Dynamic range of mass accuracy in LTQ orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometer

Using a novel orbitrap mass spectrometer, the authors investigate the dynamic range over which accurate masses can be determined (extent of mass accuracy) for short duration experiments typical for LC/MS. A linear ion trap is used to selectively fill an intermediate ion storage device (C-trap) with ions of interest, following which the ensemble of ions is injected into an orbitrap mass analyzer and analyzed using image current detection and fast Fourier transformation. Using this technique, it is possible to generate ion populations with intraspectrum intensity ranges up to 10(4). All measurements (including ion accumulation and image current detection) were performed in less than 1 s at a resolving power of 30,000. It was shown that 5-ppm mass accuracy of the orbitrap mass analyzer is reached with >95% probability at a dynamic range of more than 5000, which is at least an order of magnitude higher than typical values for time-of-flight instruments. Due to the high resolving power of the orbitrap, accurate mass of an ion could be determined when the signal was reliably distinguished from noise (S/Np-p)>2...3).     

Introduction of HPLC/orbitrap mass spectrometry as screening method for doping control

A new doping control screening method has been developed, for the analysis of doping agents in human urine, using HPLC/orbitrap with in-source collision-induced dissociation and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. The developed method allows the detection of 29 compounds, including agents with antiestrogenic activity, beta(2) agonists, exogenous anabolic steroids, and other anabolic agents. The mass accuracy of this method is better at 2 ppm using an external reference. The detection limit for all compounds tested was better than 100 pg/ml. The recoveries of most analytes were above 70%. The measured median repeatability values for doping agents included in the method at concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/ml were 21 and 17%, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the intraday precision (n = 6) ranged from RSD = 16-22%, whereas the interday precision (n = 18), ranged from RSD = 17-26%, depending on the solute concentration investigated.     

Suitability of an orbitrap mass spectrometer for the screening of pesticide residues in extracts of fruits and vegetables

For about 500 pesticides, the sensitivity of a benchtop high-resolution mass spectrometer using the Orbitrap for mass separation was compared to that of a widely used (low-resolution) tandem mass spectrometer. Both instruments were coupled to LC and used electrospray ionization. The selectivity of the Orbitrap in the full-scan acquisition mode without fragmentation was evaluated at a resolution of 100 000 full width at half maximum for all pesticides detectable with sufficient sensitivity. For this purpose, quasimolecular ions were extracted within 5 ppm windows from total ion chromatograms of two types of extracts of cucumber, lemon, wheat flour, raisin, and tea. In each of the obtained reconstructed ion chromatograms (individual chromatograms for 500 pesticides, each pesticide in 10 different extracts) the sum of signals not arising from the analyte was used to get a measure on selectivity. In addition, the target analyte list was checked for ions of similar mass. The influence of matrix on the ability to detect low concentrations of fortified pesticides was also studied, with the help of spiked extracts. This part of the survey tested whether analyte peaks were lost because of insufficient mass resolution or an early closing C-Trap (used to control the ion current into the Orbitrap). Finally, the stability of the ion ratio [M+H]+/[M+Na]+ was tested, which may be helpful to confirm the identity of an analyte.     

Evaluating a direct swabbing method for screening pesticides on fruit and vegetable surfaces using direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled to an Exactive benchtop orbitrap mass spectrometer

Rapid screening of pesticides present on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables has been facilitated by using a Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART(?)) open air surface desorption ionization source coupled to an Exactive(?) high-resolution accurate mass benchtop orbitrap mass spectrometer. The use of cotton and polyester cleaning swabs to collect and retain pesticides for subsequent open air desorption ionization is demonstrated by sampling the surface of various produce to which solutions of pesticides have been applied at levels 10 and 100 times below the tolerance levels established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Samples analyzed include cherry tomatoes, oranges, peaches and carrots each chosen for their surface characteristics which include: smooth, pitted, fuzzy, and rough respectively. Results from the direct analysis of fungicides on store-bought oranges are also described. In all cases, the swabs were introduced directly into the heated ionizing gas of the DART source resulting in production of protonated pesticide molecules within seconds of sampling. Operation of the orbitrap mass spectrometer at 25,000 full-width half maximum resolution was sufficient to generate high-quality accurate mass data. Stable external mass calibration eliminated the need for addition of standards typically required for mass calibration, thus allowing multiple analyses to be completed without instrument recalibration.     

高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱对水产品中未知污染物的非定向快速筛查与测定

建立了高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱对水产品中污染物的非定向快速筛查与测定的方法。筛查时样品用乙腈提取、氮气浓缩吹干、甲醇-水溶液定容，采用全扫描数据依赖二级扫描模式进样分析。利用Trace Finder软件对水产样品中未知污染物的精确质量数、同位素丰度比、二级碎片离子进行数据库检索匹配。定量时样品采用优化的QuEChERS方法净化，对筛查过程确认的三环唑、咖啡因和乙氧基喹啉3种污染物进行目标离子二级扫描模式定量分析。鱼和虾中3种化合物在5~1000 μg/L范围内线性关系良好，相关系数均大于0.99；方法检出限（LOD）为1 μg/kg，定量限（LOQ）为5 μg/kg，平均回收率为70.5~90.9%，相对标准偏差为5.4%~12.8%。筛查方法具有快速、准确、高通量等优点，结合定量方法能够用于实际水产品中未知污染物的筛查与测定。     

超高效液相色谱-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱快速筛查和确证凉茶中167种非法添加药物

基于质谱数据库,建立了超高效液相色谱-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(UHPLC-Orbitrap HRMS)快速筛查和确证凉茶中167种非法添加药物的方法.通过调研,选定了解热镇痛药、糖皮质激素、抗菌药、抗组胺药等167种药物,并利用Orbitrap HRMS和TraceFinder软件采集和记录每种药物的信息,建立高分辨质...     

The development of a high resolution mass spectrometer: A reminiscence

This article is a review of the events leading to the development of the double-focusing tandem mass spectrometer system, which is sometimes called the Johnson-Nier geometry. An essential feature of the geometry is that it eliminates second-order angular aberration, enhancing the sensitivity, without a loss in resolution. Flexibility in the choice of ion source and collector designs is assured because both are outside of regions of electric and magnetic fields. The vacuum housing permits high-temperature baking, ensuring ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Although introduced initially for the purpose of determining precise atomic masses, the design has found its greatest application in studies of structure of heavy molecules, making use of the high resolution to identify fragments. In many cases the composition of a molecule, or fragment, can be deduced from its exact mass by utilizing the known atomic masses of likely constituent atoms.     

A Quadrupole mass spectrometer for resolution of low mass isotopes

The qualitative and quantitative identification of low mass isotopes in the mass range 1–6 u poses certain difficulties when attempting to achieve the required resolution with an instrument suitable for deployment within a process environment. Certain adjacent species present in the process sample (HT and D₂) require a resolution greater than 930 to achieve an accurate measurement. We demonstrate here through simulation techniques that this level of performance required is unachievable using commercially available instruments. Using previously reported simulation techniques, this article demonstrates how the required performance for resolving the low mass isotopes can be achieved by a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS), which incorporates a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) constructed from hyperbolic electrodes and operated in zone 3 of the Mathieu stability diagram.     

超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱快速筛查水产及水产加工品中24种镇静剂类药物

建立了超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS）同时检测水产及水产加工品中24种镇静剂类药物的分析方法。样品经乙腈提取,浓缩近干后,用50%（v/v）甲醇水溶液定容,再用乙腈饱和的正己烷溶液净化。采用ACQUITY UPLC^® BEH C₁₈色谱柱（100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm）分离,以0.1%（v/v）甲酸水溶液和含0.1%（v/v）甲酸的乙腈溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在可加热电喷雾离子（HESI）源正离子模式和全扫描/数据依赖二级扫描（Full MS/dd-MS²,Top1）模式下检测,外标法定量。结果表明,24种镇静剂在各自的范围内线性关系良好,决定系数（r²）≥0.9968;在6种水产及水产加工品基质中进行3个不同添加水平的加标回收试验,24种镇静剂类药物的平均回收率为58.9%~122.9%,相对标准偏差为0.1%~16.4%（n=6）;24种镇静剂类药物的定量限为0.1~5.0 μg/kg。该法操作简便,精密度高,准确性好,适用于批量水产及水产加工品中24种镇静剂类药物的快速筛查。     

超高效液相色谱-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法测定硝苯地平中痕量基因毒性杂质

建立了测定硝苯地平中基因毒性杂质2、6和12的超高效液相色谱-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法(UHPLC-Orbitrap HRMS).样品以甲醇为溶剂,提取后直接进样分析.采用ACE EXCELTM 3 C18-AR色谱柱(150 mm×4.6 mm,3μm)分离,流动相为甲醇-0.1％甲酸水(65:35,v/v),等度洗...     

高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱测定奶粉中的低聚果糖

建立了高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法测定奶粉中低聚果糖的方法。奶粉样品用水溶解,加乙酸锌沉淀蛋白,经离心、0.22 μm粒径的微孔膜过滤后,采用Carbohydrate色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm, 2.6 μm)进行分离,以乙腈与0.1%乙酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱。质谱采用正离子Target-MS/MS模式,在分离窗口为m/z 4.0和碰撞能为30 eV的条件下,提取响应值较高且在待测样品中无干扰的目标子离子的精确质量数,此方法能够很好地排除样品中的基质干扰。在所建立的色谱-质谱条件下,蔗果三糖(GF₂)、蔗果四糖(GF₃)和蔗果五糖(GF₄)能够得到较好的分离,高分辨质谱提取的质量准确度小于5×10^-6(5 ppm),整个分析时间只需10 min。该方法对GF₂和GF₃的检出限可达100 μg/kg,对GF₄的检出限可达55 μg/kg。待测物质采用外标法定量,线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.998。通过加标验证,在5、10和20 mg/kg 3个加标水平下,奶粉中GF₂、GF₃和GF₄的平均回收率在75.8%~107.3%范围内,相对标准偏差(RSD)在1.6%~8.3%范围内。该方法样品前处理过程简单,只需沉淀蛋白质,通过二级子离子的选择即可排除基质干扰,分析时间短,测定结果准确、可靠,适用于任何奶粉的高通量测定。     

Accuracy of relative isotopic abundance and mass measurements in a single‐stage orbitrap mass spectrometer

Orbitrap technology offers a combination of different technical specifications which have not yet been achieved by other high‐resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation. This refers to the combination of sensitivity, dynamic range, mass accuracy, resolution and speed. The high stability of the mass axis and the general ease of use made the orbitrap instrumentation attractive for routine laboratories. However, there are circumstances where significantly deviating relative isotopic abundance (RIA) and shifting accurate masses can be observed. RIA becomes biased at low ion counts. Furthermore, two adjacent, only partially resolved near‐isobaric ions are detected with a deviating RIA. The presence of a very intensive mass peak does not only induce Fourier transformation related artefacts (side‐lobes) but can cause mass shifts of small adjacent near‐isobaric mass peaks. These effects are not as drastic as known for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance instruments. Still, users trying to identify or quantify trace level compounds should be aware about such limitations in order to avoid possible pitfalls. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitive determination of prohibited drugs in dried blood spots (DBS) for doping controls by means of a benchtop quadrupole/Orbitrap mass spectrometer

In the present study, a new type of mass spectrometer combining a quadrupole mass filter, a higher collision dissociation (HCD) cell and an Orbitrap detector, was evaluated for the analysis of dried blood spots (DBS) in doping controls. DBS analysis is characterized by the necessity to detect prohibited compounds in sub-nanogram-per-milliliter levels with high identification capacity. After extraction of DBS with an organic solvent and liquid chromatographic separation (using a regular C18-RP-analytical UHPLC-column) of target analytes, mass spectrometry is performed with a high-resolution full scan in positive and negative mode by means of electrospray ionisation. Single-product ion mass spectra are acquired using the data-dependent analysis mode (employing an inclusion list) for previously selected precursors of known prohibited compounds with fixed retention time ranges. Besides, a sensitive screening in a targeted approach, non-targeted analysis for retrospective data evaluation is thus possible. The chosen experimental design enables the determination of various drugs from different classes with one generic sample preparation which is shown for 26 selected model compounds (Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH), methylhexaneamine, methylphenidate, cocaine, nikethamide, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, strychnine, mesocarb, salbutamol, formoterol, clenbuterol, metandienone, stanozolol, bisoprolol, propranolol, metoprolol, anastrazole, clomiphene, exemestane, dexamethasone, budesonide, selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) S4 (andarine), SARM S1, hydrochlorothiazide). Generally, only qualitative result interpretation was focussed upon, but for target analytes with deuterium-labelled internal standards (salbutamol, clenbuterol, cocaine, dexamethasone, THC-COOH and THC) quantitative analysis was also possible. Especially the most challenging analytes, THC and its carboxy metabolite, were detected in DBS at relevant concentrations (<0.5 ng/mL) using targeted HCD experiments. The method was validated for the parameters: specificity, linearity (0–20 ng/mL), precision (<25%), recovery (mean 60%), limit of detection/quantification, ion suppression, stability and accuracy (80–120%). Six isotope-labelled analogues used as internal standards facilitate a quantitative result interpretation which is of utmost importance especially for in-competition drug sports testing.     

液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱快速分析动物源性食品中多肽类药物残留

建立了液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(Q/Exactive)分析鸡肉、鸡肝、鸡肾、猪肉、猪肝、猪肾、牛奶和鸡蛋中粘杆菌素A、粘杆菌素B、多粘菌素B、杆菌肽A和维吉尼霉素M的方法。动物源性食品采用1%(体积分数)乙酸乙腈-水(体积比为8∶2)超声提取,提取液直接经C18液相色谱柱分离。在电喷雾正离子模式下,四极杆质谱在m/z 1.2隔离窗口下过滤一级带电离子,高分辨静电场轨道阱质谱在35 000分辨率下进行目标物子离子全扫描(targeted-MS2)。根据5种多肽类药物的高分辨分子离子峰、同位素分布、特征子离子信息建立数据库,采用Trace Finder 3.0软件实现定性检索。为解决多肽类药物残留测定结果重复性差的难题,系统地评价了5种多肽类药物的关键操作技术条件,发现导致该类药物降解的主要因素包括:提取时间、玻璃器皿、存放时间。该方法测定5种多肽类药物时,测定结果的质量精度均小于5×10-6,维吉尼霉素M的定量限(LOQ)为0.5μg/kg,另外4种多肽类药物的LOQ均为10μg/kg。在0.25~500μg/kg范围内,5种多肽类药物的峰面积与质量浓度呈良好的线性关系,相关系数R2≥0.993 1,方法回收率为67.4%~108.9%,相对标准偏差为4.5%~17.2%。该方法操作简单,测定结果准确,可用于动物源性食品中多肽类药物残留的高通量测定。     

Analytical performance of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer compared to a high resolution mass spectrometer for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants used globally in many consumer products and industrial applications. Traditionally, gas chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HR-MS) is the method of choice for analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples because it offers high sensitivity and selectivity, resulting in less interferences. However, the specificity offered by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC–QQQ-MS/MS), operated in selected reaction monitoring mode, provides a more affordable alternative to GC–HR-MS for the analysis of PBDEs in complex environmental samples. In this study, an analytical method was developed for the analysis of 41 PBDE congeners in fish using GC–QQQ-MS/MS. Results from the analysis of three fish species [lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)] using GC–QQQ-MS/MS were compared with those obtained by GC–HR-MS. These species were selected because they represent varying levels of lipid-rich matrix and contaminant loads. Instrumental limits of detection for the GC–QQQ-MS/MS ranged from 0.04 pg to 41 pg, whereas those for the GC–HR-MS ranged from 5 pg to 85 pg. The PBDE values obtained from these two methods were highly correlated, R² values >0.7, for all three fish species, supporting the suitability of GC–QQQ-MS/MS for analysis of PBDEs in fish with varying fat content.     

亲水相互作用色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法测定肝组织中羟脯氨酸

采用亲水相互作用色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱系统,建立了肝组织中胶原蛋白水解物羟脯氨酸(Hyp)的快速定量检测方法。将正常及四氯化碳肝纤维化模型小鼠的肝组织样品酸水解,经过滤、稀释后,采用Hypersil GOLD HILIC色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,3μm)分离,以水-乙腈(28∶72,v/v)为流动相进行等度洗脱,最后用配有电喷雾离子源的四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱在正离子模式下进行检测。结果表明,Hyp在0.78~100.00μg/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数(R2)为0.998 3,方法的定量限为0.78μg/L,样品加标回收率为97.4%~100.9%,相对标准偏差为1.4%~2.0%(n=6)。此外,该方法与传统的氯胺T法进行比较,发现两种方法的检测结果相关性良好,Pearson相关系数为0.927;较氯胺T法,该法具有操作简便、准确度高的优点。该方法可用于肝组织中Hyp的快速定量分析。     

High resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry in comparison with tandem mass spectrometry for confirmation of anabolic steroids in meat

A prominent trend which has been observed in recent years in the analysis of veterinary drugs and growth-promoting agents is the shift from target-oriented procedures, mainly based on liquid chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS), towards accurate mass full scan MS (such as time of flight (ToF) and Fourier Transform (FT) Orbitrap MS). In this study the applicability of high resolution single-stage-Orbitrap-MS for confirmatory analysis of growth-promoting agents in meat was compared to that of a QqQ-MS. Validation according to CD 2002/657/EC demonstrated that steroid analysis based on Orbitrap MS, operating at a resolution of 50,000 FWHM, is indeed capable to compete with QqQ-MS in terms of selectivity/specificity, while providing excellent linearity (for most compounds >0.99) but somewhat inferior sensitivity. Indeed, CC_αs reached from 0.04–0.88 μg kg⁻¹ for the 34 anabolic steroids upon MS/MS detection, while upon Orbitrap MS detection a range of 0.07–2.50 μg kg⁻¹ was observed. Using QqQ-MS adequate precision was obtained since relative standard deviations, associated with the repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility, were below 20%. In the case of Orbitrap MS, for some compounds (i.e. some estrogens) this threshold was exceeded and thus poor precision was observed, which is possibly caused by the lack in sensitivity. Overall, it may be concluded that Orbitrap-MS offers an adequate performance in terms of linearity and precision but lacks in sensitivity for some of the compounds.     

超高效液相色谱-线性离子阱/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱快速测定大米中15种营养成分

建立了超高效液相色谱-线性离子阱/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(UHPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap HRMS)同时快速检测大米中15种营养成分(8种维生素E、6种γ-谷维素及β-胡萝卜素)的方法。样品经过含0.05%(v/v)2,6-二叔丁基-4-甲基苯酚(BHT)的甲醇溶液超声提取处理后,用Poroshell 120 PFP色谱柱(150 mm×3.0 mm,2.7μm)分离,以0.1%(v/v)甲酸水溶液和含0.1%(v/v)甲酸的甲醇溶液为流动相,在正离子模式下通过UHPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap HRMS进行全扫描分析。15种营养成分可在13 min内获得满意的分离效果。15种营养成分在各自的线性范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r)≥0.995 0,15种营养成分的检出限(S/N=3)为0.2~1.8μg/L,定量限(S/N=10)为0.7~6.1μg/L,在3个添加水平下的平均加标回收率分别为73.2%~101.5%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.1%~5.0%(n=3)。该法准确,高效,可靠,适用于大米中多种营养成分的同时测定。