Screening method for phthalate esters in water using liquid-phase microextraction based on the solidification of a floating organic microdrop combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and efficient liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) technique was developed using directly suspended organic microdrop coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), for the extraction and the determination of phthalate esters (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dicyclohexyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)) in water samples. Microextraction efficiency factors, such as nature and volume of the organic solvent, temperature, salt effect, stirring rate and the extraction time were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized extraction conditions (extraction solvent: 1-dodecanol; extraction temperature: 60 °C; microdrop volume: 7 μL; stirring rate: 750 rpm, without salt addition and extraction time: 25 min), figures of merit of the proposed method were evaluated. The values of the detection limit were in the range of 0.02–0.05 μg L⁻¹, while the R.S.D.% value for the analysis of 5.0 μg L⁻¹ of the analytes was below 7.7% (n = 4). A good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9940) and a broad linear range (0.05–100 μg L⁻¹) were obtained. The method exhibited enrichment factor values ranging from 307 to 412. Finally, the designed method was successfully applied for the preconcentration and determination of the studied phthalate esters in different real water samples and satisfactory results were attained.     

Simultaneous determination of gibberellic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid in wheat extracts by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of three representative phytohormones in plant samples: gibberellic acid (GA₃), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). A solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment method was used to concentrate and purify the three phytohormones of different groups from plant samples. The separation was carried out on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column, using methanol/water containing 0.2% formic acid (50:50, v/v) as the isocratic mobile phase at the flow-rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹, and the three phytohormones were eluted within 7 min. A linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was operated in negative ion mode. Selective reaction monitoring (SRM) was employed for quantitative measurement. The SRM transitions monitored were as 345 → 239, 301 for GA₃, 174 → 130 for IAA and 263 → 153, 219 for ABA. Good linearities were found within the ranges of 5–200 μg mL⁻¹ for IAA and 0.005–10 μg mL⁻¹ for ABA and GA₃. Their detection limits based on a signal-to-noise ratio of three were 0.005 μg mL⁻¹, 2.2 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.003 μg mL⁻¹ for GA₃, IAA and ABA, respectively. Good recoveries from 95.5% to 102.4% for the three phytohormones were obtained. The results demonstrated that the SPE-LC–MS/MS method developed is highly effective for analyzing trace amounts of the three phytohormones in plant samples.     

Development of an optical surface plasmon resonance biosensor assay for (fluoro)quinolones in egg, fish, and poultry meat

The aim of this study was to develop an optical biosensor inhibition immunoassay, based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) principle, for use as a screening test for 13 (fluoro)quinolones, including flumequine, used as veterinary drugs in food-producing animals. For this, we immobilised various quinolone derivatives on the sensor chip and tested binding of a range of different antibodies (polyclonal and one engineered antibody) in the presence and absence of free (fluoro)quinolones. The main challenge was to detect flumequine in an assay giving good results for the other compounds. One antigen–antibody combination proved satisfactory: polyclonal antibodies raised against a dual immunogen and, on the sensor chip, a fluoroquinolone derivative. It was the first time that this concept of the bi-active antibody was described in the literature.The assay, optimised for detection in three matrices (poultry muscle, fish, and egg), was tested on incurred samples prepared by liquid extraction followed by two washing steps. This rapid, simple method proved adequate for detecting at least 13 (fluoro)quinolones at concentrations below established maximum residue levels (MRLs). The reference molecule norfloxacin could be detected in the range of 0.1–10 μg kg⁻¹ in extracts of egg and poultry meat and in the range of 0.1–100 μg kg⁻¹ in extracts of fish. The determined midpoints of these calibration curves were about 1, 1.5 and 3 μg kg⁻¹ in poultry meat, egg and fish, respectively.     

Determination of photoirradiated high polar benzoylureas in tomato by HPLC with luminol chemiluminescence detection

This study reports the first analytical application of luminol chemiluminescence reaction for the sensitive detection of two benzoylurea insecticides (diflubenzuron and triflumuron). Off-line experiments demonstrated that previously irradiated traces of these benzoylurea insecticides largely enhanced the chemiluminescence emission yielded from the oxidation of luminol in methanol:water mixtures, by potassium permanganate in alkaline medium, the enhancement being proportional to the concentration of both pesticides. The two benzoylureas were determined in tomato samples by coupling liquid chromatography with post-column photoderivatization and detection based on this chemiluminescence reaction. Tomato samples were extracted using the QuEChERS method based on extraction with acetonitrile and dispersive solid-phase clean-up using primary and secondary amine (PSA). Interferences due to matrix effect were overcome by using matrix-matched standards. The optimised method was validated with respect to linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy. Under the optimised conditions, calibrations graphs were linear between 0.05 and 0.50 μg mL⁻¹ for diflubenzuron and between 0.10 and 1.00 μg mL⁻¹ for triflumuron. Method detection limits were 0.0025 and 0.0131 μg mL⁻¹ (equivalent to 0.0005 and 0.0026 mg kg⁻¹) and quantification limits were 0.05 and 0.10 μg mL⁻¹ (equivalent to 0.01 and 0.02 mg kg⁻¹) for diflubenzuron and triflumuron, respectively. In both cases, quantification limits were lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) established by the European legislation. The relative standard deviation of intra-day precision was below 10% and recoveries were between 79.7% and 94.2% for both pesticides.     

On-line separation and preconcentration of inorganic arsenic and selenium species in natural water samples with CTAB-modified alkyl silica microcolumn and determination by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

A new, simple, and selective method has been presented for the separation and preconcentration of inorganic arsenic (As(III)/As(V)) and selenium (Se(IV)/Se(VI)) species by a microcolumn on-line coupled with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Trace amounts of As(V) and Se(VI) species were separated and preconcentrated from total As and Se at desired pH values by a conical microcolumn packed with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified alkyl silica sorbent in the absence of chelating reagent. The species adsorbed by CTAB-modified alkyl silica sorbent were quantitatively desorbed with 0.10 ml of 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃. Total inorganic arsenic and selenium were similarly extracted after oxidation of As(III) and Se(IV) to As(V) and Se(VI) with KMnO₄ (50.0 μmol l⁻¹). The assay of As(III) and Se(IV) were based on subtracting As(V) and Se(VI) from total As and total Se, respectively. All parameters affecting the separation/preconcentration of As(V) and Se(VI) including pH, sample flow rate and volume, eluent solution and volume have been studied. With a sample volume of 3.0 ml, the sample throughput was 24 h⁻¹ and the enrichment factors for As(V) and Se(VI) were 26.7 and 27.6, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.15 μg l⁻¹ for As(V) and 0.10 μg l⁻¹ for Se(VI). The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for nine replicate determinations at 5.0 μg l⁻¹ level of As(V) and Se(VI) were 4.0% and 3.6%, respectively. The calibration graphs of the method for As(V) and Se(VI) were linear in the range of 0.5–1000.0 μg l⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.9936 and 0.9992, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to the speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic and selenium in natural water samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of ultra trace amounts of protein by 4-chlorosulfo-(2′-hyaroxylphenylazo)-rhodanine-Ti(IV) complex [ClSARP-Ti(IV)] as the fluorescence spectral probe in AOT microemulsion

Experiments indicated that protein can enhance the fluorescence of the 4-chlorosulfo-(2′-hydroxylophenylazo)-rhodanine-Ti(IV) complex [ClSARP-Ti(IV)] in the presence of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) microemulsion. Based on this, a sensitive and reproducible fluorometric method for the determination of micro amount protein was developed. The calibration curves of four proteins were given. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity of the system was in proportional to the concentration of protein in the range of 0.1–11 μg mL⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 1.0–10 μg mL⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA), 1.0–50 μg mL⁻¹ for ovalbumin (Ova) and 2.5–18 μg mL⁻¹ for γ-globulins (γ-G). Their detection limits were 0.070, 0.071, 0.33 and 0.22 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The ClSARP-Ti(IV) complex as a spectral probe can be used to the determination of protein in milk powder and oatmeal yielding with satisfactory results. Therefore, the proposed method is one of the most sensitive methods available. In addition, the interaction mechanism of this system is studied by multi-techniques.     

Enhanced sensitivity for Cu(II) by a salicylidine-functionalized polysiloxane carbon paste electrode

A new approach for decreasing the detection limit for a copper(II) ion-selective electrode (ISE) is presented. The ISE is designed using salicylidine-functionalized polysiloxane in carbon paste. This work describes the attempts to develop the electrode and measurements of its characteristics. The new type of renewable three-dimensional chemically modified electrode could be used in a pH range of 2.3–5.4, and its detection limit is 2.7 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (1.2 μg L⁻¹). This sensor exhibits a good Nernstian slope of 29.4 ± 0.5 mV/decade in a wide linear concentration range of 2.3 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ of Cu(II). It has a short response time (8 s) and noticeably high selectivity over other Cu(II) selective electrodes. Finally, it was satisfactorily used as an indicator electrode in complexometric titration with EDTA and determination of copper(II) in miscellaneous samples such as urine and various water samples.     

Selective determination of total vanadium in water samples by cloud point extraction of its ternary complex

A highly sensitive micelle-mediated extraction methodology for the preconcentration of trace levels of vanadium as a prior step to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) has been developed. Vanadium was complexed with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) and hydrogen peroxide in acidic medium (0.2 mol L⁻¹ phosphoric acid) using Triton X-100 as surfactant and quantitatively extracted into a small volume of the surfactant-rich phase after centrifugation. The color reaction of vanadium ions with hydrogen peroxide and PAN in phosphoric acid medium is highly selective. The chemical variables affecting cloud point extraction (CPE) were evaluated and optimized. The R.S.D. for 5 replicate determinations at the 20 μg L⁻¹ V level was 3.6%. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for vanadium was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 0.6 μg L⁻¹. The method has good sensitivity and selectivity and was applied to the determination of trace amounts of vanadium in water samples with satisfactory result. The proposed method is a rare application of CPE-atomic spectrometry to vanadium assay, and is superior to most other similar methods, because its useful pH range is in the moderately acidic range achieved with phosphoric acid. At this pH, many potential interferents are not chelated with PAN, and iron(III) as the major interferent is bound in a stable phosphate complex.     

Use of a graphite–polyurethane composite electrode for electroanalytical determination of indole-3-acetic acid in soil samples

A new electroanalytical methodology was developed for the quantification of the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), using a graphite–polyurethane composite electrode (GPU) and the square wave voltammetry (SWV), in 0.1 mol L^− 1 phosphoric acid solution (pH 1.6). Analytical curves were constructed under optimized conditions (f = 100 s^− 1, a = 50 mV, E_i = 5 mV) and the reached detection and quantification limits were 26 μg L^− 1 and 0.2 mg L^− 1, respectively. The developed methodology is simple and accurate for the routine determination of IAA. In order to verify the application of the electroanalytical methodology in fortified soil samples without previous treatment, an IAA assay was performed without serious interferences of the soil constituents.     

Selective trace analysis of diclofenac in surface and wastewater samples using solid-phase extraction with a new molecularly imprinted polymer

A new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for trace analysis of diclofenac in environmental water samples was prepared by a non-covalent protocol in which diclofenac was used as a template molecule. Diclofenac is a member of the class of drugs termed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which belong to the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in the water-cycle in Europe. The MIP was synthesized using 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively, and bulk thermal polymerization method. ¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to study the interaction between diclofenac and 2-VP mixed in toluene-d₈ in pre-polymerization complex. Two non-covalent bonds were formed i.e. ionic interaction and hydrogen bonding. The binding characteristics of the MIP and diclofenac were evaluated using equilibrium binding experiments. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that two classes of binding sites were formed with dissociation constants of 55.6 μmol L⁻¹ and 1.43 mmol L⁻¹, respectively. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the polymers have been evaluated to achieve the selective preconcentration of diclofenac from aqueous samples and to reduce non-specific interactions. This resulted in an MISPE-LC/DAD method allowing the direct extraction of the analyte from sample matrix with a selective wash using dichloromethane/acetonitrile (94:6, v/v) followed by elution with dichloromethane/methanol (85:15, v/v). The recovery of a 100 ng diclofenac standard spiked into 200 mL of blank surface water was 96%, with good precision (RSD = 3.3%, n = 3). The MISPE was demonstrated to be applicable to the analysis of diclofenac in raw influent and final effluent wastewater samples from sewage treatment plant and revealed diclofenac concentrations of 1.31 ± 0.055 μg L⁻¹ (n = 3) and 1.60 ± 0.049 μg L⁻¹ (n = 3), respectively. Yielded results were in good agreement with the corresponding LC/TIS/MS/MS data obtained by an independent laboratory which were 1.40 and 1.50 μg L⁻¹ for influent and effluent samples.     

Simultaneous isolation of six fluoroquinolones in serum samples by selective molecularly imprinted matrix solid-phase dispersion

A simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of six fluoroquinolones from serum samples was developed by selective molecularly imprinted matrix solid-phase dispersion (MI-MSPD) coupled with chromatographic separation. By using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker and reformative methanol–water system as reaction medium, the improved water-compatible imprinted polymers were synthesized which show higher affinity to template and its analogues in aqueous environment. The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were applied as the selective dispersant of matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) could selectively extracted the six fluoroquinolones from serum, while interferences originated from serum matrices were eliminated simultaneously. Good linearity was obtained in a range of 0.05–100 μg mL⁻¹ with the correlation coefficients >0.999. The average recoveries of the six fluoroquinolones at four different spiked levels (0.25–10 μg mL⁻¹) were ranged from 72.2% to 114.1% with the relative standard deviations less than 6.6%. This method is simple and sensitive, and can be used as an alternative tool to the existing HPLC methods for analyzing the residues of fluoroquinolones in biological samples.     

Faster and simpler determination of chlorophenols in water by fiber introduction mass spectrometry

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) of chlorophenols [2-chlorophenol (2CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (24CP), 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (43CP), 2,4,6-tri-chlorophenol (246CP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP)] followed by direct mass spectrometric analysis has been performed by fiber introduction mass spectrometry (FIMS). Two SPME fibers (65 μm PDMS/DVB and 85 μm PA fibers) were tested, and FIMS was performed via selective ion monitoring (SIM). The extractions were evaluated at 10% ionic strength and pH 1. Best extraction times were determined for both fibers. Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) for both fibers were in the low μg L⁻¹ range. Coefficients of correlation for the analytical curves showed linear responses and mineral water and river water samples spiked with 50 μg L⁻¹ presented high recoveries. FIMS, as compared to current EPA methods, is demonstrated to allow faster and simpler (elimination of pre-separation or derivatization steps) analysis of chlorophenols in water with the required sensitivity.     

LC Determination of Mono-Substituted Phenols in Water Using Liquid–Liquid–Liquid Phase Microextraction

A simple liquid–liquid–liquid microextraction device of new design was used to pre-concentrate phenols from water samples before liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis. Extraction was induced by the pH difference inside and outside an organic phase located at the interface. The pH of the donor phase outside the organic phase was adjusted to 1 with HCl whereas the acceptor phase was a basic solution at pH 13. On stirring neutral phenols were extracted into the organic solvent then back-extracted into 1 μL of basic acceptor solution suspended from the tip of a micro syringe. The acceptor phase was then withdrawn into the micro syringe and injected directly into the LC. The technique uses a low-cost disposable extraction ‘device’ and is very convenient to operate. Up to 230-fold enrichment of analytes could be achieved. This procedure could also serve as a sample clean-up step because neutral and basic compounds were not extracted into the acceptor phase. The RSD (n = 5) was better than 6.2% and the linear calibration range was from 1 to 1000 µg–L⁻¹ with r ² ≥ 0.992.Optimization of experimental conditions (rate of stirring, ionic strength of the sample solution, concentration of reagents, time of extraction, and organic solvent volume) were also examined. The method was applied to the determination of phenols in tap and well waters.Revised: 14 February and 29 March 2005     

Evaluation of liquid-liquid microextraction using polypropylene microporous membranes for the determination of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in water samples

In this work, the suitability of the microporous membrane liquid–liquid extraction (MMLLE) technique for the concentration of several organophosphate esters (OPs) in water samples is assessed. Analytes were first extracted into a few microlitres of an organic solvent, immobilized in the pores of a hollow polypropylene membrane, and then determined by gas chromatography with nitrogen–phosphorus detection (GC–NPD). Main parameters controlling the efficiency of the extraction step were identified and their effects on the performance of the technique discussed. Under final working conditions, 2 cm long polypropylene membranes, containing about 7 μL of octanol in the pores, were dipped in a glass vial filled with 115 mL of water with a 30% of sodium chloride. Extractions were carried out for 12 h, at room temperature, under magnetic stirring. After that, analytes were recovered from the membrane with 0.2 mL of ethyl acetate. This extract was mixed with the internal standard (50 μL of a tripentyl phosphate solution in the same solvent) and finally reduced to ca. 50 μL. Overall enrichment factors for the optimized method ranged from 35 to 1400 times, and the achieved limits of quantification from 0.008 to 0.12 ng mL⁻¹, depending on the considered compound. Globally, the method showed an acceptable linearity and precision for all species, except for tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP). Performance of the MMLLE approach is compared with that reported for other solid- and liquid-phase microextraction techniques and its suitability for the analysis of real water samples discussed.     

Electroanalytical and chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol and related molecules in a contaminated soil: a real case example

Electroanalytical and chromatographic methodologies have been applied for the determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and some of its derivatives in real soil samples contaminated by industrial discharge. The analytes were extracted with hexane from soil samples collected at different points of the site and mixed to produce a representative sample. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) experiments were carried out on either a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode or a gold ultramicroelectrode (Au-UME) in an analyte composed by the Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer at pH 5.5 with the direct addition of proper amounts of the extract. The voltammetric responses revealed an irreversible anodic peak at approximately 0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl with a peak current showing a linear dependence on PCP concentration. This linear relationship yielded a detection limit (DL) of 2×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (or 5.5 μg l⁻¹) for the BDD electrode and 6.9×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (18.4 μg l⁻¹) for the Au-UME, while the independently measured HPLC detection limit was 1.1×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (3.0 μg l⁻¹). The application of electroanalytical and chromatographic methodologies in the analysis of soil extracts revealed, besides the PCP responses, signals for some related molecules such as o-tetrachlorobenzoquinone (o-chloranil), hexachlorobenzene and tetrachlorophenol. Recovering experiments for PCP showed a concentration of 27.5 mg kg⁻¹ for the electroanalytical determinations and 26.8 mg kg⁻¹ for the HPLC analysis, values exceedingly high if considering that the maximum residue limit established for natural waters by the Brazilian Environmental Agency is 10 μg l⁻¹.     

Potentiometric multi-syringe flow injection system for determination of exchangeable potassium in soils with in-line extraction

A multi-syringe flow injection system for the potentiometric determination of exchangeable potassium in soil samples is proposed. Firstly, a manifold was devised to allow determination in soil extracts prepared off-line. It was possible to analyze samples prepared in extractants with different composition (Mehlich or Morgan) without physical or chemical modification of the manifold. A linear dynamic concentration range of 6–391 mg L^− 1 was obtained, allowing the direct introduction of soil extract without dilution. A determination frequency of 50 h^− 1 was achieved, with good repeatability for 10 consecutive injections of soil extracts (RSD < 3.0%). The in-line preparation of soil extract was implemented by automatic addition of extractant solution to a previously weighed portion of soil, followed by in-line filtration. Good repeatability was attained as the variance of the extraction procedure was not significantly different from the variance obtained in consecutive measurements of the same extract. Furthermore, results comparable to those obtained by off-line extraction and determination by flame emission spectrometry were attained for the two soil samples tested. Using this procedure, a determination frequency of 13 h^− 1 and a sampling rate of 4 h^− 1 were achieved.     

The synthesis and photoactivated cytotoxicity of 2-methyl-4-oxo-3-prop-2-yn-1-ylcyclopent-2-en-1-yl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate conjugated with α-terthienyl derivatives

The synthesis of one pyrethroid insecticide [2-methyl-4-oxo-3-prop-2-yn-1-ylcyclopent-2-en-1-yl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (Abbrev. JZ) (Fig. 1)] conjugated with a series of α-terthienyl derivatives (2–8) (Fig. 1) by palladium/copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction is presented here for evaluating the photoactivated cytotoxicity. The photoactivated cytotoxicity on Spodoptera litura (SL) cell line was detected by MTT assay. The inhibitory activity of all the conjugates was enhanced in the irradiation condition, compared with that of JZ. The IC₅₀ values of the most effective compound 9 (Fig. 1) treated with irradiation were 11.60 μg mL⁻¹ at 24 h and 8.93 μg mL⁻¹ at 48 h, respectively. Generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and change of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP) on SL cells treated with compound 9 were used for the further photoactivated study. A summary of these experiments on compound 9 demonstrated the notable ROS generation and dramatic MMP decrease when irradiated with UVA light. The results also represented statistically significant difference between dark and irradiation treatment of compound 9. However, in control and JZ groups, the effects were not statistically different. It was proved that our prepared compounds were ideal candidates for new photoactivated pyrethroid insecticides.     

Fluorescence enhancement effect for the determination of DNA with calcein-cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide system

A new spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of DNA using the calcein as a fluorescent probe. In the presence of appropriate amounts of the cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), the anionic dye calcein dimerizes. The weak fluorescence intensity of the dimer was enhanced by adding DNA at pH 6–7. The interaction between calcein–CTAB and DNA was studied on the basis of this behavior and a new method was developed for determining DNA. Under the optimal conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of DNA in the range of 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 8.0 × 10⁻⁵ g L⁻¹ for fsDNA and thermally denatured ctDNA (4.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 9.0 × 10⁻⁵ g L⁻¹). The detection limits (S/N = 3) were 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 2.2 × 10⁻⁶ g L⁻¹, respectively. This method was used for determining the concentration of DNA in synthetic samples with satisfactory results.     

Voltammetric study of the interaction of lomefloxacin (LMF)–Mg(II) complex with DNA and its analytical application

The voltammetric behavior of the LMF-Mg(II) complex with DNA at a mercury electrode is reported for the first time. In NH₃–NH₄Cl buffer (pH=9.10), the adsorption phenomena of the LMF–Mg(II) complex were observed by linear sweep voltammetry. The mechanism of the electrode reaction was found to be a reduction of LMF in the complex, and the composition of the LMF–Mg(II) complex is 2:1. In the presence of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA), the peak current of LMF–Mg(II) complex decreased considerably, and a new well-defined adsorptive reduction peak appeared at −1.63 V (vs. SCE). The electrochemical kinetic parameters and the binding number of LMF–Mg(II) with ctDNA were also obtained. Moreover, the new peak currents of LMF–Mg(II)–DNA system increased linearly correlated to the concentration of DNA in the 4.00×10⁻⁷–2.60×10⁻⁶ g ml⁻¹ range when the concentrations of LMF–Mg(II) complex was fixed at 5.00×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹, with the detection limits of 2.33×10⁻⁷ g ml⁻¹. An electrostatic interaction was suggested by electrochemical method.     

Sequential and simultaneous determination of bromate and chlorite (DBPs) by flow techniques: kinetic differentiation

3-3′-Dimethoxybenzidine (o-dianisidine, ODA) is oxidised by Br₂, among other oxidants, generating a compound that absorbs at 450 nm, while the non-oxidised reagent absorbs in the UV region. This reaction has been used previously as the basis of a continuous-flow method for the determination of bromate in ozonised water, with a detection limit lower than the maximum permitted for drinking water (10 μg L⁻¹). The only interference observed in the method was that due to the chlorite ion (ClO₂⁻), which generated the same ODA bromation product. Thus, in systems in which O₃ is employed as a disinfectant and disinfection is later enhanced with ClO⁻ and ClO₂, there exists the possibility of finding BrO₃⁻ and ClO₂⁻, oxoanions generated as subproducts. The kinetic behaviour of the reaction between bromate and chlorite with bromine in acidic medium is different, allowing the proposal of a continuous-flow method for the simultaneous or sequential determination of both subproducts in water purification systems. None of the other subproducts interfered in the reaction. Kinetic differentiation was achieved by combining the temperature of the reaction and the length of the coils, after which it was possible to determine both analytes sequentially within a concentration range of 6–160 μg L⁻¹.