Determination of nitroaromatic explosives residue at military shooting ranges using a sweeping-MEKC method

Determination of four naphthalenediols in cosmetic samples by sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography and a comparison with HPLC

A sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography (sweeping-MEKC) method was developed for the determination of 1,7-naphthalenediol, 2,3-naphthalenediol, 1,5-naphthalenediol and 2,7-naphthalenediol in cosmetics. Several parameters affecting sweeping-MEKC method were studied systematically and the separation conditions were optimized as 20 mM NaH2PO4–110 mM SDS and 40% (v/v) MeOH (pH 2.4), with −22 kV applied voltage and UV detection at 230 nm. The sample matrix is 60 mmol L−1 NaH2PO4 and sample introduction was performed at 3 psi for 6 s. Separation of the four naphthalenediols was completed in less than 17 min. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) are 0.0045∼0.0094 μg mL−1 and 0.015∼0.031 μg mL−1. Linear relationship (r 2 > 0.999) is satisfactory at the range of 0.1–10 μg mL−1. The developed method has been successfully applied to the determination of the four naphthalenediols in real cosmetic samples, with recoveries in foundation, sun cream and lotion in the range of 92.3%∼106.8% and relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 4.15%. A HPLC method described in the National Standards of the People’s Republic of China was carried out for the comparison with the proposed method. The results showed that the proposed sweeping-MEKC method has the advantages of fast, low cost with comparative sensitivity.

Rapid screening and determination of designer drugs in saliva by a nib-assisted paper spray-mass spectrometry and separation technique

A method for the rapid screening and determination of amphetamine-type designer drugs in saliva by a novel nib-assisted paper spray-mass spectrometry procedure is described. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detections for amphetamine derivatives (model samples: o-, m-, p-chloroamphetamine and o-, m-, p-fluoroamphetamine, respectively) were determined to 0.1 μg/mL by the nib-assisted paper spray-mass spectrometry method. This method is easier and has a higher sensitivity than similar methodologies, including atmospheric pressure/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization/mass spectrometry. Data obtained using more classical separation methods, including liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, are also reported.

MEKC as a powerful growing analytical technique

This review summarizes the principle and the developments in MEKC in terms of separation power, sensitivity, and detection approaches more than 25 years after its appearance. Newly used surfactants are mentioned. Classical and new sample concentration techniques in MEKC are described. The different detection approaches in MEKC with advantages, limitations, and future prospects are also discussed. This review highlights the wider application of MEKC in different analytical fields. Various recent selected applications of this technique in different analytical fields are reported.

Recent advances in enhancing the sensitivity of electrophoresis and electrochromatography in capillaries and microchips (2008-2010)

Capillary electrophoresis has been alive for over two decades now; yet, its sensitivity is still regarded as being inferior to that of more traditional methods of separation such as HPLC. As such, it is unsurprising that overcoming this issue still generates much scientific interest. This review continues to update this series of reviews, first published in Electrophoresis in 2007, with an update published in 2009 and covers material published through to June 2010. It includes developments in the fields of stacking, covering all methods from field-amplified sample stacking and large volume sample stacking, through to ITP, dynamic pH junction and sweeping. Attention is also given to on-line or in-line extraction methods that have been used for electrophoresis.