Residue measurement of pendimethalin in tobacco by using heart‐cutting two dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

A novel heart‐cutting two‐dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for quantitative analysis of pendimethalin residue in tobacco. The strategy of reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled with another reversed‐phase liquid chromatography was employed for high column efficiency and excellent compatibility of mobile phase. In the first dimensional chromatography, a cyano column with methanol/water as the eluent was applied to separate pendimethalin from thousands of interference components in tobacco. By heart‐cutting technique, which effectively removed interference components, the target compound was cut to the second dimensional C18 column for further separation. The pendimethalin residue was finally determined by the tandem mass spectrometry under multiple reaction monitoring reversed‐phase liquid chromatography mode. Sample pretreatment of the new method was simplified, involving only extraction and filtration. Compared with traditional methodologies, the new method showed fairly high selectivity and sensitivity with almost no matrix interference. The limit of quantitation for pendimethalin was 1.21 ng/mL, whereas the overall recoveries ranged from 95.7 to 103.3%. The new method has been successfully applied to non‐stop measure of 200 real samples, without contamination of ion source. Detection results of the samples agreed well with standard method.     

Rapid characterization of the chemical constituents of Cortex Fraxini by homogenate extraction followed by UHPLC coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and GC–MS

Cortex Fraxini is an important traditional Chinese medicine. In this work, a rapid and reliable homogenate extraction method was applied for the fast extraction for Cortex Fraxini, and the method was optimized by response surface methodology. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry were established for the separation and characterization of the constituents of Cortex Fraxini. Liquid chromatography separation was conducted on a C₁₈ column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm), and gas chromatography separation was performed on a capillary with a 5% phenyl‐methylpolysiloxane stationary phase (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 mm) by injection of silylated samples. According to the results, 33 chemical compounds were characterized by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, and 11 chemical compounds were characterized by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and coumarins were the major components characterized by both gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. The proposed homogenate extraction was an efficient and rapid method, and coumarins, phenylethanoid glycosides, iridoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids, and lignans were the main constituents of Cortex Fraxini. This work laid the foundation for further study of Cortex Fraxini and will be helpful for the rapid extraction and characterization of ingredients in other traditional Chinese medicines.     

用反相液相色谱分离多肽时峰容量与色谱柱长度关系的研究

在蛋白质组学研究中,多肽混合物的有效分离对蛋白质鉴定和蛋白质之间相互作用的研究起着决定性的影响。基于此,用反相液相色谱研究了在两个不同长度的色谱柱上分离多肽混合物时色谱柱长度与峰容量的关系,同时考察了梯度洗脱时间对峰容量和峰宽的影响。实验结果表明,色谱柱长度对峰容量有显著的影响,而延长梯度洗脱时间不仅可以增加峰容量,而且可以增加峰宽。这说明用毛细管液相色谱 串联质谱联用方法对多肽混合物进行分离鉴定时,采用较长的色谱柱和较长的梯度洗脱时间有利于对更多的多肽进行分析鉴定。     

二维液相色谱-质谱联用分离中药复方葛根芩连汤中的有效成分

建立了二维液相色谱-质谱联用方法分离中药复方葛根芩连汤的成分。以CN柱作第一维色谱柱,水和甲醇梯度洗脱分离;以ODS柱作第二维色谱柱,20 mmol/L乙酸铵缓冲液和乙腈梯度洗脱分离;质谱检测采用电喷雾电离/大气压化学电离（ESI/APCI）复合离子源,正负离子扫描。实验结果表明搭建的二维液相色谱的峰容量显著高于一维色谱,分离效率得到了明显的提高。以第一维色谱的第3个流分为例,对其二维分离进行仔细分析,发现质谱比紫外光谱检测到的组分多,质谱中采用负离子模式比正离子模式检测到的组分多。表明搭建的二维液相色谱-质谱分离平台分离效果好,提高了液相色谱的峰容量和分离效率。该方法操作简便,可作为中药等复杂体系分离分析的有效手段。     

Tracing novel hemostatic compounds from heating products of total flavonoids in Flos Sophorae by spectrum–effect relationships and column chromatography

Flos Sophorae and its processed product have been clinically used to treat hemorrhage. In this study, the total ion chromatographic fingerprints of the heating products of total flavonoids in Flos Sophorae were established by high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and the hemostatic activities were studied by hemostatic screening tests in vivo. The spectrum–effect relationships between fingerprints and hemostatic activities were investigated using canonical correlation analysis to trace the peaks responsible for the hemostatic effects. The predicted active peaks in fingerprints were isolated by column chromatography and their structures were identified by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The hemostatic activities of them were verified by platelet aggregation and procoagulation assays in vitro. Canonical correlation analysis results showed that peak 8 and peak 11 were correlated most closely, thus probably being the main hemostatic compounds. Through column chromatography separation, peak 8 (compound I) and peak 11 (compound II) were obtained with purities of 95.61 and 93.38%, respectively, and were discovered new hemostatic compounds named as huaicarbon A (I) and huaicarbon B (II), respectively. This study provides a universal model to trace the active compounds of other herbs which have bioactivity enhancement after processing by spectrum–effect relationships and column chromatography.     

Separation analysis of macrolide antibiotics with good performance on a positively charged C18HCE column

The separation of basic macrolide antibiotics suffers from peak tailing and poor efficiency on traditional silica‐based reversed‐phase liquid chromatography columns. In this work, a C18HCE column with positively charged surface was applied to the separation of macrolides. Compared with an Acquity BEH C18 column, the C18HCE column exhibited superior performance in the aspect of peak shape and separation efficiency. The screening of mobile phase additives including formic acid, acetic acid and ammonium formate indicated that formic acid was preferable for providing symmetrical peak shapes. Moreover, the influence of formic acid content was investigated. Analysis speed and mass spectrometry compatibility were also taken into account when optimizing the separation conditions for liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The developed method was successfully utilized for the determination of macrolide residues in a honey sample. Azithromycin was chosen as the internal standard for the quantitation of spiramycin and tilmicosin, while roxithromycin was used for erythromycin, tylosin, clarithromycin, josamycin and acetylisovaleryltylosin. Good correlation coefficients (r² > 0.9938) for all macrolides were obtained. The intra‐day and inter‐day recoveries were 73.7–134.7% and 80.7–119.7% with relative standard deviations of 2.5–8.0% and 3.9–16.1%, respectively. Outstanding sensitivity with limits of quantitation (S/N ≥ 10) of 0.02–1 μg/kg and limits of detection (S/N ≥ 3) of 0.01–0.5 μg/kg were achieved.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定动物源性食品中20种磺酰脲类除草剂残留

建立了动物源性食品中20种磺酰脲类除草剂多残留的分析方法.样品经乙腈均质提取2次,经Waters Oasis HLB固相萃取小柱净化后,在高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱仪多反应监测模式下测定,采用质谱法定性,外标法定量.除草剂采用Eclipse AAA色谱柱,以甲醇和0.1%乙酸溶液为流动相,在梯度洗脱条件下可以得到很好...     

Mass spectrometric identification of a candidate biomarker peptide from the in vitro interaction of epichlorohydrin with red blood cells

The reaction products of epichlorohydrin with human alpha- and beta- globins, obtained through in vitro incubation of these compounds and red blood cells, were determined by using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The alpha-globin was much more reactive than the beta-globin. At low incubation ratios, approximating the order of magnitude of epichlorohydrin concentration as found in workplaces, the only modified peptide still detectable was the 62-90 belonging to the alpha-chain and carrying an incremental mass of 92 u on either His72 or His89. Given that the two peptides co-eluted in a single chromatographic peak during RP-HPLC separation, they could be chosen as suitable biomarkers for quantification in the setting up of a new methodology for the biological monitoring of persons occupationally exposed, replacing currently known procedures.     

Coupled LC-GC-MS for on-line clean-up,separation, and identification of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at picogram levels in urban air

Coupled liquid chromatography – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-GC-MS) has been applied for on-line clean up, separation, and identification of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CI-PAHs). A loop-type interface was used to couple the liquid chromatograph on-line with the GC-MS, and concurrent solvent evaporation was used for sample transfer. A back-flush technique was used in conjunction with a two-dimensional column system for isolation of CI-PAHs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This fraction was transferred on-line to the GC and separated on a capillary column. Selective and sensitive detection of CI-PAHs in the GC eluate was obtained by negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring (SIM). The combined on-line system for isolation, separation, and identification showed high precision and accuracy, and demonstrated a linear response from 1 to 1000 pg for chlorinated PAHs. The estimated detection limit was 250 fg for 1-chloropyrene and 1,6-dichloropyrene. The technique was demonstrated by analysis of urban air samples. The low detection limit made it possible to use the technique for analysis of personally carried monitoring equipment for measurement of exposure to CI-PAHs in the work environment.     

Quantitative method for analysis of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke by using heart‐cutting two‐dimensional liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A heart‐cutting two dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the analysis of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines (TSNAs) at low concentration level in Virginia‐type cigarette smoke. A strong cation exchange column was utilized for the first dimensional separation, which effectively removed acidic and neutral components in the smoke, followed by a reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric analysis. To capture components of the TSNAs in the effluent on the trapping column, a compensating pump was applied for online dilution and pH adjustment during the period of the TSNAs fraction transferring and enrichment. Highly sensitive determination of the TSNAs in mainstream cigarette smoke was achieved by isotope deuterated internal standards under the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Compared with traditional methodologies, the method was almost no matrix interference. Limits of quantity for the TSNAs were within 0.027–0.094 ng/mL, and the results showed good reproducibility and accuracy. Finally, the new method was applied for analysis of the Kentucky reference cigarettes and the results agreed well with joint experiments of Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco.     

Determination and quantification of active phenolic compounds in pigeon pea leaves and its medicinal product using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) has been optimized and established for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of ten active phenolic compounds originating from the pigeon pea leaves and a medicinal product thereof (Tongluo Shenggu capsules). In the present study, the chromatographic separation was achieved by means of a HiQ Sil C18V reversed-phase column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) using the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) analysis was employed for the detection of ten analytes which included six flavonoids, two isoflavonoids and two stilbenes. All calibration curves showed excellent coefficients of determination (r(2) ≥ 0.9937) within the range of tested concentrations. The intra- and inter-day variations were below 5.36% in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD). The recoveries were 95.08-104.98% with RSDs of 2.06-4.26% for spiked samples of pigeon pea leaves. The method developed was a rapid, efficient and accurate LC-MS/MS method for the detection of phenolic compounds, which can be applied for quality control of pigeon pea leaves and related medicinal products.     

Simultaneous determination of beta-blockers in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A detailed procedure for the analysis of four beta-blockers, acebutolol, labetalol, metoprolol and propranolol, in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) using an MSpak GF column, which enables direct injection of crude plasma samples, is presented. Protein and/or macromolecule matrix compounds were eluted first from the column, while the drugs were retained on the polymer stationary phase of the MSpak GF column. The analytes retained on the column were then eluted into an acetonitrile-rich mobile phase using a gradient separation technique. All drugs showed base peak ions due to [M + H]+ ions by LC-MS with positive ion electrospray ionization, and the product ions were produced from each [M + H]+ ion by LC-MS-MS. Quantification was performed by selected reaction monitoring. The recoveries of the four beta-blockers spiked into plasma were 73.5-89.9%. The regression equations for all compounds showed excellent linearity in the range 10-1000 ng/mL of plasma, with the exception of propranolol (10-800 ng/mL). The limits of detection and quantification for each drug were 1-3 and 10 ng/mL, respectively, of plasma. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation for all drugs in plasma were not greater than 10.9%.     

Metabolomics based on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry reveals the chemical difference in the stems and roots derived from Ephedra sinica

To better understand different traditional uses of the stems (known as Mahuang) and roots (known as Mahuanggen) of Ephedra sinica, their chemical difference should be investigated. In this study, an ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry untargeted metabolomics approach was established to reveal global chemical difference between Mahuang and Mahuanggen. Clear separation was observed in scores plots of principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares‐discriminant analysis. Twenty two chemical markers responsible for such separation were screened out and unambiguously/tentatively characterized. Then chemical markers of pharmacologically important ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were absolutely quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry under multiple reaction monitoring mode. The results showed that Mahuang was rich in ephedrine‐type alkaloids, while Mahuanggen was rich in macrocyclic spermine alkaloids. Additionally, different types of flavan‐3‐ols and flavones exist in Mahuang and Mahuanggen extracts. This research facilitates a better understanding of different traditional uses of Mahuang and Mahuanggen and provides references for chemical analysis of other medicinal plants.     

超高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱法分离鉴定烟草中5种糖苷类香味前体物质

采用超高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱法(UPLC-ESI MS/MS)并结合气相色谱-质谱法分离鉴定了烟草中5种主要的糖苷类香味前体物质。烟样经甲醇提取、XAD-2柱净化,得到初步纯化的糖苷,在pH 5条件下将其酶解,释放出糖苷配基。采用气相色谱-质谱分析并通过标准谱库检索确定了5种挥发性苷元;然后通过电喷雾质谱(负离子模式)确定糖苷母离子并作碎片离子扫描(MS2),确定了5种糖苷类香味前体物质的存在形式;最后采用UPLC-ESI MS/MS,以甲醇和乙酸-乙酸铵水溶液为流动相,通过RP-C18柱分离,在多反应监测(MRM)模式下,鉴定了烟草中5种主要的糖苷类香味前体物质,为应用液相色谱-质谱分析缺乏标准样品的糖苷类香味前体物质奠定了基础。     

Chiral separation of atropine by high-performance liquid chromatography

The separation and quantitation of the enantiomers and also the determination of the enantiomeric purity are now current and indispensable tasks for the pharmaceutical analysis. Among the various techniques, liquid chromatography remains the best modality owing to several advantages. High speed, sensitivity, and reproducible results make LC the method of choice in almost all laboratories. Phases that contain alpha1-acid glycoprotein as chiral selector are suitable for separation of charged and uncharged enantiomers with widely different structure. Atropine is widely used as parasympatolytic, anticholinergic and antiemetic drugs. It is one of the preferred antidote for immediate management of toxicity associated with nerve agents. Stereoselective separation was achieved with a prepacked alpha1-acid glycoprotein column without any derivatization procedure. The liquid chromatography system is coupled to mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface in the positive-ion mode. The chromatographed analytes are detected in selective ion monitoring after optimisation using factorial experimental design. Small amount of enantiomeric composition can be evaluated either by MS or by UV spectrometry (less than 5%).     

On-Line Sample Treatment LC System for MS Compatibility

In the present work, a new liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) system with on-line pretreatment using column switching and a dilution function was developed. This system can be used under conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) separation conditions, including mobile phases containing phosphate buffer. The built-in autodilution function greatly improves the trapping efficiency for target compounds, followed by desaltation that optimizes the ionization conditions for MS analysis. This fully automated two-dimensional LC system interfaced with mass spectrometry provided a powerful tool for the determination of impurity profiles in pharmaceutical research and the identification of traditional Chinese medicine in natural products.     

Analysis of hydroxamate siderophores in soil solution using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry with on‐line sample preconcentration

A liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method was developed to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze 13 hydroxamate siderophores (ferrichrome, ferrirubin, ferrirhodin, ferrichrysin, ferricrocin, ferrioxamine B, D₁, E and G, neocoprogen I and II, coprogen and triacetylfusarinine C). Samples were preconcentrated on‐line by a switch‐valve setup prior to analyte separation on a Kinetex C₁₈ column. Gradient elution was performed using a mixture of an ammonium formate buffer and acetonitrile. Total analysis time including column conditioning was 20.5 min. Analytes were fragmented by applying collision‐induced dissociation, enabling structural identification by tandem mass spectrometry. Limit of detection values for the selected ion monitoring method ranged from 71 pM to 1.5 nM with corresponding values of two to nine times higher for the multiple reaction monitoring method. The liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method resulted in a robust and sensitive quantification of hydroxamate siderophores as indicated by retention time stability, linearity, sensitivity, precision and recovery. The analytical error of the methods, assessed through random‐order, duplicate analysis of soil samples extracted with a mixture of 10 mM phosphate buffer and methanol, appears negligible in relation to between‐sample variations.     

Optimizing separations in online comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography

Online comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography has become an attractive option for the analysis of complex nonvolatile samples found in various fields (e.g. environmental studies, food, life, and polymer sciences). Two‐dimensional liquid chromatography complements the highly popular hyphenated systems that combine liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Two‐dimensional liquid chromatography is also applied to the analysis of samples that are not compatible with mass spectrometry (e.g. high‐molecular‐weight polymers), providing important information on the distribution of the sample components along chemical dimensions (molecular weight, charge, lipophilicity, stereochemistry, etc.). Also, in comparison with conventional one‐dimensional liquid chromatography, two‐dimensional liquid chromatography provides a greater separation power (peak capacity). Because of the additional selectivity and higher peak capacity, the combination of two‐dimensional liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry allows for simpler mixtures of compounds to be introduced in the ion source at any given time, improving quantitative analysis by reducing matrix effects. In this review, we summarize the rationale and principles of two‐dimensional liquid chromatography experiments, describe advantages and disadvantages of combining different selectivities and discuss strategies to improve the quality of two‐dimensional liquid chromatography separations.     

反相高效液相色谱法及电喷雾离子阱质谱法分析中药复方制剂肾宝片

建立了一种反相高效液相色谱梯度洗脱,以检测波长切换方法,同时测定中药复方制剂肾宝片中5种主要成分的含量。采用Alltima C18柱,以乙腈-水为流动相,用检测波长切换法,将5种主要成分分离测定,并采用高效液相色谱与电喷雾离子阱质谱(MS^3)联用,成功分离和鉴别了该制剂中的20种成分。本文建立的方法简便、灵敏、准确、可靠,可用于中药制剂肾宝片的质量控制。     

Isolation and purification of six iridoid glycosides from gardenia jasminoides fruit by medium‐pressure liquid chromatography combined with macroporous resin chromatography

Gardeniae fructus is one of the most frequently used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, a process for the enrichment of six iridoid glycosides from Gardeniae fructus was developed using medium‐pressure liquid chromatography combined with macroporous resin and reversed‐phase chromatography. The purities of different fractions from Gardeniae fructus were assessed using quantitative high‐performance liquid chromatography. After fractionation using HPD‐100 column chromatography, a 30% ethanol fraction was selected based on high‐performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry qualitative analysis to separate and purify. Based on the orientation analysis results, six compounds—deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester, gardenoside, ixoroside, scandoside methyl ester, genipin‐1‐O‐β‐d‐ gentiobioside, and geniposide—were successfully isolated and purified in three to four combined steps from Gardeniae fructus. The purities of these compounds were found by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis to be 97.9, 98.1, 95.5, 96.3, 97.1, and 98.7%, respectively. Moreover, their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The separation process was highly efficient, rapid, and accurate, making it a potential approach for the large‐scale production of iridoids in the laboratory and providing several marker compounds for quality control. This procedure may be meaningful for the purification of other natural products used in traditional Chinese medicine.