pH-mediated dual-cloud point extraction as a preconcentration and clean-up technique for capillary electrophoresis determination of phenol and m-nitrophenol

Dual optical detection approach for capillary electrophoresis following two-step liquid-liquid extraction to determine ten phenols in water samples

In this research, the analytical method was developed and evaluated for determining phenol and its nine derivatives belong to the US EPA priority pollutant list in water samples by using dual-channeled capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with two types of optical detectors, namely LED-induced fluorescence (LEDIF) and ultraviolet (UV) detectors. The optimal background electrolytes for the first and second CE channels were 20 mM borate (pH 9.80) with 400 µM fluorescein and 55 mM borate (pH 11.75), respectively. The two-step liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was used for sample preparation and enrichment, in which phenol and its derivatives were extracted from the aqueous phase using 10 mL of n-hexane/1-octanol (60/40, v/v) and then were back extracted into a 0.1 M NaOH as a final acceptor phase. Under the optimal CE and two-step LLE conditions, the enrichment factors of 10 phenols were 184 - 1120-fold, and the method detection limits were lowered to 0.02-0.60 µg/L. The obtained intra-day and inter-day precisions in terms of relative standard deviations (RSD) were between 4.0 and 7.3 % and 6.7 and 14 %, respectively. This approach was used to determine phenols in water samples, with recoveries ranging from 82.0 to 108.9 %. In combination with sample enrichment by two-step LLE extraction, this is the first CE study conducted to determine phenols in the EPA list using two detector approaches, specifically CE-LEDIF/CE-UV.

Current development of bioanalytical sample preparation techniques in pharmaceuticals

Sample preparation is considered as the bottleneck step in bioanalysis because each biological matrix has its own unique challenges and complexity. Competent sample preparation to extract the desired analytes and remove redundant components is a crucial step in each bioanalytical approach. The matrix effect is a key hurdle in bioanalytical sample preparation, which has gained extensive consideration. Novel sample preparation techniques have advantages over classical techniques in terms of accuracy, automation, ease of sample preparation, storage, and shipment and have become increasingly popular over the past decade. Our objective is to provide a broad outline of current developments in various bioanalytical sample preparation techniques in chromatographic and spectroscopic examinations. In addition, how these techniques have gained considerable attention over the past decade in bioanalytical research is mentioned with preferred examples. Modern trends in bioanalytical sample preparation techniques, including sorbent-based microextraction techniques, are primarily emphasized.

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Bioanalytical sampling techniques are described with suitable applications in pharmaceuticals.

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The pros and cons of each bioanalytical sampling techniques are described.

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Relevant biological matrices are outlined.

Simultaneous electrochemical determination of nitrophenol isomers based on macroporous carbon functionalized with amino-bridged covalent organic polycalix[4]arenes

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by a hybrid, macroporous carbon (MPC) functionalized with triazine bridged covalent organic polycalix[4]arenes (CalCOP) (CalCOP-MPC), has been fabricated and utilized for simultaneous detection of nitrophenols (NP). The obtained CalCOP-MPC were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which confirmed that MPC had functionalized with CalCOP successfully. Benefiting from the synergistic supramolecular effect of macrocyclic receptor of CalCOP and the excellent electrical properties of MPC, the anodic peaks of o-nitrophenol (o-NP), m-nitrophenol (m-NP), and p-nitrophenol (p-NP) in their mixture can be well separated by the prepared electrode. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements at CalCOP-MPC/GCE revealed that the linear ranges of NP isomers were all 1-400 μM, and the detection limit limits were 0.383 μM, 0.122 μM, and 0.212 μM for o-NP, m-NP, and p-NP, respectively. Moreover, the prepared modified electrodes showed a relatively good selectivity and stability, implying the prospect for detecting NP in real environmental samples.

Surfactant-functionalised magnetic ferum oxide coupled with high performance liquid chromatography for the extraction of phenol

The usage of phenols in the marketplace has been increasing tremendously, which has raised concerns about their toxicity and potential effect as emerging pollutants. Phenol's structure has closely bonded phenyl and hydroxy groups, thereby making its functional characteristics closely similar to that of alcohol. As a result, phenol is used as a base compound for commercial home-based products. Hence, a simple and efficient procedure is required to determine the low concentration of phenols in environmental water samples. In this research, a method of combining magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with surfactant Sylgard 309 was developed to overcome the drawbacks in the classical extraction methods. In addition, this developed method improved the performance of extraction when MNPs and the surfactant Sylgard 309 were used separately, as reported in the previous research. This MNP-Sylgard 309 was synthesised by the coprecipitation method and attracts phenolic compounds in environmental water samples. Response surface methodology was used to study the parameters and responses in order to obtain an optimised condition using MNP-Sylgard 309. The parameters included the effect of pH, extraction time, and concentration of the analyte. Meanwhile, the responses measured were the peak area of the chromatogram and the percentage recovery. From this study, the results of the optimum conditions for extraction using MNP-Sylgard 309 were pH 7, extraction time of 20 min, and analyte concentration of 10.0 μg mL^-1. Under the optimized conditions, MNP-Sylgard 309 showed a low limit of detection of 0.665 μg mL^-1 and the limit of quantification was about 2.219 μg mL^-1. MNP-Sylgard 309 was successfully applied on environmental water samples such as lake and river water. High recovery (76.23%-110.23%) was obtained.

A hydrophobic polymer stabilized CsPbBr3 sensor for environmental pollutant detection

The detection of o-nitrophenol in the environment is of great significance to environmental protection.

Micelle-dominated distribution strategy for non-matrix matched calibration without an internal standard: "Extract-and-shoot" approach for analyzing hydrophilic targets in blood and cell samples

The analysis of trace hydrophilic targets in complex aqueous-rich matrices is considerably challenging, generally requiring matrix-matched calibration, internal standard, or time-and-labor-intensive sample preparation. To address this analytical bottleneck, a non-matrix-matched calibration strategy without using internal standard was reported for the first time to analyze complicated biosamples such as whole blood, plasma, serum, and cell samples. This strategy, termed micelle-dominated distribution, also aimed at realizing the simple "extract-and-shoot" analytical process for such complex matrices. The micelle-matrix interaction was found to efficiently eliminate the matrix effect by dominating phase separation and analyte distribution between the extraction and matrix phases. Thus, calibration linear curves prepared in water were applicable to the analysis of all the above-mentioned sample types. Rapid distribution equilibrium within 4 min was achieved. This strategy could tolerate direct large volume injection, thereby providing two-order-of-magnitude enhancement in the sensitivity of ion-pair chromatography. The analytical method integrated cell rupture, matrix cleanup, analyte extraction, and on-column preconcentration into a fast and high-throughput operation. The successful application to the determination of exogenous pesticides and endogenous glutathione exhibited low limits of detection (0.0085-0.015 μg mL^-1 for pesticides; 0.52 μg mL^-1 for glutathione), wide linear ranges (0.028-50 μg mL^-1 and 0.049-50 μg mL^-1 for pesticides; 1.7-1000 μg mL^-1 for glutathione), good linearies (R² = 0.9994-0.9999), excellent accuracy (recoveries of 91.3-105.2%), and good precision (0.7-6.2% at the levels of 0.028 (or 0.049), 0.1, 0.5, and 50 μg mL^-1 for pesticides; 0.5-8.7% at 1.7, 500, and 1000 μg mL^-1 for glutathione).

Magnetite-platinum nanoparticles-modified glassy carbon electrode as electrochemical detector for nitrophenol isomers

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with magnetite and platinum nanoparticles stabilized with 3-n-propyl-4-picoline silsesquioxane chloride. This chemically-modified electrode is proposed for the first time for the individual or simultaneous electrochemical detection of nitrophenol isomers. Nanoparticles act as catalysts and also increase the surface area. The polymer stabilizes the particles and provides the electrochemical separation of isomers. Under optimized conditions, the reduction peak currents, obtained by differential-pulse voltammetry, of 2-, 3-, and 4-nitrophenol increased linearly with increases in their concentration in the range of 0.1-1.5μmolL^-1. In individual analysis, the detection limits were 33.7nmolL^-1, 45.3nmolL^-1 and 48.2nmolL^-1, respectively. Also, simultaneous analysis was possible for 2-, and 4-nitrophenol. In this case, the separation of the peak potentials was 0.138V and the detection limits were 69.6nmolL^-1 and 58.0nmolL^-1, respectively. These analytical figures of merit evidence the outstanding performance of the modified electrode, which was also successfully applied to the individual determination of isomers in environmental and biological samples. The magnetite and platinum nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode was able to detect nitrophenol isomers at the ppm level in rain water and human urine samples.

A sensitive and efficient method for trace analysis of some phenolic compounds using simultaneous derivatization and air-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction from human urine and plasma samples followed by gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorous detection

In present study, a simultaneous derivatization and air-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction method combined with gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorous detection has been developed for the determination of some phenolic compounds in biological samples. The analytes are derivatized and extracted simultaneously by a fast reaction with 1-flouro-2,4-dinitrobenzene under mild conditions. Under optimal conditions low limits of detection in the range of 0.05-0.34 ng mL(-1) are achievable. The obtained extraction recoveries are between 84 and 97% and the relative standard deviations are less than 7.2% for intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 4) precisions. The proposed method was demonstrated to be a simple and efficient method for the analysis of phenols in biological samples.

A novel cyclic non-ligand dual-cloud point extraction for the preconcentration of cadmium(ii) through pH regulation in food and environmental matrices

Cd²⁺ was extracted through pH regulation instead of adding a complexant and the position of Cd²⁺ in the micelles was verified.

Recent advances of ionic liquids and polymeric ionic liquids in capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography

Ionic liquids (ILs) and polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) with unique and fascinating properties have drawn considerable interest for their use in separation science, especially in chromatographic techniques. In this article, significant contributions of ILs and PILs in the improvement of capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography are described, and a specific overview of the most relevant examples of their applications in the last five years is also given. Accordingly, some general conclusions and future perspectives in these areas are discussed.

Optimization of a greener method for removal phenol species by cloud point extraction and spectrophotometry

A greener method based on cloud point extraction was developed for removing phenol species including 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in water samples by using the UV-Vis spectrophotometric method. The non-ionic surfactant DC193C was chosen as an extraction solvent due to its low water content in a surfactant rich phase and it is well-known as an environmentally-friendly solvent. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as pH, temperature and incubation time, concentration of surfactant and salt, amount of surfactant and water content were evaluated and optimized. The proposed method was successfully applied for removing phenol species in real water samples.

Amperometric phenol biosensor based on covalent immobilization of tyrosinase on Au nanoparticle modified screen printed carbon electrodes

A highly selective and sensitive amperometric biosensor for the detection of phenol was developed based on a platform where Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) are electrodeposited onto a disposable screen printed carbon electrode and tyrosinase is then covalently immobilized on the AuNP's using alkanethiol and cross-linker molecules. The electrocatalytic responses of the tyrosinase modified biosensor for the detection of phenol were measured using both cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Temperature, buffer pH and the amount of tyrosinase immobilized on the electrode surface were also optimized for phenol sensing. A high sensitivity of 15.7 µA ppm(-1), a low detectable phenol concentration of 47 ppb alongside a linear response from 47 ppb to 15 ppm was achieved using square wave voltammetry in addition to good selectivity. As a demonstration, the biosensor was applied to determine phenol concentrations in regional water samples from S. Korea.

Recent advances in enrichment techniques for trace analysis in capillary electrophoresis

CE is gaining great popularity as a well-established separation technique for many fields such as pharmaceutical research, clinical application, environmental monitoring, and food analysis, owing to its high resolving power, rapidity, and small amount of samples and reagents required. However, the sensitivity in CE analysis is still considered as being inferior to that in HPLC analysis. Diverse enrichment methods and techniques have been increasingly developed for overcoming this issue. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in enrichment techniques containing off-line preconcentration (sample preparation) and on-line concentration (sample stacking) to enhancing sensitivity in CE for trace analysis over the last 5 years. Some relatively new cleanup and preconcentration methods involving the use of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, supercritical fluid extraction, matrix solid-phase dispersion, etc., and the continued use and improvement of conventional SPE, have been comprehensively reviewed and proved effective preconcentration alternatives for liquid, semisolid, and solid samples. As for CE on-line stacking, we give an overview of field amplication, sweeping, pH regulation, and transient isotachophoresis, and the coupling of multiple modes. Moreover, some limitations and comparisons related to such methods/techniques are also discussed. Finally, the combined use of various enrichment techniques and some significant attempts are proposed to further promote analytical merits in CE.

Cloud-point extraction and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography for analysis of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in Thai local wines

A cloud-point extraction (CPE) was developed for the determination of 12 phenolic compounds (i.e. gallic acid, procatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, guaiacol, p-cresol, o-cresol and 3,5-xylenol) using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with photodiode array (PDA) detection. The optimum CPE conditions were 2.0% (w/v) Triton X-114, 3.0% (w/v) Na2SO4 and 20-min equilibrated at 45 °C. The surfactant-rich phase was then analyzed by HPLC using a Symmetry C18 column, gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile and 1% (v/v) acetic acid, and PDA detection at 280 nm. Under the optimum condition, the target phenolic compounds were separated within 25 min. CPE gave higher enrichment factor up to 15-fold compared to that of direct analysis. The proposed method showed good analytical performances with limits of detection in the range 0.01-0.1 mg L(-1) and precisions with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 5% for retention time and 10% for peak area. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of phenolic compounds in Thai local wine samples. Gallic acid, procatechuic acid, and vanillic acid were the highest phenolics found in the studied wines with the contents up to 172.4, 99.1, and 26.6 mg L(-1), respectively. The recovery of the spiked wine samples (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg L(-1)) were obtained in the range of 90.4-110%. High total phenolic content, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (DPPH method) in the studied wines were also observed.

Cloud point extraction to avoid interferences by structured background on determination in plant materials by FAAS

An analytical procedure based on microwave-assisted digestion with diluted acid and a double cloud point extraction is proposed for nickel determination in plant materials by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Extraction in micellar medium was successfully applied for sample clean up, aiming to remove organic species containing phosphorous that caused spectral interferences by structured background attributed to the formation of PO species in the flame. Cloud point extraction of nickel complexes formed with 1,2-thiazolylazo-2-naphthol was explored for pre-concentration, with enrichment factor estimated as 30, detection limit of 5 µg L-1 (99.7% confidence level) and linear response up to 80 µg L-1. The accuracy of the procedure was evaluated by nickel determinations in reference materials and the results agreed with the certified values at the 95% confidence level.

Methodologies for the extraction of phenolic compounds from environmental samples: new approaches

Phenolic derivatives are among the most important contaminants present in the environment. These compounds are used in several industrial processes to manufacture chemicals such as pesticides, explosives, drugs and dyes. They also are used in the bleaching process of paper manufacturing. Apart from these sources, phenolic compounds have substantial applications in agriculture as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. However, phenolic compounds are not only generated by human activity, but they are also formed naturally, e.g., during the decomposition of leaves or wood. As a result of these applications, they are found in soils and sediments and this often leads to wastewater and ground water contamination. Owing to their high toxicity and persistence in the environment, both, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union have included some of them in their lists of priority pollutants. Current standard methods of phenolic compounds analysis in water samples are based on liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) while Soxhlet extraction is the most used technique for isolating phenols from solid matrices. However, these techniques require extensive cleanup procedures that are time-intensive and involve expensive and hazardous organic solvents, which are undesirable for health and disposal reasons. In the last years, the use of news methodologies such as solid-phase extraction (SPE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) have increased for the extraction of phenolic compounds from liquid samples. In the case of solid samples, microwave assisted extraction (MAE) is demonstrated to be an efficient technique for the extraction of these compounds. In this work we review the developed methods in the extraction and determination of phenolic derivatives in different types of environmental matrices such as water, sediments and soils. Moreover, we present the new approach in the use of micellar media coupled with SPME process for the extraction of phenolic compounds. The advantages of micellar media over conventional extractants are reduction of organic solvent, low cost, easy handling and shorter time procedures.