Renata Wietecha-Posłuszny

Microwave-assisted extraction of tricyclic antidepressants from human serum followed by high performance liquid chromatography determination.

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method has been developed and optimized for the extraction of six tricyclic antidepressants (TCAD; nordoxepin, nortriptyline, imipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, dezypramine) from human serum. Optimal parameters of MAE (solvent and extraction temperature) for water solution of these drugs were defined. The microwave-assisted procedure developed was validated by extraction of serum samples at two concentration levels and then successfully applied to the analysis of reference material. Limit of quantification, precision and recovery were found for the studied compounds in the ranges 0.04-0.15 microg/mL, 1.57-4.34% (RSD) and 94-105%, respectively.

Antioxidants activities and concentration of selenium, zinc and copper in preterm and IUGR human placentas

The aim of this study was to examine changes in activities of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH) levels and copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) concentrations, and to assess the possible differences between preterm placentas, placentas from term pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and full-term control placentas. The enzyme activities and the level of GSH decreased in IUGR and preterm placentas in comparison with the control group. CCO activity and GSH level in preterm placentas were markedly lower compared with the IUGR (P<0.01; P<0.05) and control (P<0.01; P<0.05) placentas, respectively. In IUGR placentas the level of Cu was reduced by 23% (P<0.05) and Zn by 37%. In preterm placentas the level of Cu was reduced by 19% and Zn by 42%. Se level in IUGR and preterm placentas was higher (P<0.05) by 28% and 32% than in control group, respectively. The strong relation was observed between birth weight and CCO activity, birth weight and Cu-Zn SOD activity, and a low level of Zn and Cu influenced the birth weight especially in IUGR cases. Moreover, the strong inverse correlation between Se level and birth weight, Se level and placental weight and Se level and CCO activity are new findings.

Application of capillary electrophoresis to examination of color inkjet printing inks for forensic purposes

In the process of questioned document examination, the discrimination of inkjet printing inks is becoming more necessary due to increasingly frequent counterfeiting of documents printed by inkjet printers. Therefore, a method based on micellar electrophoretic capillary chromatography (MECC) has been developed and applied to analysis of such inks extracted from paper. With the use of an optimized and validated analytical procedure, multielectropherograms of inks taken from various models of printers made by various producers (Hewlett-Packard, Epson, Brother, Lexmark and Canon) were created. It was shown that effective differentiation of individual inks was possible in terms of migration time, order and specific shapes of characteristic peaks. By comparison of recorded UV-Vis spectra, the identification of main dyes was also achievable. The usefulness of the method was confirmed by an intralaboratory test of utility, in which several forged printouts were successfully examined. The obtained results proved that the proposed procedure is a useful tool that could be applied to ink discrimination and group identification of dyes originating from inkjet printing inks. Consequently, the developed method can be applied in the forensic field, including investigation of the authenticity of documents.

Examination of colour inkjet printing inks by capillary electrophoresis

The possibility of comparing inkjet printing inks by micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis (MECC) with diode array detection was studied. An analytical procedure was designed and successfully applied to discriminate between the electrophoretic profiles of inks (extracted from paper) produced by five well-known manufacturers. The separation process was conducted in a polyimide-coated fused silica capillary (ID 50 μm, 60 cm total/50 cm effective length) with +30 kV high voltage applied. Background electrolyte was used of the following optimum composition: 40 mM sodium borate buffer, 20mM sodium dodecyl sulphate(IV) (SDS) and 10% (v/v) acetonitrile (pH 9.56). The experimental conditions were adjusted in terms of resolution and analysis time. The best results were obtained at 10 and 25°C storage and capillary temperature, respectively, using 25 dots (ø 0.8mm) cut from printouts as the sample and BGE diluted with water (1:99, v/v) as the injecting solution. The MECC separation of main printing ink components by the proposed method showed excellent precision - the RSD value of the migration time calculated for each of the investigated peaks did not exceed 3.3%. The optimized method was applied to group identification and differentiation of: (a) three colours of printing inks, (b) inks from different manufacturers (Hewlett-Packard, Epson, Brother, Lexmark and Canon) and (c) inks from different printer models. In all these cases, inks were successfully differentiated on the basis of position (migration time) and shape of their characteristic peaks.

Application of microwave irradiation to fast and efficient isolation of benzodiazepines from human hair

The aim of this research was to develop, optimize and validate a modern and rapid method of preparation of human hair samples using microwave irradiation for the purpose of determination of six benzodiazepines: alprazolam, estazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and tetrazepam, with lormetazepam as an internal standard (IS). Extracts were analyzed ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry time of flight detection (UHPLC-MS-TOF). Optimal parameters of microwave-assisted extraction (type of extraction solvent, extraction temperature, extraction time and pH of borate buffer) for these drugs in spiked hair samples were defined. The limit of detection ((0.003-0.025 ng/mg), intra- (1.5-4.3%) and interday (2.3-8.3%) precision (CV) and accuracy of the assay (89.8-105.7%) at three concentration levels: 0.22, 2.22 and 5.56 ng/mg were calculated. The optimized and validated MAE/UHPLC-MS-TOF method was then applied for analysis of clinical hair sample.

Application of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy to examination of writing inks for forensic purposes

The research was focused on the analysis of writing inks using the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. 34 samples of blue, 30 of black, and 21 of red writing inks were analyzed under optimized conditions to determine the variation of chemical composition of inks between different colours, brands and types. Nine elements (Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mo, Mn, Ni and W) were taken into account during comparative analysis of inks. Because of the strong effect of the paper spectrum, elements often found in inks (Ca, Al, Mg, Na, Ti, and Si) were eliminated from LIBS analysis of inks. It was determined that the LIBS method is capable of revealing qualitative elemental differences between ink samples. The discrimination power of this method was found to be 83, 82 and 61% for blue, black and red inks, respectively. Inks produced by the same producer were able to be differentiated in some cases. The results showed the potential of LIBS for forensic purposes as an effective and robust technique, requiring a small amount of sample and giving analytical information in a very short time.

Development of microextraction by packed sorbent for toxicological analysis of tricyclic antidepressant drugs in human oral fluid.

The aim of this study was to apply microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) to the isolation of six tricyclic antidepressants (TCADs): nordoxepin, doxepin, desipramine, nortriptyline, imipramine, and amitriptyline from human oral fluid. Samples were collected from healthy volunteers via free spillage from the oral cavity to disposable test tubes. A method of oral fluid sample pretreatment was developed and optimized in terms of suitability for MEPS extraction and removing of interfering agents (protein, food debris, or air bubbles). Moreover, it was short and simple to perform with limited sample consumption (150μL). Extracts were analysed by UHPLC-MS. The MEPS/UHPLC-MS method was validated at three concentration levels (2.00, 4.00 and 8.00ng/mL) of all analytes in the range 1.25-10.0ng/mL. The following parameters were determined: limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, and accuracy. For all tested concentration levels, the intra- and inter-day repeatability did not exceeded 8.1% and 12.2%, respectively. Gained LOQ value, 0.50ng/mL, made the MEPS/UHPLC-MS method to be a useful tool in clinical and forensic laboratories, which was demonstrated on the basis of analysis of real samples.

A quick method for determination of psychoactive agents in serum and hair by using capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

The aim of the research was to develop a new sensitive method for simultaneously the determination of psychoactive drugs: 1-benzylpiperazine, 7-aminoclonazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, estazolam, lorazepam and tetrazepam in human serum and hair samples. In the preparation step, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was used. Extracts were analyzed by means of capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry time-of-flight detection (CE-TOF-MS). In the validation study of the MAE/CE-TOF-MS analytical method, three concentration levels of analytes (10, 100 and 250 ng/mL for serum and 0.2, 2.2 and 5.6 ng/mL for hair) were taken into account. Such parameters as limit of detection (0.4-1.2 ng/mL for serum, 6.0-23.0 pg/mg for hair), limit of quantification (1.3-4.1 ng/mL for serum, 20.0-77.0 pg/mg for hair), precision (3.0-11.3% for serum, 2.4-14.2% for hair), accuracy of the assay (RE) (-8.0 to 12.0% for serum, -8.0 to 11.0% for hair), recovery (88.6-113.4% for serum, 86.1-107.4% for hair) and matrix effects (87.9-110.7% for serum, 85.1-108.4% for hair) were calculated for the studied compounds. Then, the MAE/CE-TOF-MS method was successfully applied to the analysis of hair samples taken from patients treated with benzodiazepines.

Application of CE-MS to examination of black inkjet printing inks for forensic purposes.

The potential of capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry with electrospray ion source and time of flight analyser (CE-ESI-TOF-MS) in the analysis of inkjet inks was investigated. The developed and validated method allowed reliable and repeatable analysis of black inkjet inks extracted from printouts. Over a dozen inkjet printouts printed on various printer models from different manufacturers were analysed under selected conditions to determine the variation of chemical composition of inks between different brands and types. It was ascertained that the developed method is capable of revealing qualitative differences between ink samples. For most of the investigated inks, the studies showed the presence of a characteristic mass spectrum originating from the surfactant or polymer. The mass distribution of the additive is distinctive for some inkjet ink producers, and allows for group identification of inks. The results showed the strength of the CE-ESI-TOF-MS method as an effective technique for forensic purposes, requiring a small amount of inkjet ink samples and giving analytical information that is useful in the identification of compounds.

Development of the MAE/UHPLC-MS-TOF method for determination of benzodiazepines in human bio-fluids for toxicological analysis

A rapid method of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) followed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry with time of flight detection (UHPLC-MS-TOF) was optimized and validated for the purpose of determination of five benzodiazepines in human serum and blood samples. Extraction parameters and conditions of the UHPLC-MS-TOF method were defined. Validation of the developed method was performed at three concentration levels: 10, 100 and 250 ng/mL of each drug for both serum and blood samples. For serum and blood the limit of detection was found in the ranges 0.46-2.58 ng/mL and 0.43-1.87 ng/mL, precision (RSD): 0.3-6.7% and 0.9-8.4%, accuracy of the assay (RE): -5.3 to +2.4% and -5.7 to +7.6%, recovery: 80.5-104.3% and 79.9-106.9%, matrix effects: 95.9-110.5% and 97.5-114.2%, respectively. Moreover, the optimized and validated MAE/UHPLC-MS-TOF method was applied to analysis of blood samples.