分散液相微萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定蔬菜中8种亲脂类农药残留

建立了分散液相微萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)联用方法用于快速分析蔬菜中8种亲脂类农药残留。样品用水-丙酮(5:1, v/v)混合溶液提取,经布氏漏斗减压抽滤。滤液经N-丙基乙二胺(PSA)吸附剂、C18吸附剂、石墨炭黑粉净化后,用氯苯萃取,GC-MS/MS测定。对影响萃取和富集效率的因素进行了优化。在优化的实验条件下,农药的富集倍数达526～878,检出限为0.001～0.02 mg/kg,线性范围为0.005～10 mg/kg,线性相关系数为0.9921～0.9989,平均加标回收率为60.1%～82.5%,相对标准偏差为1.2%～9.6%。该方法已成功应用于蔬菜中8种亲脂类农药残留的测定。     

Surfactant-enhanced liquid-liquid microextraction coupled to micro-solid phase extraction onto highly hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles

We are presenting a simplified alternative method for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) by resorting to the use of surfactants as emulsifiers and micro solid-phase extraction (μ-SPE). In this combined procedure, DLLME of hydrophobic components is initially accomplished in a mixed micellar/microemulsion extractant phase that is prepared by rapidly mixing a non-ionic surfactant and 1-octanol in aqueous medium. Then, and in contrast to classic DLLME, the extractant phase is collected by highly hydrophobic polysiloxane-coated core-shell Fe₂O₃@C magnetic nanoparticles. Hence, the sample components are the target analyte in the DLLME which, in turn, becomes the target analyte of the μ-SPE step. This 2-step approach represents a new and simple DLLME procedure that lacks tedious steps such as centrifugation, thawing, or delicate collection of the extractant phase. As a result, the analytical process is accelerated and the volume of the collected phase does not depend on the volume of the extraction solvent. The method was applied to extract cadmium in the form of its pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate chelate from spiked water samples prior to its determination by FAAS. Detection limits were brought down to the low μg L^?1 levels by preconcentrating 10 mL samples with satisfactory recoveries (96.0–108.0 %).

液液萃取-分散液液微萃取-气相色谱-质谱联用测定纺织废水中痕量禁用偶氮染料

建立了液液萃取-分散液液微萃取-气相色谱-质谱联用技术测定纺织废水中痕量偶氮染料的方法。废水中的偶氮染料在碱性条件下经连二亚硫酸钠还原成芳香胺后,先用叔丁基甲醚液液萃取、盐酸反萃进行预浓缩及净化;再以乙腈-氯苯体系进行分散液液微萃取,气相色谱-质谱测定。对前处理条件进行了优化,考察了酸碱度及盐效应对芳香胺萃取效率的影响,结果表明:液液萃取过程中加入30 g NaCl,分散液液微萃取过程中加入1 mL 5 mol/L的NaOH调节体系至碱性才能达到较好的萃取效率。在优化的实验条件下,21种目标物均呈现良好的线性关系,其中13种芳香胺的线性范围为0.05～10μg/L, 7种芳香胺的线性范围为0.05～5μg/L, 2,4-二氨基苯甲醚的线性范围为20～100μg/L,相关系数为0.996～0.999。20种芳香胺的检出限可达0.05μg/L, 2,4-二氨基苯甲醚检出限为20μg/L。印染、机织、印花等实际废水加标试验表明,方法的回收率为75.6%～115.1%。该方法富集倍数高,检出限低,适用于纺织废水中痕量禁用偶氮染料的检测。     

Surface modified silver selinide nanoparticles as extracting probes to improve peptide/protein detection via nanoparticles-based liquid phase microextraction coupled with MALDI mass spectrometry

We report the first use of functionalized Ag₂Se nanoparticles (NPs) as effective extracting probes for NPs-based liquid-phase microextraction (NPs-LPME) to analyze hydrophobic peptides and proteins from biological samples (urine and plasma) and soybean in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Surface modified functional groups such as octadecanethiol (ODT) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on Ag₂Se NPs were found to play an important role for efficient extraction of peptides and proteins from test samples through hydrophobic interactions. The peptides can be efficiently extracted using functionalized Ag₂Se NPs as extracting probes in the presence of high concentration of matrix interferences such as 4 M urea, 0.5% Triton X-100 and 3% NaCl. Ag₂Se@ODT NPs have shown better extraction efficiency and detection sensitivity for peptides than Ag₂Se@MUA NPs, bare Ag₂Se NPs and conventional MALDI-MS. The LODs are 20-68 nM for valinomycin and 100-180 nM for gramicidin D using Ag₂Se@ODT NPs-LPME in the MALDI-MS. The current approach is highly sensitive and the target analytes can be effectively isolated without sample loss and efficiently analyzed in MALDI-MS.     

Characterization of N-palmitoylated human growth hormone by in situ liquid-liquid extraction and MALDI tandem mass spectrometry

Acylation is a common post-translational modification found in secreted proteins and membrane-associated proteins, including signal transducing and regulatory proteins. Acylation is also explored in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry to increase the stability and lifetime of protein-based products. The presence of acyl moieties in proteins and peptides affects the physico-chemical properties of these species, thereby modulating protein stability, function, localization and molecular interactions. Characterization of protein acylation is a challenging analytical task, which includes the precise definition of the acylation sites in proteins and determination of the identity and molecular heterogeneity of the acyl moiety at each individual site. In this study, we generated a chemically modified human growth hormone (hGH) by incorporation of a palmitoyl moiety on the N(epsilon) group of a lysine residue. Monoacylation of the hGH protein was confirmed by determination of the intact molecular weight by mass spectrometry. Detailed analysis of protein acylation was achieved by analysis of peptides derived from hGH by protease treatment. However, peptide mass mapping by MALDI MS using trypsin and AspN proteases and standard sample preparation methods did not reveal any palmitoylated peptides. In contrast, in situ liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) performed directly on the MALDI MS metal target enabled detection of acylated peptide candidates by MALDI MS and demonstrated that hGH was N-palmitoylated at multiple lysine residues. MALDI MS and MS/MS analysis of the modified peptides mapped the N-palmitoylation sites to Lys158, Lys172 and Lys140 or Lys145. This study demonstrates the utility of LLE/MALDI MS/MS for mapping and characterization of acylation sites in proteins and peptides and the importance of optimizing sample preparation methods for mass spectrometry-based determination of substoichiometric, multi-site protein modifications.     

Rapid determination of lead in water samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The need for highly reliable methods for the determination of trace and ultratrace elements has been recognized in analytical chemistry and environmental science. A simple and powerful microextraction technique was used for the detection of the lead ultratrace amounts in water samples using the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), followed by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). In this microextraction technique, a mixture of 0.50 mL acetone (disperser solvent), containing 35 microL carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) and 5 microL diethyldithiophosphoric acid (chelating agent), was rapidly injected by syringe into the 5.00 mL water sample, spiked with lead. In this process, the lead ions reacted with the chelating agent and were extracted into the fine droplets of CCl(4). After centrifugation (2 min at 5000 rpm), the fine CCl4 droplets were sedimented at the bottom of the conical test tube (25+/-1 microL). Then, 20 microL from the sedimented phase, containing the enriched analyte, was determined by ET AAS. The next step was the optimization of various experimental conditions, affecting DLLME, such as the type and the volume of the extraction solvent, the type and the volume of the disperser solvent, the extraction time, the salt effect, pH and the chelating agent amount. Moreover, the effect of the interfering ions on the analytes recovery was also investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factor of 150 was obtained from only a 5.00 mL water sample. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.05-1 microg L(-1) with the detection limit of 0.02 microg L(-1). The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for seven replicate measurements of 0.50 microg L(-1) of lead was 2.5%. The relative lead recoveries in mineral, tap, well and sea water samples at the spiking level of 0.20 and 0.40 microg L(-1) varied from 93.5 to 105.0. The characteristics of the proposed method were compared with the cloud point extraction (CPE), the liquid-liquid extraction, the solid phase extraction (SPE), the on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) and the co-precipitation, based on bibliographic data. The main DLLME advantages combined with ET AAS were simplicity of operation, rapidity, low cost, high-enrichment factor, good repeatability, low consumption of extraction solvent, requiring a low sample volume (5.00 mL).     

Rapid characterization of protein chips using microwave-assisted protein tryptic digestion and MALDI mass spectrometry

We demonstrate that the microwave-assisted protein enzymatic digestion (MAPED) method can be successfully applied to the mass spectrometric characterization of proteins captured on the affinity surfaces of protein chips. The microwave-assisted on-chip tryptic digestion method was developed using a domestic microwave, completing the on-chip proteolysis reaction in minutes, whereas the previous on-chip digestion methods by incubation took hours of incubation time. For the model protein chips, antibody-presenting surfaces were prepared, where anti-α-tubulin1 and antibovine serum albumin (BSA) were immobilized on self-assembled monolayers. The resulting digestion efficiency, displaying sequence coverages of 30 and 14% for α-tubulin1 and BSA, respectively, was comparable to the previous time-consuming incubation studies. It allowed the characterization of immunosensed proteins by MASCOT search using peptide mass fingerprinting. In an example of this method for protein chip applications, BSA naturally involved in fetal bovine serum was unambiguously identified on a model protein chip by imaging mass spectrometry. This work shows that biomass spectrometry techniques can be implemented for surface mass spectrometry and biochip applications. Along with recent advances in imaging mass spectrometry, this technique will provide a new opportunity for high-speed, and thus high-throughput in the future, label-free mass spectrometric assays using protein arrays.     

Rapid white truffle headspace analysis by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry and comparison with solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The gastronomic relevance and high price of white truffle are related mainly to its unique aroma. Here we evaluate, for the first time, the possibility of characterizing in a rapid and non-destructive way the aroma of white truffles based on proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). We indicate that anonymous PTR-MS fingerprinting allows sample classification and we also compare qualitatively and quantitatively PTR-MS data with measurements made by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography (SPME-GC) of the same samples under the same conditions. PTR-MS fragmentation data of truffle-relevant compounds are also published here for the first time. Most of the sulfur-containing compounds detected by GC and relevant for white truffle aroma have a high positive correlation with single PTR-MS peaks. Our work indicates that, after preliminary comparison with GC data, PTR-MS is a new tool for the rapid, quantitative and non-invasive characterization of white truffle by direct headspace injection without any pre-concentration.     

Determination of volatile nitrosamines in meat products by microwave-assisted extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were evaluated for use in the extraction and preconcentration of volatile nitrosamines in meat products. Parameters affecting MAE, such as the extraction solvent used, and DLLME, including the nature and volume of the extracting and disperser solvents, extraction time, salt addition and centrifugation time, were optimized. In the MAE method, 0.25g of sample mass was extracted in 10mL NaOH (0.05M) in a closed-vessel system. For DLLME, 1.5mL of methanol (disperser solvent) containing 20μL of carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) was rapidly injected by syringe into 5mL of the sample extract solution (previously adjusted to pH 6), thereby forming a cloudy solution. Phase separation was performed by centrifugation, and a volume of 3μL of the sedimented phase was analyzed by GC-MS. The enrichment factors provided by DLLME varied from 220 to 342 for N-nitrosodiethylamine and N-nitrosopiperidine, respectively. The matrix effect was evaluated for different samples, and it was concluded that sample quantification can be carried out by aqueous calibration. Under the optimized conditions, detection limits ranged from 0.003 to 0.014ngmL(-1) for NPIP and NMEA, respectively (0.12-0.56ngg(-1) in the meat products).     

Speciation of mercury in water samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the speciation of mercury in water samples was described. Firstly methylmercury (MeHg⁺) and mercury (Hg²⁺) were complexed with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, and then the complexes were extracted into carbon tetrachloride by using DLLME. Under the optimized conditions, the enrichment factors of 138 and 350 for MeHg⁺ and Hg²⁺ were obtained from only 5.00 mL sample solution. The detection limits of the analytes (as Hg) were 0.0076 ng mL⁻¹ for MeHg⁺ and 0.0014 ng mL⁻¹ for Hg²⁺, respectively. The relative standard deviations for ten replicate measurements of 0.5 ng mL⁻¹ MeHg⁺ and Hg²⁺ were 6.9% and 4.4%, respectively. Standard reference material of seawater (GBW(E)080042) was analyzed to verify the accuracy of the method and the results were in good agreement with the certified values. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied for the speciation of mercury in three environmental water samples.     

Liquid-phase microextraction with porous hollow fibers, a miniaturized and highly flexible format for liquid-liquid extraction

Since 1999, substantial research has been devoted to the development of liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) based on porous hollow fibers. With this technology, target analytes are extracted from aqueous samples, through a thin supported liquid membrane (SLM) sustained in the pores in the wall of a porous hollow fiber, and further into a microL volume of acceptor solution placed inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. After extraction, the acceptor solution is directly subjected to a final chemical analysis by liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), or mass spectrometry (MS). In this review, LPME will be discussed with focus on extraction principles, historical development, fundamental theory, and performance. Also, major applications have been compiled, and recent forefront developments will be discussed.     

Gold nanoparticle-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry amplification and magnetic separation for the sensitive detection of a virus-specific RNA sequence

We have developed a sensitive gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) amplification and magnetic separation method for the detection of oligonucleotide sequences. The assay relies on (i) the sandwich-type binding of two designed probe sequences that specifically recognize the target oligonucleotide sequences, (ii) magnetic bead separation, and (iii) AuNP-based ICP-MS amplification detection. To enhance the analytical signal and minimize the background signal resulting from nonspecific binding, we performed a series of experiments to evaluate the effects of various parameters (the concentration of the capture probe; the time required for hybridization; the number of washings required to eliminate nonspecific binding) on the oligonucleotide detection. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limit was 80zmol (corresponding to 1.6fM of the target sequence in a sample volume of 50μL). Moreover, it employs a shorter hybridization step and ICP-MS, this procedure is relatively simple and rapid (ca. 1.5h). Based on the analytical results obtained using complementary and mismatched sequences, our method exhibits good performance in distinguishing complementary and random oligonucleotides. Compared with the "gold standard" methodology (plaque assay) for the quantification of dengue virus, our method has the capability to allow early detection of dengue virus in complicated and small-volume samples, with high specificity, good analytical sensitivity, and superior time-effectiveness.     

Determination of 7-aminoflunitrazepam in urine by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ES-MS/MS) procedure was presented for the extraction and determination of 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-aminoFM2), a biomarker of the hypnotic flunitrazepam (FM2) in urine sample. The method was based on the formation of tiny droplets of an organic extractant in the sample solution using water-immiscible organic solvent [dichloromethane (DCM), an extractant] dissolved in water-miscible organic dispersive solvent [isopropyl alcohol (IPA)]. First, 7-aminoFM2 from basified urine sample was extracted into the dispersed DCM droplets. The extracting organic phase was separated by centrifuging and the sedimented phase was transferred into a 300 μl vial insert and evaporated to dryness. The residue was reconstituted in 30 μl mobile phase (20:80, acetonitrile:water). An aliquot of 20 μl as injected into LC-ES-MS/MS. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency (type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvent, effect of alkali and salt) were evaluated. Under optimum conditions, precision, linearity (correlation coefficient, r² = 0.988 over the concentration range of 0.05-2.5 ng/ml), detection limit (0.025 ng/ml) and enrichment factor (20) had been obtained. To our knowledge, DLLME was applied to urine sample for the first time.     

Rapid,simple, and highly sensitive analysis of drugs in biological samples using thin-layer chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Rapid and precise identification of toxic substances is necessary for urgent diagnosis and treatment of poisoning cases and for establishing the cause of death in postmortem examinations. However, identification of compounds in biological samples using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry entails time-consuming and labor-intensive sample preparations. In this study, we examined a simple preparation and highly sensitive analysis of drugs in biological samples such as urine, plasma, and organs using thin-layer chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (TLC/MALDI/MS). When the urine containing 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) without sample dilution was spotted on a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plate and was analyzed by TLC/MALDI/MS, the detection limit of the MDMA spot was 0.05 ng/spot. The value was the same as that in aqueous solution spotted on a stainless steel plate. All the 11 psychotropic compounds tested (MDMA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, methamphetamine, p-hydroxymethamphetamine, amphetamine, ketamine, caffeine, chlorpromazine, triazolam, and morphine) on a TLC plate were detected at levels of 0.05 − 5 ng, and the type (layer thickness and fluorescence) of TLC plate did not affect detection sensitivity. In addition, when rat liver homogenate obtained after MDMA administration (10 mg/kg) was spotted on a TLC plate, MDMA and its main metabolites were identified using TLC/MALDI/MS, and the spots on a TLC plate were visualized by MALDI/imaging MS. The total analytical time from spotting of intact biological samples to the output of analytical results was within 30 min. TLC/MALDI/MS enabled rapid, simple, and highly sensitive analysis of drugs from intact biological samples and crude extracts. Accordingly, this method could be applied to rapid drug screening and precise identification of toxic substances in poisoning cases and postmortem examinations.     

A highly sensitive procedure for determination of ultra trace amounts of molybdenum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

A simple, rapid and sensitive method is developed for selective determination of ultra trace amounts of molybdenum(V?) from different water samples. The method is based on highly efficient separation and pre-concentration of molybdenum(V?) by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by its determination with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Ultra traces of the target ion were extracted and pre-concentrated from acidic water samples by using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate as a suitable chelating agent, and carbon tetrachloride and acetone as extraction and disperser solvents, respectively. After optimizing different parameters, including type and volume of extraction and disperser solvents, pH of test solution, extraction time, volume and concentration of the chelating agent and sample volume, an enrichment factor of 362 was obtained. The linear concentration range, limit of detection and relative standard deviation of the method were evaluated as 0.04–0.8 ng mL^?1, 0.007 ng mL^?1 and 4.5%, respectively. This method was applied successfully to the determination of molybdenum in tap water and wastewater samples.     

冷诱导液液萃取-分散固相萃取净化-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定鸡蛋中白僵菌素和4种恩镰孢菌素残留

新型生物毒素白僵菌素(BEA)和恩镰孢菌素(ENNs)是由镰刀菌种产生的有毒代谢产物,主要污染谷物及其制品,会威胁人类健康,因此受到人们越来越多的关注。该工作建立了冷诱导液液萃取-分散固相萃取净化-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(CI-LLE-DSPE-UPLC-MS/MS)同时测定鸡蛋中白僵菌素和4种恩镰孢菌素残留的分析方法。以乙腈-水-乙酸(79∶20∶1, v/v/v)为提取溶剂,采用冷诱导液液萃取与分散固相萃取净化相结合的方法进行样品处理,同时,对影响待测物提取与净化效率的提取溶剂、冷冻萃取温度与时间、净化剂用量等因素和色谱条件进行了优化。样品经20 mL提取液涡旋提取20 min,放入-40 ℃冰箱静置30 min后,取2 mL上层溶液经70 mg C18粉末净化,离心,上清液于40 ℃浓缩至近干,残留物用1 mL 80%(v/v)乙腈水溶液溶解,进样分析。以乙腈与5 mmol/L甲酸铵溶液作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,经ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm)分离,采用ESI⁺电离,在多反应监测模式下采集,白僵菌素采用稳定同位素内标法定量,4种恩镰孢菌素采用基质匹配曲线外标法定量。结果表明,5种待测物在0.1~50.0 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r²)为0.9983~0.9997,该方法的检出限(LOD)为0.05~0.15 μg/kg,定量限(LOQ)为0.20~0.50 μg/kg。以阴性鸡蛋样品为基质,在低、中、高3个浓度水平(0.5、5.0、25.0 μg/kg)下进行加标试验考察方法的准确度与精密度,各待测物的平均回收率为81.1%~106%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.27%~9.79%。采用所建立的方法对农村散养鸡蛋与市售鸡蛋进行检测,结果表明,BEA在散养鸡蛋的检出率为30.4%, 4种ENNs均未被检出。该方法灵敏度高,稳定性好,回收率高,定量准确,简单易操作,适用于禽蛋食品中白僵菌素与恩镰孢菌素的同时快速测定。     

Rapid protein digestion and identification using monolithic enzymatic microreactor coupled with nano-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A novel monolithic enzymatic microreactor was prepared in the fused-silica capillary by in situ polymerization of acrylamide (AA), N-acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of a binary porogenic mixture of dodecanol and cyclohexanol, which could offer very low back pressure, enabling the fast digestion of proteins. The performance of the monolithic microreactor was demonstrated by digesting cytochrome c at high flow rate, and the comparisons between the in-solution digestion and on-column reaction were made by a nano-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (nano-HPLC-MS) system. The performance of the monolithic microreactor was demonstrated with the digestion of cytochrome c at the fast flow rate of 1 microL/min, which afforded a residence time of 7s, yielding a sequence coverage of 54.81% using strict multiple database searching thresholds. Future more, a mixture of four standard proteins was digested and analyzed using the on-line digestion and nano-HPLC-MS system. The results showed the promising of such a system in the analysis of protein mixture.     

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for simultaneous determination of cadmium, cobalt, lead and nickel in water samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

We report on a new method for the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of Cd(II), Co(II), Pb(II) and Ni (II) from water samples prior to their simultaneous determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The procedure is based on the injection of a ternary solvent system composed of appropriate quantities of extraction solvent (trichloroethylene), dispersive solvent (ethanol), and the chelating reagent 2-(2′-benzothiazolylazo)-p-cresol into the sample solution. The solution turns turbid immediately after injection, and the analytes are extracted into the droplets of the organic phase which was dried and dissolved in a mixture of Triton X-114, nitric acid, and ethanol. The metal ions in this mixture were quantified by ICP-OES. The detection limits under optimized conditions are 0.2, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.7?μg?L^?1 for Cd(II), Co(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The enrichment factors were also calculated for Cd (13), Co (11), Pb (11) and Ni (8). The procedure was applied to the determination of cadmium, cobalt, lead and nickel in certified reference material (waterway sediment) and water samples.

Rapid identification and quantification of methamphetamine and amphetamine in hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry coupled with micropulverized extraction,aqueous acetylation and microextraction by packed sorbent

We developed a rapid identification and quantification method for the toxicological analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in human hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry coupled with a novel combination of micropulverized extraction, aqueous acetylation and microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) named MiAMi–GC/MS. A washed hair sample (1–5 mg) was micropulverized for 5 min in a 2 mL plastic tube with 250 μL of water. An anion-exchange sorbent was added to adsorb anionic interferences. After removing the residue with a membrane-filter unit, sodium carbonate and acetic anhydride was admixed in turn. Acetylation was completed in approximately 20 min at room temperature. The acetylated analytes in the reaction liquid were concentrated to an octadecylsilica sorbent packed in the needle of a syringe by a CombiPAL autosampler. Elution was carried out with 50 μL of methanol, and the entire eluate injected into a gas chromatograph using a programmable temperature vaporizing (PTV) technique. The time required for sample preparation and GC/MS analysis was approximately 1 h from a washed hair sample, and an evaporation process was not required. Ranges for quantification were 0.20–50 (ng/mg) each for methamphetamine and amphetamine using 1 mg of hair. Accuracy and relative standard deviation (RSD) were evaluated intraday and interday at three concentrations, and the results were within the limit of a guidance issued by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For identification, full-scan mass spectra of methamphetamine and amphetamine were obtained using 5 mg of fortified hair samples at 0.2 ng/mg. The extraction device of MEPS was durable for at least 300 extractions, whereas the liner of the gas chromatograph should be replaced after 20–30 times use. The carry over was estimated to be about 1–2%. This sample-preparation method coupled with GC/MS is fast and labor-saving in comparison with conventional methods.