Quantitative determinations in conventional flow injection analysis based on different chemometric calibration statregies: a review

This paper shows the possibilities of chemometric techniques for enhancing the analytical capabilities of conventional flow injection analysis (FIA). FIA is an excellent methodology for generating responses of different compl exity from which relevant analytical information can be extracted chemometr ically. The simplest case involves a single scalar datum per sample, as com monly occurs with FI peak heights or areas. More complex multivariate data consist of data vectors or matrices generated by taking a time array over t he FT peak at a certain wavelength, or by recording the whole spectrum at a pre-selected time or at regular steps over the peak. The calibration proce dures that can be applied to each type of data (i.e. scalars, vectors or ma trices) in order to quantify the analyte in unknown samples are genetically called zero-, first- and second-order calibration methods, respectively. T he characteristics, advantages and shortcomings of each type of calibration are illustrated from various examples of quantitative determinations of am ines and amino acids using 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate as a derivatizing reagent. In addition, other Fl methods using multivariate calibration proc edures are also reviewed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All lights reserve d.