Comparison of APPI, APCI and ESI for the LC-MS/MS analysis of bezafibrate, cyclophosphamide, enalapril, methotrexate and orlistat in municipal wastewater

The applicability of three different ionization techniques: atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was tested for the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of five target pharmaceuticals (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, bezafibrate, enalapril and orlistat) in wastewater samples. Performance was compared both by flow injection analysis (FIA) and on-column analysis in deionized water and wastewater samples. A column switching technique for the on-line extraction and analysis of water samples was used. For both FIA and on-column analysis, signal intensity and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the target analytes in the three sources were studied. Limits of detection and matrix effects during the analysis of wastewater samples were also investigated. ESI generated significantly larger peak areas and higher S/N ratios than APCI and APPI in FIA and in on-column analysis. ESI was proved to be the most suitable ionization method as it enabled the detection of the five target compounds, whereas APCI and APPI ionized only four compounds.     

Structural analysis of pentacyclic triterpenes from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata by NMR spectroscopy

3α‐Acetyl‐β‐boswellic acid ( 1 ), 3α‐acetyl‐α‐boswellic acid ( 2 ), 3α‐acetyl‐9,11‐dehydro‐β‐boswellic acid ( 3 ), 3α‐acetyl‐9,11‐dehydro‐α‐boswellic acid ( 4 ) and 3α‐acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid ( 5 ) were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. 1D and 2D NMR (COSY45, HMQC, HMBC, ROESY) spectra at 500 MHz were used for shift assignments and structure verification. All boswellic acids investigated share the cis conformation at ring D/E and the 3α orientation of the acetyl ester group. Owing to high‐order spectra, NMR could not determine the exact conformation of H‐20/H‐30 of the β‐boswellic acids. 3α‐Acetyl‐β‐boswellic acid methyl ester ( 1 ^′) was synthesized for experiments with a shift reagent, Eu(fod)₃, that enhanced the resolution considerably. The oxygen atoms of the 3α‐acetyl group form the apparent complex binding site for the shift reagent. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of scopolamine and its eighteen metabolites in rat urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method is described for the determination of scopolamine and its metabolites in rat urine by combining liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Various extraction techniques (free fraction, acid hydrolyses and enzyme hydrolyses) and their comparison were carried out for investigation of the metabolism of scopolamine. After extraction procedure, the pretreated samples were injected into a reversed-phase C18 column with mobile phase of methanol/ ammonium acetate (2 mM, adjusted to pH 3.5 with formic acid) (70:30, v/v) and detected by an on-line MS/MS system. Identification and structural elucidation of the metabolites were performed by comparing their changes in molecular masses (ΔM), retention-times and full scan MSⁿ spectra with those of the parent drug. The results revealed that at least 18 metabolites (norscopine, scopine, tropic acid, aponorscopolamine, aposcopolamine, norscopolamine, hydroxyscopolamine, hydroxyscopolamine N-oxide, p-hydroxy-m-methoxyscopolamine, trihydroxyscopolamine, dihydroxy-methoxyscopolamine, hydroxyl-dimethoxyscopolamine, glucuronide conjugates and sulfate conjugates of norscopolamine, hydroxyscopolamine and the parent drug) and the parent drug existed in urine after ingesting 55 mg/kg scopolamine to healthy rats. Hydroxyscopolamine, p-hydroxy-m-methoxyscopolamine and the parent drug were detected in rat urine for up 106 h after ingestion of scopolamine.     

Direct determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by column-switching LC-MS

A method for determination of 16 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in human plasma samples without time-consuming sample pre-treatments was developed. The system consisted of two pumps for mobile phase delivery, a six-port switching valve, a pre-column (Oasis HLB Cartridge Column), and a reversed phase analytical column (COSMOSIL 3C18-MS-II). The analytes were trapped on the precolumn and subsequently separated on the analytical column. The present method allowed on-line sample clean-up and enrichment, leading to improved sensitivity without any tedious sample preparation. The recoveries of NSAIDs from human plasma by column-switching were greater than 72.6%. The total analysis time for a single analytical run was approximately 11 min. The detection limits of NSAIDs were 0.0025 to 0.2 microg/mL using the selected ion monitoring mode.     

Simultaneous determination of lidamycin enediyne chromophore (LDC) and its aromatized derivative (LDCA) using puerarin as internal standard in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS

Lidamycin (LDM), a promising enediyne antitumor antibiotic, was quantified by detecting lidamycin enediyne chromophore (LDC) using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) for the first time. A simple, rapid and reliable method was developed and validated to determine LDC and its aromatized derivative (LDCA) simultaneously in plasma. Puerarin was used as an internal standard (IS), and plasma samples were pretreated with one‐step precipitation by acetonitrile. Separation was achieved on a reverse‐phase C₁₈ column with a mobile phase composed of methanol and water containing 5 mm ammonium acetate at pH 3.5 in gradient elution mode. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer using electrospray ionization (ESI) by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in the negative ion mode. Good linearity was obtained over the concentration range of 0.2–100 µg/mL for LDM. Precision and accuracy were validated by RSD% values in the range of 2.6–13.0% and RE% values between ?4.6 and 3.8%, respectively. In addition, no specificity and matrix effects were observed. The recovery was found to be 99.2–111.0% and stability in various conditions was found to be acceptable. This method was applied in preclinical pharmacokinetic studies for routine monitoring of LDM in rat plasma. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of cyclobenzaprine in human plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive, rapid and simple liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was developed for the quantitative determination of cyclobenzaprine in human plasma, to study the pharmacokinetic behavior of cyclobenzaprine capsule in healthy Chinese volunteers. With escitalopram as the internal standard (IS), sample pretreatment involved a one‐step liquid–liquid extraction using saturated sodium carbonate solution and hexane–diethyl ether (3:1, v/v). The separation was performed on an Ultimate XB‐CN column (150 × 2.1 mm, 5 µm). Isocratic elution was applied using acetonitrile–water (40:60, v/v) containing 10 m M ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid. The detection was carried out on a triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization. The ion‐pairs including m/z 276.2–216.2 for cyclobenzaprine and m/z 325.2–109.1 for IS were used for monitoring. Linear calibration curves were obtained over the range of 0.049–29.81 ng/mL with the lower limit of quantification at 0.049 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision showed ≤6.5% relative standard deviation. The established method laid the groundwork for follow‐up studies and provided basis for the clinical administration of cyclobenzaprine. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of alkylphenol and bisphenol A in beverages using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A comprehensive analytical method based on liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) with negative ionization mode has been developed for measuring of alkylphenols and bisphenol A in beverage samples. Concentration and clean up of samples were performed on 200 mg OASIS HLB solid extraction cartridges. The effects of mobile phases and additives on ionization were assessed. The recoveries for each compound ranged from 76.7 to 96.9% and reproducibilities were represented as having relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) below 10%. The limits of quantification (LOQ) of the method under multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode were 0.04, 0.03 and 0.2 ng L⁻¹ for 2 L of mineral drinking water and 2.0, 1.8 and 8.0 ng L⁻¹ for 50 mL of soda beverages.     

Characteristics and origins of common chemical noise ions in negative ESI LC-MS

Ionic chemical background noise in LC-MS has been one of the major problems encountered in trace analysis. In this study, the typical negative background ions in ESI LC-MS are investigated exemplarily. It was carried out using tandem mass spectrometry to study the products and precursors of the major background ions to examine their structures and structure relationship. Various typical LC eluents with different compositions and additives such as ammonium formate/formic acid and ammonium acetate/acetic acid have been studied. Several types of negative noise ions are concluded, which include the cluster chemical background ions only from mobile phase components and additives. Furthermore, there are also abundant clusters resulting from the solvation of some typical individual contaminants (e.g. additives and degradation products from tubing, impurities in the mobile phase, etc.), accompanied by some minor contribution from contaminants. The elemental composition of some selected ions was confirmed using the FT-ICR accurate mass measurement. This work provides us insight into information about the structures and types of common negative background ions and will help to understand their formation and origins. More importantly, it will guide us to prevent chemical noise interference in practice and also contribute to develop methods for noise reduction based on selective ion-molecule reactions.     

Isolation and structural determination of sorbinols A and B, new triterpenes from Sorbus cashmariana, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Two new pentacyclic triterpenes, sorbinols A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Sorbus cashmariana and their structures assigned from (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra, DEPT and by 2D COSY, NOE, HMQC and HMBC experiments. Both 1 and 2 showed moderate inhibitory potential against the enzyme lipoxygenase.     

Structural determination of silymins A and B, new pentacyclic triterpenes from Silybum marianum, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Silymins A (1) and B (2), the new pentacyclic triterpenes, have been isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of Silybum marianum and their structures assigned from 1H and 13C NMR spectra, DEPT and by 2D COSY, NOE and HMBC experiments.     

Analysis of pesticides in fruit, vegetables and cereals using methanolic extraction and detection by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A method for analysing carbamates and other relatively polar pesticides by LC–MS–MS with electrospray ionisation has been developed. The method is based on extraction by ultrasonication using a methanolic ammonium acetate–acetic acid buffer. After centrifugation the samples are filtered in Miniprep filter HPLC vials and detected by LC–MS–MS. To compensate for variations in the MS response [¹³C₆]-carbaryl was used as internal standard and matrix-matched pesticide solutions were used as external standards for the quantification. The method has been validated for the matrices apple, avocado, carrot, lettuce, orange, potato and wheat at the spiking levels—0.02; 0.04 and 0.20 mg kg⁻¹. Recoveries were generally in the range 70–120%. Results from participation in three intercomparisons proved the accuracy of the method. As the analytical procedure does not include any concentration or cleanup steps, it is easy and fast to perform, making it applicable for routine analysis in large pesticide monitoring programmes.     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of venlafaxine in human plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method for the determination of venlafaxine in human plasma has been developed. Samples were prepared using liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed on a C(18) column interfaced with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Positive electrospray ionization was employed as the ionization source. The mobile phase was methanol-water containing 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate, pH 7.9 adjusted with aqueous ammonia (80:20, v/v) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The analyte and internal standard clozapine were both detected by use of selected ion monitoring mode. The method was linear in the concentration range of 1.0-200.0 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1.0 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation across three validation runs over the entire concentration range was less than 10.1%. The accuracy determined at three concentrations (5.0, 50.0 and 150.0 ng/mL for venlafaxine) was within +/-10.0% in terms of relative error (RE). The method was successfully applied for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic profiles of venlafaxine capsule in 20 healthy volunteers. The results show AUC, T(max), C(max) and T(1/2) between the testing formulation and reference formulation have no significant difference (p > 0.05). Relative bioavailability was 103.4 +/- 14.1%.     

Analysis of acrylamide in coffee and dietary exposure to acrylamide from coffee

An analytical method for analysing acrylamide in coffee was validated. The analysis of prepared coffee includes a comprehensive clean-up using multimode solid-phase extraction (SPE) by automatic SPE equipment and detection by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray in the positive mode. The recoveries of acrylamide in ready-to-drink coffee spiked with 5 and 10 μg l⁻¹ were 96±14% and 100±8%, respectively. Within laboratory reproducibility for the same spiking levels were 14% and 9%, respectively. Coffee samples (n = 25) prepared twice by coffee machines and twice by a French Press Cafetière coffee maker contained 8±3 μg l⁻¹ and 9±3 μg l⁻¹ acrylamide. Five ready-to-drink instant coffee prepared twice contained 8±2 μg l⁻¹. Hence, the results do not show significant differences in the acrylamide contents in ready-to-drink coffee prepared by coffee machine, French Press or from instant coffee. Medium roasted coffee contained more acrylamide (10 μg l⁻¹) than dark roasted coffee (5 μg l⁻¹). Males aged 35–45 years, drinking on average 1.1 l coffee per day are exposed to the highest doses of acrylamide from coffee. The dietary intake of acrylamide from coffee comprises, on an average, 10 μg day⁻¹ for males and 9 μg day⁻¹ for females aged 35–45 years. Probabilistic modelling of the exposure of Danish consumers (all adults) to acrylamide from coffee shows a mean exposure of 6.5 μg day⁻¹ and a 95 percentile of 18 μg day⁻¹.     

Residue analysis of 15 penicillins and cephalosporins in bovine muscle, kidney and milk by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS–MS) method for most of those penicillins and cephalosporins for which EU maximum residue limits (MRL) were set in Council regulation (EEC) 2377/90 was developed and validated in bovine muscle, kidney and milk. The analytes were extracted with acetonitrile/water and cleaned-up by a single reversed-phase solid-phase extraction step. Highest sensitivity for the analytes was obtained when amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalexin, cephapirin, desacetylcephapirin, cephalonium, cefquinome and cefazolin were measured in the positive electrospray ionisation mode (ESI (+)) and cefoperazone, benzylpenicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin and nafcillin in the negative electrospray ionisation mode (ESI (−)). Chromatography was performed with a formic acid/methanol gradient. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) with argon was used for fragmentation of the pseudomolecular ions to achieve the required specificity. Possible adverse matrix effects on the electrospray ionisation process caused by co-eluting matrix components were investigated. The method was validated closely to the new EU guidelines and applied to positively screened samples from official food control allowing the identification and quantification of the residual β-lactams.     

Retracted: Determination of dextra–methylprednisolone conjugate with glycine linker in rat plasma and liver by high‐performance liquid chromatography and its application in pharmacokinetics

The following article from Biomedical Chromatography, Determination of dextra‐methylprednisolone conjugate with glycine linker in rat plasma and liver by high‐performance liquid chromatography and its application in pharmacokinetics by Shuang‐Qing Zhang and Reza Mehvar, published online on June 1^st 2009 in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Dr Chang Kee Lim and John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed as the research article was submitted without Dr. Mehvar's knowledge or consent.     

LC-MS/MS method for the confirmatory determination of aromatic amines and its application in textile analysis

A confirmation method for the determination of 18 aromatic amines originating from azo dyes after reductive cleavage was developed. The method is based on the use of high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization. For the identification of the analytes one precursor ion and two daughter ions (multi-reaction monitoring, MRM) were selected and the LC-MS/MS parameters optimized to obtain high sensitivity and selectivity. The linear ranges varied from 0.1–1 to 30–50 g mL^–1 with correlation coefficients of 0.99 or better. The applicability of the method to determine o-tolidine (3,3-dimethylbenzidine) and 3,3-dimethoxybenzidine in textiles following reductive cleavage of acid red 114, trypan blue, and Chicago sky blue 6B was demonstrated.     

How to identify and discriminate between the methyl quinates of chlorogenic acids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The methyl esters of chlorogenic acids, methyl quinates, are widely distributed in plant materials and frequently appear as extraction artifacts in plant samples. This is the first time when liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods have been used for the identification and characterization of the methyl quinates. For this purpose, methyl quinates of mono caffeoylquinic acids and mono feruloylquinic acids were synthesized as authentic standards. The methyl quinates of mono and diacyl chlorogenic acids have shown characteristic fragmentation pattern in their tandem mass spectra. MS(n + 1) spectra of the methyl quinates of diacyl chlorogenic acids were identical to MS(n) spectra of mono acyl derivatives. These quinates do not produce any methyl quinate peak at m/z 205 if compared with quinic acid peak at m/z 191 in negative ion mode. In the MS(n) spectra of these quinates, cinnamic acid part or cinnamoyl part was detected as a base peak in negative ion mode. The retention time, order of elution and fragmentation pattern were completely different if compared with LC-MS(n) methods developed for chlorogenic acids. These LC-MS(n) methods have been applied for the identification and regioisomeric characterization of the methyl quinates of chlorogenic acids in maté tea and woodruff (Galium odoratum). Two methyl caffeoylquinates (2 and 4) were identified as methyl 3-caffeoylquinate and methyl 5-caffeoylquinate.     

The Occurrence and Biological Activity of Tormentic Acid—A Review

This review focuses on the natural sources and pharmacological activity of tormentic acid (TA; 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyurs-2-en-28-oic acid). The current knowledge of its occurrence in various plant species and families is summarized. Biological activity (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-osteoarthritic, antinociceptive, antioxidative, anti-melanogenic, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic) confirmed in in vitro and in vivo studies is compiled and described. Biochemical mechanisms affected by TA are indicated. Moreover, issues related to the biotechnological methods of production, effective eluents, and TA derivatives are presented.