During the Fall of 2009, a pilot study was conducted at the McCormick and Baxter (M&B) Superfund Site to evaluate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) profilers as a method for sediment cap performance monitoring. The profilers are shielded solid phase microextraction fibers, silica rods coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the sorbent. The deployment explored whether profiling PDMS could be used as a low impact, highly sensitive, long term monitoring strategy at M&B since the sediment operable unit will be transitioning to the “Operable & Maintenance” phase of Superfund cleanup. To evaluate sediment cap performance, a good understanding of the flux of contaminants from the sediment is required. While surface waters can illustrate this flux, they can also contain contaminants originating from upstream sources. The existing sampling plan at M&B uses a conventional porewater pumping sampling technique that measures both dissolved and particulate fractions. PDMS profilers measure only the freely dissolved fraction which has been shown to be a good indicator of bioavailability. These profilers also have lower detection limits (ng/L) and the ability to measure vertical concentration gradients which can help identify sources and mechanisms of the contamination. Each sampler was analyzed at three depths for the USEPA Priority Pollutant List of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PDMS measurements showed clear vertical profiling with large reductions in PAH concentrations through the sediment cap offshore. Nearshore, uniform concentration profiles were observed indicating increased vertical mixing as a result of tidal smearing. Further, ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer HSD analysis of sample variability revealed PAH concentrations were statistically different at two locations compared to the remainder of the sampling locations- indicating areas requiring closer attention. PDMS profilers were co-located at 13 of the 22 conventional porewater extraction sampling locations. The correlation of PDMS and conventional porewater extraction techniques was limited due to the low detection frequency by conventional porewater extraction methods as a result of the higher detection limits by that method. The correlation was good for light molecular weight PAHs with most measurements of the same order of magnitude and improved with increasing depth (due to the greater number of detections). 72% of the direct comparisons between PDMS-derived and conventionally-derived porewater concentrations were of the same order of magnitude. Any comparison between the two datasets is necessarily limited especially for the higher molecular weight PAHs, however, due to the large number of non-detects in the conventionally collected data. / text

In any oil production company, one of the problems that is faced on a daily basis and which sometimes hinders the operation is corrosion. In the presence of dissolved oxygen in the water inside any vessel, tank, or pipeline, the oxygen attacks the steel to form iron oxides, and this result in corrosion of the steel. To prevent this, corrosion inhibitors are added to the oil and gas streams. These chemicals are based on aliphatic amines, which are soluble in water, to form a film to coat the steel and prevent it from the oxygen attacks. As a chemist in the laboratory, filming amines residuals should be monitored and optimized in order to make sure the system is protected against corrosion and that no excess chemical remains. This is classically done by lengthy liquid-liquid extraction of filming amines followed by colorimetric determination using spectrophotometry of the extract. SPME is an easy, rapid, and solvent free extraction technique which can be easily coupled with GC for separation and quantification, and is a good candidate to be used for this job. In this thesis, an introduction about corrosion problems and how to control and monitor them in the oil and gas industry will be shared, as well as a literature review about various methods used to determine amines in different matrices, followed by a description of the SPME procedure, including its theory, modes, fibers, and method development procedures. A flow-through system was used to simulate the process of flowing streams in pipelines during oil production and to provide unlimited sample volumes, which contributes iv to simplifying the calculation of the distribution constant between fiber and solution. Two different agitation methods were compared, which are stirring and sonication, in order to optimize the extraction time profiles of analytes. A method was developed to determine amines, using a flow-through system at the lowest detection limit possible. Different parameters were examined such as variation of pH, salt addition, and sand addition. It was found that the pH of the solution has to be adjusted in order to get better sensitivity for the desired analytes. Finally, in-fiber kinetic calibration was used to calculate the concentration of solutions at a short extraction time. This was possible by applying the dominant desorption approach using the same analytes as standards in the fiber. The experiment was successful in shortening the extraction time from 3 hours to 20 minutes, with less than 20% variation in concentrations between the actual and the calculated.

The presence of off-flavor compounds in fish represents one of the significant economic problems encountered in aquaculture. These off-flavor compounds are due to the absorption of substances produced by microorganisms. Currently, a number of strategies have been employed to prevent or limit the growth of these microorganisms in recirculating aquaculture system. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies by monitoring the concentrations of off-flavor compounds in fish. In-vivo solid phase microextraction (SPME), a rapid and simple sample preparation method, allows the monitoring of concentrations of off-flavor compounds in live fish. In this research, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), which are produced by cyanobacteria and actinomycetes being the major sources for “earthy” and “muddy” flavors in fish, were selected as representatives. In order to accurately quantify these compounds in fish muscle, two kinetic calibration methods, on-fibre standardization and measurement using pre-determined extraction rate, were used. Results obtained were validated by traditional methods. The detection limit of in-vivo SPME in fish muscle was 0.12 ng/g for geosmin and 0.21 ng/g for 2-MIB, both below the human sensory threshold. Additionally, the binding effect of geosmin and 2-MIB in fish muscle was investigated in details. Facilitated by the agarose gel model, it was proven that binding did not impact the extraction rate under the pre-determined sampling time. Furthermore, an optional sampling position was undertaken by inserting the fibre into the fat tissue found under the fish belly, the results indicating that this method could decrease extraction time by up to two-thirds of its usual time.

PhD dissertation thesis "Study of correlation of quality parameters of wines and wine distillates" was done at Department of Post-Harvest Technology of Horticultural Products, Faculty of Horticulture, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno during 2006 - 2012. Samples of wines and samples of distillates made from these wines were analysed using liquid-liquid extraction method (LLE) followed by gas chromatography analysis (GC). Potential characteristics -- chemical markers were determined: trans-linalool oxide and cislinalool oxide which are typical for Muscat Ottonel and tetradecanote, ethyl 3- methylpentanoate for Pinot Blanc. In wine distillates, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3- methylpentanoate, 1,1-diethoxybutane, diethoxypentane were determined, however none of these substances were found in wines. These substances probably originate as a result of esterification process during ageing of wine distillates after distillation process. Differences in chemical composition of wine distillates made from red wine grape cultivars were analysed using main component method. Group of substances such as ethyl butanoate, hexanoate, octanoate, decanoate, dodecanoate and diethyl succinate can be considered as possible markers identifying wine distillates from red wine grape cultivars and white grape cultivars. Characteristic aroma of grape variety was recognisable in wine distillates from Muscat Ottonell and Blue Frankish varieties. Samples of wine and wine distillates were analysed using Solid-phase micro extraction (SPME-headspace) technique followed by Gas chromatography--mass spectrometry (GCMS). Negative correlation between 1-hexanol content and intensity of aroma was discovered in wine distillates. Characteristic aroma of grape variety showed significantly in distillates from Pinot Gris (RS_2) and in distillates from red wine grape cultivars, particularly Saint Laurent (SV) and Pinot Noir. Based on analysis of samples of wine distillates from red wine grape cultivars, ten major terpentic aromatic substances were determined (o-cymen, limonen, cis-b-ocimen, cislinalool oxid, linalool, isoborneol, terpinen-4-ol, a-terpineol, trans-sabinyl acetate a transkalamenen). All these substances influence aroma of grape variety. Both centred log ratio transform (clr) and main component method were applied and similarity in aroma of wine distillates was found and it was discovered that aroma of wine distillate from varieties Merlot, Pinot Noir and similar ones are influenced by terpenoids cis-linalool oxid, linalool, 94 isoborneol, terpinen-4-ol a a-terpineol. On the other hand, aroma of wine distillates from varieties Blue Portugieser and Cabernet Sauvignon are influenced by o-cymen, limonen, trans-sabinyl acetate and trans-kalamenen. Analysis of terpentic content wine distillates was carried out using Solid-phase micro extraction (SPME-headspace) technique followed by Gas chromatography--mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Major terpentic substances identified are limonen, linalool, a-ylangen, b- bourbonen, g-kadinen, trans-nerolidol, 2,3-dihydrofarnesol and (2-cis, 6-trans)-farnesol. Verifiable differences were discovered between various distillates types. Predominantly mono-terpentic substances were identified in wine distillates; in grappa there were also identified sesquiterpenic substances which are characteristic for these types of distillates.

Volatile sulphur substances originating during technological processes in malt and beer production can be a cause of various off-flavors and aromas. Their precursors are sulphur-containing amino acids. Sulphur substances play an important role in brewing as even in very low concentrations they can negatively affect total character of beer. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor volatile sulphur substances and their precursors to eliminate undesirable processes. Because sulphur substances occur in beer and raw materials at trace levels, microanalytical methods are used for their detection. This diploma thesis describes the problems of sulphur substances and their determination using the SPME/GC method.

The aim of the diploma thesis was the aroma active compounds assessment and sensory profile determination of various types of sea buckthorn (Hippopha rhamnoides L.). The theoretical part provides the detailed description of this plant, comprising the occurence, taxonomy, chemical composition and use. Experimental part summarizes the data obtained: identification and quantification of aroma compounds using the SPME – GC –FID and GC-MS method and evaluation of complete sensory profile. Various cultivars of sea buckthorn harvested in 2009-2012 were analysed. In total 23 various types of sea buckthorn were measured, 23 alcohols, 10 aldehydes, 11 esters, 14 ketones and 5 acids were found.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) is an analytical technique that sees frequent use in labs across the world. It is also one of the most common instruments found in forensic science laboratories. This technique can efficiently and accurately separate and identify a broad range of compounds that may be present in evidence submitted for analysis. In this work, the versatility of this instrument was applied to new methodologies for the detection of explosives and illicit drugs. The analysis of explosives by GC/MS is common but can be problematic. The thermally sensitive nature of some explosives can cause them to degrade when introduced to the high temperatures of a GC/MS inlet. This project looked at the design and implementation of a way to separate and detect a variety of nitrate ester explosives in a short amount of time. In addition to this, a new technique known as Total Vaporization-Solid Phase Microextraction (TV-SPME) was utilized as a pre concentration technique. The parameters for TV-SPME were statistically optimized for a low level of detection. The combination of these areas allowed for the separation of ethylene glycol dinitrate, nitroglycerin, erythritol tetranitrate, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate with a detection limit as low as 50 parts per trillion (ppt). Degradation products such as 1-mononitroglycerin, 1-3-dinitroglycerin, and 2-mononitroglycerin were also successfully identified. The problem of thermally labile compounds extends to the world of illicit drugs. In the second project, several derivatization schemes were developed for common controlled substances. N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) with 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) was used for silylation, trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) was sued for acylation, and (N,N-Dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMF-DMA) for alkylation. Three different compound classes totaling 15 different drugs were investigated. N,N-Dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMF-DMA) is presented as a novel way of derivatizing several drugs of interest. Primary amines and zwitterions were derivatized with this reagent to much success, specifically: amphetamine, 2-(4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-amine (2C-I), pregabalin, and gabapentin.

The ultimate goal of this research is to provide a low cost, efficient, reproducible, quantitative, non-invasive screening method to diagnose diseases at an early stage through identification of volatile biomarkers of disease. Progress has been made in the areas towards development of an analytical system that can provide a rapid and specific assay for above mentioned Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). (i) Methods have been designed for the collection, concentration, identification and quantification of volatile biomarkers. (ii) Advanced signal processing evaluation of data has tentatively identified key VOCs patterns with breath and body odor. (iii) Novel absorbent coatings have been studied for use with miniature chemical sensors that one day may be part of a portable analytical system. Both breath and body odor contain a complex mixture of chemicals, which are influenced by many internal and external factors. Breath and skin odor samples were collected with minimum external contaminations using traditional SPME and active SPME GCMS techniques. Body odor from 65 human subjects was tested with and without selected scent removal products. Breath samples were collected from 21 canine subjects. The VOCs profiles of these samples were determined and then statistically treated with principal component analysis, discriminant analysis, and tree regression techniques to simplify and interpret the complex mixtures. While much of our work has utilized large bench-top equipment, our over-arching goal is to provide a portable device that can diagnose diseases at an early stage. Concurrent work was done to enhance the performance of a miniaturized detector for the detection of potential biomarkers. Two organic polymers mixed with conductive carbon nanoparticles were deposited between the microcapacitor plates of microsensors using ink-jet technology. Microsensors were also fabricated using conducting ionic liquids. The performances of the individual chemicapacitive sensors were characterized through exposure to different concentrations of varied volatile organic compounds with different functional groups in a climate-controlled vapor delivery system.

Screening for resistance to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in maize is an ongoing effort by universities, state and federal agencies. We evaluated two techniques to screen for resistance; quantitative polymerase reaction (QPCR) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Methods were adapted to accurately detect and quantify the fungus in culture and in the vegetative stage of plant tissues. These assays can eliminate microbiological techniques. The primary objectives of the study were to utilize 1) QPCR to detect and quantify fungal biomass in maize stem tissues to evaluate resistance in maize genotypes to A. flavus colonization in situ and in vivo and 2) SPME to identify key MVOC’s to differentiate aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of A. flavus in situ. A novel QPCR TaqMan probe (OMG3) was designed to detect a region in the aflP gene. The OMG3 probe detected 98.3% of the aflatoxigenic strains. The predominant MVOC’s extracted from both aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains were alcohols, ketones and hydrocarbons. The aflatoxigenic strain produced 39 compounds and the non-aflatoxigenic strain produced 41 compounds. Dimethylsulfide and 2-heptanol were key MVOC biomarkers produced only by the aflatoxigenic strain of A. flavus. Accuracy of the QPCR OMG3 probe, in vivo and in situ procedures were developed. A toothpick inoculation method was used to artificially inoculate maize stems in the vegetative stage five (V5). Plants were harvested at V7 and sampled at predetermined sites. This method was 91% consistent for infecting maize plants. The OMG3 probe was evaluated in in vivo and in situ studies conducted in the greenhouse, growth chamber, and field. Lesion length was greater in susceptible lines in 4 of 7 greenhouse trials. Based on inoculation data, subsequent research should focus on refining tissue-sampling methods and increasing length of plant growth time for tissue sampling post-inoculation.

Atualmente, os estudos Ômicos, principalmente no campo da metabolômica, têm tido grandes avanços contribuindo para a descoberta de novos biomarcadores e consequentemente aumentando a eficiência do tratamento do câncer. A lipidômica é um novo ramo da metabolômica que visa o estudo abrangente dos lipídeos presentes em um determinado organismo dando ênfase ao metabolismo dos lipídeos e como estão relacionados à progressão da doença. A utilização da espectrometria de massas aliada a abordagens bionalíticas tem progredido rapidamente nos últimos anos, possibilitando a análise e compreensão de pequenas moléculas no contexto biológico e de desenvolvimento do câncer. Dessa forma, para a obtenção de uma boa cobertura lipídica, o preparo de amostra, os parâmetros cromatográficos e o processamento de dados são de suma importância. Nesse trabalho foi avaliado o perfil lipídico de amostras de plasma advindas do modelo animal de Ehrlich, um adenocarcinoma mamário em camundongos fêmeas. Na primeira parte do estudo foi utilizado o método de extração de lipídeos por Bligh-Dyer e realizadas comparações entre plasma de camundongo com tumor de Ehrlich induzido e plasma de camundongo controle, além da comparação entre plasma de camundongo com tumor de Ehrlich e fluido tumoral ascítico de Ehrlich. Através dos modelos obtidos foi observado que no modo negativo de ionização foram obtidos ácidos graxos significativamente diferentes entre os grupos, através do modelo de PLS-DA, dando ênfase ao perfil de ácidos graxos saturados, que mostraram-se em maior quantidade no plasma de Ehrlich. No modo positivo, alterações nos níveis de fosfatidilcolinas (PCs) foram obtidos, indicando a fosfocolina como potencial biomarcador para o câncer de mama, destacando-se as vias metabólicas mais afetadas: metabolismo do ácido linoléico e dos glicerofosfolipídeos. Já a comparação entre fluido tumoral e plasma de Ehrlich foi obtido, através dos dados no modo negativo de ionização e pelo modelo de PLS-DA, que informações lipídicas do tumor podem ser refletidas no plasma, em especial para o conteúdo de ácidos graxos, fosfotidilcolinas e fosfatidiletanolaminas (PEs). Uma segunda abordagem utilizada nessa tese foi a utilização da amostragem in vivo por microextração em fase sólida (SPME) para avaliação metabólica. Os principais parâmetros de SPME que podem afetar a eficiência da extração foram avaliados: tempo de extração e tempo de dessorção. Por meio de um planejamento experimental foram obtidos 10 min e 20 min, respectivamente, para cada variável. Após processamento dos dados foram obtidos 142 e 78 features no modo positivo e negativo, respectivamente. Através dos dados obtidos no modo negativo, e do modelo de PLS-DA construído foi possível avaliar possíveis biomarcadores responsáveis pela diferenciação do fluido tumoral e do fluido presente no camundongo controle, destacando ácidos graxos saturados, o ácido lisofosfatídico (LPA 18:0), fosfatidilinositol (PI 36:0) e derivados de colesterol. O presente estudo apresentou resultados que devem ser melhor explorados e correlacionados com dados a partir de amostras de humanos, podendo ser um indicador para o desenvolvimento de novos agentes terapêuticos para câncer de mama. / Currently, the \"omics\" studies mainly in the field of metabolomics, have increasinly contributed to the discovery of new biomarkers and consequently increasing the efficiency of cancer therapy. Lipidomics is a new approach of the metabolomics that aims the comprehensive study of the lipids present in a given organism, emphasizing the metabolism of lipids and how they are associated to the progression of the disease. Mass spectrometry coupled to bionalytical tools has progressed rapidly in recent years, making it possible to analyze and to understand small molecules in the biological context in the development of cancer. Thus, to obtain a good lipid coverage, sample preparation, chromatographic parameters, and the data processing are important. In this work, the lipid profile of plasma samples from the Ehrlich animal model, a mammary adenocarcinoma in female mice, was evaluated. In the first part of the study the method of lipid extraction by Bligh-Dyer was used and comparisons were performed between mouse plasma with induced Ehrlich tumor and control mouse plasma. In addition, comparison between mouse plasma with Ehrlich tumor and Ehrlich ascitic tumor fluid was performed. Through multivariate models PLS-DA was observed that in the negative ionization mode fatty acids were significantly different between the groups, emphasizing the profile of saturated fatty acids in higher levels in the plasma of Ehrlich. In the positive mode of ionization changes in phosphatidylcholine (PCs) levels were obtained, indicating the phosphocholine group as potential biomarker for breast cancer, with metabolic pathways of the linoleic acid and glycerophospholipids metabolism the most affected. The comparison between tumor fluid and Ehrlich plasma was obtained through the negative mode dataset using the PLS-DA model, showing that the lipid information of tumor can be reflected in the plasma, especially for the fatty acid, phosphotidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). A second approach used in this thesis was the using of the in vivo sampling by solid phase microextraction (SPME). Times of extraction and desorption were the main parameters of SPME assessed using experimental design since they can affect the efficiency of extraction, where 10 and 20 min were the better times of extraction and desorption obtained, respectively. After processing the dataset, 142 and 78 features were obtained in the positive and negative modes of ionization, respectively. Through the data obtained in the negative mode, PLS-DA model was able to evaluate possible biomarkers responsible for the differentiation between tumor fluid and that fluid present in the control mouses, highlighting saturated fatty acids, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA 18:0), phosphatidylinositol (PI 36:0) and cholesterol derivatives. The present study showed results that should be better explored and correlated with data from human samples, and may be an indicator for the development of new therapeutic agents for breast cancer.