Comparison of silylation and esterification/acylation procedures in GC‐MS analysis of amino acids

Three derivatization agents used in GC analysis of amino acids were compared: N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, (BSTFA), N‐methyl‐N‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA), and isobutyl chloroformate (iBuCF). It was shown that the analytical characteristics achieved in the case of silylation with MTBSTFA are comparable to those obtained for esterification/acylation. However, since the former approach requires laborious sample preparation to isolate the compounds in question prior to derivatization, determination of amino acids as N(O,S)‐alkoxycarbonyl alkyl esters seems to be preferable in many cases. Application of the esterification/acylation procedure to analysis of lyophilized E. coli microbial culture was demonstrated.     

Determination of carbonyl compounds in the atmosphere by DNPH derivatization and LC-ESI-MS/MS detection

A method of determination of 32 carbonyl compounds by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) after derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) was developed and successfully applied to the atmosphere sample of a residential area of Liwan District (S1) and a research institute of Tianhe District (S2) in Guangzhou, China. Some operation conditions of ESI-MS/MS in the negative ion mode including selection of parent and daughter ions, declustering potential (DP), entrance potential (EP), collision energy (CE), collision cell exit potential (CXP) and effect of buffer in ESI-MS/MS process were optimized. The regression coefficient of the calibration curves (R²), recovery, reproducibility (R.S.D., n = 5) and limit of detection (LOD) were in the range of 0.9938-0.9999, 90-104%, 1.7-11% and 0.4-9.4 ng/m³, respectively. Among most of the samples, acetone was the most abundant carbonyl in two sampling sites and formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and butyraldehyde/2-butanone were also abundant carbonyls. In contrast to LC-UV method, the LOD, the separation of some co-eluting compounds and the precision (mainly to higher molecular weight carbonyls) are all improved by LC-ESI-MS/MS.     

Optimized derivatization of acidic herbicides with trimethylsilyldiazomethane for GC analysis

In the present study, the preparation of methyl esters of chlorophenoxy acids with trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSD) is reported. TMSD is a mild and safe alternative to the highly toxic, thermally labile, and explosive diazomethane. Due to the novelty of this method, the characteristics of the reaction were investigated and the derivatization procedure was screened for statistically significant factors. The parameters identified as influential are the amount of methanol as well as reaction time and temperature. A careful optimization by a complete factorial response surface design was carried out to generate optimal reaction conditions with respect to maximum recovery and reaction yield. Special emphasis has been given to an accurate validation of the derivatization procedure. LODs were determined between 4.1 and 8.1 ng/mL for the enriched sample and linearity was proofed for more than five orders of magnitude. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the analyses of quality control material including sample preparation with SPE. Polar herbicides investigated in the study belong to acetic acid (2,4-D, MCPA, and 2,4,5-T), butanoic acid (MCPB), and propanoic acid (mecoprop). An efficient, fast, and high-throughput method for the determination of polar herbicides including the potential for automation is proposed.     

GC/MS-FID analysis of BSTFA derivatized polar components of diesel particulate matter (NBS SRM-1650) extract

Summary Hydroxy and acid compounds, present in the polar HPLC fraction number 8 from the NBS-SRM 1650 (diesel particulate extract) were derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) to form the trimethylsilane (TMS) derivatives. This improved the gas-chromatographic separation to give an improved characterisation using GC-MS. TMS derivatives were only observed in the acid extract of an aliquot of HPLC fraction number 8 which had undergone an acid-base fractionation. A number of previously unidentified compounds in fraction 8 could be characterised using mass spectroscopy. Ion mass chromatograms, recorded at m/z 73, 89 and 147 were correlated with the total ion current (TIC) to identify derivatized compounds. Only single, two and three ring derivatized aromatics were observed. The compounds identified in this polar fraction of the extract included p-nitrophenol, benzoic acid, hydroxy-benzoic acids, hydroxy-benzaldehyde, hydroxy-phthalimide, benzene dicarboxylic acids, naphthalene dicarboxylic acids, anthracene/phenanthrene dicarboxylic acids and, for some of these, the C1 to C3 alkyl homologues. Several methyl esters were also observed including biphenyl dimethyl ester and benzene trimethyl ester.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

气相色谱-质谱法测定卷烟烟气总粒相物中14种芳香胺

以五氟丙酸酐为衍生化试剂,氘代2-氨基萘和氘代邻甲苯胺为双内标,采用DB-35MS石英毛细管柱(30 m×0.25 mm i.d×0.25 μm d.f)和选择离子模式,建立了卷烟烟气总粒相物中芳香胺的气相色谱-质谱分析方法.该方法检出限在0.03～2.13 ng/cig.之间,加标平均回收率在92.6%～110.4%之间,相对标准偏差在0.18%～6.4%之间.已用该方法测定了某品牌卷烟烟气总粒相物中14种芳香胺.     

A novel derivatization reagent possessing a bromoquinolinium structure for biological carboxylic acids in HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS

A novel bromoquinolinium reagent, i.e. 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)‐3‐bromoquinolinium bromide (APBQ), was synthesized for the analysis of carboxylic acids. A simple and practical precolumn derivatization procedure using the APBQ in RP chromatography and MS (HPLC‐MS) has been developed using bile acids and free fatty acids, as the representative carboxylic acids in biological samples. The APBQ efficiently reacted with carboxylic acids at 60°C for 60 min in the presence of N,N‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and pyridine as the activation reagents. Because the APBQ possesses a bromine atom in the structure, the identification of a series of carboxylic acids was easily achieved due to the characteristic bromine isotope pattern in the mass spectra. The APBQ also has a quaternary amine structure, thus the positively charged derivatives are predominate for the highly sensitive detection of carboxylic acids. The APBQ was successfully applied to the selective determination of biological carboxylic acids in human plasma. The bile acids (chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid) and several saturated (stearic acid and palmitic acid) and unsaturated free fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid) were reasonably determined by HPLC‐MS under the proposed procedure. Based on the results of analyses of human plasma and saliva, the proposed procedure using APBQ seems to be applicable for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of a series of carboxylic acids in biological samples.     

Comparison of dimethylformamide dialkylacetal derivatization reagents for the analysis of heterocyclic amines in meat extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple and selective methodology for the analysis of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in a meat extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is proposed. A comparative study of several HAs derivatization procedures based on the formation of Schiff bases using N,N-dimethylformamide dialkylacetals reagents was performed. Optimization of the reaction conditions was carried out, such as reagent volume (2 μl to derivatize 1 ng of HAs) temperature (100 °C) and time (10 min). After that, the GC-MS working parameters for the analysis of HAs derivatives were also studied in order to achieve the best chromatographic separation with the maximum sensitivity. Among the derivatization reagents, N,N-dimethylformamide di-tert-butylacetal (DMF-DtBA) was selected because it provided the best yield in the derivatization process, and consequently the best sensitivity in the GC-MS method. Quality parameters such as limits of detection and repeatability were established using a meat extract sample. A complete validation of the methodology was achieved using a laboratory reference material previously analyzed in a European interlaboratory exercise.     

GC-MS Studies on Derivatization of Creatinine and Creatine by BSTFA and Their Measurement in Human Urine

In consideration of its relatively constant urinary excretion rate, creatinine (2-amino-1-methyl-5H-imidazol-4-one, MW 113.1) in urine is a useful endogenous biochemical parameter to correct the urinary excretion rate of numerous endogenous and exogenous substances. Reliable measurement of creatinine by gas chromatography (GC)-based methods requires derivatization of its amine and keto groups. Creatinine exists in equilibrium with its open form creatine (methylguanidoacetic acid, MW 131.1), which has a guanidine and a carboxylic group. Trimethylsilylation and trifluoroacetylation of creatinine and creatine are the oldest reported derivatization methods for their GC-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis in human serum using flame- or electron-ionization. We performed GC-MS studies on the derivatization of creatinine (d₀-creatinine), [methylo-²H₃]creatinine (d₃-creatinine, internal standard) and creatine (d₀-creatine) with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) using standard derivatization conditions (60 min, 60 °C), yet in the absence of any base. Reaction products were characterized both in the negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI) and in the positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) mode. Creatinine and creatine reacted with BSTFA to form several derivatives. Their early eluting N,N,O-tris(trimethylsilyl) derivatives (8.9 min) were found to be useful for the precise and accurate measurement of the sum of creatinine and creatine in human urine (10 µL, up to 20 mM) by selected-ion monitoring (SIM) of m/z 271 (d₀-creatinine/d₀-creatine) and m/z 274 (d₃-creatinine) in the NICI mode. In the PICI mode, SIM of m/z 256, m/z 259, m/z 272 and m/z 275 was performed. BSTFA derivatization of d₀-creatine from a freshly prepared solution in distilled water resulted in formation of two lMate-eluting derivatives (14.08 min, 14.72 min), presumably creatinyl-creatinine, with the creatininyl residue existing in its enol form (14.08 min) and keto form (14.72 min). Our results suggest that BSTFA derivatization does not allow specific analysis of creatine and creatinine by GC-MS. Preliminary analyses suggest that pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) is also not useful for the measurement of creatinine in the presence of creatine. Both BSTFA and PFPA facilitate the conversion of creatine to creatinine. Specific measurement of creatinine in urine is possible by using pentafluorobenzyl bromide in aqueous acetone.     

Analysis of odorous trichlorobromophenols in water by in-sample derivatization/solid-phase microextraction GC/MS

The simultaneous determination of several odorous trichlorobromophenols in water has been carried out by an in-sample derivatization headspace solid-phase microextraction method (HS-SPME).The analytical procedure involved their derivatization to methyl ethers with dimethyl sulfate/NaOH and further HS-SPME and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) determination. Parameters affecting both the derivatization efficiency and headspace SPME procedures, such as the selection of the SPME fiber coating, derivatization–extraction time and temperature, were studied. The commercially available polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) 100 μm and Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (CAR-PDMS-DVB) fibers appeared to be the most suitable for the simultaneous determination of these compounds. The precision of the HS-SPME/GC/MS method gave good relative standard deviations (RSDs) run-to-run between 9% and 19% for most of them, except for 2,5-diCl-6-Br-phenol, 2,6-diCl-3-Br-phenol and-2,3,6-triBr-phenol (22%, 25% and 23%, respectively). The method was linear over two orders of magnitude, and detection limits were compound dependent but ranged from 0.22 ng/l to 0.95 ng/l. The results obtained for water samples using the proposed SPME procedure were compared with those found with the EPA 625 method, and good agreement was achieved. Therefore, the in-sample derivatization HS-SPME/GC/MS procedure here proposed is a suitable method for the simultaneous determination of odorous trichlorobromophenols in water.     

The derivatization of fatty acids by (chloro)alkyl chloroformates in non-aqueous and aqueous media for GC analysis

Fatty acids can be conveniently derivatized in less than one minute with (chloro)alkyl chloroformates such as methyl chloroformate, 2-chloroethyl chloroformate and 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate. 2,2,2-Trichloroethyl chloroformate is the most reactive reagent, and yields a reaction product which can be sensitively detected by GC ECD (detection limit 50 ng/ml, i.e. 25 pg/injection, for C⁸, C¹⁰, and C¹² acids). In non-aqueous media 3-picoline, N-methylpiperidine, and dimethylaminopyridine show catalytic activity comparable with that of pyridine and can, therefore, replace it. N-methylpiperidine is the best basic catalyst in aqueous media (i.e. media containing up to 40 % water).     

Evaluation of N-methyl-N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoroacetamide for environmental analysis under both EIMS and electron capture NICIMS conditions and comparison to trimethylsilyl reagents under EIMS

N-Methyl-N-tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) is a silylating agent with a range of applicability in clinical and environmental analysis, particularly when substrates possess at least moderate acidity. In this paper, we demonstrate its applicability and limitations as a reagent for environmental analysis by comparing and contrasting two different target analyte problems in a sewage effluent matrix. In one case, electron ionization was used for the determination of three potential endocrine disrupting compounds: 17β-oestradiol, ethynyl oestradiol, and oestrone where the phenolic functionality was silylated with MTBSTFA and compared with results using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) as the reagent. In this instance, a large volume of effluent was subjected to either solid-phase extraction followed by cleanup using high-performance gel permeation chromatography (AppI) or liquid/liquid extraction followed by SPE fractionation and HPLC fractionation (AppII). The method using BSTFA rather than MTBSTFA was demonstrated to work down to low and sub-ppt levels where the target compounds were found. In a parallel and contrasting study, sewage effluent was analysed for 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol (TCP) by extracting one liter of water using liquid–liquid extraction and determined by GC/MS operated in the negative ion chemical ionization (electron capture) mode after derivatization with MTBSTFA. TCP is the major metabolite of the commonly used insecticide, chlorpyrifos, and herbicide trichlorpyr. The recoveries using dichloromethane as the extractant were 59%, with a relative standard deviation of 2%. This method was used to investigate levels of TCP in sewage effluent. During this analysis, a tentatively identified additional isomer of TCP (X-TCP) was found. The 3,5,6-TCP, the common chlorpyrifos metabolite and the synthesized isomer, 3,4,5-TCP were compared with X-TCP. All three isomers have significantly different retention times. The average level of 3,5,6-TCP was 3.4?ng?L^?1, while the level of X-TCP was 39.8?ng?L^?1. The two approaches are compared and contrasted with respect to artefact formation and matrix component effects. The reagent MTBSTFA is found to be suitable for quantitative analysis of environmental samples for relatively acidic substrates (e.g. phenols and carboxylic acids). More powerful silylating agents such as N-methyl-N-trimethylacetamide or BSTFA are required for sterols and similar substrates. The stability of the two silylating reagents appears to be similar and practical for accurate quantitative analysis. Differences in EI spectra with respect to fragmentation may also dictate which reagent is preferred.     

Speciation of organomercury compounds by capillary electrophoresis with pre-column derivatization and on-line stacking

A simple capillary electrophoresis method was developed to separate and quantify methylmercury, ethylmercury, and phenylmercury with the enhancement of pre-column derivatization and on-line stacking.     

GC/IMS and GC/MS analysis of pre-concentrated medical and biological samples

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a well-known analytical method for the detection of CWAs and explosives since many years. Coupling IMS to GC pre-separation, new application fields in medicine and biology could be opened, dealing with complex and humid mixtures. However, identification of unknowns in such a complex sample is challenging and can only be achieved by parallel GC/MS analysis, thus obtaining a proposal for the responsible compound for validation via reference substances by GC/IMS again. The available adsorption tools for such accompanying GC/MS analysis have their particular drawbacks (e.g. problematic quantification for SPME, high sample volumes for adsorption tubes). Therefore miniaturised adsorption needles (NeedleTrap) were applied to both GC/IMS and GC/MS for validation of their reproducibility. It could be demonstrated that the needles can even be used for appropriate quantification when the adsorbent and the sample volume are adapted properly to the concentration range, the compounds of interest and humidity of the sample. The method is very flexible with regard to the concentration range by variation of the sample volume (e.g. 20 mL for ppt_V, 10 mL for lower ppb_V or 1 mL for ppm_V) and with regard to the compounds of interest by application of common adsorption materials optimised for the relevant substance group. Such materials are available commercially in a broad variability. Therefore, the miniaturised adsorption needles are a helpful complementary sampling method for any GC/MS or GC/IMS investigations.     

Determination of phenoxy herbicides in water samples using phase transfer microextraction with simultaneous derivatization followed by GC‐MS analysis

A sensitive and accurate method for the determination of two model phenoxy herbicides, 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy acetic acid and 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy propanoic acid, in water is explained. This method utilizes a simple phase transfer catalyst‐assisted microextraction with simultaneous derivatization. Factors affecting the performance of this method including pH of the aqueous matrix, temperature, extraction duration, type and amount of derivatization reagents, and type and amount of the phase transfer catalyst are examined. Derivatization and the use of phase transfer catalyst have proven to be especially vital for the resolution of the analytes and their sensitive determination, with an enrichment factor of 288‐fold for catalyzed over noncatalyzed procedure. Good linearity ranging from 0.1 to 80 μg L^?1 with correlation of determination (r²) between 0.9890 and 0.9945 were obtained. Previous reported detection limits are compared with our new current method. The low LOD for the two analytes (0.80 ng L^?1 for 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy propanoic acid and 3.04 ng L^?1 for 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy acetic acid) allow for the determination of low concentrations of these analytes in real samples. The absence of matrix effect was confirmed through relative recovery calculations. Application of the method to seawater and tap water samples was tested, but only 4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy propanoic acid at concentrations between 0.27 ± 0.01 and 0.84 ± 0.06 μg L^?1 was detected in seawater samples.     

Analysis of ergosterol for the detection of mold in soils by automated on-fiber derivatization headspace extraction-SPME-GC/MS

The estimate of ergosterol ([5,7,22-ergostatrien-3β-ol] has been used by many to relate its concentration to the amount of mold in soils. This new method using on-fiber derivatization-solid phase microextraction-GC/MS method for the analysis of ergosterol presents a quick and straightforward method where low detection limits (1.5 ppb) and good limit of quantitation range (3 ppb to 90 ppm) can be achieved with careful control of analytical parameters. After saponification of real soil samples, sampling without extensive workup can be performed and analysis by a standard addition method can be utilized to deduce the original sample concentration of ergosterol. Peak area extraction analysis by MS SIM on selected characteristic fragment ions gives results with RSD ≤ 2.2%.     

调味品中氯丙醇的GC/ECD和GC/MS/MS衍生化检测方法研究及应用

报道了调味品中氯丙醇的衍生化气相色谱(GC／ECD)和衍生化气相色谱双串联质谱法(GC／MS／MS)测定。GC／ECD测定酱油中3—氯—1，2—丙二醇(3—MCPD)的检出限达到0．01mg／kg，回收率为91％～104％，变异系数为2．27％～7．96％；GC／MS／MS同时测定酱油中1，3—二氯—2—丙醇、2，3—二氯—1—丙醇和3—氯—1，2—丙二醇，1，3—二氯—2—丙醇、2，3—二氯—1—丙醇的检出限为0．02mg／kg，3—氯—1，2—丙二醇的检出限为0．01mg／kg，回收率在92％～106％，变异系数为3．51％～13．33％。