Apparent inter-channel interference in dual-electrode electrochemical detection.

During the course of routine high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of brain catecholamines using dual-electrode electrochemical detection, we encountered an unusual negative peak in the lower-voltage channel. Subsequent investigations suggested that this peak was caused by tyrosine which produced a positive peak in the higher-voltage channel. Our investigations indicate that compounds that generate a peak in one channel appear to be responsible for complex peaks in a second channel set at a lower voltage, close to or below that necessary for oxidation. The complex peaks are biphasic; a sharp negative peak coinciding with the positive peak on the higher-voltage channel, followed by a positive peak. This effect was not specific for tyrosine, but was observed on the lower-voltage channel with all compounds tested that produced signals on the high-voltage channel. The cause of the problem is unknown, but it appears to be an artifact of the electrical coupling of the two electrode channels in a dual-channel system.

A thin layer chromatographic method for high volume screening of urine for methylphenidate abuse.

A thin layer chromatographic (TLC) method for the high volume screening of urine for methylphenidate (Ritalin) abuse is presented. The method utilizes charcoal extraction of ritalinic acid from urine and a simple test-tube methylation step for the conversion of the ritalinic acid to methylphenidate. The methylphenidate is then subjected to a routine TLC drug procedure for subsequent qualitative identification.

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the determination of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (acetaminophen) in serum or plasma using a direct injection technique.

N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol (acetaminophen) is becoming more prevalent as an intoxicant in accidental or intentional overdose, therefore, a direct injection ultra-micro high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for its quantitation. The HPLC analysis was performed using a Model 110 Solvent Metering Pump equipped with a Model 110-19 Pressure Filter (Altex Scientific, Berkeley, CA), a Model 7120 Rheodyne Injector (Rheodyne, Berkeley, CA) or a Model U6K Injector (Waters Associates, Milford, MA) a Model 440 Absorbance Detector (Water's Associates), and a Model 3380A Recorder Integrator (Hewlett Packard, Avondale, PA). A commercially prepared muBonapak C18 Column (Water's Associates) was used. Acetaminophen was eluted with a mixture of 0.01 mol/L aqueous sodium acetate, pH 4.0: acetonitrile (93:7) and the absorbance detector was operated wih a 254 nm filter. The method, which requires only 2 microL of serum or plasma for analysis, offers several distinct advantages to the analyst. No pre- or post-column extraction or other manipulation of the specimen is required to obtain a quantitative result. Rapid processing of the specimen is possible because both acetaminophen and the internal standard are eluted in less than 10 minutes. The small sample (2 microL) is ideal for use with pediatric patients.