Lan Ding

Preparation of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the separation of tetracycline antibiotics from egg and tissue samples

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared using hydrophobic Fe(3)O(4) magnetite as the magnetically susceptible component, oxytetracycline as template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, and styrene and divinylbenzene as polymeric matrix components. The polymers were applied to the separation of tetracycline antibiotics from egg and tissue samples. The extraction and clean-up procedures were carried out in a single step by blending and stirring the sample, extraction solvent and polymers. The analytes can be transferred from the sample matrix to the polymers directly or through the extraction solvent as medium. When the extraction was complete, the polymers adsorbing the analytes were easily separated from the sample matrix by an adscititious magnet. The analytes eluted from the polymers were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The recoveries ranging from 72.8% to 96.5% were obtained with relative standard deviations in the range of 2.9-12.3%. The limit of detection was less than 0.2 ng g(-1). The feasibility of this method was validated by analysis of incurred egg and tissue samples, and the results were compared with those obtained by the classical method in which solvent extraction, centrifugation, and subsequent clean-up and concentration by solid-phase extraction were applied. The proposed method reduced the complicacy of classical method and improved the reliability of method.

Determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in environmental water samples based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple method based on magnetic separation for selective extraction of fluoroquinolones (FQs) from environmental water samples has been developed using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) as sorbent. The MMIP has been prepared using ciprofloxacin as template molecule, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linking agent and Fe(3)O(4) magnetite as magnetic component. The polymer has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were evaluated in order to achieve optimal concentration and reduce non-specific interactions. The analytes desorbed from the polymers were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The matrix effect was evaluated by using different washing solvents for removing interfering compounds from the MMIPs after sample loading. Under the optimal conditions, the linearity of the method obtained is in the range of 20-2000 ng L(-1). The detection limits of FQs are in the range of 3.2-6.2 ng L(-1). The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day tests ranging from 2.5 to 7.2% and from 3.6 to 9.1% are obtained. In all three spiked levels (20, 100 and 200 ng L(-1)), the recoveries of FQs are in the range of 76.3-94.2%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine FQs including ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, lomefloxacin, levofloxacin, fleroxacin and sparfloxacin in different water samples, such as lake water, river water, primary and final sewage effluent. Ciprofloxacin and fleroxacin were found in primary and final sewage effluent samples with the contents in the range of 26-87 ng L(-1).

Analysis of sulfonamides in environmental water samples based on magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction coupled with HPLC-UV detection.

The magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction (MMHSPE), based on the adsorption of cation surfactant octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTMABr) onto magnetite nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4) NPs) to form mixed hemimicelles, was proposed for the preconcentration of several sulfonamides (SAs) compounds including sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamethoxydiazine (SMD), sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) from environmental water samples. This method avoided the time-consuming column-passing process of loading large volume samples in traditional SPE through the rapid isolation of OTMABr-coated Fe(3)O(4) NPs with an adscititious magnet. Mixed hemimicelles formed on the surface of Fe(3)O(4) NPs by OTMABr showed great adsorptive tendency towards analytes. The OTMABr-coated Fe(3)O(4) NPs adsorbents were easy to be prepared, low cost and environmentally friendly. A comprehensive study on the adsorption conditions such as the amount of the surfactant, the solution pH, the desorption condition and the maximum extraction sample volume were optimized. A concentration factor of 1000 was achieved by the extraction of 500 mL of environmental water samples using MMHSPE. Detection limits obtained for SMX, SMD, SDM and SQX were 0.026, 0.024, 0.033 and 0.030 microg L(-1), respectively. Good recoveries (70-102%) with low relative standard deviations (1-6%) were achieved in analyzing spiked water samples. Low concentration of SQX was found in hospital primary and final sewage effluent sample.

Preparation of alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticle for extraction of trimethoprim from environmental water samples based on mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction

In this study, a new type of alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)/Al(2)O(3) NPs) modified by the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been successfully synthesized and applied for extraction of trimethoprim (TMP) from environmental water samples based on mixed hemimicelles solid-phase extraction (MHSPE). The coating of alumina on Fe(3)O(4) NPs not only avoids the dissolving of Fe(3)O(4) NPs in acidic solution, but also extends their application without sacrificing their unique magnetization characteristics. Due to the high surface area of these new sorbents and the excellent adsorption capacity after surface modification by SDS, satisfactory concentration factor and extraction recoveries can be produced with only 0.1g Fe(3)O(4)/Al(2)O(3) NPs. Main factors affecting the adsolubilization of TMP such as the amount of SDS, pH value, standing time, desorption solvent and maximal extraction volume were optimized. Under the selected conditions, TMP could be quantitatively extracted. The recoveries of TMP by analyzing the four spiked water samples were between 67 and 86%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) ranged from 2 to 6%. Detection and quantification limits of the proposed method were 0.09 and 0.24 microg L(-1), respectively. Concentration factor of 1000 was achieved using this method to extract 500 mL of different environmental water samples. Compared with conventional SPE methods, the advantages of this new Fe(3)O(4)/Al(2)O(3) NPs MHSPE method still include easy preparation and regeneration of sorbents, short times of sample pretreatment, high extraction yields, and high breakthrough volumes. It shows great analytical potential in preconcentration of organic compounds from large volume water samples.

Fast and Selective Extraction of Sulfonamides from Honey Based on Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

A fast and selective method was developed for the determination of sulfonamides (SAs) in honey based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer. The extraction was carried out by blending and stirring the sample, extraction solvent and polymers. When the extraction was complete, the polymers, along with the captured analytes, were easily separated from the sample matrix by an adscititious magnet. The analytes eluted from the polymers were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits of SAs are in the range of 1.5-4.3 ng g(-1). The relative standard deviations of intra- and interday ranging from 3.7% to 7.9% and from 4.3% to 9.9% are obtained, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine SAs including sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethoxydiazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole and sulfaquinoxaline in different honey samples. The recoveries of SAs in these samples from 67.1% to 93.6% were obtained.

Analysis of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng in high pressure microwave-assisted extraction

High pressure microwave assisted extraction (HPMAE) was applied to extract the ginsenosides from Panax ginseng root. The influences of extraction solvent, extraction pressure and extraction time were individually investigated. HPMAE has been compared with other extraction methods, including Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction and heat reflux extraction. The determination of ginsenosides was performed by HPLC-ESI-MS. The results indicated that the HPMAE not only took a shorter time but also afforded higher extraction yields of ginsenosides, especially ginsenoside Rb1, Rc, Rb2 and Rd. Furthermore, the neutral ginsenosides and malonyl ginsenosides in Panax ginseng root extracts by HPMAE were investigated. The malonyl ginsenoside m-Rb1, m-Rc, m-Rb2 and m-Rd degraded in HPMAE at 400kPa (109-112°C) in 70%(v/v) ethanol-water and at 600kPa (112-115°C) in methanol, and transformed into corresponding neutral ginsenoside Rb1, Rc, Rb2 and Rd. Using water as extraction solution, the neutral ginsenosides degraded under HPMAE at 400kPa (135-140°C), and transformed into less polarity rare ginsenosides.

Sensitive detection of biothiols and histidine based on the recovered fluorescence of the carbon quantum dots–Hg(II) system

In this paper, we presented a novel, rapid and highly sensitive sensor for glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys) and histidine (His) based on the recovered fluorescence of the carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-Hg(II) system. The CQDs were synthesized by microwave-assisted approach in one pot according to our previous report. The fluorescence of CQDs could be quenched in the presence of Hg(II) due to the coordination occurring between Hg(II) and functional groups on the surface of CQDs. Subsequently, the fluorescence of the CQDs-Hg(II) system was recovered gradually with the addition of GSH, Cys or His due to their stronger affinity with Hg(II). A good linear relationship was obtained from 0.10 to 20μmol L(-1) for GSH, from 0.20 to 45μmol L(-1) for Cys and from 0.50 to 60μmol L(-1) for His, respectively. This method has been successfully applied to the trace detection of GSH, Cys or His in human serum samples with satisfactory results. The proposed method was simple in design and fast in operation, which demonstrated great potential in bio-sensing fields.

Determination of tetracyclines residues in honey by on-line solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography.

An automated system using on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the determination of tetracyclines (TCs), such as tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), chlortetracycline (CTC), metacycline (MC), and doxycycline (DC) in honey. One milliliter diluted honey sample was injected into a conditioned C18 SPE column and the matrix was washed out with water for 3 min. By rotation of the switching valve, TCs were eluted and transferred to the analytical column by the chromatographic mobile phase. Chromatographic conditions were optimized. TCs were separated in less than 8 min with a gradient elution using a mixture of 0.8% formic acid and acetonitrile. The UV detection was performed at 365 nm. The conditions for on-line SPE, including solvent and total time for loading sample and washing matrix were also optimized. Time for extraction and separation decreased greatly. For the five kinds of TCs, the limits of detection (LODs) at a signal-to-noise of 3 ranged from 5 to 12 ng g(-1). The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) for the determination of TCs ranged from 3.4 to 7.1% within a day and ranged from 3.2 to 8.9% in 3 days, respectively.

Fast determination of sulfonamides from egg samples using magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes as adsorbents followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and effective method based on magnetic separation has been developed for the extraction of sulfonamides (SAs) from egg samples using magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNTs) as an adsorbent. The MMWCNTs were simply prepared by depositing Fe3O4 onto MWCNTs that had been previously oxidised. The extraction procedure was carried out in a single step by blending and subsequently stirring the mixture of MMWCNTs and aqueous egg samples. The SAs were first extracted as described above, adsorbed onto the MMWCNTs directly and finally analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detection obtained are in the range of 1.4-2.8 ng g(-1). The proposed method was successfully applied in determining SAs in the eggs obtained from laying hens fed with SA standards, and compared to eggs purchased from local markets. The results demonstrate that SAs were detectable in the incurred egg samples.

Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers on carbon quantum dots for fluorescent sensing of tetracycline in milk

In this paper, a novel, selective and eco-friendly sensor for the detection of tetracycline was developed by grafting imprinted polymers onto the surface of carbon quantum dots. A simple microwave-assisted approach was utilized to fabricate the fluorescent imprinted composites rapidly for the first time, which could shorten the polymerization time and simplify the experimental procedure dramatically. The novel composites not only demonstrated excellent fluorescence stability and special binding sites, but also could selectively accumulate target analytes. Under optimal conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of the composites decreased linearly with increasing the concentration of tetracycline from 20 nM to 14 µM. The detection limit of tetracycline was 5.48 nM. The precision and reproducibility of the proposed sensor were also acceptable. Significantly, the practicality of this ultrasensitive sensor for tetracycline detection in milk was further validated, revealing the advantages of simplicity, sensitivity, selectivity and low cost. This approach combines the high selective adsorption property of molecular imprinted polymers and the sensitivity of fluorescence detection. It is envisioned that the development of fluorescent molecularly imprinted composites will offer a new way of thinking for rapid analysis in complex samples.