Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of volatile constituents in saliva

Present methods for the development of metabolic profiles are limited to the use of headspace techniques and solvent extraction methods. A new method for the development of saliva profiles which provides information complementary to existing analyses has been developed. The results of the developed methodology provide a reliable, reproducible method for metabolic profiling. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the volatile constituents provided positive identification of 39 compounds. Application of the developed protocol toward the investigation of saliva as a vehicle for the non-invasive detection of certain pathological states, specifically diabetes mellitus and liver disorders, may be possible.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of volatile compounds in oak wood used for ageing of wines and spirits

Summary Characterization of French oak samples used in the ageing of wines and spirits can be achieved by determination of the composition of their volatile fraction. Soxhlet extraction and simultaneous extraction-distillation have been used to obtain different voltatile fractions. analysis of these fractions by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry enables tentative identification of up to ninety six components including phenols, furans, terpenes, acids, esters, and lactones. The results obtained depend on the method and solvent used.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric detection of trace amounts of organic compounds in the intravenous solution Infusio Darrowi.

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric procedure was employed to confirm the presence of trace amounts of organic compounds in the intravenous solution Infusio Darrowi. Organic contaminants in the solution analysed were concentrated by microextraction with n-pentane. The main compounds detected were 2,6-di-tert.-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2,6-di-tert.-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert.-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, benzothiazole, isomeric C9 alkyl phenols and di(n-butyl) phthalate. These impurities were leached from rubber stoppers during their sterilization into the intravenous solution at levels ranging ca. from 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-8) g/l.     

Use of 2,2-dimethoxypropane for the direct gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of some organic compounds in water

The well known reaction between 2,2-dimethoxypropane and water allows for the conversion of an aqueous into an organic solution ready to be injected directly into a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) system. Only time, temperature and water/ketal ratio were the parameters studied among those which influence the equilibrium reaction. The reaction environment is not suitable for all compounds: acids, esters, alcohols, amines, ketones and phenols may react with methanol, acetone and ketal owing to Amberlyst being present as catalyst. This method is proposed for the GC-MS analysis of aqueous solutions containing hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and ethers. The determination of some pesticides in water is reported.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric characterization of flavanones in citrus and grape juices.

A method for the characterization of flavanones in fruit juices, involving solvent extraction, hydrolysis to the corresponding aglycones, trimethylsilylation and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, is reported. The application of the method is demonstrated for the analysis of orange, lemon, grapefruit and grape juices.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of urban-related aquatic and airborne volatile organic compounds. Study of the extracts obtained by water closed-loop stripping and air adsorption with charcoal and polyurethane foam

The distribution of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in urban-influenced air and river waters was investigated. The aquatic VOC were extracted with the closed-loop stripping technique (CLST) and the airborne compounds were studied using two methods, charcoal and polyurethane foam adsorption. In both types of samples, C1-C5 alkylbenzenes and n-alkanes constitute the two major VOC groups, and the presence of these groups indicates a predominance of petroleum products in these two environmental compartments. Chlorinated compounds such as polychlorobenzenes, polychloronaphthalenes and hexachlorobutadiene are abundant in water samples, whereas tetrachloroethene is the predominant chlorinated airborne VOC. The compounds collected with each sampling system can be described in terms of ranges of volatility. These ranges (expressed as mmHg vapour pressure at 25 degrees C) can be defined approximately as 140 (methylcyclopentane)-0.65 (n-undecane) for charcoal, 5.1 (n-nonane)-0.000061 (n-docosane) for polyurethane foam and 29 (toluene)-0.000029 (n-eicosane) for the CLST. Parallel air sampling with charcoal and polyurethane foam is therefore needed to cover a VOC range similar to that afforded by the CLST in water.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of hydrophilic compounds in environmental water by solid-phase extraction with activated carbon fiber felt

Simple gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of hydrophilic organic compounds in environmental water was developed. A cartridge containing activated carbon fiber felt was made by way of trial and was evaluated for solid-phase extraction of the compounds in water. The hydrophilic compounds investigated were acrylamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, 1,4-dioxane, furfural, furfuryl alcohol, N-nitrosodiethylamine and N-nitrosodimethylamine. Overall recoveries were good (80-100%) from groundwater and river water. The relative standard deviations ranged from 4.5 to 16% for the target compounds. The minimum detectable concentrations were 0.02 to 0.03 microg/l. This method was successfully applied to several river water samples.     

Determination of volatile organic compounds in different microenvironments by multibed adsorption and short-path thermal desorption followed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis

A multiphase assurance approach was developed for the accurate and precise determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different microenvironments. This approach includes (i) development of a method including adsorption of VOCs onto a multisorbent media followed by short-path thermal desorption (SPTD) pre-concentration and gas chromatography (GC) coupled to a mass spectrometry (MS) quantification, (ii) validation of the sampling and analytical method and (iii) validation of the data using a multidimensional procedure. Tenax TA and Carbopack B sorbent combinations were used to collect 102 individual VOCs ranging from C5 to C12. Method parameters including thermal desorption temperature, desorption time and cryofocusing temperature were optimized. The average recoveries and method detection limits (MDL) for the target analytes were in the range 80-100% and 0.01-0.14 ppbv, respectively. The method also showed good linearity (R2 > 0.99) and precision (<8%) values. Validation of the method was performed under real environmental conditions at a gas station, in an office and a residential household to examine the influence of variation in meteorological conditions such as temperature and relative humidity and a wide range of VOC concentrations. The sampling and analytical method resulted in successful determination of VOC in different microenvironments. Finally, validation of the data was performed by assessing fingerprint and time series plots and correlation matrices together with meteorological parameters such as mixing height, wind speed and temperature. The data validation procedure provided detection of both faulty data and air pollution episodes.     

Direct thermal extraction and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of volatile compounds of extra-virgin olive oils

The instrumental performances of a Thermo Desorption-Cooled Injection System coupled with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) were improved by a Plackett-Burman experimental design for the direct thermal extraction of volatile compounds from extra-virgin olive oils. The obtained experimental conditions were applied to the analysis of samples from West Liguria (cv. Taggiasca > or = 90%) and Spain (cv. Arbequina), which shared such similar sensorial features that Taste Panel did not distinguish them. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then applied to the experimental data. Three linear combinations of the amounts of the lipoxygenase oxidation products proved to be decisive and sufficient in the differentiation of the two groups of samples.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of tar compounds formed during pyrolysis of rice husks

Pyrolysis of agricultural waste to produce fuel gas involves formation of tars as noxious by-products. In this paper the qualitative analysis of tars formed during pyrolysis of rice husks is presented, based on identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and interpolation of retention times on a polyaromatic hydrocarbon index scale. The influence of some reaction parameters on product formation is briefly discussed.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric profile of organic acids in urine and serum of diabetic ketotic patients

The organic acids in the urine and serum of diabetic patients with ketoacidosis and disturbance of consciousness were studied using acidification, extraction, evaporation, methoxime formation and trimethylsilylation, gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric identification procedures. The organic acid profile of 1 ml of serum ultrafiltrate was obtained with good separation using a gas chromatograph equipped with a glass capillary column and a splitless injector. 5-Hydroxyhexanoic acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid were identified for the first time in the urine of diabetic patients with ketoacidosis. Urinary excretion and serum concentrations of 2,3-dideoxypentonic acid were increased in diabetic patients.     

Continuous-flow microextraction and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in water

A new method of the determination polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water samples was developed by continuous-flow microextraction (CFME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this experiment, 15 mL sample solution with no salt-added was flowed at the rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹ through 3 μL benzene as extraction solvent. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the developed method was found to yield a linear calibration curve in the concentration range from 0.05 to 15 ng mL⁻¹. Furthermore, the accuracy and repeatability of the method were good by calculating from water samples spiked at known concentrations of PAHs, and the recovery of optimal method was satisfactory. The results showed that CFME was an efficient preconcentration method for extraction of PAHs from spiked water samples.     

Headspace gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of light hydrocarbons and volatile organosulphur compounds in reduced-pressure cultures of Clostridium

A static headspace gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous separation of trace light hydrocarbons and volatile organosulphur compounds in gases of nineteen Clostridium cultures at reduced pressure is described. The separation was achieved on n-octane-Porasil C after sampling of the gaseous compounds in a PTFE loop without any pretreatment. Most peaks were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of methane and ethylene sulphide among Clostridium volatiles is confirmed and 3-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene, dimethyl trisulphide and S-methyl thioacetate are reported for the first time in the Clostridium group.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of some potential toxicants amongst volatile compounds emitted during large-scale thermal degradation of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) plastic

A number of compounds emitted during the thermal degradation of plastics are potentially toxic. This study was aimed at identifying the volatile compounds emitted during large-scale thermal degradation of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene). About 5 g of the sample were degraded at between 25 and 470 degrees C in air and nitrogen in a device that can simulate temperature-programmed thermogravimetry. The volatiles were collected in dichloromethane using the solvent trap technique. Some of the 92 compounds identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were found to have no hitherto documented toxicological profiles, even though they are potentially dangerous.     

Gas purge microsyringe extraction for quantitative direct gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of volatile and semivolatile chemicals

Sample pretreatment before chromatographic analysis is the most time consuming and error prone part of analytical procedures, yet it is a key factor in the final success of the analysis. A quantitative and fast liquid phase microextraction technique termed as gas purge microsyringe extraction (GP-MSE) has been developed for simultaneous direct gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of volatile and semivolatile chemicals without cleanup process. Use of a gas flowing system, temperature control and a conventional microsyringe greatly increased the surface area of the liquid phase micro solvent, and led to quantitative recoveries of both volatile and semivolatile chemicals within short extraction time of only 2 min. Recoveries of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and alkylphenols (APs) determined were 85-107%, and reproducibility was between 2.8% and 8.5%. In particular, the technique shows high sensitivity for semivolatile chemicals which is difficult to achieve in other sample pretreatment techniques such as headspace-liquid phase microextraction. The variables affecting extraction efficiency such as gas flow rate, extraction time, extracting solvent type, temperature of sample and extracting solvent were investigated. Finally, the technique was evaluated to determine PAHs, APs and OCPs from plant and soil samples. The experimental results demonstrated that the technique is economic, sensitive to both volatile and semivolatile chemicals, is fast, simple to operate, and allows quantitative extraction. On-site monitoring of volatile and semivolatile chemicals is now possible using this technique due to the simplification and speed of sample treatment.     

固相微萃取-气相色谱质谱法联用测定水体中痕量多环麝香类化合物

采用固相微萃取-气相色谱质谱法联用测定了水体中痕量多环麝香类化合物。对固相微萃取条件和解析条件进行了优化,确定了微萃取条件为:选用65μmPDMS-DVB萃取头、顶空萃取模式(HS),在800 r/min,60℃条件下,萃取45 min;萃取过程中保持pH 7并且不加入NaCl;解析条件为:解析时间为3 min,插入GC深度为4 cm,进样口温度为250℃。方法的检测限为0.29～0.37 ng/L,线性范围5～1000ng/L,相对标准偏差1.5%～2.2%。对实际污水厂不同类型的水样使用优化后的实验条件进行了验证试验,目标化合物的回收率在82.5%～92.8%之间,表明优化后的试验条件适用于实际水体中痕量多环麝香类化合物的分析测定。     

Isolation and preconcentration of volatile organic compounds from water

Methods for the isolation and/or concentration of volatile organic compounds from water samples for trace organic analysis by gas chromatography are reviewed. The following basic groups of methods are discussed: liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption on solid sorbents, extraction with gas (gas stripping and static and dynamic headspace techniques) and membrane processes. The theoretical bases of these methods are discussed. Experimental arrangements for the isolation and/or concentration of volatile compounds from water are presented and discussed with respect to their efficiency. The applicability of the described methods to the isolation and/or concentration of various organic compounds from waters of various origins is discussed.