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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (v.391, #6)

11th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials (BERM 11) by Kensaku Okamoto (pp. 1983-1984).

served as Deputy Director and Senior Researcher of the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) in Tsukuba, Japan. Since his retirement in 2007 he has been a member of the technical staff of the International Affairs Division of NMIJ and is engaged in promotion of international collaboration with other National Metrology Institutes and related international organizations. He was Chair of the Organizing and Scientific Committees for BERM 11.

Mineral oil certified reference materials for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls from the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) by Masahiko Numata; Yoshie Aoyagi; Mayumi Matsuo; Keiichiro Ishikawa; Nobuyasu Hanari; Satoko Otsuka; Yoko Tsuda; Takashi Yarita (pp. 1985-1995).

Four mineral oil certified reference materials (CRMs), NMIJ CRM 7902-a, CRM 7903-a, CRM 7904-a, and CRM 7905-a, have been issued by the National Metrology Institute of Japan, which is part of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST), for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The raw materials for the CRMs were an insulation oil (CRM 7902-a and CRM 7903-a) and a fuel oil (CRM7904-a and CRM 7905-a). A solution of PCB3, PCB8, and technical PCB products, comprising four types of Kaneclor, was added to the oil matrices. The total PCB concentrations in the PCB-fortified oils (CRM 7902-a and CRM 7904-a) are approximately 6 mg kg⁻¹. In addition, the mineral oils which were not fortified with PCBs were also distributed as CRMs (CRM 7903-a and CRM 7905-a). Characterization of these CRMs was conducted by the NMIJ/AIST, where the mineral oils and the PCB solution were analyzed using multiple analytical methods such as dimethylsulfoxide extraction, normal-phase liquid chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, reversed-phase liquid chromatography, and chromatography using sulfoxide-bonded silica; and/or various capillary columns for gas chromatography, and two ionization modes for mass spectrometry. The target compounds in the mineral oils and those in the PCB solution were determined by one of the primary methods of measurement, isotope dilution–mass spectrometry (ID-MS). Certified values have been provided for 11 PCB congeners (PCB3, 8, 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180, 194, and 206) in the CRMs. These CRMs have information values for PCB homologue concentrations determined by using a Japanese official method for determination of PCBs in wastes and densities determined with an oscillational density meter. Because oil samples having arbitrary PCB concentrations between respective property values of the PCB-fortified and nonfortified CRMs can be prepared by gravimetric mixing of the CRM pairs, these CRMs can be used for validation of PCB analyses using various instruments which have different sensitivities. Figure Preparation and certification processes of the mineral oil CRMs (example shown is polychlorinated biphenyls in insulation oil, high/low concentrations)

Keywords: Quality assurance/quality control; Reference materials; Mineral oil; Insulation oil; Fuel oil; Polychlorinated biphenyls

Development and certification of the new NIES CRM 28: urban aerosols for the determination of multielements by Ikuko Mori; Zijie Sun; Miyuki Ukachi; Kimiyo Nagano; Cameron W. McLeod; Alan G. Cox; Masataka Nishikawa (pp. 1997-2003).

A new environmental certified reference material (CRM) for the determination of multielements in aerosol particulate matter has been developed and certified by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan, based on analyses by a network of laboratories using a wide range of methods. The origin of the material was atmospheric particulate matter collected on filters in a central ventilating system in a building in Beijing city centre. The homogeneity and stability of this material were sufficient for its use as a reference material. Values for elemental mass fractions in the material were statistically determined based on the analytical results of the participating laboratories. Eighteen certified values and 14 reference values were obtained. The diameters, obtained from a micrographic image using image analysis software, of 99% of the particles were less than 10 μm, demonstrating that almost all the particles in the material could be classified as particles of 10 μm or less in aerodynamic diameter. The chemical composition and particle size distribution of this material were close to those of an authentic aerosol collected in Beijing. NIES CRM 28 is appropriate for use in analytical quality control and in the evaluation of methods used in the analysis of aerosols, particularly those collected in urban environments in northeast Asia Figure New NIES CRM 28 Urban Aerosols and photo micrograph of the material

Keywords: Certified reference material; Quality assurance/quality control; Trace element; Particulate matter; Atmospheric pollution; Beijing; Northeast Asia

NIES certified reference material for microcystins, hepatotoxic cyclic peptide toxins from cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic water bodies by Tomoharu Sano; Hiroo Takagi; Masataka Nishikawa; Kunimitsu Kaya (pp. 2005-2010).

A certified reference material (CRM) for microcystins has been prepared by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). Microcystins are hepatotoxic cyclic peptides produced by cyanobacteria in eutrophic water bodies. At least seven microcystin variants were found by HPLC analysis of the NIES CRM, of which [Dha⁷]microcystin-RR and -LR were the major microcystins present. Because of the lack of available standards we determined the total microcystin concentration in the CRM by the MMPB method, and elucidated the structures of the main individual microcystin variants following their isolation. Analyses of NMR and MS spectra indicated that the remaining minor variants in the CRM were [D-Asp³, Dha⁷]microcystin-RR and -LR, and [Dha⁷]microcystin-YR, -ThTyrR, and -HilR. The CRM is valuable not only as a standard material for the quantitation of total microcystins but also for the identification of individual [Dha⁷]microcystin variants.

Keywords: Microcystins; Cyanotoxin; CRM; Microcystis aeruginosa ; Water bloom

Development of candidate reference materials for the measurement of lead in bone by Katherine M. Hetter; David J. Bellis; Ciaran Geraghty; Andrew C. Todd; Patrick J. Parsons (pp. 2011-2021).

The production of modest quantities of candidate bone lead (Pb) reference materials is described, and an optimized production procedure is presented. The reference materials were developed to enable an assessment of the interlaboratory agreement of laboratories measuring Pb in bone; method validation; and for calibration of solid sampling techniques such as laser ablation ICP-MS. Long bones obtained from Pb-dosed and undosed animals were selected to produce four different pools of a candidate powdered bone reference material. The Pb concentrations of these pools reflect both environmental and occupational exposure levels in humans. The animal bones were harvested post mortem, cleaned, defatted, and broken into pieces using the brittle fracture technique at liquid nitrogen temperature. The bone pieces were then ground in a knife mill to produce fragments of 2-mm size. These were further ground in an ultra-centrifugal mill, resulting in finely powdered bone material that was homogenized and then sampled-scooped into vials. Testing for contamination and homogeneity was performed via instrumental methods of analysis.

Keywords: Reference materials; Instrumental analysis; Trace elements; Lead; Grinding

Certification of standard reference materials containing bitter orange by L. C. Sander; K. Putzbach; B. C. Nelson; C. A. Rimmer; M. Bedner; J. Brown Thomas; B. J. Porter; L. J. Wood; M. M. Schantz; K. E. Murphy; K. E. Sharpless; S. A. Wise; J. H. Yen; P. H. Siitonen; R. L. Evans; A. Nguyen Pho; M. C. Roman; J. M. Betz (pp. 2023-2034).

A suite of three dietary supplement standard reference materials (SRMs) containing bitter orange has been developed, and the levels of five alkaloids and caffeine have been measured by multiple analytical methods. Synephrine, octopamine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, total alkaloids, and caffeine were determined by as many as six analytical methods, with measurements performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and at two collaborating laboratories. The methods offer substantial independence, with two types of extractions, two separation methods, and four detection methods. Excellent agreement was obtained among the measurements, with data reproducibility for most methods and analytes better than 5% relative standard deviation. The bitter-orange-containing dietary supplement SRMs are intended primarily for use as measurement controls and for use in the development and validation of analytical methods.

Keywords: Reference materials; Natural products; Organic compounds; High-performance liquid chromatography; Foods/beverages

Production of malachite green oxalate and leucomalachite green reference materials certified for purity by T. Le Goff; S. Wood (pp. 2035-2045).

Malachite green oxalate (MG oxalate) and leucomalachite green (LMG) have been prepared and certified as pure reference materials. The purities of MG oxalate and LMG were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Karl Fischer titration, ashing and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). MG oxalate was purified by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Prior to purification, commercial MG oxalate purity was estimated to be about 90%. The main impurities present in SFE-purified MG oxalate were identified and quantified using HPLC–DAD. The main impurities were found to be monode-MG (monodemethylated MG oxalate synthesis impurity), 4-(dimethylamino)benzophenone (4-DMABP), MG-carbinol and LMG. The homogeneity of both reference materials was also determined. Issues associated with the stability of LMG and MG oxalate in solution forced an extensive study investigating different parameters i.e. solvent, acid, analyte concentration and temperature. MG oxalate (100 μg/mL) was found to be stable in acetonitrile containing 1% v/v glacial acetic acid for at least 155 days and LMG (100 μg/mL) was stable in acetonitrile for at least 133 days. The final purity value for MG oxalate was 94.3 ± 1.4% m/m at the 95% confidence interval (or 67% m/m if MG cation is reported). For LMG, the certified purity was found to be 98.8 ± 0.8% m/m at the 95% confidence interval. Figure Calibration reference materials for malachite green and leucomalachite green, certified for purity, are essential in characterising these key analytes in a fish matrix reference material

Keywords: Reference materials; Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE); HPLC; Purity; Malachite green; Leucomalachite green

Certification of methylmercury in cod fish tissue certified reference material by species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometric analysis by Kazumi Inagaki; Takayoshi Kuroiwa; Tomohiro Narukawa; Takashi Yarita; Akiko Takatsu; Kensaku Okamoto; Koichi Chiba (pp. 2047-2054).

A new cod fish tissue certified reference material, NMIJ CRM 7402-a, for methylmercury analysis was certified by the National Metrological Institute of Japan in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). Cod fish was collected from the sea close to Japan. The cod muscle was powdered by freeze-pulverization and was placed into 600 glass bottles (10 g each), which were sterilized with γ-ray irradiation. The certification was carried out using species-specific isotope dilution gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SSID–GC–ICPMS), where ²⁰²Hg-enriched methylmercury (MeHg) was used as the spike compound. In order to avoid any possible analytical biases caused by nonquantitative extraction, degradation and/or formation of MeHg in sample preparations, two different extraction methods (KOH/methanol and HCl/methanol extractions) were performed, and one of these extraction methods utilized two different derivatization methods (ethylation and phenylation). A double ID method was adopted to minimize the uncertainty arising from the analyses. In order to ensure not only the reliability of the analytical results but also traceability to SI units, the standard solution of MeHg used for the reverse-ID was prepared from high-purity MeHg chloride and was carefully assayed as follows: the total mercury was determined by ID–ICPMS following aqua regia digestion, and the ratio of Hg as MeHg to the total Hg content was estimated by GC–ICPMS. The certified value given for MeHg is 0.58 ± 0.02 mg kg⁻¹ as Hg. Figure NMIJ CRM 7402-a: cod fish tissue for MeHg analysis

Keywords: Certification; Certified reference material; Species-specific isotope dilution; Methylmercury; Cod

Development of a highly precise ID-ICP-SFMS method for analysis of low concentrations of lead in rice flour reference materials by Yanbei Zhu; Kazumi Inagaki; Takashi Yarita; Koichi Chiba (pp. 2055-2060).

Microwave digestion and isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-SFMS) has been applied to the determination of Pb in rice flour. In order to achieve highly precise determination of low concentrations of Pb, the digestion blank for Pb was reduced to 0.21 ng g⁻¹ after optimization of the digestion conditions, in which 20 mL analysis solution was obtained after digestion of 0.5 g rice flour. The observed value of Pb in a non-fat milk powder certified reference material (CRM), NIST SRM 1549, was 16.8 ± 0.8 ng g⁻¹ (mean ± expanded uncertainty, k = 2; n = 5), which agreed with the certified value of 19 ± 3 ng g⁻¹ and indicated the effectiveness of the method. Analytical results for Pb in three brown rice flour CRMs, NIST SRM 1568a, NIES CRM 10-a, and NIES CRM 10-b, were 7.32 ± 0.24 ng g⁻¹ (n = 5), 1010 ± 10 ng g⁻¹ (n = 5), and 1250 ± 20 ng g⁻¹ (n = 5), respectively. The concentration of Pb in a candidate white rice flour reference material (RM) sample prepared by the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) was observed to be 4.36 ± 0.28 ng g⁻¹ (n = 10 bottles). Figure Digestion blank of Pb was carefully reduced to approximately 0.2 ng g^-1 which permitted the highly precise determination of Pb at low ng g^-1 level in foodstuff samples by ID-SFMS

Keywords: Rice flour; Certified reference material; Isotope dilution; ICP-SFMS; Lead

Evaluation of error sources in a gravimetric technique for preparation of a reference gas mixture (carbon dioxide in synthetic air) by Nobuhiro Matsumoto; Takuya Shimosaka; Takuro Watanabe; Kenji Kato (pp. 2061-2069).

One method of preparing a primary reference gas mixture is the gravimetric blending method. Uncertainty of a few mg in mass measurements is unavoidable when preparing reference gas mixtures under current laboratory conditions with our facilities, equipment, and materials. There are many sources of errors when using this method. In this study, several sources of errors were re-evaluated for our process for preparation of carbon dioxide in synthetic air. As a consequence of the re-evaluation, it was found that some sources of errors had significant effects on gravimetric concentrations of the gas mixtures. These sources are: (1) different masses of the reference cylinder and sample cylinder (an error in the readings of the electronic mass comparator), (2) leakage of the inner gas from valves of the cylinders, and (3) cooling of the gas cylinder caused by filling with high-pressure liquefied carbon dioxide gas. When the mass measurements were performed under uncontrolled conditions, the errors due to sources (1), (2), and (3) were as high as 20 mg, 24 mg, and 13 mg, respectively. In this paper, the detailed results from re-evaluation of these sources of errors are discussed. Figure Evaluation of the source of error (1)

Keywords: Gas metrology; International comparison; International comparability; Electronic mass comparator; Mass measurement; Joule–Thompson effect; Uncertainty

Size-selective poorly soluble particulate reference materials for evaluation of quantitative analytical methods by Aleksandr B. Stefaniak; Gregory C. Turk; Robert M. Dickerson; Mark D. Hoover (pp. 2071-2077).

Owing to the absence of readily available certified particulate reference materials (RMs), most analytical methods used to determine particulate contaminant levels in workplace or other environments are validated using solution RMs, which do not assess the robustness of the digestion step for all forms and sizes of particles in a sample. A library of particulate RMs having a range of chemical forms and particle sizes is needed to support a shift in method evaluation strategies to include both solution and particulate RMs. In support of creating this library, we characterized bulk and physically size separated fractions of beryllium oxide (BeO) particles recovered from the machining fluid sludge of an industrial ceramic products grinding operation. Particles were large agglomerates of compact, crystalline BeO primary particles having diameters on the order of several micrometers. As expected, the particle surface area was independent of sieve size, with a range from 3.61 m²/g (53–63-μm fraction) to 4.82 m²/g (355–600-μm fraction). The density was near the theoretical value (3.01 g/cm³). The data support more detailed characterization of the sludge materials for use as size-selective RMs. This work illustrates an approach that can be used to develop RMs that are difficult to digest.

Keywords: Reference materials; Particulate; Digestion; Beryllium; Method validation

Certification and uncertainty evaluation of the certified reference materials of poly(ethylene glycol) for molecular mass fractions by using supercritical fluid chromatography by Kayori Takahashi; Kana Kishine; Shigetomo Matsuyama; Takeshi Saito; Haruhisa Kato; Shinichi Kinugasa (pp. 2079-2087).

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is a useful water-soluble polymer that has attracted considerable interest in medical and biological science applications as well as in polymer physics. Through the use of a well-calibrated evaporative light-scattering detector coupled with high performance supercritical fluid chromatography, we are able to determine exactly not only the average mass but also all of the molecular mass fractions of PEG samples needed for certified reference materials issued by the National Metrology Institute of Japan. In addition, experimental uncertainty was determined in accordance with the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). This reference material can be used to calibrate measuring instruments, to control measurement precision, and to confirm the validity of measurement methods when determining molecular mass distributions and average molecular masses. Especially, it is suitable for calibration against both masses and intensities for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Figure Comparison between the molecular mass fractions of PEG 1000 before calibration (si) (○) and after calibration (wi) (⧫). The error bar shows the expanded uncertainty of k = 2 of each mass fraction

Keywords: Certified reference material; Poly(ethylene glycol); Uncertainty; Evaporative light-scattering detector; Supercritical fluid chromatography; Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Sulfur standard solution for use in the determination of low sulfur concentration in liquid fuels by Yuko Kitamaki; Yoshitaka Shimizu; Kenji Kato (pp. 2089-2094).

A sulfur reference solution at the 1 mg kg⁻¹ level, NMIJ CRM 4215-a, has been issued by the National Metrology Institute of Japan at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). The intended use of this CRM is for the calibration of standards used in the determination of sulfur in liquid fuels. The certified value of this CRM was determined using the gravimetric blending method. Thiophene and toluene were chosen as the high purity sulfur compound and the dilution solvent, respectively. Measurements of the trace sulfur in the solvent were performed using the total sulfur analyzer with an enrichment system; the standard addition method was employed. When trace sulfur in the solvent was evaluated, the signal which appears with no sample injection was subtracted as the background.

Keywords: Sulfur; Trace sulfur in solvent; Reference materials; Fuels; Quality control

Improving performance reviews by J. Fetzer (pp. 2095-2097).

is the author or co-author of over 130 research articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Dr Fetzer worked for over 20 years as an analytical chemist for the Chevron Corporation and now runs his own consulting company, Fetzpahs Consulting, in Hercules, CA, USA. His book “Career Management for Chemists–A Guide to Success in a Chemistry Career”, was published by Springer.

Claudia Steinem and Andreas Janshoff (Eds.): Piezoelectric Sensors by Christiane Ziegler (pp. 2099-2100).

Klaus Wanner and Georg Höfner (Eds.): Mass spectrometry in medicinal chemistry. Applications in drug discovery by Oliver J. Schmitz (pp. 2101-2102).

H.R. Verma: Atomic and nuclear analytical methods. XRF, Mössbauer, XPS, NAA and ion-beam spectroscopic techniques by Peter Hoffmann (pp. 2103-2104).

The 11th EuCheMS-DCE International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment, Toruń, Poland, 9–12 September 2007: Chemistry, Environment and Human Activity in Civilization Development by Bogusław Buszewski; Monika Michel (pp. 2105-2107).

12th Annual Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the DGGF (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gute Forschungspraxis), 26–28th September 2007, Darmstadt, Germany by Barbara Pohl (pp. 2109-2110).

Progress in planar electrochromatography by Tadeusz H. Dzido; Paweł W. Płocharz; Piotr Ślązak; Aneta Hałka (pp. 2111-2118).

Developments in planar electrochromatography in open (PEC) and closed (PPEC) systems are reviewed. The discussion focuses on progress in chamber construction for planar electrochromatography, separating system performance, equilibration of the PPEC process, separation time and selectivity, and the general advantages, disadvantages and prospects of this separation mode.

Keywords: Planar electrochromatography; PEC; Pressurized planar electrochromatography; PPEC

Endocytosis of a single mesoporous silica nanoparticle into a human lung cancer cell observed by differential interference contrast microscopy by Wei Sun; Ning Fang; Brian G. Trewyn; Makoto Tsunoda; Igor I. Slowing; Victor S. Y. Lin; Edward S. Yeung (pp. 2119-2125).

The unique structural features of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) have made them very useful in biological applications, such as gene therapy and drug delivery. Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy have been used for observing the endocytosis of MSN. However, flow cytometry cannot directly observe the process of endocytosis. Confocal microscopy requires fluorescence labeling of the cells. Electron microscopy can only utilize fixed cells. In the present work, we demonstrate for the first time that differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy can be used to observe the entire endocytosis process of MSN into living human lung cancer cells (A549) without fluorescence staining. There are three physical observables that characterize the locations of MSN and the stages of the endocytosis process: motion, shape, and vertical position. When it was outside the cell, the MSN underwent significant Brownian motion in the cell growth medium. When it was trapped on the cell membrane, the motion of the MSN was greatly limited. After the MSN had entered the cell, it resumed motion at a much slower speed because the cytoplasm is more viscous than the cell growth medium and the cellular cytoskeleton networks act as obstacles. Moreover, there were shape changes around the MSN due to the formation of a vesicle after the MSN had been trapped on the cell membrane and prior to entry into the cell. Finally, by coupling a motorized vertical stage to the DIC microscope, we recorded the location of the MSN in three dimensions. Such accurate 3D particle tracking ability in living cells is essential for studies of selectively targeted drug delivery based on endocytosis.

Keywords: Endocytosis; Mesoporous silica nanoparticle; Differential interference; Brownian motion

Analysis and classification of bacteria by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and a chemometric approach by Daniela Parisi; Maria Magliulo; Paolo Nanni; Monica Casale; Michele Forina; Aldo Roda (pp. 2127-2134).

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a useful technique for the identification of bacteria on the basis of their characteristic protein mass spectrum fingerprint. Highly standardized instrumental analytical performance and bacterial culture conditions are required to achieve useful information. A chemometric approach based on multivariate analysis techniques was developed for the analysis of MALDI data of different bacteria to allow their identification from their fingerprint. Principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) were applied to the analysis of the MALDI MS mass spectra of two pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Yersinia enterocolitica, and the non-pathogenic E. coli MC1061. Spectra variability was assessed by growing bacteria in different media and analysing them at different culture growth times. After selection of the relevant variables, which allows the evaluation of an m/z value pattern with high discriminant power, the identification of bacteria by LDA and SIMCA was performed independently of the experimental conditions used. In order to better evaluate the analytical performance of the approach used, the ability to correctly classify different bacteria, six wild-type strains of E. coli O157:H7, was also studied and a combination of different chemometric techniques with a severe validation was developed. The analysis of spiked bovine meat samples and the agreement with an independent chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay demonstrated the applicability of the method developed for the detection of bacteria in real samples. The easy automation of the MALDI method and the ability of multivariate techniques to reduce interlaboratory variability associated with bacterial growth time and conditions suggest the usefulness of the proposed MALDI MS approach for rapid routine food safety checks. Figure Workflow of the developed MALDI-TOF MS and chemometric approach for the analysis and classification of bacteria

Keywords: Bacteria identification; Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry; Chemometric analysis; Protein profiling; Linear discriminant analysis

Streptavidin-coated spot surfaces for sensitive immunoassays using fluorescence surface readout by Lasse Välimaa; Johanna Ylikotila; Hannu Kojola; Tero Soukka; Harri Takalo; Kim Pettersson (pp. 2135-2144).

Direct measurement of time-resolved fluorescence from a washed surface of an immunoassay well constitutes an advantage compared with label development options involving signal generation in solution. Epi-fluorometric detection collects the signal from only a small part of the microtiter well’s bottom surface and it is inadequate for the optimal assay sensitivity when using binding surfaces introduced by large coating volume. This study reports on the use of streptavidin-coated spots intended to condense the binding of the labeled antibodies to coincide with the excitation beam. The spots were generated in special microtiter wells containing 2.5-mm, 3.5-mm, and 4.5-mm diameter indentations by adsorption from liquid droplets containing either native (SAv) or modified high-capacity (GA-SAv) streptavidin. The SAv-coated and GA-SAv-coated spots exhibited maximum Eu–biotin binding densities of 0.080 and 0.47 pmol/mm², respectively. A sandwich-type immunoassay of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) provided a fivefold to sixfold increase in the signal-to-background ratios of the spot assay and an equivalent improvement in the detection limit (DL < 0.01 mU/L) compared with a reference assay. Figure The condensation of the binding area into a spot (right) results in a denser collection of the labeled antibodies and more favorable signal-to-background ratios compared with a regular approach using a large binding area (left)

Keywords: Streptavidin; Spot; Immunoassay; Solid phase; Point-of-care

Towards a target label-free suboptimum oligonucleotide displacement-based detection system by Mònica Mir; Pablo Lozano-Sánchez; Ioanis Katakis (pp. 2145-2152).

A novel method for the future development of label-free DNA sensors is proposed here. The approach is based on the displacement of a labelled suboptimum mutated oligonucleotide hybridised with the immobilised biotin-capture probe. The target fully complementary to the biotin-capture probe can displace the labelled oligonucleotide causing a subsequent decrease of the signal that verifies the presence of the target. The decrease of signal was demonstrated to be proportional to the target concentration. A study of the hybridisation of mutated and complementary labelled oligonucleotides with an immobilised biotin-capture probe was carried out. Different kinetic and thermodynamic behaviour was observed for heterogeneous hybridisation of biotin-capture probe with complementary or suboptimum oligonucleotides. The displacement method evaluated colourimetrically achieved the objective of decreasing the response time from 1 h for direct hybridisation of 19-mer oligonucleotides in the direct enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA) to 5 min in the case of displacement detection in the micromolar concentration range. Figure The detection system is based on the displacement of suboptimum HRP-labelled mutated oligonucleotide by the fully complementary target

Keywords: Biosensor platform; Displacement; DNA; Label-free target; ELONA; Colourimetric detection

Towards a target label-free suboptimum oligonucleotide displacement-based detection system by Mònica Mir; Pablo Lozano-Sánchez; Ioanis Katakis (pp. 2145-2152).

Keywords: Biosensor platform; Displacement; DNA; Label-free target; ELONA; Colourimetric detection

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) to the determination of pathogenic bacteria for medical diagnosis by Marek Jackowski; Jacek Szeliga; Ewa Kłodzińska; Bogusław Buszewski (pp. 2153-2160).

Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. have a major impact on human, animal, and plant life. Several decades ago it was observed that intact cells suspended in an isotonic salt solution moved toward the anode and the mobility was proportional to the density of the charge located on the cell surfaces. Since then, efforts have been made to make electrophoresis a useful tool in cell studies. Microorganisms are no exception. In the present work we applied the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with dynamical modification of the capillary surface for separation of E. coli and P. vulgaris. The same method was used for identification of E. coli in infected urine (direct injection - UTIs) and also for identification of Helicobacter pylori which is a gram-negative bacillus responsible for one of the most common infections found in humans worldwide. Using spectrophotometric measurements at λ = 214 nm we proved that it is possible to measure the concentration of bacterial cells up to 5 × 10⁸ cells/mL. Recent studies have demonstrated very practical uses for electrophoretic techniques, especially in the field of medical diagnosis. Figure The developed CZE method allows the rapid analysis and identification of pathogenic bacteria: example shown illustrates the identifcation of E. coli in a urine sample determined much more rapidly than with conventional culturing on Petri dishes

Keywords: Electromigration techniques; Dynamical modification of capillary wall; Pathogenic bacteria; Medical diagnosis

An optimized luciferase bioluminescent assay for coenzyme A by Simone M. Marques; Joaquim C. G. Esteves da Silva (pp. 2161-2168).

A new bioluminescent method for coenzyme A (CoA) quantification is described. It is based on the enzymatic conversion of dehydroluciferyl-adenylate (L-AMP) into dehydroluciferyl-coenzyme A (L-CoA) by firefly luciferase (E.C. 1.13.12.7) (LUC), which causes a flash of light that can be measured in a luminometer. The method was subjected to optimization using experimental design methodologies to obtain optimum values for the concentrations of L-AMP ([L-AMP]), luciferase ([LUC]), ATP ([ATP]) and luciferin ([LH₂]). This method has a linear response over the range of 0.25–4 μM of CoA, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.24 μM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.80 μM. The assay has a relative standard deviation of about 7%. By coupling this optimized procedure to bioluminescent detection, a sensible and robust method can be obtained for the analysis of CoA.

Keywords: Coenzyme A; Dehydroluciferyl-adenylate; Luciferase; Bioluminescence

Fast and efficient extraction methods for the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in biological matrices by N. Tapie; H. Budzinski; K. Le Ménach (pp. 2169-2177).

This paper describes fast and simple extraction methods for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in biological matrices. Four extraction protocols were tested. The first protocol used microwave-assisted extraction combined with two purification steps. The second one was similar, except that microwave-assisted extraction was replaced by accelerated solvent extraction. The third one combined extraction/purification by accelerated solvent extraction with final purification on a silica gel column. The last one combined microwave-assisted extraction with purification on an acidic silica gel column. The protocols were tested on various matrices: a spiked matrix, two certified matrices (SRM 2977, WMF 01), and natural matrices (mysids and fish). All of the protocols produced good performance in terms of recovery and reproducibility. The two last protocols showed promising results in terms of applicability to natural matrices, as they required a minimum of sample handling and minimal amounts of solvent and time. These methods allowed at least 24 samples to be handled per day, and could easily be used for routine analysis.

Keywords: Accelerated solvent extraction; Microwave-assisted extraction; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Sample preparation

Chemiluminescent bead-based hybridization assay for the detection of genomic DNA from E. coli in purified plasmid samples by S. A. M. Martins; D. M. F. Prazeres; L. P. Fonseca; G. A. Monteiro (pp. 2179-2187).

A bead-based hybridization assay was developed for detection of traces of E. coli genomic DNA (gDNA) present in purified plasmid DNA (pDNA) samples. Standards of gDNA and pDNA samples were sheared by sonication and adsorbed onto aminopropyl controlled pore glass (CPG) particles (130 μm). A preliminary study was conducted to optimize the amount of DNA adsorbed on the particles. Results indicated that maximum attachment efficiency was obtained by adsorbing DNA for 2 h in 0.2 × SSC, pH 5.7. The DNA-bound particles were hybridized overnight with a 181-bp digoxigenin-labeled probe, specific for gDNA. Following a chemiluminescent detection protocol, signal intensities of the standards were plotted as a function of initial gDNA concentration. The calculated detection limit (LOD) was 1.4 pM of gDNA. The assay was able to detect gDNA in pure plasmid preparations at the 1% level even in the presence of 1,000-fold excess of noncomplementary target. Hybridization results were compared with a quantitative real-time PCR assay. Both methods afforded similar accurate results at the 95% confidence level.

Keywords: Genomic DNA; CPG microparticles; Hybridization; Chemiluminescence; Plasmid

Fiber-packed SPE tips based on electrospun fibers by Yiyun Zhang; Xuejun Kang; Liqin Chen; Chao Pan; Yingfang Yao; Zhong-Ze Gu (pp. 2189-2197).

A novel fiber-packed solid-phase extraction (SPE) tip was designed based on electrospun nanofibers. The tip was used to investigate the extraction of hydrocortisone (HC), cortisone acetate (CA), ethinylestradiol (EE), and estradiol (E2). The effects of diameters, porous figurations, and functional groups of the electrospun fibers on the selectivity and efficiency were studied. The experimental results indicated that the detection limit of cortisol in water sample could be as low as 0.75 ng/mL. When the tip is used for detection of cortisol in human hair the efficiency of biological sample pretreatment is better than the traditional SPE method. Our method could significantly simplify the traditional SPE process and lower the cost. Industrial application of the tip is anticipated. Figure Analyte molecules (e.g., cortisol) are attracted onto the electrospun nanofibers of the packed SPE tip. Careful selection of the fiber diameter, morphology, and functional groups affords high selectivity, sensitivity, and extraction recoveries

Keywords: Electrospun fibers; Solid-phase extraction (SPE); Cortisol; HPLC

Application of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) and quality assurance to study the incorporation of strontium into bone, bone marrow, and teeth of dogs after one month of treatment with strontium malonate by Anders C. Raffalt; Jens E. T. Andersen; Stephan Christgau (pp. 2199-2207).

The strontium content of serum, bone, marrow, and teeth was determined by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Significant correlations were obtained after the data were subjected to quality assurance (QA) performed according to validated procedures. After four weeks of treatment with strontium malonate, strontium levels increased from 76 ± 9 μg g⁻¹ in placebo-treated dogs to levels of 7.2 ± 1.7 mg g⁻¹, 9.5 ± 2.7 mg g⁻¹, and 9.8 ± 2.7 mg g⁻¹ in groups treated with 300, 1000, and 3000 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively. Strontium induced a highly significant increase in the bone formation marker, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and an excellent correlation was found with the bone-strontium content. In females, the placebo-treated group showed a decrease in BSAP of 53%, whereas the three strontium malonate-treated groups showed an increase of 60, 276, and 278% for the groups treated with 300, 1000, and 3000 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively. For males the corresponding values were −44%, +142%, +194%, and +247% increases in BSAP in the placebo, 300, 1000, and 3000 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ groups respectively.

Keywords: Chemometrics/statistics; Quality assurance; Mass spectrometry/ICP–MS; Pharmaceuticals

Comparison of differential pulse and alternating current polarography in the soft-modelling study of the complexation of Cd(II) by the fragment Cys-Gly and by the phytochelatin (γ-Glu-Cys)₂Gly by Anna Maria Garrigosa; Cristina Ariño; José Manuel Díaz-Cruz; Miquel Esteban (pp. 2209-2218).

A comparison of a differential pulse polarographic with a phase sensitive alternating current polarographic study of the Cd-Cys-Gly and Cd-PC₂ systems [PC₂ being a phytochelatin of general structure (γ-Glu-Cys) n-Gly, with n = 2] has been performed. The chemometric multivariate curve resolution method with alternating least squares was applied in the experimental data analysis. The results obtained by both polarographic techniques have made it possible to find out the formation sequences of the complexes and their final stoichiometries. The alternating current polarograms compared with the differential pulse ones show some differences (a new signal and an important shift of peak potentials), which anyway are consistent with some of the conclusions obtained by differential pulse polarography. This fact implies that although the alternating current polarography results need some corrections before data treatment, they provide extra information that complements the conclusions achieved by differential pulse polarography. Figure Voltammograms at ACP(−10°), ACP(−65°) and corrected ACP during the titration of a 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ Cd(II) solution with PC₂ at pH 8.5 in 0.05 L⁻¹ Tris.

Keywords: Phase sensitive alternating current polarography; Differential pulse polarography; Phytochelatin; Cys-Gly; Cadmium; Electrodic adsorption; Multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares

Application of temperature-controlled micro planar chromatography for separation and quantification of testosterone and its derivatives by Paweł K. Zarzycki; Magdalena B. Zarzycka (pp. 2219-2225).

Temperature-controlled micro thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was applied for separation and quantification studies of testosterone and its derivatives including methyltestosterone, testosterone propionate, isobutyrate, phenylpropionate, isocaproate, enanthate and caprate. Chromatographic studies were performed on silica-, octadecylsilica- and aluminum-coated plates working inside a small thermostated horizontal chamber unit allowing one-dimensional and two-dimensional developing modes with an elution distance of 45 mm. Retention properties of steroids were investigated across a whole range of binary mixtures such as methanol/water, acetonitrile/water, methanol/dichloromethane and acetone/hexane (0–100% v/v). Moreover, the effect of temperature ranging from −20 to +60 °C under saturated and unsaturated chamber conditions was also investigated. Our results revealed that depending on the mobile phase polarity the separation system based on the low carbon load wettable with water RP18W plates may work as a normal-phase (NP) or reversed-phase (RP) chromatographic system. It has been also demonstrated that micro TLC equipment can be applied as a fast retention screening device as well as simple and robust quantitative tool for determination of testosterone residue containing testosterone derivatives in complex samples. Figure 2D micro TLC separation and quantitative analysis of testosterone and its derivatives

Keywords: Testosterone; Steroids; Micro planar chromatography; Quantification; Temperature

Imaging the stomatal physiology of somatic embryo-derived peanut leaves by scanning electrochemical microscopy by Meera Parthasarathy; Shweta Singh; Sulekha Hazra; Vijayamohanan K. Pillai (pp. 2227-2233).

The stomatal physiology, chlorophyll distribution and photosynthetic activity of somatic embryo (SE)- and seedling-derived peanut plants grown in vitro (test tube-grown) and extra vitrum (soil-grown) are investigated using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). This SECM imaging is performed in two different feedback modes, corresponding to oxygen evolution and chlorophyll distribution. More specifically, the oxygen evolution profiles of the in vitro leaves indicate important differences in leaf anatomy between the SE- and seedling-derived leaves. On the other hand, the chlorophyll distribution images show individual stomata of size ca. 27 ± 5μm. Further studies on senescing (aged) leaves reveal interesting voltammograms that vary widely over the stomatal complexes and the surrounding tissues, probably due to the release of electroactive metabolites during chlorophyll breakdown when the leaves turn yellow. Thus, the present investigation could open up new opportunities for characterizing botanical systems using electroanalytical techniques. In addition, it could provide further insights into various areas of current relevance, including signal transduction, cell fate/differentiation and developmental biology. Schematic representation of SECM imaging used in this investigation. The SECM probe is a Pt UME disk (25 μm diameter) embedded in an insulating glass sheath so that the ratio of the diameter of the death to that of the electrode surface (RG) is 7. RE denotes the reference electrode Ag/AgCl, sat. KCl and CE refers to the counter electrode, a Pt wire. Oxygen evolving from the leaf surface during photosynthesis diffuses into the electrolyte (0.1 M KCl) and gets reduced at the Pt UME, biased to a potential of −0.5 V, at a diffusion-limited rate to produce a change in the tip-current

Keywords: SECM; Photosynthesis; Stomata; Somatic embryogenesis; Oxygen evolution; Leaf senescence

Determination of 252–302 Da and tentative identification of 316–376 Da polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Standard Reference Materials 1649a Urban Dust and 1650b and 2975 Diesel Particulate Matter by accelerated solvent extraction–HPLC-GC-MS by Christoffer Bergvall; Roger Westerholm (pp. 2235-2248).

We have assessed and compared the extraction recoveries of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with molecular weights of 252, 276, 278, 300 and 302 from diesel particulate matter (PM) and urban air particles using ultrasonically assisted extraction and accelerated solvent extraction methods, and evaluated the effects of sample and treatment parameters. The results show that accelerated solvent extraction can extract PAHs more efficiently from diesel PM than ultrasonically assisted extraction. They also show that PAHs are more difficult to extract from diesel PM than from urban air particles. Using toluene and maximum instrumental settings (200 °C, 3,000 psi and five extraction cycles) with 30-min static extraction times > 85% of the analytes were estimated to be extracted from the diesel particles, but four extraction cycles with just 5-min static extraction times under these conditions seem to be sufficient to extract > 95% of the analytes from the urban air particles. The accelerated solvent extraction method was validated using the Standard Reference Materials (SRM) 1649a, Urban Dust, and SRM 2975 and SRM 1650a, Diesel Particulate Matter, from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). PAH concentrations determined by on-line high-performance liquid chromatography–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-GC-MS) following the developed accelerated solvent extraction method were generally higher than the certified and reference NIST values and concentrations reported in the literature (e.g. the estimated concentration of benzo[a]pyrene in SRM 2975 was 15-fold higher than the NIST-certified value), probably because the extraction recoveries were higher than in previous studies. The developed accelerated solvent extraction method was used to analyse high molecular (HMW) weight PAHs (MW > 302) in the investigated SRMs, and more than 170 (SRM 1649a), 80 (SRM 1650b) and 60 (SRM 2975) potential high molecular weight PAHs were tentatively identified in them, with molecular weights (depending on the SRM sample analysed) of 316, 326, 328, 340, 342, 350, 352, 366, 374 and 376. This is, to our knowledge, the first study to tentatively report PAHs with molecular weights of 316, 326, 328, 342, 350, 352, 366 and 376 in diesel particulate matter. GC-MS chromatograms obtained in selected ion monitoring mode (extracted ions for the abovementioned m/z) and full-scan mass spectra of tentatively identified high molecular weight PAHs are shown in the Electronic supplementary material.

Keywords: ASE; PAH; Benzo[a]pyrene; Dibenzopyrene; HMW PAH; SRM 1649a; SRM 1650b; SRM 2975

Analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by liquid chromatography with negative-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/NI-APPI/MS/MS): application to house dust by Anthony F. Lagalante; Timothy D. Oswald (pp. 2249-2256).

Eight polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners of primary interest to the US EPA were separated using reverse-phase liquid chromatography on an octadecylsilane column. BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183, and BDE-209 were baseline-resolved under isocratic conditions in 92:8 methanol/water (v/v). Negative-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization (NI-APPI) with a toluene dopant produced precursor ions corresponding to [M–Br+O]^– for the eight congeners studied. Each congener was quantified by tandem mass spectrometry through a unique multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transition. On-column limits of detection were between 2.4 and 27.8 pg for the eight congeners studied, with an intra-day method precision of 9%. The LC/NI-APPI/MS/MS method was validated for the analysis of the eight PBDE congeners in NIST SRM 2585 (Organics in House Dust). Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with subsequent LC/NI-APPI/MS/MS analysis afforded quantitative recovery for all eight PBDE congeners with recoveries ranging from 92.7 to 113%. The liquid-phase separation of the LC/NI-APPI/MS/MS method is not prone to the thermal degradation issues that plague splitless GC based analyses of highly brominated PBDEs such as BDE-209.

Keywords: Negative-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization (NI-APPI); Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS); Dust; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE)

A single extraction method for the analysis by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry of fumonisins and biomarkers of disrupted sphingolipid metabolism in tissues of maize seedlings by Nicholas C. Zitomer; Anthony E. Glenn; Charles W. Bacon; Ronald T. Riley (pp. 2257-2263).

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogen of many plants and produces fumonisins. In addition to their well-studied animal toxicoses, these toxins contribute to the development of maize seedling disease in susceptible maize varieties. Fumonisin disruption of sphingolipid biosynthesis occurs during pathogenesis. An extraction method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of fumonisins B₁ (FB₁), B₂ (FB₂) and B₃ (FB₃), free sphingoid bases and sphingoid base 1-phosphates in maize tissues by liquid chromatography/linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The method involved a single extraction using 1:1 acetonitrile:water + 5% formic acid (1 ml per 10 mg tissue). Mean recoveries ranged from approximately 50 to 99 percent, and limits of detection ranged from 10 fg μl⁻¹ to 6900 fg μl⁻¹. To test the efficacy of the method, seeds of a susceptible maize line were inoculated with a pathogenic, fumonisin-producing strain of F. verticillioides. The seedlings were then harvested, and fumonisin content, as well as sphingoid bases and their 1-phosphates, were measured in the leaf and root tissues. Fumonisin accumulation was significantly greater in leaf one compared to leaves two and three. While FB₁, FB₂, and FB₃ were detected in root tissues, FB₁ was preferentially accumulated in leaf tissues. Accumulation of sphingoid bases and their 1-phosphates was evident in roots and leaves of seedlings grown from inoculated seed, with the level of accumulation being similar in leaves 1, 2 and 3. The method developed was effective, fast, and sensitive for use in simultaneously measuring fumonisin in tissues and their effects on sphingolipid metabolite biomarkers of disease. The method should be useful for screening maize cultivars for susceptibility to F. verticillioides-induced seedling diseases. Figure Lesion with chromatography

Keywords: Fumonisins; Fusarium verticillioides ; Sphinganine; Phytosphingosine; Sphingoid base 1-phosphates

Ultratrace-level determination of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid and glufosinate in natural waters by solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: performance tuning of derivatization, enrichment and detection by Irene Hanke; Heinz Singer; Juliane Hollender (pp. 2265-2276).

A sensitive and robust analytical method for the quantification of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and glufosinate in natural water has been developed on the basis of a derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl), solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography followed by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). In order to maximize sensitivity, the derivatization was optimized regarding organic solvent content, amount of FMOC-Cl and reaction time. At an acetonitrile content of 10% a derivatization yield of 100% was reached within two hours in groundwater and surface water samples. After a twofold dilution the low acetonitrile content allowed solid-phase extraction of a sample of originally 80 mL over 200 mg Strata-X cartridges. In order to decrease the load of the LC column and mass spectrometer with derivatization by-products (e.g., 9-fluorenylmethanol FMOC-OH), a rinsing step was performed for the SPE cartridge with dichloromethane. Acidification of the sample and addition of EDTA was used to minimize complexation of the target compounds with metal ions in environmental samples. Due to the large sample volume and the complete FMOC-OH removal, limits of quantification of 0.7 ng/L, 0.8 ng/L and 2.3 ng/L were achieved in surface water for glyphosate, AMPA and glufosinate, respectively. The limits of detection were as low as 0.2 ng/L, 0.2 ng/L and 0.6 ng/L for glyphosate, AMPA and glufosinate, respectively. Surface water and ground water samples spiked at 2 ng/L showed recoveries of 91–107%. Figure LC-MS/MS chromatogram of a water sample from a remote alpine region spiked at 1 ng/L

Keywords: Glyphosate; AMPA; Water; Solid-phase extraction; Liquid chromatography; Tandem mass spectrometry

A description of an automatic continuous equilibrium system for the measurement of dissolved gaseous mercury by Maria E. Andersson; Katarina Gårdfeldt; Ingvar Wängberg (pp. 2277-2282).

A novel continuous equilibrium system with high time resolution, i.e. every ten minutes, was developed to sample and determine dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) in natural surface waters. The system is based on the opposite flow principle, can be connected to a ship’s bow water system, and can be applied under most ambient conditions, such as high wind speeds and onboard a moving ship. For the DGM determination the system uses the measured equilibrium concentration of mercury established between the aqueous and gaseous phases, i.e. DGM = Hg_extr / k _H′, where Hg_extr is the measured mercury concentration in the outgoing gas phase and k_H′ is the dimensionless Henry’s Law constant at the desired temperature and salinity. The efficiency of the system was investigated via theoretical calculations and by comparing the continuous equilibrium system with discrete samples. The measurements obtained by the continuous equilibrium system agree within 13% at the 95% confidence level with the measurements of discrete samples obtained by the traditional technique. The theoretical calculations estimated that the continuous equilibrium system described here had an efficiency of 99% for determining the DGM concentration.

Keywords: On-the-way measurements; DGM; Long-term measurements; Sampling; Mercury; Natural waters

Single-drop microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of volatile aldehydes in fresh cucumbers by Tomasz Ligor; Bogusław Buszewski (pp. 2283-2289).

Headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) was used as a rapid and reliable method for the isolation and preconcentration of volatile aldehydes from fresh cucumbers. The utility of this methodology is demonstrated in the determination of (E)-2-nonenal and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal. The limit of detection, linearity and repeatability have been determined for 2,6-nonadienal and (E)-2-nonenal. Limits of detection for nonenal and nonadienal were 0.05 and 0.04 mg kg ⁻¹, respectively. The repeatability of extraction was obtained with the RSD values lower than 13%. Concentrations of target aldehydes in fresh cucumbers obtained by means of the HS-SDME method were in the range 9.4–12.5 (nonadienal) and 2.6–3.8 mg kg ⁻¹ (nonenal). The results of the single-drop extraction in combination with gas chromatography show promising potential for the analysis of volatile aldehydes in vegetables.

Keywords: Headspace single-drop microextraction; Aldehydes; Cucumbers

Analysis of sulfamerazine in pond water and several fishes by high-performance liquid chromatography using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction by Linyuan Guo; Xiaoman Jiang; Cailing Yang; Haixia Zhang (pp. 2291-2298).

The synthesis and evaluation of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) used as a selective solid-phase extraction sorbent and coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the efficient determination of sulfamerazine (SMR) in pond water and three fishes are reported. The polymer was prepared using SMR as the template molecule, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the crosslinking monomer in the presence of tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. The SMR-imprinted polymers and nonimprinted polymers were characterized by FT-IR and static adsorption experiments. The prepared SMR-imprinted material showed a high adsorption capacity, significant selectivity and good site accessibility. The maximum static adsorption capacities of the SMR-imprinted and nonimprinted materials for SMR were 108.8 and 79.6 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The relative selectivity factor of this SMR-imprinted material was 1.6. Several parameters influencing the solid-phase extraction process were optimized. Finally, the SMR-imprinted polymers were used as the sorbent in solid-phase extraction to determine SMR in pond water and three fishes with satisfactory recovery. The average recoveries of the MIP-SPE method were 94.0% in ultrapure water and 95.8% in pond water. Relative standard deviations ranging from 0.3% to 5.2% in MIP were acquired. The results for the SMR concentrations in crucian, carp and wuchang fish were 66.0, 127.1 and 51.5 ng g⁻¹, respectively. The RSDs (n = 5) were 3.51%, 0.53% and 5.08%, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) for SMR was 1 ng g⁻¹ and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 3.5 ng g⁻¹.

Keywords: Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs); Solid-phase extraction; Sulfamerazine (SMR); High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Azide-selective sensor based on tripodal iron complex for direct azide determination in aqueous samples by Ashok Kumar Singh; Udai P. Singh; Vaibhave Aggarwal; Sameena Mehtab (pp. 2299-2308).

A potentiometric azide-selective sensor based on the use of iron(III) hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate acetylacetonate chloride [Tp^Me2Fe(acac)Cl] as a neutral carrier for an azide-selective electrode is reported. Effect of various plasticizers, viz. o-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE), dioctylphthalate (DOP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), and benzylacetate (BA), and an anion excluder, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB), with [Tp^Me2Fe(acac)Cl] complex in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were studied. The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition of [Tp^Me2Fe(acac)Cl]/HTAB/DOP/PVC in a ratio of 5:2:190:100 (w/w). The sensor exhibits significantly enhanced selectivity toward azide ions over the concentration range 6.3 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻² M with a lower detection limit of 3.8 × 10^–7 M and a Nernstian slope of 59.4 ± 1.1 mV decade⁻¹. Influences of the membrane composition, pH and possible interfering anions were investigated on the response properties of the electrode. Fast and stable response, good reproducibility, long-term stability and applicability over a wide pH range (3.5–9.0) are demonstrated. The sensor has a response time of 14 s and can be used for at least 45 days without any considerable divergence in the potential response. The proposed electrode shows fairly good discrimination of azide from several inorganic and organic anions. It was successfully applied to the direct determination of azide in orange juice, tea extracts and human urine samples.

Keywords: Azide sensor; Ion-selective electrode; Tripodal iron complexes

Comprehensive screening and quantification of veterinary drugs in milk using UPLC–ToF-MS by A. A. M. Stolker; P. Rutgers; E. Oosterink; J. J. P. Lasaroms; R. J. B. Peters; J. A. van Rhijn; M. W. F. Nielen (pp. 2309-2322).

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–ToF-MS) has been used for screening and quantification of more than 100 veterinary drugs in milk. The veterinary drugs represent different classes including benzimidazoles, macrolides, penicillins, quinolones, sulphonamides, pyrimidines, tetracylines, nitroimidazoles, tranquillizers, ionophores, amphenicols and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). After protein precipitation, centrifugation and solid-phase extraction (SPE), the extracts were analysed by UPLC–ToF-MS. From the acquired full scan data the drug-specific ions were extracted for construction of the chromatograms and evaluation of the results. The analytical method was validated according to the EU guidelines (2002/657/EC) for a quantitative screening method. At the concentration level of interest (MRL level) the results for repeatability (%RSD < 20% for 86% of the compounds), reproducibility (%RSD < 40% for 96% of the compounds) and the accuracy (80–120% for 88% of the compounds) were satisfactory. Evaluation of the CCβ values and the linearity results demonstrates that the developed method shows adequate sensitivity and linearity to provide quantitative results. Furthermore, the method is accurate enough to differentiate between suspected and negative samples or drug concentrations below or above the MRL. A set of 100 samples of raw milk were screened for residues. No suspected (positive) results were obtained except for the included blind reference sample containing sulphamethazine (88 μg/l) that tested positive for this compound. UPLC–ToF-MS combines high resolution for both LC and MS with high mass accuracy which is very powerful for the multi-compound analysis of veterinary drugs. The technique seems to be powerful enough for the analysis of not only veterinary drugs but also organic contaminants like pesticides, mycotoxins and plant toxins in one single method.

Keywords: Multi-class; Multi-residue; Full scan; Validation; 2002/657/EC; Time-of-flight

Restricted-access media development for direct analysis of drugs in biofluids using capillary liquid chromatography by Reda Jarmalavičienė; Olga Kornyšova; Vidmantas Bendokas; Douglas Westerlund; Boguslaw Buszewski; Audrius Maruška (pp. 2323-2328).

In analytical sciences the design of novel materials and stationary phases for the sample preparation and separation of analytes from biological fluids is needed. In this work we present different strategies for modification of stationary phases to produce tailored solutions for the analytical problem. In this context a novel shielded polymeric reversed-phase monolithic material was prepared in the presence of different numbers of reactive groups and concentrations of the coating polymer. Chromatographic experiments were performed using benzoic acid propyl ester in order to characterize the hydrophobicity and efficiency of the different restricted-access continuous beds prepared. Inverse size-exclusion chromatography was used for investigation of the pore structure properties of the beds. Capillary columns were applied for nanochromatography of biological fluids containing a mixture of nitrazepamum and medazepamum.

Keywords: Biofluids; Capillary liquid chromatography; Continuous beds; Monoliths; Restricted-access media

Determination of illicit and medicinal drugs and their metabolites in oral fluid and preserved oral fluid by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry by Marta Concheiro; Ana de Castro; Óscar Quintela; Angelines Cruz; Manuel López-Rivadulla (pp. 2329-2338).

An LC-MS/MS method using 0.5 ml of oral fluid was developed for the determination of morphine, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, methadone, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine, benzoylecgonine, cocaine, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, zolpidem, zopiclone, alprazolam, clonazepam, oxazepam, nordiazepam, lorazepam, flunitrazepam, diazepam, diphenhydramine and amitriptyline. The method was fully validated in terms of linearity (the method was linear between 1–5 μg/L and 100–200 μg/L) recoveries (7.5–82.6%), within-day and between-day precisions and accuracies (CV and MRE, both <15%), limits of detection (0.5 μ g/L) and quantitation (the lowest point on the calibration curve), relative ion intensities, freeze-and-thaw stability and matrix effect. The method was applied to preserved oral fluid collected by a special commercial device, the StatSure Saliva Sampler™.

Keywords: LC-MS/MS; Drugs; Oral fluid

A study of oxaliplatin–nucleobase interactions using ion trap electrospray mass spectrometry by Samantha L. Kerr; Tamer Shoeib; Barry L. Sharp (pp. 2339-2348).

Oxaliplatin is an important anti-cancer drug that has been approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer. It is known that oxaliplatin, like other Pt-based drugs, interacts with DNA to form cytotoxic Pt-DNA adducts that disrupt important biological processes such as DNA replication and protein synthesis. Linear ion trap electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was employed to study the interaction of oxaliplatin with DNA nucleobases. It was shown that oxaliplatin formed adducts with all four DNA nucleobases when present individually and in combination in solution. Multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (MSⁿ) enabled the fragmentation pathways of each adduct to be established. In addition, proposed structures for each product ion were obtained from the MS data. When all four bases were present together with the drug at near-equal molar concentrations, adducts containing predominantly adenine and guanine were formed, confirming that the drug preferentially binds to these nucleobases. A large molar excess of drug was required to ensure the formation of cytosine and thymine adducts in the presence of adenine and guanine. Even with a large excess of oxaliplatin, only mono-adducts of these nucleobases were observed when all four nucleobases were present. Figure Schematic of a linear ion trap mass spectrometer being used to isolate the diadduct of guanine with oxaliplatin showing the characteristic isotope pattern due to ¹⁹⁴Pt, ¹⁹⁵Pt and ¹⁹⁶Pt.

Keywords: Oxaliplatin; DNA; Nucleobase interactions; Ion trap ESI-MS; Adduct formation; Pharmaceuticals

Simultaneous determination of hydrochlorothiazide and losartan potassium in tablets by high-performance low-pressure chromatography using a multi-syringe burette coupled to a monolithic column by María Antonieta Obando; José Manuel Estela; Víctor Cerdà (pp. 2349-2356).

This contribution describes use of a separation method based on on-line coupling of a multisyringe flow system with a chromatographic monolithic column for simultaneous determination of hydrochlorothiazide and losartan potassium in tablets. The system comprised a multisyringe module, three low-pressure solenoid valves, a monolithic C₁₈ column (25 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.), and a diode-array detector. The mobile phase was 10 mmol L⁻¹ potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.1)-acetonitrile-methanol (65:33:2 v/v/v) at a flow rate 0.8 mL min⁻¹. UV detection was carried out at 226 nm. The multi-syringe chromatographic (MSC) method with UV spectrophotometric detection was optimized and validated. Results from validation were very good. The analysis time was about 400 s. The method was found to be applicable to routine analysis of both compounds in tablets. The coupling of the monolithic columns with a multi-syringe flow-injection analysis manifold provides an excellent and inexpensive tool to solve the separation problems without use of HPLC instrumentation.

Keywords: Flow-injection analysis (FIA); Multisyringe chromatography (MSC); Monolithic column; Drug monitoring; Losartan potassium; Hydrochlorothiazide

Modified semi-rotating cryogenic modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography by Minna Kallio; Matti Jussila; Päivi Raimi; Tuulia Hyötyläinen (pp. 2357-2363).

A previously constructed semi-rotating cryogenic modulator was modified for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). The retention time repeatability was improved by replacing the modulator control program unit with a new system. Peak widths obtained with the modified modulator were comparable with those obtained with the previous modulator and other modulator types. The modulator was easy to construct and it can be installed in any commercial GC system. The constructed GC×GC–FID system and data obtained by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were used for identification of unknowns in forest aerosol samples. Figure A semi-rotating cryogenic modulator in which modulation is based on two-step cryogenic trapping with continuously flowing carbon dioxide has been developed for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Keywords: Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography; GC×GC; Cryogenic modulator; Modulation; Organic aerosols

Development of an automated system for isolation and purification of humic substances by André van Zomeren; Esther van der Weij-Zuiver; Rob N. J. Comans (pp. 2365-2370).

Characterization of humic substances (HS) in environmental samples generally involves labor-intensive and time-consuming isolation and purification procedures. In this paper, the development of an automated system for HS isolation and purification is described. The novelty of the developed system lies in the way the multiple liquids and columns used in the isolation/purification procedure are handled in both forward and back-elution mode by solenoid valves. The automated procedure significantly reduces the total throughput time needed, from 6–7 days to 48 h, and the amount of labor to obtain purified HS for further characterization. Chemical characterization of purified HS showed that results were in good agreement with previously published values for HS from a variety of sources, including the IHSS standard HS collection. It was also shown that the general properties of HS were consistent among the different source materials (soil, waste, aquatic) used in this study. The developed system greatly facilitates isolation and characterization of HS and reduces the risk of potential (time-dependent) alteration of HS properties in the manual procedure. Figure Photograph of the rear (left) and front (right) of the automated system for the isolation and purification of humic substances

Keywords: Natural organic matter; Humic acid; Fulvic acid; Isolation; Purification; IHSS method

Thermal desorption characterisation of molecularly imprinted polymers. Part II: Use of direct probe GC–MS analysis to study crosslinking effects by Niamh Holland; Patrick Duggan; Eleanor Owens; Wayne Cummins; June Frisby; Helen Hughes; Peter McLoughlin (pp. 2371-2371).

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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (v.391, #6)

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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (v.391, #6)