Challenges from speciation analysis for the development of biological reference materials

Starting with explanations for the increasing demand for speciation analysis the need of appropriate certified reference materials is justified. Specific aspects of biological reference materials for speciation QA/QC are discussed from the point of view of the total analytical process. Examples of unwanted species transformations during analysis are given and critical analytical steps are highlighted. Unchanged biological materials as CRMs and appropriate pure standard compounds are indispensable for the further development of this analytical field.     

Challenges from speciation analysis for the development of biological reference materials

Starting with explanations for the increasing demand for speciation analysis the need of appropriate certified reference materials is justified. Specific aspects of biological reference materials for speciation QA/QC are discussed from the point of view of the total analytical process. Examples of unwanted species transformations during analysis are given and critical analytical steps are highlighted. Unchanged biological materials as CRMs and appropriate pure standard compounds are indispensable for the further development of this analytical field.     

Development of a selective sample clean-up method based on immuno-ultrafiltration for the determination of deoxynivalenol in maize

This paper describes the development of a highly selective analytical method for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in maize. The developed method is based on immuno-ultrafiltration (IUF) and is the first application of IUF as a clean-up strategy in food analysis. Quantification of DON was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. In contrast to immunoaffinity chromatography, in IUF the antibodies are not bound to a solid support material but used in free form, thus making it possible to avoid the critical immobilisation step. Sample clean-up by IUF proved to be as selective as clean-up using commercially available immunoaffinity columns. The limit of detection (S/N=3) of the analytical method was found to be 74 ng DON/g maize. Repeated analysis of a certified maize reference material on four different days resulted in a mean recovery of 93% with a standard deviation of 10%.     

溴代二噁英的分析方法研究进展

溴代二噁英(PBDD/Fs)属于潜在的持久性有机污染物,是一种平面三环芳香化合物,具有致畸、致癌、致突变等特性。目前,国际上对PBDD/Fs分析检测的研究是一大热点,但国内对PBDD/Fs的研究却较少。因此,探究PBDD/Fs的分析检测方法,对进一步控制PBDD/Fs污染具有重要科学意义。本文介绍了PBDD/Fs的特性及其分析方法,着重探讨了PBDD/Fs的提取、净化、仪器分析以及质量控制这四个方面,通过对PBDD/Fs的研究能够更好地了解我国当前对PBDD/Fs的分析检测能力,为后续开展PBDD/Fs的分析检测提供科学有效的方法参考。     

Validation of multi-element isotope dilution ICPMS for the analysis of basalts

In this study we have validated a newly developed multi-element isotope dilution (ID) ICPMS method for the simultaneous analysis of up to 12 trace elements in geological samples. By evaluating the analytical uncertainty of individual components using certified reference materials we have quantified the overall analytical uncertainty of the multi-element ID ICPMS method at 1–2%. Individual components include sampling/weighing, purity of reagents, purity of spike solutions, calibration of spikes, determination of isotopic ratios, instrumental sources of error, correction of mass discrimination effect, values of constants, and operator bias. We have used the ID-determined trace elements for internal standardization to improve indirectly the analysis of 14 other (mainly mono-isotopic trace elements) by external calibration. The overall analytical uncertainty for those data is about 2–3%.In addition, we have analyzed USGS and MPI-DING geological reference materials (BHVO-1, BHVO-2, KL2-G, ML3B-G) to quantify the overall bias of the measurement procedure. Trace element analysis of geological reference materials yielded results that agree mostly within about 2–3% relative to the reference values. Since these results match the conclusions obtained by the investigation of the overall analytical uncertainty, we take this as a measure for the validity of multi-element ID ICPMS.     

SPE–GC–MS Analysis of Chloroform in Drinking Water

In this paper we report a method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry for determination of chloroform in potable water. The affinity of chloroform for the resin enables almost complete recovery of the analyte. The analytical method proposed enables evaluation of chloroform levels down to 0.295 g L^–1. The procedure is characterized by lack of interferences, in fact the GC–MS analysis reveals the presence of only one peak, that of chloroform. Use of CDCl₃ as labelled internal standard also makes the procedure suitable for use as a reference analytical method for quantification of chloroform in drinking water.     

Evaluation of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for the determination of macronutrients in plant materials

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has become an analytical tool for the direct analysis of a large variety of materials in order to provide qualitative and/or quantitative information. However, there is a lack of information for LIBS analysis of agricultural and environmental samples. In this work a LIBS system has been evaluated for the determination of macronutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg) in pellets of vegetal reference materials. An experimental setup was designed by using a Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm and an Echelle spectrometer with ICCD detector. The plasma temperature was estimated by Boltzmann plots and instrumental parameters such as delay time, lens-to-sample distance and pulse energy were evaluated. Certified reference materials as well as reference materials were used for analytical calibrations of P, K, Ca, and Mg. Most results of the direct analysis of plant samples by LIBS were in reasonable agreement with those obtained by ICP OES after wet acid decomposition.     

MIC-SSMS analyses of eight new geological standard glasses

To obtain suitable geological reference materials for microanalytical purposes, a set of eight natural glasses was prepared by direct fusion of rock chips. Multi-ion counting spark source mass spectrometry (MIC-SSMS) has been applied for trace element analysis of these reference materials. The overall analytical uncertainty of the MIC-SSMS results was determined by considering 14 possible sources of errors. It generally ranges between < 2–7% depending on the element and its concentration. Nearly all MIC-SSMS data agree with the reference values within 0–10%, indicating that the estimate of the overall analytical uncertainty is reasonable. Received: 21 December 1998 / Revised: 2 March 1999 / Accepted: 3 March 1999     

Quality assurance in environmental research: emissions and fate of platinum

Summary Quality assurance in environmental research is related to reliable analytical methods. According to this fact great efforts were taken in the German Cooperative Project sponsored by the Ministry of Research and Technology Emissions of Precious Metals to ensure the quality of all analytical data from various research groups. As there are only few certified reference materials (CRMs) for platinum available and the application of reference materials is an important measure in quality assurance and quality control actions in every laboratory, several materials have been prepared with low and elevated platinum contents as reference samples for this project. These reference samples were a catalyst sample with elevated platinum content, a dust reference material with low platinum content and a catalyst reference material with low platinum content. With these reference samples and the Canadian geological reference material SU-1a interlaboratory studies were conducted and the results of these are presented in this paper.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Product ion mass spectra of amphetamine-type substances, designer analogues, and ketamine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes the application of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) technology to separate and identify amphetamine-type substances (amphetamine, methamphetamine), common and novel designer analogues (MDA, MDMA, PMA, 4-MTA, MBDB), and ketamine using Acquity UPLC/Micromass Quattro Micro API mass spectrometer instrumentation (Waters Corporation, USA). From injection of drug reference standards, it was demonstrated that these compounds can be identified by product ion mass spectra in less than 4 min total analysis time, indicating that the technological advancements associated with UPLC/MS/MS allow it to serve as a powerful analytical tool for high-throughput testing. In addition to demonstrating the separation and response of these drug compounds under the stated UPLC/MS/MS conditions, we believe the acquired product ion spectra will be a beneficial reference to laboratories interested in incorporating the use of this technology in the routine analysis of drugs of abuse.     

MIC-SSMS analyses of eight new geological standard glasses

To obtain suitable geological reference materials for microanalytical purposes, a set of eight natural glasses was prepared by direct fusion of rock chips. Multi-ion counting spark source mass spectrometry (MIC-SSMS) has been applied for trace element analysis of these reference materials. The overall analytical uncertainty of the MIC-SSMS results was determined by considering 14 possible sources of errors. It generally ranges between < 2–7% depending on the element and its concentration. Nearly all MIC-SSMS data agree with the reference values within 0–10%, indicating that the estimate of the overall analytical uncertainty is reasonable. Received: 21 December 1998 / Revised: 2 March 1999 / Accepted: 3 March 1999     

A fast, simple calibration method for organic carbon isotope analysis using continuous-flow elemental analyzer interfaced with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

Continuous flow analysis using an elemental analyzer interfaced with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS) is faster and requires much less material than conventional analytical methods. Although using an EA-IRMS is simple and fast, accurate calibration strongly depends on matching sample and reference peak heights by adjusting the sample weight. This paper describes a new modification for calibration using only the major ion beam intensity (nA) without weighing each sample or increasing the number of reference materials.     

Reference materials in the Russian system of accreditation of analytical laboratories

 This article is devoted to the role of reference materials (RMs) in chemical analysis and their main applications in analytical laboratories. The principal requirements of the RMs used in accredited laboratories in the Russian Analytical Laboratories Accreditation System (SAAL) are presented. These include the basic regulatory and metrological requirements of RMs. Finally, a review of the provision of RMs used for the analytical control of various test objects is presented. Received: 9 August 1998 / Accepted: 9 November 1998     

Dimethylsulfone as a universal standard for analysis of organics by QNMR

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (QNMR) is a primary analytical method which allows the use of a standard not directly related to the target analyte. This could allow the introduction of a single universal reference material (URM) to which all other organic standard reference materials/certified reference materials may be compared. Dimethylsulfone is a simple substance that fulfils all criteria necessary as the URM to which the QNMR analysis of all other organic substances may be referenced and hence we propose this as a candidate for this purpose.     

金属材料分析(Ⅰ)

评述了2006～2007年两年间,金属材料分析领域的国内现状与进展概况.内容包括:称量分析法;滴定分析法;分子光谱分析(分光光度法、催化动力学分光光度法);原子光谱分析(原子吸收光谱法、原子荧光光谱法、原子发射光谱法、质谱分析法、X-射线荧光光谱法);电化学分析;金属中气体分析;原位分析;标准分析方法制定与标准物质(标准样品)研制;不确定度评定等在金属材料分析中的应用进展.     

Reference materials – a view from a small country

ISO/IEC 17025 has an increased emphasis on traceability and estimation of uncertainty of measurement compared with ISO Guide 25. Demonstration of traceability is a new concept in analytical chemistry and depends on access to relevant reference materials or use of reference methods. Until now most reference materials used in New Zealand have been imported, because they offered international comparability. New Zealand is currently starting to develop the required infrastructure so that it will be able to produce unique reference materials that will contribute to the total international effort in improving the reliability of analytical chemistry. Received: 12 October 2000 / Revised: 18 January 2001 / Accepted: 23 January 2001     

Trends in certified reference materials for the speciation of trace elements.

The measurement of the chemical species of elements (instead of the total element concentration) has become an irreversible trend in analytical chemistry. The motivation lies in the fact that the biochemical and geochemical behaviour of an element is governed by its species. Quality assurance of the analytical procedures used for speciation analysis requires the analysis of representative reference materials, certified for the relevant species. Up to now the number of existing certified reference materials for trace element species is very limited. The most important ones are environmental CRMs certified for trialkyltin compounds, methylmercury, Cr(III)/Cr(VI) and food CRMs certified for arsenic species and methylmercury. Major developments are to be expected in CRMs focussed on environmental problems, including waste treatment, on bioavailability of trace elements in food and on bio-monitoring in occupational health and hygiene. It is, however, unlikely that the producers of CRMs will ever be able to cover all needs. Add to this that many, very active species are notoriously unstable and/or short living and require in-situ analysis. This will lead to different analytical developments, such as analyses in-situ, where the classical concept of CRMs may not stand firm anymore.     

Trends in certified reference materials for the speciation of trace elements

The measurement of the chemical species of elements (instead of the total element concentration) has become an irreversible trend in analytical chemistry. The motivation lies in the fact that the biochemical and geochemical behaviour of an element is governed by its species. Quality assurance of the analytical procedures used for speciation analysis requires the analysis of representative reference materials, certified for the relevant species. Up to now the number of existing certified reference materials for trace element species is very limited. The most important ones are environmental CRMs certified for trialkyltin compounds, methylmercury, Cr(III)/Cr(VI) and food CRMs certified for arsenic species and methylmercury. Major developments are to be expected in CRMs focussed on environmental problems, including waste treatment, on bioavailability of trace elements in food and on bio-monitoring in occupational health and hygiene. It is, however, unlikely that the producers of CRMs will ever be able to cover all needs. Add to this that many, very active species are notoriously unstable and/or short living and require in-situ analysis. This will lead to different analytical developments, such as analyses in-situ, where the classical concept of CRMs may not stand firm anymore.