Showing papers in "Fresenius Journal of Analytical Chemistry in 2001"
TL;DR: The SMT protocol was used in a study of a reservoir, which allowed to calculate the P stock, therefore helping to predict the restoration delay of the lake, and is useful tools in the field of water management.
Abstract: An analytical protocol for the determination of the extractable phosphorus contents in freshwater sediments has been harmonized through interlaboratory studies in the frame of the Standards Measurements and Testing Program of the European Commission. A homogeneous and stable sediment reference material has been prepared and certified on the basis of this protocol named SMT protocol, and will be available in spring of 2001. The SMT protocol, together with the reference material, are useful tools in the field of water management, especially at a time when quality assurance and data comparability are of paramount importance in laboratory analysis. The knowledge of the bioavailable forms of phosphorus is important not only for sediments but also for sludge and soils. Therefore, the SMT protocol could be extended to these materials and new CRMs could be prepared. The SMT protocol was used in a study of a reservoir, which allowed to calculate the P stock, therefore helping to predict the restoration delay of the lake. The paper describes the protocol and the CRM, and gives a brief outline of the case study.
417 citations
TL;DR: The aim of this review is to describe the state-of-the-art in the analysis of A- and B-trichothecene mycotoxins in cereals and to support knowledge and experience exchange between laboratories in the field of Fusarium mycotoxin analysis.
Abstract: The aim of this review is to describe the state-of-the-art in the analysis of A- and B-trichothecene mycotoxins in cereals and to support knowledge and experience exchange between laboratories in the field of Fusarium mycotoxin analysis. Current screening tests and quantitative methods for the most prevalent type-A and -B trichothecenes, HT-2 and T-2-toxin, and deoxynivalenol (DON) are reviewed. This includes the extraction and clean-up procedures and chromatographic methods (TLC, HPLC, GC) applied and the immunochemical methods, especially enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), employed for the determination of these mycotoxins. Results from recent intercomparison studies of the determination of DON are also discussed. Experience gained during these intercomparisons clearly shows the need for further improvement in the determination of trichothecenes, to obtain more accurate and comparable results. This also indicates there is a strong need for the development of further certified reference materials (CRM) which would enable comparison of measurement results between different European laboratories for several A- and B-trichothecenes. For both A- and B-trichothecenes there is still a lack of simple and reliable screening methods enabling the rapid detection of these mycotoxins at low cost.
307 citations
TL;DR: The DNA biosensor is able to detect known intercalating compounds, such as daunomycin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), aflatoxin B1, and aromatic amines, and applicability to river and waste water samples is demonstrated.
Abstract: Disposable electrochemical DNA-based biosensors are reviewed; they have been used for the determination of low-molecular weight compounds with affinity for nucleic acids and for the detection of the hybridisation reaction. The first application is related to the molecular interaction between surface-linked DNA and the target pollutants or drugs, in order to develop a simple device for rapid screening of toxic or similar compounds. The determination of such compounds was measured by their effect on the oxidation signal of the guanine peak of calf thymus DNA immobilised on the electrode surface and investigated by chronopotentiometric analysis. The DNA biosensor is able to detect known intercalating compounds, such as daunomycin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), aflatoxin B1, and aromatic amines. Applicability to river and waste water samples is also demonstrated. Disposable electrochemical sensors for the detection of a specific sequence of DNA were realised by immobilising synthetic single-stranded oligonucleotides onto a graphite screen-printed electrode. The probes became hybridised with different concentrations of complementary sequences present in the sample. The hybrids formed on the electrode surface were evaluated by chronopotentiometric analysis using daunomycin as indicator of the hybridisation reaction. The hybridisation was also performed using real samples. Application to apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is described, in this case samples have to be amplified by PCR and then analysed by DNA biosensor. The extension of such procedures to samples of environmental interest or to contamination of food is discussed.
229 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction is a powerful tool to selectively isolate certain analytes, and future advances are to be expected in order to widen the field of application.
Abstract: During the last few years molecularly imprinted polymers have appeared as new selective sorbents for solid-phase extraction of organic compounds in different samples. Molecular imprinting technology involves the preparation of a polymer with specific recognition sites for certain molecules. Once the polymer has been obtained, it can be used in solid-phase extraction protocols, where a careful selection of the most appropriate solvents to be used in the different steps (sample loading, washing and elution) is needed in order to extract the target analyte selectively. This review describes the state of the art of this methodology, including the preparation of imprinted polymers, a process description for molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction, as well as more recent applications. It is concluded that molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction is a powerful tool to selectively isolate certain analytes, and future advances are to be expected in order to widen the field of application.
195 citations
TL;DR: The analytical methods so far described for the analysis of these important environmental pollutants in waste water are reviewed and the key procedural steps, from sampling to analysis, and the techniques most commonly used in the determination are discussed.
Abstract: Steroid sex hormones and related synthetic compounds, e.g. those used in contraceptive pills, have been shown to be present in the aquatic environment, mainly as a result of inefficient removal in waste-water-treatment plants (WWTP). The concentrations of the compounds, although very low (low ng L–1), are sufficient to induce estrogenic responses and alter the normal reproduction and development of wildlife organisms. The compounds have been determined, by a variety of analytical procedures, in the influents and effluents of WWTP, within research programs conducted in different countries to evaluate the efficiency of the waste-water-treatment processes currently in use. Determination of natural and synthetic estrogens and progestogens in waste water is, however, a difficult analytical task, because the very low detection limits required and the complexity of the waste-water matrix necessitate the execution of a considerable number of steps. Thus, in general, complicated, time-consuming extraction and purification processes, usually based on the application of solid–liquid extraction, are performed before final determination by immunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography, or, most often, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. This paper reviews the analytical methods so far described for the analysis of these important environmental pollutants in waste water and discusses the key procedural steps, from sampling to analysis, and the techniques most commonly used in the determination.
176 citations
TL;DR: A selection of qualitative and quantitative results on pigment, metal, glass, and enamel analyses are presented to show the potential of ArtTAX in the field of art and archaeology.
Abstract: A newly developed spectrometer for energy-dispersive micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry has been designed for the demands of archaeometry. ArtTAX combines the advantages of non-destructive and sensitive multi-elemental analysis at sub-mm resolution with the possibility of working outside the laboratory. The spectrometer consists of an air-cooled, low-power molybdenum tube, new generation polycapillary X-ray optics, a silicon drift detector without the need for liquid-nitrogen cooling, a CCD camera, and three light diodes for sample positioning. The motor-driven measurement head is fixed on a x,y,z-flexible tripod support which can be assembled and dismantled within minutes. The spot size of the primary X-ray beam was determined to be 94 µm for the Cu(Kα) energy, the detection limits are in a range of a few tens of µg g–1 for the medium energy-range in glass. Additional open helium purging in the excitation and detection paths enables the determination of elements down to sodium, thus avoiding vacuum conditions or a size-limiting sample chamber. A selection of qualitative and quantitative results on pigment, metal, glass, and enamel analyses are presented to show the potential of ArtTAX in the field of art and archaeology.
155 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the number of collisions increases dramatically when the ion energies are reduced to near-thermal (< 0.1 eV), and considerations suggest that chemical reaction can be orders of magnitude more efficient at improving the analyte signal/background ratio than can collisional fragmentation.
Abstract: A low-level review of the fundamentals of ion-molecule interactions is presented. These interactions are used to predict the efficiencies of collisional fragmentation, energy damping and reaction for a variety of neutral gases as a function of pressure in a rf-driven collision/reaction cell. It is shown that the number of collisions increases dramatically when the ion energies are reduced to near-thermal (< 0.1 eV), because of the ion–induced dipole and ion–dipole interaction. These considerations suggest that chemical reaction can be orders of magnitude more efficient at improving the analyte signal/background ratio than can collisional fragmentation. Considerations that lead to an appropriate selection of type of gas, operating pressure, and ion energies for efficient operation of the cell for the alleviation of spectral interferences are discussed. High efficiency (large differences between reaction efficiencies of the analyte and interference ions, and concomitant suppression of secondary chemistry) might be required to optimize the chemical resolution (determination of an analyte in the presence of an isobaric interference) when using ion-molecule chemistry to suppress the interfering ion. In many instances atom transfer to the analyte, which shifts the analytical m/z by the mass of the atom transferred, provides high chemical resolution, even when the efficiency of reaction is relatively low. Examples are given of oxidation, hydroxylation, and chlorination of analyte ions (V+, Fe+, As+, Se+, Sr+, Y+, and Zr+) to improve the capability of determination of complex samples. Preliminary results are given showing O-atom abstraction by CO from CaO+ to enable the determination of Fe in high-Ca samples.
147 citations
TL;DR: A pragmatic approach to estimating the uncertainty of stability is presented, which relies on regression analysis of stability data with subsequent testing of the slope of the regression line for significance.
Abstract: The new version of ISO Guide 34 requires producers of certified reference materials (CRMs) to include contributions of possible instability to the overall CRM uncertainty, to obtain a value for the uncertainty in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of the Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM). A pragmatic approach to estimating the uncertainty of stability is presented. It relies on regression analysis of stability data with subsequent testing of the slope of the regression line for significance. If the slope is found to be statistically insignificant, a shelf life is chosen and the uncertainty connected with this time is estimated via the standard deviation of the slope. This uncertainty is included in the overall uncertainty of the CRM. This approach is explained with examples showing its applicability to matrix CRMs.
146 citations
TL;DR: A simple near-collinear dual-pulse fiber-optic LIBS probe is shown to be useful for enhanced LIBS measurements and non-gated detection of LIBS is shows to be very effective.
Abstract: Pre-ablation dual-pulse LIBS enhancement data for copper, brass and steel using ns laser excitation are reported. Although large enhancements are observed for all samples, the magnitude of the enhancement is matrix dependent. Whereas all of the dual-pulse studies used ns laser excitation we see interesting effects when using ps and fs laser excitation for single-pulse LIBS. LIBS spectra of copper using 1.3 ps and 140 fs laser pulses show much lower background signals compared to ns pulse excitation. Also, the atomic emission decays much more rapidly with time. Because of relatively low backgrounds when using ps and fs pulses, non-gated detection of LIBS is shown to be very effective. The plasma dissipates quickly enough using ps and fs laser pulses, that high pulse rates, up to 1000 Hz, are effective for increasing the LIBS signal, for a given measurement time. Finally, a simple near-collinear dual-pulse fiber-optic LIBS probe is shown to be useful for enhanced LIBS measurements.
143 citations
TL;DR: It was shown that signal suppression is most significant for analytes eluting early in the LC-MS analysis, and this signal suppression effect can be efficiently compensated by 2D LC (LC-LC) separation techniques.
Abstract: The application of LC separation and mobile phase additives in addressing LC-MS/MS matrix signal suppression effects for the analysis of pesticides in a complex environmental matrix was investigated. It was shown that signal suppression is most significant for analytes eluting early in the LC-MS analysis. Introduction of different buffers (e.g. ammonium formate, ammonium hydroxide, formic acid) into the LC mobile phase was effective in improving signal correlation between the matrix and standard samples. The signal improvement is dependent on buffer concentration as well as LC separation of the matrix components. The application of LC separation alone was not effective in addressing suppression effects when characterizing complex matrix samples. Overloading of the LC column by matrix components was found to significantly contribute to analyte-matrix co-elution and suppression of signal. This signal suppression effect can be efficiently compensated by 2D LC (LC-LC) separation techniques. The effectiveness of buffers and LC separation in improving signal correlation between standard and matrix samples is discussed.
105 citations
TL;DR: The main advantages of the needle extraction technique were the significantly higher extraction speed and the practical aspects of a stable steel needle compared to those of a fragile fiber.
Abstract: Extractions of liquid samples were carried out using wall coated needles prepared from stainless steel capillary columns instead of syringe needles. This micro extraction technique was applied to the analysis of pesticides in water. Important parameters influencing the extraction such as sample velocity, extraction time and also the desorption parameters were investigated and optimized. Automation of this technique was realized using a conventional automatic sampler. Limits of detection were improved using the multiple extraction / desorption technique. Chromatographic data and limits of detection were compared with those obtained by solid phase micro extraction (SPME). Using a needle with a 7 μm film yielded limits of detection varying from 0.001–0.1 μg/L and were in the same range as those resulting from the extraction using a 100 μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SPME fiber. The main advantages of the needle extraction technique were the significantly higher extraction speed and the practical aspects of a stable steel needle compared to those of a fragile fiber. The extraction speed using a needle with a ¶7 μm film was up to five times higher than the speed of SPME using a 100 μm PDMS fiber. The steel needle could be stressed mechanically in a higher extent than a SPME fiber. Sample volumes and aliquots of liquid media could be handled and moved from one bottle to another using the automatic sampler.
TL;DR: The integrated circuit (IC) biochip and the immunoassay is evaluated for assays performed both by conventional laboratory means followed by detection with the IC biochip, and through the use of the microfluidics system for on-chip detection.
Abstract: This work demonstrates the detection of E. coli using a 2-dimensional photosensor array biochip which is efficiently equipped with a microfluidics sample/reagent delivery system for on-chip monitoring of bioassays. The biochip features a 4 x 4 array of independently operating photodiodes that are integrated along with amplifiers, discriminators and logic circuitry on a single platform. The microfluidics system includes a single 0.4 mL reaction chamber which houses a sampling platform that selectively captures detection probes from a sample through the use of immobilized bioreceptors. The independently operating photodiodes allow simultaneous monitoring of multiple samples. In this study the sampling platform is a cellulosic membrane that is exposed to E. coli organisms and subsequently analyzed using a sandwich immunoassay involving a Cy5-labeled antibody probe. The combined effectiveness of the integrated circuit (IC) biochip and the immunoassay is evaluated for assays performed both by conventional laboratory means followed by detection with the IC biochip, and through the use of the microfluidics system for on-chip detection. Highlights of the studies show that the biochip has a linear dynamic range of three orders of magnitude observed for conventional assays, and can detect 20 E. coli organisms. Selective detection of E. coli in a complex medium, milk diluent, is also reported for both off-chip and on-chip assays.
TL;DR: This review summarizes the characterization of localized enzymatic activity by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) after introducing the concepts of feedback imaging and generator-collector experiments with enzyme-modified solid surfaces and a comparison of the merits and limitations of both approaches is given.
Abstract: This review summarizes the characterization of localized enzymatic activity by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). After introducing the concepts of feedback imaging and generator-collector experiments with enzyme-modified solid surfaces, a comparison of the merits and limitations of both approaches is given and further illustrated by selected applications. They include enzyme-modified patterned monolayers, enzyme-modified polymer microstructures and enzyme-modified metal microstructures. Such configurations are important for the development of miniaturized bioanalytical systems with proteins, such as miniaturized enzyme electrode arrays. SECM has emerged as an ideal tool for prototyping of such systems. It also offers several mechanisms for local surface modifications under conditions compatible with conservation of protein functionality of enzymes and antibodies. The subsequent imaging of the immobilized activity provides direct information about local immobilized enzyme activity. The range of biotechnological applications can be expanded by labeling other biomolecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, with appropriate enzymes. Miniaturized electrochemical enzyme immunoassays that apply the sandwich format and SECM as the detection method are reviewed. They have been performed on microstructured supports after reagent spotting or on agglomerates of surface-modified magnetic microbeads. Finally, current challenges are listed with indications of ongoing research to overcome current limitations by means of instrumental improvements.
TL;DR: The topic of estrogenic mycotoxins is introduced and the state-of-the-art in the analysis of these substances in cereals is discussed, with special emphasis on zearalenone (ZON) as its most relevant representative.
Abstract: The increasing public awareness of chemicals that mimic or otherwise interfere with the activity of natural hormones - so-called endocrine disrupters - has also led to greater study of mycotoxins with estrogenic potential. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the topic of estrogenic mycotoxins and to discuss the state-of-the-art in the analysis of these substances in cereals, with special emphasis on zearalenone (ZON) as its most relevant representative. Because the use of immunoaffinity columns (IAC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and immunoassays are currently the most frequently used methods for the determination of ZON and its metabolites, these techniques are discussed in more detail. Recent papers, which have revealed the great potential of HPLC-MS(MS) for the simultaneous detection and identification of several estrogenic mycotoxins, are discussed. The performances of the state-of-the-art methods are finally compared by study of the results obtained in recent international intercomparison studies. On the one hand, these studies revealed the good performance of both chromatographic and antibody-based methods. On the other hand, the need for better means of external quality assurance measures, especially the availability of certified reference materials and certified standards, has clearly been demonstrated.
TL;DR: In this article, a new, versatile architecture for microfluidic devices made entirely from glass, for use with reagents which would prove highly corrosive for silicon, is presented.
Abstract: A new, versatile architecture is presented for microfluidic devices made entirely from glass, for use with reagents which would prove highly corrosive for silicon. Chips consist of three layers of glass wafers bonded together by fusion bonding. On the inside wafer faces a network of microfluidic channels is created by photolithography and wet chemical etching. Low dead-volume fluidic connections between the layers are fabricated by spark-assisted etching (SAE), a computer numerical controlled (CNC)-like machining technique new to microfluidic system fabrication. This method is also used to form a vertical, long path-length, optical cuvette through the middle wafer for optical absorbance detection of low-concentration compounds. Advantages of this technique compared with other, more standard, methods are discussed. When the new glass-based device for flow-injection analysis of ammonia was compared with our first-generation chips based on silicon micromachining, concentration sensitivity was higher, because of the longer path-length of the optical cuvette. The dependence of dispersion on velocity profile and on channel cross-sectional geometry is discussed. The rapid implementation of the devices for an organic synthesis reaction, the Wittig reaction, is also briefly described.
TL;DR: The analytical procedure developed has been used for the first time in comparative studies of the distributions of MT-1, MT-2, and MT-3 in brain samples taken from patients with Alzheimer’s disease and from a control group.
Abstract: A new approach for the speciation of metallothioneins (MT) in human brain cytosols is described. The analysis is performed by application of a newly developed coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with inductively coupled plasma–sector field mass spectrometry (ICP–SFMS). Isoforms of metallothioneins are separated from 30–100 µL sample volumes by CE and the elements Cu, Zn, Cd, and S are detected by use of ICP–SFMS.
TL;DR: The extraction efficiencies for ribbon kelp using the ASE were fairly independent of pressure, static time and particle size after 3 ASE extraction cycles, and the speciation results indicated that both seaweed products contained 4 different arsenosugars, DMA (dimethylarsinic acid), and As(V).
Abstract: An accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) device was evaluated as a semi-automated means of extracting arsenicals from ribbon kelp. The effect of the experimentally controllable ASE parameters (pressure, temperature, static time, and solvent composition) on the extraction efficiencies of arsenicals from seaweed was investigated. The extraction efficiencies for ribbon kelp (approximately 72.6%) using the ASE were fairly independent ¶(< 7%) of pressure, static time and particle size after 3 ASE extraction cycles. The optimum extraction conditions for the ribbon kelp were obtained by using a 3 mL ASE cell, 30/70 (w/w) MeOH/H2O, 500 psi (1 psi = 7 KPa), ambient temperature, 1 min heat step, 1 min static step, 90% vol. flush, and a 120 s purge. Using these conditions, two other seaweed products produced extraction efficiencies of 25.6% and 50.5%. The inorganic species present in the extract represented 62.5% and 27.8% of the extracted arsenic. The speciation results indicated that both seaweed products contained 4 different arsenosugars, DMA (dimethylarsinic acid), and As(V). One seaweed product also contained As(III). Both of these seaweed products contained an arsenosugar whose molecular weight was determined to be 408 and its structure was tentatively identified using ion chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (IC-ESI-MS/MS).
TL;DR: This hyphenated HPLC–ESI–MS method with enhanced separation efficiency and improved selectivity, sensitivity, and speed has been established for determination of the flavonoids quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol and the stilbenes cis- and trans-resveratrol, in a single run.
Abstract: To investigate probable health benefits of flavonoids and stilbenes in red wine a new reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid-chromatographic (HPLC) method with enhanced separation efficiency and improved selectivity, sensitivity, and speed has been established for determination of the flavonoids quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol and the stilbenes cis- and trans-resveratrol, in a single run . UV-absorbance, fluorescence (FLD), and mass-spectrometric (MS) detection were also evaluated. UV-absorbance detection at 320 nm for stilbenes and 377 nm for flavonoids enables their determination up to the nanogram range with a linearity of R2>0.9999 (linear range 50 ng mL–1–50 µg mL–1). Calculated values of average recoveries were between 95 and 105% for all analytes. For resveratrol, fluorescence detection was highly selective and twice as sensitive as UV detection, and linearity was satisfactory (R2>0.9996; linear range see UV detection). For the detection of the hydrophilic glycosidic compounds piceid and rutin, which are coeluted with other hydrophilic ingredients, the validated RP HPLC system was coupled to a quadrupole ion-trap mass-spectrometer (MS) via an electrospray interface (ESI) with 25% ammonia solution as sheath liquid. MS detection was, highly linear (R2>0.9878; linear range 50 ng mL–1–50 µg mL–1) for all investigated analytes and the limits of detection were in the low nanogram range. Compared with UV detection MS detection resulted in a 200% increase in signal intensity for myricetin and 400% increases for quercetin and kaempferol, but equal signal intensity for resveratrol. Calculated values of average recoveries were 102% for myricetin and 79% for piceid. Collision induced dissociation (CID) was also used to obtain characteristic fragmentation fingerprints to facilitate qualitative and quantitative analysis even in complex matrices. Finally, this hyphenated HPLC–ESI–MS method was highly suitable and an essential improvement compared with UV- and fluorescence detection.
TL;DR: DLS has been used to monitor changes in aggregate sizes of aqueous humic materials as a function of solution properties, finding that increasing the temperature of humic solutions generally led to an increase in particle sizes, which was ascribed to an effect akin to surfactant clouding.
Abstract: Dynamic light scattering (DLS) has been used to monitor changes in aggregate sizes of aqueous humic materials as a function of solution properties. Humic and fulvic acids were dissolved at relatively low concentrations (15-30 mg L(-1)) in solutions of different temperature, cation and ethanol content, and pH. The results could be explained in terms of intramolecular contraction and intermolecular aggregation of humic polymers. The former were prevalent in soil humic acids, and less so in aquatic humic acids and fulvic acids. Increasing the temperature of humic solutions generally led to an increase in particle sizes, which was ascribed to an effect akin to surfactant clouding. The addition of cations led to either contraction or expansion, depending on the charge and concentration of the ion, and the nature of the humic material. Reducing the pH initially caused contraction, followed by growth and precipitation in more highly acidic media.
TL;DR: A simple and cost-effective procedure for the fabrication of microarrays containing biological samples using a modified bubble-jet printing system is presented, illustrated by the detection of human fragile histidine triad (FHIT), a tumor suppressor gene.
Abstract: The fabrication of microarrays containing PCR-amplified genomic DNA extracts from mice tumors on a Zetaprobe membrane using a modified thermal ink-jet printer is described. A simple and cost-effective procedure for the fabrication of microarrays containing biological samples using a modified bubble-jet printing system is presented. Because of their mass-produced design, ink-jet printers are a much cheaper alternative to conventional spotting techniques. The usefulness of the biochip microarray platform is illustrated by the detection of human fragile histidine triad (FHIT), a tumor suppressor gene. Subcutaneous carcinomas were induced with MKN/FHIT and MKN/E4 cell lines in immunodeficient mice. Several weeks into their development, the tumors from both groups of mice were removed and subjected to DNA extraction by lysis of tissue samples. The extracted DNA samples were amplified by PCR (30 cycles) using the primers corresponding to nucleotides 2 to 18 of the FHIT sequence. The resulting solution was transferred to the individual reservoirs of a three-color cartridge from a conventional thermal ink-jet printer (HP 694C), and arrays were printed on to a Zetaprobe membrane. After spotting, these membranes were used in a hybridization assay, using fluorescent probes, and detected with a biochip.
TL;DR: The ability to determine concentrations of a very large number of elements from a single analysis will permit source apportionment of various trace pollutants and hence strategies to control the sources of air pollution as the health effects of particulate matter are increasingly recognized.
Abstract: A microwave digestion method in a closed vessel was developed for the determination of trace metals in atmospheric aerosols using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A recovery study for the elements V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, and Pb was conducted using multi-elemental standard solutions, NIST 1633b Trace Elements in Coal Fly Ash, and NIST 1648 Urban Particulate Matter. A simple digestion method using only HNO3/H2O2 gave good recoveries (90%–108%) for all elements except Cr in SRM 1648, but yielded low recoveries for SRM 1633b. A more robust method using HNO3/H2O2/HF/H3BO3 yielded higher recoveries (82%–¶103%) for the lighter elements (V – Zn) in SRM 1633b, and improved the Cr recovery in SRM 1648, but decreased the Se recovery in both SRMs. A comparative analysis of aerosol samples obtained at a remote mountain location Nathiagali, Pakistan (2.5 km above mean sea level), and Mayville, New York, downwind from the highly industrialized Midwestern United States, was carried out using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for the elements Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Se, and Sb. The simple digestion method yielded excellent agreement for Cr, Fe, Zn, As, Se, and Sb, with slopes of the ICP-MS vs. INAA regressions of 0.90–1.00 and R2 values of 0.96–1.00. The regressions for Mn and Co had slopes of 0.82 and 0.84 with R2 values of 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. Addition of HF/H3BO3 did not improve the correlation for any of the elements and degraded the precision somewhat. The technique provides sensitivity and accuracy for trace elements in relatively small aerosol samples used in atmospheric chemistry studies related to SO2 oxidation in cloud droplets. The ability to determine concentrations of a very large number of elements from a single analysis will permit source apportionment of various trace pollutants and hence strategies to control the sources of air pollution. This is particularly important as the health effects of particulate matter are increasingly recognized.
TL;DR: Differential analysis of isolated direct descendants of single cells showed that this system could be used to compare genetically identical cells under contamination-free conditions and should help in the clarification of heterogeneous phenomena, for example unequal cell division and cell differentiation.
Abstract: A method is described for continuous observation of isolated single cells that enables genetically identical cells to be compared; it uses an on-chip microculture system and optical tweezers. Photolithography is used to construct microchambers with 5-microm-high walls made of thick photoresist (SU-8) on the surface of a glass slide. These microchambers are connected by a channel through which cells are transported, by means of optical tweezers, from a cultivation microchamber to an analysis microchamber, or from the analysis microchamber to a waste microchamber. The microchambers are covered with a semi-permeable membrane to separate them from nutrient medium circulating through a "cover chamber" above. Differential analysis of isolated direct descendants of single cells showed that this system could be used to compare genetically identical cells under contamination-free conditions. It should thus help in the clarification of heterogeneous phenomena, for example unequal cell division and cell differentiation.
TL;DR: resolution of the enantiomers of (±)-econazole, (±-miconazole), and (±)sulconazole has been achieved on different normal-phase chiral amylose columns, Chiralpak AD, AS, and AR.
Abstract: Resolution of the enantiomers of (±)-econazole, (±)-miconazole, and (±)-sulconazole has been achieved on different normal-phase chiral amylose columns, Chiralpak AD, AS, and AR. The mobile phase used was hexane–2-propanol–diethylamine, 400:99:1 (v/v). The flow rates of the mobile phase used were 0.50 and 1.00 mL min–1. The α values for the resolved enantiomers of econazole, miconazole, and sulconazole on the chiral phases were in the range 1.63 to 1.04; the Rs values varied from 5.68 to 0.32.
TL;DR: Imidacloprid, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, propham, and thiabendazole have been simultaneously determined in strawberries, oranges, potatoes, pears, and melons by matrix solid-phase dispersion followed by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–mass spectrometry (LC–APCI–MS) in positive-ion mode.
Abstract: Imidacloprid, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, propham, and thiabendazole have been simultaneously determined in strawberries, oranges, potatoes, pears, and melons by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) followed by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–mass spectrometry (LC–APCI–MS) in positive-ion mode. The samples were homogenized with C8 bonded silica as MSPD sorbent, placed in a glass column, and eluted with dichloromethane. Chromatographic separation of the compounds was achieved on a reversed-phase LC column using a methanol–ammonium formate (50 mmol L–1) gradient as a mobile phase. Samples were screened by monitoring the protonated molecular ion at m/z 256 for imidacloprid, 280 for metalaxyl, 289 for myclobutanil, and 202 for thiabendazole, and the main fragment at m/z 138 for propham. Positive samples were confirmed by multiple-ion monitoring. The repeatability ( 57%) of the method were good, and limits of detection (<0.05 mg kg–1) were adequate.
TL;DR: The application of a micro-column filled with high-surface-area ZrO2 and flow injection inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry enables preconcentration and simultaneous determination of 18 elements at low concentrations in different water samples.
Abstract: A flow-injection analysis (FIA) system incorporating a micro-column of ZrO2 has been used for the development of an on-line multi-element method for the simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Al, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Tl, V, Sb, Sn, and Zn by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The conditions for quantitative and reproducible preconcentration, elution, and subsequent on-line ICP-AES determination were established. A sample (pH 8) is pumped through the column at 3 mL min(-1) and sequentially eluted directly into the ICP-AES with 3 mol L(-1) HNO3. With a sample volume of 100 mL and an elution volume of 1 mL signal enhancement 100 times better than for conventional continuous aspirating systems was obtained for the elements studied. The reproducibility (RSD %) of the method at the 10 ng mL(-1) level in the eluate is acceptable - less than 8% for five replicates. Recoveries between 95.4% and 99.9% were obtained for the elements analysed. ZrO2, with a specific surface area of 57 m2 g(-1) and a capacity of approximately 5 mg g(-1) for the elements studied, was synthesized by hydrolysis of ZrCl4. The preconcentration system was evaluated for several simple synthetic matrices, standard water samples and synthetic seawater. The effect of foreign ions on the efficiency of preconcentration of the elements studied was investigated. The application of a micro-column filled with high-surface-area ZrO2 and flow injection inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry enables preconcentration and simultaneous determination of 18 elements at low concentrations (ng L(-1)) in different water samples.
TL;DR: Up to tenfold improvement in sensitivity was observed for heavy elements (m > 100 u), because of better ion transmission through the hexapole ion guide, and the signal-to-noise ratio 80Se/ 40Ar2+ was improved by more than five orders of magnitude under optimized experimental conditions.
Abstract: To avoid mass interferences on analyte ions caused by argon ions and argon molecular ions via reactions with collision gases, an rf hexapole filled with helium and hydrogen has been used in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and its performance has been studied. Up to tenfold improvement in sensitivity was observed for heavy elements (m > 100 u), because of better ion transmission through the hexapole ion guide. A reduction of argon ions Ar + and the molecular ions of argon ArX + (X = O. Ar) by up to three orders of magnitude was achieved in a hexapole collision cell of an ICP-MS (Platform ICP, Micromass, Manchester, UK) as a result of gas-phase reactions with hydrogen when the hexapole bias (HB) was set to 0 V; at an HB of 1.6 V argon, and argon-based ions of masses 40 u, 56 u, and 80 u, were reduced by approximately four, two, and five orders of magnitude, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio 80 Se/ 40 Ar 2 + was improved by more than five orders of magnitude under optimized experimental conditions. Dependence of mass discrimination on collision-cell properties was studied in the mass range 10 u (boron) to 238 u (uranium). Isotopic analysis of the elements affected by mass-spectrometric interference, Ca, Fe, and Se, was performed using a Meinhard nebulizer and an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN). The measured isotope ratios were comparable with tabulated values from IUPAC. Precision of 0.26%, 0.19%, and 0.12%, respectively, and accuracy of 0.13% 0.25%, and 0.92%, respectively, was achieved for isotope ratios 44 Ca/ 40 Ca and 56 Fe/ 57 Fe in 10 μg L -1 solution nebulized by means of a USN and for 78 Se/ 80 Se in 100 μg L -1 solution nebulized by means of a Meinhard nebulizer.
TL;DR: Highly selective and robust polymer coatings for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid media have been generated by use of an innovative method of molecular imprinting by imprinting with two different templates, the selectivity of the polyurethanes used was increased by creating diffusion pathways and molecular cavities.
Abstract: Highly selective and robust polymer coatings for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in liquid media have been generated by use of an innovative method of molecular imprinting. By imprinting with two different templates, the selectivity of the polyurethanes used was increased by creating diffusion pathways and molecular cavities. Analyte inclusion was detected both by fluorescence and by use of mass-sensitive transducers. It is possible to optimize layers in respect of the extraction of two different analytes or to achieve extremely high selectivity for a distinct analyte. In this way coatings can be tuned to the lean chrysene, e.g., and it is enriched by a factor of approximately fifty compared with the more quadratic pyrene with the same number of aromatic rings. Measurements of PAHs in water were also performed with a quartz crystal microbalance, which shows that humic acids are not incorporated by the layers and thus do not influence the fluorescence properties of the layers.
TL;DR: It is shown that the observed matrix effect can only be compensated by use of an internal standard for the Meinhard nebulizer, but not for the MCN 6000, and results for ICP–MS are compared with those obtained by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF).
Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP–MS) procedure has been developed for the determination of trace elements in wine. The procedure consists in simple 1+1 dilution of the wine and semi-quantitative analysis (without external calibration) using In as internal standard. Thirty-one elements at concentrations ranging from 0.1 mg mL–1 to 0.5 ng mL–1 can be determined by ICP–MS analysis with and without digestion. It was investigated whether a matrix effect observed for EtOH in the wine matrix can be overcome by application of a micro-concentric nebulizer with a membrane desolvator (MCN 6000). The results obtained for the MCN 6000 are compared with those obtained by use of a conventional Meinhard nebulizer. It is shown that the observed matrix effect can only be compensated by use of an internal standard for the Meinhard nebulizer, but not for the MCN 6000. Results for ICP–MS are compared with those obtained by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF).
TL;DR: In this paper, a rapid and sensitive analytical procedure was developed for uranium isotopic ratio measurement in environmental samples based on double-focusing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DF-ICP-MS) with a MicroMist nebulizer and a direct injection high-efficiency nebulizers (DIHEN).
Abstract: As a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) the environment was contaminated with spent nuclear fuel. The 236U isotope was used in this study to monitor the spent uranium from nuclear fallout in soil samples collected in the vicinity of the Chernobyl NPP. Nuclear track radiography was applied for the identification and extraction of hot radioactive particles from soil samples. A rapid and sensitive analytical procedure was developed for uranium isotopic ratio measurement in environmental samples based on double-focusing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DF–ICP–MS) with a MicroMist nebulizer and a direct injection high-efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN). The performance of the DF–ICP–MS with a quartz DIHEN and plasma shielded torch was studied. Overall detection efficiencies of 4×10–4 and 10–3 counts per atom were achieved for 238U in DF–ICP–QMS with the MicroMist nebulizer and DIHEN, respectively. The rate of formation of uranium hydride ions UH+/U+ was 1.2×10–4 and 1.4×10–4, respectively. The precision of short-term measurements of uranium isotopic ratios (n = 5) in 1 μg L–1 NBS U-020 standard solution was 0.11% (238U/235U) and 1.4% (236U/238U) using a MicroMist nebulizer and 0.25% (235U/238U) and 1.9% (236U/238U) using a DIHEN. The isotopic composition of all investigated Chernobyl soil samples differed from those of natural uranium; i.e. in these samples the 236U/238U ratio ranged from 10–5 to 10–3. Results obtained with ICP–MS, α- and γ-spectrometry showed differences in the migration properties of spent uranium, plutonium, and americium. The isotopic ratio of uranium was also measured in hot particles extracted from soil samples.
TL;DR: An optical sensor system based on evanescent field excitation of fluorophore-labeled DNA-targets specifically binding to immobilized DNA probes has been developed, thus enabling for real-time analysis of hybridization events, opening a route toward a real- time DNA array format with analysis times as short as 1–2 min.
Abstract: An optical sensor system based on evanescent field excitation of fluorophore-labeled DNA-targets specifically binding to immobilized DNA probes has been developed, thus enabling for real-time analysis of hybridization events. Oligonucleotide probes are directly immobilized on the surface of the disposable sensor chip via biotin/neutravidin linkage and hybridize to complementary Cy5-labeled target DNA in the sample; this is recorded as an increase in the fluorescence signal. Under optimized conditions the hybridization rate was constant and directly proportional to the target concentration. When an 18mer oligonucleotide was used as a probe a linear calibration curve was obtained for a 56mer single-stranded DNA target derived from the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, a selection marker in a variety of genetically modified plants, with an estimated lower limit of detection of 0.21 nmol L(-1). No cross-hybridization to a 51mer actin DNA target was observed and even a single-nucleotide mismatch led to a negligible signal. A shutter in the readout device enabled separate detection of targets hybridizing to probes immobilized at the inlet and outlet sides, respectively, of the flow channel. This opens a route toward a real-time DNA array format with analysis times as short as 1-2 min. As a realistic sample a Cy5-labeled 56 bp PCR product was measured after separation of the double-stranded DNA by simple heat denaturation with a detection limit clearly lower than that of traditional gel electrophoresis.