This study deals with an effect of fertilization on amount and quality of free amino acids in soil from wet meadows affected by nutrient loading. Free amino acids were analysed in the soil from the field experiment situated at wet meadows, where an increased nutrient input is simulated (fertilizer NPK). The experiment was established on two sites with different types of soil {--} Záblatí with organic soil and Hamr with mineral soil, both areas in the South Bohemia region. The soil was repeatedly sampled for more than two years and year. One part of this study is focused on testing of ninhydrine-method and HPLC-method for measuring free amino acids and efficiency of different extractants.

No presente trabalho são apresentadas análises de amostras de proteínas totais e aminoácidos empregando-se os reagentes p-benzoquinona e tetraamin cobre (II). No caso do reagente p-benzoquinona, as análises foram feitas através de um sistema inédito em fluxo, no qual a mistura reacional passava através de um reator composto de um tubo capilar de aço inoxidável aquecido num banho de glicerina. Os derivados formados passavam através de uma cela de fluxo acoplada a um espectrofotômetro, onde eram feitas as leituras das absorbâncias. Este método se mostrou mais rápido em relação àquele feito em banho-maria. A utilização de um sistema de análise por injeção em fluxo (FIA) com o reagente tetraamin cobre (II), permitiu que as análises fossem feitas de forma rápida, a baixo custo e com a vantagem de não necessitarem de aquecimento, como no caso da p-benzoquinona. Os resultados das análises de amostras de albumina humana obtidos em ambos os métodos acima apresentaram boa concordância quando comparados àqueles obtidos pelo método Kjeldahl para as mesmas amostras. / This work describes two methods for analysis of total proteins and aminoacids using both p-benzoquinone (PBQ) and tetraamin copper (II) reagents. With the p-benzoquinone reagent the method was performed by an original flow system made with stainless steel capillary tubing, conveniently heated into a glycerin bath, where the reactional mixture travels in its way to the detector. The derivate products are carried out to a flow cell adjusted to a spectrophotometer where the absorbances are measured. This method was efficient, with a fair cost, and providing results very faster than in the batch mode of operation. The second method, using the tetraamin copper (II) reagent, was performed by a common flow injection system (FIA). When compared with the PBQ method, the FIA tetramin copper (II) method was also rapid, efficient, with a fair cost and with the great advantage of simplicity, once it is performed at room temperature. The results obtained with human albumine samples using both methods are in agreement with those ones obtained by the Kjeldahl method for the same samples.

The aim of this diploma thesis is focused on determination of B vitamin in food especially in malting barley and malt. This diploma thesis is consists of theoretical and experimental parts including the conclusion and supplements. Theoretical part describes thiamine characteristic, chemical structure, chemical and physical properties, function of thiamin in organism, impact it´s insufficiency to the human health, occurrence in common food and methods for it´s determination. Further are describing theoretical principles of high-efficiency liquid chromatography, chromatography on reverse phase, derivatization and ways of validation. In the Experimental section is detailed description of used method for determination of thiamine in barley and malt, fresh mash and beer but also in common food supplements as are B-kompex, Pangamin and Thiamin. Determination was made by high-efficiency liquid chromatography on reverse phase with isocratic elution and fluorescent detection. Next part introduce the results of theses, discussion of experimental work, volume of thiamine in analyzed food and validation parameters of used method. In the conclusion are valorized results of experimental work. In the attachment are graphs of standard curves, chromatogram and calculations of validation parameters. Diploma thesis was realized in laboratory of Chemistry and Technology of Foodstuff, Faculty of chemistry, Brno University of Technology.

This diploma thesis deals with Bisphenol A, especially with its impact on the aquatic ecosystem. Information about its properties, production and current use are summarized here. Its harmful impact on the environment, especially on the aquatic ecosystem and the human body is characterized. Also the methods of its degradation within the aquatic environment have been described. A summary of the options of a determination of Bisphenol A in water samples is incorporated and the method of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/TOF MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS) is compared in the experimental part. Analytical determination precedes the isolation of the analyte from the water samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) using SupelcleanTM ENVITM - 18 and derivatization using the silylation reagent, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The result of this work is the analysis of a series of real samples from wastewater treatment plants Brno Modřice and Luhačovice by a two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS).

Reaktion von Arginin mit Abbauprodukten 1,4-verknüpfter Disaccharide Im Verlauf der Reaktion von Arginin mit Abbauprodukten 1,4-glycosidisch verknüpfter Disaccharide entsteht ein Hauptderivatisierungsprodukt des Arginins, welches aus Inkubationsansätzen von Lactose mit N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-L-arginin (Boc-Arg) bzw. N-a-Hippuryl-L-arginin (Hip-Arg) isoliert und als N-d-[5-(3-Hydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-imidazolon-2-yl]-L-ornithin (PIO) identifiziert werden konnte. PIO stellt ein spezifisches Reaktionsprodukt von Arginin mit Abbauprodukten 1,4-glycosidisch verknüpfter Disaccharide dar. Zum Nachweis des Precursors von PIO wurden die Bildung und der Abbau von 1,2-Dicarbonylverbindungen in Inkubationsansätzen von Lactose mit und ohne Hip-Arg nach der Hitzebehandlung mit o-Phenylendiamin untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass ein als 1,2-Dicarbonylverbindung identifiziertes Abbauprodukt von Lactose nur in Abwesenheit von der Aminokomponente (Hip-Arg) als Hauptabbauprodukt bestimmbar war. Nach Isolierung dieser 1,2-Dicarbonylverbindung in Form ihres stabilen Chinoxalin-Derivates und der Strukturaufklärung ist es gelungen, dieses Hauptabbauprodukt der Lactose als (3'-Hydroxypropyl)-chinoxalin also das Chinoxalin der 3,4-Didesoxypentosulose (3,4-DDPs) zu identifizieren. Bestimmung von 1,2-Dicarbonylverbindungen in Lebensmitteln Glyoxal (GO), Methylglyoxal (MGO), 3-Desoxyglucosulose (3-DG) und 3-Desoxypentosulose (3-DPs) konnten nach Umsetzung mit o-Phenylendiamin erstmals in Milch- und Milchprodukten quantifiziert werden. Für Glyoxal wurden Gehalte von 0,06 bis 3,5 mg/ l und für Methylglyoxal von 0,2 bis 4,7 mg/ l bestimmt. 3-Desoxyglucosulose wurde mit Gehalten von 0,7 bis 3,5 mg/ l und 3-Desoxypentosulose von 0,1 bis 4,7 mg/ l bestimmt. Des Weiteren erfolgte die Bestimmung von Glyoxal, Methylglyoxal und 3-Desoxyglucosulose in käuflich erworbenen deutschen Honigen, in Honigen des Imkerverbandes Dresden und in neuseeländischen Honigen. Im Vergleich zu den Milchprodukten wurden deutlich höhere Gesamtgehalte an 1,2-Dicarbonylverbindungen (124 bis 1550 mg/ kg) bestimmt. Für 3-Desoxyglucosulose wurden 119 bis 1451 mg/ kg, für Glyoxal 0,2 bis 4,6 mg/ kg und für Methylglyoxal 0,5 bis 743 mg/ kg ermittelt. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen hohen Gehalten an 1,2-Dicarbonylverbindungen und der antibakteriellen Aktivität der Honige wurde untersucht. Hier stellten die neuseeländischen Manuka-Honige (Manuka: Leptospermum scoparium, Teebaum) den Schwerpunkt der Untersuchung dar. Für die untersuchten Manuka-Honige konnten ungewöhnlich hohe Gehalte an Methylglyoxal bestimmt werden (von 347 bis 743 mg/ kg). Von 12 verschiedenen Honigen deutscher und neuseeländischer Herkunft konnten nur Manuka-Honige als antibakteriell wirksam eingestuft werden. Bezogen auf den Gehalt an Methylglyoxal liegen die MIC-Werte für Staphylococcus aureus bei 1,5 mmol/ l für Manuka-Honig (35 % v/v), 1,4 mmol/ l für Manuka-Honig "active" (30 % v/v), 1,1 mmol/ l für Manuka-Honig UMF 10+ (25 % v/v) bzw. 1,8 mmol/ l für Manuka-Honig UMF 20+ (20 % v/v). Es zeigte sich, dass die antibakterielle Aktivität des Honigs unmittelbar auf den Methylglyoxal-Gehalt zurückführbar war.

[pt] A derivatização fotoquímica foi utilizada para induzir ou amplificar a fluorescência de três substâncias utilizadas como princípios ativos em medicamentos: tetrabenazina (TBZ), amitriptilina (AMT) e vareniclina (VRN). Com o aumento de fluorescência após o tratamento com radiação UV, métodos espectrofluorimétricos foram desenvolvidos para determinar a concentração de TBZ, a AMT e a VRN em medicamentos e em matrizes biológicas. A avaliação da abordagem por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC) com detecção por fluorescência tambme foi avaliada para a AMT e VRN. Para a determinação de TBZ, a irradiação por 60 min em meio de NaOH (0,45 mol L-1) permitiu a sua quantificação espectrofluorimétrica com um limite de detecção (LD) de 1,4 x 10-8 mol L-1 e faixa linear até 1,0 x 10-5 mol L-1. O método espectrofluorimétrico foi aplicado para determinar TBZ no medicamento com recuperações entre 88 e 95%. A TBZ também foi determinada em saliva fortificada com o analito em concentração próxima ao do limite de quantificação (LQ) com recuperações maiores que 87%. Estudos usando espectrometria de massas com desorção de plasma estimulada por uma fonte de 252Cf foram realizados para identificar a estrutura do fotoderivado, indicando a fotólise da TBZ via reação de Norrish tipo I e II. Para a determinação de AMT, duas abordagens de derivatização fotoquímica permitiram determinar a substância por espectrofluorimetria e por HPLC. Para o método espectrofluorimétrico, a derivatização foi realizada expondo ao UV por 60 min uma solução de AMT, preparada em HCl 0,027 mol L-1. A faixa de resposta linear se estendeu até 1,0 x 10-5 mol L-1 de AMT com um LD de 4,8 x 10-8 mol L-1. Na abordagem cromatográfica, o processo de derivatização da AMT foi ajustado utilizando 30 min de UV em tampão fosfato pH 3. O método permitiu um LD de 6,9 x 10-9 mol L-1 com faixa linear até 2,5 x 10-6 mol L-1 de AMT. Os métodos desenvolvidos foram aplicados na determinação de AMT em medicamento e em material de referência farmacopéico com recuperações entre 94 e 105% para o método fluorimétrico e entre 99 e 111% para a abordagem cromatográfica. A aplicação na determinação da AMT em plasma humano fortificado na concentração de 1,0 x 10-6 mol L-1 forneceram resultados aceitáveis. Os fotoderivados fluorescentes foram separados e identificados por GC-MS, sendo proposto um mecanismo de fotólise da AMT. Para a determinação de VRN, a derivatização fotoquímica em meio básico permitiu a determinação da substância por espectrofluorimetria, sendo também avaliada uma abordagem por HPLC. A derivatização da VRN, realizada expondo o analito ao UV por 23 min em solução de NaOH 0,64 mol L-1, permitiu um LD de 1,5 x 10-8 mol L-1 e uma faixa linear até 1,0 x 10-6 mol L-1. As condições de fotoderivatização também foram adaptadas para a determinação cromatográfica do analito, irradiando-o por 10 min em meio de tampão borato (0,01 mol L-1 pH 10). A aplicação na determinação da VRN no medicamento com recuperações entre 93 e 102% foi alcançada. Para todos os métodos desenvolvidos foi realizada uma análise metrológica simplificada contemplando as fontes de incerteza mais relevantes para o processo de medição dos analitos: o preparo de soluções; a repetibilidade; a precisão intermediária e a curva analítica. As incertezas de medição para cada um dos métodos propostos foram estimadas em três concentrações distintas, no início, no meio e no fim da faixa linear. Os resultados obtidos foram entre 5,8 e 36% de incerteza do valor nominal das concentrações próximas ao LQ e entre 3,1 e 16% para as concentrações dentro na faixa linear dos métodos. Em todos os métodos desenvolvidos foram utilizados procedimentos de derivatização seguros, energeticamente eficientes e com redução de uso de solventes e substâncias tóxicas, em concordância com os princípios da química verde. / [en] Photochemical derivatization was employed to induce or amplify the fluorescence from three substances with pharmacological activities: tetrabenazine (TBZ); amitriptyline (AMT) and varenicline (VRN). The substantial fluorescence enhancement after UV irradiation allowed the development of methods based on spectrofluorimetry for TBZ, AMT and VRN. The approach was also evaluated in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection for the determination of the concentration AMT and VRN in drugs or in biological matrices. For the determination of TBZ, 60 min of UV irradiation of the analyte prepared in NaOH (0.45 mol L-1) allowed its indirect quantification using spectrofluorimetry, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.4 x 10-8 mol L-1 and a linear response up to 1.0 x 10-5 mol L-1. Pre-concentration using solid phase extraction improved the LOD in one order of magnitude. The spectrofluorimetric method was applied for the determination of TBZ in a commercial drug, with recoveries between 88 and 95%. TBZ was also determined in analyte fortified saliva at a concentration near the limit of quantitation (LOQ) with recoveries greater than 87%. Studies using plasma desorption mass spectrometry with a 252Cf source, indicated that the photoderivatives of TBZ were obtained through a Norrish Type I and II TBZ photolysis. For the determination of AMT, two photochemical derivatization approaches allowed the determination of the substance by spectrofluorimetry. The approach using HPLC coupled to fluorescence detection was also tested. For the spectrofluorimetric method, the derivatization was achieved after 60 min of UV exposure of a solution of AMT prepared in HCl 0.027 mol L-1. The linear response of the method was up to 1.0 x 10-5 mol L-1 of AMT, with a LOD of 4.8 x 10-8 mol L-1. For the chromatographic method, the derivatization process was adjusted (30 min of UV irradiation in phosphate buffer, pH 3) in order to adapt the reaction for HPLC. The method allowed an LOD of 6.0 x10-9 mol L-1 with a linear range up to 2.5 x 10-6 mol L-1 of AMT. The determination of AMT in drugs and in a pharmacopeial reference material was performed, with recoveries between 94 and 105% for the fluorimetric method and between 99 and 111% using HPLC. The analysis of human plasma was also made using AMT (1.0 x 10-6 mol L-1) fortified samples. The fluorescent photoderivatives were separated and identified by GC-MS, which allowed the proposal of a photolysis mechanism of AMT. For the determination of VRN, the photochemical derivatization in basic medium allowed the determination of the substance by spectrofluorimetry. The derivatization of VRN, performed by exposing the analyte to the UV during 23 minutes in NaOH 0.64 mol L-1, allowed a LOD of 1.5 x10-8 mol L-1 and a linear range extending up to 1.0 x10-6 mol L-1. The derivatization condition were also adapted for the determination of the analyte using HPLC with fluorimetric detection, by irradiating VRN for 10 min in borate buffer (0.01 mol L-1 pH 10). Both methods were applied for the determination of VRN in a commercial drug, with recoveries between 93 and 102%. For all the developed methods, a simplified metrological evaluation was performed, considering the most relevant sources of uncertainty during the measurement process of the analytes studied in this thesis: solution preparation, intra and inter-day precision and the analytical curve. The uncertainty sources for each of the proposed methods were estimated in three different concentrations within the linear range. Measurement uncertainty estimations were between 5.8 and 36% of the nominal concentration in the concentrations near the LOQ and between 3.1 and 16% in the concentrations within the linear range of the methods. Safer, energetically efficient procedures with solvent reduction and without the use of toxic reagents were proposed, in agreement to green chemistry principles.

Capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS) is a versatile instrumental method for metabolomics, which allows for comprehensive metabolite profiling of volume-limited biological specimens in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms associated with chronic diseases, including an alarming epidemic of obesity worldwide. Multiplexed CE separations enable high-throughput metabolite screening with quality assurance to prevent false discoveries when combined with rigorous method validation, robust experimental designs, complementary statistical methods, and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for unknown metabolite identification. In this thesis, multiplexed CE-MS technology is applied for both targeted and untargeted metabolite profiling of various biological fluids, including covalently bound thiol-protein conjugates, as well as free circulating metabolites in serum and plasma, and excreted/bio-transformed compounds in urine due to complex host-gut microflora co-metabolism. This work was applied to characterize aberrant metabolic responses of obese subjects in response to dietary challenges, and measure the benefits of dietary interventions that reduce adiposity without deleterious muscle loss. Chapter 2 presents, a simple, sensitive yet robust analytical protocol to expand metabolome coverage in CE-MS for the discovery of labile protein thiols in human plasma using a rapid chemical derivatization method based on N-tert-butylmaleimide (NTBM). Chapter 3 describes targeted metabolite profiling of serum and plasma to investigate the differential metabolic responses between healthy and unhealthy obese individuals before and after consumption of a standardized high-caloric meal, respectively. Chapter 4 of this thesis describes an untargeted metabolite profiling strategy for urine using multisegment-injection (MSI)-CE-MS for elucidating the effects of protein supplementation following a short-term dietary weight-loss intervention study. This work revealed six urinary metabolites that were classified as top-ranking treatment response biomarkers useful for discriminating between subjects consuming carbohydrate (control), soy, and whey supplemented diets. In summary, this thesis demonstrated the successful implementation of multiplexed CE-MS technology for biomarker discovery in nutritional-based metabolomic studies as required for more effective treatment and prevention of obesity for innovations in public health. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Ces travaux de thèse sont consacrés à l’étude, par RMN et spectrométrie de masse, de la caractérisation structurale et la quantification en mélange, de polymères synthétiques à architectures complexes. La caractérisation structurale de copolymères à blocs amphiphiles POE-b-PS a été abordée dans un premier temps par la mise au point d’une nouvelle stratégie, rapide et sans prétraitement, pour la détermination de la masse moyenne en masse par RMN PGSE. La problématique des groupements terminaux fragiles en MALDI-MS, particulièrement cruciale dans le cas de polymères fonctionnalisés par des nitroxydes, a également été traitée. Une approche multidisciplinaire impliquant la RMN, la spectrométrie de masse et la chimie théorique a conduit au développement d’une stratégie de dérivation du groupement terminal labile qui permet la production d’adduits moléculaires intacts MALDI. Par ailleurs, la nécessité de quantifier les impuretés issues de la synthèse de ces macromolécules a conduit au développement d’une stratégie originale, rapide et efficace, basée sur la RMN PGSE. Cette stratégie, qui s’appuie sur la détermination des temps de relaxation magnétique des signaux au cours des expériences, suivie de la renormalisation des intégrales, a notamment soulevé la difficulté de mesurer le temps de relaxation transversale dans le cas de systèmes de spins magnétiquement couplés. Une nouvelle séquence d’impulsions a donc été proposée pour permettre une mesure précise de ce temps de relaxation dans un système de deux spins couplés. / This thesis work deals with two main analytical aspects of PEO-b-PS amphiphilic block copolymers, their structural characterization and their quantitation in mixture, using NMR and mass spectrometry. In a first part, a novel approach was developed for the determination of copolymer weight average molecular weight by PGSE NMR. The issue of MALDI mass analysis of PEO homopolymers functionalized with a labile nitroxide end-group for the purpose of nitroxide mediated polymerization of the PS block was also addressed. A multidisciplinary approach involving NMR, mass spectrometry and theoretical calculation gave rise to an efficient derivatization strategy aimed at allowing intact PEO adducts to be generated by MALDI. In addition, requirement for impurity quantitation in polymer samples led to the development of a rapid and accurate method using PGSE NMR. This approach, based on the measurement of magnetic relaxation times during PGSE experiments to enable signal intensity renormalization, evidenced the issue of transverse relaxation time estimation in the case of coupled spin systems. A novel NMR pulse sequence was hence proposed and successfully applied for accurate measurement of transverse relaxation times in a model case of a two-spin coupled system.

In forensic chemistry, a quicker and more accurate analysis of a sample is always being pursued. Speedy analyses allow the analyst to provide quick turn-around times and potentially decrease back-logs that are known to be a problem in the field. Accurate analyses are paramount with the futures and lives of the accused potentially on the line. One of the most common methods of analysis in forensic chemistry laboratories is gas chromatography, chosen for the relative speed and efficiency afforded by this method. Two major routes were attempted to further improve on gas chromatography applications in forensic chemistry.<br> The first route was to decrease separation times for analysis of ignitable liquid residues by using micro-bore wall coated open-tubular columns. Micro-bore columns are much shorter and have higher separation efficiencies than the standard columns used in forensic chemistry, allowing for faster analysis times while maintaining the expected peak separation. Typical separation times for fire debris samples are between thirty minutes and one hour, the micro-bore columns were able to achieve equivalent performance in three minutes. The reduction in analysis time was demonstrated by analysis of ignitable liquid residues from simulated fire debris exemplars.<br> The second route looked at a relatively new detector for gas chromatography known as a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectrophotometer. The VUV detector uses traditional UV and far-ultraviolet light to probe the pi and sigma bonds of the gas phase analytes as well as Rydberg traditions to produce spectra that are nearly unique to a compound. Thus far, the only spectra that were not discernable were from enantiomers, otherwise even diastereomers have been differentiated. The specificity attained with the VUV detector has achieved differentiation of compounds that mass spectrometry, the most common detection method for chromatography in forensic chemistry labs, has difficulty distinguishing. This specificity has been demonstrated herein by analyzing various classes of drugs of abuse and applicability to “real world” samples has been demonstrated by analysis of de-identified seized samples.<br>

This work is based on the current issue of increasing concentrations of pharmaceutical residues in various components of the environment. These new environmental contaminants continuously enter the environment. The most affected environmental component is the aquatic environment. This study is focused on the development and optimization of reliable analytical method, which can determine selected drugs in the aquatic environment (waste waters and surface waters) qualitatively and quantitatively. The target compounds were selected mainly from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID): salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, clofibric acid, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, caffeine, naproxen, mefenamic acid, ketoprofen and diclofenac. NSAIDs are one of the most used drugs in Czech Republic. For the final analysis of this study was used the comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection Time-of-Flight (GCxGC-TOF MS). It is a very sensitive and reliable analytical method for trace and ultra-trace analysis. Simultaneously, solid phase extraction (SPE) and derivatization are optimized in this work. Optimized analytical method including SPE, derivatization with MSTFA (N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide) and final analysis by GCxGC-TOF MS were applied successfully for the analysis of real samples. Samples of waste water were collected from the waste water treatment plant in Brno – Modřice and samples of surface water were collected from two river streams Svratka and Svitava in Moravian region. The range of concentrations of selected drug residues varied from one to tens of g/L in wastewater and from tens to hundreds of ng/L in surface waters. The degree of wastewater and surface waters contamination by drug residues is assessed in conclusions of the work. Simultaneously, spontaneous degradation of selected drugs in water and removal efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant is assessed in conclusions of the work. The developed method is usable for monitoring and environmental analysis of water ecosystems. It is usable not only for selected drugs, but even for other organic compounds with similar properties.