Analysis of acrylamide in coffee and cocoa by isotope dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An accurate and precise method for the quantification of acrylamide using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed and used to measure acrylamide in coffee and cocoa samples. The sample preparation involved extraction of the analyte and its internal standard, ¹³C₃-acrylamide, into water and subsequent defatting of the aqueous extract with dichloromethane. An aliquot of the resulting aqueous extract was then azeotropically dried under reduced pressure and subsequently purified using an aminopropyl-bonded silica cartridge. The purified extracts were then chromatographed on a 5-μm 2.1×150 mm Hypercarb column, the effluent of which was monitored for the analyte and its internal standard using positive-ion APCI-selected reaction monitoring. The intra-laboratory reproducibility of the method, expressed as a relative coefficient of variation (%, n=5), was determined at four levels of concentration (12.3, 42.3, 139.3 and 464.8 μg kg⁻¹) and was found to vary between 0.6–2.5%. The accuracy of the method was assessed using a reference sample of coffee. The average result obtained using our method differed from the assigned value of the reference material by less than 1%. An analysis of a cocoa sample revealed that the method is capable of precisely estimating acrylamide in challenging matrices down to a level of at least 12.3 μg kg⁻¹.     

Qualitative detection of desmopressin in plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

This work describes a liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method for detection of desmopressin in human plasma in the low femtomolar range. Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin and it might be used by athletes as a masking agent in the framework of blood passport controls. Therefore, it was recently added by the World Anti-Doping Agency to the list of prohibited substances in sport as a masking agent. Mass spectrometry characterization of desmopressin was performed with a high-resolution Orbitrap-based mass spectrometer. Detection of the peptide in the biological matrix was achieved using a triple-quadrupole instrument with an electrospray ionization interface after protein precipitation, weak cation solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography separation with an octadecyl reverse-phase column. Identification of desmopressin was performed using three product ions, m/z 328.0, m/z 120.0, and m/z 214.0, from the parent ion, m/z 535.5. The extraction efficiency of the method at the limit of detection was estimated as 40% (n = 10), the ion suppression as 5% (n = 10), and the limit of detection was 50 pg/ml (signal-to-noise ratio greater than 3). The selectivity of the method was verified against several endogenous and synthetic desmopressin-related peptides. The performance and the applicability of the method were tested by analysis of clinical samples after administration of desmopressin via intravenous, oral, and intranasal routes. Only after intravenous administration could desmopressin be successfully detected.     

Determination of cyclopiazonic acid in food and feeds by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A new, fast and efficient multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method for the determination of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in mixed feed, wheat, peanuts and rice is presented. The analytical methodology involves sample extraction with an alkaline methanol–water mixture, defatting with hexane and quantification using HPLC–MS/MS without further treatment of sample extracts. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography using a C18 stationary phase coupled to negative mode electrospray triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was applied. The limit of detection was 5 μg/kg while the limit of quantification was 20 μg/kg in the matrices investigated. The detector response was found to be linear over the range 25–250 μg/kg in feed and 25–500 μg/kg in wheat, peanuts and rice. The mean overall recoveries (n = 18) of CPA varied from 79% to 114% in the range of concentrations studied over a period of 4 months. Mean recoveries (n = 3 or 6) of CPA in wheat, peanuts and rice varied from 70% to 111%, 77% to 116% and 69% to 92%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of feed and rice samples artificially infected with the fungal strain Penicillium commune, where the toxin was found at different levels.     

Determination of evodiamine and rutecarpine in human serum by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Evodiamine and rutecarpine are two kinds of indole alkaloids contained in the fruit of Evodiae fructus, which have been shown to exhibit various bioactivities in humans. A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method (LC–MS/MS) was developed for the determination of evodiamine and rutecarpine in human serum. The serum was extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed using a C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of methanol–water (85:15) solution containing 5 mmol/L ammonium formate at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was operated in positive mode, employing the extracted ion chromatogram (EIC) for detection and quantitation of evodiamine (m/z 288) and rutecarpine (m/z 304). Good linear relationships between the peak area and the concentration were obtained in the ranges of 5.2–1040 ng/mL and 10.2–1020 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.999 and 0.998, for evodiamine and rutecarpine, respectively. The repeatabilities (RSD, n=6) of quantitation for evodiamine and rutecarpine were 2.18–4.00% and 2.99–5.67%, respectively, and the recovery ranged from 90.5% to 98.1%. A comparative study of the different ionization and quantitation modes, including ESI–MS, ESI–MS/MS, APCI–MS and APCI–MS/MS, was also accomplished. The MS/MS fragmentation mechanism of the base peak ([M+H]⁺, m/z 304) of evodiamine was investigated in order to identify the analytes in more complicated body fluid samples.      

Determination of nucleotides,nucleosides and their transformation products in Cordyceps by ion-pairing reversed-phase liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

An ion-pairing reversed-phase liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (IP-RP-LC–MS) was developed for the determination of nucleotides, nucleosides and their transformation products in Cordyceps. Perfluorinated carboxylic acid, namely pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PDFOA, 0.25 mM), was used as volatile ion-paring agent and a reversed-phase column (Agilent ZORBAX SB-Aq column) was used for the separation of three nucleotides namely uridine-5′-monophosphate (UMP, 0.638–10.200 μg/mL), adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP, 0.24–7.80 μg/mL) and guanosine-5′-monophosphate (GMP, 0.42–13.50 μg/mL), seven nucleosides including adenosine (0.55–8.85 μg/mL), guanosine (0.42–6.75 μg/mL), uridine (0.33–10.50 μg/mL), inosine (0.21–6.60 μg/mL), cytidine (0.48–15.30 μg/mL), thymidine (0.20–6.30 μg/mL) and cordycepin (0.09–1.50 μg/mL), as well as six nucleobases, adenine (0.22–6.90 μg/mL), guanine (0.26–4.20 μg/mL), uracil (0.38–12.15 μg/mL), hypoxanthine (0.13–4.20 μg/mL), cytosine (0.39–12.45 μg/mL) and thymine (0.26–8.25 μg/mL) with 5-chlorocytosine arabinoside as the internal standard. The overall LODs and LOQs were between 0.01–0.16 μg/mL and 0.04–0.41 μg/mL for the 16 analytes, respectively. The contents of 16 investigated compounds in natural and cultured Cordyceps were also determined and compared after validation of the developed IP-RP-LC-MS method. The transformations of nucleotides and nucleosides in Cordyceps were evaluated based on the quantification of the investigated compounds in three extracts, including boiling water extraction (BWE), 24 h ambient temperature water immersion (ATWE) and 56 h ATWE extracts. Two transformation pathways including UMP → uridine → uracil and GMP → guanosine → guanine were proposed in both natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps militaris. The pathway of AMP → adenosine → inosine → hypoxanthine was proposed in natural C. sinensis, while AMP → adenosine → adenine in cultured C. militaris. However, the transformation of nucleotides and nucleosides was not found in commercial cultured C. sinensis.     

Residue analysis of glucocorticoids in bovine milk by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 13 steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in bovine milk is presented. Due to their weakly acid nature, analytes were separated by ion suppression reversed phase chromatography and detected in positive-ion mode by a high flow electrospray source. Dexamethasone-d4 was used as internal standard. The sample preparation was simple and reliable; it included acidic deproteinization of milk followed by sample enrichment and clean-up, utilizing a C18 solid phase extraction cartridge. Recoveries exceeded 70% with an intra-day precision not larger than 12%. The efficiency of the sample clean-up and internal standardization rendered negligible the matrix effect, estimated by comparing standard and matrix-matched calibration curves. A small-scale reconnaissance was carried out on several raw and whole fresh milk samples. A large number of analyzed samples showed a chromatographic peak, in the retention time window of cortisol, at levels included between its decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ). As a result of a heat-induced transformation, an isomeric product of triamcinolone was observed during the extract evaporation. Since this rearrangement might occur during the milk pasteurization process, LC-MS/MS and ¹H-NMR investigations were performed out to conclusively differentiate the two isomers. One- and two-dimensional proton NMR spectra were able to identify the transformation product as 9a-fluoro-11b,16a-trihydroxy-17b-hydroxymethyl-D-homoandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17a-dione.     

Comparison of supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the stereoselective analysis of chlorfenvinphos and dimethylvinphos in tobacco

This study used reversed-phase liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for determination of the stereoisomers of chlorfenvinphos and dimethylvinphos in tobacco. Tobacco samples were extracted and purified with a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique using spherical carbon. The performance of both methodologies was comprehensively compared in terms of methods validation parameters (separation efficiency, linearity, selectivity, recovery, repeatability, sensitivity, matrix effect, etc.). Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves of the stereoisomers of chlorfenvinphos and dimethylvinphos in the range of 10–500 ng/mL showed excellent linearity with R² ≥ 0.997 in both methods. The adequate recoveries of analytes from three different spiked tobaccos were obtained using reversed-phase liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (86.1–95.7%) as well as supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (86.5–94.0%). The relative standard deviations for spiked samples were all below 7.0%. Compared with supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, lower matrix effects and LODs can be obtained in reversed-phase liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.     

Determination of steryl sulphates in invertebrate tissue by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the identification and quantification of underivatised steryl sulphates in invertebrates by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS) involving a single cleanup step has been developed. Negative electrospray ionisation and positive and negative atmospheric-pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) spectra of steryl sulphate showed pseudomolecular ions ([M+H–H₂SO₄]⁺or [M–H]⁻). Collision-induced dissociation (CID) was efficient only in positive APCI. LC-MS in negative APCI was least susceptible to interference and possible differences in response factors. The detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) based on cholest-5-enyl-3-sulphate in positive and negative APCI modes are 3.66 and 0.73 pmol μL⁻¹, respectively. Calibration plots and response factors for cholest-5-enyl-3-sulphate relative to the internal standard, cholecalciferyl-3-sulphate, in both positive and negative polarities, were linear in the concentration range from 1.22 to 16.4 pmol μL⁻¹ with good coefficients of determination (R ²>0.98). It is suggested that the structure elucidation of steryl sulphates is best achieved in CID positive APCI mode, whereas their quantification should be carried out using negative APCI.     

Quantitative determination of taurine and related biomarkers in urine by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Current urinary bladder cancer diagnosis is commonly based on a biopsy obtained during cystoscopy. This invasive method causes discomfort and pain in patients. Recently, taurine and several other compounds such as L-phenylalanine and hippuric acid in urine were found to be indicators of bladder cancer. However, because of a lack of sensitive and accurate analytical techniques, it is impossible to detect these compounds in urine at low levels. In this study, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a noninvasive method was developed to separate and detect these compounds in urine. ¹⁵N₂-L-glutamine was used as the internal standard, and creatinine acted as an indicator for urine dilution. A phenyl-hexyl column was used for the separation at an isocratic condition of 0.2% formic acid in water and 0.2% formic acid in methanol. Analytes were detected in multiple-reaction monitoring with positive ionization mode. The limit of detection range is 0.18–6 nM and the limit of quantitation ranges from 0.6 to 17.6 nM. The parameters affecting separation and quantification were also investigated and optimized. Proper clinical validation of these biomarkers can be done using this reliable, fast, and simple method. Furthermore, with simple modifications, this method could be applied to other physiological fluids and other types of diseases.     

Determination of anabolic steroids in muscle tissue by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive multi-method based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC–APCI–MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of 20 anabolic steroids in muscle tissue (diethylstilbestrol, β-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, α/β-boldenone, α/β-nortestosterone, methyltestosterone, β-trenbolone, triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, flumethasone, α/β-zearalenol, α/β-zearalanol, zearalenone, melengestrol acetate, megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate). The procedure involved hydrolysis, extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, defattening and final clean-up with solid phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis HLB and Amino cartridges. The analytes were analyzed by reversed-phase LC–MS/MS, in positive and negative multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, acquiring two diagnostic product ions from each of the chosen precursor ions for the unambiguous confirmation of the hormones. The method was validated at the validation level of 0.5 ng/g. The accuracy and precision of the method were satisfactory. The decision limits CCα ranged from 0.03 to 0.14 ng/g while the detection capabilities CCβ ranged from 0.05 to 0.24 ng/g. The developed method is sensitive and useful for detection, quantification and confirmation of these anabolic steroids in muscle tissue and can be used for residue control programs.     

Enantiomeric determination of azole antifungals in wastewater and sludge by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method for enantiomeric determination of five chiral azole antifungals (econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, tebuconazole, and propiconazole) in wastewater and sludge has been established and validated. An isotope-labeled internal standard was used for quantification. Recovery of the individual enantiomers was usually in the range of 77-102 % for wastewater and 71-95 % for sludge, with relative standard deviations within 20 %. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between recovery of pairs of enantiomers of the chiral azole antifungals except for those of tebuconazole. Method quantification limits for individual enantiomers were 0.3-10 ng L(-1) and 3-29 ng g(-1) dry weight for wastewater and sludge, respectively. The method was used to investigate the enantiomeric composition of the azole pharmaceuticals in wastewater and sludge samples from a sewage treatment plant in China. Enantiomers of miconazole, ketoconazole, and econazole were widely detected. The results showed that the azole antifungals in wastewater and sludge were generally racemic or marginally non-racemic. The method is a useful tool for investigation of the enantiomeric occurrence, behavior, and fate of the chiral azole antifungals in the environment.     

Determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their metabolites in milk by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used for treatment of animals. According to Council Directive 96/23/EC, residues of these drugs must be monitored because of the potential risk they pose to the consumers' health. For this reason an LC-MS-MS method was developed for detection of wide range of NSAIDs, including both "acidic" NSAIDs (carprofen, diclofenac, flunixin, meloxicam, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, tolfenamic acid, mefenamic acid, naproxen, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, firocoxib, rofecoxib, and celecoxib) and "basic" NSAIDs (four metamizole metabolites). Analytes were extracted from milk samples with acetonitrile in the presence of ammonium acetate. One portion of the extract was directly analyzed for the presence of metamizole metabolites; a second portion was cleaned with an amino cartridge. All NSAIDs were separated on a Phenomenex Luna C8(2) column and analyzed by LC-MS-MS in negative (acidic NSAIDs) and positive (metamizole metabolites) ion modes. The method was validated in accordance with the requirements of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Within-laboratory reproducibility was in the range 7-28%, and accuracy was in the range 71-116%. The method enabled detection of all the analytes with the expected sensitivity, below the recommended concentrations. The method fulfills the criteria for confirmatory methods and, because of its efficiency, may also be used for screening purposes. The procedure was also successfully verified in the proficiency test organized by EU-RL in 2010. As far as the authors are aware, this is one of the first methods capable of detecting diclofenac residues below the MRL in milk (0.1 μg kg(-1)). An additional advantage is the possibility of simultaneous determination of "acidic" NSAIDs and metamizole metabolites.     

Group-specific fragmentation of pesticides and related compounds in liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Current strategies in the LC–MS analysis of pesticides and related compounds in environmental samples, fruits and vegetables, and biological samples mostly rely on the selection of appropriate precursor/product-ion combinations (transitions) for selected reaction monitoring (SRM), often based on automated parameter optimization and selection of the transition. Such a procedure does not require any information on the type of fragmentation reaction involved in the generation of the product ion from the selected precursor ion. However, such information does become important in untargeted screening for unknown contaminants in environmental and food samples, which are generally based on a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometry and (multistage) tandem mass spectrometry. With this in mind, the group-specific fragmentation behaviour has been studied for six classes of pesticides and herbicides, i.e., triazines, organophosphorous pesticides, phenylurea herbicides, carbamates, sulfonylurea herbicides, and chlorinated phenoxy acid herbicides. When relevant, some comparison was made between fragmentation of protonated molecules in MS–MS and of molecular ions generated by electron ionization in GC–MS.     

Direct quantification of cannabinoids and cannabinoid glucuronides in whole blood by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The first method for quantifying cannabinoids and cannabinoid glucuronides in whole blood by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated. Solid-phase extraction followed protein precipitation with acetonitrile. High-performance liquid chromatography separation was achieved in 16 min via gradient elution. Electrospray ionization was utilized for cannabinoid detection; both positive (Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] and cannabinol [CBN]) and negative (11-hydroxy-THC [11-OH-THC], 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC [THCCOOH], cannabidiol [CBD], THC-glucuronide, and THCCOOH-glucuronide) polarity were employed with multiple reaction monitoring. Calibration by linear regression analysis utilized deuterium-labeled internal standards and a 1/x ² weighting factor, yielding R ² values >0.997 for all analytes. Linearity ranged from 0.5 to 50 μg/L (THC-glucuronide), 1.0–100 μg/L (THC, 11-OH-THC, THCCOOH, CBD, and CBN), and 5.0–250 μg/L (THCCOOH-glucuronide). Imprecision was <10.5% CV, recovery was >50.5%, and bias within ±13.1% of target for all analytes at three concentrations across the linear range. No carryover and endogenous or exogenous interferences were observed. This new analytical method should be useful for quantifying cannabinoids in whole blood and further investigating cannabinoid glucuronides as markers of recent cannabis intake.     

Determination of tandospirone in human plasma by a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method

A rapid, sensitive, and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of tandospirone in human plasma is described. It was employed in a pharmacokinetic study. The analyte and internal standard diphenhydramine were extracted from plasma using liquid–liquid extraction, then separated on a Zorbax XDB C₁₈ column using a mobile phase of methanol–water–formic acid (80:20:0.5, v/v/v). The detection was performed with a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source. Linearity was established in the concentration range of 10.0-5,000 pg/ml. The lower limit of quantification was 10.0 pg/ml. The intraday and interday relative standard deviation across three validation runs over the entire concentration range was less than 13%. Accuracy determined at three concentrations (25.0, 200, and 4,000 pg/ml for tandospirone) ranged from 94.4 to 102.1%. Each plasma sample was chromatographed within 3.4 min. The method proved to be highly selective and suitable for bioequivalence evaluation of different formulations containing tandospirone and clinical pharmacokinetic investigation of tandospirone.     

Analysis of seven purines and pyrimidines in pork meat products by ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (UPLC–MS/MS) is proposed for the simultaneous quantification of inosine, adenosine, guanosine, uridine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid in pork meat, dry-cured and cooked ham. Samples were added with ¹⁵N₂-xanthine (internal standard) and extracted with boiling water for 30 min. Supernatants were washed with hexane, added with formic acid 10% in water, methanol:acetone (1:1, v/v), evaporated to dryness under N₂, and finally re-dissolved in water prior to injection. Chromatographic separation was carried out with a HSS T3 column with a total time of analysis of 15 min. Two specific transitions for each compound were used for identification and quantification (with matrix matched calibration curves). Linearity, limit of detection, repeatability and accuracy were evaluated. The method was used to quantify the seven purines and pyrimidines in 15 commercial samples.     

Determination of 76 pharmaceutical drugs by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in slaughterhouse wastewater

A multi-residue method for the analysis of 76 pharmaceutical agents of nine classes of drugs (tetracyclines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, β-agonists, β-blockers, diuretics, sedatives, sulfonamides and chloramphenicol) in slaughterhouse wastewater and a receiving river is presented. After simultaneous extraction with an Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and further purification using an amino SPE cartridge, analytes were detected by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry in positive or negative ion mode. Standard addition was used for quantification to overcome unavoidable matrix effects during ESI-MS analysis. Recoveries for most analytes based on matrix-matched calibration in different test matrices were >60%. The method quantification limits of 76 pharmaceuticals were in the range 0.2–30 ng/L. Nineteen compounds of 76 drugs were found in raw and treated slaughterhouse wastewater from four main slaughterhouses in Beijing. Sulfanamides (sulfanilamide, sulfameter), fluoroquenones (ofloxacin, pefloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin), tetracyclines (tetracycline, oxytetracycline) and macrolides (kitasamycin, tylosin, erythromycin) were most frequently detected, with the highest levels up to ∼3 μg/L in slaughterhouse wastewater and ∼1 μg/L in treated wastewater. Illicit drugs for animal feeding such as clenbuterol and diazepam were commonly detected in slaughterhouse wastewater. These analytes were also observed in a river receiving slaughterhouse wastewater, with a highest level of up to 0.2 μg/L.     

Determination of perfluorinated compounds in mollusks by matrix solid-phase dispersion and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been used for over 40 years in different commercial and industrial applications mainly as surfactants and surface protectors and have become an important class of marine emerging pollutants. This study presents the development and validation of a new analytical method to determine the simultaneous presence of eight PFCs in different kinds of mollusks using matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Simplicity of the analytical procedure, low volume of solvent and quantity of sample required, low global price, and integration of extraction and clean-up into a single step, are the most important advantages of the developed methodology. Solvent, solid support (dispersing agent), clean-up sorbent, and their amounts were optimized by means of an experimental design. In the final method, 0.5 g of sample are dispersed with 0.2 g of diatomaceous earth and transferred into a polypropylene syringe containing 4 g of silica as clean-up sorbent. Then, analytes are eluted with 20 mL of acetonitrile. The extract is finally concentrated to a final volume of 0.5 mL in methanol, avoiding extract dryness in order to prevent evaporation losses and injected in the LC-MS/MS. The combination of this MSPD protocol with LC-MS/MS afforded detection limits from 0.05 to 0.3 ng g⁻¹. Also, a good linearity was established for the eight PFCs in the range from limit of quantification (LOQ) to 500 ng mL⁻¹ with R ² > 0.9917. The recovery of the method was studied with three types of spiked mollusk and was in the 64–126% range. Moreover, a mussel sample was spiked and aged for more than 1 month and analyzed by the developed method and a reference method, ion-pair extraction, for comparison, producing both methods statistically equal concentration values. The method was finally applied to the determination of PFCs in different kinds of mollusks revealing concentrations up to 8.3 ng g⁻¹ for perfluoroundecanoic acid.     

Identification and quantification of salinomycin in intoxicated human plasma by liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Salinomycin is a polyether ionophore antibiotic that is widely used in poultry and livestock. Exposure of humans to salinomycin via inhalation or ingestion can cause severe toxicity. The aim of the present work was to develop a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the rapid identification and quantification of salinomycin in human plasma. After removing protein using methanol, plasma samples were eluted from a Waters Xterra ^® MS C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase. Detection and quantification of the drug were performed with a triple-quadruple mass spectrometer by monitoring for two specific transitions in the electrospray, positive-ion, multiple-reaction monitoring mode. Assay validation showed good linearity (r ²?=?0.998). The detection and quantification limits of the method were 0.6 and 16 pg/mL, respectively. The inter- and intraday coefficients of variation for the assay were both <15%. Twelve authentic plasma samples from intoxicated patients were analyzed using this method. Salinomycin was detected in six samples, at concentrations of between 0.6 and 46.5 pg/mL. The described assay method allows the sensitive and rapid identification and quantification of salinomycin in human plasma, and thus provides a valuable tool for the specific diagnosis of salinomycin intoxication in clinical and emergency rescue practice.     

Analysis of dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A reversed-phase LC–MS method with quadrupole-time of flight (QTOF) detection has been developed for the determination of four dinitro-toluenesulfonic acids and two amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater. The analytes were separated by HPLC with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phase modifier compatible with mass spectrometric detection. QTOF-MS analysis with negative ion electrospray ionization afforded good selectivity and sensitivity for analysis of the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Structure elucidation and confirmation were accomplished by tandem mass spectrometry. Characteristic ions resulting from the loss of NO, NO₂, and SO₂ from the [M–H]^– ions were detected. An intense fragment ion at m/z 80 representing the [SO₃]^– ion was detected for all dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Solid-phase extraction using a co-polymer cartridge was developed for preconcentration of the analytes from water. Good recovery (>85%) was achieved when 0.1% formic acid was added into the water samples before extraction. Method detection limits ranged from 10 to 76 ng L^–1 for the targeted compounds when 10 mL water was analyzed. Groundwater samples collected from wells close to a former ammunition plant in Stadtallendorf, Germany, were analyzed for the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids.