Analysis of primary aliphatic short-chain monoamines by LC in water samples

Several derivatization procedures with o-phthaldialdehyde-N-acetylcysteine (OPA-NAC) were compared for a rapid analysis of primary aliphatic short-chain monoamines in water samples by HPLC using a LiChorospher analytical separation column (100RP₁₈ mm i.d., 5 μm). Both the solution and the solid-support assisted off-line derivatization on C₁₈ SPE cartridges were inadequate options because of beginning degradation processes of the instable isoindol derivatives during their transfer to the analytical column. This problem was precluded with the on-column or solid-support assisted on-line derivatization. In the last mentioned procedure, the derivatization took place in a Hypersil C₁₈ precolumn ( mm i.d., 30 μm) connected with an additional preconcentration step resulting in better detection limits (0.002-0.040 μg ml⁻¹ requiring only 150 μl of water sample) than in the on-column procedure (0.08-0.16 μg ml⁻¹). The improved sample handling, the better control of parameters affecting reaction rates, the fully automation of this method with only 10 min analysis time for each sample are further advantageous. The potential of the solid-support assisted on-line derivatization was outlined and applied to water samples from several sources. Recovery values near 100% were obtained.     

Rapid determination of aliphatic amines in water samples by pressure-assisted monolithic octadecylsilica capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry

A pressure-assisted capillary chromatography-mass spectrometry method based on the use of a monolithic octadecylsilica (ODS) capillary is proposed for the determination of aliphatic amines. A 25 mM citric acid buffer containing 10% methanol is used as running electrolyte. Separation is achieved by simultaneously applying a capillary electrophoresis (CE) voltage of 13 kV and an overimposed pressure of 8 bar. The use of pressure is required to ensure stable electrospray conditions. Analysis times are reduced by using a capillary column consisting of a 30 cm long monolithic silica capillary column bound with ODS and a fused-silica capillary column also 30 cm long. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of low-molecular-weight aliphatic amines in tap and river water. The analysis of real samples requires cleanup and preconcentration, which can be performed automatically by inserting a minicolumn in the replenishment system of the commercial instrument.     

Reconocimiento de nicotina en una hebrita de tabaco

Summary Adaption of theLuís method for the detection of nicotine to microscale, usingEmich's capillary technic proved successful, attaining identification limit of 0,03g.Applying a sub-micro steam distillation effect, the nicotine in a speck of tobacco (1 mm² and less) could still be detected by using the above reaction.Extension of the above procedure to mixtures of nicotine with substances not volatile with steam, inorganic (halides) as well as organic compounds (other alkaloids, acids, etc.) proved to be successful, even when the nicotine is present in proportions of only 1 part in 1000.

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Zusammenfassung Die Anwendung der Kapillartechnik vonEmich zum Nachweis von Nikotin nachLuís war erfolgreich und zeigte eine Erfassungsgrenze von 0,03g.Bei Anwendung einer Ultramikrodampfdestillation kann das Nikotin nach obiger Methode noch in Spuren von Tabak (1 mm² und weniger) nachgewiesen werden.Die Reaktion ist auch positiv bei Gemischen von Nikotin mit anderen, mit Wasserdampf nicht flüchtigen sowohl anorganischen (Halogenide) als auch organischen Substanzen (andere Alkaloide, Säuren etc.), selbst dann noch, wenn das Nikotin bloß im Verhältnis von 11000 vorhanden ist.

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Résumé La technique capillaire d'Emich a été utilisée avec succès pour identifier la nicotine suivant le procédé deLuís; la limite de sensibilité est alors de 0,03g. La mise en oeuvre d'un ultramicroentraînement à la vapeur permet en outre, par application de la précédente méthode, d'identifier la nicotine dans des traces de tabac (moins de 1 mm²). La réaction est également positive en présence d'autres substances non entraînables par la vapeur d'eau, qu'elles soient minérales (halogénures) ou organiques (autres alcaloïdes, acides, etc. ...) même si la proportion de nicotine n'est que de l'ordre de grandeur de 1/1000.

     

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.     

Discontinuous-flow potentiometric determination of chloride in a large-volume wall-jet cell using an ion-selective electrode based on a silver chloride film chemically deposited on a silver iodide support

A robust and sensitive chloride ion-selective electrode can be prepared by modifying the surface of an iodide-selective electrode using the chemical reaction with mercuric chloride in an oxidizing medium containing excess chloride. A thin film of silver chloride is thus formed ensuring a rapid and reproducible response to chloride. The analytical parameters of this electrode are similar to those of commercial silver chloride ion-selective electrodes, but its electrical impedance and signal noise are substantially lower and the response somewhat faster. Its sensitivity toward surfactants is somewhat suppressed. The electrode was used for discontinuous flow potentiometric (DFP) determinations in a large-volume wall-jet cell in which the electrode surface can be continuously reactivated by a cleaning solution contained in the cell. The method was applied to determination of chloride in ground waters from an industrial waste dumping site. The limit of determination is low 9 mug Cl(-)/l (2.6 x 10(-7)M), the precision good (the relative standard deviation varies from 0.6 to 3.0% for chloride contents from 2.90 to 0.15 mg/l, respectively) and the method correlates satisfactorily with the results of an indirect AAS determination of chloride. The sample throughput is high-90 measurements can be carried out per hour, corresponding to 30-40 determinations per hour.     

Qualitative and quantitative sensitivity in flame photometry

Concepts of sensitivity in flame photometry are discussed. A distinction is made between sensitivity itself, concentration limits and dilution limits applied to qualitative and quantitative analysis by flame photometry. Sensitivity values, as well as the concentration limits, are considered from two different aspects: as a function of the slope of calibration curves-percentual values-and as a function of fluctutions-fluctuational values. The concepts are applied to the two main branches of flame photometry, emission and absorption.     

Rapid determination of PAHs in soil samples by HPLC with fluorimetric detection following sonication extraction

A rapid method for the determination of PAHs in soil samples based on their extraction with methylene chloride by sonication and subsequent separation by HPLC with fluorimetric detection is proposed. A Hypersil Green PAH column was used with a gradient of acetonitrile/water as the mobile phase, together with a program of nine excitation and emission wavelength pairs. Recoveries were in the range 70-98%, except for acenaphthene and naphthalene, at concentration levels 1.08-442 microg/kg with relative standard deviations in the range 2-15% (n = 4). Total PAHs found in soil samples were in the range 15-282 microg/kg. The results were compared with those obtained by applying the 3540 EPA method for two samples.     

Natural radioactivity of building materials

Experiments were designed to measure trace uranium concentration and the rate of radon exhalation from masonry structural materials, both bare and surface finished and coated. LR115 cellulose nitrate track detectors were used to record the alpha emission from structural material surface. Fission track, neutron activation and fluorometric analysis methods were used to determine the uranium content. Most types of paints studied will reduce alpha contribution and radon emanation from building materials.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the mononuclear zinc-beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus complexed with benzylpenicillin and a quantum chemical study of the reaction mechanism

Herein, we present results from MD simulations of the Michaelis complex formed between the B. cereus zinc-beta-lactamase enzyme and benzylpenicillin. The structural and dynamical effects induced by substrate-binding, the specific role of the conserved residues, and the near attack conformers of the Michaelis complex are discussed. Quantum chemical methods (HF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G*) are also applied to study the hydrolysis reaction of N-methylazetidinone catalyzed by a monozinc system consisting of the side chains of the histidine residues (His86, His88, and His149) complexed with Zn-OH and the side chains of Asp90 and His210. From this model system, we built molecular-mechanics representations of the prereactive complex and transition state configurations docked into the active site. Linear-scaling semiempirical calculations coupled with a continuum solvent model were then performed on these static models. We propose that the experimental rate data for the B. cereus enzyme is compatible with a one-step mechanism for the hydrolysis of beta-lactam substrates in which His210 acts as a proton donor.     

Enzyme catalysis in organic solvents: a promising field for optical biosensing

The ability of enzymes to work in non-aqueous media offers new and almost unexploited possibilities for the development of new optical biosensors. The advantages of performing biocatalytic reactions in non-aqueous media are discussed in relation to their possible application in optical biosensor design. Attention is focused on the factors that influence enzymatic catalysis in organic solvents, including the role of enzyme-associated water, criteria for solvent selection and the alteration of enzyme specificity. Recent examples of relevant applications and future prospects of organic-phase optical biosensing are discussed.