Systematic toxicological analysis is an important step in medicolegal investigations of death, poisoning, and drug use. The primary goal is the detection and confirmation of potentially toxic compounds in evidence. This article describes a workflow using nontargeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for reliable compound identification.
Multiline analysis, which consists of using several lines per element to detect positive or negative bias caused by spectral interferences, is an ideal way to use all the information emitted by the plasma and collected by a charge-coupled device detector. However, method development and validation become more complex. Dedicated software has been developed to overcome it, and analysis of geological samples will illustrate their benefit in achieving high reliability of results.
Both Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are proving to be invaluable tools in the field of biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.
The Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) will be held this year from November 18 to 20, 2013, in Somerset, New Jersey. EAS is the second largest conference and exposition for laboratory science in the United States dedicated to the needs of analytical chemists and those in the allied sciences.
Polydimethylsiloxane is the world's most common silicone. Its applications range from contact lenses and medical devices to elastomers, caulking, lubricating oils, and heat resistant tiles.
Luminescence materials are important for modern technology because of their ability to convert electromagnetic radiation (that is, ultraviolet [UV] and infrared [IR] light) into visible light (1).
The Z-500 also analyzes base metals and trade elements, including Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, and others. Trace metals of commercial interest or as pathfinders including Li, Be, B, C, and halogens including F, Cl, and Br are also analyzed. Figure 2 shows results for Li analysis, as an example. The results for lithium analysis were reasonably good. While there is some scatter in the data, the HH LIBS is measuring very low concentrations, in the 10–30 ppm concentration range. In general, the results for B, Be, Mg, Ba, and other elements were comparable, in terms of correlation, with the Li data.
The authors compare LC–MS/MS methods for quantification of the pesticide glyphosate with and without sample derivatization, and discuss ICP-MS methods for the determination of heavy metals.
Systematic toxicological analysis is an important step in medicolegal investigations of death, poisoning, and drug use. The primary goal is the detection and confirmation of potentially toxic compounds in evidence. This article describes a workflow using nontargeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for reliable compound identification.
In this study, regression and classification chemometrical algorithms were combined to achieve effective discrimination of pure body fluids from their binary mixtures.
FT-NIR spectroscopy can be used to overcome a range of challenges in raw material identification while also meeting the stringent requirements of regulated environments.
In life science research, detergents are primarily used in sample preparation to liberate cellular components through membrane disruption and to solubilize lipid-associated proteins.
The application note explains how the Raman Spectroscopy can be helpful in the analysis of cathodes and anodes in Li-ion batteries.
SciAps has developed a handheld analyzer based on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
Chromium is a key ingredient in a number of metal alloys used for metal implants which, despite being coated with inert surface layer coatings, can break down over time as a result of biocorrosion. Leeching of metal ions from implants into surrounding bone, tissue, and body fluids can cause severe health problems. Although the toxicity of the metal is low, there is a potential health risk if chromium ions enter the body. In ICP-MS, the chromium (52Cr) signal can be affected by interference from the recombination of background plasma 40Ar and sample-specific matrix 12C. To eliminate this interference, hydrogen can be used in the iCRC as a reaction gas to allow accurate analysis of 52Cr. Results using certified clinical standards of chromium in blood, plasma, urine, and serum clearly demonstrate the benefit of using hydrogen as a collision gas to remove the argon-carbide polyatomic interference. This study shows that ICP-MS is an essential tool for clinical monitoring of metal ions in complex matrices and that hydrogen iCRC gas allowed for greater accuracy and a lower level of quantitation in clinical matrices.
In life science research, detergents are primarily used in sample preparation to liberate cellular components through membrane disruption and to solubilize lipid-associated proteins.
The power of nontargeted metabolite profiling is illustrated in a study focused on the determination of molecular markers in malting barley that are predictive of desirable malting quality for brewing applications. The metabolite extraction, detection, and analysis methods are highthroughput and reproducible, and therefore, this approach represents a practical addition to the plant breeder’s molecular toolbox.
In life science research, detergents are primarily used in sample preparation to liberate cellular components through membrane disruption and to solubilize lipid-associated proteins.
This article presents developments in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) that make possible nanoscale imaging of chemical and physical properties of graphene and other carbon species: Innovative integration of technologies brings high-throughput optics and high-resolution scanning for high-speed imaging without interferences between the techniques.
The authors investigated the analytical capabilities of three types of mass analyzers for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) applications, studying the effects of instrument parameters and issues related to sample preparation on the performance of LC-MS analytical methods.
The transition of cannabis from an illegal drug to a drug for medical and even recreational use raises challenging questions for regulatory agencies and analytical chemists alike. Here, we show a selection of analytical techniques based on compact mass spectrometry in combination with three different sample inlets (atmospheric solids analysis probe), thin-layer chromatography, as well as classical liquid chromatography) for the detection and quantification of cannabinoids and pesticides in cannabis-related material and contraband.
Melamine is a dangerous substance when it is used to increase the apparent protein content of food. In this article, the use of novel gold nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements with raster orbital scanning sampling is described for the detection of melamine and other food contaminants.
A rapid, accurate, and precise method for the quantification of trypsin inhibitor activity was evaluated. The method utilizes alpha hydroxyl acid capped oligo-lysines [hydroxy acid (Lys)n] or alpha hydroxyl acid capped oligo-lysines-methionine [hydroxy acid (Lys-Met)] as substrates. Hydrolysis of the oligopeptides yields unique chemical residues that were readily quantified with electrospray–mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Accuracy and precision of the approach compared favorably with that of the standard test method.
Highlights of recent advances in three major areas of molecular spectroscopy: infrared (IR), Raman, and fluorescence.
This article presents developments in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) that make possible nanoscale imaging of chemical and physical properties of graphene and other carbon species: Innovative integration of technologies brings high-throughput optics and high-resolution scanning for high-speed imaging without interferences between the techniques.