A comprehensive immunoassay for the detection of microcystins in waters based on polyclonal antibodies

Microcystins (MCs) are a group of closely related toxic cyclic heptapeptides produced by common cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) is among the most frequent and most toxic microcystin congeners. In this study, a free amino group was introduced to MC-LR at its seventh amino acid residue with 2-mercaptoethylamine, and the product aminoethyl-MC-LR was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and horseradish peroxidise (HRP) by glutaraldehyde to be complete antigen (MC-LR-BSA) and labelled hapten (MC-LR-HRP), respectively. Polyclonal antibodies against MC-LR were generated by immunization with MC-LR-BSA. A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) was established to detect the MCs in waters, which showed a good cross-reactivity with MC-LR, MC-RR, MC-YR, MC-LF, MC-LW and nodularin, and have a detection limit for MC-LR 0.12 μg L⁻¹, the 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) for MC-LR was 0.63 ± 0.06 μg L⁻¹ and the quantitative detection range was from 0.17 to 2.32 μg L⁻¹, the analysis result of water samples showed good recovery and reliability. So the comprehensive and reliable dc-ELISA will well potentially suit for sensitive analysis for total MCs in drinking as well as resource water samples.     

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography method development for separation of omeprazole and related substances on core‐shell columns using a Quality by Design approach

An updated and improved method for analysis of omeprazole/esomeprazole and related substances on core‐shell columns was developed using Fusion LC Method Development?. The method was optimized with respect to column type, column temperature, mobile phase pH level, and gradient time. Four different core‐shell columns were examined to develop a method suitable for both high performance‐ and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography using a Quality by Design approach. The final method offers two alternative columns: Poroshell EC C18 (3.0 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm) or Poroshell HPH (3.0 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm) with the same gradient elution condition and mobile phase composition. Total run time is 18 min with 12 min of gradient elution. Phosphate buffer (15 mM, pH 7.8) is selected as the aqueous mobile phase and acetonitrile as the organic mobile phase. Column temperature is set at 40°C and ultraviolet detection at 302 nm. Furthermore, by studying parameters in a systematic way, an understanding of the effect of the input parameters enhances the method robustness and should allow for regulatory flexibility in terms of post‐approval changes. Compared to the current United States Pharmacopeia method, the updated method is faster, more efficient and performs well above acceptance criteria.     

A protocol for the measurement of all the parameters of the mass transfer kinetics in columns used in liquid chromatography

Band broadening in chromatography results from the combination of the dispersive effects that are associated with the different steps involved in the migration of compound bands along the column. These steps include longitudinal diffusion, trans-particle mass transfer, external film mass transfer, overall eddy diffusion, including trans-column, short-range inter-channel, trans-channel eddy diffusion, and the possible, additional mass transfer contributions arising from heat friction and the thermal heterogeneity of the column. We describe a series of experiments that provide the data needed to determine the coefficients of the contributions to band broadening of each one of these individual mass transfer steps. This specifically designed protocol can provide key information regarding the kinetic performance of columns used in liquid chromatography and explain why different columns behave so differently. The limitations, accuracy and precision of these methods are discussed. Further avenues of research that could improve the characterization of the mass transfer mechanisms in chromatographic columns, possibly contributing to the development of better columns, are suggested.     

Extraction of aflatoxins from food samples using graphene‐based magnetic nanosorbents followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography: A simple solution to overcome the problems of immunoaffinity columns

In this research, magnetic graphene nanoparticles were prepared and used as adsorbents for preconcentrating the aflatoxins in rice, wheat, and sesame samples. For this purpose, graphene was synthesized by Hummer's method. Magnetically modified graphene formed by the deposition of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) on graphene was used for the separation of aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ from the samples. The extractants were subsequently analyzed with high‐performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Parameters affecting the efficiency of the method were thoroughly investigated. The measurements were done under the optimized conditions. For aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂, limits of detection were 0.025, 0.05, 0.05, and 0.075 ng/g and limits of quantification were 0.083, 0.16, 0.16, and 0.23 ng/g, respectively. Accuracy was examined by the determination of the relative recovery of the aflatoxins. The relative recovery of aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ were quite satisfactory (between 64.38 and 122.21% for food samples). Relative standard deviations for within laboratory repeatability (n = 6) were in the range from 1.3 to 3.2. The application of this sorbent for the separation and concentration of the mentioned aflatoxins from food samples was examined.     

Study of the chromatographic parameters of ultra‐high‐performance supercritical fluid chromatography and method development using a design of experiments approach for the quantification of pesticides in lettuce

We examine the potential of ultra‐high‐performance supercritical fluid chromatography for multiresidue quantification of ten pesticides commonly applied to lettuce and compares it to ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography. Initially, a thorough study of the stationary and mobile phase composition and injection solvent was carried out. In a second step, a chemometric approach based on design of experiments was used to simultaneously study the influence of temperature, pressure, and percentage of ethanol on the retention, resolution and symmetry of the peaks. Using this approach, it was possible to obtain the Design Space, a robust region where complete separation of the analytes was achieved, with acceptable peak shape. Both methods were validated according to the figures of merit: selectivity, linearity, quantification limit, accuracy (in terms of recovery), and precision (repeatability and intermediate precision) and used to quantify the pesticides in lettuce samples. Comparing both techniques, it was concluded that the limits of quantification, accuracy, and precision were similar. However, in supercritical fluid chromatography, a reduced volume of organic solvent was used, the method was faster and generated lower amounts of residues.     

Ultrasound‐assisted magnetic dispersive solid‐phase microextraction: A novel approach for the rapid and efficient microextraction of naproxen and ibuprofen employing experimental design with high‐performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method for the determination of naproxen and ibuprofen in complex biological and water matrices (cow milk, human urine, river, and well water samples) has been developed using ultrasound‐assisted magnetic dispersive solid‐phase microextraction. Magnetic ethylendiamine‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite was synthesized and used as a novel adsorbent for the microextraction process and showed great adsorptive ability toward these analytes. Different parameters affecting the microextraction were optimized with the aid of the experimental design approach. A Plackett–Burman screening design was used to study the main variables affecting the microextraction process, and the Box–Behnken optimization design was used to optimize the previously selected variables for extraction of naproxen and ibuprofen. The optimized technique provides good repeatability (relative standard deviations of the intraday precision 3.1 and 3.3, interday precision of 5.6 and 6.1%), linearity (0.1–500 and 0.3–650 ng/mL), low limits of detection (0.03 and 0.1 ng/mL), and a high enrichment factor (168 and 146) for naproxen and ibuprofen, respectively. The proposed method can be successfully applied in routine analysis for determination of naproxen and ibuprofen in cow milk, human urine, and real water samples.     

A combined tryptic peptide and winged peptide internal standard approach for the determination of α‐lactalbumin in dairy products by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A robust ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method at peptide level was established for measuring α‐lactalbumin in various dairy products. An isotope‐labeled winged peptide (VKKILDKVG*I NYW*L AHKALCSEKL) with extra amino acids of the sequence of signature peptide concatenated at each end as the internal standard was spiked in samples to participate in the whole tryptic digestion process. The peptide VG*I NYW*L AHK that resulted from the isotope‐labeled winged peptide was used as the final isotopically labeled internal standard of the α‐lactalbumin signature peptide (VGINYWLAHK) during the quantitative analysis. The contents of α‐lactalbumin in samples were calculated based on the equimolar relationship between the α‐lactalbumin protein and signature peptide. The optimized molar ratio of trypsin to protein (1:60) and enzymatic digestion time (5 h) could not only improve the digestion efficiency and reduce the cost, but also minimize the period of sample pretreatment. Considering the robustness of the current method using the isotopically labeled internal standard and acceptable measurement cost, its application may promote the development of nutrient investigation and quality control of α‐lactalbumin in dairy products. This protein analysis method might provide a new reference strategy for food analysis and quantitative protein analysis.