Capillary electrophoresis coupled with end‐column electrochemiluminescence for the determination of ephedrine in human urine,and a study of its interactions with three proteins

A tris(2,2‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺)‐based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE) method has been established for the sensitive determination of ephedrine for the first time. Under the optimized conditions [ECL detection at 1.15 V, 25 mmol/L phosphate buffer solution (PBS), pH 8.0, as running buffer, separation voltage 12.5 kV, 5 mmol/L Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ with 60 mmol/L PBS, pH 8.5, in the detection cell] linear correlation (r = 0.9987) between ECL intensity and ephedrine concentration was obtained in the range 6.0 × 10^–8–6.0 × 10^–6 g/mL. The detection limit was 4.5 × 10^–9 g/mL (S:N = 3). The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of ephedrine in human urine and the investigation of its interactions with three proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), cytochrome C (Cyt‐C) and myoglobin (Mb). The number of binding sites and the binding constants between ephedrine and BSA, Cyt‐C and Mb were 8.52, 12.60, 10.66 and 1.55 × 10⁴ mol/L, 6.58 × 10³ mol/L and 1.59 × 10⁴ mol/L, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cupric oxide nanoparticles‐enhanced chemiluminescence method for measurement of β‐lactam antibiotics

A simple, sensitive cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the measurement of β‐lactam antibiotics, including amoxicillin and cefazolin sodium. The method was based on suppression of the CuO NPs–luminol–H₂O₂ CL reaction by β‐lactam antibiotics. Experimental parameters that influenced the inhibitory effect of the antibiotic drugs on the CL system, such as NaOH (mol/L), luminol (µmol/L), H₂O₂ (mol/L) and CuO NPs (mg/L) concentrations, were optimized. Calibration graphs were linear and had dynamic ranges of 1.0 × 10^–6 to 8.0 × 10^–6 mol/L and 3.0 × 10^–5 to 5.0 × 10^–3 mol/L for amoxicillin and cefazolin sodium, respectively, with corresponding detection limits of 7.9 × 10^–7 mol/L and 1.8 × 10^–5 mol/L. The relative standard deviations of five replicate measurements of 5.0 × 10^–6 amoxicillin and 5 × 10^–4 cefazolin sodium were 5.43 and 5.01%, respectively. The synthesized CuO NPs were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM). The developed approach was exploited successfully to measure antibiotics in pharmaceutical preparations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of 5‐hydroxytryptamine in serum by electrochemiluminescence detection with the aid of capillary electrophoresis

A rapid, sensitive and simple electrochemiluminescence method for the determination of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) using capillary electrophoresis was proposed. The experimental parameters, including the detection potential, the concentration of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, the concentration and pH of phosphate buffer for separation and detection, the injection voltage and time and the separation voltage on the determination of 5‐HT, were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the linear concentration range for 5‐HT was 3.5 × 10^‐9–5.1 × 10^‐3 mol/L, with a detection limit of 5 × 10^‐10 mol/L. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the ECL intensity and the migration times for six continuous injections of 1.0 µmol/L 5‐HT were 2.48% and 1.3%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to 5‐HT assay in samples of human serum in 5 min and the extraction recoveries with spiked serum samples were over 94.4%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Separation and determination of anesthetics by capillary electrophoresis with mixed micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Tween 20 using electrochemiluminescence detection

A simple and new method for the simultaneous determination of procaine (Pro), lidocaine (Lid), ropivacaine (Rop) and bupivacaine (Bup) was developed using capillary electrophoresis separation with mixed micelles and electrochemiluminescence detection. The use of mixed micelles of 2.0 × 10^–3 mol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 8.0 × 10^–3 mol/L Tween 20 greatly improved separation selectivity. The detection sensitivities of four drugs with a Pt working electrode were increased by modification of the Pt electrode with europium(III)–doped Prussian Blue analog (Eu–PB). Under optimal conditions, the four local anesthetics were well separated and detected. The limits of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) of Pro, Lid, Rop and Bup in standard solution are 2.5 × 10^–8, 1.3 × 10^–8, 3.0 × 10^–8 and 4.1 × 10^–8 mol/L, respectively. The limits of quantitation (LOQ, S/N = 10) of Pro, Lid, Rop and Bup are 2.3 × 10^–7, 1.2 × 10^–7, 3.7 × 10^–7 and 5.6 × 10^–7 mol/L in a human urine sample, and 8.5 × 10^–7, 6.9 × 10^–7, 2.8 × 10^–6 and 1.1 × 10^–6 mol/L in a human serum sample, respectively. The recoveries of four drugs at different spiked concentrations in human urine and serum samples were between 86.5 and 107.6%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to determine local anesthetics in biofluids. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow injection analysis of thiamazole based on strong Ru(bpy)32+ co‐reactant electrochemiluminescence

Based on the strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reaction between thiamazole and tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺), a sensitive, simple and rapid flow injection analysis method for the determination of thiamazole was developed. When a Pt working electrode was maintained at a potential of +1.50 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in pH 12.0 H₃PO₄–NaOH solution containing thiamazole and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, a linear range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L was obtained for the detection of thiamazole. The method showed good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.75%. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of thiamazole in spiked animal feeds. In addition, a co‐reactant ECL mechanism was proposed for the thiamazole–Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhanced electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+ by flavone compounds

Flavones such as morin, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin and wogonin were found to be able to strongly enhance the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ system. Based on this, a novel ECL method with good stability and reproducibility could be developed for determination of flavones. Under the optimum conditions, the enhanced ECL intensity was linear with the flavones concentration in a wide range. The detection limits (defined as S:N = 3) for morin, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin and wogonin were 3.2 × 10^–7 mol/L, 4.3 × 10^–7, 1.8 × 10^–7, 8.0 × 10^–8 and 1.0 × 10^–7 mol/L, respectively. In addition, the possible mechanism for the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL system in the presence of flavones is also discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chiral determination of cinchonine using an electrochemiluminescent sensor with molecularly imprinted membrane on the surfaces of magnetic particles

A novel molecular imprinting electrochemiluminescence sensor for detecting chiral cinchonine molecules was developed with a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane on the surfaces of magnetic microspheres. Fe₃O₄@Au nanoparticles modified with 6‐mercapto‐beta‐cyclodextrin were used as a carrier, cinchonine as a template molecule, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and N ,N ′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a cross‐linking agent. Cinchonine was specifically recognized by the 6‐mercapto‐beta‐cyclodextrin functional molecularly imprinted polymer and detected based on enhancement of the electrochemiluminescence intensity caused by the reaction of tertiary amino structures of cinchonine molecules with Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. Cinchonine concentrations of 1 × 10^?10 to 4 × 10^?7 mol/L showed a good linear relationship with changes of the electrochemiluminescence intensity, and the detection limit of the sensor was 3.13 × 10^?11 mol/L. The sensor has high sensitivity and selectivity, and is easy to renew. It was designed for detecting serum samples, with recovery rates of 98.2% to 107.6%.     

Determination of ampicillin sodium using the cupric oxide nanoparticles–luminol–H2O2 chemiluminescence reaction

A simple and sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method has been developed for the determination of ampicillin sodium at submicromolar levels. The method is based on the inhibitory effect of ampicillin sodium on the cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs)–luminol–H₂O₂ CL reaction. Experimental parameters affecting CL inhibition including concentrations of CuO NPs, luminol, H₂O₂ and NaOH were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the calibration plot was linear in the analyte concentration range 4.0 × 10^‐7–4.0 × 10^‐6 mol/L. The limit of detection was 2.6 × 10^‐7 mol/L and the relative standard deviation (RSD) for six replicate determinations of 1 × 10^‐6 mol/L ampicillin sodium was 4.71%. Also, X–ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis were employed to characterize the CuO NPs. The utility of the proposed method was demonstrated by determining ampicillin sodium in pharmaceutical preparation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of free cholesterol based on a novel flow‐injection chemiluminescence method by immobilizing enzyme

A novel flow injection chemiluminescence method is proposed for determination of cholesterol in this paper. The cholesterol oxidase was immobilized onto sol–gel and prepared as an enzymatic reaction column. The determination of cholesterol was performed by quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide produced from an enzymatic reaction. The luminol–H₂O₂–metal chelate diperiodatocuprate(III) system ensured that the method was highly sensitive and selective. Free cholesterol was determined over the range 5.0 × 10^–8 mol/L–5.0 × 10^–7 mol/L, with a limit of detection (3σ) of 1.9 × 10^–8 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 2.5 × 10^–7 mol/L was 2.7% (n = 7). The proposed method offered the advantages of sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity and rapidity for free cholesterol determination, and was successfully applied to the direct determination of free cholesterol in serum. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly sensitive fluorescence detection of glycoprotein based on energy transfer between CuInS2 QDs and rhodamine B

A highly sensitive fluorescence method for glycoprotein detection has been established based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CuInS₂ quantum dots (QDs) and rhodamine B (RB). Lectins comprise a group of proteins with unique affinities toward carbohydrate structures, so the process of FRET can occur between lectin‐coated QDs (CuInS₂ QDs–Con A conjugates, acceptors) and carbohydrate‐coated RB (RB–NH₂‐glu conjugates, donors). The fluorescence of lectin‐coated QDs was recovered in the presence of a glycoprotein such as glucose oxidase (GOx) and transferrin (TRF), which significantly reduced the FRET efficiency between the donor and the acceptor. Under optimal conditions, a linear correlation was established between the fluorescence intensity ratio I₆₅₄/I₅₇₇ and the TRF concentration over the range of 6.90 × 10^‐10 to 3.45 × 10^‐8 mol/L, with a detection limit of 2.5 × 10^‐10 mol/L. The linear range for GOx is 3.35 × 10^‐10 to 6.70 × 10^‐8 mol/L, with a detection limit of 1.5 × 10^‐10 mol/L. The proposed method was applied to the determination of glycoprotein in human serum and cell‐extract samples with satisfactory results. Furthermore, CuInS₂ QDs–Con A conjugates are used as safe and efficient optical nanoprobes in HepG2 cell imaging. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation on the co‐luminescence effect of europium (III)–lanthanum(III)–dopamine–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system and its application

A novel luminescence, enhancement phenomenon in the europium(III)–dopamine–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system was observed when lanthanum(III) was added. Based on this, a sensitive co‐luminescence method was established for the determination of dopamine. The luminescence signal for the europium (III)–lanthanum(III)–dopamine–sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system was monitored at λ_ex = 300 nm, λ_em =618 nm and pH 8.3. Under optimized conditions, the enhanced luminescence signal responded linearly to the concentration of dopamine in the range 1.0 × 10^–10–5.0 × 10^–7 mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993 (n = 11). The detection limit (3σ) was 2.7 × 10^–11 mol/L and the relative standard deviation for 11 parallel measurements of 3.0 × 10^–8 mol/L dopamine was 1.9%. The presented method was successfully applied for the estimation of dopamine in samples of pharmaceutical preparations, human serum and urine. The possible luminescence enhancement mechanism of the system is discussed briefly. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a sensitive flow‐injection–chemiluminescence detection method for the determination of laevodopa

A simple chemiluminometric method using flow injection has been developed for the determination of laevodopa, based on its sensitizing effect on the weak chemiluminescence (CL) reaction between Na₂SO₃ and acidic KMnO₄. Under optimum experimental conditions, the CL intensity was linearly related to the concentration of laevodopa from 3.4 × 10^–8 to 2.4 × 10^–5 mol/L and the detection limit was 1.1 × 10^–8 mol/L (s:n = 3). The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the proposed method calculated from 20 replicate injection of 3 × 10^–7 mol/L laevodopa was 3.3%. The correlation coefficient was 0.997. The method was successfully applied to the determination of laevodopa in commercial pharmaceutical formulations and spiked urine samples. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemiluminescence determination of sulphite using a cyclometalated iridium complex as chemiluminescence reagent

A simple, fast and accurate chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of sulphite has been developed, based on its sensitizing effect on the CL reaction between a novel water‐soluble iridium complex, [(dpci)₂Ir(bvbbi)](PF₆) (dpci = 3,4‐diphenylcinnoline; bvbbi = N,N′‐bivinylester‐¹H,^1′H‐[2,2′] bibenzimidazole) and cerium(IV). Under the optimal experimental conditions, the increased CL response was linear, with the concentration of sulphite over the range 5.0 × 10^–7–5.0 × 10^–4 mol/L. The detection limit of the method was 1.6 × 10^–7 mol/L, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.7% for nine repetitive determination of 1.0 × 10^–4 mol/L sulphite. The method was successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of sulphite in sugar samples. The possible reaction mechanism of sulphite on the [(dpci)₂Ir(bvbbi)](PF₆)–cerium(IV) system is also briefly discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid determination of gatifloxacin in biological samples and pharmaceutical products using europium‐sensitized fluorescence spectrophotometry

A europium‐sensitized fluorescence spectrophotometry method using an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS), was developed for the determination of gatifloxacin (GFLX). The GFLX–Eu³⁺–SDBS system was studied and it was found that SDBS significantly enhanced the fluorescence intensity of the GFLX–Eu³⁺ complex (about 25‐fold). The optimal experimental conditions were determined as follows: excitation and emission wavelengths of 338 and 617 nm, pH 7.5, 3.0 × 10^–6 mol/L europium(III), and 5.0 × 10^–5 mol/L SDBS. The enhanced fluorescence intensity of the system (ΔI_f) showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of GFLX over the range 1.0 × 10^–8–8.0 × 10^–7 mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9990. The detection limit (S:N = 3) was determined as 1.0 × 10^–9 mol/L. This method has been successfully applied for the determination of GFLX in pharmaceuticals and human urine/serum samples. Compared with most other methods reported, the rapid and simple procedure proposed here offered higher sensitivity, wider linear range and good stability. The luminescence mechanism of the system is also discussed in detail. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel chemiluminescent method for determination of phloroglucinol

It was found that the inhibition and enhancement by phloroglucinol of the chemiluminescence from the luminol–K₃Fe(CN)₆ system were dependent on the pH of luminol solution and the concentration of phloroglucinol. In Na₂CO₃–NaHCO₃ buffer, phloroglucinol exhibited strong chemiluminescent enhancement at pH 9.4. On this basis, a flow injection method was developed for the determination of phloroglucinol. The method was simple, rapid, convenient and sensitive, with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10^?9 mol/L. It is effective for determining phloroglucinol in the range of 1.0 × 10^?5–5.0 × 10^?9 mol/L. The relative standard deviation is 1.3% within one day and 3.2% between days for the determination of 5.0 × 10^?7 mol/L phloroglucinol. The method has been successfully used to determine phloroglucinol in environmental water, with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow‐injection chemiluminescence determination of haemoglobin in the blood

In this study, a sensitive and simple flow‐injection chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the quantitative analysis of haemoglobin. The method is based on the ability of haemoglobin to enhance the CL signal generated by a H₂O₂–K₄Fe(CN)₆–fluorescein alkaline system enhanced by CdTe quantum dots. Under the optimized conditions, haemoglobin can be detected in concentration range 7.35 × 10^–9–2.5 × 10^–6 mol/L, with a detection limit (3σ) of 1.8 × 10^–9 mol/L and a relative standard deviation (RSD; for 5 × 10^–7 mol/L haemoglobin) of 2.06% (n = 11). The present CL method was successfully applied for the determination of haemoglobin in three kinds of blood samples taken from an infant, an adult man, an adult woman and two reference samples. Compared with previous reports, the CL method described in this work is simple and rapid, with high sensitivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of bergenin based on the electrochemiluminescence quenching of tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)‐ruthenium(II)

Quenching effects of bergenin, based on the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)‐ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺)/tri‐n‐propylamine (TPrA) system in aqueous solution, is been described. The quenching behavior can be observed with a 100‐fold excess of bergenin over Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. In the presence of 0.1 m TPrA, the Stern–Volmer constant (K_SV) of the ECL quenching is as high as 1.16 × 10⁴ M^?1 for bergenin. The logarithmic plot of the inhibited ECL versus logarithmic plot of the concentration of bergenin was linear over the range 3.0 × 10^?6–1.0 × 10^?4 mol/L. The corresponding limit of detection was 6.0 × 10^?7 mol/L for bergenin (S/N = 3). In the mechanism of quenching it is believed that the competition of the active free radicals between Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/TPrA and bergenin was the key factor for the ECL inhibition of the system. Photoluminescence, cyclic voltammetry, coupled with bulk electrolysis, supports the supposition mechanism of the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/TPrA–bergenin system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The determination of glutamine with flow‐injection chemiluminescence detection and mechanism study

The main purpose of this study was to develop an inexpensive, simple, rapid and sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of glutamine (Gln) using a flow‐injection (FI) system. Gln was found to strongly inhibit the CL signal of the luminol–H₂O₂–CuSO₄ system in Na₂B₄O₇ solution. A new FI‐CL method was developed for the determination of Gln. Parameters affecting the reproducibility and CL detection were optimized systematically. Under the optimized conditions, the corresponding linear regression equation was established over the range of 5.0 × 10^?7 to 2.5 × 10^?6 mol/L with the detection limit of 1.8 × 10^?8 mol/L. The relative standard deviation was found to be 1.8% for 11 replicate determinations of 1.5 × 10^?6 mol/L Gln. The proposed method has been satisfactorily applied for the determination of Gln in real samples (Marzulene‐s granules) with recoveries in the range of 98.7–108.6%. The minimum sampling rate was about 100 samples/h. The possible mechanism of this inhibitory CL was studied by fluorescence spectrophotometer and UV–vis spectrophotometer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly sensitive spectrofluorimetic determination of rutin based on its activated effect on a multi‐enzyme redox system

A highly sensitive and simple spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of rutin, based on its activated effect on a haemoglobin‐catalysed reaction, was developed. Under optimum conditions, the concentration of rutin was linear, with decreased fluorescence (ΔF) of the system under optimal experimental conditions. The calibration graph was linear in the range 1.0 × 10^–7–3.0 × 10^–5 mol/L, with a detection limit of 7.0 × 10^–8 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.26% for 11 determinations of 1.0 × 10^–5 mol/L. This method was used for the determination of rutin in pharmaceuticals with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitive determination of epinephrine in pharmaceutical preparation by flow injection coupled with chemiluminescence detection and mechanism study

A novel, rapid and sensitive method was described for the determination of epinephrine (EP) using flow injection analysis coupled with chemiluminescence (CL) detection, which based on EP enhanced the weak CL emission of luminol–KIO₄ system in NaOH solution. Parameters affecting the CL intensity and reproducibility were optimized systematically. Under the optimized experiment conditions, the net CL intensity was proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 5.0 × 10^?8 to 1.5 × 10^?6 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.9 × 10^?9 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was found to be 0.7% for 13 replicate determinations of 3.0 × 10^?7 mol/L EP. The applicability of the proposed method was illustrated in the determination of EP in pharmaceutical preparation. The recoveries of EP at different levels in EP hydrochloride injection were between 95.4 and 104.7%. One assay procedure takes only 27 s, and the sampling rate was calculated about to be 130 samples/h. The possible mechanism of the enhanced CL intensity was studied by examining CL spectra and UV–vis spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.