Books and Software: Filling in the gaps. - Analytical Chemistry (ACS

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Books

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Software

Uncovering Complex Mixtures of Anionic Surfactants an example, a 1986 Environmental Science &Marcel Dekker, Inc. Technology article by McEvoy and Giger is 270 Madison Ave. cited in all three chapters. Another problem New York, NY 10016 is found in the chapter on trace analyses, 1998, 304 pp, $135 written by Eddy Matthijs from Procter & Gamble in Belgium. This article is an excelImpurities Evaluation ofPharmaceuticals lent, concisely written overview on the refills a gap in the pharmaceutical literature, cent developments in thisfield.In particular, or at least begins to do this, by introducing the work carried out in nonindustrial labora- many of the issues surrounding the recogtories is well covered. However, this chapter nition and identification of materials condoes not contain a single figure. The chrotaminating pharmaceutical preparations. Anionic Surfactants: Analytimatography chapter, on the other hand, con- Most literature provides ample information cal Chemistry, Second Edition tains almost too many displays, including on the analysis of the pure products; yet Edited by John Cross one showing the GC analysis of an alcohol few books address the other materials that Marcel Dekker, Inc. polyethoxylate a nonionic surfactant. may be present as a result of either the 270 Madison Ave. manufacturing process or degradation. New York, NY 10016-0602 Overall, this book provides a wealth of 1998, 376 pp, $150 useful information for analytical chemists Chapter 1 provides an overview of defiwith differing backgrounds. I consider this nitions for "impurity", emphasizing that the definition varies among the public, investiThis book is a complete update of the 1977 book to be an important source of informagators, manufacturers, and regulatory edition and features a new group of contrib- tion for analytical chemists dealing with the determination of anionic surfactants in agencies. The chapter also provides inforutors. It contains comprehensive coverage products and environmental samples. The mation regarding the various sources of on the isolation, separation, identification, commonly encountered impurities (e.g., and quantification of various anionic surfac- references in the different chapters are up-to-date and reflect the progress made in raw materials, organic solutions used in tants in a wide variety of samples in trace this area over the last two decades. Howsynthesis, and degradation) and uncomand macro quantities. The eight chapters ever, I am not impressed by the relatively mon impurities, such as isomers and sigare written by experienced practitioners in high price for 350 small-format pages. nal impurities. their respective fields. The Introduction, written by the editor, Reviewed bb Walter Giger, EAWAW Chapter 2 discusses some of the current gives an excellent overview on anionic sur(Switzerland)) regulations and requirements; however, at factants, compound classes, types of analybest, it provides only an overview. Guideses, and other important topics. I enjoyed lines change, and many are still under this textbook-type Introduction, which is development, so a detailed discussion written for the analytical chemist who is could be outdated quickly. Nevertheless, not a surfactants specialist. better descriptions of the documents detailing the regulations and, where to find The remainder of the book is organized them, would have been useful. into three segments. The first segment contains a chapter on volumetric analysis, disThe next four chapters deal with the cussing the classic methylene blue method isolation, identification, and monitoring of and various types of titrations. The second impurities and provide some of the more segment presents three chapters on molecuvaluable information found in the book. lar spectroscopy—IR and Raman spectrosThe sections provide repetitive but brief copy, NMR, and MS. The ffnal lsgment tondiscussions of many of the analytical techtains two chapters describing the trace analniques that can be used in these processes. ysis and chromatographic processes. Unfortunately, newer electrophoretic and MS techniques are not discussed. Several The chapters on trace analyses, chroImpurities Evaluation of chapters discuss product stability, reviewmatographic processes, and MS overlap con- Pharmaceuticals ing techniques that determine degradation siderably and are not cross-referenced. As By Satinder Ahuja

Filling in the Gaps

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Analytical Chemistry News & Features, October 1, 1999

products, and procedures that assess the and control, and quantification of uncerrates of degradation. The author has protainty. Reference materials such as trace vided useful examples or case studies in elements, radionuclides, and organic mieach chapter. Chapter 9 provides additional croconstituents are also covered. examples of applications based on drug classification. Although this chapter cannot Basic HPLC and CE of provide the level of detail found in a referBiomolecules ence textbook, it does offer examples of Robert L. Cunico, Karen M. Gooding, impurities found in some preparations. and Tim Wehr Bay Bioanalytical Laboratory There are several typographical er4124 Lakeside Dr. rors—omitted identification of regulatory Richmond, CA 94806 names, missing pH units, missing concen1998, 388 pp, $39.95 tration units in tables, and incorrect indexing—which should be corrected in the next printing. Also, the references would be Written for anyone currently using or planmore useful if there was less citing of work- ning to use HPLC or CE procedures, this shops, meetings, and personal communica- book provides explanations and examples of tions. primary chromatographic techniques for bioIn conclusion, this book will be useful to molecules. This manual also gives suggestions for biomolecular implementation and those newly involved in drug development optimization. Some primary topics include (e.g., students) and also to those developing analytical methods for therapeutic drug recommended procedures for HPLC use, optimization, troubleshooting, preparation of sammonitoring and toxicology. Reviewed bbyatherine Hammett-Stabler,ples, and basic chromatographic principles. University ofFlorida SOFTWARE RELEASED

Predefined, customizable reports are available, or users may create reports from scratch using the report wizard. Gauge View NDC Infrared Engineering 5314 N. Irwindale Ave. Irwindale, CA 91706 626-960-3300 +44 1621 852244 (U.K.) http://www.ndcinfrared.com $495 list Requires: Windows 3.1 or higher and a series 5 or newer NDC near-IR gauge

GaugeView automatically captures and plots measurement data in real time for process analysis and gauge calibration. Cyclic variations and other events can be marked and labeled on the display. To avoid "calibration hunting", the software automatically checks the statistical significance of each new calculation. In addition, a built-in monitor checks the gauge for faults. Process data and graphical displays can be exported to other packages for further analysis or reporting.

BOOKS RECEIVED The Use of Matrix Reference Materials in Environmental Analytical Processes Edited by A. Fajgelj and M. Parkany The Royal Society of Chemistry Thomas Graham House Science Park, Milton Rd. Cambridge CB4 OWF, U.K. 1999, 206 pp, $119

This is the fourth edition of a series of books based on the work of the IUPAC Working Party on Harmonization of Quality Assurance Schemes for Analytical Laboratories. This book explains how to properly apply selected reference materials in an analytical process. Subjects covered include method validation, quality assurance

LABTrack

ACD/SpecManager 4.0

AVATAR Consulting 26861 Trabuco Rd., E-147 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 888-215-7007 http://www.lainet.com/avatar $495 list (single user), $1995 for five users Requires: Windows 95 or higher, Pentium based PC

Advance Chemistry Development 133 Richmond St. West, Ste. 605 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2L3 800-304-3988 http://www.acdlabs.com/ Inquire about price Requires: Windows 95, 98, or NT

SpecManager 4.0 can read ini explore; and Developed for small and medium-sized labo- store IR, mass, UV-vis, Raman, and NMR ratories, LABTrack kses s Microsoft Access spectra. Users can create databases of exdatabase to track samples, batches, results, perimental spectra; add fields for commaterials, and methods. Data cannot be depound names, melting points, molecular leted from the system but can be "crossed weight, and other parameters; and search out", preserving the complete history of the according to structure, substructure, peak work. LABTracc also provides instrument location, or other criteria. In addition, prointerfacing, bar code input and printing, data posed structures can be drawn and atimporting and exporting, and audit control. tached to each spectrum. Analytical Chemistry News & Features, October 1, 1999 6 9 7 A