Separation Science, in collaboration with Merck, is pleased to present Issue 2 of the Analytix Reporter, comprising a series of technical articles covering various analytical topics. Click on the links below to read the individual articles, or click on the image at the right to download the whole issue.

ENVIRONMENTAL
Praziquantel Determination in Aquarium Water by Direct Injection of Samples Using a Monolithic Silica Column
Praziquantel is used in the aquarium industry to treat monogenea and other parasites. This is often done through a bath immersion treatment, where medications are dissolved in aquarium water rather than dosed directly to a target organism. The goal of this study was to simplify the analysis and to decrease overall analysis time primarily by eliminating the SPE extraction steps.

Sensitive Determination of Iron in Drinking Water, Mineral Water, Groundwater, and Spring Water Using Rapid Photometric Tests
To ensure the supply of clear and colourless water, country-specific limits have been set for drinking water. To ensure that the specified limits are met, drinking water is, in many cases, subjected to a treatment step in which the iron is precipitated. This method virtually eliminates any iron content, reducing the iron concentration to the lower ppb range. A practical alternative for swift, sensitive results without investment in expensive instruments are rapid photometric methods.

FOOD & BEVERAGE
Determination of PAHs in Paprika Powder Using a Novel SPE Cartridge
In this work, PAHs were analysed from paprika samples using an optimized QuEChERS extraction followed by cleanup with the Supelclean^® EZ-POP NP SPE cartridge. Compared to QuEChERS cleanup with loose sorbents, the EZ-POP NP yielded a much cleaner extract. Optimization of the extraction and EZ-POP NP cleanup procedures resulted in recoveries of >70% at a spiking level of 10 ng/g; calculated without internal standard correction.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography: A Fast and Efficient Fingerprint Analysis Method for Medicinal Plants
Ginsenosides are triterpene saponins, with most being composed of a dammarane skeleton with various sugar moieties (e.g. glucose, rhamnose, xylose and arabinose) attached. In this article, HPTLC methods suitable for the analysis of ginsenosides are presented, using CAMAG equipment, Merck TLC plates, analytical standards and extract reference materials.

New Phytochemical Standards from HWI Pharma Solutions
We are proud to be an exclusive distributor of the reference standards manufactured by HWI-Pharma Solutions in Rülzheim (Germany). Since the launch of the first series of products in January 2011, the product range has been continuously expanded and currently consists of more than 120 products.

PHARMA & BIOPHARMA
BIOshell™ IgG 1000 Å C4 UHPLC Column for Improved Biomacromolecule Separations
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other biomacromolecules are being developed as the next generation of innovative, life-saving drugs. The BIOshell IgG 1000 Å C4 column, a new reversed-phase chromatography column using SPP, supports the analysis and extensive characterization necessary for these large molecules. Read more about how this column can be applied to mAb characterization.

CLINICAL & FORENSIC
LC/MS/MS Analysis Using On-line Cartridges for the Removal of Phospholipids from Protein Precipitated Biological Fluid Samples
Here a new product format, an on-line cartridge, is described as an alternative option of phospholipid removal and sample preparation. The setup of the on-line cartridges with a LC/MS column is devised and the efficiency for phospholipid removal from protein precipitated plasma samples has been evaluated. Applicability of the system was demonstrated with three sets of compounds with different physiochemical properties.

TIPS & TRICKS
Sensitivity Gains in LC-MS
In this article, various measures and options for maximized LC-MS sensitivity and low limit of detection (LOD) are shown. Each and every tip avoids contaminations causing signal suppression, adduct formation, elevated background noise and increased spectrum complexity.

IN ESSENCE
Water Determination in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) using GC BID and the Watercol™ Ionic Liquid Column
Water in petrochemical feedstocks can cause problems for processors. Monitoring water in petroleum from an upstream source to the downstream processing plant is critical to ensure uninterrupted operation. A new determination option by GC can bypass undesirable chemical interference effects from the petroleum experienced by traditional water determination techniques.

To download the full pdf of this Analytix Reporter edition click here.