High-performance liquid chromatography with paired ion electrospray ionization (PIESI) tandem mass spectrometry for the highly sensitive determination of acidic pesticides in water

A novel method based on the paired ion electrospray ionization (PIESI) mass spectrometry has been developed for determination of acidic pesticides at ultratrace levels in surface and ground waters. The proposed approach provides greatly enhanced sensitivity for acidic pesticides and overcomes the drawbacks of the less sensitive negative ion mode ESI-MS. The limits of detection (LODs) of 19 acidic pesticides were evaluated with four types of dicationic ion-pairing reagent (IPR) in both single ion monitoring (SIM) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The LOD of 19 pesticides obtained with the use the optimal dicationic ion-pairing reagent ranged from 0.6 pg to 19 pg, indicating the superior sensitivity provided by this method. The transition pathways for different pesticide-IPR complexes during the collision induced dissociation (CID) were identified. To evaluate and eliminate any matrix effects and further decrease the detection limits, off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) was performed for DI water and a river water matrix spiked with 2000 ng L⁻¹ and 20 ng L⁻¹ pesticides standards respectively, which showed an average percent recovery of 93%. The chromatographic separation of the acidic pesticides was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C18 column (250 mm × 2.1 mm) in the reversed phase mode using linear gradient elution. The optimized HPLC–PIESI-MS/MS method was utilized for determination of acidic pesticide at ng L⁻¹ level in stream/pond water samples. This experimental approach is 1–3 orders of magnitude more sensitive for these analytes than other reported methods performed in the negative ion mode.     

Retention of glycopeptides analyzed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography is influenced by charge and carbon chain length of ion‐pairing reagent for mobile phase

Characterization of the glycans of glycoproteins is essential for the development and production of biologics. Numerous methods are available for analyzing the glycans of glycoproteins directly and labeled glycans. Nevertheless, glycopeptides are difficult to resolve because of their exceptional complexity and the microheterogeneity of glycans. These properties represent technical challenges to efforts to insure the accurate characterization of biopharmaceuticals to comply with regulatory requirements. Therefore, we investigated the retention behavior of peptides and glycopeptides in hydrophilic interaction chromatography‐mode HPLC in the presence of ion‐pairing reagents. Anionic ion‐pairing reagents decreased the retention times of glycopeptides and improved resolution in the presence of higher concentrations or hydrophobicities of ion‐pairing reagent. Anionic ion‐pairing reagents increased retention times of larger glycans because of their increased hydrophilicity. In contrast, in the presence of cationic ion‐pairing reagents, the retention times of glycopeptides with greater numbers of sialic acid residues decreased. It is appropriate to add an anionic ion‐pairing reagent to the mobile phase for good separation of glycopeptides. The collision cross‐sectional area values of glycopeptides determined using electrospray ionization‐ion mobility spectrometry‐mass spectrometry correlated with retention times. These findings support the implementation of hydrophilic interaction chromatography‐mode HPLC to improve the characterization of glycosylated biopharmaceuticals.     

Eluent Generator Reagent Free Ion Chromatography with Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Simultaneous Analysis of Organic Acids in Juices and Beverages

A new analytical method is proposed for simultaneous determination of twenty organic acids in juices and beverages by eluent generator reagent free ion chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) in the negative selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). Twenty organic acids showed good linear relationship in the ranges of 0.5 ～ 20.0 mg/L. The correlation coefficients were more than 0.998, the detection limits were between 0.05 ～ 0.5 mg/L, and the average recoveries were between 88.0% ～ 106.0%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 7.6%. The method has been applied to juice and beverage samples with satisfactory results.     

芹菜素的电喷雾萃取电离串联质谱

采用实验室自制的电喷雾萃取电离源(EESI),结合串联质谱(MSn)技术,对芹菜素这一典型的黄酮类活性化合物的质谱行为进行了研究。实验表明,在正、负离子检测模式下,该化合物均能得到较好的EESI-MS信号,且在负离子检测模式下灵敏度更高。通过对比芹菜素的EESI-MS和电喷雾电离质谱(ESI-MS)谱图发现,芹菜素在EESI-MS和ESI-MS中的裂解规律相似,但是EESI是一种比ESI更软的电离模式。根据对芹菜素EESI-MS特征碎片离子的分析,提出了芹菜素在EESI-MS中裂解的基本规律,为EESI-MS技术用于分析、鉴定复杂基质中痕量芹菜素奠定了理论和实验基础。     

Continuous‐flow extractive desorption electrospray ionization coupled to normal phase separations and for direct lipid analysis from cell extracts

Normal phase liquid chromatography is a common mode for chiral separations. Many chiral amines are used as drugs or are important intermediates for drug synthesis. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is well known for its high sensitivity. However, when using normal phase liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization is hampered by the poor ionization efficiency of analytes from organic eluents. Continuous‐flow extractive desorption electrospray ionization, which introduces the eluents through a hypodermic needle into the electrospray plume is demonstrated here for its success to interface normal phase liquid chromatography to mass spectrometry detection. Such an approach was shown to be as or more sensitive than ultraviolet detection for a selected set of aromatic amine‐functionalized enantiomers. Also demonstrated is the direct infusion of cell extracts to monitor phospholipids from three different bacterial cells. Despite their presence in non‐electrospray‐ionization‐friendly extraction solvents, continuous‐flow extractive desorption electrospray ionization enabled the sensitive detection of phospholipids and the ability to tune ion forms through incorporation of different spray modifiers.     

电喷雾离子源正离子模式下环烯醚萜苷的质谱裂解行为

利用高分辨率四极杆-飞行时间串联质谱(Q-TOF MS/MS)对环烯醚萜苷同系组分7,8-环戊烯型和环戊烷型环烯醚萜苷在电喷雾正离子(ESI⁺)模式下的质谱裂解行为进行了研究. 在ESI⁺模式下, 环烯醚萜苷主要的质谱裂解途径是脱去母环上的功能基团, 如丢失H₂O, CO₂, CH₃OH, CH₃COOH和糖单元部分等, 由于它们均为葡萄糖苷, 所以共有碎片离子[Glc+Na]⁺(m/z 185.0). 环烯醚萜苷母核环上半缩醛结构的异构化造成二氢吡喃环的断裂, 但未发现与苷元部分在负离子(ESI^-)模式下相同的其它断裂. 环烯醚萜苷在ESI⁺模式下的断裂途径特征性不如其在ESI^-模式下的明显, 且灵敏度比后者低.     

液相色谱-电喷雾电离三重四级杆质谱测定畜禽肝脏中维吉尼亚霉素M1的残留量

建立了动物肝脏组织中维吉尼亚霉素M1残留的液相色谱-电喷雾电离三重四级杆质谱(LC-ESI-MS/MS)的测定方法。样品经0.2 mol/L NH4H2PO4和乙酸乙酯提取,分散型固相萃取PSA填料净化,采用正离子扫描多反应监测(MRM)模式下液质联用仪进行定性和定量分析。该方法省去耗时的固相萃取过程,回收率在67.2%～90.3%之间,RSD<10.0%;检测限为0.5μg/kg,定量限为1.0μg/kg。     

Comparison of the sensitivity of mass spectrometry atmospheric pressure ionization techniques in the analysis of porphyrinoids

The porphyrinoids chemistry is greatly dependent on the data obtained in mass spectrometry. For this reason, it is essential to determine the range of applicability of mass spectrometry ionization methods. In this study, the sensitivity of three different atmospheric pressure ionization techniques, electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization, was tested for several porphyrinods and their metallocomplexes. Electrospray ionization method was shown to be the best ionization technique because of its high sensitivity for derivatives of cyanocobalamin, free‐base corroles and porphyrins. In the case of metallocorroles and metalloporphyrins, atmospheric pressure photoionization with dopant proved to be the most sensitive ionization method. It was also shown that for relatively acidic compounds, particularly for corroles, the negative ion mode provides better sensitivity than the positive ion mode. The results supply a lot of relevant information on the methodology of porphyrinoids analysis carried out by mass spectrometry. The information can be useful in designing future MS or liquid chromatography–MS experiments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

有机硼化合物的质谱分析

对有机硼化合物进行质谱分析,考察不同种类仪器对样品分析的影响,确定使用电喷雾质谱仪效果最好。进一步考察了流动相、正负离子检测模式、离子化试剂及其浓度等因素的影响。实验发现:样品浓度为1×10-4mol/L,使用V(甲醇):V(H2O)=1:1的混合溶剂为流动相,正离子检测,0.1mol/LNa 为离子化试剂条件下可得到满意的谱图。     

Redox transformations in desorption electrospray ionization

Redox changes occur in some circumstances when organic compounds are analyzed by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS). However, these processes are limited in scope and the data presented here suggest that there are only limited analogies between the redox behavior in DESI and the well-known solution-phase electrochemical processes in standard electrospray ionization (ESI). Positive and negative ion modes were both investigated and there is a striking asymmetry between the incidence of oxidation and of reduction. Although in negative ion mode DESI experiments, some aromatic compounds were ionized as odd-electron anion radicals, examples of full reduction were not found. By contrast, oxidation in the form of oxygen atom addition (or multiple oxygen atom additions) was observed for several different analytes. These oxidation reactions point to chemically rather than electrochemically controlled processes. Data is presented which suggests that oxidation is predominantly caused by reaction with discharge-created gas-phase radicals. The fact that common reducing agents and known antioxidants such as ascorbic acid are not modified, while a saturated organic acid like stearic acid is oxidized in DESI, indicates that the usual electrochemical redox reactions are not significant but that redox chemistry can be induced under special experimental conditions.     

复方板蓝根颗粒化学成分的质谱研究

利用电喷雾多级串联质谱(ESI-MSn)和傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱(FT-ICR-MS)技术,对复方板蓝根颗粒经溶剂萃取后的95%(体积分数)醇提和水提部位的化学成分进行了系统研究,鉴定出多种氨基酸成分、糖及其衍生物、有机酸、氨基酸和单糖的梅拉德反应初级产物以及含硫化合物表告依春.该方法灵敏快速,适宜于中药提取物的化学成分分析.     

Comparison of gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques for the analysis of TNT and related nitroaromatic compounds

The use of capillary column gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of a series of standard solutions (0.1 to 10 μg/ml) of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and eight other nitroaromatic components was evaluated. The techniques included gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD), full scan and selected ion monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with electron impact ionization (EI/FS and EI/SIM), full scan and selected ion monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with positive ion chemical ionization using methane reagent gas (PICI/FS and PICI/SIM), and full scan and selected ion monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization using methane reagent gas (NICI/FS and NICI/SIM). The performance of the techniques was comapared by determining the linear response range, precision, and detection limits of the analyses.     

Electrospray Lonization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometric Study on Sodium Azide Cluster Ions

Sodium azide has rarely been studied in gas phase or in the form of cluster ions and as a model of solid energetic substances and inorganic azide salt was ionized by electrospray ionization (ESI) and studied by high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS) systematically. This paper highlights the effects of experimental conditions on the formation of salt cluster and the collision activation dissociation pathways of cluster ions to develop a microscopic understanding of inorganic azide salt clusters.     

Oligosaccharide sequences in Quillaja saponins by electrospray ionization ion trap multiple-stage mass spectrometry

Ten different samples with 13 previously identified saponin structures from Quillaja saponaria Molina were investigated by electrospray ionization ion trap multiple-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-ITMS(n)) in positive and negative ion modes. Both positive and negative ion mode MS(1)-MS(4) spectra were analyzed, showing that structural information on the two oligosaccharide parts in the saponin can be obtained from positive ion mode spectra whereas negative ion mode spectra mainly gave information on one of the oligosaccharide parts. Analysis of MS(1)-MS(4) spectra identified useful key fragment ions important for the structural elucidation of Quillaja saponins. A flowchart involving a stepwise procedure based on key fragments from MS(1)-MS(3) spectra was constructed for the identification of structural elements in the saponin. Peak intensity ratios in MS(3) spectra were found to be correlated with structural features of the investigated saponins and are therefore of value for the identification of terminal monosaccharide residues.     

脱水淫羊藿素的电喷雾多级串联质谱研究

研究了脱水淫羊藿素的电喷雾质谱行为，结果表明：该化合物在正、负离子模式下，均可得到较好的电喷雾质谱信息，且在负离子模式下电喷雾质谱分析的灵敏度较高；运用电喷雾碰撞诱导解离技术，发现正离子和负离子模式下的裂解方式虽有相似之处但并不完全相同；分别阐明了该化合物在正、负离子模式下的电喷雾质谱碎裂规律。     

大黄酸ESI-IT MS质谱行为及碎片离子的量子化学研究

采用电喷雾-离子阱质谱(ESI-IT MS),获取大黄酸分子的一级质谱和多级质谱碰撞诱导解离下的碎片离子,以量子化学计算大黄酸分子及其主要碎片离子的质谱行为。通过对质谱离子几何参数、键断裂能、电荷变化、自旋密度以及前线分子轨道的分析,可得到m/z 282.8、256.9、238.9、210.8、192.8、182.8、166.8离子的稳定构型以及质谱裂解途径,从而较系统地解释了大黄酸分子在ESI-IT MS中的裂解行为。     

Characterization and application of a self‐aspirating electrospray source with pneumatic‐assisted ionization

A single gas‐assisted electrospray ion source developed for ambient mass spectrometry is introduced in this paper. Simultaneous self‐aspiration and electrospray could be achieved by using a constant sheath gas flow supplied from a mini air pump. A gas dynamic study of the spray module is carried out for structural optimization. The entire device exhibits a simplified design and has been systematically characterized through both simulated and experimental investigations. According to the results, the ion source exhibited satisfactory stability and the ability for quantitative operation in routine electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the ion source can be operated as a desorption electrospray ionization source to perform direct desorption/ionization of the solid samples. The versatile source described here appears to provide a practical approach to perform ambient mass spectrometry analysis with unrestricted sampling operation, and the extensive gas dynamic studies together with the experimental characterization are believed to be helpful in building self‐aspirating spray devices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural characterization and identification of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in Fructus Schisandrae using electrospray ionization ion trap multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry

The electrospray ionization ion trap multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSⁿ) and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MSⁿ) have been applied successfully to the direct investigation of a number of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan constituents from the methanol extracts of the Fructus Schisandrae in the positive ion mode. The detailed structural characterization of the same skeleton and different peripheral substituents had been studied and the precise elemental compositions of ions at high mass resolution had been obtained. So the fragmentation mechanisms could be clarified. And the lignan components in Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. fruits (SCF) and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. fruits (SSF) were identified by comparing the structural information and fragmentation mechanisms. Then a pair of isobaric compounds was differentiated. Meanwhile these two similar fruits were distinguished. The research results demonstrated that ESI-MSⁿ technique is a sensitive, selective and effective tool for the direct analysis and rapid determination of constituents in complex mixtures from nature products. And these should be useful for the identification of similar compounds and differentiation of similar species from Chinese herbs.     

Approaches to sample pretreatment in the determination of perchlorate in real world samples

Perchlorate can be determined by the tandem technique of ion chromatography (IC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). However, detection by ESI-MS can be compromised by the coelution of matrix components that can suppress the analyte signal. In addition, the presence of surface-active and other types of matrix components can cause fouling of the electrospray inlet, reducing overall signal and requiring frequent maintenance. The influences of matrix components can be minimized by using analytical columns with different selectivities, in-line diversion of separated matrix components, and off-line selective removal of matrix components via ion exchange or adsorption. This paper will discuss these sample preparation approaches for samples containing anionic species including surfactants and inorganic ions that elute in the vicinity of perchlorate.     

两种离子源技术气相色谱-质谱法检测茶叶中酰胺类除草剂的残留量

采用电子轰击(EI)和负化学(NCI)离子源两种离子源技术气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC