[Research advances in covalent organic framework materials for sample pretreatment]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are two-dimensional or three-dimensional crystalline porous structures formed by the covalent bonding of organic monomers. As an emerging crystalline porous material, COFs have been widely used in various fields such as gas storage, catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery. In recent years, COFs have shown immense potential in analytical chemistry because of their low density, large surface area, and controllable structure. This paper reviews the application of porous COFs and their composites in sample pretreatment, including dispersive solid-phase extraction, solid phase micro-extraction, and magnetic solid phase extraction.

Application of Aluminum Hydroxide for Improvement of Label-Free SERS Detection of Some Cephalosporin Antibiotics in Urine

This report is dedicated to development of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based analysis protocol for detection of antibiotics in urine. The key step of the protocol is the pretreatment of urine before the detection to minimize background signal. The pretreatment includes extraction of intrinsic urine components using aluminum hydroxide gel (AHG) and further pH adjusting of the purified sample. The protocol was tested by detection of a single antibiotic in artificially spiked samples of real urine. Five antibiotics of cephalosporin class (cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime) were used for testing. SERS measurements were performed using a portable Raman spectrometer with 638 nm excitation wavelength and silver nanoparticles as SERS substrate. The calibration curves of four antibiotics (cefuroxime is the exception) cover the concentrations required for detection in patient’s urine during therapy (25/100‒500 μg/mL). Random error of the analysis (RSD < 20%) and limits of quantification (20‒90 μg/mL) for these antibiotics demonstrate the applicability of the protocol for reliable quantitative detection during therapeutic drug monitoring. The detection of cefuroxime using the protocol is not sensitive enough, allowing only for qualitative detection. Additionally, time stability and batch-to-batch reproducibility of AHG were studied and negative influence of the pretreatment protocol and its limitations were estimated and discussed.

[Application of covalent-organic frameworks in chromatography and sample pretreatment]

The large surface area, good thermal and solvent stabilities, diverse structures and properties make covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) promising porous materials for gas storage, catalysis, adsorption and separation. Recently, COFs have received considerable attention in the fields of chromatography and sample pretreatment. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of COFs in chromatography and sample pretreatment. The prospects of COFs in chromatography and sample pretreatment are also presented.

Capillary Blood GSH Level Monitoring, Using an Electrochemical Method Adapted for Micro Volumes

Glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine; also known as GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that plays a crucial role in cell defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. It is thus not surprising that this molecule can serve as a biomarker for oxidative stress monitoring. As capillary blood is a highly accessible target for biomarking, it is a valuable bodily fluid for diagnosing human GSH levels. This study focused on the optimization of GSH measurements from micro volumes of capillary blood prior to using electrochemical detection. The optimization of experimental parameters, including the sample volume and its stability, was performed and evaluated. Moreover, we tested the optimized method as part of a short-term study. The study consisted of examining 10 subjects within 96 h of their consumption of high amounts of antioxidants, attained from a daily dose of 2 g/150 mL of green tea. The subjects' capillary blood (5 μL) was taken at 0 h, 48 h, and 96 h for subsequent analysis. The short-term supplementation of diet with green tea showed an increase of GSH pool by approximately 38% (between 0 and 48 h) within all subjects.

Determination of tricyclic antidepressants in human urine samples by the three-step sample pretreatment followed by HPLC-UV analysis: an efficient analytical method for further pharmacokinetic and forensic studies

In this work, an efficient sample pretreatment method has been developed by combining salt induced-homogenous liquid-liquid extraction, dispersive solid phase extraction, and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic droplet for the extraction of some widely used tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drugs (nortriptyline, amitriptyline, desipramine, clomipramine, and imipramine) in human urine samples before their determination by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection. In brief, the target analytes are first isolated from urine samples into acetonitrile (ACN) separated by adding a salt. Then the obtained ACN phase is treated with a mixture of appropriate sorbents to remove interferences. Afterward, the purified ACN is mixed with menthol as an extractant and rapidly injected into alkaline HPLC-grade water as a preconcentration step. Next, the obtained solution is placed in an ice bath and menthol collects on top of the solution after solidification. The solidified drop is then withdrawn and injected into separation system after dissolving in 10 µL ACN. Under the optimum experimental conditions, extraction recoveries and enrichment factors of the selected drugs ranged from 69-84 % and 345-420, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were obtained at the ranges of 0.22-0.31, and 0.71-1.1 µg L^-1, respectively. The relative standard deviations of the proposed method were ≤ 6 % for intra- (n=6) and inter-day (n=4) precisions at a concentration of 10 µg L^-1 (each drug). Finally, the suggested approach was applied to determine of TCA drugs in different patients' urine samples. The method could be applied in further TCAs pharmacokinetic and forensic studies.

Development and validation of a functional cell-based neutralizing antibody assay for ipilimumab

Ipilimumab is the first US FDA-approved immune checkpoint-blocking antibody drug to harness the patient's own immune cells. One of the postmarketing requirements is to develop a cell-based neutralizing antibody assay. Here, we share some of the most challenging aspects encountered during the assay development: new cell line construction; an unexpected inhibition of T-cell activation by low concentrations of ipilimumab; and two issues caused by sample pretreatment with acid dissociation to overcome drug interference: instability of neutralizing antibody positive control at low pH, and incompatibility of commonly used acid dissociation buffers in the cell assay. After troubleshooting and optimization, we successfully validated the assay and used the assay to test clinical samples to date.

Silica Modified with Polyaniline as a Potential Sorbent for Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) and Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction (d-SPE) of Plant Samples

Polyaniline (PANI) is one of the best known conductive polymers with multiple applications. Recently, it was also used in separation techniques, mostly as a component of composites for solid-phase microextraction (SPME). In the present paper, sorbent obtained by in situ polymerization of aniline directly on silica gel particles (Si-PANI) was used for dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) and matrix solid–phase extraction (MSPD). The efficiency of both techniques was evaluated with the use of high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) quantitative analysis. The quality of the sorbent was verified by Raman spectroscopy and microscopy combined with automated procedure using computer image analysis. For extraction experiments, triterpenes were chosen as model compounds. The optimal conditions were as follows: protonated Si-PANI impregnated with water, 160/1 sorbent/analyte ratio, 3 min of extraction time, 4 min of desorption time and methanolic solution of ammonia for elution of analytes. The proposed procedure was successfully used for pretreatment of plant samples.

A Review of Current Methods for Analysis of Mycotoxins in Herbal Medicines

The presence of mycotoxins in herbal medicines is an established problem throughout the entire world. The sensitive and accurate analysis of mycotoxin in complicated matrices (e.g., herbs) typically involves challenging sample pretreatment procedures and an efficient detection instrument. However, although numerous reviews have been published regarding the occurrence of mycotoxins in herbal medicines, few of them provided a detailed summary of related analytical methods for mycotoxin determination. This review focuses on analytical techniques including sampling, extraction, cleanup, and detection for mycotoxin determination in herbal medicines established within the past ten years. Dedicated sections of this article address the significant developments in sample preparation, and highlight the importance of this procedure in the analytical technology. This review also summarizes conventional chromatographic techniques for mycotoxin qualification or quantitation, as well as recent studies regarding the development and application of screening assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, lateral flow immunoassays, aptamer-based lateral flow assays, and cytometric bead arrays. The present work provides a good insight regarding the advanced research that has been done and closes with an indication of future demand for the emerging technologies.

Mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics

Lipids, which have a core function in energy storage, signalling and biofilm structures, play important roles in a variety of cellular processes because of the great diversity of their structural and physiochemical properties. Lipidomics is the large-scale profiling and quantification of biogenic lipid molecules, the comprehensive study of their pathways and the interpretation of their physiological significance based on analytical chemistry and statistical analysis. Lipidomics will not only provide insight into the physiological functions of lipid molecules but will also provide an approach to discovering important biomarkers for diagnosis or treatment of human diseases. Mass-spectrometry-based analytical techniques are currently the most widely used and most effective tools for lipid profiling and quantification. In this review, the field of mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics was discussed. Recent progress in all essential steps in lipidomics was carefully discussed in this review, including lipid extraction strategies, separation techniques and mass-spectrometry-based analytical and quantitative methods in lipidomics. We also focused on novel resolution strategies for difficult problems in determining C=C bond positions in lipidomics. Finally, new technologies that were developed in recent years including single-cell lipidomics, flux-based lipidomics and multiomics technologies were also reviewed.

Simultaneous determination of free methamphetamine, pethidine, ketamine and tramadol in urine by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with GC-MS

A simple and rapid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique coupled with gas chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for the extraction and analysis of methamphetamine (MA), pethidine (PD), ketamine (KT) and tramadol (TD) from human urine. In this study, different parameters affecting the extraction process such as the type and volume of extraction solvent, type and volume of disperser solvent, extraction time and pH value and salt effect were studied and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the enrichment factor ranged from 185 to 226 and the average recovery ranged from 80.45% to 95.55%. The linear range was 10.0–1000.0 µg/L, the limit of detection and quantitation were in the range 0.43–1.96 µg/L and 1.44–6.53 µg/L, respectively. The relative standard deviations were in the range 1.98%–3.90% (n = 7). The obtained results show that DLLME combined with GC–MS is a fast and simple method for the determination of MA, PD, KT and TD in human urine.

Analytical Techniques and Pharmacokinetics of Gastrodia elata Blume and Its Constituents

Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata), commonly called Tianma in Chinese, is an important and notable traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been used in China as an anticonvulsant, analgesic, sedative, anti-asthma, anti-immune drug since ancient times. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the abundant efforts of scientists in developing analytical techniques and performing pharmacokinetic studies of G. elata and its constituents, including sample pretreatment methods, analytical techniques, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) and influence factors to its pharmacokinetics. Based on the reported pharmacokinetic property data of G. elata and its constituents, it is hoped that more studies will focus on the development of rapid and sensitive analytical techniques, discovering new therapeutic uses and understanding the specific in vivo mechanisms of action of G. elata and its constituents from the pharmacokinetic viewpoint in the near future. The present review discusses analytical techniques and pharmacokinetics of G. elata and its constituents reported from 1985 onwards.

Development of Methods for Determination of Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins can cause damage to the health of humans and animals. Several institutions around the world have established regulations to limit the levels of aflatoxins in food, and numerous analytical methods have been extensively developed for aflatoxin determination. This review covers the currently used analytical methods for the determination of aflatoxins in different food matrices, which includes sampling and sample preparation, sample pretreatment methods including extraction methods and purification methods of aflatoxin extracts, separation and determination methods. Validation for analysis of aflatoxins and safety considerations and precautions when doing the experiments are also discussed.

Simplifying the Preparation of Pollen Grains for MALDI-TOF MS Classification

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a well-implemented analytical technique for the investigation of complex biological samples. In MS, the sample preparation strategy is decisive for the success of the measurements. Here, sample preparation processes and target materials for the investigation of different pollen grains are compared. A reduced and optimized sample preparation process prior to MALDI-TOF measurement is presented using conductive carbon tape as target. The application of conductive tape yields in enhanced absolute signal intensities and mass spectral pattern information, which leads to a clear separation in subsequent pattern analysis. The results will be used to improve the taxonomic differentiation and identification, and might be useful for the development of a simple routine method to identify pollen based on mass spectrometry.

Zinc sulfide nanosheets as a novel solid-phase extraction material for flavonoids

As a novel solid-phase extraction material, zinc sulfide nanosheets were prepared by a simple method and were used to extract flavonoids. We used scanning electron microscopy to show its nanosheet morphology and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction to confirm its chemical and phase compositions. Coupled to a high-performance liquid chromatography, the zinc sulfide nanosheets were packed into a microcolumn and were used to extract four model flavonoids to examine their extraction ability. The parameters of sample loading and elution were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the analytical method for flavonoids was established. For the method, wide linearities from 1 to 250 μg/L and low limits of detection from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/L were obtained. The relative standard deviations for single column repeatability and column to column reproducibility were less than 7.7 and 10.4%, respectively. The established method was also used to analyze two real samples and the recoveries from 88.7 to 98.2% further proved the reliability of the method. Moreover, the zinc sulfide nanosheets have good stability and that in one column can be reused for more than 50 times. This work proves that the prepared zinc sulfide nanosheets are a good candidate as the flavonoids sorbent.

Comparison of Upgraded Methods for Detecting Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Foods Using Centrifugation or Filtration

In the present study, centrifugation and filtration pretreatments were evaluated to decrease sample preparation time and to improve the sensitivity and specificity of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of low levels of pathogenic Escherichia coli in various foods. Pathogenic E. coli (E. coli NCCP11142, E. coli NCCP14037, E. coli NCCP 14038, E. coli NCCP14039, and E. coli NCCP15661) was inoculated into pork, beef, and baby leafy vegetables at 1, 2, and 3 Log CFU/g. The samples were shaken 30 times (control), then centrifuged or filtered. DNA extracts from the samples were subjected to PCR using the Powerchek^TM Diarrheal E. coli 8-plex Detection Kit. In the pork samples, no E. coli was detected in the control samples, while E. coli were detected in 100% of 3-Log CFU/g inoculated and centrifuged samples, and in 100% of 2 and 3-Log CFU/g inoculated, and filtered samples. In the beef samples, all control samples appeared to be E. coli-negative, while E. coli was detected in 50-75% of centrifuged samples, regardless of inoculated level, and in 100% of 2 and 3-Log CFU/g inoculated, and filtered samples. In baby leafy vegetables, E. coli were not detected in 25-50% of the control samples, while E. coli were detected in 0-25% of the centrifuged samples, and 75-100% of the filtered samples, depending on the inoculum amount. In conclusion, filtration pretreatment can be used to minimize sample preparation time, and improve the sensitivity and specificity of rapid detection of pathogenic E. coli in various foods.

Fe3O4@Graphene Oxide@Ag Particles for Surface Magnet Solid-Phase Extraction Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SMSPE-SERS): From Sample Pretreatment to Detection All-in-One

A multifunctional magnetic graphene surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was fabricated successfully by the layer-by-layer assembly of silver and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles (NPs) on the magnetic ferroferric oxide particles (Fe3O4@GO@Ag). This ternary particle possesses magnetic properties, SERS activity, and adsorption ability simultaneously. Owing to the multifunction of this Fe3O4@GO@Ag ternary complex, we put forward a new method called a surface magnetic solid-phase extraction (SMSPE) technique, for the SERS detections of pesticide residues on the fruit peels. SMSPE integrates many sample pretreatment procedures, such as surface extraction, separation sample, and detection, all-in-one. So this method shows great superiority in simplicity, rapidity, and high efficiency above other standard methods. The whole detection process can be finished within 20 min including the sample pretreatment and SERS detection. Owing to the high density of Ag NPs, the detection sensitivity is high enough that the lowest detectable concentrations are 0.48 and 40 ng/cm(2) for thiram and thiabendazole, which are much lower than the maximal residue limits in fruit prescribed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This multifunctional ternary particle and its corresponding analytical method have been proven to be applicable for practical samples and also valuable for other surface analysis.