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Showing papers in "Analytical Sciences in 2004"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A chemometric analysis of the near-infrared spectra of olive-oil mixtures containing different adulterants revealed that the PCA developed models were able to classify unknown adulterated olive oil mixtures with almost 100% certainty.
Abstract: A new procedure has been developed for the classification and quantification of the adulteration of pure olive oil by soya oil, sun flower oil, corn oil, walnut oil and hazelnut oil. The study was based on a chemometric analysis of the near-infrared (NIR) spectra of olive-oil mixtures containing different adulterants. The adulteration of olive oil was carefully carried out gravimetrically in a 4 mm quartz cuvette, starting with pure olive oil in the cuvette first. NIR spectra of the 525 adulterated mixtures were measured in the region of 12,000-4000 cm(-1). The spectra were subjected batch wise to multiplicative signal correction (MSC) before calculating the principal component (PCA) models. The MSC-corrected data were subjected to Savitzky-Golay smoothing and a mean normalization procedure before developing partial least-squares calibration (PLS) models. The results revealed that the models predicted the adulterants, corn oil, sun flower oil, soya oil, walnut oil and hazelnut oil involved in olive oil with error limits +/-0.57, +/-1.32, +/-0.96, +/-0.56 and +/-0.57% weight/weight, respectively. Furthermore, the PCA developed models were able to classify unknown adulterated olive oil mixtures with almost 100% certainty. Quantification of the adulterants was carried out using their respective PLS models within the same error limits as mentioned above.

233 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Amperometric biosensors and their current applications are focused on more in detail since they are the most commonly used biosensor in monitoring and diagnosing tests in clinical analysis.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to analyze the technical importance, performance, techniques, advantages, and disadvantages of the biosensors in general and of the electrochemical biosensors in particular. A product of reaction diffuses to the transducer in the first generation biosensors (based on Clark biosensors). The mediated biosensors or second generation biosensors use specific mediators between the reaction and the transducer to improve sensitivity. The second generation biosensors involve two steps: first, there is a redox reaction between enzyme and substrate that is reoxidized by the mediator, and eventually the mediator is oxidized by the electrode. No normal product or mediator diffusion is directly involved in the third generation biosensors, direct biosensors. Based on the type of transducer, current biosensors are divided into optical, mass, thermal, and electrochemical sensors. They are used in medical diagnostics, food quality controls, environmental monitoring, and other applications. These biosensors are also grouped under two broad categories of sensors: direct and indirect detection systems. Moreover, these systems could be further grouped into continuous or batch operation. Therefore, amperometric biosensors and their current applications are focused on more in detail since they are the most commonly used biosensors in monitoring and diagnosing tests in clinical analysis. Problems related to the commercialization of medical, environmental, and industrial biosensors as well as their performance characteristics, their competitiveness in comparison to the conventional analytical tools, and their costs determine the future development of these biosensors.

200 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Research activities on various kinds of biosensors are discussed according to the proteins (enzymes) used in the specific work, and special attention is paid to protein-film voltammetry, which is a powerful way to obtain the direct electron transfer of proteins.
Abstract: Recent progress in third-generation electrochemical biosensors based on the direct electron transfer of proteins is reviewed. The development of three generations of electrochemical biosensors is also simply addressed. Special attention is paid to protein-film voltammetry, which is a powerful way to obtain the direct electron transfer of proteins. Research activities on various kinds of biosensors are discussed according to the proteins (enzymes) used in the specific work.

181 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The photochemical formation rates of hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) in river water and seawater were determined by a simple, rapid and sensitive benzene probe method, in which phenol formed by the reaction between benzene and photochemically-generated OH radicals was analyzed by on-line preconcentration HPLC.
Abstract: The photochemical formation rates of hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) in river water and seawater were determined by a simple, rapid and sensitive benzene probe method, in which phenol formed by the reaction between benzene and photochemically-generated OH radicals was analyzed by on-line preconcentration HPLC. The OH radical formation rates from well-known OH radical sources, such as nitrate, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide, were in good agreement with those reported previously. River water samples containing high concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were found to show high OH radical formation rates. Ten to 80% of the OH radical formation in river water and seawater was due to the photolysis of nitrate and nitrite, but OH radical formation from hydrogen peroxide was negligible. The OH radical formation from unknown sources other than nitrate, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide was strongly correlated to the amount of fluorescent matter.

133 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A method for the determination of phosphorylation sites in phosphoproteins based on column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed and detected Pseudo-molecular ion peaks corresponding to Gln-Ile-Ser-Val-Arg and Glu-Ala-Thr-Ser(p)-Gln-Glu-Leu which agreed with the theoretically expected phosphopeptide fragments.
Abstract: A method for the determination of phosphorylation sites in phosphoproteins based on column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. The HPLC system consisted of a titania precolumn for the selective adsorption of phosphopeptides, an anion-exchange analytical column and a UV detector (215 nm). Rabbit muscle phosphorylase a (RPa) and porcine stomach pepsin (PSP) were tested as model phosphoproteins. After protease digestion, the resulting phosphopeptides were successfully isolated by column-switching HPLC. The phosphopeptide fractions were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with a positive or negative ion mode after purification by reversed-phase HPLC. Pseudo-molecular ion peaks corresponding to Gln-Ile-Ser(p)-Val-Arg (MW 681.7) and Glu-Ala-Thr-Ser(p)-Gln-Glu-Leu (MW 856.8) were detected from the tryptic digest of RPa and chymotryptic digest of PSP, respectively, which agreed with the theoretically expected phosphopeptide fragments.

112 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Ming Guo1, Jian-Wei Zou1, Ping-Gui Yi1, Zhicai Shang1, Gui-Xiang Hu1, Yu Qing-Sen1 
TL;DR: The binding of gatifloxacin to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution was studied using fluorescence spectroscopy and absorbance spectra, and practical formulas for small molecule ligands to bio-macromolecules have been proposed.
Abstract: The binding of gatifloxacin to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution was studied using fluorescence spectroscopy and absorbance spectra, Further, the interactions influenced by Fe3+ and Cu2+ were also explored in this work. Based on Scatchard's site-binding model and florescence quenching, practical formulas for small molecule ligands to bio-macromolecules have been proposed. The binding parameters were measured according to suggested models, and the binding distance and the transfer efficiency of energy between gatifloxacin and BSA were also obtained in view of the Forster theory of non-radiation energy transfer. The effect of gatifloxacin on the conformation of BSA has also been analyzed using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy.

111 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel phosphopeptide-selective RP-HPLC analysis has been shown to have an application possibility as a tool for phosphoproteomics.
Abstract: A methodology of phosphopeptide-selective analysis coupled with column-switching HPLC utilizing titania as precolumn media is presented. Phosphopeptides were selectively enriched on titania packing within a protein/peptide mixture without any additional procedure, and analyzed by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography. First, phospho-compounds were separated from complex mixtures by trapping them under acidic conditions on a titania packing, where non-phosphorylated compounds were effused out of the precolumn. Subsequently, phospho-compounds were desorbed from the titania column under a specific condition and analyzed. The behavior of phospho-compounds on a titania surface, especially adsorption/desorption, was precisely examined and optimized. A phosphoric buffer was successively employed for the elution of phosphopeptides on a titania surface by competition with the free phosphate group. From the successes of a selective concentration/analysis of phosphopeptides with column-switching HPLC with a titania precolumn, a novel phosphopeptide-selective RP-HPLC analysis has been shown to have an application possibility as a tool for phosphoproteomics.

105 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A statistical comparison of these results with those of a reported method shows good agreement and indicates no significant difference in the precision.
Abstract: A simple, sensitive and economically viable spectrophotometric method for the determination of some Rauwolfia alkaloids (ajmaline, ajmalicine, reserpine and yohimbine-HCl) has been developed. The method involves the oxidation of Rauwolfia alkaloids by iron(III) and subsequent complexation of iron(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline, forming a red-colored complex having the maximum absorbance at 510 nm. The method is applied to the determination of reserpine in tablets of pharmaceutical formulations. The common excipients do not interfere with the proposed method. A statistical comparison of these results with those of a reported method shows good agreement and indicates no significant difference in the precision.

100 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system based on the selective adsorption of phosphopeptides on a titania (TiO2) precolumn and successive HPLC separation of the phosphopePTides on an anion-exchange column with a UV detector (215 nm).
Abstract: A column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system for the determination of phosphopeptides has been developed. The method is based on the selective adsorption of phosphopeptides on a titania (TiO2) precolumn and successive HPLC separation of the phosphopeptides on an anion-exchange column with a UV detector (215 nm). The recoveries of phosphopeptides were tested using authentic phosphopeptides [Gln-Ile-Ser(p)-Val-Arg, Ile-Ser(p)-Val-Arg and Lys-Gln-Ile-Ser(p)-Val-Arg] at an injection amount of 1 µg. The recoveries were 74.3, 79.6, and 82.6%, respectively, while the corresponding dephosphopeptides were not retained on the titania precolumn.

99 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The elution behavior of nicotinic acid in brew extracted from commercially available coffee beans suggests the thermal decomposition process during roasting, and indicated the maximum value for full city roasted coffee.
Abstract: We studied the simultaneous quantitative analysis of biologically active substances, such as nicotinic acid, trigonelline, caffeine, qunolinic acid and tannic acid and pyrogallic acid, in several roasted coffees by an HPLC/diode-array system with a home-made sol-gel and ODS-2 columns. A simple method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of biologically active substances in the coffee brew became feasible by an HPLC/diode-array system with a sol-gel column at a single wavelength of 210 nm. The most efficient condition of the Rs value was above 1.05 when two sol-gel columns were connected. In addition, the elution behavior of nicotinic acid in brew extracted from commercially available coffee beans suggests the thermal decomposition process during roasting, and indicated the maximum value for full city roasted coffee.

76 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Hydrogels containing benzo-18-crown-6 were used to modify microcantilevers for measurements of the concentration of Pb2+ in aqueous solutions and it was found that a concentration of 10(-6) M Pb 2+ can be detected using this technology.
Abstract: Hydrogels containing benzo-18-crown-6 were used to modify microcantilevers for measurements of the concentration of Pb2+ in aqueous solutions These microcantilevers undergo bending deflection upon exposure to solutions containing various Pb2+ concentrations as the result of a swelling of the hydrogels It was found that a concentration of 10(-6) M Pb2+ can be detected using this technology Other cations, such as Na+, have no effect on the deflection of this cantilever The cation K+, which also complexes with benzo-18-crown-6, could interfere with Pb2+ detection, but only at high concentrations (> 10(-4) M)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: H2O2 generated and released from TiO2 photocatalysts to the gas phase was detected and Oxidative coloration of ABTS was observed only in the absence of catalase, indicating the presence of H1O2 in the gas.
Abstract: H2O2 generated and released from TiO2 photocatalysts to the gas phase was detected. A flow-through cell packed with TiO2-coated glass beads was irradiated with UV light, and the gas flowing out of the cell was flushed through a collecting solution containing 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulforic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and peroxidase. Oxidative coloration of ABTS was observed only in the absence of catalase, indicating the presence of H2O2 in the gas. The quantum yield of the H2O2 generation was estimated to be > 1 x 10(-7). The detected amount of H2O2 decreased as the TiO2 thickness decreased. H2O2 was not detected when dry air or nitrogen was used.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data obtained here demonstrate that the isotopic ratios of trace metals can provide new information about metabolic efficiencies of the metallic elements.
Abstract: Precise 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe isotopic ratios on human red blood cell (RBC) samples have been measured using multiple collector-ICP-mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). The mass spectrometric interferences on Fe isotopes (e.g., 56ArO+ and 57ArOH+) were successfully minimized by a dry plasma condition achieved by a desolvating nebulizer sample-introduction technique. In order to eliminate possible variations in the measured isotopic ratios due to non-mass spectrometric interferences, Fe was separated from remaining organic compounds and major co-existing elements using an ion chromatographic technique. The resulting precisions of the 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratio measurements were 0.12‰ and 0.20‰, respectively, which were high enough to detect the isotopic variation of Fe in nature. For an interlaboratory comparison, all of the Fe isotopic ratio data were normalized by the ratios for the IRMM-014 international isotopic standard. A series of 12 RBC samples were collected from one person through monthly-based sampling over a period of one year. These were analyzed to test possible seasonal changes in the 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios. Moreover, in order to test possible variations in the 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios among different people, RBC samples were collected from five volunteers (four males and one female). The 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios for a series of 12 RBC samples collected over a one-year period show 3.06‰ and 4.51‰ lower than the values of IRMM-014, and no significant seasonal change could be found in the ratios. The lack in seasonal changes in the Fe isotopic ratios could be explained by a small contribution of the daily net-intake of Fe (1 - 2 mg/day) onto the total amount of Fe in the human body (2 - 4 g). The 56Fe/54Fe and 57Fe/54Fe ratios for RBC samples collected from four male samples did not vary measurably, whereas the Fe isotopic ratios for a female RBC were 0.3‰/amu heavier than the mean value of four male samples. This difference in Fe isotopes among the individuals can be the result of a difference in uptake efficiency of the Fe through a dietary process from the digestive tract. The data obtained here demonstrate that the isotopic ratios of trace metals can provide new information about metabolic efficiencies of the metallic elements.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: PAHs were detected by this method in sediment samples on the mg/kg level and the limits of the determination for PAHs in sediment using the proposed method ranged from 0.06 to 0.9mg/kg.
Abstract: We describe a method for the simultaneous determination of 12 kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment based on liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (LC/APPI/MS). The method consists of PAH extractions by ultrasonics, clean-up by a solid-phase extraction procedure and determination by LC/APPI/MS. The limits of the determination for PAHs in sediment using the proposed method ranged from 0.06 to 0.9 mg/kg. PAHs were detected by this method in sediment samples on the mg/kg level.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The membrane sensor possesses satisfactory reproducibility, fast response time, and specially excellent discriminating ability for Eu(III) ion with respect to the alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions.
Abstract: A highly selective poly(vinyl chloride)-based membrane sensor produced by using N,N-diethyl-N-(4-hydroxy-6-methylpyridin-2-yl)guanidine (GD) as active material is described. The electrode displays Nernstian behavior over the concentration range 7.0 × 10-5 - 1.0 × 10-1 M. The detection limit of the electrode is 5.0 × 10-5 M. The best performance was obtained with the membrane containing 30% PVC, 55% benzyl acetate, 5% GD and 10% oleic acid. The response of the sensor is pH-independent in the range of 3.0 - 7.0. The sensor possesses satisfactory reproducibility, fast response time (< 20 s), and specially excellent discriminating ability for Eu(III) ion with respect to the alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The membrane sensor was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Eu(III) ion with EDTA. It was also applied in determination of fluoride ions in mouth wash preparations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: At the mixing location of mining water with natural river water, major elements and cadmium showed simple physical mixing (conservative mixing), and other heavy metals showed the massive precipitation at the mixing event.
Abstract: River water and sediment samples were collected at the same site in a vicinity of an abandoned mine, and the concentrations of major elements and heavy metals were determined. The chemical correlations were observed by principal component analysis (PCA), and the samples were classified by cluster analysis (CA) based on the PCA scores. The PCA results presented a macroscopic viewpoint of covariance structure, i.e., the chemical elements could be classified into three groups: 1) major elements and heavy metals in the river water, 2) Cd, Fe and Mn in the sediments, and 3) Cu and Zn in the sediments. The CA results implied a similarity of chemical compositions in most parts of the study area, except the ranges close to the abandoned copper mine. At the mixing location of mining water with natural river water, major elements and cadmium showed simple physical mixing (conservative mixing). Other heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) showed the massive precipitation at the mixing event. The PCA structure was mainly interpreted in terms of the mixing process between mining water and diluted natural river water.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Comparison studies against established ICPOES methodologies have shown that the proposed methodology present clear advantages in terms of simplicity of sample preparation, overall analysis time, and the use of inorganic standards for calibration instead of expensive metallorganic standards.
Abstract: The quantification of trace elements in used lubricating oil is useful for evaluating the wearing of specific components of engines. In the present work, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES) was used for determining five refractory elements (Ni, Mo, Cr, V and Ti) in lubricating-oil samples. The methodology was developed while aiming at the introduction of such organic samples into the ICP as emulsions. Several nebulization systems were tested with clear advantage for Meinhard K3 coupled with a cyclonic spray chamber. The carbon deposition on the injector tip as well as the plasma background was minimized through careful optimization of the Ar and O2 gas mixture flows into the plasma. The optimization of instrumental and experimental parameters allowed quantification using calibration curves prepared with analyte inorganic standards. An internal standard (Sc) was used to correct the matrix effects and signal fluctuations. The limits of detection (3Sb/m), in the ng g-1 range were obtained for all five elements. The methodology was validated through an analysis of standard reference materials (SRM 1084a, 1085a and 1085b). Good analyte recoveries (from 92.6 to 104.7%) were achieved. Comparison studies against established ICPOES methodologies (sample acid decomposition or sample direct dilution in an organic solvent) have shown that the proposed methodology present clear advantages in terms of simplicity of sample preparation, overall analysis time, and the use of inorganic standards for calibration instead of expensive metallorganic standards.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A PVC membrane incorporating p-tert-butyl calix[4]crown with imine units as an ionophore was prepared and used in an ion-selective electrode for the determination of mercury(II) ions and showed a good potentiometric response for mercury( II) ions over a wide concentration range.
Abstract: A PVC membrane incorporating p-tert-butyl calix[4]crown with imine units as an ionophore was prepared and used in an ion-selective electrode for the determination of mercury(II) ions. An electrode based on this ionophore showed a good potentiometric response for mercury(II) ions over a wide concentration range of 5.0 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M with a near-Nernstian slope of 27.3 mV per decade. The detection limit of the electrode was 2.24 x 10(-5) M and the electrode worked well in the pH range of 1.3 - 4.0. The electrode showed a short response time of less than 20 s. The electrode also showed better selectivity for mercury(II) ions over many of the alkali (Na+, -1.69; K+, -1.54), alkaline-earth (Ca2+, -3.30; Ba2+, -3.32), and heavy metal ions (Co2+, -3.67; Ni2+, -3.43; Pb2+, -3.31; Fe3+, -1.82). Ag+ ion was found to be the strongest interfering ion. Also, sharp end points were obtained when the sensor was used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of mercury(II) ions with iodide and dichromate ions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new catalytic spectrophotometric method is reported for the simultaneous determination of nitrite and nitrate by flow injection analysis, based on the catalytic effect of Nitrite on the redox reaction between pyrogallolsulfonephthalein and potassium bromate in acidic media.
Abstract: A new catalytic spectrophotometric method is reported for the simultaneous determination of nitrite and nitrate by flow injection analysis, based on the catalytic effect of nitrite on the redox reaction between pyrogallolsulfonephthalein and potassium bromate in acidic media. Nitrate can also be on-line reduced to nitrite with a modified copper-coated cadmium reduction column. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance of pyrogallolsulfonephthalein at 465 nm. Various analytical parameters such as effects of acidity, reagent concentrations, flow rates, sample sizes, lengths of the reaction coil and temperatures were studied and were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration graph was linear for 2.4 to 160 ng ml-1 of nitrite and 4.0 to 100 ng ml-1 of nitrate. The influences of potential interfering cations and anions for nitrite and nitrate determination were studied. The method is successfully applied for food and water samples. Up to ten samples can be analyzed per hour.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new sensitive and low cost method for cadmium determination at microg l(-1) levels that combines an on-line preconcentration system with the thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry technique (TS-FF-AAS) is described in this work.
Abstract: A new sensitive and low cost method for cadmium determination at µg l-1 levels that combines an on-line preconcentration system with the thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry technique (TS-FF-AAS) is described in this work. Cadmium is preconcentrated from an acidic medium (pH 2.0) by forming a complex with ammonium O,O-diethyldithiophosphate (DDTP), which is then adsorbed onto polyurethane foam (PUF). The elution step is performed by using 80% (v/v) ethanol. The effects of the chemical and flow variables associated with the preconcentration were studied, such as the pH of formation of the Cd-DDTP complex, the DDTP concentration, the preconcentration and elution flow rate and the mass of adsorbent. The present method was operated in volume-mode (2 ml) and provided a linear range from 0.4 to 15.0 µg l-1 with a sample throughput of 16 h-1. The increase of power detection related to TS-FF-AAS by coupling the preconcentration system was confirmed by the enhancement of sensitivity (ca. 5 times), when compared to the value for TS-FF-AAS alone, thus achieving a low detection limit (0.12 µg l-1). The accuracy of the method was confirmed from analyses of spiked water samples and by the use of a reference technique (ETAAS). Certified biological materials were also used for the same purpose.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present results suggest that the features in the REE distribution patterns include information on theREE species at the solid-water interface.
Abstract: REE (rare earth element) distribution coefficients (Kd) between the aqueous phase and montmorillonite surface were obtained to investigate the relation between the REE distribution patterns and the species of REE sorbed on the solid-water interface. It was shown that the features in the REE patterns, such as the slope of the REE patterns, the tetrad effect, and the Y/Ho ratio, were closely related to the REE species at the montmorillonite-water interface. In a binary system (REE-montmorillonite) below pH 5, three features (a larger Kd value for a lighter REE, the absence of the tetrad effect, and the Y/Ho ratio being unchanged from its initial value) suggest that hydrated REE are directly sorbed as an outer-sphere complex at the montmorillonite-water interface. Above pH 5.5, the features in the REE patterns, the larger Kd value for heavier REE, the M-type tetrad effect, and the reduced Y/Ho ratio, showed the formation of an inner-sphere complex of REE with -OH group at the montmorillonite surface. In addition, the REE patterns in the presence of humic acid at pH 5.9 were also studied, where the REE patterns became flat, suggesting that the humate complex is dominant as both dissolved and sorbed species of REE in the ternary system. All of these results were consistent with the spectroscopic data (laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy) showing the local structure of Eu(III) conducted in the same experimental system. The present results suggest that the features in the REE distribution patterns include information on the REE species at the solid-water interface.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A silicon microcantilever sensor was developed for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in aquaria as mentioned in this paper, and the detection limit of the sensor was 1 × 106 cfu/mL when the assay time was < 2 h.
Abstract: A silicon microcantilever sensor was developed for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The microcantilever was modified by anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies on the silicon surface of the cantilever. When the aquaria E. coli O157:H7 positive sample is injected into the fluid cell where the microcantilever is held, the microcantilever bends upon the recognition of the E. coli O157:H7 antigen by the antibodies on the surface of the microcantilever. A negative control sample that does not contain E. coli O157:H7 antigen did not cause any bending of the microcantilever. The detection limit of the sensor was 1 × 106 cfu/mL when the assay time was < 2 h.

Journal ArticleDOI
Hong-Wen Chen1
TL;DR: The SPME-HPLC-FLD technique provides a relatively simple, convenient, practical procedure, which was here successfully applied to determine five PAHs in water from authentic water samples.
Abstract: This study describes the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence detection (FLD). Because individual PAHs are generally present in water only at trace levels, a sensitive and accurate determination technique is essential. The separation and detection of five PAHs were run completely within 25 min by the HPLC/FLD system with an analytical C18 column, a fluorescence detection, and acetonitrile-water gradient elution. Calibration graphs were linear with very good correlation coefficients (r > 0.9998), and the detection limits were in the range of 2-6 ng/l for five PAHs. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) was performed for sample pretreatment prior to HPLC-FLD determination, and the governing parameters were investigated. Compared to conventional methods, SPME has high recovery, saves considerable time, and reduces solvents waste. The extraction efficiencies of five PAHs were above 88% and the extraction times were 35 min in one pretreatment procedure. One particular discovery is that 1.5 M sodium monochloroactate (ClCH2COONa) can improve the extraction yield of PAH compounds more than other inorganic salts. The SPME-HPLC-FLD technique provides a relatively simple, convenient, practical procedure, which was here successfully applied to determine five PAHs in water from authentic water samples.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The recent development of new migration methods of micro-particles in liquids using various external fields is review and the Lorentz force generated by combining an electric field and a magnetic field was utilized for electromagnetophoresis.
Abstract: The recent development of new migration methods of micro-particles in liquids using various external fields is reviewed. The combination of a laser scattering force and a photothermal effect produced photothermal-conversion laser-photophoresis. A dielectric field generated in a planer or a capillary quadrupole electrode realized dielectrophoresis. Using a micrometer-scaled magnetic field gradient, the "Magnetophoretic velocimetry" of micro-particles was invented. Furthermore, the Lorentz force generated by combining an electric field and a magnetic field was utilized for electromagnetophoresis. These new methods were overlooked and the advantages in analytical use were discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Techniques to determine the producing country of Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum L.) were developed by using 216 samples from Japan and from Anchu Shandgon, Shanghai and Amoy Fjian in China to determine whether Welsh onions originate in Japan or in China.
Abstract: Techniques to determine the producing country of Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum L.) were developed by using 216 samples from Japan and from Anchu Shandgon, Shanghai and Amoy Fjian in China. Twelve elements (Na, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, Al, Co, Ni, Rb, Mo, Cd, Cs, La, Ce, Tl and Pb) contained in Welsh onions were determined. In order to determining whether Welsh onions originate in Japan or in China, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) were performed, using concentrations of 20 elements excluding Al and Pb in 22 elements. In LDA for two-group discrimination modeled on Welsh onions from Japan and China, 103 samples used for modeling were classified 95% correctly, and 89 other samples were predicted 94% correctly. As the average of predictions by SIMCA modeled on samples selected by 10 times of random selections, 192 samples, including the 103 samples used for modeling, were predicted 96% correctly. In discriminations by combined LDA and SIMCA, all 81 samples produced in Japan were correctly judged to be Japanese ones, and only 8 samples out of 111 samples produced in China were not correctly judged to be Chinese ones.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new and simple method for the determination of hydroxylamine in environmental water, such as fresh rivers and lakes using hypochlorite, followed by its gas choromatographic detection, has been developed and applied to the analysis of fresh-water samples taken from Iu river and Hii river, flowing into brackish Lakes Nakaumi and Shinji, respectively.
Abstract: A new and simple method for the determination of hydroxylamine in environmental water, such as fresh rivers and lakes using hypochlorite, followed by its gas choromatographic detection, has been developed. A glass vial filled with sample water was sealed by a butyl-rubber stopper and aluminum cap without head-space, and then sodium hypochlorite solution was injected into the vial through a syringe to convert hydroxylamine to nitrous oxide. The head-space in the glass vial was prepared with 99.9% grade N2 using a gas-tight syringe. After the glass vial was shaken for a few minutes, nitrous oxide in the gas-phase was measured by a gas chromatograph with an electron-capture detector. The dissolved nitrous oxide in the liquid-phase was calculated according to the solubility formula. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of fresh-water samples taken from Iu river and Hii river, flowing into brackish Lakes Nakaumi and Shinji, respectively.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The nanoparticles were characterized and developed as a new type of fluorescence probe for a highly sensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) of human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and made the surface modification and bioconjugation of nanoparticles easier.
Abstract: New silica-based europium fluorescent nanoparticles having surface amino groups were prepared by a covalent binding-copolymerization technique. In the nanoparticles, the fluorescent Eu3+ chelate molecules were covalently bound to silicon atoms to protect the nanoparticles from dye leaking in bio-applications. The amino groups on the surface of nanoparticles made the surface modification and bioconjugation of nanoparticles easier. The nanoparticles were characterized and developed as a new type of fluorescence probe for a highly sensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) of human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

Journal ArticleDOI
Leyu Wang1, Lun Wang1, Tingting Xia1, Ling Dong1, Guirong Bian1, Hongqi Chen1 
TL;DR: The present assay has been applied to the selective quantification of Cr(VI) in wastewater with satisfactory results and is characterized by a short reaction time, stable fluorescence signals, simplicity and high selectivity.
Abstract: Under ultrasonic irradiation, organic fluorescence nanoparticles have been prepared by a reprecipitation method. Compared with single organic fluorophores, these nanoparticles are brighter, more stable against photobleaching and more water-soluble. They also have high room-temperature fluorescence quantum yields (∼20%) and a long fluorescence lifetime (∼0.2 µs). Based on the fluorescence quenching of nanoparticles by chromium(VI), a method for the selective determination of chromium(VI) without the separation of chromium(III) in water was developed. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of the calibration curve was 7.0 × 10-6 - 1.0 × 10-4 mol L-1. The detection limit was 2.8 × 10-6 mol L-1. The method is characterized by a short reaction time, stable fluorescence signals, simplicity and high selectivity. The present assay has been applied to the selective quantification of Cr(VI) in wastewater with satisfactory results.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The development during the last 15 years and the state-of-the-art in the analysis of bulk steroid hormone drugs and hormone-like structures and pharmaceutical formulations made thereof are summarized.
Abstract: The development during the last 15 years and the state-of-the-art in the analysis of bulk steroid hormone drugs and hormone-like structures and pharmaceutical formulations made thereof are summarized. Other steroids (sterols, bile acids, cardiac glycosides, vitamins D) as well as biological-clinical aspects and pharmacokinetic and metabolic studies are excluded from this review. The state-of-the-art is summarized based on comparisons of monographs in the latest editions of the European Pharmacopoeia, United States Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. This is followed by sections dealing with new developments in the methodology for the fields of spectroscopic and spectrophotometric, chromatographic, electrophoretic and hyphenated techniques as well electroanalytical methods. The review is terminated by two problem-oriented sections: examples on impurity and degradation profiling as well as enantiomeric analysis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that the reduction peak current is proportional to the concentration of tinidazole over the range from 5 x 10 (-8) to 4 x 10(-5) M, and that the detection limit is 1x 10(-8) M at 3 min open-circuit accumulation.
Abstract: An electrochemical method based on a single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was described for the determination of tinidazole. In a 0.1 M Britton-Robinson buffer with a pH of 10.0, tinidazole yields a very sensitive and well-defined reduction peak at -0.78 V (vs. SCE) on a SWNTs-modified GCE. Compared with that on a bare GCE, the reduction peak of tinidazole increases significantly on the modified GCE. Thus, all of the experimental parameters were optimized and a sensitive voltammetric method is proposed for tinidazole determination. It is found that the reduction peak current is proportional to the concentration of tinidazole over the range from 5 x 10(-8) to 4 x 10(-5) M, and that the detection limit is 1 x 10(-8) M at 3 min open-circuit accumulation. This new analysis method was demonstrated with tinidazole drugs.