RSD Of Peak Area Research Articles

The development of a two‐leveled two cross interface for on‐line coupling solid‐phase extraction and capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry

A two-leveled, two cross PDMS-based interface for on-line coupling of SPE with CE-MS was proposed. In this interface, the SPE column and the CE separation column were positioned orthogonally and two crosses were fabricated on the interface. With the two cross design, the operation of SPE could be performed independently without unexpected flow through leakage into the separation column. The performance of the interface was optimized using a peptide mixture. The position of the SPE column related to the CE separation channel was found to be critical to the performance of the system. Under the optimal position, the separation efficiency was similar to a CE-MS experiment without SPE. The peptide signals were enhanced 50- to 100-fold and the repeatability was within 4% RSD for migration time and 10% RSD for peak area. A tryptic digest of cytochrome c was used to demonstrate the feasibility of the interface in protein identification at a level of 1 ng/microL.

A portable capillary electropherograph equipped with a cross‐sampler and a contactless‐conductivity detector for the detection of the degradation products of chemical warfare agents in soil extracts

A fully portable CE device equipped with a capacitively coupled contactless-conductivity detector and a cross-injection device is put to the test in laboratory conditions. The portable device is capable of working on batteries for at least 4 h. After that, its performance is strongly affected by the drop in the high-voltage output and analysis may be interrupted if its length exceeds a reasonable time. The concentration of the BGE affects both ionic strength and conductivity. Choosing an optimal concentration of BGE is therefore about finding a good compromise between selectivity and sensitivity. All experiments were performed using a mixture of histidine and MES with a concentration of 15 mM as BGE. The performance of the cross-injection device is optimized by the use of internal standards. Satisfactory reproducibility is gained as the RSD of peak areas is reduced to 8% or less. LODs for different phosphonic acids are in the range of 2.5-9.7 microM. For the analysis of adsorption of phosphonic acids in sand and loamy soil samples, calibration curves are constructed. Linearity in a measured concentration range of 10-100 microM is excellent, as the squares of correlation constants are approximately 1. The concentration analysis of phosphonic acids in soil extracts demonstrates that their adsorption curves in sand and loamy soil follow different adsorption isotherms.

High-sensitive analysis of DNA fragments by capillary gel electrophoresis using transient isotachophoresis preconcentration and fluorescence detection

In this report aimed on further development of a high-sensitivity capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) method for analysis of DNA fragments, we firstly explored online transient isotachophoresis (tITP) preconcentration combined with fluorescence detection (FD). The fluorescence signal (excitation: 488 nm; emission: 590 nm) was generated using the intercalating dye of ethidium bromide (EB). It was found when the leading electrolyte (LE) was injected behind the sample zone, such a special tITP mode has significant advantages to solve the bubble formation issue and to improve the analytical performance stability. Two standard DNA samples, a 50 bp DNA step ladder and the φX174/HaeIII digest, were used to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative abilities of the tITP-FD approach. A highly diluted sample (10,000-fold in the water, e.g. the φX174/HaeIII digest diluted from 500 μg/ml to the 50 ng/ml level) was enriched and detected; the LOD was down to 0.09 ng/ml for the 72 bp fragment, apparently improved more than 1000-fold in comparison with UV detection. Although the RSD of peak areas ( n = 3) was around 15.5% for the sample was electrokinetically injected, good linearity of peak area response showed that the proposed method is suitable for quantitative analysis.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Active Components in Tobacco Wastes by LC.

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of four major active components in tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum L.) wastes. Samples were extracted with 70% v/v aqueous methanol, four compounds including chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were identified and determined by using LC coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and LC–UV method, respectively. Separation in LC–UV was on an Alltima C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting acetonitrile: ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.5) (5:95 v/v), at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1, detected at 327 nm. Four regression equations showed good linear relationships (r 2 > 0.999) between the peak area of each marker and concentration. The method has good repeatability and precision, the intra-day and inter-day RSD for both retention time and peak area was less than 1.0%. The recoveries, measured at three concentration levels, varied from 96.33 to 101.10%. The LOD (S/N = 3) and LOQ (S/N = 6) were less than 0.010 and 0.795 μg·mL−1, respectively. This assay was successfully applied to the determination of four active compounds in ten samples. The results indicated that the developed assay method was rapid, accurate, reliable and could be readily utilized as a quantitative analysis method for various of tobacco wastes.

A highly resolved anion-exchange chromatographic method for determination of saccharidic tracers for biomass combustion and primary bio-particles in atmospheric aerosol

An improved high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) method is developed and validated for simultaneous determination of atmospherically relevant sugar alcohols, monosaccharides, and monosaccharide anhydrides. The improved method enables the separation of levoglucosan and arabitol which were not or insufficiently separated by the previous HPAEC–PAD methods. Reproducibility of the method was tested for both standard solutions and atmospheric aerosol samples. The peak area relative standard deviation (RSD%) of standard solutions were found to be lower than 1.5% for consecutive analyses ( n = 3) and lower than 4% for day to day variation ( n = 9). The peak area RSD% of atmospheric samples with typical European wintertime monosaccharide concentrations ( n = 9) was found to be similar to that of standard solutions. Limits of detection ranged from 0.002 mg L −1 for inositol to 0.08 mg L −1 for fructose. The developed method offers a simple, reliable and cost effective determination of atmospheric tracers for biomass combustion and for selected bio-aerosol components at sub-nanogram per cubic-meter-air concentration levels for routine analysis.

Determination of quinolone antibiotics in urine by capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection

A novel and simple method is presented for the determination of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin by capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection. This method is based on the enhancing effect of quinolones on the chemiluminescence reaction of the Ce(SO(4))(2)-Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-HNO(3) system. Three quinolones were successfully separated and detected under optimum conditions. The obtained detection limits were 2.3x10(-7) mol/L, 5.2x10(-8) mol/L, and 7.8x10(-8) mol/L for ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin, respectively. The RSD of migration time and peak area were less than 1.8 and 3.8% (n = 5), respectively. The applicability of the proposed method was illustrated in the determination of ofloxacin in eye drops and of norfloxacin in human urine samples, and the monitoring of pharmacokinetics for norfloxacin.

Determination of trichothecenes in wheat grain without sample cleanup using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry

An application of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–ToF MS) use for the analysis of trichothecene mycotoxins is described. Trichothecenes belonging to group A (scirpentriol, HT-2, T-2, 15-monoacetoxyscirpenol (15-MAS), 4,15-diacetylscirpenol (DAS), triacetoxyscirpenol (TAS)) and those belonging to group B (deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, fusarenone-X, nivalenol) were analyzed and quantified as trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (TFAA) and trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives, respectively. The application has been developed for the determination of trichothecenes in wheat grain, after extraction, without any cleanup step. The separation of trichothecenes from matrix constituents was possible due to the vast peak capacity of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Despite the presence of uncleaned matrix constituents signal-to-noise ratios for 25 pg of injected trichothecenes ranged from 11:1 to 78:1. Identification of compounds was based on their full spectra. The linearity in a range of 25–2500 pg was generally 0.999 except for 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol deoxynivalenol and fusarenone-X. RSD for peak areas was <9% for all analyzed toxins.

Development of an automated HPLC- DAD- radical scavenging detection system with on-line sample enrichment

An HPLC-DAD-radical scavenging detection system for the rapid on-line identification of antioxidants in complex plant extracts has been developed in our lab [1–3]. To increase its sensitivity and to further decrease the manpower input an additional automated on-line sample enrichment system is presented. With this system injection, enrichment and separation is controlled by computer and by connection with an ABTS radical solution pump detection and identification of antioxidants in fruit juices, vegetables, and processed foods is possible. Trap breakthrough and reproducibility of retention time and area were calculated. The maximum injection volume is 200µL, the intraday day variability (n=3) of retention time and area varied from 0.1%-2.1% and from 0.5%-16%. Within days a RSD (n=3) of retention time and peak area of 0.1%-2.2% and from 1.2% to 28% was observed, respectively. By means of a splitter, a mass spectrometer can be added for structure elucidation. Using this method, various samples were investigated. Their profiles revealed more radical scavenging compounds than previously found because of the larger injection volume and sample enrichment. The fingerprints allow following the fate of antioxidants during processing or storage, as well as variations between batches of the same fruits or commercial food products. Automated data processing will be pursued.

Analysis of food additives by capillary electrophoresis

Summary A simple and rapid capillary zone electrophoretic method is proposed for the analysis of antioxidants and preservatives in food. The important factors affecting separation and detection, for example pH, and concentration of the buffer electrolyte and organic modifier, were investigated in detail. Separation of five antioxidants (propyl gallate, gallic acid isoamyl ester, gallic acid n-octyl ester, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and trihydroxybutyrophenone) and one preservative (benzoic acid) was achieved in a 50.5 cm (effective length) × 75 μm i.d fused-silica capillary, with 15 mmol L–1 borate buffer, pH 9.18, containing 25% (v/v) acetonitrile as separation buffer. UV detection was at 219 nm and the applied potential was 25 kV. Regression analysis revealed linear relationships between peak area and amount of each additive from 10 to 1000 μg mL–1 (R = 0.9992–1.0000). RSD of retention time and peak area were 0.44–0.74% and 1.25–4.31%, respectively. The method was successfully used for simultaneous anal...

Validation of a new reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for separation and quantification of bovine milk protein genetic variants

A new RP-HPLC method for the separation and quantification of the most common genetic variants of bovine milk proteins is described. A reversed-phase analytical column C8 (Zorbax 300SB-C8 RP, 3.5 μm, 300 Å, 150 × 4.6 I.D.) was used. All the most common casein (CN) and whey protein genetic variants, including β-CN I, were detected and separated simultaneously in less then 40 min, with the exception of α S1-CN B and CN C variants. Purified protein genetic variants were employed in calibration and showed different absorbances at 214 nm. The procedure was developed using 40 raw individual milk samples of cows belonging to four different breeds and certified skim milk powder BCR-063R. Method validation consisted in testing linearity, repeatability, reproducibility and accuracy. A linear relationship ( R 2 > 0.99) between the concentrations of proteins and peak areas was observed over the concentration range, with low detection limits. Repeatability and reproducibility were satisfactory for both retention times and peak areas. The RSD of peak areas ranged from 0.92 to 4.32% within analytical day and from 0.85 to 9.52% across analytical days. The recoveries, calculated using mixtures of samples previously quantified, ranged from 98.1 to 103.7%.

Determination of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters in Biodiesel Produced from Yellow Horn Oil by LC

A simple and accurate HPLC method with refractive index detection was developed to determine the main fatty acid methyl esters in biodiesel produced from yellow horn oil. Methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, methyl arachidate, methyl stearate, methyl palmitate and methyl oleate were separated on a HIQ SIL C18W column using methanol as mobile phase. The method has good repeatability and precision, the intraday and interday RSD for both retention time and peak area was less than 3.2%. The LOD (S/N = 3) and LOQ (S/N = 9) were less than 0.004 and 0.015 mg mL−1, respectively.

Chip‐LC‐MS for label‐free profiling of human serum

The discovery of biomarkers in easily accessible body fluids such as serum is one of the most challenging topics in proteomics requiring highly efficient separation and detection methodologies. Here, we present the application of a microfluidics-based LC-MS system (chip-LC-MS) to the label-free profiling of immunodepleted, trypsin-digested serum in comparison to conventional capillary LC-MS (cap-LC-MS). Both systems proved to have a repeatability of approximately 20% RSD for peak area, all sample preparation steps included, while repeatability of the LC-MS part by itself was less than 10% RSD for the chip-LC-MS system. Importantly, the chip-LC-MS system had a two times higher resolution in the LC dimension and resulted in a lower average charge state of the tryptic peptide ions generated in the ESI interface when compared to cap-LC-MS while requiring approximately 30 times less (~5 pmol) sample. In order to characterize both systems for their capability to find discriminating peptides in trypsin-digested serum samples, five out of ten individually prepared, identical sera were spiked with horse heart cytochrome c. A comprehensive data processing methodology was applied including 2-D smoothing, resolution reduction, peak picking, time alignment, and matching of the individual peak lists to create an aligned peak matrix amenable for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis by supervised classification and variable selection showed that both LC-MS systems could discriminate the two sample groups. However, the chip-LC-MS system allowed to assign 55% of the overall signal to selected peaks against 32% for the cap-LC-MS system.

Determination of xanthohumol in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) by nonaqueous CE

Xanthohumol (XN) is a prenylated chalcone with antimutagenic and anticancer activity from hops. A nonaqueous reverse polarity capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of XN in hop extract was developed and validated. The optimal parameters were a 64.5 cm long fused-silica capillary with 50 microm id at 25 degrees C; 30 kV negative voltage (anode at detector side of the capillary); nonaqueous buffer with 75 mM NaOH and 50 mM boric acid in methanol; hydrodynamical injection with 10 mbar for 40 s; and detection at 440 nm. XN, isoxanthohumol (IX), colupulone, adlupulone, and n-lupulone were well resolved on the electropherogram. The LOD for XN was 0.05 mg/L and RSD for peak area was below 3%. The amount of XN in different samples of hop pellets varied from 0.14 to 0.42%.

Determination of 19 rhubarb constituents by high‐performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–mass spectrometry

Rhubarb (Rhei rhizoma), a commonly used Chinese herb, contains anthraquinones, anthrones, galloylglucoses, stilbenes, and flavan-3-ols compounds, etc. as major constituents. Using 19 of these compounds as markers, an HPLC-UV-MS method was developed to estimate the quality of rhubarb samples within a period of 70 min. Extracts were analyzed with a Cosmosil 5C18-MS column and eluted with a gradient comprising an aqueous solution of acetic acid and methanol at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. Peaks were detected by absorbance measurements at 254 nm (6 and 8-19) and 280 nm (1-5 and 7), and the peaks of the marker substances were identified from their UV spectra and MS fragmentation patterns. The proposed method yielded a peak-area ratio RSD value with an intraday SD falling within 0.71-1.78% and an interday SD within 0.78-1.98% at a detection limit of 0.2-3.2 microg/mL. The ESI negative ion mode was used to collect data (molecular weight, CID fragments from MS and MS/MS spectra) for 19 compounds from four types of structure categories: anthraquinones, dianthrone glycosides, stilbenes, and galloylglucosides. The information gathered can be used to identify the structures of various peaks appearing in the LC chromatograms of rhubarb samples.

Evaluation of poly{‐N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐[3‐(methacryloylamino)propyl]trimethylammonium} as a stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography

A cationic polyacrylamide-based stationary phase was synthesized and characterized for CEC. The stationary phase was prepared by radical copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and (3-(methacryloylamino)propyl)trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTA), producing a copolymer attached to 5 microm porous silica particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the copolymer. Under capillary electrochromatographic conditions, the poly-NIPAAm-co-MAPTA stationary phase showed to be stable in a wide pH range. The amino groups in the MAPTA provided an anodic EOF for CEC separation. The electroosmotic mobility changed less than 10% when the pH of the mobile phase was changed from 2 to 12. The run-to-run RSD of analyte migration time was less than 1.5% (n = 3), and the RSD of peak area was less than 3% (n = 3). The day-to-day RSD for migration time was less than 2% (n = 3). The polar groups present in the stationary phase contributed to the selectivity of the phase providing for hydrophilic interactions. In the separation of a series of neutral and acidic compounds, the stationary phase shows a mixed-mode separation mechanism with both hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity contributing to the separation.

HPLC with Diode-Array Detection for Determination of Leflunomide in Tablets

We have developed and validated a simple HPLC method for analysis of leflunomide in tablets. Method conditions were determined by assay of a photodegraded sample of leflunomide. Optimum chromatographic performance was obtained with a C18 column and acetonitrile-water as mobile phase. Comparison of spectra recorded with a diode-array detector during elution of the leflunomide peak enabled determination of method specificity. The method is highly sensitive (detection limit 10 ng mL−1) and robust to deliberate variation of the conditions (RSD of peak area < 2.0%). Precision and accuracy were adequate over the concentration range 10 to 100 µg mL−1. These results show the proposed method is suitable for its intended use.

Fast separation and sensitive detection of carcinogenic aromatic amines by reversed-phase μ-liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection

A μ-LC method was developed for the fast and sensitive analysis of aromatic amines by electrochemical detection. The chromatographic separation of nine carcinogenic aromatic amines was performed on an ABZ + PLUS column with detection limits up to pM L −1 levels. Mobile phase comprised of methanol-acetate buffer of pH 5 (45:55, v/v) used at a flow rate of 0.2 ml min −1. The detection was performed with a 6 mm glassy carbon electrode at an applied potential of 0.8 V versus Ag/AgCl. An intraday RSD for retention time and peak area were between 0.22% and 0.73% and 1.86% and 4.03%, respectively. The interdays RSD for retention time and peak area were between 0.47% and 1.35% and 2.04% and 4.42%, respectively. The applicability of the assay has been demonstrated by analyzing these aromatic amines in lake water and synthetic food colour additives. A comparison is given between electrochemical and UV detection.

Quantification in capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry: Long- and short-term variance components and their compensation using internal standards

Different approaches were chosen to examine ionization reproducibility of analytes after separation by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) in a commercially available sheath-flow electrospray interface. For this task three different standard samples were examined. Sample 1 contained neostigmine bromide (cationic), paracetamol (PCM) (neutral) and nicotinic acid (anionic component). Results were evaluated using internal standard (IS) calculations. Sample 2 represented an isotopically labelled IS of the quantified substance (PCM/D4-PCM), while sample 3 (neostigmine bromide/scopolamine hydrobromide) provided an IS closely migrating to the tested substance. Furthermore, short-time variations inside the interface were examined by multiple injections of the same substance. For sample 1, the relative standard deviations (RSD%s) were between 8 and 25% (n at least 58) for the peak area ratios. Multiple injected samples gave 5.5-19.4% (n = 25) for peak area RSD%. Using a closely migrating IS, sample 3, RSD%s between 6.5 and 10% (n at least 63) were achieved. With isotopically labelled IS, sample 2, an RSD% of 3-4% was achieved for peak area ratios over long periods (n = 25), for shorter periods (n = 9) even 1-2% RSD% was obtained. Keeping the instrument settings constant, the influence on the ionization efficiency and reproducibility was tested, varying the buffer pH, the organic buffer modifier and the sample concentration. Repeatabilities of migration time and peak area were measured and compared. Two 10 mM ammonium acetate buffers with pH 4.0 and 8.5 were investigated. No influence of buffer pH on peak area reproducibility was found. Isopropanol as organic buffer modifier significantly improved the ionisation leading to larger peak areas, but reduced reproducibility. The basic buffer produced slightly better RSD%s for migration times (2.5-4.0%) (n = 180) and faster analysis for the different test analytes of sample 1, while with the acetic buffer, RSD%s from 3.9 to 6.0% were obtained (n at least 163). The positioning of the capillary turned out to be the crucial parameter to ensure reproducible results. Thus, a procedure was established to ensure a defined ion-intensity level after capillary changes. The investigation of the different sample concentrations gave negligible differences in RSD%, showing that the signal-to-noise ratio was not the crucial parameter for reproducibility here, in contrast to CE-UV detection.

Simultaneous Enantioseparation and Tandem UV−MS Detection of Eight β-Blockers in Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography Using a Chiral Molecular Micelle

The feasibility of using a new and more versatile polymeric chiral surfactant, i.e., poly(sodium N-undecenoxy carbonyl-L-leucinate (poly-L-SUCL) is investigated for simultaneous enantioseparation and detection of eight structurally similar beta-blockers with tandem UV and MS detection. Three optimization approaches, i.e., direct infusion-MS, capillary zone electrophoresis-MS, and chiral micellar electrokinetic chromatography-mass spectrometry (CMEKC-MS), were investigated to optimize sheath liquid parameters, spray chamber parameters, and CMEKC separation parameters for maximum sensitivity and chiral resolution. Compared to unpolymerized micelle of L-SUCL, the use of micelle polymer (i.e., poly-L-SUCL) provided significantly higher separation efficiency, lower separation current, and higher detection sensitivity for CMEKC-ESI-MS of beta-blockers. It was also observed that, unlike monomeric L-SUCL, polymeric L-SUCL provided enantioseparation of all beta-blockers even at the lowest surfactant concentration (i.e., 5 mM poly-L-SUCL). Under optimum CMEKC and ESI-MS conditions (15 mM poly-L-SUCL, 25 mM each of NH4OAc and TEA (pH 8.0); 80% (v/v) methanol sheath liquid containing 40 mM NH4OAc (pH 8.0); sheath liquid flow rate, 5.0 microL/min; drying gas flow rate, 5 L/min; drying gas temperature, 200 degrees C; nebulizing pressure, 6 psi (0.414 bar); capillary voltage, +2.5 kV; fragmentor voltage, 85 V), baseline enantioseparation of eight beta-blockers was achieved by tandem UV (in approximately 30 min) and MS (in approximately 60 min) detection. Calibration curves for all beta-blockers were linear in the range of 0.01-0.6 mM for both CMEKC-UV and CMEKC-MS methods, but the later method provided better concentration limit of detection with similar RSD for migration time and peak areas. The CMEKC-ESI-MS method appears suitable for use as a routine procedure for high-throughput separation of beta-blockers with high sensitivity.

Analysis of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in human urine by capillary electrophoresis using direct injection.

meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid ( meso-DMSA) is an effective chelating agent for the treatment of lead poisoning. We have developed a capillary electrophoresis (CE) method to monitor the urinary excretion of meso-DMSA in human beings. The urine sample was directly injected for analysis in CE without the requirement of solid-phase extraction (SPE). The meso-DMSA was detected in 20 mM borate buffer (pH 8.3) using a 60-cm length bare fused-silica capillary (75-microm ID, 52.5-cm effective length). The meso-DMSA can be extensively biotransformed during metabolism, and no meso-DMSA in urine samples was found in our studies. Any metabolized meso-DMSA can be successfully converted to free meso-DMSA by chemical reduction with dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, samples were also treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to transchelate any meso-DMSA that is coordinated with metal ions present in the urine samples. The total amount of meso-DMSA present as these chemical forms was quantified after chemical reduction and addition of EDTA. The detection limit of meso-DMSA was about 50 microM, the RSD of peak area and migration time of meso-DMSA were 4-8% and less than 1%, respectively.