Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Gaz chromatography Masss Spectrometry (GC-MS)'

La présence d'océans sous la surface de certains des satellites glacés de Jupiter (e.g. Europe) et de Saturne (e.g. Titan, Encelade) couplée à l'existence de geysers permettant l'échantillonnage de leurs profondeurs a fait émerger le fort potentiel exobiologique de ces corps planétaires du système solaire. De telles découvertes ont suscité le développement de futures missions spatiales (Dragonfly pour Titan et concepts de missions pour Europe et Encelade) pour comprendre la chimie de surface de ces mondes-océan, et par extension de rechercher des traces de chimie prébiotique ou de vie passée ou actuelle. La quête de telles signatures nécessite un analyseur chimique à bord des sondes qui seront envoyées dans le système solaire externe. De nombreuses techniques analytiques peuvent être mises en œuvre mais la chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse (CPG-SM) apparaît comme une technique de premier choix pour tenter de répondre à ces questions, de par son héritage dans l'exploration spatiale, sa capacité à analyser une large gamme de composés organiques et son potentiel pour détecter des biosignatures notamment par l'étude de l'énantiomérie des espèces chirales.L'objectif de ce travail de thèse est de préparer la future analyse chimique in situ de ces lunes glacées, d'une part par l'amélioration des connaissances scientifiques et d'autre part par l'optimisation technique des instruments. Il s'agit d'évaluer et d'optimiser les capacités analytiques de la CPG-SM et des méthodes de préparation d'échantillon associées, afin de détecter des molécules organiques et biosignatures avec les contraintes analytiques connues et/ou attendues sur ces corps planétaires (richesse en matière organique des échantillons prélevés pour Titan et présence d'eau de sels pour les échantillons à la surface d'Europe et d'Encelade). Dans le cas d'Europe et Encelade, l'étude d'échantillons hypersalins terrestres a permis de mettre en avant les capacités de la CPG-SM et des méthodes de prétraitements associées pour la recherche de molécules organiques d'intérêt pour l'exobiologie malgré la présence de sels. Pour évaluer l'impact du sel sur ces méthodes, le développement d'un protocole de dessalement a été entrepris et mis en place. Outre l'aspect analytique, mon travail a permis la sélection et la caractérisation des performances des colonnes chromatographiques (générale et chirale) qui seront intégrées à l'instrument DraMS à bord de la sonde Dragonfly (e.g. Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer, DraMS). Pour ces différents aspects, ce travail s'est appuyé sur l'étude d'échantillon analogues synthétiques (tholins pour Titan) mais aussi naturels (lac hypersalin pour Europe et Encelade)
The presence of oceans beneath the surface of some of Jupiter's (e.g. Europa) and Saturn's (e.g. Titan, Enceladus) icy satellites, coupled with the existence of geysers that allow their depths to be sampled, has highlighted the strong exobiological potential of these planetary bodies in the solar system. Such discoveries have motivated the development of future space missions (Dragonfly for Titan and mission concepts for Europa and Enceladus) to understand the surface chemistry of these ocean worlds, and by extension to search for traces of prebiotic chemistry or past or present life. The search for such signatures requires a chemical analyzer on board the probes that will be sent into the outer solar system. Many analytical techniques can be used, but gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) appears to be one of the best techniques for answering these questions, thanks to its heritage in space exploration, its ability to analyze a wide range of organic compounds, and its potential for detecting biosignatures, especially by studying the enantiomery of chiral species.The aim of this thesis is to prepare for future in situ chemical analysis of these icy moons, both by improving our scientific knowledge and by technically optimizing our instruments. The main purpose is to evaluate and optimize the analytical capabilities of GC-MS and associated sample preparation methods, in order to detect organic molecules and biosignatures within the analytical constraints known and/or expected on these planetary bodies (richness in organic matter in samples from Titan, and presence of water and salts in samples from the surface of Europa and Enceladus, etc.). In the case of Europa and Enceladus, the study of hypersaline terrestrial samples has highlighted the ability of GC-MS and associated pretreatment methods to find organic molecules of interest for exobiology, despite the presence of salts. In order to assess the impact of salt on these methods, a desalination protocol was developed and implemented. In addition to the analytical aspect, my work has enabled the selection and characterization of the performance of the chromatographic columns (general and chiral) that will be integrated into the DraMS instrument on board the Dragonfly probe (e.g. Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer, DraMS). For these different aspects, this work was based on the study of synthetic analogous samples (tholins for Titan) as well as natural ones (hypersaline lake for Europa and Enceladus)

Orientador: Marcelo Alexandre Prado
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos
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Resumo: O crescente aumento populacional em escala mundial, tornou necessário um grande esforço por parte da agricultura para aumentar, a cada ano, a produção de alimentos para atender as necessidades do mercado externo e interno do Brasil. Recursos técnicos e científicos passaram então, a serem aplicados em busca da melhoria na produção dos cultivos,principalmente mediante o uso de fertilizantes e praguicidas. Com isso, a sociedade se deparou com problemas de ordem de equilíbrio ambiental e saúde pública, pois devido à contínua diversificação dos fitoparasitas, surgem, a todo momento, reduções do período de tempo entre aplicações consecutivas, e mais importante talvez, usos de doses mais altas e emprego simultâneo de diferentes pesticidas, por parte dos agricultores, objetivando complementar ações específicas ou alcançar efeitos sinérgicos para maiores rendimentos na produção. Tal situação traz como conseqüência óbvia e direta, o aumento, inaceitável, dos riscos de contaminação do meio ambiente com resíduos químicos de defensívos da área agropecuarista prejudiciais à saúde, o que leva a inúmeros problemas relativos à segurança alimentar dos produtos consumidos, e à uma preocupação de âmbito nacional evidenciada pela criação do Programa de Análise de Resíduos de Agrotóxicos em alimentos (PARA) da ANVISA. O aumento na necessidade de detecção e quantificação destes compostos, acarretou o desenvolvimento de pesquisas no setor, a fim de atingir uma melhoria na eficiência,qualidade e rapidez de resposta nas análises. A possibilidade do estudo de não apenas um de cada vez, mas de até 300 compostos sendo extraídos, detectados e quantificados simultâneamente se tornou a saída mais viável, tanto qualitativa quanto economicamente, facilitando o monitoramento contínuo do fornecimento de produtos do setor alimentício pelos chamados métodos multiresíduos. O presentre trabalho teve como princípio a validação de um método multiresíduo para análise de 14 analitos usando uma técnica de alto poder de concentração e limpeza do extrato como o GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) e detecção e quantificação por GC-MS/MS e LC-MS/MS. Os pesticidas investigados englobam classes como: acaricidas, inseticidas, fungicidas, nematicidas e formicidas de aplicação foliar, em sementes ou em solo, sendo que o acefato, metamidofós, acetamiprido e o thiamethoxan foram extraídos de amostras de batata e feijão e analisados por LC-MS/MS e a azoxistrobina, bifentrina, carbofuran, chlorotalonil, clorpirifós, clorfenapir, etofenprox, famoxadone,metalaxil, procimidone e o tebuconazole em amostras de batata e tomate e analisados por GCMS/MS. Os limites de detecção (LD) encontrados variaram de 0,06 a 2,89µg/L, e os coeficientes de variação (CV), de 0,036 a 2,036%. As recuperações foram determinadas em cada tipo de amostras, e os valores encontrados estavam entre 93,34% e 109,67%. Nenhuma das matrizes utilizadas apresentaram resultados insatisfatórios e o método utilizado mostrouse robusto e de fácil aplicação para todos os analitos testados
Abstract: The growing population worldwide, has required a great effort on the part of agriculture to increase each year, the production of food to meet the needs of external and internal market of Brazil. Technical and scientific resources spent then, to be applied in pursuit of improved crop production, mainly through the use of fertilizers and pesticides.With this, the company encountered problems in the balance of environmental and public health, since due to the continuous diversification of plant parasites, arise at any moment,reductions in the time period between consecutive applications, and perhaps most important,uses more doses high and simultaneous use of different pesticides by farmers, aiming to complete specific actions or to achieve synergistic effects in producing higher yields. This situation brings obvious and direct consequence, the increase unacceptable risk of environmental contamination with chemical residues from pesticides in farms are harmful to health, which leads to numerous problems relating to food safety of the products consumed, and to a concern nationwide evidenced by the creation of the Program Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Food (TO) of ANVISA. The increase in the necessity for detection and quantification of these compounds, led the development of research in the sector in order to achieve an improvement in efficiency, quality and responsiveness in the analyzes. The possibility of studying not just one at a time, but up to 300 compounds being extracted,detected and quantified simultaneously output became more viable, both qualitatively and economically, facilitating continuous monitoring of the supply of products by the food industry called methods multiresidue. The principle presentre work was the validation of a multiresidue method for analysis of 14 analytes using a technique of high power concentration and cleanup of the extract as GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) and detection and quantification by GC-MS/MS and LC- MS / MS. The pesticides investigated include classes such as acaricides, insecticides, fungicides, insecticides and nematicides foliar, seed or soil,and acephate, methamidophos, and Acetamiprid thiamethoxan were extracted from samples of potatoes and beans and analyzed by LC-MS / MS and azoxystrobin, bifenthrin, carbofuran,chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, chlorfenapyr, etofenprox, famoxadone, metalaxyl, procymidone and tebuconazole in samples of potato and tomato and analyzed by GC-MS/MS. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.06 to 2.89 mg / L, and the coefficients of variation (CV), 0.036 to 2.036%. The recoveries were determined for each type of samples, and the values were between 93.34% and 109.67%. None of the arrays used had unsatisfactory results and method proved to be robust and easy to apply for all analytes tested
Mestrado
Ciência de Alimentos
Mestra em Ciência de Alimentos

We introduce new methods for preprocessing and normalization of data acquired by gas/liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/LC-MS). Normalization is desired prior to subsequent statistical analysis to adjust variabilities in ion intensities that are not caused by biological differences. There are different sources of experimental bias including variabilities in sample collection, sample storage, poor experimental design, noise, etc. Also, instrument variability in experiments involving a large number of runs leads to a significant drift in intensity measurements. We propose new normalization methods based on bootstrapping, Gaussian process regression, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), and Bayesian hierarchical models. These methods model the bias by borrowing information across runs and features. Another novel aspect is utilizing scan-level data to improve the accuracy of quantification. We evaluated the performance of our method using simulated and experimental data. In comparison with several existing methods, the proposed methods yielded significant improvement. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the technologies widely used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of small molecules. In particular, GC coupled to single quadrupole MS can be utilized for targeted analysis by selected ion monitoring (SIM). However, to our knowledge, there are no software tools specifically designed for analysis of GS-SIM-MS data. We introduce SIMAT, a new R package for quantitative analysis of the levels of targeted analytes. SIMAT provides guidance in choosing fragments for a list of targets. This is accomplished through an optimization algorithm that has the capability to select the most appropriate fragments from overlapping peaks based on a pre-specified library of background analytes. The tool also allows visualization of the total ion chromatogram (TIC) of runs and extracted ion chromatogram (EIC) of analytes of interest. Moreover, retention index (RI) calibration can be performed and raw GC-SIM-MS data can be imported in netCDF or NIST mass spectral library (MSL) formats. We evaluated the performance of SIMAT using several experimental data sets. Our results demonstrate that SIMAT performs better than AMDIS and MetaboliteDetector in terms of finding the correct targets in the acquired GC-SIM-MS data and estimating their relative levels.
Ph. D.

ASTM D3241 (Standard Test Method for Thermal Oxidation Stability of Aviation Turbine Fuels) measures the thermal oxidative stability of jet fuels under elevated temperature and pressure conditions. When jet fuels fail ASTM D3241, either at the refinery or in the distribution system, there can be supply disruptions and financial losses. Understanding the causes of poor thermal oxidative stability in jet fuels could help prevent or mitigate issues. In order to develop a deeper understanding of the molecular precursors that lead to ASTM D3241 failures, a number of analytical methodologies and data treatment techniques have been developed, applied, and reported here. Statistical analysis of LC/MS ESI data from jet fuels with varying thermal oxidative stabilities allows for the identification of molecules that are significant to ASTM D3241 failures. Differential statistical analysis of LC/MS ESI data from jet fuels before and after thermal oxidative stressing in a QCM reactor elucidates which significant molecules are being consumed during oxidation and which molecules are increasing in abundance. The analysis of thermal oxidative deposits that form during thermal oxidative stressing in the QCM reactor allows for the insight into the molecular components of the deposits. Attapulgus clay removes the polar molecules that lead to thermal oxidative stability issues in the refinery. Extraction of Attapulgus clay that has been used in a refinery to filter jet fuel with a series of solvents removes the polar molecules into a series of fractions. The subsequent analysis of the fractions by comprehensive GCxGC/MS leads to the identification of the different homologous series of molecules that are removed by the clay. The analyses developed and employed here are shown to be particularly useful for the analysis of trace polar nitrogen and oxygen containing molecules. Similar homologous series of molecules are identified across all of the different analyses. It is also clear from some of the analyses, along with previously reported data in the literature, that reactive sulfur-containing molecules are significant to poor thermal oxidative stability as measured by ASTM D3241 and to the formation of thermal oxidative deposits. There is still an opportunity to find methodologies to better characterize the sulfur species present and correlate them to the data that is reported here.

Sandalwood essential oil is extensively used in perfumes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The unique woody aroma of sandalwood essential oil is produced by (Z)-α-santalol and (Z)-β-santalol and these two compounds influence the oil quality. Variation in sesquiterpene composition and oil yield have been observed both within and across Santalum species. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a technique commonly used to identify and quantify sesquiterpene compounds in sandalwood essential oils. High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) has yet to be fully explored as an alternative to GC-MS in authenticating sandalwood essential oils of different species. In this study, sandalwood essential oils were characterised using HPTLC and high resolution GC-MS. The potential of HPTLC to identify differences in sandalwood essential oils of Santalum album, Santalum spicatum, Santalum austrocaledonicum, Santalum paniculatum, Santalum lanceolatum and a natural substitute for sandalwood, Osyris lanceolata, was explored. Variation was observed in the profile of bands and peak intensity profiles of the essential oils with some bands being unique to the individual species. The potential of HPTLC fingerprinting as a quality control tool in identifying differences in sandalwood essential oils was demonstrated (Study I). Study I was limited to a maximum of five oils for each species studied. The natural variability was likely not captured for such a small sample size. The potential of HPTLC to generate a sandalwood profile that better represents Santalum album, Santalum spicatum, Santalum austrocaledonicum and Santalum paniculatum was explored. Santalum spicatum could confidently be distinguished from other species with a distinctive pink band at RF 0.71 and unique peak intensities at RF 0.28, 0.45 and 0.47. Santalum album and Santalum paniculatum could easily be distinguished from each other with distinctive peak intensities at RF 0.51 and 0.17 respectively. The intense peak at RF 0.09 displayed by Santalum austrocaledonicum distinguished it from Santalum album, and Santalum paniculatum but not Santalum spicatum (Study II). An ultrasonication extraction method was optimised for extraction of essential oil from Western Australia sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) using n-hexane, isopropanol, and n-hexane/isopropanol (50:50, v/v) for different extraction times. Oil yield was moderately influenced by solvent, particle size and extraction time. Extracting for 30 minutes with particle size 250µm-500µm using n-hexane gave the highest oil yield and santalol content. The santalol content achieved in Santalum spicatum extract was influenced by particle size and solvent (Study III). The optimised method in Study III was moderately modified and successively applied to extract oil from 340 milled heartwoods of Santalum spicatum. GC-MS analysis was performed on oil extracts. Variation in sesquiterpene composition of 340 heartwood oil extracts of Santalum spicatum sampled from 19 locations across five regions in Western Australia was explored. Variation was observed in sesquiterpene composition, and oil yield both across and within all five regions. Heartwood oil extracts from trees in the north obtained higher oil yield and santalol content when compared to oil extracts from trees in the south. Interestingly, one oil extract of S. spicatum met the ISO specification of 90% combined α-santalol and β-santalol in Santalum album, obtaining 67.47% α-santalol and 22.92% β-santalol (Study IV).

The methyl ester of an unsaturated fatty acid, methyllinoleate was reacted with oxygen in a pressurized system at a controlled temperature. A natural autoxidation of methyl linoleate was observed without the addition of an initiating reagent. This autoxidation process could be used to mimic the course of lipid peroxidation, which is the major cause ofradical damage to living cells. The technology of GC-MS was employed to monitor the autoxidation of methyllinoleate. Eight of the autoxidation products separated by GC column were identified by interpreting the corresponding EI ion mass spectra. The products from 9-alkoxy methyl linoleate radical were methyl octanate, 2,4-decadienal, nonanoic acid, 9-oxo-methyl ester, and its further oxidation product, nonanedioic acid, monomethyl ester. All of them formed through a pathway of beta-cleavage. The products from 13-alkoxy methyl linoleate radical were tridecanoic acid, 9, 11-diene-13-oxo-methyl ester, hex anal, and its further oxidation product, hexanoic acid. They were also formed through a mechanism of beta-cleavage. The fourth product from 13-alkoxy methyllinoleate radical was 13-keto-9, 11-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, which was obtained through a pathway of keto formation. Observation of their concentrations in the samples at different autoxidation periods revealed the time-course of formation of these products.

Certain oxygen free radicals are produced constantly in cells by metabolism and exogenous agents. Some, such as the hydroxyl radical, may react with various biomolecules like DNA, lipids or proteins, and thus be involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. It is often difficult to detect oxygen free radicals due to their relatively short half-life. This problem may be overcome, however, using the spin trapping technique. In this technique, the spin-trap compound is used to trap free radicals, making them stable enough to be analysed using techniques like Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy or Mass Spectrometry (MS). In the current study, Fenton chemistry has been used to generate hydroxyl radicals. Since the hydroxyl radical adduct of the spin-trap N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) is shortlived at room temperature a secondary trapping technique is employed. The resulting spin-trapped species have been sampled using solvent-free extraction approaches i.e. Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) or Thermal desorption (TD), and the extracted products then detected and identified by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS provides an alternative to other traditional techniques like EPR spectroscopy, as it provides more detailed information about structure of the radical adduct. Aldehydes are some of the most important products of oxidative stress, mostly produced through lipid peroxidation, and potentially may be used as biomarkers for different diseases. Their reactivity, production in low quantities and need of derivatisation are some of the challenges faced by analytical chemists to detect them. In the current research, aldehydes are used as secondary source of radicals in the Fenton reaction to produce aldehyde related free radicals. The developed method is not only a solvent free approach but also there is no need of derivatisation. It has the potential to be used as a biomarker assay of oxidative stress.

The focus of this dissertation centers on the development and applications of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis methodologies to quantify monomeric compositions of the β-O-4 linkages in lignin. Pretreatment is a required step in the utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels. Lignin is the target of pretreatment because it hinders the accessibility of enzymes and chemicals to cellulose. The effects of pretreatment are commonly assessed utilizing enzymatic saccharification and lignin assays. However, these techniques do not elucidate the effects of pretreatment on the monomeric make up of lignin. The overarching hypothesis of this dissertation is that changes in individual monolignol content upon pretreatment can be observed from quantification. To test the hypothesis, a pretreatment, solution phase Fenton chemistry, was conducted on various lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks. Enzymatic saccharification studies showed a significant increase in glucose production upon Fenton pretreatment, however, lignin assays did not show a significant decrease in lignin content. Project two of this dissertation aimed to synthesize analytical standards in order to develop a quantitative thioacidolysis technique. The successful synthesis of the three arylglycerols were conducted utilizing and epoxidation reaction scheme which was hypothesized to produce a single diastereomer, as supported by GC/MS and chiral CE analysis. Upon method development, a quantitative thioacidolysis GC/MS method was applied to untreated and Fenton treated biomass. Results from this project revealed there was no significant change in the three lignin monomers. To verify the method, quantitative thioacidolysis GC/MS method was applied to a pretreatment method known to degrade lignin, alkaline peroxide pretreatment. The results of this project showed a significant change in monolignol concentrations upon alkaline peroxide pretreatment. Analytical degradative techniques, such as thioacidolysis, has traditionally assessed lignin as monomeric ratios. However, as this dissertation showed, upon alkaline peroxide pretreatment, no significant change was seen in the monomeric ratios, but there was a significant difference in all three monolignol concentrations. These results support the overall hypothesis that changes in individual monolignol content upon pretreatment can be observed from quantification. The works of this dissertation provides an analytical method which contributes to the elucidation of lignin.

O estudo objetivou desenvolver e validar um método para identificar e quantificar poluentes orgânicos persistentes, conhecidos como POPs, em solo de regiões industriais dos municípios de Caieiras e Franco da Rocha SP, via cromatografia a gás acoplada a Espectrometria de Massas (GC-MS) e Detector por Captura de Elétrons (ECD). Em observância ao Tratado de Estocolmo, patrocinado pela Organização das Nações Unidas ONU, que prevê o banimento de pelo menos doze dos POPs, e no qual o Brasil é um dos 113 países signatários, o trabalho visou colaborar positivamente com essa questão ambiental tão importante. Estes compostos são tóxicos e altamente estáveis no ambiente e em organismos vivos, dentre os quais, são abordados nesse trabalho o clordano cis/trans (C10H6Cl8), o heptacloro (C10H5Cl7), o heptacloro epóxido cis/trans (C10H5Cl7) e os isômeros α-, β-, γ- e δ-BHC (C6Cl6). Para garantir a confiabilidade das análises realizadas, foram realizados ensaios de Validação da metodologia, com base nas diretrizes do INMETRO. A técnica de extração utilizada foi o QuEChERS, obtendo resultados de recuperação na faixa de 70 a 120% para a maioria dos compostos estudados, considerados aceitáveis para matrizes complexas. Os limites de detecção e quantificação do método compreenderam a faixa de 0,0002 e 0,01 μg.g1, respectivamente. As amostras analisadas apresentaram contaminação pelos compostos hexaclorobenzeno α-, β-, γ- e δ-, muitas das quais estão acima dos limites máximos permissíveis, de acordo com as legislações nacionais e internacionais vigentes.
The study aimed to develop and validate a method to identify and quantify persistent organic pollutants, known as POPs in soil of industrial regions Caieiras and Franco da Rocha municipalities in São Paulo, via gas chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD). In compliance with the Treaty of Stockholm, sponsored by the United Nations - UN, which provides for a ban of at least twelve POPs, in which Brazil is one of the 113 signatory countries, the work aims to contribute positively to the environmental issue as important . These compounds are highly toxic and stable in the environment and living organisms, among which are address in this work chlordane cis / trans (C10H6Cl8), heptachlor (C10H5Cl7), heptachlor epoxide the cis / trans (C10H5Cl7) and the isomers α-, β-, γ- and δ-BHC (C6Cl6). To ensure reliability of the analysis carried out, tests were carried out validation method, based on the guidelines of INMETRO. The extraction technique was used QuEChERS, achieving recovery in the range 70 to 120% for the most of compounds, acceptable for complex matrices. The limits of detection and quantification of the method comprises the range of 0.0002 and 0.01 μg.g-1, respectively. The samples analyzed were contaminated by compounds hexachlorobenzene α-, β-, γ- and δ-, many of which are above the maximum allowable in accordance with national legislation and international law.

This diploma thesis is based on the current issue of the presence of pharmaceuticals in various components of the environment. Concerning the contamination by residues of pharmaceuticals the most affected environment is the aquatic environment where these substances leaks especially from wastewater treatment plants, which eliminate them during the cleaning process only partially. This work is focused on the selected group of pharmaceuticals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (salicylic acid, ibuprofen, caffeine, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac) in waste water. For analysis purposes two types of sampling were used and compared: the conventional spot sampling of wastewater and the sampling using passive samplers POCIS. The sampling took place at the inflow and outflow of the wastewater treatment plant in Brno Modřice. The solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB columns was used as the extraction method. Extracted sample was derivatized then. Derivatization agents were: MSTFA (N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamid) and BSTFA (N, O-bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamid). The final analysis was performed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection Time-of-Flight (GC/TOF-MS).

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Dissertacao (Mestrado)
IPEN/D
Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP
FAPESP:05/58301-0

Preparing a defensible oil spill fingerprinting is always challenging. Presently available well established method for this purpose is a univariate method by comparison of diagnostic ratio using repeatability limit as suggested by European Committee for Standardization (CEN)-method. The consistency result of this method, however, tends to depend on the skill of the analyst who performs the analysis. The shortcoming of CEN-method was then demonstrated by the application of the method to the "MS Server" and "MV Full City" oil spill cases. The author’s analysis result exposed some discrepancieswhen was compared with the one performed by SINTEF. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the effort of pursuing alternative or at least complimentary methods to ease the shortcoming of the CEN-method. The main investigation was then emphasized on the possibility of employing the multivariate analyses, i.e. principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis, and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The performance of those multivariate analyses were examined by applying to the case studies of "MS Server" and "MV Full City" oil spills. Later on, it was found that PCA failed to classify the samples properly according to the match or non-match with the reference samples. The power of the PCA was revealed when the method was combined with thecluster analysis. The PCA combined with the cluster analysis demonstrated to be faster and undoubtedly more objective (in term of the analyst skill and expertise) as compared to the CEN-method. PLS-DA also showed the same benefits. Moreover, the PLS-DA gives more similar result to the CEN-method applied by SINTEF (irrespective of the difference gaps of the analysts skill, i.e. the SINTEF researchers v.s. the author) as compared to the PCA combined with the cluster analysis. However, the main drawback of the PLS-DA is therequirement of quite large number of sample to obtain a good result. At last, we could see that there is possibility of applying several multivariate analyses, i.e PCA combined with the cluster analysis, and PLS-DA, for the alternatives or complementary of a well established univariate analysis of oil spill fingerprinting (CEN-method). In order to develop the alternative method(s) properly, further research is needed, especially the one which employs more controllable samples.

A simple, fast, reproducible and less laborious sample preparation protocol was developed for the analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana using Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In particular, a semi-automated machine tool is used to replace the traditional mortar-pestle method in tissue grinding. One-pot chemical extraction-derivatization is used to provide simplified sample preparation over the conventional multi-step liquid-liquid extraction protocol. Wild-type and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings were used as the model system to evaluate performance of this newly developed method for use in metabolic profiling and also targeted quantitative analysis of salicylic acid for the study of systemic acquired resistance.

An analytical method was developed for detection and quantitation of diazinon and chlorpyrifos, two widely used pesticides in local water pathway. Solid phase extraction combined with GC/MS detection with selected ion monitoring was employed. In establishing calibration curves for GC/MS analysis, it may be impractical to use isotope-labeled analogs as internal standards for all analytes in a complicated matrix. Compounds may have to be used as internal standards which could cause non-linear effects because of different response of analytes and internal standards. A novel sample introduction method, which could eliminate this negative effect of non-linearity, was proposed. Calibration data were acquired using the traditional constant volume injection method, and a new method: constant mass injection of analytes. Calibration curves by the constant mass injection method show a better linearity and y-intercept. The nonlinear effect observed with data obtained in low concentration ranges using the constant volume injection method was eliminated. The effectiveness of these curves by two methods was also tested. Better accuracy was obtained with the constant mass injection method. This constant mass injection of analytes method could be very useful in quantitative studies of a complicated sample matrix, such as those encountered in the environmental analysis of pesticides, or in the quality control analysis of medical and industrial product. In solid phase extraction, Varian Bondelute SPE C8 cartridge was selected for extraction. With the standard water sample spiked at 500 ng/L for the two analytes, the recovery for diazinon was about 50% and for chlorpyrifos about 60%. With the standard water sample at 1000 ng/L, the recovery for diazinon was about 60% and for chlorpyrifos about 70%. Among three samples from three different sampling sites, diazinon was detected and confirmed. The quantitation of diazinon was done to water sample from the Calaveras River near the Sanguetti Street crossing Stockton, California, with observed concentration 143.2 ng/L.

The methyl ester of an unsaturated fatty acid, methyllinoleate was reacted with oxygen in a pressurized system at a controlled temperature. A natural autoxidation of methyl linoleate was observed without the addition of an initiating reagent. This autoxidation process could be used to mimic the course of lipid peroxidation, which is the major cause ofradical damage to living cells. The technology of GC-MS was employed to monitor the autoxidation of methyllinoleate. Eight of the autoxidation products separated by GC column were identified by interpreting the corresponding EI ion mass spectra. The products from 9-alkoxy methyl linoleate radical were methyl octanate, 2,4-decadienal, nonanoic acid, 9-oxo-methyl ester, and its further oxidation product, nonanedioic acid, monomethyl ester. All of them formed through a pathway of beta-cleavage. The products from 13-alkoxy methyl linoleate radical were tridecanoic acid, 9, 11-diene-13-oxo-methyl ester, hex anal, and its further oxidation product, hexanoic acid. They were also formed through a mechanism of beta-cleavage. The fourth product from 13-alkoxy methyllinoleate radical was 13-keto-9, 11-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, which was obtained through a pathway of keto formation. Observation of their concentrations in the samples at different autoxidation periods revealed the time-course of formation of these products.

L’aciduria metilmalonica rappresenta un gruppo di acidurie organiche che comprendono principalmente difetti metabolici della metilmalonil-CoA mutasi e difetti del metabolismo della cobalamina. Le acidurie metilmaloniche (MMAs) sono un gruppo eterogeneo di errori congeniti del metabolismo caratterizzate biochimicamente dall’accumulo di metilmalonato nelle urine e in altri fluidi corporei. Le MMAs che coinvolgono esclusivamente l’attività enzimatica della metilmalonil-CoA mutasi (mut0, mut - ,cblA and cblB) sono definite MMAs isolate. I difetti che influiscono sul metabolismo della metilcobalamina (MeCbl), cofattore di più cicli metabolici, presentano un contemporaneo accumulo di acido metilmalonicico ed omocistinuria (cblC,cblD,cblF). Sebbene l’eziologia delle acidurie metilmaloniche sia eterogena il quadro clinico dei pazienti é simile. Nella maggior parte dei pazienti la sintomatologia si presenta, in età neonatale, con vomito ricorrente, disidratazione, epatomegalia, sofferenza respiratoria, ipotonia muscolare e progressiva alterazione dello stato di coscienza con probabile evoluzione in malattia ingravescente, coma profondo e morte. Le alterazioni di laboratorio più importanti sono una severa cheto-lattico acidosi, un’ ipo o iperglicemia, una neutropenia, un’iperglicinemia ed un’iperammoniemia che, se non corrette con un pronto e specifico intervento terapeutico possono portare a gravi handicap o morte. Abbiamo sviluppato un metodo rapido e sensibile in cromatografia gassosa e spettrometria di massa utilizzando il metodo di diluizione isotopica per la quantificazione dell’acido metilmalonico nelle urine e nel plasma, utile per la diagnosi delle MMAs e nel follow up. La diluizione isotopica con isotopi stabili è considerato il metodo gold standard per la misurazione dei metaboliti perché essendo l’isotopo lo standard ideale, risolve il problema dell’ efficienza dell’estrazione nei metodi che si avvalgono dell’ estrazione con solvente. Il metodo richiede fasi successive: l'estrazione dalle urine e dal plasma con estrazione liquido-liquido, l'essiccazione dell’estratto e infine la derivatizzazione con BSTFA dei prodotti di estrazione per formare i trimetilsilil derivati prima di essere iniettati nel GC/MS. Il metodo è stato validato seguendo un piano che comprende il campo di applicazione del metodo, le caratteristiche di efficacia del metodo e dei suoi limiti di accettazione. I parametri esaminati nel processo di validazione sono stati: limite di rivelazione e quantificazione, accuratezza, precisione, linearità e il recupero del MMA. Per il MMA plasmatico con l’aggiunta dell’analita, il limite di rilevazione o il limite del bianco (media più 3 SD del bianco) è stato di 0,1 µmol/l ed il limite di quantificazione (media più 10 SD del bianco) 0.8 µmol/l; per il MMA urinario con l’aggiunta dell’analita, il limite di rilevazione o limite del bianco (media più 3 SD del bianco) è stato di 0,1 µmol/l ed il limite di quantificazione (media più 10 SD del bianco) 0,7 µmol/l. Il range di linearità per le urine ed il plasma è compreso tra 0,1-400 µmol/l. I valori normali di acido metilmalonico (plasma e urine) sono stati ottenuti da 50 pazienti sani di controllo. Il metodo è stato validato clinicamente analizzando 10 campioni prelevati da pazienti con tre varianti fenotipiche della aciduria metilmalonica. Il metodo oltre alla suo uso nella routine clinica potrebbe essere utilizzato come metodo nei programmi screening.
Methylmalonic aciduria is a group of organic aciduria associated with methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and cobalamin metabolic defects. Methylmalonic acidurias (MMAuria) are a heterogeneous group of inborn metabolic errors biochemically characterized by the accumulation of methylmalonate in urine and other body fluids. MMAuria exclusively affecting MCM activity (mut0,mut -,cblA and cblB) are termed isolated MMAuria. Some of these defects additionally affect the metabolism of methylcobalamin (MeCbl) resulting in combined MMA and homocysteinuria (cblC,cblD,cblF). Although the causes of Methylmalonic acidurias (MMAuria) are etiology, the clinical presentation of affected patients is similar. The majority of patients display early in life recurrent vomiting, dehydration, hepatomegaly, respiratory distress, muscular hypotonia and progressive alteration of consciousness, probably degenerating to overwhelming illness, deep coma and death. Severe combined keto-and lactic acidosis, hypo- or hyper-glycaemia, neutropenia, hyperglycinaemia and hyperammonaemia are the most important laboratory features. Without specific therapy these episodes result in severe handicap or death. We developed a rapid and sensible GC/MS method using stable isotope dilution to diagnose and quantify methylmalonic acid in urine and plasma. Stable isotope dilution is an ideal internal standard and is considered the gold standard method for measuring metabolites because it obviates the problem of varying levels of extraction efficiency by solvent extraction methods. Our methodology is capable of monitoring and quantifying MMA and it can follow up on and diagnose methylmalonic acidurias. The method requires a sequence of steps: extraction from urine and plasma using liquid–liquid extraction, drying, and finally derivatization by BSTFA of extraction products to form trimethylsilyl derivates prior to GC/MS injection. The method was validated. The validation follows a plan that includes the scope of the method, the method performance characteristics and its acceptance limits. Parameters examined in the validation process were limit of detection and quantification, reproducibility, linearity and recovery. For blood MMA with added analyte, the limit of detection or limit of the blank (mean plus 3 SD of blank) for was 0.1 µmol/l and the limit of quantification (mean plus 10 SD of blank) 0.8 µmol/l; For urine MMA with added analyte, the limit of detection or limit of the blank (mean plus 3 SD of blank) for was 0.1 µmol/l and the limit of quantification (mean plus 10 SD of blank) 0.7 µmol/l. For urine and plasma the linearity range was from 0.1 mol/l to 400 mol/l. Normal methylmalonic acid values were obtained from plasma and urine of 50 healthy control patients. The method was clinically validated by analyzed 10 samples from patients with three phenotypic variant of methylmalonic aciduria and therefore could be suitable for implementation in routine clinical screening programs and quantification environments.

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-82).
An experimental study was performed to develop and validate a collection and analysis protocol for human skin emanations. The protocol developed included the rubbing of glass beads on the palms and backs of hands for 20 minutes. The volatile headspace above samples were extracted by a solid-phase microextraction fiber which incorporated a composite coating of liquid polymer matrix and solid porous particles. This protocol provided robust and convenient signatures of human skin emanations and was applied to two experiments for validation. In one experiment, a set of twins donated samples and results suggested qualitative differences between samples of twins. The second experiment involved collections from four unrelated individuals over a period of one month. Multivariate analysis was applied to this data set and indicated a stable signature that can be ascribed to the individual, confirming that the protocol developed here can be extended to larger sample sets of MHC typed individuals.
by James Akin.
S.M.

Identification of disease-related alterations in molecular and cellular mechanisms may reveal useful biomarkers for human diseases including cancers. High-throughput omic technologies for identifying and quantifying multi-level biological molecules (e.g., proteins, glycans, and metabolites) have facilitated the advances in biological research in recent years. Liquid (or gas) chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/GC-MS) has become an essential tool in such large-scale omic studies. Appropriate LC/GC-MS data preprocessing pipelines are needed to detect true differences between biological groups. Challenges exist in several aspects of MS data analysis. Specifically for biomarker discovery, one fundamental challenge in quantitation of biomolecules is owing to the heterogeneous nature of human biospecimens. Although this issue has been a subject of discussion in cancer genomic studies, it has not yet been rigorously investigated in mass spectrometry based omic studies. Purification of mass spectometric data is highly desired prior to subsequent differential analysis. In this research dissertation, we majorly target at addressing the purification problem through probabilistic modeling. We propose an intensity-level purification model (IPM) to computationally purify LC/GC-MS based cancerous data in biomarker discovery studies. We further extend IPM to scan-level purification model (SPM) by considering information from extracted ion chromatogram (EIC, scan-level feature). Both IPM and SPM belong to the category of topic modeling approach, which aims to identify the underlying "topics" (sources) and their mixture proportions in composing the heterogeneous data. Additionally, denoise deconvolution model (DMM) is proposed to capture the noise signals in samples based on purified profiles. Variational expectation-maximization (VEM) and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are used to draw inference on the latent variables and estimate the model parameters. Before we come to purification, other research topics in related to mass spectrometric data analysis for cancer biomarker discovery are also investigated in this dissertation. Chapter 3 discusses the developed methods in the differential analysis of LC/GC-MS based omic data, specifically for the preprocessing in data of LC-MS profiled glycans. Chapter 4 presents the assumptions and inference details of IPM, SPM, and DDM. A latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) core is used to model the heterogeneous cancerous data as mixtures of topics consisting of sample-specific pure cancerous source and non-cancerous contaminants. We evaluated the capability of the proposed models in capturing mixture proportions of contaminants and cancer profiles on LC-MS based serum and tissue proteomic and GC-MS based tissue metabolomic datasets acquired from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis. Chapter 5 elaborates these applications in cancer biomarker discovery, where typical single omic and integrative analysis of multi-omic studies are included.
Ph. D.

The oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) plays a role in both regional and global air quality through the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA). More than 1000TgC/yr of non-methane VOCs are emitted from biogenic sources (significantly greater than from anthropogenic sources). Despite this magnitude and potential importance for air quality, the body of knowledge around the identities, quantities and oxidation processes of these compounds is still incomplete (e.g., Goldstein & Galbally, 2007; Robinson et al., 2009). Two-dimensional gas chromatography paired with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOFMS) is a powerful analytical technique which is explored here for its role in better characterizing biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) and thus SOA precursors. This work presents measurements of BVOCs collected during two field campaigns and analyzed using GC×GC/TOFMS. The first campaign, the Bio-hydro-atmosphere Interactions of Energy, Aerosols, Carbon, H2O, Organics & Nitrogen - Rocky Mountain Biogenic Aerosol Study (BEACHON-RoMBAS), took place in a Ponderosa pine forest in Colorado. The second campaign, Particle Investigations at a Northern Ozarks Tower: NOx, Oxidant, Isoprene Research (PINOT NOIR) Study, was conducted in the Ozark region of Missouri. Tens to hundreds of BVOCs were quantified in each set of samples, including primary emissions, atmospheric oxidation products, stress indicators and semi-volatile leaf surface compounds. These findings highlight that there is a largely uncharacterized diversity of BVOCs in ambient samples. Our findings demonstrate that GC×GC can distinguish between compounds with the same molecular weight and similar structures, which have highly variable potentials for production of SOA (Lee et al., 2006). This work represents some of the first analysis of ambient BVOCs with this technology, which is anticipated to contribute greatly to characterization of atmospheric SOA precursors and ultimately, regional and global modeling of SOA and fine particulate matter.

Chemical Characterization of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to Assess Potential Therapeutic Phytochemicals and Toxicological Concerns Using Simulated Use Conditions By Regina Ballentine Virginia Commonwealth University, 2019 Director: Sarah C. Rutan, Professor, Department of Chemistry Currently, there is an increasing demand for natural therapies and herbal products to treat various ailments. It is generally believed that natural therapies have fewer side-effects than traditional western medicine; however, they are often used in different strengths and formulations without consistency of the levels of target compounds or knowledge about toxicity. Due to this growing trend, a comprehensive chemical evaluation of plants used for medicinal purposes is necessary. Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium is a plant that has been used historically by Native Americans as an herbal medicine. It is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family indigenous to the Eastern United States. There are documented accounts of the Native Americans using the herb therapeutically. Reportedly, they used the plant to prepare tea and as filler for bedding. Additionally, they smoked the plant material. To date, there has been little research published on the chemical composition of this plant. Thus, the objective of this work was to conduct a chemical survey of P. obtusifolium using methodologies that would simulate the three historical routes of administration (tea, bedding material, and smoke inhalation). To determine the types of compounds that may be found in the plant, initial experiments using pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) with an ethanolic solvent were performed followed by analysis using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in scan mode. This extraction technique enabled a broad range of compounds to be identified. For the analysis of the tea, the leaves and the flowers were ground and analyzed separately. The “tea” simulation was then performed using a water extraction which was then back extracted into dichloromethane for GC-MS analysis in Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode. Seventeen target compounds (terpenes, terpinoids, flavanoids, etc.) were quantified using this method. A bedding material simulation was performed using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) to collect the volatile and/or semi-volatile components of the headspace. The compounds collected on the SPME fiber were then analyzed by GC-MS in scan and SIM modes to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the types of chemical compounds (most of which were terpenes) that may be off-gassed from bedding material. This analysis compared levels of compounds in two different crop years and four terpene compounds were quantified. To simulate smoking of the plant material, the leaves and flowers were fashioned into smoking articles. Sample collection was performed by a smoking machine and smoke condensate was collected. The smoke condensate was then analyzed by GC-MS in scan mode. As combustion and pyrolysis of plant material are known to produce toxic products, specific potentially harmful compounds were investigated and quantified. This chemical analysis of P. obtusifolium identified target compounds that can be found in the three simulated usage forms. Identification of these compounds gives insight on why the Native Americans may have used P. obtusifolium as an herbal medicine. Among the detected compounds, there were many unknowns. Elucidating these unknown compounds will be important in the effort to understand the full chemical profile of this plant.

This thesis is based on studies in which the suitability of various gas chromatography (GC) injection techniques was examined for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and carbazoles, two groups of compounds that are thermally labile and/or have high boiling-points. For such substances, it is essential to introduce the samples into the GC system in an appropriate way to avoid degradation and other potential problems. In addition, different types of gas chromatographic column system and mass spectrometric detectors were evaluated for the determination of PBDEs.

Conventional injectors, such as splitless, on-column and programmed temperature vaporizing (PTV) injectors were evaluated and optimized for determination of PBDEs. The results show on-column injection to be the best option, providing low discrimination and high precision. The splitless injector is commonly used for “dirty” samples. However, it is not suitable for determination of the high molecular weight congeners, since it tends to discriminate against them and promote their degradation, leading to poor precision and accuracy. The PTV injector appears to be a more suitable alternative. The use of liners reduces problems associated with potential interferents such as polar compounds and lipids and compared to the hot splitless injector, it provides gentler solvent evaporation, due to its temperature programming feature, leading to low discrimination and variance.

Increasing the injection volume from the conventional 1-3 µL to >50 µL offers two main benefits. Firstly, the overall detection and quantification limits are decreased, since the entire sample extract can be injected into the GC system. Secondly, large volume injections enable hyphenation of preceding techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC), solid phase extraction and other kinds of extraction. Large-volume injections were utilized and optimized in the studies included in this thesis.

With a loop-type injector/interface large sample volumes can be injected on-column providing low risk of discrimination against compounds with low volatility. This injector was used for the determination of PBDEs in air and as an interface for the determination of carbazoles by LC-GC. Peak distortion is a frequently encountered problem associated with this type of injector that was addressed and solved during the work underlying this thesis.

The PTV can be used as a large volume injector, in so-called solvent vent mode. This technique was evaluated for the determination of PBDEs and as an interface for coupling dynamic sonication-assisted solvent extraction online to GC. The results show that careful optimization of the injection parameters is required, but also that the PTV is robust and yields reproducible results.

PBDEs are commonly detected using mass spectrometry in electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) mode, monitoring bromine ions (m/z 79 and 81). The mass spectrometric properties of the fully brominated diphenyl ether, BDE-209, have been investigated. A high molecular weight fragment at m/z 486/488 enables the use of 13C-labeled BDE-209 as an internal surrogate standard.

For a long period of time, it has been common to use creosote for impregnation of railroad ties. Creosote consists of 85% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), of which some are carcinogenic and/or mutagenic. In 2016, a soil remediation process was commenced at an old impregnation facility in Sweden and both dermal, urine and blood samples were taken from soil remediation workers to investigate the occupational exposure. The objectives of this study were to develop a method for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), including PAHs, oxy-PAHs, alkylated PAHs and dibenzothiophenes and azaarenes from blood, and to quantify PAHs in the collected blood samples from the soil remediation workers. In the method development, two parameters were tested: centrifugation of samples before extraction and use of either basic or deactivated silica in the clean-up step of the blood extracts. The results showed that the best method was without centrifugation and with use of basic silica. Results from the analysis of the soil remediation workers´ blood showed PAHs in average concentrations of 0.05-6.47 ng/mL blood, with fluorene and biphenyl being the most abundant PAHs. The occupational groups (office, machine and sampling) had similar average concentrations of PAHs, with office workers being slightly less exposed. The PAHs blood profile did not reflect the PAHs profiles in contaminated soil from the area; the blood profiles had relatively higher abundances of low molecular weight PAHs, while the soils had higher relative concentrations of middle molecular weight PAHs. Both blood and soils had low relative concentrations of high molecular weight PAHs. Pyrene concentrations in blood and 1-hydroxypyrene metabolite concentrations in urine samples showed no correlation (linearity r2=0.045). Both blood and urine samples from the workers indicated a low exposure of PAHs. The method tested in this study can be used for analysis of a broad range of PACs and seems to be a better approach for studying the exposure of PACs than today’s methods analysing a few urine metabolites. But additional clean-up is suggested to improve the quantification of all blood samples. Further investigations are required to gain an understanding of normal, unexposed PACs levels in blood.

The recent developments and improvements of instrumental methods for the analyses of the environmental contaminants, especially the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have made it possible to detect and quantify these at very low concentrations in environmental and biotic matrices. The main objective of this thesis is to demonstrate the capability of the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization technique (APCI), using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of a wide range of environmental contaminants, including the POPs regulated by Stockholm Convention, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), but also the derivates of PBDEs and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs). The APCI was operated in charge transfer condition, preferably producing molecular ions. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) experiments were optimized by adjusting cone voltage, collision energy and dwell time. Optimization of source parameters, such as gas flows and temperatures was also performed. Low concentration standards were analyzed, achieving a visible chromatographic peak for 2 fg 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) demonstrating the excellent sensitivity of the system. Adequate linearity and repeatability were observed for all the studied compounds. The performance of APCI methods was validated against the conventional methods using gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry for chlorinated compounds in a wide range of matrices including environmental, air, human and food matrices. The GC-APCI-MS/MS method was successfully applied to a set of 75 human serum samples to study the circulating levels of POPs in epidemiologic studies. Moreover the method was utilized to establish temporal trends of POPs in osprey eggs samples collected during the past five decades.

O Bisfenol A (BPA, acrônimo da língua inglesa - bisphenol A) é uma substância utilizada na fabricação de embalagens alimentícias e resinas odontológicas. Sua toxicidade deve-se ao fato de que, como disruptor endócrino, afeta o sistema reprodutor, cardiovascular, neuro-endócrino e pode apresentar potencial carcinogênico. Em métodos bioanalíticos, o preparo da amostra tem sido requerido para aumentar a seletividade e sensibilidade analítica, através da remoção dos interferentes da amostra biológica e concentração dos analitos, quase sempre presentes em níveis de traços. A microextração em ponteiras (DPX, acrônimo das iniciais em língua inglesa - Disposable Pipette Extraction), baseada no equilíbrio de sorção do soluto com a fase extratora, consiste em uma ponteira padrão de micropipeta modificada, na qual o sorvente está contido livremente entre dois filtros, permitindo rápida extração do analito em diferentes matrizes complexas. Os polímeros de impressão molecular (MIP acrônimo das iniciais em língua inglesa - Molecularly Imprinted Polymer) consistem em uma rede polimérica tridimensional que possui cavidades seletivas para o reconhecimento molecular do analito ou de substâncias de estrutura análoga. Essa rede polimérica é sintetizada ao redor da substância molde (analito), e a cavidade seletiva é formada após a remoção do molde. As vantagens do processo sol-gel para a síntese do MIP são o controle do tamanho e forma das partículas, ajuste da hidrofobicidade e alta estabilidade térmica. No presente trabalho, o MIP foi sintetizado e utilizado como sorvente para a técnica DPX para a determinação de bisfenol A em amostras de urina por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (GC-MS, acrônimo das iniciais em língua inglesa - Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry). O MIP foi sintetizado pela via sol-gel utilizando aminopropiltrietoxisilano (APTES) como mônomero funcional e tetraetil-orto-silicato (TEOS) como reagente de ligação cruzada. Como molde foram avaliados o BPA para o MIP, e o tetrabromobisfenol A (TBBPA) para o polímero molecularmente impresso com molécula análoga ao analito (DMIP, acrônimo das iniciais em língua inglesa - Dummy Molecularly Imprinted Polymer). Para avaliar a seletividade do MIP, o polímero não impresso (NIP, acrônimo das iniciais em língua inglesa - Non-imprinted Polymer) foi sintetizado seguindo o mesmo procedimento de síntese do MIP com exceção da adição da molécula molde. Apesar de a capacidade de sorção do MIP ser ligeiramente maior, o DMIP foi selecionado como sorvente para minimizar o efeito de memória. O DMIP foi caracterizado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e por espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR, acrônico das inicias em língua inglesa - Fourier Transform Infrared). Os parâmetros da técnica DPX, tais como, o tempo de equilíbrio de sorção entre a amostra e o sorvente e condições de dessorção foram otimizadas por técnicas quimiométricas. A robustez do DMIP sintetizado via sol-gel foi comprovada pela reutilização deste sorvente por mais de 100 vezes, sem perda da eficiência da extração. O método desenvolvido DPX/GC-MS apresentou linearidade na faixa de 50 a 500 ng mL-1, precisão com CV (coeficientes de variação) entre 4 e 14% e de exatidão com valores de erro padrão relativo (EPR) de -13,6 a 12,3%. O método de referência utilizando a extração líquido-líquido e GC-MS (LLE/GC-MS), faixa de linearidade de 5 a 50 ng mL-1, foi desenvolvido e validado. Embora o método DPX/GC-MS inovador, quando comparado ao LLE/GC-MS, tenha apresentado maior limite de quantificação, apresentou as seguintes vantagens: simplicidade, rapidez e utilização de menores volumes de amostra e de solventes orgânicos na etapa do preparo da amostra
Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in food package and dental resins manufacturing. Its toxicity is due to its endocrine disruptor activity that affects the reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological system and may have carcinogenic potential. In bioanalytical methods the sample preparation has been required to increase the selectivity and analytical sensibility by removing the interfering from the biological matrix and concentration of the analytes that are in trace levels most of the times. The disposable pipette extraction (DPX) is based on sorption equilibrium of the analyte between the sample and the extraction phase. It consists in a pipette that contais the sorbent phase freely between two filters. Then, the extraction of the solute from the complex sample occurs quickly. Molecularly imprinted polymer is a tridimensional polimeric network that has selectivity cavities that can recognize an analyte or a substance with a similar structure. The polimeric network is synthesized around to a template molecule and after removing this template, a selective cavity is formed. The advantages of the sol-gel process for the synthesis of MIP are the control of the size and shape of the particles, hydrophobicity adjustment and high thermal stability. In the present study MIP was synthesized and used as sorbent to DPX method for determination of BPA in urine samples by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sol-gel methodoly was used to synthesize the polymers. Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was used as a functional monomer and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as crosslinking reagent. BPA and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were evaluated as template to the synthesis of MIP and dummy molecularly imprinted polymer (DMIP) which is a molecularly imprinted polymer that uses a template structurally similar to the analyte. The non-imprinted polymer (NIP) was synthesized following the same procedure that MIP, except for the addition of template. It was made to verify the improvement of selectivity and sensibility of molecularly imprinted polymers. Although the sorption capacity of the MIP is slightly larger, DMIP has been selected as a sorbent in order to minimize the memory effect. The DMIP was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The parameters of DPX, such as time sorption equilibrium between the sample and the sorbent and desorption conditions were optimized by chemometrics. Robustness of DMIP sinthesized by sol-gel process was evidenciated for the reuse of DMIP for more than a 100 times. The developed method DPX/GC-MS showed linearity on the range from 50 to 500 ng ml-1, precision values with coefficient of variation (CV) betweeen 4 and 14% and accuracy with relative standard deviation values (RSD) from -13.6 to 12.3%. The reference method using liquid- liquid extraction and GC-MS (LLE/GC-MS) was developed and validated, showing linearity from 0.5 to 50 ng mL-1. Althout the innovative method DPX/GC-MS has showed limit of quantification larger than LLE/GC-MS, it presents the following advantages: simplicity, rapidy and utilization of smaller volumes of organic solvents on the sample preparation step

This study provides chemical confirmation for the use of resinous plant exudates in mortuary contexts in Roman Britain. Analysis of amorphous masses, adhering residues and grave deposits using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has revealed terpenoid biomarkers in sixteen inhumation and two cremation burials. The natural products characterized include European Pinaceae (conifer) resins, Pistacia spp. (mastic/terebinth) resins from the Mediterranean or the Levant and Boswellia spp. (frankincense) gum-resins from southern Arabia or eastern Africa. In addition, traces of a balsamic resin, probably Liquidambar orientalis, have been identified. A correlation between the use of these exotic exudates and interment in substantial, often multiple, containers with high-quality textiles and grave goods was observed. Theoretical consideration of this imported rite illuminates the multiplicity of roles played by resins/gum-resins in the mortuary sphere. The material properties of these highly scented substances speak to the biological reality of the decomposing body and to the socially constructed identity of the individual. On a practical level, they acted as temporary preservatives and masked the odour of decay. As social signifiers, they denoted the status of the deceased and promoted remembrance through conspicuous consumption and sensory impact. Encoded with ritual meaning, they purified the body and facilitated the final rite of passage to the afterlife. The recovery of these resinous traces provides us with new insights into the treatment of the body in the Roman period and establishes fresh links between the remote province of Britannia and the remainder of the Empire.

Orientador: Wilson de Figueiredo Jardim
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T20:01:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ghiselli_Gislaine_D.pdf: 7893135 bytes, checksum: 77abd572fbade3721ea074ed0616e34b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006
Doutorado
Quimica Analitica
Doutor em Quimica

O uso de técnicas miniaturizadas de preparo de amostra vem se tornando uma tendência cada vez mais crescente em química analítica. Dentre elas o MEPS (Microextraction by a Packed Sorbent) apresenta grande potencial por poder ser acoplado on-line, sem grandes modificações, à cromatografia gasosa e líquida, não necessitando de grande quantidade de tempo para análise e seu cartucho sorvente ser reutilizável. O uso de MEPS, foi mais explorado até o presente momento na análise de fármacos em fluídos biológicos; dessa forma existe um pequeno número de publicações que exploram o uso dessa técnica na determinação de agrotóxicos em matrizes de alimentos. Por esse motivo, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação do uso dessa técnica na determinação de seis agrotóxicos utilizados no cultivo da cana-de-açúcar (tebutiurom, carbofurano, atrazina, metribuzim, ametrina e bifentrina) em amostras de garapa. Para o desenvolvimento desse estudo foram verificadas dentre as variáveis pH, força iônica, solvente de eluição e volume do solvente de eluição, quais poderiam afetar o desempenho da técnica em diferentes fases extratoras, empregando nessa etapa de otimização planejamento fatorial fracionário 24-1. As fases avaliadas foram C18 Chromabond e HLB Oasis, assim como sistemas comercialmente disponíveis com as fases C18, C8, SAX, SCX e SIL. Durante essa etapa foi realizado um estudo inicial do uso do grafeno como material sorvente em MEPS, considerando as propriedades que esse material apresenta para atuar como adsorvente em técnicas de preparo de amostra. Contudo, o uso do grafeno apresentou entupimento no cartucho de sorção, problema ainda em avaliação. A fase C18 Chromabond foi a que apresentou os melhores resultados, sendo a escolhida para otimização dos parâmetros envolvidos na etapa de extração por MEPS. Os parâmetros otimizados por planejamento fatorial 23 foram os ciclos de: aspiração da amostra, lavagem e eluição. O método desenvolvido foi validado baseado nos critérios exigidos pelo MAPA e apresentou seletividade, linearidade e os limites de quantificação variaram de 2-10 μg/L. A recuperação foi adequada para todos os analitos (71,7-106,9%), assim como a precisão intra e inter-dia que apresentou coeficientes de variação (CV) menores que 16%. O método desenvolvido foi aplicado em quatro amostras reais de garapa de diferentes regiões.
The use of miniaturized techniques in sample preparation has becoming a growing trend in analytical chemistry. Among these techniques MEPS (Microextraction by a Packed Sorbent) presents a great potential affording on-line coupling, without much modification to gas and liquid chromatography systems, in addition it does not require large analyses time and the sorbent cartridge is reusable. MEPS utilization has been explored mainly for drugs analyses in biological fluids, existing limited number of publications that apply this technique for pesticides analyses in food sample matrix. For this reason the goal of present work was the evaluation of MEPS in the analyses of six pesticides used in sugarcane cultivation (tebuthiuron, carbofuran, atrazine, metribuzine, ametryn and bifenthrin) in sugarcane juice samples. During the method development several variables were evaluated including pH, ionic strength, elution solvent and solvent volume, to determine which ones could affect the technique perform in different sorbent phases. For this optimization step, fractional factorial design 24-1 was utilized. Phases evaluated included C18 Chromabond and HLB Oasis, and also commercially available system containg C18, C8, SAX, SCX e SIL. During this step, it was also carried out an initial study employing graphene in a MEPS system; Tanking into account the properties that this material presents to act as adsorbent in sample preparation techniques. However the graphene showed obstruction problems in the sorption cartridge, whose solution is under way. The phase C18 Chromabond showed better results, and was chosen to MEPS parameters optimization. MEPs parameters optimized by full factorial desing 23 were the following cycles: sample aspiration, washing and elution. The method, was validated based upon the MAPA requirements and showed good selectivity, linearity an quantifications limits ranging from 2-10 μg/L. Recovery was satisfactory for all pesticides (71,7-106,9%), intra- and inter-day precision were satisfactory and showed coefficients of variation (CV) less than 16%. Hence, the developed method was applied to the analysis of four real samples of sugarcane juice obtained from different regions.

The subject of this thesis is the study of the degradation of polyurethanes in the weather conditions on the waste dumps and observation of the penetration of the potential degradation products into the environment.

Separation technologies have occupied a central role in the current practices of analytical methods used for drug analysis today. As the emphasis in contemporary drug analysis shifts towards ultra-trace concentrations, the contribution from unwanted matrix interferences takes on greater significance. In order to single out a trace substance with confidence from a rapidly expanding list of drug compounds (and their metabolites) in real complex specimens, analytical technologies must evolve to keep up with such trends. Today, the task of unambiguous identification in forensic toxicology still relies heavily upon chromatographic methods based on mass spectrometric detection, in particular GC-MS in electron ionisation (EI) mode. Although the combined informing power of (EI) GC-MS has served faithfully in a myriad of drug application studies to date, we may ask if (EI) GC-MS will remain competitive in meeting the impending needs of ultra-trace drug analysis in the fut ure? To what extent of reliability can sample clean-up strategies be used in ultra-trace analysis without risking the loss of important analytes of interest? The increasing use of tandem mass spectrometry with one-dimensional (1D) chromatographic techniques (e.g. GC-MS/MS) at its simplest, considers that single-column chromatographic analysis with mass spectrometry alone is not sufficient in providing unambiguous confirmation of the identity of any given peak, particularly when there are peak-overlap. Where the mass spectra of the individual overlapping peaks are highly similar, confounding interpretation of their identities may arise. By introducing an additional resolution element in the chromatographic domain of a 1D chromatographic system, the informing power of the analytical system can also be effectively raised by the boost in resolving power from two chromatographic elements. Thus this thesis sets out to address the analytical challenges of modern drug analysis through the application of high resolut ion comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC„eGC) to a series of representative drug studies of relevance to forensic sciences.

Mejora del rendimiento de la nariz electrónica basada en espectrometría de masas mediante la incorporación del tiempo de retención cromatografico como una nueva dimensión de datos

La importancia del sentido de olor en la naturaleza y en la sociedad humana queda latente con el gran interés que se muestra en el análisis del olor y el gusto en la industria alimentaria. Aunque las aéreas mas interesadas son las de la alimentación y bebida, también se ha mostrado la necesitad para esta tecnología en otros campos como en el de la cosmética. Lamentablemente, el uso de los paneles sensoriales humanos o paneles caninos son costosos, propensos al cansancio, subjetivos, poco fiables e inadecuados para cuantificar, mientras que el análisis de laboratorio, a pesar de la precisión, imparcialidad y capacidad cuantitativa, necesita una labor intensa, con personal especializado y requiere de mucho tiempo. Debido a estos inconvenientes el concepto de olfato artificial generó un gran interés en entornos industriales.
El término "nariz electrónica" se asocia con una serie de sensores de gases químicos, con una amplia superposición de selectividad para las mediciones de compuestos volátiles en combinación con los instrumentos informáticos de análisis de datos. La nariz electrónica se utiliza para proporcionar una información comparativa en vez de una cualitativa en un análisis, y porque la interpretación puede ser automatizada, el dispositivo es adecuado para el control de calidad y análisis. A pesar de algunos logros prometedores, los sensores de estado sólido de gas no han cumplido con sus expectativas. La baja sensibilidad y selectividad, la corta vida del sensor, la calibración difícil y los problemas de deriva han demostrado serias limitaciones. En un esfuerzo para mejorar los inconvenientes de los sensores de estado sólido, se han adoptado nuevos enfoques, utilizando diferentes sensores para la nariz electrónica. Sistemas de sensores ópticos, la espectrometría de movilidad iónica y la espectrometría infrarroja son ejemplos de técnicas que han sido probadas.
Las narices electrónicas basadas en la espectrometría de masas (MS) aparecieron por primera vez en 1998 [B. Dittmann, S. y G. Nitz Horner. Adv. Food Sci. 20 (1998), p. 115], y representan un salto importante en la sensibilidad, retando a la nariz electrónica basada en sensores químicos. Este nuevo enfoque del concepto de una nariz electrónica usa sensores virtuales en forma de proporciones m/z. Una huella digital compleja y muy reproducible se obtiene en forma de un espectro de masas, que se procesa mediante algoritmos de reconocimiento de patrones para la clasificación y cuantificación. A pesar de que la nariz electrónica basada en la espectrometría de masas supera a la nariz electrónica clásica de sensores de estado sólido en muchos aspectos, su uso se limita actualmente a la instrumentación de laboratorio de escritorio. La falta de portabilidad no representará necesariamente un problema en el futuro, dado que espectrómetros de masas en miniatura se han fabricado ya en una fase de prototipado.
Un inconveniente más crítico de la nariz electrónica basada en MS consiste en la manera en la que se analizan las muestras. La fragmentación simultánea de mezclas complejas de isómeros pueden producir resultados muy similares a raíz de este enfoque. Una nariz electrónica mejor sería la que combina la sensibilidad y el poder de identificación del detector de masas con la capacidad de separación de la cromatografía de gases. El principal inconveniente de este enfoque es de nuevo el coste y la falta de portabilidad de los equipos. Además de los problemas anteriores con la espectrometría de masas, el análisis de cromatografía de gases requiere mucho tiempo de medida.
Para abordar estas cuestiones, se han reportado miniaturizaciones en cromatografía capilar de gases (GC) que hacen posible el GC-en-un-chip, CG-rápido y CG-flash que hacen uso de columnas cortas, reduciendo el tiempo de análisis a los tiempos de elución como segundos y, en algunos casos, se han comercializado. La miniaturización de la espectrometría de masas y cromatografía de gases tiene un gran potencial para mejorar el rendimiento, la utilidad y la accesibilidad de la nueva generación de narices electrónicas.
Esta tesis se dedica al estudio y a la evaluación del enfoque del GC-MS para la nariz electrónica como un paso anterior al desarrollo de las tecnologías mencionadas anteriormente. El objetivo principal de la tesis es de estudiar si el tiempo de retención de una separación de cromatografía puede mejorar el rendimiento de la nariz electrónica basada en MS, mostrando que la adición de una tercera dimensión trae más información, ayudando a la clasificación de las pruebas. Esto se puede hacer de dos maneras:
· comparando el análisis de datos de dos vías de espectrometría de masas con análisis de datos de dos vías de matrices desplegadas y concatenadas para los datos de tres vías y
· comparando el análisis de datos de dos vías del espectrometría de masas con el análisis de datos de tres vías para el conjunto de datos tridimensionales.
Desde el punto de vista de cromatografía, la meta será la de optimizar el método cromatográfico con el fin de reducir el tiempo de análisis a un mínimo sin dejar de tener resultados aceptables.
Un paso importante en el análisis de datos multivariados de vías múltiples es el preprocesamiento de datos. Debido a este objetivo, el último objetivo será el de determinar qué técnicas de preprocesamiento son las mejores para y el análisis de dos y tres vías de datos.
Con el fin de alcanzar los objetivos propuestos se crearon dos grupos de datos. El primero consiste en las mezclas de nueve isómeros de dimetilfenol y etilfenol. La razón de esta elección fue la similitud de los espectros de masas entre sí. De esta manera la nariz electrónica basada en espectrometría de masas sería retada por el conjunto de datos. También teniendo en cuenta el tiempo de retención de los nueve isómeros solos, las soluciones se hicieron, como si el conjunto de datos demostraría el reto si se usaría sólo el tiempo de retención. Por tanto, este conjunto de datos "artificiales" sostiene nuestras esperanzas en mostrar las mejoras de la utilización de ambas dimensiones, la MS (espectros de masas) y la GC (tiempo de retención).
Veinte clases, representando las soluciones de los nueve isómeros se midieron en diez repeticiones cada una, por tres métodos cromatográficos, dando un total de 600 mediciones. Los métodos cromatográficos fueron diseñados para dar un cromatograma resuelto por completo, un pico coeluido y una situación intermediaria con un cromatograma resuelto parcialmente. Los datos fueron registrados en una matriz de tres dimensiones con las siguientes direcciones: (muestras medidas) x (proporción m/z) x (tiempo de retención). Por "colapsar" los ejes X e Y del tiempo de retención cromatográfica y los fragmentos m/z, respectivamente, se obtuvieron dos matrices que representan los espectros de masa regular y el cromatograma de iones totales, respectivamente. Estos enfoques sueltan la información traída por la tercera dimensión y el despliegue por lo que la matriz original 3D y la concatenación de las TIC y el espectro de masa media se han tenido en consideración como una forma de preservar la información adicional de la tercera dimensión en una matriz de dos dimensiones.
Los datos fueron tratados mediante la alineación de picos, con una media de centrado y la normalización por la altura máxima y el área del pico, los instrumentos de pre-procesamiento que también fueron evaluados por sus logros.
Para el análisis de datos de dos vías fueron utilizados el PCA, PLS-DA y fuzzyARTMAP. La agrupación de PCA y PARAFAC fueron evaluados por la relación intervariedad - intravariedad, mientras que los resultados mediante fuzzy ARTMAP fueron dados como el éxito de la las tasas de clasificación en porcentajes.
Cuando PCA y PARAFAC se utilizaron, como era de esperar, el método de cromatografía resuelto (método 1) dio los mejores resultados globales, donde los algoritmos 2D funcionan mejor, mientras que en un caso más complicado (picos más coeluidos del método 3) pierden eficacia frente a métodos 3D.
En el caso de PLS-DA y n-PLS, aunque los resultados no son tan concluyentes como los resultados del PCA y PARAFAC, tratándose de las diferencias mínimas, el modelo de vías múltiples PLS-DA ofrece un porcentaje de éxito en la predicción de ambos conjuntos de datos. También se recomienda el n-PLS en vez de utilizar datos desplegados y concatenados, ya que construye un modelo más parsimonioso.
Para el análisis fuzzyARTMAP, la estrategia de votación empleada ha demostrado que al usar los espectros de masa media y la información del cromatograma de iones totales juntos se obtienen resultados más consistentes.
En el segundo conjunto de datos se aborda el problema de la adulteración del aceite de oliva extra virgen con aceite de avellana, que debido a las similitudes entre los dos aceites es una de las más difíciles de detectar. Cuatro aceites extra virgen de oliva y dos aceites de avellana se midieron puros y en mezclas de 30%, 10%, 5% y 2% con los mismos objetivos mostrando que la adición de la extra dimensión mejora los resultados. Se han hechos cinco repeticiones para cada preparación, dando un total de 190 muestras: 4 aceites puros de oliva, 2 aceites puros de avellana y 32 adulteraciones de aceite de avellana en aceite de oliva, dando un total de 38 clases. Dos métodos cromatográficos fueron utilizados. El primero estaba dirigido a una completa separación de los componentes del aceite de oliva y empleó una separación con temperatura programable, mientras que el objetivo del segundo método fue un pico coeluido, por lo tanto fue contratada una temperatura constante de separación. Los datos fueron analizados por medio de la PCA, PARAFAC, PLS-DA y PLS-n.
Como en el conjunto "artificial" de datos, el PCA y PARAFAC se analizaron por medio de la capacidad de clusterización, que mostró que los mejores resultados se obtienen con los datos desplegados seguido por los datos 3D tratados con el PARAFAC.
Desde el punto de vista de optimización de la columna, los logros obtenidos por la columna corta está por debajo del enfoque de la columna larga, pero este caso demuestra una vez más que la adición de los incrementos de tercera dimensión mejoran la nariz electrónica basada en MS.
Para el PLS-DA y n-PLS se evaluaron las tasas de éxito comparativamente, tanto para las corridas cromatográficas largas como para las cortas. Mientras que para la columna larga el mejor rendimiento es para los datos del cromatograma de iones totales (TIC), la columna corta muestra mejor rendimiento para los datos concatenados de los espectros de masa media y TIC. Además, la predicción de las tasas de éxito son las mismas para los datos TIC de columna larga como para los datos concatenados de la columna corta. Este caso es muy interesante porque demuestra que el enfoque PLS de la tercera dimensión mejora los resultados y, por otra parte, mediante el uso de la columna corta el tiempo de análisis se acorta considerablemente.
Se esperan ciertos logros de la nariz electrónica. Por el momento, ninguno de esos enfoques se acercó lo suficiente para producir una respuesta positiva en los mercados. Los sensores de estado sólido tienen inconvenientes casi imposibles de superar. La nariz electrónica basada en espectrometría de masas tiene una falta de portabilidad y a veces sus logros son insuficientes, y el aparato del cromatógrafo de gases-espectrómetro de masas sufre problemas de portabilidad igual que espectrómetro de masas y toma mucho tiempo. El desarrollo de potentes algoritmos matemáticos durante los últimos años, junto con los avances en la miniaturización, tanto para MS y GC y mostrar cromatografía rápida cierta esperanza de una nariz electrónica mucho mejor.
A través de este trabajo podemos afirmar que la adición del tiempo de retención cromatográfica como una dimensión extra aporta una ventaja sobre las actuales tecnologías de la nariz electrónica. Mientras que para los cromatogramas totalmente resueltos no se logran mejoras o la ganancia es mínima, sobre todo en la predicción, para una columna corta la información adicional mejora los resultados, en algunos casos, hacerlos tan bien como cuando una larga columna se utiliza. Esto es muy importante ya que las mediciones en un cromatógrafo de gases - espectrometro de masas se pueden optimizar para tramos muy cortos, una característica muy importante para una nariz electrónica. Esto permitiría el diseño de un instrumento de mayor rendimiento, adecuado para el control de calidad en líneas de productos.

This paper is about food culture in Uppland under early iron age in Upplans, Sverige. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analysis the lipids that were extracted from archaeological potsherds from Påtåker Raä 62, Sollentuna, Uppland. The result of the lipid analysis shows content of aquatic animal products, terrestrial animal products, vegetables and indication of being heated. Based on these results and what is considered to be a normal diet during the Iron Age, it is possible to say that there are similarities. These results are also compared with three sites from Late Iron Age – Vendel 1:1, Vendel 28 and Tuna, to see if there are any similarities. The reason to choose three sites from Late Iron Age, and not Early Iron Age, is because there haven’t been done studies like this on material from the early Iron Age. Vendel 28 was the site that was most similar to Påtåker, when it comes to its enviorment with meadows and woods, and the ceramics application areas.
This study is part of the on going research of Påtåker Raä 62, Sollentuna, Oppland.

Gasoline is produced by distilling petroleum oil. This is done at a refinery, where a lot of other products are produced as well. With increasing interest in bio-fuels the fuel companies started to produce substances such as biodiesel as well as the petroleum-based fuels. These products are then transported to where they are going to be used or sold, there included both gasoline, which is a petroleum-based fuel, and biodiesel (FAME), which in Sweden is based on rapeseed oil. If the vessel for transporting gasoline, or pipeline/connections filling and emptying the tanks, has previously been used for biodiesel, there is a risk of contaminating the gasoline with biodiesel. This contamination can have a lot of different effects such as either clogging filters or injectors in both gasoline- and ethanol-based engines, or even change the properties and therefore quality of the fuel.  To ensure that the results from tests and research involving gasoline can be used and compared with each other, the quality of the fuel must have the same properties throughout all tests. This is controlled by taking samples on a regular basis and analyzing the quality and level of impurities in the fuel used in that specific test. Screening for FAME is therefore necessary which is where this thesis becomes relevant.  This thesis was carried out with the purpose to develop a new or verify an already developed method to quantify FAME in gasoline. To determine the FAME content, a standard gas chromatography method, IP 585, was used. It was changed to fit in this application, since it was originally made to determine FAME content in diesel, not gasoline. It was concluded that it was possible to determine the FAME content in gasoline when IP 585 was used as is. There were some possible alternatives to IP 585 and they will be discussed in the literature study.
Bensin framställs genom destillation av råolja. Detta görs på ett raffinaderi där ett flertal andra produkter också utvinns. På senare tid har ögonen öppnats för "biobränslen", bland annat biodiesel. Det händer därför att detta också framställs på samma plats som bensinen. Dessa produkter säljs sedan och brukar fraktas i stora tankar till företagen som köpt dem. Ifall tankarna vid transport eller rören bränslet går igenom till tankarna först använts till biodiesel och sedan används till bensin finns det stor risk att en del biodiesel hamnar i bensinen. Detta kan leda till en rad olika problem. Ett exempel är att biodieseln kan sätta igen och förstöra injektorer i bensin- och etanolmotorer. Det kan även påverka testresultat i olika testriggar, vilket är ett av fallen på Volvo. Ifall bränslet inte bibehåller samma kvalitet för varje test det används i leder det till svårigheter vid jämförelser och resultatens riktighet. Det blir därför nödvändigt att kontrollera bensinens innehåll, där inräknat screening av FAME. Detta arbete utfördes med syftet att utveckla en ny eller verifiera en redan beprövad metod för att bestämma koncentrationen FAME i bensin. För att mäta koncentrationen FAME användes en standardmetod till GC-MS, IP 585. Den modifierades något för att passa in i denna applikation då den från början var gjord för kvantifiering i diesel och inte bensin. Slutsatsen drogs att det är möjligt att mäta koncentrationen FAME i bensin med IP 585 använd som den är. Det fanns möjliga alternativ till metoden, dessa bemöts i litteraturstudien.

An Ultraviolet to Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopic analysis based on fuzzy logic approach has been developed for furan content measurement in transformer oil. Following the successful identification and quantification of furan derivatives in transformer oil by ASTM D5837 standard, the new approach is able to approximate the furan content more conveniently and economically. As furan concentration level would determine the absorption intensity in UV-Vis spectral range, the fuzzy logic software model developed would exploit this characteristic to aggregate the furans content level in transformer oil. The UV-Vis spectral response at other ambient temperature is also studied. The proposed technique provides a convenient alternative to conventional method of furan measurement by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) in ASTM D5837 Standard.

The focus of this study was analytical investigations of Egyptian paintings, mainly Coptic icons and Islamic wooden ceilings, dating from 1300-1900 using multiinstrumental techniques. Twenty three Coptic icons and three wooden ceilings dated from different periods and painted by different painters in case of icons were examined. The materials used including pigments, media, varnishes, ground layers and gold layers. The surface stratigraphy of paint samples, their layered structured and the composition of materials used in each layer were analysed. Variations in painting techniques, pigments palettes, paint media and varnishes applied in Egyptian paintings according to painters, time and type of paintings were revealed. A total of twenty-eight organic and inorganic pigments were identified in this study, of which nine have never been previously included as a part of the Egyptian pigment palettes, namely; smalt, lapis lazuli, indigo, pararealgar, Prussian blue, chrome yellow, barium yellow, barium white and hydromagnesite. The identification of hydromagnesite, which has never been to date considered as a pigment either in Egypt or elsewhere and the identification of smalt from the mid-14th century, whose reported earliest large scale use was in the 16th century. Two types of resins were identified as a constituent of the oil/resin varnish applied on Coptic icons of which Venice turpentine has been identified for the first time as an ingredient of Egyptian varnishes. The identification of mosaic gold in an 18th C. icon, a novel usage of dammar resin and the multilayered structure of the white ground layers were revealed.
Egyptian Ministry of Higher Educations

The focus of this study was analytical investigations of Egyptian paintings, mainly Coptic icons and Islamic wooden ceilings, dating from 1300-1900 using multi-instrumental techniques. Twenty three Coptic icons and three wooden ceilings dated from different periods and painted by different painters in case of icons were examined. The materials used including pigments, media, varnishes, ground layers and gold layers. The surface stratigraphy of paint samples, their layered structured and the composition of materials used in each layer were analysed. Variations in painting techniques, pigments palettes, paint media and varnishes applied in Egyptian paintings according to painters, time and type of paintings were revealed. A total of twenty-eight organic and inorganic pigments were identified in this study, of which nine have never been previously included as a part of the Egyptian pigment palettes, namely; smalt, lapis lazuli, indigo, pararealgar, Prussian blue, chrome yellow, barium yellow, barium white and hydromagnesite. The identification of hydromagnesite, which has never been to date considered as a pigment either in Egypt or elsewhere and the identification of smalt from the mid-14th century, whose reported earliest large scale use was in the 16th century. Two types of resins were identified as a constituent of the oil/resin varnish applied on Coptic icons of which Venice turpentine has been identified for the first time as an ingredient of Egyptian varnishes. The identification of mosaic gold in an 18th C. icon, a novel usage of dammar resin and the multilayered structure of the white ground layers were revealed.

This diploma thesis deals with Bisphenol A, especially with its impact on the aquatic ecosystem. Information about its properties, production and current use are summarized here. Its harmful impact on the environment, especially on the aquatic ecosystem and the human body is characterized. Also the methods of its degradation within the aquatic environment have been described. A summary of the options of a determination of Bisphenol A in water samples is incorporated and the method of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/TOF MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS) is compared in the experimental part. Analytical determination precedes the isolation of the analyte from the water samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) using SupelcleanTM ENVITM - 18 and derivatization using the silylation reagent, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The result of this work is the analysis of a series of real samples from wastewater treatment plants Brno Modřice and Luhačovice by a two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS).

Os antidepressivos pertencem a uma importante classe de medicamentos investigados na toxicologia forense. Em casos de amostras provenientes de cadáveres, o intervalo entre o óbito e a obtenção da espécie biológica pode proporcionar a redistribuição postmortem destes fármacos. Com o objetivo de elucidar esse fenômeno, métodos analíticos foram desenvolvidos e aplicados utilizando sangue total (ST), humor vítreo (HV) e fígado. Para as amostras de ST e HV, o método de extração escolhido e validado foi a microextração em fase líquida (LPME) trifásica. Fibras ocas constituídas de polipropileno, com a extensão de 8 cm cada, foram tratadas com o solvente orgânico dodecano (fase orgânica), resultando em um membrana com permeabilidade seletiva. No lúmen destas fibras, adicionou-se ácido fórmico 0,1 mol/L (fase aceptora). Em frasco de fundo chato com 5 mL de capacidade, pipetou-se 3,5 mL de NaOH 0,1 mol/L (fase doadora) e 0,5 mL de ST ou HV. Ao término da extração, as amostras foram introduzidas no GC-MS, sem a necessidade de reações de derivatização. O estudo com ST contemplou os antidepressivos amitriptilina (AMI), nortriptilina (NTR), imipramina (IMI), desipramine (DES), clomipramina (CLO), desmetilclomipramina (DMC), fluoxetina (FLU) e norfluoxetina (NFL). Os limites de quantificação para estas substâncias ficaram inferiores aos níveis terapêuticos (20 ng/mL). As médias dos coeficientes de variação intradia e interdia foram, respectivamente, de 9,7 e 9,8%. As curvas de calibração apresentaram linearidade entre as concentrações de 20 até 1200 ng/mL. A validação do parâmetro integridade da diluição assegurou a mensuração de quantidades superiores ao limite apresentado na curva de calibração. O método foi aplicado em sete amostras reais postmortem e em apenas um caso foi observada uma diferença significativa (300%) entre os valores quantificados no ST periférico e central. Os antidepressivos tricíclicos AMI, NTR, IMI e DES foram avaliados no HV e o efeito matriz foi detectado para os dois últimos analitos. O método foi otimizado e validado utilizando solução salina adicionada de AMI e NTR. O limite de detecção igual a 5 ng/mL, foi obtido com a redução da voltagem da fonte de íons do espectrômetro de massa para 50 eV. Coeficientes de variação foram inferiores a 15%. Os procedimentos validados foram aplicados em seis amostras reais de HV. A relação encontrada entre os valores obtidos no ST periférico e HV foi de aproximadamente 0,1. A extração acelerada por solvente (ASE) e, posteriormente, a extração em fase sólida (SPE) foram as técnicas de separação dos analitos da matriz fígado. Ao término das citadas extrações, os antidepressivos foram analisados no GC-MS. Para esta matriz sólida, são necessários mais estudos, pois os valores encontrados nos ensaios analíticos estão em desacordo com as diretrizes utilizadas na validação dos métodos.
Antidepressants belong to an important class of drugs investigated in forensic toxicology. In cases of samples from corpses, the interval between death and obtaining the biological specimens can provide the postmortem redistribution of these drugs. Aiming to elucidate this phenomenon, analytical methods were developed and applied using whole blood (WB), vitreous humor (VH) and liver. For samples of WB and HV, the extraction method chosen and validated was the three-phase liquid phase microextraction (LPME). Hollow fibers consist of polypropylene, with a length of 8 cm each were treated with dodecane organic solvent (organic phase) resulting in a membrane with selective permeability. Into the lumen of these fibers was added formic acid 0.1 mol/ L (acceptor phase). In the vial containing 3.5 mL of NaOH 0.1 mol / L (donor phase) was spiked 0.5 ml of biological fluids (WB or VH). Subsequently, the samples were injected in GC-MS without derivatization reactions. The study of the ST included antidepressants amitriptyline (AMI), nortriptyline (NTR), imipramine (IMI), desipramine (DES), clomipramine (CLO), desmethylclomipramine (DMC), fluoxetine (FLU) and norfluoxetine (NFL). The quantification limits for these substances were below the therapeutic levels (20 ng / ml). The mean coefficients of variation and separate intradays were respectively 9.7 and 9.8%. The calibration curves showed linearity between concentrations of 20 to 1200 ng / mL. The validation of the integrity of the dilution parameter assured measurement higher than the limit shown in the calibration curve quantities. The method was applied to seven real postmortem samples and in one case a significant difference (300%) between the measured values in the peripheral and central ST was observed. The tricyclic antidepressants AMI, NTR, IMI and DES were evaluated in VH and the matrix effect was detected in the last two analytes. The method was optimized and validated using saline spiked AMI and NTR. The limit of detection (5 ng/ml) was obtained by reducing the voltage of the ion source of the mass spectrometer 50 eV. Coefficients of variation were below 15%. The procedures were validated in six real samples of HV. The relationship found between the values obtained in the peripheral ST and HV was approximately 0.1. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and subsequently the solid phase extraction (SPE) were the techniques of separation of analytes liver matrix. At the end of the cited extractions, antidepressants were analyzed in GC-MS. To this solid tissue, further studies are needed, because the values found in the analytical tests were not in accordance with the guidelines used in the validation of the methods.