Duncan Thorburn Burns

Use of the term "recovery" and "apparent recovery" in analytical procedures (IUPAC Recommendations 2002)

The terms recovery and apparent recovery are recommended to avoid confusion caused by the use of the term recovery to cover two distinct situations. These situations deal with: (a) the yield of a preconcentration or extraction stage of an analytical process (where recovery is recommended) and (b) the quantity observed value/reference value, obtained using an analytical procedure that involves a calibration graph (where apparent recovery is recommended).

An isoflavone and a coumestan from eysenhardtia polystachya—Robert Boyle's fluorescent acid—base indicator

Abstract 7-Hydroxy-2′,4′,5′-trimethoxyisoflavone is the principal fluorescent phenolic constituent of the heartwood of Eysenhardtia polystachya , Robert Boyles fluorescent acid—base indicator. The bark yielded 9-methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxycoumestan.

Forensically Robust Detection of the Presence of Morpholine in Apples—Proof of Principle

Morpholine is a precursor of carcinogenic nitrosamines and although the possibility of their formation in the human stomach after ingestion of morpholine-treated apples is reported as highly unlikely morpholine has not been authorised as a food additive in the EU. Methods for its detection are required since it is permitted in other jurisdictions and may be present on food through direct treatment of fruit with waxes containing the compound, through steam treatment during processing or from packaging. Methods using derivatising agents with the inclusion of UV chromophores such as dansyl chloride yield good separation and high sensitivity but with mass spectrometric fragment ions predominantly originated from the derivatising group rather than the morpholine moiety. An amine acetylation derivatisation method is proposed from which fragment ions originating from the morpholine group are detected using widely available GC–MS. With full validation, a forensically robust confirmation of the presence of morpholine via its N-acetyl derivative is possible in support of regulatory analysis.

History of Analytical Science

History of most important classical and instrumental analytical techniques was considered. Discovery and development of spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, electrochemical, chromatographic, biochemical and other methods were shortly described. History of modern approaches to chemical analysis (flow analysis, microfluidics, sensors and so on) was mentioned. Changes of priorities concerning objects of analysis and analytes were also underlined.

Robert Boyle and the birth of analytical spectroscopy

Abstract Outlines of Robert Boyles life, work relating to the birth of spectroscopy and connections with America are followed by an account of his contributions to the early study of luminescence phenomena.