Determination of cannabinoids in hemp food products by use of headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A fully automated procedure using alkaline hydrolysis and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), followed by on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) detection has been developed for determination of cannabinoids in hemp food samples. After addition of a deuterated internal standard, the sample was hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide and submitted to direct HS-SPME. After absorption of analytes for on-fiber derivatization, the fiber was placed directly into the headspace of a second vial containing N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA), before GC–MS analysis. Linearity was good for ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, and cannabinol; regression coefficients were greater than 0.99. Depending on the characteristics of the matrix the detection limits obtained ranged between 0.01 and 0.17 mg kg^–1 and the precision between 0.4 and 11.8%. In comparison with conventional liquid–liquid extraction this automated HS-SPME–GC–MS procedure is substantially faster. It is easy to perform, solvent-free, and sample quantities are minimal, yet it maintains the same sensitivity and reproducibility. The applicability was demonstrated by analysis of 30 hemp food samples. Cannabinoids were detected in all of the samples and it was possible to differentiate between drug-type and fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. In comparison with other studies relatively low THC concentrations between 0.01 and 15.53 mg kg^–1 were determined.     

Full automatic determination of chlorophenols in water using solid-phase microextraction/on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A fully automated combination of solid-phase microextraction and on-fiber derivatization coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed to determine 17 chlorophenols in aqueous samples. Optimal parameters for the automated process, such as fiber coating (polyacrylate), derivatization reagent (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide), extraction time (60 min), derivatization time (5 min), incubation temperature (35°C), sample pH (3), and ionic strength (300 g L(-1) of NaCl), as well as desorption time (5 min) and desorption temperature (270°C) were established. The whole procedure took only 90 min and was performed automatically. The shortcomings of silylation derivatives, like incompleteness and instability, were overcome by using solid-phase microextraction on-fiber silylation in this study. The results from both pure water and river water samples showed that the method had a good linearity (r(2) = 0.9993-1.0000), ranging from 0.01 to 100 μg L(-1). The related standard deviations were between 3.6 and 10.0%. The limits of detections and qualifications ranged from 0.03 to 3.11 ng L(-1) and 0.09 to 10.4 ng L(-1) for the CPs, respectively. The proposed method is superior to traditional solid phase extraction procedure.     

Application of tandem mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography and headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction for the determination of drugs of abuse in hair samples

A new method combination, headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction coupled with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS), is introduced to determine drugs of abuse in hair samples. This highly automated procedure utilizes SPDE for pre-concentration and on-coating derivatization as well as GC and triple quadrupole MS/MS for selective and sensitive detection. All these steps, apart from washing and cutting of the hair samples, are performed without manual intervention on a robot-like autosampler.SPDE is a solventless extraction technique related to solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The analytes are absorbed from the sample headspace directly into a hollow needle with an internal coating of polydimethylsiloxane by repeated aspirate/dispense cycles.The HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS procedure was applied to the analysis of methadone, the trimethylsilyl derivatives of cannabinoids and the trifluoroacetyl derivatives of amphetamines and designer drugs. The method was shown to be sensitive with detection limits between 6 and 52 pg/mg hair matrix and precision between 0.4 and 7.8% by the use of an internal standard technique. Linearity was obtained from 0.1-20 ng/mg with coefficients of correlation between 0.995 and 0.999.Compared with conventional methods of hair analysis, HS-SPDE/GC/MS/MS is easier to use, substantially faster, with the degree of sensitivity and reproducibility demanded in clinical and forensic toxicology. The main advantage of the SPDE technique in relation to SPME is the robustness of the capillary.     

Determination of different recreational drugs in hair by HS-SPME and GC/MS

A simple procedure combining headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect and quantify amphetamines, ketamine, methadone, cocaine, cocaethylene and ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hair is described. This procedure allows, in a single sample, even scant, analysis of drugs requiring different analytical conditions. A hair sample (10 mg) is washed and subjected to acidic hydrolysis. Then the HS-SPME is carried out (10 min at 90 °C) for amphetamines, ketamine, methadone, cocaine and cocaethylene. For derivatization of analytes, the fibre is introduced into the headspace of another closed vial containing acetic anhydride. After a chromatographic run, an alkaline hydrolysis for THC analysis is carried out in the same vial containing the hair sample previously used. For adsorption, the solid-phase microextraction needle is inserted into the headspace of the vial and the fibre is exposed for 30 min at 150 °C. For derivatization of analytes, the fibre is introduced into the headspace of another closed vial containing N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. The GC/MS parameters were the same for both chromatographic runs. The linearity was proved to be between 0.01 and 10.00 ng/mg. The repeatability (intra- and interday precision) was below 10% as the coefficient of variation for all compounds. The accuracy, as the relative recovery, was 96.2–103.5% (spiked samples) and 88.6–101.7% (quality control sample). The limit of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.12 ng/mg, and the limit of quantification ranged from 0.02 to 0.37 ng/mg. Application of the procedure to real hair samples is described. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed procedure combining HS-SPME and GC/MS is the first one be to successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of most of the common recreational drugs, including THC, in a single hair sample.     

Applicability of solid-phase microextraction followed by on-fiber silylation for the determination of estrogens in water samples by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A solvent-free method for the determination of five estrogens in water samples at the low ng/l was optimized. Compounds were first concentrated on a polyacrylate (PA) solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, directly exposed to the water sample, and then on-fiber silylated on the headspace of a vial containing 50 microl of N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). Derivatized analytes were determined using GC with MS/MS detection. Influence of several factors on the efficiency of the microextraction step (e.g. time, sample volume, pH, ionic strength and fiber coating) is systematically described. Derivatization conditions were optimized in order to achieve the complete silylation of all hydroxyl groups contained in the structure of the compounds. Detection limits (from 0.2 to 3 ng/l) are compared with those obtained using the same detection technique and different sample preparation strategies, such as solid-phase extraction followed by silylation of the analytes in the organic extract and SPME without derivatization. The method was applied to the analysis of sewage water samples. Two of the investigated species were detected above the quantification limits of the procedure.     

In-capillary derivatization and laser-induced fluorescence detection for the analysis of organophosphorus pesticides by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

We developed a rapid and sensitive method using in-capillary derivatization and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection for the fully automated analysis of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), including glufosinate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and glyphosate by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The potential of 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F) as in-capillary derivatization reagent is described for the first time. The unique feature of this MEKC method is the capillary being used as a small reaction chamber. In in-capillary derivatization, the sample and reagent solutions were injected directly into the capillary by tandem mode, followed by an electrokinetic step to enhance the mixing efficiency of analytes and reagent plugs in accordance with their different electrophoretic mobilities. Standing a specified time for reaction, the derivatives were then immediately separated and determined. Careful optimization of the derivatization and separation conditions allowed the determination of glufosinate, AMPA and glyphosate with detection limits of 2.8, 3.6 and 32.2 ng/mL, respectively. These detection limits were comparable to those of 1.4, 1.9 and 23.8 ng/mL obtained from conventional pre-capillary derivatization. Furthermore, repeatability better than 0.40% for migration time and 3.4% for peak area, as well as shorter migration time, was obtained. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of spiked river water sample with satisfactory results.     

Analysis of aldehydes in water by solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization

The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique with on-fiber derivatization was evaluated for the analysis of aldehydes in water. The poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber was used and O-2,3,4,5,6-(pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) were first loaded onto the fiber. The aldehydes in water sample were agitated into headspace and extracted by SPME with on-fiber derivatization. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used for the analysis of oximes formed and the adsorption-time profiles were examined. The precision, recovery and method detection limits (MDLs) were evaluated with spiked bidistilled water, chlorinated tap water as well as well water. The relative standard deviations from different spiked water sample were all less than 10% and the recoveries were 100 +/- 15%. With 2 ml of water sample, MDLs were in the range of 0.12-0.34 microg/l. Compared with other techniques, the study shown here provided a simple, fast and reliable method for the analysis of aldehydes in water.     

Development and validation of an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of cocaine and its main metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in human hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A new, simple and rapid procedure has been developed and validated for the determination of cocaine and its main metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in human hair samples. After extraction from within the hair matrix by a mixture of methanol/hydrochloric acid (2:1) at 65 degrees C for 3 h, and sample cleanup by mixed-mode solid-phase extraction (SPE), the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), after derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide with 5% chlorotrimethylsilane. Using a sample size of only 20 mg of hair, limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) were, respectively, 20 and 50 pg/mg for cocaine, and 15 and 50 pg/mg for benzoylecgonine, achieving the cut-off values proposed by the Society of Hair Testing for the analysis of these compounds in hair. The method was found to be linear (weighing factor of 1/x) between the LOQ and 20 ng/mg for both compounds, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9974 to 0.9996 for cocaine; and from 0.9981 to 0.9994 for benzoylecgonine. Intra- and interday precision and accuracy were in conformity with the criteria normally accepted in bioanalytical method validation. The sample cleanup step presented a mean absolute recovery greater than 90% for both compounds. The developed method may be useful in forensic toxicology laboratories for the analysis of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in hair samples, taking into account its speed (only 3 h are required for the extraction of the analytes from within the matrix, whereas 5 h or even overnight extractions have been reported) and the low limits achieved (using a single quadrupole mass spectrometer, which is available in most laboratories).     

Automated solid phase extraction, on-support derivatization and isotope dilution-GC/MS method for the detection of urinary dialkyl phosphates in humans

We developed an analytical method based on solid phase extraction, on-support derivatization and isotope dilution-GC/MS for the detection of dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, dimethyl thiophosphate, diethyl thiophosphate, dimethyl dithiophosphate, and diethyl dithiophosphate in human urine. The sample preparative procedure is simple and fully automated. In this method, the analytes were extracted from the urinary matrix onto a styrene-divinyl benzene polymer-based solid phase extraction cartridge and derivatized on-column with pentafluorobenzyl bromide. The ester conjugated analytes are eluted from the column with acetonitrile, concentrated and analyzed. Compared to extraction-post extraction derivatization methods for the analysis of DAP metabolites, this on-support derivatization is fast, efficient, and less labor-intensive. Furthermore, it has fewer steps in the sample preparation, uses less solvent and produces less interference. The method is highly sensitive with limits of detection for the analytes ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 ng/mL. The recoveries were high and comparable with those of our previous method. Relative standard deviation, indicative of the repeatability and precision of the method, was 1-17% for the metabolites.     

Determination of hydroxy metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by fully automated solid-phase microextraction derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A fully automated sample pretreatment method was developed for the detection of mono and dihydroxy metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode. Direct immersion solid-phase microextraction for the extraction of target compounds and the headspace on-fiber silylation with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide were performed automatically by a multipurpose autosampler (MPS2). The operating conditions including extraction time, derivatization time, ionic strength, pH, and incubation temperature were optimized. Calibration responses of nine metabolites of PAHs over a concentration range of 0.1-100 microg L(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 were obtained. The detection limits of the nine metabolites in mini pore water, minimal salts medium and soil extract culture medium were in the range of 0.001-0.013, 0.002-0.024 and 0.002-0.134 microg L(-1), respectively, while the respective quantification limits were 0.003-0.044, 0.005-0.081 and 0.008-0.447 microg L(-1). The reliability was confirmed by the traditional solid-phase extraction method. The proposed method could be used to analyze the metabolites of PAHs degraded by microorganisms such as algae and to determine the biodegradation pathways of PAHs.     

Improved determination of the bisphosphonate alendronate in human plasma and urine by automated precolumn derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and electrochemical detection.

An improved method for the determination of 4-amino-1-hydroxybutane-1,1-bisphosphonic acid (alendronate) in human urine and an assay in human plasma are described. The methods are based on co-precipitation of the bisphosphonate with calcium phosphates, automated pre-column derivatization of the primary amino group of the bisphosphonic acid with 2,3-naphthalene dicarboxyaldehyde (NDA)-N-acetyl-D-penicillamine (NAP) or cyanide (CN-) reagents, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical (ED) or fluorescence detection (FD). The feasibility of ED of the NDA-CN- derivative of aldendronate has been demonstrated, and a HPLC-ED assay in human urine has been validated in the concentration range 2.5-50.0 ng/ml. In order to eliminate the cyanide ion from the assay procedure, several other nucleophiles in the NDA derivatization reaction were evaluated. An NDA-NAP reagent was found to produce highly fluorescent derivatives of alendronate. The assay in urine based on NDA-NAP derivatization and HPLC-FD has been developed and fully validated in the concentration range 1-25 ng/ml. Based on the same NDA-NAP derivatization, an assay in human plasma with a limit of quantification of 5 ng/ml has also been developed. Both HPLC-FD assays were utilized to support various human pharmacokinetic studies with alendronate.     

Simultaneous quantification of morphine and cocaine in hair samples from drug addicts by GC-EI/MS

The development of analytical techniques that enable the use of hair as an alternative matrix for the analysis of drugs of abuse is useful for confirming the exposure in a larger time window (weeks to months, depending on the length of the hair shaft). In the present study a methodology aimed at the simultaneous quantification of cocaine and morphine in human hair was developed and validated. After decontamination, hair samples (20?mg) were incubated with a mixture of methanol/hydrochloric acid (2:1) at 65?°C overnight (~16?h) in order to extract the drugs of the matrix. Purification was performed by solid-phase extraction using mixed-mode extraction cartridges. After derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide, blank, standards and samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS). The method proved to be selective, as there were no interferences of endogenous compounds with the same retention time as cocaine, morphine and ethylmorphine (internal standard). The regression analysis for both analytes showed linearity in the range 0.25-10.00?ng/mg with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9989 to 0.9991. The coefficients of variation oscillated between 0.83 and 14.60%. The limits of detection were 0.01 and 0.02?ng/mg, and the limits of quantification were 0.03 and 0.06?ng/mg for cocaine and morphine, respectively. The proposed GC-EI/MS method provided an accurate and simple assay with adequate precision and recovery for the quantification of cocaine and morphine in hair samples. The proof of applicability was performed in hair samples obtained from drug addicts enrolled in a Regional Detoxification Treatment Center. The importance of hair samples is highlighted, since positives results were obtained when urine immunoassay analyses were negative. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Automated on-line in-tube solid-phase microextraction-assisted derivatization coupled to liquid chromatography for quantifying residual dimethylamine in cationic polymers

A method for the analysis of dimethylamine (DMA) by automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME)-supported chemical derivatization coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography was developed. Extraction, derivatization and desorption were studied by using a capillary coated with 95% polydimethylsiloxane and 5% polydiphenylsiloxane. Solution derivatization and automated IT-SPME derivatization using 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) were compared. The proposed procedure provided adequate linearity, accuracy and precision in the 0.2-2.0 microg/mL concentration interval, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 50 ng/mL. The main advantages of the proposed procedure are: (i) no off-line sample manipulation, (ii) rapidity, as the total analysis time is about 10 min, (iii) specificity for the samples assayed, (iv) minimal consumption of FMOC reagent and (v) minimal residues. Therefore, the proposed method is an environmental-friendly and cost-effective alternative for the control of residual DMA in polymeric cationic surfactants used like flocculants in water treatment.     

Determination of ketamine and amphetamines in hair by LC/MS/MS

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of ketamine (with its metabolite norketamine) and some amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This method was developed to determine these compounds in hair and is able to simultaneously quantify all of them in human hair. Hair samples (20 mg) were washed and pulverized, and an extraction with formic acid (0.01%) and ultrasonication for 4 h was used. Deuterated analogs of the analytes were used as internal standards for quantification. Linearity from 0.5 to 25 ng/mg was obtained for both ketamine (and norketamine) and amphetamines with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification obtained were 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mg, respectively, for ketamine and amphetamines. A total of 25 hair samples from known drug abusers (relating to designer drug consumption or consumption of amphetamines) were examined by this validated method. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for testing these drugs in a single sample of hair. In addition, it is simpler and faster than analysis by conventional methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which usually require a more laborious extraction procedure and, in most of cases, an additional derivatization process.     

A rapid solid sampling method for determination of nickel and copper along human hair by ETAAS

A procedure for copper and nickel determination in scalp hair by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method was described. The hair samples (0.02 to 0.4 mg) were inserted directly on the platforms of solid sampling autosampler. The effects of pyrolysis temperature, atomization temperature, the amount of sample as well as addition of a modifier (Pd/Mg) and/or auxiliary digesting agents (hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid) and/or a surfactant (Triton X-100) on the determination of copper and nickel by solid sampling atomic absorption spectrometry were investigated. After optimization of parameters, the average recoveries of copper in two different certified reference hair samples were 105.7 and 97.6%. The recoveries of nickel in the both certified reference hair samples were in 95.2 and 96.4%. The limits of detection (3σ, N = 10) for copper and nickel were 22 ng/g and 35 ng/g, respectively. Heterogenous distribution of analyte in microscale for segmental analysis could be determined which is important to know that analyte quantity and time of poisoning of a person was exposed. For this purpose, 0.5 cm of pieces were cut along one or a few close strands and analyzed by solid sampling. This process could not be performed by wet-digestion method because 50 mg of sample is needed each time. Finally, the method was applied for the determination of copper and nickel concentrations in the hairs of different persons.     

Simultaneous quantification of tramadol and O‐desmethyltramadol in hair samples by gas chromatography–electron impact/mass spectrometry

Over recent years, hair has become the ideal matrix for retrospective investigation of chronic abuse, including for tramadol. However, in order to exclude the possibility of external contamination, it is also important to quantify simultaneously its main metabolite, O‐desmethyltramadol (M1), which presence in hair reflects systemic exposure. In the present study a methodology aimed at the simultaneous quantification of tramadol and M1 in human hair was developed and validated for the first time. After decontamination of hair samples (60 mg), tramadol and M1 were extracted with methanol in an ultrasonic bath (~5 h). Purification was performed by solid‐phase extraction using mixed‐mode extraction cartridges. Subsequently to derivatization, analysis was performed by gas chromatography–electron impact/mass spectrometry (GC‐EI/MS). The method proved to be selective. The regression analysis for both analytes was shown to be linear in the range of 0.1–20.0 ng/mg with correlation coefficients of 0.9995 and 0.9997 for tramadol and M1, respectively. The coefficients of variation oscillated between 3.85 and 13.24%. The limits of detection were 0.03 and 0.02 ng/mg, and the lower limits of quantification were 0.08 and 0.06 ng/mg for tramadol and M1, respectively. The proof of applicability was performed in hair samples from six patients undergoing tramadol therapy. All samples were positive for tramadol and M1. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of estrone and 17 beta-estradiol in human hair by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

An efficient procedure is described for the determination of estrone and 17 beta-estradiol in hair by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method involves alkyloxycarbonylation with isobutyl chloroformate (isoBCF) of phenolic hydroxy groups after alkaline digestion of hair samples. The resulting isobutyloxycarbonyl derivatives of estrone and 17 beta-estradiol are extracted with hexane and subjected to chlorodifluoroacetyl derivatization in order to protect the remaining alcoholic hydroxy groups. When GC-MS with selected ion monitoring (SIM) was used, the quantitative ions were at m/z 270 and 384 in the electron ionization mass spectra for estrone and 17 beta-estradiol, respectively. The detection limits for SIM of the steroids were 1 and 2 pg, respectively, and the SIM responses were linear with correlation coefficients varying from 0.991 to 0.994 in the concentration range 0.2-4.0 ng g-1 for the estrogens studied. The detection of estrone and 17 beta-estradiol in hair samples was possible in the concentration range of 0.24-1.30 ng g-1. The concentrations of the two estrogens detected were different in male and female hair samples.     

On-fiber derivatization for direct immersion solid-phase microextraction. Part II. Acylation of amphetamine with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride for urine analysis

On-fiber derivatization was used for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in order to increase the detectability and extractability of drugs in biological samples. Amphetamine, which was used as a model compound, was derivatized with pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBCl) and subjected to gas chromatography with electron capture or mass spectrometric detection. Extraction was performed by direct immersion of a 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane-coated fiber into buffered human urine. On-fiber derivatization was performed either after or simultaneously with extraction. The former procedure gave cleaner chromatograms but the latter turned out to be superior with respect to linearity and repeatability. For the on-fiber derivatization of amphetamine an excess of reagent is required. Because a considerable part of the PFBCl loaded on to the fiber is used up by reaction with matrix compounds and water, a reagent loading time of 5 min was needed to obtain a linear range (r = 0.9756) from 250 pg mL(-1) to 15 ng mL(-1). Due to an interfering matrix compound, the limit of detection was also found to be dependent on the reagent loading time, i.e., the limit of detection for a PFBCl loading time of 5 min is 250 pg mL(-1) whereas that for a 1 min loading time it is 100 pg mL(-1). The relative standard deviation (n = 7) of the method was about 11% at an amphetamine concentration of 1 ng mL(-1). The applicability of the method for the determination of drugs in biological samples is shown.     

Solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization for the analysis of anti-inflammatory drugs in water samples

A sensitive and solvent-free procedure for the determination of non-steroidal acidic anti-inflammatory drugs in water samples was optimized using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by on-fiber silylation of the acidic compounds and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) determination. Microextraction was carried out directly over the filtered water samples using a polyacrylate fiber. Derivatization was performed placing the SPME fiber, loaded with the extracted analytes, in the headspace of a vial containing 50 microl of N-methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA). Derivatives were desorbed for 3 min in the GC injector. Influence of several parameters in the efficiency of microextraction (volume of sample, time, pH, type of fiber coating, etc.) and derivatization steps (time, temperature and volume of MTBSTFA) was systematically investigated. In the optimal conditions an excellent linearity over three orders of magnitude and quantification limits at the ng/l level (from 12 to 40 ng/l) were achieved. The proposed method was applied to the determination of acidic compounds in sewage water and results compared to those obtained using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by the derivatization of the compounds in the organic extract of the solid-phase extraction cartridge.     

Coupling of sequential injection analysis and capillary electrophoresis - Laser-induced fluorescence via a valve interface for on-line derivatization and analysis of amino acids and peptides

The on-line coupling of sequential injection analysis (SIA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) via an in-line injection valve is presented. The SIA system is used for automated derivatization of amino acids and peptides. Dichlorotriazinylaminofluorescein serves as the derivatization agent, thus enabling sensitive laser-induced fluorescence detection of the derivatized analytes. The SIA procedure includes the following steps: (a) introduction of reagent and sample zones in a holding coil, (b) sample and reagent mixing in a reaction coil, (c) stop-flow step for increase of the reaction time, and (d) delivery of derivatized sample into the loop of the micro-valve interface. A small portion of the analyte zone is introduced electrokinetically in the separation capillary via the valve interface and CE analysis is performed. Factors affecting the CE separation, such as pH, the borate and sodium dodecyl sulphate concentration of the background electrolyte have been optimized. The derivatization conditions have been studied to obtain a high reaction yield in a relative short time. The transfer of a part of the reaction plug into the loop of the valve interface has been optimized. Using des-Tyr(1)-[Met]-enkephalinamide as test compound, it is demonstrated that after automated derivatization, on-line electrophoretic analysis could be achieved. Glycine has been selected as the internal standard in order to correct for variations in reaction time and filling of the injection loop. For the enkephalin, good reproducibility (RSD<4.5% calculated by the ratio of the peak areas) and linearity (0.5-5 microg mL(-1), R(2)>or=0.994) are obtained with a detection limit of 30 ng mL(-1) (S/N=3).