Investigation of turbomixers in continuous flow analysis.

This paper describes an investigation of turbomixers as replacements for mixing coils in FIA. The turbomixer is a device that will efficiently mix three streams simultaneously. Although the traditional FIA gradient is not produced, the data shows that the reproducibility of a turbomixer continuous flow system is comparable to a standard FIA system.

Lowry protein determination by automated flow injection analysis for bovine serum albumin and hepatitis B surface antigen.

The Lowry method for quantitation of protein was adapted to automated flow injection analysis. The procedure was developed using two different pure proteins: bovine serum albumin and hepatitis B surface antigen. The system was optimized for reagent concentration, pH, gain, temperature, sample volume, and output. The response of each protein was affected differently by temperature. The reaction slopes and absorbance values of the proteins were similar at 90 degrees C to allow quantitation of hepatitis surface antigen against bovine serum albumin. Advantages of the automated flow injection analysis Lowry procedure include: rapid analyses (90 samples/h), small sample volume (30 microliters, 100 microliters), fast response (20 s), reproducibility (less than or equal to 2% CV within an assay and 3 to 6% CV among assays), sensitivity (5 micrograms), and high correlation (99.8%) with manual assay. After a 30-min set-up period, the analyzer was available to assay protein on demand throughout the day, making it suitable for process and quality control testing.

Alkali-metal ion complexation with lariat ethers possessing a chromogenic group.

The extraction and complexation abilities of chromogenic alkyl crown-ether reagents were compared with those of their chromogenic benzo crown ether analogues. Improvements in the extraction efficiency and stability of the complexes were observed, and can be attributed to various factors such as increased lipophilic character and decreased charge separation. The spectral separation caused by the deprotonation of the amine-group was significantly decreased, so the usefulness of these compounds will be limited, until improved spectral separation can be achieved.

Metal speciation by flow-injection analysis.

A two-channel switching valve is incorporated in the flow-injection manifold for on-line control of the metal speciation of Fe(II)/Fe(III) and Cr(III)/Cr(VI). 1,10-Phenanthroline is used for the iron determinations and diphenylcarbazide for chromium. The absorbances are measured at 512 and 540 nm, respectively. When a 30-mul injection loop is used, the response is linear for 0.5-30.0 ppm Fe and 0.5-40.0 ppm Cr. The relative standard deviation in each case is approximately 1%. The method allows at least 180 injections per hour.