Determination of phthalate esters in Chinese spirits using isotope dilution gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Phthalate esters are additives used in polyvinylchloride and are found as contaminants in many food products. An isotope dilution mass spectrometry technique has been developed for accurate analysis of 16 phthalate esters in Chinese spirits by adopting the 16 corresponding isotope‐labeled phthalate esters. The ethanol in the spirit sample was first removed by heating with a water bath at 100°C with a stream of nitrogen, after which the residue was extracted with n‐hexane twice. The phthalates collected were identified and quantified by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The spiking recoveries of 16 analytes ranged from 94.3 to 105.3% with relative standard deviation values of <6.5%. The detection limits for 16 analytes were <10.0 ng/g. The expanded relative uncertainties were from 3.0 to 14%. A survey was performed on Chinese spirits from the market. Six of the nine analyzed samples were contaminated by phthalates. Di‐n‐butyl phthalate and di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate showed higher detection frequency and concentrations. This isotope dilution gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method is simple, rapid, accurate, and highly sensitive, which qualifies as a candidate reference method for the determination of phthalates in spirits.     

Determination of Trace Leaching Phthalate Esters in Water and Urine from Plastic Containers by Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive method has been developed for determination of trace leaching phthalate esters (PAEs) in water and urine from plastic containers by direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limits of detection (LODs) for PAEs in water and urine had values between 0.2–8 ng L^?1 and 4–70 ng L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully used for quantification of trace PAEs in water in microwavable polypropylene containers heated by microwave irradiation and in the urine of patients treated with a glucose injection using polyvinyl chloride tubing.     

Direct desorption/ionization of analytes by microwave plasma torch for ambient mass spectrometric analysis

Ambient ionization is the new revolution in mass spectrometry (MS). A microwave plasma produced by a microwave plasma torch (MPT) at atmospheric pressure was directly used for ambient mass spectrometric analysis. H₃O⁺ and NH₄⁺ and their water clusters from the background are formed and create protonated molecules and ammoniated molecules of the analytes. In the full‐scan mass spectra, both the quasi‐molecular ions of the analytes and their characteristic ionic fragments are obtained and provide evidence of the analyte. The successful detection of active compounds in both medicine and garlic proves that MPT has the efficient desorption/ionization capability to analyze solid samples. The obtained decay curve of nicotine in exhaled breath indicates that MPT‐MS is a useful tool for monitoring gas samples in real time. These results showed that the MPT, with the advantages of stable plasma, minimal optimization, easy, solvent‐free operation, and no pretreatment, is another potential technique for ambient MS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

调控微波等离子体能量进行药片活性分子结构的质谱分析

采用微波等离子体质谱(MPT-MS)技术,对替硝唑和马来酸氯苯那敏药片进行快速质谱分析.通过调控等离子体能量,在一级谱图中可得到目标物的准分子离子及丰富的碎片离子,这些碎片离子与其对应串联质谱数据基本一致,甚至更加丰富;结合标准品比对分析,最终确定这些碎片离子来自目标物而非基质.因此,MPT兼具硬电离和软电离性质,采用MPT-MS技术从一级质谱图中获得的数据可对药片中活性分子的结构进行鉴定.该方法具有快速、准确及环保等特点,在发展MPT与简单的质量分析器联用,实现质谱仪的小型化等方面有广阔的应用前景.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of phytosterols in functional foods and medicinal herbs by using UHPLC–MS/MS with microwave‐assisted derivatization combined with dual ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

In this work, a hyphenated technique of dual ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with microwave‐assisted derivatization followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of phytosterols in functional foods and medicinal herbs. Multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for the tandem mass spectrometry detection. A mass spectrometry sensitive reagent, 4′‐carboxy‐substituted rosamine, has been used as the derivatization reagent for five phytosterols, and internal standard diosgenin was used for the first time. Parameters for the dual microextraction, microwave‐assisted derivatization, and ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were all optimized in detail. Satisfactory linearity, recovery, repeatability, accuracy and precision, absence of matrix effect, extremely low limits of detection (0.005–0.015 ng/mL) and limits of quantification (0.030–0.10 ng/mL) were achieved. The proposed method was compared with previously reported methods. It showed better sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. The matrix effect was also significantly reduced. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of five phytosterols in vegetable oil (sunflower oil, olive oil, corn oil, peanut oil), milk and orange juice (soymilk, peanut milk, orange juice), and medicinal herbs (Ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps, Polygonum multiflorum) for the quality control of functional foods and medicinal herbs.     

Microwave‐assisted preparation of poly(ionic liquids)‐modified polystyrene magnetic nanospheres for phthalate esters extraction from beverages

The fabrication of novel poly(ionic liquids)‐modified polystyrene (PSt) magnetic nanospheres (PILs‐PMNPs) by a one‐pot miniemulsion copolymerization reaction was achieved through an efficient microwave‐assisted synthesis method. The morphology, structure, and magnetic behavior of the as‐prepared magnetic materials were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, etc. The magnetic materials were utilized as sorbents for the extraction of phthalate esters (PAEs) from beverage samples followed by high‐performance ultrafast liquid chromatography analysis. Significant extraction parameters that could affect the extraction efficiencies were investigated particularly. Under optimum conditions, good linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 0.5–50 (dimethyl phthalate), 0.3–50 (diethyl phthalate), 0.2–50 (butyl benzyl phthalate), and 0.4–50 μg/L (di‐n‐butyl phthalate), with correlation coefficients R ² > 0.9989. Limits of detection were in the range 125–350 pg. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine PAEs from beverage samples with satisfactory recovery ranging from 77.8 to 102.1% and relative standard deviations ranging from 3.7 to 8.4%. Comparisons of extraction efficiency with PSt‐modified MNPs as sorbents were performed. The results demonstrated that PILs‐PMNPs possessed an excellent adsorption capability toward the trace PAE analytes.     

Direct analysis of steviol glycosides from Stevia leaves by ambient ionization mass spectrometry performed on whole leaves

Leaf spray mass spectrometry is explored as a fast and simple way for direct analysis of sweet glycosides in fresh untreated Stevia leaves without sample pretreatment. In this technique, a fresh triangular piece of Stevia leaf serves as both sample and substrate. Application of a butanol : methanol : water mixture and a high voltage to intact leaf material produces a high electric field at the tip of the leaf. This results in field emission of charged droplets containing the glycosides. The resulting dry ions are detected by mass spectrometry and confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry and exact mass measurements. A comparison between leaf spray and other ambient ionization methods which are successful for screening glycosides in Stevia leaves--desorption electrospray ionization, low temperature plasma and paper spray--shows that leaf spray produces the highest quality spectra. It is also extremely easy to implement with no need for nebulizing gas or sample preparation and is suited to semi-quantitative determinations. The potential for the application of leaf spray mass spectrometry to direct and rapid screening of plant materials is here realized in the case of Stevia sweet glycosides.     

Enantioselective analysis of bambuterol in human plasma using microwave‐assisted chiral derivatization coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, an enantioselective analytical method based on microwave‐assisted chiral derivatization coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of bambuterol enantiomers in human plasma. The chiral derivatization reaction was greatly accelerated by microwave irradiation. Under the optimized conditions, both the derivatization time and separation time on column was only 3 min, and the lower limit of quantification was 2.5 pg/mL. The recoveries were in the range of 90.1–93.0% without significant matrix effect. Compared with the conventional heating chiral derivatization, microwave‐assisted chiral derivatization obtained higher chiral derivatization yields with much shorter time due to the effect of microwave irradiation. Furthermore, the racemization during the derivatization reaction was systematically investigated. The results showed the concentration of acetic acid and the reaction time had significant effects on the racemization, which could be well controlled during microwave‐assisted chiral derivatization for the short reaction time. Finally, this novel approach was demonstrated by determining bambuterol in human plasma of a clinical pharmacokinetic study in eight healthy volunteers. On the basis of the results, microwave‐assisted chiral derivatization coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry as a simple and effective enantioselective analysis technique for the determination of chiral drugs in complex biological samples showed great promise.     

人体邻苯二甲酸酯暴露的尿液生物标志物分析方法

邻苯二甲酸酯（phthalates，PAEs）是一类典型的环境内分泌干扰物。近年来，由于PAEs产量和使用量的增加，其对人体健康的危害尤其是生殖发育毒性受到了人们高度关注。由于PAEs在环境、食物（材）中广泛存在，导致人体不可避免地长期暴露于PAEs化合物，因此很有必要开展人体PAEs暴露评估。对人体尿液样品中的PAEs代谢物进行筛选和定量是评价PAEs暴露的重要手段，而建立它们准确、可靠的分析方法是重要前提。目前，邻苯二甲酸单酯和次级代谢物分别是短链和长链PAEs暴露最为常用的生物标志物。离线或在线固相萃取与高效液相色谱-串联质谱联用已成为测定PAEs代谢物的首选方法。本文主要综述了人体PAEs暴露的尿液生物标志物的分析方法，并讨论了这些方法在实际应用中的优点、局限性及挑战。     

微波等离子体光谱技术的发展(二)

微波等离子体光源是一类重要的有较强激发能力的原子发射光谱光源,主要包括微波感生等离子体光源,电容耦合微波等离子体光源及微波等离子体炬光源。本文是微波等离子体光谱技术发展的第二部分,主要介绍了电容耦合微波等离子体光源及微波等离子体炬光源的结构原理和性能。并对它们的技术特点和进展进行评述。     

基质固相分散-液相色谱-质谱法测定蔬菜中的邻苯二甲酸酯

采用基质固相分散-液相色谱-质谱法测定保护地蔬菜中邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)含量,并分析了蔬菜中PAEs污染状况,研究了水和洗涤液浸泡对蔬菜中PAEs的消除效果。蔬菜样品经弗罗里硅土和石墨化碳黑研磨均匀后,用乙酸乙酯淋洗净化,再用液相色谱/电喷雾质谱法测定。PAEs的添加回收率为82.7%~105.7%;RSD为1.7%~6.1%;检出限为邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP):0.99ng;邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP):0.75ng;邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP):0.70ng;邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯(DEHP):1.9ng。本方法前处理简单,具有较高的准确度和灵敏度。黄瓜、番茄、西葫芦中4种PAEs总量分别为2.02、1.26、0.91mg/kg;洗涤实验结果表明,水和洗涤液浸泡可显著降低蔬菜中的PAEs含量。     

Presence of phthalates in contact lens and cleaning solutions

A fast and simple method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been applied to identify and quantify four phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in different contact lens cleaning solutions. A migration study of these compounds from contact lenses has also been performed. The PAEs studied were dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate. The migration of PAEs from contact lenses was performed by suspending each contact lens in an artificial tear solution at 37 °C and shaking it at 130 rpm for 24 h. The purpose of this study was to determine a possible migration of these compounds to the eyes as a result of the use of contact lenses and their cleaning solutions. The method was precise (with relative standard deviation (RSD) from 2.2 to 11.9%). It was also sensitive, with LODs of 0.03, 0.19, 0.31 and 2.62 μg L^− 1 for DMP, DEP, BBP and DBP respectively. The results obtained confirm the presence of these substances in some types of contact lens cleaning solutions. Furthermore, DBP and BBP were liberated from the contact lenses during the migration study.     

仿真饰品中邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂的含量测定和迁移风险考察

建立了仿真饰品中14种邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂的含量和迁移量测定的气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)检测方法。考察了微波萃取、超声波萃取、快速溶剂萃取和索氏提取4种前处理方法对增塑剂含量测定的影响。在模拟人体温度及汗液环境下,考察了0～168 h内塑料仿真饰品中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)和邻苯二甲酸二辛酯(DOP)3种增塑剂的迁移风险。结果表明微波萃取法的提取效率优于其余3种方法。所建立方法的定量限为5 mg/kg (邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(DINP)、邻苯二甲酸二异癸酯(DIDP)为25 mg/kg),在0.1～50 mg/L(DINP、DIDP在0.5～250 mg/L)范围内,线性相关系数在0.99以上,在3个添加水平下的回收率在90.95%与98.67%之间。在模拟条件下,DEHP的迁移风险较高,浸泡72 h后约有0.75%溶出,而DBP和DOP的溶出风险较低。该法的灵敏度高、回收率高、选择性好,能满足实际工作的要求。     

Simultaneous determination of 17 phthalate esters in edible vegetable oils by GC‐MS with silica/PSA‐mixed solid‐phase extraction

A quantified method for the determination of 17 phthalate esters (PAEs) in edible vegetable oil by GC‐MS with the pretreatment of acetonitrile extraction and silica/N‐(n‐Propyl)ethylenediamine‐mixed SPE column was established. By the quantification of internal standard of D₄‐di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, a good linearity range of related 17 PAEs was observed. The correlation coefficient was ranged at 0.994～1.000, and the standard lowest quantified level was 0.05～0.15 mg/L. The spiking recoveries of 17 PAEs were 78.3～108.9% with the relative standard deviations of 4.3～12.1% (n = 6). The method detection limits were 0.1～0.2 mg/kg. Meanwhile, PAEs were determined in 30 plastic buckets of edible vegetable oil from supermarkets in Hangzhou city of China. The survey of 30 oil samples showed di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) had the 100% (30/30) detection rate. The levels of diisobutyl phthalate with 86.7% (26:30), di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP) with 70% (21:30) and diethyl phthalate with 10% (3:30) were detected. It was worth note that DBP with 16.7% (5:30) samples and DEHP with 10% (3:30) samples were beyond the regular migrating limit, which indicated that more attention should be paid to the PAEs in oil with plastic package.     

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of DNA nucleobases: implications for a liquid film model

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry has been implemented on a commercial ion‐trap mass spectrometer and used to optimize mass spectrometric conditions for DNA nucleobases: adenine, cytosine, thymine, and guanine. Experimental parameters including spray voltage, distance between mass spectrometer inlet and the sampled spot, and nebulizing gas inlet pressure were optimized. Cluster ions including some magic number clusters of nucleobases were observed for the first time using DESI mass spectrometry. The formation of the cluster species was found to vary with the nucleobases, acidification of the spray solvent, and the deposited sample amount. All the experimental results can be explained well using a liquid film model based on the two‐step droplet pick‐up mechanism. It is further suggested that solubility of the analytes in the spray solvent is an important factor to consider for their studies by using DESI. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry of biophenolic compounds in virgin olive oil,Part II

In this study the qualitative and quantitative content of the biophenolics in virgin olive oils is evaluated by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. The extraction and purification method for these compounds from virgin oils was optimised. After liquid‐liquid and solid‐phase extraction the separation of 35 of these compounds was achieved on reversed phase in gradient mode. The detection was preliminarily by UV and fluorescence, but then the final choice was ion‐spray tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode in negative ionization, acquiring two diagnostic product ions from the chosen precursor [M—H]^–. Using this last approach we obtained the best sensitivity, selectivity, and specificity. The recovery of the method ranged from 70–90% and detection limits were less than 1 ng for all the analyzed compounds.     

An improved microwave plasma torch for atomic spectrometry

The analytical performance of a microwave plasma torch was improved through mechanical alterations. Several problems reported in earlier designs were addressed: the ignition and stabilization of a helium plasma in the MPT was difficult; high powers were required to both ignite and operate the plasma; otherwise, the plasma would erratically change from an annular to a filament type discharge. In the new torch, the helium discharge was stabilized by replacing the copper central tube with one made of quartz. In addition, air entrainment was alleviated through use of a sheathing gas. This modification simplified the background mass spectrum and raised the effective ionization temperature of the discharge. A detailed schematic diagram of the new microwave plasma torch is presented.     

Qualitative screening of absorbed indoloquinazoline alkaloids and their metabolites in rat plasma after the oral administration of Wu‐Zhu‐Yu decoction by high‐resolution mass spectrometry with multiple data mining algorithms

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography with high‐resolution mass spectrometry method with multiple data processing algorithms was developed and applied for the metabolite profiling of evodiamine and its analogous alkaloids in rat plasma after the administration of Wu‐Zhu‐Yu decoction. All samples were purified using hydrophilic‐lipophilic balanced solid‐phase extraction cartridges and analyzed by a Sciex TripleTOF 5600⁺ mass spectrometer with a 35 min liquid chromatography gradient elution. High‐resolution full‐scan mass spectrometry and information‐dependent acquisition tandem mass spectrometry data were analyzed using multiple data processing approaches. The results indicated that the detected eight prototype alkaloids could be metabolized to 58 metabolites through both phase I and phase II reactions. Oxidation was demonstrated to be the principle metabolic pathway of the parent compounds. The study contributes to the understanding of the absorption and metabolism of the alkaloids in Wu‐Zhu‐Yu decoction and provides a detailed analysis of scientific data.     

Phthalates determination in pharmaceutical formulae used in parenteral nutrition by LC-ES-MS: importance in public health

A method for determining a group of phthalate esters in pharmaceutical formulae used in parenteral nutrition samples (with and without vitamins) has been developed. The phthalic acid esters (PAEs) studied were dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate. This group of phthalates was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry, working in positive ion mode. The phthalates analyzed were extracted from the sample using hexane and sodium hydroxide. The hexane was then evaporated, and the compounds were redissolved in acetonitrile. The compounds were separated by HPLC working in gradient mode with acetonitrile-ultrapure water starting from 5% to 75% acetonitrile in 5 min, followed by isocratic elution for 27 min. Standard calibration curves were linear for all the analytes over the concentration range 10–250 μg L⁻¹. The method was precise (with RSD from 3.3% to 12.9%) and sensitive. The proposed analytical method has been applied to the analysis of these compounds in different pharmaceutical formulae (with different compositions) for parenteral nutrition samples in order to check the presence of phthalates and determine their concentration.     

Solid‐phase extraction based on chloromethylated polystyrene magnetic nanospheres followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to determine phthalate esters in beverages

An ultrasound‐assisted magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure with chloromethylated polystyrene‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanospheres as magnetic adsorbents has been developed to determine eight phthalate esters (bis(4‐methyl‐2‐pentyl) phthalate, dipentyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2‐butoxyethyl) phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, di‐n‐octyl phthalate, and dinonyl phthalate) simultaneously in beverage samples, in combination with gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the first time. Several factors related to magnetic solid‐phase extraction efficiencies, such as amount of adsorbent, extracting time, ionic strength, and desorption conditions were investigated. The enrichment factors of the method for the eight analytes were over 2482. A good linearity was observed in the range of 10–500 ng/L for bis(2‐butoxyethyl) phthalate and 2–500 ng/L for the other phthalate esters with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9980 to 0.9998. The limits of detection and quantification for the eight phthalate esters were in the range of 0.20–2.90 and 0.67–9.67 ng/L, respectively. The mean recoveries at three spiked levels were 75.8–117.7%, the coefficients of variations were <11.6%. The proposed method was demonstrated to be a simple and efficient technique for the trace analysis of the phthalate esters in beverage samples.