Direct analysis of biogenic amines in water matrix by modified capillary zone electrophoresis with 18-crown-6

We report on a method for the determination of the biogenic amines (BAs) spermine, spermidine, histamine, cadaverine, β-phenylethylamine, tyramine and tryptamine. It is based on capillary zone electrophoresis in the presence of 18-crown-6 (180?mM), and is making use of amperometric detection. Under optimized conditions, seven BAs could be well separated within 29?min at a separation voltage of 14?kV in a buffer solution of pH 3.6. The limits of detection for seven BAs are around 10?ng.mL^?1 for standard mixtures. The method does not require preconcentration and derivatization steps, and thus provides an attractive alternative to quantitative multi-analysis of BAs in water samples.

Modified dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for pre-concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes prior to their determination by GC

We have developed a modified method for the extraction and preconcentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in aqueous samples. It based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction along with solidification of floating organic microdrops. The dispersion of microvolumes of an extracting solvent into the aqueous occurs without dispersive solvent. Various parameters have been optimized. BTEX were quantified via GC with FID detection. Under optimized conditions, the preconcentration factors range from 301 to 514, extraction efficiencies from 60 to 103 %, repeatabilities from 2.2 to 4.1 %, and intermediate precisions from 3.5 to 7.0 %. The relative recovery for each analyte in water samples at three spiking levels is >85.6 %, with a relative standard deviation of <7.4 %.

Dual cloud point extraction coupled with hydrodynamic-electrokinetic two-step injection followed by micellar electrokinetic chromatography for simultaneous determination of trace phenolic estrogens in water samples

A dual cloud point extraction (dCPE) off-line enrichment procedure coupled with a hydrodynamic–electrokinetic two-step injection online enrichment technique was successfully developed for simultaneous preconcentration of trace phenolic estrogens (hexestrol, dienestrol, and diethylstilbestrol) in water samples followed by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) analysis. Several parameters affecting the extraction and online injection conditions were optimized. Under optimal dCPE–two-step injection–MEKC conditions, detection limits of 7.9–8.9 ng/mL and good linearity in the range from 0.05 to 5 μg/mL with correlation coefficients R ²?≥?0.9990 were achieved. Satisfactory recoveries ranging from 83 to 108 % were obtained with lake and tap water spiked at 0.1 and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively, with relative standard deviations (n?=?6) of 1.3–3.1 %. This method was demonstrated to be convenient, rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally benign, and could be used as an alternative to existing methods for analyzing trace residues of phenolic estrogens in water samples.

Ligandless temperature-controlled ionic liquid-phase microextraction of lead(II) ion prior to its determination by FAAS

We describe the application of temperature-controlled ionic liquid based microextraction (TC-IL-ME) of lead(II) ion. The method does not require the use of an organic solvent or a ligand. Rather, the IL is directly added to the aqueous sample containing Pb(II) in a centrifuge tube, and the mixture is heated to 80 °C for 4 min. After cooling at 0 °C, the solution turns cludy due to the formation of fine droplets of the IL containing Pb(II). The IL is separated by centrifugation, acidified, and directly submitted to FAAS by microinjection. The effects of pH value, volume of IL, extraction time, temperature, sample volume and matrix were optimized to result in a preconcentration factor of 30, a detection limit of 5.8 μg L^?1, and a limit of quantification of 19.3 μg L^?1. The method was validated by analyzing a certified reference material (NCSZC81002B; hair). A recovery test performed with spiked samples gave values between 102 % and 105 %. The method was also used to determine Pb(II) in hair samples.

Evaluation of a series of prolylamidepyridines as the chiral derivatization reagents for enantioseparation of carboxylic acids by LC–ESI–MS/MS and the application to human saliva

Mass spectrometry has become a popular analytical tool because of its high sensitivity and specificity. The use of a chiral derivatization reagent for the mass spectrometry (MS) detection seems to be efficient for the enantiomeric separation of racemates. However, the number of chiral reagents for the liquid chromatography (LC)–MS/MS analysis is very limited. According to these observations, we are currently in the process of developing novel labeling reagents for chiral molecules in MS/MS analysis. The derivatization reagent that is effective for enhancing not only the electrospray ionization–MS/MS sensitivity but also the reversed-phase LC resolution of carboxylic acid enantiomers should have a highly proton-affinitive moiety and an asymmetric structure near the reactive functional group. Furthermore, the resulting derivative has to provide a characteristic product ion suitable for the selected reaction monitoring. Based upon these considerations, a series of prolylamidepyridines ((S)-N-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid N-(pyridine-2-yl)amide (PCP2), (S)-N-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid N-(pyridine-3-yl)amide, and (S)-N-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid N-(pyridine-4-yl)amide) was synthesized as ideal labeling reagents for the enantioseparation of chiral carboxylic acids and evaluated in terms of separation efficiency and detection sensitivity by ultra-performance LC (UPLC)–MS/MS. Among the synthesized reagents, PCP2 was the most efficient chiral derivatization reagent for the enantioseparation of carboxylic acid. The Rs values and the detection limits of the derivatives of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which were selected as the representative carboxylic acids, were in the range of 2.52–6.07 and 49–260 amol, respectively. The sensitive detection of biological carboxylic acids (detection limits, 32–520 amol) was also carried out by the proposed method using PCP2 and UPLC–MS/MS. The PCP2 was applied to the determination of carboxylic acids in human saliva. Several biological carboxylic acids, such as lactic acid (LA), 3-hydroxybutylic acid, maric acid, succinic acid, α-ketoglutalic acid, and citric acid, were clearly identified in the saliva of healthy persons and diabetic patients. Furthermore, the ratio of d-LA in diabetic patients was higher than that in normal subjects. Judging from these results, PCP2 seems to be a useful chiral derivatization reagent for the determination not only of chiral, but also achiral, carboxylic acids in real samples.

Electrochemically controlled solid-phase micro-extraction of proline using a nanostructured film of polypyrrole, and its determination by ion mobility spectrometry

We report on a fast, simple and accurate method for the determination of proline in urine samples by employing a nanostructured film of conducting polypyrrole for electrochemically controlled solid-phase microextraction, and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for detection. This method has the advantages of simple sample preparation and a sensitivity of IMS to proline that is higher than that for other amino acids. The calibration curve is linear in the range of 0.5–60 μg L^?1 (4–521 nmol L^?1), and the detection limit is 0.2 μg L^?1. The electrochemical potentials for uptake and release were optimized. The method was successfully applied to the clean-up and quantitation of trace amounts of proline in urine samples.

Sorption of platinum on immobilized microorganisms for its on-line preconcentration and chemiluminescent determination in water samples

Fungi of the type Aspergillus sp. were immobilized on a cellulosic resin and used as a biosorbent for the on-line preconcentration and separation of Pt(IV) ions prior to their chemiluminescent determination via flow injection analysis. Biosorption and elution conditions were optimized, and the results compared to biosorbents based on the use of Chlorella vulgaris algae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in terms of preconcentration and selective retention of Pt(IV). The immobilized fungi presented here have a high potential for use in platinum biosorption. The procedure exhibits the currently lowest limit of detection (0.02 ng mL^?1 of Pt) and very high selectivity. The procedure was applied to the determination of Pt(IV) in river water, road run-off, and wastewater samples.

The development and optimization of a modified single-drop microextraction method for organochlorine pesticides determination by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We have developed a new method for single-drop microextraction (SDME) for the preconcentration of organochlorine pesticides (OCP) from complex matrices. It is based on the use of a silicone ring at the tip of the syringe. A 5 μL drop of n-hexane is applied to an aqueous extract containing the OCP and found to be adequate to preconcentrate the OCPs prior to analysis by GC in combination with tandem mass spectrometry. Fourteen OCP were determined using this technique in combination with programmable temperature vaporization. It is shown to have many advantages over traditional split/splitless injection. The effects of kind of organic solvent, exposure time, agitation and organic drop volume were optimized. Relative recoveries range from 59 to 117 %, with repeatabilities of <15 % (coefficient of variation) were achieved. The limits of detection range from 0.002 to 0.150 μg kg^?1. The method was applied to the preconcentration of OCPs in fresh strawberry, strawberry jam, and soil.

Preconcentration of metal ions using microbacteria

This review (160 refs). covers the current state of the art of microbacteria-based sorbents for preconcentration of metal ions at trace levels. We highlight advantages and major challenges of the techniques and discuss future perspectives of both batch and column-based methods. Particular attention is paid to the preconcentration of metal ions using resin-immobilized microbacteria for solid phase extractions. We also discuss detection methods including UV–vis spectrophotometry, FAAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Analytical figures of merit are compared, and examples are given for the application to a variety of samples including food, beverages, alloys, water, soil, and geological samples.

Determination of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic, sulfonic, and phosphonic acids in food

A sensitive and accurate method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, and phosphonic acids (PFPAs) at low picograms per gram concentrations in a variety of food matrices. The method employed extraction with acetonitrile/water and cleanup on a mixed-mode co-polymeric sorbent (C8?+?quaternary amine) using solid-phase extraction. High-performance liquid chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column using a mobile phase gradient containing 5?mM 1-methyl piperidine for optimal chromatographic resolution of PFPAs. A quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometer operating in negative ion mode was used as detector. Method detection limits were in the range of 0.002 to 0.02?ng?g^?1 for all analytes. Sample preparation (extraction and cleanup) recoveries at a spiking level of 0.1?ng?g^?1 to a baby food composite were in the range of 59 to 98?%. A strong matrix effect was observed in the analysis of PFPAs in food extracts, which was tentatively assigned to sorption of PFPAs to the injection vial in the solvent-based calibration standard. The method was successfully applied to a range of different food matrices including duplicate diet samples, vegetables, meat, and fish samples.

Selective solid-phase extraction of trace mercury(II) using a silica gel modified with diethylenetriamine and thiourea

We describe a solid phase extractor for selective separation and preconcentration of Hg(II) ion. It was prepared by immobilizing the adduct of diethylenetriamine and thiourea on silica gel. The effects of solution acidity, preconcentration time, sample flow rate and volume were optimized. The results show that Hg(II) can be selectively extracted from acidic solutions and in presence of common other metal ions. The adsorbent is stable, can be reused more than 10 times, and the maximum adsorption capacity is 23 mg g^?1. Hg(II) was quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The method has a detection limit of 23 ng L^?1, and the relative standard deviation is <2 %. The procedure was validated by analyzing two standard materials (river sediment and hair powder), and was successfully applied to the preconcentration of Hg(II) in real samples.

Determination of lewisite metabolite 2-chlorovinylarsonous acid in urine by use of dispersive derivatization liquid-liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive and simple method, based on dispersive derivatization liquid-liquid microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (DDLLME–GC–MS) in scanning and selected-ion-monitoring (SIM) modes, for detection of 2-chlorovinylarsonous acid (CVAA) as a hydrolysis product and urinary metabolite of lewisite in urine samples. Chloroform (65 μL), methanol (500 μL), and ethanedithiol (10 μL) were used as extraction solvent, dispersive solvent, and derivatizing reagent, respectively. Critical conditions of the proposed method were optimized. The nucleophilic reactions of dithiol and monothiol compounds with CVAA were also studied using a competitive method. In view of the high affinity of trivalent arsenic for sulfhydryl groups, the interaction between CVAA and bis(2-chlorovinyl)arsonous acid (BCVAA) and free cysteine (Cys) was also investigated using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS). The interference of Cys, present in human urine, with the detection of CVAA was evaluated using dithiol and monothiol chemicals as derivatization agents. The developed method provided a preconcentration factor of 250, and limits of detection of 0.015 and 0.30 μg L^?1 in SIM and scanning modes, respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 1–400 μg L^?1 in full-scan mode. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values were calculated to be 5.5 and 3.2 % at concentrations of 20 and 100 μg L^?1, respectively. Collision-induced dissociation studies of the major electron-impact (EI) ions were performed to confirm the proposed fragment structure of CVAA-dithiols derivatives. Results indicated that the developed method for analysis of CVAA is suitable not only for verification of human exposure to lewisite, but also for quantification of CVAA in urine samples.

Emulsification based dispersive liquid microextraction prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the sensitive determination of Cd(II) in water samples

We report on the application of emulsification-based dispersive liquid microextraction (EB-DLME) to the preconcentration of Cd(II). This procedure not only possesses all the advantages of routine DLLME, but also results in a more stable cloudy state which is particularly useful when coupling it to FAAS. In EB-DLME, appropriate amounts of the extraction solvent (a solution of dithizone in chloroform) and an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS; acting as a disperser) are injected into the samples. A stable cloudy microemulsion is formed and Cd(II) ion is extracted by chelation. After phase separation, the sedimented phase is subjected to FAAS. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve for Cd(II) is linear in the range from 0.1 to 25 μg L^?1, the limit of detection (at S/N?=?3) is 30 pg L^?1, the relative standard deviations for seven replicate analyses (at 0.56 μg L^?1 of Cd(II)) is 4.6 %, and the enrichment factor is 151. EB-DLME in our opinion is a simple, efficient and rapid method for the preconcentration of Cd(II) (and most likely of many other ions) prior to FAAS determination.

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction for the sensitive determination of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages

A method based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification–microextraction (USAEME) was proposed in this contribution for the determination of ethyl carbamate (EC) in alcoholic beverages using gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. To achieve the determination of EC in alcoholic beverages, the influences on the extraction efficiency of type and volume of extraction solvent, temperature, ionic strength, alcohol content, and extraction time were studied, once the extraction solvent had been selected. The optimized conditions were 200.0 μL of chloroform at 30 °C during 5 min with 15 % (m/v) sodium chloride addition. The detection limit, relative standard deviations, linear range, and recoveries under the optimized conditions were 0.03 μg L^?1, 4.2–6.1 %, 0.1–50.0 μg L^?1, and 80.5–87.9 %, respectively. Moreover, the feasibility of the present method was also validated by real samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that USAEME has been applied to determine a strongly hydrophilic compound in alcoholic beverages.

The use of trimethylsilyl cyanide derivatization for robust and broad-spectrum high-throughput gas chromatography–mass spectrometry based metabolomics

Reproducible and quantitative gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics analysis of complex biological mixtures requires robust and broad-spectrum derivatization. We have evaluated derivatization of complex metabolite mixtures using trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) and the most commonly used silylation reagent N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). For the comparative analysis, two metabolite mixtures, a standard complex mixture of 35 metabolites covering a range of amino acids, carbohydrates, small organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpenoids, and a phenolic extract of blueberry fruits were used. Four different derivatization methods, (1) direct silylation using TMSCN, (2) methoximation followed by TMSCN (M-TMSCN), (3) direct silylation using MSTFA, and (4) methoximation followed by MSTFA (M-MSTFA) were compared in terms of method sensitivity, repeatability, and derivatization reaction time. The derivatization methods were observed at 13 different derivatization times, 5 min to 60 h, for both metabolite mixtures. Fully automated sample derivatization and injection enabled excellent repeatability and precise method comparisons. At the optimal silylation times, peak intensities of 34 out of 35 metabolites of the standard mixture were up to five times higher using M-TMSCN compared with M-MSTFA. For direct silylation of the complex standard mixture, the TMSCN method was up to 54 times more sensitive than MSTFA. Similarly, all the metabolites detected from the blueberry extract showed up to 8.8 times higher intensities when derivatized using TMSCN than with MSTFA. Moreover, TMSCN-based silylation showed fewer artifact peaks, robust profiles, and higher reaction speed as compared with MSTFA. A method repeatability test revealed the following robustness of the four methods: TMSCN?>?M-TMSCN?>?M-MSTFA?>?MSTFA.

Dipyridylamine-modified nanoporous silicas as new sorbents for the separation and pre-concentration of palladium

Nanoporous silicas of the type SBA-15 (Santa Barbara Amorphous) and MCM-48 (Mobile Composition of Material) were modified with dipyridylamine (dipy) and used as solid phases for the extraction of Pd(II) ions. The experimental conditions (pH, sample and eluent flow rates, type and quantity of eluent) were optimized. The recovery values were ~ 99.7 and ~ 93.4% for dipy-MCM-48 and dipy-SBA-15, respectively, the limits of detection were <0.08 and <0.11 ng L^?1, the pre-concentration factors were 725 and 550, and the adsorption capacity was >78 mg g^?1. The procedure was applied to the preconcentration of Pd(II) in real samples.

Carbon-based magnetic nanocomposites in solid phase dispersion for the preconcentration some of lanthanides, followed by their quantitation via ICP-OES

We report on a method for the extraction of the lanthanide ions La(III), Sm(III), Nd(III) and Pr(III) using a carbon-ferrite magnetic nanocomposite as a new adsorbent, and their determination via flow injection ICP-OES. The lanthanide ions were converted into their complexes with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol, and these were adsorbed onto the nanocomposite. Fractional factorial design and central composite design were applied to optimize the extraction efficiencies to result in preconcentration factors in the range of 141–246. Linear calibration plots were obtained, the limits of detection (at S/N?=?3) are between 0.5 and 10 μg?L^?1, and the intra-day precisions (n?=?3) range from 3.1 to 12.8 %. The method was successfully applied to a certified reference material.

Separation of perfluorocarboxylic acids using capillary electrophoresis with UV detection

A capillary electrophoretic method with UV detection for separation and quantitation of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) from C6-PFCA to C12-PFCA has been developed. The optimization of measurement conditions included the choice of the most appropriate type and concentration of buffer in the background electrolyte (BGE), as well as the type and the content of an organic modifier. The optimal separation of investigated PFCAs was achieved with 50 mM phosphate buffer and 40% isopropanol in the BGE using direct UV detection. The optimum wavelength for direct UV detection was optimized at 190 nm. For indirect detection, several chromophores were studied. Five mM 3,5-Dinitrobenzoic acid (3,5-DNBA) in 20 mM phosphate buffer BGE and indirect UV detection at 280 nm gave the optimal detection and separation performance for the investigated PFCAs. The possibility of on-line preconcentration of solutes by stacking has been examined for indirect detection. The detection limits (LODs) determined for direct UV detection ranged from 2 microg/mL for C6-PFCA to 33 microg/mL for C12-PFCA. The LODs obtained for indirect UV detection were comparable to those obtained for direct UV detection.     

Preconcentration of trace cadmium ion using magnetic graphene nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent

Graphene-based magnetic nanoparticles (G-Fe₃O₄) were prepared and used as an effective adsorbent for the solid-phase extraction of trace quantities of cadmium from water and vegetable samples. The method avoids some of the time-consuming steps associated with traditional solid phase extraction. The excellent sorption property of the G-Fe₃O₄ system is attributed to π - π stacking interaction and hydrophobic interactions between graphene and the Cd-PAN complex. The effects of pH, the amount of G–Fe₃O₄, extraction time, type and volume of eluent, desorption time and interfering ions on the extraction efficiency were optimized. The preconcentration factor is 200. Cd(II) was then quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with a detection limit of 0.32 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation (at 50 ng mL^?1; for n?=?10) is 2.45 %. The method has a linear analytical range from 1.1 to 150 ng mL^?1, and the recoveries in case of real samples are in the range between 93.1 % and 102.3 %.

Determination of thiourea using a carbon paste electrode decorated with copper oxide nanoparticles

We report on a novel sensor for the electrochemical determination of thiourea (TU). It is based on an active carbon paste electrode modified with copper oxide nanoparticles. The modified electrode and the electrochemical properties of thiourea on its surface were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit is 20 μg?L^?1 of TU. The method was applied to the determination of thiourea in fruit juice, orange peel and industrial waste water.