Analytical Methods Blog

Take a look at the new detection methods described in these HOT articles in Analytical Methods! They include detection of medicinal products such as ginseng using near infrared spectral fingerprints and determination of lead in animal bone powder by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. These papers will be free to read until January 24th.

Expeditious identification and semi-quantification of Panax ginseng using near infrared spectral fingerprints and multivariate analysis
Juan Ricardo Lucio-Gutiérrez ,  Jordi Coello and S Maspoch
Anal. Methods, 2012, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26235E

The feasibility of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the assessment of lead concentration in animal bone powder
José A. A. Brito ,  Inês I. B. Cavaleiro ,  Tânia A. P. Fernandes and Luísa M. L. Gonçalves
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26455B

Determination of lead in animal bone powder

More articles for you to enjoy:

Novel pH sensor based on anthraquinone–ferrocene modified free standing gold nanowire array electrode
Louise Devlin ,  Mamun Jamal and Kafil Mahmood Razeeb
Anal. Methods, 2012, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26264A

Combining enzymatic 18O-labeling and 2-D LC-MS/MS for study of protein interactions in primary T cells
Diana Lang ,  Sabine Anker ,  Benno Kuropka and Eberhard Krause
Anal. Methods, 2012, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26298C

Detection of nitrite, iodate and bromate with Eu-POM sensor

Nitrite, iodate and bromate are commonly found in food and drinking water and they can play important roles in human health. Iodine compounds, for example, are crucial to the smooth running of the thyroid, while bromate is a by-product of water purification. However, the consumption of excessive amounts of these ions can cause serious health issues. Current methods of detecting nitrite, iodate and bromate largely rely on expensive spectroscopic equipment and time consuming chemical analysis.

Li-Hua Bi and Li-Xin Wu from Jilin University, China, have developed a novel detection method which utilises the electrochemistry and redox properties of a europium polyoxometalate (Eu-POM) sensor. The Eu-POM is electrochemically reduced, leading to luminescence quenching and a change in the solution from colourless to blue. The presence of oxidising nitrite, iodate and bromate ions reverses this process, affording discolouration and luminescence recovery. The colour change can be recycled infinitely, and measured using a UV-vis spectrometer. This sensor demonstrates a good linearity relationship between absorbance and concentration of NO₂^–, IO₃^– and BrO₃^–.

The simplicity of this method, along with high sensitivity and low detection limits, make it an attractive prospect for future use in the sensing of these ions in solution.

A novel detection of nitrite, iodate and bromate based on a luminescent polyoxometalate
Bin Wang,  Rui-Qi Meng,  Ling-Xiao Xu,  Li-Xin Wu and Li-Hua Bi
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26217G

As well as the wonderful themed papers on Cosmetic Ingredients, we also have a number of brilliant non-themed articles in this latest issue. Topics covered include water analysis, hydrogen peroxide sensing, and CN^– testing in cells.

A simple and sensitive intramolecular charge transfer fluorescent probe to detect CN⁻ in aqueous media and living cells
Mohammad Shahid and Arvind Misra
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5,
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25921D

Release of iodine from organic matter in natural water by K₂S₂O₈ oxidation for ¹²⁹I determination
Haijun Dang, Xiaolin Hou, Per Roos and Sven P. Nielsen
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5,
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25958C

Aqueous synthesis of Ag⁺ doped CdS quantum dots and its application in H₂O₂ sensing
Lin Lin, Yaqiong Wen, Yanxia Liang, Na Zhang and Dan Xiao
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5,
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26063H

These papers will be free to read until January 18th.

Detection of GHB in wine

γ-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an odourless, tasteless compound sold illegally as a recreational drug under various names including ‘liquid ecstasy’. However it is more widely known as a date rape drug, causing catalepsy and short term memory loss when added to drinks.  Renato Zenobi and researchers at ETH Zürich report a new application of secondary electrospray ionisation (SESI) mass spectrometry for the detection of GHB in drinks and bodily fluids. The results were found to be consistent across different mass spectrometers and matrices. Both rapid and reliable, this method has the potential to prevent crimes by detecting drugs like GHB (and the structurally related compound GBL) in the headspace of a drink before it is consumed.

This article will be free to read until January 9th. Take a look now:

In situ detection of γ-hydroxybutyrate and γ-butyrolactone in drinks by secondary electrospray ionization
Christian Berchtold, Stefan Schmid, Lukas Meier and Renato Zenobi
Anal. Methods, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26009C

We have some new HOT articles for you to enjoy this week!

A new method to trace caffeine in complicated samples, a biosensing assay for DNA detection based on silver nanoparticles, and obelin mutants used as reporters in bioluminescent dual-analyte binding assay are the discoveries outlined in these papers.

We also have an interesting review article on the current trends in liquid extraction procedures for analysis of cosmetics.

Classic and new techniques used in cosmetic analysis

Noelia Cabaleiro and colleagues offer an overview on the technique used today, alternatively to the classic sample preparation procedures. Recent techniques such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) are described.

García et al., Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 54-58

Mercury is highly toxic, and contamination of drinking water by Hg(II) can cause serious damage to the brain and kidneys.
José M. García and colleagues at the University of Burgos have developed a simple method for detecting mercury in aqueous solutions. They report the synthesis of a polymeric “sensory membrane” containing a dye compound based on rhodamine. When dipped in water, this membrane produces a colour change relative to the concentration of mercury, thus allowing detection and quantitation by the naked eye. Furthermore, a photograph of the coloured membrane taken using the camera on a standard smartphone produces RGB parameters that can accurately quantify the amount of mercury present in tap water with an excellent limit of detection.

To know more about this research, take a look at the original paper. It will be free for the next 6 weeks.

Sub-ppm quantification of Hg(II) in aqueous media using both the naked eye and digital information from pictures of a colorimetric sensory polymer membrane taken with the digital camera of a conventional mobile phone
Hamid El Kaoutit, Pedro Estévez, Félix C. García, Felipe Serna and José M. García
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 54-58
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26307F

Coming along with Analytical Methods Issue 1, here is a great list of HOT papers for you to have a read. These articles cover a large variety of fields, including new methods for discrimination of brain tumours, development of paper-based sensing platforms, novel methodologies for forensic investigations, and improved measurements of volatile organic compounds.

We also have some interesting data on novel detection systems such as detection of thrombin using silver nanoparticles, new ways to detect prion proteins, and the setup of a three-dimensional hydrogel oligonucleotide microarray to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Sensitive detection of prion protein through long range resonance energy transfer between graphene oxide and molecular aptamer beacon
Hong Lin Zhuang ,  Shu Jun Zhen ,  Jian Wang and Cheng Zhi Huang
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 208-212
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26156A

Direct determination of nickel in xylene solutions of raw material for catalytic cracking with application of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
Zofia Kowalewska
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 192-201
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25920F

3D-microarray for detection of SNPs

Fabricating three-dimensional hydrogel oligonucleotide microarrays to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms.
Xia Liu ,  Tao Li ,  Dianjun Liu and Zhenxin Wang
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 285-290
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25904D

In addition, we present an interesting paper by Jose Garcia who explains how we will be able to detect nanomolar concentrations of Hg by the naked eye.

Sub-ppm quantification of Hg(II) in aqueous media using both the naked eye and digital information from pictures of a colorimetric sensory polymer membrane taken with the digital camera of a conventional mobile phone
Hamid El Kaoutit ,  Pedro Estévez ,  Félix C. García ,  Felipe Serna and José M. García
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 54-58
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26307F

Take a look at all these innovative papers and enjoy the first issue of Analytical Methods in 2013!

Hg concentration measured using conventional cameras

Progress on the analytical methodology for biological volatile organic compounds
Zhuomin Zhang ,  Yunjian Ma and Gongke Li
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 20-29
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26082D

A compact comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) approach for the analysis of biogenic VOCs
Samuel J. Edwards ,  Alastair C. Lewis ,  Stephen J. Andrews ,  Richard T. Lidster ,  Jacqueline F. Hamilton and Christopher N. Rhodes
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 141-150
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25710F

Development of EPA Method 525.3 for the analysis of semivolatiles in drinking water
Paul E. Grimmett and Jean W. Munch
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 151-163
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25880C

Diagnostic segregation of human brain tumours using Fourier-transform infrared and/or Raman spectroscopy coupled with discriminant analysis
Ketan Gajjar ,  Lara D. Heppenstall ,  Weiyi Pang ,  Katherine M. Ashton ,  Júlio Trevisan ,  Imran I. Patel ,  Valon Llabjani ,  Helen F. Stringfellow ,  Pierre L. Martin-Hirsch ,  Timothy Dawson and Francis L. Martin
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 89-102
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25544H

Paper-based electroanalytical sensing platforms
Jonathan P. Metters ,  Said M. Houssein ,  Dimitrious K. Kampouris and Craig E. Banks
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 103-110
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26396C

Simultaneous determination of pentachlorophenol, niclosamide and fenpropathrin in fishpond water using an LC-MS/MS method for forensic investigation
Haipeng Jiang ,  Yinhua Zhang ,  Xiangguo Chen ,  Jizhong Lv and Jing Zou
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 111-115
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25685A

Photonic and magnetic dual responsive molecularly imprinted polymers: preparation, recognition characteristics and properties as a novel sorbent for caffeine in complicated samples
Shoufang Xu ,  Jinhua Li ,  Xingliang Song ,  Junshen Liu ,  Hongzhi Lu and Lingxin Chen
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 124-133
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25922B

A sensor probe for the continuous in situ monitoring of ammonia leakage in secondary refrigerant systems
Raman Subramanian ,  Karl Crowley ,  Aoife Morrin and Anthony J. Killard
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 134-140
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25688F

Xanthone based Pb2+ selective turn on fluorescent probe for living cell staining
Debasis Karak ,  Arnab Banerjee ,  Sisir Lohar ,  Animesh Sahana ,  Subhra Kanti Mukhopadhyay ,  Sushanta. S. Adhikari and Debasis Das
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 169-172
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25935D

Study on the supramolecular interaction of astemizole with cucurbit[7]uril and its analytical application
Guang-Quan Wang ,  Li-Ming Du ,  Yu-Hua Guo ,  Yan-Fang Qin ,  Jun-Wen Wang and Hao Wu
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 173-179
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25929J

Evaluation of a drop-on-demand micro-dispensing system for development of artificial fingerprints
Jessica L. Staymates ,  Matthew E. Staymates and Greg Gillen
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 180-186
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY26167G

Identification and quantification of methylated PAHs in sediment by two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Ewa Skoczynska ,  Pim Leonards and Jacob de Boer
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 213-218
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25746G

Resonant waveguide grating (RWG): overcoming the problem of angular sensitivity by conical, broad-band illumination for fluorescence measurements
Tarmo Nuutinen ,  Petri Karvinen ,  Jussi Rahomäki and Pasi Vahimaa
Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 281-284
DOI: 10.1039/C2AY25470K