Quantification of trace fenuron in waste water samples by matrix matching calibration strategy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after simultaneous derivatization and preconcentration.

This study presents a highly sensitive and accurate analytical strategy for the determination of fenuron in wastewater samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Simultaneous derivatization and spray-based fine droplet formation-liquid phase microextraction (SFDF-LPME) method was developed and performed to achieve low detection limits. The parameters of the derivatization and SFDF-LPME method were optimized by univariate approach to improve sensitivity and selectivity. Under the optimum SFDF-LPME-GC-MS conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 0.15 and 0.49 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, the linear range was calculated as 0.51-24.50 mg/kg. Recovery studies were carried out on wastewater samples to determine the accuracy of the developed method and its applicability to real sample matrix. Matrix matching calibration strategy was applied to eliminate/reduce any possible interference effects caused by the complexity of the wastewater matrix and to increase the accuracy of the analytical results. Percent recovery results varied between 85.9 and 120.9% with small percent relative standard deviation values. These results were satisfactory in terms of the accuracy and applicability of the proposed method for wastewater samples.

Combination of quadrupole isotope dilution mass spectrometry with simultaneous derivatization and spray assisted droplet formation-liquid phase microextraction for the determination of methamphetamine in human urine and serum samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

In this study, an analytical method with high accuracy and precision was developed for the determination of methamphetamine in human urine and serum samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A simultaneous derivatization and spray assisted droplet formation-liquid phase microextraction (SADF-LPME) method was proposed to derivatize and preconcentrate target analyte. Quadruple isotope dilution (ID4) was used to provide high accuracy and precision for methamphetamine determination in the samples. After the optimization studies for the derivatization and microextraction parameters, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for the developed SADF-LPME method were found to be 48.0 and 159.9 µg/kg, respectively. Recovery studies were implemented to verify the applicability and accuracy of the developed method for human urine and serum samples. The SADF-LPME method gave low percent recovery results (30.5-61.0%) for the spiked urine and serum samples showing that it failed to minimize or eliminate matrix effects for the analyte. Hence, methamphetamine acetamide-d3 was synthesized and purified in our research laboratory to be used as methamphetamine isotopic analogue in the ID4 method. When the SADF-LPME method was combined with ID4, the percent recovery values for urine and serum samples were calculated as 99.7-100.0% and 99.4-100.2%, respectively. These results demonstrated the applicability and accuracy of the proposed method for urine and serum samples.

Combination of smartphone digital image colorimetry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry as detection systems with solidified floating organic drop microextraction as preconcentration method for the quantification of methyl red in wastewater samples.

In this study, a portable smartphone-based digital image colorimetric system (SDIC) was designed and integrated with a solidified floating organic drop microextraction method (SFODME) for the quantification of methyl red in textile wastewater samples. The RGB (red, green, and blue) data were evaluated for each captured image, and the green channel was selected for quantification due to its linear response for the analyte. Under optimal conditions, an acceptable linear range was recorded for the analyte. The proposed method recorded a limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.046 mg/L. The developed microextraction method was also combined with UV-Vis spectrophotometry, which recorded an LOD value of 0.012 mg/L. Real sample analysis was carried out with textile wastewater samples to check the applicability/accuracy of the developed method, using a matrix matching calibration strategy to enhance quantification accuracy. Satisfactory percent recoveries in the range of 93.3%-114.3% and 92%-92.7% were recorded for the SFODME-SDIC and SFODME-UV methods, respectively.

Determination of cobalt in chamomile tea samples at trace levels by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry after poly(vinyl alcohol)-magnetic hydrogel based dispersive solid phase extraction.

In this study, an analytical strategy was proposed for the determination of cobalt at trace levels by using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) system after magnetic hydrogel based dispersive solid phase extraction (MH-DSPE). Poly(vinyl alcohol) based magnetic hydrogels (PVA-MH) were synthesized easily, quickly, and cost effectively in the laboratory and used as an adsorbent material in the microextraction process. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) values were recorded as 4.2 and 14.1 µg L-1, respectively. To investigate the matrix effects on the analyte signal, spike experiments were performed using chamomile tea extracts and good recovery results were obtained between 85.7 and 113.8%. A 57.8-fold improvement was achieved in the detection power compared to that of a conventional FAAS system. The results obtained throughout all experimental studies demonstrated the applicability in addition to the accuracy of the method for the quantification of trace levels of cobalt with high accuracy in a chamomile tea matrix.

Accurate and simple determination of oxcarbazepine in human plasma and urine samples using switchable-hydrophilicity solvent in GC-MS.

This work presents a sensitive and rapid analytical method for the determination of oxcarbazepine in human plasma and urine samples. A vortex-assisted switchable hydrophilicity solvent-based liquid phase microextraction (VA-SHS-LPME) was used to preconcentrate oxcarbazepine from the samples before the determination by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The switchable hydrophilicity solvent was synthesized by protonating N,N-dimethylbenzylamine with carbon dioxide to make it totally miscible with an equivalent volume of water. Parameters of the VA-SHS-LPME method including volume of switchable hydrophilicity solvent, concentration/volume of sodium hydroxide and vortex period were systematically optimized. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity ranging from 27.03 to 353.47 µg/kg was obtained for the analyte. Limit of detection and quantitation values were found to be 6.2 and 21 µg/kg (mass base), respectively. The relative standard deviation was calculated as 6.9% for six replicate measurements of the lowest concentration of the calibration plot. Satisfactory recovery results were calculated in the range of 97-100% for human plasma and urine samples spiked at five different concentrations.

Experimental design of switchable solvent-based liquid phase microextraction for the accurate determination of etrimfos from water and food samples at trace levels by GC-MS.

Presented in this study is a simple but efficient switchable polarity solvent microextraction strategy for etrimfos preconcentration from water and food samples for quantification by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Repeatability of the extraction process and instrumental measurements were enhanced by using deuterated bisphenol A as internal standard. Significant parameters of the extraction method were fitted into an experimental design model to study the effects of parameters on extraction output, as well as mutual effects of combined parameters. The design model was formed with 51 experimented data obtained from the combination of sodium hydroxide volume, switchable solvent volume, and vortex period at three levels. The method was validated by applying optimum conditions attained from the model predictor. The detection limit was found to be 1.3 ng/mL and it corresponded to an enhancement factor of about 54 folds when compared to direct GC-MS measurement. Etrimfos was not detected in the water and food samples tested but the results (92-107%) obtained from spiked recovery experiments established that etrimfos when present in the selected matrices can be accurately and precisely quantified.

Determination of lead in milk samples using vortex assisted deep eutectic solvent based liquid phase microextraction-slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry system.

Determination of lead at trace levels was achieved by slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (SQT-FAAS) after the preconcentration with deep eutectic solvent-based liquid phase microextraction (DES-LPME). A green solvent was used to extract lead from the aqueous solution. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency and determination were optimized in the aim to lower the detection limit. Under the optimum experimental and instrumental conditions, the proposed method exhibited a linear range between 50 and 1000 µg L-1, and the limits of detection and quantitation (LOD and LOQ) were found to be 8.7 and 29.0 µg L-1, respectively. The detection power was improved by 48 times using DES-LPME-SQT-FAAS method with respect to conventional FAAS system. Recovery studies were carried out in raw milk samples to check the accuracy and the applicability of the developed method and the percent recoveries obtained were between 102.5 and 103.2% for the spiked raw milk samples.

Vortex-assisted switchable liquid-liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of cadmium in environmental samples prior to its determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

In this study, a switchable solvent was used to preconcentrate trace amounts of Cd from aqueous solution for its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Protonation of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine by dry ice (solid CO2) made it water soluble, and addition of sodium hydroxide converted it back to its original nonionic state for phase separation and subsequent extraction of Cd. A slotted quartz tube (SQT) was attached to the flame burner head to increase the residence time of Cd atoms in the light path. Under the optimum conditions, limits of detection and quantification were determined as 0.7 and 2.6 µg L-1, respectively. Low relative standard deviations calculated from seven replicate measurements of the lowest concentration indicated high precision. Accuracy of the developed method was checked by using a standard reference material (SRM 1633c). Spiked recovery tests were also performed on lake water and wastewater samples at different concentrations to check the applicability of the developed method, and the results obtained (90-103%) established high recovery.

Development and Validation of a Sensitive Method for Trace Nickel Determination by Slotted Quartz Tube Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry After Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction.

In this study, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was systematically optimized for the preconcentration of nickel after forming a complex with diphenylcarbazone. The measurement output of the flame atomic absorption spectrometer was further enhanced by fitting a custom-cut slotted quartz tube to the flame burner head. The extraction method increased the amount of nickel reaching the flame and the slotted quartz tube increased the residence time of nickel atoms in the flame to record higher absorbance. Two methods combined to give about 90 fold enhancement in sensitivity over the conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimized method was applicable over a wide linear concentration range, and it gave a detection limit of 2.1 µg L-1. Low relative standard deviations at the lowest concentration in the linear calibration plot indicated high precision for both extraction process and instrumental measurements. A coal fly ash standard reference material (SRM 1633c) was used to determine the accuracy of the method, and experimented results were compatible with the certified value. Spiked recovery tests were also used to validate the applicability of the method.

Development of an Accurate and Sensitive Analytical Method for the Determination of Cadmium at Trace Levels Using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Based on the Solidification of Floating Organic Drops Combined with Slotted Quartz Tube Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique based on a solidification-of-floating-organic-drop (SFOD) procedure was developed for the determination of trace amounts of cadmium (Cd) by using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) fitted with a slotted quartz tube (SQT). The extraction of Cd was achieved by forming a complex with diphenylcarbazone. Parameters affecting the formation of complex and extraction outputs were carefully optimized to obtain high-absorbance signals to achieve lower LODs. An SQT was fitted on top of the flame burner head to further enhance the absorbance of the signals recorded by the FAAS. Coupling the DLLME-SFOD procedure with SQT-FAAS produced an enhancement factor of about 183. The LOD of the method was 0.23 µg/L with an RSD of 3.8%. Matrix-matching was used to overcome any low recovery results obtained with tap water and municipal wastewater.

A novel liquid-liquid extraction for the determination of naphthalene by GC-MS with deuterated anthracene as internal standard.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are known for their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on human health. This therefore calls for the regulation of their concentrations in air, water, and soil. Naphthalene as the simplest in structure of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is mainly used as a starter material for other chemicals but also has impacts on human health. A method is therefore proposed for the determination of naphthalene in water samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry after liquid-liquid extraction. The extraction method was optimized to improve the extraction output, thereby lowering the limit of detection. The limits of detection and quantification obtained for naphthalene were 4.4 and 14.6 ng mL-1, respectively. Deuterated anthracene was used as internal standard to enhance the precision of the method, for which a relative standard deviation of 4.3% was obtained. The percent recovery of naphthalene obtained from tap water was ranged between 93.8 and 102.2.

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and caffeine in commercial soft drinks using reversed-phase ultraperformance liquid chromatography.

A new reversed-phase ultraperformance liquid chromatography method with a photodiode array detector was developed for the quantification of ascorbic acid (AA) and caffeine (CAF) in 11 different commercial drinks consisting of one energy drink and 10 ice tea drinks. Separation of the analyzed AA and CAF with an internal standard, caffeic acid, was performed on a Waters BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm i.d.), using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.2M H3PO4 (11:89, v/v) with a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min and an injection volume of 1.0 µL. Calibration graphs for AA and CAF were computed from the peak area ratio of AA/internal standard and CAF/internal standard detected at 244.0 nm and 273.6 nm, respectively. The developed reversed-phase ultraperformance liquid chromatography method was validated by analyzing standard addition samples. The proposed reversed-phase ultraperformance liquid chromatography method gave us successful results for the quantitative analysis of commercial drinks containing AA and CAF substances.

Simultaneous determination of selected hormones, endocrine disruptor compounds, and pesticides in water medium at trace levels by GC-MS after dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.

The need to enhance food safety has led to major advancements in pesticide productions, and though many benefits have been gained, environmental contamination has also risen from these chemicals that tend to persist in the environment. Some pesticides, together with other chemicals commonly called endocrine disruptor compounds, block the receptor sites of hormones or mimic displaced hormones, leading to imbalanced hormonal levels that result in health disorders and diseases. These chemicals occur at trace levels and are not directly detected by conventional analytical methods. A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method was therefore developed for preconcentration of 12 analytes including hormones, endocrine disruptor compounds, and pesticides, to be analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. This was achieved by optimizing parameters such as extractor solvent type and amount, dispersive solvent type and amount, pH, and salt effect that affect extraction output. The limits of detection and quantification of the developed method were between 0.09 and 3.36 and 0.31 and 11.19 ng mL-1, respectively. The calibration plots of the analytes also showed good linearity and low percent relative standard deviations. Recovery studies were performed for tap water and wastewater samples, and the percent recoveries recorded were between 84 and 109%.

A New UPLC Approach for the Simultaneous Quantitative Estimation of Four Compounds in a Cough Syrup Formulation.

A new ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of potassium guaiacolsulfonate (PGS), guaifenesin (GUA), diphenhydramine HCl (DIP) and carbepentane citrate (CAR) in a commercial cough syrup. The chromatographic separation of four compounds PGS, GUA, DIP and CAR was performed on a BEH phenyl column (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm i.d.) using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1 M HCl (50 : 50, v/v). In addition, the optimized conditions of the chromatographic analysis were found with the flow rate of 0.38 mL/min, the column temperature of 30°C and the injection volume of 1.2 µL with the photodiode array detection of 220 nm. Calibration curves in the concentration ranges of 10-98 µg/mL for PGS, 5-80 µg/mL for GUA, 5-25 µg/mL for DIP and CAR were computed by the regression of the analyte concentration on the chromatographic peak area. The newly developed UPLC method was validated by analyzing the quaternary mixtures of the related compounds, intraday and interday experiment and standard addition samples. After method validation, the proposed UPLC approach was successfully applied for the analysis of the commercial syrup formulation containing PGS, GUA, DIP and CAR compounds.

Four Derivative Spectrophotometric Methods for the Simultaneous Determination of Carmoisine and Ponceau 4R in Drinks and Comparison with High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Four simple, rapid, and accurate spectrophotometric methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of two food colorants, Carmoisine (E122) and Ponceau 4R (E124), in their binary mixtures and soft drinks. The first method is based on recording the first derivative curves and determining each component using the zero-crossing technique. The second method uses the first derivative of ratio spectra. The ratio spectra are obtained by dividing the absorption spectra of the binary mixture by that of one of the components. The third method, derivative differential procedure, is based on the measurement of difference absorptivities derivatized in first order of solution of drink samples in 0,1 N NaOH relative to that of an equimolar solution in 0,1 N HCl at wavelengths of 366 and 451 nm for Carmoisine and Ponceau 4R, respectively. The last method, based on the compensation method is presented for derivative spectrophotometric determination of E122 and E124 mixtures with overlapping spectra. By using ratios of the derivative maxima, the exact compensation of either component in the mixture can be achieved, followed by its determination. These proposed methods have been successfully applied to the binary mixtures and soft drinks and the results were statistically compared with the reference HPLC method (NMKL 130).

Simultaneous determination of Allura Red and Ponceau 4R in drinks with the use of four derivative spectrophotometric methods and comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography.

Four simple, rapid, sensitive, and accurate spectrophotometric methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of Allura Red (AR) and Ponceau 4R (P) without previous chemical separation. The first method, derivative spectrophotometry, depends on first derivative spectrophotometry with zero-crossing and peak-to-base measurement. The second method, derivative ratio spectrophotometry, uses the first derivative of the ratio spectra. The ratio spectra are obtained by dividing the absorption spectra of a binary mixture by that of one of the components. The third method, differential derivative spectrophotometry, is based on the measurement of the difference absorptivities derivatized in the first order of a sample extract in 0.1 M NaOH relative to that of an equimolar solution in 0.1 M HCl. The fourth method, based on the compensation technique, is presented for the derivative spectrophotometric determination of binary mixtures with overlapping spectra by using ratios of the derivative maximum or minimum; the exact compensation of either component in the mixture can be achieved, followed by its determination. All the proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of the colorants in their laboratory mixtures and granulated drinks without any interference by the ingredients. AR and P showed good linearity, with regression coefficients of 0.9994-0.9999. The LOD and LOQ values ranged from 0.059 to 0.102 and 0.198 to 0.341 microg/mL, respectively. The intraday and interday precision tests produced good RSD values (<1.37%); recoveries ranged from 98.75 to 100.37% for all four methods. The common ingredients and additives did not interfere in the AR and P determination. The results of the proposed methods were statistically compared with the results of an HPLC method given in the literature (Nordic Committee on Food Analysis; NMKL 130) at the 95% confidence level by Student's test and the variance ratio F-test. No statistically significant difference was found among these methods.