Simultaneous analysis of thirteen diuretics residues in bovine milk by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid, sensitive and specific method used to screen and confirm multi-class diuretics residues in whole bovine milk is described. Thirteen drugs of four different classes including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop, thiazide and potassium-sparing diuretics were extracted from whole milk by acetonitrile followed by further purification with hexane. The analytes were separated using an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column and detected by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). MS data acquisition was performed by a time-scheduled multiple reaction monitoring program, selecting two ion transitions for each target compound. The overall average recoveries based on matrix-fortified curves fortified with diuretics at three levels ranged from 80.6 to 108.8% with the coefficients of variation ranging from 2.6 to 19.7% (n = 6). The limits of quantitation (LOQs) of diuretics in bovine milk were 5.0 microg/kg for spironolactone and 0.5 microg/kg for other analytes, respectively.     

Simultaneous determination of 24 sulfonamide residues in meat by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The present study used the liquid extraction pretreatment method and developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of 24 kinds of sulfonamide residues in meat. The meat samples were homogenized, extracted and deproteinized by acetonitrile, defatted by n-hexane, and further liquid-liquid extracted by ethyl acetate. All of 24 sulfonamide residues were simultaneously separated and determined by UPLC-MS/MS within 15 min. The sulfonamide residues were monitored via the ESI(+) ionization method and quantified by six-channel multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The calibrations were performed in sample matrixes by the isotope dilution method and the interference effect of sample matrixes on the ionization was effectively eliminated. Good linear relationship (R(2)=0.991-0.999) was observed within the concentration range of 0.2-50 microg/kg. Satisfied recoveries (67.8-113.9%) of all the sulfonamides were demonstrated in different standard-spiked levels except sulfanitran (SNT). The analytical category, separation speed, selectivity, sensitivity and repeatability of sulfonamides using UPLC-MS/MS were significantly improved compared to other analytical methods. Quantitative results of 240 meat samples demonstrated that the present method has a convenient operation and good practicability, which can be applied to the quantitative analysis of a large number of samples.     

Rapid determination of fosetyl-aluminum residues in lettuce by liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes a new method for the sensitive and selective determination of fosetyl-aluminum (Al) residues in vegetable samples. The method involves extraction with water by using a high-speed blender and subsequent injection of the 5-fold diluted extract into the liquid chromatograph. Fosetyl-Al is determined by liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry after the addition of tetrabutylammonium acetate as the ion-pairing reagent. The method has been used to assay lettuce samples spiked at 2 and 0.2 mg/kg. Recoveries were satisfactory, with mean values of 98 and 106%, respectively, and relative standard deviations were < 10%. The limit of quantitation was 0.2 mg/kg, and the limit of detection was as low as 0.05 mg/kg. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantitation, and the addition of an internal standard improved repeatability. The developed method allows the accurate and rapid determination of low levels of fosetyl-Al residues in lettuce with very little sample handling and good sensitivity; it was shown to be robust by the analysis of almost 100 samples.     

Simultaneous determination of phoxim and its photo-transformation metabolite residues in eggs using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The principal objective of this study was to develop an appropriate, sensitive, and selective method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of phoxim and its photo-transformation product, O,O-diethyl α-cyanobenzylideneamino-thiophosphonate (DCTP) in both chicken and quail eggs. Eggs (1 g) were blended with anhydrous magnesium sulfate (1 g) for sample pretreatment and extracted with acetonitrile. The extracts were then further purified with SPE silica gel tubes deactivated with trimethylamine. Residues were analyzed via a reversed phase-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RP-LC-MS/MS) in positive-ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mode. Tebufenozide was utilized as an internal standard for the quantification of phoxim and its metabolite residues. The identification and quantification of analytes were based on ion transitions monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). LC-MS/MS analysis was performed from 0.02 to 1 mg kg⁻¹ and correlation coefficients (r²) ranging from 0.998 to 0.999 were obtained for both analytes in blank egg extracts. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra- and inter-day variations ranged from 2.1% to 6.7% and from 2.8% to 6.4% for phoxim and DCTP in chicken and quail eggs. At all levels of fortification (0.02, 0.05, and 0.125 mg kg⁻¹), the recoveries fell within a range of 81.3% to 93.6% for phoxim and 83.3% to 90.1% for DCTP. The matrix effect was <2%, due to the partial dilution of the sample. Decision limits (CCα) and detection capabilities (CCβ) were in the range of 0.0005-0.0044 and 0.0054-0.0224 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The method was evaluated further by analyzing real samples purchased from markets. All chicken and quail egg samples were free from residues of the target compounds.     

液相色谱-串联四极杆质谱法测定牛奶中128种农药残留

建立了牛奶中128种农药残留的液相色谱-串联质谱检测方法。10 mL牛奶用20 mL乙腈(加4 g硫酸镁和1 g氯化钠)振荡提取两次,上清液浓缩后经C18固相萃取柱(2000 mg填料)净化以除去提取液中的亲脂性化合物等干扰杂质,洗脱液浓缩至约0.5 mL后,于45 ℃下用氮气吹干,加1 mL乙腈-水(体积比为3:2)定容,超声溶解30 s,经0.2 μm微孔滤膜过滤,液相色谱-电喷雾串联质谱测定。2倍检出限和8倍检出限两个添加水平的5次平行实验结果表明: 128种农药在低添加水平(0.14 μg/L～0.62 mg/L)下回收率范围为60.4%～118.4%,相对标准偏差为2.1%～24.3%;高添加水平(0.56 μg/L～2.48 mg/L)下的回收率范围为64.4%～118.5%,相对标准偏差为1.3%～24.1%。各种农药在确定的添加范围内线性关系良好,相关系数高于0.99,方法的检出限(LOD)为0.07 μg/L～0.31 mg/L。该方法通用性强、选择性好、灵敏度高,快速简便。     

Analyses of macrolide antibiotic residues in eggs, raw milk, and honey using both ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Two liquid chromatography mass spectrometric techniques, i.e. ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-Tof MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), were used for quantification, confirmation or identification of six macrolide antibiotic residues and/or their degradation products in eggs, raw milk, and/or honey. Macrolides were extracted from food samples by acetonitrile or phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 8.0), and sample extracts were further cleaned up using solid-phase extraction cartridges. UPLC/Q-Tof data were acquired in Tof MS full scan mode that allowed both quantification and confirmation of macrolides, and identification of their degradation products. LC/MS/MS data acquisition was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), i.e. two transitions, to provide a high degree of sensitivity and repeatability. Matrix-matched standard calibration curves with the use of roxithromycin as an internal standard were utilized to achieve the best accuracy of the method. Both techniques demonstrated good quantitative performance in terms of accuracy and repeatability. LC/MS/MS had advantages over UPLC/Q-Tof MS in that its limits of detection were lower and repeatability was somewhat better. UPLC/Q-Tof provided ultimate and unequivocal confirmation of positive findings, and allowed degradation product identification based on accurate mass. The combination of the two techniques can be very beneficial or complementary in routine analysis of macrolide antibiotic residues and their degradation products in food matrices to ensure the safety of food supply.     

Simultaneous determination of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A simple and highly sensitive liquid chromatographic/electrospray tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) assay was developed for the simultaneous determination of risperidone (RSP) and its major circulating metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RSP) in the plasma of humans and rats. A simple one-step solvent extraction with 15% methylene chloride in pentane was used to isolate the compounds from plasma. The compounds were eluted from a phenyl-hexyl column and detected with a Perkin-Elmer SCIEX API2000 triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive ion atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. The assay was linear over the range 0.1-100 ng ml(-1) when 0.5 ml of plasma was used in the extraction. The overall intra- (within-day) and inter- (between days) assay variations were < 11%. The variations in the concentrations of two long-term quality control samples from pooled patient plasma samples analyzed over a period of 6 months were approximately 10%. The analysis time for each sample was 4 min and more than 100 samples could be analyzed in one day by running the system overnight. The assay is simple, highly sensitive, selective, precise and fast. This method is being used for the therapeutic drug monitoring of schizophrenic patients treated with RSP and to study the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of RSP and 9-OH-RSP in rats.     

Fast determination of herbicides in waters by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid multiresidue method for the analysis of more than 40 herbicides (such as simazine, terbuthylazine and diuron) in waters has been developed and validated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS). Prior to chromatographic determination, the samples were extracted using a solid-phase extraction procedure. The analysis was performed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column using a gradient elution profile and a mobile phase consisting of methanol and an aqueous solution of formic acid (0.01%). Other chromatographic and MS/MS parameters were optimised in order to improve selectivity and sensitivity of the analytes. The analytes were detected using electrospray ionisation (ESI)-MS/MS in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), optimising parameters such as voltage cone, capillary voltage, source and desolvation temperature, and desolvation and cone gas flow. The optimised method provides a rapid separation (less than 10 min) of the selected herbicides in the assayed matrices, and it was validated by the analysis of spiked blank matrix samples. Good linearity was obtained and the repeatability of the method was less than 20% for the lowest calibration point. The limits of detection ranged from 0.002 to 0.02 microg/L, and the limits of quantification from 0.005 to 0.05 microg/L, which were below the values specified by the European Union. Finally, the method was successfully applied to real environmental samples from Andalusia (southern Spain). Terbuthylazine, simazine, atrazine desisopropyl and desethyl terbuthylazine were the herbicides most frequently found in water samples.     

Determination of lovastatin in human plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A fast and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of lovastatin in human plasma. With simvastatin as internal standard, sample pretreatment involved one-step extraction with n-hexane-methylene dichloride-isopropanol (20:10:1, v/v/v) of 0.5 mL plasma. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Acquity UPLC BEH C(18) column with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water (containing 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate; 85:15, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.35 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) via electrospray ionization source with positive mode. The analysis time was shorter than 1.7 min per sample. The standard curve was linear (r2>or=0.99) over the concentration range 0.025-50.0 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 0.025 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision values were below 11% and the accuracy (relative error) was within 6.0% at three quality control levels. This is the first method of MS with MRM coupled to UPLC for the determination of lovastatin, which showed great advantages of high sensitivity, selectivity and high sample throughput. It was fully validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of lovastatin tablets in healthy Chinese male volunteers after oral administration.     

Simultaneous determination of aminopyralid, clopyralid, and picloram residues in vegetables and fruits using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and effective method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of aminopyralid, clopyralid, and picloram in vegetables (eggplant, cucumber, and tomato) and fruits (apple and grape) was developed and validated using ultra-performance LC coupled with MS/MS. The three herbicides were successfully separated and independently confirmed in a single run. Different extraction and cleanup methods were used to optimize the pretreatment processes of the residue analysis method. The final method is straightforward and involves extraction with 1% formic acid-acetonitrile, and no complicated cleanup process is needed. Determination of the compounds was achieved within 3.0 min. Respective average recoveries using this method at four concentration levels (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) ranged from 66.5 to 109.4%, with RSDs in the range of 1.1-19.7% (n = 5) for all analytes. The LODs were below 0.010 mg/kg, and the LOQs did not exceed 0.036 mg/kg, which were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 0.5-5.0 mg/kg clopyralid in vegetables and fruits samples, as established by the European Union. This study provides a theoretical basis for China to develop MRLs and an analytical method for aminopyralid, clopyralid, and picloram in vegetables and fruits.     

Simultaneous determination of multi-component mycotoxin contaminants in foods and feeds by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The present study developed an improved analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of 17 kinds of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium mycotoxin contaminants in foods and feeds by ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) under the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, and especially focused on the optimization of extraction, clean-up, UPLC separation and MS/MS parameters of analytes. Homogenized samples were sequentially extracted by 84% (v/v) of acetonitrile aqueous solution with the selected internal standard (zearalanone) spiking, SPE clean-up with Mycosep 226 Aflazon+ Multifunctional cartridges, filtration, concentration and secondary filtration. Using double sample injection method, the analytes were separated by UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm x 2.1 mm I.D., 1.7 microm), and eluted with ammonium acetate/methanol and aqueous ammonia/methanol for the ESI+ and ESI- analysis, respectively. The 10 positive ions and 7 negative ions of mycotoxins were separated by gradient elution with the retention time of 6.5 and 4 min, respectively. The LOQ of selected analytes ranged from 0.01 to 0.70 microg kg(-1), which was lower than the criteria of EU, USA and other countries on the determination of the minimum limiting level of various mycotoxins in foods including baby foods and feed stuffs. Meanwhile, high correlation coefficients (r2>0.99) of 17 mycotoxins were obtained within their respective linear ranges (0.05-20 microg kg(-1) for 10 positive ions and 0.5-50 microg kg(-1) for 7 negative ions) and reasonable recoveries (70.6-119.0%) of them were also demonstrated in different spiked levels. This quantitative method has many advantages including simple pretreatment, rapid determination and high sensitivity, which could be applied to the determination and quantification of multi-component mycotoxin contaminants in complex matrixes. Meanwhile, the method successfully fulfilled the minimum limiting level requests from various countries.     

高效液相色谱串联质谱法测定牛奶中林可酰胺类和大环内酯类抗生素残留量的研究

建立了牛奶样品中洁霉素、氯洁霉素、红霉素、螺旋霉素、交沙霉素、泰乐菌素、竹桃霉素等7种林可酰胺类及大环内酯类药物残留量的确证方法。用乙腈萃取样品中7种林可酰胺类及大环内酯类抗生素,然后用正己烷脱脂,旋转蒸发仪浓缩,以Luna C18(2)色谱柱分离,在正离子模式下以电喷雾电离串联质谱仪进行测定。在20、50、200μg/kg 3个浓度水平进行验证试验,方法的线性范围为20~200μg/kg,总体平均回收率为74.5%~97.5%,相对标准偏差为2.7%~11.3%。该方法各项技术指标满足国内外法规的要求,可用于牛奶样品中林可酰胺类及大环内酯类抗生素残留量的确证检测。     

Simultaneous determination of betamethasone and dexamethasone residues in bovine liver by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

In this study a new method for the simultaneous confirmation of betamethasone and dexamethasone residues in bovine liver is presented. A Quattro LCZ triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, equipped with an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source, was coupled to a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) system. Spiked liver samples were first extracted with acetonitrile, and the extracts were purified on C-18 columns. LC separations were performed on a Hypercarb column, with acetonitrile/water (90:10, v/v, +0.3% formic acid) as the mobile phase. Retention times for dexa- and betamethasone were 6.60 and 8.50 min, respectively. Fluorometholone had a retention time of 6.70 min and was used as the internal standard. The detection of the analytes was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The assay was linear over the range of 0.5 to 8 microg/kg for both analytes. The estimated determination limits were 0.2 microg/kg for both beta- and dexamethasone and the quantification limits were 0.4 microg/kg for dexamethasone and 0.3 microg/kg for betamethasone. Analysis precision at 1, 2 and 4 microg/kg was lower than 6.1% (relative standard deviation, RSD) and accuracy was at least 97.5%. Recoveries at 1, 2 and 4 microg/kg ranged between 56 and 69%.     

Simultaneous determination of docetaxel and ketoconazole in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of docetaxel and ketoconazole in rat plasma with paclitaxel as internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma by using a liquid-liquid extraction technique with ethyl acetate and the LC separation was performed on a Cosmosil-C(18) analytical column (150 mm x 2.0 mm i.d., Nacalai Tesque Inc., Japan). The extracted samples were analyzed with LC/MS/MS, operating in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The SRM transitions of precursor ions to product ions were 830.3-->549.1 (m/z) for docetaxel, 531.2-->489.3 (m/z) for ketoconazole, and 876.7-->307.9 (m/z) for the IS. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 2-500 ng/mL for docetaxel and 50-20 000 ng/mL for ketoconazole, with coefficients of correlation above 0.999. The limits of quantification for docetaxel and ketoconazole were both 2 ng/mL. The limit of detection for each analyte was 1 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision (CV) of analysis were within 7%, and the accuracy ranged from 95 to 110%. The overall recoveries for docetaxel and ketoconazole were about 89.0% and 91.1%, respectively. The total analysis time was only 9.0 min. This quantitation method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of docetaxel and ketoconazole in rat plasma and some potential interaction was found in the current coadministration pharmacokinetic study. This established method was also utilized in the in vitro and in vivo drug-drug interaction study of docetaxel and ketoconazole (to be published).     

Quantitative determination of ochratoxin A by liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry of ochratoxin A (OTA) and B (OTB) under electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was studied. ESI offers higher sensitivities and less fragmentation than APCI. A sensitive LC/MS/MS method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in human plasma samples was developed. The absolute minimum detection limit was around 10-20 pg per injection, corresponding to 0.5 ppb in an injection equivalent to 20-40microg of human plasma. Ochratoxin B (OTB) was used as an internal standard and its absence in real-life samples was carefully checked before samples were spiked with the internal standard. It was found that these two ochratoxins are susceptible to sodium adduct formation. Fragment ions from the [M + H](+) and [M + Na](+) ions of both OTA and OTB were monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Three quantitative approaches, standard addition method, internal standard method (using ochratoxin B as an internal standard) and external standard method, were compared in the analysis of human blood plasma. Results from the mass spectrometric method were comparable to those from a conventional LC/fluorescence method. The LC/MS/MS method was also applied to the analysis of contaminated coffee samples.     

Simultaneous determination of water-soluble vitamins in selected food matrices by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, simple and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source for the simultaneous analysis of fourteen water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, two B3 vitamers, B5, five B6 vitamers, B8, B9, B12 and C) in various food matrices, i.e. maize flour, green and golden kiwi and tomato pulp, is presented here. Analytes were separated by ion-suppression reversed-phase liquid chromatography in less than 10 min and detected in positive ion mode. Sensitivity and specificity of this method allowed two important results to be achieved: (i) limits of detection of the analytes at ng g(-1) levels (except for vitamin C); (ii) development of a rapid sample treatment that minimizes analyte exposition to light, air and heat, eliminating any step of extract concentration. Analyte recovery depended on the type of matrix. In particular, recovery of the analytes in maize flour was > or =70%, with the exception of vitamin C, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and vitamin B9 (ca 40%); with tomato pulp, recovery was > or =64%, except for vitamin C (41%); with kiwi, recovery was > or =73%, except for nicotinamide (ca. 30%).     

Simultaneous analysis of twenty-one glucocorticoids in equine plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous separation, identification, quantification and confirmation of the presence of 21 glucocorticoids (GCC) in equine plasma by liquid chromatography coupled with triple stage quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC/TSQ-MS/MS) is described. Plasma sample augmented with the 21 GCC was extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and analyzed by positive electrospray ionization. Desoxymetasone or dichlorisone acetate was used as the internal standard (IS). Quantification was performed by IS calibration. For each drug, one major product ion was chosen and used for screening for that drug. Analyte confirmation was performed by using the three most intense product ions formed from the precursor ion and the corresponding mass ratios. The recovery of the 21 GCC when spiked into blank plasma at 5 ng/mL was 45-200% with coefficient of variation (CV) from 0.3-18%. The limit of detection (LOD) and that of quantification (LOQ) for most of the analytes were 50-100 pg/mL and 1 ng/mL, respectively, whereas that of confirmation (LOC) was 100-300 pg/mL depending on the analyte. Intra- and inter-day precisions expressed as CV for quantification of 1 and 10 ng/mL was 1.0-17%, and 0.51-19%, respectively, and the accuracy was from 84-110%. The linear concentration range for quantification was 0.1-100 ng/mL (r(2) > 0.997). Estimated measurement uncertainty was from 11-37%. This study was undertaken to develop a method for simultaneous screening, identification, quantification and confirmation of these agents in post-race equine plasma samples. The method has been successfully applied to screening of a large number of plasma samples obtained from racehorses in competition and in pharmacokinetic studies of dexamethasone in the horse and concurrent changes in endogenous GCC, hydrocortisone and cortisone. The method is simple, sensitive, selective and reliably reproducible.     

Simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and their biotransformation products by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

Reversed-phase LC-MS/MS is used to determine major estrogenic alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) and their biotransformation products. It allows the simultaneous analysis of eight APEOs, alkylphenoxy carboxylates (APECs) and alkylphenols (APs) in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents in the same extract after solid-phase enrichment on polymeric Oasis HLB. As precursor ions, [APEO + NH4]+, [APEC - H]- and [AP - H]- were monitored. Instrumental limits of detection (LOD) were 2-600 pg, corresponding to sample concentrations of 0.04-12 ng l(-1), without correction for overall method recoveries. Matrix-induced signal suppression during electrospray ionisation (ESI) and extraction as well as overall method recoveries were assessed and the suitability of deuterated surrogates as internal standards was evaluated.     

Simultaneous determination of parabens,triclosan and triclocarban in water by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of several household biocides in water by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) is presented. It permits the simultaneous determination of triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC) and seven parabens, including the distinction between branched and linear isomers of propyl (i‐PrP and n‐PrP) and butyl parabens (i‐BuP and n‐BuP). Prior to LC/MS/MS, analytes are preconcentrated by solid‐phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis HLB (60 mg) cartridges at natural sample pH and subsequently eluted with 4 mL of methanol. This simple SPE procedure provides extraction recoveries above 85% except for raw wastewater, where it falls to 65% for TCC. The performance of the method was tested with two triple‐quadrupole LC/MS instruments from a low/mid and mid/high market range: a Varian 1200L and an API‐4000. The latter system provided between 3 and 80 times lower limits of quantification (LOQs) than the first one, in the 0.08–0.44 ng/L range for surface water. Moreover, a comparison of matrix effects on both instruments showed a very different behaviour, particularly in the case of parabens. For these compounds signal suppression was observed in the 1200L instrument and signal enhancement with the 4000 instrument. As a result, different calibration approaches were chosen for them and this pointed to the need of matrix effect re‐evaluation in method transfer between different LC/MS systems. The application of the method to real samples showed the ubiquity of methyl paraben (MeP) and n‐PrP (at the 1–6 µg/L in raw wastewater) and the coexistence of i‐BuP and n‐BuP at similar levels (ca. 100–200 ng/L in raw wastewater). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural characterization of iridoid glucosides by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

The mass spectral fragmentation behavior of ten iridoid glucosides (IGs) has been studied using electrospray ionization (ESI), collision-induced dissociation (CID), and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS/MS). In the negative ESI mass spectra, the deprotonated [M-H](-) ion was observed for all of the ten IGs except gardoside methyl ester, while the formate adduct [M+HCOO](-) ion appeared to be favored by the presence of a methyl ester or a lactone group in the C-4 position when formic acid was added to the mobile phase. The CID MS/MS spectra of the [M-H](-) ions have been used for structural elucidation. Ring cleavages of the aglycone moiety have been observed in the MS/MS spectra, corresponding to (1,4)F(-), (2,6)F(-), (2,7)F(-), and (2,7)F(0) (-) ions, based on accurate mass measurements and the elemental compositions of the product ions. These characteristic ions gave valuable information on the basic structural skeletons. Furthermore, on the basis of the relative abundances of the fragment ions (1,4)F(-) and (2,7)F(-), different sub-classes, such as cyclopentane-type and 7,8-cyclopentene-type IGs, can be differentiated. Ring cleavage of the sugar moieties was also observed, yielding useful information for their characterization. In addition, the neutral losses, such as H(2)O, CO(2), CH(3)OH, CH(3)COOH, and glucosidic units, have proved useful for confirming the presence of functional substituents in the structures of the IGs. Based on the fragmentation patterns of these standard IGs, twelve IGs have been characterized in an extract of Hedyotis diffusa Willd. by means of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/Q-TOF MS/MS, of which six have been unambiguously identified and the other six have been tentatively identified.