Determination of nitrite in meat products and water using dapsone with combined spot test/diffuse reflectance on filter paper

Development of a simplified spectrophotometric method for nitrite determination in water samples

A new eco-friendly, rapid, and sensitive spectrophotometric method was developed to determine small quantities of nitrite, based on a diazotization mechanism. In an acidic solution, sulfathiazole was first diazotized with sodium nitrite, followed by adding phosphate buffer to form a yellow-colored compound, which showed maximum absorption at 450 nm, without the need for the addition of coupling agents such as N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine. The effects of reagents amount and the optimal experimental conditions were examined by Central composite design. The simplified method presented a wide linear range of nitrite between 0.091 μg mL^-1 and 1.47 μg mL^-1, a sensitivity of 0.447 Abs mL µg^-1, a determination coefficient of 0.998, and a low limit of detection of 0.053 μg mL^-1. The simplified method was found to be comparable to the Griess method. It was evaluated for the measurements of nitrite using the accuracy profile approach. The validation procedure results established that 80% of the future results would be within the acceptability limit of 10% over the validation domain ranging from 0.174 μg mL^-1 to 1.37 μg mL^-1. The developed method was furtherly applied in the determination of nitrite using a developed paper-based analytical device that detected a nitrite concentration of 3 μg mL^-1 which is considered by the World Health Organization to be the maximal permissible limit of nitrite in drinking water.

Residual nitrite in processed meat products in Costa Rica: Method validation, long-term survey and intake estimations

Ingestion of high amounts of nitrite due processed meat consumption could produce negative effects in human health. Here, we investigate long-term residual sodium nitrite content in processed meat products in Costa Rica to provide the first estimations of nitrite daily intake. An extensively validated analytical procedure was applied for the long-term analysis of 1350 samples from 2014 to 2018. Mean residual sodium nitrite concentration was 76.5 mg kg^-1, ranging from < 11 to 278.0 mg kg^-1. Significant differences among product and meat types were found, but no temporal differences were observed. Nitrite daily intake was estimated in 0.0122 ± 0.0039 mg kg^-1 bw^-1 d^-1, which accounts for 17.4% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). This information underlies the importance of studying residual nitrite kinetics in processed meat products as well as establishing long-term programs for the accurate estimation of nitrite daily intake rates.

An environment-friendly spot test method with digital imaging for the micro-titration of citric fruits

A new method to determine the total titratable acidity of orange, lemon and passion fruit, based on a spot test obtained from digital images and using anthocyanins as the biodegradable indicator, is presented for the first time. The colorimetric reactions were carried out by acid-base titration on a microscale, employing anthocyanin with a microplate for spot test purposes, with detection by digital imaging. To obtain highly precise data, a chamber based on a diffuser was developed to control the illumination supplied by the light emitting diodes, and coupled to a smartphone to acquire adequate digital images. High precision was obtained with a relative standard deviation of 0.758% for n = 95. The RGB values were extracted from the digital images and used as analytical signals, the values being correlated with the micro-volume of the titrant and used to construct the titration curves and obtain the first and second derivatives, respectively. For comparative purposes, the official AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) and MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil) methods were used and the results compared by applying the paired t-test at the 95% confidence level (n = 3). No difference was found between the values and the relative errors were less than 2.8%. The micro-titrimetric method was fast, uses anthocyanins as the natural indicator, is practical, and permits a reduction of 922 times or 99.9% of the volume required in a conventional titration. It is therefore ideal for routine analyses leading to a reduction in the waste generated, according to the principles of green chemistry.

A paper platform for colorimetric determination of aluminum hydrochloride in antiperspirant samples

A simple, fast, low-cost, portable, and eco-friendly method using a spot test on a paper platform, together with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, was developed and validated for the quantification of aluminum hydrochloride, a potential neurotoxic agent, in antiperspirant samples. The determination of aluminum hydrochloride was performed at a wavelength of 615 nm, by measuring consumption of the purple colorimetric reagent Alizarin S, due to reaction with aluminum. The linear range was from 10.0 to 125.0 mg L^-1 and could be described by the equation: A_R = 0.4479 - 0.002543 C_Al (R = 0.999). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 3.06 and 10.2 mg L^-1, respectively. The method was specific, accurate, and repeatable, with relative standard deviation (RSD) <5.0%. The recovery was between 92.2 and 103.4%. The method was successfully used for the determination of aluminum hydrochloride in commercial antiperspirant samples, revealing concentrations below the maximum permitted by current legislation.

Fluorescence quenching capillary analysis for determining trace-level nitrite in food based on the citric acid/ethylenediamine nanodots/nitrite reaction

We found that nitrite after protonation can react with amine radical on citric acid/ethylenediamine carbon nanodots (CA/EDA-CDs) to form nitrosamines, and fluorescence quenching of CA/EDA-CDs occurred during this process. Using the reaction mechanism a fluorescence quenching capillary analysis (FQCA) was developed. After optimized reaction conditions, the following results were obtained: the required concentration of CA/EDA-CDs was 12 mg/L, HCl concentration was 32 mmol/L, and the reaction conducted in room temperature for 20 min. Under optimized conditions, FQCA has a linear response in 20-500 μg/L in which RSD was less 4.5% (n = 11), the detection limit was 6.5 μg/L and the recovery was in 95-105%. The measured results were consistent with the national standard method. FQCA has been used for determining nitrite in foods and nature waters. The capillary in FQCA was used as the container for CA/EDA-CDs/NO₂^- reaction and NO₂^- determination, and realized trace-level analysis for micro-volume samples (<10 μL/time).

Determination of Aluminum in Edible Jellyfish Using Chrome Azurol S with Spot Test on Filter Paper

Aluminum (Al) has been well known as an environmental factor that may affect several enzymes and other biomolecules related to Alzheimer's disease. The increasing use of Al in the preparation and storage of food currently represents the main form of Al exposure for the general public. The present study was aimed to develop a household procedure for the rapid test determination of Al in edible jellyfish. The method was developed based on the reaction of Chrome Azurol S with Al in acidic medium, forming a colored compound on the surface of filter paper. Experimental design methodologies were used to optimize the measurement conditions. The proposed method was applied successfully to the analysis of Al in edible jellyfish products in clinical laboratory and household settings.

Development of a Hydrogen Sulfide End-of-Service-Life Indicator for Respirator Cartridges Using Cobinamide

An inexpensive paper-based sensor was developed for detecting low ppm concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas. A piece of filter paper containing aquohydroxocobinamide [OH(H2O)Cbi] was placed on the end of a bifurcated optical fiber, and the reflectance spectrum of the OH(H2O)Cbi was monitored during exposure to 10.0 ppm hydrogen sulfide gas (NIOSH recommended exposure limit). Reaction of sulfide (HS-) yielded an increase in reflectance from 400-450 nm, and decrease from 470-550 nm. Spectral changes were monitored as a function of time at 25, 50, and 85% relative humidity. Spectral shifts at high-er humidity suggested reduction of the Cbi(III) compound. The sensor was used to detect hydrogen sulfide breakthrough from respirator carbon beds and results correlated well with a standard electrochemical detector. The simple paper-based sensor could provide a real-time end-of-service-life alert for hydrogen sulfide gas.

Acrylic microspheres-based optosensor for visual detection of nitrite

A new optosensor for visual quantitation of nitrite (NO2(-)) ion has been fabricated by physically immobilizing Safranine O (SO) reagent onto a self-adhesive poly(n-butyl acrylate) [poly(nBA)] microspheres matrix, which was synthesized via facile microemulsion UV lithography technique. Evaluation and optimization of the optical NO2(-) ion sensor was performed with a fiber optic reflectance spectrophotometer. Scanning electron micrograph showed well-shaped and smooth spherical morphology of the poly(nBA) microspheres with a narrow particles size distribution from 0.6 μm up to 1.8 μm. The uniform size distribution of the acrylic microspheres promoted homogeneity of the immobilized SO reagent molecules on the microspheres' surfaces, thereby enhanced the sensing response reproducibility (<5% RSD) with a linear range obtained from 10 to 100 ppm NO2(-) ion. The micro-sized acrylic immobilization matrix demonstrated no significant barrier for diffusion of reactant and product, and served as a good solid state ion transport medium for reflectometric nitrite determination in food samples.

Determination of hypochlorite by quenching the fluorescence of 1-pyrenylboronic acid in tap water

In neutral conditions, a new probe based on the oxidative conversion of 1-pyrenylboronic acid to 1-hydroxypyrene was established for the fluorescence signaling of practical hypochlorite.

Development of a cobinamide-based end-of-service-life indicator for detection of hydrogen cyanide gas

We describe an inexpensive paper-based sensor for rapid detection of low concentrations (ppm) of hydrogen cyanide gas. A piece of filter paper pre-spotted with a dilute monocyanocobinamide [CN(H₂O)Cbi] solution was placed on the end of a bifurcated optical fiber and the reflectance spectrum of the CN(H₂O)Cbi was monitored during exposure to 1.0-10.0 ppm hydrogen cyanide gas. Formation of dicyanocobinamide yielded a peak at 583 nm with a simultaneous decrease in reflectance from 450-500 nm. Spectral changes were monitored as a function of time at several relative humidity values: 25, 50, and 85% relative humidity. With either cellulose or glass fiber papers, spectral changes occurred within 10 s of exposure to 5.0 ppm hydrogen cyanide gas (NIOSH recommended short-term exposure limit). We conclude that this sensor could provide a real-time end-of-service-life alert to a respirator user.

Development of a selective and pH-independent method for the analysis of ultra trace amounts of nitrite in environmental water samples after dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction by spectrofluorimetry

This paper describes an innovative and rapidly dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction spectrofluorimetry (DMSPE-FL) method for the analysis of trace amounts of nitrite in some environmental water samples. The method includes derivatization of aqueous nitrite with 2, 3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN), analysis of highly fluorescent 2, 3-naphthotriazole (NAT) derivative using spectrofluorimetry after DSPME. The novelty of our method is based on forming NAT that was independent with the pH-responsive and was adsorbed on MMWCNT by hydrophobic attractions in both acidic and basic media. The extraction efficiency of the sorbent was investigated by extraction of nitrite. The optimum extraction conditions for NO2(-) were obtained as of extraction time, 1.5 min; 10mg sorbent from 160 mL of the sample solution, and elution with 1 mL of acetone/KOH. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves were obtained in the range of 0.1-80 µg L(-1) (R(2)=0.999) and LOD (S/N=3) was obtained in 34 ng L(-1). Relative standard deviations (RSD) were 0.6 % (five replicates at 5 μg L(-1)). In addition, the feasibility of the method was demonstrated with extraction and determination of nitrite from some real samples containing tap, mineral, sea, rain, snow and ground waters, with the recovery in standard addition to real matrix of 94-102 % and RSDs of 1.8-10.6%.