In-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled by in valve mode to capillary LC-DAD: Improving detectability to multiresidue organic pollutants analysis in several whole waters.

A simple and fast capillary chromatographic method has been developed to identify and quantify organic pollutants at sub-ppb levels in real water samples. The major groups of pesticides (organic halogens, organic phosphorous, and organic nitrogen compounds), some hydrocarbons (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), phthalates and some phenols such as phenol and bisphenol A (endocrine disruptors) were included in this study. The procedure was based on coupling, in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) by using a conventional GC capillary column (95% methyl-5% phenyl substituted backbone, 80cmx0.32mm i.d., 3microm film thickness) in the injection valve to capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection. A comparative study between the IT-SPME manifold and a column-switching device using a C(18) column (35mmx0.5mm i.d., 5microm particle size) has been performed. The IT-SPME procedure was optimal, it allows reaching limits of detection (LODs) between 0.008 and 0.2microg/L. No matrix effect was found and recoveries between 70 and 116% were obtained. The precision of the method was good, and the achieved intra- and inter-day variation coefficients were between 2 and 30%. This procedure has been applied to the screening analysis of 28 compounds in whole waters from several points of the Mediterranean coast (Valencia Community, Spain).

New micromethod combining miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion and in-tube in-valve solid-phase microextraction for estimating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bivalves.

Miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) was developed for the extraction of common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from bivalve samples (100mg, dry weight). Additional clean-up and analyte enrichment was accomplished by in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME). For this purpose the extracts collected after MSPD were diluted with water and injected into a capillary column coated with the extractive phase. This capillary column was connected to the analytical column by means of a switching valve. Separation and quantification of the PAHs were carried out using a monolithic LC column and fluorescence detection. Since the in-tube SPME device allowed the processing of large volumes of the extracts (2.0 mL) excellent sensitivity was achieved, thus making solvent evaporation operations unnecessary. The overall recoveries ranged from 10% to 28% for the studied compounds. The relative standard deviation (RSD) ranged from 2% to 10% for intra-day variation (n=3), and the limits of detection (LODs) were < or =0.6 ng/g (dry weight). The proposed procedure was very simple and rapid (total analysis time was approximately 20 min), and the consumption of organic solvents and extractive phases was drastically reduced. The reliability of the proposed MSPD/in-tube SPME method was tested by analysing several bivalves (mussels and tellins) as well as a standard reference material (SRM).

Rapid fluorimetric assay for primary amine groups in water samples.

Bond Elut C(18) solid-phase extraction cartridges were used for pre-concentration followed by derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde-N-acetylcysteine (OPA-NAC) of primary amines in water. Optimal conditions were: conditioning the cartridges with borate buffer pH 10.4, retention of the primary amines, addition of the OPA-NAC(3.7 mmol L(-1)) 1:1 molar ratio and borate buffer pH 8, elution of the isoindol with MeOH-borate buffer (9:1) pH 10.2 and fluorescence measurement. The equations of the calibration graphs for methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, butylamine, pentylamine, and beta-phenylethylamine at lambda(excitation)=330 nm and lambda(emission)=440 nm, in the optimal conditions are presented. The solid-phase extraction procedure improved ten times the detection limits of the solution derivatization. Those values are in the 0.01-0.06 mg L(-1) interval in function of the amine. Also, it is possible to estimate the total primary aliphatic amine concentration in water, expressed as molar concentration of -NH(2) group or -NH(2)-N mg L(-1). On the basis of these studies, the method was applied for the determination of primary amino groups in tap, ground, factory and source water samples.

o-Phthalaldelhyde-N-acetylcysteine polyamine derivatives: formation and stability in solution and in C18 supports.

A comparative study of different derivatization procedures has been performed in order to improve the stability of the reaction products o-phthalaldehyde-N-acetylcysteine (OPA-NAC) polyamines. Procedures such as solution derivatization, solution derivatization followed by retention on a packing support, derivatization on different packing supports and on-column derivatization, have been optimized and compared. The degradation rate constant (k) of the derivative was dependent on the procedure used and on the analyte. For the spermine (the most unstable isoindol tested) k was 8 +/- 2 x 10(-2) min(-1) in solution versus 7.7 +/- 1.1 x 10(-4) min(-1) on the (C18) solid support. The results obtained showed that forming the derivative on the packing support (C18) gave the best results following this procedure: conditioning the cartridges with borate buffer (1 ml, 0.5 M, pH 8), retention of the analyte, addition of 0.8 ml of OPA-NAC reagent, 0.2 ml borate buffer 0.8 M (pH 8) and elution of the isoindol with 3 ml of MeOH-borate buffer (9:1). The different derivatization procedures have been used to study the stability of the reaction products OPA-NAC polyamines formed in urine matrix using spermine as model compound. Similar results were obtained for standard solutions and urine samples.

Creatinine determination in urine samples by batchwise kinetic procedure and flow injection analysis using the Jaffé reaction: chemometric study.

The classical Jaffé reaction for the determination of creatinine in urine samples is tested. A comparative study of the main analytical characteristics focussed to minimize the bias error and improve the precision, for the batchwise and flow injection (FI) methods is realized. Also, the effect of the albumin concentration in the determination of creatinine has been studied. Different analytical signals were studied. Absorbance increments at different times permit to estimate the creatinine concentration free from bias error in urine by the batchwise method using the calibration graph obtained with creatinine standards and no measurement of the blank solution is needed. The lineal interval was 0.92-50 mg l(-1) and seven samples can be processed per hour by an operator. No previous treatment of the urine sample is necessary. The FI method provides also good results. The lineal interval was 30-100 mg l(-1) and the sample rate was around 20 samples per hour. If increased albumin levels are detected in the urine, standard addition method or the calibration graphs with standards in presence of albumin are needed in order to obtain accurate results when FI method is employed. The obtained accuracy of the both methods allows its application as diagnostic tool to establish the urinary creatinine levels.

Urine polyamines determination using dansyl chloride derivatization in solid-phase extraction cartridges and HPLC.

The derivatization of biogenic amines such as putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine with dansyl chloride in solid phase extraction cartridges is described. Different types of filling materials were tested in order to have the highest retention of the different analytes. The best results were obtained by using C18 cartridges. The optimal conditions were: amine solution buffered at pH 12, 2 mM dansyl chloride (acetone-bicarbonate solution 20 mM (pH 9-9.5), 2 + 3 v/v) as reagent concentration, room temperature and 30 min reaction time. The developed procedure was applied to the determination of these polyamines in urine samples from healthy controls and cancer patients using HPLC with 1,7-diaminoheptane as internal standard. The concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 5 micrograms mL-1 and the detection limits were 10 ng mL-1 for all polyamines. By concentrating the urine extracts, the detection limits were improved down to 2 ng mL-1. The accuracy and the precision of the method were tested. The proposed dansylation method is advantageous with respect to solution dansylation. It improves the total analysis time, avoids high temperatures that can affect the thermal stability of the derivatives and could make possible the automation of the procedure.

New spectrophotometric procedure for determining cefotaxime based on derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate into solid-phase extraction cartridges--application to pharmaceutical and urine samples.

Cefotaxime was derivatised with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate (NQS), extracted into solid-phase cartridges (C18) and detected using a UV-visible detection system. Optimum conditions for this new procedure were: hydrogencarbonate-carbonate buffer, pH 10.5, 5-min reaction time at 25 degrees C and an NQS concentration of 7.1x10(-3) mol l(-1). The accuracy and the precision of the liquid-solid procedure were tested. The procedure was used to measure cefotaxime in pharmaceutical and urine samples. The results obtained were contrasted with those reported for a HPLC method for urine samples. The generalized H-point standard additions method was used to measure cefotaxime in urine samples.

Automated pre-column derivatization of amines in biological samples with dansyl chloride and with or without post-column chemiluminescence formation by using TCPO-H2O2.

On-line automation of two different liquid chromatographic procedures, a pre-column derivatization system and a pre- and post-column system, in order to generate chemiluminescence is reported. Dansyl chloride (Dns-Cl) was used as a pre-column reagent to form fluorophores and bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate (TCPO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a post-column reagent to generate chemiluminescence. This procedure is based on the employment of a primary column packed with C18 material inserted in a multi-dimensional assembly for sample clean-up and derivatization with Dns-Cl. The dansyl derivatives formed are transferred and separated in a LiChrospher 100 RP18 analytical column (125 x 4 mm id, 5 microns film thickness) using acetonitrile-imidazole buffer (pH 6.8) (70 + 30) as eluent. The separated derivatives were transferred to the detector for fluorescence detection or to the post-column system where the chemiluminescence response was generated by using TCPO-H2O2 and the products were detected by chemiluminescence. The procedure was optimised for amphetamine and related compounds. A comparison between the on-line pre-column and pre- and post-column systems was performed. The results show that the sensitivity of chemiluminescence detection can be higher than that of fluorescence detection. The recoveries obtained ranged from 98 +/- 8 up to 108 +/- 8% for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively. The accuracy and precision of these methods were evaluated.

Derivatization of amphetamine and methamphetamine with 1,2-naphthoquinone 4-sulfonic acid into solid-phase extraction cartridges. Determination of amphetamine in pharmaceutical and urine samples.

The derivatization of amphetamine and methamphetamine with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate (NQS) into solid-phase extraction cartridges (C18) is described. Optimum conditions were the use of carbonate-hydrogencarbonate buffer of pH 10, a 10 min reaction time at 25 degrees C and an NQS concentration of 9.6 x 10(-3) M. The accuracy and the precision of the method were tested. The results obtained with the proposed liquid-solid procedure were compared with those obtained with a traditional liquid-liquid extraction with hexane-ethyl acetate. The procedure was used to measure amphetamine in pharmaceutical and urine samples.

Liquid chromatographic analysis of amphetamine and related compounds in urine using solid-phase extraction and 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride for derivatization.

A chromatographic method for the analysis of amphetamine and related compounds in urine using 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride (3,5-DNB) as a labeling reagent is presented. This assay is based on the employment of solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for sample cleanup and derivatization. Experimental conditions are optimized for the simultaneous derivatization of ephedrine, norephedrine, pseudoephedrine, beta-phenylethylamine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and 3-phenylpropylamine. The derivatives formed are separated in a LiChrospher 1000 RP18 (125 x 4-mm i.d., 5-microns film thickness) analytical column using a water-acetonitrile gradient elution and detected at 254 nm. Derivatization in C18 SPE disks is found to be the best option for analysis of urine samples; this method provides analyte conversions that are about 85-102% of those obtained by the analogous solution derivatization. Because the 3,5-DNB reagent is a strong pi-acid, the described method can be used in combination with a Pirkle-type donor column for chiral analysis. The practicality of the described approach is illustrated by determining amphetamine enantiomers using a Supelcosil LC-(S)-naphtylurea (250 x 4.6-mm i.d., 5-microns film thickness) column and a mobile phase of n-hexane-acetonitrile-ethyl acetate. Under these conditions, good linearity and reproducibility are observed over the 0.5-10 micrograms/ml concentration range; the limit of detection is 50 ng/mL.

Amphetamine and methamphetamine determination in urine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with simultaneous sample clean-up and derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone 4-sulphonate on solid-phase cartridges.

A liquid-solid procedure is proposed for sample clean-up and derivatization of amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine samples. The reagent was 1,2-naphthoquinone 4-sulphonate, and a commercial C18 packing cartridge was used. The samples derivatized at room temperature were chromatographed on a 5-microns Hypersil ODS (250 x 4 mm I.D.) with an elution gradient of acetonitrile-water containing propylamine. Under these conditions, the amines were eluted with short retention times. The procedure was used to determine amphetamine, or methamphetamine with its metabolite amphetamine, in spiked urine samples. The detection limit (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3) for amphetamine (0.1 microgram/ml) was similar to that obtained with liquid-liquid derivatization and to those obtained with immobilized reagents on a polymeric solid support. The detection limit for methamphetamine (0.4 microgram/ml) was higher than with the liquid-liquid procedure because of the lower reactivity on the cartridge. The precision and accuracy of the method were also studied.

Determination of amphetamine and related compounds in urine using on-line derivatization in octadecyl silica columns with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate and liquid chromatography.

A method for the determination of amphetamine and related compounds in urine based on on-line derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) and high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Derivatization is performed in a 20 x 2.1 mm I.D. column packed with a Hypersil ODS C18, 30 micron stationary phase, which is also used for sample clean-up and enrichment of the analytes. Next, the derivatized analytes are transferred to a LiChrospher 100 RP-C18 (5 micron, 125 x 4 mm I.D.) analytical column for their separation and quantification, using reversed-phase conditions and fluorescence detection. The described assay was applied to the determination of norephedrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, amphetamine, phenylpropylamine and methamphetamine at concentrations of 0.5-10.0 micrograms/ml. Analyte conversions were about 55-96% of those obtained by the off-line derivatization mode under similar conditions, resulting in limits of detection in the 5-25 ng/ml range.

On-line derivatization into precolumns for the determination of drugs by liquid chromatography and column switching: determination of amphetamines in urine.

A chromatographic system for the on-line derivatization of drugs using column switching is described. The system uses a 20 mm x 2.1 mm i.d. precolumn packed with a unmodified ODS stationary phase. This column is used for sample cleanup and enrichment of the analytes. Next, the trapped analytes are derivatized by injection of the derivatization reagent into the precolumn. Finally, the derivatives are transferred to the analytical column for their separation under reversed-phase conditions. The influence of several parameters such as the reaction time, the amount of derivatization reagents, or the system design has been studied some amphetamines as model compounds and three derivatization reagents: sodium 1, 2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate, o-phthaldialdehyde, and 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate. The potential of the described approach is illustrated by determining amphetamine and methamphetamine in untreated urine at ambient temperature.

Amphetamine and methamphetamine determination in urine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with sodium 1,2-naphthoquinone 4-sulfonate as derivatizing agent and solid-phase extraction for sample clean-up.

A rapid method is described for the identification and determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in human urine samples by liquid chromatography with UV-Vis detection. The samples were transferred onto a C18 solid-phase extraction column and chromatographed on a Hypersil ODS RP C18, 5 microns (250 x 4 mm I.D.) with an acetonitrile-water elution gradient containing propylamine. Under these conditions, the amines are eluted with a short retention time. The procedure has been applied to the determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in the range 0.3-4.0 micrograms/ml in spiked urine samples. The detection limits at 280 nm were 4 and 2 ng/ml for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the method were studied.

Improved amphetamine and methamphetamine determination in urine by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with sodium 1,2-naphthoquinone 4-sulphonate as derivatizing agent and solid-phase extraction for sample clean-up.

Solid-phase extraction techniques were evaluated for the treatment of urine samples in the analysis of amphetamine and methamphetamine by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with 1,2-naphthoquinone 4-sulphonate. Six different packing materials were tested, and the results obtained are compared with those obtained in a classical liquid-liquid extraction with n-hexane. Different clean-up eluents and the influence of pH of urine have been tested. The intra-day and inter-day precision, the accuracy of the method and the addition of beta-phenylethylamine as internal standard were also studied.

Application of column-switching techniques to the determination of medium polarity drugs: determination of acetazolamide in urine.

A column-switching system for the determination of the medium polarity diuretic acetazolamide in urine, has been designed. An Hypersil ODS C18, 30 microns (20 x 2.1 mm I.D.) pre-column was used for the pre-concentration and separation of acetazolamide from the biological matrix. The most polar urinary compounds were removed by washing the pre-column with a phosphate buffer solution (pH 3), and the fraction of eluate containing the analyte was switched to a LiChrospher RP C18, 5 microns (125 x 4 mm I.D.) analytical column, where it was chromatographed using gradient elution with acetonitrile-water, and detected at 275 nm. The most apolar urinary compounds were directly discarded by means of a second switching valve. Under these conditions the recovery of drug was 96 +/- 5% in the 0.50-100.0 micrograms/ml concentration range. The limit of detection was 10 ng/ml, the total analysis time being less than 8 min.

Column-switching techniques for screening of diuretics and probenecid in urine samples.

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography using column-switching is described for the screening of diuretics and probenecid in urine samples. The system uses a 20- x 2.1-mm i.d. precolumn, packed with a Hypersil ODS-C18, 30-microns stationary phase, for the on-line sample cleanup and enrichment. Untreated urine samples are directly injected, and the precolumn is flushed for 1 min with water to eliminate polar matrix components. The retained analytes are then back-flushed by means of a six-port switching valve onto a Hypersil ODS-C18 analytical column (5 microns, 250- x 4-mm i.d.), where they are separated using an acetonitrile/phosphate buffer (pH = 3) gradient elution. Under these conditions, the separation and identification of diuretics and probenecid can be achieved with satisfactory selectivity and sensitivity. The described procedure is very simple and rapid since no off-line manipulation of the sample is required, the total analysis time being ca. 15 min.

Column-switching techniques for high-performance liquid chromatography of drugs in biological samples.

In recent years, an increasing number of publications have demonstrated the potential of column-switching techniques for the chromatographic separation, determination and preparative isolation of analytes from biological matrices. Column-switching systems greatly facilitate drug analysis, by on-line sample clean-up and trace enrichment, or by improving the analytical separative process. In this paper, the main applications of column-switching techniques to drug analysis in biological samples, are reviewed.

Improved detection limits for screening of diuretics by coupled liquid chromatography and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.

Experimental conditions have been studied in order to improve the sensitivity for the analysis of diuretics and probenecid in urine samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Sample clean-up and chromatographic parameters have been optimized to obtain a suitable sensitivity for the detection or quantification of each diuretic using an HP-Hypersil ODS-C18 column (5 microns, 250 mm x 4 mm I.D.), taking into account the pharmacological properties of each compound. The reliability of this method was tested by analysing urine samples after a minimum single-dose administration of chlorthalidone and probenecid.

Determination of acetazolamide in human urine samples by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in the presence of xanthines.

A simple, rapid and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the determination of acetazolamide in urine samples is described. After extraction with ethyl acetate, the drug is chromatographed on an HP-Hypersil ODS-C18 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (pH 3) and ultraviolet detection at 275 nm. The efficiency of the extraction, the linearity and the reproducibility of the method permit the evaluation of acetazolamide urinary excretion a long time after its administration.