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Sample pre-treatment is one of the bottlenecks in analytical chemistry specially when dealing with complex matrices like environmental samples. When performed in a batch mode, sample handling methods are tedious and time consuming. Therefore, the hyphenation of these methods with flow injection techniques yields many advantages. The possibility of automation not only increases the determination rate, but also decreases sample and reagent consumption. As a consequence, analyte separation, enrichment, and elimination of sample matrix becomes possible with an increase in selectivity and sensitivity. This is a significant contribution for the analysis of environmental samples as the analyte is usually present at trace levels in a complex matrix. In this scenario, the state of the art of solid phase spectrometry (SPS) with a focus on the lab-on-valve (LOV) platform is discussed. LOV facilitates the manipulation of bead suspension for SPS with lower reagents consumption and waste production.

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Sample pre-treatment is one of the bottlenecks in analytical chemistry specially when dealing with complex matrices like environmental samples. When performed in a batch mode, sample handling methods are tedious and time consuming. Therefore, the hyphenation of these methods with flow injection techniques yields many advantages. The possibility of automation not only increases the determination rate, but also decreases sample and reagent consumption. As a consequence, analyte separation, enrichment, and elimination of sample matrix becomes possible with an increase in selectivity and sensitivity. This is a significant contribution for the analysis of environmental samples as the analyte is usually present at trace levels in a complex matrix. In this scenario, the state of the art of solid phase spectrometry (SPS) with a focus on the lab-on-valve (LOV) platform is discussed. LOV facilitates the manipulation of bead suspension for SPS with lower reagents consumption and waste production.

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A method based on thermal desorption with gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOF-MS) can elucidate how key volatiles vary with the size of the melon pieces. Such analytical information is of value in efforts to improve the quality and safety of ready-to-eat foods.

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A method based on thermal desorption with gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOF-MS) can elucidate how key volatiles vary with the size of the melon pieces. Such analytical information is of value in efforts to improve the quality and safety of ready-to-eat foods.

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A method based on thermal desorption with gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOF-MS) can elucidate how key volatiles vary with the size of the melon pieces. Such analytical information is of value in efforts to improve the quality and safety of ready-to-eat foods.

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Is your swimming pool clean and safe? Recreational water illness, most commonly in the form of digestive tract illness or skin, ear, or respiratory infections, is often caused by water contamination. The authors present a robust method, using solid-phase extraction and high-resolution mass spectrometry, for monitoring swimming pool water.

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When evaluating the performance of mass spectrometers, one needs to consider the best (or most meaningful) figure of merit to use; options include instrument detection limit (IDL) and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). In the last 15 years, vendor specifications for S/N have increased from 10:1 to greater than 100,000:1. Does that accurately reflect improvements in mass spectrometers? Although there have been many significant changes, the change in S/N specifications has been far greater than the corresponding change in method detection limits (MDL). Under appropriate conditions, S/N is a meaningful standard, but the value of any S/N must be evaluated in context of the chromatography and sample. Factors influencing the validity of vendor S/N specifications are reviewed, and the statistical alternative of IDL is presented as a replacement that is more consistent with regulatory guidelines and a more relevant indicator of instrument performance.

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When evaluating the performance of mass spectrometers, one needs to consider the best (or most meaningful) figure of merit to use; options include instrument detection limit (IDL) and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). In the last 15 years, vendor specifications for S/N have increased from 10:1 to greater than 100,000:1. Does that accurately reflect improvements in mass spectrometers? Although there have been many significant changes, the change in S/N specifications has been far greater than the corresponding change in method detection limits (MDL). Under appropriate conditions, S/N is a meaningful standard, but the value of any S/N must be evaluated in context of the chromatography and sample. Factors influencing the validity of vendor S/N specifications are reviewed, and the statistical alternative of IDL is presented as a replacement that is more consistent with regulatory guidelines and a more relevant indicator of instrument performance.

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This article describes a cost-effective and sensitive approach for quantifying waterborne arsenic based on gas-phase chemiluminescence. The approach centers on the use of laboratory-built instruments-one for laboratory use and one field-deployable version-that can quantify total arsenic as well as individually measure As(III) and As(V). The regulatory limit for arsenic in drinking water is 10 μg/L. The limits of detection of the gas-phase chemiluminescence instruments are well below 1 μg As/L and the linear range extends to >100 μg As/L. Total arsenic analysis using this approach requires 3 min.

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This article describes a cost-effective and sensitive approach for quantifying waterborne arsenic based on gas-phase chemiluminescence. The approach centers on the use of laboratory-built instruments-one for laboratory use and one field-deployable version-that can quantify total arsenic as well as individually measure As(III) and As(V). The regulatory limit for arsenic in drinking water is 10 μg/L. The limits of detection of the gas-phase chemiluminescence instruments are well below 1 μg As/L and the linear range extends to >100 μg As/L. Total arsenic analysis using this approach requires 3 min.

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Here we highlight some of the opportunities associated with combining advanced sample preparation techniques with state-of-the-art chemical analysis techniques. This article considers the unique combination of selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem MS-MS (UPLC-MS-MS). We use this powerful combination to develop a novel analytical technique capable of measuring hormones and organic contaminants in whale earwax plugs. We explore the analytical challenges with such combinations and the advantages of focusing both on sample preparation as well as instrumentation associated with chemical analysis.

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Here we highlight some of the opportunities associated with combining advanced sample preparation techniques with state-of-the-art chemical analysis techniques. This article considers the unique combination of selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem MS-MS (UPLC-MS-MS). We use this powerful combination to develop a novel analytical technique capable of measuring hormones and organic contaminants in whale earwax plugs. We explore the analytical challenges with such combinations and the advantages of focusing both on sample preparation as well as instrumentation associated with chemical analysis.

Latest:

Here we highlight some of the opportunities associated with combining advanced sample preparation techniques with state-of-the-art chemical analysis techniques. This article considers the unique combination of selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem MS-MS (UPLC-MS-MS). We use this powerful combination to develop a novel analytical technique capable of measuring hormones and organic contaminants in whale earwax plugs. We explore the analytical challenges with such combinations and the advantages of focusing both on sample preparation as well as instrumentation associated with chemical analysis.

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The identification and quantification of sulphur are real analytical challenges, demanding selective and sensitive methods. Analysis of products such as beer, wine, coffee, and vegetables are discussed.

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Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is an exciting new technique for detecting and characterizing metal nanoparticles (NP) at very low concentrations. It is fast and can provide significantly more information than other traditional techniques, including particle number concentration, particle size, and size distribution, in addition to the concentration of dissolved metals in solution. The added benefit of using ICP-MS is that it can distinguish between particles of different elemental compositions. The study will investigate the use of SP-ICP-MS to track the release of ENMs into the environment and to better understand their fate and behavior specifically in drinking, surface and wastewater samples.

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We explain recent trends in HPLC autosampler design, provide recommendations for selecting one, and offer guidelines for operation and troubleshooting.

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This non-IP-RP method, using ammonium bicarbonate as mobile phase additive, is highly sensitive and suitable for the bioanalysis of therapeutic oligonucleotides.

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Scientists employ fused silica capillary tubing routinely in a wide range of analytical applications, encompassing GC, CE, capillary LC, and CEC. It has proven as an ideal substrate for interfacing in hyphenated techniques.

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Scientists employ fused silica capillary tubing routinely in a wide range of analytical applications, encompassing GC, CE, capillary LC, and CEC. It has proven as an ideal substrate for interfacing in hyphenated techniques.

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Here's how these new reference standards were characterized.

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Complete separation of critical pain management drug analytes from hydrophilic matrix components and isobaric interferences was achieved using the new Raptor™ SPP Biphenyl LC column in less than 5 min

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The ex vivo lability of some drug compounds and molecules in bio-analytical assays can add complexity and uncertainty to results and can pose significant challenges in drug development efforts. This can be especially true for compounds that are subjected to long-term cryogenic storage and that may need to be tested multiple times (for example, samples collected for clinical trials). Frozen aliquotting technology may offer a simple solution for stabilizing target compounds in frozen biological specimens, helping to streamline bio-analytical assay development and execution. The CXT 750 Frozen Sample Aliquotter, an automated instrument capable of generating quantitative aliquots of frozen plasma without thawing the sample, was evaluated at GlakoSmithKline for integration into biaonalytical workflows and the stabilization of labile compounds in EDTA plasma.

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The use of off-line 2D-LC–MS for the characterization of HCPs and their monitoring during downstream processing

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As a result of the rapid growth of the cannabis industry, many testing laboratories are looking for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective analytical methods to analyze chemical residues, such as pesticides, mycotoxins, solvent residues, terpenes, and heavy metals, as well as cannabinoid concentration in cannabis-infused edibles and beverages. In this article, QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), a sample preparation technique widely adopted in the food testing industry, is introduced to the discipline of forensic testing as a viable method for the extraction of pesticides and cannabinoids in various complex sample matrices. The claimed amounts of cannabinoids versus the actual amounts are compared, as well as the pesticide residue levels in edible and beverage samples.

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These are exciting times to be involved in monoclonal antibody (mAb) and biopharmaceutical analysis. Advances in instrumentation, column technology, and reagents are providing analysts with a new set of tools to broaden their understanding of the highly complex products they are studying. A good example is hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC). While the technique has been used for more than 20 years to profile enzymatically released and fluorescently labelled N-glycans, the introduction of new columns (sub-2-µm and widepore) has paved the way to explore the technique further. Remarkable separations at all levels of analysis, including protein, peptide, and glycan levels, have been demonstrated. With data from the authors’ laboratories, the versatility of HILIC in mAb analysis will be demonstrated in this month’s “Biopharmaceutical Perspectives”.

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Recent progress in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods for the structural characterization of brentuximab vedotin and trastuzumab emtansine are presented.