A pleasant surprise is the consistent emphasis on fundamentals. Few detailed discussions of applications are included, as might be expected. Chapters open with a brief historical perspective on their respective techniques, usually with citations to some of the seminal early references. Physical and analytical chemical principles underlying each technique form the bulk of the text and are covered with remarkable completeness. Chromatography occupies Chapters 1-3 (92 pages total), with the first chapter on general fundamentals, the second on HPLC, and the third on GC. The 100-page chapter on electrochemical methods, by J. G. Dick, is particularly detailed. The MS chapter (28 pages) focuses on magnetic sector instruments and does a good job of introducing basic principles as well as more advanced techniques, such as linked scans. There is little mention of quadrupole and ion-trap mass analyzers, both of which are far more prominent than magnetic sector instruments in contemporary laboratories. The omission of high-precision isotope techniques that are used to detect food adulteration is disappointing. The reader interested in learning basic principles or looking for a reference to reinforce them would profit most from this volume, but those looking for an analytical protocol or detailed instructions on methods for analysis of a particular sample will find this book less helpfull The index is only two and a half pages. It is likely that the editors have succeeded in at least one of the goals mentioned in the preface—the monograph "will act as a mentor to all those graduate students in food science that have an inclination toward the analytical side of theirfield."Unfortunately, the extraordinarily high price compared with that few stuestablished texts will dents will it It can be recommended confidently to analytical chemists working in food-related fields who desire a scholarly
treatment of relevant modern instrumental ics. For the more physically incllned, ,he chapter that follows reviews some of the themethods. oretical framework relevant to SMD. We Reviewed by J. Thomas Brenna of Cornell often hear about homogeneous and inhomoUniversity geneous line widths. SMD actually reveals the inhomogeneity among a population of molecules. For ordered media, this feature becomes a sensitive probe of the local microenvironment. Other effects such as saturation in absorption, fluorescence lifetimes, and polarization show discrete behavior that Single-Molecule Optical is not observed in bulk experiments. Under and Spectroscopy certain conditions, one can select a molecule and probe its properties over the period of weeks which may represent the ultimate in high-density optical storage. As for sensitive analytical applications we need 1~0 WOt*TV about the concept of selectivity Different spectral features lifetimes polarization and so forth need not come from structurally Single-Molecule Optical different molecules Normally we think of Detection, Imaging, and NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance Spectroscopy (EPR) as spectroscopies that are completely T. Basché, W. E. Moerner, M. Orrit, and separate from optical techniques; but the U. P. Wild, Eds. next chapter describes results from ODtically VCH
One molecule at a time Detection, 11 i I.;;;!.;.'
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detected magnetic resonance which is NMR of individual molecules C ranted the s heme relies on having p-ood onriral m bores for excitation and detection How th f' f ht i i cr structural de-
Postfach 10 11 61 D-69451 Weinheim Federal Republic of Germany 1997, 250 pp.. DM 198
Single-molecule detection (SMD) is clearly one of the most fascinating and potentially evolutionary tools for studying molecular behavior and for sensitive analytical measurements. In the first chapter of this monograph, the author gives an excellent survey of the various considerations that opened the door for single-fluorophore detection. Although the discussion centers around solids, the criteria readily extend to liquid samples. It is a must-read summary for anyone who wants to learn about this research field and compares favorably with the best A-page articles in Analytical Chemistry. The next three chapters describe specific solid-state systems in which SMD has provided unique insights into molecular dynam-
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tails of selected molecules is exciting. Near-field optical microscopy is a tool for achieving spatial resolution below the diffraction limit of light waves. Combining this with single-molecule studies is natural. Although one need not rely on near-field microscopy to isolate single molecules for study, the superior spatial resolution is finding use in subcellular structures, molecular aggregates, and nanoscale heterogeneities. The book concludes with a chapter on liquid-phase measurements, a topic related to most analytical chemistry practice. Numerous schemes are surveyed, including sheath flow, confocal microscopy, microdroplets, total internal reflection, and capillaries. An intriguing question is what hap-
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, May 1, 1998 3 4 5 A
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pens to chromatography or CE when only a few molecules are present in the sample. The ability to count molecules in a sample also represents the ultimate in detection sensitivity and presents an opportunity for quantitative analysis without standards. The field of SMD is advancing rapidly. One naturally can point to topics that are not covered and areas that require expanded discussions, particularly those in the solution phase. But, for those who are interested, this collection provides an immediate entry to the field. Overall, the presentation is very good. Minor problems such as duplications between pages 92-93 and 201-202 and the use of the first person in some not all—of the text will surely be worked out in sequels to this definitive monograph. Reviewed by Ed Yeung of Iowa State University/Ames Laboratory
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Handbook of Chemometrics and Qualimetrics: Part A D. L. Massart, B.G.M. Vandeginste, L.M.C. Buydens, S. de Jong, P. J. Lewi, and J. Smeyers-Verbeke Elsevier Science P.O. Box 945 New York, NY 10159-0945 1997, 867 pp., $293.25
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Harold M. McNair and James M. Miller John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1998, 200 pp.. $49.95
This book serves as a comprehensive guide to modern GC theory and practice. It opens with a brief introduction to the history of GC and an overview of the instrumentation. Open tubular and packed columns are described throughout the book, and a comparison between the two types of
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columns is provided. The book closes with a troubleshooting guide and an index.
A Practical Guide for the Preparation of Specimens for X-ray Fluorescence and X-ray Diffraction Analysis Victor E. Buhrke, Ron Jenkins, and Deane K. Smith, Eds. John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1998, 333 pp., $79.95
This book provides practical information to help reduce systematic errors that arise from poor sampling and improper specimen preparation in X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence data. All major aspects of sample preparation for X-ray analysis are described, including theory, step-by-step methods, equipment suggestions, and troubleshooting tips.
Spectrochemical Trace Analysis for Metals and Metalloids R. Lobiński and Z. Marczenko Elsevier Science
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1997, 808pp,, $163.75 This book, which is divided into three main parts, provides an overview of modern spectrochemical techniques in elemental trace analysis. Part I covers sample treatment (from sample preparation up to the final determination step) and multielement analysis. Part II is devoted to the analysis of real-world samples. Part III contains reviews on spectrochemical methods for the trace analysis of 54 individual elements.
The Essential Guide to Analytical Chemistry Georg Schwedt John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1997, 248 pp., $34.95
This pocket-sized paperback is a miniencyclopedia covering nearly all aspects of analytical chemistry. Full-color diagrams accompany the text to illustrate procedures and instrumentation. Real-world examples of applications are presented, making this a practical reference book for analysts in both chemistry and biochemistry.
