Selection of SPE cartridge for automated solid-phase extraction of pesticides from water followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In environmental analyses there is an ever-increasing need to develop simple and sensitive multi-residue methods. In many agricultural regions, there is particular concern of the potential for pesticides to enter rivers and other waterways. This study reports on the development and validation of a multi-residue method of analysis for 30 pesticides in water samples using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by LC-MS/MS. The electrospray and MS/MS parameters were optimised for each pesticide, including capillary voltage, collision-induced dissociation voltage, and selection of a precursor ion and two product ions. A variety of SPE sorbents were tested for sample pre-concentration, including numerous polymeric based phases. Bond Elut PPL and Oasis HLB were the only phases capable of retaining the majority of the target analyte classes in a single method. An off-line pre-concentration method using a Gilson Aspec system was optimised using the Bond Elut PPL cartridges, with a concentration factor of 25 producing limits of quantitation in the order of 6–100 ng/L. Excellent linearity (r ² > 0.9), precision (<20%) and recovery (>60%) was obtained for nearly all of the analytes, covering a wide variety of chemical and physical properties. This is the first study to fully validate Bond Elut PPL cartridges for use in multi-residue pesticide analysis.     

Application of gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry to the multi-residue analysis of pesticides in green leafy vegetables

A new, sensitive and specific method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 129 pesticides in lettuce and other green leafy vegetables. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and co-extractives such as fatty acids and pigments were removed using dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE) with primary secondary amine (PSA) and graphitized carbon black (GCB). All pesticides were analyzed in a single injection gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) acquisition method. Two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of precursor ions fragmenting into product ions were recorded for the targeted pesticides, thus fulfilling the EU identification points system criteria for the identification of contaminants (2002/657/EC). Calibration curves were determined using matrix-matched standards, and exhibited excellent linearity at two orders of magnitude from 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg for almost all the pesticides studied (R(2) > or = 0.99). The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of lettuce samples spiked at five concentration levels ranging from 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg for each pesticide. The recovery and repeatability results satisfied SANCO/2007/3131 criteria (i.e. average recoveries were in the range 70-120% with RSDs < or =20%) for 114 of the 129 pesticides at the 0.005 mg/kg spiking level, and for almost all pesticides at the higher spiking levels. The methodology was applied successfully to identify and quantify pesticide residues in leafy vegetable samples such as lettuce, cabbage and leek.     

Applicability of headspace solid-phase microextraction to the determination of multi-class pesticides in waters

The applicability of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) to pesticide determination in water samples was demonstrated by evaluating the effects of temperature on the extraction of the pesticides. The evaluations were performed using an automated system with a heating module. The 174 pesticides that are detectable with gas chromatograph were selected objectively and impartially based on their physical properties: vapor pressure and partition coefficient between octanol and water. Of the 174 pesticides, 158 (90% of tested) were extracted with a polyacrylate-coated fiber between 30 and 100 degrees C and were determined with gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. The extraction-temperature profiles of the 158 extracted pesticides were obtained to evaluate the effects of temperature on the extraction of pesticides. The pesticides were classified into four groups according to the shape of their extraction-temperature profiles. The line of demarcation between extractable pesticides and non-extractable pesticides could be drawn in the physical property diagram (a double logarithmic plot of their vapor pressure and partition coefficient between octanol and water). The plot also revealed relationships between classified extraction features and their physical properties. The new method for multi residue screening in which the analytes were categorized into sub-groups based on extraction temperature was developed. In order to evaluate the quantitivity of the developed method, the 45 pesticides were chosen among the pesticides that are typically monitored in waters. Linear response data for 40 of the 45 was obtained in the concentration range below 5 microg/l with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.979 and 0.999. The other five pesticides had poor responses. Relative standard deviations at the concentration of the lowest standard solution for each calibration curve of the pesticides ranged from 3.6 to 18%. The value of 0.01 microg/l in the limits of detection for 17 pesticides was achieved only under the approximate conditions for screening, not under the individually optimized conditions for each pesticide. Recoveries of tested pesticides in actual matrices were essentially in agreement with those obtained by solid-phase extraction.     

Analysis of polar pesticides in water and wine samples by automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of polar pesticides in water and wine samples was developed by coupling automated in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). To achieve optimum performance, the conditions for both the in-tube SPME and the ESI-MS detection were investigated. In-tube SPME conditions were optimized by selecting the appropriate extraction parameters, especially the stationary phases used for SPME. For the compounds studied, a custom-made polypyrrole (PPY)-coated capillary showed superior extraction efficiency as compared to several commercial capillaries tested, and therefore, it was selected for in-tube SPME. The influence of the ethanol content on the performance of in-tube SPME was also investigated. It was found that the amount of pesticides extracted decreased with the increase of ethanol content in the solutions. The ESI-MS detection conditions were optimized as follows: nebulizer gas, N2 (30 p.s.i.; 1 p.s.i.=6894.76 Pa); drying gas, N2 (10 l/min, 350 degrees C); capillary voltage, 4500 V; ionization mode, positive; mass scan range, 50-350 amu; fragmentor voltage, variable depending on the ions selected. Due to the high extraction efficiency of the PPY coating and the high sensitive mass detection, the detection limits (S/N = 3) of this method for the compounds studied are in the range of 0.01 to 1.2 ng/ml, which are more than one order of magnitude lower than those of the previous in-tube SPME-HPLC-UV method. A linear relationship was obtained for each analyte in the concentration range of 0.5 to 200 ng/ml with MS detection. This method was applied to the analysis of phenylurea and carbamate pesticides in spiked water and wine samples.     

Analysis of permethrin isomers in composite diet samples by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and isotope dilution gas chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry

Determination of an individual's aggregate dietary ingestion of pesticides entails analysis of a difficult sample matrix. Permethrin-specific molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) solid-phase extraction cartridges were developed for use as a sample preparation technique for a composite food matrix. Vortexing with acetonitrile and centrifugation were found to provide optimal extraction of the permethrin isomers from the composite foods. The acetonitrile (with 1% acetic acid) was mostly evaporated and the analytes reconstituted in 90:10 water/acetonitrile in preparation for molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction. Permethrin elution was accomplished with acetonitrile and sample extracts were analyzed by isotope dilution gas chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry. Quantitation of product ions provided definitive identification of the pesticide isomers. The final method parameters were tested with fortified composite food samples of varying fat content (1%, 5%, and 10%) and recoveries ranged from 99.3% to 126%. Vegetable samples with incurred pesticide levels were also analyzed with the given method and recoveries were acceptable (81.0–95.7%). Method detection limits were demonstrated in the low ppb range. Finally, the applicability of the MIP stationary phase to extract other pyrethroids, specifically cyfluthrin and cypermethrin, was also investigated.     

Determination of pesticides in aqueous samples by solid-phase microextraction in-line coupled to gas chromatography—mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method was developed for the determination of nitrogen- and phosphorous-containing pesticides (amines, anilides, phosphorothioates, and triazines) by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in-line coupled to gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The 85-µm polyacrylate fiber was first dipped into the aqueous sample for a given time and then directly introduced into the heated injector of the gas chromatography—mass spectrometer, where the analytes are thermally desorbed. The method was evaluated with respect to the limit of detection, linearity, and precision. The limit of detection [selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode] depends on the compound and varies from 5 to 90 ng/L. The method is linear over at least 3 orders of magnitude with coefficients of correlation usually ≥0.996. In general, the coefficient of variation (precision) is <10%. The partitioning of the analyte between the aqueous phase and the polymeric phase depends on the hydrophobicity of the compound as expressed by the octanol—water partitioning coefficient P _ow. The addition of sodium chloride has a strong effect on the extraction efficiency. This effect increases with decreasing hydrophobicity (increasing polarity) of the compound. The triazines atrazine, simazine, and terbuthylazine were first identified and quantified in water samples from the effluent of sewage plants by SPME-gas chromatography—nitrogen—phosphorus detection (GC/NPD). For such a complex matrix GC/NPD is not sufficiently selective for an unambiguous identification at low levels (<1 ppb) of pesticides. Selectivity may be enhanced by using SMPE-GC/MS in the SIM mode with three characteristic ions for each pesticide. This method allows an unequivocal identification and quantification at low levels of pesticides in environmental samples. At a target limit of detection below 100 ng/L, SPME-GC/MS represents a very simple, fast, selective, and solvent-free multimethod for the extraction and determination of these nitrogen- and phosphorous-containing pesticides from aqueous samples.     

气相色谱-质谱法分析蜂蜜中的多种农药残留

开展了蜂蜜中23种农药残留的气相色谱-电子轰击离子源质谱(GC-EI/MS)分析方法的研究,并对其中3种农药的EI/MS碎片离子的断裂机理与结构进行了初步解析。探讨了蜂蜜试样前处理条件的优化与选择。将蜂蜜试样用乙酸乙酯提取剂超声提取、Florisil硅藻土色谱柱净化和正己烷-乙酸乙酯(体积比为7∶3)混合洗脱剂洗脱后,以PCB103为内标物,采用选择离子监测(SIM)方式下的GC-EI/MS分析。当试样的加标浓度为50,100和200 μg/kg时,加标回收率为82%～120%,相对标准偏差小于11.0%。23种农药的检测限都小于10.0 μg/kg,线性范围为10～500 μg/kg,相关系数都大于0.995。此分析方法已成功地应用于蜂蜜中23种痕量农药残留的分析。     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in juice by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method based on solid-phase extraction was developed for the simultaneous determination of 50 pesticides in commercial juices. The extraction procedure was carried out in C₁₈ columns preconditioned with acetonitrile and water. The subsequent elution of pesticides was performed with a mixture of hexane-ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) prior to the determination by gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC-MS-SIM), using one target and two qualifier ions. Standards were prepared spiking blank juice samples to counteract the observed matrix effect. Average recoveries for all the pesticides studied were higher than 91% with relative standard deviations lower than 9% in the concentration range of 0.02-0.1 μg/mL and the detection limits achieved ranged from 0.1 to 4.6 μg/L. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of these compounds in commercial juices and diazinon, ethion and procymidone were the pesticides encountered, although the levels found were very low.     

Solid-phase micro-extraction-gas chromatography-(tandem) mass spectrometry as a tool for pesticide residue analysis in water samples at high sensitivity and selectivity with confirmation capabilities

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been widely applied for pesticide monitoring because of its high sensitivity and specificity and for the potential of multi-residue and multi-class analysis. An analytical procedure was developed for the determination of pesticide multi-residues in water samples combining solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. For SPME extraction a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene coated fibre was selected whereas the mass spectrometer was operated under full scan, selected ion storage (SIS), microSIS (SIM) and MS-MS and the figures of merit compared. Quantitative and qualitative (confirmatory) capabilities of each operation mode are discussed. Using MS-MS, precision was typically below 10% and limits of detection (LODs) were improved by 1.3 to 20 times (to low- or sub-ppt levels) compared to microSIS, with the advantage of maintaining identification capabilities. The combination of selective extraction by SPME and highly selective determination by GC-MS-MS made possible ultra-selective and essentially error-free determination of pesticides in complex environmental samples. This aspect will be highlighted in the paper.     

Validation of a solid-phase microextraction method for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in fruits and fruit juice

A method for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (diazinon, fenitrothion, fenthion, quinalphos, triazophos, phosalon and pyrazophos) in fruit (pears) and fruit juice samples was developed and validated. The samples were diluted with water, extracted by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) using a flame photometric detector in phosphorous mode. Limits of detection of the method for fruit and fruit juice matrices were below 2 micrograms/kg for all pesticides. Relative standard deviations for triplicate analyses of samples fortified at 25 micrograms/kg of each pesticide were not higher than 8.7%. Recovery tests were performed for concentrations between 25 and 250 micrograms/kg. Mean recoveries for each pesticide were all above 75.9% and below 102.6% for juice, and between 70 and 99% for fruit except for pyrazophos in the fruit sample (with mean recovery of 53%). Therefore, the proposed method is applicable in the analysis of pesticides in fruit matrices and the use of the method in routine analysis of pesticide residues is discussed.     

固相萃取-GC/MS法测定水样中20种有机氯农药

建立了用固相萃取小柱提取和净化、GC/MS定性定量同时测定水样中20种有机氯农药的方法。方法采用OasisHLB固相萃取小柱萃取富集水样,二氯甲烷洗脱,加入菲-d₁₀作为内标,利用GC/MS进行定性定量,步骤简便,线性响应良好,干扰小,方法检出限为0.21～0.72 ng/L（按水样1L计）,加标回收率为64.8%～122%,RSD为1.2%～11.0 %。成功利用该方法对广西实际河水样品进行了检测。结果表明方法可以同时满足环境水样中20种痕量有机氯农药的测定。     

Comparison of solvent extraction and solid-phase extraction for the determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in water.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) of organochlorine pesticide residues from environmental water samples was evaluated using octadecyl (C18)-bonded porous silica. The efficiency of SPE of these pesticide residues from reagent water samples at 1-5 micrograms dm-3 levels was compared with those obtained by solvent extraction with hexane and Freon TF (trichlorotrifluoroethane). Average recoveries exceeding 80% for these organochlorine pesticides were obtained via the SPE method using small cartridges containing 100 mg of 40 microns C18-bonded porous silica. The average recovery by solvent extraction with hexane and Freon TF exceeded 90% in both instances. It was concluded that the recoveries and precision for the SPE of organochlorine pesticides were poorer than those for the solvent extraction method. Organochlorine pesticide residue levels in environmental water samples from two major rivers flowing through predominantly rice-growing areas were monitored by gas chromatography using the solvent extraction method with hexane. Exceptionally high levels of organochlorine pesticide residues such as BHC, DDT, heptachlor, endosulfan and dieldrin were found in these water samples.     

分散固相萃取-在线凝胶色谱-气相色谱-质谱联用法快速检测紫菜中的农药多残留

建立了紫菜中农药多残留的在线凝胶色谱-气相色谱-质谱联用（GPC-GC/MS）检测方法。以有机氯、有机磷、三嗪类和菊酯类的19种农药为目标物,对比了丙酮、丙酮/二氯甲烷（1:1,v/v）和乙腈3种有机溶剂的提取效果,通过石墨化炭黑粉（GCB）和N-丙基乙二胺粉（PSA）分散固相萃取净化和GPC在线净化,气相色谱-质谱联用法分析,外标法定量。结果表明,此方法实现了在线净化与分析检测的自动化,缩短了分析时间。分析物在10~1000 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数r>0.995;采取GPC大体积进样和气相色谱进样口的程序升温方式提高了检测灵敏度,检出限为0.005~0.03 mg/kg。方法的平均添加回收率在70%~120%之间,相对标准偏差（RSD）均小于15%。该方法简单、快速、具有良好的回收率和重复性,适用于紫菜样品中农药多残留的快速灵敏检测。     

Monitoring water-polluting pesticides in Hungary

A 5-year survey of pesticide active ingredients and residues in Hungarian surface water samples was carried out within the framework of a national monitoring program. Based on physicochemical and ecotoxicological properties of currently registered pesticide active ingredients, a range of analytes was selected to cover compounds that potentially contaminate surface waters due to their solubility properties or mode of use. Target analytes thus included acetochlor, atrazine, carbofuran, diazinon, fenoxycarb, metribuzin, phorate, prometryn, terbutryn, and trifluralin. During the sampling campaign these pesticides were monitored in Hungarian surface waters including streams, rivers and lakes. Samples were obtained annually in two runs: before and after pesticide sprayings in spring and early summer. Samples were prepared for analysis by solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction. Target analytes were monitored by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry, using electron impact and chemical ionization techniques. Spatial distribution monitoring of the surface water pollutants indicated two heavily contaminated point sources, as well as a wide range of non-point contamination. One or more pesticide active ingredients above the detection limit of the instrumental method used were measured in 209 samples, giving the result that 59% of the samples collected during the sampling campaign contained pesticide residues.     

Development and validation of a SPE-GC-MS method for the determination of pesticides in surface water

A method for analysis of 20 commonly used pesticides in surface water based on solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was proposed. During method development the key parameters that can affect SPE extraction and determination such as selection of efficient SPE sorbent, pH of water sample, type and volume of elution solvent, breakthrough volume and matrix effects were investigated. The method was validated using spring water spiked with appropriate concentration of pesticides. The obtained correlation coefficients were in range 0.9972–1.000, limits of detection (LOD) were 0.001–0.5?µg?L^?1 and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.005–1?µg?L^?1 depending on a pesticide. Much higher LOD (20?µg?L^?1) and LOQ (50?µg?L^?1) values were obtained for bentazone. The influence of matrix was assessed using real water samples spiked with appropriate concentration of pesticide standards solution. Both signal enhancement and suppression were observed, depending on a pesticide, therefore standard addition method was used for pesticides determination. The developed method was applied on real water samples taken in close vicinity of agricultural fields. Many of the targeted pesticides were found in the samples and the results are presented in this article.     

Simultaneous determination of three organophosphorus pesticides in different food commodities by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of three organophosphorus pesticides, namely, chlorpyrifos, malathion, and diazinon in three different food commodities (milk, apples, and drinking water) employing solid‐phase extraction for sample pretreatment. Pesticide extraction from different sample matrices was carried out on Chromabond C₁₈ cartridges using 3.0 mL of methanol and 3.0 mL of a mixture of dichloromethane/acetonitrile (1:1 v/v) as the eluting solvent. Analysis was carried out by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry using selected‐ion monitoring mode. Good linear relationships were obtained in the range of 0.1–50 μg/L for chlorpyrifos, and 0.05–50 μg/L for both malathion and diazinon pesticides. Good repeatability and recoveries were obtained in the range of 78.54–86.73% for three pesticides under the optimized experimental conditions. The limit of detection ranged from 0.02 to 0.03 μg/L, and the limit of quantification ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 μg/L for all three pesticides. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied for the determination of three targeted pesticides in milk, apples, and drinking water samples each in triplicate. No pesticide was found in apple and milk samples, but chlorpyrifos was found in one drinking water sample below the quantification level.     

Use of a Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Based Methodology Followed by Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Pesticide Multiresidue Determination in Teas

This study reports on the development of a fast and efficient method based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) for simultaneous analysis of 128 volatile or semi-volatile pesticide residues belonging to nine classes of pesticides. The important factors related to HS-SPME performance were optimized; these factors include fiber types, water volume, ion strength, extraction temperature, and extraction time. The best extraction conditions include a PDMS/DVB fiber, and analytes were extracted at 90 °C for 60 min from 1 g of tea added to 5 mL of 0.2 g mL^?1 NaCl solution. The methodology was validated using tea samples spiked with pesticides at three concentration levels (10, 50, and 100 μg kg^?1). In green tea, oolong tea, black tea, and puer tea, 82.8, 88.3, 79.7, and 84.3% of the targeted pesticides meet recoveries ranging from 70 to 120% with a relative standard deviation of?≤?20%, respectively, when spiked at a level of 10 μg kg^?1. Limits of quantification in this method for most of the pesticides were 1 or 5 μg kg^?1, which are far below their maximum residue limits prescribed by EU. The optimized method was employed to analyze 30 commercial samples obtained from local markets; 17 pesticide residues were detected at concentrations of 2–452 μg kg^?1. Chlorpyrifos was the most detected pesticide in 80% of the samples, and the highest concentration of dicofol (452 μg kg^?1) was found in a puer tea. This is the first time to find that the optimized extraction temperature for pesticide residues is 90 °C, which is much higher than other reported HS-SPME extraction conditions in tea samples. This developed method could be used to screen over one hundred volatile or semi-volatile pesticide residues which belong to multiple classes in tea samples, and it is an accurate and reliable technique.     

大米中多种残留农药的固相萃取-气相色谱-质谱分析

建立了一种同时测定大米中有机氯、有机磷、氨基甲酸酯和拟除虫菊酯等4类农药残留量的分析方法。通过比较二氯甲烷、三氯甲烷、乙腈、乙酸乙酯和不同比例的己烷-丙酮混合溶剂等8种溶剂的提取效果,选择以二氯甲烷为提取溶剂;以Florisil固相萃取小柱净化,通过以不同比例的己烷-丙酮作洗脱溶剂,发现体积比为4∶1的己烷-丙酮的洗脱效果最佳,在选定的洗脱条件下,样品的净化效果良好;用气相色谱-质谱测定,以保留时间、选择离子及其相对丰度定性,以外标法定量。以低限加标样品的3倍信噪比确定方法的检出限(LODs),以两个添加水平测定样品的回收率和相对标准偏差(RSD)。该方法的检出限达到μg/kg水平;除敌敌畏、乐果、pp′-DDT等几种农药外,大多数农药的加标回收率在75%和120%之间,RSD均低于10.4%,r≥0.992。该方法简便、快速、灵敏,能够满足同时测定大米中多种类残留农药的要求,可以作为大米中农药多残留的例行分析和确证分析的方法。     

固相萃取气相色谱-质谱法测定蔬菜中含氮杂环农药残留

建立了固相萃取（SPE）气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）同时测定蔬菜中敌菌灵、噻菌灵、氟虫腈和噻嗪酮4种含氮杂环农药残留量的分析方法.蔬菜样品用乙腈匀浆提取后经弗罗里硅（Florisil）固相萃取柱净化.采用GC-MS检测,在选择离子检测（SIM）模式下以特征离子定量,用全扫描（SCAN）方法确证.方法具有良好的线性关系（R≥0.9953）和重现性（峰面积RSD≤9.1%）,最低检出限（S/N=3）在3.6~1.8×10-4μg/mL之间,4种农药添加回收率在76.1%~116.4%之间,RSD≤9.8%,用于实际样品菜心的检测,结果满意.方法操作简单,灵敏度高,可作为测定各种蔬菜基质中含氮杂环农药残留量的确证方法.     

Transformation Studies of Some Polar Pesticides In Water By On-Line Solid-Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography/Particle Beam-Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

An on-line automated method for phototransformation studies of alachlor, aldicarb, and methiocarb by means of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with particle beam (PB) interface is described. Surface water samples were first spiked with 50 μg/1 of each pesticide and then exposed to the radiation of a medium-pressure mercury lamp. Next, in regular intervals of 60 min, aliquots of 50-ml sample were enriched on a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and on-line eluted by a gradient of LC eluent onto analytical column for separation, followed by MS detection. A phototransformation experiment with each pesticide was performed twice, with MS operated in electron ionisation (EI) and positive chemical ionisation (PCI) modes. Many transformation products (TPs) of parent pesticides were detected and in numerous instances, tentatively identified. Appearance of several transformation products is reported for the first time.