Novel method for determining DDT in vapour and particulate phases within contaminated indoor air in a malaria area of South Africa

The organochlorine insecticide DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is still used for malaria vector control in certain areas of South Africa. The strict Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) allows spraying on the inside of traditional dwellings with DDT. In rural villages contaminated dust presents an additional pathway for exposure to DDT. We present a new method for the determination of DDT in indoor air where separate vapour and particulate samples are collected in a single step with a denuder configuration of a multi-channel open tubular silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) trap combined with a micro quartz fibre filter. The multi-channel PDMS trap section of the denuder concentrates vapour phase insecticide whereas particle associated insecticide is transferred downstream where it is collected on a micro-fibre filter followed by a second multi-channel PDMS trap to capture the blow-off from the filter. The multi-channel PDMS trap and filter combination are designed to fit a commercial thermal desorber for direct introduction of samples into a GC–MS. The technique is solvent-free. Analyte extraction and sample clean-up is not required. Two fractions, vapour phase and particulate phase p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT; p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDD; p,p′-DDE and o,p′-DDE in 4 L contaminated indoor air, were each quantitatively analysed by GC–MS using isotopically labelled ring substituted ¹³C₁₂ – p,p′-DDT as an internal standard. Limits of detection were 0.07–0.35 ng m⁻³ for p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE and o,p′-DDE. Ratios of airborne p,p′-DDD/p,p′-DDT and of o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT are unusual and do not match the ideal certified ingredient composition required of commercial DDT. Results suggest that the DDT products used for indoor residual spraying (IRS) prior to, and during 2007, may have been compromised with regards to insecticidal efficacy, demonstrating the power of this new environmental forensics tool.     

Quantitative assessment of moisture damage for cacao bean quality using two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry and chemometrics

Quality control of cacao beans is a significant issue in the chocolate industry. In this report, we describe how moisture damage to cacao beans alters the volatile chemical signature of the beans in a way that can be tracked quantitatively over time. The chemical signature of the beans is monitored via sampling the headspace of the vapor above a given bean sample. Headspace vapor sampled with solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) was detected and analyzed with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–TOFMS). Cacao beans from six geographical origins (Costa Rica, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama) were analyzed. Twenty-nine analytes that change in concentration levels via the time-dependent moisture damage process were measured using chemometric software. Biomarker analytes that were independent of geographical origin were found. Furthermore, prediction algorithms were used to demonstrate that moisture damage could be verified before there were visible signs of mold by analyzing subsets of the 29 analytes. Thus, a quantitative approach to quality screening related to the identification of moisture damage in the absence of visible mold is presented.     

Headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the determination of volatile compounds from marine salt

In this work, a methodology to characterise the volatile and semi-volatile compounds from marine salt by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOFMS) was developed. Samples from two saltpans of Aveiro, in Portugal, with diverse locations, obtained over three years (2004, 2005, and 2007) were analysed. A 50/30 μm divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane SPME fibre was used. The volatiles present in the headspace of the solid salt samples (crystals) were equilibrated overnight at 60 °C and extracted for 60 min prior to injection in the GC × GC/TOFMS. 157 compounds, distributed over the chemical groups of hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters, furans, haloalkanes, ketones, ethers, alcohols, terpenoids, C₁₃ norisoprenoids, and lactones were detected across the samples. Furans, haloalkanes and ethers were identified for the first time in marine salt. The large number of co-elutions on the first column that were resolved by the GC × GC system revealed the complexity of marine salt volatile composition. The existence of a structured 2D chromatographic behaviour according to volatility, in the first dimension (¹D), and primarily polarity, in the second dimension (²D), was demonstrated, allowing more reliable identifications. The resolution and sensitivity of GC × GC/TOFMS enabled the separation and identification of a higher number of volatile compounds compared to GC–qMS, allowing a deeper characterisation of this natural product.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with solid phase microextraction as a powerful tool for quantification of ethyl carbamate in fortified wines. The case study of Madeira wine

An analytical methodology based on headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography—time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC–ToFMS) was developed for the identification and quantification of the toxic contaminant ethyl carbamate (EC) directly in fortified wines. The method performance was assessed for dry/medium dry and sweet/medium sweet model wines, and for quantification purposes, calibration plots were performed for both matrices using the ion extraction chromatography (IEC) mode (m/z 62). Good linearity was obtained with a regression coefficient (r²) higher than 0.981. A good precision was attained (R.S.D. <20%) and low detection limits (LOD) were achieved for dry (4.31 μg/L) and sweet (2.75 μg/L) model wines. The quantification limits (LOQ) and recovery for dry wines were 14.38 μg/L and 88.6%, whereas for sweet wines were 9.16 μg/L and 99.4%, respectively. The higher performance was attainted with sweet model wine, as increasing of glucose content improves the volatile compound in headspace, and a better linearity, recovery and precision were achieved. The analytical methodology was applied to analyse 20 fortified Madeira wines including different types of wine (dry, medium dry, sweet, and medium sweet) obtained from several harvests in Madeira Island (Portugal). The EC levels ranged from 54.1 μg/L (medium dry) to 162.5 μg/L (medium sweet).     

Optimization of two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry for separation and estimation of the residues of 160 pesticides and 25 persistent organic pollutants in grape and wine

Two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometric (TOFMS) method was optimized for simultaneous analysis of 160 pesticides, 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 12 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and bisphenol A in grape and wine. GC × GC–TOFMS could separate all the 185 analytes within 38 min with >85% NIST library-based mass spectral confirmations. The matrix effect quantified as the ratio of the slope of matrix-matched to solvent calibrations was within 0.5–1.5 for most analytes. LOQ of most of the analytes was ≤10 μg/L with nine exceptions having LOQs of 12.5–25 μg/L. Recoveries ranged between 70 and 120% with <20% expanded uncertainties for 151 and 148 compounds in grape and wine, respectively, with intra-laboratory Horwitz ratio <0.2 for all analytes. The method was evaluated in the incurred grape samples where residues of cypermethrin, permethrin, chlorpyriphos, metalaxyl and etophenprox were detected at below MRL.     

Stir bar sorptive extraction and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry for ultra-trace analysis of organochlorine pesticides in river water

A method for the determination of ultra-trace amounts of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in river water was developed by using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) followed by thermal desorption and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SBSE-TD-GC×GC-HRTOF-MS). SBSE conditions such as extraction time profiles, phase ratio (β: sample volume/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) volume), and modifier addition, were examined. Fifty milli-liter sample including 10% acetone was extracted for 3 h using stir bars with a length of 20 mm and coated with a 0.5 mm layer of PDMS (PDMS volume, 47 μL). The stir bar was thermally desorbed and subsequently analyzed by GC×GC-HRTOF-MS. The method showed good linearity over the concentration range from 50 to 1000 pg L(-1) or 2000 pg L(-1) for all analytes, and the correlation coefficients (r(2)) were greater than 0.9903 (except for β-HCH, r(2)=0.9870). The limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 10 to 44 pg L(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of 16 OCPs at pg L(-1) to ng L(-1) in river water. The results agree fairly well with the values obtained by a conventional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE)-GC-HRMS (selected ion monitoring: SIM) method using large sample volume (20 L). The method also allows screening of non-target compounds, e.g. pesticides and their degradation products, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and metabolites in the same river water sample, by using full spectrum acquisition with accurate mass in GC×GC.     

Disposable pipette extraction for the analysis of pesticides in fruit and vegetables using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Organochlorine, organophosphate pesticides and fungicides in fruits and vegetables were analyzed using disposable pipette extraction (DPX) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-selective ion monitoring (GC/MS-SIM). The intrinsic rapid mixing capabilities of DPX result in fast and efficient extractions, and eluates are concentrated by using minimal elution solvent volumes rather than solvent evaporation methods. Matrix-matched calibrations were performed with reversed phase mechanisms (DPX-RP), and the limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be lower than 0.1 μg/mL for all targeted pesticides in carrot and orange sample matrices. Coefficients of determination (r²) were greater than 0.995 for most studied pesticides. DPX-RP exhibited recoveries between 72 and 116% for nonpolar and slightly polar pesticides (log P > 2) with most of the recoveries over 88%. Only very polar pesticides (e.g., acephate, mathamidophos) were not extracted well using DPX-RP.     

Detailed elucidation of hydrocarbon contamination in food products by using solid-phase extraction and comprehensive gas chromatography with dual detection

The present work is focused on the development/optimization of a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography method, with dual detection [flame ionization (FID) and mass spectrometric], for the simultaneous identification and quantification of mineral-oil contaminants in a variety of food products. The two main classes of contaminants, namely saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, were previously fractionated on a manually-packed silver silica solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. The quantitative results were compared with those obtained by performing a large volume injection, in a GC-FID system, after the same SPE process and by an on-line liquid–gas chromatography method, with very similar results observed. The presence of a series of unknown compounds, that appeared when using the off-line methods, was investigated using the mass spectrometric data, and were tentatively-identified as esterified fatty acids, most probably derived from vegetable oil based ink.     

Application of fabric phase sorptive extraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in selected vegetable samples

In the present work, a high‐efficiency and solvent minimized microextraction technique, fabric phase sorptive extraction followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis is proposed for the rapid determination of four organophosphorus pesticides (terbufos, malathion, chlorpyrifos, and triazofos) in vegetable samples including beans, tomato, brinjal, and cabbage. Fabric phase sorptive extraction combines the beneficial features of sol‐gel derived microextraction sorbents with the rich surface chemistry of cellulose fabric substrate, which collectively form a highly efficient microextraction system. Fabric phase sorptive extraction membrane, when immersed directly into the sample matrix, may extract target analytes even when high percentage of matrix interferents are present. The technique also greatly simplifies sample preparation workflow. Most important fabric phase sorptive extraction parameters were investigated and optimized. The developed method displayed good linearity over the concentration range 0.5–500 ng/g. Under optimum experimental conditions, the limits of detection were found in the range of 0.033 to 0.136 ng/g. The relative standard deviations for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides were < 5%. Subsequently, the new method was applied to beans, tomato, brinjal, and cabbage samples. The results from the real sample analysis indicate that the method is green, rapid, and economically feasible for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in vegetable samples.     

Identification of volatile markers for the detection of adulterants in red ginseng (Panax ginseng) juice using headspace stir‐bar sorptive extraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

Red ginseng (Panax ginseng) products are frequently adulterated by manufacturers with cheaper medicinal plant products including deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) and doraji (Platycodon grandiflorum) to increase profits. To identify possible volatile markers for the adulteration of red ginseng juices with deodeok or doraji, a headspace stir‐bar sorptive extraction method was developed. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that 1‐hexanol, cis‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, and trans‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol are abundantly present in deodeok and doraji but not red ginseng. The peak area ratios in gas chromatograms of these compounds in red ginseng juices mixed with deodeok or doraji indicate that these volatile chemicals can be used as markers to detect the adulteration of red ginseng juice.     

A comprehensive gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry based method for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their hydroxylated and methoxylated metabolites in environmental samples

We report here an efficient and comprehensive analytical methodology based on gas chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS) to simultaneously determine PBDEs from mono to deca brominated and hydroxy (OH-) and methoxy (MeO-) PBDE metabolites in environmental samples, particularly, sediment, fish tissue and milk. Among a number of extraction and clean-up methods tested, pressurized liquid extraction followed by gel permeation chromatography and florisil clean-up proved to be simple, robust and optimized so that all target analytes (parent compounds and metabolites) were collected in a single fraction. Extracts were analyzed by GC–HRMS to identify PBDEs. Following, the same extracts were derivatized and re-analyzed by GC–HRMS to determine 11 target and 35 non-target OH- and MeO-PBDEs. Monitoring of the M⁺ for MeO-PBDEs and the [M−CH₂CO]⁺ ions for derivatized OH-PBDEs at 10,000 resolution permitted unequivocal identification of the PBDE metabolites in the environmental matrices examined. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, detection limits and long-term stability. The analytical precision obtained with this method was between 0.3 and 17%, and the limits of quantification were lower than 3.28 pg/g dry weight, 20.5 and 41.4 pg/g lipid weight in sediment, milk and fish, respectively. The method was applied to determine PBDEs and target and non-target metabolites in all three matrices.     

Rapid automatic identification and quantification of compounds in complex matrices using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry with a peak sentinel tool

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC × GC–MS) is a powerful tool for comprehensive analysis of organic pollutants. In this study, we developed a powerful analytical method using GC × GC for rapid and accurate identification and quantification of compounds in environmental samples with complex matrices. Specifically, we have developed an automatic peak sentinel tool, T-SEN, with free programming software, R. The tool, which consists of a simple algorithm for on peak finding and peak shape identification, allows rapid screening of target compounds, even for large data sets from GC × GC coupled to high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (HRTOFMS). The software tool automatically assigns and quantifies compounds that are listed in user databases. T-SEN works on a typical 64 bit workstation, and the reference calculation speed is 10–20 min for approximately 170 compounds for peak finding (five ion count setting) and integration from 1–2 GB of sample data acquired by GC × GC–HRTOFMS. We analyzed and quantified 17 PCDD/F congeners and 24 PCB congeners in a crude lake sediment extract by both GC × GC coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry (qMS) and GC × GC–HRTOFMS with T-SEN. While GC × GC–qMS with T-SEN resulted in false identification and inaccurate quantification, GC × GC–HRTOFMS with T-SEN provided correct identification and accurate quantification of compounds without sample pre-treatment. The differences between the values measured by GC × GC–HRTOFMS with T-SEN and the certified values for the certified reference material ranged from 7.3 to 36.9% for compounds with concentrations above the limit of quantification. False positives/negatives were not observed, except for when co-elution occurred. The technique of GC × GC–HRTOFMS in combination with T-SEN provides rapid and accurate screening and represents a powerful new approach for comprehensive analysis.     

超高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联四极杆质谱法检测果汁和葡萄酒中的27种工业染料

建立了以超高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联四极杆质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)检测果汁和葡萄酒中27种工业染料的方法。样品经乙腈振荡提取,在盐析作用下分层,目标化合物转移至乙腈层中。目标化合物在梯度洗脱条件下经C18柱分离后采用多反应监测(MRM)模式进行检测。其中24种工业染料使用正离子模式检测,流动相为乙腈和0.1%的甲酸水溶液;其余3种工业染料则采用负离子模式检测,流动相为乙腈和水。结果表明: 果汁中27种工业染料的定量限(LOQ)为0.1～50 μg/kg,回收率为57.0%～117.7%,相对标准偏差为2.4%～17.7%。葡萄酒中的LOQ为0.2～50 μg/kg,回收率为40.8%～109.4%,相对标准偏差为1.6%～17.9%。该方法操作简单,灵敏度高,实现了不同种类的工业染料的同时提取,适合于软饮料中非法添加工业染料的快速检测。     

Characterization of bacterial lipid profiles by using rapid sample preparation and fast comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry

The bacteria fatty acid profile has been extensively studied for taxonomic classification purposes, since bacteria, in general, contain particular and rare fatty acids, compared with animal and plant tissues. As for any real‐world sample type, the development of rapid and reliable methods for (i) sample identification (in this case, bacterium type), and (ii) constituent identification (in this instance, the fatty acid profile) is desirable. In this research, a half‐an‐hour procedure, to analyze bacteria, was developed: a 2‐min one‐step sample preparation step was followed by a relatively fast comprehensive 2D GC‐MS separation (25 min). Furthermore, dedicated MS libraries were constructed for the identification of bacteria and fatty acids. Finally, data processing, only qualitative at this stage, was carried out with the support of a novel comprehensive 2D GC software.     

Determination of 26 polychlorinated biphenyls congeners in soil samples using microwave-assisted extraction with open vessel and gas chromatography

A procedure focused on microwave-assisted extraction in open vessel (MAE-OV) and gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) was used for the determination of 26 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil samples. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were evaluated for commercial PCBs mixture Aroclor1260. LOD and LOQ were calculated for each PCB congener, in the ranges (0.03–0.27?ng?g^?1) and (0.11–0.70?ng?g^?1), respectively. After optimization, 26 PCBs congeners were successfully extracted from soil samples with recovery amounts ranging between 84.7% and 117.3% for all PCBs congeners. The evaluated method of MAE-OV showed good separation and extraction of all PCBs congeners from soil samples. Extraction parameters such as solvent choice, power and extraction time were investigated. This study indicated that MAE-OV could be an interesting alternative method to extract PCBs from soils, since it is economical, easy, fast and requires low amounts of solvents.     

分散固相萃取气相色谱-负化学离子源质谱法测定大豆和玉米中20种农药的残留量

建立了一种大豆和玉米中20种农药残留量的分散固相萃取气相色谱-负化学离子源质谱分析方法。样品经乙腈提取并浓缩后加入N-丙基乙二胺（PSA）、石墨化碳黑和C18 3种填料进行分散固相萃取净化,气相色谱-负化学离子源质谱分时段选择离子监测技术测定与确证,外标法定量。所有农药在20～400 μg/L范围内线性均良好;方法的定量限(LOQ)均不高于2 μg/kg;在5,10和20 μg/kg 3个添加水平下所有农药的平均回收率均处于70%～130%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)低于17%;运用该方法检测大豆和玉米样品时没有干扰现象。     

固相萃取-气相色谱-负化学源质谱法测定人血清中的多溴联苯醚

采用OasisHLB固相萃取柱萃取血清中的多溴联苯醚(PBDEs),经浓硫酸柱上除脂后,利用气相色谱-负化学源质谱法测定BDE-17、28、47、66、99、100、153、154、183和209共10种PBDEs组分。BDE-209的测定采用DB-5 ms色谱柱(15 m×0.25 mm×0.1 μm),其他组分采用VF-5 ms色谱柱(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm)。对样品中蛋白质的去除溶剂和固相萃取条件(如洗脱溶剂及其用量)进行了优化。胎牛血清中的加标回收试验结果显示,各PBDEs单体相对于内标的平均回收率为78.5%～109.7%,日内测定的相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.3%～7.4%,日间测定的RSD为1.4%～14.1%。胎牛血清中三溴～七溴联苯醚的检出限(信噪比为3)为0.10～0.27 ng/L;定量限(信噪比为10)除了BDE-209为7.91 ng/L外,其他PBDEs为0.35～0.91 ng/L。采用本方法测定标准参考物质SRM1957和SRM1958,结果在参考值范围内。实验结果表明,本方法灵敏度高、准确度和精密度好,简便快速,溶剂消耗量少,适用于人体血清中三至十位溴取代联苯醚的测定。     

Analysis of nitrogenous organic compounds from mainstream cigarette smoke using low‐temperature solvent extraction followed by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A method involving comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was developed and applied to the analysis of nitrogenous organic compounds present in mainstream cigarette smoke trapped on self‐designed equipment. The samples were prepared using low‐temperature solvent extraction under liquid nitrogen and analyzed by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Important experimental parameters, such as the type and volume of the extraction solvent and flow rate of smoking, were optimized to improve the analysis parameter. The results indicated that 180 mL of diethyl ether in the low‐temperature solvent extraction apparatus system with a 4 mL/min smoke flow rate were the optimal conditions. Then, 85 nitrogenous organic compounds were identified and quantified using a mass spectral library search, accurate mass ion and N‐rules of a molecular formula for nitrogen compounds. Finally, a comparison of the low temperature solvent extraction method and Cambridge filter pad method indicated that more peaks, a higher peak volume and better repeatability were obtained using the low‐temperature solvent extraction method.