生物体中氨基酸单体碳稳定同位素测试方法研究

氨基酸作为蛋白质的基本组成单位,是重要的生命物质,其单体碳同位素研究在生物地球化学、生态学、生物体代谢和环境科学等领域具有重要意义。该文优化了海参和海藻氨基酸提取和纯化流程,通过N-新戊酰基-O-异丙酯(NPP)方法衍生化后,分别用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)和气相色谱-燃烧-同位素比值质谱(GC-C-IRMS)测试其浓度和碳同位素组成。结果显示,15种氨基酸单体的分离效果较好,回收率为46.4%～96.3%,各氨基酸在1.0～16.0μmol/L范围内线性关系良好(r²为0.987～0.999)。15种氨基酸单体衍生物δ¹³C值的标准偏差均小于0.30‰(n=10),在0.6～2.0 mmol/L浓度范围内δ¹³C的平均误差为±0.24‰,方法检出限为0.6 nmol。海参和海藻样品各氨基酸单体δ¹³C值的范围分别为-31.10‰～-8.58‰和-30.53‰～-13.76‰,标准偏差均在0.33‰以内,可满足生物体氨基酸单体碳同位素的测试精度需求。     

气相色谱-燃烧-同位素比率质谱法测定葡萄酒中5种挥发性组分的碳同位素比值及其在产地溯源中的应用

建立了一种利用气相色谱-燃烧-同位素质谱(Gas chromatography-combustion-Isotope ratio mass spectrometers,GC-C-IRMS)测定葡萄酒中5种挥发性组分(即乙醇、丙三醇、乙酸、乳酸乙酯、2-甲基-丁醇)碳稳定同位素比值新方法。优化了GC-C-IRMS测定条件,进样量小于0.5μL,样品分析时间小于14 min。对以上5种挥发性成分标准品的测定精密度为0.08‰~0.25‰,葡萄酒样品的测定精密度为0.09‰~0.36‰,与元素分析-同位素比率质谱仪(Element analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometers,EA-IRMS)比较,其测定偏差低于0.5‰。利用该技术分析了产自法国、澳大利亚、美国和中国共54支葡萄酒中5种挥发性组分的碳稳定同位素值并进行产地溯源分析,判别分析(Discriminant analysis,DA)结果表明,仅利用以上5种挥发性组分的碳同位素比值就能有效区分以上4个产地的葡萄酒,说明葡萄酒挥发性成分稳定碳同位素可应用于葡萄酒的产地溯源。     

液相色谱-同位素比值质谱法研究桔橙汁中柠檬酸碳同位素比值

以国际原子能机构提供的蔗糖(δ13C为-10.449‰)作为溯源标准,建立了液相色谱-同位素比值质谱联用法(LC-IR MS)分析天然柑桔、橙汁中柠檬酸碳同位素比的方法,对不同产地个柑桔、橙子中有机酸碳同位素情况进行了研究。基于建立天然水果的柠檬酸碳同位素δ13C值的数据,提出了柑桔、橙子样品的δ13C值范围。方法将果汁用水稀释后,液相色谱-钙离子交换色谱在线制备柠檬酸,氢型离子交换柱分离柠檬酸后采用液相色谱-稳定同位素比质谱分析,柠檬酸方法检出限为5μg/m L,在2.00~100μg/m L水平时,柠檬酸响应与浓度成线性关系,相关系数为0.9997。方法日内、日间和人员比对结果相对标准偏差小于0.82%。收集不同产地161个橙子、167个柑桔测得天然桔汁中柠檬酸δ13C值在-32.87‰~-27.07‰之间,橙汁柠檬酸δ13C值在-32.73‰~26.01‰之间。采集40个市售柑桔、橙汁样品进行鉴定,检出17个掺有C4植物柠檬酸的的阳性样品,新方法可提高勾兑柠檬酸掺假果汁的鉴别能力。     

15N-标记的气相色谱-同位素比质谱与气相气谱-质谱联用鉴定微生物反硝化作用

以好氧反硝化菌-产碱杆菌(Alcaligenes faecalis)在15N-KN03标记反硝化培养下所产气体与培养管中空气的混合气体为分析对象,在样品中N2/O2,CO2,N2O,H2O基线分离的基础上,利用气相色谱-同位素比质谱对混合气体中N2进行高精密度的δ15N分析,同时利用气相色谱-质谱联用的选择离子模式对混...     

气相色谱同位素比质谱测定不同产地鱼油中5种不饱和脂肪酸碳同位素比值

以IAEA-600咖啡因(δ13C-27.771‰)作为溯源标准,建立了气相色谱同位素质谱技术测定鱼油中功能因子亚油酸(LIA)、亚麻酸(LNA)、花生四烯酸(ARA)、二十碳五烯酸(EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)等5种不饱和脂肪酸碳稳定同位素比值δ13C的分析方法。鱼样品先经HCl水解,乙醚液液萃取脂肪,提取的脂肪在2 mol/L KOH-甲醇溶液中反应生成脂肪酸甲酯,采用强极性毛细管气相色谱柱(Sil-88 100 m×0.25 mm×0.2μm)分离,稳定同位素比质谱测定。方法经日内、日间和人员比对验证,表明测定结果稳定,标准偏差小于0.82%。收集了不同产地的241个淡水鱼和深海鱼,对于提取的天然鱼油进行5种不饱和脂肪酸同位素比值分析,测得天然鱼油中5种不饱和脂肪酸同位素比值(δ13C)在-32.87‰~27.07‰之间,经计算,鱼油中不饱和脂肪酸δ13C值与硬脂酸δ13C值之比在-5.79~1.88之间,同时测得了相同的产地、品种鱼油中不饱和脂肪酸δ13C的分布范围,构建了天然鱼油的同位素指纹特征数据库,用于鉴定鱼油真伪。将不同浓度玉米油添加至天然金枪鱼油中进行测定,证明δ13C值的变化与掺入C4植物油量呈良好的线性关系,方法可根据δ13C值的变化鉴别掺假的鱼油。     

反硝化细菌法结合痕量气体分析仪/同位素比质谱仪分析水体硝酸盐氮同位素组成

建立了反硝化细菌法结合疫量气体分析仪(TraceGas)/同位素比质谱仪分析水体硝酸盐氮同位素组成的方法.对反硝化细菌生长、培养条件和方法的精密度及稳定性进行了分析,并利用标准样品USGS34研究了样品反硝化孵育时间、TraceGas捕集N2O气体时间对δ15N测定的影响.结果表明:恰当的氧气量才能培养出有效的反硝化细菌;本方法精密度及稳定性较好,同一制备时间内硝酸盐δ15N的SD在0.09‰～0.14‰之间,6个月内SD为0.12‰;样品反硝化孵育3～24 h可以得到稳定的δ15N; TraceGas捕集时间为500 s时得到的δ15N校正值与真实值最接近.应用本方法对养殖场污水和灌溉井水的硝酸盐δ15N进行了测定.     

气相色谱-质谱联用法分析~(15)N标记精氨酸发酵液中的氨基酸组分及其同位素丰度

建立了精氨酸、赖氨酸、丝氨酸、缬氨酸、亮氨酸等15种氨基酸的气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)检测方法。以硅烷化试剂N-甲基-N-(三甲基硅烷)三氟乙酰胺(MSTFA)为衍生化试剂对氨基酸进行衍生化,在优化的色谱-质谱条件下,15种氨基酸均达到基线分离。结合混合阳离子(MCX)固相萃取柱对氨基酸发酵液实际样品进行净化,将所建立的方法用于~(15)N标记精氨酸发酵液中的氨基酸组成(包括亮氨酸-~(15)N、脯氨酸-~(15)N、精氨酸-~(15)N_4、谷氨酰胺-~(15)N和赖氨酸-~(15)N_2)分析,并根据EI图谱的离子碎片信息对~(15)N标记精氨酸发酵液中的氨基酸同位素丰度进行计算。     

元素分析-同位素比质谱法测定葡萄酒中乙醇δ 13C值

比较了旋转蒸发仪、全玻璃蒸馏装置和全自动蒸馏控制系统3种蒸馏方法,对葡萄酒乙醇δ13C值的影响,确定了元素分析-同位素比质谱仪(Elementary analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometer)最佳测定条件,建立了元素分析-同位素比质谱法测定乙醇δ13C值方法。在重复性和再现性条件下,对乙醇标准及葡萄酒乙醇δ13C值进行测定,标准偏差低于0.25‰。检测食品同位素分析技术-能力测试计划(FIT-PTS)两个葡萄酒样品乙醇δ13C值,与给定值相差0.2‰。采用液相色谱-同位素比质谱法(Liquid chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry)与本方法分别对16个国家和地区40个葡萄酒样品的乙醇δ13C值测定,其结果为!23.90‰~28.29‰,且两种检测方法的检测结果差值︳Δδ(EA-LC)max︳<0.3‰,具有较强的相关性(R2=0.9749)。本方法无同位素分馏,适用于葡萄酒中乙醇δ13C值测定。     

液相色谱-同位素比质谱法同时测定葡萄酒中甘油和乙醇的δ13C值

采用液相色谱-同位素比质谱(LC-IRMS)技术建立了同时测定葡萄酒中甘油和乙醇δ13C值的分析方法。优化了葡萄酒中影响甘油和乙醇色谱分离的条件。方法的精密度和准确度分别为0.15‰~0.26‰和0.11‰~0.28‰。对40个葡萄酒样品进行了测定,甘油和乙醇的δ13 C值分别为-26.87‰~-32.96‰、-24.06‰~-28.29‰,两者具有较强的相关性(R=0.82)。该方法不需要复杂的样品预处理,在相同条件下同时测定甘油和乙醇的δ13C值,较传统方法简单、快速。     

基于稳定碳同位素技术的痕量动物油和植物油的区分检验研究

本文以鸡油和猪油为例,旨在运用稳定碳同位素技术建立区分痕量动物油与植物油的区分检验方法。先在实验室内制备猪油和鸡油样品,然后运用气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)、气相色谱-同位素比值质谱仪(GC-IRMS)和元素分析-同位素比值质谱仪(EA-IRMS)对猪油和鸡油的脂肪酸组成与其全油和脂肪酸的稳定碳同位素比值进行了研究。结果显示:鸡油的δ13C值处于-21.58‰至-18.30‰(脂肪酸:-21.58‰~-18.30‰;全油:-19.82‰~-19.30‰)的区间;猪油的δ13C值处于-22.16‰至-16.15‰(脂肪酸:-22.16‰~-16.15‰;全油:-18.70‰~-16.83‰)的区间;鸡油和猪油的δ13C值与大多数植物油的δ13C值存在显著差异。因此,基于动物油与植物油在δ13C值方面存在的显著差异性,建立区分痕量动物油和植物油的高灵敏的检验方法。     

Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis of Amino Acid Labeling with Stable Isotope Nitrogen (15N) in Higher Plants

Individual free amino acid δ¹⁵N values in plant tissue reflect the metabolic pathways involved in their biosynthesis and catabolism and could thus aid understanding of environmental stress and anthropogenic effects on plant metabolism. In this study, compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of amino acid by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) was carried out to determine individual free amino acid δ¹⁵N values. High correlations were observed between the δ¹⁵N values obtained by GC-C-IRMS and elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) determinations, and the mean precision measured was better than 1 ‰. Cation-exchange chromatography was employed to purify the sample, and the difference between prior to and following passage through the resin was within 1 ‰. The amino acid δ¹⁵N values of plant leave samples following incubation in ¹⁵N-nitrate at different time points were determined. A typical foliar free amino acid ¹⁵N-enrichment pattern was found, and glutamine was the most rapidly labeled amino acid; other amino acids derived from the GS-GOGAT cycle were also enriched. The pyruvate family amino acids were labeled less quickly followed by the aromatic amino acids. This study highlighted that amino acid metabolism pathways had a major effect on the δ¹⁵N values. With the known amino acid metabolism pathways and δ¹⁵N values determined by the presented method, the influence of various external factors on the metabolic cycling of amino acid can be understood well.

     

Development of an enantiomer-specific stable carbon isotope analysis (ESIA) method for assessing the fate of α-hexachlorocyclo-hexane in the environment

α-Hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) is the only chiral isomer of the eight 1,2,3,4,5,6-HCHs and we have developed an enantiomer-specific stable carbon isotope analysis (ESIA) method for the evaluation of its fate in the environment. The carbon isotope ratios of the α-HCH enantiomers were determined for a commercially available α-HCH sample using a gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) system equipped with a chiral column. The GC-C-IRMS measurements revealed δ-values of -32.5 ± 0.8‰ and -32.3 ± 0.5‰ for (-) α-HCH and (+) α-HCH, respectively. The isotope ratio of bulk α-HCH was estimated to be -32.4 ± 0.6‰ which was in accordance with the δ-values obtained by GC-C-IRMS (-32.7 ± 0.2‰) and elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) of the bulk α-HCH (-32.1 ± 0.1‰). The similarity of the isotope ratio measurements of bulk α-HCH by EA-IRMS and GC-C-IRMS indicates the accuracy of the chiral GC-C-IRMS method. The linearity of the α-HCH ESIA method shows that carbon isotope ratios can be obtained for a signal size above 100 mV. The ESIA measurements exhibited standard deviations (2σ) that were mostly < ± 0.5‰. In order to test the chiral GC-C-IRMS method, the isotope compositions of individual enantiomers in biodegradation experiments of α-HCH with Clostridium pasteurianum and samples from a contaminated field site were determined. The isotopic compositions of the α-HCH enantiomers show a range of enantiomeric and isotope patterns, suggesting that enantiomeric and isotope fractionation can serve as an indicator for biodegradation and source characterization of α-HCH in the environment.     

Measurement of 13C and 15N isotope labeling by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry to study amino acid fluxes in a plant-microbe symbiotic association

We have developed a method based on a double labeling with stable isotopes and gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analyses to study amino acid exchange in a symbiotic plant-microbe association. Isotopic precision was studied for 21 standards including 15 amino acid derivatives, three N-protected amino acid methyl esters, three amines and one international standard. High correlations were observed between the δ(13)C and δ(15)N values obtained by GC/C/IRMS and those obtained by an elemental analyzer (EA) coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (R(2) = 0.9868 and 0.9992, respectively). The mean precision measured was 0.04‰ for δ(13)C and 0.28‰ for δ(15)N (n = 15). This method was applied in vivo to the symbiotic relationship between alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and N(2)-fixing bacteria. Plants were simultaneously labeled over 10 days with (13)C-depleted CO(2) ((12)CO(2)), which was assimilated through photosynthesis by leaves, and (15)N(2) fixed via nodules. Subsequently, the C and N isotope compositions (i.e. δ(13)C and δ(15)N) of free amino acids were analyzed in leaves and nodules by GC/C/IRMS. The method revealed the pattern of C and N exchange between leaves and nodules, highlighting that γ-aminobutanoic acid and glycine may represent an important form of C transport from leaves to the nodules. The results confirmed the validity, reliability and accuracy of the method for assessing C and N fluxes between plants and symbiotic bacteria and support the use of this technique in a broad range of metabolic and fluxomic studies.     

Stable isotope profiles of nitrogen gas indicate denitrification in oxygen-stratified humic lakes

Mid-summer N(2) profiles were analyzed from nine oxygen-stratified, humic-acid-rich lakes using a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer and a Gasbench II device. Sample preparation steps were performed under water to avoid air contamination. The instrument precision for the δ(15)N measurement was high (0.03‰), but for the whole sampling and analysis procedure the mean deviation between replicate samples was 0.13‰ for the δ(15)N measurements and 5.5% for the N(2) gas concentration analysis. The results show that the Gasbench peripheral was suitable for measurement of the (15)N natural abundance of dissolved nitrogen gas, with denitrification indicated by the oversaturation and slightly (<1‰) depleted δ(15)N values of the dissolved N(2) gas in the suboxic zones of some of the study lakes. Calculated values for the denitrified (excess) N(2) varied between -5.3 and 0.7‰. The denitrification potential was determined using the (15)N tracer method, with results showing nitrate-inducible denitrification and no signs of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox).     

An improved method of ion exchange for nitrogen isotope analysis of water nitrate

Nitrate nitrogen and oxygen isotopes have been widely used to trace the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle by identifying NO(3)(-) sources. An improved method of anion exchange was developed to measure δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) in fresh water by continuous-flow elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS). We used a custom-built exchange resin column, a peristaltic pump and the oven-drying method in our experiments. Consequently, the amount of Ag(2)O used as a neutralizer was reduced, time was saved, and operation became simpler than before. Meanwhile, analytical precision remained identical to previous studies. KNO(3) solutions were prepared at 0.2, 5 and 25 mg-N L(-1) from KNO(3) standard salt (δ(15)N=+6.27‰), and the average δ(15)N values of the solutions after having been absorbed on and subsequently stripped from anion columns were +6.62±0.22‰ (n=6), +6.38±0.09‰ (n=6), and +6.26±0.07‰ (n=6), respectively. In addition, the "natural" water sample δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) showed consistency in comparison to standards, and the mean standard deviation by the different approaches was 0.08‰. Accordingly, by these improvements the anion exchange resin technique is demonstrated to be more suitable for measuring δ(15)N in NO(3)(-) than original techniques.     

Practical recommendations for the reduction of memory effects in compound-specific 15N/14N-ratio analysis of enriched amino acids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) is a highly sensitive approach which allows the analysis of the (13)C/(12)C and (15)N/(14)N isotope composition of amino acids in the range of natural abundance or in slightly (13)C- and (15)N-enriched samples. However, the accuracy of measurements remains a permanent challenge. Here we show the effect of the presence of slightly (15)N-enriched compounds in physiological samples on the accuracy and reproducibility of (15)N-abundances of amino acids within or between analytical runs. We spiked several individual amino acids with the respective (15)N-labelled isotopomer and measured the (15)N/(14)N ratios of other amino acids in the same sample or in the following analytical runs. Intra- and inter-run memory effects can be observed in (15)N/(14)N ratios of amino acids. Sample throughput is reduced when cleaning runs using standard mixtures are required to restore initial conditions after runs of samples with (15)N-enriched analytes. Possible reasons for the observed phenomenon and its implications for work in the lower (15)N-enrichment range (<0.5 APE) are discussed and include different aspects of gas chromatography, derivatisation, and hot catalytic metal surface effects. Results need to be interpreted with caution if complex physiological samples contain (15)N-enriched amino acids beyond 500‰ δ(15)N (~0.18 APE).     

A pilot study for the intrinsic labeling of egg proteins with 15N and 13C

The aim of this study was to produce intrinsically and uniformly doubly (15)N-(13)C-labeled proteins. These proteins can be used as intrinsic tracers of dietary amino acids, both α-amino groups and carbon skeletons, during postprandial metabolic utilization. Two (Rhodes) laying hens were fed for 16 days with a standard poultry diet supplemented with 0, 0.2% or 0.4% of a mixture of 20 doubly (15)N-(13)C-labeled AAs. A third hen was given a non-enriched diet, as the control. The eggs laid were collected over 24 days, from 3 days before to 4 days after supplementation. The (15)N and (13)C enrichments in proteins from white and yolk were measured by EA-IRMS and GC-C-IRMS for enrichment in individual amino acids. After 10 days of supplementation, the (15)N enrichment reached an isotopic plateau at 1500 to 3000 ‰, depending on the supplementation level, in both white and yolk while the (13)C enrichment was 220 to 650 ‰ in white and was 100 to 250 ‰ in yolk. The (15)N enrichment was similar among the amino acids, except for the aromatic ones in which the enrichment was lower. The δ(13)C values were variable among amino acids in both white and yolk, ranging from 77 ‰ for tyrosine to 555 ‰ for proline with the 0.2 % supplementation level. In conclusion, the incorporation of 0.2 % labeled amino acids in the hen diet allowed us to achieve sufficient enrichment for metabolic studies. However, due to the non-homogeneity of the (13)C labeling, adequate (13)C enrichment of individual amino acids must be considered depending on the investigated metabolic pathway.     

Determination of the natural abundance δ15N of taurine by gas chromatography-isotope ratio measurement mass spectrometry

The measurement of the nitrogen isotope ratio of taurine (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid) in biological samples has a large number of potential applications. Taurine is a small water-soluble molecule which is notoriously difficult to analyze due to its polarity and functionality. A method is described which allows the determination of the natural abundance δ(15)N values of taurine and structural analogues, such as 3-amino-1-propanesulphonic acid (APSA), by isotope ratio mass spectrometry interfaced to gas chromatography (GC-irm-MS). The one-step protocol exploits the simultaneous derivatization of both functionalities of these aminosulphonic acids by reaction with triethylorthoacetate (TEOA). Conditions have been established which ensure quantitative reaction thus avoiding any nitrogen isotope fractionation during derivatization and workup. The differences in the δ(15)N values of derivatized and non-derivatized taurine and APSA all fall within the working range of 0.4‰ (-0.02 to 0.39‰). When applied to four sources of taurine with various δ(15)N values, the method achieved excellent reproducibility and accuracy. The optimized method enables the determination of the natural abundance δ(15)N values of taurine over the concentration range 1.5-7.84 μmol.mL(-1) in samples of biological origin.     

Precise and accurate compound-specific carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of RDX by GC-IRMS

A new analytical method is presented for the compound-specific carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis of a thermo-labile nitramine explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by gas chromatograph coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-IRMS). Two main approaches were used to minimise thermal decomposition of the compound during gas chromatographic separation: programmed temperature vaporisation (PTV) as an injection technique and a high-temperature ramp rate during the GC run. δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of RDX measured by GC-IRMS and elemental analyser (EA)-IRMS were in good agreement within a standard deviation of 0.3‰ and 0.4‰ for nitrogen and carbon, respectively. Application of the method for the isotope analysis of RDX during alkaline hydrolysis at 50°C revealed isotope fractionation factors ε _carbon?=??7.8‰ and ε _nitrogen?=??5.3‰.     

Nitrogen isotopic analyses by isotope-ratio-monitoring gas chromatography / mass spectrometry

Amino acids containing natural-abundance levels of ¹⁵N were derivatized and analyzed isotopically using a technique in which individual compounds are separated by gas chromatography, combusted on-line, and the product stream sent directly to an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. For samples of N₂ gas, standard deviations of ratio measurement were better than 0.1‰ (Units for δ are parts per thousand or per million (‰).) for samples larger than 400 pmol and better than 0.5‰ for samples larger than 25 pmol (0.1‰ ¹⁵N is equivalent to 0.00004 atom % ¹⁵N). Results duplicated those of conventional, batchwise analyses to within 0.05‰. For combustion of organic compounds yielding CO₂/N₂ ratios between 14 and 28, in particular for N-acetyl n-propyl derivatives of amino acids, δ values were within 0.25‰ of results obtained using conventional techniques and standard deviations were better than 0.35‰. Pooled data for measurements of all amino acids produced an accuracy and precision of 0.04 and 0.23‰, respectively, when 2 mnol of each amino acid was injected on column and 20% of the stream of combustion products was delivered to the mass spectrometer.