Micellar chromatography of inorganic compounds

A rapid and sensitive evaluation of nitrite content in Saudi Arabian processed meat and poultry using a novel ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method

Quantitative assessment of nitrite (NO₂^-) anion was performed using a newly developed high throughput ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS) method. The nitrite determination with the proposed method using micellar mobile phase was unknown. Selected ion reaction mode using negative electrospray ionization was adopted for the identification and quantitative analysis of nitrite. The chromatographic separation was performed using BEH C-18 column and a micellar mobile phase consisted of sodium dodecyl sulphate and acetonitrile in ratio 30:70 was used. The elution of nitrite anion was accomplished in less than 1 min. Under the optimal analysis conditions, the linearity of the developed method was checked in the concentration range of 0.5-20 mg kg^-1 NO₂^- with an excellent correlation coefficient of 0.996. The precisions of the method with relative standard deviation <2% was observed when standard at concentration of 1 mg kg^-1 was used. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of the developed mass spectrometric method was found to be 0.114 and 0.346 mg kg^-1, respectively. The developed UPLC/MS method was applied to quantify this anion in processed meats and poultries from various super market of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh region). The recoveries of the nitrite in the various samples were found in the range of 100.03-103.5%.

Micro- and Nano-Liquid Phases Coexistent with Ice as Separation and Reaction Media

Ice has a variety of scientifically interesting features, some of which have not been reasonably interpreted despite substantial efforts by researchers. Most chemical studies of ice have focused on the elucidation of its physicochemical nature and its roles in the natural environment. Ice often contains impurities, such as salts, and in such cases, a liquid phase coexists with solid ice over a wide temperature range. This impure ice also acts as a cryoreactor, governing the circulation of chemical species of environmental importance. Reactions and phenomena occurring in this liquid phase show features different from those seen in normal bulk aqueous solutions. In the present account, we discuss the chemical characteristics of the liquid phase that develops in a frozen aqueous phase and show how novel analytical systems can be designed based on he features of the liquid phase which are predictable in some cases but unpredictable in others.

Study of monoprotic acid-base equilibria in aqueous micellar solutions of nonionic surfactants using spectrophotometry and chemometrics

Many studies have shown the distribution of solutes between aqueous phase and micellar pseudo-phase in aqueous micellar solutions. However, spectrophotometric studies of acid-base equilibria in these media do not confirm such distribution because of the collinearity between concentrations of chemical species in the two phases. The collinearity causes the number of detected species to be equal to the number of species in a homogenous solution that automatically misinterpreted as homogeneity of micellar solutions, therefore the collinearity is often neglected. This interpretation is in contradiction to the distribution theory in micellar media that must be avoided. Acid-base equilibrium of an indicator was studied in aqueous micellar solutions of a nonionic surfactant to address the collinearity using UV/Visible spectrophotometry. Simultaneous analysis (matrix augmentation) of the equilibrium and solvation data was applied to eliminate the collinearity from the equilibrium data. A model was then suggested for the equilibrium that was fitted to the augmented data to estimate distribution coefficients of the species between the two phases. Moreover, complete resolution of concentration and spectral profiles of species in each phase was achieved.

Electrochemical generation of gradients in surfactant concentration across microfluidic channels

We report the generation and manipulation of spatial gradients in surfactant and micelle concentration across microfluidic channels by combining use of a redox-active surfactant with electrochemical methods. The approach is founded on the observation that 11-ferrocenylundecyltrimethylammonium bromide (FTMA) behaves as a surfactant in aqueous solution (e.g., self-assembles to form micelles at a critical concentration of 0.1 mM in aqueous 0.1 M Li(2)SO(4)) whereas oxidized FTMA remains dispersed in a monomeric state up to concentrations of at least 30 mM. By flowing aqueous FTMA solutions through microfluidic channels (width of 80 microm, depth of 72 microm, and length of 42 mm) and by applying potentials of 0 V (vs Ag|AgCl; cathode) and +0.3 V (vs Ag|AgCl; anode) to gold electrodes lining both side-walls of the microfluidic channels, we measured lateral gradients in concentration of oxidized FTMA and reduced FTMA to be generated across the microfluidic channels by splitting the exiting stream into four channels. These measurements revealed the lateral concentration profile of FTMA to be consistent with the presence of slowly diffusing micelles of FTMA in a spatially localized region near the cathode and monomeric FTMA only near the anode. The lateral concentration profiles of reduced and oxidized FTMA, and thus the patterning of micelles within the microfluidic channels, were manipulated via changes in the inlet FTMA concentration, potentials applied to the electrodes, and flow rate. These experimental measurements were compared to a simple model, which assumed fast electrode kinetics, lateral transport of FTMA by diffusion only (no migration), and local micelle-monomer equilibrium within the bulk solution. This comparison revealed qualitative but not quantitative agreement between model and experiment. Calculations of ionic conductivity and associated experimental measurements support the proposition that Ohmic resistance to the passage of current along the channel (between the working and the counter electrodes) contribute, in part, to the lack of quantitative agreement between the model and the measurements. The capability to generate and manipulate lateral concentration profiles of surfactants and micelles across microfluidic channels, as demonstrated by the results presented in this paper, offers the basis of new principles for continuous separation processes and microanalytical systems, and more broadly, new methods to generate gradients in concentration of analytes that interact with surfactants.

Methods for generation of spatial gradients in concentration of monomeric surfactants and micelles in microfluidic systems

We report methods suitable for use in microfluidic systems that permit the generation and manipulation of spatial gradients in concentrations of monomeric surfactants and micelles within aqueous solutions. The methods involve the use of the redox-active surfactant, (11-ferrocenylundecyl)trimethyl-ammonium bromide (FTMA) and build from past studies that have established that FTMA exhibits a critical micelle concentration of 0.1 mM (in 0.1 M Li2SO4), whereas oxidized FTMA remains dispersed in a monomeric state up to concentrations of at least 30 mM. Following the application of potentials of 0 V (vs Ag|AgCl; cathode) and +0.3 V (vs Ag|AgCl; anode) to electrodes separated by distances of 25-116 microm, we measured steady state currents of equal magnitude to be passed at each electrode within 1-20 s of the onset of the application of the potentials. We used dynamic light scattering and surface tension measurements to determine that oxidized and reduced FTMA do not measurably interact in solution and thus interpret the steady state currents, measured as a function of the concentration of FTMA added to the system and distance between the electrodes, within the framework of a simple model that assumes fast electrode kinetics, local micelle-monomer equilibrium within the bulk solution, and transport by diffusion only (no migration). Comparison of experimental measurements and model predictions reveals good overall agreement, consistent with the presence of one-dimensional gradients in concentrations of monomeric FTMA and micelles of FTMA in solution between the electrodes. The nature of the gradients can be manipulated by the potentials applied to the electrodes and can be used to achieve spatially localized populations of micelles in the system.

Determination of selenium(IV) in pharmaceuticals and premixes by micellar liquid chromatography

A simple micellar liquid chromatographic technique for the determination of selenium(IV) in pharmaceutical products (multi-vitamin tablets, syrups) and animal premixes after pre-column derivatization with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene was developed and validated. Hypersil ODS column, 10% (v/v) 1-butanol in 0.05 M sodium dodecyl sulfate as the mobile phase and UV detection at 378 nm and were used. The retention time was about 8 min. In the course of the validation study, the specificity of the method was demonstrated. Linearity was established in the range 0.33-3.3 microg ml(-1) of selenium(IV) content. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.1 and 0.3 microg ml(-1), respectively. The method showed excellent accuracy (100.04%). Precision (repeatability) gave a relative standard deviation less than 1%. The influence of the various method parameters (robustness study) was also investigated.

Heteroscedasticity of retention factor and adequate modeling in micellar liquid chromatography

The two concepts of micelle formation (pseudo-phase and mass-action) could be the basis of retention models in micellar liquid chromatography (MLC). The separation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid esters and seven polyaromatic hydrocarbons were performed to study the repeatability of retention factor in MLC. The full two factor experimental design was used for studying the dependence of retention factor variance on mobile phase composition (sodium dodecylsulfate, 1-butanol). The experimentally observed heteroscedasticity and perturbations after linearization were taken into account by using statistical weights obtained on the basis of errors propagation law and the modeling of retention by non-weighted and weighted least squares method was performed. The mechanistical retention models based on pseudo-phase and mass-action concepts of micelle formation were compared by fitting quality and prediction capability and high robustness of bilogarithmic dependence was observed. The significance of retention factor heteroscedasticity for retention hydrophobicity relationships was shown.

Micellar liquid chromatography retention model based on mass-action concept of micelle formation

Mass-action model of surfactant micelle formation has been used to develop a conceptual retention model in micellar liquid chromatography (MLC). The retention model bases on the consideration of the changes of the sorbate microenvironment at its transferring from the mobile phase (hybrid micellar eluent) to the stationary phase (a modified surface of alkyl-bounded sorbent). Principal retention equation contains the characteristics of hybrid micelles (critical micelle concentration, degree of counterion binding, partition coefficient of modifier between aqueous solution and micellar pseudo-phase) as well as three fitting parameters. The fitting parameters are an absolute term and coefficients that are equal to the number of molecules of surfactant and modifier, which are attached/detached by sorbate transferring from a hybrid micellar eluent to a modified surface of the stationary phase. On the MLC separation of five antibiotics of rubomicin derivatives and four esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid the model of the change of sorbate microenvironment has been tested. The adequateness of model to experimental data has been shown. A simple three-parameter function connecting log k with log cS and log cR that provides a high goodness-of-fit follows from principal retention equation (cS and cR are the molar concentrations of surfactant and organic modifier in the micellar eluent, respectively).

Chelates of cobalt(III) and iron(II) with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol as test probes for the characterization of chromatographic effects on a reversed-phase liquid chromatography stationary phase

The chromatographic effects on a reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) phase were established with the use of chelates system: cobalt(III) and iron(II) with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol as the test probes. Both chelates have the same octahedral structure, M:L = 1:2, the former chelate is cationic and can be used to probe the ion-exchange phenomena on a RPLC phase, whereas the latter is not charged and can be used as reference molecule with respect to the charged one. Based on well-established LC phenomena referred in the literature, the suitability of the chelate system for examining some chromatographic effects was tested. It was concluded that the proposed test method is sensitive towards the ion-exchange phenomena on the LC phase and the hydrogen bonding between the solvent eluent and the LC phase. In addition, chromatographic effects due to the presence of ultrasonic field or due to the presence of aromatic amines in the eluent were observed with the help of the proposed test method. Based on molecular computation, the properties of chelates were compared with properties of quaternary amines, the probes most frequently used for testing LC phases, and the possible differences in an interaction of the mentioned compounds with a surface of a RPLC phase were indicated.

Surfactant to Dye Binding Degree-Based Methodology for the Determination of Ionic Amphiphilic Compounds

A new analytical measurement parameter based on the effect of amphiphilic substances on the degree of binding of a surfactant to dye molecules, which induce the formation of surfactant premicellar aggregates, is presented. The theory for dye-surfactant intermolecular interactions in mixed surfactant systems, which assumes a mononuclear model for the formation of dye-induced premicellar aggregates, has been used to derive an expression that provides linear calibrations for the determination of amphiphilic compounds. The dye-surfactant interactions involved have been investigated, and the variables affecting the measurement analytical parameter have been discussed. The analytical applicability of the surfactant-dye binding degree method is demonstrated by quantifying major anionic surfactants at the nanograms-per-milliliter level and determining the total concentration of these amphiphilic substances in sewage samples (average recoveries ranged from 98 to 102%).

Principles for microscale separations based on redox-active surfactants and electrochemical methods

We report principles for microscale separations based on selective solubilization and deposition of sparingly water-soluble compounds by an aqueous solution of a redox-active surfactant. The surfactant, (11-ferrocenylundecyl)trimethylammonium bromide, undergoes a reversible change in micellization upon oxidation or reduction. This change in aggregation is exploited in a general scheme in which micelles of reduced surfactant are formed and then put in contact with a mixture of hydrophobic compounds leading to selective solubilization of the compounds. The micelles are then electrochemically disrupted, leading to the selective deposition of their contents. We measured the selectivity of the solubilization and deposition processes using mixtures of two model drug-like compounds, o-tolueneazo-beta-naphthol (I) and 1-phenylazo-2-naphthylamine (II). By repeatedly solubilizing and depositing a mixture that initially contained equal mole fractions of each compound, we demonstrate formation of a product that contains 98.4% of I after six cycles. Because the aggregation states of redox-active surfactants are easily controlled within simple microfabricated structures, including structures that define small stationary volumes (e.g., wells of a microtiter plate) or flowing volumes of liquids (e.g., microfabricated channels), we believe these principles may be useful for the purification or analysis of compounds in microscale chemical process systems. When used for purification, these principles provide separation of surfactant and product.

The effect of stationary-phase pore size on retention behavior in micellar liquid chromatography

One of the limitations that has restricted the applicability of micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) is the weak eluting power of micellar mobile phases compared to conventional hydro-organic mobile phases used in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. This may be the result of Donnan or steric exclusion of the micelles from the pores of the stationary phase, within which nearly all (> or = 99%) of the stationary phase resides and the analytes spend most of their time. To determine whether wide-pore stationary phases would overcome this limitation in MLC, several C8 and C18 stationary phases ranging from 100 to 4000 A were investigated using a diverse set of test solutes and micellar solutions of anionic, neutral, and cationic surfactants as mobile phases. With the larger pore size stationary phases, the eluting power of the MLC mobile phases was enhanced with all surfactant types, the greatest effect being with the neutral surfactant. Differences in retention behavior were observed between various solute types and between the C8 and C18 stationary phases. These differences appear to be related to the relative hydrophobicity of the solutes and to differences in the surfactant-modified stationary phases. Partitioning behavior of representative solutes on the large-pore C8 and C18 columns was shown to follow the three-phase partitioning model for MLC. Methylene group selectivity data showed only minor differences in the stationary-phase characteristics between the small- and large-pore size C18 columns. The true eluting power of micellar mobile phases was revealed with wide-pore stationary phases and was demonstrated by the separation and elution of an extended series of alkylphenones on C18 columns.