LC-MS/MS method for the confirmatory determination of aromatic amines and its application in textile analysis

A confirmation method for the determination of 18 aromatic amines originating from azo dyes after reductive cleavage was developed. The method is based on the use of high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization. For the identification of the analytes one precursor ion and two daughter ions (multi-reaction monitoring, MRM) were selected and the LC-MS/MS parameters optimized to obtain high sensitivity and selectivity. The linear ranges varied from 0.1–1 to 30–50 g mL^–1 with correlation coefficients of 0.99 or better. The applicability of the method to determine o-tolidine (3,3-dimethylbenzidine) and 3,3-dimethoxybenzidine in textiles following reductive cleavage of acid red 114, trypan blue, and Chicago sky blue 6B was demonstrated.     

Practical determination of methotrexate in serum of rheumatic patients by LC-MS/MS

A rapid and simple liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatic patients' serum is described. Serum spiked with pterin as an internal standard was deproteinized with methanol. The separation of MTX from interfering peaks in matrix was achieved on a Luna 3 µm C₁₈ (100 × 4.6 mm i.d.) column with a mixture of 1% acetic acid and acetonitrile (88:12, v/v) within 5 min. Multiple reaction monitoring transitions monitored for MTX were m/z 455.2–308.1. The calibration curve of MTX in serum showed a good linearity (r = 0.999). Limits of detection and quantification of MTX at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 and 10 were 3.0 n m (4.4 fmol/injection) and 10.0 n m (14.5 fmol/injection), respectively. The accuracy and precision for intra‐ and inter‐day assays were 94.6–106.5% and <5.5 and <5.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied to the sera nine rheumatic patients receiving MTX treatment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of tiopronin in human plasma by LC-MS/MS without derivatization

Tiopronin (TP) is a synthetic thiol compound without chromophore. By optimizing the chromatographic conditions and sample preparation processes, an improved LC‐MS/MS analytical method without derivatization has been developed and validated to determine TP concentrations in human plasma. After reduction with 1,4‐dithiothreitol, plasma samples were deproteinized with 10% perchloric acid. The post‐treatment samples were analyzed on a C₈ column interfaced with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in negative electrospray ionization mode. Methanol–5 mmol/L ammonium acetate (20:80, v/v) was used as the isocratic mobile phase. The assay was linear over the concentration range of 40.0–5000 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were within 12.9% in terms of relative standard deviation and the accuracy within 5.6% in terms of relative error. This simple and sensitive LC‐MS/MS method with short analytical time (3.5 min each sample) was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of TP in healthy Chinese male volunteers after an oral dose of 300 mg TP. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two new methods of synthesis for the perbromate ion: chemistry and determination by LC-MS/MS

Historically, the synthesis of perbromate ion through conventional oxidation routes has proven elusive. Herein, we report perbromate ion formation through the reaction of hypobromite and bromate ions in an alkaline sodium hypobromite solution. Formation was established via LC-MS/MS analysis of the bromate and perbromate ions in the reaction solutions over a 13-day period. Furthermore, it was discovered that the perbromate ion was also formed as a result of the electrospray ionization process. Selective reduction of the bromate ion prior to analysis was used to confirm the two formation pathways.     

Application of LC-MS/MS method for the in vivo metabolite determination of oleuropein after intravenous administration to rat

A highly sensitive, specific and simple LC‐MS/MS method was developed to investigate in vivo bio‐transformation of oleuropein in rat. Rat urine samples collected after the intravenous administrations were determined using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the negative‐ion mode. The assay procedure involves a simple liquid–liquid extraction of parent oleuropein and the metabolite from rat urine with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was operated with 0.1% formic acid aqueous and methanol in gradient program at a flow rate of 0.80 mL/min on an RP‐C₁₈ column with a total run time of 30 min. This method has been successfully applied to simultaneous determination of oleuropein and its metabolite in rat urine. Oxygenation was found to be the major metabolic pathway of the oleuropein in rat after intravenous administration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Validation of a multi-residue method for the determination of several antibiotic groups in honey by LC-MS/MS

The presented multi-method was developed for the confirmation of 37 antibiotic substances from the six antibiotic groups: macrolides, lincosamides, quinolones, tetracyclines, pleuromutilines and diamino-pyrimidine derivatives. All substances were analysed simultaneously in a single analytical run with the same procedure, including an extraction with buffer, a clean-up by solid-phase extraction, and the measurement by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in ESI+ mode. The method was validated on the basis of an in-house validation concept with factorial design by combination of seven factors to check the robustness in a concentration range of 5-50 μg kg(-1). The honeys used were of different types with regard to colour and origin. The values calculated for the validation parameters-decision limit CCα (range, 7.5-12.9 μg kg(-1)), detection capability CCβ (range, 9.4-19.9 μg kg(-1)), within-laboratory reproducibility RSD(wR) (<20% except for tulathromycin with 23.5% and tylvalosin with 21.4 %), repeatability RSD(r) (<20% except for tylvalosin with 21.1%), and recovery (range, 92-106%)-were acceptable and in agreement with the criteria of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The validation results showed that the method was applicable for the residue analysis of antibiotics in honey to substances with and without recommended concentrations, although some changes had been tested during validation to determine the robustness of the method.     

Multiresidue determination of triarylmethane and phenothiazine dyes in fish tissues by LC-MS/MS

The occurrence of residues of malachite green and its leuco-metabolite in tissues of farmed fish for human consumption have long been of concern and there is extensive literature on methods of analysis and surveillance for these compounds. Recently, concern has been expressed that the use of other related compounds in place of malachite green may go undetected. This paper describes a new method for extending the range of triarylmethane and related phenothiazine dyes that can be detected in fish. In this procedure 13 parent compounds are monitored, with any potential leuco-forms being oxidized back to the parent prior to determination. The method utilizes a buffer–acetonitrile extraction followed by liquid–liquid extraction. Oxidant is added and the extracts further purified by cation exchange chromatography. Final determination is carried out using LC–MS/MS. The method has been validated to the standards of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.     

Trimethylsilyldiazomethane derivatization coupled with solid-phase extraction for the determination of alendronate in human plasma by LC-MS/MS

Alendronate is an important representative of bisphosphonates, strongly polar compounds that lack chromophores. With rare exceptions, derivatization of the analytes is necessary for bioanalysis. In this study, a rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method employing pre-column derivatization was developed and validated for the determination of alendronate concentrations in human plasma. The procedure was based on derivatization with trimethylsilyldiazomethane during solid-phase extraction on a weak anion-exchange solid-phase cartridge, which integrated sample purification and derivatization into one step. The alendronate derivative was eluted with methanol. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Capcell PAK-C18 column. The total run time was 6.5 min. The calibration curve was linear in the range 1.00–1,000 ng/mL using d6-alendronate as the internal standard. The lower limit of quantification was 1.00 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precision (in RSD) calculated from quality control samples was less than 15%, and the accuracy was between 98.1% and 100.2%. The validated method was successfully applied to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of alendronate following the intravenous infusion of 5 or 10 mg alendronate sodium to healthy volunteers.     

LC-MS/MS method for the determination of cynandione A in rat plasma and tissues

A rapid and sensitive method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of cynandione A in rat plasma and tissues. The plasma samples were pretreated by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate after the internal standard (honokiol) had been spiked. The tissue samples were homogenized with physiological saline and treated further like the plasma samples. The separation was performed using a Zorbax SB-C(18) column (3.5 microm, 2.1 x 100 mm) and a C18 guard column (5 microm, 4.0 x 2.0 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol-0.1% formic acid (78:22, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The Agilent G6410A triple quadrupole LC/MS system was operated under the multiple-reaction monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique in negative mode. The nominal retention times for cynandione A and honokiol were 1.41 and 2.63 min, respectively. The method was validated within the concentration range 0.2-1000 ng/mL in plasma and homogenized tissue for cynandione A, and the calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients >0.992. The lower limit of quantification of cynandione A was 0.2 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the assay in plasma were less than 14.4%, while the intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy of the assay in tissue homogenate were less than 14.2%. This method proved to be suitable for study of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of cynandione A in rat.     

Ultra-trace determination of aquaculture chemotherapeutants and degradation products in environmental matrices by LC-MS/MS

Two of the most common products currently used to control parasitic sea lice in fin fish aquaculture, salmon in particular, are Slice® and AlphaMax®. Emamectin benzoate (EB) is the active ingredient in Slice® and deltamethrin is the active ingredient in AlphaMax®. Several analytical methods have been developed for the determination of the active ingredients in these products but these have been focused on specific matrices and lack the sensitivity and versatility required in environmental monitoring. Here we present a validated, versatile, and simple analytical method for the determination of EB, its desmethyl degradation product (AB), and deltamethrin in a wide range of environmental matrices (sea water, marine sediment, and tissue). Sediments and tissues were extracted by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE®) and sample cleanup was achieved by solid phase extraction (SPE) while sea water was extracted using SPE disks. Analyte identification and quantification was based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) instrumentation with electrospray ionization, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Method detection limits for the target analytes was in the parts per trillion (pg?g^?1) level for tissue and sediment and parts per quadrillion (pg?L^?1) for water. Except for deltamethrin in sea water, method performance in terms of analyte recoveries was better than 60%, and the method precision was RSD<20%. The method was used to determine EB and AB concentrations in water, sediment and prawn tissue samples collected near salmon aquaculture sites treated with Slice®. A distinct concentration gradient was observed in the immediate vicinity (within 50 to 100?m radius) of the salmon aquaculture sites where EB was detected at low ng?g^?1 levels for tissue (EB ranged from 0.041 to 3.0?ng?g^?1) and sediment (EB ranged from 0.051 to 35?ng?g^?1) and pg?L^?1 levels (EB ranged from 3 to 209?pg?L^?1) for water samples.     

Comparison of several extraction procedures for the determination of biopesticides in soil samples by ultrahigh pressure LC-MS/MS

A new procedure has been proposed for the determination of biopesticides (nicotine, sabadine, veratridine, rotenone, azadirachtin, cevadine, deguelin, spynosad D, and pyrethrins) and piperonyl butoxide in agricultural soils. Several extraction procedures such as solid-liquid extraction using mechanical shaking, sonication, pressurized liquid extraction, and modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) have been tested, obtaining better results when QuEChERS procedure without further cleanup steps was applied. The determination of the compounds was carried out by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, using methanol and aqueous solution of ammonium formate 5 mM as mobile phase. The method was validated for all compounds at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 μg/kg and recoveries ranged from 68 to 116%, except for nicotine and sabadine, with recoveries lower than 50%. Precision was estimated through intra- and inter-day studies, obtaining intra-day precision lower than 20% for most of the compounds, and inter-day precision was lower than 25%. Limits of detection and quantification were also estimated, obtaining limits of quantification equal or lower than 10 μg/kg. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of 20 real agricultural soil samples and no biopesticide residues were found over the limit of quantification.     

Simultaneous determination of sixteen underivatized biogenic amines in human urine by HPLC-MS/MS

The broad group of biogenic amines includes polyamines and catecholamines, whose presence in human tissues and biological fluids can give important diagnostic information and act as marker of many pathologies. In particular, polyamines are involved in cancer cell growth while catecholamines act as neurotransmitters and hormones. Their simultaneous determination in biological tissues and fluids is therefore an important task. A high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method is presented here for the simultaneous determination in urine of 16 biogenic amines: adrenaline (epinephrine), agmatine, cadaverine, dopamine, histamine, 3-methoxytyramine, noradrenaline (norepinephrine), norephedrine, octopamine, 2-phenylethylamine, putrescine, serotonin, spermidine, spermine, tryptamine, and tyramine. The method does not require any derivatization step. To guarantee the maximum of sensitivity, the mass spectrometer works in selected reaction monitoring mode, monitoring for each analyte the two most intensive transitions. Method validation includes the evaluation of limits of detection (that range from 0.3 to 6.6 μg L^?1), limits of quantitation (that range from 1.0 to 21.9 μg L^?1), linearity range (three orders of magnitude), recovery, intra- and inter-day precision on both concentration, and retention time. Recovery (R) is shown not to depend on the analyte concentration: the average R percent ranges from 72.9 to 100.0 %. Particular attention is devoted to the matrix effect and the correlated phenomena of ion enhancement or suppression in mass spectrometry detection.

Rapid screening and determination of nerve agent metabolites in human urine by LC-MS/MS

Qualitative screening procedures have been developed for the rapid detection and identification of the metabolites of nerve agents in the urine samples and extracts using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The combination of negative electrospray ionization (ESI) using a C₁₈ column and water-methanol mobile phase modified with ammonium formate provides a rapid screening procedure for nerve agent degradation products with limit of detection of 1 ng/mL in the precursor-ion analysis. Also, determination of the alkyl methylphosphonic acids was carried out by the SRM scan mode with the limit of detection of 0.1 ng/mL. These procedures will be applicable to the trace analysis of metabolites of nerve agents in human urine matrices in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) proficiency test.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法快速检测番茄制品中苏丹红

采用HPLC/MS-MS鉴定和检测番茄制品中苏丹红染料Ⅰ～Ⅳ。番茄制品中苏丹红Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ,经正己烷加乙酸溶液提取,氧化铝柱净化,再用二氯甲烷洗脱苏丹红,经浓缩至干,流动相定容,液相色谱串联质谱测定,外标法定量。将已用HPLC法测定过的10个可疑样品,用该方法进行检测,结果有4个检了苏丹红Ⅰ。采用本方法检测苏丹红Ⅰ～Ⅳ,检测限均可达到1.0μg/kg,在添加浓度1～100μg/kg之间线性关系良好,相关系数(r)均>0.9990,对于1、5、10μg/kg水平添加回收率在72.3%～103%之间,相对标准偏差在2.5%～9.8%之间。     

Multi-residue analytical methods for the determination of pesticides and PPCPs in water by LC-MS/MS: a review

Residues of pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are contaminants of world-wide concern. Consequently, there is a growing need to develop reliable analytical methods, which enable rapid, sensitive and selective determination of these pollutants in environmental samples, at trace levels. In this paper, a review of the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based methods for the determination of pesticides and PPCPs in the environment is presented. Advanced aspects of current LC-MS/MS methodology, including sample preparation and matrix effects, are discussed.     

Simultaneous determination of sulfoxaflor in 14 daily foods using LC-MS/MS

Sulfoxa?or residues in 14 daily foods, including rice, sorghum, chilli, cucumber, white pear, apple, egg, beef brisket, chicken breast, fish, pork liver, milk, pine nut and honey, were simultaneously determined using a modified QuEChERS and LC–MS/MS method. These foods were classified into three categories to be purified. A combination of 25 mg of octadecylsilane (C18) + 25 mg of primary and secondary amine (PSA) + 50 mg of graphitised carbon black (GCB) + 150 mg of MgSO₄ was used to purify the rice, sorghum, honey, apple and white pear. A combination of 25 mg of C18 + 50 mg of PSA + 50 mg of GCB + 150 mg of MgSO₄ was used to purify the chilli and cucumber. A combination of 50 mg of C18 + 25 mg of PSA + 50 mg of GCB + 150 mg of MgSO₄ was used to purify the pine nuts, egg, beef brisket, chicken breast, fish, pork liver and milk. The linearity coefficient values were greater than 0.9975. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were in the ranges of 0.7?1.8 and 2.0?5.0 μg kg^?1, respectively. Average recoveries of the sulfoxa?or at the 14 food matrices at spiking levels of 5.0, 10 and 50 μg kg^?1 ranged from 74.0% to 100.8%, and the relative standard deviation ranged from 2.2% to 11.2%. This is a simple and rapid method for the determination of sulfoxa?or residues in various kinds of daily foods.     

Simultaneous determination of 32 antibiotics in aquaculture products using LC-MS/MS

An analytical multiclass, multi-residue method for the determination of antibiotics in aquaculture products was developed and validated. A fast, cheap, and straightforward extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was proposed. This method covers 32 antibiotics of different classes, which are frequently used in aquaculture. Three different extraction procedures were compared, and the extraction with acetonitrile (0.1 vol. % formic acid) showed the best results. The selected extraction procedure was validated at four different fortification levels (10 μg kg^?1, 25 μg kg^?1, 50 μg kg^?1, and 100 μg kg^?1). Recoveries of the tested antibiotics ranged from 70 % to 120 %, with the relative standard deviation (RSD) of triplicates lower than 20 %. The limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.062 μg kg^?1 to 4.6 μg kg^?1, allowing for the analysis of trace levels of these antibiotics in aquaculture products. The method was applied to the analysis of selected antibiotics in fish and shrimp meat available in the Czech market.     

Rapid and sensitive determination of udenafil in plasma by LC-MS/MS for intranasal pharmacokinetic study in rats

A rapid and sensitive analytical method for udenafil in rat plasma was developed and validated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This chromatographic procedure was then applied to the in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats for determining the advantages of intranasal administration of the drug over oral administration. Using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), udenafil and the internal standard (IS) sildenafil were extracted with dichloromethane from 100 μl of plasma samples. Chromatographic separation was performed using Pursuit XRS C?? column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, i.d., 3 μm, Varian Inc., CA, U.S.A.) with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate (90 : 10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min over a total run time of 2.5 min. Detection and quantification was performed by mass spectrometry using the multiple reaction-monitoring mode at m/z 517.4→283.1 for udenafil and m/z 475.3→100.0 for IS. Results showed that the developed method was sensitive and specific for udenafil. Linearity was obtained in the range of 0.5-1000 ng/ml. The coefficient of variation of both intra- and inter-day validation were below 11.6% and the intra- and inter-day accuracy ranged from 91.5 to 109.9%. Udenafil concentration was successfully measured from plasma after intranasal as well as after intravenous or oral administration at clinical dose (1.67 mg/kg) in rats. Moreover, the T(max) values obtained from pharmacokinetic studies suggested that administration of udenafil intranasally could be more effective than by the oral route.