Development of immunoaffinity solid phase microextraction probes for analysis of sub ng/mL concentrations of 7-aminoflunitrazepam in urine

We report on the development of solid phase microextraction probes for drug analysis, prepared with antibodies specific for benzodiazepines covalently immobilized to the surface. In the technique, immobilized antibody probes are exposed to a sample containing the drug for 30 min. Extracted drugs are subsequently desorbed from the probes in 500 microL of methanolic desorption solution, which is dried, reconstituted in a small volume of injection solution and analysed by LC-MS/MS. The antibodies were characterized both before and after immobilization, to facilitate the rational selection of antibodies for such analyses. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were compared as was the impact of affinity purification of the polyclonal antibody to isolate the drug-specific fraction. The probes were evaluated for utility in analyzing 7-aminoflunitrazepam at sub ng/mL concentrations in urine, which is expected to be found several days after a single oral dose of 2 mg of flunitrazepam. Such analyses are required in monitoring for abuse of this drug, both in terms of 'club drug' use and in cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault. In these cases drug concentrations in blood and urine are much lower than in chronic abuse cases and are difficult to analyse by conventional methods. The method developed has a limit of detection of 0.02 ng/mL, with accuracy ranging from 1% to 27% and precision (% R.S.D.) ranging from 2% to 10% between the lower and upper limits of quantitation for the analysis of 7-aminoflunitrazepam in urine. The dynamic range of the method is from 0.02 ng/mL, which is limited by the instrument sensitivity, to 0.5 ng/mL, which is approaching the capacity of the probes. This would allow for quantitative analysis of samples at concentrations below that measurable by many other methods for general benzodiazepines analysis from urine, and a highly selective screen for samples at higher concentrations. The method has similar limits of detection to the most sensitive literature methods specifically designed for such analysis but with the advantage of significantly simplified sample preparation. This simplification makes the technique more amenable for use by both professionals and non-professionals.

Polydimethylsiloxane rod extraction, a novel technique for the determination of organic micropollutants in water samples by thermal desorption-capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A novel, simple and inexpensive approach to absorptive extraction of organic compounds from environmental samples is presented. It consists of a polydimethylsiloxane rod used as an extraction media, enriched with analytes during shaking, then thermally desorbed and analyzed by GC-MS. Its performance was illustrated and evaluated for the enrichment of sub- to ng/l of selected chlorinated compounds (chlorobenzenes and polychlorinated biphenyls) in water samples. The new approach was compared to the stir bar sorptive extraction performance. A natural ground water sample from Bitterfeld, Germany, was also extracted using both methods, showing good agreement. The proposed approach presented good linearity, high sensitivity, good blank levels and recoveries comparable to stir bars, together with advantages such as simplicity, lower cost and higher feasibility.

Monitoring of drugs and metabolites in whole blood by restricted-access solid-phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Robust biocompatible solid-phase microextraction (SPME) devices were prepared using various alkyldiol-silica (ADS) restricted-access materials (RAM) as the SPME coating. The ADS-SPME approach was able to simultaneously fractionate the protein component from a biological sample, while directly extracting diazepam and the major metabolites N-desmethyldiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam, and overcame the present disadvantages of direct sampling in biological matrices by SPME. The devices were interfaced with an LC-MS system and an isocratic mobile phase was used to desorb, separate, and quantify the analytes. The calculated diazepam, nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam detection limits were 20, 20, 30, and 35 ng/ml in heparinized blood, respectively. The method was confirmed to be linear over the range of 50-1000 ng/ml with an average linear coefficient (R2) value of 0.996. The injection repeatability and intra-assay precision of the method were evaluated over ten injections at concentrations of 50, 200, and 500 ng/ml, resulting in a R.S.D. of ca. 10%. The robustness of the ADS-SPME device was evaluated for future use in in vivo studies, providing many direct extractions and subsequent determination of benzodiazepines in blood. For the extraction of the peptides angiotensin I, II, and III from blood, a novel restricted access material with cation exchange properties was evaluated. The ion-exchange diol silica improved the extraction efficiency of peptides relative to the conventional ADS material with reversed phase extraction centers.

Verapamil drug metabolism studies by automated in-tube solid phase microextraction

Verapamil is a common calcium antagonist described with antianginal, antihypertensive and antiarrythmic properties. The metabolites of verapamil have also shown pharmacological properties and therefore sample preparation and analysis techniques capable of metabolic screening for verapamil are important. In-tube SPME is a relatively new method integrating sample extraction, concentration and introduction into one single step without the use of organic solvents. The capability of in-tube SPME in bioanalysis has been reviewed but there has been no application described in the field of drug metabolism. Since automation and interfacing of in-tube SPME coupled to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is possible, we confirm in this study that it is a powerful method to monitor the main metabolites of verapamil in various biological matrices like plasma, urine and cell culture media. Further, we show that it could also be used in routine pharmacokinetics measurements. An in-tube SPME LC-MS method was developed to extract and analyze the metabolic profile of verapamil from biological matrices. The detection limit for verapamil, gallopamil, norverapamil and PR22 were 52, 53, 65 and 83 ng/ml (UV detection) and 5, 6, 6 and 8 ng/ml (MS detection), respectively. The precision of the method was calculated in various biological matrices and the average % R.S.D. (N=5) for verapamil, gallopamil, norverapamil and PR22 was 3.9, 3.7, 3.8 and 4.3% (MS detection), respectively. The linear dynamic range was determined to be 100-800 ng/ml (UV detection) with a total sample preparation and analysis time of 34 min.

Solid phase microextraction

Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) uses a small volume of sorbent dispersed typically on the surface of small fibres, to isolate and concentrate analytes from sample matrix. After contact with sample, analytes are absorbed or adsorbed by the fibre phase (depending on the nature of the coating) until an equilibrium is reached in the system. The amount of an analyte extracted by the coating at equilibrium is determined by the magnitude of the partition coefficient of the analyte between the sample matrix and the coating material. After the extraction step, the fibres are transferred, with the help of a syringe-like handling device, to analytical instrument, for separation and quantitation of target analytes. This technique integrates sampling, extraction and sample introduction and is a simple way of facilitating on-site monitoring. Applications of this technique include environmental monitoring, industrial hygiene, process monitoring, clinical, forensic, food, flavour, fragrance and drug analyses, in laboratory and on-site analysis.

Direct LC analysis of five benzodiazepines in human urine and plasma using an ADS restricted access extraction column

An alkyl-diol-silica (ADS) precolumn was used for the direct and on-line extraction of several benzodiazepines from serum and urine. The protein component of the biological sample was flushed through the ADS column, while simultaneously extracting the benzodiazepine compounds in the pores of the ADS stationary phase. The role of hydrophobic interactions in the extraction mechanism was confirmed. Column switching was employed to elute the extracted analytes from the ADS column into a high-performance liquid chromatography reverse-phase C18 column for the isocratic separation and UV detection of the benzodiazepines. Sample preconcentration via large volume injections was possible, improving the limits of detection. The calculated clonazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, nordazepam and diazepam detection limits were 38.8, 24.2, 31.7, 31.3, 45.0 ng/ml in serum, respectively, and 48.4, 24.5, 31.7, 33.1, 52.9 ng/ml for urine, respectively. The method was linear over the range of 50-10000 ng/ml in both matrices with an average linear coefficient (R(2)) value of 0.9918. The injection repeatability and intra-assay precision of the method were evaluated over ten injections, resulting in a percent relative standard deviation <5%. The ADS extraction column was robust, providing many direct injections of biological fluids for the extraction and subsequent determination of benzodiazepines.

Miniaturization of capillary isoelectric focusing

Miniaturization of whole-column imaging capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) is discussed. A 1.2 cm capillary was used as a separation column for CIEF. The experimental results for the analysis of two pI markers and the protein myoglobin showed that good CIEF separation results could be obtained. Secondly, a light-emitting diode (LED) was used as the light source for the whole-column absorbance imaging detection. The focusing of both the pI markers and myoglobin were observed with the LED light source. The whole-column imaging CIEF instrument was simplified and miniaturized by the use of the LED. Further developments are also discussed.

Application of solid-phase microextraction in the determination of diazepam binding to human serum albumin

In this paper, protein-drug interactions were studied by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) using diazepam binding to human serum albumin as a model system. Since drug compounds are normally polar and nonvolatile by nature, direct SPME is used in this work. The SPME extraction is an equilibrium process among the concentrations of the analyte partitioned onto the SPME fiber, free and bound drug in the solution. A calibration curve was first constructed by employing the amount of the analytes partitioned on the fiber versus the free analyte concentration in the solution in the absence of protein. In method I, the extraction was performed in the protein solution with known diazepam concentration. In method II, diazepam was first loaded onto the fiber by extracting in solution with known diazepam concentration. This fiber was subsequently transferred into the protein solution for desorption. The amount of the analyte left on the fiber was analyzed after the system reached equilibrium. The free drug concentration was then obtained from the calibration curve for both methods. The Scatchard plot was finally employed to obtain the number of binding sites and the equilibrium binding constants. Since only a very small amount of the protein solution is required (150 microL for each extraction), method II is very useful for circumstances where the protein amount is very limited. The direct measurement method proposed in this paper does not need a GC response factor, which significantly decreases the experimental error. The only measurement needed is the area count change (ratio) of the fiber injections before and after the protein was introduced into the solution. The difference between the direct measurement method for method I and method II is discussed. The result illustrated that the SPME direct measurement method provided both theoretical accuracy and simplicity in such applications.

Biological sample analysis with immunoaffinity solid-phase microextraction

A theophylline antiserum was covalently immobilized on the surface of a fused silica fiber, modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde, and used as a selective and sensitive extraction medium for the immunoaffinity solid-phase microextraction (SPME) determination of theophylline in serum samples. The specificity of the immunoaffinity SPME fiber was first investigated using a fixed concentration of [3H]theophylline together with various amounts of interference, possessing no cross-reactivity with the theophylline antibody. No significant non-specific binding was observed. The reproducibility of the fiber preparation and the immunoaffinity SPME analysis was also investigated, resulting in a relative standard deviation of 6.1% for five analyses of the same fiber. The antigen-antibody binding isotherm was obtained by analyzing theophylline standards of various concentrations (0.1-5 ng mL(-1)) until saturation values were reached. Initial binding of theophylline was linear with a r2 = 0.968. The cross-reactivity of the theophylline immunoaffinity SPME fiber for the structural analog caffeine was investigated by adding various amounts of caffeine in the presence of theophylline at a saturation concentration and produced a low cross-reactivity value of 0.1%. Finally. spiked serum samples (10 and 50 ng mL(-1)) were successfully analyzed with an excellent correlation with the standard binding isotherm, thus confirming the performance of the immunoaffinity SPME coating for improved bioanalysis.

Sampling and Raman confocal microspectroscopic analysis of airborne particulate matter using poly(dimethylsiloxane) solid-phase microextraction fibers

Commercial poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) 7-microm solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were used for sampling and Raman spectroscopic analysis of a tailpipe diesel exhaust, candle smoke, cigarette smoke, and asbestos dust. Samples were collected via direct exposure of the SPME fiber to contaminated air. The mass loading for SPME fibers was varied by changing the sampling time. Results indicate that PDMS-coated fibers provide a simple, fast, reusable, and cost-effective air sampling tool for airborne particulates. The PDMS coating was stable; Raman bands of the PDMS coating were observed exactly at the same wavenumber positions before and after air sampling. Raman spectroscopic analysis resulted in identification of several characteristic bands allowing chemical speciation of particulates. The advantage of the SPME fiber is the open bed geometry allowing for application of various spectroscopic methods of particulate analysis. This paper describes the first-ever combined application of SPME technology with Raman confocal microspectroscopy for sampling and analysis of airborne particulates. Advantages of the combination of solid-phase microextraction and Raman microspectroscopy for airborne particulate analysis are discussed. Challenges associated with combined SPME sampling and Raman analysis of single particles are also described.

In-tube moleculary imprinted polymer solid-phase microextraction for the selective determination of propranolol

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) material was synthesized for use as an in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) adsorbent. The inherent selectivity and chemical and physical robustness of the MIP material was demonstrated as an effective stationary-phase material for in-tube SPME. An automated and on-line MIP SPME extraction method was developed for propranolol determination in biological fluids. This simplified the sample preparation process and the chromatographic separation of several beta-blocker compounds. The method developed for propranolol showed improved selectivity in comparison to alternative in-tube stationary-phase materials, overcoming the limitations of existing SPME coating materials. Preconcentration of the sample by the MIP adsorbent increased the sensitivity, yielding a limit of detection of 0.32 microg/mL by UV detection. Excellent method reproducibility (RSD < 5.0%) and column reusability (> 500 injections) were observed over a fairly wide linear dynamic range (0.5-100 microg/mL) in serum samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the automated application of a MIP material for in-tube SPME. The method was inexpensive, simple to set up, and simplified the choice of SPME adsorbent for in-tube extraction. The approach can potentially be extended to other MIPs for the determination of a wide range of chemically significant analytes.

Field sampling and determination of formaldehyde in indoor air with solid-phase microextraction and on-fiber derivatization

A new sampling and analysis method for formaldehyde in indoor air was tested in several indoor air surveys. The method was based on the use of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene,65-microm fiber and gas chromatography. Indoor air surveys included grab and time-weighted average (TWA) sampling and were completed at six locations using (a) the SPME method employing on-fiber formaldehyde derivatization with o-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride and (b)the conventional National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 2451 method. Sampling time for SPME fiber ranged from 10 min for grab sampling to 8 h for TWA sampling. Sampling locations included a residential house, a rental apartment, an office building, and industrial workplaces. The air concentrations measured by SPME ranged from 10 to 380 ppbv and correlated well with those estimated by the NIOSH method. Results also indicated thatin some cases the formaldehyde concentrations measured in residential air could be much higher than those allowed in occupational settings. The SPME method proved to be accurate, fast, sensitive, and cost-efficient in field sampling applications. This research should be of interest to research, industrial, and regulatory agencies as well as to the general public concerned with indoor air quality.

Preparation and applications of polypyrrole films in solid-phase microextraction

Polypyrrole (PPY) and poly-N-phenylpyrrole (PPPY) films were prepared and applied for solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The extraction properties of the new films to volatile organic compounds were examined using an SPME device coupled with GC-flame ionization detection. A PPY-coated capillary was applied for in-tube SPME to evaluate its extraction efficiency towards less volatile compounds and ionic species. The porous surface structures of the films, revealed by scanning electron microscopy, provided high surface areas and allowed for high extraction efficiency. Compared with commercial SPME stationary phases, the new phases showed better selectivity and sensitivity toward polar, aromatic, basic and anionic compounds, due to their inherent multifunctional properties. In addition, PPY and PPPY films showed different selectivity to various groups of compounds studied, indicating that the selectivity of the films could be modified by introducing a new functional group (phenyl in PPPY) into the polymer. For in-tube SPME, the PPY-coated capillary showed superior extraction efficiency to commercial capillaries for a variety of compounds, demonstrating its potential applications for a wide range of analytes when coupled with HPLC. The sensitivity and selectivity of the films for SPME could be tuned by changing the film thickness. These results are in line with both the theoretical expectations and the results obtained by other methods, which indicate not only that PPY films can be used as new stationary phases for SPME. but also that SPME method may provide an alternative tool for studying materials like polypyrrole.

Design and validation of portable SPME devices for rapid field air sampling and diffusion-based calibration

The use of SPME fibers coated with porous polymer solid phases for quantitative purposes is limited due to effects such as interanalyte displacement and competitive adsorption. For air analysis, these problems can be averted by employing short exposure times to air samples flowing around the fiber. In these conditions, a simple mathematical model allows quantification without the need of calibration curves. This work describes two portable dynamic air sampling (PDAS) devices designed for application of this approach to nonequilibrium SPME sampling and determination of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The use of a PDAS device resulted in greater adsorbed VOC mass compared to the conventional SPME extraction in static air for qualitative screening of live plant aromas and contaminants in indoor air. For all studied air samples, an increase in the number of detected compounds and sensitivity was also observed. Quantification of aromatic VOCs in indoor air was also carried out using this approach and the PDAS/SPME device. Measured VOC concentrations were in low parts-per-billion by volume range using only 30-s SPME fiber exposure and were comparable to those obtained with a standard NIOSH method 1501. The use of PDAS/SPME devices reduced the total air sampling and analysis time by several orders of magnitude compared to the NIOSH 1501 method.

Air sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds with solid phase microextraction

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) presents many advantages over conventional analytical methods by combining sampling, preconcentration, and direct transfer of the analytes into a standard gas chromatograph (GC). Since its commercial introduction in the early 1990s, SPME has been successfully applied to the sampling and analysis of environmental samples. This paper presents an overview of the current methods for air sampling and analysis with SPME using both grab and time-weighted average (TWA) modes. Methods include total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), formaldehyde, and several target volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Field sampling data obtained with these methods in indoor air were validated with conventional methods based on sorbent tubes. The advantages and challenges associated with SPME for air sampling are also discussed. SPME is accurate, fast, sensitive, versatile, and cost-efficient, and could serve as a powerful alternative to conventional methods used by the research, industrial, regulatory, and academic communities.

Diffusion-based calibration for SPME analysis of aqueous samples

When an SPME fiber is exposed for a short period of time to a flowing fluid sample, the amount of extracted analyte depends on its diffusion coefficient in the matrix medium, and it can be correlated to its concentration using a simple mathematical model. This work discusses the extension of this approach, already validated for gaseous samples and SPME fibers coated with strong adsorbent coatings, to the diffusion-based quantification of analytes present in aqueous samples. Dilute aqueous solutions of aromatic hydrocarbons were used as model samples and vials were modified to use conventional magnetic agitation with controlled tangential flow of the test solution around the fiber. It was demonstrated that, with proper selection of the stirring speed and sampling time, the same diffusion-based quantitative model used for gas samples could be employed. Under optimal conditions, the concentrations of the evaluated aromatic hydrocarbons were estimated with relative standard deviations between 0.8 and 3.6% and without deviation from the expected values within this precision range. Considering the extraction times involved, between 30 and 60 s, the approach here presented is the fastest possible technique for direct extraction of analytes from liquid samples.

Sampling and analysis of airborne particulate matter and aerosols using in-needle trap and SPME fiber devices

A needle trap device (NTD) and commercial poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) 7-microm film thickness solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers were used for the sampling and analysis of aerosols and airborne particulate matter (PM) from an inhaler-administered drug, spray insect repellant, and tailpipe diesel exhaust. The NTD consisted of a 0.53-mm o.d. stainless steel needle having 5 mm of quartz wool packing section near the needle tip. Samples were collected by drawing air across the NTD with a Luertip syringe or via direct exposure of the SPME fiber. The mass loading of PM was varied by adjusting the volume of air pulled through the NTD or by varying the sampling time for the SPME fiber. The air volumes ranged from 0.1 to 50 mL, and sampling times varied from 10 s to 16 min. Particulates were either trapped on the needle packing or sorbed onto the SPME fiber. The devices were introduced to a chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) injector for 5 min desorption. In the case of the NTD, 10 microL of clean air was delivered by a gas-tight syringe to aid the introduction of desorbed analytes. The compounds sorbed onto particles extracted by the SPME fiber or trapped in the needle device were desorbed in the injector and no carry-over was observed. Both devices performed well in extracting airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in diesel exhaust, triamcinolone acetonide in a dose of asthma drug and DEET in a dose of insect repellant spray. Results suggest that the NTDs and PDMS 7-microm fibers can be used for airborne particulate sampling and analysis, providing a simple, fast, reusable, and cost-effective screening tool. The advantage of the SPME fiber is the open-bed geometry allowing spectroscopic investigations of particulates; for example, with Raman microspectroscopy.

Polypyrrole-coated capillary coupled to HPLC for in-tube solid-phase microextraction and analysis of aromatic compounds in aqueous samples

In-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) based on a polypyrrole (PPY)-coated capillary was investigated for the extraction of aromatic compounds from aqueous solutions. The PPY-coated capillary was coupled on-line to HPLC that was programmed with an autosampler to achieve automated in-tube SPME and HPLC analysis. Three groups of aromatics, including both polar and nonpolar compounds, were examined. The results demonstrated that the PPY coating had a higher extraction efficiency than the currently used commercial capillary coatings, especially for polycyclic aromatic compounds and polar aromatics due to the increasing pi-pi interactions, interactions by polar functional groups, and hydrophobic interactions between the polymer and the analytes. In addition to the functional groups in the PPY coating, which contributed to the higher extraction efficiency and selectivity toward analytes, the coating's porous surface structure,which was revealed by electron microscopy experiments, provided a high surface area that allowed for high extraction efficiency. It was found that the extraction efficiency and selectivity could be tuned by changing the coating thickness. The preliminary study of the extraction mechanism indicated that analytes were extracted onto the PPY coating mainly by an adsorption mechanism. The method was used for the extraction and analysis of both polar and nonpolar aromatics in aqueous samples.

Microextraction of drugs

This review will attempt to provide an overview as well as a theoretical and practical understanding of the use of microextraction technologies for drug analysis. The majority of the published reports to date focus on the use of fibre solid-phase microextraction and so the review is significantly focused on this technology. Other areas of microextraction such as single drop and solvent film microextraction are also described. Where there are insufficient examples in the literature to illustrate important concepts, examples of non-drug analyses are presented. The review is intended for readers new to the field of microextraction or its use in drug extraction, but also provides an overview of the most recent advances in the field which may be of interest to more experienced users. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect various sample matrices have on extraction characteristics.

Automated in-tube solid phase microextraction coupled with HPLC-ES-MS for the determination of catechins and caffeine in tea

A polypyrrole (PPY) coated capillary and several commercially available capillaries (capillary GC columns) were used to evaluate their extraction efficiencies for catechins and caffeine. Compared with commercial capillaries that were currently used for in-tube solid phase microextraction (SPME), the PPY coated capillary showed better extraction efficiency for all of the compounds studied. Electrospray mass spectrometric (ES-MS) detection conditions were also investigated. After optimization of the extraction and detection conditions, a method for the sensitive and selective determination of catechins and caffeine was developed by coupling the PPY coated capillary in-tube SPME with HPLC-ES-MS. Catechins could be determined in both positive and negative ion detection modes. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for each of the studied catechins was < 0.5 ng mL-1. Caffeine could only be determined under positive ES-MS detection conditions and its detection limit was 0.01 ng mL-1. Caffeine and the five catechins in several tea samples were determined using the developed method. Small amounts of catechins were also detected in grape juice and wine samples.

Automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the determination of selected benzodiazepines

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method, which allowed us to simultaneously determine seven benzodiazepines (diazepam, nordiazepam, temazepam, oxazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, N-desmethylflunitrazepam, and clonazepam) in buffer solution and in urine and serum samples, was investigated by automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). In-tube SPME, in which the analytes were extracted from the sample directly into an open tubular capillary column by repeated draw/eject cycles of sample solution, is an extraction technique for organic compounds in aqueous samples. The separation of benzodiazepines was carried out under ion-suppressed reversed-phase conditions by using methanol/50mM ammonium acetate in water (60:40) as a mobile phase with a Supelco LC-18 column. The optimal extraction condition was 10 draw/eject cycles of 30 mL of sample in 100mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.5) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min using a piece of 60-cm length Supelco-Q plot capillary column as the extraction capillary. The quantitative study was explored by operating in selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The calibration curves were linear in the range from 0.5 ng/mL or 2 ng/mL to 500 ng/mL. The detection limits were from 0.02 ng/mL to 2 ng/mL. At the optimized capillary and fragmentor voltages, the characteristic ions for each compound clearly showed up in the spectra and it is possible to use the LC-MS to identify these compounds. The method was applied to the analysis of biological samples without interfering peaks. However, the recoveries for some of the compounds in serum samples need to be further improved.

Dynamics of capillary isoelectric focusing in the absence of fluid flow: high-resolution computer simulation and experimental validation with whole column optical imaging

A 150-component, dynamic electrophoresis simulator was developed and applied to the description of capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) of amphoteric substances in quiescent solution. The simulator is shown to be capable of producing high-resolution pH 3-10 focusing data with 140 individual carrier ampholytes (20/pH unit) and at current densities that are used in CIEF, i.e., under conditions that were hitherto unaccessible by dynamic computer simulation. Having a focusing capillary of 5-cm length, the predicted focusing dynamics for amphoteric dyes obtained at a constant voltage of 1500 V (300 V/cm) are shown to qualitatively agree with data obtained by whole-column optical imaging. The simulation data provide detailed insight into the dynamics of the focusing process for the cases with the focusing column being sandwiched between 40 mM NaOH (catholyte) and 100 mM phosphoric acid (anolyte) or having the column ends only permeable for OH- and H+ at cathode and anode, respectively. Simulation data reveal that the number of sample boundaries migrating from the two ends of the column to the focusing positions is always equal to the number of sample components. The number of detectable migrating sample boundaries, however, can be lower. Whole-column optical imaging is demonstrated to be the method of choice for following the approach to equilibrium. With that detection format, transient sample peaks can be recognized and properly identified. This would also be possible with a scanning detector moving rapidly and repeatedly along the column but cannot be accomplished by a stationary detector placed at a specified location. The data presented demonstrate that the model together with imaging monitoring can be used to optimize the CIEF separation conditions.

Time-weighted average sampling of volatile and semi-volatile airborne organic compounds by the solid-phase microextraction device

The ultimate goal of the chemist is to perform sample preparation, and analysis, if possible at the place where a sample is located rather than moving the sample to laboratory, as is common practice in many cases at the present time. This approach eliminates errors and time associated with sample transport and storage and therefore it would result in more accurate, precise and faster analytical data. In addition to portability, two other important features of ideal field sample preparation technique are elimination of solvent use and integration with a sampling step. A method is developed which addresses these requirements for the determination of time-weighted average concentration of gas phase compounds using a solid-phase microextraction device. Quantification of target analytes in air using this method can be carried out without external calibration. The volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in air diffuse into the fiber coating which is retracted a known distance into its needle housing during the sampling period. The coatings used are poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene. The sampling rate at which gas phase analytes load onto the fiber is determined for a wide range of hydrocarbons. There is a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental sampling rates. Sampling time ranges from 1 min to 24 h depending on the coating used and its retraction distance. Effect of the flow-rate on the uptake rate by the fiber is studied. The method is tested in the field and compared with National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Method 1550. Good agreement between the results is obtained.

Evolution of solid-phase microextraction technology

The main objective of this contribution is to describe the development of the concepts, techniques and devices associated with solid-phase microextraction, as a response to the evolution of understanding of the fundamental principles behind this technique. The discussion begins with an historical perspective on the very early work conduced almost a decade ago. As new fundamental understanding about the functioning of the technology developed, new ways of constructing and using the SPME devices evolved.

In-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled to capillary LC for carbamate analysis in water samples

Recently, the on-line sample preparation technique, intube solid-phase microextraction (SPME), was successfully implemented with a Hewlett-Packard 1100 HPLC system for analysis of carbamates in water samples. This paper describes the coupling of in-tube SPME to capillary LC and explores its utility as a sample preparation method in that format, relative to conventional LC. The Hewlett-Packard HPLC system was upgraded to a capillary LC system using commercially available accessories from LC Packings. The combination of in-tube SPME with a capillary LC system was expected to build on the merits of both in-tube SPME and the capillary LC to generate a sensitive method with an easy, effective, and efficient sample preparation. Due to the relatively large effective injection volume of the in-tube SPME technique (30-45 microL), on-column focusing was employed in order to achieve good chromatographic efficiency. Excellent sensitivity was achieved with very good method precision. For all carbamates studied, the RSD of retention time was between 0.5 and 0.8% under 4 microL/min microgradient conditions. The RSD of peak area counts was between 1.5 and 4.6%. The detection limits for all carbamates studied were less than 0.3 microg/L and, for carbaryl, just 0.02 microg/L (20 ppt). Compared with the conventional in-tube SPME/LC method, the LODs were lowered for carbaryl, propham, methiocarb, promecarb, chlorpropham, and barban, by factors of 24, 45, 42, 81, 62, and 56, respectively. The optimized method was successfully applied to the analysis of carbamates in surface water samples.

Theory of solid-phase microextraction

The main objective of this contribution is to describe the fundamental concepts associated with solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Theory provides insight when developing SPME methods and identifies parameters for rigorous control and optimization. A mathematical model has been developed to understand the principal processes of SPME by applying basic fundamental principles of thermodynamics and diffusion theory. The model assumes idealized conditions and is limited to air, liquid, or headspace above liquid sampling. Theory for ideal cases can be quite accurate for trace concentrations in simple matrices such as air or drinking water at ambient conditions when secondary factors such as thermal expansion of polymers and changes in diffusion coefficients because of solutes in polymers can be neglected. When conditions are more complex, theory for ideal cases still efficiently estimates general relationships between parameters.

Applications of solid-phase microextraction in food analysis

Food analysis is important for the evaluation of the nutritional value and quality of fresh and processed products, and for monitoring food additives and other toxic contaminants. Sample preparation, such as extraction, concentration and isolation of analytes, greatly influences the reliable and accurate analysis of food. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a new sample preparation technique using a fused-silica fiber that is coated on the outside with an appropriate stationary phase. Analyte in the sample is directly extracted to the fiber coating. The SPME technique can be used routinely in combination with gas chromatography (GC), GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or LC-MS. Furthermore, another SPME technique known as in-tube SPME has also been developed for combination with LC or LC-MS using an open tubular fused-silica capillary column as an SPME device instead of SPME fiber. These methods using SPME techniques save preparation time, solvent purchase and disposal costs, and can improve the detection limits. This review summarizes the SPME techniques for coupling with various analytical instruments and the applications of these techniques to food analysis.

Simple and rapid determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and their methylenedioxy derivatives in urine by automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid method for the determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and their 3,4-methylenedioxy derivatives in urine samples was developed using automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). In-tube SPME is an extraction technique for organic compounds in aqueous samples in which analytes are extracted from the sample directly into an open tubular capillary by repeated draw/eject cycles of sample solution. LC-MS analyses of stimulants were initially performed by liquid injection onto an LC column to determine spectra. Five stimulants tested in this study gave very simple ESI mass spectra, and strong signals corresponding to [M+H]+ were observed for all stimulants. The stimulants were well separated with a Supelcosil LC-CN column using acetonitrile/50mM ammonium acetate (15:85) as a mobile phase. In order to optimize the extraction of stimulants, several in-tube SPME parameters were examined. The optimum extraction conditions were 15 draw/eject cycles of 35 microL of sample in 50mM Tris-HCI (pH 8.5) at a flow rate of 100 microL/min using an Omegawax 250 capillary column. The stimulants extracted by the capillary were easily desorbed by mobile phase flow, and carryover of stimulants was not observed. Using in-tube SPME-LC-ESI-MS with selected ion monitoring, the calibration curves of stimulants were linear in the range from 2 to 100 ng/mL with correlation coefficients above 0.9985 (n = 18) and detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.38-0.82 ng/mL. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of human urine samples without interference peaks. The recoveries of stimulants spiked into urine samples were above 81%.

Speciation of alkyllead and inorganic lead by derivatization with deuterium-labeled sodium tetraethylborate and SPME-GC/MS

A method for full speciation and determination of alkyllead and inorganic lead(II) in aqueous samples was developed. This was accomplished by in situ derivatization with deuterium-labeled sodium tetraethylborate NaB(C2D5)4 (DSTEB). The derivatization was carried out directly in the aqueous sample and the derivatives were extracted from the headspace by a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber. The extracted analytes were then transferred to a GC/MS or a GC/FID for separation and detection. The research presented demonstrates that SPME and the derivatization reagent DSTEB can be used successfully for the speciation of Pb2+, Pb(CH3)3+, Pb(C2H5)3+, and Pb(C2H5)4 in water samples. All derivatives, Pb(C2D5)4, (CH3)3Pb(C2D5), (C2H5)3Pb(C2D5), and Pb(C2H5)4, are separated using an SBP-5 column. This method was applied to monitor degradation of tetraethyllead in water. This is the first report of ethylation by DSTEB for full speciation of methyllead, ethyllead, and inorganic lead compounds. This approach can be extended to other organometallic compounds as demonstrated for ethyltin speciation. This full speciation method will aid in monitoring occurrence, pathways, toxicity, and biological effects of these compounds in the environment. It is easily adopted for field analysis.

Determination of butyltin species in water and sediment by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-flame ionization detection

A procedure for determination of tetraethyltin (TeET) and tetrabutyltin (TeBT) in water by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) using the headspace approach has been developed. The method has been adapted for the simultaneous determination of mono-, di- and tributyltin species (MBT, DBT and TBT) after derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate in water and sediment samples. The analytical procedures were optimized with respect to stirring conditions, extraction time and extraction temperature. The pH and the amount of derivatizing reagent were also considered in derivatization reaction procedures. The analysis was carried out using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detection. The detection limits obtained for TeET and TeBT, in equilibrium conditions (room temperature for TeET and 40 degrees C for TeBT) were 28 and 20 ng/l (as Sn), respectively. The detection limit for butyltin species in water, which was limited by signals which are non-specific for the tin compounds and the sensitivity of the FID system, was found ca. 1 microg/l (as Sn). The SPME method was validated for analysis of sediments by analyzing the certified reference material PACS-2 finding a good agreement with the certified values.

Development of membrane extraction with a sorbent interface-micro gas chromatography system for field analysis

The commercially available portable gas chromatographs have a rather limited scope of applications, typically allowing analysis of gaseous samples only, and having relatively poor sensitivity. Combination of those instruments with modern sampling/sample preparation techniques can remedy these problems. A Chrompack micro-GC system equipped with a thermal conductivity detector has been coupled to membrane extraction with a sorbent interface (MESI). The sorbent trap has replaced the GC injector. The design of the trap was also modified in order to enhance the preconcentration of analytes. The use of a thin flat sheet membrane reduces the response time, and decreases the memory effect of the system. Rapid separation times were achieved, and the sensitivity was significantly improved. MESI enables semi-continuous monitoring of both gaseous and aqueous samples, owing to the selectivity of the membrane material. The system does not use moving parts, therefore being reliable. The sensitivity of the micro-GC system was increased by a factor of more than 100 by the addition of the MESI system, even with a preconcentration time as short as 1 min. Chloroform, having a concentration lower than 1 ppb, was detected in tap water. A cup system was used to allow headspace sampling of volatile organic compounds from aqueous matrices, keeping the membrane away from interfering species that could be present in water, and improving the mass transfer. A linear calibration line was obtained, and the estimated limit of detection was 60 ppt. This represents a great improvement for the sensitivity of the micro-GC system.

Kinetics of solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction in thin adsorbent layer with saturation sorption isotherm

The effects of sorbent saturation in thin adsorbent layers have been much overlooked in earlier research and should be taken into account in both the theory and practice of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The adsorption kinetics of a single analyte into a thin adsorptive layer was modeled for several cases of agitation conditions in the analyzed volume. The extraction process in the adsorbent layer was modeled using a Langmuir isotherm approximated by the linear isotherm at low concentrations and by a saturation plateau at concentrations exceeding the critical saturation concentration. Laplace transformations were used to estimate the equilibration time and adsorbed analyte concentration profile for no agitation, practical and perfect agitation in the analyzed volume. The equilibration time may be significantly reduced at high degrees of oversaturation and/or agitation in the analyzed volume. The resulting models indicated that the adsorbent layer becomes saturated at some critical value of the oversaturation degree parameter. The critical value of the oversaturation parameter is affected by both the concentration of the analyte in the analyzed volume and the sorbent characteristics. It was also shown that the adsorption process is carried out via the propagation of the saturation adsorption boundary toward the inner boundary of the adsorbent layer. These new adsorption models should serve as "stepping stones" for the development of competitive adsorption kinetic models for both SPE and SPME, particularly in cases where fast sampling is used.

Development of a headspace solid-phase microextraction procedure for the determination of free volatile fatty acids in waste waters

An analytical procedure based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to GC-flame ionization detection/Negative Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry has been developed for the determination of free volatile fatty acids (C2-C7) in waste water samples. Five different coatings have been evaluated and polydimethylsiloxane-Carboxen was the only fiber that allows a successful extraction of the shortest chain fatty acids (acetic and propionic). Several parameters such as extraction time and temperature, desorption conditions, agitation speed and sample volume have been optimized using the polydimethylsiloxane-Carboxen fiber. The linear dynamic range was over two-four orders of magnitude, depending on the acid. Procedural detection limits were in the low to medium microg/l levels and the RSDs were between 5.6% and 13.3%. To evaluate the applicability of the developed SPME procedure on real samples, fermented urban wastewaters were analysed.

Speciation of dimethylarsinic acid and monomethylarsonic acid by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method has been developed to determine two methylated arsenic species in human urine samples by GC-MS. The direct extraction of the methyl arsenic compounds by SPME after thioglycol methylate derivatization was studied. Direct extraction with SPME was suitable for the determination of trace levels of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) in urine samples. Four different commercial SPME fibers were tested for the extraction of methyl arsenic compounds, and the best results were obtained using the polydimethylsiloxane coating. The extraction and desorption time profiles of DMA and MMA were determined. The detection limits for DMA and MMA using the SPME-GC-MS method were 0.12 and 0.29 ng/ml, respectively. The method is linear in the 1 to 200 ng/ml range.

Automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction-high-performance liquid chromatography for carbamate pesticide analysis

In-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is an automated version of SPME that can be easily coupled to a conventional HPLC autosampler for on-line sample preparation, separation and quantitation. It has been termed "in-tube" SPME because the extraction phase is coated inside a section of fused-silica tubing rather than coated on the surface of a fused-silica rod as in the conventional syringe-like SPME device. The new in-tube SPME technique has been demonstrated as a very efficient extraction method for the analysis of polar and thermally labile analytes. The in-tube SPME-HPLC method used with the FAMOS autosampler from LC Packings was developed for detecting polar carbamate pesticides in clean water samples. The main parameters relating to the extraction and desorption processes of in-tube SPME (selection of coatings, aspirate/dispense steps, selection of the desorption solvents, and the efficiency of desorption solvent, etc.) were investigated. The method was evaluated according to the reproducibility, linear range and limit of detection. This method is simple, effective, reproducible and sensitive. The relative standard deviation for all the carbamates investigated was between 1.7 and 5.3%. The method showed good linearity between 5 and 10000 microg/l with correlation coefficients between 0.9824 and 0.9995. For the carbamates studied, the limits of detection observed are lower than or similar to that of US Environmental Protection Agency or National Pesticide Survey methods. Detection of carbaryl present in clean water samples at 1 microg/l is possible.

On-line coupling of high performance gel filtration chromatography with imaged capillary isoelectric focusing using a membrane interface

A high performance liquid chromatography system, a sample preparation device, and an imaged capillary IEF (CIEF) instrument are integrated and multiplexed on-line. The system is equivalent to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE), by transferring the principle of 2-D separation to the capillary format. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) provides protein separation based on size using a gel filtration chromatography (GFC) column. Each eluted protein is sampled and directed to a novel microdialysis hollow fiber membrane device, where simultaneous desalting and carrier ampholyte mixing occurs. The sample is then driven to the separation column in an on-line fashion, where CIEF takes place. The fluidic technology used by our 2-D system leads to natural automation. The coupling of the two techniques is simple. This is attributed to high speed and efficiency of the sample preparation device that acts as an interface between the two systems, as well as the speed and simplicity of our whole column absorption imaged CIEF instrument. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, the separation of a mixture of two model proteins is studied. Sample preparation and CIEF were complete in just 4-5 min, for each of the eluted proteins. Total analysis time is about 24 min. Three-dimensional data representations are constructed. Challenges and methods to further improve our instrument are discussed, and the design of an improved horseshoe-shaped sample preparation sample loop membrane interface is presented and characterized.

Determination of equilibrium constant of alkylbenzenes binding to bovine serum albumin by solid phase microextraction

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with GC has been applied to study the binding properties between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene and butylbenzene. Their protein-ligand equilibrium constants have been determined. The measurement of free and bound ligand concentrations in the aqueous solution was based on the equilibrium among the analyte in the fiber coating (Cf), headspace (Ch) and aqueous solution (Cs). The work demonstrated that SPME is a simple and effective method in the study of protein binding to measure the freely dissolved analyte concentration as well as the equilibrium constant. The theoretical aspect of the SPME applied to the equilibrium constant measurement in two-phase (liquid sample-fiber coating) and three-phase (liquid sample-headspace-fiber coating) systems has been thoroughly discussed. The results demonstrated that the interpretation of the calibration data is crucial to the determination of freely dissolved analyte concentration and the equilibrium constant especially when the sample volume is small. The error in the experimental system is discussed. It is demonstrated in this study that for the three-phase system the amount of the analyte partitioned in the headspace could be ignored only in certain circumstances, where the Henry's law constant and the ratio between headspace volume and sample volume are sufficiently small.

Automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the determination of beta-blockers and metabolites in urine and serum samples

The technique of automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) was evaluated for the determination of beta-blockers in urine and serum samples. In-tube SPME is an extraction technique for organic compounds in aqueous samples, in which analytes are extracted from the sample directly into an open tubular capillary by repeated draw/eject cycles of sample solution. LC/MS analyses of beta-blockers were initially performed by liquid injection onto a LC column. Nine beta-blockers tested in this study gave very simple ESI mass spectra, and strong signals corresponding to [M + H]+ were observed for all beta-blockers. The beta-blockers were separated with a Hypersil BDS C18 column using acetonitrile/methanol/water/acetic acid (15:15:70:1) as a mobile phase. To optimize the extraction of beta-blockers, several in-tube SPME parameters were examined. The optimum extraction conditions were 15 draw/eject cycles of 30 microL of sample in 100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.5) at a flow rate of 100 microL/min using an Omegawax 250 capillary (Supelco, Bellefonte, PA). The beta-blockers extracted by the capillary were easily desorbed by mobile-phase flow, and carryover of beta-blockers was not observed. Using in-tube SPME/LC/ESI-MS with selected ion monitoring, the calibration curves of beta-blockers were linear in the range from 2 to 100 ng/mL with correlation coefficients above 0.9982 (n = 18) and detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.1-1.2 ng/mL. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of biological samples without interference peaks. The recoveries of beta-blockers spiked into human urine and serum samples were above 84 and 71%, respectively. A serum sample from a patient administrated propranolol was analyzed using this method and both propranolol and its metabolites were detected.

Automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the determination of ranitidine

The technique of automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was evaluated for the determination of ranitidine. In-tube SPME is an extraction technique for organic compounds in aqueous samples, in which analytes are extracted from the sample directly into an open tubular capillary column by repeated aspirate/dispense steps. In order to optimize the extraction of ranitidine, several in-tube SPME parameters such as capillary column stationary phase, extraction pH and number and volume of aspirate/dispense steps were investigated. The optimum extraction conditions for ranitidine from aqueous samples were 10 aspirate/dispense steps of 30 microliters of sample in 25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.5) with an Omegawax 250 capillary column (60 cm x 0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 micron film thickness). The ranitidine extracted on the capillary column was easily desorbed with methanol, and then transported to the Supelcosil LC-CN column with the mobile phase methanol-2-propanol-5 M ammonium acetate (50:50:1). The ranitidine eluted from the column was determined by ESI-MS in selected ion monitoring mode. In-tube SPME followed by LC-ESI-MS was performed automatically using the HP 1100 autosampler. Each analysis required 16 min, and carryover of ranitidine in this system was below 1%. The calibration curve of ranitidine in the range of 5-1000 ng/ml was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 (n = 24), and a detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of three was ca. 1.4 ng/ml. The within-day and between-day variations in ranitidine analysis were 2.5 and 6.2% (n = 5), respectively. This method was also applied for the analyses of tablet and urine samples.

Determination of lead in blood and urine by SPME/GC

Lead is the most frequently quantitated toxic metal in biological matrixes. In this paper, a method is described for lead determination in whole blood and urine using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) gas chromatography. Lead ion is first derivatized with sodium tetraethylborate to form tetraethyllead, which is then extracted from the headspace over the sample by SPME. The analytical procedure was optimized for coating selection, pH, extraction time, and effect of salt. The relative standard deviation was less then 10% for both urine and blood samples. The limit of detection was 3 and 4 ppb; the limit of quantification is 5 and 10 ppb for urine and blood samples, respectively. Good linearity was found for both urine and blood samples when PDMS coating was used. The standard addition method was used for quantitation. Certified urine and blood samples were analyzed, and good accuracy was obtained.