Determination of sorbic acid in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The average daily uptake of the common food preservative sorbic acid is estimated to range from 0.01 to 1.1 mg kg-1. Sorbic acid mainly is metabolised to carbon dioxide. Minor amounts are converted to trans,trans-muconic acid (ttMA) as well as excreted unchanged into the urine. Since urinary ttMA is a biomarker for the occupational and environmental exposure to benzene, there is an additional need for monitoring the uptake of sorbic acid, particularly at low, environmental benzene exposure levels. For this purpose, a simple, robust and rapid method for the determination of sorbic acid in urine at trace levels was developed. After addition of 10 ml of water and 5 ml of 8 M hydrochloric acid to 10 ml of the thawed urine, the sample was water steam distilled using an automated distillation device. A total of 100 ml of the distillate were solid-phase extracted. After washing, the sorbic acid was eluted with 4 ml methanol. The eluate was reduced under a stream of nitrogen to a volume of 300 microliters. After addition of 500 microliters boron trifluoride in methanol and incubation for 1 h at 60 degrees C, the resulting sorbic acid methyl ester was extracted three times with 1 ml heptane. To the combined heptane layers, sorbic acid ethyl ester was added as an internal standard. After reducing to a volume of 100 microliters in a stream of nitrogen, the final analysis was performed by GC-MS using the fragment ions m/z 126 for the analyte and m/z 140 for the internal standard. The limit of detection was 0.7 ng ml-1 urine and the R.S.D. of 69 duplicate determinations was 7.5%. In a controlled, experimental study and in a field study, we were able to show that urinary sorbic acid is a marker for the dietary uptake of sorbic acid and that sorbic acid is converted to ttMA. On average, 0.1% of the dietary sorbic acid is excreted unchanged into the urine. Excretion is complete within 24 h. We found that, on average, 0.23% of the oral dose of sorbic acid is excreted as urinary ttMA. There was a significant correlation between urinary excretions of sorbic acid and ttMA (r = 0.74, n = 69). We conclude that urinary sorbic acid can be used to correct the urinary ttMA level in order to determine the portion related to benzene exposure. This appears to be necessary particularly at low, environmental benzene levels.     

Determination of zopiclone in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A procedure is described for the quantitative determination of zopiclone and the sum of its metabolites in urine using gas chromatography with the mass-spectrometric detection of their common hydrolysis product, 6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-7-hydroxy-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5-on. The procedure is very sensitive. The detection limit for ions with a mass of 45–450 au detected in the full scanning mode is 70 ng/mL. The data of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry are presented for different derivatives of the hydrolysis product of zopiclone; these data can be used for the qualitative identification of zopiclone. The stability of zopiclone and its metabolites upon time was studied by analyzing urine samples from patients receiving therapeutic doses of this substance stored for 1, 3, and 6 months.     

Determination of amino acid enantiomers in human urine and blood serum by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Amino acid (AA) enantiomers were determined as N(O)-pentafluoropropionyl-(2)-propyl esters by chiral gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in 24 h samples of the urine of three healthy volunteers and in their blood sera. In urine the largest amounts were determined for D-Ser (64-199 micromol/day) and D-Ala (24-138 micromol/day). In blood sera, D-Ala (2.3-4.2 micromol/L) and D-Ser (1.0-2.9 micromol/L) were most abundant. Varying amounts of the D-enantiomers of Thr, Pro, Asx, Glx, Phe, Tyr, Orn and Lys were also found, albeit not in all urines and sera. Further, enantiomers were quantified in urine samples of two volunteers fasting for 115 h. Quantities of renally excreted D-AAs decreased in fasting, although amounts of D-Ser (69 and 77 micromol/L urine) as well as other D-AAs were still detectable. Time-dependent analyses of urine showed that D-AAs are continuously excreted. Copyright -Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of atenolol in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method

A sensitive and efficient method was developed for the determination of atenolol in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Atenolol and metoprolol (internal standard, IS) were extracted from human urine with a mixture of chloroform and butanol at basic pH with liquid-liquid extraction. The extracts were derivatized with N-Methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) and analyzed by GC-MS using a capillary column. The standard curve was linear (r = 0.99) over the concentration range of 50-750 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation were less than 5.0%, and accuracy (relative error) was better than 7.0%. The analytical recovery of atenolol from human urine has averaged 91%. The limit of quantification was 50 ng/mL. Also, the method was successfully applied to a patient with hypertension who had been given an oral tablet of 50 mg atenolol.     

Determination of pyrethroid metabolites in human urine by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Summary An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of the pyrethroid metabolites cis and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, cis 3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid in human urine samples is described. The urine is subjected to acid-induced hydrolysis followed by exhaustive solvent extraction, covering both conjugated and free acids, followed by a common derivatisation step yielding the corresponding methyl esters. Quantitation was by diastereomeric, capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It appears that 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid is a characteristic urinary marker for cyfluthrin exposure. The limits of determination are 0.5–1.0 g L^–1 urine depending on the metabolites concerned. The applicability of the method was tested on urine samples from pest control operators exposed occupationally to cypermethrin and cyfluthrin.     

Determination of inositol isomers and arabitol in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Summary A capillary gas chromatography method for the analysis of inositol isomers and arabitol (extendable to threitol and adonitol) is described and applied to urine after derivatization. The single ion monitoring technique allows a notable improvement in sensitivity and selectivity.     

Determination of debrisoquine and metabolites in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis has been developed for the determination of debrisoquine and its metabolites in the urine of healthy individuals (controls) and patients with chronic renal failure. The sensitive and specific assay comprises selected-ion monitoring of the drug and the metabolites 4-hydroxydebrisoquine and 8-hydroxydebrisoquine using guanoxan as the internal standard. The limit of detection is ca. 0.2 microgram/ml. The clinical study shows that the healthy individuals and patients with chronic renal failure can be divided in two groups of extensive metabolizers and poor metabolizers, respectively. The extensive metabolizers excreted large amounts of 4-hydroxydebrisoquine and minor amounts of 8-hydroxydebrisoquine. The poor metabolizers excreted small amounts of 4-hydroxy metabolite, and no 8-hydroxydebrisoquine was detected in the urine.     

Determination of methylmalonic acid and glutaric acid in urine by aqueous-phase derivatization followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

In this work, a novel technique of aqueous-phase derivatization followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of organic acids in urine. The analytical procedure involves derivatization of organic acids to their ethyl esters with diethyl sulfate, headspace sampling, and GC/MS analysis. The proposed method was applied to the determination of methylmalonic acid and glutaric acid in urine. The experimental parameters and method validation were studied. Optimal conditions were obtained: PDMS fiber, extraction temperature 55 degrees C, extraction time 30 min, and 60 microL of diethyl sulfate as derivatization reagent with 2 mg of the ion pairing agent tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate. The method was linear over three orders of magnitude, and detection limits were 21 nM for methylmalonic acid and 34 nM for glutaric acid, respectively. Consequently, in-situ derivatization/HS-SPME/GC/MS is an alternative and powerful method for determination of organic acids as biomarkers in biological fluids.     

Detection of trace levels of trichothecene mycotoxins in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method is described for the simultaneous detection of the trichothecene mycotoxins T-2, HT-2, T-2 tetraol, diacetoxyscirpenol, 15-monoacetoxyscirpendiol, scirpentriol, nivalenol and deoxynivalenol, in human urine. Samples were extracted from Clin Elut columns and cleaned up using reversed-phase Sep-Pak C18 cartridges. Trichothecenes were derivatised as their heptafluorobutyryl esters, and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected-ion monitoring using electron impact ionisation. The method was validated by the analysis of 22 urine samples, spiked and submitted "blind" for analysis by another laboratory. An alternative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method using negative ion chemical ionisation is also described and a preliminary comparison of the two methods made. The methods enabled levels down to 1 ppb to be detected, with confirmation of identity at levels between 2 and 5 ppb, depending on the toxin.     

Detection of the illegal use of ethinylestradiol in cattle urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method for the detection of ethinylestradiol in cattle urine is described, based on enzymic hydrolysis of the sample, clean-up by means of disposable octadecyl and amino solid-phase extraction columns, fractionation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (selected-ion monitoring). Identification is based on both gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric data. The method has been tested on urine samples for a collaborative study and all the results found were correct.     

Determination of clenbuterol in urine as its cyclic boronate derivative by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A rapid and reliable gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of clenbuterol in urine is described. Penbutolol was used as internal standard. Four derivatization procedures have been tested, of which 1-butaneboronic acid gave the best results. The method includes extraction of the alkalinized urine (3 ml) with tert.-butyl methyl ether-n-butanol (9:1), derivatization with 1-butaneboronic acid (15 min at room temperature), and analysis in the selected-ion monitoring mode of the derivatives of clenbuterol at m/z 243, 327 and 342 and of penbutolol at m/z 342 and 357. The detection limit is 0.5 ng/ml and the recovery better than 90%.     

Determination of cocaine and cocaethylene in urine by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

In order to evaluate recent cocaine exposure or its coingestion with ethanol, a simple and sensitive solid-phase microextraction (SPME) procedure for determination of cocaine and cocaethylene in urine was developed and validated. A polydimethylsiloxane fibre (100 microm) was submersed in the urine sample for 20 min under magnetic stirring after alkalinization with solid buffer (NaHCO(3):K(2)CO(3), 2:1). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify the analytes in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The limits of quantification were 5.0 ng/mL for both analytes. Good inter- and intra-assay precision was also observed (coefficient of variation <9%).     

Quantitation of 17beta-nandrolone metabolites in boar and horse urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method to quantify metabolites of 17beta-nandrolone (17betaN) in boar and horse urine has been optimized and validated. Metabolites excreted in free form were extracted at pH 9.5 with tert-butylmethylether. The aqueous phases were applied to Sep Pak C18 cartridges and conjugated steroids were eluted with methanol. After evaporation to dryness, either enzymatic hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase from Escherichia coli or solvolysis with a mixture of ethylacetate:methanol:concentrated sulphuric acid were applied to the extract. Deconjugated steroids were then extracted at alkaline pH with tert-butylmethylether. The dried organic extracts were derivatized with MSTFA:NH4I:2-mercaptoethanol to obtain the TMS derivatives, and were subjected to analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The procedure was validated in boar and horse urine for the following metabolites: norandrosterone, noretiocholanolone, norepiandrosterone, 5beta-estran-3alpha, 17beta-diol, 5alpha-estran-3beta, 17beta-diol, 5alpha-estran-3beta, 17alpha-diol, 17alpha-nandrolone, 17betaN, 5(10)-estrene-3alpha, 17alpha-diol, 17alpha-estradiol and 17beta-estradiol in the different metabolic fractions. Extraction recoveries were higher than 90% for all analytes in the free fraction, and better than 80% in the glucuronide and sulphate fractions, except for 17alpha-estradiol in the glucuronide fraction (74%), and 5alpha-estran-3beta, 17alpha-diol and 17betaN in the sulphate fraction (close to 70%). Limits of quantitation ranged from 0.05 to 2.1 ng mL(-1) in the free fraction, from 0.3 to 1.7 ng mL(-1) in the glucuronide fraction, and from 0.2 to 2.6 ng mL(-1) in the sulphate fraction. Intra- and inter-assay values for precision, measured as relative standard deviation, and accuracy, measured as relative standard error, were below 15% for most of the analytes and below 25%, for the rest of analytes. The method was applied to the analysis of urine samples collected after administration of 17betaN laureate to boars and horses, and its suitability for the quantitation of the metabolites in the three fractions has been demonstrated.     

Oil-spill identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Two approaches are proposed for the identification of a contaminant caused by the spilling of oil or oil products in water. A capillary gas chromatography (CGC)-mass spectrometry (MS) method for oil spill identification is applied. The presented approaches describe the use of MS data of 18 selective ions of spilled product and the probable pollutant. The spill identification is accomplished on the bases of a quantitative comparison between the ion chromatograms of the samples taken from the probable pollutant and from the spill itself. The other approach is made by chemometric treatment of complete CGC-MS data.     

Quantitation of the enantiomers of rimantadine in human plasma and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric procedure has been developed for the quantitation in plasma and urine of the enantiomers of rimantadine, an antiviral drug effective against type A influenza. The assay utilizes derivatization with an optically active reagent, selective ion monitoring, methane negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectrometry and stable isotope dilution. The method has been used to measure concentrations of each rimantadine enantiomer over a range of 2.5-250 and 12.5-1250 ng/ml in the plasma and urine, respectively, of four male volunteers administered rimantadine. In plasma and urine, no differences were observed in the disposition of the unconjugated enantiomers. In urine, one enantiomer, but not both, was released following enzymatic hydrolysis.     

Identification of the main metabolites of 2-ethylhexanoic acid in rat urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The metabolites of 2-ethylhexanoic acid, an industrial chemical and the active ingredient in wood preservatives, were investigated in rat urine. Male Wistar rats were given 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA) in drinking water (600 mg/kg daily) for nine weeks, and then urine specimens were collected and analysed. The compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in both electron-impact mode and chemical ionization mode. In addition to 2-EHA, ten different 2-EHA-related metabolites were found in the urine of 2-EHA-treated rats. The main metabolite was 2-ethyl-1,6-hexanedioic acid. Urine also contained 2-ethyl-6-hydroxyhexanoic acid and five other hydroxylated metabolites and two lactones, the detailed structures of which have not yet been elucidated. The unsaturated 5,6-dehydro-EHA was also identified; this is the metabolite corresponding to 2-n-propyl-4-pentenoic acid, the hepatotoxic metabolite of valproic acid. At least part of the 2-EHA is present in urine as a glucuronide conjugate.