Detection of Adulterated Vegetable Oils Containing Waste Cooking Oils Based on the Contents and Ratios of Cholesterol, ß-Sitosterol, and Campesterol by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

A simple and accurate authentication method for the detection of adulterated vegetable oils that contain waste cooking oil (WCO) was developed. This method is based on the determination of cholesterol, ß-sitosterol, and campesterol in vegetable oils and WCO by GC/MS without any derivatization. A total of 148 samples involving 12 types of vegetable oil and WCO were analyzed. According to the results, the contents and ratios of cholesterol, ß-sitosterol, and campesterol were found to be criteria for detecting vegetable oils adulterated with WCO. This method could accurately detect adulterated vegetable oils containing 5% refined WCO. The developed method has been successfully applied to multilaboratory analysis of 81 oil samples. Seventy-five samples were analyzed correctly, and only six adulterated samples could not be detected. This method could not yet be used for detection of vegetable oils adulterated with WCO that are used for frying non-animal foods. It provides a quick method for detecting adulterated edible vegetable oils containing WCO.

A Compact and Power-Efficient Noise Generator for Stochastic Simulations.

This paper describes an adaptive noise generator circuit suitable for on-chip simulations of stochastic chemical kinetics. The circuit uses amplified BJT white noise and adaptive low-pass filtering to emulate the power spectrum and autocorrelation of random telegraph signals (RTS) with Poisson-distributed level transitions. A current-mode implementation in the AMS 0.35 µm BiCMOS process shows excellent agreement with theoretical results from the Gillespie stochastic simulation algorithm over a 60 dB range in mean current levels (modeling molecule count numbers). The circuit has an estimated layout area of 0.032 mm2 and typically consumes 400 µA, which are 73% and 50% less, respectively, than prior implementations. Moreover, it does not require any off-chip capacitors. Experimental results from a discrete board-level implementation of the circuit are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Coupling characteristics and environmental significance of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon in the sediments of Erhai Lake.

The contents and forms of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and organic carbon (C) were determined with 40 cm (approximately 1600 s) core sediments from Erhai Lake on the Yungui Plateau of China as the sample. The vertical distribution characteristics, coupling relationships and ecological indicator significance of C-N-P were studied and identified. The results showed that the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents were in the ranges of 1436-8255 mg·kg-1, 1287-5462 mg·kg-1, and 870.26-1507.74 mg·kg-1, respectively. In the Erhai Lake sediments, the main forms of TOC, organic nitrogen (ON) and organic phosphorus (OP) were humus, TN, and TP, respectively. The deposition of C, N, and P in the Erhai Lake sediments was divided into four periods. In the initial development period (from 40 to 23 cm), C, N and P were deposited and released synchronously; the main form of N was nontransferable total nitrogen (NTN), and that of P was inorganic phosphorus (IP). In the ecological recovery period (from 22 to 14 cm), C and N were deposited synchronously, and their deposition amounts were more than that of P. C, N and P were released synchronously. The main form of N was transferable total nitrogen (TTN), and that of P was IP. In the rapid economic growth period (from 13 to 0 cm), C, N, and P were deposited and released synchronously; the main form of N was NTN, and that of P was OP. In comparison to the other periods, this period was a period of higher active soil organic carbon (ASOC). In the integrated management period (surface sediment), C and N were deposited and released synchronously, and their deposition amounts were greater than that of P. The main form of N was NTN, that of P was OP, and the ASOC content was high. When exogenous inputs were the main sources of C, N, and P, the deposition forms of P and N were mainly OP and NTN, respectively, and those of IP and TTN were calcium-bound P (Ca-P) and ion-exchange form N (IEF-N), respectively. When endogenous inputs were the main sources of C, N and P, the deposition forms of P and N were mainly IP and TTN, respectively, and those of IP and TTN were Fe/Al-P and weak acid extractable form (WAEF-N), respectively. The content ratio of Ca-P and Fe/Al-P, as well as that of IEF-N and WAEF-N, could reflect the changes in the contribution of endogenous and exogenous sources to the Erhai Lake sediments.

Determination of four benzodiazepine residues in pork using multiwalled carbon nanotube solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A solid-phase extraction (SPE)/GC-MS method using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was developed for the determination of four benzodiazepine residues including diazepam, estazolam, alprazolam and triazolam in pork. The analytes were extracted by ultrasonic assistant extraction using acetonitrile, concentrated and purified by MWCNTs packed cartridge, and determined by GC-MS. Ultrasonic extraction conditions, which included temperature, time, power, and solvent volume, were optimized. Comparative studies showed that MWCNTs were superior to C18 for the adsorption of drugs. Parameters influencing SPE efficiency, such as sample amounts, variety and volume of the eluent, were also optimized. Electron ionization (EI) operating in time program-selected ion monitoring mode (SIM) was used for GC-MS identification. The analytes were quantified with external standard calibration curve method. Lower limit of detection and quantification was obtained by the new method. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range from 10 ng/mL to 500 ng/mL for diazepam and from 20 ng/mL to 1000 ng/mL for estazolam, alprazolam and triazolam with calibration coefficients of 0.99 and above. The average recoveries for the four benzodiazepines spiked in pork were 75% to 104% and their relative standard deviations were between 1.3% and 10%. The limits of detection were 2 microg/kg for diazepam and 5 microg/kg for estazolam, alprazolam and triazolam in pork, respectively.

Simultaneous determination of three residual barbiturates in pork using accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A new method was developed for the rapid extraction and unequivocal determination of barbital, amobarbital and phenobarbital residues in pork. The isolation of the analytes from pork samples was accomplished by utilizing an accelerated solvent extractor ASE 300. The procedure was automatically carried out in series for fat removing and extraction, respectively with n-hexane and acetonitrile pressurized constantly at 10.3 MPa for 30 min. After evaporation, the extracts were cleaned up on a C(18) solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and the barbiturates were eluted with hexane-ethyl acetate (7:3), evaporated on a rotary evaporator and derivatized with CH(3)I. The methylated barbiturates were separated on a HP-5MS capillary column and detected with a mass detector. Electron impact ion source (EI) operating in time program-selected ion monitoring mode (SIM) was used for identification and external standard method was used for quantification. Good linearity was obtained in the range from 0.5 microg/kg to 25 microg/kg. Average recoveries of the three barbiturates spiked in pork ranged from 84.0% to 103.0%, with relative standard deviations from 1.6% to 12%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.5 microg/kg for the three barbiturates (S/N>or=3). The quantification limit (LOQ) was 1 microg/kg for the three barbiturates (S/N>or=10).

[Analysis of sulfonamide residues in pork and chicken by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with solid-phase extraction using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as adsorbent].

A multi-residue analytical method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as sorbent was developed. The determination of the sulfonamides (SAs) in pork and chicken was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). The clean-up conditions were optimized. The analytes were extracted by acetonitril and cleaned-up by MWCNTs SPE cartridge. The extract was redissolved with the Na2HPO4 buffer (pH 5.5-6.0) for loading, and was washed with acetone-hexane (5:95, v/v), then eluted with acetone-dichloromethane (1:1, v/v) from the column. The mobile phase used in the chromatographic separation consisted of a binary mixture of acetonitrile and 50 mmol/L NaH2PO4 with the volume ratio of 7:3. A wide linear range was 0.01-1.00 mg/L with the correlation coefficients above 0.998. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) were 0.003 mg/L, and the limits of quantification (S/N = 10) were 0.01 mg/L. The average recoveries were over 70% for the nine SAs in the spiked range of 0.02-0.2 mg/kg, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 8%. This study indicated that the MWCNTs SPE cartridge is efficient for the clean-up of the SAs in animal tissues or products, and the method is simple, accurate and suitable for the quantification of the SAs residues.

Determination of sulfonamides in pork, egg, and chicken using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a solid-phase extraction sorbent followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Twelve sulfonamide residues, namely, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadoxine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfadimethoxine, sulfanilamide, sulfathiazole, sulfapyridine, and sulfamethizole were determined in pork tissue, chicken, and eggs by ultra-performance LC/MS/MS after SPE cleanup using multiwalled carbon nanotubes, which permitted extracted samples from animal tissue and eggs to be cleaned up under either normal phase (NP) or reversed phase (RP) conditions or both. In this method, the NP cleanup provided recoveries for nine of the 12 sulfonamides ranging from 71 to 90% and <60% for the remaining three with RSDs lower than 10%. For the RP cleanup method, the recoveries for nine of the 12 sulfonamides ranged from 70 to 94% and <60% for the remaining three with RSDs <11.1%. The two cleanup methods can complement each other to complete the simultaneous analysis of the 12 sulfonamides.

[Rapid determination of 40 pesticide residues in fruits using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with analyte protectants to compensate for matrix effects].

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed for the determination of 40 pesticides in fruits. The effects of adding analyte protectants were evaluated for compensating matrix effects and the impacts on the quantitative results. A new combination of analyte protectants - Polyethylene Glycol 400 (PEG 400) and olive oil combination, which can be dissolved in acetone, was used for the quantitative analysis. The pesticides were extracted from fruit samples with acetonitrile and the extracts were cleaned up using micro-solid phase extraction. A GC-MS method in selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode coupled with large volume injection was finally developed. Using the newly developed analyte protectant combination of PEG 400 and olive oil, a good linearity was obtained in the range of 1 - 200 microg/L with coefficients better than 0.99, and the detection limits were between 0.1 - 3.0 microg/L. The mean recoveries of the pesticides were 75% - 119% with the relative standard deviation values less than 16.6% except for dimethoate. The performance of the analyte protectants was compared with matrix-matched standards calibration curves in terms of quantitative accuracy. The results showed that the method of adding analyte protectants can replace the matrix-matched standard calibration, and can also reduce the sample pretreatment. When the devel- oped method was used for the analysis of apple, peache, orange, banana, grape and other fruit samples, a good matrix compensation effect was achieved, and thus effectively reduced the bad effects of the water-soluble agents to the gas chromatographic column.

[Analysis of organochlorine pesticides and pyrethroid pesticides in vegetables by gas chromatography-electron capture detection coupled with solid-phase extraction using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as adsorbent].

A multi-residue analytical method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as adsorbent was developed. The determination of 6 organochlorine pesticides and 7 pyrethroid pesticides in vegetables (including cucumber, cherry tomato, cabbage, lettuce, purple cabbage, leek, shallot and onion) was carried out by gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD). The GC-ECD method used two columns (HP-50 and HP-1) and two ECD detectors. The HP-50 column was used for the analysis and the HP-1 column for validation. The clean-up conditions were optimized. The analytes were extracted by acetonitrile, and the extract was cleaned up by the MWCNTs SPE cartridge. The extract was re-dissolved by hexane, eluted with acetone-hexane (7:3, v/v) from the columns. The recoveries were over 70% for the 11 pesticides in the 13 pesticides. The results indicated that the MWCNTs SPE cartridge was efficient for 8 vegetable samples, because it reduced the contamination of the coloring materials to GC-ECD. The experimental results showed the MWCNTs SPE cartridge can adsorb the coloring materials and the eluant was nearly colorless.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the determination of three barbiturates in pork by ion trap gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) following microwave assisted derivatization.

A new method was developed for the rapid screening and confirmation analysis of barbital, amobarbital and phenobarbital residues in pork by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) with ion trap MSD. The residual barbiturates in pork were extracted by ultrasonic extraction, cleaned up on a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) packed solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and applied acetone-ethyl acetate (3:7, v/v) mixture as eluting solvent and derivatized with CH3I under microwave irradiation. The methylated barbiturates were separated on a TR-5MS capillary column and detected with an ion trap mass detector. Electron impact ion source (EI) operating MS/MS mode was adopted for identification and external standard method was employed for quantification. One precursor ion m/z 169 was selected for analysis of barbital and amobarbital and m/z 232 was selected for phenobarbital. The product ions were obtained under 1.0 V excitation voltage. Good linearities (linear coefficient R > 0.99) were obtained at the range of 0.5-50 microg kg(-1). Limit of detection (LOD) of barbital was 0.2 microg kg(-1) and that of amobarbital and phenobarbital were both 0.1 microg kg(-1) (S/N > or = 3). Limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.5 microg kg(-1) for three barbiturates (S/N > or = 10). Satisfying recoveries ranging from 75% to 96% of the three barbiturates spiked in pork were obtained, with relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) in the range of 2.1-7.8%.