Potentials of multisyringe flow injection analysis for chemiluminescence detection

Integrated instrumental setup comprising an automatic solution handling module and homemade luminometer with two photodetectors for the determination of antioxidants in wines

This study describes the development of an integrated instrumental setup, comprising a multi-commuted flow analysis module for solution handling and a homemade luminometer assembled with two photodetectors for luminescence detection. This setup controlled by an Arduino Due board was used to develop an analytical procedure for determining antioxidants in red and white wines, using chemiluminescence detection. The analytical procedure is based on the reaction of hypochlorite with antioxidants present in wine, followed of oxidizing reaction with luminol in an alkaline medium (pH > 9). After determining the optimal operational parameters, the following analytical parameters were obtained: linear responses for gallic acid concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 4.0 g L-1 (r2 = 0.999) for red wine and from 75 to 500 mg L-1 (r2 = 0.994) for white wine, a coefficient of variation of 2.71% (n = 9) for a wine sample with an antioxidant concentration of 1.57 g L-1 in gallic acid equivalent, recoveries ranging from 85 to 114%, an analytical throughput of 100 determinations per hour, consumption of 0.35 μg of hypochlorite and 53 mg of luminol per determination, and limits of detection of 0.25 g L-1 and 29 mg L-1 for red and white wine, respectively.

Real-time monitoring of Metridia luciferase release from cells upon interaction with model toxic substances by a fully automatic flow setup - A proof of concept

This manuscript reports on a fully automatic sequential injection system incorporating a 3D printed module for real-time monitoring of the release of Metridia luciferase from a modified liver epithelial cell line. To this end, a simple and effective approach for the automation of flash-type chemiluminescence assays was developed. The 3D printed module comprised an apical and a basal compartment that enabled monitoring membrane processes on both sides of the cell monolayer aimed at elucidating the direction of luciferase release. A natural release was observed after transfection with the luciferase plasmid by online measurement of the elicited light from the reaction of the synthesized luciferase with the coelenterazine substrate. Model substances for acute toxicity from the group of cholic acids - chenodeoxycholic and deoxycholic acids - were applied at the 1.0 and 0.5 mmol L^-1 levels. The tested cholic acids caused changes in cell membrane permeability that was accompanied by an increased luciferase release. The obtained kinetic profiles were evaluated based on the delay between the addition of the toxic substance and the increase of the chemiluminescence signal. All experiments were carried out in a fully automatic system in ca. 5 min per sample in 30 min intervals and no manual interventions were needed for a sampling period of at least 6 h.

From the Ocean to the Lab-Assessing Iron Limitation in Cyanobacteria: An Interface Paper

Iron is an essential, yet scarce, nutrient in marine environments. Phytoplankton, and especially cyanobacteria, have developed a wide range of mechanisms to acquire iron and maintain their iron-rich photosynthetic machinery. Iron limitation studies often utilize either oceanographic methods to understand large scale processes, or laboratory-based, molecular experiments to identify underlying molecular mechanisms on a cellular level. Here, we aim to highlight the benefits of both approaches to encourage interdisciplinary understanding of the effects of iron limitation on cyanobacteria with a focus on avoiding pitfalls in the initial phases of collaboration. In particular, we discuss the use of trace metal clean methods in combination with sterile techniques, and the challenges faced when a new collaboration is set up to combine interdisciplinary techniques. Methods necessary for producing reliable data, such as High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS), Flow Injection Analysis Chemiluminescence (FIA-CL), and 77K fluorescence emission spectroscopy are discussed and evaluated and a technical manual, including the preparation of the artificial seawater medium Aquil, cleaning procedures, and a sampling scheme for an iron limitation experiment is included. This paper provides a reference point for researchers to implement different techniques into interdisciplinary iron studies that span cyanobacteria physiology, molecular biology, and biogeochemistry.

Dual-Purpose Photometric-Conductivity Detector for Simultaneous and Sequential Measurements in Flow Analysis

This work presents a new dual-purpose detector for photometric and conductivity measurements in flow-based analysis. The photometric detector is a paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD) device, whilst the conductivity detection employs a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (C4D). The flow-through detection cell is a rectangular acrylic block (ca. 2 × 2 × 1.5 cm) with cylindrical channels in Z-configuration. For the PEDD detector, the LED light source and detector are installed inside the acrylic block. The two electrodes of the C4D are silver conducting ink painted on the PEEK inlet and outlet tubing of the Z-flow cell. The dual-purpose detector is coupled with a sequential injection analysis (SIA) system for simultaneous detection of the absorbance of the orange dye and conductivity of the dissolved oral rehydration salt powder. The detector was also used for sequential measurements of creatinine and the conductivity of human urine samples. The creatinine analysis is based on colorimetric detection of the Jaffé reaction using the PEDD detector, and the conductivity of the urine, as measured by the C4D detector, is expressed in millisiemens (mS cm-1).

Flow analysis with chemiluminescence detection: Recent advances and applications

This article highlights the most important developments in flow analysis with chemiluminescence (CL) detection, describing different flow systems that are compatible with CL detection, detector designs, commonly applied CL reactions and approaches to sample treatment. Recent applications of flow analysis with CL detection (focusing on outputs published since 2010) are also presented. Applications are classified by sample matrix, covering foods and beverages, environmental matrices, pharmaceuticals and biological fluids. Comprehensive tables are provided for each area, listing the specific sample matrix, CL reaction used, linear range, limit of detection and sample treatment for each analyte. Finally, recent and emerging trends in the field are also discussed.

Evaluation of coloured materials in microfluidic flow-cells for chemiluminescence detection

Recent advances in the construction of chemiluminescence flow-cells has included high precision milling of channels into a range of different polymer materials, in efforts to maximise the transfer of light from the chemical reaction to the photodetector. However, little is known of the extent that the colour of polymer materials will influence this transfer. This may become increasingly important as chemiluminescence detection zones are integrated with other operations within microfluidic devices or micro total analysis systems (μTAS). Herein, we compare microfluidic flow-cells fabricated from five polymer sheets (clear, white, black, red, blue), using two flow-cell designs (spiral and serpentine), two modes of photodetection, and four chemiluminescence reactions that provide a range of different emission colours. The direct transfer of light from the reaction within the white flow-cell channel to the photodetector made only minor contributions (10%-20%) to the measured intensity, with the majority of the measured light first interacting with the polymer material into which the channels were machined. The extent that the emitted light was absorbed or reflected by the coloured polymer materials was dependent on not only the properties of the polymer, but also the spectral distribution of the chemiluminescence. The changes in chemiluminescence intensities from absorption of light by the flow-cell materials can be accompanied by distortion of the spectral distribution.

Recent advances in flow injection analysis

A dynamic development of methodologies of analytical flow injection measurements during four decades since their invention has reinforced the solid position of flow analysis in the arsenal of techniques and instrumentation of contemporary chemical analysis.

Luminescence sensors applied to water analysis of organic pollutants--an update

The development of chemical sensors for environmental analysis based on fluorescence, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence signals continues to be a dynamic topic within the sensor field. This review covers the fundamentals of this type of sensors, and an update on recent works devoted to quantifying organic pollutants in environmental waters, focusing on advances since about 2005. Among the wide variety of these contaminants, special attention has been paid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, explosives and emerging organic pollutants. The potential of coupling optical sensors with multivariate calibration methods in order to improve the selectivity is also discussed.

Metal ion analysis using microchip CE with chemiluminescence detection based on 1,10-phenanthroline-hydrogen peroxide reaction

We developed a microchip CE method with chemiluminescence (CL) detection using the reaction of 1,10-phenanthroline and hydrogen peroxide for separation and determination of metal ions, where the metal ions acted as catalysts for the CL reaction. The microchip consisted of two microchannels that crossed at the intersection and four reservoirs that accessed the ends of the channels. The metal ions in the sample solution migrated in the channel along with 1,10-phenanthroline included in a running solution, and then mixed with hydrogen peroxide in one of the reservoirs to emit CL. The light was detected with a photomultiplier tube located just above the reservoir. Two metal ion groups, the platinum metal group (Ru(III), Rh(III), Pd(II), Os(VIII), Ir(III), and Pt(IV)) and the fourth periodic transition metal group (Cu(II), Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II)) were examined using the present system. The lowest detection limit was observed for Os(VIII); Os(VIII) responded over the range of 7.5x10(-12)-1.0x10(-8 )M with the detection limit of 7.5x10(-12 )M (about 38 zmol) (S/N = 3). The mixed solution of Ru(III), Rh(III), Pd(II), Os(VIII), Ir(III), and Pt(IV) could be analyzed using this system within about 2.5 min. In addition, the system was applied to the determination of Cu(II) concentration in a city water supply.

Micro-channel chemiluminescence analysis using a peroxyoxalate reaction that works through liquid-liquid interface collapse under laminar-flow conditions

An oxalate reagent-hydrogen peroxide-fluorescent compound chemiluminescence reaction, i.e., peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence, was introduced into micro-channel chemiluminescence analysis (MCCLA) to establish the concept of MCCLA through the direct observation of fluorescence and chemiluminescence using a fluorescence microscope-CCD camera and a microscope-CCD camera. It was confirmed from visual data that chemiluminescence in the MCCLA generated through the liquid-liquid interface collapsed during the course of molecular diffusion in the micro-channel. In addition, the visual data of chemiluminescence were transformed to line drawings on a computer to obtain chemiluminescence profiles. The chemiluminescence profiles were examined in detail at various flow rates and detection points; the relationship between the residence times and the chemiluminescence peak heights, or areas in the profiles, was easily represented as one smoothly changing reaction curve. Furthermore, the fluorescent compounds were detected with high sensitivity and good reproducibility in MCCLA by turning the syringe pumps on and off to produce determinable chemiluminescence signals; a photomultiplier tube was used as a detector. The chemiluminescence intensities in the signals of erythrosine, rhodamine B, Rose Bengal, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and eosin Y were examined; their intensities increased in this order, and eosin Y responded over the range of 1 x 10(-9) - 1 x 10(-6) M with a detection limit of 1 x 10(-9) M (S/N = 3). Introducing of the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction into MCCLA can extend the analysis system to the analysis of various types of sample and applications incorporating fluorescence labeling techniques.

Improving the chemiluminescence-based determination of sulphide in complex environmental samples by using a new, automated multi-syringe flow injection analysis system coupled to a gas diffusion unit

A new, completely automated multi-syringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA) system coupled to a gas diffusion unit (GDU) was used for the chemiluminescence (CL)-based determination of sulphide ion in various types of environmental matrices with a high sensitivity and selectivity, and the need for no manual sample pretreatment. Sulphide ions are transferred as H(2)S from the donor channel of the GDU to its acceptor channel (AC) through a hydrophobic membrane inserted between the two streams. The solution held in AC replaces the initial sample matrix, which may contain a wide variety of interferents, with one suitable for the CL determination of the analyte. Once sulphide ions have been isolated from the sample matrix, they are determined by their catalytic action on the luminol/H(2)O(2) chemiluminescent reaction system. The influence of various chemical and hydrodynamic variables is discussed and the performance of the proposed system compared with that of existing flow systems for the same purpose. Under the operating conditions used, the proposed method features a linear working range of 0.02-2 mgL(-1), a limit of detection (3 sigma(blank)) of 0.003 mgL(-1), a throughput of 20 samplesh(-1) and a coefficient of variation of 2.4% (n=10) for a 1 mgL(-1) sulphide concentration. The method was used to determine sulphide in leachates and various types of water samples.

Automatic in Vitro Determination of Hypochlorous Acid Scavenging Capacity Exploiting Multisyringe Flow Injection Analysis and Chemiluminescence

In the present work, a chemiluminometric automatic flow methodology for the in vitro determination of hypochlorous acid scavenging capacity, under pH and concentration conditions similar to those found in vivo, is proposed. As the pH found in physiological conditions (7.4) and the pH required for the chemiluminescence detection reaction (>10) are different, the multisyringe flow injection analysis features were exploited to perform the in-line reaction of HOCl and the scavenger molecule at physiological pH prior to reaction of the remaining HOCl with luminol at alkaline conditions. These two reactions were carried out in about 3 s, allowing the determination of fast reacting antioxidants, in a time frame closer to in vivo generation of HOCl when compared to previously described methods. The developed method was applied to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs of different chemical families, and positive controls (cysteine, gallic acid, lipoic acid). The HOCl scavenging capacity was evaluated at pH 7.4 and 10.0; different results were found for oxicam derivatives, providing evidence that the pH of in vitro methods should be carefully selected to allow assumptions about putative in vivo effects.

Multi-syringe flow injection solid-phase extraction system for on-line simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of nitro-substituted phenol isomers

In this paper, a time-based multi-syringe flow injection (MSFI) approach is proposed for automated disk-based sorbent extraction of three nitro-substituted phenol isomers (2-, 3-, and 4-nitrophenol) followed by on-line simultaneous determination of individual species by diode-array spectrophotometry. The method involves the on-line enrichment of the targeted analytes from an acidic medium containing 0.1 mol L(-1) HCl onto a co-polymeric sorbent material, and the concurrent removal of potentially interfering matrix components. The nitrophenol isomers are subsequently eluted with an alkaline solution (0.7 mol L(-1) NaOH), whereupon the eluate is delivered to a diode-array spectrophotometer for recording of the spectral data in the UV-vis region. Deconvolution of strongly overlapped spectra was conducted with multivariate regression models based on multiple linear regression calibration. The analytical performance of the chemometric algorithm was characterized by relative prediction errors and recoveries. The MSFI manifold was coupled to a multiposition selection valve to set a rugged analyzer that ensures minimum operational maintenance via exploitation of membrane switching protocols. As compared with earlier methods for isolation/pre-concentration of nitro-substituted phenols based on liquid-liquid extraction, the proposed flow-through disk-based system should be regarded as an environmentally friendly approach because the use of harmful organic solvents is circumvented. Under the optimized chemical and physical variables, the 3sigma(blank) detection limits for 2-, 3-, and 4-nitrophenol were 1.2, 3.2 and 0.3 micromol L(-1) for a sample loading volume of 1.5 mL, and the relative standard deviations were < or =5.0%. The flowing system, which is able to handle up to 135 samples automatically, was proven suitable for monitoring trace levels of the target isomers in mineral, tap, and seawater.

Enzymatic chemiluminescent assay of glucose by sequential-injection analysis with soluble enzyme and on-line sample dilution

This work reports a sequential-injection analysis (SIA) method for the enzymatic assay of glucose with soluble glucose oxidase (GOD) and on-line sample dilution with chemiluminescence (CL) detection. A zone of sample was aspirated in the holding coil of the SIA manifold and, if necessary, was diluted on-line by means of an auxiliary dilution conduit. Then, a zone of GOD was aspirated adjacent to the sample zone and a stopped-flow period was applied to allow the enzymatic reaction to proceed with production of hydrogen peroxide. Then, zones of a catalyst (Co(II) solution) and alkaline luminol were aspirated into the holding coil. Finally, the flow was reversed and the stacked zones were sent to a flow-cell located in front of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) that monitored the CL intensity. The linear dynamic range was 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) glucose, the coefficient of variation at 8 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) of glucose was s(r)=3.1% (n=8), the limit of detection at the 3sigma level was c(L)= 1 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) and the sampling frequency was 28 h(-1). With on-line dilution by a factor of 1/200, the linear range could be extended up to 0.2 mol L(-1) glucose. The advantages of the proposed method are the simple manifold and instrumentation used, the scope for automated on-line dilution, the low consumption of sample and reagents and the elimination of enzyme immobilisation procedures. The method was applied to the analysis of commercial drinks and honey with percent relative errors in glucose determination in the range 100+/-6.1%.