Selective enrichment of the degradation products of organophosphorus nerve agents by zirconia based solid-phase extraction

Selective extraction and enrichment of nerve agent degradation products has been achieved using zirconia based commercial solid-phase extraction cartridges. Target analytes were O-alkyl alkylphosphonic acids and alkylphosphonic acids, the environmental markers of nerve agents such as sarin, soman and VX. Critical extraction parameters such as modifier concentration, nature and volume of washing and eluting solvents were investigated. Amongst other anionic compounds, selectivity in extraction was observed for organophosphorus compounds. Recoveries of analytes were determined by GC-MS which ranged from 80% to 115%. Comparison of zirconia based solid-phase extraction method with anion-exchange solid-phase extraction revealed its selectivity towards phosphonic acids. The limits of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) with selected analytes were achieved down to 4.3 and 8.5 ng mL(-1), respectively, in selected ion monitoring mode.     

Capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry: a promising tool for the control of some physiologically hazardous compounds. I-derivatives of 3-quinuclidinol

A method based on the coupling of capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry (CE/MS) was developed for the monitoring of 3-quinuclidinol and its four N-alkyl derivatives (methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl derivatives). A fragmentation study (collision-induced dissociation of ions in an ion trap) and optimization of the ion optics set-up for CE/MS experiments using direct infusion of a methanolic solution of the standards into the mass spectrometer were carried out in advance. Molecular ions of all quaternary compounds and the quasi-molecular ion [M + H]+ of free 3-quinuclidinol prevail in the mass spectra. In the MS/MS of propyl and isopropyl derivatives, the elimination of the alkyl chain dominates, leading to the ion at m/z 128. The fragmentation of the other compounds is more complex. Previous CE separation of the mixture of isobaric propyl and isopropyl derivatives is necessary for their unambiguous identification. A 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.0) is the optimum running electrolyte, allowing the CE separation of methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl derivatives. A 0.5% (v/v) solution of acetic acid in methanol provides sufficient detection sensitivity when used as the sheath liquid. Limits of detection of 0.1 ppm for 3-quinuclidinol and 0.05 ppm for quaternary derivatives were achieved under the optimum conditions. The optimized method was applied to the determination of 3-quinuclidinol and related quaternary derivatives spiked into a sample of pond water. The experimental set-up for CE/MS/MS was investigated, which strongly increases the identification capability of the technique.     

Field-amplified sample stacking for the detection of chemical warfare agent degradation products in low-conductivity matrices by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

Preconcentration of chemical warfare agent degradation products (alkylphosphonic acids and alkyl alkylphosphonic acids) in low-conductivity matrices (purified water, tap water and local river water) by field-amplified sample stacking (FASS) was developed for capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry. FASS was performed by adding a mixture of HCOONH(4) and NH(4)OH in appropriate concentrations to the sample. This allowed to control the conductivity and the pH of the sample in order to obtain FASS performances that are independent of analyte concentration. The influence of different parameters on FASS (sample to background electrolyte (BGE) conductivity ratio, injection volume and concentration of BGE) was studied to determine the optimal conditions and was rationalized by using the theoretical model developed by Burgi and Chien. A good correlation was obtained between the bulk electroosmotic velocity predicted by this model and the experimental value deduced from the migration time of the electroosmotic flow marker detected by mass spectrometry (MS). This newly developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of tap water and local river water fortified with the analytes and provided a 10-fold sensitivity enhancement in comparison to the signal obtained without preconcentration procedure. The quite satisfactory repeatability and linearity for peak areas obtained in the 0.5-5 microg mL(-1) concentration range allow quantitative analysis to be implemented. Limits of detection of 0.25-0.5 microg mL(-1) for the alkyl alkylphosphonic acids and of 0.35-5 microg mL(-1) for the alkylphosphonic acids were reached in tap water and river water.     

Identification of degradation products of aspartyl tripeptides by capillary electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (CE-MS/MS) has been used to identify degradation products of the aspartyl tripeptides Phe-Asp-GlyNH(2) and Gly-Asp-PheNH(2) following incubation of the peptides in acidic and alkaline solution. At pH 2, the dominant decomposition products resulted from cleavage of the peptide backbone amide bonds to yield the respective dipeptides and amino acids. In addition, the cyclic aspartyl succinimide intermediate was identified by its [M+H](+) at m/z = 319 and the MS/MS spectrum exhibiting a simple fragmentation pattern with the [C(8)H(10)N](+)-ion as the principal daughter ion (a(1) of Phe-Asp-GlyNH(2)). Deamidation of the C-terminal amide as well as isomerization and enantiomerization of the Asp residue occurred upon incubation at pH 10. alpha-Asp and the isomeric beta-Asp and most of the diastereomeric forms (corresponding to D/L-Asp) could be separated by CE. All isomers could be identified based on their MS/MS spectra. Peptides with the amino acid sequence Phe-Asp-Gly containing the regular alpha-Asp bond displayed a highly intense b(2) fragment ion and a low abundant y(2) ion. In contrast, the y(2) and a(1) fragment were high abundant daughter ions in the mass spectra of beta-Asp peptides while the b(2) ion exhibited a lower abundance. Differences in the MS/MS spectra of the isomers of the peptides with the sequence Gly-Asp-Phe were obvious but less pronounced. In conclusion, CE-MS/MS proved to be a useful tool to study the decomposition and enantiomerization of peptides including the isomerization of Asp residues, due to the combination of efficient separation of isomers by CE and their identification by MS/MS.     

Rapid screening procedures for the hydrolysis products of chemical warfare agents using positive and negative ion liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation

Qualitative screening procedures have been developed for the rapid detection and identification of the hydrolysis products of chemical warfare agents in aqueous samples and extracts, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with positive and negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). Previously reported screening procedures, which used positive APCI or electrospray ionisation (ESI), were modified by using LC conditions that allowed acquisition of positive and negative ion mass spectra. APCI was generally found to be more robust than ESI, probably due to variable adduct ion formation with ESI, depending on the condition of the sample and the system. Negative APCI provided selective detection of acidic analytes and allowed facile differentiation of alkyl alkylphosphonic acids from isomeric dialkyl alkylphosphonates. The combination of positive and negative APCI, using a C18 column and water-methanol mobile phase modified with ammonium formate, provides a rapid screening procedure for chemical warfare agent degradation products, with limits of detectability in the range 10-100 ng/ml. In the case of proficiency test samples, where analyte concentrations are in the range 1-10 ppm, introduction of the sample by infusion may provide an even faster preliminary screening procedure.     

On-line high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–nuclear magnetic resonance method of the markers of nerve agents for verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention

This paper details an on-flow liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–nuclear magnetic resonance (LC–UV–NMR) method for the retrospective detection and identification of alkyl alkylphosphonic acids (AAPAs) and alkylphosphonic acids (APAs), the markers of the toxic nerve agents for verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Initially, the LC–UV–NMR parameters were optimized for benzyl derivatives of the APAs and AAPAs. The optimized parameters include stationary phase C₁₈, mobile phase methanol:water 78:22 (v/v), UV detection at 268 nm and ¹H NMR acquisition conditions. The protocol described herein allowed the detection of analytes through acquisition of high quality NMR spectra from the aqueous solution of the APAs and AAPAs with high concentrations of interfering background chemicals which have been removed by preceding sample preparation. The reported standard deviation for the quantification is related to the UV detector which showed relative standard deviations (RSDs) for quantification within ±1.1%, while lower limit of detection upto 16 μg (in μg absolute) for the NMR detector. Finally the developed LC–UV–NMR method was applied to identify the APAs and AAPAs in real water samples, consequent to solid phase extraction and derivatization. The method is fast (total experiment time ∼2 h), sensitive, rugged and efficient.     

Determination of haloacetic acids by the combination of non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

The applicability of capillary electrophoresis (CE) in combination with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) is demonstrated for the determination of organic acids and in particular for haloacetic acids. CE-conditions, sheath flow and MS-parameters were optimized with respect to the separation of the analytes and mass spectrometric sensitivity. CE/MS turned out to be an attractive alternative for the determination of haloacetic acids to existing methods based on GC-ECD. Employing CE/MS derivatization is not necessary which saves time and avoids possible sources of errors. In the present work the sample pre-treatment is performed by liquid-liquid extraction using methyl tert.-butyl ether as the extraction solvent. The organic phase is brought to dryness in a stream of nitrogen gas and the residue is dissolved in methanol and analyzed by CE/MS using a mixture of 2-propanol/water 80?:?20 containing triethylamine as the sheath liquid in the interface. Best results for the separation of all nine possible bromo- and chloroacetic acids together with two internal standards are obtained with a carrier electrolyte consisting of ammonium acetate/acetic acid in methanol; to resolve the strongly acidic trihaloacetic acids as well as the less acidic monohaloacetic acids, a careful optimization of the acetic acid content is necessary. The method was applied to the determination of haloacetic acids in real water samples. With optimized CE and MS conditions detection limits between 0.3 and 7.6 μg/L in the original water samples were achieved, employing a sample volume of 30 mL.     

Determination of haloacetic acids by the combination of non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

The applicability of capillary electrophoresis (CE) in combination with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) is demonstrated for the determination of organic acids and in particular for haloacetic acids. CE-conditions, sheath flow and MS-parameters were optimized with respect to the separation of the analytes and mass spectrometric sensitivity. CE/MS turned out to be an attractive alternative for the determination of haloacetic acids to existing methods based on GC-ECD. Employing CE/MS derivatization is not necessary which saves time and avoids possible sources of errors. In the present work the sample pre-treatment is performed by liquid-liquid extraction using methyl tert.-butyl ether as the extraction solvent. The organic phase is brought to dryness in a stream of nitrogen gas and the residue is dissolved in methanol and analyzed by CE/MS using a mixture of 2-propanol/water 80 : 20 containing triethylamine as the sheath liquid in the interface. Best results for the separation of all nine possible bromo- and chloroacetic acids together with two internal standards are obtained with a carrier electrolyte consisting of ammonium acetate/acetic acid in methanol; to resolve the strongly acidic trihaloacetic acids as well as the less acidic monohaloacetic acids, a careful optimization of the acetic acid content is necessary. The method was applied to the determination of haloacetic acids in real water samples. With optimized CE and MS conditions detection limits between 0.3 and 7.6 μg/L in the original water samples were achieved, employing a sample volume of 30 mL. Received: 4 May 1999 / Revised: 9 June 1999 / Accepted: 12 June 1999     

Application of capillary electrophoresis- electrospray-mass spectrometry to the separation and characterization of isomeric lipopolysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis

A capillary electrophoresis-electrospray-mass spectrometry technique for the characterization of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) was developed, permitting the separation of trace-level O-deacylated LPS isoforms for subsequent structural characterization using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The separation buffer and electrospray interface were optimized first using O-deacylated LPS samples from large-scale preparations. It was found that with microelectrospray or sheath-solution interface, we could separate LPS in anionic forms and detect them using either negative or positive ion mode MS. For negative ion detection mode MS, 30 mM morpholine with addition of 5% v/v methanol was employed as separation buffer. When positive ion detection mode MS was required, 10 mM ammonium acetate with addition of 5% methanol was used as separation buffer. The structural assignments obtained from MS/MS and capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray-MS (CZE-ESMS) analyses enabled the identification of isomeric glycoforms. Application of this technique to the analysis of LPS from the galE mutants of Neisseria meningitidis strain BZ157 B5+ revealed the presence of isomeric glycoforms, in which the location of a functional group phosphoethanolamine was found to be in either inner core or lipid A-OH regions. The described technique was also applied to the analysis of LPS samples from the galE mutant of N. meningitidis strains F1576 A4+ and A4-. The occurrence of isomeric LPS glycoforms differing by the location or presence of neutral sugar residues, such as hexoses, can also be characterized using MS/MS.     

Quantitative high-throughput determination of endogenous retinoids in human plasma using triple-stage liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A high-throughput ultrasensitive analytical method based on liquid chromatography with positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) coupled to tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS/MS) was developed for the determination of all-trans-4-oxo-retinoic acid (at4oxoRA), 13-cis-4-oxo-retinoic acid (13c4oxoRA), 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cRA), all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) and all-trans-retinol (atROH) in human plasma. A stable isotope of atRA was used as internal standard (IS). The analytes and IS were isolated from 100 microL plasma by acetonitrile mono-phase extraction (MPE) performed in black 96-well microtiterplates. A 100 microL injection was focused on-column and chromatographed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 rapid-resolution high-throughput (RRHT) column with 1.8-microm particles (4.6 mmx50 mm) maintained at 60 degrees C. The initial mobile phase composition was acetonitrile/water/formic acid (10:90:0.1, v/v/v) delivered at 1.8 mL/min. Elution was accomplished by a fast gradient to acetonitrile/methanol/formic acid (90:10:0.1, v/v/v). The method had a chromatographic total run time of 7 min. An Applied Biosystems 4000 Q TRAP linear tandem mass spectrometer equipped with a heated nebulizer (APCI) ionization source was operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 315.4-->297 (4-oxo-retinoic acids), 301.2-->205 (retinoic acids), 305.0-->209 (IS) and 269.2-->93 (retinol) used for quantification. The assay was fully validated and found to have acceptable accuracy, precision, linearity, sensitivity and selectivity. The mean extraction recoveries from spiked plasma samples were 80-105% for the various retinoids at three different levels. The intra-day accuracy of the assay was within 8% of nominal and intra-day precision was better than 8% coefficient of variance (CV) for retinoic acids. Inter-day precision results for quality control samples run over a 12-day period alongside clinical samples showed mean precision better than 12.5% CV. The limit of quantification was in the range of 0.1-0.2 ng/mL and the mass limit of detection (mLOD) was in the range 1-4 pg on column for the retinoic acids. The assay has been successfully applied to the analysis of 1700 plasma samples.     

Determination of nerve agent degradation products in environmental samples by liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization

A powerful and rapid method has been developed for the identification and quantitative determination of alkyl methylphosphonic acids, which are the degradation products of nerve agents, using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. Six alkyl methylphosphonic acids were well separated within 16 min. For quantitative analysis, good linearity, sensitivity and reproducibility were obtained by LC-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode. For unambiguous identification of alkyl methylphosphonic acids, fragment ions were produced by in-source collision induced dissociation (CID), and then exact mass measurement of CID fragment ions was performed. The feasibility of applying this technique for detecting these compounds in spiked environmental waters and soils was demonstrated.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定食品级聚苯乙烯和聚乙烯色母粒中33种初级芳香胺

建立了超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)同时测定食品级聚苯乙烯(PS)和聚乙烯(PE)色母粒中33种初级芳香胺(PAAs)的检测方法。PS色母粒用二氯甲烷溶解,超声提取后加入甲醇沉淀,并将提取液过石墨化碳固相萃取柱净化;PE色母粒用二氯甲烷超声溶胀提取;将PS色母粒过柱液和PE色母粒提取液浓缩,浓缩液用甲醇-水(1:9, v/v)定容至2 mL, 0.22 μm膜过滤后上机检测。采用BEH Phenyl色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm),以0.07%(v/v)甲酸甲醇溶液-水(1:9, v/v)为流动相,梯度洗脱分离,UPLC-MS/MS多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,同位素内标法定量。优化了色谱分离条件、质谱碎裂电压、碰撞能量等,并考察了提取时间、提取溶剂、浓缩方式等对回收率的影响。33种PAAs的方法检出限为6~10 μg/kg,定量限为20~30 μg/kg, 2种不同基质样品在20、100、200 μg/kg等3个添加水平的平均回收率为61.3%~119.8%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.4%~14.8%。本方法操作简便、快速、准确、灵敏度高,能满足相关测定要求。     

液相色谱-四极杆/离子阱质谱同时确证和测定肌肉中16种同化甾体激素残留

采用液相色谱-四极杆/离子阱质谱(LC-Q/Trap-MS)建立了肌肉中16种同化甾体激素类物质(ASs)残留的同时确证及测定方法。肌肉中的ASs采用乙腈超声辅助提取,正己烷脱脂,氨基固相萃取柱净化,CAPCELL PAK C18 MGIII柱(150 mm×2.0 mm, 5.0 μm)分离,0.1%(v/v)甲酸-乙腈溶液和0.1%(v/v)甲酸-5 mmol/L甲酸铵水溶液为流动相梯度洗脱;预设定多反应监测(sMRM)-信息依赖性采集(IDA)-增强子离子扫描(EPI)模式检测,在线EPI谱库确证,内标法定量。结果表明,16种ASs在线性范围内线性关系良好(r≥0.999);定量限(LOQ, S/N≥10)为0.029～0.36 μg/kg; 3个添加水平(0.5、2.0和20 μg/kg)下的回收率为89.9%～118%;相对标准偏差(RSD)为6.3%～16.2%。该方法准确灵敏,一次性完成16种ASs的确证和测定,可有效用于肌肉组织中ASs残留的监测分析。     

气相色谱-串联质谱法测定茶叶中88种农药残留量

采用气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)分析技术,建立了高灵敏度检测茶叶中88种农药残留量的方法。目标化合物经加速溶剂萃取(ASE), Carb/NH2净化小柱净化,乙腈-甲苯(3:1, v/v)洗脱,采用GC-MS/MS测定。对方法的准确性、精密度、线性范围、最低检出限(LOD)和定量限(LOQ)进行了测试。其中87.5%的农药在低水平(6.4 μg/kg)的加标回收率为70%～100%; 87.5%的农药的相对标准偏差(RSD)小于15%。每个化合物均采用灵敏度最高的离子对进行定量,并采用空白茶叶基质配制标准工作液。LOQ以10倍信噪比(S/N=10)计算,86.4%农药的LOQ值低于10 μg/kg。该方法灵敏度高、准确、可靠,适用于绿茶、乌龙茶、红茶以及普洱茶中多种农药残留量的检测。     

Packed-column capillary electrochromatography and capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry using a lithocholic acid stationary phase

The preparation and characterization of a novel lithocholic acid (LCA)-based liquid crystalline (LC) stationary phase (SP) suitable for application in packed-column CEC and CEC coupled to MS is described. The extent of bonding reactions of LCA-SP was assessed using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. This characterization is followed by application of the LCA-SP for separation of beta-blockers, phenylethylamines (PEAs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Using the optimum mobile phase operating conditions (pH 3.0-4.5, 10 mM ammonium acetate, 85% v/v ACN), a comparison of the chromatographic ability of the aminopropyl silica phase vs. the LCA-bonded phase was conducted. The results showed improved selectivity for all test analytes using the latter phase. For example, the CEC-MS of beta-blockers demonstrated that the LCA-bonded phase provides separation of six out of seven beta-blockers, whereas the amino silica phase provides four peaks of several co-eluting beta-blockers. For the CEC-MS analysis of PEAs, the LCA-bonded phase showed improved resolution and different selectivity as compared to the aminopropyl phase. An evaluation of the retention trends for PEAs on both phases suggested that the PEAs were retained based on varying degree of hydroxyl substitution on the aromatic ring. In addition, the MS characterization shows several PEAs fragment in the electrospray either by loss of an alkyl group and/or by loss of H2O. Finally, the LCA-bonded phase displayed significantly higher separation selectivity for PAHs and PCBs as compared to the amino silica phase.     

Determination of glycoalkaloids and relative aglycones by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry

Glycoalkaloids are naturally occurring nitrogen-containing compounds present in many species of the family Solanaceae, including cultivated and wild potatoes (Solanum spp.), tomatoes (Lycopersicon spp.), etc. These compounds have pharmacological and toxicological effects on humans due to their significant anticholinesterase activity and disruption of cell membranes. Herein is reported the development of a capillary electrophoresis (CE) method using nonaqueous (NA) separation solutions in combination with ion trap mass spectrometry (MS and MS/MS) detection for the identification and quantification of glycoalkaloids and their relative aglycones. A mixture 90:10 v/v of MeCN-MeOH containing 50 mM ammonium acetate and 1.2 M acetic acid (applied voltage of 25.5 kV) was selected as a good compromise for the separation and detection of these compounds. The electrospray MS measurements were carried out in the positive ionization mode using a coaxial sheath liquid, methanol-water (1:1) with 1% of acetic acid at a flow rate of 2.5 microL/min. Under optimized experimental conditions, the predominant ion was the protonated molecular ion ([M+H](+)) of solanidine (m/z = 398), tomatidine (m/z = 416), chaconine (m/z = 852), solanine (m/z = 868), and tomatine (m/z = 1034). MS/MS experiments were carried out systematically by changing the relative collisional energy and monitoring the intensities of the fragment ions that were not high enough to allow better quantification than with the mother ions. The method was used for analyzing glycoalkaloids in potato extracts.     

An automated method for the simultaneous determination of pravastatin, 3-hydroxy isomeric metabolite, pravalactone and fenofibric acid in human plasma by sensitive liquid chromatography combined with diode array and tandem mass spectrometry detection

In this study, a sensitive and selective method based on liquid chromatography combined with diode array and tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-DAD-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of fenofibric acid, pravastatin and its main metabolites in human plasma. In this method, an automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) on disposable extraction cartridges (DECs) is used to isolate the compounds from the biological matrix and to prepare a cleaner sample before injection and analysis in the LC-DAD-MS/MS system. On-line LC-DAD-MS/MS system using an atmospheric pressure ionization (TurboIonSpray) was then developed for the simultaneous determination of pravastatin, 3-hydroxy isomeric metabolite (3-OH metab), pravalactone and fenofibric acid. The separation is obtained on an endcapped dodecyl silica based stationary phase using a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile, methanol and 5mM ammonium acetate solution (30:30:40, v/v/v). Sulindac and triamcinolone were used as internal standards (ISs). The detection of the fenofibric acid and sulindac was achieved by means of a DAD system. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were m/z 442.2-->269.1, 442.2-->269.1, 424.3-->183.0 and 435.2-->397.2 for pravastatin, 3-OH metab, pravalactone and triamcinolone, respectively. The method was validated regarding stability, selectivity, extraction efficiency, response function, trueness, precision lower limit of quantitation and matrix effect. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) were around 0.50 ng/ml for pravastatin, 0.25 ng/ml for 3-OH metab, 0.05 ng/ml for pravalactone and 0.25 microg/ml for fenofibric acid.     

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography separation mechanisms of tetracyclines on amino-bonded silica column

Effects of mobile-phase variations on the chromatographic separation on amino-bonded silica column in hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) were investigated for four zwitterionic tetracyclines (TCs): oxytetracycline, doxycycline, chlortetracycline, and tetracycline. A mixed-mode retention mechanism composed of partitioning, adsorption, and ion exchange interactions was proposed for the amino HILIC retention process. Buffer type and pH significantly influenced the retention of TCs, but showed similar separation selectivity for the tested analytes. Experiments varying buffer salt concentration and pH demonstrated the presence of ion exchange interactions in TCs retention. The type and concentration of organic modifier also affected the retention and selectivity of the analytes, providing direct evidence supporting the Alpert retention model for HILIC. The retention time of the analytes increased in the following order of organic modifiers: tetrahydrofuran < methanol < isopropanol < acetonitrile. The linear relationships of logk' versus %water (v/v) curve and logk' versus logarithm of %water (v/v) in the mobile phase indicated that TCs separation on the amino phase was controlled by partitioning and adsorption. The developed method was successfully utilized in the detection of TCs in both river water and wastewater samples using solid-phase extraction (SPE) for sample cleanup.     

Study of the electrical connection mechanism of sheathless interface for capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry

With the combination of high separation ability of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and strong identification ability of mass spectrometry (MS), CE/MS is becoming a powerful tool for polar and ionic analytes analysis. Different interfaces have been developed to enhance the sensitivity and reliability since the first introduction of CE/MS in 1987. A sheathless porous interface based on a new ions transferring electric connection technique was reported to be with high sensitivity and reliability. In this work, a series of optical and electrochemical experiments were designed to study the electric connection process. The results indicated that closing CE electrical circuit and applying MS spray voltage were achieved by the small ions transferring through the interface porous wall. The new electric connection method significantly enhanced the sensitivity, resolution and stability of the CE/MS analysis. The interface was applied in CE/MS detection of morphine and 6‐monoacetylmorphine in urine sample and showed an equal sensitivity to LC/MS. With the significant improvement of sensitivity and stability, the CE/MS with the new interface showed strong potential for the determination of low abundance analytes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

分散固相萃取-液相色谱-串联质谱法测定淡水鱼中柱孢藻毒素、节球藻毒素和微囊藻毒素

建立了同时检测淡水鱼中柱孢藻毒素、节球藻毒素、微囊藻毒素-RR、微囊藻毒素-YR及微囊藻毒素-LR的分散固相萃取-液相色谱-串联质谱方法。样品粉碎后，用乙腈-水-甲酸（89 ∶ 10 ∶ 1，v/v/v）提取目标物，C₁₈分散固相萃取柱净化，Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse XDB C₁₈色谱柱分离，乙腈和水梯度洗脱，在多反应监测（MRM）模式下进行定性分析，基质匹配标准曲线外标法定量。考察了提取溶剂及吸附剂种类对提取效率和净化效果的影响，并优化了液相色谱-串联质谱条件。该法在各自范围内具有良好线性关系，相关系数（R²）≥0.9954；检出限为5~10 μg/kg，定量限为15~40 μg/kg；样品的加标回收率为62.3%~101.2%。该方法前处理方法简单快速，灵敏高效，适用于淡水鱼中柱孢藻毒素、节球藻毒素和微囊藻毒素的有效检测。