Determination of acetamiprid,imidacloprid, and nitenpyram residues in vegetables and fruits by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection

Determination of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides, nitenpyram, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid, was studied. Vegetables and fruits were extracted with acetonitrile. The crude extract was passed through a weak anion-exchange cartridge (PSA). The effluent was subjected to silica gel cartridge. Imidacloprid and acetamiprid were eluted with 10 mL of 4:6 (v/v) acetone/hexane, followed by nitenpyram with acetone (20 mL). Pesticides were determined by HPLC with a C-18 column and diode-array detection system. Imidacloprid and acetamiprid were recovered at about 90% at the spike levels with 0.2 and 2 mg/kg in cucumber, potato, tomato, eggplant, Japanese radish, and grape. Nitenpyram was recovered at 64-80%. Relative standard deviations were less than 10% throughout all the recovery tests. In the residue analysis, agriculturally incurred pesticides at 0.08-0.14 mg/kg were designated with UV spectra compared with respective reference standards.     

Determination of polymer additives-antioxidants and ultraviolet (UV) absorbers by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV photodiode array detection in food simulants

An analytical method for the quantitative determination of migration levels of polymer additives such as antioxidants and UV absorbers in food packages by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV-vis photodiode array detection has been developed. The pretreatment step involved solid-phase extraction with silica C18 cartridges. The analytical method showed good linearity, presenting regression coefficients (R(2)) ≥ 0.9990 for all compounds. This optimized method was also validated with respect to precision, reproducibility, stability, and accuracy. The limits of detection and quantification were between 0.09 and 1.72 μg mL(-1) and between 0.20 and 5.64 μg mL(-1) for 12 analytes, respectively. Recoveries were in the range of 67.48 and 108.55%, with relative standard deviations between 2.76 and 9.81%. Migration levels of antioxidants and UV absorbers were determined. Butylated hydroxyanisole, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, Cyanox 2246, Irganox 1035, Tinuvin 326, Tinuvin 328, Irganox 1010, and Irganox 1330 were detected; BHT and Cyanox 2246 were at higher levels than the specific migration levels in some food simulants.     

Estimating bergamot juice adulteration of lemon juice by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of flavanone glycosides

The chemical composition of 30 samples of juices obtained from bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso and Poit.) fruits is reported and compared to the genuineness parameters adopted by Association of the Industry of Juice and Nectars (AIJN) for lemon juice. It was found that the compositional differences between the two juices are distinguishable, although with difficulty. However, these differences are not strong enough to detect the fraudulent addition of bergamot juice to lemon juice. Instead, we found the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the flavanones naringin, neohesperidin, and neoeriocitrin, which are present in bergamot juice and practically absent in the lemon juice, is a convenient way to detect and quantify the fraudulent addition of bergamot juice. The method has been validated by calculating the detection and quantification limits according to Eurachem procedures. Employing neoeriocitrin (detection limit = 0.7 mg/L) and naringin (detection limit = 1 mg/L) as markers, it is possible to detect the addition of bergamot juice to lemon juice at the 1% level. When using neohesperidin as a marker (detection limit = 1 mg/L), the minimal percentage of detectable addition of bergamot juice was about 2%. Finally, it is reported that the pattern of flavonoid content of the bergamot juice is similar to those of chinotto (Citrus myrtifolia Raf) and bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) juices and that it is possible to distinguish the three kinds of juices by HPLC analysis.     

Polyphenolic profiles in eight apple cultivars using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Polyphenolic compounds of apple may play an important role in physiologic functions related to human health. Different polyphenolics may have varied biological activities including antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the profiles of polyphenolic compounds in different apple varieties and different parts of an apple. The total and individual polyphenolics differed significantly among the eight apple cultivars grown in Ontario, and the peels had higher concentrations than the flesh. Among the tested cultivars, Red Delicious and Northern Spy had the highest concentrations and Empire the lowest. Five major polyphenolic groups with a total of 16 identified individual compounds were found, among which the dihydroxycinnamic acid esters, phloretin glycosides, and flavan-3-ols were found in both flesh and peel, whereas quercetin glycosides were almost exclusively found in the peel. Cyanidin 3-galactoside was unique to and found only in red apple peels. In both apple peel and flesh, the predominant group of polyphenolics was the procyanidins, followed by quercetin glycosides in the peel and hydroxycinnamic acid esters in the flesh. 3-Hydroxyphloretin 2'-xyloglucoside was newly identified in apple. The results obtained in this study will further the understanding of the polyphenolic composition of apples and their roles in health-promoting physiological functions.     

Improved high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of allantoin in Zea mays

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of allantoin in silk and seed of Zea mays has been developed. Allantoin separation in crude extract was achieved using a C 18 column and phosphate buffer solution (pH 3.0) as a mobile phase at ambient temperature at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detected at 210 nm. The results showed that the amount of allantoin in samples was between 14 and 271 mg/100 g of dry plant material. A comprehensive validation of the method including sensitivity, linearity, repeatability, and recovery was conducted. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.2-200 microg/mL with a correlation coefficient of r2>0.999. Limit of detection (LOD, S/N=3) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of the allantoin were 0.05 and 0.2 microg/mL (1.0 and 4.0 ng) respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) value of the repeatability was reported within 1.2%. The average recovery of allantoin added to samples was 100.6% with RSD of 1.5%.     

Determination of potential migrants in polycarbonate containers used for microwave ovens by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection

The determination of several compounds present in a commercial polycarbonate container intended to be used in microwave ovens which could be considered as potential migrants has been carried out by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with both ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescence detectors. Total dissolution with dichloromethane and polymer reprecipitation with methanol have been used to evaluate 100% potential migration as the worst case. The extract consisted of a complex mixture containing monomers, oligomers, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, degradation products, and other additives. Phenol, Bisphenol A, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, Cyasorb UV5411, bis(2-ethylhexylphthalate), Irganox 1076, and Irgafos 168 were identified by both retention times and fluorescence-to-UV ratios. Additional confirmation was achieved by HPLC with diode array detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Recovery percentages were in the range of 73.8-94.4%, the lowest one being for the antioxidant Irgafos 168 due to its transformation into the phosphate form and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol. The concentrations of the studied analytes present in the polycarbonate container ranged between 0.9 and 240 microg.g(-)(1). The total dissolution conditions that may affect the final concentration of analytes, mainly Bisphenol A, are discussed.     

Determination of ephedrine alkaloids and synephrine in dietary supplements by column-switching cation exchange high-performance liquid chromatography with scanning-wavelength ultraviolet and fluorescence detection

An HPLC method with on-line cleanup coupled to the separation column is described for determination of (-)-norephedrine, (+)-norpseudoephedrine, (-)-ephedrine, (+)-pseudoephedrine, (-)-N-methylephedrine, (+)-N-methylpseudoephedrine, and (+/-)-synephrine in finished dietary supplement products. Test portions were extracted in acidified aqueous acetone. A filtered aliquot was cleaned up on a strong cation exchange (SCX) precolumn that later was automatically coupled to the SCX analytical column. Measurement was by full-scan UV spectra for confirmation of identity by spectral matching and real-time integration of three wavelength signals for multiple quantitation. (+/-)-Synephrine was also quantitated by native fluorescence. Recovery averaged 95-100%. Determination of the major ingredients (-)-ephedrine, (+)-pseudoephedrine, and (+/-)-synephrine compared favorably to findings by an independent LC-MS analysis for a set of 25 samples. The results of a survey were reported for total ephedrine alkaloid and synephrine content and were compared to content declaration, for approximately 48 finished products.     

Determination of major carotenoids in a few Indian leafy vegetables by high-performance liquid chromatography

Leafy vegetables [Basella rubra L., Peucedanum sowa Roxb., Moringa oleifera Lam., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Spinacia oleracea L., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Raphanus sativus L.] that are commonly used by the rural population in India were evaluated in terms of their main carotenoid pattern. The extracted carotenoids were purified by open column chromatography (OCC) on a neutral alumina column to verify their identity by their characteristic UV-visible absorption spectra. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 column with UV-visible photodiode array detection under isocratic conditions was used for quantification of isolated carotenoids. Acetonitrile/methanol/dichloromethane (60:20:20 v/v/v) containing 0.1% ammonium acetate was used as a mobile phase. The major carotenoids identified by both methods were lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Among the carotenoids identified, lutein and beta-carotene levels were found to be higher in these leafy vegetables. Results show that P. sowa and S. oleracea are rich sources of lutein (77-92 mg/100 g of dry wt) and beta-carotene (36-44 mg/100 g of dry wt) compared with other leafy vegetables. The purity of carotenoids eluted by OCC was clarified by HPLC, and they were found to be 92% +/- 3% for neoxanthin, 94% +/- 2% for violaxanthin, 97% +/-2% for lutein and zeaxanthin, and 90% +/- 3% for beta-carotene. It could be recommended to use P. sowa and S. oleracea as rich sources of lutein and beta-carotene for health benefits. The OCC method proposed is relatively simple and provides purified carotenoids for feeding trials.     

Determination of p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters in cosmetics by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection

A simple, precise, and accurate liquid chromatographic method with both ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescence detection is described for the determination of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl p-hydroxybenzoates (PHBA-esters) in cosmetics. sec-Butyl p-hydroxybenzoate is added to the sample as an internal standard. Then the PHBA-esters are extracted with ether, the ether is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is dissolved in 60% (v/v) acetonitrile. The acetonitrile solution is passed through a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge to remove co-extracted lipids. PHBA-esters are determined by reverse-phase liquid chromatography with UV detection at 254 nm and fluorescence detection at ex 280 nm, em 305 nm. The mobile phase is acetonitrile-water (35 + 65). The method was linear over the concentration range of 0.005-0.15 mg/mL. Mean recoveries of each PHBA-ester were 98.9-102.7% (coefficients of variation less than or equal to 2.0%).     

Rapid and sensitive determination of phenol in honey by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The objective of this research was to develop a novel high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method involving a simple sample preparation procedure for the rapid, low-cost, and sensitive quantitation of phenol in honey at levels of regulatory and practical importance. After proper dilution of honey with water, the samples were analyzed by a gradient HPLC system, using a reversed-phase column with fluorescence detection at excitation and emission wavelengths of 270 and 300 nm, respectively. The eluents applied were water-acetonitrile-85% orthophosphoric acid (10:10:0.01, v/v/v) and water-85% orthophosphoric acid (20:0.01, v/v). The retention time of phenol was found to be 14.1 min, and the limit of quantitation for phenol in honey was set at 5 microg/kg. Overall recovery was 98%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to real sample analysis.     

Determination of aliphatic organic acids by high-performance liquid chromatography with pulsed electrochemical detection.

A new ion exclusion HPLC procedure accomplished with a pulsed electrochemical detection for the determination of several common aliphatic acids is described. A triple-step waveform of the applied potentials, based on the formation/inhibition of PtOH species on the electrode surface, is successfully used for sensitive detection of several aliphatic acids in flowing systems avoiding pre- or postcolumn derivatization and/or cleanup procedures. Under optimal chromatographic conditions (i.e., 50 mM HClO(4)) the proposed method allowed detection limits between 0.5 and 7 microM for all investigated acids, and the dynamic linear range spanned generally over 1 or 2 orders of magnitude. Determination of citric, malic, tartaric, lactic, formic, and acetic acids in several foods and beverages was performed, in approximately 15 min, without the necessity of any sample pretreatment.     

Determination of organic acids by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection during wine brewing

Voltammetric determination of acids by means of the electrochemical reduction of quinone was applied to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ED) for determining organic acids in fruit wines. A two-channel HPLC-ED system was fabricated by use of an ion-exclusion column and an electrochemical detector with a glassy carbon working electrode. Aqueous solution of 0.1 mM HClO(4) and ethanol containing 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone served as a mobile phase and reagent solution, respectively. Determination of acetic, citric, lactic, malic, succinic, and tartaric acids was made by measuring the peak areas of the flow signals due to the reduction current of quinone caused by the eluted acids. The peak area was found to be linearly related to the acid amount ranging from 0.1 to 40 nmol per 20 microL injection. The present method was characterized by reproducibility with the simple and rapid procedure without derivatization of analytes. The method was shown as an effective means for following acid contents in fruit juices during fermentation with wine yeast.     

Identification of anthocyanins in berries by narrow-bore high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization detection

Qualitative determination of anthocyanins in extracts of red fruits by narrow-bore HPLC/ESI-MS was carried out. This method was used to investigate anthocyanin contents of black bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), blackberry (Rubus sp.), and mulberry (Morus nigra). An ultraviolet diode array and a mass spectrometer with ESI source were used for detection. Anthocyanin identifications were made by using retention time data and UV-vis and mass spectra and comparing them with those of commercially available standard compounds. The method allowed the identification of fourteen anthocyanins in black bilberry extract, six anthocyanins in blackberry extract, and five anthocyanins in mulberry extract.     

Determination of phenols, flavones, and lignans in virgin olive oils by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array ultraviolet detection

A simple analytical method for the quantitative determination of phenols, flavones, and lignans in virgin olive oils was developed. The polar fraction was isolated from small amounts of oil sample (2.5 g) by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using diol-phase cartridges, and the extract was analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC coupled with diode array UV detection. Chromatographic separation of pinoresinol, cinnamic acid, and 1-acetoxypinoresinol was achieved. Repeatability (RSD < 6.5%), recovery (> 90%), and response factors for each identified component were determined. SPE on amino-phase cartridges was used for isolating acidic phenols and as an aid for phenol identification. For the first time, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl acetate was detected in olive oils. The aldehydic structure of the ligstroside aglycon was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. The colorimetric determination of total o-diphenolic compounds by reaction with molybdate was consistent with their HPLC determination. Differences between results obtained by liquid-liquid extraction and SPE were not statistically significant.     

Determination of free amino compounds in betalainic fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection

Amino acids and amines are the precursors of betalains. Therefore, the profiles of free amino compounds in juices obtained from cactus pears [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. cv. Bianca, cv. Gialla, and cv. Rossa], pitaya fruits [Selenicereus megalanthus (K. Schumann ex Vaupel) Moran, Hylocereus polyrhizus (Weber) Britton & Rose, and Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose], and in extracts from differently colored Swiss chard [Beta vulgaris L. ssp. cicla (L.) Alef. cv. Bright Lights] petioles and red and yellow beets (B. vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva Alef. cv. Burpee's Golden) were investigated for the first time. Amino compounds were derivatized with propyl chloroformate. While gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry was used for peak assignment, GC flame ionization detection was applied for quantification of individual compounds. Whereas proline was the major free amino compound of cactus pear and pitaya fruit juices, glutamine dominated in Swiss chard stems and beets, respectively. Interestingly, extremely high concentrations of dopamine were detected in Swiss chard stems and beets. Furthermore, the cleavage of betaxanthins caused by derivatization in alkaline reaction solutions is demonstrated for the first time. Amino acids and amines thus released might increase the actual free amino compound contents of the respective sample. To evaluate the contribution of betaxanthin cleavage to total amino acid and amine concentration, isolated betaxanthins were derivatized according to the "EZ:faast" method prior to quantification of the respective amino compounds released. On a molar basis, betaxanthin contribution to overall amino compound contents was always below 6.4%.     

Determination of theanine in commercial tea by liquid chromatography with fluorescence and diode array ultraviolet detection

Two liquid chromatographic methods that involve precolumn derivatization with o-phthaladehyde (OPA) and phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) with fluorescence and diode array UV detection for the determination of theanine have been developed. The chromatographic separations were achieved by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using octadecyl columns and gradient elution. The methods were applied to evaluate the theanine content of commercial tea leaves. The coefficient of variation of the peak area repeatability for within day (n = 8) and between day (n = 8 over 10 days) was lower than 3% for both of the methods. The estimated limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for the OPA method was 0.12 and 0.35 microg theanine, respectively. The PITC method was 500-fold more sensitive with LOD and LOQ values of 0.25 and 0.75 ng, respectively. The theanine content of the commercial tea samples varied from 2-5 mg/g leaf. The overall % recoveries for these methods ranged from 93-99.3. The sensitivity and simplicity of the method render them suitable for use in quality control laboratories.     

Determination of isoxaflutole (balance) and its metabolites in water using solid phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet or mass spectrometry

Balance (isoxaflutole, IXF) belongs to a new family of herbicides referred to as isoxazoles. IXF has a very short soil half-life (<24 h), degrading to a biologically active diketonitrile (DKN) metabolite that is more polar and considerably more stable. Further degradation of the DKN metabolite produces a nonbiologically active benzoic acid (BA) metabolite. Analytical methods using solid phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV (HPLC-UV) or high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) were developed for the analysis of IXF and its metabolites in distilled deionized water and ground water samples. To successfully detect and quantify the BA metabolite by HPLC-UV from ground water samples, a sequential elution scheme was necessary. Using HPLC-UV, the mean recoveries from sequential elution of the parent and its two metabolites from fortified ground water samples ranged from 68.6 to 101.4%. For HPLC-MS, solid phase extraction of ground water samples was performed using a polystyrene divinylbenzene polymer resin. The mean HPLC-MS recoveries of the three compounds from ground water samples spiked at 0.05-2 microg/L ranged from 100.9 to 110.3%. The limits of quantitation for HPLC-UV are approximately 150 ng/L for IXF, 100 ng/L for DKN, and 250 ng/L for BA. The limit of quantitation by HPLC-MS is 50 ng/L for each compound. The methods developed in this work can be applied to determine the transport and fate of Balance in the environment.     

Identification of chlorophylls and carotenoids in major teas by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection

The separation and identification of pigments, chlorophylls, and carotenoids of seven teas and fresh leaf of tea (Camellia sinensis) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are described. HPLC was carried out using a Symmetry C(8) column with a photodiode array detector. Pigments were eluted with a binary gradient of aqueous pyridine solution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 25 degrees C. HPLC analyses achieved the separation of more than 100 pigment peaks, and 79 pigment species, 41 chlorophylls, and 38 carotenoids were detected. The presence of degraded chlorophylls was a common feature, and the number and the variety of pigments differed with tea species. Generally, the numbers of chlorophyll species tended to increase with processing steps, while carotenoid species were decreased, especially by heating. Particularly in green teas, a change of carotenoid structure, conversion of violaxanthin to auroxanthin, occurred. In hot water extracts of teas, both chlorophylls and carotenoids were also detected, but the concentration of chlorophylls was less than 2% as compared with acetone extracts. The pigment compositions were compared between tea species, and they are discussed in terms of the differences in their manufacturing processes.     

Determination of neonicotinoid pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits with solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

A rapid and simple extraction method for the simultaneous analysis of five neonicotinoid insecticides has been developed. Twelve different fruit and vegetable matrixes were extracted with methanol and cleaned up using a graphitized carbon solid phase extraction cartridge loading with a 20% methanol solution. The concentrated eluate after methanol elution was then analyzed for pesticide residues by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in the APCI positive mode. The five pesticides including nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid were recovered at 70-95% at spike levels of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg in bell pepper, cucumber, eggplant, grape, grapefruit, Japanese radish, peach, pear, potato, rice, and tomato. Relative standard deviations were less than 10% for all of the recovery tests. The proposed method is fast, easy to perform, and could be utilized for regular monitoring of pesticide residues.     

Quantification of alkylresorcinol metabolites in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrode array detection

This study presents the optimization and validation of a rapid protocol for quantifying alkyresorcinol (AR) metabolites 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA) in plasma, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a coulometric electrode array detector. Syringic acid (SyrA) serves as the internal standard. The new method is simple and could be used in large epidemiological studies. The summed AR metabolite concentrations measured in plasma correlate significantly with the summed urinary AR metabolite concentrations (R = 0.613; p < 0.001) and with the summed intact AR (C17:0-C25:0) concentrations in plasma (R = 0.686; p < 0.001). Additional investigation is needed to clarify whether the two plasma AR metabolites are useful as biomarkers of whole-grain intake and helpful in the exploration of the association between whole-grain cereal intake and human diseases.