CHEM 311 Students Research projects: Fall 2010
1. Tran, Linh N. Separation of Enantiomer with Molecularly Imprinted Polymer on Surface Initiated
Open Tubular Capillary and Pack Capillary.
Abstract
A method of separating enantiomer compounds using molecularly imprinted polymer is discussed.
Molecularly imprinted polymer were prepared and injected into multiple capillaries in an attempt to
separate enantiomer L, D-Tryptophan. Two types of capillaries were made; an open tubular and a
packed capillary with diameters of 250 µm and 700 µm, along with 2 columns for HPLC run. SEM
imagines of each capillary were obtained to view the polymerized results of the capillary.
250µm plot mip (2µm)
700µm plot mip (100µm)
2. Langman, Samuel R. Characterization of polyphenols and active metabolites in for St. Johns Wort
(an antidepressants plant extract) and Marianthus Holstii by LC-MS/MS
3. Karl Ayton. W. Analysis of Metals in Nutraceuticals by ICP-OES
Abstract
A method of analyzing metals in organic products by inductively coupled optical emission
spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is outlined in the paper below. In it, a microwave is used in the digestion of
six nutraceutical products. It was found that an important step in microwave digestion requires a low
power, pre-digestion step in the method. Following this, acid digestion with conventional heating
(hot plate) was used. Samples were digested overnight, and then quantitatively transferred to
volumetric flasks. Analysis by ICP-OES was not possible for marine-oil samples; therefore a method
of lipid hydrolysis is recommended. Detection limits for metals As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn and
Cr were 0.02, 1.0, 0.0002, 0.001, 0.007, 0.2, 0.004, 0.02, 0.02, and 0.003 ppm, respectively. Methods
for pre-concentration of some of these metals are discussed. It was found that small amounts of Pb
was present in four samples analyzed (two honey samples and two essential-mineral samples). Also,
Hg was found to be in one of the honey samples. Comparison of industry-stated values (mineral
supplements) with determined values also found discrepancies between Cr, Zn, and Ca. As well,
metals were found present in honey samples. Recommendations for regulation of these nutraceutical
products are discussed below; ICP-OES analysis of metals proves a suitable method for measuring
metal contamination in the organic food product industry.