Simultaneous analysis of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and N-oxides in comfrey root by LC-ion trap mass spectrometry.

The purpose of the current study was to develop a LC-MS(n) method for the analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in comfrey. Published data presents an extensive list of PAs and their N-oxides present in comfrey. However, standards are not commercially available for any of the PAs typically present in comfrey. Those PAs that are not stereoisomers were readily resolved on a C(18) column using a water-acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The use of a selective technique, LC-MS/MS, allowed us to identify groups of PAs and their N-oxides, as well as identify the number of PAs present in each group, including those that were not completely resolved chromatographically.

Trace humic and fulvic acid determination in natural water by cloud point extraction/preconcentration using non-ionic and cationic surfactants with FI-UV detection.

A preconcentration and determination method for humic and fulvic acids at trace levels in natural water samples was developed. Cloud point extraction was successfully employed for the preconcentration of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) prior to the determination by using a flow injection (FI) system coupled to a spectrophotometric UV-Vis detector. The quantitative extraction of HA and FA within the pH range 1-12 was obtained by neutralization of the anionic charge on the humic substances with a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). This generated a hydrophobic species that was subsequently incorporated (solubilized) into the micelles of a non-ionic surfactant polyethylene glycol, tert-octylphenyl ether (Triton X-114). The FI method for HA and FA determination was developed by injection of 100 microl of the extracted surfactant-rich phase using an HPLC pump with spectrophotometric detection at 350 nm. A 50 ml sample solution preconcentration allowed an enrichment factor of 167. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained under the optimal conditions was 5 microg l(-1). The precision for ten replicate determinations at 0.2 mg l(-1) HA was 3.1% relative standard deviation (RSD), calculated from the peak heights. The calibration using the preconcentration system for HA and FA was linear with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9997 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 1 mg l(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of HA and FA in natural water samples (river water).

On-line preconcentration and determination of chromium in parenteral solutions by flow injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

An on-line chromium preconcentration and determination system implemented with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) associated to flow injection (FI) was studied. For the retention of chromium, 4-(2-Thiazolylazo)-resorcinol (TAR) and Amberlite XAD-16 were used, at pH 5.0. The Cr-TAR complex was removed from the micro-column with ethanol. An enrichment factor of 50 was obtained for the preconcentration of 50 ml of sample solution. The detection limit value for the preconcentration of 50 ml of aqueous solution of Cr was 20 ng l(-1). The precision for ten replicate determinations at the 5 microg l(-1) Cr levels was 2.9% relative standard deviation (RSD), calculated from the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for chromium was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 100 microg l(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of chromium in parenteral solution samples.

On-line preconcentration and determination of cadmium in honey using knotted reactor coupled to flow injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

An on-line cadmium preconcentration and determination system implemented with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) associated with flow injection was studied. Cadmium was retained as Cd-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol Cd-(5-Br-PADAP) complex, pH 9.3. The Cd complex was removed from the knotted reactor (KR) with ethanol. A total enhancement factor of 140 was obtained with respect to FAAS (40 for KR and 3.5 due to the use of ethanol) with preconcentration time of 120 s. The detection limit value for preconcentration of 1 g sample was 0.5 ng/g. The repeatability for 10 replicate determinations at 5.0 ng/g Cd level was 3.5% relative standard deviation, calculated from peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for Cd was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9990 at levels near the detection limits to at least 2000 ng/g. The method was successfully applied to determination of total Cd in honey samples.

Cloud point extraction of vanadium in parenteral solutions using a nonionic surfactant (PONPE 5.0) and determination by flow injection-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

A preconcentration and determination methodology for vanadium at trace levels in parenteral solutions was developed. Cloud point extraction was successfully employed for the preconcentration of vanadium prior to inductively coupled plasma atomic optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) coupled to a flow injection (FI) system. The vanadium was extracted as vanadium-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol [V-(5-Br-PADAP)] complex, at pH 3.7 mediated by micelles of the nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene (5.0) nonylphenol (PONPE 5.0). The extracted surfactant-rich phase (100 mul) was mixed with 100 mul of ethanol and this final volume injected into ICP-OES for the vanadium determination. Under these conditions, the 50 ml sample solution preconcentration allowed raising an enrichment factor of 250-fold; however, it was possible to obtain a theoretical enrichment factor of 500-fold. The lower limit of detection (LOD) obtained under the optimal conditions was 16 ng l(-1). The precision for 10 replicate determinations at the 2.0 mug l(-1) V level was 2.3% relative standard deviation (RSD), calculated with the peak heights. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for vanadium was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 50 mug l(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of vanadium in parenteral solution samples.