Luis D. Martinez

Sensitive determination of mercury in tap water by cloud point extraction pre-concentration and flow injection-cold vapor-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A pre-concentration and determination methodology for mercury at trace levels in water samples was developed. Cloud point extraction was successfully employed for the pre-concentration of mercury prior to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry coupled to a flow injection with cold vapor generation system. The mercury was extracted as mercury-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol [Hg(II)-(5-Br-PADAP)] complex, at pH 9.2 mediated by micelles of the non-ionic surfactant polyethyleneglycolmono-p-nonylphenylether (PONPE 5). Cold vapor generation was developed from 100 μl of the extracted surfactant-rich phase by means of a stannous chloride (SnCl2) solution as reluctant. An exhaustive study of the variables affecting the cloud point extraction with PONPE 5 and cold vapor mercury generation from the surfactant phase was performed. The 50-ml sample solution pre-concentration allowed us to raise an enrichment factor of 200-fold. The lower limit of detection obtained under the optimal conditions was 4 ng l−1. The precision for 10 replicate determinations at the 0.5-μg l−1 Hg level was 3.4% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), calculated with the peak heights. The calibration graph using the pre-concentration system for mercury was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 50 μg l−1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in tap water samples.

Determination of melatonin in wine and plant extracts by capillary electrochromatography with immobilized carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes as stationary phase

The finding of melatonin, the often called “hormone of darkness” in plants opens an interesting perspective associated to the plethora of health benefits related to the moderate consumption of red wine. In this study, the implementation of a new method for the determination of melatonin in complex food matrices by CEC with immobilized carboxylic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as stationary phase is demonstrated. The results indicated high electrochromatographic resolution, good capillary efficiencies and improved sensitivity respect to those obtained with conventional capillaries. In addition, it was demonstrated highly reproducible results between runs, days and columns. The LOD for melatonin was 0.01 ng/mL. The method was successfully applied to the determination of melatonin in red and white wine, grape skin and plant extracts of Salvia officinalis L.

Preconcentration and speciation of chromium in drinking water samples by coupling of on-line sorption on activated carbon to ETAAS determination

An on-line flow injection (FI) preconcentration-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) method is developed for trace determination of chromium in drinking water samples by sorption on a conical minicolumn packed with activated carbon (AC) at pH 5.0. The chromium was removed from the minicolumn with 1.0% (v/v) nitric acid. An enrichment factor (EF) of 35-fold for a sample volume of 10ml was obtained. The detection limit (DL) value for the preconcentration method proposed was 3.0ngl(-1). The precision for 10 replicate determinations at the 0.5mugl(-1) Cr level was 4.0% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), calculate with the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for chromium was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9992 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 50mugl(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in drinking water samples.

Room temperature ionic liquid-based microextraction for vanadium species separation and determination in water samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

A simple microextraction technique based on room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) for trace V(IV) and V(V) species separation and preconcentration in water samples was developed in this work. Vanadium species microextraction was achieved with a minimal amount of the RTIL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C(4)mim][PF(6)]) as vanadium-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (V-5-Br-PADAP) complex. The speciation analysis was performed based on a modern technique defined as temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction (TILDLME). The level of V(IV) species was calculated by difference of total V and V(V) levels. Selectivity among V species was obtained with the use of 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA) as masking agent. Determination of V was developed by direct injection of the RTIL phase into the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS). A preconcentration factor of 40 was achieved with only 2 mL of sample. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained under optimum conditions was 4.9 ng L(-1) and the relative standard deviation for 10 replicate determinations at the 0.5 microg L(-1) V level was 4.3%, calculated at peak heights. A correlation coefficient of 0.9961 was achieved. The method was successfully applied for the speciation analysis of V in tap and river water samples.

Dispersive solid-phase extraction as a simplified clean-up technique for biological sample extracts. Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) is proposed for the first time as a simplified, fast and low cost clean-up technique of biological sample extracts for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) determination. The combination of a traditional extraction technique, such as ultrasound-assisted leaching (USAL) with DSPE was successfully applied for sample preparation prior to gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis. The analytes were first extracted from 1g homogenized sample in n-hexane:dichloromethane (8:2) by applying USAL technique and further cleaned-up using DSPE with 0.20 g C(18)-silica as sorbent material. Different solvent mixtures, sorbent type and amount, and lipid digestion procedures were evaluated in terms of clean-up and extraction efficiency. Under optimum conditions, the method detection limits (MDLs) for PBDEs, calculated as three times the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) were within the range 9-44 pg g(-1) wet weight. The calibration graphs were linear within the concentration range of 53-500,000 pg g(-1), 66-500,000 pg g(-1), 89-500,000 pg g(-1) and 151-500,000 pg g(-1) for BDE-47, BDE-100, BDE-99 and BDE-153, respectively; and the coefficient of determination (r(2)) exceeded 0.9992 for all analytes. The proposed methodology was compared with a reference solid-phase extraction technique. The applicability of the methodology for the screening of PBDEs has been demonstrated by analyzing spiked and real samples of biological nature (fish, egg and chicken) with different lipid content as well as reference material (WELL-WMF-01). Recovery values ranged between 75% and 114% and the measured concentrations in certified material showed a reasonable agreement with the certified ones. BDE-47, BDE-100 and BDE-99 were quantified in three of the seven analyzed samples and the concentrations ranged between 91 and 140 pg g(-1). In addition, this work is the first description of PBDEs detected in fish of Argentinean environment.

On-line preconcentration and determination of nickel in natural water samples by flow injection-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (FI-ICP-OES)

An on-line nickel preconcentration and determination system implemented with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) associated to flow injection (FI) was studied. Trace amounts of nickel were preconcentrated by sorption on a conical minicolumn packed with activated carbon (AC) at pH 5.0. The nickel was removed from the minicolumn with 20% nitric acid. An enrichment factor of 80-fold for a sample volume of 50 ml was obtained. The detection limit (DL) value for the preconcentration method proposed was 82 ng l(-1). The precision for ten replicate determinations at the 0.5 microg l(-1) Ni level was 3.0% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), calculated from the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph preconcentration method for nickel was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 at levels near the detection limits (DL) up to at least 100 microg l(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of nickel in natural water 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.

Ultrasound-assisted leaching-dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediment samples by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Ultrasound-assisted leaching-dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (USAL-DSPE-DLLME) technique has been developed as a new analytical approach for extracting, cleaning up and preconcentrating polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from sediment samples prior gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis. In the first place, PBDEs were leached from sediment samples by using acetone. This extract was cleaned-up by DSPE using activated silica gel as sorbent material. After clean-up, PBDEs were preconcentrated by using DLLME technique. Thus, 1 mL acetone extract (disperser solvent) and 60 microL carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) were added to 5 mL ultrapure water and a DLLME technique was applied. Several variables that govern the proposed technique were studied and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the method detection limits (MDLs) of PBDEs calculated as three times the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) were within the range 0.02-0.06 ng g(-1). The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for five replicates were <9.8%. The calibration graphs were linear within the concentration range of 0.07-1000 ng g(-1) for BDE-47, 0.09-1000 ng g(-1) for BDE-100, 0.10-1000 ng g(-1) for BDE-99 and 0.19-1000 ng g(-1) for BDE-153 and the coefficients of estimation were > or =0.9991. Validation of the methodology was carried out by standard addition method at two concentration levels (0.25 and 1 ng g(-1)) and by comparing with a reference Soxhlet technique. Recovery values were > or =80%, which showed a satisfactory robustness of the analytical methodology for determination of low PBDEs concentration in sediment samples.

Optimization of ultrasound assisted-emulsification-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction by experimental design methodologies for the determination of sulfur compounds in wines by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A new method was developed for analyzing sulfur compounds in the aroma of white wines using ultrasound assisted-emulsification-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. In the present work, the analytical method for simultaneous determination of seven sulfur compounds (methylmercaptoacetate, methyl(methylthio)acetate, 2-methylthioethanol, 3-methylthiopropanol, 3-methylthiohexanol, 4-methylthio-4-methyl-2-pentanone and hexanethiol) is reported. Parameters that affect the efficiency of the methodology such as extracting and dispersing solvents, sample volume, ion strength, cavitation time and centrifugation time were investigated using a fractionated factorial 2(6-1) (R=V) screening design. Then, the factors presenting significant positive effects on the analytical response (extracting volume, ion strength, cavitation time and centrifugation time) were considered in a further central composite design to optimize the operational conditions for the ultrasound assisted-emulsification-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure. Additionally, multiple response simultaneous optimization by using the desirability function was used to find the optimum experimental conditions. The best results were obtained using pH sample 4.25, extractant volume 150μL, ionic strength 8.75% NaCl, cavitation time 20s and centrifugation time 50s. The use of the optimized ultrasound assisted-emulsification-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique allowed to obtain the best extraction results with the minimum interference from other substances from the matrix, and it allowed to quantify the analytes in white wine samples by calibration graphs. Recoveries ranging from 91.99% to 125.87% for all sulfur compounds proved the accuracy of the proposed method in white wine samples. Method detection limits were in the range of 0.36-1.67ngmL(-1) and limits of quantitation were between 0.63 and 3.02ngmL(-1) for sulfur compounds in white wine samples. The proposed methodology was successfully applied for the determination concentrations of sulfur compounds in different commercial Chardonnay wine samples from Mendoza, Argentine.

Selective determination of inorganic cobalt in nutritional supplements by ultrasound-assisted temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

In the present work, a simple and rapid analytical method based on application of ionic liquids (ILs) for inorganic Co(II) species (iCo) microextraction in a variety of nutrient supplements was developed. Inorganic Co was initially chelated with 1-nitroso-2-naphtol (1N2N) reagent followed by a modern technique named ultrasound-assisted temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid phase microextraction (USA-TILDLME). The extraction was performed with 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C(6)mim][PF(6)] with the aid of ultrasound to improve iCo recovery. Finally, the iCo-enriched IL phase was solubilized in methanol and directly injected into an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS). Several parameters that could influence iCo microextraction and detection were carefully studied. Since the main difficulty in these samples is caused by high concentrations of potential interfering ions, different approaches were evaluated to eliminate interferences. The limit of detection (LOD) was 5.4 ng L(-1), while the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 4.7% (at 0.5 μg L(-1) Co level and n=10), calculated from the peak height of absorbance signals. Selective microextraction of iCo species was achieved only by controlling the pH value during the procedure. The method was thus successfully applied for determination of iCo species in nutritional supplements.