A Large Volume Injection Procedure for GC-MS Determination of PAHs and PCBs

A simple on-column injection system for large volume of liquid samples for the GC-MS determination of traces of PAHs and PCBs has been investigated. A deactivated fused silica capillary 20 m × 0.53 mm I.D. and 2 meters of an HP5 column (0.53 mm,1 m film thickness) were used as retention gaps. Injection volumes of 80 L for PAHs and 90 L for PCBs, allow determination of 5–50 ng L^–1 PAHs and 11–44 ng L^–1 PCBs in hexane solution with an RSD of < 10%. The method has been used for the determination of PCBs and PAHs in soil sample.     

Sample introduction assisted by compressed air in flame furnace AAS: a simple and sensitive method for the determination of traces of toxic elements

The power of detection of flame AAS for the toxic elements Cd, Hg, Pb and Tl can be improved by 1–2 orders of magnitude by using flame furnace AAS. In flame-furnace AAS, liquid samples are introduced directly into a nickel tube located in the flame, in the simplest case through a ceramic thermospray capillary. Transportation of the samples is achieved by using compressed air only. Comparatively low detection limits are achieved by both beam injection flame furnace (BIFF-AAS) and thermospray flame furnace AAS (TS-FF-AAS). For TS-FF-AAS, a pressure of less than 20 kPa (<80 in. water) is required. The TS-FF-AAS technique is very simple, robust and cheap. The detection limits were 0.2–0.4 g L^–1 (Cd), 40–100 g L^–1 (Hg), 5–9 g L^–1 (Pb) and 4–14 g L^–1 (Tl), respectively, depending on the method, flow rate and sample volume used. Pb and Cd were found at concentrations of 0.1–2 and 0.005–0.3 g g^–1, respectively, in samples of various spices.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius.     

On-Line Inhibited Chemiluminescence Detection of 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside and Baicalin Separated by Capillary Electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis on-line inhibited luminol-K₃Fe(CN)₆ chemiluminescence method was employed for the determination of 2,3,5,4-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O--D-glucoside (I) and baicalin (baicalein 7-O-glucuronide, II). In this system, luminol was added to running buffer solution and introduced at the head of the separation capillary, and K₃Fe(CN)₆ was introduced at the end of the capillary. The parameters affecting the separation process and CL detection were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the baseline separation of the two analytes was obtained within 4min. The detection limits (S/N=3) for I and II were 3.0×10^–6M and 1.2×10^–6M, respectively. This proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of II in traditional Chinese medicines.     

Determination of freezable water content of beef semimembranous muscle DSC study

The freezable water contents of samples obtained from previously chilled semimembranous muscle of middle-aged beef carcasses after a 24 h cooling period a room at in 5±1C were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at –5, –10, –15, –20, –30, –40, –50 and –65C. This was accomplished by freezing the samples at the above-mentioned temperatures, followed by thawing to 35C, and measuring the melting peaks of freezable water. The areas of these peaks were determined by using the peak integration method programs through a computer linked to the DSC, and they were then used to determine the latent heat of melting (H _m) in kJ kg^–1 at each freezing temperature. The resultant latent heat of melting per sample was divided by the latent heat for pure water to determine the amount of freezable water present in these samples. This amount of freezable water was divided by the total water content of the meat sample to determine the percentage of freezable water in the sample. The percentage of freezable water was subtracted from 100 to determine the percentage of bound water present in the sample.     

Application of a simple and sensitive GC–MS method for determination of morphine in the hair of opium abusers

Thirty hair samples were collected from male opioid abusers for whom the presence of morphine in their urine samples was confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The hair samples were decontaminated by washing with isopropanol, deionized water, and isopropanol, dried at room temperature, and cut into small pieces. Samples of the latter (30 mg ) were digested by incubation in a mixture of methanol–trifluoroacetic acid (9:1) for 18 h at 45 °C and sonicated to improve the extraction process. The methanolic phase was evaporated to dryness under a stream of nitrogen at 50 °C. The sample was derivatized by addition of N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) and 1% trimethyliodosilane (TMIS) at 70 °C for 20 min, with sonication. Derivatized samples (1 L) were injected into a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) system fitted with a capillary column; the Finnigan MS was operated in SIM mode. Naltrexone was used as internal standard (IS). The masses of the ions selected for morphine and naltrexone were 429 and 557, respectively. The limit of quantitation was set at 0.03 ng mg^–1 hair. By using the above procedure we detected morphine in all the samples examined, in the concentration range 0.26–10.31 ng mg^–1 hair.     

Analytical application of atomic emission and atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of imidazoline derivatives based on formation of ion-associates with sodium cobaltinitrite and potassium ferricyanide

Ion-association complexes of Naphazoline HCl (I), Tolazoline HCl (II) and Xylometazoline HCl (III) with [Co(NO₂)₆]^3– and [Fe(CN)₆]^3– were precipitated and the excess of the unreacted iron or cobalt comples was determined. A new method using atomic emission and atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of the above drags in pure solutions and in pharmaceutical preparations is given. The drugs have been determined in the ranges 0.98–14.76, 0.78–11.80 and 1.12–16.80 g/ml solutions of I, II and III. respectively, using [Co(NO₂)₆]^3–], with mean relative standard deviations of 0.4–1.5% and 1.92%–19.68, 1.52–5.68 and 2.24–22.4 g/ml solutions of I, II and III, respectively using [Fe(CN)₆]^3– with mean relative standard deviations of 0.6–1.6%. The recovery values of 98.12–101.26% indicate high precision and accuracy.     

Determination of Iron in Tap and Waste Water Using Liquid–Liquid Extraction in a Flow-Injection System

A flow-injection procedure for the determination of iron(III) in water is described. The procedure is based on the formation of an ion pair between the tetraphenylarsonium (Ph₄As⁺) (TPA) or tetrabutylammonium (But₄N⁺) (TBA) cations and the tetrathiocyanatoferrate(III) complex (TTF). This ion pair is extracted with chloroform, and the absorbance of the organic phase is measured at 503nm (for Ph₄As⁺) or 475nm (for But₄N⁺). Iron concentrations higher than 0.9×10^–6molL^–1 (50µgL^–1) can be detected in the first case, with a relative standard deviation of 1.9% (n=12), a linear application rangeof between 1.34 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1 (75–3015µgL^–1), and a sampling frequency of 30h^–1. For the ion pair with But₄N⁺, the detection limit is 0.52×10^–6molL^–1 (29µgL^–1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% and a linear application range between 0.73 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1. Under the proposed working conditions, only Pd(IV), Cu(II) and Bi(III) interfere. With the application of the merging zones technique, considerable amounts of organic reagent can be saved. The TBA method was applied to the analysis of iron(III) in tap and industrial waste waters.     

Surface Tension of a Liquid under the Conditions of a Fast Surface Renewal during Evaporation

A new capillary method of measuring surface tension under the conditions of a fast surface renewal due to evaporation is considered. At the highest rates reached for n-pentane and water evaporation (0.6 and 0.14 kg m^–2 s^–1, respectively), the deviations of from its equilibrium values may be explained by a change in the meniscus shape under the conditions of intense heat exchange.     

Simultaneous capillary GC-MS determination of triazines and amides in water

Summary A simultaneous capillary Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS) method is described for the determination of thirteen pesticides belonging to the triazine and amide families in water. The sample is extracted in liquid-liquid mode (dichloromethane) and then the determination of the residues is carried out by capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in the Selected-Ion Monitoring mode (SIM). The average recoveries of spiked compounds are in the 78.4–135.4% range between the relative low level (0.100 g L^–1) and the relative high level (10.0 g L^–1). The limits of detection (LOD) are in the 0.009–0.128 g L^–1 range.     

Simultaneous determination of DTPA,EDTA, and NTA by capillary electrophoresis after complexation with copper

We present a method for simultaneous determination of the aminopolycarboxylic acids DTPA, EDTA and NTA in dishwashing detergents, paper mill waters, and natural waters by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The complexing agents were examined as their copper(II) complexes and separated by conventional CE with reversed polarity of the applied voltage. The optimum separation conditions were established by varying the pH and phosphate and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) concentrations in the run buffer. The separations were carried out in a fused-silica capillary (61 cm×75 m i.d.) filled with phosphate buffer (80 mmol L^–1, TTAB concentration 0.5 mmol L^–1, pH 7.1, voltage –20 kV) using direct UV detection at 191 and 254 nm. With this CE method all the peaks in the electropherograms were properly separated, the calibration plots gave good correlation coefficients and all three complexing agents could be detected in less than 4 min. Linear calibration plots were obtained for CuDTPA, CuEDTA and CuNTA; limits of detection were 0.03 mmol L^–1 for all complexing agents and recoveries for all tested samples were within the range 104±7%. Results obtained from dishwashing detergent samples were found to be reliable and comparable with those from HPLC (R²=0.989) and UV–Vis (R²=0.985) methods.     

Determination of Benzimidazole Fungicides by HPLC with Fluorescence Detection After Micellar Extraction

An analytical method was developed to determine the benzimidazole fungicides and their residues (benomyl, carbendazim, thiabendazole and fuberidazole) in real water samples. Analyses were performed by reverse phase (RP) HPLC with direct fluorescence detection with mobile phase methanol:water, 40:60 (v/v) with 0.6% (v/v) ammonia. The extraction of analytes from water samples was performed with the use of micellar systems. Specifically, oligoethylene glycol monoalkyl ether (Genapol X-080) and polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (POLE) were used as extractants. The recoveries of fungicides obtained in spiked water samples ranged from 68% to 94% for Genapol and from 68% to 96% for POLE. The limit of detection (LOD) was lower than 6 g L^–1 for carbendazim, 7 g L^–1 benomyl, 0.15 g L^–1 for thiabendazole and 0.01 g L^–1 for fuberidazole in both surfactants.     

Magnetic Separation Immunoassay for Digoxin in Plasma with Flow Injection Fluorescence Detection

Immunoassay (IA) is a sensitive and selective approach for low level quantitation of drugs. Magnetic separation immunoassays use magnetic beads to facilitate the separation of bound labeled antigens from free antigens in solution. Digoxin was chosen for this study because low level analysis (ngmL^–1) in biological samples isrequired, antibodies to digoxin were commercially available and derivatization procedures for fluorescence labeling were well established. A competitive immunoassay format was used in this study. Streptavidin coated magnetic beads were attached to biotinylated anti-digoxin antibodies for the separation. The inhibition curve for off-line magnetic separation immunoassay of digoxin in spiked plasma was characterized and the dynamic range of the curve was 0.25–2.5ngmL^–1. A power fit weighted by the inverse of concentration was found to provide the best fit to the data (r=0.9934). The percent RSDs for the two controls, 0.8 and 2.2ngmL^–1, were 9.95% and 20.62% (n=6) and the percent errors were 11.75% and 22.63% (n=6), respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) in plasma is 0.14ngmL^–1. The dynamic range of the inhibition curve for on-line magnetic separation immunoassay of digoxin was 0.5–15ngmL^–1 of digoxin. A quadratic fit was found to provide the best fit to the data (r=0.9937). The percent RSDs for the two controls, 4.0 and 12ngmL^–1, were 14.1% and 10.7% (n=6) and the percent errors were 5.8% and 3.3% (n=6) from the spiked value, respectively. The LOD was estimated to be 0.44ngmL^–1 (determined as two times the standard deviation of the blank, n=6). The on-line method has the advantages of being relatively easy to automate in the continuous flow mode and is adaptable for use in conjunction with HPLC separations.     

Development of a stir-bar-sorptive extraction–liquid desorption–large-volume injection capillary gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric method for pyrethroid pesticides in water samples

Stir-bar-sorptive extraction followed by liquid desorption and large-volume injection capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (SBSE–LD–LVI-GC–MS), had been applied for the determination of ultra-traces of eight pyrethroid pesticides (acrinathrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin cis and trans isomers) in water samples. Instrumental calibration for selected-ion monitoring acquisition and conditions that could affect the SBSE–LD efficiency are fully discussed. By performing systematic assays on 30-mL water samples spiked at the 0.10 g L^–1 level it was established that stir-bars coated with 47 L polydimethylsiloxane, an equilibrium time of 60 min (750 rpm), 5% methanol as organic modifier, and acetonitrile as back-extraction solvent, provided the best analytical performance to monitor pyrethroid pesticides in water matrices. Good accuracy (81.8–105.0%) and remarkable reproducibility (<11.7%) were obtained, and the experimental recovery data were in good agreement with the theoretical equilibrium described by octanol–water partition coefficients (log K_O/W), with the exception of acrinathrin for which lower yields were measured. Excellent linear dynamic ranges between 25 and 400 ng L^–1 (r²>0.994), low quantification (3.0–7.5 ng L^–1) and detection (1.0–2.5 ng L^–1) limits were also achieved for the eight pyrethroid pesticides studied. The method was successfully used for analysis of tapwater and groundwater matrices spiked at the 0.10 g L^–1, revealing the suitability of the method for determination of pyrethroid pesticides in real samples. The method was shown be reliable and sensitive and a small volume of sample was required to monitor pyrethroids at ultra-trace levels, in compliance with international regulatory directives on water quality.     

Multi-residue procedure for the analysis of pesticides in groundwater: Application to samples from the comunidad Valenciana,Spain

Summary A simple multi-residue procedure has been developed and applied to the analysis of pesticides in groundwater samples from the Comunidad Valenciana, a predominantly agricultural area on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The procedure includes a liquid-liquid extraction, after addition of NaCl on the samples, and a subsequent analysis by capillary gas chromatography using a dual detection system with electron capture and nitrogen-phosphorous detectors. This allows the determination of more than 30 compounds (organophosphorous, organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides) at the low ppb (g l^–1) levels. Detection limits obtained varied between 0.01 g l^–1 (lindane, fonofos) and 0.5 g l^–1 (cypermethrin). An additional injection of the sample extracts into a gas chromatograph equipped with a column of different polarity and electron capture detector is used for the confirmation of chromatographic peaks. The recommended procedure has been applied to 66 ground water samples. Pesticides, including organophosphorus and organochlorine compounds were detected in 31 of them, in levels ranging from 0.02 to 0.7 g l^–1.     

Determination of Endocrine Disruptors in Environmental Water Samples by Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction-Liquid Desorption - Large Volume Injection-Gas Chromatography

A method based on stir bar sorptive extraction with liquid desorption combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection has been developed to determine a group of endocrine disruptors in water samples. Large volume injection was used with a programmed temperature vaporiser injector in gas chromatography to enhance sensitivity. The parameters affecting stir bar sorptive extraction and large volume injection were optimised. The limits of quantification in the full scan mode were between 0.02 and 0.2 g L^–1 and the limits of detection were between 0.005 and 0.02 g L^–1 for river water samples. The reproducibility between days of the method (n=3) for river water samples spiked at 0.2 g L^–1 was below 15%. The performance of the method was checked with several water samples from the sea, and effluent and influent sewage treatment plants. We found 4-tert-octylphenol, benzylbutyl phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate in all the water samples analysed at levels between 0.02–14.04 g L^–1. Diazinon was found in only one effluent wastewater sample at 0.16 g L^–1.Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia (projects AMB1999-0875 and PPQ2001-1805-CO3). We would like to thank Dr P. Sandra for kindly providing the stir bars.     

The enthalpies of solution and crystallization of sodium nitrate in water at 25°C

The differential enthalpies of solution of sodium nitrate in water have been measured calorimetrically at 25°C, from 0.5 to 10.4 mol (kg H₂O)^–1. The concentration dependence is described by the equation H=20.4537+1.0562m^1/2-7.0568m+2.8659m^3/2-0.3382m² From the calorimetric measurements, the enthalpy of crystallization of sodium nitrate was calculated as H_c=9.98±0.16 kL-mol^-1. The literature data on the solubility, activity and osmotic coefficients of NaNO₃ at 25°C yielded a value of –9.98±0.38 kJ-mol^–1. The good agreement between the experimental and calculated H_c values indicate the reliability of the input data.     

Analysis of Mepivacaine in Human Serum by Gas Chromatography After Solid-Phase Extraction

A method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for analysis of mepivacaine in human serum. A procedure for isolation of mepivacaine and lidocaine (internal standard) from human serum by use of Chromosorb 104 (acrylonitrile–divinylbenzene polymer) as extraction adsorbent is described in detail. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography on an HP-INNOWax (cross-linked PEG) capillary column, with flame ionization detection, after splitless injection. Relative standard deviations ranged between 3.6 and 4.4 for a serum mepivacaine concentration of 0.5 g mL^–1 and between 4.7 and 5.9 for a concentration of 1 g mL^–1. Recoveries were approximately 95%. The method was applied in a stomatological clinic to healthy volunteers to whom anesthesia with mepivacaine was administered.     

Determination of Salbutamol, Amikacin and Paromomycin Sulfate by a Novel Sulfate Polymeric Membrane Sensor Based on 2,6-diphenyl 4-(4-methoxyphenyl) pyrylium perchlorate

A novel sulfate polymeric membrane sensor based on 2,6-diphenyl 4-(4-methoxyphenyl) pyrylium perchlorate (DMPP) as a sensing material is presented. The electrode displays a very low detection limit (4.0×10^–7M) and wide working concentration range (8.0×10^–7–1.0×10^–1M). The sensor shows remarkable selectivity toward sulfate over most common organic and inorganic anions, including chloride, acetate, nitrate, nitrite, bromide, iodide, thiocyanate, phosphate, fluoride, sulfite, hydrogen sulfite, hydrogen carbonate, citrate, tartarate and oxalate. The sensor reveals a Nernstian behavior (slope of –29.7±0.5mV per decade) in a wide pH range (3.0–9.5). The proposed sensor shows a short response time over the entire working range (15s) and was successfully applied to the direct determination of salbutamol, amikacin and paromomycin sulfate.     

Simultaneous determination of DTPA,EDTA, and NTA by UV–visible spectrometry and HPLC

In this study, UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for simultaneous analysis of chelating agents diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), as their metal chelates in dishwashing detergents, natural waters, and pulp mill water. The total amounts of the chelating agents in dishwashing detergents were verified by potentiometric titration with Fe(III) solution. Nickel(II) chelates were determined by UV–Vis and iron(III)chelates by HPLC and titration. Recoveries of DTPA, EDTA, and NTA from a standard mixture of analytes by UV–Vis were 107±7, 101±12 and 94±13%, respectively, and the recovery of the total amount of complexing agents was 99±4%. The limits of detection for DTPA, EDTA, and NTA were 667, 324, and 739 mol L^–1, respectively. In HPLC measurements the optimized mobile phase contained 0.03 mol L^–1 sodium acetate, 0.002 mol L^–1 tetrabutylammonium bromide, and 5% methanol at pH 3.15 and the detection was by UV–Vis detection at 254 nm. All three complexing agents could be separated from each other in a simultaneous analysis in less than 5 min. The limits of detection were 0.34, 0.27, and 0.62 mol L^–1 for DTPA, EDTA, and NTA, respectively. The total amounts of the analytes measured in the dishwashing detergents by the three techniques were found to be highly comparable (ANOVA: F=0.04, P=0.96). R² values were 0.99 for EDTA, 0.99 for NTA, and 0.99 for all the results when UV–Vis and HPLC determinations were compared using regression lines. The UV–Vis and HPLC methods were proved to be viable also for analyses of natural and pulp mill waters. The absence of matrix interferences was verified by the standard addition technique.     

Novel Coated-Wire Membrane Sensor Based on Bis(Acetylacetonato) Cadmium(II) for the Determination of Chromate Ions

A new electrode based on a complex of chromate ions with bis(acetylacetonato) cadmium(II) as a carrier was developed for detection of chromate in aqueous solution. The electrode exhibited linear response with Nernstian slopes of –28.8±0.5mVper decade for chromate within the concentration range of 2.5×10^–6–0.1M. The limit of detection as determined from the intersection of the extrapolated linear segments of the calibration plots was almost 1.0×10^–6M. The electrodes exhibited good selectivities for chromate. The response time of the electrode was <25s over the entire concentration range. The electrode can be used in the pH range 8.0–12.0 for chromate. It was used as an indicator electrode in titration with Pb(NO₃)₂ and for the determination of chromate ion in wastewater samples.