sample (clay, clay loam, sandy clay loam, and silty loam) were fortified with target compounds at levels of 10 and 50 ng g⁻¹ by a procedure which can mimic weathered soils. The samples were then dried and packed in a 25 cm×4.6 mm i. d. stainless steel column; this was placed inside a GC oven and extracted by passing an aqueous solution of KCl (0.1m, 20 mL) through the column at 90°C. Quantification of the analytes in the final extract (50-μL injection) was performed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with a TurbolonSpray interface. Recoveries of the analytes were greater than 83% andRSD less than 7%. The method detection limit was in the 1–2.5ng g⁻¹ range in analysis by time-scheduled selected-ion monitoring (SIM).     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides and metabolites in crops by solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography/Diode array detection

Summary A multiresidue method for the analysis of 28 common organophosphorus pesticides and 3 of their main metabolites (paraoxon-ethyl, paraoxon-methyl and malaoxon) in a variety of crop samples has been developed. An aliquot of the chopped sample is homogenized with an organic solvent. The efficiency of extraction methods using methanol, acetone and acetonitrile was evaluated. The acetonitrile gives higher recoveries and minimizes co-extractives from the samples matrix. The resulting aqueous acetonitrile extract is filtered and cleaned by solid phase extraction (SPE). For SPE three different types of adsorption materials (Carbograph 1, LiChrobut-EN and Amberchrom CG-161m) were compared. The cleaned-up extract is injected into the LC system. Three different analytical columns were tested in conjunction with two mobile phase compositions of different polarity. The use of LC-DAD techniques allowed the identification of both organophosphorus pesticides and metabolites by means of standard and spectral comparison, respectively. The accuracy of the quantitative determination measured in terms of average percentage recovery of 31 compounds in crop samples was 61–96% with a relative standard deviation of 5–10%.     

Automatic measurement of bentazone and phenoxy acid herbicides by HPLC with three different detectors

Summary An automated procedure is described for the simultaneous UV, fluorescence and electro chemical detection in series of bentazone and six phenoxy acid herbicides. A two step liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane giving an enrichment about a thousand fold has been used. Recovery rates after enrichment and detection limits of bentazone, 2,4 D, 2,4 DB, MCPA, MCPB, MECOPROP and DICHLORPROP in river water are given. It is concluded that the herbicides examined can be detected at levels between 20 ngl^–1 without the necessity of derivatisation.     

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     

Simple Extraction and Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Isoflavones in Soybean Seeds

A simple extraction and rapid HPLC method, suitable to separate and quantify the isoflavonoids in soybean seeds, are proposed and discussed. The method has been applied to the separation and quantification of seed isoflavonoids in five naturally grown soy cultivars; the total amount of isoflavones ranged from 1.83 g kg^–1 to 11.88 g kg^–1 of fresh weight. The detection limits (200 g/kg^–1), evaluated for genistein and daidzein, are presented together with a list of the soy polyphenols analysed by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS.     

Determination of clozapine in human plasma by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

Summary A sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for monitoring clozapine levels in human plasma. Chromatography was performed on a reversed-phase column (C₈, 150 mm×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) with acetonitrile-aqueous sodium acetate solution, 88∶12 (v/v), as mobile phase; the flow rate was 1 mL min⁻¹. Clozapine oxidation at +800 mV was detected amperometrically. Response was linearly dependent on concentration over the range 50–1500 ng mL⁻¹ clozapine in plasma. Sample preparation by solid-phase extraction before HPLC analysis gave high extraction yield (94%). The accuracy and precision of the method were both very good (recovery: 97%;RSD<3.3%).     

Trace enrichment and HPLC analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental samples,using solid phase extraction in connection with UV/VIS diode-array and fluorescence detection

Summary Both the separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) on tailor made HPLC phases, and their chromatographic enrichment and quantitative determination are of great interest. Because of the generally low concentrations of PAH's in the environment, and the low limiting values in German legislation for drinking water, methods for selective enrichment and sensitive detection are indispensable. On account of their relatively high amounts in soil, the determination of PAH's is valuable for the assessment of the potential danger to ground water by waste materials. These requirements can be fulfilled by used of solid phase extraction on enrichment columns, and fluorescence or UV/VIS diode array detection. For the detection of PAH's in the picogram range, the wavelengths for excitation and emission were time programmed over the chromatogram. With this feature, it is possible to detect all the individual compounds at the highest sensitivity, over the entire analysis.     

Continuous Ultrasound-Assisted Leaching of Phenoxyacid Herbicides in Soil and Sediment with in-situ Sample Treatment

Summary Ultrasound, water and Na₂EDTA·2H₂O have been used for continuous leaching with in-situ sample treatment of acid herbicides (namely, bentazone, 2,4-D, trichlopyr, 2,4,5-T and 2,4,5-Tp) from different types of soil (namely, clayey, slimy, sandy, organic and limy) and one sediment. The subsequent steps for quantitation of the leached analytes (namely, preconcentration, individual chromatographic separation and UV detection) were performed using a flow injection manifold that permits automation of the overall process. The main factors contributing to the leaching efficiency—namely, ultrasound radiation amplitude, probe position, percentage of duty cycle of ultrasound exposure, extractant flow-rate and temperature of the water bath in which the extraction cell is immersed—were optimized by means of a central composite design. Also, the kinetics of the leaching step with Na₂EDTA·2H₂O was studied. In all cases, the recoveries of the target analytes were higher than 92%. The detection and quantification limits were 10 and 30 ng g^–1, respectively, for all analytes, but trichlopyr (detection and quantification limits 5 and 12 ng g^–1, respectively). The relative standard deviations for repeatability range between 2.8–5.3%.