Determinação de Mn e Zn em arroz empregando espectrometria de fluorescência de raios x de energia dispersiva

A simple, fast and inexpensive method was developed to determine essential elements in pellets of rice samples using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). The accuracy and precision were evaluated using Standard Reference Material (rice flour NIST 1568a), and yielding relative standard deviation below 5%. The paired t-test showed good agreement within 95% confidence values. The detection limits (3σ) of Mn and Zn were 5.1 and 2.2 mg kg-1, respectively. The proposed method proved to be effective when used to determine Mn and Zn in commercial samples of rice without go by stage of decomposition.

Fluxos de óxido nitroso em solos com cobertura de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana na Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro

Soil fluxes of N2O were determined over one year in montane tropical rainforest of southeastern Brazil with average annual rainfall of 2.8 m. Annual mean (± standard deviation) and median N2O fluxes were 3.0 ± 1.4 and 2.7 µg N m-2 h-1, respectively, is 5-10 times lower than mean values reported in literature for tropical rainforest soils in the Amazon basin. N2O fluxes varied spatially and seasonally, were about twice as high during summer as in winter, and significantly influenced by both monthly precipitation and soil temperature.

Desenvolvimento e validação de método espectrofotométrico para determinação de corante à base de luteína adicionado em iogurte desnatado

A simple analytical method for extraction and quantification of lutein colorant added to yogurt was developed and validated. The method allowed complete extraction of carotenoids using tetrahydrofuran in vortex, followed by centrifugation, partition to diethyl ether/petroleum ether, and drying. The carotenoids dissolved in ethanol were quantified by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. This method showed linearity in the range tested (1.41-13.42 µg g-1), limits of detection and quantification of 0.42 and 1.28 µg g-1, respectively, low relative standard deviation (3.4%) and recovery ranging from 95 to 103%. The method proved reliable for quantification of lutein added to yogurt.

Resíduos de pesticidas em águas superficiais de área de nascente do Rio São Lourenço-MT: validação de método por extração em fase sólida e cromatografia líquida

A multiresidue method using HPLC/DAD for the determination of fourteen pesticides in water based on SPE, using SDVB (styrene divynilbenzene copolymer) as adsorbent was validated. Recoveries from 61 to 120%, relative standard deviation between 2 and 15% and detection limits from 0.07 to 0.75 µg L-1 were obtained. It was applied to 66 surface water samples collected in a degraded area at the headwaters of São Lourenço river, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Eight pesticides were detected in concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 35.25 µg L-1. Considering ecotoxicological data, carbendazim and carbofuran may represent a risk to aquatic organisms. These results draw attention to the contamination of this vulnerable degraded area.

Application of cloud point preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of cadmium and zinc ions in urine, blood serum and water samples

A simple, sensitive and selective cloud point extraction procedure is described for the preconcentration and atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions in water and biological samples, after complexation with 3,3',3",3'"-tetraindolyl (terephthaloyl) dimethane (TTDM) in basic medium, using Triton X-114 as nonionic surfactant. Detection limits of 3.0 and 2.0 µg L-1 and quantification limits 10.0 and 7.0 µg L-1were obtained for Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions, respectively. Relative standard deviation was 2.9 and 3.3, and enrichment factors 23.9 and 25.6, for Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions, respectively. The method enabled determination of low levels of Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions in urine, blood serum and water samples.

Determinação espectrofotométrica de cloreto em cimento após preparo de amostra por piroidrólise

A method based on pyrohydrolysis was proposed for cement sample preparation and further chloride determination by spectrophotometry using flow injection analysis. Analytical parameters were evaluated and, under the selected conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.2 to 10.0 µg mL-1 with r2 = 0.998. The limit of detection was5 µg g-1 of chloride and the relative standard deviation was less than 7%. The proposed pyrohydrolysis method is relatively simple and can be used for sample preparation for further spectrophotometric determination of low concentrations of chloride in cement.

Câmara de volatilização: uma alternativa para avaliação da eficiência de amostragem de α- e β-endossulfam em fase gasosa

The efficiency of XAD®-2 resin in sampling the pesticides α and β-endosulfan from air contaminated in the laboratory was evaluated. Sampling efficiency ranged from 87 to 108% for α-endosulfan and from 71 to 84% for β-endosulfan with relative standard deviation lower than 19%. The pesticides were not detected in the second section of the cartridge showing the good retention capacity of XAD®-2 for these analytes. Method quantification limits were 0.32 and 0.34 µg m-3 for α and β-endosulfan, respectively. These results suggest that the proposed method may be useful for evaluating occupational exposure to these compounds.

Development of a simple analytical method for determining trihalomethanes in beer using a headspace solid-phase microextraction technique

We developed a simple, rapid, and solventless method for analyzing trihalomethanes in beer samples using headspace solid-phase microextraction. The effects of varying experimental parameters, such as extraction temperature and time, addition of sodium chloride, and agitation speed, on extraction yield were studied using a univariate experimental design. Limits of detection between 0.22 and 0.46 µg L- 1 and wide linear ranges were achieved for trihalomethanes. We measured the trihalomethane recoveries and precision (as the standard deviation of repeat measurements) and demonstrated the applicability of the proposed method by analyzing 32 beer samples.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate coated γ-alumina support modified by a new Schiff base for solid phase extraction and flame-AAS determination of lead and copper ions

A simple and fast approach for solid phase extraction is herein described, and used to determine trace amounts of Pb2+ and Cu2+ metal ions. The solid phase support is sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated γ-alumina modified with bis(2-hydroxy acetophenone)-1,6-hexanediimine (BHAH) ligand. The adsorbed ions were stripped from the solid phase by 6 mL of 4 M nitric acid as eluent. The eluting solution was analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The sorption recovery of metal ions was investigated with regard to the effects of pH, amount of ligand, γ-alumina and surfactant and the amount and type of eluent. Complexation of BHAH with Pb2+ or Cu2+ ions was examined via spectrophotometry using the HypSpec program. The detection limit for Cu2+ was 7.9 µg L-1 with a relative standard deviation of 1.67%, while that for Pb2+ was 6.4 µg L-1 with a relative standard deviation of 1.64%. A preconcentration factor of 100 was achieved for these ions. The method was successfully applied to determine analyte concentrations in samples of liver, parsley, cabbage, and water.

Avaliação da combinação da nebulização discreta e processos de microextração aplicados à determinação de molibdênio por espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS)

Simple and sensitive procedures for the extraction/preconcentration of molybdenum based on vortex-assisted solidified floating organic drop microextraction (VA-SFODME) and cloud point combined with flame absorption atomic spectrometry (FAAS) and discrete nebulization were developed. The influence of the discrete nebulization on the sensitivity of the molybdenum preconcentration processes was studied. An injection volume of 200 µL resulted in a lower relative standard deviation with both preconcentration procedures. Enrichment factors of 31 and 67 and limits of detection of 25 and 5 µg L-1 were obtained for cloud point and VA-SFODME, respectively. The developed procedures were applied to the determination of Mo in mineral water and multivitamin samples.

Determinação espectrofotométrica indireta de capsaicinoides em pimentas Capsicum a partir da reação com o complexo de Co(II) com 4-(2-piridilazo) resorcinol

Capsaicinoids (CAPS) are substances responsible for pungency in Capsicum. It is important to quantify these types of compounds owing to their broad application in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemical weapons. In this work, we developed an indirect spectrophotometric method based on the colorimetric reaction between CAPS, Co(II) 3.10×10-5 mol L-1 and 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) 6.23×10-5 and, in cachaça:water 92:8v/v solutions, for quantification of total CAPS in Capsicum peppers. The product of the reaction is CoPAR2CAPS2 and its absorption in aquo-ethanolic solution at 510 nm is proportional to the total CAPS concentration from 0.60 to 17.94 mg L-1. The values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.0004 and 0.001 mg of CAPS/g of pepper, respectively, with 4% relative standard deviation. The developed method yielded similar results to those obtained from high performance liquid chromatography, with 95% of confidence.

Spectrophotometric determination of Sudan Blue II in environmental samples after dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure coupled to spectrophotometry is described for the determination of the trace levels of Sudan Blue II. Analytical parameters, such as pH, volume of extraction solvent (carbon tetrachloride), volume of dispersant (ethanol), volume of sample, and extraction time, were optimized. Matrix effects were also investigated. Preconcentration factor was found to be 200. Detection limit and relative standard deviation (RSD) were 0.55 µg L-1 and 3.9%, respectively. The procedure was successfully used for the determination of trace levels of Sudan Blue II in food, ink, antifreeze, and industrial waste-water samples.

Determination of sulfate in the wet-process of phosphoric acid by reverse flow injection

An improved method based on reverse flow injection is proposed for determining sulfate concentration in the wet-process of phosphoric acid (WPA). The effect of reagent composition, flow rate, temperature, acid concentration, length of the reaction coil, and linear response range on the flow system is discussed in detail. Optimal conditions are established for determining sulfate in the WPA samples. Baseline drift is avoided by a periodic washing step with EDTA in an alkaline medium. A linear response is observed within a range of 20 - 360 mg L-1, given by the equation A = 0.0020C (mg L-1) + 0.0300, R² = 0.9991. The detection limit of the proposed method for sulfate analysis is 3 mg L-1, and the relative standard deviation (n = 12) of sulfate absorbance peak is less than 1.60%. This method has a rate of up to 29 samples per hour, and the results compare well with those obtained with gravimetric method.

Determination of Mn2+ ion by solution scanometry as a new, simple and inexpensive method

In this research, scanometry was used as a new, simple, fast and inexpensive method for a colorimetric determination of Mn2+ ion in water samples and thermocouple wire through the use of periodate reagent in an acidic medium. The results showed the oxidization of colorless Mn2+ ion by periodate and the formation of a purplish MnO4- ion. The system had a linear range of 1.0 to 70.0 µg mL-1 Mn2+ ion with a detection limit of 0.314 µg mL-1 and a relative standard deviation of 2.77% for G color value. This method has the capability to determine low levels of Mn2+ ion in thermocouple wire and water samples.

Coprecipitation of trace amounts of silicon with aluminum hydroxide and the determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple preconcentration method of silicon based on coprecipitation with aluminum hydroxide prior to its flame atomic absorption (FAAS) determination was established. The recovery values of analyte ion was higher than 95%. The parameters including types of hydroxide ion source for precipitation, acid type for dissolution step, amount of aluminum ion as collector, pH, temperature, standing and centrifuge time, and sample volume were optimized for the quantitative recovery of the analyte. The influences of matrix ions were also examined. The relative standard deviation was found to be 3.2%. The limit of detection was calculated as (0.1 mg L-1). The preconcentration factor is 100 for (200 mL) solution. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of silicon in some water and alloy samples.