Simultaneous determination of six phthalate esters in bottled milks using ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography

A new method was developed for the simultaneous determination of six phthalate esters in bottled milks using ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). 0.8 mL of methanol (dispersant) and 40 μL of CCl(4) (extractant) were injected into 8.0 mL of milk solution and then emulsified the mixture by ultrasound for 2.0 min to form the cloudy solution. Under the optimum condition, the enrichment factors of the analytes ranged from 220 to 270 fold and the recovery ranged from 93.2% to 105.7%. Good linearity was observed for all analytes in a range of 0.8-51 ngg(-1) with the correlation coefficient (r(2)) ≥ 0.9992. The limits of detection (LODs) based on signal to noise of 3 were 0.64-0.79 ngg(-1). The repeatability evaluated as intra-day and inter-day precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) were less than 4.0% (n=5). The presented UA-DLLME-GC-FID method was successfully applied to determine the six phthalate esters in different bottled milk products.     

Determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in human serum using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-electron capture detection

A simple procedure for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human serum using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was developed. The analysis was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with electron capture detector (ECD). A 2(7-4) Plackett-Burman reduced factorial design for screening and a central composite design for optimizing the significant variables were applied. A 100 microm PDMS fiber, 3/5 headspace ratio (3 ml in 5 ml vial), 85 degrees C extraction temperature, 50 min extraction time, and 1 ml of acidic solution (pH 3) added to 1 ml of diluted serum (1:1) were chosen for the best response in HS extraction mode. The detection limits found were from 1 pg/ml (PCB 167) to 52 pg/ml (beta-HCH), the relative standard deviation for the procedure varied from 3% (PCB 52) to 12% (PCB 189) and the accuracy was checked by using validated solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure. The method that avoids the use of clean-up steps and the hazardous solvents enabled reliable determinations of the OCPs and the PCBs except beta-HCH. The method was applied to the analysis of 33 human serum samples. The most abundant target compound was p-p'-DDE (range, 0.3-8.0 ng/ml; median value, 2.1 ng/ml). Among the PCBs the prevalent congeners were 138, 153 and 180.     

Determination of clenbuterol in porcine tissues using solid-phase extraction combined with ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and HPLC-UV detection

A new pretreatment method, solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextration (SPE-DLLME), was proposed in first time for the determination of clenbuterol (CLB) in porcine tissue samples. The tissue samples were firstly extracted by SPE, then its eluents were used as dispersant of the followed DLLME for further purification and enrichment of CLB. Various parameters (such as the type of SPE sorbent, the type and volume of elution solvent, the type and volume of extractant and dispersant, etc.) that affected the efficiency of the two steps were optimized. Good linearity of CLB was ranged from 0.19 μg/kg to 192 μg/kg with correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9995. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.07 μg/kg (S/N=3) and the recoveries at three spiked levels were ranged from 87.9% to 103.6% with the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 3.9% (n=3). Under the optimized conditions, the enrichment factor (EF) for CLB could up to 62 folds. The presented method that combined the advantages of SPE and DLLME, had higher selectivity than SPE method and was successfully applied to the determination of CLB in tissue samples.     

Determination of cobalt in water samples using solidified floating organic drop microextraction coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A simple, rapid and inexpensive method of the solidified floating organic drop extraction (SFODME) technique coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) has been developed for the determination of cobalt in water samples. 8-Hydroxyquinoline was used as a complex agent and 1-undecanol was used as the extraction solvent. The factors, including solvent types, solution pH, extractant volume and interfering ions, were investigated and optimised. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range 0.05–10.0 ng mL^-1 cobalt, the limit of detection was 0.02 ng mL^-1, the limit of quantification was 0.05 ng mL^-1 and the relative standard deviation for 10 replicate measurements of 3 ng mL^-1 cobalt was 2.8%. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of cobalt in different water samples and the results were satisfactory.     

Quantification of 31 volatile organic compounds in whole blood using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The prevalence of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has raised concern about possible health effects resulting from chronic human exposure. To support studies exploring the relation between VOC exposure and health effects, we developed an automated analytical method using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), capillary gas chromatography (GC), and quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS). This method quantifies trace levels (low parts per trillion) of 14 halogenated alkanes, 5 halogenated alkenes, 10 aromatic compounds, and 2 other VOCs in human blood. Detection limits for the SPME-GC-MS method range from 0.005 to 0.12 microg/L, with linear calibration curves spanning three orders of magnitude. The improved throughput of this method will enable us to expand biomonitoring efforts to assess nonoccupational VOC exposure in large epidemiological studies.     

Improvement and validation the method using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with in situ derivatization followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of tricyclic antidepressants in human urine samples

A simple, rapid and sensitive method termed dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in human urine sample. An appropriate mixture of methanol (disperser solvent), carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent), and acetic anhydride (derivatization reagent) was injected rapidly into human urine sample. After extraction, the sedimented phase was analyzed by GC/MS. The calibration curves obtained with human urine were linear with a correlation coefficient of over 0.99 in the range of 2.0/5.0-100 ng mL(-1). Under the optimum conditions (carbon tetrachloride: 10 μL, methanol: 150 μL), the detection limits and the quantification limits of the tricyclic antidepressants were 0.5-2.0 ng mL(-1) and 2.0-5.0 ng mL(-1), respectively. The average recoveries of TCAs were 88.2-104.3%. Moreover, the inter- and intra-day precision and accuracy was acceptable at all concentrations. The results showed that DLLME is applicable to the determination of trace amounts of TCAs in human urine sample.     

Rapid screening procedure based on headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the detection of many recreational drugs in hair

An increasing number of synthetic drugs are appearing on the illicit market and on the scene of drug use by youngsters. Official figures are underestimated. In addition, immunochemical tests are blind to many of these drugs and appropriate analytical procedures for routine clinical and epidemiological purposes are lacking. Therefore, the perceived increasing abuse of recreational drugs has not been proved yet. In a previous paper, we proposed a procedure for the preliminary screening of several recreational substances in hair and other biological matrices. Unfortunately, this procedure cannot apply to cocaine. Consequently, we performed a new headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) procedure for the simultaneous detection of cocaine, amphetamine (A), methamphetamine (MA), methylen-dioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylen-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylen-dioxyethamphetamine (MDE), N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), ketamine, and methadone in human hair. Hair was washed with water and acetone in an ultrasonic bath. A short acid extraction with 1M hydrochloric acid was needed; the fiber was exposed to a 5 min absorption at 90 degrees C and thermal desorption was performed at 250 degrees C for 3 min. The procedure was simple, rapid, required small quantities of sample and no derivatization. Good linearity was obtained over the 0.1-20.0 ng/mg range for the target compounds. Sensitivity was good enough: limits of detection (LOD) were 0.7 ng/mg of hair for the majority of substances. The intra-day precision ranged between 7 and 20%. This paper deals with the analytical performance of this procedure and its preliminary application to hair samples obtained on a voluntary basis from 183 young people (138 males and 45 females) in the Rome area.     

Quantitation of o-, m- and p-cresol and deuterated analogs in human urine by gas chromatography with electron capture detection

A gas chromatographic method for the analysis of cresol metabolites of toluene and [²H₈]toluene in urine was developed. Cresol glucuronides and sulfates in urine were hydrolyzed with β-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase. Following extraction with tert.-butyl methyl ether and solvent exchange into benzene, the cresols were derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride to form the heptafluorobutyrate esters. The derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Chromatographic resolution was achieved between all cresol isomers and their ²H₇ analogs. Calibration ranged from 0.001 to 500 μg/ml. Recoveries were 55–97% and showed no trend with respect to analyte concentration. Within-day precision of analyses of benchmark urine samples had a coefficient of variation of less than 4%. The assay sensitivity was limited by chromatographic background but was sufficient for quantification of the unlabeled cresols in urine from men with only environmental exposure to toluene. Average levels in urine samples from 45 men were 0.023, 0.054 and 37 μg/ml for o-, m- and p-cresol, respectively.     

Quantification of trace levels of β-cyclodextrin and substitution patterns in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin using high-performance liquid chromatography with polarimetric detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for separation and determination of components in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). The method involves separation on an amino-bonded HPLC column using water–acetonitrile as a mobile phase with a polarimetric HPLC detector for quantification. It provides good selectivity and sensitivity and can also be used to compare different sources of HP-β-CD and to measure batch to batch variation. The similarity of the values of molar optical rotation for β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and HP-β-CD suggests that a polarimetric HPLC detector may be used with a straightforward area normalization method, to quantify the proportion of β-CD in any HP-β-CD sample. Trace amounts of β-CD in HP-β-CD have been measured to a precision of 0.01%. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Quantification of clarithromycin,its 14-hydroxy and decladinose metabolites in rat plasma,gastric juice and gastric tissue using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A rapid, selective and sensitive HPLC assay has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of clarithromycin, its 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin metabolite, and its decladinose acid degradation product, in small volumes of rat gastric juice aspirate, plasma and gastric tissue. Sample were extracted with n-hexane/2-butanol (4:1) and the internal standard was roxithromycin. A Kromasil ODS 5 micrometer(75x4.6 mm I.D.) column was used with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7, 0.086 M) (45:55 v/v). The column temperature was 30 degrees C and coulometric detection was used at 850 mV using a screen voltage of 600 mV. The analysis time was less than 8 min. The limits of quantitation for clarithromycin, 14-OH clarithromycin and decladinose clarithromycin were 0.15 microgram ml(-1) or lower in plasma (0.05 ml); 0.16 microgram ml(-1) or lower in gastric juice (0.2 ml); and 0.51 microgram g(-1) or lower for gastric tissue (0.25 g). The method was linear up to at least 20.3, 15.4 and 12.5 microgram ml(-1) for clarithromycin, 14-OH-clarithromycin and decladinose, respectively, in gastric juice aspirate and plasma and up to 40.6, 30.9 and 25.0 microgram g(-1) in gastric tissue. The assay was applied to the measurement of clarithromycin, 14-OH-clarithromycin and, for the first time, decladinose clarithromycin in pharmacokinetic studies of gastric transfer of clarithromycin in individual rats.     

Profiling of human body fluids in healthy and diseased states using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry,with special reference to organic acids

This review summarizes recent advances in the application of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to the study of human diseases. Emphasis is placed upon the organic acid profiles of the various body fluids. Methods for sample work-up prior to separation and mass spectrometric analysis are reviewed, and artifacts and pitfalls are discussed. Organic acid profiles, obtained with packed or capillary columns attached to mass spectrometers with or without computer systems, have led to the discovery of new normal metabolites, new metabolic disorders, and to new knowledge about a number of other diseases. Stable isotopes and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry are suitable for quantitative analysis of many compounds in the body fluids, and well suited for investigation of metabolic pathways.     

Simultaneous determination of cortisol and prednisolone in body fluids by using HPLC-DAD coupled with second-order calibration based on alternating trilinear decomposition

A novel method for simultaneous determination of cortisol and prednisolone in body fluids has been developed in this paper. Three-way data recorded by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) have been analyzed by second-order calibration based on the alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) algorithm. The chemometric methodology selected exploits the second-order advantage of the three-way data arrays, which allows one to obtain concentrations of individual calibrated analytes even in the presence of interferences not present in the calibration samples (e.g. background in urine or plasma). It was applied to simultaneous determination of cortisol and prednisolone in both plasma and urine samples. Though the chromatographic and spectral peaks of the analytes were heavily overlapped and interferents coeluted with the compounds studied, good recoveries of the analytes could be obtained with HPLC-DAD coupled with second-order calibration based on ATLD. Sample preparation was based on solvent extraction (SE), and quantification can be carried out with simple mobile phase. The time required for the quantification process is shorter than other methods.     

基于免疫磁分离的三重荧光定量PCR检测食品中沙门氏菌、志贺氏菌和金黄色葡萄球菌

【目的】开发一种同时对食品中沙门氏菌、志贺氏菌和金黄色葡萄球菌快速、灵敏、准确的检测方法。【方法】利用特异性免疫磁球,在37°C条件下从250 m L猪肉增菌液体系中边富集边循环捕获目标菌。快速提取DNA后,利用特异性的引物与探针,对3种食源性致病菌进行三重荧光定量PCR检测。【结果】针对沙门氏菌、志贺氏菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的检测限分别达到2.0、6.8和9.6 CFU/g。方法总体灵敏度、特异性和准确度达到99.2%、100%及99.5%。对151份实际样品进行检测,与国标(GB/T 4789.4-2010、GB 4789.5-2012和GB/T4789.10-2010)方法的检测结果相比,金黄色葡萄球菌有一例阴性偏差。【结论】开发的基于免疫磁分离的三重荧光定量PCR方法,能够在8 h内完成对食品中3种致病菌检测,并且灵敏度高、特异性好、检测准确,可以作为快速应对此类食品安全突发事件的检测手段。     

Fabrication of a novel nanocomposite based on sol-gel process for hollow fiber-solid phase microextraction of aflatoxins: B1 and B2, in cereals combined with high performane liquid chromatography-diode array detection

The new pre-concentration technique, hollow fiber-solid phase microextraction based on carbon nanotube reinforced sol-gel and liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection was applied to determination of aflatoxins B(1), B(2) (AFB(1), AFB(2)) in rice, peanut and wheat samples. This research provides an overview of trends related to synthesis of solid phase microextraction (SPME) sorbnents that improves the assay of aflatoxins as the semi-polar compounds in several real samples. It mainly includes summary and a list of the results for a simple carbon nanotube reinforced sol-gel in-fiber device. This device was used for extraction, pre-concentration and determination of aflatoxins B1, B2 in real samples. In this technique carbon nanotube reinforced sol was prepared by the sol-gel method via the reaction of phenyl trimethoxysilane (PTMS) with a basic catalyst (tris hydroxymethyl aminomethan). The influences of microextraction parameters such as pH, ageing time, carbon nanotube contents, desorption conditions, desorption solvent and agitation speed were investigated. Optimal HPLC conditions were: C(18) reversed phase column for separation, water-acetonitril-methanol (35:10:55) as the mobile phase and maximum wavelength for detection was 370 nm. The method was evaluated statistically and under optimized conditions, the detection limits for the analytes were 0.074 and 0.061 ng/mL for B1 and B2 respectively. Limit of quantification for B1 and B2 was 0.1 ng/mL too (n=7). The precisions were in the range of 2.829-2.976% (n=3), and linear ranges were within 0.1 and 400 ng/mL. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of cereals (peanut, wheat, rice) with the relative recoveries from 47.43% to 106.83%.     

Capillary gas chromatography using electron capture or selected ion monitoring detection for the determination of muramic acid,diaminopimelic acid and the ratio of d/l-alanine in bacteria

Gas chromatographic analyses of muramic acid, diaminopimelic acid and D-alaline, which are specific components of the bacterial cell wall, have been performed using electron capture or selected ion monitoring detection. Intact cells or peptidogylycan preparations were hydrolyzed in HCl and DCl. After purification by cation exchange chromatography, followed by conversion to the N-heptafluobutyrliso-butyl esters, the components were separated on a 25 m fused silica column coated with SE-54 or on a chiral glass capillary column.The detection limits for muramic acid and diaminopimelic acid were about 10 pg using either detection method and the procedure has the potential sensitivity for detecting about 3 × 10⁵ bacterial cells, e.g., Escherichia coli.Mass spectrometric determination of the d/l ratio of alamine in intact cells of Group A streptococci, type M 15 and in peptidogylcan preparations thereof indicated the proportions 10.2% and 10.5% of D-alanine, respectively. The values uncorrected for racemization during acid hydrolysis were 10.3% and 10.7%, respectively.     

Determination of the enantiomers of nisoldipine in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase and gas chromatography with mass-selective detection

A method is described that combines chiral HPLC and off-line GC with mass-selective detection for the quantitation of the enantiomers of nisoldipine [(±)-I] in human plasma. An isotope-labelled internal standard [nine-fold deuterated (±)-I] is used throughout the assay. The limit of quantification is 0.1 μg/l for each enantiomer. Data on the precision, accuracy and selectivity of the method are presented. Enantioselective analysis was performed in subjects receiving the racemic drug in tablet form. In healthy volunteers the maximum concentration and the area under the curve of the pharmacologically more active (+)-enantiomer were greater by 9-fold and 13-fold, respectively, compared to those of the (−)-enantiomer. In elderly hypertensive patients plasma concentrations of (+)-I were ca. five times as high as those of the (−)-enantiomer. Stereoselectivity was not affected by hepatic impairment. After intravenous administration of (±)-I there were no relevant differences between the plasma concentrations of the enantiomers.     

Simultaneous determination of codeine, ephedrine, guaiphenesin and chlorpheniramine in beagle dog plasma using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection: application to a bioequivalence study

A rapid and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of codeine, ephedrine, guaiphenesin and chlorpheniramine in beagle dog plasma has been developed and validated. Following liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated on a reversed-phase C(18) column (150 mm × 2.0 mm, 3 μm) using formic acid:10 mM ammonium acetate:methanol (0.2:62:38, v/v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min and analyzed by a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The method was linear for all analytes over the following concentration (ng/mL) ranges: codeine 0.08-16; ephedrine 0.8-160; guaiphenesin 80-16,000; chlorpheniramine 0.2-40. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. It is the first time that the validated HPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study in 6 healthy beagle dogs.