Per-O-methylation of neutral carbohydrates directly from aqueous samples for gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis

Per-O-methylation of neutral carbohydrates in one step by adding dimethyl sulfoxide, powdered sodium hydroxide, and methyl iodide directly to aqueous sample is described. The influence of the water on the methylation reaction is investigated. Solid powdered sodium hydroxide is very hygroscopic and can scavenge the water from sample if an additional excess of sodium hydroxide is added. The degree of per-O-methylation of carbohydrates is checked by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of mono- and disaccharides from grape juice is presented.     

Isolation of Pu-isotopes from environmental samples using ion chromatography for accelerator mass spectrometry and alpha spectrometry

A radiochemical method for the isolation of plutonium-isotopes from environmental samples, based on the use of specific extraction chromatography resins for actinides (TEVA^®, Eichrom Industries, Inc.), has been set up in our laboratory and optimised for their posterior determination by alpha spectrometry (AS) or accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The proposed radiochemical method has replaced in our lab a well-established one based on the use of a relatively un-specific anion-exchange resin (AG^® 1X8, Bio-rad Laboratories, Inc.), because it is clearly less time consuming, reduces the amounts and molarities of acid wastes produced, and reproducibly gives high radiochemical yields.In order to check the reliability of the proposed radiochemical method for the determination of plutonium-isotopes in different environmental matrixes, twin aliquots of a set of samples were prepared with TEVA^® and with AG^® 1X8 resins and measured by AS. Some samples prepared with TEVA^® resins were measured as well by AMS. As it is shown in the text, there is a comfortable agreement between AS and AMS, which adequately validates the method.     

Solid-phase microextraction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of chlorophenols in environmental samples

Liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS), using negative ion detection in a triple quadrupole instrument, was used for the determination of chlorophenols (CPs) in environmental samples. In-source collision-induced dissociation (CID) was compared with MS/MS fragmentation. In general, less fragmentation was observed in MS/MS as compared with in-source CID, with the latter providing more intense fragment ions due to chemical ionisation. Under MS/MS conditions [M - H - HCl](-) was the main fragment ion observed for all compounds except for pentachlorophenol, which showed no fragmentation. For multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode, the transition from [M - H](-) to [M - H - HCl](-) was selected, leading to detection limits down to 0.3 ng injected. Direct and headspace-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) were used as preconcentration procedures for the analysis of CPs in wood and in industrially contaminated soils. CPs were quantified by standard addition, which led to good reproducibility (RSD between 4 and 11%) in both SIM and MRM modes, and detection limits down to ng/g. The combination of MS/MS and in-source CID allowed confirmation of the presence of CPs in environmental samples.     

Analysis of thyreostatic drugs in thyroid samples by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection

A method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of six thyreostatic drugs in thyroid tissue has been optimised and validated in accordance with the Decision 2002/657/EC. Samples are extracted with methanol and the extracts cleaned-up on silica cartridges. The recoveries range from 40% for 6-phenyl-2-thiouracil to 79% for 2-thiouracil. Quantification is carried out with blank tissue samples spiked with the analytes in the range 25-500 microg kg(-1). 5,6-Dimethyl-2-thiouracil is used as internal standard. CCalpha and CCbeta are in the ranges 4.3-16.1 microg kg(-1) and 8.7-20.7 microg kg(-1), respectively. Accuracy, expressed as percentage of error, is lower than 6% and relative standard deviation in reproducibility conditions falls between 5.6 and 10.3%. Nowadays, the proposed method is routinely implemented in the laboratory of the Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona and allows processing of up to 20 samples per day.     

Two-dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the enantiomeric analysis and purification of pharmaceutical samples

A new analytical two-dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry system (2D SFC/SFC/MS) has been designed and implemented to enhance the efficiency and quality of analytical support in drug discovery. The system consists of a Berger analytical SFC pump and a modifier pump, a Waters ZQ 2000 mass spectrometer, a set of switching valves, and a custom software program. The system integrates achiral and chiral separations into a single run to perform enantiomeric analysis and separation of a racemic compound from a complex mixture without prior clean up. The achiral chromatography in the first dimension separates the racemate from all other impurities, such as un-reacted starting materials and by-products. Mass-triggered fractionation is used to selectively fractionate the targeted racemic compound based on its molecular weight. The purified racemate from the achiral chromatography in the first dimension is then transferred to the chiral column in the second dimension to conduct the enantiomeric separation and analysis. A control software program, we coined SFC2D, was developed and integrated with MassLynx to retrieve acquisition status, current sample information, and real time mass spectrometric data as they are acquired. The SFC2D program also monitors the target ion signal to carry out mass-triggered fractionation by switching the valve to fractionate the desired peak. The 2D SFC/SFC/MS system uses one CO(2) pump and one modifier pump for both first and second dimension chromatographic separations using either gradient or isocratic elution. Similarly, a preparative 2D SFC/SFC/MS system has been constructed by modifying an existing Waters preparative LC/MS system. All components except the back pressure regulator are from the original LC/MS system. Applications of the 2D SFC/SFC/MS methods to the separation and the analysis of racemic pharmaceutical samples in complex mixtures demonstrated that an achiral separation (in first dimension) and a chiral separation (in second dimension) can be successfully combined into a single, streamlined process both in analytical and preparative scale.     

Liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of postmortem blood samples for targeted toxicological screening

A liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) method for targeted toxicological screening in human postmortem blood samples from forensic autopsy cases has been developed, validated and compared with a previously used method using gas chromatography with nitrogen–phosphorus detection (GC-NPD). Separation was achieved within 12 min by high-resolution gradient chromatography. Ions were generated in positive and negative electrospray ionization mode and were detected in 2-GHz single mass spectrometry mode, m/z range 50–1,000. Before injection, 0.25 g blood was prepared by protein precipitation with 500 μL of a mixture of acetonitrile and ethanol containing deuterated internal standards. An in-house database comprising 240 drugs and metabolites was built by analysing solutions from certified standards or other documented reference material available. Identification was based on scoring of retention time, accurate mass measurement and isotopic pattern. Validation was performed on spiked blood samples and authentic postmortem blood samples. The thresholds defined as minimum required performance levels were for most compounds in the range from 0.01 to 0.10 μg/g. Typically, a mass error of less than 2 ppm and a precision of area measurements of less than 5 % coefficient of variation were achieved. Positive identification was confirmed at concentrations up to 500 μg/g. Most compounds were determined in positive ionization mode, but for a limited number of compounds (fewer than 4 %) negative ionization was needed and a few early-eluted compounds could not be identified owing to substantial influence of interferences from the matrix and were thus not included in the screening. A robust and valid toxicological screening by LC-TOF-MS for postmortem blood samples, covering 50 % more compounds, and with higher precision and sensitivity than the previously used screening by GC-NPD was achieved.     

Enantiomeric fraction determination of chiral drugs in environmental samples using chiral liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

When it was recognized that chiral drug residues have stereospecific toxicity towards environmental organisms the attention given to enantiomeric fraction determination of chiral drugs in the environment increased. Among various analytical techniques, chiral liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) has been widely used due to its simplicity, wide applicability and high sensitivity. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview and comparison of the types of chiral stationary phases, elution modes and MS detection techniques employed and address the advances and limitations. The impact of the mobile phase composition on enantioseparation and MS detection are discussed based on the different methods developed. In addition, diverse applications for the enantiomeric fraction determination of chiral drugs in environmental matrices using chiral LC and MS are discussed in depth.     

Direct analysis of crude plasma samples by turbulent flow chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Summary Turbulent flow chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (TFC-MS-MS) has recently emerged as a potentially fast, sensitive and specific technique for the direct analysis of pharmaceutical compounds from crude plasma. TFC-MS-MS removes the need for time-consuming sample preparation procedures such as solid-phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). A relatively high flow rate combined with the use, of an HPLC column with large porous particles allows the on-line clean up and quantification of compounds in plasma samples. Until, now, the amount of plasma directly injected into TFC systems has rarely exceeded 30 μL in order to prevent rapid column degradation. Increasing the injection volume also induces high carry-over levels, particularly for drugs with basic and/or lipophilic properties. This paper describes the first genetic TFC-MS-MS method developed in a 96-well format, which allows the direct injection of 200 μL of 1∶1 diluted plasma (equivalent to 100 μL neat plasma). An average, of 390 injections was carried out with each extraction column. More than 2000 dog plasma samples were injected into the system without any sign of carryover. The method was fully validated over a 5–500 ng mL⁻¹ range for three basic compounds: doxazosin, CP122,288 and dofetilide. The imprecision was 1.2 to 8.3% for doxazosin, 1.5 to 4% for CP122,288 and 1.6 to 9.2% for dofetilide. The inaccuracy ranged from 6% to 7.9%. This generic methodology was then used to assay two structurally unrelated development compounds, showing that the method accuracy and sensitivity were adequate for the early pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in animals.     

Screening for amphetamine and amphetamine-type drugs in doping analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A selective and sensitive method for the qualitative screening of urine samples for 27 amphetamine and amphetamine-type drugs in the field of doping analysis is described. The method consists of a liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether at pH 14 and analysis of the extracts with a LCQ-Deca mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interface, operated in positive ionisation mode. The total run time was 15 min. All compounds were analysed in MS2 or MS3. The detection limit for all compounds was lower than 25 ng/mL except for chlorphentermine (detection limit: 250 ng/mL).     

Combined thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry for the screening of pesticides in samples derived from biological origins

This study describes a method for off-line coupling of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with electron impact ionization (El)-mass spectrometry for routine determination of pesticides in toxicology and forensic medicine. Six TLC solvent systems are described for 151 different pesticides, and 8-peak mass-spectra generated from full El mass spectra are listed.     

Direct analysis of plasma samples for drug discovery compounds using mixed-function column liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, efficient, high throughput, direct injection bioanalytical method based on a single column and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed for pharmacokinetic analysis of early drug discovery compounds in plasma samples. After mixing with a working solution containing an internal standard each plasma sample was directly injected into a polymer-coated mixed-function column for sample cleanup, enrichment and chromatographic separation. The stationary phase incorporates hydrophilic polyoxyethylene groups and hydrophobic groups to the polymer-coated silica. This allows proteins and macromolecules to pass through the column due to restricted access to the surface of the packing while retaining the drug molecules on the bonded hydrophobic phase. The analytes retained in the column with a largely aqueous liquid mobile phase were then chemically separated by switching to a strong organic mobile phase. The column effluent was diverted from waste to the mass spectrometer for analyte detection. Within 200 plasma sample injections the response ratio (analyte vs. internal standard, %CV = 4.6) and the retention times for analyte and internal standard were found consistent and no column deterioration was observed. The recoveries of test compound in various plasma samples were greater than 90%. The total analysis time was 相似文献   

Quantitative liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of microdialysates

Microdialysis (MD) is an in vivo sampling technique used to investigate biochemical events in the extracellular fluid of animal and human tissues. MD produces protein- and cell-free, aqueous samples which can be analyzed without further sample clean-up. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is a sensitive and selective analysis technique which is suitable to quantify low concentrated target analytes in microdialysates. This paper reviews the LC-MS/MS methods which are described for the quantification of endogenous molecules, such as neurotransmitters and peptides, and of exogenous molecules, such as drugs, in microdialysates. Since miniaturization of the LC-MS/MS methods is the key to obtain maximal sensitivity of the analytical technique, this feature is discussed in the paper. In addition, critical issues related to the quantification of low concentrated molecules in microdialysates are described such as the presence of matrix effects, the low MD efficiency and the sticking of, for instance, neuropeptides.     

Quantitative analysis of triphenylboron in environmental water samples by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has been applied to the analysis of triphenylboron, which has been produced as a substitute for organotin compounds, in water. Although commercial triphenylboron compounds are produced as pyridinyl complexes, the chemical form in water is supposed to be mainly triphenylboron after liberating pyridine. The triphenylborons were extracted from water with an Empore C18 extraction disk under acidic condition, and the extracts were introduced directly into a liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer equipped with a negative ion electrospray ionization interface. Identification of the compounds was performed with specific ions produced from the triphenylboron, and a quantitative analysis was carried out using the peak areas. The average recoveries from distilled water, seawater and river water at 0.30 ng/ml were 92.3, 100 and 85.3%, respectively. A detection limit of 0.023 ng/ml for triphenylboron was achieved.     

Determination of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in water samples using liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector and mass spectrometry

An analytical method for the determination of trace levels of six different nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in water samples has been developed and validated. Environmentally relevant pharmaceuticals were chosen according to human consumption in Poland. Final analysis of the target compounds was performed by RP LC-diode-array detection-MS, whereas sample preparation included an SPE step. For this SPE step, a number of packing materials, such as LiChrolut RP-18, calixarene, Strata-X, BAKERBOND Narc-2, BAKERBOND Polar Plus, BAKERBOND styrene divinylbenzene-1, and Discovery DSC-18, were used, and their respective advantages and disadvantages in this study were discussed. The RP-18 phase was found to be the most retentive for all analytes. The detection limits for compounds in surface waters were varied from 0.005 for diflunisal to 0.095 microg/L for ibuprofen. The average recoveries of NSAIDs from the surface water samples ranged from 80 up to 103%. RSD value is relatively low (from 4% for fenoprofen up to 8% for ibuprofen). The performance of the method was tested with several environmental water samples.     

Solving liquid chromatography mass spectrometry coelution problems in the analysis of environmental samples by multivariate curve resolution

Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) is shown to be a powerful tool to resolve coelution problems in liquid chromatograpy-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in scan mode. This investigation was performed using two types of LC columns, one traditional LC column of 25 cm length with a slow gradient and a shorter LC column of 7.5 cm with a rapid gradient which allowed much faster analysis and save of reagents and solvents. Mixtures of multiple biocide compounds were simultaneously analyzed in standard mixtures and in environmental samples (sediment and wastewater samples) with little sample pretreatment. Using the more traditional LC 25 cm column, all biocide compounds were properly resolved by MCR-ALS and quantitatively analyzed with estimated errors always below 20%. When fast chromatography (LC column of 7.5 cm) was used, MCR-ALS resolution of the more strongly coeluted compounds was also achieved but limitations were found in their simultaneous quantitative determination, specially for environmental samples.