An in situ derivatization solid-phase microextraction method has been developed for the determination of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in water. The analytical procedure involves derivatization of HAAs to their methyl esters with dimethyl sulfate, headspace sampling using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC/ITMS) determination. Parameters affecting both derivatization efficiency and head-space SPME procedure, such as the selection of the SPME coating, derivatization-extraction time and temperature, and ionic strength, were optimized. The commercially available Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (CAR-PDMS) fiber appears to be the most suitable for the determination of HAAs. Moreover, the formation of HAA methyl esters was dramatically improved (up to 90-fold) by the addition of tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (4.7 micromol) to the sample as ion-pairing agent in the derivatization step. The precision of the in situ derivatization/HS-SPME/GC/ITMS method evaluated using an internal standard gave relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 6.3 and 11.4%. The method was linear over 2 orders of magnitude, and detection limits were compound-dependent, but ranged from 10 to 450 ng/L. The method was compared with the EPA method 552.2 for the analysis of HAAs in various water samples, and good agreement was obtained. Consequently, in situ derivatization/HS-SPME/GC/ITMS is proposed for the analysis of HAAs in water.

Trihalophenols, which are drinking water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formed by chlorination or chloramination practices, can be biomethylated into trihalogenated anisoles. These latter compounds have traditionally been suspected of causing odor episodes in drinking water around the world. The odor threshold concentration (OTC) of mixed chlorobrominated anisoles, which were previously synthesized, was determined by flavor profile analysis (FPA) performed by an experienced panel trained to identify odors and tastes in water. The odor threshold amount (OTA) was evaluated by using a gas chromatograph equipped with olfactometry (GC-O) and electron capture detectors (ECD). FPA results for mixed chlorobromoanisoles gave a theoretical OTCs range from 2 to 30 ng/L, the 2,6-diBr-3Cl-anisole being the most odorous compound. Rubber is the general descriptor described by panelists for these compounds, although earthy and musty are the following most cited descriptors.

A method for the determination of available lysine on the basis of the reactivity of the e-amino group with fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB) has been optimized. Hydrolysis is performed in closed vessels in an autoclave. Conditions for different meals were established by using a modified sequential simplex method. Hydrolysis for 4 h was sufficient for the meals studied—soybean and fish. The use of liquid chromatography to determine available lysine was studied, and optimum conditions were established for separation and quantitation of e-DNB-lysine. The proposed method is faster, more accurate, and more precise than commonly used methods