Analysis of phthalate esters contamination in drinking water samples

Phthalate esters are widely used as plasticizer. They can migrate from plastic materials to the environment. Exposure to some of these compounds may increase the risk of getting cancer. Phthalate esters: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were extracted simultaneously using a solid-phase extraction and compared with liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed by a gas chromatograph. The optimum condition method was successfully applied to the analysis of phthalate esters contamination in bottled drinking water samples. The concentration of DMP, DEP and DBP in drinking water samples were below allowable levels, while the DEHP concentration in three samples was found to be greater than the regulatory, maximum admissible concentration.Key words: Phthalate esters, drinking water, sample extraction, gas chromatography

Recent advances in enhancing the sensitivity of electrophoresis and electrochromatography in capillaries and microchips (2012-2014)

One of the most cited limitations of capillary (and microchip) electrophoresis is the poor sensitivity. This review continues to update this series of biannual reviews, first published in Electrophoresis in 2007, on developments in the field of on-line/in-line concentration methods, covering the period July 2012-July 2014. It includes developments in the field of stacking, covering all methods from field-amplified sample stacking and large-volume sample stacking, through to ITP, dynamic pH junction, and sweeping. Attention is also given to on-line or in-line extraction methods that have been used for electrophoresis