Development and evaluation of gas and liquid chromatographic methods for the analysis of fatty amines

In contrast to the plethora of publications on the separation of fatty acids, analogous studies involving fatty amines are scarce. A recently introduced ionic‐liquid‐based capillary column for GC was used to separate trifluoroacetylated fatty amines focusing on the analysis of a commercial sample. Using the ionic liquid column (isothermal mode at 200°C) it was possible to separate linear primary fatty amines from C₁₂ to C₂₂ chain length in less 25 min with MS identification. The log of the amine retention factors are linearly related to the alkyl chain length with a methylene selectivity of 0.117 kcal/mol for the saturated amines and 0.128 kcal/mol for the mono‐unsaturated amines. The sp² selectivity for unsaturated fatty amines also could be calculated as 0.107 kcal/mol for the ionic liquid column. The commercial sample was quantified by GC with flame ionization detection (FID). An LC method also was developed with a reversed phase gradient separation using acetonitrile/formate buffer mobile phases and ESI‐MS detection. Native amines could be detected and identified by their single ion monitoring chromatograms even when partial coelution was observed. The analysis of the commercial sample returned results coherent with those obtained by GC–FID and with the manufacturer's data.     

Characterisation of proteinaceous binders in artistic paintings by chromatographic techniques

This review discusses the application of chromatographic techniques (GC, HPLC and Py-GC) for the characterisation of proteinaceous materials in artistic paintings. The focus is on the various analytical steps that are needed to determine these natural materials in paint samples, from sampling and sample pre-treatment, including various methods of hydrolysis and derivatisation for GC and HPLC, to approaches for data evaluation.     

Simultaneous determination of seven phthalates and four parabens in cosmetic products using HPLC-DAD and GC-MS methods

Studies on the determination of seven kinds of phthalates, i.e. diethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate, and four parabens, i.e. methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, in 15 kinds of cosmetic products, including hair sprays, perfumes, deodorants, cream, lotion, etc., by HPLC with diode array detection and GC-MS in electron impact ionization mode with selected-ion monitoring have been carried out. Methods have been developed for both qualitative and quantitative detection of phthalates and parabens. Extraction, clean-up, and analysis procedures have been optimized. HPLC and GC-MS determinations were performed after sonication-assisted extraction with methanol and clean-up with C18 SPE. These techniques permit detection of phthalates at a level of 10.0-100.0 microg/kg and of parabens at a level of 20.0-200.0 microg/kg. Overall recoveries were 85-108% with RSD values of 4.2-8.8%. Only one of the 15 examined samples was free from phthalates and parabens. The remaining 14 samples were found to contain at least three or more of these phthalates and/or parabens. The predominant phthalates and parabens detected in the studied samples were methylparaben, propylparaben, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The residue level is at 1.22-5289 mg/kg.     

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging of proteinaceous binders used in paintings

The differentiation of proteins commonly found as binding media in paintings is presented based on spectrally resolved and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and total emission spectroscopy. Proteins from eggs and animal glue were analysed with pulsed laser excitation at 248 nm (KrF excimer) and 355 nm (third harmonic of Nd:YAG) for spectrally resolved measurements, and at 337 nm (N₂) and 405 nm (N₂ pumped dye laser) for spectrally resolved lifetime measurements and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). Total emission spectra of binding media are used for the interpretation of LIF spectra. Time-resolved techniques become decisive with excitation at longer wavelengths as fluorescence lifetime permits the discrimination amongst binding media, despite minimal spectral differences; spectrally resolved measurements of fluorescence lifetime have maximum differences between the binding media examined using excitation at 337 nm, with maximum observed fluorescence at 410 nm. FLIM, which measures the average lifetime of the emissions detected, can also differentiate between media, is non-invasive and is potentially advantageous for the analysis of paintings. Figure The fluorescence of solid ox glue extracted from collagen can be visualised in this Total Fluorescence Spectrum; three different peaks from multiple fluorophores are present and allow the discrimination between collagen- and non-collagen proteinaceous binding media found in paintings     

GC-MS analysis of multiply derivatized opioids in urine

Opiates such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, noroxycodone, and oxymorphone reportedly may interfere with the analysis of morphine and codeine. The analysis of these compounds themselves also is an important issue. Thus, double derivatization approaches utilizing methoxyamine and hydroxylamine to first form oxime products with keto-opiates, followed by the derivatization with trimethylsilyl (TMS) or propionyl groups, have been developed for the simultaneous analysis of these compounds. However, these studies have not included all compounds of interest and resulted in inadequate chromatographic resolution or significant intensity cross-contribution between the ions designating the analyte and its deuterated internal standard for certain compounds. By exploring three-step derivatization approaches with the combination of various derivatization groups and orders, this study concluded that application of methoxyimino/propionyl/TMS groups, in the order listed, facilitated the simultaneous analysis of eight opiates (morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and noroxycodone) in urine samples, achieving satisfactory limits of quantitation and detection. In addition, the adapted approach resulted in two usable products for morphine and codeine providing alternatives, should interferences render any of these products non-usable.     

GC-MS fingerprints for discrimination of Ligusticum chuanxiong from Angelica

A GC-MS fingerprinting technique based on the essential oil components has been developed for the discrimination of chuanxiong against Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels) or other herbs with similar compositions. The analytical performance of four different extraction methods for the separation of essential oil components have been compared and these include: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), Soxhlet extraction (SHE) and hydro-distillation extraction (HDE). The results showed that UAE was the most effective extraction method, and the operational parameters of UAE were optimized. 3-Butylphthalide, Z-butylidenephthalide, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, E-butylidenephthalide, senkyunolide A, neocnidilide, Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide were tentatively identified in chromatograms of chuanxiong based on their GC-EI-MS data. Similarity coefficient calculations based on correlation methods have been performed on the GC-MS fingerprints. Using an authentic standard Chuanxiong as the reference, the similarity coefficients between the standard and all other chuanxiong samples ranged from 0.90 to 1.0 (with 1.0 being the perfect match), which as a group can be readily separated from the Angelica samples for which the similarity index against the chuanxiong standard ranged from 0.75 to 0.77. Conversely, when an authentic Angelica standard was used as the reference, the respective similarity coefficients fall in the range of 0.70-0.75 and 0.98-1.00 for the chuanxiong and Angelica sample groups. Our results thus demonstrate that the fingerprinting technique developed in the study can indeed discriminate the two herbs with high reliability.     

Rapid analysis of aldehydes by simultaneous microextraction and derivatization followed by GC-MS

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UDLLME) and simultaneous derivatization followed by GC-MS was developed for the analysis of four aldehydes including acetaldehyde (ACE), propionaldehyde (PRO), butyraldehyde (BUT) and valeraldehyde (VAL) in water samples. In the proposed method, the aldehydes were derivatized with O-2,3,4,5,6-(pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBHA) and extracted by UDLLME in aqueous solution simultaneously; finally, the derivatives were analyzed by GC-MS. The experimental parameters were investigated and the method validations were studied. The optimal conditions were: aqueous sample of 5 mL, PFBHA of 50 μL, 1.0 mL ethanol (disperser solvent) containing 20 μL chlorobenzene (extraction solvent), ultrasound time of 2 min and centrifuging time of 3 min at 6000 rpm. The proposed method provided satisfactory precision (RSD 1.8-10.2%), wide linear range (0.8-160 μg/L), good linearity (R(2) 0.9983-0.9993), good relative recovery (85-105%) and low limit of detection (0.16-0.23 μg/L). The proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of aldehydes in water samples. The experimental results showed that the proposed method was a very simple, rapid, low-cost, sensitive and efficient analytical method for the determination of trace amount of aldehydes in water samples.     

Interchain doubly-bridged α-helical peptides for the development of protein binders

This work reported the design and synthesis of interchain doubly-bridged α-helical peptides, involving mutual stabilization of two α -helical peptides crosslinked by two interchain bisthioether crosslinkers.     

Determination of alachlor, metolachlor, and their acidic metabolites in soils by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) combined with solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with GC-MS and HPLC-UV analysis

A well-validated analytical method based on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and SPE is presented for the combined analysis of alachlor, alachlor-oxanilic acid (OXA), alachlor-ethanesulfonic acid (ESA), metolachlor, metolachlor-OXA, metolachlor-ESA residues in soils. Extraction of solutes by soil sample was carried out by MAE for 20 min at 100 degrees C in the presence of 50 mL solution (methanol/water 50:50), the extract was subsequently passed through C18 cartidges and fractionated into two fractions, the first with parent compounds (PCs) analyzed with GC-MS and the second one containing the metabolites analyzed with HPLC. For the SPE step, various types of sorbents (Environmental C18, tC18, Supelclean ENVI-carb, and LiChrolut EN) have been used, and their respective advantages and disadvantages are discussed. After the method optimization, average recovery values of all solutes were > 71% in the 50-500 microg/kg fortification range with RSD <10%. The LOQ and LOD were 10-50 and 5-10 microg/kg, respectively. The method was validated with two types of soils (1 and 2.4% organic matter) and in fresh (12 h aging), intermediate (1 wk aging), and aged (1 month aging) spiked samples. Moreover, residue levels determined after field application of alachlor or metolachlor were higher when soils were processed using this method than with a comparison method based on an overnight flask shaking (FS) of soil suspension.     

Determination of airborne carbonyls via pentafluorophenylhydrazine derivatisation by GC-MS and its comparison with HPLC method

The classical analytical method for gaseous carbonyl measurements based on solid sorbent coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and analysis by HPLC/UV suffers from limited resolution of carbonyls with similar molecular structures and high molecular weights. In this paper, we report the development of a sensitive and reliable analytical method for simultaneous determination of 21 airborne carbonyls within the C₁-C₉ range. Carbonyls were collected on a sampling tube filled with 100 mg Tenax TA (60-80 mesh) sorbent coated with 1 μmol pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH), followed by solvent desorption and analysis by gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS). Common carbonyl gases including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, hexaldehyde and benzaldehyde at ppbv levels were collected with efficiency greater than 90% onto sampling tubes at a flow rate of 100 mL min⁻¹. The limits of detection (LODs, signal/noise = 3) of the tested carbonyls were in the range of 0.08-0.20 ppbv for a sampled volume of 24.0 L. These limits are less than or comparable with those that can be obtained using the DNPH-HPLC method. The method has been field-tested both in ambient air of York and in diluted cigarette smoke. Comparing field tests with the classical DNPH-HPLC method, good agreement was displayed between the two methods for the same carbonyls, but with more carbonyl species detected by the PFPH-GC/MS method. The PFPH-GC/MS method provides better molecular separation for carbonyls with similar structures, is highly sensitivity and gives confirmation of identification by structures when detected using MS.     

Authentication of Radix Aucklandiae and its substitutes by GC-MS and hierarchical clustering analysis

Radix Aucklandiae (Muxiang in Chinese), the dried root of Aucklandia lappa, is used as a medicinal material for digestive system disorders in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Owing to the similarity of morphologies and trade names, Radix Vladimiriae (Chuan-Muxiang), the roots of Vladimiria souliei and V. souliei var. cinerea, and Radix Inulae (Tu-Muxiang), the roots of Inula helenium and Inula racemosa, as well as the renal toxic aristolochic acid containing Radix Aristolochiae (Qing-Muxiang), the roots of Aristolochia debilis and Aristolochia contorta, are often used confusedly as the substitutes of Radix Aucklandiae. In order to ensure the effective and safe utility of Radix Aucklandiae, a GC-MS method was developed to generate the chemical profiles of essential oils of Radix Aucklandiae and its substitutes. In addition, hierarchical clustering analysis was used to compare the similarities of these chemical profiles. It was found that all the samples of A. lappa have similar chemical profiles and were clustered into one group, while the samples of Radix Vladimiriae, Radix Inulae, and Radix Aristolochiae were clustered into their own independent groups, respectively, suggesting that together with hierarchical clustering analysis, chemical profiles of essential oils generated by GC-MS could objectively discriminate Radix Aucklandiae from its common substitutes.     

Basic drug analysis by strong cation-exchange liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: simultaneous analysis of amisulpride, and of metamfetamine and amfetamine in serum/plasma

In the HPLC of basic drugs and metabolites, good efficiency and peak shape can often be attained using strong cation‐exchange packings with isocratic 100% methanol eluents containing an ionic modifier at an appropriate pH* and ionic strength. Solvent extracts can be analysed directly, and use of ammonium acetate as modifier facilitates the use of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)–tandem mass spectrometry, selected reaction monitoring mode. For the analysis of amisulpride and of metamfetamine/amfetamine in plasma (200 µL) after single oral doses in man, a column packed with Waters Spherisorb S5SCX (5 µm average particle size, 100 × 2.1 mm i.d.) was used with methanolic ammonium acetate (40 mmol/L, pH* 6.0, flow rate 0.5 mL/min) as eluent (35°C). Deuterated internal standards were used for each analyte. Detection was by positive‐mode APCI. Responses for all analytes were linear over the calibration ranges. Intra‐assay precision (RSD) was 2–18%, and inter‐assay precision was 2–12%. The limit of detection was 0.5 µg/L for all analytes. No significant matrix effects or isobaric interferences were noted. The total analysis time was 7 min. Similar methodology can be applied to a wide range of basic analytes using MS/MS detection. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of organochlorine compounds in human biological samples by GC-MS/MS

A study was undertaken to determine the extent of organochlorine pesticide (OP) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in infant formula milk and in the human milk, fat and serum of women from an agricultural area in Southern Spain. A procedure is proposed that simultaneously detects trace levels of lindane, endosulfan-ether, vinclozolin, aldrin, endosulfan-lactone, endosulfan-alpha, 4,4'DDE, 2,4'DDT, endosulfan-beta, 4,4'DDT, kepone, endosulfate-sulfate, methoxychlor, mirex, 2,3,4 PCB, 2,2',4,5 PCB, 2,3,4,5 PCB and 2,2',3,3',6,6'PCB. After liquid-liquid or solid-liquid extraction, the extract of the sample was cleaned by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the fi rst eluted fraction was analysed by gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry (MS) detector in tandem mode. To evaluate the validity of the method the following parameters were studied: linearity, detection limits, quantification limits, specificity, percentage recovery and precision. A study of the uncertainty associated with the analytical method was also carried out.     

Metabolite analysis in Curcuma domestica using various GC‐MS and LC‐MS separation and detection techniques

The metabolic profile of polar (methanol) and non‐polar (hexane) extracts of Curcuma domestica, a widely used medicinal plant, was established using various different analytical techniques, including GC‐FID, GC‐MS, HR‐GC‐MS and analytical HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS by means of LTQ‐Orbitrap technology. The major non‐volatile curcuminoids curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin were identified when their chromatographic and precursor ion masses were compared with those of authentic standard compounds. In this paper we describe for the first time a GC/MS‐based method for metabolic profiling of the hydrophilic extract. We also identified 61 polar metabolites as TMS derivatives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of QuEChERS method for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides in soils with diverse organic matter

A QuEChERS method has been developed for the determination of 14 organochlorine pesticides in 14 soils from different Portuguese regions with wide range composition. The extracts were analysed by GC-ECD (where GC-ECD is gas chromatography-electron-capture detector) and confirmed by GC-MS/MS (where MS/MS is tandem mass spectrometry). The organic matter content is a key factor in the process efficiency. An optimization was carried out according to soils organic carbon level, divided in two groups: HS (organic carbon >2.3%) and LS (organic carbon <2.3%). The method was validated through linearity, recovery, precision and accuracy studies. The quantification was carried out using a matrix-matched calibration to minimize the existence of the matrix effect. Acceptable recoveries were obtained (70-120%) with a relative standard deviation of ≤16% for the three levels of contamination. The ranges of the limits of detection and of the limits of quantification in soils HS were from 3.42 to 23.77 μg kg(-1) and from 11.41 to 79.23 μg kg(-1), respectively. For LS soils, the limits of detection ranged from 6.11 to 14.78 μg kg(-1) and the limits of quantification from 20.37 to 49.27 μg kg(-1) . In the 14 collected soil samples only one showed a residue of dieldrin (45.36 μg kg(-1) ) above the limit of quantification. This methodology combines the advantages of QuEChERS, GC-ECD detection and GC-MS/MS confirmation producing a very rapid, sensitive and reliable procedure which can be applied in routine analytical laboratories.     

用GC-MS、GC-MS-MS方法检测某些有机质成熟度参数的比较

Tm／Ts,C29甾烷ααα20S／(20S+20R)是判断原油成熟度的重要参数。所以能否准确地检测这些化合物就显得尤为关键和重要。以往我们通常采用GC-MS单极质谱来检测原油和烃原岩抽提物中饱和烃里的萜烷和甾烷成分。但利用GC-MS单极质谱分析得到的m／z191质量色谱图中,Tm、Ts往往与三环和四环萜烷同时共流出,以至有时导致假的Tm／Ts比值。利用GC-MS单极质谱分析得到的m／z217质量色谱图中规则甾烷分布受重排甾烷的影响,很难区分C29甾烷和4-甲基甾烷(即没有办法排除共流峰的干扰)。这是因为Tm、Ts和C29甾烷等生物标记化合物在特定的色谱柱中有     

Identification of flurbiprofen and its photoproducts in methanol by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A sample of 10 mM flurbiprofen in methanol (or ethanol) was photoirradiated with sixteen 8 W low-pressure quartz mercury lamps irradiated at 306 nm in a Panchum PR-2000 photochemical reactor. In total, four major photoproducts derived from each sample were observed from the HPLC chromatogram. The photoproducts were separated and their structures elucidated by various spectroscopic methods. Alternatively, using GC-MS, 11 major photoproducts were observed. A reaction scheme of flurbiprofen in methanol is proposed: the photochemical reaction routes occur mainly via esterification and decarboxylation, followed by oxidation with singlet oxygen to produce a ketone, alcohols and other derivatives.     

FTIR及Py-GC/MS定性分析高聚物单体

红外光谱反应出的是特征化学基团的振动 ,对于高聚物的具体单体组成分析 ,只能借助于紫外光谱、核磁共振及质谱进行综合判断才能得到圆满的鉴定结果[1,2 ] 。本工作针对在红外光谱仪不能分辨的情况下通过气相色谱 质谱联用技术进行综合分析鉴定 ,结果可为其它高聚物分析研究提供实验依据。1　实验1 1　仪器及试验条件未知高聚物试样为白色颗粒状 (晨光化工二厂 )。ＳＹＳＴＥＭ2 0 0 0ＦＴＩＲ ,ＰＥ公司造ＩＲ谱仪 ;ＣＤＳ2 0 0 0铂金丝裂解器 ,裂解室温度 2 5 0℃ ,裂解温度 6 0 0℃ ,升温速率 1 40℃ ｍｓ;ＨＰ6 890型 ,Ｃｏｍｐｏｎｄ…     

Identification (GC and GC-MS) of unsaturated acetates in Elasmopalpus lignosellus and their biological activity (GC-EAD and EAG)

Two insect colonies of Elasmopalpus lignosellus were reared in our laboratory, the first being initiated from pupae obtained from a cornfield in the region of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais and the second from a cornfield in the region of Goiania, Goiás. From the two colonies, two extracts were prepared from the pheromone glands of virgin E. lignosellus females. The extract obtained from the first colony was designated as extract 1 while the extract obtained from the second colony was designated as extract 2. Extract 1 was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate [(Z)-9-HDA] and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate [(Z)-11-HDA] being identified and confirmed by the formation of DMDS derivatives. In addition, a third acetate, which could be either (E)-8-hexadecenyl acetate [(E)-8-HDA] or (E)-9-hexadecenyl acetate [(E)-9-HDA] was detected by GC-MS. Extract 2 was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-electroannetography (GC-EAD) revealing the presence of (Z)-11-HDA and (Z)-9-TDA. In addition, the same compounds elicited a response with the E. lignosellus male antenna obtained from the second insect colony. Electroantennography (EAG) screening with the male E. lignosellus antenna (obtained from the second insect colony) was conducted with the 23 possible tetradecenyl acetates (TDA) and 22 hexadecenyl acetates (HDA) as standards. Out of the 23 TDA isomers evaluated, only (Z)-9-TDA elicited a response and out of the 22 HDA [(Z) and (E) isomers gamma2 to delta13] evaluated only (Z)-11-HDA elicited a response. The acetate compositions of two extracts obtained from insects originating from the two states (Minas Gerais and Goiás) of Brazil were different from one another as well as from that obtained from insects in Tifton, GA, USA. The bioactivity data (GC-EAD) of the extract 2 differed from those reported for the Tifton, GA, USA population. These data suggest polymorphism in relation to the insect populations found in Brazil and in the USA. The possibility of the existence of an E. lignosellus sub-species cannot be ruled out.