Pedro R. Aranda

Cloud point extraction of mercury with PONPE 7.5 prior to its determination in biological samples by ETAAS

Cloud point extraction (CPE) has been used for the pre-concentration of mercury, after the formation of a complex with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(diethylamino)-phenol (5-Br-PADAP), and later analysis by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) using polyethyleneglycolmono-p-nonyphenylether (PONPE 7.5) as surfactant. The chemical variables affecting the separation step were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, i.e, pH 8.5, cloud point temperature 80 degrees C, 5-Br-PADAP=4x10(-5) mol L(-1), PONPE 7.5=0.2%, sample volume=1.0 mL, an enhancement factor of 22-fold was reached. The lower limit of detection (LOD) obtained under the optimal conditions was 0.01 microg L(-1). The precision for 10 replicate determinations at 2.0 microg L(-1) Hg was 4.0% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.). The calibration graph using the pre-concentration system for mercury was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9994 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 16 microg L(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in biological samples and in certified reference material (QC METAL LL3).

Total and inorganic mercury determination in biodiesel by emulsion sample introduction and FI-CV-AFS after multivariate optimization

An automated procedure for total and inorganic mercury determination in biodiesel by CV-AFS was studied. The samples were introduced directly as oil-in-water emulsions in a flow injection manifold followed by cold vapor generation coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry (FI-CV-AFS). After irradiation with an UV source, organic mercury (e.g.MeHg+ and PhHg+ among others) was decomposed. Mercury vapors were generated using an acidic SnCl2 solution in a continuous flow system and were then determined. This strategy reduced sample handling, avoiding sample contamination and analyte losses. The limit of detection was calculated as 0.2 µg Kg−1 (0.03 µg L−1 for the emulsions) and the relative standard deviation was better than 8% at levels of 3.0 µg L−1 in the emulsion, calculated from the peaks obtained. The accuracy was verified by comparing the results with a total microwave-assisted digestion.

Slurry sampling in serum blood for mercury determination by CV-AFS

The heavy metal mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxin known to have a serious health impact even at relatively low concentrations. A slurry method was developed for the sensitive and precise determination of mercury in human serum blood samples by cold vapor generation coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS). All variables related to the slurry formation were studied. The optimal hydrochloric concentration and tin(II) chloride concentration for CV generation were evaluated. Calibration within the range 0.1-10 microg L(-1) Hg was performed with the standard addition method, and compared with an external calibration. Additionally, the reliability of the results obtained was evaluated by analyzing mercury in the same samples, but submitted to microwave-assisted digestion method. The limit of detection was calculated as 25 ng L(-1) and the relative standard deviation was 3.9% at levels around of 0.4 microg L(-1)Hg.

Method development for Cd and Hg determination in biodiesel by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with emulsion sample introduction

A novel method for analysis of biodiesel by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is described. This analytical strategy involves sample preparation as emulsions for routine and reliable determination of Cd and Hg. Several experimental conditions were investigated, including emulsion stability and composition, furnace temperature program and matrix modification. Different calibration strategies were also evaluated, being the analyte addition method preferred both for Cd and Hg. The accuracy was verified through comparison with an acid digestion in a microwave closed system. The injection repeatability was evaluated as the average relative standard deviation (R.S.D %) for five successive firings and was better than 4.4% for Cd and 5.4% Hg respectively. The detection limits, evaluated by the 3σ concept of calculation (n=10), were of 10.2 μg kg(-1) (0.9 μg L(-1)) for Hg and 0.3 μg kg(-1) (0.04 μg L(-1)) for Cd. This method was successfully applied to the determination of Cd and Hg in biodiesel samples obtained from local vendors.

Copper nanoparticles applied to the preconcentration and electrochemical determination of β-adrenergic agonist: an efficient tool for the control of meat production.

A novel method for preconcentration and electrochemical detection of zinterol in bovine urine samples was developed. In order to improve the limit of detection, the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode was modified with electrodeposited metal copper nanoparticles. The experimental electrodeposition optimization was performed using a central composite design (CCD), involving the variables: precursor concentration, potential and time applied. Copper nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Mesoporous shuttle-like copper oxide nanoparticles were used for the preconcentration step to avoid interferences with many compounds present in the sample matrix. The optimal working conditions for the preconcentration approach were found by means of both two-level fractional factorial and CCD designs. The obtained enhancement factor for a sample volume of 30 mL was 35 fold. The calibration curve showed linearity between 0.5 and 45 ng mL(-1) and the limit of detection was 0.16 ng mL(-1). The intra and inter assay coefficients of variability were below 4% and 5%; respectively.

Development of a nanostructured immunosensor for early and in situ detection of Xanthomonas arboricola in agricultural food production

We report a microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for Xanthomonas arboricola (XA) determination, based on the covalently immobilization of monoclonal anti-XA antibody (anti-XA) on a previously amino functionalized SBA-15 in situ synthesized in the central channel of a glass-poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic immunosensor. The synthetized amino-SBA-15 was characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. XA was detected by a direct sandwich immunoassay through an alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme-labeled anti-XA conjugate. Later, the substrate p-aminophenyl phosphate was converted to p-aminophenol by AP. The enzymatic product was detected at +100mV on a sputtered gold electrode. The measured current was directly proportional to the level of XA in walnut trees samples. The linear range was from 5 × 102 to 1 × 104CFUmL-1. The detection limit was 1.5 × 102CFUmL-1, and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 5%. Microfluidic immunosensor is a very promising tool for the early and in situ diagnosis of XA in walnuts avoiding serious economic losses.