Liquid chromatography with electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry for the determination of anatoxins in cyanobacteria and drinking water

Anatoxin-a (AN) and homoanatoxin-a (HMAN) are potent neurotoxins produced by a number of cyanobacterial species. A new, sensitive liquid chromatography/multiple tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS(n)) method has been developed for the determination of these neurotoxins. The LC system was coupled, via an electrospray ionisation (ESI) source, to an ion-trap mass spectrometer in positive ion mode. The [M+H](+) ions at m/z 166 (anatoxin-a) and m/z 180 (homoanatoxin-a) were used as the precursor ions for multiple MS experiments. MS(2)bond;MS(4) spectra displayed major fragment ions at m/z 149 (AN), 163 (HMAN), assigned to [Mbond;NH(3)+H](+); m/z 131 (AN), 145 (HMAN), assigned to [Mbond;NH(3)bond;H(2)O+H](+), and m/z 91 [C(7)H(7)](+). Although the chromatographic separation of these neurotoxins is problematic, reversed-phase LC, using a C(18) Luna column, proved successful. Calibration data for anatoxin-a using spiked water samples (10 mL) in LC/MS(n) modes were: LC/MS (25-1000 microg/L), r(2) = 0.998; LC/MS(2) (5-1000(microg/L), r(2) = 0.9993; LC/MS(3) (2.5-1000 microg/L), r(2) = 0.9997. Reproducibility data (% RSD, N = 3) for each LC/MS(n) mode ranged between 2.0 at 500 microg/L and 7.0 at 10 microg/L. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for AN was better than 0.03 ng (on-column) for LC/MS(3) which corresponded to 0.6 microg/L.     

Application of positive ion chemical ionisation and tandem mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography to the trace level analysis of ethyl carbamate in bread

A rapid, sensitive and selective method has been developed and validated for the analysis of the contaminant ethyl carbamate (EC) in bread products at the part-per-billion level. The new procedure uses positive ion chemical ionisation (PICI) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), combined with gas chromatography (GC), on a 'bench-top' triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. Ammonia was the PICI reagent gas of choice because of its ability to produce abundant [M+H]+ and [M+NH4]+ ions from EC and deuterium-labelled EC (LEC) used as an internal standard. For identification and quantification, selected reaction monitoring (SRM) was used to follow the precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z 107 --> 90, m/z 107 --> 62 and m/z 90 --> 62 for EC, as well as m/z 112 --> 63 for the LEC internal standard. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.6 and 1.2 microg kg(-1), respectively, and the recovery of the method was 101 +/- 10% at 10 microg kg(-1) and 98 +/- 5% at 100 microg kg(-1). The precision of the method, established under conditions of intermediate reproducibility, did not exceed a relative standard deviation of 7%. The quantitative performance of the new GC/PICI-SRM procedure compared favourably with that of a reference method based on GC/MS and selected ion monitoring (correlation coefficient, r = 0.997). However, the new method had the advantages of reduced sample preparation time, improved sensitivity and unambiguous identification of EC at all concentrations. Application of the new method to the analysis of 50 UK breads showed that levels of EC ranged from 0.6 to 2.3 microg kg(-1) in retail products and from 3.1 to 12.2 microg kg(-1) for breads prepared using domestic breadmaking machines (dry weight basis). Toasting bread in a domestic toaster led to increases of between two- and three-fold in mean EC concentrations.     

Confirmatory analysis of malachite green, leucomalachite green, crystal violet and leucocrystal violet in salmon by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed to analyse for malachite green (MG), leucomalachite green (LMG), crystal violet (CV) and leucocrystal violet (LCV) residues in salmon. Salmon samples were extracted with acetonitrile:McIIIvain pH 3 buffer (90:10 v/v), sample extracts were purified on a Bakerbond strong cation exchange solid phase extraction cartridge. Aliquots of the extracts were analysed by LC-MS/MS. The method was validated in salmon, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limit (CCalpha) was 0.17, 0.15, 0.35 and 0.17 microg kg(-1), respectively, for MG, LMG, CV and LCV and for the detection capability (CCbeta) values of 0.30, 0.35, 0.80 and 0.32 microg kg(-1), respectively, were obtained. Fortifying salmon samples (n=6) in three separate assays, show the accuracy to be between 77 and 113% for MG, LMG, LCV and CV. The precision of the method, expressed as RSD values for the within-laboratory reproducibility, for MG, LMG and LCV at the three levels of fortification (1, 1.5 and 2.0 microg kg(-1)), was less than 13%. For CV a more variable precision was obtained, with RSD values ranging between 20 and 25%.     

Determination of the Fusarium mycotoxins, fusaproliferin and beauvericin by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

A method is described using LC-MS for the detection of the mycotoxins fusaproliferin (FUS) and beauvericin (BEA) in cultures of Fusarium subglutinans and in naturally contaminated maize. Protonated molecular ion signals for FUS and BEA were observed at m/z 445 and m/z 784, respectively. Collision induced dissociation of the readily dehydrated protonated molecular ion of the sesterterpene FUS (m/z 427) led to the loss of another water molecule (m/z 409) and acetic acid (m/z 385), while the cyclic lactone trimer BEA fragmented to yield the protonated dimer (m/z 523) and monomer (m/z 262), respectively. Detection of FUS was best performed in the MS-MS mode while BEA displayed a stronger signal in the MS mode. The on-column instrumental detection limits for pure FUS and BEA were found to be 2 ng and 20 pg (S/N=2) while those in naturally contaminated maize were 1 microg/kg and 0.5 microg/kg, respectively. Five South African strains of F. subglutinans were analyzed following methanol extraction of which four produced FUS at levels between 330 mg/kg and 2630 mg/kg while only three produced BEA at levels between 140 mg/kg and 700 mg/kg. Application of this method to naturally contaminated maize samples from the Transkei region of South Africa showed FUS at levels of 8.8-39.6 microg/kg and BEA at 7.6-238.8 microg/kg.     

气相色谱-质谱联用法测定动物组织中氯霉素、氟甲砜霉素和甲砜霉素的残留量

建立了气相色谱-负离子化学电离源质谱同时测定动物组织中氯霉素(CAP)、甲砜霉素(TAP)和氟甲砜霉素(FF)残留量的方法。样品用乙酸乙酯提取,正己烷分配去脂肪,再用Florisil柱进一步净化,甲苯作为反应介质,用N,O-双(三甲基硅基)三氟乙酰胺(BSTFA)-三甲基氯硅烷(TMCS)(体积比为99∶1)进行硅烷化处理,用间硝基氯霉素(m-CAP)作为内标进行测定。CAP的检测限可达到0.03 μg/kg,TAP和FF的检测限可达到0.2 μg/kg;上述3种药物的标准曲线的线性相关系数均大于0.99。CAP,FF和TAP的批内测定的精密度(以相对标准偏差表示)依次为5.5%,10.4%和8.8%;批间测定的精密度依次为7.4%,20.7%和19.1%。回收率为80.0%~111.5%,相对标准偏差为1.2%~15.4%。该方法前处理步骤简单,处理后杂质干扰少,灵敏度高,适用性强,可用于猪肉及禽类、水产品等多种动物组织中氯霉素类药物残留的检测。     

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the determination of three barbiturates in pork by ion trap gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) following microwave assisted derivatization

A new method was developed for the rapid screening and confirmation analysis of barbital, amobarbital and phenobarbital residues in pork by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) with ion trap MSD. The residual barbiturates in pork were extracted by ultrasonic extraction, cleaned up on a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) packed solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and applied acetone-ethyl acetate (3:7, v/v) mixture as eluting solvent and derivatized with CH3I under microwave irradiation. The methylated barbiturates were separated on a TR-5MS capillary column and detected with an ion trap mass detector. Electron impact ion source (EI) operating MS/MS mode was adopted for identification and external standard method was employed for quantification. One precursor ion m/z 169 was selected for analysis of barbital and amobarbital and m/z 232 was selected for phenobarbital. The product ions were obtained under 1.0 V excitation voltage. Good linearities (linear coefficient R > 0.99) were obtained at the range of 0.5-50 microg kg(-1). Limit of detection (LOD) of barbital was 0.2 microg kg(-1) and that of amobarbital and phenobarbital were both 0.1 microg kg(-1) (S/N > or = 3). Limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.5 microg kg(-1) for three barbiturates (S/N > or = 10). Satisfying recoveries ranging from 75% to 96% of the three barbiturates spiked in pork were obtained, with relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) in the range of 2.1-7.8%.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水产品中麻醉剂MS-222残留

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水产品中麻醉剂3-氨基苯甲酸乙酯甲基磺酸盐(MS-222)残留量的方法。提取液为50%的甲醇及乙酸-乙酸钠缓冲溶液,提取液经C18固相萃取柱净化处理后用液相色谱-串联质谱仪进行测定,外标法定量。流动相为0.5%的甲酸溶液和乙腈(V:V=60:40),流速为0.2 mL/min。该方法的线性范围为0.001～1.0 mg/L,相关系数大于0.999,检出限为1μg/kg,定量限为2μg/kg。加标回收率可以达到80%～110%。     

Characterization and de novo sequencing of Atlantic salmon vitellogenin protein by electrospray tandem and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Vitellogenin (VTG) is a protein produced by the liver of oviparous animals in response to circulating estrogens. In the plasma of males and immature females, VTG is undetectable. VTG has been used as a biomarker for exposure to endocrine disruptors in many species. In the present study, characterization of intact Atlantic salmon VTG was effected using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI ToF MS). Tryptic digest peptides were analyzed by MALDI ToF MS to obtain a peptide mass fingerprint. De novo sequencing of the tryptic peptides used low-energy collisionally-induced dissociation (CID) in an electrospray ionization quadrupole-ToF orthogonal hybrid mass spectrometer (ESI Q-ToF MS/MS). The interpretation of the product-ion spectra obtained from the ESI Q-ToF MS/MS was done by Lutefisk, a computer-based software algorithm. The molecular mass of the intact protein was found to be 187335 Da. A total of 14 tryptic peptides were sequenced and compared with the complete rainbow trout VTG and the partial Atlantic salmon VTG sequences found in the Swiss-Prot database. De novo sequencing by CID MS/MS of 11 Atlantic salmon tryptic digest peptides with selected precursor ions at m/z 788.24, 700.20, 794.75, 834.31, 889.28, 819.79, 865.27, 843.81, 572.20, 573.66 and 561.68 showed high homology with the known sequence of rainbow trout VTG. The last two precursor peptide ions, found at m/z 573.66 and m/z 561.68, also specifically matched the known portion of the Atlantic salmon VTG sequence. Finally, three tryptic precursor peptide ions found at m/z 795.18, 893.28 and 791.05, provided product-ion spectra, which were exclusive to the unsequenced portion of the Atlantic salmon VTG.     

Detection and identification of zeranol in chicken or rabbit liver by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, specific, and reliable liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for detection and identification of zeranol in chicken or rabbit liver. A homogenized liver sample was hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase, and the hydrolysate was extracted with ethyl ether. The supernatant was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was dissolved in chloroform and re-extracted with sodium hydroxide. After acidification, the extract was cleaned up on a C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge and analyzed by electrospray LC-MS/MS in the negative ion mode. The multiple reaction monitoring transition from both m/z 321 to 277 and m/z 321 to 303 was monitored for confirmation, and the product ion of 277 was used for quantitation. Separation was performed on a Waters XTettra C18 column (50 x 2.1 mm, 3.5 microm) combined with a safeguard column (Symmetry C18, 20 x 3.9 mm, 5 microm), using a gradient elution with acetonitrile and 20 mM ammonium acetate. Calibration curves were prepared and good linearity was achieved over the concentration ranges tested. For all liver samples fortified at 3 different levels of 1, 5, and 50 microg/kg, the overall recoveries and relative standard deviations were in the range of 61-90 and 8-13%, respectively. The limit of quantitation based on the assay validation was 1 microg/kg. The method had been used on a routine basis for detection and identification of zeranol in liver samples.     

Measurement of aflatoxin M1 in milk by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive method was developed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)/MS/MS with positive electrospray ionization for determining aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and milk powder. A 50 mL quantity of low-fat liquid milk containing 100 ng/L AFM1, was prepared using immunoaffinity columns with a mean recovery rate of 79% (n = 3). UHPLC columns (BEH C18, BEH HILIC, and HSS T3) greatly reduced the chromatographic time and lowered the instrumental detection limits (IDLs) 16 to 58 times compared to an HPLC column (Betabasic C18). The HSS T3 column was chosen because it provided a low IDL (0.11 pg) and the lowest ion suppression of signal intensity (63.4%) among the tested columns. Matrix-fortified calibration curves were used for quantification and showed good linearity (r > 0.997) at 0.05-500 ng/mL. The LOD was 0.18 ng/kg for milk and 2.08 nglkg for milk powder, based on the signal intensity of the confirmatory product ion (m/z 259.1), which was less abundant than the quantitative product ion (m/z 273.1). Certified reference materials of milk powder at three levels (<0.05, 0.111 +/- 0.018, and 0.44 +/- 0.06 microg/kg) were measured within a day and between days; the results were all close to the certified levels with low variations (RSDs < 15%), showing good precision and accuracy.     

Liquid chromatography with electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry for the determination of yessotoxins in shellfish

Yessotoxins are a group of large polyether toxins, produced by marine dinoflagellates, which cause widespread contamination of filter-feeding shellfish. A new, sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method has been developed for the determination of yessotoxin (YTX) and 45-hydroxy-yessotoxin (45-OHYTX), a major metabolite in shellfish. The LC system was coupled, via an electrospray ionisation (ESI) source, to an ion-trap MS in negative mode. The molecular related ion species at m/z 1141 [M-2Na+H]- was used as the parent ion for multiple MS experiments. MS-MS and MS3 gave major fragment ions at m/z 1061 [1141-SO3H]- and m/z 945 [1061-C9H12O]-. Predominant ions, that are due to the fragmentation of the backbone structure of YTXs, were observed at the MS4 stage. Reversed-phase LC using a C16 amide column was preferable to C18 phases for the separation of YTX and 45-OHYTX. Optimum calibration and reproducibility data were obtained for YTX using LC-MS-MS; r 2=0.9960, RSD < or = 6.3% at 0.25 microg YTX/g (n=5). The detection limit (S/N=3) was 30 pg YTX on-column which corresponded to 3 ng/g shellfish tissue.     

Determination of nifursol metabolites in poultry muscle and liver tissue. Development and validation of a confirmatory method

A method is described for the identification and quantitative determination of 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide (DSH), the marker residue of nifursol metabolites in poultry (turkey, broiler) muscle and liver tissue. The method is based on the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of tissue-bound metabolites to free DSH and in situ derivatisation with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde to the corresponding nitrophenyl derivative NPDSH. A structural analogue of DSH, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid hydrazide (HBH) was synthesised to serve as an internal standard. The analytes were isolated from the matrix by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Determination was performed by LC-MS/MS with negative electrospray ionisation. The [M - H](+) ions of NPDSH and NPHBH at m/z 374 were fragmented by collision induced dissociation (CID) producing transition ions at m/z 182, 183 and 226. The transition ions at m/z 182 and 226 were selected for monitoring of NPDSH while the transition ion at m/z 183 was selected for NPHBH. The method has been validated according to the EU criteria of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 microg kg(-1) in muscle and liver tissue. A decision limit (CC(alpha)) was obtained of 0.04 and 0.025 microg kg(-1) in muscle and liver, respectively. Similarly a detection capability (CC(beta)) was obtained of 0.10 and 0.05 microg kg(-1) in muscle and liver, respectively. The introduction of HBH as an internal standard did not lead to a significant improvement of the quantitative performance of the method. In fact for liver better performance characteristics were obtained when the IS was not taken into account. Nevertheless, as a qualitative marker for recovery, HBH could still be very useful in the analysis of unknown samples.     

Determination of ligustilide in rat blood and tissues by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method was developed to study the pharmacokinetics of ligustilide following oral administration to rats. The method was used for the analysis of samples taken from rats. Biological samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) using an n-hexane-ether (2:1) solvent mixture for a sample clean-up step and analyzed by GC/MS with a quadrupole MS detector in selected ion monitoring mode (m/z 190). The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range 0.172-8.60 microg/mL (r > 0.99) for blood samples and a different range (r > 0.99) for different tissue samples. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.0 ng/mL or 1.0 ng/g (three times the signal-noise ratio). Within- and between-day precision expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) for the method was 1.58-3.88 and 2.99-4.91%, respectively. The recovery for all samples was >80%, except for liver samples (>70%). The main pharmacokinetic parameters obtained were: T(max) = 0.65 +/- 0.07 h, C(max) = 1.5 +/- 0.2 microg/mL, AUC = 34 +/- 6 h microg/mL and K(a) = 3.5 +/- 0.6/h. The experimental results showed that ligustilide was easily absorbed, but its elimination was slow, from 3 to 12 h after oral administration. The concentrations of ligustilide in rat cerebellum, cerebrum, spleen and kidney were higher than those in other organs.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定肉及肉制品中利谷隆及其代谢产物3,4-二氯苯胺残留

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱分析多种肉及肉制品中利谷隆及其代谢产物3,4-二氯苯胺残留的方法。样品用丙酮-乙腈(5:95, v/v)提取,冷冻去脂,经弗罗里硅土固相萃取柱净化后进行液相色谱-串联质谱检测,采用内标法定量。利谷隆及3,4-二氯苯胺在1～500 μg/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数(r)均大于0.998,方法的定量限(信噪比(S/N)＞10)为10 μg/kg,检出限(S/N＞3)为5 μg/kg。在各种肉及肉制品基质中添加低、中、高3种不同水平的利谷隆及3,4-二氯苯胺,其回收率范围分别为88.3%～101.2%和91.6%～101.6%,相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为4.8%～13.7%和4.7%～11.8%。结果表明所建立的方法可以满足肉及肉制品中利谷隆和3,4-二氯苯胺残留量的检测需要。     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for quantification of caspofungin in clinical plasma samples

Caspofungin [(CASPO) MK-0991] is the first broad-spectrum anti-fungal agent of the echinocandin class approved for clinical use. Measurement of CASPO levels in blood might help monitor therapy in patients who are critically ill, in particular, if high-dose regimens or combinations of CASPO with other anti-fungals are used. The objective of this study was to develop a fast method for the measurement of CASPO levels in clinical blood samples using liquid chromatography coupled to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. Stock solutions were prepared in plasma to avoid CASPO adsorption to glass and plastic surfaces during processing. CASPO and the internal standard (IS) were extracted from 100 microl of plasma using acetonitrile protein precipitation. The supernatant was diluted and directly injected into an analytical column (C8; 2.1 x 30 mm). The total run time was 15 min. CASPO was ionized by electrospray in the positive mode. CASPO and IS [M + 2H]2+ parent ions (m/z 547.3 and 547.8, respectively) and specific product ions (m/z 137.1 and 62.2, respectively) were used for the ion transitions. No carry over or cross-talk was observed on the column. The mean method recovery was 90 +/- 3%. Neither blood from different individuals (n = 6) nor the presence of concomitant drugs (n = 33) in plasma samples interfered with CASPO quantification. Quantification over time of the CASPO levels in plasma and whole blood was investigated at different pre-analysis storage conditions. The calibration curve included the clinically relevant CASPO concentration range from 0.04 to 20 microg/ml. Mean intra- and inter-day accuracy was 96.1 +/- 2.2% and 102.5 +/- 2.4%, respectively. Mean intra- and inter-day precision was 7.9 +/- 3.2% and 6.3 +/- 1.8%, respectively. This simple and robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method may easily be implemented for monitoring CASPO therapy.     

Comparison of four mass analyzers for determining carbosulfan and its metabolites in citrus by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Four liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) systems, equipped with single quadrupole, triple quadrupole (QqQ), quadrupole ion trap (QIT) and quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) mass analyzers, were evaluated for the analysis of carbosulfan and its main transformation products. The comparison of quantitative aspects (sensitivity, precision and accuracy) was emphasized. Results showed that the triple quadrupole instrument reaches at least 20-fold higher sensitivity (LOD from 0.04 to 0.4 microg kg(-1)) compared to the single quadrupole (4-70 microg kg(-1)), the QIT (4-25 microg kg(-1)) and the QqTOF (4-23 microg kg(-1)) instruments. Recoveries were over 70% for all the analytes, except dibutylamine and 7-phenolcarbofuran. Repeatabilities (within-day) were slightly better by the single quadrupole (5-10%) and the QqQ (5-9%) than by the QIT (12-16%) and the QqTOF (9-16%). Both the QqTOF and QIT offer a linear dynamic range of two orders of magnitude whereas the single quadrupole and QqQ of, at least, three orders of magnitude. The method was applied to analyze carbosulfan field-treated orange samples, in which carbosulfan, carbofuran, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, and dibutylamine were found. As an example, the mean carbosulfan concentration was 20 +/- 0.6 microg kg(-1) measured by the QqQ, 22 +/- 1.2 microg kg(-1) by the single quadrupole, 25 +/- 2.8 microg kg(-1) by the QIT, and 20 +/- 1.8 microg kg(-1) by the QqTOF. Although the QqQ is more sensitive and precise, the mean values obtained by the four instruments are acceptable and comparable. The potential of each technique for the verification of the identity of residues detected in oranges is discussed using the concept of identification points.     

Residues of chlormequat and mepiquat in grain--results from the Danish National Pesticide Survey

The objective of the present work was to establish information on chlormequat and mepiquat residues in grain for human consumption. Chlormequat (2-chloro-N,N,N-trimethylethylammonium, CAS RN 7003-89-6) and mepiquat (1,1-dimethylpiperidinium, CAS RN 15302-91-7) are plant growth regulators used to stabilize stalks in cereals. The study was part of the Danish National Pesticide Survey, managed by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. Samples were collected in autumn 1997. Residue contents were determined with a newly developed liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for chlormequat analysis. The method was extended to include mepiquat in the present study. Quantitation was done by the internal standards method, using mass chromatograms of the most intense daughter ions of mepiquat (m/z 98), chlormequat (m/z 58), and [13C]-chlormequat (m/z 61, internal standard). For chlormequat, the overall limit of detection (LD) was 6 micrograms/kg and the limit of determination (LOD) was 10 micrograms/kg. For mepiquat, LD was 2 micrograms/kg and LOD was 3 micrograms/kg. Of 77 samples analyzed, 51 contained chlormequat and 11 contained mepiquat. The highest levels of chlormequat were found in samples of oatmeal (3.76 mg/kg) and rye (1.08 mg/kg). In 9 rye grain samples containing chlormequat, 5 also contained mepiquat. However, in all samples analyzed, the residues of chlormequat and mepiquat were below maximum residue limits.     

Semicarbazide is a minor thermal decomposition product of azodicarbonamide used in the gaskets of certain food jars

Evidence is presented for the first time showing that semicarbazide (SEM) is a minor thermal decomposition product of the blowing agent azodicarbonamide (ADC). A novel direct analytical method based on liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESIMS/MS) has been developed to determine SEM in foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) seals of metal lids, as well as in commercially available ADC. The direct LC-MS/MS method for gaskets entails extraction of the gaskets in hot water, addition of ((15)N(2)(13)C)-SEM as internal standard, and injection of an aliquot directly into the LC-MS system, achieving good sensitivity (S/N = 348 for 2 ng injected on-column) and monitoring three characteristic mass transitions (m/z 76-->31; 76 -->44; 76-->59). Semicarbazide can be detected in thermally treated ADC, reaching up to 0.93 mmol mol(-1) at 220 degrees C, as determined by the direct LC-MS/MS method. This new method is also compared to the classical derivatization method using 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (2-NBA) that is routinely employed to determine SEM as an indicator of the usage of the antimicrobial drug nitrofurazone, the use of which is not authorized in the European Union (EU). Both methods revealed proportional results, with approx. 3-fold higher levels recorded by the direct SEM approach, probably due to differences in the extraction procedures used. A limited survey of plastic seals from used press twist and twist-off metal lids on food jars (non-foamed and foamed) revealed levels of SEM ranging from 2 to 8689 microg kg(-1)(average = 1593 microg kg(-1), n= 57 determinations).     

Quantitative determination of ochratoxin A in kidneys by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in kidney samples was developed. Ochratoxin B (OTB) was used as internal standard. Extraction of homogenized kidney samples was done by adding a chloroform/phosphoric acid mixture. Due to restriction of the sample size, less chloroform could be used than in previously described methods. Two different columns for clean-up were compared: strong anion exchange (Bond Elut SAX) and Extrelut NT columns. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used with gradient elution consisting of variable mixtures of formic acid (0.3%) in acetonitrile and formic acid (0.3%) in water. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ESI mode using multiple reaction monitoring. For OTA the precursor ion was m/z 404 while the product ions were at m/z 239 and m/z 341. For OTB the precursor ion was m/z 370 while the product ions were at m/z 205 and at m/z 324. A calibration curve of fortified kidney samples was used to quantify OTA. Method validation was performed according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Decision limit (CCalpha), detection capability (CCbeta), precision, bias, trueness, specificity and measurement uncertainty were determined. In general, the best results were obtained using SAX clean-up. CCalpha and CCbeta were 0.11 and 0.25 microg kg(-1), respectively. Within-laboratory reproducibility (% CV) was 9, 9, and 5% for OTA-fortified kidney samples of 0.5, 1, and 2.5 microg kg(-1), respectively. Trueness (%) was 75, 69, and 57% for OTA-fortified kidney samples at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 microg kg(-1), respectively. Measurement uncertainty and expanded uncertainty were 14.85 and 29.70%, respectively. All criteria as laid down in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC were fulfilled. Therefore, this LC/ESI-MS/MS method can be used to monitor kidneys for OTA in the framework of Council Directive No. 96/23/EC.     

Determination of the antibiotic chloramphenicol in meat and seafood products by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory method based on isotope dilution liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry is described for the determination of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) in foods. The method is quantitative and entails liquid-liquid extraction followed by a clean-up step on a silica gel solid-phase extraction cartridge. Mass spectral acquisition is done in the negative ion mode applying multiple reaction monitoring of two diagnostic transition reactions for CAP (m/z 321 --> 257 and m/z 321--> 152). In addition, the presence of two chlorine atoms in the CAP molecule provides further analyte certainty by assessing the 37Cl/35Cl ratio using the transition reactions m/z 323 --> 257 and m/z 323 --> 152. Validation of the method in chicken meat is conducted according to the latest European Union criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues at levels of 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 microg/kg, employing [2H5]-chloramphenicol as internal standard. The decision limit and the detection capability were calculated at 0.01 microg/kg and 0.02 microg/kg, respectively. At the lowest fortification level (i.e. 0.05 microg/kg), precision values below 14 and 17% were achieved under repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility conditions, respectively. The accuracy of the method was within 20, 15, and 5% of the target values at the 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 microg/kg fortification levels, respectively. The applicability of this procedure was demonstrated by the analysis of other meat (turkey, pork, beef) and seafood (fish, shrimps) products. The method is robust and suitable for routine quality control operations, and more than 200 sample injections were performed without excessive pollution of the mass spectrometer or loss of LC column performance.