An overview of recent applications of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in determination of inorganic impurities in drugs and pharmaceuticals

Comparing nitric acid treatment and microwave digestion for efficiency of metal extraction from bioprocess samples

Metal ions may act as enzyme cofactors and influence the kinetics of biochemical reactions that may also influence the biological production of therapeutic proteins and quality attributes such as glycosylation. Because sample preparation is a significant step in the reliable analysis of metals, we compared two sample preparation procedures for metal analysis of bioreactor culture media samples by ICP-MS: (i) samples were diluted in 2 % nitric acid (treatment with nitric acid, TNA); and (ii) samples were mixed with equal volume of 5 % nitric acid and closed vessel digestion was performed in a microwave (closed vessel digestion, CVD). In the comparison of extraction efficiencies between TNA and CVD procedures, CVD showed better extraction for Ca and Cu among bulk metals (∼30 %) and for Ni among the trace metals (∼65 %) for the bioreactor broth supernatant samples. For the cell pellet samples, the CVD procedure was found to be better for extraction of Fe (∼65 % more) among bulk metals, Zn (∼20 % more) among minor metals and Co (∼60 % more) and Ni (∼45 % more) among trace metals. Differences between the two procedures were less than 10 % and TNA was better for all other metals quantified from both supernatant samples and cell pellet samples. The current study helps bring more clarity to the methodology on comprehensive metal analysis to monitor and maintain trace metal content for biologics production.

Toxic metals and essential trace elements in placenta and their relation to placental function

INTRODUCTION

Placental function is essential for fetal development, but it may be susceptible to malnutrition and environmental stressors.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of toxic and essential trace elements in placenta on placental function.

METHODS

Toxic metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, cobalt) and essential elements (copper, manganese, zinc, selenium) were measured in placenta of 406 pregnant women in northern Sweden using ICP-MS. Placental weight and birth weight were obtained from hospital records and fetoplacental weight ratio was used to estimate placental efficiency. Placental relative telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) were determined by quantitative PCR (n = 285). Single exposure-outcome associations were evaluated using linear or spline regression, and joint associations and interactions with Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), all adjusted for sex, maternal smoking, and age or BMI.

RESULTS

Median cadmium, mercury, lead, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, and selenium concentrations in placenta were 3.2, 1.8, 4.3, 2.3, 1058, 66, 10626, and 166 μg/kg, respectively. In the adjusted regression, selenium (>147 μg/kg) was inversely associated with placental weight (B: -158; 95 % CI: -246, -71, per doubling), as was lead at low selenium (B: -23.6; 95 % CI: -43.2, -4.0, per doubling). Manganese was positively associated with placental weight (B: 41; 95 % CI: 5.9, 77, per doubling) and inversely associated with placental efficiency (B: -0.01; 95 % CI: -0.019, -0.004, per doubling). Cobalt was inversely associated with mtDNAcn (B: -11; 95 % CI: -20, -0.018, per doubling), whereas all essential elements were positively associated with mtDNAcn, individually and joint.

CONCLUSION

Among the toxic metals, lead appeared to negatively impact placental weight and cobalt decreased placental mtDNAcn. Joint essential element concentrations increased placental mtDNAcn. Manganese also appeared to increase placental weight, but not birth weight. The inverse association of selenium with placental weight may reflect increased transport of selenium to the fetus in late gestation.

Greening microwave-assisted digestion method using hydrogen peroxide for determination of elemental impurities by ICP-OES in antihypertensive active pharmaceutical ingredients

Microwave-assisted wet digestion (MAWD) using only H2O2 was proposed for oxidizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for hypertension treatment and subsequent determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Diltiazem hydrochloride (DIL) presented the most refractory characteristic for oxidation using MAWD-H2O2. This proposed MAWD-H2O2 method was validated for specificity, accuracy, and precision according to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 233 guidelines. Regarding specificity, the most sensitive emission lines were utilized to analyze all elemental impurities in the digests, and no significant spectral interferences were observed. Sample masses of 500 mg for all APIs and a digestion temperature of 250 °C provided digests with residual carbon (RC) below 2400 mg L-1 of C. Additionally, the residual acidity of the MAWD-H2O2 digests was lower than the acidity presented by the HNO3 digests. The highest and lowest residual carbon content (RCC) for digests were observed for DIL and captopril (CAP), respectively, using MAWD-H2O2. When comparing the RCC for MAWD-H2O2 and MAWD-HNO3 digests for APIs containing aromatic rings, it was evident that H2O2 offered equivalent conditions for digesting these compounds. Accuracy tests showed recovery values of 91-110% for all elemental impurities, as recommended by USP chapter 233. Validation experiments for precision presented relative standard deviation (RSD) values below 6.4% and 10% under repeatability and intermediate precision conditions, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQs) provided by MAWD-H2O2 are at most half of those recommended by of USP and International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements (ICH). In conclusion, MAWD-H2O2 can be considered an alternative method for API digestion, aligning with green analytical chemistry principles, as it does not employ toxic reagents, minimizes waste, and the main products of H2O2 oxidation are water and oxygen. Considering the analytical Eco-Scale, the MAWD-H2O2 method scored 81, classifying it as an excellent green analysis.

Facile Separation of Cu2+ from Water by Novel Sandwich NaY Zeolite Adsorptive Membrane

Polyethersulfone-sulfonated polyethersulfone (PES-SPES)/NaY zeolite/nylon sandwich structure membranes were prepared and used to adsorb Cu2+ from water. The adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, dynamic adsorption experiment, and reusability were discussed. The experimental data showed that the Langmuir isotherm model, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm model, and the pseudo-first-order kinetic model can well represent the adsorption of Cu2+ on the membrane, indicating an ion exchange mechanism, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 111.25 mg·g−1. Repeatability experiments show that the sandwich film still has good adsorption performance after five times of adsorption and desorption. The as-prepared membrane showed considerable separation performance in removing Cu2+ from aspirin solution, providing a feasible method to remove heavy metals from drugs.

Use of Microscopic Characteristics and Multielemental Fingerprinting Analysis to Trace Three Different Cultivation Modes of Medicinal and Edible Dendrobium officinale in China

The traceability of different cultivation modes is critical for ensuring the commercial viability of high-value Dendrobium officinale. In this study, by means of polarizing microscopy, SEM-EDX, ICP-MS and ICP-AES, the possibility of combining microscopic characteristics, multielemental analysis and multivariate statistical authenticity analysis was realized to determine the origins of the fresh stem and dried stem powder of D. officinale derived from three different cultivation modes from six provinces of China. The microscopic structure, chemical elements on the surface of the main microstructures and concentrations of Ca, K, Ba, Cs, As and Cu varied among specimens derived from different cultivation modes. The fresh stems of D. officinale derived from different cultivation modes can be effectively and quickly identified by various microscopic characteristics and different contents of Ca on the surface of the parenchyma, phloem and xylem. Meanwhile, linear discriminant analysis showed that 98.1% of the dried stem powder samples were correctly classified, and the accuracy of cross-validation was 95.3%. This study facilitated an effective integrated method for determining the traceability of the fresh stem and dried stem powder of D. officinale derived from three different cultivation modes. This approach offers a potential method for identifying the origins of medicinal plants derived from different cultivation modes.

European fingerprint study on omeprazole drug substances using a multi analytical approach and chemometrics as a tool for the discrimination of manufacturing sources

Like drug products, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are subject to substandard and falsification issues, which represent a threat to patient health. In order to monitor the quality of drug substances and prevent the use of non-compliant APIs, Official Medicine Control Laboratories work together in a European network developing coordinated strategies and programmes. The API working group proposed a market surveillance study on omeprazole and omeprazole magnesium with the objectives of controlling the pharmaceutical quality of samples, checking compliance with the monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia, and collecting analytical fingerprints that could be further used to differentiate manufacturing sources for future authenticity investigations. The study described in this article reports the analysis carried out by 7 European laboratories on 28 samples from 11 manufacturers with 5 analytical techniques (related substances with HPLC, residual solvents with GC-MS, near infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry). The large amount of resulting analytical data were centralized and treated with two chemometric methods: Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. Data were analyzed separately and in combination (data fusion), allowing us to conclude that NMR and XRPD were suitable to differentiate samples originating from 9 out of 11 manufacturers. Analytical fingerprints associated with chemometrics were demonstrated to be a valuable methodology to discriminate manufacturers of omeprazole and omeprazole magnesium APIs and detect future substandard and falsified APIs.

Extraction Induced by Emulsion and Microemulsion Breaking for Metal Determination by Spectrometric Methods - A Review

This review focuses on extraction induced by the destabilization of emulsified systems combined with spectrometric techniques for metal analysis in oily samples. This approach is based on the formation and breaking of an emulsion (extraction induced by emulsion breaking - EIEB) or microemulsion (extraction induced by microemulsion breaking - EIMB) to transfer the analytes from the oil sample to the aqueous phase, which is separated in the process. Its simplicity, speed, and low cost have contributed to its growing popularity among researchers. However, the potential of EIEB and EIMB is far from being fully exploited. Therefore, this paper aims to provide relevant information to expand the applicability of these methods. The principle of the methods is discussed, and a brief description of emulsified systems is presented. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency and calibration strategy are also critically discussed. Furthermore, the analytical applications of the methods are reviewed. Trends and opportunities in this field are also considered.

Multinuclear NMR screening of pharmaceuticals using standardization by 2H integral of a deuterated solvent

NMR standardization approach that uses the ²H integral of deuterated solvent for quantitative multinuclear analysis of pharmaceuticals is described. As a proof of principle, the existing NMR procedure for the analysis of heparin products according to US Pharmacopeia monograph is extended to the determination of Na⁺ and Cl^- content in this matrix. Quantification is performed based on the ratio of a ²³Na (³⁵Cl) NMR integral and ²H NMR signal of deuterated solvent, D₂O, acquired using the specific spectrometer hardware. As an alternative, the possibility of ¹³³Cs standardization using the addition of Cs₂CO₃ stock solution is shown. Validation characteristics (linearity, repeatability, sensitivity) are evaluated. A holistic NMR profiling of heparin products can now also be used for the quantitative determination of inorganic compounds in a single analytical run using a single sample. In general, the new standardization methodology provides an appealing alternative for the NMR screening of inorganic and organic components in pharmaceutical products.

Metallic Impurities in Pharmaceuticals: An Overview

Backgroun:

Metallic impurities are the traces of metals that can be found in finished drug products.

Description:

These metallic impurities in pharmaceutical preparations can enter from formulation ingredients, catalysts, and process equipment, containers and closures. They are not completely removed from the product by practical manufacturing techniques and should be evaluated relative to safetybased limits. They can affect drug efficacy or produce direct toxic effect on the patient.

Methods:

In this paper, an attempt has been made to review these metallic impurities including potential sources and analytical procedures to quantify these impurities. ICH guideline on these impurities and measures to control impurities has also been discussed in the paper.

Results:

The implementation of ICH Q3D guideline with the quality risk assessment approach is an important milestone to harmonize control of elements worldwide.

Conclusion:

This approach allows manufacturers to provide vital information about the contribution of impurities in the drug product.

Functionalized magnetic PAMAM dendrimer as an efficient nanocatalyst for a new synthetic strategy of xanthene pigments

A green protocol has been developed for preparation of the wide variety of colored xanthene derivatives using a new efficient magnetic solid acid catalyst bearing polyamidoamine dendrimer moiety as a nanoscopic compound. Dendrimers, highly symmetric molecules around a core and 3D spherical morphology, show interesting traits based on their functionalized groups on the branched surface. They can be designed to provide water soluble structures or pseudo-active sites of biomolecules. The catalyst was assembled via a polyamidoamine dendrimer immobilized on the surface of γ-Fe₂O₃ followed by the sulfonylation of the amine groups by chlorosulfonic acid resulting in γ-Fe₂O₃@PAMAM-SO₃H. Herein, PAMAM dendrimer with repeating amine/amide branches as catchable sites of sulfonic acid groups was introduced as transformer of homogeneous to heterogeneous acidic catalysts. The physicochemical properties of synthesized catalyst were studied using by FT-IR, FE-SEM, XRD, VSM, EDS, TGA/DTG, and TEM. Finally, the catalytic activity of γ-Fe₂O₃@PAMAM-SO₃H was evaluated for the preparation of xanthene derivatives via a one-pot, three components reaction of aromatic aldehydes with i) β-naphthol, ii) cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl, iii) β-naphthol and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, iv) 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, leading to the eco-riendly preparation of the target compounds in good to excellent yields. The catalyst could be easily recycled for at least five consecutive runs without significant loss in its catalytic activity.

Facile and green synthesis of a series of dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffolds

This work presents a new catalytic application of 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine for the efficient synthesis of a series of dihydro-[1,2,4] triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. According to the principles of green chemistry, the reaction was performed (a) in a solvent mixture comprised of water and ethanol (1:1 v/v) at reflux temperature and (b) solvent-free grinding in a mortar by a pestle. The organocatalyst could be reused up to 10 runs, and no reduction of catalytic activity was detected. A variety of substituted dihydro-[1,2,4] triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines were obtained in good to excellent yields under eco-friendly conditions. 4,4′-Trimethylenedipiperidine is commercially available and easy to handle, and it also shows high thermal stability and good solubility in water. This work revealed that this organocatalyst, a hydrogen bond donor to active carbonyl groups and simultaneously a Lewis base through the nitrogen atom of second piperidine moiety, could play a vital role in the promotion of the one-pot multi-component reactions. The main merits of the current methodology include short reaction time, wide substrate scope, use of a metal-free catalyst and green solvents, and simple work-up process. Furthermore, this organocatalyst can be an alternative to piperidine for organic transformations.

New protocols for the synthesis of 5-amino-7-(4-phenyl)-4,7-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate esters using an efficient additive

This work introduces a new additive named 4,4'-trimethylenedipiperidine for the practical and ecofriendly preparation of ethyl 5-amino-7-(4-phenyl)-4,7-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives. This chemical is commercially available and easy to handle. It also possesses a low melting point and a broad liquid range temperature, high thermal stability, and good solubility in water. Based on green chemistry principles, the reaction was performed in a) a mixture of green solvents i.e. water and ethanol (1:1 v/v) at reflux temperature, and b) the additive was liquefied at 65 °C and the reaction was conducted in the liquid state of the additive. High yields of the desired triazolo-pyrimidines were obtained under both aforementioned conditions. Our results demonstrated that this additive, containing 2 Lewis base sites and able to act as an acceptor-donor hydrogen bonding group, is a novel and efficient alternative to piperidine, owing to its unique properties such as its reduced toxicity, nonflammable nature, nonvolatile state, broad liquid range temperature, high thermal stability, and ability to be safely handled. Furthermore, this additive could be completely recovered and exhibited high recyclability without any change in its chemical structure and no significant reduction in its activity. The current methodology has several advantages: (a) it avoids the use of hazardous materials, as well as toxic, volatile, and flammable solvents, (b) it does not entail tedious processes, harsh conditions, and the multistep preparation of catalysts, (c) it uses a metal-free and noncorrosive catalyst, and (d) reduces the generation of hazardous waste and simple work-up processes. The most important result of this study is that 4,4'-trimethylenedipiperidine can be a promising alternative for toxic, volatile, and flammable base reagents in organic synthesis owing to its unique properties.

A review of the newly identified impurity profiles in methamphetamine seizures

Forensic intelligence of synthetic illicit drugs suffers a problem of continuous introduction of new synthetic methods, modification of the existing routes of manufacture, and adulterations practiced by criminal networks. Impurity profiling has been indispensable in methamphetamine intelligence based on precursors, synthetic routes, and chemical modifications during trafficking. Law enforcement authorities maintain the credibility and integrity of intelligence information through constant monitoring of the chemical signatures in the illicit drug market.

Changes in the synthetic pattern result in new impurity profiles that are important in keeping valuable intelligence information on clandestine laboratories, new synthetic routes, trafficking patterns, and geographical sources of illicit Methamphetamine.

This review presents a critical analysis of the methamphetamine impurity profiles and more specifically, profiling based on impurity profiles from Leuckart, Reductive amination, Moscow, Emde, Nagai, Birch, Moscow route; a recent nitrostyrene route and stable isotope signatures. It also highlights the discrimination of ephedrine from pseudoephedrine sources and the emerging methamphetamine profiling based on stable isotopes.

μ-Thin-layer chromatography coupled with laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry using tin(II)-imprinted polymer nanoparticles as a stationary phase for speciation of tin

A unique and novel μ-thin-layer chromatography method based on Sn(II) ion-imprinted polymer (Sn-IIP) for speciation of tin ion species in water and plasma samples is introduced for the first time. For this purpose, N-allylthiourea (NATU) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were copolymerized in the presence of Sn(II). The obtained polymer particles were identified using multiple techniques like BET, FT-IR, XRD, and FESEM. The effects of different variables such as pH of the solution, mobile phase composition, and IIP per CaSO₄ mass ratio on the separation efficiency were also evaluated. After completion of the separation process on the plate, its surface was scanned by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Under the established optimal condition, the detection limit, relative standard deviation (RSD) of responses, and linear dynamic range (LDR) of the method were obtained as 0.3 μg L^-1, 3.5%, and 0.8-900 μg L^-1 for Sn(II) and 0.4 μg L^-1, 4%, and 1-740 μg L^-1 for Sn(IV) assay, respectively. The developed method was finally applied to the speciation of tin in various water and plasma samples. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of μ-thin-layer chromatography method based on tin(II) ion-imprinted polymer (Sn-IIP) for speciation of tin ion species in water and plasma samples and scanned separated casts by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) characterisation of sildenafil based products seized on the Italian illegal market

The commerce of illegal and counterfeit medicinal products on internet is a serious criminal problem. Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor are the most commonly counterfeited medicines in Europe. The search of possible toxic chemical substances in seized products is needed. Moreover, the profiling of the material can be the source of relevant forensic information. For the first time a combined approach based on liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is proposed and tested, allowing characterisation of both authentic and illegal pharmaceuticals containing sildenafil seized in Italy. LC-HRMS allowed the detection and identification of unknown impurities not reported on labels in illegal products and the quantitation of the sildenafil. INAA showed to be suitable to provide both qualitative and quantitative information for forensic purposes on 23 elements, allowing discrimination between legal and illegal products.

A direct LA-ICP-MS screening of elemental impurities in pharmaceutical products in compliance with USP and ICH-Q3D

The novel laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry methodology for the rapid screening of elemental impurities in solid pharmaceutical samples with the daily dose less than 2.0 g has been developed in accordance with requirements of established USP <232/233> chapters and ICH-Q3D guideline. The LA-ICP-MS methodology covering the determination of Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Co, V, Ni, Tl, Au, Pd, Ir, Os, Rh, Ru, Se, Ag, Pt was successfully validated in terms of linearity, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision, intermediate precision, specificity and range. Moreover, the presented 'in-house' matrix-matched standards preparation methodology helps to overcome crucial analytical problem connected with unavailability of commercial certified matrix-matched reference material suitable for the direct elemental impurities analysis in various kinds of solid pharmaceutical products. A two step homogeneity study of prepared matrix-matched calibration standards is also reported to investigate the homogeneity of distribution of elemental impurities and internal standards across the pressed pellet. The validated LA-ICP-MS method was applied on analysis of several types of solid pharmaceutical samples (active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, placebo and final drug products). The proposed method allowed the accurate, precise and fast screening of elemental impurities without necessity of time and labour consuming solutions preparation and thus it can be used in routine practice as an alternative to conventional ICP-MS or ICP-OES for the rapid quality control of different stages of pharmaceutical production.

Toxicological analysis of Pb and Cd by ET AAS in local anaesthetics for teething (teething gels) based on herbs available in Polish pharmacies

Studies related to the toxicological analyses of metallic impurities in pharmaceuticals (drugs) is an important issue but there is a lack of refereed literature around the safety of teething remedies from herbal origin related to toxic metals impurities. In this article, the levels of Pb and Cd were measured in samples of local anaesthetics for teething (gels) based on herbs. This article was motivated by the fact that Pb and Cd are relevant toxic metals that may cause an adverse effect in babies even at low levels. Additional justifications were (1) the insufficient control of metal impurities in teething gels, (2) the lack of sufficient validation steps and (3) the inadequate sensitivity of applied analytical techniques. The aim of this article was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pb and Cd in the most popular and available local anaesthetic for teething (teething gels) based on herbs (n = 5) available in Poland. Metals were determined by ET AAS (electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry), after digestion in a microwave unit using concentrated nitric acid. It was observed that all samples contained Pb and Cd. The levels of Pb and Cd as impurities (independently of the producer and declared composition) are similar. The concentrations of Pb and Cd, at ng/day levels, to which the user is exposed at daily doses meet the standards of the directive ICH Q3D.

An ICP-MS platform for metal content assessment of cell culture media and evaluation of spikes in metal concentration on the quality of an IgG3:κ monoclonal antibody during production

Metal ions can be enzyme cofactors and can directly influence the kinetics of biochemical reactions that also influence the biological production and quality attributes of therapeutic proteins, such as glycan formation and distribution. However, the concentrations of metals in commercially available chemically defined media can range from 1 to 25,000 ppb. Because such concentration changes can impact cell growth, manufacturing yield and product quality the alteration/fluctuation in media composition should be well controlled to maintain product quality. Here, we describe a platform of analytical methods to determine the composition of several metals in different sample matrices using an advanced automated Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). These methods, validated to ICH Q2R1 regulatory validation parameters, were successfully applied to- (a) screen cell culture media; (b) determine changes in the metal concentration during cell growth in spinner flasks, and, (c) determine effect on the glycosylation pattern and homogeneity of an IgG3:κ produced from a murine-hybridoma cell line in bench-top parallel bioreactors due to a spike in copper and iron concentration. Our results show that maintenance of metal content in the cell culture media is critical for product consistency of the IgG3:κ produced.

Multi-elements determination in medical and edible Alpinia oxyphylla and Morinda officinalis and their decoctions by ICP-MS

Contents of twenty elements (Mg, K, Ca, Na, Fe, Al, Zn, Ba, Mn, Cu, Mo, Cr, Ni, As, Se, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb and V) in two medical and edible plant species, Alpinia oxyphylla and Morinda officinalis were simultaneously determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method after microwave digestion with HNO₃-H₂O₂ (6:1, v/v) as the digestion solvent. Certified standard reference material Poplar leaf was used to assess the accuracy of the method. The greatest contents of Mg, K, Ca, Al, Fe and Na were found in dried Alpinia oxyphylla and Morinda officinalis samples. The contents of five heavy metals including Pb, Cd, As, Hg and Cu in Alpinia oxyphylla did not exceed the limits. The contents of Pb in 76.67% samples and Cd in two batches of Morinda officinalis samples exceeded the limits set by Chinese Pharmacopeia. The contents of the selected elements in different parts (leaves, stems, roots and fruits) of Alpinia oxyphylla varied considerably. The highest concentrations of Mg, Ca, Mn and Se were found in the leaves of Alpinia oxyphylla, at the same time, while, the contents of 9 elements including Cd, Cr, Cu, As, Pb in the roots were the highest. The transfer ratios of selected elements from both species of herbs into their decoctions were reduced. Especially for the heavy metals, the transfer ratios were below 30% except As (79.73%) in Morinda officinalis. The results showed that decoction of the samples may reduce the intake of heavy metals.

Acid retardation method in analysis of strongly acidic solutions by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry

Acid retardation on the sorbents as a technique for reduction of the acidity of the solutions prior to their analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was proposed and investigated. The proposed scheme provides substantial separation of the analytes and nitric acid, which allows direct introduction of the eluates in plasma without dilution. Two sorbents were examined - AV-17 anion-exchange resin and the Stirosorb 584 sorbent. Sorption and desorption of 38 elements on these sorbents were investigated. The efficiencies of the REEs' sorption on the anion-exchange and neutral sorbents were compared. The higher efficiency of the REEs and HNO3 separation was revealed for the neutral Stirosorb 584 sorbent. It was also found that most elements come out quantitatively of the column filled with the AV-17 resin after pumping 2-4mL of the solution. Wherein, the concentration of nitric acid decreased by 20 times. The anomalous behaviour of Ag, Pb, Th and U on the AV-17 resin was found. These analytes were eluted only after pumping 4 column volumes of deionized water. Na, K, Fe, Al and Li in concentrations within (50-1000mgL(-1)) range did not affect the recovery of REEs. The potential of ARM technique was demonstrate by the analysis of puriss. HNO3 and silverware. ARM enables to avoid dilution of highly acidic solutions prior to their introduction in ICP-MS.

Trace metal determination as it relates to metallosis of orthopaedic implants: Evolution and current status

In utilising metal surfaces that are in constant contact with each other, metal-on-metal (MoM) surgical implants present a unique challenge, in the sense that their necessity is accompanied by the potential risk of wear particle generation, metal ion release and subsequent patient toxicity. This is especially true of orthopaedic devices that are faulty and subject to failure, where the metal surfaces undergo atypical degradation and release even more unwanted byproducts, as was highlighted by the recent recall of orthopaedic surgical implants. The aim of this review is to examine the area of metallosis arising from the wear of MoM articulations in orthopaedic devices, including how the surgical procedures and detection methods have advanced to meet growing performance and analytical needs, respectively.

Presence of pharmaceuticals and heavy metals in the waters of a Mediterranean coastal wetland: Potential interactions and the influence of the environment

The occurrence of 17 relevant pharmaceuticals and 7 heavy metals in the waters of the Pego-Oliva Marsh Natural Park (Valencia Community, Spain) were monitored. Thirty four zones (including the lagoon and the most important irrigation channels), covering the main land uses and water sources, were selected for sampling. Thirty three of them were contaminated with at least one pharmaceutical. Ibuprofen and codeine were the pharmaceuticals more frequently detected, in concentrations between 4.8 and 1.2 ng/L and a maximum of 59 ng/L and 63 ng/L, respectively. Regarding metals, Zn showed values under the detection limit in all the samples, while Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb were detected at concentrations lower than the WHO and EU maximum levels for drinking waters. Ni showed significant direct correlations with diazepam, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and fenofibrate, and inverse relationships with ibuprofen, at 99 and 95% of significance. Cu, Co and Cr also showed significant correlations with some of the pharmaceuticals. These interactions could favor the synergistic/antagonistic interactions among pharmaceuticals and metals in the marsh, which can affect its aquatic fauna and flora or even human health. The influences of the water sources, land uses and spatial distribution of both types of contaminants were also studied.

Quantitative analysis of trace palladium contamination in solution using electrochemical X-ray fluorescence (EC-XRF)

Electrochemical X-ray fluorescence for the quantitative analysis of trace level Pd in solution in the presence of excess electroactive species.

Potential metal impurities in active pharmaceutical substances and finished medicinal products - A market surveillance study

A market surveillance study has been established by using different atomic spectrometric methods for the determination of selected elemental impurities of particular interest, to gain an overview about the quality of presently marketed drug products and their bulk drug substances. The limit tests were carried out with respect to the existing EMA guideline on the specification limits for residuals of metal catalysts or metal reagents. Also attention was given to the future implementation of two new chapters of the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) stating limit concentrations of elemental impurities. The methods used for determination of metal residues were inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and atomic absorption spectrometry technologies (GFAAS, CVAAS, HGAAS). This article presents the development and validation of the methods used for the determination of 21 selected metals in 113 samples from drug products and their active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Elemental characterisation of the medical plant Alchemilla velebitica

Alchemilla, commonly called "lady's mantle", is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the family Rosaceae. The species Alchemilla velebitica is found only in Southern Europe, like in the Croatian National Park Northern Velebit. Its benefits, such as a astringent and emmenagogue activity as well as wound healing are correlated to the organic compounds found in the plant, but also certain trace elements are known to reduce skin lesions, such as zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, silicon and lithium. Thus the objective of the present study was the elemental characterization of leaves, blossoms and roots of A. velebitica. After acidic microwave assisted digestion the concentrations of selected essential and trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma--atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma--mass spectrometry. Other minor elements, such as Al, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr and Zn are also found in leaves, blossoms and roots with contents in μg/kg range. The preparation of decoctions and the extraction yields of the elements of interest are calculated.

Influence of soil composition on the major, minor and trace metal content of Velebit biomedical plants

The use of medical herbs for the treatment of many human diseases is increasing nowadays due to their mild features and low side effects. Not only for their healing properties, but also for their nutritive value supplementation of diet with various herbs is recommended. Thus also their analysis is of rising importance. While total elemental compositions are published for many common herbs, the origin of toxic as well as beneficial elements is not yet well investigated. Thus different indigenous medicinal plants, namely Croatian spruce (Picea abies), savory (Satureja montana L.), mountain yarrow (Achillea clavennae), showy calamint (Calamintha grandiflora), micromeria (Micromeria croatica), yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) and fir (Abies alba) together with soil samples were collected in the National Park Northern Velebit. The macro- and trace elements content, after microwave digestion, was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The study focuses on the one hand on essential elements and on the other hand on non-essential elements which are considered as toxic for humans, covering in total Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn.