ANALYST, MARCH 1993, VOL. 118 29N Voltammetric Determination of Molecules of Biological Sign if icance By W. Franklin Smyth. Pp. x + 133. Wiley. 1992. Price f35.00. ISBN 0-471-93345-7. This small book covers the application of voltammetric techniques to the determination of biologically important compounds. Intended as a ‘concise practical guide’, the text is divided into eight chapters, in accordance to the nature of the electroactive functionality (following the order nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-containing molecules, hydrocarbons, halogen-containing and organophosphorus molecules, organo- metallics and inorganic molecules). The versatility and remarkable sensitivity of voltammetric techniques, particu- larly pulse voltammetry, adsorptive stripping voltammetry and amperometric detection for liquid chromatography, for trace measurements of such compounds are illustrated.Modern trends, including biosensors, modified electrodes and immunoassays are also discussed (but in a limited depth). Recent advances in in vivo voltammetry, ultramicroelectrodes or detection for capillary electrophoresis are not covered. Detailed theory is not given and the approach is primarily experimental. The book is clearly written, well organized and full of practical examples. It is illustrated with SO figures, 33 tables and over 300 references (up to l990!). Overall, the book represents a very good source of useful information, and is highly recommended for those using electrochemical tech- niques for measuring biological compounds. Joseph Wung Chemical Analysis in Complex Matrices Edited by Malcolm R.Smyth. Pp. 295. Analytical Chem- istry Series. Ellis Horwood. 1992. Price f50.00. ISBN 0-1 3- 1 2767 1-9. The ‘complex matrices’ given in the title encompass air (for monitoring quality), animal feeds, human foods, the types of components found in brewing, biological fluids (and analyses of these for drugs), adhesives and sealants. The editor provides an interesting introduction to the chapters by other authors in which each stage (or ‘unit process’) of an analytical investigation is identified and some emphasis is placed upon defining objectives in advance, on evolving appropriate methods of sampling, and the prepara- tion of the samples. The subject of the most lengthy chapter is the analysis of drugs in biological fluids; it covers spectroscopic, immunoas- say, chromatographic and voltammetric procedures of various kinds and includes 271 references.As the editor and all of the contributors are at establish- ments in Ireland it could be expected that the chapter about brewing might emanate from a historic company with a harp as its trade mark, and it does. The chapter includes a review of the process and of applications for techniques such as atomic absorption and near infra-red spectroscopy, chromatography, etc., together with the Servo Chem Automatic Beer Analyzer (‘SCABA’), which is capable of analysing 20 samples of beer per hour for alcohol, gravity, colour and pH. The chapter on sealants and adhesives reviews current types and their analysis, with emphasis mainly on nuclear magnetic resonance and chromatography but including differential- pulse anodic stripping voltammetry to obtain a profile of trace metals.In specific examples other techniques are mentioned, and still others, including thermal analysis, in the conclusion. The chapter on analysis of air for quality and pollution includes discussion of different types of emissions, lists the procedures for sampling and methods of analysis for volatile components recommended by NIOSH, and the EPA recom- mendations for methods to determine toxic organic com- pounds in air. (In this connection it should be remembered that the exposure limits cited are not always the current ones for United Kingdom as given in Health and Safety Executive publication EH 40/92 ‘Occupational Exposure Limits 1992’.) The final chapter covers chemical analysis of animal feeds and human foods and it is pleasing to note that once again the importance of sampling is stressed. There is mention of the routine procedures for protein, oil and fat, carbohydrate and fibre and nutritional analysis for amino acids etc., is included. Systems are given for extraction of drugs, pesticides and growth-promoting agents from certain feedstuffs.It is an interesting book and should prove helpful for practitioners in the fields mentioned. Parts of the text are more reviews of existing procedures rather than original matter but the volume contains enough that is original to make it of general interest; in many cases the details of extractions from the matrices should be most helpful.1 would recommend it for purchase by libraries and analysts in the fields concerned. D. Simpson Preparative and Process-Scale Liquid Chromatography Edited by G. Subramanian. Ellis Horwood Series in Chemical Engineering. Pp. 286. Ellis Horwood. 1991. Price f55.00. ISBN 0-1 3-678327-9. The book opens with a chapter that compares preparative with analytical liquid chromatography by considering operational and equipment differences and system operation. This is followed with a very practical chapter on design and control of process-scale systems discussing safety factors, selection of components (e.g. columns, pumps, valves and pipework), automation and validation. A further chapter on the technical structure of liquid chromatography separation plants details differences between those operating with organic solvents and those with aqueous solvents and also considers plant control systems.The next chapter discusses column packings used in preparative chromatography. A1 though the discussion essen- tially considers only straight phase media it addresses ques- tions concerning production routes to preparative silicas and design factors of the media (e.g., particle size, pore volume and size, and particle shape). This is followed by chapters on column technologies, strategies for optimizing process chro- matographic systems and determination of operating para- meters in process systems. The latter chapter discusses selection of stationary and mobile phases, detectors, eluent and gradient elution regimes. A chapter on ion-exchange processes considers selection of different grades of media, factors to consider during scale-up particularly for protein separations and media re-use.This is followed by a chapter on continuous moving bed systems that is far too long, occupying over 20% of the book, and is essentially an advertisement for a particular system. A chapter on large scale purification of bacterial proteins discusses advantages and disadvantages of different packings and some aspects of process design. The following chapter on affinity chromatography argues in favour of this approach for protein separations to reduce the number of purification steps.30N ANALYST, MARCH 1993, VOL. 118 Finally there are two chapters on enantio-separations. The first describes chirality and reviews chiral packings (essentially those available for analytical applications).The second discusses optimization of preparative scale enantio-separa- tions. This book contains a lot of material that should be of interest to analytical chromatographers interested in prepara- tive scale systems and to synthetic chemists considering process chromatography. However, it is this reviewer’s opinion that it has been very poorly edited, contains numerous typographical errors, has poorly presented diagrams in many chapters (in one case half a blank page where a diagram has been omitted), there is too much repetition of topics between chapters and finally that excessive chapter on continuous moving bed systems. For the required price I do not recommend it. G.P. R. Carr Recent Developments in Ion Exchange 2 Edited by P. W. Williams and M. J. Hudson, Pp. x + 366. Elsevier Applied Science. 1990. Price f50.00; US$ 90.00. ISBN 1-85’1 66-520-X. The proceedings of a conference are never exciting reading material, unless the conference concerns a new field in science. Ion exchange is obviously not a new field, hence the collection of papers on recent developments will only appeal to a few readers. A newcomer to the field will not, howcver, receive a balanced picture of what is of concern now in ion exchange from this rather eclectic collection. The various subjects discussed are covered by the headings: Biological Materials, Inorganic Ion Exchangers, Nuclear Industry, Theoretical Aspects and New Advances, New Materials, and Industrial Applications.However, under these headings are hidden several papers concerned with analytical applications (mainly of ion chromatography) with little or no relevance to the subject of the heading. These are the papers by Senior, Laeubli, Humphrey, and Ryder, for instance. Some of the introductory papcrs, such as those of Williams (on biological materials), and Bibler (on nuclear industry, where only 2 out of the 58 references are later than 1983), are more historical surveys than an exposition of recent developments. It is noteworthy that the physical chemistry of ion exchangers and the ion-exchange process appears to be a closed subject, as no new developments in this sub-field are reported (perhaps with the exception of the paper by Watson, that deals with viscous flow in the pores of macroreticular resins).A seemingly novel method, electrochemical ion exchange, is described in the papers by Allen et al. and by Adams and Hudson. This is distinct from electrochemical methods applied to ion transport through or along ion-exchange membranes. The main features of the method have already been established prior to 1987, and its performance is not particularly impressive. Still, the concept of using electric current, as in coulometry, for the sorption and desorption of ions less noble than hydrogen is interesting. Also new and of interest are inorganic exchangers of the pillared or interca- lated type, described in the papers by Dyer and Gallardo, Alberti et al., Ferragina et al., and Hudson et al. These exchangers permit larger ions or molecules to enter them, but do not change their dimensions by swelling excessively, and may have some enhanced selectivity.Pellicular ion exchangers are also relatively new materials, that combine the advantages of low swelling, very rapid kinetics and good selectivity as described in the papers by Cook and by Pohl. The camera-ready format of the papers detracts consider- ably from the appearance of the book. In particular, the editorial modifications were printed in a different type (generally much smaller, sometimes in bold italics) than the main text, producing an unpleasant aspect. Most of the papers have abstracts, but some (those of Cook, Ferragina et al., and McGarvey and Gonzalez) have none. The editorial work on the whole appears not to have been very careful.For the sake of those readers that might need access to the information included in some specific papers, the book should be on the shelves of some central libraries. Most libraries, and certainly individual practitioners of ion exchange, can do without it. Y. Marcus lmmunochemical Assays and Biosensor Technology for the 1990s Edited by Robert M. Nakamura, Yasushi Kasahara, Gary A. Rechnitz. Pp. ix + 41 1. American Society for Microbiol- ogy. 1992. Price US $43.00 (member): US $51.00 (non- member). ISBN 1-55581-040-3. This book is broadly divided into three sections dealing with the concepts of immunochemical assays, the principles of different types of non-isotopic immunoassay and biosensors. The section on concepts is built around chapters dealing with general principles, the choice of labels and antibodies avail- able, together with guidance on the validation of assays.Authors are faced with a major dilemma when preparing texts in the field of immunoassay because of the wealth of knowledge and attendant literature, and it is often difficult to do justice to the breadth of the subject whilst offering a critical viewpoint. Thus, the opening chapter on general principles whilst covering the topic does not focus sufficient attention on some of the important aspects, e.g. reaction kinctics and specificity. The following two chapters deal with labels with a considerable degree of overlap; some useful critical observa- tions are made by Larry Kricka and will be of help to those readers who are new to the field wanting some help through the maze of labels that are available.The chapter on design and production of antibodies is a valuable contribution. This is an area of considerable growth where art is giving way to science and the inherent benefit to the analyst; the authors explore some of the strategies that can be employed to produce antibodies to meet specific analytical goals. The evaluation of these products is then given a rigorous airing; the discussion should give confidence to clinicians who use the results. The second section on non-isotopic assays explores the principles and design of several different immunoassay configurations. However, I was disappointed with the limited amount of consideration given to the principles of light scattering immunoassay .The chapter on homogeneous enzyme immunoassay was also disappointingly brief, particul- arly as there are so many exquisite variations on the theme of modulating catalytic activity. These are becoming ‘black box’ technologies and consequently there is a need to explore them thoroughly by the written word because the routine analyst has little opportunity to do so at the bench. One could make a similar observation about the limited treatment of homogeneous fluoroimmunoassay . One of the major developments in this field is now in the integration of immunoassays into delivery systems. Unfortu- nately this does not receive sufficient coverage; again this is often technology where the literature is not in the public domain. It is important that analysts are aware of design strategies, limitations and potential applications although one accepts that patents can scare off all but the brave or rich.My particular disappointment with this book was the section on biosensors because the title had led me to expect a review of immunoassay technology that would lead the reader logically into the expanding, and often ‘difficult’, literature onANALYST, MARCH 1993, VOL. 118 31N immunosensors. Thus, whilst there was a good chapter on electrochemical detection in immunoassay , which should have appeared in the previous section, there was very little discussion of immunosensor technology (theory or applica- tion). Thus there was nothing on the surface plasmon, total internal reflection, piezoelectric etc. devices, .where it is even more important to explain the basic principles to the reader.Despite some rather negative comments I think that the book is nicely presented and offers some valuable contribu- tions; however, it does not provide the link between immuno- chemistry and sensor technology expected from the title and it is not sufficiently comprehensive in reviewing all of the analytical principles that are going to have an impact in the next few years. C. P. Price Biosensor Principles and Applications Edited by Lo‘ic J. Blum and Pierre R. Coulet. Bioprocess Technology Series 15. Pp. x + 357. Marcel Dekker. 1992. Price US$ 125.00 (US and Canada); US$143.75 (all other countries). ISBN 0-8247-8546-0. This is an excellent text containing a wealth of detailed information of interest not only to the specialist in biosensor research, but to those working in the many biosensor related areas such as fabrication technologies, clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, synthetic chemistry and data processing who are looking for ideas or applications. The book consists of 14 chapters written by world leaders in biosensor research. Tt opens with a useful introduction to biosensors by Pierre Coulet that addresses the philosophy and definition of the term ‘biosensor’.This is followed by three chapters dedicated to electrochemical biosensors covering amperometric enzyme electrodes, amperometric enzyme immunoassay biosensors and potentiometric enzyme elec- trodes. The often neglected area of thermally sensitive devices is covered in detail by Hengt Danielsson in a chapter on Enzyme Thermistors. Other chapters cover the use of piezoelectric and field- effect-transistor (FET)-based biosensors, while three chapters address the rapidly growing area of the fibre-optic sensors.These contributions are divided into chemically mcdiatcd, fluorophore and chromophore , and bioluminescence- and chemiluminescence-based biosensors. All the above chapters follow a similar format that includes details on the general principles of the biosensor type, fabrication techniques (with particular emphasis on the problem of immobilization of the bioactive component at the sensor tip), problems and limitations (re-usability is common to most of these, particularly with respect to antibody-antigen systems where the reactions are difficult to reverse without using extreme conditions that damage the sensitive bioactive components in the sensor membrane.The instrumentation required for obtaining and processing the sensor signal is also discussed as is the design of the biosensor itself. Examples of applications are also included. Each chapter finishes with a useful section on research trends and potential developments. Problems and limitations are presented in a way that helps the reader to develop a realistic appraisal of biosensors, rather than to oversell their usefulness, a very laudable attitude given the exaggerated claims that have been all too common in the past. In contrast to the contributions mentioned above, which deal with biosensors in terms of the transduction mechanism, the final four chapters approach the topic of biosensors from a different perspective.Chapters 11 and 12, entitled Immu- nosensors and Microbial Biosensors, respectively, approach the topic from the point of view of the biosensing element. While this does lead to a certain amount of overlap with the content of the previous chapters, it enables the reader to see how a particular approach, such as the use of microbes rather than enzymes or antibodies as the biosensi tive component in the sensor, has been applied across the range of transducers (electrochemical, acoustic, thermal, optical) available. This is very useful as it collates and expands on information that is scattered over the previous chapters. These contributions are followed by a chapter by Vadgama and Desai on in vivo biosensors.The development of inplantable devices for real-time monitoring of important clinical species remains a major challenge to all sensor researchers. The authors have reviewed the progress to date and highlight existing problems and the potential of in vivo biosensors. Interestingly, they adopt the broader definition of the biosensor that focuses on the application rather than the device itself (i.e. a sensor that is directly in contact with a biological matrix or surface but which does not necessarily incorporate a biological component itself). This enables the authors to include devices such as catheter ISEs and oxygen sensors, tissue and transcutaneous oxygen sensors, the Severinghaus C02 electrode, pH ISFETS and optrodes in their review as well as ‘mainstream’ biosensors such as the glucose, lactate and other enzyme-based sensors.This broad view of the term ‘biosensor’ is in contrast to that adopted by the authors of the previous chapters who tend to insist of the presence of a biorecognition element in the sensor transduetion cycle. However, these divergences of opinion are understandable as these authors are clinical users of sensors rather than inventors, and the problems involved with developing in vivo devices are common to all types of sensors. The editors finish up with a chapter discussing the trends and prospects for biosensors. In this chapter, they highlight different areas of research that could make a significant impact on the performance of biosensors. Each chapter is extensively referenced (100-200 references in most cases) with reasonably up-to-date citations (up to 1990), and the book is completed by a detailed index.The authors list includes Guilbault, Arnold, Bannister, Karube, Kaufmann, Kimura, Turner and Wolfbeis and other experts in biosensor research. All in all, this is an excellent addition to the growing literature on biosensors and I recommend it to anyone working or interested in the development or applica- tions of biosensors. Dermot Diamond Gas Chromatographic Enantiomer Separation with Modified Cyclodextrins By Wilfried A. Konig. Chromatographic Methods. Series Editors W. Bertsch, H. Frank, W. G. Jennings and P. Sandra. Pp. viii + 168. Huthig. 1992. Price DM 138.00. ISBN 3-7785-2026-1. The past decade has witnessed a remarkable increase in research on chiral separations for analysis, due partly to the greater demands of regulatory authorities for high quality characterization of drugs, pesticides and food additives, but also to an increasing interest in the problems of chiral discrimination per se.Many of these analytical methods have been based on the successful development of enantioselective stationary phases for HPLC. Thus the present book by Professor Konig is all the more welcome for bringing a well-balanced focus on recent developments in enantioselec- tive GC, which until now has been something of a cinderella in the field. This monograph largely summarizes the contribu- tions of the Konig group in developing practicable GC phases for enantioseparation based on substituted cyclodextrins (CDs), but does so with a helpful perspective on the valuable Contributions of others in the field, including Schurig and Armstrong.The book consists of two principal sections, a32N ANALYST, MARCH 1993, VOL. 118 general introduction to the historical and synthetic develop- ment of modified CDs, and an extensive collection of applications based primarily (but not exclusively) on the well characterized phases developed by the Konig group. Two very short chapters give an initial treatment on the putative mechanism of host-guest interactions with modified CDs, together with a summary of some recent studies with high-field 1H NMR. A brief but valuable discussion of the historical develop- ment of enantioselective GC methods, based partly on an earlier monograph by the same author in 1987, concludes with the prophetic statement by Szejtli in 1987 predicting the ‘successful utilization of derivatized CDs in capillary GC for the excellent chiral recognition and resolution of many racemates’.That this should have been so quickly demon- strated independently by Schurig (actually in 1987) and by Konig in 1988, leading to the renaissance of enantioselective GC, is in itself remarkable. The general introduction gives an authoritative account of the synthesis and fundamental properties of a range of derivatized CDs, limited necessarily to those developed by the author, or well known in the literature. Apart from some obvious typographical errors and a few inconsistencies in the author’s own use of his valuable scheme of abbreviations for the CD derivatives [e.g., in Table 6 heptakis-(3-O-butyryl-2,6-di-O-pentyl)-cd is incorrectly des- cribed as the y-CD derivative], this is a valuable introduction to the essential reactivity and chemistry of a, p- and y-CDs.Although the detailed description of synthetic routes (all of them published) can be regarded as peripheral in a monograph on chromatographic methods, they do afford a useful insight into the difficulties involved and the care required to characterize the products adequately, illustrating the use of Gray’s reductive depolymerization method, quantitative GC, GC-MS and NMR. The description of the author’s so-called ‘inversely substituted’ derivatives is particularly valuable, whereby the secondary hydroxyl at C2 and the much less reactive hydroxyl at C3, located on the wider end of the CD torus, are substituted by pentyl groups, while the primary C6 hydroxyl at the narrower end of the torus is selectively substituted by various alkyl groups, to give the 6-0-alkyl-2,3- 0-pentyl CD derivative (by contrast with the more easily formed 2,6-0-pentyl-3-0-alkyl CDs previously described).This chapter also gives useful practical data on the preparation and testing of Pyrex glass and fused silica capillary columns. This monograph has an excellent collection of applications, all the more remarkable for its diversity considering the relatively short time since the development of these new phases. The author has wisely chosen to group the applica- tions for ease of reference by classes of compound, ranging from alkanes and cycloalkanes, through epoxy alcohols, carbohydrates, and ketones to amino acids.There is a particularly useful discussion on the problems of racemization of amino acids and some new techniques for the analysis of all amino acids involved in protein synthesis. Most of the major fields of application are covered in this extensive chapter, including the assignment of absolute configuration to natural compounds (pheromones, flavours, peptide antibiotics), determination of enantiomeric excess in asymmetric synthesis (with a nice discussion of the Sharpless asymmetric epoxida- tion procedure), in chiral synthons, auxiliaries and catalysts and in several pharmaceuticals. A small sub-chapter on the analysis of chiral drugs is the only section devoted to a specific application area, illustrated by reference to barbiturates and similar heterocyclic systems.It would have been helpful to have included a table cross-referencing the many other drugs described under the individual chemical classes, e.g., antibiot- ics, ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory), anaesthetics and CNS agents. However, this is a minor criticism, given the comprehensive index provided. Moreover, some advances in techniques are presented, including the use of two-dimen- sional GC, where the peak is ‘heart-cut’ from the first-column for resolution on a chiral column. It would have been useful to have referred to recent applications in SFC, notably by Schurig in 1991. The monograph concludes with brief reference to the putative mechanisms of supramolecular host-guest interac- tions, and some preliminary data on high-field lH NMR studies of model systems. The book is strongly recommended as an introduction to the new field of chiral GC on modified CD phases, for which this monograph will serve as an excellent guide both to newcomers and experienced researchers alike.As a source book of applications the author has succeeded in condensing work from some 270 citations into a readable and useful format. This book should serve as a valuable stimulus to further research in the field and will be invaluable to those wishing to gain an informed insight into the present state-of-the-art of chiral GC based on modified CD phases. Anthony F. Fell Coal Quality and Combustion Performance.An Interna- t io na l Perspective Edited by J. F. Unsworth, D. J. Barratt and P. T. Roberts. Coal Science and Technology 19. Series Editor Larry L. Anderson. Pp. x + 638. Elsevier. 1992. Price US$223.00; Df 1435.00. ISBN 0-444-88703-2. This book emphasizes the challenge the fuel technologist has in designing combustion and heat-exchange systems for a material so diverse in composition and physical characteristics as coal. T particularly like the efforts of the authors to validate the analytical methods by establishing international round- robin exercises for sampling and analysis of coal. They have then utilized their analytical and fuel oil combustion experience to produce a text giving help and a fundamental understanding of the qualities of international coals and their influences on combustion plant efficiency and related processes. T agree with the authors whole-heartedly in their suggestion that the volume will earn its rightful place alongside the works of other distinguished authors in the field.It certainly will sit on my own bookshelves alongside the works of Lowry. The text of the book is easy to read and flows logically from chapter to chapter. The three main sections, described briefly later, are all prefaced, which I found particularly helpful in establishing the scene for the following chapters. Figures and illustrations are also clear and well thought out. However, the reproduction of the plates, particularly the scanning electron micrographs, is a little disappointing in relation to the other very high qualities of the book.To give a flavour of this exceptional book, I will briefly comment on the contents of its chapters. The book sets the scene for the later chapters nicely by describing in the introduction the international scene in coal trade and the fundamental approach to research, i.e., coal constitution, laboratory assessment of combustion behaviour, burning trials in pilot scale plant and finally usage, as in power station combustion. The first part of the book, Part A, Coal Characteristics, continues with descriptive chapters on coal quality and analysis, organic structure of coal with two very interesting sections on rank and maceral composition. Finally, in this section of the book the last chapter deals with specific inorganic heteroatom influences on coal combustion, i.e., sulfur and nitrogen and also the effect of other mineral matter. Part B of the book details chapters on the influence of organic components on combustion performances.Particular emphasis is given to pulverization, pyrolysis, char-oxidation, with a very useful chapter on maceral influences on high temperature oxidation temperature. Carbon burn-out isANALYST, MARCH 1993, VOL. 118 33N discussed in some detail with full scale validation of burn-out calculation models. Finally, in Part B, the development of a model for flame stability is discussed and the influence of rank demonstrated. The authors clearly state the assumptions made in their model predictions and the limitations in their calculations. The final section, Part C , of the book deals with the influence of heteroatom and inorganic components on com- bustion performance. Chapter 10, in this section, deals with coal quality effects on boiler operation and pollutant emissions and clearly demon- strates the inadequacy of the conventional, and much used, ‘slagging and fouling indices’, to predict boiler performance.The authors rightly conclude that such indices should not be taken as generally applicable to all coal-fired boiler systems. The atmospheric emission section of this chapter discusses particulates, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur and carbon, and trace elements, in the light of current international legislative limits. The final three chapters of the book deal with the prediction of ash deposition by combustion limits and suggested practical methods for prevention and removal, the evaluation of ultra-fine coal as an option for industrial fired boilers and finally the fates of fly ash, nitrogen and sulfur during combustion.I consider I have been privileged to be asked to review a book of such high quality and fuel technologists world-wide, I am sure, will recognize its worth and add it to their own bookshelves. W. C. Pearce ~ ~~~ HPLC Methods on Drug Analysis By Mantu K. Ghosh. Pp. xvi + 586. Springer-Verlag. 1992. Price DM 198.00. ISBN 3-540-53824-0; 0-387-53824-0. The book reviews HPLC methods of analysis for over 230 different drugs. Methods are presented for the analysis of drug substances, formulated products and for the measurement of drugs in biological matrices such as plasma and urine.Literature references from over 50 journals and publications are used, with the majority coming from the established chromatography and pharmaceutical publications such as Journal of Chromatography (including Biomedical applica- tions), Journal of Chromatographic Science, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis and Clinical Chem- istry. Each drug entry is arranged alphabetically and contains information on the compound, such as the Chemical Abstracts Service number, chemical name, empirical formula, mole- cular mass, proprietary names, clinical use, solubility and light absorption. This is followed generally by several HPLC methods covering a variety of applications. Within each method, details are given of type of sample, extraction procedures, equipment used, column, mobile phase, flow rate, internal standard, injection size, method of detection and recording, and the reference publication.A particularly valuable section in each entry includes data on retention times of related substances such as metabolites, degradation products and co-prescribed or similar drugs. Other useful information contained in the book are tables of HPLC separation system characteristics, descriptive guides to sorbent selection and a solvent miscibility table. Of lesser value are tables of elemental atomic weights and unit conversion factors. A list of abbreviations and glossary of terms used in the text are also included. Overall, the book contains a comprehensive survey of HPLC methods for the drugs listed and will be a valuable addition to the literature of any practising analytical chemist in the areas of pharmaceutical chemistry, dosage form analysis, bioanalysis and clinical chemistry.Some important modern drugs are omitted from the book, presumably because of their omission from the general current literature. Chiral chromatography is mentioned for some drugs, but is not covered in specific detail. The book will be a good practical guide to analysts wishing to set up methods, not only for those drugs listed, but also for compounds with similar structures and properties. The author has clearly undertaken a painstaking and thorough review of the recent literature on HPLC methods for drug analysis, and his book can be recommended for general use by analysts in the pharmaceutical field.I . E. Davidson Mass Spectrometry in the Biological Sciences: A Tutorial Edited by Michael L. Gross. Pp. xxi + 461. NATO AS/ Series. Series C: Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Volume 353. Kluwer Academic. 1991. Price Df1255.00; US$146.00; f87.00. ISBN 0-7923-1 539-1. The spectacular advances in the science of mass spectrometry since 1975 formed the subject for the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Mass Spectrometry in the Molecular Sciences held in Italy in June 1990. At that Institute, the senior lecturers decided, wisely, against publishing a series of short articles in mass spectrometry as a record of the meeting and instead came up with the idea of a tutorial-type review. Divided into three parts on instrumentation (140 pages), methods (180 pages), and applications to biomolecules (130 pages), the volume is designed to serve as a tutorial on the current status of biological mass spectrometry. It is said to be appropriate for newcomers and graduate chemists. There are 29 contributions from a group of 52 internationally respected authors. The instrumental topics include the theory of electric and magnetic sectors, hybrid tandem mass spectrometry, triple quadrupole systems, ion traps, Fourier transform mass spectrometers, time-of-flight analysers and ion detectors. The section on methods covers the major in-vogue ionization techniques such as electrospray and matrix assisted laser desorption, as well as more established methods such as plasma desorption, continuous-flow fast atom bombardment, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, semi-empirical molecular orbital theory, and neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry.Reflecting current trends in the literature, the majority of the applications concern peptides, glycopep- tides and proteins, but nucleic acid components and lipids are also covered to some extent. Each contribution is accom- panied by a list of references, predominantly citing papers published from 1985 to 1990. The book ends with a subject index. So, what makes this book different from other collections of reports‘? It is called a tutorial. Presumably this title implies a didactic approach, maybe even an interactive text with self-assessment questions, and writing that is somewhat less passive or formal than in a standard textbook. The reader may even expect practical hints that do not often appear in conventional reviews. Unfortunately, none of these expecta- tions is realized.This reviewer could not distinguish the contributions from conventional reviews (apart from some of the chapters on applications which have much the same format as conventional papers). Hence, the book’s sub-title is misleading. Many of the reviews arc clear and enjoyable expositions but are not gentle enough for newcomers to mass spectrometry. I would only recommend this book to those with a grasp of the basics and a background in the traditional aspects (electron ionization, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and so on). Such readers could use this ‘tutorial’ to update and extend their knowledge to modern methods.34N ANALYST, MARCH 1993, VOL.118 One set of authors was brave enough to notc that their field is developing so rapidly ‘that this picture may well be out of date by the time this chapter is in print’. However, the book succeeds in reflecting the status of biological mass spec- trometry in 1990. In fact, the volume covers a wider range of mass spectrometry than might be expected. Overall, there is a lot of useful information in this book but beware, the information is not as accessible as the title suggests. M . E. Rose Analytical Artifacts: GC, MS, HPLC, TLC and PC By Brian S. Middleditch. Journal of Chromatography Library. Volume 44. Pp. xxiv + 1034. Elsevier. 1992. Price US$241.50. Dfl. 495.00. ISBN 0-444-971 59-6. How often as an analyst have you tried to fit the odd peak and perplexing mass spectrum to the problem in hand, only to discover that the compound in question was a contaminant? Indeed in these days when detection limits are going to much lower levels, whilst the range of analytes are becoming far more complex, the problem of the formation of artifacts and general contamination is a serious one.This latest book from Brian Middleditch should be on every Analyst’s shelf. Based on a format originally used with his earlier work on ‘Priority Pollutants’ this latest book has expanded on the mass spectra shown there and includes details of chromatography and other analytical procedures used. Each entry is headed by thc common name, empirical formula and molecular mass based on the most abundant isotope (e.g., C1 = 35, not 35.5). This is followed by the mass spectrum, all EI at 70 eV. Next a structure, CAS number, Merck Index and synonyms. The bulk of the cntry is an abstract describing the re.ported appearance of the artifact complete with description of its origin, spectra of any derivatives formed and a reference. To help with the interpretation there are 8-peak style tables laid out with details of the mass spectra. A comprehensive index of references and authors is also given. This is the moment when the book becomes a real joy to read. When first opened I was intrigued by an entry ‘Pink Beards and Black Spots’. The entry describes work by A. J . P. Martin in the early days of chromatography when purple spots due to amino acids appeared to grow a pink beard. Eventually the cause was traced to the fan used to dry the paper after the first direction which had a badly sparking commutator. This deposited black spots of copper on the paper and the pink beards were due to complexes of the amino acids with copper. Well the book has many tales like that and the author addresses this in his preface. ‘This book . . . is dedicated to the innumerable scientists who made mistakes, used impure chemicals and solvents, suffered the consequences of unantici- pated side-reactions, and were otherwise exposed to mayhem yet were not too embarrassed to publish their findings. Contributions to a sequel will be gratefully received.’ Lest this review suggest that the book only comprises such tales it should be stressed that the bulk of the entries describe the artifacts most of us are familiar with such as plasticizers, TLC binders, decomposition products in stale blood, artifacts from stationary phases and more. These are listed as that, so there is a section on TLC artifacts with cross references to the individual entries where the artifact is described in detail. In conclusion this is a book to be recommended for every laboratory carrying out analytical work using TLC, GC and mass spectrometry. I am looking forward to the sequel; indeed I may have an embarrassing tale or two of my own to tell. N . J . Haskins