Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 18th International Conference on World HPLC & Separation Techniques Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science, Slovakia

Keynote: Molecular characterization of synthetic polymers with help of liquid chromatography

Time : 00:00-00:30

Conference Series WORLD HPLC 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Dusan Berek photo
Biography:

Dusan Berek is employed at Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. Served as elected member of the Presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, President of the Slovak Chemical Society, Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak and Slovak National Committee of Chemistry for IUPAC. Corresponding member of the Central European Academy of Sciences and member of the Learned Society of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Author or co-author of two monographs and 300+ scientific papers in extenso published in refereed periodicals, proceedings and chapters of books, as well as 60+ patents (four of them were licensed) - cited more than 3,000x. Presented over 130 invited plenary, key and main lectures, as well as over 900 regular lectures and poster contributions on symposia and conferences, as well as during lecturing tours to over fourty countries. Elected "Slovak scientist of the year 1999" and "Slovak innovator of the year 2002".

Abstract:

The most important tool for molecular characterization of synthetic polymers is High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods. Mean molar mass (MM) and molar mass distribution (MMD) of linear and branched homopolymers is easily determined by gel permeation (size exclusion) chromatography (GPC/SEC). GPC/SEC provides several other useful data such as limiting viscosity numbers, constants of viscosity law, sizes of macromolecules in solution - and even extent of preferential solvation of polymers in mixed solvents. Recent progress in GPC/SEC comprises improved instrumental hardware and data processing procedures. High sample throughput of the ultra-fast GPC/SEC enables acceleration of analyses, which is especially important in combinatorial material chemistry and in production control. Still, further improvements of the SEC method are needed, which include its hardware, especially columns and detectors, standardization of sample preparation, measurement and data processing. GPC/SEC exhibits excellent intra-laboratory repeatability, which evokes a notion of its high reliability. Recent series of the round robin tests, however, revealed surprisingly poor inter-laboratory reproducibility of results. Evidently, an accuracy of many GPC/SEC results may be rather limited. In most cases, GPC/SEC does not enable precise molecular characterization of complex polymer systems, which possess more than one distribution in their molecular characteristics. Typically, polymer mixtures, copolymers and functional polymers exhibit beside MMD also distribution in their chemical structure. To assess the above distributions, new HPLC procedures are developed. These are based on the controlled combinations of entropic (exclusion) and enthalpic (interaction) retention mechanisms within one column or in a series of independent separation systems. These approaches are denoted “coupled polymer HPLC” and “two- or multi-dimensional polymer HPLC”, respectively. Enthalpic retention mechanisms in HPLC of synthetic polymers include adsorption, partition, phase separation. We shall review recent progress and problems in GPC/SEC, as well as in the couple and two-dimensional polymer HPLC procedures and outline anticipated future development.

Conference Series WORLD HPLC 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker David M Parish photo
Biography:

David M. Parish Staff Scientist in Protective & Marine Division at Sherwin Williams Company Staff Scientist at Glatfelter, Chilicothe, OH. Sean Zuckerman, PhD (2013): Case Western Reserve University and Nivasu Venkata Muram, PhD (2012). Ohio State University – BS (Organic Chemistry), 1986 Collaborators & Other Affiliations- Horst von Recum, PhD (Biomedical Engineering, Case); Patrick Ziemer (Corporate Polymers Group, Sherwin Williams (SHW)); Andrew Taylor, PhD (Lead Scientist-UK, SHW); Petra Allef, PhD (Innovation, Evonik); Thomas Klotzbach, PhD (Senior Lab Manager-Additives & Silicone Resins, Evonik); Gerald L. Witucki, (Assoc. Scientist, DOW Corning); Maria Nargiello, PhD, (Technical Director, Evonik); Jeffery A. Klang, PhD (R&D Manager, Sartomer Corp.); Leo J. Procopio, PhD (Group Leader-Industrial Coatings, DOW); Seth T. Taylor, PhD (Senior Materials Engineer, Chevron); Jacque Pointcloux, PhD ( Technical Manager, Huntsman Corp.); Ray Drumwright, PhD (Research Fellow, DOW); Dean Webster, PhD (Coatings Science &Technology, Dean, NDSU); William D. Coggio, PhD (Bio-derived Raw Materials, Bio Amber, Inc.)

Abstract:

Academia has always used analytical techniques to characterize, test and further promote the outcome of their respective research. Industry, on the other hand, has primarily utilized analytical science as a forensic tool to help solve product and/or process issues. Each endeavor has merit and definitely is needed, especially in their respective genre. Each physical laboratory is constructed with these types of needs in mind. The Academic laboratory usually contains the equipment required to perform these analytical functions, since it is so central to their project work. Whereas, most industrial laboratories have a completely separated analytical department/lab area due to the fact that their major function is in support of the sales and/or manufacturing arm of the company. These two endeavors need to be better aligned, such that industry can learn from Academia the importance of analytical sciences to build robust formulations/products during the development phase in order to eliminate the potential for problems after product launch. This will also allow for the building of a better understanding of the structure/ property relationship.

Conference Series WORLD HPLC 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Abuzar Kabir photo
Biography:

Abuzar Kabir, a Research Assistant Professor at the International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University (FIU), Miami, Florida, USA, is a Separation Scientist and Materials Chemist. He has received his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, Florida, USA with specialization in sol-gel synthesis. He has invented 16-patented technologies in the area of chromatographic separation and analytical/bioanalytical sample preparation. He has also authored/co-authored 9 book chapters, 6 review articles, 46 research articles and 89 conference papers.

Abstract:

Metabolomics plays an important role in discovering potential disease biomarkers from blood plasma or serum samples. Due to the distinctive complexity of whole blood as the sample matrix, either plasma or serum are used as the primary sample in metabolomics biomarker discovery research. During the transformation of whole blood into plasma or serum followed by extraction of targeted or non-targeted metabolites using conventional sample preparation techniques including solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), a significant portion of the analytical information disappears, resulting in negligible success in discovering potential disease biomarkers. Fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE), a new generation sample preparation technology, has offered a paradigm shift approach in metabolomics sample preparation. FPSE innovatively combines the benefits of solid phase extraction (SPE) (works under exhaustive extraction principle) and solid phase microextraction (works under equilibrium extraction principle) into a single sample preparation technology platform. FPSE utilizes a flexible and permeable fabric substrate, coated with high-performance sol-gel sorbents as the extraction media. This uniquely designed extraction medium is capable of extracting target analyte(s) directly from whole blood. Due to the special geometry of FPSE medium (flexible, flat and permeable) and sponge-like porous architecture of sol-gel sorbents, rapid analyte mass transfer occurs between the bulk sample and the extraction medium, resulting in a near-exhaustive extraction within a fraction of time required for other comparable sample preparation techniques. FPSE is particularly suitable for analyzing target analytes e.g., metabolites, biomarkers directly from whole blood without requiring any protein precipitation or other pre-extraction sample cleaning/manipulation. After extracting the target analyte(s) directly from the whole blood sample, FPSE media is exposed to a small volume of organic/organo-aqueous solvent for eluting the extracted analyte(s). The low viscosity of the organic solvent, the capillary force of the fabric support and sponge-like porous sol-gel network allows fast diffusion of organic solvent into the FPSE medium for quick and complete recovery of the extracted analyte(s). As a result, FPSE completely eliminates time-consuming and error-prone solvent evaporation and sample reconstitution step often considered as an integral part of solid phase extraction/liquid-liquid e work-flow. During the solvent-mediated elution/back-extraction, any protein or matrix interferents adhered to the FPSE medium precipitates out and a final centrifugation of the resulting solution prior to injecting into the analytical instrument ensures clean particle-free highly concentrated target analyte(s). Fabric phase sorptive extraction has already developed a large number of sol-gel sorbents specifically suitable for polar metabolites/biomarkers such as sol-gel polyethylene glycol, sol-gel chitosan, sol-gel Carbowax 20M, sol-gel polycaprolactone-dimethylsiloxane-caprolactone to name a few. These high-efficiency sorbents have been found equally effective for analytes with a wide range of polarity. As a consequence, searching for a new disease biomarker from whole blood in presence of numerous endogenous and exogenous interferents is no longer a wishful thinking but an achievable reality. In the current talk, some new and fascinating data on metabolomics sample preparation using FPSE and a comparison between FPSE and conventional sample preparation techniques will be presented.

Keynote Forum

Rob O’Brien

Supra Research and Development, Canada

Keynote: Overcoming challenges in the analysis of Cannabis and derived products

Time : 00:00-00:30

Conference Series WORLD HPLC 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Rob O’Brien photo
Biography:

Rob O'Brien, Ph.D., President and Chief Technology Officer, was a professor in Analytical Chemistry for over 13 years and has more than 25 years of experience in analytical chemistry. An expert in analytical instrumentation, he has set up a number of advanced analytical laboratories and has held an executive position in a number of commercial enterprises. Rob O'Brien possesses a track record of successful commercialization of intellectual property developed from academic research. During his academic career, Rob O'Brien secured over 3 million dollars in research grants and has developed an extensive network of research collaborators.

Abstract:

The imminent legal Cannabis Sector is projected to be worth 6 to 20 billion dollars in Canada alone. The highly regulated nature of this sector demands rigorous quality control measures that require advanced analytical mass spectrometry and other techniques to ensure product safety. The nature of the Cannabis plant and its current status as an illegal and controlled narcotic in many countries, add a level of complexity to the development of analytical protocols. This talk will highlight some of the challenges facing this sector and some of the approaches to overcome these. Specifically, issues with potency testing, quantifying medicinal dose delivery, pesticide testing, development of Certified Reference Materials and the importance of ISO 17025 accreditation and international standard development will all be discussed.

  • Chromatography
Speaker

Chair

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science

Speaker

Co-Chair

Brigitte Simons

Molecular Science Corp., Canada

Session Introduction

Milos Netopilik

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Republic

Title: Combinatorial model of chromatography applied on optimizing operational conditions in SEC

Time : 00:00-00:20

Speaker
Biography:

Milos Netopilik has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 30 years from Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and postdoctoral studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Technical University. He has published more than 65 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The shape of the elution curves depends strongly on experimental conditions, in the first place on polymer molecular weight, upon this, on concentration and flow-rate. The effect of concentration is weak for polymers in theta solvents
up to the concentrations of overloading. On the other hand, in good solvents, the concentration effect is important. The effective hydrodynamic volume of dissolved macromolecules decreases with increasing concentration. The decrease in the hydrodynamic volume is of solvated molecules with increasing concentration is an established experimental factor which
theoretical explanation. The spatial distribution of the analyte with respect to the longitudinal axis of the separation system, developing in time, can be expressed by the binomial distribution. However, further treatments of this physical situation were approximative. The exact solution to the problem is obtained as the observation at a fixed point (the detector) of this binomial distribution developing in time after reaching the exclusion limit. This can be done numerically. The description of the concentration effect on SEC elution curves is possible on the basis of the displacement- equilibrium model. This is based on the concept of a theoretical plate on which the equilibrium is formed between molecules of the analyte moving together with mobile phase (MP) and those anchored on the or penetrated into the pores of the stationary phase (SP). The simulation of the concentration effect is possible with partition coefficient calculated numerically for each plate at each displacement.

  • Principles and Applications of HPLC
Speaker

Chair

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science

Speaker

Co-Chair

Brigitte Simons

Molecular Science Corp., Canada

Speaker
Biography:

H W C Krishanthi Karunarathne has completed her MSc. in analytical chemistry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. She is the Assistant Government Analyst in
Government Analyst Department in Sri Lanka. She has published more than 10 papers in some reputed journals.

Abstract:

Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are two major chemical preservatives which are used in ready to serve products. In this study, a total of 50 commercial brands of highly consumed ready to serve products were analyzed. The HPLC determination of the preservatives was performed using a reversed – phase C18 column and UV detection at 235 nm. Flow rate approximately 1.2 ml/min. Eluent for HPLC, mix 50 volume parts of ammonium acetate solution with 40 volume parts of methanol for HPLC and adjust to a pH of 4.5 to 4.6 with acetic acid. The preservative concentration in samples was using authentic external standard sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Among 50 samples, the minimum and maximum concentration of benzoate content in various brands were 80ppm and 874ppm and for sorbate was 60ppm to 562ppm respectively, 22% of samples do not compliance with standard regulations in Sri Lanka. Exposure to these chemical preservatives could be a risk factor for the human health, especially when their intake was being occurred by various foodstuffs simultaneously.

  • Polymer and Material Chemistry
Speaker

Chair

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science

Speaker

Co-Chair

Brigitte Simons

Molecular Science Corp., Canada

Speaker
Biography:

Zahra Ramezani is currently professor of analytical chemistry at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. She earns her BSc in pure chemistry, MSc and Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at Shiraz University, Iran. She is currently working on the synthesis of artificial antibodies for drug and diseases biomarker
determinations in complicated matrixes such as urine, saliva and plasma as well as drug delivery.

Abstract:

Sarcosine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid, is an intermediate product in the synthesis and degradation of amino acid glycine. Recently, it has been investigated as a prostate cancer (CaP) biomarker, a most common type of tumor disease in men. It is a candidate for diagnosis of early stages of CaP in the body fluid such as urine instead of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA can only be detected in plasma when the disease progresses. Scientists have different opinion about its suitability as a biomarker in early diagnosis of CaP. This is due to false positive results because of interference from amino acid, aniline in the quantitation methods. Therefore, liquid chromatography or gas chromatography equipped with tandem mass detection is applied for its quantitation. For the accurate determination in biological matrixes such as urine, a good cleanup and pre-concentration technique is also required. Molecularly imprinted polymer as a synthetic antibody is a good approach. In the present survey, a new magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) using a chelate-Cu-sarcosine as the template, methacrylic amide as the monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker and 2,2-azobis boutirnitril as an initiator is introduced. Synthesis of the MMIP was optimized by two heating methods, microwave irradiation and conventional heating. On column derivitization capillary electrophoresis analysis was used to determine 13 amino acids including sarcosine. Fig. 1 shows electrophoregram for the mixture of amino acids determined by the proposed method. In the electrophoregram, aniline and sarcosine are appeared at different times. So, the interference of aniline is eliminated.

  • Good Pharmacovigilance Practice
Speaker

Chair

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science

Speaker

Co-Chair

Brigitte Simons

Molecular Science Corp., Canada

Session Introduction

Julio C Fernandez Travieso

National Centre for Scientifi c Research, Cuba

Title: Effects of policosanol in the functional recovery of ischemic stroke hypertensive patients

Time : 00:00-00:20

Speaker
Biography:

Julio Cesar Fernandez Travieso is a Senior Investigator in the Clinical Trials Unit, National Centre for Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba. He has completed his BSc
in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Havana University, Cuba in 1996. He was awarded PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2003. He has published more than 130 publications and presented more than 100 papers in various scientific events. His research interest mainly focuses on clinical trials phase I-IV of different natural products: Policosanol, Abexol, Prevenox and Palmex.

Abstract:

Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability. Clinical studies results show that policosanol (20 mg/day) + standard aspirin (AS) therapy had benefits versus placebo + AS given for 6 and 12 months to patients with recent ischemic stroke.
Objective: To analysis, the policosanol treatment effects in the hypertensive patients included in two ischemic stroke recovery trials.
Methods: This report was analyzed the records of all hypertensive patients included in two ischemic stroke recovery studies. Hypertensive patients with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRSs) 2 to 4 were randomized, within 30 days of onset, to policosanol/ AS or placebo/AS, for 6 months. The primary outcome was a mRSs reduction. Low-density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)
reduction and High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) increase were secondary outcomes.
Results: One hundred forty-two hypertensive patients (mean age: 66 years) were included in the analysis. Policosanol/AS decreased significantly the mRSs mean from the first interim check-up (3 months) (p<0.0001 vs. placebo/AS). The policosanol treatment effect did not wear off, on the contrary, even improved after 6 months therapy (p<0.0001 versus placebo/AS). Moreover, policosanol/AS (57/71; 80.3%) treatment achieved significant results (mRSs ≤1; p<0.0001). Whereas the placebo/ AS did not (6/71; 8.5%). Treatments were well tolerated. Two patients discontinued prematurely and four patients (2 from policosanol/AS group and 2 from placebo/AS) referred mild AE.
Conclusions: Six months administration of policosanol/AS given to hypertensive patients after suffering ischemic stroke demonstrated to be better than placebo/AS in improving functional outcomes at 3 and 6 months when used among hypertensive patients with ischemic stroke.

  • Disease Detection and Formulation Development
Speaker

Chair

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science

Speaker

Co-Chair

Brigitte Simons

Molecular Science Corp., Canada

Biography:

Abstract:

The incidence of kidney failure is on the increase, unfortunately, traditional renal function markers are equivocal especially at the early stage until end-stage renal disease when kidney transplant becomes inevitable. Hence, the need for an early and more sensitive marker of renal damage indicating the presence of covert renal damage in occupational lead toxicity is imperative. This work is proposing diagnostic methods that could predict the development of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) especially in occupational lead-exposed subjects combining results of conventional and new biomarkers of kidney damage using
a mathematical model based on Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC). Traditional Renal Function markers (TRF) (plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid) were determined in one hundred each of Lead-Exposed Subjects (LES) and non-exposed, non-nephrotic adults (control) along with sixty Chronic Renal Failure patients (CRF) (all age-matched) using standard spectrophotometric methods. Blood lead level (Pb) was determined in all participants using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) while levels of novel urinary renal enzymes - Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and N-acetyl-β-Dglucosaminidase (NAG)- activities were also evaluated using ELISA techniques. Pb was used as True Positive Indices (TPI) and TRF along with NAG and GST were used as False Negative Indices (FNI). Ratios of mean, Creatinine : GST (A) (0.01, 0.02 and 0.09), Creatinine:NAG (B) (0.03, 0.08 and 0.6), Uric acid : GST (C) (0.05, 0.08 and 0.08), Uric acid : NAG (D) (0.29, 0.3 and 0.55), Urea : GST (E) (0.17, 0.55 and 0.93), Lead : GST (F)(0.42, 0.59 and 0.88), Lead : NAG (G) (2.56, 2.28 and 6.09), Lead : Creatinine (H) (80.62, 30.37 and 10..22), Lead : Urea (I) (2.46, 1.07 and 0.95) and Lead : Uric acid (J) (8.66, 7.61 and 11.12) for LES, control and CRF groups respectively were computed and used to plot an ROC curve using the FNI values as the abscissa and the TPI values as the ordinate while their AUC were calculated. The AUC values for Lead : Creatinine, Lead Urea and Lead
: Uric acid were 1.00, 0.917 and 0.833 respectively. We suggest that application of this model after proper standardization may be useful in early identification of covert kidney damage especially in occupationally vulnerable group.

Alina Vasilescu

International Centre of Biodynamics, Romania

Title: Biosensing approaches for lysozyme detection with graphene oxide-coated plasmonic interfaces

Time : 00:00-00:20

Speaker
Biography:

Alina Vasilescu has completed joint Ph.D. studies from the University of Bucharest, Romania and University of Perpignan, France and postdoctoral studies from University of Toronto, Canada. She has worked in analytical development in the pharmaceutical industry and is currently a researcher at the International Centre of Biodynamics in Bucharest, Romania working on practical applications of biosensors. She has published more than 30 papers in the field of biosensors.

Abstract:

Lysozyme is used as a model to study protein function and enzyme catalysis, is suggested as a biomarker in various diseases and also used as an antimicrobial agent in the food industry. Various methods have been reported for lysozyme detection based on its physicochemical properties, enzymatic activity or affinity for biological receptors. The aptasensors with detection by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) developed by our group are versatile tools for the detection of residual lysozyme in wines or of lysozyme dimer in aggregated solutions. Advancing from these concepts relying on thiol coated plasmonic interfaces, we report the development of graphene oxide (GO) coated plasmonic interfaces via the layer-by-layer method, as robust and sensitive platforms with controlled thickness. Furthermore, the GO-coated interfaces were easily modified with whole cells of Micrococcus lysodeikticus- an enzymatic substrate for lysozyme. Detection of lysozyme in spiked serum samples was achieved on the principle of lysozyme’s lytic action causing desorption of bacteria from the interfaces and consequently changes in the
SPR signal. The analysis time was 3 minutes and the detection limit was 3.5 nM. A second sensing concept exploited the affinity of lysozyme for an aptamer, fixed covalently to the GO-coated interfaces. In this case, a detection limit of 0.71 nM and a linear range of 2-21 nM were observed. The two analytical strategies are based on different sensing mechanisms, nonetheless, both are sensitive and easy to implement with GO-coated interfaces suggesting a high potential and versatility of these interfaces for bioanalytical purposes.

  • Advances in Chromatography & HPLC Techniques
Speaker

Chair

Milos Netopilik

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Republic

Speaker

Co-Chair

Abuzar Kabir

International Forensic Research Institute, USA

Session Introduction

Dusan Berek

Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science, Slovakia

Title: Separation of parent homopolymers from block copolymers with advanced liquid chromatography methods

Time : 00:00-00:20

Speaker
Biography:

Dusan Berek is employed at Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. Served as elected member of the Presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, President of the Slovak Chemical Society, Chairman of the Czecho-Slovak and Slovak National Committee of Chemistry for IUPAC. Corresponding member of the Central European Academy of Sciences and member of the Learned Society of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Author or co-author of two monographs and 300+ scientific papers in extenso published in refereed periodicals, proceedings and chapters of books, as well as 60+ patents (four of them were licensed) - cited more than 3,000x. Presented over 130 invited plenary, key and main lectures, as well as over 900 regular lectures and poster contributions on symposia and conferences, as well as during lecturing tours to over fourty countries. Elected "Slovak scientist of the year 1999" and "Slovak innovator of the year 2002".

Abstract:

Block copolymers present an important group of materials with numerous applications in science, medicine and technology. In a block copolymer, at least two chemically distinct polymer chains are connected with a chemical bond. Comprehensive molecular characterization of block copolymers is an analytical challenge. A special problem makes a determination of the amount and molar mass of parent homopolymers, which occur in most block copolymers and constitute highly undesired ballast. Gel permeation (size exclusion) chromatography GPC/SEC is commonly employed for the characterization of block copolymers. Molar mass of a precursor, the block polymerized as first, is determined by GPC/SEC and the same method serves for the approximate assessment of total molar mass of the block copolymer under study. Due to its low separation selectivity and detector sensitivity, GPC/SEC can hardly identify the presence of parent homopolymers and render their molar mass.
We will discuss principles and applications of the new separation methods namely liquid chromatography under limiting conditions of enthalpic interactions, LC-LC and sequential two-dimensional polymer liquid chromatography, S2D LC to solve the above tasks. LC-LC methods are well robust and experimentally feasible. Their separation selectivity is very high and sample recovery is reasonable. LC-LC can efficiently separate both parent homopolymers from diblock copolymers in one single step. The separated sample constituents can be one-by-one forwarded into an on-line GPC/SEC column for determination of their molar mass average and distribution. Parent homopolymers present in the block copolymer at a very low concentration below 1% of can be tracked-down and characterized with help of the S2D LC.

Biography:

Abstract:

This study was designed to determine the extent to which alluvial and bedrock gold mining activities in the Kette-Batouri region of Eastern Cameroon is responsible for the discharge of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) into natural water bodies. This is considered to be of great public concern, since elevated levels of PHEs in these water bodies, which are widely used for domestic purposes, could have adverse health and environmental effects on the population and nearby ecosystems. The investigation into the levels of PHEs in natural water bodies of this area was conducted to ascertain the toxicity posed by mine waste stockpiles as data from the literature on this subject are scarce. Fourty two water samples from the region were analyzed for some 60 PHEs by ICPOES, of which 22 that were not below the detection limit were considered for further data analysis. Maximum total concentrations in water of As, Cr, Pb and V and Zn are above the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) levels and are as follows (μg l−1): As (21.90-50.9); Cr (1.80-57.30); Pb (0.50-34.70) V (24.70-77.20) and Zn (3.10-481.70). This information is consistent with our recent research efforts which have indicated moderate pollution by heavy metals in the soils with a slight deterioration of site quality in this region. The data generated from this investigation is important in the formulation of water management strategies and recommendations for remediation of water bodies at abandoned mine sites for meeting water quality standards.