Gas chromatographic determination of N-nitrosodialkanolamines in herbicide Di- or trialkanolamine formulations

A modified method is presented to determine trace quantities of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDElA) and N-nitrosodiisopropanolamine (NDiPlA) in the triisopropanolamine (TiPlA) formulation of a mixture of picloram and 2,4-D. Aqueous sample is extracted with dichloromethane to remove organic interferences, and then the aqueous layer is passed sequentially through chloride anion exchange column, hydrogen cation exchange column, and Clin-Elut extraction tube. The final eluate, 10% acetone in ethyl acetate, is concentrated. The isolated nitrosamines are converted to the corresponding trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives and determined by gas chromatography (GC) on a DB1 column coupled with a thermal energy analyzer (GC-TEA). Eight samples of commercial TiPlA formulations are analyzed. Maximum detected levels of NDElA and NDiPlA were 0.6 and 0.9 ppm, respectively, expressed relative to total weight of active ingredients. Analysis of 13 samples of herbicide DElA formulation using a previously established method and a DB225 column gave NDElA results of 0.7-6.0 ppm. NDiPlA was not detected in those samples. Results are confirmed by GC-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with oxygen negative chemical ionization (ONCI) detection. Detection limits for both nitrosamines are 0.05 or 0.07 ng (0.1 or 0.17 ppm) for GC-TEA detection, depending on the analytical columns used, and 20 pg (0.04 ppm) for GC/MS detection. Recoveries of NDElA are 87-109% for DElA formulation spiked at 2.6 and 3.9 ppm and 90-115% for TiPlA formulation spiked at 0.2-0.3 ppm. Similarly, recoveries of NDiPlA are 95.7-100% for the DElA formulation spiked at 0.24 and 0.48 ppm, and 82-118% for the TiPlA formulation spiked at 0.2-0.3 ppm.     

Determination of sulfur dioxide in foods by modified Monier-Williams distillation and polarographic detection

A rapid, sensitive polarographic method is presented for determining sulfiting agents in foods and beverages. The method is based on the modified Monier-Williams distillation followed by polarographic detection by differential pulse polarography or square wave voltammetry. A clearly defined wave is obtained by both techniques, with a current maximum at a potential (E) of about -600 mV vs an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The reaction is based on the reduction of sulfur dioxide at a dropping mercury electrode. Peak current was linear over the range 0-20 micrograms/mL. Quantitation is done by linear regression analysis of standard addition data or by using a standard calibration graph. Screening levels of less than 1 ppm total SO2 were easily achieved in the foods analyzed, which had levels from less than 1 ppm (cereals) to thousands of parts per million (dried fruit). Recoveries from fortified samples ranged from 70 to 108% at fortification levels of 20, 100, and 1000 micrograms/g.     

Sephadex LH-20 cleanup, high pressure liquid chromatographic assay, and fluorescence detection of zearalenone in animal feeds

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described to determine zearalenone in animal feeds at levels as low as 0.01 ppm. Samples are extracted with chloroform-ethanol and initially purified using a SEP-PAK silica cartridge, followed by column chromatography using Sephadex LH-20. Separation by normal phase HPLC is followed by fluorescence detection. Recoveries at levels of 1.0-0.01 ppm averaged greater than 90%. Confirmation included HPLC analysis of the sample and a zearalenone standard, using 3 different excitation wavelengths, and comparison of fluorescence responses obtained. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of 1 corn and 3 cornmeal samples. Zearalenone was detected in all 4 samples at levels of 0.379-19.2 ppm.     

Improved gas chromatographic method for determination of daminozide by alkaline hydrolysis and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde derivatization and survey results of daminozide in agricultural products

An improved method was developed for the quantitative determination of daminozide. This new method combines the alkaline hydrolysis and distillation steps of the PAM II method for daminozide with the derivatization, cleanup, and gas chromatographic determination steps of the Wright method for unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH). The minimum detectable level is 0.05 ppm. Recoveries range from 85 to 110% when daminozide is added at 0.1 to 1.0 ppm, and are generally 40% at the 0.05 ppm level. A variety of domestic and imported products were analyzed by this improved method and daminozide was detected in 33 of the 98 samples analyzed. Levels detected ranged from a trace amount to 0.80 ppm. The identity of UDMH hydrazone was confirmed by mass spectrometry in many samples, thus confirming the presence of daminozide. Two samples containing daminozide were analyzed independently by a second laboratory and the findings were closely duplicated.     

Turbidimetric assay of tylosin in animal feeds containing urea

A turbidimetric method is described for determination of tylosin in animal feeds containing urea. This method includes several modified or new steps to existing turbidimetric and AOAC plate assays that improve the extraction of tylosin, remove interferences from feeds, free tylosin activity, concentrate tylosin from low-level feeds, and reduce variability of assay results. A larger analytical sample size has been incorporated into the assay to decrease variability of assay results. A methanol-phosphate buffer extraction solution has replaced the hot buffer and methanol extraction solution. A hydrolysis step, which is not contained in the AOAC plate assay, was developed to free tylosin from the tylosin urea adduct that forms over time in feeds containing urea. A disposable C18 column was used to concentrate tylosin from feeds at levels less than 15 ppm. By increasing the analytical sample size from 25 to 100 g, the coefficient of variation for 12 weighings of cattle feed was reduced from 28.4 to 9.3%. Average recoveries from cattle rations containing tylosin at levels of 8, 10, and 100 ppm were 94, 94, and 91%, respectively.     

Determination of polybrominated biphenyl residues in dairy products.

A method for the determination of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in dairy products is described. Fat is extracted from the products by the official AOAC method. The PBB residues are separated from the fatty material by gel permeation chromatography prior to gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) quantitation. An additional cleanup using petroleum ether elution through a miniature Florisil column is necessary for thin layer chromatographic (TLC) confirmation. Recoveries of PBBs from samples fortified at levels from 0.1 to 0.5 ppm ranged from 94 to 104% with an average of 99%. GLC sensitivity permits the estimation of PBB residue levels as low as 0.007 ppm. Routine TLC confirmation is limited by sensitivity to greater than or equal to 0.2 ppm.     

Improved method for determination of volatile nitrosamines in baby bottle rubber nipples and pacifiers

A method is described for determining volatile nitrosamines in baby bottle rubber nipples and pacifiers. The method consists of overnight soaking of the sample with dichloromethane in the presence of propyl gallate, an inhibitor for artifactual formation of nitrosamines; extraction with dichloromethane using an ambient temperature column procedure; distillation from aqueous alkali; extraction of the aqueous distillate with dichloromethane and concentration of the extract using a Kuderna-Danish concentrator; and final analysis by gas chromatography with detection by thermal energy analyzer. Major improvements over other published methods include a simpler extraction, a more efficient distillation and concentration to minimize losses, and incorporation of propyl gallate inhibitor as well as of a test to detect unsuitable dichloromethane solvent that otherwise might lead to artifactual formation. The method is highly accurate (approximately 90% recovery) and precise (av. CV = 4.7% at greater than 9 ppb levels) and is applicable to determination of nitrosamines in both rubber- and plastic-based products.     

Nitrate determination in baby food, using the nitrate ion selective electrode.

The nitrate electrode has been utilized in the determination of nitrate content in food products. The AOAC xylenol method was employed for comparative results. A reasonable correlation (r=0.91) was found between the 2 methods in the analysis of 49 samples containing 30-350 ppm nitrate. At the average nitrate content (100 ppm) of these foods, the standard error was 4.3 ppm. The electrode responds directly to the ionic activity of the nitrate ion. It has a linear concentration range of 1-6000 ppm nitrate and can be used over a wide pH range. The electrode does respond to some extent to anions other than nitrate, and some interferences do occur. These interferences are easily controlled by the use of cation exchange resins. The Corning known addition (spiking) method is used on all samples to insure correct electrode response in solutions containing variable background ionic composition. The electrode has the advantage of simplicity, speed, reproducibility, and accuracy. Work time saved using the electrode as opposed to the xylenol method is about 7 hr for the analysis of 20 samples. Error, and the need for repeating analysis, is much less frequent.     

Effect of varying the nitrogen and sulfur supply on the flowering of poinsettia 1

Cuttings of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulchemma Willd. ex Klotzsch ‘Dark Red Annette Hegg') were grown hydroponically to flowering at three levels of nitrogen (N) [64,128 or 256 ppm] in combination with five levels of sulfur (S) [0, 8, 16, 32, or 64 ppm]. Plants were kept vegetative for three weeks and then induced to flower using short days. Plants were observed weekly for formation of red bracts and cyathia. Leaves and roots were sampled for N and S content determination every four weeks. Treatments receiving no S showed typical foliage S‐deficiency symptoms, flowered later and less completely, weighed less and were shorter than plants growing in treatments containing S. In terms of plant height and dry weight, there were no differences between treatments containing 128 or 256 ppm N. Leaf S content decreased over time, especially by the end of the experiment, at which time leaf N content had also decreased. This indicates that less fertilizer is needed once flowers approach anthesis. Root S decreased over time and showed an interaction between N and S. Overall, the N and S combinations that should be used in future investigations, since they produced plants of commercially saleable quality and had adequate levels of N and S in most plant parts, were 128 ppm N in combination with 16, 32, or 64 ppm S, and 256 ppm N in combination with 8,16,32, or 64 ppm S.     

Gas-solid chromatographic determination of moisture in lyophilized pharmaceutical products.

A gas-solid chromatographic procedure is described for the analysis of low levels of moisture in individual lyophilized vials of pharmaceutical products. Dry ethanol, which contains methanol as the internal standard, is injected through the septum of the vial to dissolve the lyophilized contents. An aliquot of this solution is then withdrawn and injected onto a Porapak QS column at 110 degrees C where the components are separated and detected using thermal conductivity detection. A solvent blank correction allows quantitation of the water in the individual vial. The method is conveniently applied to samples containing as little as 50 microgram water/vial, and as many as 25 vials can be assayed/day. A simple technique is also described for removing water from the ethanol solvent to less than 100 ppm, using a molecular sieve.     

Monitoring acetaldehyde concentrations during micro-oxygenation of red wine by headspace solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization

An analytical method was developed to quantify levels of acetaldehyde in wine samples. The method utilizes headspace solid-phase microextraction with on-fiber derivatization using O-(pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine and quantification by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The technique showed good sensitivity and reproducibility in samples of Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, and Merlot wines containing acetaldehyde at levels below the sensory threshold (40-100 ppm). The method was used to monitor acetaldehyde concentrations during the micro-oxygenation of Merlot wine in a 141 L pilot-plant experiment and a 2400 L full-scale study. In both experiments, levels of acetaldehyde remained constant for several weeks before increasing at rates of the order of 1 ppm/day. Variations in the levels of acetaldehyde present are discussed within the context of the underlying chemical reactions.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of monensin in chicken tissues with fluorometric detection and confirmation by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

An accurate, sensitive method is described for the determination of monensin residue in chicken tissues by liquid chromatography (LC), in which monensin is derivatized with a fluorescent labeling reagent, 9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM), to enable fluorometric detection. Samples are extracted with methanol-water (8 + 2), the extract is partitioned between CHCl3 and water, and the CHCl3 layer is cleaned up by silica gel column chromatography. Free monensin, obtained by treatment with phosphate buffer solution (pH 3) at 0 degrees C, is derivatized with ADAM and passed through a disposable silica cartridge. Monensin-ADAM is identified and quantitated by normal phase LC using fluorometric detection. The detection limit is 1 ppb in chicken tissues. Recoveries were 77.6 +/- 1.8% at 1 ppm, 56.7 +/- 7.1% at 100 ppb, and 46.5 +/- 3.7% at 10 ppb fortification levels in chicken. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is capable of confirming monensin methyl ester tris trimethylsilyl ether in samples containing residues greater than 5 ppm.     

Deoxynivalenol in hard red winter wheat: relationship between toxin levels and factors that could be used in grading

A study was made of deoxynivalenol (DON) incidences and levels in 1982 hard red winter (HRW) wheat grown in areas of Nebraska and Kansas known to have scabby wheat. Samples of wheat harvested in the areas were collected from elevators and analyzed for DON by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Of the 161 samples analyzed, 42% contained less than or equal to 1 ppm; 68% contained less than or equal to 2 ppm; 90% contained less than or equal to 4 ppm. There were differences in the occurrence of DON in the 5 areas identified in eastern Nebraska and Kansas. The mean level of DON decreased from north to south in these areas in the following order: 2.81, 2.73, 2.05, 1.52, and 0.83 ppm. An area in north central Kansas had a mean level of DON of 0.50 ppm. Correlations were made between DON incidences and levels in HRW wheat and factors used in grading wheat. The occurrence of DON was highly correlated with percent total kernels damaged by mold, percent total defects, and percent total scab damage.     

Direct determination of lead in evaporated milk and apple juice by anodic stripping voltammetry: collaborative study

A method for the direct determination of lead in evaporated milk and in fruit juice with no prior sample digestion was successfully collaborated by 13 laboratories. The anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) method studied consisted of adding 0.2 mL aliquots of evaporated milk or 0.3 mL aliquots of fruit juice to 2.9 mL of a dechelating reagent, Metexchange. The reagent-sample mixture is then analyzed for lead by ASV with no further sample preparation. Each collaborator received 24 samples, 2 each at 5 different levels (0.07-0.70 ppm for spiked evaporated milk and 0.09-0.87 ppm for spiked apple juice) along with duplicate practice samples of labeled lead content at each of 2 levels for each sample type. All unknowns were coded with random numbers. Approximately 69% of the reporting laboratories had never analyzed either evaporated milk or fruit juice for lead. Average time between receipt of samples and reporting of results was 1.6 days for all laboratories. The pooled variations between duplicate determinations for apple juice and evaporated milk were 0.00059 and 0.00043, respectively. The method was adopted official first action for both fruit juice and evaporated milk.     

Determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in dinoseb formulations by mass spectrometry and thermal energy analyzer detection

A new method is described to determine trace quantities of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDElA) in aqueous diethanolamine (DElA) formulations and in oil solutions of dinoseb. A formate anion-exchange column is used in series with a cation-exchange column if there is DElA in the formulation. The eluate is then passed through a Clin Elut column. Depending on the concentration of NDElA in the sample, a packed silica-gel column is used to purify the extract further. This extract is analyzed on a liquid chromatograph coupled with a thermal energy analyzer (LC/TEA), using a mixture of methanol-hexane-methylene chloride containing 0.1% acetic acid (8 + 56 + 35) as the mobile phase. This solvent system gives good separation of NDElA from trace quantities of dinoseb remaining in the extract. The NDElA is also converted to the trimethylsilyl derivative and analyzed by gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Analyses of 11 commercial samples of dinoseb diethanolamine salt showed NDElA levels of 116-2409 ppm expressed relative to the weight of dinoseb. In contrast, analyses of 2 samples of organic solutions of technical dinoseb showed NDElA levels to be nondetectable and 0.3 ppm, respectively. Limit of detection by LC/TEA is 6.5 ng (0.5 ppm), and by GC/MS it is 0.02 ng (0.15 ppm). Recoveries from samples spiked at 0.514-1664 ppm range from 92.2 to 105.2%.     

Determination of polybrominated biphenyl residues in dry animal feeds.

A new procedure is described for the determination of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in dry animal feeds and developmental results are discussed. Finely ground feed is packed into a chromatographic column containing Celite and then eluted with methylene chloride. The concentrated extract is cleaned up by elution with petroleum ether through Florisil before gas-liquid chromatographic quantitation. Chromatograms thus obtained were essentially free of the interfering peaks encountered when using AOAC methods for pesticide residues in dry products. Results of feed analyses by the proposed procedure averaged 30% higher than those obtained by AOAC procedures. Recoveries of PBBs from samples fortified at levels of 0.04 to 0.4 ppm ranged from 90 to 104%, with an average of 98%.     

Liquid chromatographic method for determining the macrolide antibiotic sedecamycin and its major metabolites in swine plasma and tissues

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed to determine sedecamycin, a 17-membered macrolide antibiotic used for treating swine dysentery, and its major metabolites (lankacidin C, lankacidinol A, and lankacidinol) in swine plasma and tissues. Plasma is directly extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by liquid chromatography without purification. Tissues are homogenized in a phosphate buffer containing sodium chloride, and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are subjected to silica gel-Florisil, double-layered column chromatography to remove endogenous interfering substances. The LC determination uses silica gel and ODS-silica as a stationary phase. The detection limits for sedecamycin and its metabolites were less than or equal to 0.05 ppm, and average recoveries and coefficients of variation (0.2-1 ppm range) were greater than 75% and less than 10%, respectively.     

Determination of N-nitrosodimethylamine levels in some Canadian 2,4-D amine formulations

Levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) were determined in 112 samples of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, (2,4-D), formulated as the dimethylamine salt, collected over a 2 year period from products on the Canadian market. A sample aliquot is partitioned with dichloromethane, and the co-extracted dimethylamine is removed by cleanup on a silica gel column. The eluates containing NDMA are concentrated, an internal standard of N-nitrosodipropylamine is added, and nitrosamine levels are determined using a gas chromatograph interfaced with a thermal energy analyzer. Recoveries of NDMA and N-nitrosodiethylamine spiked into samples were 103 +/- 16 and 96.3 +/- 9.8%, respectively. Of the 112 samples analyzed, 92 were below 1 part per million (ppm) relative to the amount of 2,4-D in the samples, 16 were between 1 and 5 ppm, and 4 were greater than 5 ppm. The gas chromatographic column used is compared to a conventional packing material for volatile nitrosamine analysis. Formation of NDMA during cleanup and analysis was shown not to occur.     

U.S. market basket study to determine residues of the insecticide chlorpyrifos.

A market basket study was conducted to measure residues of the insecticide chlorpyrifos in samples of apples, applesauce, apple juice, fresh orange juice, tomatoes, peanut butter, whole milk, ground beef, and pork sausage collected during a 12-month period from 200 grocery stores across the United States. Approximately 90% of the samples contained no detectable levels of chlorpyrifos, and all residues detected were below tolerances, the legal limits for the United States. No values greater than the limit of quantitation (LOQ) were found in applesauce (LOQ = 0.008 ppm), apple juice (LOQ = 0.003 ppm), whole milk (LOQ = 0.006 ppm), ground beef (LOQ = 0.005 ppm), or pork sausage (LOQ = 0.007 ppm) samples. Only one fresh orange juice sample contained residues greater than the LOQ at 0.015 ppm. Only about 20% of the apples (maximum = 0.052 ppm), 20% of the tomato samples (maximum = 0.058 ppm), and 50% of the peanut butter samples (maximum = 0.021 ppm) contained quantifiable residues.     

Residues of captan and folpet in strawberries and grapes

Fresh strawberries and grapes grown in Michigan and Indiana were surveyed for residues of captan and folpet, 2 fungicides commonly used on these crops. The fungicides were reportedly applied to the crops by overhead irrigation, tractor sprayer, or aerial spraying, in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 6 lb formulation/acre for captan and from 1 to 4 lb formulation/acre for folpet. Reported dates of last application ranged from just 2 days to nearly 5 months before samples were collected. Twenty-eight strawberry samples and 24 grape samples were collected of crops field-treated with one or both of these fungicides. Samples were analyzed by previously described methodology. Captan residues were found in all strawberry samples, ranging from less than 0.01 to 1.5 ppm. Folpet was found in only one strawberry sample at 0.041 ppm. Captan residues were found in only 6 grape samples, ranging from less than 0.01 to 0.082 ppm. Folpet residues were found in 12 grape samples, ranging from less than 0.01 to 0.50 ppm. All residues were well below the current tolerances of 25 ppm for both captan and folpet in strawberries and 50 ppm for captan and 25 ppm for folpet in grapes. Residue levels of these surface-applied, nonsystemic fungicides were inconsistent with amounts and dates of application, most likely because of variations in weather conditions, especially rainfall. Residues were quite stable in frozen sample homogenates, declining only 5-10% after 2 months.