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The coupling of highly efficient ion chromatography (IC) to multi-dimensional detectors such as a mass spectrometer (MS) or an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP/MS) significantly increases sensitivity while simultaneously reducing possible matrix interference to the absolute minimum. By means of IC/MS several oxyhalides such as bromate and perchlorate can be detected in the sub-ppb range. Additionally, organic acids can be precisely quantified through mass-based determination even in the presence of high salt matrices. By means of IC-ICP/MS different valence states of the potentially hazardous chromium, arsenic and selenium in the form of inorganic and organic species can be sensitively and unambiguously identified in one single run.

A complete tap water analysis includes the determination of the pH value, the alkalinity and the total water hardness. Both the pH measurement and the pH titration by means of a standard pH electrode suffer from several drawbacks. First, the response time of several minutes is too long and, above all, the stirring rate significantly influences the measured pH value. Unlike these standard pH electrodes, the Aquatrode Plus with its special glass membrane guarantees rapid, correct and very precise pH measurements and pH titrations in solutions that have a low ionic strength or are weakly buffered. Total water hardness is ideally determined by a calcium ion-selective electrode (Ca ISE). In a complexometric titration, calcium and magnesium can be simultaneously determined up to a calcium/magnesium ratio of 10:1. Detection limits for both ions are in the range of 0.01 mmol/L.

A convenient adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric (AdCSV) method has been developed for trace determination of uranium(VI) in drinking water samples using chloranilic acid (CAA). The presence of various matrix components (KNO3, Cl-, Cu2+, organics) can impair the determination of the uranium-CAA complex. The interferences can be mitigated, however, by appropriate selection of the voltammetric parameters. While problematic water samples still allow uranium determination in the lower µg/L range, in slightly polluted tap water samples uranium can be determined down to the ng/L range, comparable to the determination by current ICP-MS methods.

Psychoactive gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its prodrug gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) are substances that are increasingly abused as date-rape and recreational (party) drugs. Since the non-controlled GBL converts into the illicit GHB both in-vivo and in-vitro, their legal distinction is of crucial importance.For the forensic determination of illegally added GHB and GBL in commonly consumed beverages, this work presents a simple and sensitive method that employs direct-injection ion chromatography combined with spectrophotometric detection. The method allows to trace GHB-GLB interconversion, whether in vivo or in vitro lactone cleavage or intramolecular GHB esterification, and thus complies with pertinent requirements of law enforcement agencies.

This poster looks at the possibility to modify the existing EPA Method to meet California's rigorous public health goal (PHG) of 0.02 µg/L. After optimizing instrument settings and method parameters, a method detection limit (MDL) of 0.01 µg/L is obtained.

Fructose (fruit sugar) is the only ketose that occurs naturally. It is found free in a mixture with dextrose (honey, sweet fruits, tomatoes) or bound as a component of cane sugar and various starch-like carbohydrates. As fructose tastes sweeter than dextrose, it finds great use as a sweetening agent.In 1932, the polarographic reducibility of sugar was described for the first time by Heyrovsky and Smoler. The following method can be used to determine the fructose content of fruit, fruit juice and honey quantitatively.

The photometric determination of nitrate is limited by the fact that the respective methods (salicylic acid, brucine, 2,6-dimethyl phenol, Nesslers reagent after reduction of nitrate to ammonium) are subject to interferences. The direct potentiometric determination using an ion-selective nitrate electrode causes problems in the presence of fairly large amounts of chloride or organic compounds with carboxyl groups. The polarographic method, on the other hand, is not only more rapid, but also practically insensitive to chemical interference, thus ensuring more accurate results. The limit of quantification depends on the matrix of the sample and is approximately 1 mg/L.

This Bulletin describes analysis methods for determining the following parameters: pH value, total titratable acid, ash alkalinity, formol number, total sulfurous acid, chloride, sulfate, calcium, and magnesium. These methods are suitable for the analysis of jams, fruit and vegetable juices, and their concentrates.

This Application Bulletin describes the determination of mercury by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at the rotating gold electrode. With a deposition time of 90 s, the calibration curve is linear from 0.4 to 15 μg/L; the limit of quantification is 0.4 μg/L.The method has primarily been drawn up for investigating water samples. After appropriate digestion, the determination of mercury is possible even in samples with a high load of organic substances (wastewater, food and semi-luxuries, biological fluids, pharmaceuticals).

It has been known for years that consuming too much nitrates from foodstuffs can result in cyanosis, particularly for small children and susceptible adults. According to the WHO standard, the hazard level lies at a mass concentration c(NO3-) ≥ 50 mg/L. However, more recent studies have shown that when nitrate concentrations in the human body are too high, they can (via nitrite) result in the formation of carcinogenic and even more hazardous nitrosamines.Known photometric methods for the determination of the nitrate anion are time-consuming and prone to a wide range of interferences. With nitrate analysis continually increasing in importance, the demand for a selective, rapid, and relatively accurate method has also increased. Such a method is described in this Application Bulletin. The Appendix contains a cselection of application examples where nitrate concentrations have been determined in water samples, soil extracts, fertilizers, vegetables, and beverages.

This bulletin describes the determination of calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity in water by complexometric titration with EDTA as titrant. It is grouped into two parts, the potentiometric determination and the photometric determination.There are multiple definitions of the different types of water hardness. In this Application Bulletin, the following definitions are used: alkalinity, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total hardness, and permanent hardness. Explanations of these definitions and other expressions are provided in the Appendix.Determination of alkalinity during the photometric part is carried out in a separate acid-base titration before the complexometric titration of calcium and magnesium in water. Permanent hardness can be calculated from these values. The determination of calcium and magnesium in beverages (fruit and vegetable juices, wine) is also described.The photometric part includes the determinations of total and calcium hardness and thereby indirectly magnesium hardness using Eriochrome Black T and calconcarboxylic acid as indicators (in accordance with DIN 38406-3).

This Bulletin describes a simple polarographic method for the determination of quinine in drinks and tablets. Whereas in drinks quinine can be determined directly, in the case of tablets it must first be extracted. The limit of quantification is 0.2 mg/L or 4 μg/tablet.

Although the known photometric methods for the determination of ammonia/ammonium are accurate, they require a considerable amount of time (Nessler method 30 min, indophenol method 90 min reaction time). A further disadvantage of these methods is that only clear solutions can be measured. Opaque solutions must first be clarified by time-consuming procedures. These problems do not exist with the ion-selective ammonia electrode. Measurements can be easily performed in waste water, liquid fertilizer, and urine as well as in soil extracts. Especially for fresh water and waste water samples several standards, such as ISO 6778, EPA 350.2, EPA 305.3 and ASTM D1426, describe the analysis of ammonium by ion measurement. In this Application Bulletin, the determination according to these standards is described besides the determination of other samples as well as some general tips and tricks on how to handle the ammonia ion selective electrode. Determination of ammonia in ammonium salts, of the nitric acid content in nitrates, and of the nitrogen content of organic compounds with the ion-selective ammonia electrode is based on the principle that the ammonium ion is released as ammonia gas upon addition of excess caustic soda:NH4+ + OH- = NH3 + H2OThe outer membrane of the electrode allows the ammonia to diffuse through. The change in the pH value of the inner electrolyte solution is monitored by a combined glass electrode. If the substance to be measured is not present in the form of an ammonium salt, it must first be converted into one. Organic nitrogen compounds, especially amino compounds are digested according to Kjeldahl by heating with concentrated sulfuric acid. The carbon is oxidized to carbon dioxide in the process while the organic nitrogen is transformed quantitatively into ammonium sulfate.

Potassium is one of the most common elements and can be found in many different minerals and other potassium compounds. It is of importance for humans, animals and plants as it is an essential mineral nutrient and involved in many cellular functions like cell metabolism and cell growth. For these reasons, it is important to be able to declare the potassium content of food or soil to reduce problems that may arise by a potassium deficiency or extensive consumption.This bulletin describes an alternative to flame photometric method using an ion selective electrode and direct measurement or standard addition technique. Several potassium determinations in different matrices using the combined potassium ion-selective electrode (ISE) are presented here. Additionally, general hints, tips and tricks for best measurement practice are given.

The determination of the physical and chemical parameters as electrical conductivity, pH value, p and m value (alkalinity), chloride content, the calcium and magnesium hardness, the total hardness, as well as fluoride content are necessary for evaluating the water quality. This bulletin describes how to determine the above mentioned parameters in a single analytical run.Further important parameters in water analysis are the permanganate index (PMI) and the chemical oxygen deman (COD). Therefore, this Bulletin additionally describes the fully automated determination of the PMI according to EN ISO 8467 as well as the determination of the COD according to DIN 38409-44.

Maleic and fumaric acid can be reduced electrochemically to succinic acid. In acidic solutions a differentiation of the two acids is not possible since both are reduced at the same potential. On the other hand, separation at pH 7.8...8.0 is easily possible since fumaric acid is now more difficult to reduce at the lower proton concentration (as a result of cis-trans isomerism) than maleic acid.

The formol number represents a further parameter for the characterization of fruit and vegetable juices. As this is merely an index (the formalin number does not deal with the molecular size, nor with the quantity of amino acids), the conditions of the titration can be adapted to meet practical needs. This concerns mainly the pH value of the endpoint of the SET titration (pH = 8.5, pH = 9.0, pH = 9.2, etc.).

This Application Bulletins describes the determination of nicotinamide (vitamin PP), a vitamin of the B series. Instructions for the determination in solutions (e.g. fruit juice), vitamin capsules and multivitamin tablets are given. The linearity range of the determination is also specified. The limit of detection is approximately 50 μg/L nicotinamide.

This Application Bulletin describes the polarographic determination of folic acid, a vitamin of the B series, also known as vitamin B9 or vitamin BC. Instructions for the determination in solutions (e.g. fruit juice), vitamin capsules and multivitamin tablets are given. The linear range of the determination is also specified. The limit of detection is approx. 75 µg/L folic acid.

This Application Bulletins describes the polarographic determination of thiamine (vitamin B1). The procedure allows an analysis in monovitamin preparations. The linear range of the determination is also given. The limit of detection is approx. 50 µg/L thiamine.

This Application Bulletin describes the polarographic determination of riboflavin (vitamin B2). The procedure allows an analysis in monovitamin preparations. The limit of determination is approx. 100 μg/L.

Chlorine is frequently added to drinking water for disinfection. Depending on the reactivity and the concentration of chlorine, toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) can thereby be released. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly control the chlorine concentration in the drinking water. This Application Bulletin shows how to determine the chlorine concentration according to three standard methods: DIN EN ISO 7939-1, APHA 4500-Cl Method B, and APHA 4500-Cl Method I.

This Application Bulletin describes two methods for the determination of iron at the Multi Mode Electrode.Method 1, the polarographic determination at the DME, is recommended for concentrations of β(Fe) > 200 μg/L. For this method the linear range is up to β(Fe) = 800 μg/L.For concentrations < 200 μg/LMethod 2, the voltammetric determination at the HMDE, is to be preferred. The detection limit for this method is β(Fe) = 2 μg/L, the limit of quantification is β(Fe) = 6 μg/L. The sensitivity of the method cannot be increased by deposition.Iron(II) and iron(III) have the same sensitivity for both methods.These methods have been elaborated for the determination of iron in water samples. For water samples with high calcium and magnesium concentrations such as, for example, seawater, a slightly modified electrolyte is used in order to prevent precipitation of the corresponding metal hydroxides. The methods can also be used for samples with organic loading (wastewater, beverages, biological fluids, pharmaceutical or crude oil products) after appropriate digestion.

Determination of sodium, ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in a grapefruit soft drink using cation chromatography with direct conductivity detection after advanced dialysis for inline sample preparation.

Determination of sodium, ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in a functional fruit juice using cation chromatography with direct conductivity detection after advanced dialysis for inline sample preparation.

Determination of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in orange juice using cation chromatography with direct conductivity detection applying automated dilution and subsequent Metrohm Inline Ultrafiltration.

Determination of lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in tap water using cation chromatography with direct conductivity detection.

Partial loop injection is a well known way of sample introduction to HPLC. In ion chromatography, it is not yet used to a large extent. Liquid handling with Metrohm's Dosino technology now enables to use partial loop injection on a highly reproducible and accurate level. It includes multi-level calibration out of one standard solution. This Application Note shows its use for parallel anion and cation determination in tap water applying one single Sample Processor. The anion results are shown in Application Note S–287.

Drinking water analysis is strongly regulated by standards. In this Application Note, the cation determination according to ISO 14911 is shown. The Metrosep C 4 - 150/4.0 is the optimum separation column for this purpose.

The determination of cations in tap water is a simple IC application. Here it is used to present Metrohm's intelligent Pick-up Technique (MiPuT). MiPuT enables the injection of volumes of minimum size from very small sample quantities. In the present case, two volumes of 10 µL from a sample 100 µL in size are used for anion and cation analysis, respectively. The calibration takes place through the injection of various volumes of a single standard solution. AN-S-302 describes the corresponding anion determination.

Reducing the analysis time is a demanding task because it is accompanied by a parallel reduction of peak resolution. With a Microbore column 100 mm in length, standard cations in tap water can be determined in only 5 minutes. Strontium can also be determined by simply extending the run time to 6.5 min.

Fast and handsome IC! Outstanding peak shapes on columns with the standard flow rate and a strong eluent. When the high-capacity Metrosep C 6 - 250/4.0 is used, this usually means long retention times. A strong eluent allows however the determination of the cations in drinking water in a short run time with very symmetrical peaks.

Cation analysis in drinking water is a routine task in ion chromatography and can be achieved with a variety of separating columns. The use of a microbore Metrosep C 6 - 250/2.0 column with a high eluent concentration makes it possible to reduce analysis time to less than 12 minutes. Very symmetrical peaks with high sensitivity for the divalent cations are also achieved. Direct conductivity detection is applied.

This application focuses on the simultaneous analysis of cations and suppressed anions with a dual channel Metrohm IC operated by OpenLab CDS.

Determination of low levels of chloride (to approximately 5 mg/L Cl-) by thermometric titration.

Sulfate is precipitated by reaction with an acidified barium chromate solution. The excess barium chromate is precipitated by basification with ammonia solution. Residual soluble chromate equivalent to the sulfate content of the sample is titrated with a solution of standard ferrous ion to a thermometrically determined endpoint.

Nitrate is present in all common agricultural products and due to an extensive use of fertilizers, the nitrate content can be disconcertingly high in vegetables and their fabricated products, like juices. The nitrate content is regulated in many countries because it can form nitrosamines within the human body. Nitrosamines can potentially cause cancer and therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined an accepted daily intake (ADI) for nitrate of 3.7 mg/kg. To control the nitrate content e.g., in juices, a quick and inexpensive assessment of its concentration is performed via standard addition with a nitrate ion selective electrode . The method can be automated and is faster and less expensive compared to competing chromatographic or spectroscopic methods.

Determination of the potassium content plays a major role in the food and beverage industry. Potassium is an essential mineral nutrient for humans. It is an important intracellular cation and also plays an important role in processes withincells, where it is involved in the regulation of numerous body functions like blood pressure, cell growth and muscle control.To declare the potassium content of drinks and food, it is usually determined by flame photometric method. However, flame photometry is linear only over a limited concentration range, and often sample dilution is necessary. Furthermore, the instrumentation is rather complex and expensive to buy and maintain. The ion measurement method presented here is a fast, less expensive, and reliable alternative to determine potassium content in beverages.

One of the major sources of fluoride intake for humans comes from foodstuff, such as tea. Tea actually has one of the highest potentials to increase the daily fluoride intake. Excessive fluoride intake may lead to dental or skeletal fluorosis. The World Health Organization does not recommend consuming water with a fluoride content higher than 1.5 mg/L. In the presented method according to DIN 10807, the fluoride content can be assessed quickly with an ion selective electrode.

Dissolved oxygen (DO), incorporated into juices during processing, affects quality parameters of the beverage during storage such as Vitamin C concentration, color, and aroma. Various oxygen removal methods are used during juice production, such as vacuum-deaeration or gas sparging to increase product quality and extend shelf life. However, these methods have the drawback that the aroma might be affected since the volatile compounds are also removed. By assessing the DO content in fruit juices, manufacturers can improve the overall product quality. This application note describes a fast and accurate determination of dissolved oxygen in juices by using an optical sensor.

Determination of bromide and bromate in drinking water using anion chromatography with MS detection.

Determination of traces of bromide and iodide using anion chromatography with amperometric detection at the silver electrode.

Determination of silicate in tap water using anion chromatography with direct conductivity detection.

Determination of chromate using anion chromatography with post-column reaction and UV/VIS detection.

Determination of fosetyl-aluminum (aluminum tris(o-ethylphosphate)) using anion chromatography with direct conductivity detection.

Determination of phenol, m-cresol, 2,6-dimethylphenol and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol in tap water with amperometric detection using a glassy carbon electrode.

This Application Note demonstrates that a calibration model for caffeine and microcrystalline cellulose developed on the NIRS XDS Rapid Content Analyzer (RCA) is transferable to other NIRS XDS RCA. Due to the improved signal-to-noise ratio, reduced bandwidth and improved wavelength precision of the NIRS XDS, the transferability of the calibration model can be easily and efficiently performed.

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows the simultaneous determination of glucose, fructose, glucose, and total sugar content in juices without chemicals or sample preparation in less than one minute.

Determination of citrate and acetate in isotonic solutions using ion-exclusion chromatography with direct conductivity detection.

Determination of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, and caproic acid in potato juice using ion-exclusion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection.