Determination of methylmercury in fish tissue by gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry after derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate

The detection of methylmercury species (MeHg) in fish tissue was investigated. Samples were digested with KOH-methanol and acidified prior to extraction with methylene chloride. MeHg was back-extracted from the organic phase into water. An aliquot of this aqueous solution (buffered to pH 5) was subjected to derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh4) and then extracted with toluene. The organic phase containing MePhHg was injected into a gas chromatograph (GC) which is on-line with a microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometer (MIP-AED). The quantification limit was about 0.6 microg/g and 0.1 microg/g of MeHg (as Hg) for 0.08 g of freeze-dried fish powder and 0.5 g of fresh samples, respectively. Two certified reference materials, CRM 464 (tuna fish) from Community Bureau of Reference-BCR and DORM-2 (dogfish muscle) from National Research Council Canada-NRC were selected for checking the accuracy of the method. This methodology was applied to the determination of MeHg in some kinds of fish from the Carmo river with alluvial gold recovery activities ("garimpos") in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil.     

Determination of methylmercury in fish tissue by gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry after derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate

The detection of methylmercury species (MeHg) in fish tissue was investigated. Samples were digested with KOH-methanol and acidified prior to extraction with methylene chloride. MeHg was back-extracted from the organic phase into water. An aliquot of this aqueous solution (buffered to pH 5) was subjected to derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh₄) and then extracted with toluene. The organic phase containing MePhHg was injected into a gas chromatograph (GC) which is on-line with a microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometer (MIP-AED). The quantification limit was about 0.6 μg/g and 0.1 μg/g of MeHg (as Hg) for 0.08 g of freeze-dried fish powder and 0.5 g of fresh samples, respectively. Two certified reference materials, CRM 464 (tuna fish) from Community Bureau of Reference-BCR and DORM-2 (dogfish muscle) from National Research Council Canada-NRC were selected for checking the accuracy of the method. This methodology was applied to the determination of MeHg in some kinds of fish from ¶the Carmo river with alluvial gold recovery activities (“garimpos”) in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil.     

Determination of aliphatic and alicyclic amines in water by gas and liquid chromatography after derivatization by chloroformates

Two new methods were developed for the analysis of aliphatic (n-propylamine, pentylamine, hexylamine, heptylamine, octylamine) and alicyclic (pyrrolidine, morpholine, piperidine, piperazine) amines in water samples after derivatization and liquid-liquid-extraction. The carbamate-derivatives formed were determined by GC/MS (trichloroethyl carbamates) as well as by HPLC/fluorescence detection (9-fluorenylmethyl carbamates) in a concentration range between 0.05 and 1.0 microg/l suitable for drinking water analysis. Applications to German rivers and sewage plants show that both new methods produce corresponding results in analysing aliphatic and alicyclic amines in surface waters as well as in waste water samples.     

Determination of aliphatic and alicyclic amines in water by gas and liquid chromatography after derivatization by chloroformates

Two new methods were developed for the analysis of aliphatic (n-propylamine, pentylamine, hexylamine, heptylamine, octylamine) and alicyclic (pyrrolidine, morpholine, piperidine, piperazine) amines in water samples after derivatization and liquid-liquid-extraction. The carbamate-derivatives formed were determined by GC/MS (trichloroethyl carbamates) as well as by HPLC/fluorescence detection (9-fluorenylmethyl carbamates) in a concentration range between 0.05 and 1.0 g/l suitable for drinking water analysis. Applications to German rivers and sewage plants show that both new methods produce corresponding results in analysing aliphatic and alicyclic amines in surface waters as well as in waste water samples.     

Methylmercury determination in biological samples by derivatization,solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A method for the extraction and gas chromatographic determination of methylmercury in biological matrices is presented. By combining the advantages of two extraction techniques-microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME)--the separation of methylmercury from biological samples is possible. Specifically, the procedure involves microwave extraction with 3 M hydrochloric acid, followed by aqueous-phase derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate and headspace SPME with a silica fibre coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). For optimization of the derivatization-SPME procedure, a central composite experimental design with alpha = 1.682 and two central points was used to model gas-chromatographic peak areas as functions of pH, extraction temperature and sorption time. A desirability function was then used for the simultaneous optimization for methylmercury and Hg(II). The optimal derivatization-SPME conditions identified were close to pH 5, temperature 100 degrees C, and sorption time 15 min. The identification and quantification of the extracted methylmercury is carried out by gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry detection. The validity of the new procedure is shown by the results of analyses of certified reference materials.     

Characterization of bis-carboxyethyl germanium sesquioxide and its complexes with amino acids using electrospray QqTOF mass spectrometry

This work deals with the application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) with QqTOF analyzer for the characterization of Ge-132 complexes with different amino acids in aqueous solution with the emphasis on the determination of elemental composition. ESI mass spectra provide complementary structural information in both polarity modes. Some reaction products were suggested based on the interpretation of high resolution mass spectra. Moreover, the experimental isotopic distributions of ions were compared with theoretical calculated isotopic clusters. The superposition of many ion overlays was observed due to the wide isotopic distributions of studied polyisotopic complexes. The high resolution QqTOF analyzer enabled the discrimination of these ion signals differing at least by 0.12 mass units. The occurrence of overlaid signals from ions with smaller mass difference was successfully recognized based on the shift of isotopic distribution, and their elemental composition was verified using mass accuracies of non-overlaid isotopes at the borders of the isotopic cluster. Mass spectra obtained with ion trap and single quadrupole analyzers support QqTOF data.     

Determination of amoxicillin in trout by liquid chromatography with UV detection after derivatization

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method based on solid-phase extraction was developed for determination of amoxicillin in muscle tissue of rainbow trout. The compound was extracted in an aqueous solution by precipitation of organic material with a mixture of sulfuric acid and sodium tungstate. The extract was processed by solid-phase extraction on an end-capped phenyl sorbent, and concentrated on a divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone polymeric sorbent. The extract was derivatized and analyzed by reversed-phase gradient LC on a C18 column with UV detection at 323 nm. The method detection limit was 2.9 micrograms/kg. Mean recovery in muscle was 80.5% (range 10-200 micrograms/kg). The method was applied to fillets from trout offered feed containing amoxicillin in an aquaculture pilot plant. Amoxicillin was detected in muscle tissue shortly after administration but not 3 weeks later. The relative repeatability standard deviation for incurred residues in muscle tissue was 6.4% (range 11-143 micrograms/kg).     

Gas chromatography of epinephrine and norepinephrine after derivatization with chloroformates in aqueous media

Optimal conditions for the reaction of alkyl chloroformates with epinephrine and norepinephrine in aqueous solution have been evaluated. The maximal yield with 0.06 M methyl chloroformate was in the pH range 7.0–8.5. The derivatives formed are isolated by extraction with methylene chloride and gas chromatographed on 3% QF-1 with a nitrogen-selective detector after trimethylsilylation of the alcohol group.     

药物中水合肼残留量的气相色谱分析

建立了用气相色谱-氮磷检测器(GC-NPD)测定药物中水合肼的新方法。其萃取和衍生采用同一种试剂-丙酮,一步完成,可简单快速地定量检测药物中水合肼的残留量,其检出限为41.0μg/kg;相对标准偏差小于4.1%;回收率在101.5%~107.8%。已用于药物中水合肼的残留量分析。     

Fast esterification of fatty acids with alkyl chloroformates. Optimization and application in gas chromatography

Alkyl chloroformates with methyl, ethyl, and 2-chloroethyl substituents can instantaneously esterify fatty acids under proper reaction conditions. Apart from the formation of the corresponding alkyl esters, even the alkoxycarbonyl esters can be prepared. These derivatives are useful for the analysis of short-chain fatty acids. As alkoxycarbonyl ester, even acetic acid can already be separated from the solvent peak. The reaction conditions were examined, and the Influence of solvent polarity and reagent concentration on the conversion was studied. Quantitative conversion of acids to their easters was achieved in non-aqueous solutions, but even in the presence of water the yields were acceptable.     

Determination of formaldehyde in spirits by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection after derivatization

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with diode-array detection (DAD) to identify and quantify formaldehyde (FA) in spirits is described. Formaldehyde was quantified with DAD after derivatization with ethyl 3-oxobutanoate and ammonia to yield the diethyl 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate. The response of the detection system was linear within the range of 0.25-2.00 μg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The average formaldehyde concentration in the samples ranged between 0.27 and 3.01 mg/l. The coefficient of variation was lower than 4.84% and recoveries ranged from 93.4 to 100.4%. Purity of formaldehyde derivative peak was confirmed by spectral data.     

Determination of pesticides in waters by capillary gas chromatography with atomic emission detection

Capillary gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (GC-AED) was successfully used to separate and quantify 14 pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphorus compounds and pyrethrins) in water samples after liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Monitoring the emission lines for elements such as chlorine, bromine and sulfur ensures nearly specific chromatograms for these elements, and markedly increases selectivity. Calibration curves were obtained by plotting peak area versus concentration and the correlation coefficients relating to linearity were at least 0.999. Each chromatographic separation takes 21 min and, since two injections are necessary, it requires approximately 1 h to analyze one sample. The method shows a precision of 4.3-8.2% (RSD), depending on the compound. The application of liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate led to recoveries from spiked samples ranging from 76 to 113%. The sensitivity and linearity for the elements chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus were checked under the optimized conditions at their customary emission wavelength. The sensitivity and linearity for these compounds decreased in the order (atom and emission wavelength) Cl (479 nm)>S (181 nm)>P (178 nm)>N (174 nm). A study of the GC-AED system's response to chlorine concentration in eight pesticide molecules was performed and a linear relationship was found with a correlation coefficient of 0.987.     

Determination of methylmercury in natural waters by headspace gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma detection after preconcentration on a resin containing dithiocarbamate groups

A method for the determination of methylmercury at ng l^?1 levels in natural waters is described. Methylmercury present in a sample is first preconcentrated on a column of a resin containing dithiocarbamate groups and eluted quantitatively with acidic thiourea solution. Methylmercury in the effluent is then converted to the iodide by addition of sulphuric acid and iodoacetic acid and determined by headspace gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma detection. The adsorption properties of the resin are discussed.     

Determination of triclosan in human dental plaque by gas chromatography with atomic emission detection

A validated gas chromatographic method for the determination of triclosan in human dental plaque is described. Based on plaque sample weights of 10 mg, the limit of detection (2 × S/N) is 0.5 μg/g. The method is linear (r = 0.9986) from the limit of detection to 50 μg/g. Recoveries from placebos spiked with 2.0, 25, and 50 μg/g of triclosan were 105.6%±7.5%, 107.2%±3.1%, and 99.1%±1.1%, respectively (n = 3 at each level). Twenty replicate preparations and analyses of a homogenized sample, conducted by two operators over the course of 4 days, showed agreement to within 9% RSD. Analyses of dental plaque collected from patients after brushing with dental cream containing triclosan, shows triclosan to be retained in dental plaque at concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (1 μg/g) after 12 h.     

Determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in human urine by HS-SPME after derivatization with tetraethylborate and subsequent determination by capillary GC with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission and mass spectrometric detection

A headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) method was developed and optimized for gas chromatographic separation and determination of commonly found organotin compounds in human urine after potential exposure. Butyl- and phenyltin compounds were in situ derivatized to ethylated derivatives by sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄) directly in the urine matrix. The relevant parameters affecting the yield of the SPME procedure were examined using tetrabutyltin as internal standard. The method was optimized for direct use in the analysis of undiluted human urine samples and mono-, di- and tri-substituted butyl- and phenyltin compounds could be determined after a 15-min headspace extraction time at room temperature. The selectivity of the microwave-induced plasma atomic emission detector (MIP-AED) as an element specific detector in combination with the relatively selective sample preparation technique of HS-SPME allowed the interference-free detection of the organotin compounds in all cases. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was used in parallel experiments as a detector for the confirmation of the identity molecular structure of the eluted compounds. The performance characteristics of the developed method are given for the determination of mixtures of these compounds. Finally the proposed method was applied to the analysis of several human urine samples.     

Empirical and molecular formula determination by gas chromatography/microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Following a review of gas chromatographic element-specific detection by microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry for the purposes of empirical-formula determination, current results for an atmospheric-pressure helium plasma are presented. Hydrocarbons and chlorinated organic compounds are used as models and compounds resulting from chlorination of fulvic acid are characterized. Accuracy and precision for carbon, hydrogen and chlorine determinations are reported. The former usually being better than ±5% and the latter in the range 1–3%. Manual and computer methods for empirical-formulae determination are presented and compared.     

Determination of biogenic amines in lake water by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with fluorescence detection after derivatization with fluorescamine

A simple and rapid method has been developed for the determination of biogenic amines in lake water using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with fluorescence detection. Separation of fluorescamine derivatized biogenic amines was accomplished by using borate buffer of pH 9.5 containing 40 mM of sodium dodecyl sulphate. The method has been optimized with respect to fluorescamine concentration, reaction pH, reaction time, separation voltage and injection time. Detection was performed by using UG-11 excitation filter and 495 nm emission filter. The proposed method for histamine, tyramine and dopamine allowed their separation within 2 min with detection limits in nM range. The interday and intraday reproducibility of peak areas were less than 6.5%. Recovery of spiked samples was 95.76–116.31%.     

Analytical study of proteinaceous binding media in works of art by gas chromatography using alkyl chloroformates as derivatising agents

In this work, we present the results obtained in an analytical study of the different types of proteinaceous binding media most commonly used in paintings, using GC-FID as the technique of analysis and GC-MS as a confirmatory technique. The application of this methodology requires prior hydrolysis of the proteins in the binding media to obtain free amino acids and then volatile derivatives, in this case by reaction with chloroformates due to advantages of speed, safety and the aqueous medium in which the reaction occurs. The method proposed for the proteinaceous binding media study is to calculate the proportions of the different amino acids with respect to alanine. This method provided good characterisation of different binding media, such as pork gelatine, beef gelatine, albumin, egg white and casein. The proposed method is used for the identification of binding media (including mixtures of binders) present in real samples from paintings in the city of Valencia, Spain.