Chemometric-assisted UV spectrophotometric method for determination of N, N- diethyl-3-methylbenzamide in insect repellents.

In recent years outbreaks of vector-borne diseases have caused great concern to the population, especially those diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Repellents appear as an affordable alternative for prevention, making it increasingly important to control the quality of these products, since the content of the active ingredients are directly related to the efficiency and the protection time provided by the repellent. This paper proposes an analytical method for determining the DEET (N, N- Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) content in insect repellents in lotion using UV spectroscopy. For this propose five different strategies of regression were evaluated: (a) Partial Least Squares (PLS) using full-spectrum; (b) interval PLS (iPLS); Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) with variable selection by the (c) Genetic Algorithm (MLR/GA), (d) Successive Projections Algorithm (MLR/SPA) and the (e) Stepwise (MLR/SW). Appropriate predictions were obtained with RMSEP values between 0.88 and 0.93%w w-1. No systematic error was observed and no significant differences were found between the predicted and reference values, according to a paired t-test at 95% confidence level. The results demonstrated the potential of UV spectroscopy associated to multivariate calibration to determine DEET content in repellents as a fast, simple strategy and with a suitable correlation between the values estimated by the model and the reference values.

Selection of robust variables for transfer of classification models employing the successive projections algorithm.

Multivariate models have been widely used in analytical problems involving quantitative and qualitative analyzes. However, there are cases in which a model is not applicable to spectra of samples obtained under new experimental conditions or in an instrument not involved in the modeling step. A solution to this problem is the transfer of multivariate models, usually performed using standardization of the spectral responses or enhancement of the robustness of the model. This present paper proposes two new criteria for selection of robust variables for classification transfer employing the successive projections algorithm (SPA). These variables are then used to build models based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA) with low sensitivity with respect to the differences between the responses of the instruments involved. For this purpose, transfer samples are included in the calculation of the cost for each subset of variables under consideration. The proposed methods are evaluated for two case studies involving identification of adulteration of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel (HEAF) using UV-Vis and NIR spectroscopy, respectively. In both cases, similar or better classification transfer results (obtained for a test set measured on the secondary instrument) employing the two criteria were obtained in comparison with direct standardization (DS) and piecewise direct standardization (PDS). For the UV-Vis data, both proposed criteria achieved the correct classification rate (CCR) of 85%, while the best CCR obtained for the standardization methods was 81% for DS. For the NIR data, 92.5% of CCR was obtained by both criteria as well as DS. The results demonstrated the possibility of using either of the criteria proposed for building robust models as an alternative to the standardization of spectral responses for transfer of classification.

Detection of adulteration in hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel using infrared spectroscopy and supervised pattern recognition methods.

This paper proposes an analytical method to detect adulteration of hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel based on near infrared (NIR) and middle infrared (MIR) spectroscopies associated with supervised pattern recognition methods. For this purpose, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was employed to build a classification model on the basis of a reduced subset of wavenumbers. For variable selection, three techniques are considered, namely the successive projection algorithm (SPA), the genetic algorithm (GA) and a stepwise formulation (SW). For comparison, models based on partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were also employed using full-spectrum. The method was validated in a case study involving the classification of 181 hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel samples, which were divided into three different classes: (1) authentic samples; (2) samples adulterated with water and (3) samples contaminated with methanol. LDA/GA and PLS-DA models were found to be the best methods for classifying the spectral data obtained in NIR region, which achieved a correct prediction rate of 100% in the test set, while the LDA/SPA and LDA/SW were correctly classified at 84.4% and 97.8%, respectively. For MIR data, all models (PLS-DA and LDA coupled with the SW, SPA and GA) employed in this study correctly classified all samples in the test set.

Near-infrared spectrometric determination of dipyrone in closed ampoules.

The present paper proposes an analytical method for fast near-infrared (NIR) determination of dipyrone in injectable formulations with a nominal content of 50.0%mv(-1) without violation of the ampoule. For this purpose, two multivariate calibration methods are evaluated, namely Partial-Least-Squares (PLS) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) with variable selection by the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA). The resulting models comprised four latent variables (PLS) and five spectral variables (MLR-SPA). Appropriate predictions were obtained in both cases, with RMSEP values of 0.39 (PLS) and 0.35%mv(-1) (MLR-SPA) and correlation coefficients of 0.9970 (PLS) and 0.9975 (MLR-SPA) for a calibration range of 40-60%mv(-1). No systematic error was observed and no significant differences were found between the predicted and reference values, according to a paired t-test at 95% confidence level.

Using near-infrared overtone regions to determine biodiesel content and adulteration of diesel/biodiesel blends with vegetable oils.

This work evaluates the use of near-infrared (NIR) overtone regions to determine biodiesel content, as well potential adulteration with vegetable oil, in diesel/biodiesel blends. For this purpose, NIR spectra (12,000-6300 cm(-1)) were obtained using three different optical path lengths: 10 mm, 20 mm and 50 mm. Two strategies of regression with variable selection were evaluated: partial least squares (PLS) with significant regression coefficients selected by Jack-Knife algorithm (PLS/JK) and multiple linear regression (MLR) with wavenumber selection by successive projections algorithm (MLR/SPA). For comparison, the results obtained by using PLS full-spectrum models are also presented. In addition, the performance of models using NIR (1.0 mm optical path length, 9000-4000 cm(-1)) and MIR (UATR - universal attenuated total reflectance, 4000-650 cm(-1)) spectral regions was also investigated. The results demonstrated the potential of overtone regions with MLR/SPA regression strategy to determine biodiesel content in diesel/biodiesel blends, considering the possible presence of raw oil as a contaminant. This strategy is simple, fast and uses a fewer number of spectral variables. Considering this, the overtone regions can be useful to develop low cost instruments for quality control of diesel/biodiesel blends, considering the lower cost of optical components for this spectral region.

Screening analysis to detect adulteration in diesel/biodiesel blends using near infrared spectrometry and multivariate classification.

This paper proposes an analytical method to detect adulteration of diesel/biodiesel blends based on near infrared (NIR) spectrometry and supervised pattern recognition methods. For this purpose, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) coupled with the successive projections algorithm (SPA) have been employed to build screening models using three different optical paths and the following spectra ranges: 1.0mm (8814-3799 cm(-1)), 10mm (11,329-5944 cm(-1) and 5531-4490 cm(-1)) and 20mm (11,688-5952 cm(-1) and 5381-4679 cm(-1)). The method is validated in a case study involving the classification of 140 diesel/biodiesel blend samples, which were divided into four different classes, namely: diesel free of biodiesel and raw vegetal oil (D), blends containing diesel, biodiesel and raw oils (OBD), blends of diesel and raw oils (OD), and blends containing a fraction of 5% (v/v) of biodiesel in diesel (B5). LDA-SPA models were found to be the best method to classify the spectral data obtained with optical paths of 1.0 and 20mm. Otherwise, PLS-DA shows the best results for classification of 10mm cell data, which achieved a correct prediction rate of 100% in the test set.

Near infrared reflectance spectrometry classification of cigarettes using the successive projections algorithm for variable selection.

This paper proposes a methodology for cigarette classification employing Near Infrared Reflectance spectrometry and variable selection. For this purpose, the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA) is employed to choose an appropriate subset of wavenumbers for a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) model. The proposed methodology is applied to a set of 210 cigarettes of four different brands. For comparison, Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) is also employed for full-spectrum classification. The resulting SPA-LDA model successfully classified all test samples with respect to their brands using only two wavenumbers (5058 and 4903 cm(-1)). In contrast, the SIMCA models were not able to achieve 100% of classification accuracy, regardless of the significance level adopted for the F-test. The results obtained in this investigation suggest that the proposed methodology is a promising alternative for assessment of cigarette authenticity.

Classification of Brazilian soils by using LIBS and variable selection in the wavelet domain.

This paper proposes a novel analytical methodology for soil classification based on the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and chemometric techniques. In the proposed methodology, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is employed to build a classification model on the basis of a reduced subset of spectral variables. For the purpose of variable selection, three techniques are considered, namely the successive projection algorithm (SPA), the genetic algorithm (GA), and a stepwise formulation (SW). The use of a data compression procedure in the wavelet domain is also proposed to reduce the computational workload involved in the variable selection process. The methodology is validated in a case study involving the classification of 149 Brazilian soil samples into three different orders (Argissolo, Latossolo and Nitossolo). For means of comparison, soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) models are also employed. The best discrimination of soil types was attained by SPA-LDA, which achieved an average classification rate of 90% in the validation set and 72% in cross-validation. Moreover, the proposed wavelet compression procedure was found to be of value by providing a 100-fold reduction in computational workload without significantly compromising the classification accuracy of the resulting models.

Classification of edible vegetable oils using square wave voltammetry with multivariate data analysis.

This paper proposes a simple and non-expensive electroanalytical methodology for classification of edible vegetable oils with respect to type (canola, sunflower, corn and soybean) and conservation state (expired and non-expired shelf life). The proposed methodology employs an alcoholic extraction procedure followed by square wave voltammetry (SWV). Two chemometric methods were compared for classification of the resulting voltammograms, namely Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) with variable selection by the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA). The results were evaluated in terms of errors in a set of samples not included in the modelling process. The best results were obtained with the SPA-LDA method, which correctly classified all samples in terms of type and conservation state.

A method for calibration and validation subset partitioning.

This paper proposes a new method to divide a pool of samples into calibration and validation subsets for multivariate modelling. The proposed method is of value for analytical applications involving complex matrices, in which the composition variability of real samples cannot be easily reproduced by optimized experimental designs. A stepwise procedure is employed to select samples according to their differences in both x (instrumental responses) and y (predicted parameter) spaces. The proposed technique is illustrated in a case study involving the prediction of three quality parameters (specific mass and distillation temperatures at which 10 and 90% of the sample has evaporated) of diesel by NIR spectrometry and PLS modelling. For comparison, PLS models are also constructed by full cross-validation, as well as by using the Kennard-Stone and random sampling methods for calibration and validation subset partitioning. The obtained models are compared in terms of prediction performance by employing an independent set of samples not used for calibration or validation. The results of F-tests at 95% confidence level reveal that the proposed technique may be an advantageous alternative to the other three strategies.