Pre-Column Derivatization of Amines with 1,2-Benzo-3,4-Dihydrocarbazole-9-Isopropyl Chloroformate Followed by LC-Fluorescence and LC-APCI-MS

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of amines using the labeling reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-isopropyl chloroformate (BCIC-Cl) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed. Identification of derivatives is carried out by high performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS-MS). The chromophore of 2-(9-carbazole)-ethyl chloroformate (CEOC) reagent is replaced by 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-isopropyl functional group, which results in a sensitive fluorescence derivatizing reagent BCIC-Cl. BCIC-Cl can easily and quickly label amines. Derivatives are stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and show an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [MH]⁺ under APCI in positive-ion mode. The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed a product at m/z 260 corresponding to the cleavage of CH₂-OCO bond. Studies on derivatization demonstrate excellent derivative yields over the pH 9.0–10.0. Maximal yields close to 100% are observed with a 3 to 4-fold molar reagent excess. In addition, the detection responses for BCIC derivatives are compared with those obtained using CEOC and FMOC as derivatization reagents. The ratios of I_BCIC/I_CEOC and I_BCIC/I_FMOC are, respectively, 1.23–3.14 and 1.25–3.08 for fluorescent (FL) responses (here, I is relative fluorescence intensity). Separation of the derivatized amines had been optimized on reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C₈ column. Detection limits are calculated from 1.0 pmol injection, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, are 10.6–37.8 fmol. The mean interday accuracy ranges from 94 to 105% for fluorescence detection with the largest mean %CV<7.5. The mean interday precision for all standards is < 6.0% of the expected concentration. Excellent linear responses are observed with coefficients of > 0.9997. Revised: 12 December 2005 and 13 Febrauary 2006     

Determination of amines using 2-(11H-benzo[a]carbazol-11-yl) ethyl chloroformate (BCEC-Cl) as labeling reagent by HPLC with fluorescence detection and identification with APCI/MS

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of amines using a labeling reagent 2-(11H-benzo[a]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl chloroformate (BCEC-Cl) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed. Identification of derivatives was carried out by LC/APCI/MS in positive-ion mode. The chromophore of 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC-Cl) reagent was replaced by 2-(11H-benzo[a]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence derivatizing reagent BCEC-Cl. BCEC-Cl could easily and quickly label amines. Derivatives were stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by HPLC and showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + H]⁺ under APCI/MS in positive-ion mode. The collision-induced dissociation of the protonated molecular ion formed characteristic fragment ions at m/z 261.8 and m/z 243.8 corresponding to the cleavages of CH₂O-CO and CH₂-OCO bonds. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields over the pH 9.0-10.0. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with three- to four-fold molar reagent excess. In addition, the detection responses for BCEC-derivatives were compared to those obtained using 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC-Cl) and 9-fluorenyl methylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl) as labeling reagents. The ratios I_BCEC/I_BCEOC = 1.94-2.17 and I_BCEC/I_FMOC = 1.04-2.19 for fluorescent (FL) responses (here, I was relative fluorescence intensity). Separation of the derivatized amines had been optimized on reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C₈ column. Detection limits calculated from 0.50 pmol injection, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, were 1.77-14.4 fmol. The relative standard deviations for within-day determination (n = 11) were 1.84-2.89% for the tested amines. The mean intra- and inter-assay precision for all amines levels were <3.64% and 2.52%, respectively. The mean recoveries ranged from 96.6% to 107.1% with their standard deviations in the range of 0.8-2.7. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of >0.9996.     

土壤和水中脂肪胺的高效液相色谱荧光测定及质谱鉴定

利用新型荧光试剂1,2-苯并-3,4-二氢咔唑-9-乙基氯甲酸酯(BCEOC)作为柱前衍生化试剂,在EclipseXDB-C8色谱柱上,梯度洗脱对12种游离脂肪胺进行了优化分离。40℃下在乙腈溶剂中以硼酸盐缓冲溶液作催化剂,衍生反应10min后获得稳定的荧光产物。激发和发射波长分别为λex=333nm,λem=390nm。采用大气压化学电离源(APCI)正离子模式,实现了土壤和造纸污水中脂肪胺的定性测定。采用荧光法进行分析物的定量测定。多数脂肪胺的线性回归系数大于0.999,检出限在18.65~38.82×10-15mol。方法具有稳定良好的重现性,对实际样品测定结果满意。     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of 20 Free Amino Acids in Tibetan Medicine Gentiana dahurica with Pre-Column Fluorescence Derivatization

Concentrations of 20 free amino aicds (FAAs) in a famous Tibetan medicine Gentiana dahurica was first investigated using 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC) as the pre-column fluorescence derivatization reagent by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-LC). 20 amino acid derivatives (AAD) were separated on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column with a good baseline resolution within 65 min. Identification of 20 AAD was by online post-column mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The validation of the method was examined by linearity, repeatability, and detection limits. Most linear correlation coefficients for AAD were >0.9990, and detection limits (at signal-to-noise of 3:1) were 6.5–178.2 fmol. There were 18 FAAs found in G. dahurica, of which seven FAAs were necessary to the people’s health and related to the treatment of liver and gall disease. Variation of concentrations of the 20 FAAs showed geographical distribution difference among populations. Meanwhile a stable genetic diversity of FAAs composition of G. dahurica was also revealed at the species level. Results of the present study proved that the established method was rapid and reproducible for further separation and determination of FAAs in more medicinal plants.     

LC Determination of Amino Acids in Rat Plasma with Fluorescence Detection: Application to Exercise Physiology

An LC method for the determination of 20 amino acids (AAs), using 1,2-Benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC) as fluorescent labeling reagent, has been validated and applied for the analysis of AAs in rat plasma at three different states concerning exercise physiology. Identification of AA derivatives was carried out by LC-MS with electrospray ion (ESI), and the MS-MS cleavage mode of the representative tyrosine (Tyr) derivative was analyzed. Gradient elution on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column gave good separation of the derivatives. Excellent linear responses were observed and good compositional data could be obtained from as little as 50–200 μL of plasma samples. The contents of 20 AAs in rat plasma of three groups (24 rats, group A: quiet state, group B: at exercising exhaust, group C: 12 h after exercising exhaust) exhibited evident difference corresponding to the physiological states. Facile BCEOC derivatization coupled with LC-FLD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the development of a highly sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of trace level of AAs from plasma or other biochemical samples.     

LC–ESI–MS Determination of 20 Free Amino Acids in Tibetan Medicine Gentiana dahurica with Pre-Column Fluorescence Derivatization

Concentrations of 20 free amino aicds (FAAs) in a famous Tibetan medicine Gentiana dahurica was first investigated using 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC) as the pre-column fluorescence derivatization reagent by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-LC). 20 amino acid derivatives (AAD) were separated on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column with a good baseline resolution within 65 min. Identification of 20 AAD was by online post-column mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The validation of the method was examined by linearity, repeatability, and detection limits. Most linear correlation coefficients for AAD were >0.9990, and detection limits (at signal-to-noise of 3:1) were 6.5–178.2 fmol. There were 18 FAAs found in G. dahurica, of which seven FAAs were necessary to the people’s health and related to the treatment of liver and gall disease. Variation of concentrations of the 20 FAAs showed geographical distribution difference among populations. Meanwhile a stable genetic diversity of FAAs composition of G. dahurica was also revealed at the species level. Results of the present study proved that the established method was rapid and reproducible for further separation and determination of FAAs in more medicinal plants.

     

Development of a Sensitive Reagent, 1,2-Benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonate, for Determination of Bile Acids in Serum by HPLC with Fluorescence Detection, and Identification by Mass Spectrometry with an APCI Source

A pre-column derivatization method with 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (BDETS) as labeling reagent followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed for sensitive determination of bile acids (BA). Derivatives were sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives also formed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding to m/z (M + H)⁺, and fragment ions at (MH⁺ – H₂O)⁺, (MH⁺ – 2H₂O)⁺, and (MH⁺ – 3H₂O)⁺, in positive-ion mass spectrometry with an APCI source. Collision-induced dissociation of the protonated molecular ion produced fragment products at m/z 319.1 and 246.1 corresponding to cleavage of the C-O and N-CO bonds of derivative molecules. Maximum yields close to 100% were observed when a 10 to 15-fold molar excess of the reagent was used in the presence of potassium citrate as catalyst. The derivatives fluoresced strongly, which enabled the direct injection with no significant disturbance from the main by-products from reagent degradation, for example 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethanol (BDCE-OH). The limit of detection, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, was 12.94–21.94 fmol. Results from validation showed the method to be highly accurate and precise (<6.4%). Excellent linear responses were observed with correlation coefficients >0.9996.     

Simultaneous determination of monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitters in rat endbrain tissues by pre-column derivatization with high-performance liquid chromatographic fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification

A sensitive and efficient method for simultaneous determination of glutamic acid (Glu), gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in rat endbrains was developed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection and on-line mass spectrometric identification following derivatization with 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC). Different parameters which influenced derivatization and separation were optimized. The complete separation of five neurotransmitter (NT) derivatives was performed on a reversed-phase Hypersil BDS-C(18) column with a gradient elution. The rapid structure identification of five neurotransmitter derivatives was carried out by on-line mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive ion mode, and the BCEOC-labeled derivatives were characterized by easy-to-interpret mass spectra. Stability of derivatives, repeatability, precision and accuracy were evaluated and the results were excellent for efficient HPLC analysis. The quantitative linear range of five neurotransmitters were 2.441-2x10(4) nM, and limits of detection were in the range of 0.398-1.258 nM (S/N=3:1). The changes of their concentrations in endbrains of three rat groups were also studied using this HPLC fluorescence detection method. The results indicated that exhausting exercise could obviously influence the concentrations of neurotransmitters in rat endbrains. The established method exhibited excellent validity, high sensitivity and convenience, and provided a new technique for simultaneous analysis of monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitters in rat brain.     

Development of a sensitive fluorescent derivatization reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethoxy-carbonylhydrazine and its application for determination of aldehydes from alcoholic beverage using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and enhance mass spectrometric identification

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of aldehydes using the tagging reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethoxy-carbonylhydazine (BCEC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and enhance mass spectrometric identification has been developed. The chromophore of fluoren-9-methoxy-carbonylhydrazine (Fmoc-hydrazine) reagent was replaced by 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence derivatizing agent BCEC. BCEC can easily and quickly label aldehydes. The maximum excitation (333 nm) and emission (390 nm) wavelengths were essential no change for all the aldehyde derivatives. The fluorescence intensity was substantially affected by the solvents, being higher in organic than protic solvents. Derivatives are sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + (CH₂)_n − 1]⁺ (M: molecular mass of BCEC, n: corresponding aldehyde carbon atom numbers) under positive-ion mode. The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed products at m/z = 245.7.0, m/z = 263.7 and m/z = 217.7, and corresponding the cleavage of CH₂OCO, CH₂OCO and NCH₂CH₂ bonds, respectively. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) catalyst. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with a 10- to 15-fold molar reagent excess. Separation of the derivatized aldehydes has been optimized on ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C₈ column with aqueous acetonitrile in conjunction with a binary gradient elution. Excellent linear responses were observed at the concentration range of 0.08-16.65 μmol/L with coefficients of >0.9999. Estimated detection limits for the aldehydes, obtained by successive dilution of a derivatized standard solution containing 16.65 μmol/L of each aldehyde (at a signal-to-noise ratio = 3:1), are from 3.75 to 16.65 fmol.     

荧光衍生中性糖的高效液相色谱分析

在HypersilODS2色谱柱上,利用新型荧光试剂1,2-苯并-3,4-二氢咔唑-9-乙基肼基甲酸酯(BCEC)作柱前衍生化试剂,采用梯度洗脱对5种中性糖荧光衍生物进行了优化分离.65℃下在乙腈溶剂中以冰乙酸作催化剂,衍生反应6.5h后获得稳定的荧光产物,衍生反应完全.激发和发射波长分别为λex=333nm,λem=390nm.线性回归系数均在0.999以上,检测限为24.3～62.1fmol.     

鼠类粪便中类固醇的荧光标记及质谱鉴定

利用新型荧光试剂1,2-苯并-3,4-二氢咔唑-9-乙基肼基甲酸酯(BCEC)作柱前衍生化试剂,在HypersilBDSC18(4.6mm×200mm,5μm)色谱柱上,采用梯度洗脱对皮质醇、皮质酮、睾酮、孕酮4种类固醇荧光衍生物进行了优化分离。65℃下在乙腈溶剂中以三氯乙酸作催化剂,衍生反应2h后获得稳定的荧光产物。激发和发射波长分别为333nm和390nm。采用大气压化学电离源(APCI)正离子模式,实现了黑线姬鼠粪便中4种类固醇化合物的定性及定量测定。线性回归系数均在0.9999以上,检出限为47.3~71.2fmol。     

Determination of biogenic amines by RPHPLC with fluorescent detection after derivatization with 2-(9-carbazole)ethyl chloroformate (CEOC)

Summary The use of 2-(9-carbazole)ethyl chloroformate (CEOC) for pre-column derivatization of biogenic amines (BA) has been tested for the first time. The reagent reacts completely with BA within 3 min at ambient temperature in acetonitrile solution to form stable derivatives that are readily analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC. Study of the derivatization conditions revealed derivatization yields to be excellent in borate buffer over the pH range 9.0–10.0. Maximum yields were obtained by use of a three- to fourfold molar excess of reagent. The reaction is extremely tolerant of common buffer salts, no decrease in reaction yield is discernible in well-buffered samples. The emission maximum for the CEOC-derivatives is 360 nm (λ _ex = 293 nm). All the derivatives fluoresced strongly and direct injection of the reaction mixture was possible, with no significant disturbance from the major fluorescent reagent degradation by-products, 2-(9-carbazole)ethanol (CEOC-OH) and bis-(2-(9-carbazole)ethyl) carbonate (CEOC)₂. Separation of the derivatized BA by high-performance liquid chromatography with gradient elution was tested on a Hypersil BDS C18 column. Excellent response linearity was observed over the concentration range from 0.25 to 94.6 μmol L⁻¹ for the labeled BA. Detection limits were 117–840 fmol at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3∶1. Analysis of BA in a shrimp sauce extract was conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the technique to real sample matrixes; results were satisfactory.     

Selective and sensitive determination of peptides using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid as a fluorogenic reagent

A novel fluorescence (FL) reaction for N-terminal Gly-containing peptides has been developed using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4-DHPAA). The reaction of the peptides with 3,4-DHPAA was carried out in borate buffer (pH 8.0) in the presence of sodium periodate at 37 °C for 10 min, and the FL was measured with a spectrofluorimeter at the excitation and emission wavelengths of 370 nm and 465 nm, respectively. The 3,4-DHPAA reagent generated particularly strong FL for peptides containing Gly at their N-termini. When various other bio-substances, such as amino acids, sugars, nucleic bases, nucleotides, and proteins, were reacted with 3,4-DHPAA, no FL was observed. Under optimized reaction conditions, the lower detection limit of 0.25 μmol L⁻¹ was obtained for the N-terminal Gly-containing peptides of Gly-Pro (GP) and Gly-Pro-Pro (GPP), which gave 3 times greater FL intensity than that observed for the reagent blank. The proposed reaction with 3,4-DHPAA as a fluorogenic reagent is selective and sensitive for the detection of N-terminal Gly-containing peptides, and therefore, this method could be a useful tool for the determination of these particular oligopeptides.     

脂肪胺的高效液相色谱分离及质谱鉴定

 采用新型荧光试剂1,2-苯并-3,4-二氢咔唑-9-乙酸(BCAA)为柱前衍生化试剂,在Hypersil BDS-C18色谱柱上,通过梯度洗脱对12种游离脂肪胺进行了分离和在线质谱定性。以乙腈为溶剂,1-乙基-3-(3-二甲氨基丙基)环己碳二亚胺(EDAC)为缩合剂,在50 ℃条件下衍生反应15 min后获得稳定的荧光产物。激发波长和发射波长分别为333 nm和390 nm。采用大气压化学电离源(APCI)的正离子模式,实现了土壤和污水中脂肪胺的定性及其含量的测定。脂肪胺的线性相关系数大于0.9993,检测限为12~28 fmol。     

Study of a new derivatizing reagent that improves the analysis of amino acids by HPLC with fluorescence detection: application to hydrolyzed rape bee pollen

A simple and sensitive method for evaluating the chemical compositions of protein amino acids, including cystine (Cys)₂ and tryptophane (Try) has been developed, based on the use of a sensitive labeling reagent 2-(11H-benzo[α]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl chloroformate (BCEC–Cl) along with fluorescence detection. The chromophore of the 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-ethyl chloroformate (BCEOC-Cl) molecule was replaced with the 2-(11H-benzo[α]-carbazol-11-yl) ethyl functional group, yielding the sensitive fluorescence molecule BCEC–Cl. The new reagent BCEC–Cl could then be substituted for labeling reagents commonly used in amino acid derivatization. The BCEC–amino acid derivatives exhibited very high detection sensitivities, particularly in the cases of (Cys)₂ and Try, which cannot be determined using traditional labeling reagents such as 9-fluorenyl methylchloroformate (FMOC-Cl) and ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA). The fluorescence detection intensities for the BCEC derivatives were compared to those obtained when using FMOC-Cl and BCEOC-Cl as labeling reagents. The ratios I _BCEC/I _BCEOC = 1.17–3.57, I _BCEC/I _FMOC = 1.13–8.21, and UV_BCEC/UV_BCEOC = 1.67–4.90 (where I is the fluorescence intensity and UV is the ultraviolet absorbance). Derivative separation was optimized on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column. The detection limits calculated from 1.0 pmol injections, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, ranged from 7.2 fmol for Try to 8.4 fmol for (Cys)₂. Excellent linear responses were observed, with coefficients of >0.9994. When coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography, the method established here allowed the development of a highly sensitive and specific method for the quantitative analysis of trace levels of amino acids including (Cys)₂ and Try from bee-collected pollen (bee pollen) samples.     

Residue determination of glyphosate in environmental water samples with high-performance liquid chromatography and UV detection after derivatization with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride

A pre-column derivatization high-performance liquid chromatographic method for glyphosate analysis has been developed. Derivatization of glyphosate was performed with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride (CNBF). In pH 9.5 H₃BO₃-Na₂B₄O₇ media, the reaction of glyphosate with CNBF completed at 60 °C for 30 min. The labeled glyphosate was separated on a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at room temperature and UV detection was applied at 360 nm. The separation of labeled glyphosate was achieved within 15 min by gradient elution mode. Compared to other pre-column derivatization, this derivatization was performed more mildly, the derivative was more stable, and the detection limits of a few reagents were higher than CNBF, except 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) using fluorescence and mass spectrometry, however, this reagent avoid to be removed after derivatization like FMOC-Cl. The detection limit of glyphosate was 0.009 mg L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) without preconcentration and reach MRL, which is set at the level of 0.1 mg L⁻¹ in China. The method linearity correlation coefficient was 0.9999, in concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 48.5 mg L⁻¹. The proposed method has been applied to the quantitative determination of glyphosate in environmental water with recoveries of 91.80-100.20% and R.S.D. of 2.27-6.80, depending on the sample investigated.     

A sensitive fluorescence reagent for the determination of aldehydes from alcoholic beverage using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of aldehydes using the tagging reagent 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g] carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl carbonylhydrazine (DBCEEC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and APCI-MS identification has been developed. The chromophore of fluoren-9-methoxy-carbonylhydrazine (Fmoc-hydrazine) reagent was replaced by 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g] carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence tagging reagent DBCEEC. DBCEEC could easily and quickly labeled aldehydes. The maximum excitation (300 nm) and emission (400 nm) wavelengths did not essentially change for all the aldehyde derivatives. Derivatives were sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + (CH₂)_n]⁺ in positive-ion mode (M: molecular weight of DBCEEC, n: corresponding aldehyde carbon atom numbers). The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed fragment ions at m/z 294.6, m/z 338.6 and m/z 356.5. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) catalyst. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with a 10 to 15-fold molar reagent excess. Separation of the derivatized aldehydes had been optimized on ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C₈ column with aqueous acetonitrile as mobile phase in conjunction with a binary gradient elution. Excellent linear responses were observed at the concentration range of 0.01-10 nmol mL⁻¹ with coefficients of >0.9991. Detection limits obtained by the analysis of a derivatized standard containing 0.01 nmol mL⁻¹ of each aldehyde, were from 0.2 to 1.78 nmol L⁻¹ (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3).     

Monolithic silica spin column extraction and simultaneous derivatization of amphetamines and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines in human urine for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric detection

A simple, sensitive, and specific method with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for simultaneous extraction and derivatization of amphetamines (APs) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDAs) in human urine by using a monolithic silica spin column. All the procedures, such as sample loading, washing, and elution were performed by centrifugation. APs and MDAs in urine were adsorbed on the monolithic silica and derivatized with propyl chloroformate in the column. Methamphetamine-d₅ was used as an internal standard. The linear ranges were 0.01-5.0 μg mL⁻¹ for methamphetamine (MA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 0.02-5.0 μg mL⁻¹ for amphetamine (AP) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) (coefficient of correlation ≧0.995). The recovery of APs and MDAs in urine was 84-94%, and the relative standard deviation of the intra- and interday reproducibility for urine samples containing 0.1, 1.0, and 4.0 μg mL⁻¹ of APs and MDAs ranged from 1.4% to 13.6%. The lowest detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio ≧ 3) in urine was 5 ng mL⁻¹ for MA and MDMA and 10 ng mL⁻¹ for AP and MDA. The proposed method can be used to perform simultaneous extraction and derivatization on spin columns that have been loaded with a small quantity of solvent by using centrifugation.     

An easy-to-use excimer fluorescence derivatization reagent, 2-chloro-4-methoxy-6-(4-(pyren-4-yl)butoxy)-1,3,5-triazine,for use in the highly sensitive and selective liquid chromatography analysis of histamine in Japanese soy sauces

In this study, a novel pre-column excimer fluorescence derivatization reagent, 2-chloro-4-methoxy-6-(4-(pyren-4-yl)butoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (CMPT), was developed for polyamines, specifically histamine. By CMPT derivatization, the polyamines, histamine and tyramine were converted to polypyrene derivatives, and emitted intra-molecular excimer fluorescence at 475 nm. This could clearly be distinguished from the normal fluorescence emitted from reagent blanks at 375 nm. Unlike conventional excimer fluorescence derivatization reagents, CMPT is chemically stable and its reactivity sustained over at least 36 days even in solution state. We successfully applied this reagent to the sensitive and selective analysis of histamine in different kinds of Japanese commercial soy sauces. The detection and quantification limits of histamine were 15 and 50 μg L⁻¹, respectively, equating to 1.35 pmol and 4.5 pmol for a 6 μL injection. This sensitivity helped the direct analysis of soy sauce samples only treated by one-step liquid–liquid extraction without concentration. The histamine levels of commercial soy sauce samples (koikuchi, usukuchi and saishikomi) investigated were 1.24–768.5 mg L⁻¹.     

1,3,5,7-Tetramethyl-8-aminozide-difluoroboradiaza-s-indacene as a new fluorescent labeling reagent for the determination of aliphatic aldehydes in serum with high performance liquid chromatography

A BODIPY-based fluorescent derivatization reagent with a hydrazine moiety, 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-aminozide-difluoroboradiaza-s-indacene (BODIPY-aminozide), has been designed for aldehyde labeling. An increased fluorescence quantum yield was observed from 0.38 to 0.94 in acetonitrile when it reacted with aldehydes. Twelve aliphatic aldehydes from formaldehyde to lauraldehyde were used to evaluate the analytical potential of this reagent by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on C₁₈ column with fluorescence detection. The derivatization reaction of BODIPY-aminozide with aldehydes proceeded at 60 °C for 30 min to form stable corresponding BODIPY hydrazone derivatives in the presence of phosphoric acid as a catalyst. The maximum excitation (495 nm) and emission (505 nm) wavelengths were almost the same for all the aldehyde derivatives. A baseline separation of all the 12 aliphatic aldehydes (except formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) is achieved in 20 min with acetonitrile–tetrahydrofuran (THF)–water as mobile phase. The detection limits were obtained in the range from 0.43 to 0.69 nM (signal-to-noise = 3), which are better than or comparable with those obtained by the existing methods based on aldehyde labeling. This reagent has been applied to the precolumn derivatization followed with HPLC determination of trace aliphatic aldehydes in human serum samples without complex pretreatment or enrichment method.