Polymeric monolithic microcartridges with gold nanoparticles for the analysis of protein biomarkers by on-line solid-phase extraction capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry.

In this study, polymeric monoliths with gold nanoparticles (AuNP@monolith) were investigated as microcartridges for the analysis of protein biomarkers by on-line solid-phase extraction capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (SPE-CE-MS). "Plug-and-play" microcartridges (7 mm) were prepared from a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-based monolithic capillary column (5 cm x 250 µm i.d.), which was modified with ammonia and subsequently functionalized with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The performance of these novel microcartridges was evaluated with human transthyretin (TTR), which is a protein related to different types of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathies (FAP). Protein retention depended on the isoelectric point of the protein (TTR pI~5.4) and elution was achieved with a basic phosphate solution. Under the optimized conditions, limits of detection (LODs) for TTR by AuNP@monolith-SPE-CE-MS were 50 times lower than by CE-MS (5 vs 250 mg•L-1, with an ion trap (IT) mass spectrometer). The sensitivity enhancement was similar compared to SPE-CE-MS using immunoaffinity (IA) microcartridges with intact antibodies against TTR. Linearity, repeatability in migration times and peak areas, reusability, reproducibility and application to serum samples were also evaluated.

In situ growth of metal-organic framework HKUST-1 in an organic polymer as sorbent for nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in environmental water samples prior to quantitation by HPLC-UV.

An in situ preparation of metal-organic framework (HKUST-1) on the surface of an organic polymer is reported. The hybrid material was evaluated as sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of oxygenated and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The growth of HKUST-1 on MAA-based polymer was accomplished using a layer-by-layer assembly strategy. The HKUST-1-polymer was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to demonstrate the incorporation of MOF crystals onto the polymer surface. The MOF (nano)crystals were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular-dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The water-stable MOF-polymer was evaluated as SPE sorbent, and several variables that can influence the extraction recoveries of PAH derivatives were investigated. Under the selected conditions, the detection limits varied between 4 and 21 ng·L-1, and the precision (relative standard deviation) was below 12%. The recovery values for spiked solutions ranged from 95 to 104%, and the enrichment factor achieved was close to 1000-fold using a high sample volume (100 mL) and very low desorption volume (100 µL). The SPE enrichment combined with HPLC and DAD detector was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of polycyclic hydrocarbons in environmental water samples. Graphical abstract A layer-by-layer synthesis of HKUST-1 onto polymer surface was performed and applied to isolation of PAH derivatives in environmental water samples.

New In-Depth Analytical Approach of the Porcine Seminal Plasma Proteome Reveals Potential Fertility Biomarkers.

A complete characterization of the proteome of seminal plasma (SP) is an essential step to understand how SP influences sperm function and fertility after artificial insemination (AI). The purpose of this study was to identify which among characterized proteins in boar SP were differently expressed among AI boars with significantly different fertility outcomes. A total of 872 SP proteins, 390 of them belonging specifically to Sus Scrofa taxonomy, were identified (Experiment 1) by using a novel proteomic approach that combined size exclusion chromatography and solid-phase extraction as prefractionation steps prior to Nano LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The SP proteomes of 26 boars showing significant differences in farrowing rate (n = 13) and litter size (n = 13) after the AI of 10 526 sows were further analyzed (Experiment 2). A total of 679 SP proteins were then quantified by the SWATH approach, where the penalized linear regression LASSO revealed differentially expressed SP proteins for farrowing rate (FURIN, AKR1B1, UBA1, PIN1, SPAM1, BLMH, SMPDL3A, KRT17, KRT10, TTC23, and AGT) and litter size (PN-1, THBS1, DSC1, and CAT). This study extended our knowledge of the SP proteome and revealed some SP proteins as potential biomarkers of fertility in AI boars.

Extraction and preconcentration of organophosphorus pesticides in water by using a polymethacrylate-based sorbent modified with magnetic nanoparticles.

A polymethacrylate-based sorbent modified with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has been synthesized and used as sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of three organophosphorus pesticides (phosmet, pirimiphos-methyl, and chlorpyrifos) in water samples followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection. The sorbent was prepared from a glycidyl methacrylate-based polymer, modified with a silanizing agent, followed by immobilization of MNPs on the surface of the material. The sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Comparative studies of this support were done both in conventional SPE cartridge and MSPE approach. Several extraction parameters (loading pH, elution solvent, eluting volume, and loading flow rate) were investigated in detail. Under optimal conditions, the proposed sorbent gave an excellent enrichment efficiency of analytes and detection limits between 0.01 and 0.25 µg L-1. The recoveries of organophosphorus pesticides in spiked water samples were in the range of 71-98%, and the developed sorbent showed a high reusability (up to 50 uses without losses in recovery). The proposed method was satisfactorily applied to the analysis of these pesticides in water samples from different sources.

Nanoparticle-Directed Metal-Organic Framework/Porous Organic Polymer Monolithic Supports for Flow-Based Applications.

A two-step nanoparticle-directed route for the preparation of macroporous polymer monoliths for which the pore surface is covered with a metal-organic framework (MOF) coating has been developed to facilitate the use of MOFs in flow-based applications. The flow-through monolithic matrix was prepared in a column format from a polymerization mixture containing ZnO-nanoparticles. These nanoparticles embedded in the precursor monolith were converted to MOF coatings via the dissolution-precipitation equilibrium after filling the pores of the monolith with a solution of the organic linker. Pore surface coverage with the microporous zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 resulted in an increase in surface area from 72 to 273 m2 g-1. Monolithic polymer containing ZIF-8 coating was implemented as a microreactor catalyzing the Knoevenagel condensation reaction and also in extraction column format enabling the preconcentration of trace levels of toxic chlorophenols in environmental waters. Our approach can be readily adapted to other polymers and MOFs thus enabling development of systems for flow-based MOF applications.

Thermal desorption gas chromatography with mass spectrometry study of outgassing from polymethacrylimide foam (Rohacell®).

Polymethacrylimide foams are used as light structural materials in outer-space devices; however, the foam closed cells contain volatile compounds that are outgassed even at low temperatures. These compounds ignite as plasmas under outer-space radiation and the intense radio-frequency fields used in communications. Since plasmas may cause spacecraft fatal events, the conditions in which they are ignited should be investigated. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative knowledge about polymethacrylimide foam outgassing should be established. Using thermogravimetric analysis, weight losses reached 3% at ca. 200°C. Thermal desorption gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection was used to study the offgassed compounds. Using successive 4 min heating cycles at 125°C, each one corresponding to an injection, significant amounts of nitrogen (25.3%), water (2.6%), isobutylene (11.3%), tert-butanol (2.9%), 1-propanol (11.9%), hexane (25.3%), propyl methacrylate (1.4%), higher hydrocarbons (11.3%), fatty acids (2.2%) and their esters (1.3%), and other compounds were outgassed. Other compounds were observed during the main stage of thermal destruction (220-280°C). A similar study at 175°C revealed the extreme difficulty in fully outgassing polar compounds from polymethacrylimide foams by baking and showed the different compositions of the offgassed atmosphere that can be expected in the long term.

Preparation and characterization of octadecyl acrylate monoliths for capillary electrochromatography by photochemical, thermal, and chemical initiation.

Monolithic stationary phases based on octadecyl acrylate for CEC using different initiating systems (UV irradiation, thermal, and chemical initiation) in the presence of lauroyl peroxide as initiator were synthesized. For each initiation mode, the influence of the porogenic solvent composition on both the morphological and electrochromatographic properties of the resulting monoliths was investigated. Under optimal conditions, excellent efficiencies for the photochemically and chemically polymerized monoliths (minimum plate heights of 6.9-10.7 and 6.5-12.6 µm, respectively) were achieved. Thermally initiated columns gave lower efficiency values, permeabilities, and longer analysis times compared to these initiating systems. The produced monolithic stationary phases were evaluated in terms of reproducibility and gave RSD values below 9.2, 10.6, and 9.8% for UV, thermally, and chemically initiated columns, respectively.

Preparation and evaluation of lauryl methacrylate monoliths with embedded silver nanoparticles for capillary electrochromatography.

In this article, capillary columns constituted by lauryl methacrylate monoliths with embedded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were developed and tested. Two incorporation approaches of AgNPs in monoliths were explored. The AgNPs were either photogenerated in situ during polymerization of the monolith by UV irradiation, or incorporated to the polymerization mixture (ex situ). The influence of the AgNP concentration on the morphological and chromatographic properties of the polymer matrix was investigated, and both the in situ and ex situ approaches were comparatively discussed. The morphology of the monoliths was characterized by electron microscopic techniques, and their electrochromatographic performance was also evaluated with test mixtures of neutral compounds (sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, tocopherols, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons).

CEC column behaviour of butyl and lauryl methacrylate monoliths prepared in non-aqueous media.

Polymeric monolithic stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography were prepared using two bulk monomers, butyl methacrylate (BMA) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA), by in situ polymerization in non-aqueous media. The effect of 1,4-butanediol/1-propanol ratio on porous properties was investigated separately for each monomer, keeping the proportion of monomers to pore-forming solvents fixed at 40:60 wt:wt. Also, mixtures of BMA and LMA at different 1,4-butanediol/1-propanol ratios were studied for tailoring the morphological features of the monolithic columns. The chromatographic performance of the different columns was evaluated by means of van Deemter plots of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Mercury-intrusion porosimetry, SEM, and nitrogen-adsorption measurements were also performed in order to understand their retention behaviour and porous properties. A comparison of these features was also performed for monoliths made with one bulk monomer (BMA or LMA) and with mixtures of both. These mixed monoliths showed satisfactory efficiencies and analysis times compared with those made with one bulk monomer; thus, the BMA-LMA monoliths constitute an attractive alternative to manipulate the electrochromatographic properties of methacrylate beds in CEC.

Chemical initiation for butyl and lauryl acrylate monolithic columns for CEC.

Butyl acrylate (BA)- and lauryl acrylate (LA)-based monolithic stationary phases for CEC were synthesized, using a redox system as initiator of polymerization. BA monoliths were initiated with ammonium peroxodisulfate, whereas LA columns were obtained with lauroyl peroxide as initiator. In both cases, TEMED was used to activate the process. The influence of porogenic solvent composition on both morphological and electrochromatographic properties of the resulting monoliths was investigated. Excellent efficiencies (minimum plate heights of 4.2-6.3 microm for BA columns and 2.6-5.3 microm for LA stationary phases, for a PAHs mixture) were achieved. The capability of separation of both types of monolithic beds was compared by the analysis of complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and anabolic steroids.

Rapid determination of sterols in vegetable oils by CEC using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns.

A method for the determination of sterols in vegetable oils by CEC with UV-Vis detection, using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns, has been developed. To prepare the columns, polymerization mixtures containing monomers of different hydrophobicities were tried. The influence of composition of polymerization mixture was optimized in terms of porogenic solvent, monomers/porogens and monomer/crosslinker ratios. The composition of the mobile phase was also studied. The optimum monolith was obtained with lauryl methacrylate monomer at 60:40% (wt:wt) lauryl methacrylate/ethylene dimethacrylate ratio and 60 wt% porogens with 20 wt% of 1,4-butanediol (12 wt% 1,4-butanediol in the polymerization mixture). Excellent resolution between sterols was achieved in less than 7 min with an 85:10:5 v/v/v ACN-2-propanol-water buffer containing 5 mM Tris at pH 8.0. The limits of detection were lower than 0.04 mM, and inter-day and column-to-column reproducibilities at 0.75 mM were better than 6.2%. The method was applied to the determination of sterols in vegetable oils with different botanical origins and to detect olive oil adulteration with sunflower and soybean oils.

Lauroyl peroxide as thermal initiator of lauryl methacrylate monolithic columns for CEC.

The preparation of lauryl methacrylate (LMA)-based monolithic columns for CEC using lauroyl peroxide (LPO) as thermal initiator of polymerization has been investigated. The influence of initiator amount and composition of porogenic solvent on the physical and electrochromatographic properties of the resulting LMA-based monoliths was evaluated. A comparison with LMA-based columns thermally polymerized with AIBN was performed. At a given porogenic solvent composition, LMA stationary phases initiated with LPO showed higher permeabilities and better efficiency values than those prepared using AIBN as initiator. The optimum polymerization mixture found for LPO initiator provided a minimum plate height of 9.5 mum in a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture. The produced monolithic beds also exhibited a good run-to-run repeatability and column-to-column and mixture-to-mixture reproducibility, with RSD values below 5.3% for the retention factors, areas and plate heights.

Preparation and characterization of hexyl methacrylate monolithic columns for CEC.

The preparation of hexyl methacrylate (HMA) monolithic columns for CEC separations has been investigated with two initiation systems: (i) ammonium peroxodisulphate and TEMED to activate the polymerization reaction, and (ii) by thermal initiation with AIBN. For both initiators, the influence of composition of porogenic solvent on morphological and chromatographic properties of monoliths was investigated. Two porogenic solvent systems, aqueous and non-aqueous media, were also studied for monolithic beds polymerized with AIBN. Under optimal conditions, low minimum plate heights (9.6 mum for peroxodisulphate, 8.4 and 10.0 mum for AIBN in aqueous and non-aqueous porogenic solvents, respectively) were obtained. A comparison in terms of chromatographic performance of HMA monoliths with butyl methacrylate columns polymerized with both initiators was also performed. The resulting HMA-based stationary phases also exhibited a good repeatability and column-to-column reproducibility, with RSD values below 5.6% in the studied electrochromatographic parameters. The potential of HMA-based columns was demonstrated by the analysis of complex mixtures of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and anabolic steroids.

Characterization of poly(4-vinylpyridine 1-oxide) by free-solution capillary electrophoresis and micellar electrokinetic chromatography.

The migration characteristics of poly(4-vinylpyridine 1-oxide) (PVP-NO) in phosphate buffers of acidic pH (20 mM H3PO4 or NaH2PO4) have been studied using both free-solution capillary electrophoresis (FSCE) and MEKC. To inhibit adsorption, 250 mM o-phosphoethanolamine (2-aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate) was used. In FSCE, PVP-NO showed a narrow peak and a broader band, both having anionic behavior. These peak and band were attributed to the free and aggregated or micellized PVP-NO forms, respectively. According to surface tension measurements, the CMC of SDS in the BGE was 1.8 and 0.48 mM in the absence and in the presence of 1000 microg/mL PVP-NO, respectively, and the association of the polymer with SDS was completed at 9.7 mM SDS. Using MEKC, a narrow peak and a broader band also appeared at SDS concentrations of ca. 1 mM, and their intensity increased with the SDS concentration. These peak and band were attributed to the formation of mixed micelles constituted by both free PVP-NO/SDS and aggregated PVP-NO/SDS, respectively. The determination of PVP-NO by FSCE in commercial additives for laundry was demonstrated.

Potentiometric determination of aqueous dissociation constants of flavonols sparingly soluble in water.

Two different approaches were evaluated and used to estimate the aqueous pK(a) values of some flavonols sparingly soluble in water (morin, fisetin and quercetin) from their pK(a) values in methanol/water mixtures obtained by potentiometry. Both approaches lead to similar results, although one of them requires only one pK(a) value at one unique methanol/water mixture, whereas the other (the classical Yasuda-Shedlovsky plot) requires several pK(a) data at different methanol/water mixtures. Thus, the first approach is recommended because it is faster and simpler. The automated potentiometric method is strongly recommended for pK(a) determination of these types of compounds because of its simplicity and speed of operation.

Classification of vegetable oils according to their botanical origin using sterol profiles established by direct infusion mass spectrometry.

A simple and quick method to classify vegetable oils according to their botanical origin, based on direct infusion of sterol extracts into a mass spectrometer, was developed. Using mass spectrometry (MS) with either an electrospray ionization or an atmospheric pressure photoionization source, followed by linear discriminant analysis of the mass spectral data, oil samples corresponding to eight different botanical origins were perfectly classified with an excellent resolution among all the categories. An excellent correlation between the sterol profiles obtained by MS and by the official gas chromatography (with flame ionization detection) method was obtained. Thus, the proposed method is a promising alternative for sterol fingerprinting of vegetable oils, with the advantage that prior chromatographic separation is not required.

Peroxodisulfate as a chemical initiator for methacrylate-ester monolithic columns for capillary electrochromatography.

Organic monolithic stationary phases for CEC were synthesized in situ in fused-silica capillaries. Polymerization mixtures were composed of butyl methacrylate, ethylene dimethacrylate, and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethyl ammonium chloride in the presence of a porogenic solvent, using ammonium peroxodisulfate as chemical initiator, and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine to activate the reaction. The influence of the amount of initiator, temperature, and composition of porogenic solvent on the physical and chromatographic properties of monolithic stationary phases has been investigated. A minimum plate height of 14.5 microm was obtained at 18 wt% of 1,4-butanediol in the polymerization mixture. The produced monolithic stationary phases exhibited a good repeatability and batch-to-batch and mixture-to-mixture reproducibility, with RSD values below 5.6% in the electrochromatographic parameters studied. A comparison with columns prepared by thermal initiation with alpha,alpha'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was also performed. The most efficient column initiated with peroxodisulfate showed better efficiencies and selectivities than that prepared with AIBN at the same composition mixture.

Determination of tocopherols in vegetable oils by CEC using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns.

The separation and determination of tocopherols (Ts) in vegetable oils by CEC using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns has been developed. The effects of pore size of the monolithic columns were studied, and the composition of mobile phase was optimized. The optimal pore size of the monolith was obtained with 12 wt% 1,4-butanediol in the polymerization mixture. Excellent resolution between tocopherols was achieved within 10 min analysis time with a 99:1 v/v MeOH-aqueous buffer containing 5 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane at pH 8.0. The LODs were lower than 2.3 microg/mL, and interday and column-to-column reproducibilities at 25 microg/mL were better than 5.6%. Using a 93:7 v/v MeOH-aqueous buffer, both tocopherols and tocotrienols (T(3)s) of grapeseed and palm oils were resolved. Application to the detection of olive oil adulteration with low-cost edible oils was demonstrated.

Classification of vegetable oils according to their botanical origin using amino acid profiles established by direct infusion mass spectrometry.

Amino acid profiles, established by direct infusion mass spectrometry, have been used to classify vegetable oils according to their botanical origin. The proteins present in hazelnut, sunflower, corn, soybean, olive, avocado, peanut and grapeseed oils were precipitated with acetone, and the residue was hydrolyzed in acid medium, diluted in a hydrochloric acid/ethanol mixture, and infused into the mass spectrometer. The spectra of the hydrolyzed protein extracts showed [M+H]+ ions of the following amino acids: glycine, alanine, serine, proline, valine, threonine, cysteine, isoleucine + leucine, aspartic acid, lysine, glutamic acid, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, arginine and tyrosine. These ions were used to construct linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models. The ratios of the ion signal intensities selected by pairs were used as predictors. With the sequential application of three LDA models, the eight botanical origin categories of the samples were well resolved.

Determination of major carotenoids in vegetables by capillary electrochromatography.

A simple and rapid method for the isocratic separation and determination of carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls) in vegetables by CEC is described. The capillary column (100 microm ID, 25 cm effective length) was packed with 3 microm Hypersil ODS particles. The optimized mobile phase contained 60% ACN, 35% THF and 5% of a 5 mM Tris aqueous buffer of pH 8. beta-Carotene, lycopene and lutein were separated with efficiencies of 66 000-128 000 plates/m within a short time (less than 12 min for the last peak eluted, 13/13'-cis-beta-carotene). An excellent resolution of the three carotenoids, as well as partial resolution of their geometrical isomers, was achieved. Application to the determination of the analytes in carrot, tomato, spinach and corn was demonstrated.