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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (v.387, #7)

10^th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials (BERM 10) by Stephen A. Wise; Hendrik Emons (pp. 2309-2311).

is Chief of the Analytical Chemistry Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD, USA. The NIST Analytical Chemistry Division is responsible for approximately 900 reference materials for chemical composition including materials for clinical, food and nutritional, forensic, and environmental measurements. He was Chair of the Organizing and Scientific Committees for BERM 10. He is also an editor of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. is the Head of the Reference Materials Unit of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), located in Geel, Belgium. Moreover, he is Associate Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany and also a member of the International Advisory Board of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. His research interests developed over the years are spanning a wide range of topics covering analytical chemistry (from electroanalysis, trace element speciation and bioanalysis to quality assurance and reference materials), environmental chemistry (from biomonitoring concepts to specimen banking) and electrochemistry (from molecular interfacial structures to sensors).

Sediment certified reference materials for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides from the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) by Masahiko Numata; Takashi Yarita; Yoshie Aoyagi; Yoko Tsuda; Misako Yamazaki; Akiko Takatsu; Keiichiro Ishikawa; Koichi Chiba; Kensaku Okamaoto (pp. 2313-2323).

Two marine sediment certified reference materials, NMIJ CRM 7304-a and 7305-a, have been issued by the National Metrology Institute of Japan in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST) for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The raw materials of the CRMs were collected from a bay near industrial activity in Japan. Characterization of these CRMs was conducted by NMIJ, where the sediments were analyzed using multiple analytical methods such as pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), saponification, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and ultrasonic extraction; the target compounds were determined by one of the primary methods of measurements, isotope dilution–mass spectrometry (ID-MS). Certified values have been provided for 14 PCB congeners (PCB numbers 3, 15, 28, 31, 70, 101, 105, 138, 153, 170, 180, 194, 206, 209) and 4 OCPs (γ-HCH, 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDD) in both CRMs. NMIJ CRM 7304-a has concentrations of the contaminants that are a factor of 2–15 greater than in CRM 7305-a. Both CRMs have information values for PCB homolog concentrations determined by collaborative analysis using a Japanese official method for determination of PCBs. The total PCB concentrations in the CRMs are approximately 920 and 86 μg kg⁻¹ dry mass respectively.

Keywords: Quality assurance/quality control; Reference materials; Sediment; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Pesticides

Certification of butyltins and phenyltins in marine sediment certified reference material by species-specific isotope-dilution mass spectrometric analysis using synthesized ¹¹⁸Sn-enriched organotin compounds by Kazumi Inagaki; Akiko Takatsu; Takuro Watanabe; Yoshie Aoyagi; Takashi Yarita; Kensaku Okamoto; Koichi Chiba (pp. 2325-2334).

A new marine sediment certified reference material, NMIJ CRM 7306-a, for butyltin and phenyltin analysis has been prepared and certified by the National Metrological Institute of Japan at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). Candidate sediment material was collected at a bay near industrial activity in Japan. After air-drying, sieving, and mixing the material was sterilized with γ-ray irradiation. The material was re-mixed and packaged into 250 glass bottles (15 g each) and these were stored in a freezer at −30 °C. Certification was performed by use of three different types of species-specific isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (SSID–MS)—SSID–GC–ICP–MS, SSID–GC–MS, and SSID–LC–ICP–MS, with ¹¹⁸Sn-enriched organotin compounds synthesized from ¹¹⁸Sn-enriched metal used as a spike. The ¹¹⁸Sn-enriched mono-butyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and tributyltin (TBT) were synthesized as a mixture whereas the ¹¹⁸Sn-enriched di-phenyltin (DPhT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) were synthesized individually. Four different extraction methods, mechanical shaking, ultrasonic, microwave-assisted, and pressurized liquid extraction, were adopted to avoid possible analytical bias caused by non-quantitative extraction and degradation or inter-conversion of analytes in sample preparations. Tropolone was used as chelating agent in all the extraction methods. Certified values are given for TBT 44±3 μg kg⁻¹ as Sn, DBT 51 ± 2 μg kg⁻¹ as Sn, MBT 67 ± 3 μg kg⁻¹ as Sn, TPhT 6.9 ± 1.2 μg kg⁻¹ as Sn, and DPhT 3.4 ± 1.2 μg kg⁻¹ as Sn. These levels are lower than in other sediment CRMs currently available for analysis of organotin compounds.

Keywords: Certification; Certified reference material; Species-specific isotope dilution; Organotin compounds; Sediment

Certification of methylmercury content in two fresh-frozen reference materials: SRM 1947 Lake Michigan fish tissue and SRM 1974b organics in mussel tissue (Mytilus edulis) by W. Clay Davis; S. J. Christopher; Rebecca S. Pugh; O. F. X. Donard; Eva A. Krupp; David Point; Milena Horvat; D. Gibičar; Z. Kljakovic-Gaspic; Barbara J. Porter; Michele M. Schantz (pp. 2335-2341).

This paper describes the development of two independent analytical methods for the extraction and quantification of methylmercury from marine biota. The procedures involve microwave extraction, followed by derivatization and either headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated silica fiber or back-extraction into iso-octane. The identification and quantification of the extracted compounds is carried out by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (GC/ICP-MS) detection. Both methods were validated for the determination of methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in a variety of biological standard reference materials (SRMs) including fresh-frozen tissue homogenates of SRM 1946 Lake Superior fish tissue and SRM 1974a organics in mussel tissue (Mytilus edulis) and then applied to the certification effort of SRM 1947 Lake Michigan fish tissue and SRM 1974b organics in mussel tissue (Mytilus edulis). While past certifications of methylmercury in tissue SRMs have been based on two independent methods from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and participating laboratories, the methods described within provide improved protocols and will allow future certification efforts to be based on at least two independent analytical methods within NIST.

Keywords: Speciation; Organometals; Certified reference material

Development and application of an ultratrace method for speciation of organotin compounds in cryogenically archived and homogenized biological materials by David Point; W. Clay Davis; Steven J. Christopher; Michael B. Ellisor; Rebecca S. Pugh; Paul R. Becker; Olivier F. X. Donard; Barbara J. Porter; Stephen A. Wise (pp. 2343-2355).

An accurate, ultra-sensitive and robust method for speciation of mono, di, and tributyltin (MBT, DBT, and TBT) by speciated isotope-dilution gas chromatography–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SID-GC–ICPMS) has been developed for quantification of butyltin concentrations in cryogenic biological materials maintained in an uninterrupted cryo-chain from storage conditions through homogenization and bottling. The method significantly reduces the detection limits, to the low pg g⁻¹ level (as Sn), and was validated by using the European reference material (ERM) CE477, mussel tissue, produced by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements. It was applied to three different cryogenic biological materials—a fresh-frozen mussel tissue (SRM 1974b) together with complex materials, a protein-rich material (whale liver control material, QC03LH03), and a lipid-rich material (whale blubber, SRM 1945) containing up to 72% lipids. The commutability between frozen and freeze-dried materials with regard to spike equilibration/interaction, extraction efficiency, and the absence of detectable transformations was carefully investigated by applying complementary methods and by varying extraction conditions and spiking strategies. The inter-method results enabled assignment of reference concentrations of butyltins in cryogenic SRMs and control materials for the first time. The reference concentrations of MBT, DBT, and TBT in SRM 1974b were 0.92 ± 0.06, 2.7 ± 0.4, and 6.58 ± 0.19 ng g⁻¹ as Sn (wet-mass), respectively; in SRM 1945 they were 0.38 ± 0.06, 1.19 ± 0.26, and 3.55 ± 0.44 ng g⁻¹, respectively, as Sn (wet-mass). In QC03LH03, DBT and TBT concentrations were 30.0 ± 2.7 and 2.26 ± 0.38 ng g⁻¹ as Sn (wet-mass). The concentration range of butyltins in these materials is one to three orders of magnitude lower than in ERM CE477. This study demonstrated that cryogenically processed and stored biological materials are a promising alternative to conventional freeze-dried materials for organotin speciation analysis, because these are, at present, the best conditions for minimizing degradation of thermolabile species and for long-term archival. Finally, the potential of the analytical method was illustrated by analysis of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leuca) liver samples that had been collected in the Arctic and archived at the Marine Environmental Specimen Bank. Significant concentrations of butyltin compounds were found in the samples and provide the first evidence of the presence of this class of contaminant in the Arctic marine ecosystem. Figure Eye catch image

Keywords: Speciation; Tributyltin; ICPMS; Isotope dilution; Specimen bank; Standard reference material (SRM)

Development of a murre (Uria spp.) egg control material by Stacy S. Vander Pol; Michael B. Ellisor; Rebecca S. Pugh; Paul R. Becker; Dianne L. Poster; Michele M. Schantz; Stefan D. Leigh; Bryan J. Wakeford; David G. Roseneau; Kristin S. Simac (pp. 2357-2363).

The Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring Project (STAMP) is a collaborative Alaska-wide effort by the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS/AMNWR), the US Geological Survey’s Biological Resources Division (USGS/BRD), the Bureau of Indian Affairs Alaska Region Subsistence Branch (BIA/ARSB), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to monitor long-term (decadal) trends in environmental contaminants using seabird eggs. To support this effort, a matrix- (seabird egg) and concentration-specific control material was needed to ensure quality during analytical work. Although a herring gull egg quality assurance (HGQA) material is available from Environment Canada (EC), contaminant concentrations in this material tended to be higher than those observed in Alaskan murre (Uria spp.) eggs. Therefore, to prepare a more appropriate control material, a total of 12 common murre (U. aalge) and thick-billed murre (U. lomvia) eggs from four Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska nesting locations were cryohomogenized to create 190 aliquots each containing approximately 6 g. This new control material was analyzed by different methods at NIST and EC facilities for the determination of concentrations and value assignment of 63 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, 20 organochlorine pesticides, and 11 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners. The total PCB concentration is approximately 58 ng g⁻¹ wet mass. Results obtained for analytes not listed on the certificates of analysis of the previously used control materials, HGQA and NIST’s Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1946 Lake Superior Fish Tissue, are also presented.

Keywords: Control material; Seabird; Egg; PCBs; PBDEs; Organochlorine pesticides

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental standard reference materials by Heather M. Stapleton; Jennifer M. Keller; Michele M. Schantz; John R. Kucklick; Stefan D. Leigh; Stephen A. Wise (pp. 2365-2379).

Standard reference materials (SRMs) are valuable tools in developing and validating analytical methods to improve quality assurance standards. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a long history of providing environmental SRMs with certified concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants. Here we report on new certified and reference concentrations for 27 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in seven different SRMs: cod-liver oil, whale blubber, fish tissue (two materials), mussel tissue and sediment (two materials). PBDEs were measured in these SRMs, with the lowest concentrations measured in mussel tissue (SRM 1974b) and the highest in sediment collected from the New York/New Jersey Waterway (SRM 1944). Comparing the relative PBDE congener concentrations within the samples, we found the biota SRMs contained primarily tetrabrominated and pentabrominated diphenyl ethers, whereas the sediment SRMs contained primarily decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209). The cod-liver oil (SRM 1588b) and whale blubber (SRM 1945) materials were also found to contain measurable concentrations of two methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-BDEs). Certified and reference concentrations are reported for 12 PBDE congeners measured in the biota SRMs and reference values are available for two MeO-BDEs. Results from a sediment interlaboratory comparison PBDE exercise are available for the two sediment SRMs (1941b and 1944).

Keywords: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Standard reference materials; Certified reference materials; Fish tissue; Sediment; Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Synthetic musk fragrances in environmental Standard Reference Materials by Aaron M. Peck; John R. Kucklick; Michele M. Schantz (pp. 2381-2388).

Synthetic musk fragrances have been measured in water, air, sediments, sewage sludge, and biota worldwide. As the study of the environmental fate and impacts of these compounds progresses, the need for Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for these compounds to facilitate analytical method improvement and interlaboratory comparisons becomes increasingly important. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issues environmental matrix SRMs with certified concentrations for a variety of persistent organic pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs). Until now synthetic musk fragrance concentrations have not been reported in NIST SRMs. The objective of this study was to provide reference values for several commonly detected synthetic musk fragrances in several NIST natural matrix SRMs. In this study five polycyclic musk fragrances [HHCB (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-γ-2-benzopyran), AHTN (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene), ADBI (4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert-butylindane), AHMI (6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindane), and ATII (5-acetyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethyl-3-isopropylindane] and two nitro musk fragrances [musk xylene (1-tert-butyl-3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene) and musk ketone (4-tert-butyl-3,5-dinitro-2,6-dimethylacetophenone)] were measured in selected environmental SRMs. Gas chromatography–electron impact mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) was used for all analyses. HHCB was the most frequently detected synthetic musk fragrance and was detected in SRM 2585 Organic Contaminants in House Dust, SRM 2781 Domestic Sludge, SRM 1974b Organics in Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis), and SRM 1947 Lake Michigan Fish Tissue. It was not detected in SRM 1946 Lake Superior Fish Tissue or SRM 1945 Organics in Whale Blubber. Concentrations of HHCB in these SRMs ranged from 1.12 ng/g in SRM 1947 to 92,901 ng/g in SRM 2781. All of the polycyclic musk fragrances were detected in SRM 2781 and all of the target compounds were detected in SRM 2585.

Keywords: Reference materials; Organic compounds; PPCPs; Personal care products; Synthetic musks

Microheterogeneity evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate standard reference materials by Katrice A. Lippa; Michele M. Schantz (pp. 2389-2399).

With the emergence of highly sensitive analytical techniques, the microanalysis of natural-matrix materials employing smaller sample sizes is increasingly more common, which subsequently warrants a homogeneity assessment for the individual components at the appropriate sampling level. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been used to determine the sampling constants and evaluate the relative homogeneity of trace levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for two previously certified particulate standard reference materials, SRM 1649a Urban Dust and SRM 1650b Diesel Particulate Matter, in the milligram sampling range. Fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and benzo[e]pyrene within SRM 1650b Diesel Particulate Matter were deemed to be homogeneous, based on relatively small sampling constants (K _S<100 mg), whereas the larger sampling constants (K _S>100 mg) obtained for all PAHs in SRM 1649a Urban Dust suggest more material heterogeneity. The material heterogeneity of ten individual PAHs (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene) was also described via nonlinear relationships (i.e., power law) between subsampling error S _s (%) and sample mass, which are used to predict analyte-specific minimum sample masses that result in a specific level of analytical uncertainty.

Keywords: Sampling constants; Heterogeneity; Homogeneity; PAH; Microanalysis; Standard reference material (SRM)

Development and certification of the new SRM 695 trace elements in multi-nutrient fertilizer by E. A. Mackey; M. P. Cronise; C. N. Fales; R. R. Greenberg; S. D. Leigh; S. E. Long; A. F. Marlow; K. E. Murphy; R. Oflaz; J. R. Sieber; M. S. Rearick; L. J. Wood; L. L. Yu; S. A. Wilson; P. H. Briggs; Z. A. Brown; J. Budahn; P. F. Kane; W. L. Hall Jr. (pp. 2401-2409).

During the past seven years, several states within the US have enacted regulations that limit the amounts of selected non-nutritive elements in fertilizers. Internationally, several countries, including Japan, China, and Australia, and the European Union also limit the amount of selected elements in fertilizers. The elements of interest include As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. Fertilizer manufacturers and state regulatory authorities, faced with meeting and verifying these limits, need to develop analytical methods for determination of the elements of concern and to validate results obtained using these methods. Until now, there were no certified reference materials available with certified mass fraction values for all elements of interest in a blended, multi-nutrient fertilizer matrix. A new standard reference material (SRM) 695 trace elements in multi-nutrient fertilizer, has been developed to help meet these needs. SRM 695 has recently been issued with certified mass fraction values for seventeen elements, reference values for an additional five elements, and information values for two elements. The certificate of analysis includes an addendum listing percentage recovery for eight of these elements, determined using an acid-extraction inductively-coupled plasma optical-emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) method recently developed and tested by members of the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials.

Keywords: Trace elements; Activation analysis; Fertilizers; Standard reference material; Nutrients

A theoretical framework for evaluating analytical digestion methods for poorly soluble particulate beryllium by Aleksandr B. Stefaniak; Christopher A. Brink; Robert M. Dickerson; Gregory A. Day; Michael J. Brisson; Mark D. Hoover; Ronald C. Scripsick (pp. 2411-2417).

Complete digestion of all chemical forms and sizes of particulate analytes in environmental samples is usually necessary to obtain accurate results with atomic spectroscopy. In the current study, we investigate the physicochemical properties of beryllium particles likely to be encountered in samples collected from different occupational environments and present a hypothesis that a dissolution theory can be used as a conceptual framework to guide development of strategies for digestion procedures. For monodisperse single-chemical constituent primary particles, such as those encountered when handling some types of beryllium oxide (BeO) powder, theory predicts that a digestion procedure is sufficient when it completely dissolves all primary particles, independent of cluster size. For polydisperse single-chemical constituent particles, such as those encountered during the handling of some types of beryllium metal powder, theory predicts that a digestion procedure is sufficient only when it completely dissolves the largest particle in the sample. For samples with unknown or multi-chemical constituent particles and with particles having undefined sizes, e.g., fume emissions from a copper–beryllium alloy furnace operation or dust from a beryl ore crushing operation, a surface area-limited and single-constituent-dependent dissolution theory may not predict complete dissolution, thereby requiring non-routine robust treatment procedures with post-digestion filtration, followed by examination of residual particulate material. Additionally, for beryllium, and likely other poorly soluble materials, particulate reference materials of various chemical forms and size distributions are needed to better evaluate and harmonize analytical digestion procedures. Figure Generation of aerosol particles during machining of beryllium oxide

Keywords: Analytical methods; Beryllium compounds; Quantitative analysis

Human urine certified reference material CZ 6010: creatinine and toluene metabolites (hippuric acid and o-cresol) and a benzene metabolite (phenol) by I. Šperlingová; L. Dabrowská; V. Stránský; J. Kučera; M. Tichý (pp. 2419-2424).

A reference material for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toluene, benzene and phenol was prepared. O-cresol and hippuric acid (metabolites of toluene) are used for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toluene. Phenol, a metabolite of benzene, is used for the biological monitoring of exposure to benzene, but phenol can of course also be used as an indicator of exposure to phenol as well. The reference material (RM) used for the determination of these metabolites was prepared by freeze-drying pooled urine samples obtained from healthy persons occupationally exposed to toluene and those taking part in an inhalation experiment. Tests for homogeneity and stability were performed by determining urine concentrations of o-cresol, hippuric acid, creatinine and phenol. To investigate the stability of the RM, the urinary concentrations of o-cresol and phenol were monitored for eighteen months using GC and HPLC, while those of hippuric acid and creatinine were followed for five and six years, respectively, using HPLC. Analysis of variance showed that the concentrations did not change. The certified concentration values (and their uncertainties) of the substances in this reference material (phenol concentration c=6.46±0.58 mg l⁻¹; o-cresol concentration c=1.17±0.15 mg l⁻¹; hippuric acid concentration c=1328±30 mg l⁻¹; creatinine concentration c=0.82±0.10 g l⁻¹) were evaluated via the interactive statistical programme IPECA.

Keywords: Reference material; Toluene metabolites; O-cresol; Hippuric acid; Phenol; Creatinine

Development of a 100 nmol mol⁻¹ propane-in-air SRM for automobile-exhaust testing for new low-emission requirements by George C. Rhoderick (pp. 2425-2432).

New US federal low-level automobile emission requirements, for example zero-level-emission vehicle (ZLEV), for hydrocarbons and other species, have resulted in the need by manufacturers for new certified reference materials. The new emission requirement for hydrocarbons requires the use, by automobile manufacturing testing facilities, of a 100 nmol mol⁻¹ propane in air gas standard. Emission-measurement instruments are required, by federal law, to be calibrated with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable reference materials. Because a NIST standard reference material (SRM) containing 100 nmol mol⁻¹ propane was not available, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Automobile Industry/Government Emissions Research Consortium (AIGER) requested that NIST develop such an SRM. A cylinder lot of 30 gas mixtures containing 100 nmol mol⁻¹ propane in air was prepared in 6-L aluminium gas cylinders by a specialty gas company and delivered to the Gas Metrology Group at NIST. Another mixture, contained in a 30-L aluminium cylinder and included in the lot, was used as a lot standard (LS). Using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection all 30 samples were compared to the LS to obtain the average of six peak-area ratios to the LS for each sample with standard deviations of <0.31%. The average sample-to-LS ratio determinations resulted in a range of 0.9828 to 0.9888, a spread of 0.0060, which corresponds to a relative standard deviation of 0.15% of the average for all 30 samples. NIST developed its first set of five propane in air primary gravimetric standards covering a concentration range 91 to 103 nmol mol⁻¹ with relative uncertainties of 0.15%. This new suite of propane gravimetric standards was used to analyze and assign a concentration value to the SRM LS. On the basis of these data each SRM sample was individually certified, furnishing the desired relative expanded uncertainty of ±0.5%. Because automobile companies use total hydrocarbons to make their measurements, it was also vital to assign a methane concentration to the SRM samples. Some of the SRM samples were analyzed and found to contain 1.2 nmol mol⁻¹ methane. Twenty-five of the samples were certified and released as SRM 2765.

Keywords: Automobile-exhaust testing; Propane standards; THC analyzers; AIGER; PZEV; ZLEV; SRMs

The certification of a nominal 20 μmol/mol H₂S/N₂ standard reference material using two independent methods by Walter R. Miller; Franklin R. Guenther (pp. 2433-2439).

To support federal, state and local regulations on the amount of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) released into the atmosphere, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has certified standard reference material (SRM) 2731 Hydrogen Sulfide in Nitrogen (nominal amount-of-substance fraction 20 μmol/mol H₂S). Since it was first produced and certified in 1989, NIST has certified four separate lots of this SRM. In each case, the value assignment of the lot concentration was accomplished by comparison to a permeation tube-generated calibration curve. For the certification of the new lot, two independent methods were used to value-assign the concentration. In addition to the permeation tube method, a second method involving the dynamic dilution of a high-concentration gravimetrically prepared primary standard mixture containing H₂S/N₂ was also used. Agreement between the two methods was 0.10% and the total uncertainty assigned to the lot concentration was 1.35% (relative).

Keywords: Electroanalytical methods; Quality assurance; Quality control; Air; Gases

LC/UV/MS-MRM for the simultaneous determination of water-soluble vitamins in multi-vitamin dietary supplements by Pei Chen; Wayne R. Wolf (pp. 2441-2448).

The purpose of this study was to optimize chromatographic and detection conditions for the simultaneous determination of water-soluble vitamins in multi-vitamin dietary supplements using a single chromatographic run. An approach using liquid chromatography with diode array and/or mass spectrometry for quantitation of seven B-complex vitamins [thiamine (B₁), riboflavin (B₂), nicotinamide (B₃), pyridoxine (B₆) pyridoxine, biotin, pantothenic acid, and folic acid] in multi-vitamin/multi-mineral daily supplements is described. This approach utilizes a reversed phase C18 column (4 μm; i.d.: 250×2.0 mm) with a gradient mobile elution profile, performed at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/min. After a 5-min isocratic elution at 100% A (0.1% formic acid in water), a linear gradient to 50% A and 50% B (0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile) at 15 min and then to 5% A and 95% B at 17 min was employed. Detection was performed with a photodiode array detector (DAD) in sequence with a triple-quad mass spectrometer in the multiple reaction mode (MS-MRM). Although good chromatographic separation of ascorbic acid was also obtained in extracts from multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplements, the ascorbic acid could not be quantified properly due to rapid oxidation catalyzed by the minerals. This method was initially applied to determine water-soluble vitamins in representative multi-vitamin/multi-mineral tablets following the extraction of ground samples with a phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 2.5). For multi-vitamin supplement tablets, this approach does not require any sample clean-up/pre-concentration steps except for centrifugation and filtration of the extract.

Keywords: B vitamins; dietary supplements; HPLC; MS; quantitation; UV

Updated estimates of the selenomethionine content of NIST wheat reference materials by GC–IDMS by Wayne R. Wolf; Robert J. Goldschmidt (pp. 2449-2452).

Updated estimates of the selenomethionine content of four NIST wheat reference materials have been obtained by use of a revised gas chromatography–stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometric method. The revised method makes use of digestion with methanesulfonic acid, which enables more complete recovery of endogenous selenomethionine than was previously achieved by overnight denaturing treatment in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl. The NIST wheat reference materials each contain approximately 55% of their total Se content as selenomethionine. Information about forms of Se in reference materials adds value to these materials in Se speciation studies. Estimates of selenomethionine content are also provided for other wheat samples, including several grown under conditions of exposure to high Se levels. These samples also contain approximately 55% of their total Se content as selenomethionine. The consistent level of 55% of total selenium occurring in the form of selenomethionine when the total selenium content varies by a factor of 500 is suggestive of an active mechanism of incorporation of selenium into wheat grain. Figure Selenomethionine content of wheat samples

Keywords: Selenomethionine; Wheat; Reference materials; Isotope dilution mass spectrometry

On the certification of cadmium at trace and ultratrace levels in standard reference materials using ID ICP-MS by K. E. Murphy; S. E. Long; R. D. Vocke (pp. 2453-2461).

Analytical methods used for the isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ID-ICP-MS) measurement of Cd at μg kg⁻¹ and sub-μg kg⁻¹ levels are described and applied to the certification of new dietary supplement, blood, and serum Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). The materials are: SRM 3240 Ephedra sinica Stapf Aerial Parts, SRM 3241 Ephedra sinica Stapf Native Extract, SRM 3243 Ephedra-Containing Solid Oral Dosage Form, SRM 3244 Ephedra-Containing Protein Powder, SRM 966 Toxic Metals in Bovine Blood, Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2), and SRM 1598a Animal Serum. The concentration of Cd in the materials ranges from 120 μg kg⁻¹ down to 0.03 μg kg⁻¹. At these levels, the factors that most influence the accuracy of the ICP-MS data are the procedure blank and spectral and nonspectral interferences. Nonspectral interference, caused by the high concentration of dissolved solids in the matrices investigated, resulted in signal suppression. Matrix separation was used to enhance signal intensity and to reduce spectral interference for the accurate determination of Cd in SRM 1598a and SRM 3244. Chromatographic separation procedures using Chelex for SRM 1598a and anion exchange for SRM 3244 were optimized to achieve the desired separation characteristics without substantially increasing the procedure blank. Sensitivity for the determination of Cd in serum was additionally enhanced through the use of desolvation nebulization. We determined that separations were not required for the accurate ICP-MS determination of Cd in SRM 3240, SRM 3241, SRM 3243, and SRM 966 L2 under optimized analysis conditions. These samples were diluted to a minimum volume and introduced to the ICP-MS via low flow (40–100 μL/min) microconcentric nebulizers. SRM 966 L1 was also analyzed directly, but results were highly variable. The ID-ICP-MS sample preparation and ratio measurement protocols described here resulted in total expanded uncertainties of less than 1% for the determination of 90.85 μg kg⁻¹ Cd in SRM 3240, and less than 10% total expanded uncertainty for the determination of 0.0468 μg kg⁻¹ Cd in SRM 1598a.

Keywords: Cadmium; Isotope dilution; ICP-MS; Reference materials; Dietary supplements; Blood; Serum; SRM; Trace elements

Fit-for-purpose shellfish reference materials for internal and external quality control in the analysis of phycotoxins by Philipp Hess; Pearse McCarron; Michael A. Quilliam (pp. 2463-2474).

The need for reference materials for quality control of analysis of foodstuffs has been stressed frequently. This has been particularly true in the phycotoxins field, where there is a great shortage of both pure calibration standards and reference materials. Worldwide there are very few independent bodies that produce certified reference materials for phycotoxins, the main producers currently being the National Research Council Canada and the Japanese Food Research Laboratory. Limited availability of contaminated shellfish and algae, as well as the time and knowledge necessary for the production of adequate reference materials, continuously lead to limited editions of certified reference materials and even more limited production of in-house reference materials. The restricted availability of in-house quality control materials promotes the rapid use of the limited certified reference materials, which in turn hampers the production of the suite of materials required globally for complete protection of public health. This paper outlines the various options that analysts can pursue in the use of reference materials for internal and external quality control, with a view to optimising the efforts of both reference materials users and reference materials producers. For this purpose, the logical sequence is reviewed from the discovery of a new bioactive compound in shellfish, through initial method development up to regulation for food safety purposes including accepted reference methods. Subsequently, the requirements for and efforts typically spent in the production and characterisation of laboratory reference materials, certified reference materials and other test materials used in inter-laboratory studies or proficiency testing, in the area of marine biotoxins are evaluated. Particular emphasis is put on practical advice for the preparation of in-house reference materials. The intricate link between reference material characterisation and method performance is outlined to give guidance on the appropriate in-house method validation in the rapidly developing field of phycotoxins.

Keywords: In-house laboratory reference material; Shellfish toxin; Validation of analytical methods for shellfish toxins; Proficiency testing

Freeze-drying for the stabilisation of shellfish toxins in mussel tissue (Mytilus edulis) reference materials by Pearse McCarron; Håkan Emteborg; Philipp Hess (pp. 2475-2486).

Two samples of mussels (Mytilus edulis) were collected from the southwest of Ireland. One sample contained domoic acid, the other sample contained okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-2 and azaspiracid-1, -2 and -3. Wet and freeze-dried reference materials were prepared from each of the two samples to test for differences in homogeneity, stability and extractability of the analytes in either condition. Wet materials were homogenised, aliquoted and hermetically sealed under argon and subsequently frozen at −80 °C. Dry materials were similarly homogenised but frozen in flat cakes prior to freeze-drying. After grinding, sieving and further homogenisation, the resulting powder was aliquoted and hermetically sealed. Domoic acid materials were characterised using HPLC–UV, while LC–MS was used for the determination of lipophilic toxins. The extractabilities of all phycotoxins studied were comparable for wet and freeze-dried materials once a sonication step had been carried out for reconstitution of the freeze-dried materials prior to extraction. Homogeneity was assessed through replicate analysis of the phycotoxins (n = 10), and was found to be similar for wet and freeze-dried materials, for both hydrophilic and lipophilic toxins. Water contents were determined for both wet and freeze-dried materials, and particle size was determined for the freeze-dried materials. Stability was evaluated isochronously over eight months at four temperatures (−20, +4, +20 and +40 °C). The freeze-dried material containing domoic acid was stable over the whole duration at all temperatures, while in the wet material domoic acid degraded to some extent at all temperatures except −20 °C. In freeze-dried and wet materials containing lipophilic toxins, okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-2, azaspiracid-1 and azaspiracid-2 were stable over the whole duration at all conditions, while concentrations of azaspiracid-3 changed significantly in both materials at some storage temperatures. Figure Aliquots of freeze-dried and wet mussel tissue reference materials containing the various shellfish toxins examined in the study

Keywords: Phycotoxins; Preparation; Stability; Domoic acid; Okadaic acid; Azaspiracids

Feasibility of gamma irradiation as a stabilisation technique in the preparation of tissue reference materials for a range of shellfish toxins by Pearse McCarron; Michiel Kotterman; Jacob de Boer; Nils Rehmann; Philipp Hess (pp. 2487-2493).

The effect of γ-irradiation on concentrations of hydrophilic and lipophilic phycotoxins has been investigated by use of HPLC–UV and LC–MS. Pure toxins in organic solvents and toxins in mussel (Mytilus edulis) tissues were irradiated at three different doses. In solution all toxin concentrations were reduced to some extent. Most severe decreases were observed for domoic acid and yessotoxin, for which the smallest dose of irradiation led to almost complete destruction. For pectenotoxin-2 the decrease in concentration was less severe but still continuous with increasing dose. Azaspiracid-1 and okadaic acid were the least affected in solution. In shellfish tissue the decrease in toxin concentrations was much reduced compared with the effect in solution. After irradiation at the highest dose reductions in concentrations were between ca. 5 and 20% for the lipophilic toxins and there was no statistical difference between control and irradiated samples for azaspiracids in tissue. Irradiation of shellfish tissues contaminated with domoic acid led to a more continuous decrease in the amount of the toxin with increasing dose. The effect of irradiation on the viability of microbial activity in shellfish tissues was assessed by using total viable counting techniques. Microbial activity depended on the type of shellfish and on the pretreatment of the shellfish tissues (with or without heat treatment). As far as we are aware this is the first investigation of the effectiveness of irradiation as a technique for stabilising tissue reference materials for determination of phycotoxins. Our results suggest that this technique is not effective for materials containing domoic acid. It does, however, merit further investigation as a stabilisation procedure for preparation of shellfish tissue materials for some lipophilic toxins, in particular azaspiracids. Chemical structures of the toxins investigated in the study

Keywords: Algal toxins; Domoic acid; Okadaic acid; Azaspiracids; Pectenotoxin; Yessotoxin

Effect of addition of antibiotics and an antioxidant on the stability of tissue reference materials for domoic acid, the amnesic shellfish poison by Pearse McCarron; Stephen Burrell; Philipp Hess (pp. 2495-2502).

Five separate reference materials (RMs) were prepared from a mussel (Mytilus edulis) tissue containing domoic acid (DA) from scallop hepatopancreas (Pecten maximus). Homogenates were separately spiked with antibiotics, an antioxidant, or a combination of both. Control materials did not contain any additives and were prepared from lightly cooked and autoclaved mussel tissues. Stability studies were run over a 148-day period at three different temperature conditions: −20 °C, +4 °C and +40 °C. DA contents in all materials were characterised by HPLC-UV. Homogeneities were demonstrated at the beginning of the study, with coefficients of variance of less than 4% (n = 9). DA was stable at −20 °C in all materials. The control materials showed significant degradation after two days at +40 °C, and after eight days at +4 °C. Each of the materials containing additives demonstrated better stability during the initial period of the study. In addition there was no significant degradation in any of the materials with additives stored at +4 °C over the duration of the study. The material containing a combination of the antibiotics and the antioxidant displayed the best stability of all the materials. There was no significant reduction in DA concentration at all temperature conditions after eight days, and after 32 days the decrease at +40 °C was still <20 %. Following this, a DA laboratory reference material (LRM) was prepared and, based on previous results, spiked with both the antioxidant and antibiotics. A short-term stability study on this material gave similar results to the corresponding material in the additives study. This study shows that combined use of the additives investigated in the preparation of a mussel tissue reference material for DA ensures analyte stability for a period of up to eight days at temperatures of up to +40 °C, a condition that is particularly important when shipping test materials globally. Aliquots of individual feasibility materials used in the study

Keywords: Reference materials; Domoic acid; Stability; Additives; Antioxidant; Antibiotics

Impact of residual moisture and formulation on Factor VIII and Factor V recovery in lyophilized plasma reference materials by Anthony Hubbard; Sally Bevan; Paul Matejtschuk (pp. 2503-2507).

Residual moisture content and formulation are important parameters when preparing lyophilized reference materials containing labile proteins. The protection of Factor VIII and Factor V activities were monitored in a lyophilized plasma preparation following formulation with either no additional excipient, 40 mM Hepes (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid), 10 mg/mL glycine or a combination of 40 mM Hepes and 10 mg/mL glycine. The preservation of Factor VIII activity during freeze-drying was improved by the addition of either stabiliser and improved most, amongst the options studied, by the addition of both glycine and Hepes. The predicted stability at −20 °C and 20 °C was estimated using accelerated degradation studies. Although for plasma lyophilized alone there was some benefit from further desiccation over phosphorus pentoxide, resulting in very low moistures, for suitably formulated samples the predicted stability was as good for freeze-dried only samples as for those with further desiccation. This study emphasises the importance of optimum formulation on the stability of lyophilized proteins.

Keywords: Lyophilization; Human plasma; Factor VIII; Factor V; Stability

Matrix materials for proficiency testing: optimization of a procedure for spiking soil with gamma-emitting radionuclides by A. Shakhashiro; A. M. Gondin da Fonseca Azeredo; U. Sansone; A. Fajgelj (pp. 2509-2515).

The IAEA Reference Materials Group of the Chemistry Unit, Agency’s Laboratories Seibersdorf, has developed and optimized a procedure for spiking some environmental matrices with gamma-emitting radionuclides. This paper describes the spiking procedure, homogeneity testing of the spiked material, and assignment of property values and their associated uncertainties for the radionuclides ⁵⁴Mn, ⁶⁵Zn, ⁶⁰Co, ¹⁰⁹Cd, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb, and ²⁴¹Am. This procedure has already been successfully used in an IAEA proficiency test on the determination of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb in spiked soil and has been found to be appropriate for production of soil materials for proficiency testing and internal quality control samples. The main advantage of this procedure is a low uncertainty arising from heterogeneity, which was found to be less than 1.2% for all the analytes studied.

Keywords: Reference materials; Sediments/Soil; Quality assurance/control

Preliminary studies of using preheated carrier gas for on-line membrane extraction of semivolatile organic compounds by Xinyu Liu; Janusz Pawliszyn (pp. 2517-2525).

In this paper, we present results for the on-line determination of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in air using membrane extraction with a sorbent interface–ion mobility spectrometry (MESI-IMS) system with a preheated carrier (stripping) gas. The mechanism of the mass transfer of SVOCs across a membrane was initially studied. In comparison with the extraction of volatile analytes, the mass transfer resistance that originated from the slow desorption from the internal membrane surface during the SVOC extraction processes should be taken into account. A preheated carrier gas system was therefore built to facilitate desorption of analytes from the internal membrane surface. With the benefit of a temperature gradient existing between the internal and external membrane surfaces, an increase in the desorption rate of a specific analyte at the internal surface and the diffusion coefficient within the membrane could be achieved while avoiding a decrease of the distribution constant on the external membrane interface. This technique improved both the extraction rate and response times of the MESI-IMS system for the analysis of SVOCs. Finally, the MESI-IMS system was shown to be capable of on-site measurement by monitoring selected polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons emitted from cigarette smoke. Figure Schematic of the MESI-IMS preheating carrier (stripping) gas system

Keywords: Membrane extraction; Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs); Membrane extraction with a sorbent interface (MESI); Ion mobility spectrometry; On-line analysis

Solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for analysis of phenols and nitrophenols in rainwater, as their t-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives by Farouk Jaber; Claude Schummer; Jamal Al Chami; Philippe Mirabel; Maurice Millet (pp. 2527-2535).

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry has been used for analysis of four phenols and sixteen nitrophenols in rainwater samples. Analytes were extracted from the water in the immersion mode and derivatised for 5 min during direct desorption in the GC injector. Before desorption, 2 μL N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MDBSTFA) was introduced into the injector, which was maintained at 280 °C. Different conditions affecting extraction efficiency were studied, including temperature, type of microextraction fibre, and effect of pH and ionic strength. Five different fibre coatings were tested: 85-μm polyacrylate (PA), 100-μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 65-μm Carbowax–divinylbenzene (CW–DVB), 75-μm Carboxen–polydimethylsiloxane (CAR–PDMS), and 65-μm polydimethylsiloxane–divinylbenzene (PDMS–DVB). The best conditions were use of PA fibres for 40 min at ambient temperature (75 g NaCl per 100 mL, pH 3.0). MDBSTFA was used as derivatising agent because it enables analysis of phenols derivatives with high confidence in identification, because in electron-impact mode TBDMS–phenol derivatives produce the specific M–57 ion. Quantification was achieved by using 4-nitrophenol-d4, at 1 mg L⁻¹, as internal standard. Linearity was good, with correlation coefficients in the range 0.9888 (o-cresol) to 0.9987 (dinitro-o-cresol, DNOC). Detection limits varied between 0.208 and 99.3 μg L⁻¹ and quantification limits between 0.693 and 331 μg L⁻¹. Uncertainties varied between 8.7% (phenol) and 17.9% (4-methyl-2-nitrophenol). The method was successfully applied to the analysis of rainwater collected at urban and rural sites in Alsace (East of France). Because of derivatisation in the injector and the associated high temperature, the lifetime of the fibre is severely reduced.

Keywords: SPME; MDBSTFA; Rainwater; Phenols; Nitrophenols

Harmonized internal quality aspects of a multi-residue method for determination of forty-six semivolatile compounds in water by stir-bar-sorptive extraction–thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry by E. Bonet-Domingo; S. Grau-González; Y. Martín-Biosca; M. J. Medina-Hernández; S. Sagrado (pp. 2537-2545).

Three main aspects of internal quality—internal method validation, internal quality control (IQC), and sample result uncertainty—have been established for a multi-residue method for determination of 46 organic micropollutants (pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in water by stir-bar-sorptive extraction (SBSE) and thermal desorption (TD) coupled to capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). From data obtained with increasing time, the process mean and standard deviation were used to harmonize the internal quality statistics. The relationship between these statistics and the hydrophobicity of the compounds was evaluated.

Keywords: Stir-bar-sorptive extraction; Harmonized quality statistics; Mean chart control limits; GC–MS multi-residue method; Pesticides; PAHs

Determination of ethylphenols in wine by in situ derivatisation and headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry by José David Carrillo; María Teresa Tena (pp. 2547-2558).

Contamination by Brettanomyces is a frequent problem in many wineries that has a dramatic effect on wine aroma and hence its quality. The yeast Brettanomyces/Dekkera is involved in the formation of three important volatile ethylphenols—4-ethylphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylcatechol—that transmit an unpleasant aroma to wine that has often been described as ‘medicinal’, ‘stable’ or ‘leather’. This study proposes an in situ derivatisation and headspace solid-phase microextraction– gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method to determine the three ethylphenols in red Brettanomyces-tainted wines. The most important variables involved in the derivatisation (acetic anhydride and base concentration) and the extraction (extraction temperature and salt addition) processes were optimised by experimental design. The optimal conditions using 4 mL of wine in 20-mL sealed vials were 35 μL of acetic anhydride per millilitre of wine, 1 mL of 5.5% potassium carbonate solution and 0.9 g of sodium chloride and the extraction was performed with a divinylbenzene–carboxen–poly(dimethylsiloxane) fibre at 70 °C for 70 min. Then, the performance characteristics were established using wine samples spiked with the ethylphenols. For all compounds, the detection limits were below the odour threshold reported in the literature and they were between 2 and 17 μg L⁻¹ for 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol, respectively. Intermediate precision (as relative standard deviation) was acceptable, with values ranging from 0.3 to 12.1%. Finally, the method was applied in the analysis of aged Brettanomyces-tainted wines.

Keywords: Brettanomyces ; Wine; Ethylphenols; Solid-phase microextraction; 4-Ethylcatechol

Sample preparation of sewage sludge and soil samples for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on one-pot microwave-assisted saponification and extraction by M. Teresa Pena; Luis Pensado; M. Carmen Casais; M. Carmen Mejuto; Rafael Cela (pp. 2559-2567).

A microwave-assisted sample preparation (MASP) procedure was developed for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sewage sludge and soil samples. The procedure involved the simultaneous microwave-assisted extraction of PAHs with n-hexane and the hydrolysis of samples with methanolic potassium hydroxide. Because of the complex nature of the samples, the extracts were submitted to further cleaning with silica and Florisil solid-phase extraction cartridges connected in series. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, were considered in the study. Quantification limits obtained for all of these compounds (between 0.4 and 14.8 μg kg⁻¹ dry mass) were well below of the limits recommended in the USA and EU. Overall recovery values ranged from 60 to 100%, with most losses being due to evaporation in the solvent exchange stages of the procedure, although excellent extraction recoveries were obtained. Validation of the accuracy was carried out with BCR-088 (sewage sludge) and BCR-524 (contaminated industrial soil) reference materials.

Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Microwave-assisted saponification–extraction; Soil analysis; Sewage sludge analysis

New strategies to screen for endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the Portuguese marine environment utilizing large volume injection–capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with retention time locking libraries (LVI–GC–MS–RTL) by C. Almeida; P. Serôdio; M. H. Florêncio; J. M. F. Nogueira (pp. 2569-2583).

A new analytical strategy to screen for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental matrices is presented. The strategy uses solid-phase extraction followed by large volume injection and capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry combined with retention time locking libraries (SPE–LVI–GC–MS–RTL). Characterization of the proposed methodology (SPE–LVI–GC–MS) for selected classes of EDCs enabled high reproducibility and robustness at the ultratrace level. The RTL databases used allowed hundreds of non-target semivolatiles (i.e., pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and other classes of suspected EDCs from a great number of unknown environmental matrices) to be simultaneously screened for in an easy, fast and remarkable manner. The application of the proposed methodology to real environmental samples demonstrated its remarkable selectivity and sensitivity at the ultratrace level. Screening assessments performed on water and sediment matrices from eight Portuguese estuaries and coastal waters identified EDC “hotspots.” These EDCs mainly come from agricultural and a wide variety of industrial sources, and include pesticides and pesticide metabolites, phenolic derivatives and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are included in the lists of priority substances published by international environmental agencies. The estuaries that contained relatively high levels of pesticides were Guadiana, Sado and Mondego, while Minho, Douro and Formosa showed enhanced levels of phenolic derivatives. Dibutyltin and tributyltin, selected as target compounds to be monitored by SPE–LVI–GC–MS in the selected ion monitoring mode, were shown to be widespread contaminants at trace levels in almost all of the sediment matrices assessed. The reliability of the proposed methodology undoubtedly makes it a valuable tool that could replace other analytical strategies currently used to screen for EDCs present in the environment at ultratrace levels.

Keywords: SPE–LVI–GC–MS; RTL databases; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; Pesticides and metabolites; Phenolic derivatives; PAHs; Organotins; Environmental matrices; Portuguese estuaries

Determination of reducing ends with flow injection analysis with amperometric detection: application to enzyme-hydrolysed methyl cellulose by Claes Melander; Emma Andersson; Sara Axelsson; Lo Gorton (pp. 2585-2593).

A novel method for detection of reducing ends of sugars is proposed, based on the use of $${ ext{Fe}}{left( {{ ext{CN}}} ight)}^{{3 - }}_{{ ext{6}}} $$ as the oxidant in combination with amperometric detection and flow injection analysis (FIA). The method is very sensitive, giving values of <10 μM for the limit of detection for a series of mono- and oligosaccharides. Samples can be analysed every 30 s, and injection can be made fully automated, making it possible to perform on-line analysis of polysaccharide samples subjected to hydrolysis. Three methylcelluloses (MC) of different qualities were hydrolysed with three different glucanases, and the concentrations of reducing ends prior to, during and after hydrolysis were determined. Differences were observed between the results obtained using different combinations of enzymes and MCs, which revealed different selectivities of the various enzymes for the different substrates. One MC was also hydrolysed and analysed in real-time for three hours. The method proposed is superior to many of the standard methods used today, which require manual labour and have a lower sensitivity. Figure Set-up used for the instrumentation in the FIA system with automated injection. A pump delivers the reaction solution to the autosampler, where the samples are injected; the sample and solution react in a temperature-controlled random coil and the response is detected using an amperometric detection cell

Keywords: Hexacyanoferrate; On-line real time analysis; Glucanases; Methylcellulose

Monitoring the traceability of the pH of a primary tetraborate buffer: comparison of results from primary and secondary apparatus by Enrico Prenesti; Paola Fisicaro; Silvia Berto; Enzo Ferrara; Pier Giuseppe Daniele (pp. 2595-2600).

This paper reports evaluation of the behaviour of different combined glass electrodes applied to measurement of the pH of a primary, 0.01 mol kg⁻¹, tetraborate buffer. Measurements were first performed by use of a primary Harned cell (at 15, 25, and 37 °C); these results were then compared with those obtained for the same solution by use of three combined glass electrodes (25 °C) with different membranes and liquid-junction designs, calibrated by use of commercial pH-metric buffers. The pH of the same solution was also measured in terms of the molal concentration of hydrogen ions, using acid–base titration to evaluate the formal potential difference K of each cell at fixed ionic strength, I, adjusted by addition of KCl or Et₄NI (tetraethylammonium iodide). The reference value from primary measurement, paH = 9.171, was slightly closer to the mean value obtained by determination of concentration, rather than that obtained by direct measurement of activity; the differences were smaller than the extended uncertainty characteristics of the secondary measurements. The importance of evaluation of the ionic strength of the solution under study is emphasised. We verified that for tetraborate buffer slight modification of the value of I used to calculate γ i (the activity coefficient of a single ion) in the calculation of paH from the acidity function at zero molality of chloride can significantly affect the reference value of the calibrator tool. This is true, in general, for low values of the ionic strength, such as those considered in this work; an approximate value of I can then cause distortions along the pH traceability chain. Application of the concepts of thermodynamics to this traceability chain is discussed.

Keywords: Tetraborate buffer; Primary pH measurement; Glass electrode; Ionic strength; Traceability of pH

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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (v.387, #7)