Single drop microextraction of homoserine lactones based quorum sensing signal molecules, and the separation of their enantiomers using gas chromatography mass spectrometry in the presence of biological matrices

N-acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) are produced by Gram-negative bacteria as communication signals and are frequently studied as mediators of the “quorum sensing” response of bacterial communities. AHLs are optically active components and the L-form is known to have activity in the quorum sensing. However, the knowledge regarding the stereospecific production of the AHLs in bacterial cultures is limited; therefore, there is a need for a fast and easy method for their chiral analysis. A method was developed for the preconcentration of the AHLs using single drop microextraction or liquid-liquid microphase extraction in toluene for their analysis using GC-MS. The performance of the method were determined and discussed for the chiral separation of these autoinducers using a capillary column coated with heptakis-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-t-butyldimethyl-silyl)-β-cyclodextrin. The salient feature of this study is the demonstration, that Burkholderia cepacia LA3 produced D-decanoyl-homoserine lactone beside L-decanoyl- and L-octaonyl- enantiomers.     

Determination of psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives in biological matrices by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection.

Several procedures using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection have been developed to create phytochemical and toxicological profiles of phenylalkylamine derivatives in biological samples (e.g. plant materials and urine). Mescaline-containing cactus samples were extracted with basic methanol, using methoxamine as internal standard; the extraction and clean-up of urine samples were performed on cation-exchange solid-phase extraction columns. The extracts were separated on a 3-micron ODS column with acetonitrile-water-phosphoric acid-hexylamine as the mobile phase. Peak detection was performed at 198 or 205 nm; peak identity and homogeneity were ascertained by on-line scanning of the UV spectra from 190 to 300 nm. The detection limit of phenylalkylamine derivatives in urine and cactus material was 0.026-0.056 micrograms/ml and 0.04 micrograms/mg, respectively. Following a single oral dose of 1.7 mg/kg methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) the concentrations found in urine ranged from 1.48 to 5.05 micrograms/ml MDMA and 0.07-0.90 micrograms/ml methylenedioxyamphetamine (a metabolite of MDMA). The mescaline content of the cactus Trichocereus pachanoi varied between 1.09 and 23.75 micrograms/mg.     

Simultaneous qualification and quantification of eight triterpenoids in radix achyranthis bidentatae by high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection and mass spectrometric detection

An HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) and ESI-MS was established for the simultaneous determination of eight triterpenoids in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae. The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on a Zorbax C18 column by linear gradient elution with 0.08% v/v aqueous formic acid and ACN as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Temperature for the detector drift tube was set at 101 degrees C and the nitrogen flow rate was 2.8 L/min. The identities of the analytes were accomplished by comparing retention times and mass data with those of reference compounds. The validation of the method included tests of linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, recovery, and stability. All the calibration curves of the eight triterpenoids showed good linear regression (R2 >0.997) within the test ranges. The method provides desirable repeatability with overall intra- and interday variations of less than 4.9%. The obtained recoveries varied between 93.6 and 98.1% while the RSDs were below 3.9% (n = 3). The analysis results indicate that the content of investigated triterpenoids in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae from different locations was greatly diverse, and the triterpenoids could be used as chemical markers for the discrimination of genuine and ungenuine crude drugs.     

高效液相色谱法快速测定生物样品中的视黄酸

建立了快速测定生物样品中全反式(all-trans-),9-顺式(9-cis-),13-顺式(13-cis-).视黄酸(RA)的高效液相色谱分析方法.经2次液-液萃取提取生物样品中的视黄酸后.直接应用高效液相色谱法同时测定了3种视黄酸同分异构体的含量.采用Waters C18反相柱(3.9×150mm),V(乙腈):V(0.1%冰醋酸溶液)=86:14为流动相,流速1.0 mL/min,柱温为25℃,检测波长为350 nm.3种视黄酸同分异构体的线性范围均为5-500 ng/mL,r2均大于0.999;检出限均为1 ng/mL;提取回收率为92.7%-101.8%,方法回收率为102,4%-104.4%;日内精密度小于8.3%,日间精密度小于11%.本方法适用于不同生物样品中视黄酸的定量研究.     

Identification of aromatic moieties and mycosamine in antifungal heptaenes with high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of the aromaticity of heptaene polyene antibiotics has been developed. The released aromatic moiety of the heptaene polyenes aureofungin, candicidin, candimycin, hamycin and trichomycin was assayed after alkaline hydrolysis. The presence of p-aminoacetophenone (PAAP) and N-methyl-p-aminoacetophenone (N-methyl-PAAP) in the hydrolysates was determined by HPLC, HPLC-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS). Candicidin and hamycin contained only the PAAP residue; aureofungin contained both PAAP and N-methyl-PAAP. Trichomycin contained PAAP and also some unknown component of molecular weight 179. The aromatic nature of the individual components of the heptaene complex was demonstrated using radioactivity flow detection for the determination of the incorporation of [14C]-p-aminobenzoic acid to individual candicidin components. Ammonia chemical ionization MS was successfully used for the GC-MS identification of the acetylated mycosamine moiety of heptaenes.     

Coupled high-performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography for the determination of pesticide residues in biological matrices

A fully automated high-performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography (HPLC-GC) network is described. A ten-port valve set up as a loop type LC-GC interface allowed the transfer of large LC effluent fractions into the gas chromatograph by concurrent solvent evaporation. The system performed highly efficient sample enrichment and clean up by LC and on-line GC separation with sensitive electron-capture detection. The efficiency of the system was demonstrated by application to the trace analysis of N-(3-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(2-oxotetrahydrofuranyl)-2-me thoxyacetamide (CGA 80000) in various crops and soil samples. The residue level determined was 0.02 mg/kg for crop samples and 0.01 mg/kg for soil samples. The relative standard deviations of the calibration graphs were in the range 2-5%; the mean recovery was greater than 85%.     

Determination of beta-carbolines in foodstuffs by high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method combined with fluorimetric detection is described for the determination of beta-carboline (norharman) and 1-methyl-beta-carboline (harman). The analysis of foodstuffs for the identification of beta-carbolines is facilitated by clean-up samples using Bond Elut PRS cartridges. Recoveries were excellent. Further, a high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method was also developed for their identification. The concentration of beta-carboline among the foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages varied greatly. Also, norharman and harman were observed in uncooked foodstuffs, whereas acetaldehyde was found in most fermented food. The toxicological implication of beta-carbolines in foodstuffs is discussed.     

On-line high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric investigation of amyloid-beta peptide variants found in Alzheimer's disease

Abeta peptides are the major components of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease. The presence of N-terminally truncated Abeta variants in amyloid may be a critical factor in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. These Abeta variants are less soluble and more amyloidogenic than full-length Abeta, making their separation, purification and identification difficult. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at elevated temperatures, coupled to electrospray ionization (ES) mass spectrometry (MS), enables rapid separation and identification of N-terminally truncated Abeta variants. This methodology provides a potential tool for exploring the importance of these Abeta variants in both the pathogenesis and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.     

Application of high-performance liquid chromatography and thermospray high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to the analysis and identification of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and its metabolite in biological media

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures are described for determining the stability of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) in biological fluids at therapeutic dosages. The validated methodology uses both direct injection and solid-phase extraction techniques. Deamination of DDA to 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (DDI) in plasma by adenosine deaminase was monitored by HPLC, and the identification of DDI verified by thermospray HPLC-mass spectrometry. This methodology should prove useful in future studies concerning the stability and metabolism of dideoxynucleosides.     

Probing autoinducer-2 based quorum sensing: the biological consequences of molecules unable to traverse equilibrium states

Bacteria have developed a cell-to-cell communication system, termed quorum sensing (QS), which allows for the population-dependent coordination of their behavior via the exchange of chemical signals. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2), a class of QS signals derived from 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentandione (DPD), has been revealed as a universal signaling molecule in a variety of bacterial species. In spite of considerable interest, the study of putative AI-2 based QS systems remains a challenging topic in part due to the rapid interconversion between the linear and cyclic forms of DPD. Herein, we report the design and development of efficient syntheses of carbocyclic analogues of DPD, which are locked in the cyclic form. The synthetic analogues were evaluated for the modulation of AI-2-based QS in Vibrio harveyi and Salmonella typhimurium. No agonists were uncovered in either V. harveyi or S. typhimurium assay, whereas weak to moderate antagonists were found against V. harveyi. On the basis of NMR analyses and DFT calculations, the heterocyclic oxygen atom within DPD appears necessary to promote hydration at the C3 position of cyclic DPD to afford the active tetrahydroxy species. These results also shed light on the interaction between the heterocyclic oxygen atom and receptor proteins as well as the importance of the linear form and dynamic equilibrium of DPD as crucial requirements for activation of AI-2 based QS circuits.     

Electrophoretic, size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometric detection of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are blood substitutes based on hemoglobin of either bovine or human origin and they can potentially be misused in elite sports to improve endurance performance. Recently, three methods have been proposed in doping control analysis to allow HBOCs screening and identification by application of electrophoresis, size-exclusion chromatography coupled with HPLC and LC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSMS). In view of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, modifications were introduced in order to increase the specificity of these methods. The sample preparation protocols of the electrophoretic and SEC-HPLC methods were modified with the introduction of sequential ultra filtration steps to remove all heme containing material below 100 kDa, thus leaving only HBOCs material for analysis. Furthermore, a modification of the LC/MSMS methodology was introduced to allow full scan MS-MS spectra of peptide segments arising from the tryptic digestion of bovine HBOCs. These relatively simple methodological modifications have major impact, as far as time and cost effectiveness is concerned in doping control procedures, because they provide a useful tool in order to identify which suspect samples from the initial visual screening are due to hemolysis and exclude them from further analysis.     

On-line identification of phytochemical constituents in botanical extracts by combined high-performance liquid chromatographic-diode array detection-mass spectrometric techniques

It is necessary to determine all of the phytochemical constituents of botanical extracts in order to ensure the reliability and repeatability of pharmacological and clinical research, to understand their bioactivities and possible side effects of active compounds and to enhance product quality control. HPLC chromatographic fingerprints can be applied for this kind of documentation. Combined HPLC-diode array detection–MS techniques can provide on-line UV and MS information for each peak in a chromatogram. In most cases, direct identification of the peaks is possible, based on comparison with published data or with standard compounds. This review will primarily focus on electrospray and thermospray ionization MS and their applications for the qualitative analyses of phenolic compounds, saponins, alkaloids and other classes of natural products in botanical extracts. Twenty-one of the most commonly used herbal examples, their phytochemical analyses and characteristics of their mass spectra are described.     

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for quantification of daunorubicin in rat plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of daunorubicin in K₃EDTA rat plasma. The 100 μL plasma samples were extracted by a methanol:acetone protein precipitation step in the presence of additional 50 μL of 70% (w/v) zinc sulfate, and subsequently analyzed by LC/MS/MS using positive turbo-ion spray ionization mode. The LC/MS/MS instrument was operated in the multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. Doxorubicinol was better than doxorubicin as the internal standard because its recovery and absolute matrix effect data exactly matched with those for daunorubicin. In addition, HPLC gradient condition was optimized to thoroughly separate daunorubicin from the background interference. The validated concentration range was from 0.250 to 100 ng/mL. The true recoveries of daunorubicin and doxorubicinol were 93.2% and 93.6%, respectively. In addition, the ion-suppression data of daunorubicin and doxorubicinol were 78.2% and 78.4%, respectively. Absence of the relative matrix effect from six unique lots was confirmed. Results obtained from the GLP validation study demonstrated very good accuracy (95-105%) and precision (less than 10% CV).     

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4-quinolone signal molecules HHQ and PQS play multifunctional roles in quorum sensing and iron entrapment

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), a quorum-sensing (QS) signal that regulates numerous virulence genes including those involved in iron scavenging. Biophysical analysis revealed that 2-alkyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolones form complexes with iron(III) at physiological pH. The overall stability constant of 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone iron(III) complex was log beta(3) = 36.2 with a pFe(3+) value of 16.6 at pH 7.4. PQS was found to operate via at least three distinct signaling pathways, and its precursor, 2-heptyl-4-quinolone (HHQ), which does not form an iron complex, was discovered to function as an autoinducer molecule per se. When PQS was supplied to a P. aeruginosa mutant unable to make pyoverdine or pyochelin, PQS associated with the cell envelope and inhibited bacterial growth, a finding that reveals a secondary function for PQS in iron entrapment to facilitate siderophore-mediated iron delivery.     

Analysis of procyanidins in chocolate by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric and tandem mass spectrometric detection

Four cation-exchange materials, possessing propanesulfonic acid ligands, for use in capillary electrochromatography were prepared from different commercially available 5-microm bare-silica particles ranging from 80 to 800 A in pore size. The performance of the materials was investigated at different compositions of the mobile phase (pH, ionic strength, and acetonitrile content) using tricyclic antidepressants and related quaternary ammonium analogues as test analytes. The wide-pore materials promoted pore flow, but this had no positive influence on the performance. The small-pore (highest surface area) particles gave, as could be expected, the best selectivity.     

An interference effect in the use of inductively-coupled argon plasma spectrometric detection for high-performance liquid chromatography

When arsenic species are determined by liquid chromatography with an inductively-coupled plasma detector, samples containing high concentrations (>0.1 M) of easily ionizable elements, such as Na and K, can give rise to a spurious chromatographic peak. This peak is caused by a change in the emission background when the easily ionizable element in the matrix is eluted from the HPLC column as a concentrated slug. The effect cannot be attributed to scattered radiation from salt particles, or changes in aerosol transport efficiency or the physical dimension of the plasma.     

On-line clean-up of pressurized liquid extracts for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in feedingstuffs and food matrices using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This paper describes a fast and simple pressurized liquid extraction method for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feedingstuffs and food matrices. The method is based on a simultaneous extraction/clean-up step requiring a minimum of sample handling. The final analysis was performed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seven PCBs (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) were analyzed, all of which are indicator congeners that, according to European legislation should be included in the analytical monitoring program. The extracted matrices were spiked feed for poultry and two certified reference materials naturally contaminated with PCBs (cod-liver oil and milk powder), which showed excellent conformity with certified data.     

Separation and quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography with light scattering detection of the main wheat flour phospholipids during dough mixing in the presence of phospholipase

Phospholipids (PL) are minor components of wheat flour involved in baking quality and exogenous phospholipids are used as emulsifiers giving better loaf volume and crumb grain. Few biochemical data are available on the phospholipid evolution during mixing, probably because of the time-consuming methods proposed for their extraction, separation and quantification. In the present study, the extraction, separation and quantification of the main wheat flour phospholipids were carried out. Total lipids (2% dry mass of wheat flour) were extracted from flour or dough by a mixture of chloroform-methanol-water (1:1:1 (v/v)). The phospholipids were separated from the lipid extract on silica cartridge by solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure under a 1.5-4 mmHg vacuum, at a 0.8 mL min(-1) flow rate (1 mmHg = 133.322 Pa). The recovery of the lipid extract was 100%, whereas the SPE yield for the PLs was 50%. The resulting fraction was then submitted to HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection on a Diol stationary phase allowing the separation and quantification of each class of phospholipids, in less than 16 min. The developed method allowed to quantify the phospholipid amounts from eight wheat flours as well as their evolution during mixing in the presence of phospholipase.