Tutorial review on validation of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methods: Part I

This is the part I of a tutorial review intending to give an overview of the state of the art of method validation in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and discuss specific issues that arise with MS (and MS/MS) detection in LC (as opposed to the “conventional” detectors). The Part I briefly introduces the principles of operation of LC–MS (emphasizing the aspects important from the validation point of view, in particular the ionization process and ionization suppression/enhancement); reviews the main validation guideline documents and discusses in detail the following performance parameters: selectivity/specificity/identity, ruggedness/robustness, limit of detection, limit of quantification, decision limit and detection capability. With every method performance characteristic its essence and terminology are addressed, the current status of treating it is reviewed and recommendations are given, how to determine it, specifically in the case of LC–MS methods.     

Sensor–actuator system for dynamic chloride ion determination

Chloride is a crucial anion for various analytical applications from biological to environmental applications. In order to measure the chloride ion concentration, a measurement system is needed which can detect this concentration for prolonged times reliably. Chronopotentiometry is a technique which does not need a long term stable reference electrode and is therefore very suitable for prolonged ion concentration measurements. As the used electrode might be fouled by reaction products, this work focuses on a chronopotentiometric approach with a separated sensing electrode (sensor) and actuating electrode (actuator). Both actuation and sensor electrode are made of Ag/AgCl. A constant current is applied to the actuator and will start the reaction between Ag and Clˉ, while the resulting Clˉ ion concentration change is observed through the sensor, which is placed close to the actuator. The time it takes to locally deplete the Clˉ ions is called transition time. Experiments were performed to verify the feasibility of this approach. The performed experiments show that the sensor detects the local concentration changes resulting from the current applied to the actuator. A linear relation between the Clˉ ion concentration and the square root of the transition time was observed, just as was predicted by theory. The calibration curves for different chips showed that both a larger sensor and a larger distance between sensor and actuator resulted in a larger time delay between the transition time detected at the actuator and the sensor.     

Analytical capabilities of high performance liquid chromatography – Atmospheric pressure photoionization – Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC-APPI-Orbitrap-MS) for the trace determination of novel and emerging flame retardants in fish

A new analytical method was established and validated for the analysis of 27 brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including so called “emerging” and “novel” BFRs (EBFRs and NBFRs) in fish samples. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Orbitrap-MS) employing atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) interface operated in negative mode was used for the identification/quantitation of contaminants. HPLC-Orbitrap-MS analysis provided a fast separation of selected analytes within 14 min, thus demonstrating a high throughput processing of samples. The developed methodology was tested by intralaboratory validation in terms of recovery, repeatability, linear calibration ranges, instrumental and method limits of quantitation (i-LOQ and m-LOQ), and where possible, trueness was verified by analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs). Recoveries of analytes were between 80 and 119%, while the repeatability in terms of relative standard deviations (RSDs) was in the range from 1.2 to 15.5%. The measured values for both analyzed CRMs agreed with the provided consensus values, revealing the recovery of reference concentrations in 72–119% range. The elaborated method met the sensitivity criterion according to Commission Recommendation 2014/118/EU on monitoring of BFRs in food products for majority of the compounds. The concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in real samples determined by HPLC-APPI-Orbitrap-MS method and validated gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS) method were found to be in a good agreement.     

Profiling monoterpenol glycoconjugation in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Muscat of Alexandria using a novel putative compound database approach,high resolution mass spectrometry and collision induced dissociation fragmentation analysis

In this work we present a novel approach for the identification of plant metabolites using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to accurate mass time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The workflow involves developing an in-house compound database consisting of exact masses of previously identified as well as putative compounds. The database is used to screen accurate mass spectrometry (MS) data to identify possible compound matches. Subsequent tandem MS data is acquired for possible matches and used for structural elucidation. The methodology is applied to profile monoterpene glycosides in Vitis vinifera cv. Muscat of Alexandria grape berries over three developmental stages. Monoterpenes are a subclass of terpenes, the largest class of plant secondary metabolites, and are found in two major forms in the plant, “bound” to one or more sugar moieties or “free” of said sugar moieties. In the free form, monoterpenes are noted for their fragrance and play important roles in plant defense and as attractants for pollinators. However, glycoconjugation renders these compounds odorless, and it is this form that the plant uses for monoterpene storage. In order to gain insight into monoterpene biochemistry and their fate in the plant an analysis of intact glycosides is essential. Eighteen monoterpene glycosides were identified including a monoterpene trisaccharide glycoside, which is tentatively identified here for this first time in any plant. Additionally, while previous studies have identified monoterpene malonylated glucosides in other grapevine tissue, we tentatively identify them for the first time in grape berries. This analytical approach can be readily applied to other plants and the workflow approach can also be used for other classes of compounds. This approach, in general, provides researchers with data to support the identification of putative compounds, which is especially useful when no standard is available.     

Experimental and theoretical study of thermodynamic properties of levoglucosan

The heat capacity of levoglucosan was measured over the temperature range (5 to 370) K by adiabatic calorimetry. The temperatures and enthalpies of a solid-phase transition and fusion for the compound were found by DSC. The obtained results allowed us to calculate thermodynamic properties of crystalline levoglucosan in the temperature range (0 to 384) K. The enthalpy of sublimation for the low-temperature crystal phase was found from the temperature-dependent saturated vapor pressures determined by the Knudsen effusion method. The thermodynamic properties of gaseous levoglucosan were calculated by methods of statistical thermodynamics using the molecular parameters from quantum chemical calculations. The enthalpy of formation of the crystalline compound was found from the experiments in a combustion calorimeter. The gas-phase enthalpy of formation was also obtained at the G4 level of theory. The thermodynamic analysis of equilibria of levoglucosan formation from cellulose, starch, and glucose was conducted.     

Addendum to “Volumetric properties of binary liquid-phase mixture of (water + glycerol) at temperatures of (278.15 to 323.15) K and pressures of (0.1 to 100) MPa” [J. Chem. Thermodyn. 79 (2014) 135–158]: Effect of pressure on excess thermodynamic characteristics of mixture water + glycerol

Experimentally determined volumetric properties of the liquid binary mixture of {water (1) + glycerol (2)} were processed to calculate the changes of the following thermodynamic parameters with pressure: excess molar Gibbs free energy, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{P_o\to P}{G}_m^E$, excess molar entropy, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{P_o\to P}{S}_m^E$, excess molar enthalpy, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{P_o\to P}{H}_m^E$, as well as the enthalpy of mixing of water and glycerol, $H_m^E$, at 100 MPa. The mixing enthalpies of water and glycerol, $H_m^E$, became more exothermic with pressure increasing at all temperatures studied.     

表面解吸常压化学电离质谱法直接分析牙齿微区表面

采用纳升取样表面解吸常压化学电离质谱法(nano-SDAPCI-MS)结合主成分分析(PCA),建立了一种采用具有微米级针尖的金属取样针直接对龋齿不同部位取样并进行快速质谱分析的方法.数据分析结果表明,同一颗龋齿不同部位的质谱指纹谱图之间存在差异;在不需要样品预处理的前提下通过串联质谱快速测定了龋齿中的乳酸、丙酮酸、苯乙酸和丙酸等成分.采用PCA方法可较好地将龋齿病灶位置与邻近正常组织进行区分,也可对不同牙病及健康牙齿进行区分.本方法可方便地对牙齿进行直接微区分析,为鉴别牙齿疾病及观测治疗效果提供了一种快速、简单的方法,为生物体中微细部位的快速取样及直接质谱分析提供了一种可能的解决方案.     

The banded spherulites of iPP induced by pressure vibration injection molding

Isotactic polypropylene(i PP) samples obtained by pressure vibration injection molding(PVIM) and conventional injection molding(CIM) were studied by polarized-light microscopy(PLM), respectively. It was found that the alternating bright and dark banded spherulites were generated in the transitional region of PVIM parts. It is the first time that the banded spherulites of isotactic polypropylene were observed in polymer processing. What's more, the banded spherulites were proved to be constituted of ?-form crystal by hot stage polarized-light microscopy(HT-PLM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD). Morphology of the banded spherulites was also studied by scaning electronical microscopy(SEM).     

静态法和动态法测量乙醇饱和蒸气压的比较

物质的蒸气压是化学、化工、冶金、医药等领域的重要基础数据。测量饱和蒸气压是大学物理化学实验教学中的一个基础实验,测量方法主要有静态法和动态法,但两种方法的比较尚未见报道。本文通过比较,得出了两种方法的优缺点以及注意事项。     

共沸点存在的充分条件

以纯液体蒸气压和亨利系数为出发点,讨论了二组分气液相图存在共沸点的充分条件。结合纯液体蒸气压和亨利系数的物理意义,对共沸点存在的条件进行了说明。