Fast and sensitive determination of pesticide residues in vegetables using low-pressure gas chromatography with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

In this study, the feasibility of low-pressure gas chromatography (LP-GC) in conjunction with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, as a route towards fast pesticide residue analysis, was investigated. A Varian GC-MS system equipped with a mass spectrometer model 1200 was used. LP-GC-MS experiments were performed on a HP-5 10 m x 0.32 mm x 0.25 microm analytical column connected to a 2.5 m x 0.15 mm non-coated restriction precolumn at the inlet end. For comparison purposes conventional GC-MS analysis was performed on a RTX-5 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.5 microm column. Under the optimized conditions the analysis time was reduced to 13.3 min with the LP-GC approach which corresponds to an almost threefold gain in speed versus the conventional GC (37 min). Despite the poorer separation power of the LP-GC column, the experiments conducted with tomato and onion extracts spiked with 78 pesticides proved that LP-GC-MS is of practical value to perform full scan screening analysis. Moreover, the rate of false negative results was higher in the case of conventional GC-MS while the LP-GC-MS enabled correct identification of pesticides at lower levels since the peaks were improved in both size and shape. Validation experiments were performed on a sample of 12 representative pesticides for comparison of performance characteristics of the LP-GC and GC approaches with mass spectrometer operated in scan, SIM and MS/MS mode. The LP-GC column set-up interfaced to the MS detector was found to be superior to the conventional GC with respect to obtained linearity, accuracy and precision parameters. Also, lower limits of detection in real extracts were achieved using the LP-GC approach. Finally, the LP-GC-MS/MS analysis of tomato samples with incurred pesticide residues demonstrated the applicability of the developed method for analysis of real samples.     

Fast analysis of decabrominated diphenyl ether using low-pressure gas chromatography-electron-capture negative ionization mass spectrometry

This paper reports the applicability of low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry operated in electron-capture negative ionization mode (LP-GC-ECNI-MS) for the analysis of decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209). Particular attention was paid to find optimal injector and oven conditions for minimal thermal degradation of BDE-209. The analytical characteristics were compared for LP-GC columns (10 m x 0.53 mm) with different film thicknesses (d(f) 0.15 microm versus 0.25microm) and for a conventional GC column (15 m x 0.25 mm, 0.10 microm d(f)). Short residence times (6.5 and 9.8 min) of BDE-209 were found for the LP-GC systems with 0.15 and 0.25microm d(f), respectively, resulting in a low elution temperature and minimal degradation. Additionally, baseline separation of 22 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (major components of PBDE technical mixtures) was possible in less than 12 min using the LP-GC-ECNI-MS system with 0.15microm d(f). The optimized method was applied for the determination of PBDEs in Belgian indoor dust samples. The obtained concentrations of BDE-209 (range 8-292 ng/g dry weight) were in the same range or lower than concentrations in dust from other European countries.     

Qualitative evaluation of thermal desorption-programmable temperature vaporization-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the analysis of selected halogenated contaminants

The separation of 38 toxic and predominant polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, 11 persistent halogenated pesticides, 1 brominated biphenyl (BB), and 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) has been optimized using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOFMS). A thermal desorption-programmable temperature vaporization (TD-PTV) step was used for the injection. Different column sets were investigated, and a 100% dimethylpolysiloxane (15 m x 0.25 mm i.d. x 0.25 microm film thickness) narrowbore capillary column coupled to a high temperature (8% phenyl)-polycarborane-siloxane (2 m x 0.10 mm i.d. x 0.10 microm film thickness) microbore column set was selected. Of the 58 compounds investigated, only one pair of PCBs was not resolved. All other analytes were either baseline separated into the chromatographic plane or were virtually separated using the deconvolution capability of the TOFMS.     

Pressure-adjusted continual flow heart-cutting for the high throughput determination of amphetamine-type stimulant drugs in whole blood by fast multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Innovative features and technical improvements in modern bench-top quadrupole gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) have prepared the way for faster and more cost-effective applications while still maintaining sufficient chromatographic resolution, speed of MS data acquisition and reliability of analytical methodology. In this paper, a short wide-bore capillary column with low film thickness (5 m x 0.32 mm i.d., 0.1 microm) was used a pre-fractionating column and only chosen heart-cuts were transferred to the second chromatographic dimension (15 m x 0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 microm) by means of a pressure-adjusted continual flow type switching device for quantification of five common amphetamine-type stimulant drugs. The instrumental setting used, in combination with carefully optimized operational fast GC and MS parameters, markedly decreased the retention times of the targeted analytes, e.g., amphetamine 0.891 min and methamphetamine 1.037 min, and the total chromatographic runtime (1.700 min), as well as reducing the need for continuous cleaning of the MS ion source and increasing column life compared with conventional GC-MS approaches. The performance of the instrumental configuration and analytical method was evaluated in validation experiments and the method was also applied to authentic samples. The method demonstrates the potential of fast GC-MS in combination with a gas-phase microfluidic Deans switch device for analysing of (semi)volatile compounds, such as amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) drugs. This should be particularly useful in modern laboratories aiming at cost-efficient analysis as well as the optimum use of available laboratory capacity and instrumentation.     

Ruggedness and other performance characteristics of low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the fast analysis of multiple pesticide residues in food crops

Low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LP-GC-MS) using a quadrupole MS instrument was further optimized and evaluated for the fast analysis of multiple pesticide residues in food crops. Performance of two different LP-GC-MS column configurations was compared in various experiments, including ruggedness tests with repeated injections of pesticides in matrix extracts. The tested column configurations employed the same 3 m x 0.15 mm i.d. restriction capillary at the inlet end, but different analytical columns attached to the vacuum: (A) a 10 m x 0.53 mm i.d., 1 microm film thickness RTX-5 Sil MS column; and (B) a 10 m x 0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 microm film thickness DB-5MS column. Under the optimized conditions (compromise between speed and sensitivity), the narrower analytical column with a thinner film provided slightly (<1.1-fold) faster analysis of <5.5 min separation times and somewhat greater separation efficiency. However, lower detection limits for most of the tested pesticides in real extracts were achieved using the mega-bore configuration, which also provided significantly greater ruggedness of the analysis (long-term repeatability of analyte peak intensities, shapes, and retention times). Additionally, the effect of the increasing injection volume (1-5 microl) on analyte signal-to-noise ratios was evaluated. For the majority of the tested analyte-matrix combinations, the increase in sensitivity caused by a larger injection did not translate in the same gain in analyte detectability. Considering the costs and benefits, the injection volume of 2-3 microl was optimal for detectability of the majority of 57 selected pesticides in apple, carrot, lettuce, and wheat extracts.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopic determination of benzene in indoor air during the use of biomass fuels in cooking time

A gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic method in electron ionization (EI) mode with MS/MS ion preparation using helium at flow rate 1 ml min(-1) as carrier gas on DB-5 capillary column (30 m x 0.25 mm i.d. film thickness 0.25 microm) has been developed for the determination of benzene in indoor air. The detection limit for benzene was 0.002 microg ml(-1) with S/N: 4 (S: 66, N: 14). The benzene concentration for cooks during cooking time in indoor kitchen using dung fuel was 114.1 microg m(-3) while it was 6.6 microg m(-3) for open type kitchen. The benzene concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in indoor kitchen with respect to open type kitchen using dung fuels. The wood fuel produces 36.5 microg m(-3) of benzene in indoor kitchen. The concentration of benzene in indoor kitchen using wood fuel was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in comparison to dung fuel. This method may be helpful for environmental analytical chemist dealing with GC-MS in confirmation and quantification of benzene in environmental samples with health risk exposure assessment.     

Application of low-pressure gas chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry to the analysis of the essential oil of Turnera diffusa (Ward.) Urb

Turnera diffusa Willd. var. afrodisiaca (Ward) Urb. (syn. T. aphrodisiaca) belongs to the family of Turneraceae and is an aromatic plant growing wild in the subtropical regions of America and Africa. It is widely used in the traditional medicine as e.g. anti-cough, diuretic, and aphrodisiac agent. This work presents a 3 min chromatographic analysis using low-pressure (LP) gas chromatography (GC)-ion-trap (IT) mass spectrometry (MS). The combination of a deactivated 0.6 m x 0.10 mm i.d., restrictor with a wide-bore CP-Wax 52 capillary column (10 m x 0.53 mm i.d., 1 microm) reduces the analysis time by a factor of 3-7 in comparison to the use of a conventional narrow bore column. Chromatographic conditions have been optimized to achieve the fastest separation with the highest signal/noise ratio in MS detection. These results allow fast and reliable quality control of the essential oil to be achieved.     

气相色谱-串联质谱法测定土壤中的邻苯二甲酸酯

建立了土壤中6种邻苯二甲酸酯的气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)分析方法。土壤样品用超声提取,以二氯甲烷-丙酮(1:1, v/v)混合溶液为提取溶剂,提取液经Florisil小柱净化后,经HP-5MS色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm)分离,利用MS/MS的多反应监测(MRM)模式进行定性和定量。结果表明本方法可对样品中的邻苯二甲酸酯进行分析,在10～1000 μg/L质量浓度范围内,线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9973～0.9976;6种邻苯二甲酸酯的相对标准偏差(RSD)不大于14.3%, 2 μg/kg和10 μg/kg两个加标水平的回收率为72.9%～106.2%; 6种目标化合物的检出限为0.1～0.5 μg/kg。该方法快速准确、背景干扰较少、分析灵敏度较高,适用于土壤样品中邻苯二甲酸酯的分析。     

色谱与色谱/质谱法相结合分析热裂解汽油C9馏分

采用毛细管气相色谱-氢火焰离子化检测器（CGC-FID）和气相色谱-质谱法(GC/MS)分析了热裂解汽油C9 馏分的组成。实验使用PONA毛细管气相色谱柱(100 m×0.25 mm i.d.×0.5 μm),根据烃类化合物在PONA柱上的保留规律,以正构烷烃标样保留值作为碳数分布依据,定量分析了裂解汽油C9 馏分中烃类化合物的碳数分布和单体烃含量;用GC/MS联用技术和CGC保留值定性法相结合对裂解汽油C9 馏分中相对含量大于0.2%的39种化合物进行了定性。     

On-fibre solid-phase microextraction coupled to conventional liquid chromatography versus in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled to capillary liquid chromatography for the screening analysis of triazines in water samples

This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of two different configurations for the extraction of triazines from water samples: (1) on-fibre solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to conventional liquid chromatography (LC); and (2) in-tube SPME coupled to capillary LC. In-tube SPME has been effected either with a packed column or with an open capillary column. A critical evaluation of the main parameters affecting the performance of each method has been carried out in order to select the most suitable approach according to the requirements of the analysis. In the on-fibre SPME configuration the fibre coating was polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-divinylbenzene (DVB). The limits of detection (LODs) obtained with this approach under the optimized extraction and desorption conditions were between 25 and 125 microg/L. The in-tube SPME approach with a C18 packed column (35 mm x 0.5 mm I.D., 5 microm particle size) connected to a switching micro-valve provided the best sensitivity; under such configuration the LODs were between 0.025 and 0.5 microg/L. The in-tube SPME approach with an open capillary column coated with PDMS (30 cm x 0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 microm of thickness coating) connected to the injection valve provided LODs between 0.1 and 0.5 microg/L. In all configurations UV detection at 230 nm was used. Atrazine, simazine, propazine, ametryn, prometryn and terbutryn were selected as model compounds.     

Tenax采样管富集气相色谱-质谱法测定空气中的痕量酚类化合物

建立了Tenax采样管富集气相色谱-质谱测定空气中痕量酚类化合物的方法。用Tenax采样管吸附环境空气中的痕量酚类化合物,用甲醇淋洗解吸酚类化合物,洗脱液加入萘-D8作为内标,利用气相色谱-选择离子监测质谱(GC-MS/SIM)进行检测,内标法定量。该方法定性、定量准确,线性响应良好,回归曲线的线性相关系数均大于0.999,平均回收率为92.4%～102%,测定干扰小,检测灵敏度高,按采样10 L计算,空气中最低检测浓度可达0.001 mg/m3。用于实际样品测定,完全能满足环境空气中痕量酚类化合物监测的要求。     

Fast, low-pressure gas chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of 150 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables

We developed and evaluated a new method of low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC/MS-MS) using a triple quadrupole instrument for fast analysis of 150 relevant pesticides in four representative fruits and vegetables. This LP-GC (vacuum outlet) approach entails coupling a 10 m, 0.53 mm i.d., 1 μm film analytical column between the MS transfer line and a 3 m, 0.15 mm i.d. capillary at the inlet. The MS creates a vacuum in the 10 m analytical column, which reduces the viscosity of the He carrier gas and thereby shifts the optimal flow rate to greater velocity. By taking advantage of the H(2)-like properties of He under vacuum, the short analytical column, a rapid oven temperature ramp rate, and the high selectivity and sensitivity of MS/MS, 150 pesticides were separated in <6.5 min. The 2.5 ms dwell time and 1 ms interscan delay of the MS/MS instrument were critical for achieving >8 data points across the 2-3 s wide peaks. To keep dwell and cycle times constant across all peaks, each segment consisted of 30 analytes (60 transitions). For assessment, we injected extracts of spiked broccoli, cantaloupe, lemon, and sweet potato from the updated QuEChERS sample preparation method. Average recoveries (n=72) were 70-120% for 144 of the pesticides, and reproducibilities were <20% RSD for all but 4 analytes. Also, detection limits were <5 ng/g for all but a few pesticides, depending on the matrix. In addition to high quality performance, the method gave excellent reliability and high sample throughput, including easy peak integration to obtain rapid results.     

填充毛细管液相色谱-毛细管气相色谱在线联用分析八角茴香挥发油

首次将填充毛细管高效液相色谱-毛细管气相色谱在线联用技术(μ-HPLC-CGC)用于分离分析八角茴香果实的挥发油成分。液相色谱选用氰基分析柱(250 mm×0.32 mm i.d.),正己烷-乙腈-二氯甲烷(体积比为80∶8∶12)为流动相,对挥发油样品做族组分分离,得到的5个族组分被依次存放在多位储存接口内,然后不分流分别转入毛细管气相色谱仪做详细分析。气相色谱柱由10 m×0.53 mm i.d.保留间隔柱和30 m×0.53 mm i.d.×1.0 μm SE-54分析柱组成。采用了不分流柱内进样模     

High-throughput analysis of bergamot essential oil by fast solid-phase microextraction-capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detection

The advantages of using a narrow-bore column in headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatographic (HS-SPME-GC) analysis are investigated. An automated rapid HS-SPME-GC method for the determination of volatile compounds in a complex sample (bergamot essential oil) was developed. A low-capacity (7 microm) SPME fibre was employed, enabling a short equilibration time (15 min). The absorbed volatile compounds were then separated in 12.5 min on a 10 m x 0.1 mm I.D. capillary. The fast GC method was characterized by relatively moderate GC parameters (head pressure: 173 kPa; temperature program rate: 12 degrees C/min). The employment of the low-capacity fibre also suited the reduced sample capacity of the capillary employed, hence column overloading was avoided. Analytical repeatibility was determined in terms of retention times (maximum RSD: 0.32%) and peak areas (maximum RSD: 9.80%). The results obtained were compared to those derived from a conventional HS-SPME-GC (a 30 microm SPME fibre and 0.25 mm I.D. capillary were used) application on the same sample. In this respect, a great reduction of analytical time was obtained both with regard to the conventional SPME equilibration and GC run times, which both required 50 min. Peak resolution was altogether comparable in both applications. Although a slight loss in terms of sensitivity was observed in the rapid approach (generally within the 25-50% range), this did not impair the detection of all peaks of interest. Finally, the selectivities of the 30 and 7 microm fibres were evaluated and, as expected, these were in good agreement.     

Optimization and evaluation of low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the fast analysis of multiple pesticide residues in a food commodity

A fast method of analysis for 20 representative pesticides was developed using low-pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LP-GC-MS). No special techniques for injection or detection with a common quadrupole GC-MS instrument were required to use this approach. The LP-GC-MS approach used an analytical column of 10 m x 0.53 mm I.D., 1 microm film thickness coupled with a 3 m x 0.15 mm I.D. restriction capillary at the inlet end. Thus, the conditions at the injector were similar to conventional GC methods, but sub-atmospheric pressure conditions occurred throughout the analytical column (MS provided the vacuum source). Optimal LP-GC-MS conditions were determined which achieved the fastest separation with the highest signal/noise ratio in MS detection (selected ion monitoring mode). Due to faster flow-rate, thicker film, and low pressure in the analytical column, this distinctive approach provided several benefits in the analysis of the representative pesticides versus a conventional GC-MS method, which included: (i) threefold gain in the speed of chromatographic analysis; (ii) substantially increased injection volume capacity in toluene; (iii) heightened peaks with 2 s peak widths for normal MS operation; (iv) reduced thermal degradation of thermally labile analytes, such as carbamates; and (v) due to larger sample loadability lower detection limits for compounds not limited by matrix interferences. The optimized LP-GC-MS conditions were evaluated in ruggedness testing experiments involving repetitive analyses of the 20 diverse pesticides fortified in a representative food extract (carrot), and the results were compared with the conventional GC-MS approach. The matrix interferences for the quantitation ions were worse for a few pesticides (acephate, methiocarb, dimethoate, and thiabendazole) in LP-GC-MS, but similar or better results were achieved for the 16 other analytes, and sample throughput was more than doubled with the approach.     

Ultra-fast essential oil characterization by capillary GC on a 50 microm ID column

A 5 m x 50 microm capillary column with 0.05 microm stationary phase film thickness, with a calculated efficiency of almost 20,000 plates per metre (under optimum conditions), was used for very fasthigh resolution GC analysis of lime essential oil. The total analysis time of this volatile essential oil was less than 90 s. Fast GC is shown to be appropriate for essential oil quality assurance analysis, and quantitative results of key components are comparable with those obtained by using conventional GC analysis. The fast GC analysis is approximately 33 times faster than the conventional GC method.     

Use of small diameter WCOT columns for ultra-high resolution GC/MS

For clinical and environmental analyses utilizing capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), increased sensitivity and speed of analysis are highly desirable. These performance advantages are realized using a WCOT column of 100 μm i.d. as compared to the more conventional 200 μm i.d. capillary columns. The improved sensitivity of capillary direct GC/MS with the 100 μm i.d. column for the confirmation of drugs of abuse will be demonstrated. For environmental analysis, the superior efficiency and resolution of the 100 μm i.d. column can be employed for the separation of priority pollutants. This approach is more amenable to capillary direct GC/MS providing a more effective interface to the mass spectrometer. As a result improved sensitivity and a considerable decrease in analysis time is achieved over that obtained with the larger diameter environmental specialty phase columns.     

气相色谱/氢火焰离子化检测法分析烷基化物料中的C4氟代烃

以实验室合成的氟代叔丁烷、氟代仲丁烷、氟代正丁烷为参考,建立了烷基化物料中C4氟代烃的气相色谱/氢火焰离子化检测(GC/FID)分析方法。提出了利用气相色谱/原子发射光谱(GC/AED)按元素响应的特点求算C4氟代烃在GC/FID上相对校正因子的方法。方法采用OV-225(50 m×0.25 mm i.d.×0.25 μm)和SE-54(44 m×0.22 mm i.d.×0.25 μm)串联柱为分析柱,FID为检测器,校正归一化或间接外标方法进行定量,具有重复性好、应用移植便利、操作简单等特点,对氟代叔     

Gas and liquid chromatography of metal chelates of pentamethylene dithiocarbamate

Capillary GC and HPLC of metal chelates of pentamethylene dithiocarbamate were examined. Copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(III), iron(III), manganese(II) and chromium(III) chelates formed in slightly acidic media (pH 5) were extracted in methyl isobutyl ketone or chloroform. Capillary GC elution and separation was carried out on methylsilicone DB-1 column (25 m x 0.2 mm I.D.) with film thickness 0.25 microm. Electron-capture detection was used. Elution was carried at initial column temperature 200 degrees C with an increment at a rate of 5 degrees C/min up to 250 degrees C and maximum temperature was maintained for 10 min. Symmetrical peaks with baseline separation were obtained with the metal chelates investigated with linear calibration range between 5 and 25 microg/ml for each metal ion and detection limits in the range of 0.5-6.0 microg/ml corresponding to 27-333 pg of metal ion reaching to the detector. HPLC separation was carried out from LiChrosorb ODS, 5 microm column and complexes eluted with methanol-water-1 mM sodium acetate (70:28:2, v/v) with a flow-rate of 1.2 ml/ml. UV detection was at 260 nm. The detection limits obtained were in the range 2-6 microg/ml. The methods were applied to the determination of metal ions in canal water and coal samples with RSD values within 4.15%. The results when compared with a standard flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method and revealed no significant difference.     

气相色谱/质谱-选择离子检测法同时测定大米中的25种持久性有机污染物

利用超声波提取、固相萃取净化对样品进行前处理,然后采用气相色谱/质谱-选择离子检测模式对大米中的25种持久性有机污染物进行了分析。色谱条件:DB-35MS毛细管色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm i.d.×0.25 μm);载气为氦气,流速1 mL/min;进样口温度300 ℃;不分流进样,进样量1 μL;柱温为程序升温模式。质谱条件:电子轰击电离源,70 eV;采集方式为选择离子方式,扫描质量范围50~450 u。实验采用保留时间以及定性、定量特征离子的丰度比定性,采用峰面积外标法定量,制作了25种持久性有机污染物的标准工作曲线。不同浓度水平的添加回收率试验表明,25种持久性有机污染物的添加回收率为81.99%～100.60%,相对标准偏差为2.37%～18.48%,除异狄氏剂、反式氯丹和顺式氯丹的检测限分别为20,30和20 ng/g外,其他有机污染物的检测限为0.1～5 ng/g。该方法的灵敏度、准确度和精密度均符合农药多残留测定技术的要求。