Sewage epidemiology is increasingly becoming an alternative method of estimating drug usage and consumption patterns for a given population. With the constant emergence of new psychoactive substances such as cathinones and piperazines, versatile, reliable, specific and sensitive analytical methods are needed for their detection in complex matrices such as waste water. This thesis reports the development of an analytical method based on solid phase extraction, derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the simultaneous analysis of 29 illicit and therapeutic drugs of abuse. All 29 drugs could be reliably identified in spiked waste water samples using selected ion monitoring and splitless injection. Recoveries for the majority of the drugs were above 70 %. Linearity varied based on the analyte but was assessed in the range 2.0 x 10-4 to 1.4 μg/mL. Intra-assay and intermediate precision of the instrument was determined at 0.005, 0.1 and 1.0 μg/mL, with the majority of relative standard deviations less than 10 %. Limits of detection and quantification for drugs such as amphetamine and methamphetamine were better than reported values for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, a more commonly used technique. Untreated 72 h composite waste water samples from Cambridge, UK, were analysed using a six-point standard addition curve. Eleven drugs of abuse were detected, including amphetamine, methamphetamine, butylone and 4-fluoromethamphetamine. The latter two having been detected for the very first time in waste water. Using the validated method, the consumption of heroin, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamine, in Cambridge, UK, was estimated to be 399.4 ± 90.8, 2463.5 ± 182.5, 195.5 ± 95.4, 84.3 ± 59.1 and 38.9 ± 24.8 mg/day per 1000 inhabitants. This is the first reported validated method for the detection of both classic drugs of abuse and new psychoactive substances in waste water using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride.

This master thesis deals with preparation of cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives that are suitable for bonding on solid surfaces such as dopamine polymer and gold. The nucleophilic attack of 6I -O-p-toluenesulfonyl--CD (6-tosyl-β-CD) by dithiols created derivatives with substituents bound to CD skeleton by one of the sulphur atom while keeping a free terminal sulphanyl group. Despite initial problems caused by oxidation of the thiols to disulfides, CDs were modified by alkyl or oligoethylene glycol spacers prepared in 60 - 88% yields. The same reaction was used for preparation of derivatives of β-CD with amino group at the end of the tether that was linked to CD by nitrogen atom. For these purposes were used corresponding diamines and reactions proceeded smoothly reaching up to 92% isolated yield. Next, also the chemoselectivity of the reaction with an ambident spacer bearing both amino and sulphanyl functional group was studied and by 2D NMR experiments was proved that substituent was bound to CD through sulphur atom. It was demonstrated on the case of preparation of CD derivative with dimethylene linker that was prepared in 84% yield. A complete set of yet other CD-oligoethylene glycol derivatives with spacers linked to CD skeleton through the sulphur atom and terminated by amino group was prepared by...

O glifosato é o herbicida mais usado em todo o mundo. Sendo assim, é necessário que se tenham programas de monitoramento do seu uso, para garantir o bem estar da lavoura e da população. O seu metabólito principal é o ácido aminometilfosfônico (AMPA) que apesar de possuir baixa toxicidade, é mais persistente que o glifosato. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia de análise para o glifosato e o AMPA por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM), a fim de avaliar possíveis contaminações em amostras ambientais nas imediações do Rio Monjolinho, em São Carlos. Para a faixa estudada (1,0 ug L-1 a 500 ug L-1, os limites de detecção e quantificação para o AMPA foram de 0,15 e 0,45 ug L-1 e para o glifosato, 0,67 e 2,02 ug L-1. As recuperações em água variaram entre 96,2 e 121% e para solo 70,1 a 119%. O método proposto apresentou boa linearidade, exatidão, seletividade e sensibilidade. A robustez foi avaliada de acordo com o teste de Youden. O procedimento de extração foi baseado em reações ácido-base e realizou-se etapa de clean-up para água e sedimento. Para os pontos amostrados, houve resíduo de AMPA em dois pontos (4,19 e 6,22 ug L-1). Os resultados encontrados para DBO foram altos, estando acima do limite estabelecido para um corpo d\'água Classe 3, de acordo com a CONAMA 357. Isso pode ter ocorrido devido à grande quantidade de esgoto despejado no leito do rio. Os valores de nitrogênio e fósforo também estão elevados, o que indica uma alta eutrofização do leito do rio. Vale ressaltar a necessidade de se ter uma legislação que estabeleça um limite máximo permitido para o AMPA, visto que ele é mais persistente no ambiente do que o glifosato. / The glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to have programs for monitoring their use to ensure the welfare of the farming and population. Its main metabolite is the acid aminomethylphosphonic (AMPA) that despite having low toxicity, is more persistent than glyphosate. This study aimed to develop a methodology for analyzing glyphosate and AMPA by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in order to assess possible contamination of samples environment in the vicinity of Monjolinho River in São Carlos. In the range studied (1.0 ug L-1 to 500 ug L-1, limits of detection and quantification were 0.15 and 0.45 ug L-1 for AMPA and 0.67 and 2.02 ug L-1 for glyphosate. The recoveries in water varied between 96.2 and 121% and for soil from 70.1 to 119%. The proposed method showed good linearity, accuracy, selectivity and sensitivity. The robustness was evaluated according to the Youden test. The extraction procedure was based on acid-base reactions and included a clean-up step for water and sediment. For the sampling sites, it was determined residual AMPA at two points (4.19 and 6.22 ug L-1). The results for BOD were high, being above the limit set for a waterbody Class 3, according to CONAMA 357. This may be due to large amount of sewage dumped into the river bed. The values of nitrogen and phosphorus are also high, which indicates a high eutrophication of the bed river. It is worth emphasizing the need of having a legislation that establishes a maximum allowed value for AMPA, whereas it is more persistent in environment than glyphosate.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

S-nitrosylation (or S-nitrosation) has emerged as an important pathway of non-classical nitric oxide signaling. This post-translational modification involves the transfer of a nitroso group onto a cysteine residue and has been shown to regulate protein function. However, very little is known about the mechanism and structure-dependent factors of the modification. Understanding of S-nitrosothiol chemistry has lagged behind that for the classical nitric oxide signaling pathway due to challenges and limitations of current detection methods of S-nitrosothiols. The S-N bond is typically labile and indirect detection by traditional biotin switch method has low sensitivity and is prone to false positives. In this work, I have explored phosphine derivatization as a new direct approach to labeling protein S-nitrosothiols. Syntheses of aza-ylide derivatives of small organic S-nitrosothiols were successful and the termolecularity of the reaction was overcome by using a bisphosphine. Similarly, S-nitrosated cysteines of thioredoxin were successfully derivatized with the phosphine TCEP and identified by tandem mass spectrometry of the digested protein. Surprisingly, derivatization of S-nitrosoglutathione was found to be unsuccessful and ¹⁸O-labeling of the reaction indicated hydrolysis of the aza-ylide product. We hypothesize that solvent effects are the source of this discrepancy. In addition, x-ray crystallography studies were undertaken to investigate structural rearrangement of a thioredoxin helix to expose residue Cys 62 to S-nitrosation. A new structure of thioredoxin Q63A/C69S/C73S mutant was found to exhibit a highly dynamic N-terminal loop surrounding the pocket of Cys 62 which could have an effect on S-nitrosation of this residue.

O glifosato é o herbicida mais usado em todo o mundo. Sendo assim, é necessário que se tenham programas de monitoramento do seu uso, para garantir o bem estar da lavoura e da população. O seu metabólito principal é o ácido aminometilfosfônico (AMPA) que apesar de possuir baixa toxicidade, é mais persistente que o glifosato. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia de análise para o glifosato e o AMPA por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM), a fim de avaliar possíveis contaminações em amostras ambientais nas imediações do Rio Monjolinho, em São Carlos. Para a faixa estudada (1,0 ug L-1 a 500 ug L-1, os limites de detecção e quantificação para o AMPA foram de 0,15 e 0,45 ug L-1 e para o glifosato, 0,67 e 2,02 ug L-1. As recuperações em água variaram entre 96,2 e 121% e para solo 70,1 a 119%. O método proposto apresentou boa linearidade, exatidão, seletividade e sensibilidade. A robustez foi avaliada de acordo com o teste de Youden. O procedimento de extração foi baseado em reações ácido-base e realizou-se etapa de clean-up para água e sedimento. Para os pontos amostrados, houve resíduo de AMPA em dois pontos (4,19 e 6,22 ug L-1). Os resultados encontrados para DBO foram altos, estando acima do limite estabelecido para um corpo d\'água Classe 3, de acordo com a CONAMA 357. Isso pode ter ocorrido devido à grande quantidade de esgoto despejado no leito do rio. Os valores de nitrogênio e fósforo também estão elevados, o que indica uma alta eutrofização do leito do rio. Vale ressaltar a necessidade de se ter uma legislação que estabeleça um limite máximo permitido para o AMPA, visto que ele é mais persistente no ambiente do que o glifosato. / The glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to have programs for monitoring their use to ensure the welfare of the farming and population. Its main metabolite is the acid aminomethylphosphonic (AMPA) that despite having low toxicity, is more persistent than glyphosate. This study aimed to develop a methodology for analyzing glyphosate and AMPA by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in order to assess possible contamination of samples environment in the vicinity of Monjolinho River in São Carlos. In the range studied (1.0 ug L-1 to 500 ug L-1, limits of detection and quantification were 0.15 and 0.45 ug L-1 for AMPA and 0.67 and 2.02 ug L-1 for glyphosate. The recoveries in water varied between 96.2 and 121% and for soil from 70.1 to 119%. The proposed method showed good linearity, accuracy, selectivity and sensitivity. The robustness was evaluated according to the Youden test. The extraction procedure was based on acid-base reactions and included a clean-up step for water and sediment. For the sampling sites, it was determined residual AMPA at two points (4.19 and 6.22 ug L-1). The results for BOD were high, being above the limit set for a waterbody Class 3, according to CONAMA 357. This may be due to large amount of sewage dumped into the river bed. The values of nitrogen and phosphorus are also high, which indicates a high eutrophication of the bed river. It is worth emphasizing the need of having a legislation that establishes a maximum allowed value for AMPA, whereas it is more persistent in environment than glyphosate.

Despite the ongoing “war on drugs” the seizure rates for phenethylamines and their analogues have been steadily increasing over the years. The illicit manufacture of these compounds has become big business all over the world making it all the more attractive to the inexperienced “cook”. However, as a result, the samples produced are more susceptible to contamination with reactionary byproducts and leftover reagents. These impurities are useful in the analysis of seized drugs as their identities can help to determine the synthetic pathway used to make these drugs and thus, the provenance of these analytes. In the present work two fluorescent dyes, 4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzofurazan and 5-(4,6-dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein, were used to label several phenethylamine analogues for electrophoretic separation with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The large scale to which law enforcement is encountering these compounds has the potential to create a tremendous backlog. In order to combat this, a rapid, sensitive method capable of full automation is required. Through the utilization of the inline derivatization method developed whereby analytes are labeled within the capillary efficiently in a minimum span of time, this can be achieved. The derivatization and separation parameters were optimized on the basis of a variety of experimentally determined factors in order to give highly resolved peaks in the fluorescence spectrum with limits of detection in the low µg/mL range.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the most widely used instrumental techniques for chemical analyses in forensic science laboratories around the world due to its versatility and robustness. The most common type of chemical evidence submitted to forensic science laboratories is seized drug evidence, the analysis of which is largely dominated by GC-MS. Despite this, some drugs are difficult or impossible to analyze by GC-MS under normal circumstances. For these drugs, derivatization can be employed to make them more suitable for GC-MS. In Chapter 1, the derivatization of primary amino and zwitterionic drugs with three different derivatization agents, trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA); N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide + 1% trimethylchlorosilane (BSTFA + 1% TMCS); and dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA), is discussed. The chromatographic performance was quantified for comparison between the derivatives and their parent drugs. Peak symmetry was compared using the asymmetry factor (As), separation efficiency was measured by the number of theoretical plates (N), and sensitivity was compared by measuring the peak areas. In Chapter 2, derivatization techniques were adapted for an automated on-fiber derivatization procedure using a technique called total vaporization solid phase microextraction (TV-SPME). TV-SPME is a variation of SPME in which a small volume of sample solution is used which can be totally vaporized, removing the need to consider the equilibrium between analytes in the solution and analytes in the headspace. By allowing derivatization agent to adsorb to the SPME fiber prior to introduction to the sample vial, the entire derivatization process can take place on the fiber or in the headspace surrounding it. The use of a robotic sampler made the derivatization procedure completely automated. In Chapter 3, this on-fiber derivatization technique was tested on standards of 14 controlled substances as well as on realistic samples including simulated “street meth”, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in mixed drinks, and hallucinogenic mushrooms, and was also tested on several controlled substances as solid powders. Future work in this area is discussed in Chapter 4, including adapting the method to toxicological analyses both in biological fluids and in hair. Some of the expected difficulties in doing so are discussed, including the endogenous nature of GHB in the human body. The presence of natural GHB in beverages is also discussed, which highlights the need for a quantitative addition to the method. Additional method improvements are also discussed, including proposed solutions for complete derivatization of more of the analytes, and for decreasing analysis time.

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