Coupling corona discharge for ambient extractive ionization mass spectrometry

Unlike the extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) technique described elsewhere, a corona discharge instead of electrospray ionization has been utilized to charge a neutral solvent spray under ambient conditions for the generation of highly charged microdroplets, which impact a neutral sample plume for the extractive ionization of the analytes in raw samples without any sample pretreatment. Using the positive ion mode, molecular radical cations were easily generated for the detection of non-polar compounds (e.g., benzene, cyclohexane, etc.), while protonated molecular ions of polar compounds (e.g., acetonitrile, acetic ether) were readily produced for the detection. By dispensing the matrix in a relatively large space, this method tolerates highly complex matrices. For a given sample such as lily fragrances, more compounds were detected by the method established here than the EESI technique. An acceptable relative standard deviation (RSD 8.9%, n = 11) was obtained for the direct measurement of explosives (10 ppb) in waste water samples. The experimental data demonstrate that this method could simultaneously detect both polar and non-polar analytes with high sensitivity, showing promising applications for the rapid detection of a wide variety of compounds present in complex matrices.     

Laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) mass spectrometry

Large thermally labile molecules were not amenable to mass spectrometric analysis until the development of atmospheric pressure evaporation/ionization methods, such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), since attempts to evaporate these molecules by heating induces degradation of the sample. While ESI and MALDI are relatively soft desorption/ionization techniques, they are both limited to preferential ionization of acidic and basic analytes. This limitation has been the driving force for the development of other soft desorption/ionization techniques. One such method employs laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) to evaporate neutral sample molecules into mass spectrometers. LIAD utilizes acoustic waves generated by a laser pulse in a thin metal foil. The acoustic waves travel through the foil and cause desorption of neutral molecules that have been deposited on the opposite side of the foil. One of the advantages of LIAD is that it desorbs low-energy molecules that can be ionized by a variety of methods, thus allowing the analysis of large molecules that are not amenable to ESI and MALDI. This review covers the generation of acoustic waves in foils via a laser pulse, the parameters affecting the generation of acoustic waves, possible mechanisms for desorption of neutral molecules, as well as the various uses of LIAD by mass spectrometrists. The conditions used to generate acoustic or stress waves in solid materials consist of three regimes: thermal, ablative, and constrained. Each regime is discussed, in addition to the mechanisms that lead to the ablation of the metal from the foil and generation of acoustic waves for two of the regimes. Previously proposed desorption mechanisms for LIAD are presented along with the flaws associated with some of them. Various experimental parameters, such as the exact characteristics of the laser pulse and foil used, are discussed. The internal and kinetic energy of the neutral desorbed molecules are also considered. Our research group has been instrumental in the development and use of LIAD. For example, we have systematically examined the influence of many parameters, such as the type of the foil and its thickness, as well as the analyte layer's thickness, on the efficiency of desorption of neutral molecules. The coupling of LIAD with different instruments and ionization techniques allows for broad use of LIAD in our research laboratories. The most important applications involve analytes that cannot be analyzed by using other mass spectrometric methods, such as large saturated hydrocarbons and heavy hydrocarbon fractions of petroleum. We also use LIAD to characterize lipids, peptides, and oligonucleotides. Fundamental research on the reactions of charged mono-, bi-, and polyradicals with biopolymers, especially oligonucleotides, also requires the use of LIAD, as well as thermochemical measurements for neutral biopolymers. These are but a few of the uses of LIAD in our research group.     

Forensic applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry

This review highlights and critically assesses forensic applications in the developing field of ambient ionization mass spectrometry. Ambient ionization methods permit the ionization of samples outside the mass spectrometer in the ordinary atmosphere, with minimal sample preparation. Several ambient ionization methods have been created since 2004 and they utilize different mechanisms to create ions for mass-spectrometric analysis. Forensic applications of these techniques—to the analysis of toxic industrial compounds, chemical warfare agents, illicit drugs and formulations, explosives, foodstuff, inks, fingerprints, and skin—are reviewed. The minimal sample pretreatment needed is illustrated with examples of analysis from complex matrices (e.g., food) on various substrates (e.g., paper). The low limits of detection achieved by most of the ambient ionization methods for compounds of forensic interest readily offer qualitative confirmation of chemical identity; in some cases quantitative data are also available. The forensic applications of ambient ionization methods are a growing research field and there are still many types of applications which remain to be explored, particularly those involving on-site analysis. Aspects of ambient ionization currently undergoing rapid development include molecular imaging and increased detection specificity through simultaneous chemical reaction and ionization by addition of appropriate chemical reagents.     

The study of protein conformation in solution via direct sampling by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The direct sampling feature of liquid sample desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) allows the ionization of liquid samples without adding acids/organic solvents (i.e., without sample pretreatment). As a result, it provides a new approach for probing protein conformation in solution. In this study, it has been observed that native protein ions are generated from proteins in water by DESI. Interestingly, the intensities of the resulting protein ions appear to be higher than those generated by ESI of the proteins in water or in ammonium acetate. For protein solutions that already contain acids/organic solvents, DESI can be used to investigate the influences of these denaturants on protein conformations and the obtained results are in good agreement with spectroscopic data. In addition, online monitoring of protein conformational changes by DESI is feasible; for instance, heat-induced unfolding of ubiquitin can be traced with DESI in water without influences of organic solvents/acids. This DESI method provides a new alternative tool for the study of protein conformation in solution.     

Dynamic headspace analysis of solid waste materials

A dynamic headspace stripping technique for the extraction of volatile organic compounds has been applied to a variety of solid and semisolid waste materials. A simple glass apparatus accommodates a wide range of sample sizes and allows for the volatiles to be stripped at elevated temperatures. Concentration on Tenax, followed by thermal desorption and analysis by fused silica capillary gas chromatography provides detailed information on the volatile content of waste samples of widely differing matrix composition.     

Quantitative determination of polar and ionic compounds in petroleum fractions by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The capabilities of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) methods for quantitative analysis of polar and ionic compounds in petroleum fractions have been examined. The requirements of the analysis for sensitivity, linear dynamic range, and structural characterization have been discussed. ESI was found to be approximately two orders of magnitude more sensitive than APCI and is most suitable for the detection of analytes in weak concentrations. Equivalent relative linear dynamic ranges were observed by the two methods (at least three orders of magnitude). For the relatively high analyte concentrations examined here (e.g., 1-100 ppm or higher), the absolute area counts increased linearly with the analyte amount only in APCI, making this method more attractive for quantitative liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) applications. Nevertheless, a wider range of ionic compounds can be detected by ESI than by APCI.     

Comparison of dialysis and solid-phase extraction for isolation and concentration of dissolved organic matter prior to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

We compare two methods, solid-phase extraction (SPE) and dialysis, commonly used for extraction and concentration of dissolved organic matter (DOM) prior to molecular characterization by electrospray ionization (ESI) and ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Spectra of DOM samples from Minnesota and Sweden peatlands that were extracted with styrene divinyl benzene polymer SPE sorbents included ions with formulas that had higher oxygen to carbon (O/C) ratios than spectra of DOM from the same samples after de-salting by dialysis. The SPE method was not very effective in extracting several major classes of DOM compounds that had high ESI efficiencies, including carboxylic acids and organo-sulfur compounds, and that out-competed other less-functionalized compounds (e.g., carbohydrates) for charge in the ESI source. The large abundance of carboxylic acids in the dialysisextracted DOM, likely the result of in situ microbial production, makes it difficult to see other (mainly hydrophilic) compounds with high O/C ratios. Our results indicate that, while dialysis is generally preferable for the isolation of DOM, for samples with high microbial inputs, the use of both isolation methods is recommended for a more accurate molecular representation.     

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry: a tutorial

Ambient ionization is a set of mass spectrometric ionization techniques performed under ambient conditions that allows the direct analysis of sample surfaces with little or no sample pretreatment. Using combinations of different types of sample introduction systems and ionization methods, several novel techniques have been developed over the last few years with many applications (e.g., food safety screening; detection of pharmaceuticals and drug abuse; monitoring of environmental pollutants; detection of explosives for antiterrorism and forensics; characterization of biological compounds for proteomics and metabolomics; molecular imaging analysis; and monitoring chemical and biochemical reactions). Electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization are the two main ionization principles most commonly used in ambient ionization mass spectrometry. This tutorial paper provides a review of the publications related to ambient ionization techniques. We describe and compare the underlying principles of operation, ionization processes, detecting mass ranges, sensitivity, and representative applications of these techniques.     

复杂样品的固相微萃取-直接质谱分析技术研究进展

常压离子化质谱分析技术由于具有无需样品预处理、操作简单、分析效率高等特点,现已在复杂样品的快速分析方面发挥了重要作用。但是,该技术在质谱分析时将样品基质和待测化合物同时进行电离,样品基质对目标化合物的质谱分析造成了严重干扰。为了解决这一问题,在质谱直接分析前先采用固相微萃取技术对复杂样品中的目标化合物进行富集或基质去除,可极大地提高待测化合物的质谱分析灵敏度。该文着重综述了近几年发展起来可直接与常压电离源相联用或可原位电离目标化合物的固相微萃取技术,介绍了它们的原理及在复杂样品分析领域的应用,展望了固相微萃取-直接质谱分析技术的发展趋势。     

Hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation: a gentle separation method for mass spectrometry of native proteins

Low-impact ionization sources like electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted, laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) equipped with time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzers provide intact protein analysis over a very wide molar mass range. ESI/TOFMS provides also indications on the higher-order structure of intact proteins and non-covalent protein complexes. However, direct analysis of intact proteins mixtures in real samples shows limited success, mainly because spectra become very complex to interpret. This is also due to sample contaminants, and to the mechanism of competitive ionization in ESI or MALDI. Rapid and efficient sample clean-up and separation methods can significantly enhance the power of TOFMS for intact protein analysis. However, if protein native conditions want to be maintained, the methods should affect neither the three-dimensional structure nor the non-covalent chemistry of the proteins. Reversed-phase (RP) HPLC, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) are on-line or off-line coupled to ESI/TOFMS or MALDI/TOFMS. In fact, these separation methods often show limitations when applied to the analysis of native proteins. Organic modifiers and saline buffers are required in the case of RP HPLC or CZE. They can induce protein degradation or affect ionization when MS is performed after separation. High voltages used in CZE can contribute to alter proteins from their native form. In the case of high molar mass proteins, SEC is scarcely selective, and barely able to detect protein aggregates. Sample entanglement/adsorption on the stationary phase can also occur.     

LC-MS analysis in the aquatic environment and in water treatment – a critical review

LC-MS has become an invaluable technique for trace analysis of polar compounds in aqueous samples of the environment and in water treatment. LC-MS is of particular importance due to the impetus it has provided for research into the occurrence and fate of polar contaminants, and of their even more polar transformation products. Mass spectrometric detection and identification is most widely used in combination with sample preconcentration, chromatographic separation and atmospheric pressure ionization (API). The focus of the first part of this review is directed particularly toward instruments and method development with respect to their applications for detecting emerging contaminants, microorganisms and humic substances (HS). The current status and future perspectives of 1) mass analyzers, 2) ionization techniques to interface liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS), 3) methods for preconcentration and separation with respect to their application for water analysis are discussed and examples of applications are given. Quadrupole and ion trap mass analyzers with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) are already applied in routine analysis. Time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers are of particular interest for accurate mass measurements for identification of unknowns. For non-polar compounds, different ionization approaches have been described, such as atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), electrochemistry with ESI, or electron capture ionization with APCI. In sample preconcentration and separation, solid phase extraction (SPE) with different non-selective sorbent materials and HPLC on reversed-phase materials (RP-HPLC) play the dominant role. In addition, various on-line and miniaturized approaches for sample extraction and sample introduction into the MS have been used. Ion chromatography (IC), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE) are alternative separation techniques. Furthermore, the issues of compound identification, matrix effects on quantitation, development of mass spectral libraries and the topic of connecting analysis and toxicity bioassays are addressed.     

Flow injection of liquid samples to a mass spectrometer with ionization under vacuum conditions: a combined ion source for single-photon and electron impact ionization

Electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photo-ionization (APPI) are the most important techniques for the ionization of liquid samples. However, working under atmospheric pressure conditions, all these techniques involve some chemical rather than purely physical processes, and therefore, side reactions often yield to matrix-dependent ionization efficiencies. Here, a system is presented that combines both soft single-photon ionization (SPI) and hard 70 eV electron impact ionization (EI) of dissolved compounds under vacuum conditions. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was modified to enable direct EI, a technique developed by Cappiello et al. to obtain library-searchable EI mass spectra as well as soft SPI mass spectra of sample solutions. An electron beam-pumped rare gas excimer lamp working at 126 nm was used as well as a focusable vacuum UV light source for single-photon ionization. Both techniques, EI and SPI, were applied successfully for flow injection experiments providing library-matchable EI fragment mass spectra and soft SPI mass spectra, showing dominant signals for the molecular ion. Four model compounds were analyzed: hexadecane, propofol, chlorpropham, and eugenol, with detection limits in the picomolar range. This novel combination of EI and SPI promises great analytical benefits, thanks to the possibility of combining database alignment for EI data and molecular mass information provided by SPI. Possible applications for the presented ionization technology system are a matrix-effect-free detection and a rapid screening of different complex mixtures without time-consuming sample preparation or separation techniques (e.g., for analysis of reaction solutions in combinatorial chemistry) or a switchable hard (EI) and soft (SPI) MS method as detection step for liquid chromatography.

Coupling solid-phase microextraction to liquid chromatography. A review

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a technique for extraction of organic compounds from gaseous, aqueous, and solid matrices. SPME is rapid and simple, ideal for automation and for in situ measurements, and no harmful solvents are needed. The principle of SPME involves equilibration of the analytes between the sample matrix and an organic polymeric phase coated on a fused-silica fiber. SPME is traditionally combined with analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and this combination has proved sensitive, accurate, and precise for quantitative analysis of different classes of volatile compound. More recently SPME has been coupled with liquid chromatography to widen its range of application to non-volatile and thermally unstable compounds also. This article reviews the status of SPME coupled with liquid chromatography. It focuses on different applications of the technique, e.g. environmental samples, biological fluids, and food samples, to show that SPME-HPLC has great potential in the analysis of a wide range of compounds in different matrices.     

Polarization induced electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of liquid,viscous and solid samples

In this study, a polarization‐induced electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) was developed. A micro‐sized sample droplet was deposited on a naturally available dielectric substrate such as a fruit or a stone, and then placed close to (~2 mm) the orifice of a mass spectrometer applied with a high voltage. Taylor cone was observed from the sample droplet, and a spray emitted from the cone apex was generated. The analyte ion signals derived from the droplet were obtained by the mass spectrometer. The ionization process is similar to that in ESI although no direct electric contact was applied on the sample site. The sample droplet polarized by the high electric field provided by the mass spectrometer initiated the ionization process. The dielectric sample loading substrate facilitated further the polarization process, resulting in the formation of Taylor cone. The mass spectral profiles obtained via this approach resembled those obtained using ESI‐MS. Multiply charged ions dominated the mass spectra of peptides and proteins, whereas singly charged ions dominated the mass spectra of small molecules such as amino acids and small organic molecules. In addition to liquid samples, this approach can be used for the analysis of solid and viscous samples. A small droplet containing suitable solvent (5–10 µl) was directly deposited on the surface of the solid (or viscous) sample, placed close the orifice of mass spectrometer applied with a high voltage. Taylor cone derived from the droplet was immediately formed followed by electrospray processes to generate gas‐phase ions for MS analysis. Analyte ions derived from the main ingredients of pharmaceutical tablets and viscous ointment can be extracted into the solvent droplet in situ and observed using a mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of proteins by combination of size-exclusion chromatography with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and comparison of some desalting procedures for both intact proteins and their tryptic digests

Separation of a protein mixture by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Identification of proteins in the collected fractions was performed both as intact proteins by MALDI-TOFMS and using peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) after their digestion with trypsin. The presence of salts mostly disturbs the MALDI-TOFMS signal and, therefore, proper purification or desalting procedures must be employed. Four desalting procedures (desalting column packed with Sephadex G-100, on-target washing, centrifugal filter devices and ZipTip C(18)) for purification of fractions of proteins separated by SEC and their tryptic digests prior to determination of their exact molecular masses by MALDI-TOFMS were compared. In the case of intact proteins, the experiments showed that the best desalting procedures are the use of ZipTip C(18) pipette tips and Ultrafree CL centrifugal filter devices. The peptide digests can be purified by using ZipTip C(18) pipette tips or on-target washing when both of these procedures provide similar results. On-target washing can be used as a simple procedure to improve the mass spectra of salt-containing samples. Analyses of the droplets collected after the on-target washing show losses of sample and matrix caused by dissolution of these compounds during this procedure. Further, it was found that protein identification based on PMF is more sensitive than analyses of intact proteins and that multiple on-target washing is very advantageous for analyses of peptide mixtures with a high content of salts.     

A simple sheathless CE-MS interface with a sub-micrometer electrical contact fracture for sensitive analysis of peptide and protein samples

Online coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) has shown considerable potential, however, technical challenges have limited its use. In this study, we have developed a simple and sensitive sheathless CE-MS interface based on the novel concept of forming a sub-micrometer fracture directly in the capillary. The simple interface design allowed the generation of a stable ESI spray capable of ionization at low nanoliter flow-rates (45–90 nL/min) for high sensitivity MS analysis of challenging samples like those containing proteins and peptides. By analysis of a model peptide (leucine enkephalin), a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.045 pmol/μL (corresponding to 67 attomol in a sample volume of ∼15 nL) was obtained. The merit of the CE-MS approach was demonstrated by analysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) tryptic peptides. A well-resolved separation profile was achieved and comparable sequence coverage was obtained by the CE-MS method (73%) compared to a representative UPLC-MS method (77%). The CE-MS interface was subsequently used to analyse a more complex sample of pharmaceutically relevant human proteins including insulin, tissue factor and α-synuclein. Efficient separation and protein ESI mass spectra of adequate quality could be achieved using only a small amount of sample (30 fmol). In addition, analysis of ubiquitin samples under both native and denatured conditions, indicate that the CE-MS setup can facilitate native MS applications to probe the conformational properties of proteins. Thus, the described CE-MS setup should be useful for a wide range of high-sensitivity applications in protein research.     

Surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for direct ambient sample analysis without toxic chemical contamination

Ambient mass spectrometry, pioneered with desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) technique, is of increasing interest in recent years. In this study, a corona discharge ionization source is adapted for direct surface desorption chemical ionization of compounds on various surfaces at atmospheric pressure. Ambient air, with about 60% relative humidity, is used as a reagent to generate primary ions such as H(3)O(+), which is then directed to impact the sample surface for desorption and ionization. Under experimental conditions, protonated or deprotonated molecules of analytes present on various samples are observed using positive or negative corona discharge. Fast detection of trace amounts of analytes present in pharmaceutical preparations, viz foods, skins and clothes has been demonstrated without any sample pretreatment. Taking the advantage of the gasless setup, powder samples such as amino acids and mixtures of pharmaceutical preparations are rapidly analyzed. Impurities such as sudan dyes in tomato sauce are detected semiquantitatively. Molecular markers (e.g. putrescine) for meat spoilage are successfully identified from an artificially spoiled fish sample. Chemical warfare agent stimulants, explosives and herbicides are directly detected from the skin samples and clothing exposed to these compounds. This provides a detection limit of sub-pg (S/N > or = 3) range in MS2. Metabolites and consumed chemicals such as glucose are detected successfully from human skins. Conclusively, surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) mass spectrometry, without toxic chemical contamination, detects various compounds in complex matrices, showing promising applications for analyses of human related samples.     

Direct analysis of biological samples using extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-MS)

Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most widely used techniques for the analysis of biological samples. In the past decade, a novel improvement in MS was the invention of ambient ionization which stands out owing to its unique capability of direct analysis of complex samples with no or minimal pretreatment. In this review, extractive electrospray ionization (EESI), a representative ambient ionization technique, is introduced focusing on its mechanism, instrumentation, and applications in biological analysis. EESI uses a traditional ESI channel to produce primary ions which subsequently ionize neutral chemicals from the sample introduction channel through an online extraction process. When analyzing biological samples, EESI has advantages of rapid analysis, high matrix tolerance, and the ability to perform in vivo analysis. According to previous studies, EESI is able to directly analyze various chemicals in complex biological specimens in liquid, gas, and solid states. EESI can provide a sensitive and selective measurement of biological samples for both qualitative and quantitative purposes. Therefore, it is anticipated that EESI will have promising applications, especially in fields which require the fast and/or in vivo analysis of biological samples with complicated matrixes.     

Investigation of cytolysin variants by peptide mapping: enhanced protein characterization using complementary ionization and mass spectrometric techniques

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) have been used in conjunction with time-of-flight (TOF) and quadrupole ion trap (IT) mass spectrometry, respectively, to analyze various cytolysin proteins isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus and digested by the protease trypsin. By employing different ionization methods, the subsequent changes in ionization selectivity for the peptides in the digested protein samples resulted in ion abundance variation reflected in the mass spectra. Upon investigation of this variation generated by the two ionization processes, it has been shown in this study that enhanced protein coverage (e.g., >95% for cytolysin III) can be achieved. Additionally, capillary and microbore reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with ESI mass spectrometry (MS) as well as flow injection analysis by nanoflow ESI-MS afforded the necessary limit of detection (LOD) for detailed structural information of the cytolysin proteins by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) methods. It can be concluded that cytolysins II and III correspond to sticholysins I and II, that "cytolysin I" is a mixture of modified forms of cytolysins II and III, and that "cytolysin IV" is an incompletely processed precursor of cytolysin III.     

Determination of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in lipid-rich matrices using dispersive solid-phase extraction as a sample cleanup step and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A fast, robust and highly sensitive analysis method for determination of trace levels of organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers in lipid-rich samples was presently developed, and based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled to a positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source (UHPLC-MS/MS-APCI(+)). The target OPEs in the sample were extracted from the biota samples, such as egg and liver, by ultrasonic extraction, and cleaned up further by dispersive solid phase extraction (d-ESP). As a result, background contamination was largely reduced. Different dispersive ESP sorbents were tested and primary secondary amine (PSA) bonded silica sorbents showed the best recoveries for these target OPEs. The recoveries obtained were in the range 54–113% (RSD < 17%), with method limits of quantification (MLOQs) ranging between 0.06 and 0.29 ng/g in egg, and 0.05 and 0.50 ng/g w.w. in liver sample. The matrix effects (MEs) associated with using APCI(+) and ESI(+) sources were investigated. APCI(+) showed much less ion suppression than ESI(+) for the determination of these OPEs. For egg and liver samples, the APCI(+) ME values ranged from 40% to 94%, while ESI(+) ME values ranged from 0% to 36%. Although APCI(+) was used for the determination of OPEs, the ionization mechanism might mainly be a thermospray ionization process. This UHPLC-MS/MS-APCI(+) method showed good response linearity for calibration (R2 > 0.99). The proposed method was applied to real environmental bird egg and fish samples, where several OPE were quantifiable and different OPE patterns was observed between samples.