Post-column reaction detection of biotin in human plasma ultrafiltrate based on laser-induced fluorescence energy transfer in the far-red spectral region

High performance liquid chromatography followed by post-column reaction detection in the far-red spectral region provides added sensitivity and selectivity. A homogeneous fluorescence energy transfer assay in the competitive mode based on the binding of biotin and streptavidin was developed as an on-line post-column reaction detection system. The labels used for energy transfer were R-Phycoerythrin conjugated to biotin and Cyanine 5 labeled with streptavidin. The energy transfer peak was measured at 670 nm and excitation was achieved using the 488 nm line of an argon ion laser. The biotin concentration in plasma ultrafiltrate ranged from 0.024 to 6.12 ng/mL (n = 6). The precision of the two controls, 0.24 and 2. 44 ng/mL, was found to be 18.70% and 9.92% relative standard deviation respectively. Accuracy was 10.47% and 1.95% difference from spiked, respectively (n = 6). The limit of detection was 21.70 pg/mL (8.90 x 10(-11)M) calculated based on a factor of 2x the standard deviation of the blank (n = 6). The correlation coefficient for the calibration curve was found to be 0.9995. Recovery from plasma ultrafiltrate at 2.44 ng/mL was 103.40% (n = 6). Detection selectivity was indicated by the absence of background fluorescence in six different plasma samples collected from six individual donors. Endogenous levels were detected in two of the six pools of plasma ultrafiltrates.     

On-line sorbent extraction, preconcentration and determination of lead by atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the quantitative preconcentration of lead based on an existing batch process was developed for implementation in a flow system including a flame AAS detector. Lead can be quantitatively preconcentrated as pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate or dithizonate on an activated carbon minicolumn. The chelates are eluted in methyl isobutyl ketone and introduced directly into the nebuliser-burner. An enrichment factor of 50 is typically obtained for a preconcentration time of 2 min (lead can be determined at concentrations between 15 and 400 ng/ml), which results in a throughput of ca. 25 samples per hr. The sensitivity achieved with the two reagents is similar, but the selectivity provided by APDC exceeds that of dithizone. Based on the results obtained in the determination of lead in reference materials (minerals and skim milk), the proposed APDC method is applicable to real samples.     

Critical evaluation of spiking of low-grade ore samples in activation analysis for gold and uranium

In applying non-destructive neutron-activation analysis for gold and uranium in spiked low-grade ore samples, the following extrapolated unspiked concentrations were measured: 0.27₈ ± 0.01₅ ppm gold (chemical assay: 0.20₂ ± 0.02₀ ppm gold); 25.1 ± 1.1 ppm uranium (chemical assay value: 19.5 ±2.0 ppm uranium). Different approaches to the fitting of results, and the influence of spiking non-uniformity, are discussed.     

Excess molar enthalpy of binary mixtures of hexane+ethyl benzene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-xylene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-xylene at 298.15 K

Summary This paper reports excess molar enthalpies of the binary systems hexane+ethyl benzene, hexane+o-xylene, hexane+m-xylene and hexane+p-xylene at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure, over the whole composition range. The data was measured directly using a Calvet microcalorimeter. The excess magnitude was correlated to a Redlich-Kister type equation for each mixture. Also, we will discuss the results for the four mixtures studied here and by comparison with the same binary systems but containing propyl propanoate as first component. Finally, we will correlate our results with the Nitta-Chao and the three UNIFAC theoretical approximations.     

Conformational effects in 3-halotetrahydropyrans

The conformational equilibria of 3-chloro- and 3-bromotetrahydropyran were measured by NMR and IR spectroscopy using model 2-alkyl-5-halotetrahydropyrans. The 3-chloro compound was 76·2% equatorial in carbon tetrachloride and 58·5% in acetonitrile and the 3-bromo compound 85% equatorial in carbon tetrachloride. The conformational equilibrium is discussed in terms of dipole, electronic and van der Waals effects.     

Microdetermination of phosphate with EDTA

An indirect microdetermination of phosphate via EDTA titration is described, which can be applied to minerals, soils, fertilizers, biological samples, drugs and organo-phosphorus compounds. The method is based on the precipitation of phosphate as the very insoluble silver orthophosphate (K_sp = 1.3 × 10^?20), dissolution of this precipitate in a solution of potassium cyanonickelate and titration of the nickel displaced by silver. The phosphate content is obtained indirectly by multiplying the number of ml of the titrant by a factor. The method takes about an hour after the phosphate is brought into solution. The accuracy is about 1% for samples containing 5–50 mg PO₄^3? and about 3–5% for samples with 100 to 5000 μg PO₄^3?.     

Convenient synthesis of nucleoside and isonucleoside analogues

[reaction: see text]. A very simple methodology to stereoselectively achieve tricyclic isonucleosides (nucleobase = thymine, uracil, and 5-fluoruracil) and 3'-C-branched nucleosides (nucleobase = theophylline) was performed by means of a DBU-mediated addition process using a readily available 2-bromo sugar. The mechanism for these transformations implies the loss of both substituents at C-2 and C-3 on the sugar moiety, and although it seems that DBU is probably involved, its involvement has not yet been ascertained. Cytosine did not react under these conditions.     

Flow injection-spectrophotometric determination of cresol compounds in water by reaction withp-aminophenol

A spectrophotometric method has been developed for the simultaneous determination ofo-cresol andm-cresol in water by reaction withp-aminophenol (PAP). Three different methodologies have been assayed; (i) batch analysis, after reaction in an alkaline medium in the presence of dissolved molecular oxygen as oxidizing agent, (ii) a stopped-flow procedure, carried out in the presence of KIO₄ and (iii) a flow injection method based on the same approach. The batch procedure requires 22 min for the full development of colour witho-cresol and 12 min form-cresol. In the stopped-flow mode, using KIO₄ and a reaction time of 12 min, better sensitivity can be obtained for both compounds and limits of detection of 10 g 1^–1 foro-cresol and 30 g 1^–1 form-cresol were found. The flow injection method has a lower sensitivity but permits more than 80 injections per hour. Based on the different maximum absorbance wavelengths obtained for the reaction products of PAP witho-cresol (614 nm) andm-cresol (632 nm), both compounds can be simultaneously determined in water samples and recoveries of 90 to 115% were found in spiked water samples of different types.     

Polarographlc analysis for corticosteroids: Part 5. Reduction mechanism of halogen-containing corticosteroids and analysis of some preparations

In fluprednisolone and chloroprednisone acetate, the polarographic reduction of the carbon—halogen bond in position 6 occurs first. The carbanion—enolate formed is reduced at the dropping mercury electrode at more negative potentials than the conjugate acid. Controlled potential electrolysis at a mercury pool electrode where the carbanion—enolate can be protonated, yields the unsaturated ketone. Polarographic reduction of clobetasol-17-propionate and of clobetasone-17-butyrate results in cleavage of the C—Cl bond in the side-chain. This process is followed by reduction of the α,β-unsaturated ketone in the A-ring. Analytical methods for the determination of these compounds in ointments, creams and eye/ear drops gave results with standard deviations of 1–2%.     

Reagentless system for sulphite determination based on polyaniline

A new reagentless system for sulphite (or sulphur dioxide) determination is reported based on the use of an organic conducting polymer, polyaniline, and its absorbance variation at 550 nm, depending on the sulphite concentration. After chemical polymerisation of aniline a very thin film of polyaniline is obtained. Although the response is not fully reversible, each film can be used for at least 10 measurements for low analyte concentrations (up to 0.5 mg l⁻¹) and five measurements for higher sulphite concentrations. Moreover, the reproducibility, ease of preparation and low cost of the films, permit the use of a new disposable system for each measurement. When the change in absorbance at 550 nm was measured for 210 s (stabilisation time), the system showed a linear response, which ranged from 0.025 to 1.50 mg l⁻¹ of sulphite. A theory with regard to the reaction mechanism between the polyaniline films and sulphite is also proposed. The system was applied to sulphite determination in wine samples and the results were in agreement with those obtained by the Official Method of Analysis (iodometric titration).