Approaches to dioxin analysis by HRGC-HRMS and hybrid HRGC-MS-MS

A hybrid mass spectrometer with an EBQQ configuration was used to investigate two approaches to trace dioxin analysis: high resolution gas chromatography – high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS) and high resolution gas chromatography – mass spectrometry – mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS-MS). It is shown that selected ion monitoring (SIM) HRGC-HRMS exhibits better selectivity for dioxins separated on a cyanopropyl column than is otherwise obtained under medium resolution mass spectrometry (3,000 resolution), while optimization of conditions for HRGC-MS-MS allowed the observation of 350 femtograms of the highly toxic 2,3,7,8-TCDF at a S/N ratio of 5:1. Both methods were applied to environmental samples with good results.     

Overview of Analytical Methodologies for Dioxin Analysis

Abstract

Poly(chlorinated) dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) are persistent organic pollutants which are globally distributed in practically all environmental compartments and which exert a broad spectrum of toxic and biochemical effects. Humans are exposed to these compounds mainly through the diet with food of animal origin usually being the predominant source.

Multiple step isolation and clean up procedures are necessary to determine trace levels of these analytes in complex environmental and biological samples. This article reviews some of the recent developments in the extraction procedures, such as SFE, PLE, HS‐SPME, MAE, SCWE, ASE; clean‐up areas and instrumental analysis of dioxins in biological/environmental samples. Due to its specificity and sensitivity gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS), high‐resolution gas chromatography high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC‐HRMS), or GC‐MS/GC techniques have been extensively applied to environmental, medicinal, and biological studies.     

Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans,and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls in human serum using programmable‐temperature vaporization gas chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry

The determination of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls in blood from a non‐occupational population is essential for the investigation of adverse health effects from these pollutants. In this study, a sensitive method based on programmable‐temperature vaporization with large‐volume injection coupled with gas chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry was developed to determine these pollutants in 1–2 mL of human serum samples. Various key parameters of programmable‐temperature vaporization injector, including vent temperature, vent time, vent flow, transfer temperature and transfer time were optimized by factorial design. The accuracy and precision as well as applicability were assessed by determining polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls in calibration standard solutions, standard reference materials and real human serum samples from non‐occupational population. The method detection limits of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls were 1.5–9.0 and 0.005–0.02 ng/kg wet weight, respectively. By comparing with typically splitless injection, the application of programmable‐temperature vaporization injector could effectively lead to higher detectable rate of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls in 1–2 mL of human serum samples.     

Recent advances in mass spectrometric measurement of dioxins

Past years, many efforts have been dedicated to the development of alternative analytical methods for the measurement of dioxins in various types of matrices. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are compounds that are present in samples at part-per-billion (ppb) or part-per-trillion (ppt) level. Their measurement requires the use of very sensitive analytical methods. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled to quadrupole ion storage mass spectrometry (QISTMS), fast GC (FGC) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) coupled to TOFMS are the more promising tools challenging the reference GC high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) based on sector instruments. We report herein some of the advances we achieved in the past years in our laboratory on the development of alternative measurement methods for those compounds.     

Evaluation of multiple alternative instrument platforms for targeted and non‐targeted dioxin and furan analysis

The use of gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution magnetic sector mass spectrometers (GC‐HRMS) is well established for dioxin and furan analysis. However, the use of gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole (MS/MS) and time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) and traditional electron ionization (EI) for dioxin and furan analysis is emerging as a viable alternative to GC‐HRMS screening. These instruments offer greater versatility in the lab for a wider range of compound identification and quantification as well as improved ease of operation. The instruments utilized in this study included 2 API‐MS/MS, 1 traditional EI‐MS/MS, an API‐quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (API‐QTOF), and a EI‐high‐resolution TOF (EI‐HRTOF). This study compared these 5 instruments to a GC‐HRMS using method detection limit (MDLs) samples for dioxin and furan analysis. Each instrument demonstrated acceptable MDL values for the 17 chlorinated dioxin and furans studied. The API‐MS/MS instruments provide the greatest overall improvement in MDL value over the GC‐HRMS with a 1.5 to 2‐fold improvement. The API‐QTOF and EI‐TOF demonstrate slight increases in MDL value as compared with the GC‐HRMS with a 1.5‐fold increase. The 5 instruments studied all demonstrate acceptable MDL values with no MDL for a single congener greater than 5 times that for the GC‐HRMS. All 5 instruments offer a viable alternative to GC‐HRMS for the analysis of dioxins and furans and should be considered when developing new validated methodologies.     

Effective pretreatment of human serum samples for dioxin analysis by solid phase extraction and blue-chitin column cleanup

For the analysis of dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), devising simple and economical methods is important, especially for mass screening of human exposure. Pretreatment of samples, namely the extraction and cleanup methods that are widely used at present, needs to be improved for savings in time, manpower, and solvent consumption. In the present study, we applied solid phase extraction (SPE) using octadecyl (C18) and a blue-chitin column in place of liquid-liquid extraction (LE) and an active-carbon column with serum samples, frequently used for assessment of human exposure. Efficacy of the new pretreatment methods was demonstrated by successful high resolution gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS) of the major 17 PCDDs/Fs and 12 Co-PCBs that are on the list of WHO/IPCS (1997) hazardous dioxins with toxic equivalent factor (TEF) values. SPE is timesaving and requires less manpower and organic solvent as compared with the LE that is presently widely used. Concerning cleanup with blue-chitin, the amount of toluene applied as eluent could be reduced to 1/3, as compared with the active-carbon case. The combination of SPE and blue-chitin for pretreatment of serum saves time and manpower, is accurate and uses less organic solvent than LE with active carbon cleanup.     

Performances and limitations of the HRMS method for dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs analysis in animal feedingstuffs: Part I: Results of an inter-laboratory study

The European strategy for dioxin monitoring of the food chain has defined high-resolution gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) method as the confirmatory method that can provide reliable and comparable results at sub-parts per trillion (ppt) level. This paper describes the first inter-laboratory study on dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs by HRGC/HRMS method in animal feedingstuffs. Two different statistical approaches (ISO 5725 and Cofino’s statistics) were used for the statistical evaluation. For this particular study, the performances of the HRGC/HRMS method seem to be congener-independent in repeatability and reproducibility conditions over a concentration range covering more than four orders of magnitude. Results clearly show the effect of precision loss below 0.1 ppt level per congener in repeatability conditions and below 0.2 ppt level per congener in reproducibility conditions. LODs reported by the laboratories give median values of 0.02 ng/kg for most of the toxic congeners. Relative standard deviation between the laboratories’ mean values using upper-bound approach for TEQ calculation is 6.2%, more than twice the maximum level set at 0.75 ng TEQ/kg of product.     

Immunochemical determination of dioxins in sediment and serum samples

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are considered highly toxic contaminants and the environmental and biological monitoring of these compounds is of great concern. Immunoassays may be used as screening methods to satisfy the growing demand for rapid and low cost analysis. In this work, we describe the application of an immunoassay that uses 2,3,7-trichloro-8-methyldibenzo-p-dioxin (TMDD) as a surrogate standard for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to sediment and human serum samples. Sample extraction and preparation methods were developed with the aim to establish the simplest, cost-effective and efficient removal of the matrix interferences in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall method for sediments is based on a hexane extraction; clean up by a multilayered silica gel column and an activated carbon column; an organic solvent exchange with DMSO–Triton X-100 and ELISA measurement. The gas chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS) validation studies (n = 13) revealed that the method is suitable for the toxic equivalents (TEQ) screening of dioxin in sediments with a method detection limit of about 100 pg g⁻¹ dry sediment with a precision of 13–33% R.S.D. The analysis of a large number of samples originating from different sources would be required to establish more precisely the screening level, as well as the number of false positives and negatives of dioxin TEQ by the immunoassay for sediments. The immunoassay method for sediment analysis offers improvement in speed, sample throughput, and cost in comparison to GC–HRMS. Dioxins were determined in serum samples after a simple liquid–liquid extraction and solvent exchange into DMSO–Triton X-100 without further dilution. The current method (approximate method LOQ of 200 pg ml⁻¹ serum) is not sufficiently sensitive for the determination of dioxins in serum to measure acceptable exposure limit.     

Dioxin analysis in feed: cell-based assay versus mass spectrometry method

In the determination of contaminants (dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, polyaromatic hydrocarbons), cell-based assays are useful methods for screening purposes: they are mainly characterized by high sample throughput and lower costs than the Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based methods. Although cell-based assays can be sensitive enough for the determination of dioxins and related substances in agreement with the presently tolerable limits in food and feed (Regulation No. 2375/2001/EC and Directive 2003/57/EC respectively), their lack of specificity make their use rather questionable in control laboratories. In this paper, we present and compare results obtained from the analysis of a limited number of feed samples by both gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and cell-based assay (DR-CALUX: dioxin responsive-chemically activated luciferase gene expression) methods. The DR-CALUX screening led to less than 10% false non-compliant and no false compliant results. In addition, there is a good correlation between GC-HRMS and DR-CALUX data. However, these preliminary results have to be confirmed on a larger number of samples to demonstrate that total toxic equivalent (TEQ), including dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) can be monitored in feed and food with a cell-based assay. Presented at AOAC Europe/Eurachem Symposium March 2005, Brussels, Belgium     

Use of Carbon-13 Labelled Dioxins Mixture for Analysis of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins in Environmental Samples by GC-MS

Abstract

Positive identification and quantitation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) in complicated environmental samples is described using a C-13 labelled dioxin mixture as an internal reference standard. Environmental samples are spiked with the C-13 labelled dioxin mixture and monitored for labelled and unlabelled dioxins using GC-MS in the electron impact selected ion monitoring (EISIM) mode. The C-13 labelled dioxin mixture and a municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator fly ash extract show the same number of isomers in each tetra to octa-chlorodioxin congener groups. Quantitation of the C-13 labelled dioxin mixture was carried out using a reference standard mixture of unlabelled dioxins consisting of at least one isomer for each congener group. The C-13 labelled dioxin standard is highly useful for the determination of retention windows for tetra- to octa-chlorodioxins, identification of dioxins in each congener group, and calculation of the recovery of dioxins in samples that require extensive sample clean-up prior to GC-MS analysis. Its application for retention time window determination and as an internal reference standard for quantitation of dioxins in MSW incinerator fly ash extract and identification of dioxins in a complex sample from a PCB fire is demonstrated.     

Multifunctional organic nitrates as constituents in European and US urban photo-smog

Air samples of the atmospheric ground layer in the cities of Ulm in Germany, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah, in the US were analyzed for organic nitrates. The air samples were taken around noon in summer at sunny weather conditions. 43 (C6-C13) alkyl mononitrates, 24 (C3-C6) alkyl dinitrates, and 19 (C2-C6) hydroxy alkyl nitrates have been identified. The analytical protocol included high-volume-sampling, NP-HPLC group separation, high resolution capillary gas chromatography, and detection by the highly selective mass spectrometer detector (SIM mode, m/z = 46). The levels of the sum of 15 (C6-C10) alkyl mononitrates ranged from 2.9 to 11.0 parts per trillion (ppt(v)). The levels of the sum of 21 (C3-C6) alkyl dinitrates ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 ppt(v), and the levels of the sum of 7 (C2-C4) hydroxy alkyl nitrates ranged from 7.3 to 28 ppt(v), respectively, in the urban air samples. These results emphazise the contribution of the alkyl dinitrates and hydroxy alkyl nitrates besides the alkyl mononitrates to the budget of NO(Y) compounds. No major differences in levels and pattern of the organic nitrates are present in air of the German and the US cities.     

Rapid screening of dioxin-contaminated soil by accelerated solvent extraction/purification followed by immunochemical detection

Since soils at industrial sites might be heavily contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), there is a need for large-scale soil pollution surveys and, thus, for cost-efficient, high-throughput dioxin analyses. However, trace analysis of dioxins in complex matrices requires exhaustive extraction, extensive cleanup, and very sensitive detection methods. Traditionally, this has involved the use of Soxhlet extraction and multistep column cleanup, followed by gas chromatography—high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS), but bioanalytical techniques may allow much more rapid, cost-effective screening. The study presented here explores the possibility of replacing the conventional method with a novel approach based on simultaneous accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and purification, followed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both the traditional and the novel cleanup and detection approaches were applied to contaminated soil samples, and the results were compared. ELISA and GC/HRMS results for Soxhlet-extracted samples were linearly correlated, although the ELISA method slightly underestimated the dioxin levels. To avoid an unacceptable rate of false-negative results, the use of a safety factor is recommended. It was also noted that the relative abundance of the PCDDs/PCDFs, evaluated by principal component analysis, had an impact on the ELISA performance. To minimize this effect, the results may be corrected for differences between the ELISA cross-reactivities and the corresponding toxic equivalency factor values. Finally, the GC/HRMS and ELISA results obtained following the two sample preparation methods agreed well; and the ELISA and GC/HRMS results for ASE extracts were strongly correlated (correlation coefficient, 0.90). Hence, the ASE procedure combined with ELISA analysis appears to be an efficient approach for high-throughput screening of PCDD-/PCDF-contaminated soil samples.      

“永固紫”染料和四氯苯醌中多氯代二苯并二/呋喃的分析

 采用浓硫酸对5种不同来源的四氯苯醌和“永固紫”染料样品进行溶解分散,用甲苯提取和 多层色谱柱纯化,利用同位素稀释法及高分辨气相色谱/质谱 (HRGC/HRMS)联用技术,测定 了其中的多氯代二苯并二/呋喃(PCDD/F)的质量比。结果表明“永固紫”染料及其原料中P CDD/F的质量比异常高,八氯代二苯并二/呋喃(OCDD/F)已达到μg/g级甚至100 μg/g级,七氯代二苯并二/呋喃(HpCDD/F)和六氯代二苯并二/呋喃(HxCDD/F)质量比也达到 ng/g级。所有样 品的毒性当量浓度(TEQ)均已超过10 pg/g的危险水平,是纺织品中PCDD/F的一类重要污染源 。并进一步探讨了PCDD/F的来源。     

Analysis of brominated dioxins and furans by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry

This article reviews the available literature on the analysis of brominated dibenzo-p dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Sample extraction and clean up, injection techniques, chromatographic separation, labelled standards and QA/QC works are discussed. Furthermore, full separation of PBDD/Fs from polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) during clean up and control of possible chromatographic interference of PBDEs during instrumental analysis as well as possible actions to further enhance the quality of published data are discussed in detail.     

Automated sample preparation-fractionation for the measurement of dioxins and related compounds in biological matrices: a review

This article reviews some of the recent developments in the extraction and clean-up areas of biological samples dedicated to dioxin and related compound analysis. A brief introduction on the major dioxin contamination events, which have occurred in the food chain, is given to illustrate the need of fast high throughput methods in case of crises. The emphasis of this paper is the method development based upon reliable instrumental extraction techniques for rapid sample processing and automation such as; supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and, solid-phase extraction (SPE). The PLE and SPE are also discussed in conjunction with the use of a multi-column automated clean-up system that can accommodate up to 5 g of extracted lipids. The fractionation in sub-groups of analytes during the clean-up process allows the isolation of various types of toxicants from a single sample and illustrates the versatility of the system. An integrated extraction and clean-up instrument is finally presented in terms of feasibility and attainable sample turnover for the parallel processing of liquid and solid biological samples.     

PCDD, PCDF, AND DL-PCB analysis in food: performance evaluation of the high-resolution gas chromatography/low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry technique using consensus-based samples

Due to safety concerns regarding dietary exposure to POPs, regulatory bodies are issuing detailed guidelines for testing for polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) ('dioxins') and dioxin‐like (DL)‐PCBs in foods of animal origin. Determination of the aforesaid chemicals at regulatory levels requires highly selective and sensitive testing techniques. The new generation of low‐resolution mass spectrometers (triple quadrupoles) allows very low levels of quantification to be reached (in the order of tens of femtograms), thus suggesting a potential for their application in food and feed analysis. The performance of the low‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LRMS/MS) approach with triple quadrupoles was assessed on a qualified set of food samples from proficiency tests (PTs) and defense analysis. Accuracy was tested comparing the results with data from high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and with consensus values from PTs. The cumulative TEQ results were characterized by deviations not exceeding 15% of PCDD + PCDF, DL‐PCB, and PCDD + PCDF + DL‐PCB (TEQ_TOT) reference consensus values (sample TEQ_TOT range, 2.29–25.1 pgWHO‐TEQ₉₇/g fat). Congener analytical variabilities did not influence significantly the WHO‐TEQ₉₇ outcome of the corresponding sample. This preliminary performance evaluation highlights the potential of LRMS/MS as a routine technique for quantitative analysis of PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL‐PCBs in food. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Congener-specific determination of dioxins and related compounds by gas chromatography coupled to LRMS,HRMS, MS/MS and TOFMS

Their characteristics as persistent organic pollutant and their toxicity (2,3,7,8-TCDD is named as a known human carcinogen) make the dioxins and related compounds a focus of interest in environmental analytical chemistry. In view of the widespread distribution of dioxins in the environment, these compounds must be monitored in several matrices, such as air, effluents, soil, sludge and biological samples. The analytical methodologies are especially difficult owing to the complexity of the mixtures of congeners (210 PCDD/Fs and 209 PCBs) and to the low detection limits required (ppb to ppq). Moreover, time-consuming sample preparation steps are needed owing to the presence of a large number of interfering compounds. The different toxicity of each congener requires the development of congener specific methods. This review of trace dioxin determination by mass spectrometry (MS) includes sample preparation and chromatographic separation. In this Special Feature, the use of different MS techniques such as low-resolution MS (LRMS) and high-resolution MS (HRMS) is discussed in terms of selectivity and sensitivity. The performances of other MS techniques, such as tandem MS (MS/MS) and time-of-flight MS (ToFMS), are compared. Quantification techniques, especially the isotopic dilution method, are also discussed. Conclusions and future perspectives are outlined.     

11种吸附剂上二噁英的热吸附/脱附性能评价

筛选在低温下高效捕集并在一定的高温下可以快速完全脱附二噁英的吸附/脱附材料是二噁英在线热捕集的关键。该研究以1,2,3,4-四氯代二苯并-对-二噁英(1,2,3,4-TCDD)和1,2,3,8,9-五氯代二苯并呋喃(1,2,3,8,9-PCDF)为二噁英模型物,以电子捕获检测器(ECD)作为检测器,利用填充柱气相色谱系统,测定了这两种二噁英单体在11种吸附剂上4~5个温度点下的保留体积,并建立了相应的范特霍夫方程。结果表明,11种吸附剂的线性方程决定系数(R²)均大于0.96。根据范特霍夫方程,预测了吸附剂在120、150、180 ℃时的气固分配系数(K_SA)。弗洛里硅土在120、150、180 ℃ 3个温度点下都具有最强的吸附能力,特别是在120 ℃时,1,2,3,4-TCDD、1,2,3,8,9-PCDF在弗洛里硅土上的K_SA分别高达1.82×10⁸ m³/g、1.46×10¹³ m³/g。碳基吸附剂的高分子多孔微球GDX系列的GDX-101、GDX-102、GDX-103、GDX-105、GDX-203在最高耐受温度270 ℃下都可以实现二噁英的热脱附,证实了碳基吸附剂作为二噁英热吸附/脱附的吸附剂的可行性。310 ℃下,在丝光沸石上1,2,3,4-TCDD可实现热脱附,而1,2,3,8,9-PCDF在相同条件下无法实现热脱附,体现了沸石对二噁英同系物的选择性吸附的特性。而硅藻土和蒙脱土对气相中的二噁英几乎没有吸附能力,不适合作为二噁英热捕集的吸附剂。弗洛里硅土、硅胶、氧化铝、GDX-102、GDX-103和GDX-203对1,2,3,4-TCDD、1,2,3,8,9-PCDF都具有很强的吸附能力,因此被初步选为二噁英的候选吸附剂。通过比较120 ℃下和270 ℃下二噁英在这6种吸附剂上的lnK_SA,发现弗洛里硅土在两个温度点下的保留体积都是最大的;在侧重低温下二噁英的热捕集性能时,弗洛里硅土是捕集二噁英的最佳吸附剂;而GDX-102是6种吸附剂中lnK_{SA,270 ℃}最小的,在侧重高温下二噁英的热脱附性能时,GDX-102是二噁英热脱附的最佳吸附剂。同时,硅胶、GDX-103和GDX-203的lnK_{SA,120 ℃}和lnK_{SA,270 ℃}与GDX-102相近,也可以作为快速热吸附/脱附的材料。该文通过系统评价1,2,3,4-TCDD和1,2,3,7,8-PCDF在11种吸附剂的热吸附/脱附性能,对简化二噁英的采样和制备过程提供了新的解决思路,为实现二噁英的热捕集提供了技术支撑。     

Study of chlorinated diphenyl ethers and chlorinated 2-phenoxyphenols as interferences in the determination of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and chlorinated dibenzo furans in biological samples

Two classes of environmentally occurring chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons which have mass spectral properties similar to the chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (dioxins) and chlorinated dibenzofurans (furans) were studied. Standards of chlorinated diphenyl ethers (CDEs), and chlorinated 2-phenoxyphenols (CPPs) and their methyl ethers, along with the dioxins and furans were passed in steps through a simple method for the analysis of the latter compounds in biological samples. The CDEs, which interfere with the determination of furans by mass spectrometry, had similar extraction, high-performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic properties as the furans but, in all cases studied, were well separated from them on an activated Florisil column using combinations of hexane and dichloromethane as eluting solvents. The higher CPPs on the other hand tended to generate dioxin residues by ring closure when exposed to strong hydrochloric acid solution during sample preparation. In addition, their methyl ethers containing four to six chlorines tracked completely through all stages of the method with the dioxins. Thus, if the methyl ethers of CPPs were present in a sample extract, additional mass spectral information would be needed to further differentiate them from dioxins in environmental samples.     

Recent applications of gas chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical method that combines excellent separation power of gas chromatography with improved identification based on an accurate mass measurement. These features designate gas chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry as the first choice for identification and structure elucidation of unknown volatile and semi‐volatile organic compounds. Gas chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry quantitative analyses was previously focused on the determination of dioxins and related compounds using magnetic sector type analyzers, a standing requirement of many international standards. The introduction of a quadrupole high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass analyzer broadened interest in this method and novel applications were developed, especially for multi‐target screening purposes. This review is focused on the development and the most interesting applications of gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry towards analysis of environmental matrices, biological fluids, and food safety since 2010. The main attention is paid to various approaches and applications of gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry for non‐target screening to identify contaminants and to characterize the chemical composition of environmental, food, and biological samples. The most interesting quantitative applications, where a significant contribution of gas chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry over the currently used methods is expected, will be discussed as well.