Derivatization following hollow‐fiber microextraction with tetramethylammonium acetate as a dual‐function reagent for the determination of benzoic acid and sorbic acid by GC

Derivatization at the injection port following hollow‐fiber‐based liquid–liquid–liquid microextraction with tetramethylammonium acetate as a dual‐function reagent, i.e. an acceptor and derivatization reagent, for the determination of benzoic acid (BA) and sorbic acid (SA) in real samples by GC was developed. BA and SA were extracted from aqueous samples to an organic phase impregnated into the pores of the hollow fiber wall, and then back‐extracted to the acceptor solution located inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. Upon injection, the extracted analytes were quantitatively derivatized to their methyl esters with tetramethylammonium acetate in the GC injection port. Several parameters related to the derivatization and extraction efficiency were optimized. The linearity was satisfactory over a concentration range of 0.1–50 mg/L with r > 0.993 for both analytes. The LODs were 2.0 μg/L for SA and 20 μg/L for BA. The recoveries (83–116%) and precisions (RSDs of 1.2–11.4% (n = 3)) were examined by analyzing real spiked samples. The enrichment factors of BA and SA were 300 and 425. The results demonstrated that this is a simple, rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the determination of BA and SA in various samples.     

Multi-element analysis of iron ore pellets by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Principal Components Regression

Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in combination with Principal Components Regression (PCR) has been applied to determine the elemental composition of a series of run-of-mine (ROM) iron ore samples. The samples were presented for measurement both as compressed pellets and as loose chipped material. The present paper details the results of the measurements of the compressed pellets. Results from ore chips will be reported separately. LIBS spectral data was recorded in three separate spectral regions to measure major, minor and trace components of the iron ore sample pellets. Background stripping, normalization and spectral cleaning were applied to minimize the relative standard deviations of the LIBS data. PCR analysis was then applied to produce calibration models for iron, aluminum, silicon, manganese, potassium and phosphorous. These calibration models were then validated using independent LIBS measurements. Robust calibration models were determined for iron, aluminum, silicon and potassium, whilst the results for manganese were encouraging. Phosphorous, present at low levels in the ores measured, remained the most difficult element to determine accurately. The combination of LIBS and PCR shows potential for in-situ on-line determination of ore composition.     

Genetic‐Algorithm‐Based Wavelength Selection in Multicomponent Spectrophotometric Determination by PLS: Application on Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid Mixture

Genetic algorithm (GA) is a suitable method for selecting wavelengths for partial least squares (PLS) calibration of mixtures with almost identical spectra without loss of prediction capacity using the spectrophotometric method. In this study, the concentration model is based on absorption spectra in the range of 200‐320 nm for 25 different mixtures of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 1‐15 and 2‐16 μg mL^?1 for ascorbic acid and uric acid, respectively. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) for ascorbic acid and uric acid with GA and without GA were 0.3071 and 0.3006, 0.3971 and 0.7063, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of both analytes in human serum and urine samples.     

Simultaneous determination of acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid in human plasma by isocratic high‐pressure liquid chromatography with post‐column hydrolysis and fluorescence detection

A selective, sensitive and rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography method with post‐column hydrolysis and fluorescence detection was developed for the simultaneous quantification of acetylsalicylic acid and its metabolite salicylic acid in human plasma. Following the addition of 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzoic acid as internal standard and simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile, the analytes were separated on a ProntoSIL 120 C₁₈ ace‐EPS column (150 × 2 mm, 3 µm) protected by a C₈ guard column (5 µm). The mobile phase, 10 mm formic acid in water (pH 2.9) and acetonitrile (70:30, v/v), was used at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. After on‐line post‐column hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to salicylic acid (SA) by addition of alkaline solution, the analytes were measured at 290 nm (λ_ex) and 400 nm (λ_em). The method was linear in the concentration ranges between 0.05 and 20 ng/μL for both ASA and SA with a lower limit of quantification of 25 pg/μL for SA and 50 pg/μL for ASA. The limit of detection was 15 pg/μL for SA and 32.5 pg/μL for ASA. The analysis of ASA and SA can be carried out within 8 min; therefore this method is suitable for measuring plasma concentrations of salicylates in clinical routine. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cetyl‐alcohol‐reinforced hollow fiber solid/liquid‐phase microextraction and HPLC–DAD analysis of ezetimibe and simvastatin in human plasma and urine

A new cetyl‐alcohol‐reinforced hollow fiber solid/liquid‐phase microextraction (CA–HF–SLPME) followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) method was developed for simultaneous determination of ezetimibe and simvastatin in human plasma and urine samples. To prepare the CA–HF–SLPME device, the cetyl‐alcohol was immobilized into the pores of a 2.5 cm hollow fiber micro‐tube and the lumen of the micro‐tube was filled with 1‐octanol with the two ends sealed. Afterwards, the prepared device was introduced into 10 mL of the sample solution containing the analytes with agitation. Under optimized conditions, calibration curves plotted in spiked plasma and urine samples were linear in the ranges of 0.363–25/0.49–25 μg L^?1 for ezetimibe/simvastatin and 0.193–25/0.312–25 μg L^?1 for ezetimibe/simvastatin in plasma and urine samples, respectively. The limit of detection was 0.109/0.174 μg L^?1 for ezetimibe/simvastatin in plasma and 0.058/0.093 μg L^?1 for ezetimibe/simvastatin in urine. As a potential application, the proposed method was applied to determine the concentration of selected analytes in patient plasma and urine samples after medication and satisfactory results were achieved. In comparison with reference methods, the CA–HF–SLPME–HPLC–DAD method demonstrates considerable potential in the biopharmaceutical analysis of selected drugs.     

加速溶剂萃取-固相萃取/超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定育苗基质中矮壮素与助状素

研究建立了一种加速溶剂萃取-固相萃取/超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法（SPE-UPLC-MS/MS）测定育苗基质中矮壮素和助状素的分析方法。样品采用快速溶剂萃取仪（ASE）提取,经CBA弱阳离子交换柱净化后,在亲水作用色谱柱上用SeQuant ZLC-HILIC MEKCK色谱柱进行分离;电喷雾正离子（ESI+）模式电离,多反应监测（MRM）模式检测。矮壮素和助状素的质量浓度在0.2~10 μg/kg范围内线性关系良好（r2>0999）,在2、5、10 μg/kg加标水平的平均回收率分别为77%~106%和97%~111%,相对标准偏差（RSD）分别为7.3%~21.7%和5.6%~16.1%,检出限（LOD）均为0.02 μg/kg,定量下限（LOQ）均为0.1 μg/kg。该方法简便、快速、灵敏、准确,适合育苗基质中矮壮素和助状素残留的确证和定量测定。     

Biocatalytic Synthesis of the Anti‐diabetes Agent‐corosolic Acid by Whole Cells of Microorganisms

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent and costly global diseases. For diabetes, frequent insulin treatment and synthetic drugs are very expensive and may cause unwanted side effects. Corosolic acid (CA), a natural product, was reported to be efficient in the treatment of diabetes, meanwhile without induction of anti‐insulin antibodies and obesity. The preparation of CA attracted many researchers in the world. This study investigated the biocatalytic synthesis method of CA from ursolic acid by Streptomyces griseus subsp. griseus 4.18. LC? MS analysis demonstrated that 5 day, 125 μg/mL substrate, pH=9 and 10% strain concentration were the appropriate conditions. It is estimated that biocatalysis will contribute to the development of green and sustainable synthetic processes with less time‐consuming and more environmentally friendly.     

Simultaneous determination of cinnamaldehyde and its metabolite in rat tissues by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Cinnamaldehyde (CA), an active ingredient isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Cortex Cinnamomi, has a wide range of bioactivities. To clarify the distribution characteristics of CA, a selective and sensitive method utilizing gas chromatography–mass spetrometry was initially developed for simultaneously determining the concentration of CA and its metabolite cinnamyl alcohol in rat tissues. Selected ion masses of m/z 131, 105 and 92 were chosen, and separation of the analytes was performed on a DB‐5 ms (30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm, thickness) capillary column by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The calibration curves demonstrated good linearity and reproducibility over the range of 20–2000 and 20–4000 ng/mL for various tissue samples. Recoveries ranged from 86.8 to 107.5%, while intra‐ and interday relative standard deviations were all <11.3%. The analysis method was successfully applied in tissue distribution studies for CA and cinnamyl alcohol. As CA and cinnamyl alcohol may inter‐convert to one another, simultaneous determination of both analytes provides a comparative and accurate data for tissue study. The concentrations of CA and cinnamyl alcohol remaining in spleen were the highest among the main organs, including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain. In addition, there was no long‐term accumulation of CA in rat tissues. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of six steroid alkaloids by sensitive hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic study in rats

In this study, a sensitive hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method was developed to determine pseudojervine (PJV), veratrosine (VTS), jervine (JV), veratramine (VTM), veramarine (VA) and veratroylzygadenine (VTG) in rat plasma. Separations were carried out using LC–MS/MS with a Chrom Matrix HP amide column (5 m, 10 cm × 3.0 mm i.d.). The mobile phases were (A) 0.01 mm formic acid and (B) acetonitrile. Good linearity was found for all analytes (R² > 0.995) in the concentration range from 5 to 1000 μg/L with LLOQ at 5 μg/L for VTM and VTS; and from 1 to 1000 μg/L with LLOQ at 1 μg/L for PJV, JV, VA and VTG. Accuracy of the assay varied from 90.5 to 108.1%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect of six analytes ranged from 72.2 to 95.5% and from 79.2 to 98.4%. According to the stability test, six analytes in rat plasma were stable during the analysis process. On the basis of validation of the assay, the pharmacokinetics of the six steroid alkaloids were investigated after oral administration of Lilu extracts to rats.     

鲁米诺/氨基磺酸电化学发光及其多巴胺检测应用

在本文中,我们首次观察到氨基磺酸可以显著增强鲁米诺电化学发光,而且鲁米诺电化学发光的强度随着氨基磺酸浓度在0.1 μmol·L-1至500 μmol·L-1范围增加而线性增加.同时,我们观察到多巴胺可以显著猝灭鲁米诺-氨基磺酸电化学发光.基于该猝灭现象,我们建立了多巴胺的电化学发光分析方法,该方法的线性范围为0.5至2...     

Design and Development of Ultrafast Sinapic Acid Sensor Based on Electrochemically Nanotuned Gold Nanoparticles and Solvothermally Reduced Graphene Oxide

We report for the first time sinapic acid (SA) sensing based on nanocomposite comprising electrochemically tuned gold nanoparticles (EAuNPs) and solvothermally reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The synthesized EAuNPs, rGO, and EAuNPs‐rGO nanocomposite were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), particle size analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. A proof‐of‐concept electrochemical sensor for SA was developed based on synthesized EAuNPs‐rGO nanocomposite, which was characterized by electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed sensor detected SA with a linear dynamic range (LDR) between 20 μM and 200 μM and detection limit (DL) of 33.43 (±0.21) nM (RSD<3.32 %). To show the useful purpose of the sensor probe in clinical applications, SA was detected in human urine samples, which showed the percentage recovery between 82.6 % and 92.8 %. Interferences due to various molecules such as L‐cystine, glycine, alanine, serum albumin, uric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and urea were tested. Long‐term stability of the sensor probe was examined, which was found to be stable up to 6 weeks. The sensor fabricated using EAuNPs‐rGO nanocomposite has many attractive features such as; simplicity, rapidity, and label‐free detection; hence, it could be a method of choice for SA detection in various matrices.     

Resolution of Differential Pulse Voltammetric Peaks Using Genetic Algorithm Based Variable Selection‐Partial Least Squares and Principal Component‐Artificial Neural Networks

Differential Pulse Voltammetry has been used for the simultaneous determination of cysteine, tyrosine and trptophan on the unmodified glassy carbon electrode. In the analysis of these analytes in the same samples, the main difficulty is the high degree of overlapping of voltammograms. The relationships between the currents and the concentrations are complex and highly nonlinear. The predictive ability of principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares regression (PLS), genetic algorithm‐partial least squares regression (GA‐PLS) and principal component‐artificial neural networks (PC‐ANNs) were examined for simultaneous determination of three amino acids. For a regression model, everything that could not help in constructing the model may be considered as noise without further specification. PC‐ANN and GA‐PLS use significant data and show superiority over other applied multivariate methods. The proposed method was also applied satisfactorily to determination of analytes in some synthetic samples.     

Fast and Selective Simultaneous Determination of Acetaminophen,Aspirin and Caffeine in Pharmaceutical Products by Batch Injection Analysis with Multiple Pulse Amperometric Detection

In this work is presented a method for simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PA), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and caffeine (CA) in pharmaceutical tablets, using a bare boron‐doped diamond working electrode (BDDE) coupled to batch injection analysis system with multiple pulse amperometric detection (BIA‐MPA). The optimized sequence of fast potential pulses were applied on BDDE for acquisition of independent amperograms: +1.0 V for PA oxidation, +1.3 V for oxidation of PA and salicylic acid (SA) generated from a previous alkaline hydrolysis of ASA and +1.6 V in which the three analytes are oxidized (PA, SA and CA). Selective determination of PA is performed using the currents obtained at +1.0 V, while SA and CA signals are indirectly obtained using simple subtraction operations between peak currents from each amperogram and correction factors (CF's). The limitations of such approach on the precision and accuracy as function of BIA‐MPA conditions are discussed. Simultaneous determination of the target drugs in pharmaceutical tablets was performed by BIA‐MPA and the results compared to a HPLC‐DAD method. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method exhibits fast responses (180 injections per hour for the simultaneous determination of the three analytes) and suitable precision (RSD_PA: 0.78 %; RSD_SA: 1.09 %; RSD_CA: 2.73 %). BIA‐MPA method is simple, portable and presents relative low‐cost.     

UPLC‐MS/MS assay for the simultaneous quantification of carvedilol and its active metabolite 4′‐hydroxyphenyl carvedilol in human plasma to support a bioequivalence study in healthy volunteers

An ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of carvedilol and its pharmacologically active metabolite 4′‐hydroxyphenyl carvedilol in human plasma using their deuterated internal standards (IS). Samples were prepared by solid‐phase extraction using 100 μL human plasma. Chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved on UPLC C18 (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) column using acetonitrile‐4.0 mm ammonium formate, pH 3.0 adjusted with 0.1% formic acid (78:22, v/v) as the mobile phase. The multiple reaction monitoring transitions for both the analytes and IS were monitored in the positive electrospray ionization mode. The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.05–50 ng/mL for carvedilol and 0.01‐10 ng/mL for 4′‐hydroxyphenyl carvedilol. Intra‐ and inter‐batch precision (% CV) and accuracy for the analytes varied from 0.74 to 3.88 and 96.4 to 103.3% respectively. Matrix effect was assessed by post‐column analyte infusion and by calculation of precision values (coefficient of variation) in the measurement of the slope of calibration curves from eight plasma batches. The assay recovery was within 94–99% for both the analytes and IS. The method was successfully applied to support a bioequivalence study of 12.5 mg carvedilol tablets in 34 healthy subjects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LC‐MS/MS analysis of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A in serum after protein precipitation using an in‐house synthesized deuterated internal standard

An assay based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry is presented for the fast, precise and sensitive quantitation of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA) in serum. THCA is the biogenetic precursor of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis and has aroused interest in the pharmacological and forensic field especially as a potential marker for recent cannabis use. After addition of deuterated THCA, synthesized from D₃‐THC as starting material, and protein precipitation, the analytes were separated using gradient elution on a Luna C18 column (150 × 2.0 mm × 5 µm) with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid. Data acquisition was performed on a triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode with negative electrospray ionization. After optimization, the following sample preparation procedure was used: 200 μL serum was spiked with internal standard solution and methanol and then precipitated ‘in fractions’ with 500 μL ice‐cold acetonitrile. After storage and centrifugation, the supernatant was evaporated and the residue redissolved in mobile phase. The assay was fully validated according to international guidelines including, for the first time, the assessment of matrix effects and stability experiments. Limit of detection was 0.1 ng/mL, and limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL. The method was found to be selective and proved to be linear over a range of 1.0 to 100 ng/mL using a 1/x weighted calibration model with regression coefficients >0.9996. Accuracy and precision data were within the required limits (RSD ≤ 8.6%, bias: 2.4 to 11.4%), extractive yield was greater than 84%. The analytes were stable in serum samples after three freeze/thaw cycles and storage at ?20 °C for one month. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Principal Components plots for exploratory investigation of reactions using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy: application to the formation of benzophenone phenylhydrazone

The use of Principal Components plots in the exploratory investigation of reactions monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy is described. The effects of different types of pre-processing (raw, mean-centred, and standardised) are illustrated. Four types of plot (scores versus time, loadings versus wavelength, scores versus scores, and loadings versus loadings) are considered. The approach is used to investigate the reaction between phenylhydrazine and benzophenone to give a hydrazone. Observable deviations from ideal behaviour indicate differential crystallisation of the product, and the presence of small quantities of an intermediate during the reaction. Additional information about the reaction is gained by comparing selected components from several batches. PCA is easily performed at- or on-line, and the information gained can be used to help decide upon a suitable harder model for further analysis.     

Fast quantitative analysis of four tyrosine kinase inhibitors in different human plasma samples using three‐way calibration‐ assisted liquid chromatography with diode array detection

A simple method has been developed by combining high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection with the alternating trilinear decomposition method for simultaneous determination of four tyrosine kinase inhibitors in different human plasma samples. Chromatographic separation of the analytes was performed on a reversed‐phase column with methanol (65%, v/v, A) and 0.1% aqueous solution of formic acid (35%, v/v, B). Analysis time was 5.0 min per run and analytes could be completely eluted within 2.8??3.8 min. The calibration concentration ranges of vandetanib, pazopanib, afatinib and dasatinib were designed as 0.50–6.10, 0.50–6.10, 0.70–7.00 and 0.70–7.00 μg·mL^?1, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day RSDs ranged between 0.1 and 8.9%. Quantitative information could be extracted from the unsegregated interferences of different human plasma samples with the aid of the “second‐order advantage” of three‐way (second‐order) calibration methods. All results demonstrated that the proposed method for direct quantitative analysis of four tyrosine kinase inhibitors in different complex systems possessed good characteristics of rapidity, sensitivity and efficiency, and it is expected to be an attractive choice in the fast analysis of clinical samples.     

Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies of cassane diterpenoids,in rats through an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–Q exactive hybrid quadrupole–Orbitrap high‐resolution accurate mass spectrometry

Cassane diterpenoids (CA) are considered as the main active constituents of medicinal plants belonging to the Caesalpinia genus. Three cassane derivatives, bonducellpin G (BG), 7‐O‐acetyl‐bonducellpin C (7‐O‐AC) and caesalmin E (CE), isolated from Caesalpinia minax Hance seeds, showed strong anti‐inflammatory activity. In this paper, pharmacokinetics (BG, 7‐O‐AC, CE) and tissue distribution (7‐O‐AC, CE) properties were studied for the first time using a reliable, sensitive and rapid UHPLC–Q‐Orbitrap HR‐MS to develop new anti‐inflammatory agents. A novel quantitative method with full scan in positive ion mode was used to determine the contents of compounds. They were separated using acetonitrile–water (0.1% formic acid) as gradient mobile phase. The calibration curve displayed good linearity and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.005–0.02 μg/mL for all analytes. Meanwhile, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) property was predicted using PreADMET web. The pharmacokinetic parameters indicated that they were absorbed quickly, eliminated rapidly together with high blood concentration. The results of tissue distribution demonstrated that CE was distributed rapidly and widely among tissues, and stomach was the main tissue site of CE and 7‐O‐AC, followed by small intestine/liver. This study indicates that the structures and dosages of active CA should be modified to help improve the absorption rate and residence time, and the findings are helpful for the pharmaceutical design of CA derivatives.     

Multivariate analysis of remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy spectra using partial least squares,principal component analysis,and related techniques

Quantitative analysis with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy traditionally employs calibration curves that are complicated by chemical matrix effects. These chemical matrix effects influence the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy plasma and the ratio of elemental composition to elemental emission line intensity. Consequently, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy calibration typically requires a priori knowledge of the unknown, in order for a series of calibration standards similar to the unknown to be employed. In this paper, three new Multivariate Analysis techniques are employed to analyze the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy spectra of 18 disparate igneous and highly-metamorphosed rock samples. Partial Least Squares analysis is used to generate a calibration model from which unknown samples can be analyzed. Principal Components Analysis and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy are employed to generate a model and predict the rock type of the samples. These Multivariate Analysis techniques appear to exploit the matrix effects associated with the chemistries of these 18 samples.     

Thread/paper‐ and paper‐based microfluidic devices for glucose assays employing artificial neural networks

This paper describes the fabrication of and data collection from two microfluidic devices: a microfluidic thread/paper based analytical device (μTPAD) and 3D microfluidic paper‐based analytical device (μPAD). Flowing solutions of glucose oxidase (GOx), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and potassium iodide (KI), through each device, on contact with glucose, generated a calibration curve for each platform. The resultant yellow‐brown color from the reaction indicates oxidation of iodide to iodine. The devices were dried, scanned, and analyzed yielding a correlation between yellow intensity and glucose concentration. A similar procedure, using an unknown concentration of glucose in artificial urine, is conducted and compared to the calibration curve to obtain the unknown value. Studies to quantify glucose in artificial urine showed good correlation between the theoretical and actual concentrations, as percent differences were ≤13.0%. An ANN was trained on the four‐channel CMYK color data from 54 μTPAD and 160 μPAD analysis sites and Pearson correlation coefficients of R = 0.96491 and 0.9739, respectively, were obtained. The ANN was able to correctly classify 94.4% (51 of 54 samples) and 91.2% (146 of 160 samples) of the μTPAD and μPAD analysis sites, respectively. The development of this technology combined with ANN should further facilitate the use of these platforms for colorimetric analysis of other analytes.