Capillary and nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of small molecules in microdialysis samples: comparison with microbore dimensions

Enhanced sensitivity is a well known benefit of miniaturised LC-electrospray (ESI)-MS/MS methods. The suitability of miniaturised LC-MS/MS for quantification of small molecules in dialysates was investigated using the anti-epileptic drug oxcarbazepine, its active metabolite, 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxycarbamazepine, and the internal standard for microdialysis probe calibration, 2-methyl-5H-dibenz(b,f)azepine-5-carboxamide, as test compounds. ESI-MS detection is sensitive to matrix effects. Therefore, dialysate matrix effects were investigated by comparing the responses of standards made in water, Ringer's solution (salt solution used as perfusion fluid) and blank dialysate matrix. Due to the occurrence of ion suppression or enhancement, direct injection of dialysis samples onto the analytical column could not be applied for quantification of small molecules in dialysis samples. Column switching was necessary for desalting and preconcentration of the dialysates. However, this approach was not able to completely eliminate salt effects when the injection volume exceeded 1 microL. No differences in response between Ringer's solution and dialysate matrix were detected at capillary and nano-dimensions. Calibration standards should be prepared with Ringer's solution instead of water for quantitative analysis of microdialysates. A microbore, capillary and nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS method were compared in terms of method feasibility, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision. Downscaling to capillary and nano-dimensions resulted in a gain in detection sensitivity of 5 and 50, respectively. Miniaturised LC-MS/MS was found to be fit for quantification of small molecules in dialysates with acceptable accuracy and method precision.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水产品中麻醉剂MS-222残留

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水产品中麻醉剂3-氨基苯甲酸乙酯甲基磺酸盐(MS-222)残留量的方法。提取液为50%的甲醇及乙酸-乙酸钠缓冲溶液,提取液经C18固相萃取柱净化处理后用液相色谱-串联质谱仪进行测定,外标法定量。流动相为0.5%的甲酸溶液和乙腈(V:V=60:40),流速为0.2 mL/min。该方法的线性范围为0.001～1.0 mg/L,相关系数大于0.999,检出限为1μg/kg,定量限为2μg/kg。加标回收率可以达到80%～110%。     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of puerarin and its metabolite in human urine

A specific LC-MS method was developed that allowed simultaneous determination of puerarin (PU) and its major metabolite, daidzein (DA), in human urine samples. PU and DA were separated on a packed capillary ODS column with on column concentration. Identification and quantification of the analytes were performed with ESI-Q-TOF mass spectroscopy in negative ionization mode. The method was validated, yielding calibration curves with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. The LOQ for PU and DA from human urine samples was 0.1 and 0.05 nmol/mL, respectively. Assay accuracy and precision of quality control samples were within +/- 15%. Recoveries of PU and DA in spiked samples were in the range of 79.6-90.4 and 82.3-92.4%, respectively.     

Development and application of a new on-line SPE system combined with LC-MS/MS detection for high throughput direct analysis of pharmaceutical compounds in plasma

A technique using a fully automated on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) system (Symbiosis, Spark Holland) combined with liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been investigated for fast bioanalytical method development, method validation and sample analysis using both conventional C18 and monolithic columns. Online SPE LC-MS/MS methods were developed in the automated mode for the quantification of model compounds (propranolol and diclofenac) directly in rat plasma. Accuracy and precision using online SPE LC-MS/MS with conventional C18 and monolithic columns were in the range of 88-111% and 0.5-14%, respectively. Total analysis cycle time of 4 min per sample was demonstrated using the C18 column. Monolithic column allowed for 2 min total cycle time without compromising the quality and validation criteria of the method. Direct plasma sample injection without on-line SPE resulted in poor accuracy and precision in the range of 41-108% and 3-81%. Furthermore, the increase in back pressure resulted in column damage after the injection of only 60 samples.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测动物肝肾组织中3种雌激素

建立了动物肝、肾组织中雌酮、17β-雌二醇、雌三醇药物残留检测的液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)分析方法。样品以叔丁基甲醚提取,于45 ℃下氮吹至干,用正己烷-二氯甲烷(6:4, v/v)重新溶解,过硅胶固相萃取小柱净化,氮吹至干,用1 mL乙腈-水(7:3, v/v)定容后测定,用Poroshell 120 EC-C18柱分离,以乙腈和水作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,电喷雾负离子模式电离,多反应监测模式检测,外标法定量。该方法对3种雌激素的线性范围均为1.0～20.0 μg/kg,相关系数大于0.99,定量限为1.0 μg/kg。在不同基质中,1.0、2.0、10.0 μg/kg 3个添加水平的平均回收率范围为70.2%～114%,相对标准偏差范围为2.01%～14.5%。该方法具有快速简便、净化效果好、灵敏度高等特点,适用于动物肝、肾组织中雌激素的检测。     

LC-MS/MS method for the determination of cynandione A in rat plasma and tissues

A rapid and sensitive method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of cynandione A in rat plasma and tissues. The plasma samples were pretreated by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate after the internal standard (honokiol) had been spiked. The tissue samples were homogenized with physiological saline and treated further like the plasma samples. The separation was performed using a Zorbax SB-C(18) column (3.5 microm, 2.1 x 100 mm) and a C18 guard column (5 microm, 4.0 x 2.0 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol-0.1% formic acid (78:22, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The Agilent G6410A triple quadrupole LC/MS system was operated under the multiple-reaction monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique in negative mode. The nominal retention times for cynandione A and honokiol were 1.41 and 2.63 min, respectively. The method was validated within the concentration range 0.2-1000 ng/mL in plasma and homogenized tissue for cynandione A, and the calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients >0.992. The lower limit of quantification of cynandione A was 0.2 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the assay in plasma were less than 14.4%, while the intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the assay in tissue homogenate were less than 14.2%. This method proved to be suitable for study of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of cynandione A in rat.     

Rapid, accurate and precise quantitative drug analysis: comparing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and chip-based nanoelectrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

We have developed a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system capable of achieving better than 2% accuracy, routinely over a wide concentration range of 1800 ng mL-1. We demonstrate that the necessary high precision, high accuracy and rapid analysis can be achieved using LC-MS/MS technology. Automated nanoelectrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS/MS) technology can be employed to eliminate the chromatographic step completely. In this paper, nanoESI-MS/MS is evaluated and compared directly with LC-MS/MS for the quantitative analysis of two-test analytes, amitriptyline (ATT) and 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MTT), in aqueous/organic mixture. Calibration curves were found to be linear over a wide concentration range of 1800 ng mL-1 for both analytes using LC-MS/MS. Using nanoESI-MS/MS ATT gave a linear response while 5-MTT gave a non-linear response using nanoESI-MS/MS over the same concentration range as in LC-MS/MS. Accuracy and precision values of quality control samples (QCs) at four concentration levels were analysed in replicates of six at each level using 5-MTT and ATT as test analytes for both techniques. The LC-MS/MS system was capable of achieving accuracy levels of 99.50101.96% for ATT and 100.17100.40% for 5-MTT. Accuracy levels using nanoESI-MS/MS were not comparable to LC-MS/MS, they ranged from 90.09100.18% for ATT and 95.95113.55% for 5-MTT. The precision values obtained for nanoESI-MS/MS were in good agreement with those obtained by LC-MS/MS.     

气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱法同时测定焙烤食品中28种邻苯二甲酸酯

建立了气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)同时测定焙烤食品中28种邻苯二甲酸酯类(PAEs)物质残留量的方法。样品经乙酸乙酯超声提取,用中性氧化铝净化后进行检测。经程序升温气化进样口(PTV)不分流进样,TR-5MS色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μ m)进行色谱分离,在选择反应监测(SRM)模式下进行质谱扫描,采用内标法定量。28种邻苯二甲酸酯的线性范围,除邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(DINP)在0.1~20 mg/L外,其余27种均在0.05~10 mg/L范围内呈线性关系,相关系数r²≥0.9962。方法检出限范围为0.1~9.8 μ g/kg,方法定量限范围为0.4~32.6 μ g/kg。分别在面包、饼干、糕点、馅料4类样品中进行低、中、高3个添加水平的加标回收试验,加标回收率为81.0%~117%,相对标准偏差(RSD, n=6)为1.3%~13.6%。用建立的方法测定了不同焙烤食品中塑化剂的含量。该方法操作简单,可靠性高,适用范围广,适用于焙烤食品中邻苯二甲酸酯类物质残留量的检测。     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography and ion spray tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of artesunate, artemether and their major metabolites dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin-glucuronide in sheep plasma

Recently, promising fasciocidal activities of artesunate and artemether were described in rats and sheep. Therefore, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to quantify artesunate, artemether and their metabolites dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin-glucuronide in sheep plasma. Protein precipitation with methanol was used for sample workup. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed using an Atlantis C18 analytical column with a mobile phase gradient system of ammonium formate and acetonitrile. The analytes were detected by MS/MS using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with electrospray ionisation in the positive mode (transition m/z 267.4 → 163.0). The analytical range for dihydroartemisinin, dihydroartemisinin-glucuronide and artesunate was 10-1000 ng/ml and for artemether 90-3000 ng/ml with a lower limit of quantification of 10 and 90 ng/ml, respectively. Inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision deviations were < 10%. Consistent relative recoveries (60-80%) were observed over the investigated calibration range for all analytes. All analytes were stable in the autosampler for at least 30 h (6 °C) and after three freeze and thaw cycles. The validation results demonstrated that the LC-MS/MS method is precise, accurate and selective and can be used for the determination of the artemisinins in sheep plasma. The method was applied successfully to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of artesunate and its metabolites in plasma of intramuscularly treated sheep.     

A simple and rapid determination of valproic acid in human plasma using a non-porous silica column and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

A liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) assay was developed and validated to determine valproic acid in human plasma. The method involved a solid-phase extraction of valproic acid and betamethasone valerate, an internal standard, from plasma and detection using an LC-MS/MS system with electrospray ionization source in negative ion mode. Separation was achieved within 3 min on a non-porous silica column with mobile phase containing ammonium acetate and methanol. Multiple reaction monitoring was utilized for detection monitoring at 142.89-142.89 for valproic acid and 457.21-457.21 for the internal standard. The calibration curve for valproic acid was linear over the range of 0.5-150 microg/mL. The limit of detection was 0.17 microg/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 0.5 microg/mL, when 0.2 mL plasma was used for extraction. The percentage coefficient of validation for accuracy and precision (inter- and intra-day) for this method was less than 9.5% with recovery ranging from 82.3 to 86.9% for valproic acid.     

Large-scale muLC-MS/MS for silver- and Coomassie blue-stained polyacrylamide gels

2-DE combined with LC-MS/MS has become a routine, reliable protein separation and identification technology for proteome analysis. The demand for large-scale protein identifications after 2-DE separation requires a sensitive and high-throughput LC-MS/MS method. In this report, a simple, splitless, fully automated capillary LC-MS/MS system was described for the large-scale identification of proteins from gels stained with either silver or CBB. The gel samples were digested and peptides were extracted using an in-gel digestion workstation. The peptides were automatically introduced into a capillary column by an autosampler connected to an HPLC pump. A nanoLC pump was then used to deliver the gradient and elute the peptides from the capillary column directly into an LCQ IT mass spectrometer. Neither a peptide trapping setting nor a flow split is needed in this simple setup. The collected MS/MS spectra were then automatically searched by SEQUEST, and filtered and organized by DTASelect. Hundreds of silver-stained or CBB-stained Shewanella oneidensis, Geobacter sulfurreducens, and Geobacter metallireducens proteins separated by denaturing or nondenaturing 2-DE were digested and routinely analyzed using this fully automated muLC-MS/MS system. High peptide hits and sequence coverage were achieved for most CBB-stained gel spots. About 75% of the spots were found to contain multiple proteins. Although silver staining is not commonly thought to be optimal for MS analysis, protein identifications were successfully obtained from silver-stained 2-DE spots detected using methods with and without formaldehyde for protein fixation.     

液相色谱-串联质谱检测蔬菜和茶叶中吡虫啉的残留量

介绍了利用液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）快速、准确地测定蔬菜、茶叶产品中吡虫啉残留量的方法。前处理方法为用乙腈提取,再用弗罗里硅土和活性炭混合柱净化。用多反应监测技术确定吡虫啉的两对离子(m/z 256.0/209.3,m/z 256.0/175.2)为定性离子对,m/z 209.3为定量离子。方法的定量限为0.01 mg/kg,线性范围为0.01～0.5 mg/L,加标回收率为76%～90%,相对标准偏差（RSD）为7.4%～11.0%。     

Development of a method for the direct analysis of peptide AM336 in monkey cerebrospinal fluid using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with a mixed-function column

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analytical procedure, using a single column for sample clean-up, enrichment and separation, has been developed for the determination of the peptide AM336 in monkey cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF samples were injected and analyzed using a polymer-coated mixed-function high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column with gradient elution and application of a timed valve-switching event. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI(+)) mode with single ion recording (SIR) at m/z 920. The method was validated, yielding calibration curves with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9892. Assay precision and accuracy were evaluated by direct injection of AM336-fortified CSF samples at three concentration levels. Analyzed concentrations ranged from 99.93 to 113.1% of their respective theoretical concentrations with coefficients of variation below 9.0%. An evaluation of the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio for a 200 ng/mL calibration standard, considered to be the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), resulted in an estimated limit of detection (LOD) of 31.2 ng/mL. Preliminary data suggest the possibility of using this method to analyze AM336 also in plasma samples, pending the successful outcome of additional investigations.     

Determination of 2-ethylhexyl nitrate in diesel fuel

The aim of this study was to develop and validate fast and easily applicable GC/MS assay for the quantification of the substance that increases cetane number in diesel fuel (2-ethylhexylnitrate, 2-EHN). These requirements were fulfilled best by a headspace GC-MS assay with negative chemical ionization with methane (HS-GC/MS). Chromatographic separation is achieved using a DB5-MS capillary column after the addition of known amount of internal standard (o-nitrotoluene). The limit of detection was 0.009% v/v for 2-EHN and the limit of quantification was 0.03% v/v. The HS-GC/MS method was applied for the quantification of cetane improver in spiked diesel fuel and real diesel fuel. The method is linear over the studied range (0.03-0.3%, v/v), with satisfactory intra- and inter-assay precision, and the relative standard deviations are lower than 10%. Good accuracy is achieved with bias <10% at all levels tested.     

亚临界水萃取及气相色谱-串联质谱法检测红茶中多种农药残留

建立了亚临界水萃取及气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)检测红茶中21种有机氯和拟除虫菊酯农药残留的方法。在萃取压力为5 MPa条件下,样品经150 ℃的亚临界水提取15 min后,将目标物转移至丙酮-正己烷(1:1, v/v)中,经ENVI-Carb固相萃取净化小柱净化,DB-5毛细管气相色谱柱分离,在多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行MS/MS检测,基质匹配溶液内标法定量。各目标物在5.0～320.0 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.99,其定量限(信噪比(S/N)＞10)为50 ng/g,检出限(S/N＞3)为10 ng/g。茶叶基质中添加50、100和200 ng/g的标准品时,21种农药的回收率为70.18%～119.98%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为5.01%～11.76%。该方法的灵敏度、准确度和精密度均符合农药残留测定的技术要求,适用于红茶中有机氯和拟除虫菊酯农药残留的检测。     

Determination of the small cell lung cancer associated biomarker pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) using LC-MS

Small cell lung cancer is a rapidly growing neoplasm with high mortality. A recently discovered biomarker, pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP), is used as a specific diagnostic marker for the disease. The present methods of quantification are based on the immunoassay techniques RIA and ELISA. Our object was to develop an LC-MS method for the detection and quantification of ProGRP using specific tryptic digestion products from the recombinant peptide ProGRP (31-98), a sequence common to three isoforms of ProGRP. The conditions for enzymatic cleavage were optimized and MS compatibility was obtained. Digestion of ProGRP (31-98) yielded an array of peptide products and these were evaluated for further method development. The peptide product NLLGLIEAK proved to be the preferable candidate to monitor ProGRP due to signal intensity, column retention, and peptide specificity. The identity of this product was verified by means of LC-MS/MS and the linearity of the calibration curve evaluated. LOD was calculated to be 13.9 pg on column (O.C.). Plasma samples spiked with ProGRP (31-98) prior to digestion verified the suitability of this digest product for the determination of ProGRP. LC-MS may prove to be a valuable tool for biomarker mediated diagnosis in the future.     

固相萃取-液相色谱-串联质谱法测定蔬菜中4种有机磷农药及其代谢产物

在蔬菜种植中经常使用的有机磷农药马拉硫磷、甲基对硫磷、敌百虫及乙酰甲胺磷可能转化的主要代谢产物分别为O,O-二甲基二硫代磷酸酯、对硝基酚、敌敌畏及甲胺磷。根据蔬菜色素等基质的含量不同采用不同的净化方法,色素含量高的蔬菜采用活性炭和弗罗里硅土串联固相萃取小柱净化,其他蔬菜采用弗罗里硅土固相萃取小柱净化。色谱分离选择ACQUITY UPLC BEH HILIC色谱柱,以乙腈和5 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,得到的分离效果较好;质谱采用电喷雾正或负离子电离、多反应监测模式检测。液相色谱-质谱检测的基质效应为15.3%~45.1%;4种有机磷农药及其代谢物的方法回收率为76.9%~102.8%,相对标准偏差为5.92%~10.19%;定量限范围为0.001~0.01 mg/L;在0.01~1.00 mg/L范围内线性相关系数为0.9982~0.9999。方法具有良好的回收率、相对标准偏差、定量限及线性关系,适合蔬菜中有机磷及代谢物的检测,应用该检测方法对农贸市场购买的白菜、辣椒、西红柿及洋葱进行了检测。     

Stable isotope dilution analysis of N-acetylaspartic acid in urine by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) is a specific urinary marker for Canavan disease, an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy. We developed a 'dilute and shoot' stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for determination of NAA in urine. Deuterated internal standard d(3)-NAA was added to untreated urine and the mixture was injected into the LC-MS/MS system operated in the negative ion mode. Chromatography was carried out on a C(8) minibore column using 50% acetonitrile solution containing 0.05% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The retention time was 1.6 min and the turnaround time was 2.2 min. NAA and d(3)-NAA were analyzed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Calibrators and quality control samples were prepared in pooled control urine. The assay was linear up to 2000 micromol/L with limit of quantification at 1 micromol/L (S/N = 12). Interassay and intraassay coefficients of variation were less than 7% and recovery at three different concentrations was 98.9-102.5%. The LC-MS/MS method for NAA as described involves no extraction and no derivatization, showed no interference and gave excellent recovery with low variability and short analytical time. The method was successfully applied for the retrospective analysis of urine from 21 Canavan disease cases.     

Dynamic system for the calibration of semi-volatile carbonyl compounds in air

A dynamic calibration system designed for generating accurate and precise concentrations of semi-volatile carbonyls in the ppb (v/v) (ppbv)-ppt (v/v) (pptv) range has been developed and tested. Alkanals from C6 to C9 were used as test compounds. Diffusion rates of their vapours from capillary tubes were determined theoretically and with two methods whose accuracy was independently evaluated with liquid standard solutions. Methods selected for testing the calibration system were those commonly used for the selective quantification of carbonyls in air. One is based on the well-known reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), followed by the analysis of formed hydrazones by HPLC-UV. The other is based on the retention of carbonyls on graphitic carbon adsorbents, followed by MS detection of the sample injected into a capillary column by thermal desorption. A good consistency was found between the values of the diffusion rates determined by the two methods. The scatter between the two methods was in the range of +/-10% when diffusion rates of ca. 1 ng/s were attained. Experimental values closely approached those calculated by applying the equation describing the diffusion of a vapour in equilibrium with the liquid through a capillary tube.     

Miniaturized on-line proteolysis-capillary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for peptide mapping of lactate dehydrogenase

In this study, methodology was developed for on-line and miniaturized enzymatic digestion with liquid chromatographic (LC) separation and mass spectrometric (MS) detection. A packed capillary LC-MS system was combined with on-line trypsin cleavage of a model protein, lactate dehydrogenase, to provide an efficient system for peptide mapping. The protein was injected onto an enzymatic capillary reactor and the resulting peptides were efficiently trapped on a capillary trapping column. Different trapping columns were evaluated to achieve a high binding capacity for the peptides generated in the enzyme reactor. The peptides were further eluted from the pre-column and separated on an analytical capillary column by a buffer more suitable for the following an electrospray ionisation (ESI) MS process. An important aspect of the on-line approach was the desalting of peptides performed in the trapping column to avoid detrimental signal suppression in the ESI process. The developed on-line system was finally compared to a classical digestion in solution, with reference to peptide sequence coverage and sensitivity. It was shown that the on-line system gave more than 100% higher peptide sequence coverage than traditional digestion methods.