Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for comprehensive analysis of urinary acylcarnitines

We report an enabling mass spectrometric method for the analysis of lipid metabolites in order to define better the lipid metabolome in terms of chemical diversity and generate fragment ion spectra of these metabolites as a potential resource for unknown metabolite identification. This work focuses on the analysis of one important class of lipid metabolites, the acylcarnitines. Current analytical methods have only detected and identified a limited number of these metabolites. The method described herein provides the most comprehensive acylcarnitine profile in urine of healthy individuals up to date. It involves an optimized solid phase extraction technique for selective analyte extraction using cartridges containing both lipophilic and cation-exchange properties. The captured analytes are then subjected to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) separation, followed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis using information-dependent acquisitions and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The urine of six healthy individuals was analyzed using this method. A total of 355 acylcarnitines were detected; only 43 of them have been previously reported in the urine of healthy individuals. Detection of this large number of acylcarnitines illustrates the great diversity of the lipid metabolome as well as the usefulness of the method for profiling acylcarnitines. Furthermore, the MS/MS spectra of the 355 acylcarnitines will be uploaded to a public human metabolome database as a mass spectrometric resource for unknown metabolite identification.     

Improving the sensitivity of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis of hexabromocyclododecanes by chlorine adduct generation

It is well documented and experimentally confirmed that hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) tend to associate with several anions forming different adducts that can affect the sensitivity and the accuracy of the determinations. In the present work, two different approaches for HBCD determination have been optimised and characterised based on their repeatability and intermediate precision, linear calibration ranges, sensitivity, limits of detection and quantification and application to commercial food samples. Both methods involve the use of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to a liquid chromatograph and the addition of different ammonium salts to the mobile phase, i.e. ammonium chloride or ammonium acetate, in order to encourage (Cl method) or try to inhibit (Ac method), respectively, the formation of the chlorine adducts of the molecular ion. Precision of the two methods investigated was similar and both approaches presented a comparable behaviour for the analysis of food samples. However, the Cl method showed higher sensitivity and the limits of detection (0.23–0.41 pg on column) and quantification (0.77–1.35 pg on column) were up to 14 times lower than those obtained applying the Ac method. All these facts make the Cl method the best choice for the quantification of HBCDs in food samples with low concentration levels.     

Monitoring multi-class pesticide residues in fresh fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A new analytical method was developed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the routine analysis of 31 multi-class pesticide residues and applied to approximately 50 fresh fruit and vegetable samples (green bean, cucumber, pepper, tomato, eggplant, watermelon, melon and zucchini). Extraction of the pesticides with ethyl acetate was carried out. The optimal ionisation conditions were selected for each pesticide in the same run. The procedure was validated and the values of some merit figures, such as recovery, precision, linear range, detection limit and quantification limit for each pesticide were calculated together with its calculated expanded uncertainty (U). The average recoveries in cucumber obtained for each pesticide ranged between 74 and 105% at two different fortification levels (n = 10 each) that ranged between 9 and 250 ng g(-1) (depending on the pesticide). The uncertainty associated to the analytical method was lower than 23% for all compounds tested. The calculated limits of detection and quantitation were typically <1 ng g(-1) that were much lower than the maximum residue levels established by European legislation.     

Multiresidue pesticide analysis of fruits by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS–MS) has been used for screening and quantification of 32 pesticides and metabolites in two fruit matrices. The compounds investigated belonged to different chemical families of insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, and herbicides; several metabolites were also included. Quantification was conducted using matrix-matched standards calibration; response was a linear function of concentration in the range tested (10–500 ng mL⁻¹). The method was validated with blank samples of lemon and raisin spiked at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg⁻¹, and recoveries were satisfactory, between 70 and 110%, for most of the pesticides tested and relative standard deviations were below 15% (n = 5 at each spiking level). Excellent sensitivity resulted in limits of detection for all compounds well below 0.01 mg kg⁻¹, with the limit of quantification being validated at 0.01 mg kg⁻¹. The UPLC system generates narrow peaks (approx. 5 s), thus increasing peak height and improving sensitivity. This improved separation efficiency facilitates adequate resolution not only of the analytes but also of matrix interferences compared with conventional HPLC. The method developed could also resolve some geometric isomers. The main advantage of this approach is the high sample throughput achieved because of the short analysis time, which enables satisfactory separation of all the compounds in less than 5 min per sample.     

Environmentally friendly method for the determination of acrylamide and trimethylolpropane in paper packaging materials by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, rapid, and environmentally friendly method was developed for the determination of acrylamide and trimethylolpropane in paper packaging materials. No organic solvent was used and the matrix effect was investigated. The extract was directly analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass chromatography for quantification and confirmation. The chromatographic separations were performed on a ZORBAX HILIC Plus (2.1 mm × 150 mm, 3μm; Agilent, USA) column with only one mobile phase (100% water). Calibration curves for acrylamide and trimethylopropane were achieved with concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 20 mg/kg and the corresponding r² values were 0.998 and 0.999, respectively. The recoveries were >85% with relative standard deviations <10%. The validated method was applied to the analysis of 50 real samples, and positive results were obtained for 30 samples. The result indicated that trimethylolpropane is associated with inks and printing activity and acrylamide is widely used as a papermaking additive in many paper packages. The concentrations of acrylamide and trimethylolpropane ranged from 0.41 to 7.5 and 0.50 to 8.8 mg/kg, respectively. The results of this study revealed that this method could be used accurately and precisely.     

Identification and quantification of 34 drugs and toxic compounds in blood,urine, and gastric content using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous screening of 34 drugs and poisons in forensic cases. Blood (0.5 mL, diluted 1:1 with water) or 1.0 mL of urine was purified by solid‐phase extraction. Gastric contents (diluted 1:1 with water) were treated with acetonitrile, centrifuged, and supernatant injected. Detection was achieved using a Waters Alliance 2695/Quattro Premier XE liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry system equipped with electrospray ionization, operated in the multiple reaction monitoring modes. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, and recovery. The absolute recovery of drugs and toxic compounds in blood was greater than 51% with the limit of detection in the range of 0.02–20 ng/mL. The absolute recovery of drugs and toxic compounds in urine was greater than 61% with limit of detection in the range of 0.01–10 ng/mL. The matrix effect of drugs and toxic compounds in urine was 65–117% and 67–121% in blood. The limit of detection of drugs and toxic compounds in gastric content samples were in the range of 0.05–20 ng/mL. This method was applied to the routine analysis of drugs and toxic compounds in postmortem blood, urine, and gastric content samples. The method was applied to actual forensic cases with examples given.     

Analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites in adrenal gland by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Two simple, rapid and specific analytical methods for 13 catecholamines and their metabolites have been developed based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a multiple reaction monitoring mode. Tyrosine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylalanine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, 3-methoxytyramine, normetanephrine, metanephrine and isoproterenol (internal standard) were separated on a Kromasil™ Cyano analytical column by a mobile phase consisting of 60% (v/v) acetonitrile and 40% (v/v) water adjusted with formic acid to pH 3.0, and detected by positive ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. While vanillymandelic acid, 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol and 5-hydroxy-2-indolecarboxylic acid (internal standard) were separated on a reversed-phase Shim-Pak VP-ODS column with the mobile phase of 60% (v/v) acetonitrile, and 40% (v/v) water adjusted with formic acid to pH 4.5 and detected in the negative ionization electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The influence of various parameters such as column type and mobile phase composition on separation and sensitivity were investigated. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.5-20 ng mL⁻¹. The mean recoveries determined from three different concentrations of each analyte were above 85.4%. The precision of the method calculated as relative standard deviation was lower than 5.3%. Deduced from the results of real sample analysis, adrenal gland synthesizes and stores the catecholamine hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine.     

Comparison of different amino acid derivatives and analysis of rat brain microdialysates by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The efficiencies of three derivatisation reagents that react with either the amine (9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC)) or the carboxylic acid group (butanol) of amino acid or with both types of functional groups (propyl chloroformate) were compared in the analysis of amino acids by liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Separation of 20 amino acids derivatised with these three reagents was studied on reversed-phase chromatography. Linearity, repeatability and limits of detection of the LC-ESI-MS/MS method were determined by analysing FMOC-, butanol- and propyl chloroformate-derivatised lysine, β-aminobutyric acid, threonine and glutamic acid. The limits of detection for the derivatised amino acids (7.5-75 fmol) were as much as 2-60 times lower than those of the corresponding underivatised molecules. The best linearity was observed for amino acids derivatised with propyl chloroformate or butanol (r² = 0.996-0.999, range = 100-8500 nmol L⁻¹). Propyl chloroformate was the best suited of the reagents tested for the analysis of amino acids with LC-MS/MS and was used for the analysis of amino acids in rat brain microdialysis samples.     

Method development for the determination of selected pesticides on tobacco by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry

A method was developed for the quantitative determination of alachlor, benalaxyl, clomazone, diflubenzuron, dimethomorph, diphenamid, ethofumesate, metalaxyl, methoprene, metobromuron and piperonyl butoxide on tobacco. The pesticides were extracted with water and methanol from five different types of tobacco. The extracts were purified by partition on an extraction cartridge containing diatomaceous earth. The purified extracts were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography connected to an atmospheric pressure ionisation–electrospray-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in the positive ion mode. Two different transitions and their relative intensities were monitored for unambiguous identification. All pesticides presented overall recovery rates between 35% and 110%. The trueness is near 100% and the interday precision is below 15%. The limits of quantifications are equal or below the guidance residue levels proposed by the Agrochemical Advisory Committee of CORESTA, an association of organisations having scientific research relative to tobacco.     

Multiresidue analysis of 74 pesticides in fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography–electrospray–tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method is described for the determination of 74 pesticides commonly used in crop protection including mainly carbamate, conazole, benzimidazole and pyrimidine fungicides and insecticides. Pesticides residues are extracted from the samples with ethyl acetate. No additional clean-up steps are necessary. Analysis is performed by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. The method has been validated for various fruits and vegetables matrices. Good sensitivity and selectivity of the method are obtained with limits of quantification of 0.01 mg/kg in almost all cases. Recoveries, RSD and accuracy values of the method fulfilled the criteria of validation commonly admitted. The method was applied very satisfactorily to routine analysis as a complement to traditional GC method. More than 2500 fruits and vegetables samples have been controlled, as a part of the pesticide monitoring program of the “Service de Protection de la Consommation” in Geneva. Quality control systems applied during the assays have demonstrated very good performances and stability with time.     

Determination of priority pesticides in baby foods by gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for the determination of twelve priority pesticides, and transformation products (e.g. metabolites) specified in the EU Baby Food Directive 2003/13/EC is described. Prior to GC-MS/MS analysis, co-extractives were removed from acetonitrile extracts using dispersive solid phase extraction with octadecyl (200 mg) and primary secondary amine (50 mg) sorbents. The clean up proved essential for the satisfactory long-term chromatographic performance during the analysis of a range of representative commercially pre-prepared baby food samples. Extracts spiked with pesticides at 1-8 microg kg(-1), yielded average recoveries in the range 60-113% with relative standard deviations less than 28%.     

液相色谱串联四极杆质谱法同时测定婴幼儿配方食品中甲基香兰素和乙基香兰素

建立了混合阴离子交换固相萃取柱净化,液相色谱串联四极杆质谱法测定婴幼儿配方食品中甲基香兰素和乙基香兰素的方法.样品经水和乙腈提取,CuSO4溶液沉淀蛋白,NaOH调节pH,增加样品溶解性,阴离子交换固相萃取柱净化.目标化合物在梯度洗脱条件下经C18柱分离后采用ESI源负离子多反应监测模式进行检测.分别选取了婴幼儿配方乳...     

Determination of multi-class pesticides in wines by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This work reports a new sensitive multi-residue liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for detection, confirmation and quantification of forty-six pesticides and transformation products belonging to different chemical classes in wines. The proposed method makes use of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure with Oasis HLB cartridges that combines isolation of the pesticides and sample clean-up in a single step. Analysis is performed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) operated in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, acquiring two specific precursor-product ion transitions per target compound. An investigation of matrix effects has been performed during method validation showing medium to low effects for the majority of the compounds. Limits of detection (LODs) were in the range 0.0003–0.003 mg L⁻¹ and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range 0.001–0.01 mg L⁻¹. The average recoveries, measured at two concentration levels (0.010 and 0.050 mg L⁻¹), were in the range 70–110% for most of the compounds tested with % relative standard deviations below 20%, while a value of 0.010 mg L⁻¹ has been established as the method limit of quantification (MLOQ) for all target species. Expanded uncertainty values were in the range 10–40% while the Horrat ratios were below 1. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of 60 wine samples in the course of an annual monitoring study with carbendazim-benomyl, thiophanate-methyl and carbaryl being the most frequently determined pesticides.     

Rapid determination of quinolones in cosmetic products by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

This study developed an improved analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of 13 quinolones in cosmetics by ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with ESI triple quadrupole MS/MS under the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The analytes were extracted and purified by using an SPE cartridge. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.03 to 3.02 μg/kg. The precision for determining the quinolones was <19.39%. The proposed method was successfully developed for the determination of quinolones in real cosmetic samples.     

Validation of a method for the analysis of quinolones residues in bovine muscle by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry detection

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination and confirmation of nine quinolones was optimised and validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Analytes were extracted from veal muscle with water and extracts purified with 96-well plates Oasis HLB cartridges. Separation was carried out in a silica-based C₁₈ column (50 mm × 2.1 mm) with mobile phases consisting of water/acetonitrile mixtures containing acetic acid. Linear calibration curves in the ranges 4-400 and 50-800 ng g⁻¹, with correlation coefficients at least 0.995, were obtained for all the analytes. At concentration levels above 10 ng g⁻¹, quantification errors were lower than 10% and repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility standard deviations below 6% and 10%, respectively. Decision limits and detection capabilities are reported.     

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: a novel challenge in multiresidue pesticide analysis in food

Potential of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) separation strategy coupled with tandem (in space) mass spectrometric detection (MS/MS) in multiresidue pesticide analysis was critically assessed. Performance parameters such as number of theoretical plates, height of theoretical plate, peak symmetry and peak capacity were measured/calculated on the basis of data generated by analysis of apple extracts containing 17 (semi)polar pesticides representing various classes of active ingredients of widely used crop protective preparations. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) procedure provided improved chromatographic parameters resulting in significantly increased sample throughput including lower solvent consumption and lower limits of quantitation (LOQs) for most of target analytes compared to common method employing conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation.     

Plasma lipid analysis by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the analysis of endogenous lipids and related compounds was developed employing hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with carbamoyl stationary phase achieved clear separation of phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, ceramide, and mono‐hexsosyl ceramide groups with good peak area repeatability (RSD% < 10) and linearity (R² > 0.99). The established method was applied to human plasma assays and a total of 117 endogenous lipids were successfully detected and reproducibly identified. In addition, we investigated the simultaneous detection of small polar metabolites such as amino and organic acids co‐existing in the same biological samples processed in a single analytical run with lipids. Our results show that hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography is a useful tool for human plasma lipidome analysis and offers more comprehensive metabolome coverage.     

Residue determination of cyromazine and its metabolite melamine in chard samples by ion-pair liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the sensitive and selective determination of cyromazine and its metabolite melamine in chard samples. Both compounds are small polar basic molecules, making their determination at residue levels complicated. The method involves an extraction procedure with phosphate buffer and methanol using high-speed blender, the addition of tridecafluoroheptanoic acid (TFHA) as ion-pair reagent and the injection of the five-fold diluted extract on liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS). The method has been validated for chard samples, spiked at 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg⁻¹. Quantification was carried out by using matrix-matched standards calibration and recoveries were satisfactory, with mean values for cyromazine of 103% and 93%, and relative standard deviations lower than 7%. In the case of melamine, recoveries were 89% and 86%, with relative standard deviations lower than 13%. A limit of quantification of 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ was obtained for both compounds, with the limit of detection below 0.01 mg kg⁻¹. The method, with very little sample handling and good sensitivity, was applied to the rapid determination of low residue levels of these compounds in chards from field residue trials. All the quality controls included during the analysis were satisfactory with average recoveries of 92% and 78% for cyromazine and melamine, respectively.     

Determination of fungicides in wine by mixed-mode solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A novel procedure for the determination of nine selected fungicides (metalaxyl-M, azoxystrobin, myclobutanil, flusilazole, penconazole, tebuconazole, propiconazole, diniconazole and difenoconazole) in wine samples is presented. Sample enrichment and purification is simultaneously performed using mixed-mode, anion exchange and reversed-phase, OASIS MAX solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Analytes were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Parameters affecting the chromatographic determination and the extraction-purification processes were thoroughly investigated. Under optimized conditions, 10 mL of wine were firstly diluted 1:1 with ultrapure water and then passed through the mixed-mode SPE cartridge at a flow of ca. 5 mLmin(-1). After a washing step with 5 mL of an aqueous NH(4)OH solution (5%, w:v), analytes were recovered with just 1 mL of methanol and injected in the LC-MS/MS system without any additional purification. The selective extraction process avoided significant changes in the ionization efficiency for red and white wine extracts in comparison with pure standards in methanol. Performance of the method was good in terms of precision (RSDs<11%) and accuracy (absolute recoveries>72%, determined against pure standards in methanol) reporting method LOQs in the range of 0.01-0.79 ngmL(-1) for target compounds, which are far below the EU maxima residue levels (MRLs) for fungicides in vinification grapes and wine. Several commercial wines from different geographic areas in Spain were analyzed. In most samples, metalaxyl-M and azoxystrobin were found at concentrations up to several ngmL(-1).     

Identification of regioisomers of methylated kaempferol and quercetin by ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (UHPLC–QTOF) tandem mass spectrometry combined with diagnostic fragmentation pattern analysis

The O-methylation of active flavonoids can enhance their antiallergic, anticancerous, and cardioprotective effects depending on the methylation position. Thus, it is biologically and pharmacologically important to differentiate methylated flavonoid regioisomers. In this study, we examined the regioisomers of methylated kaempferol and quercetin using ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The methyl groups on the flavonoids can generally be cleaved as methyl radicals in a position-independent manner. We found that methyl groups can be cleaved as methane. If there are protons adjacent the methoxy on the flavonol rings, intra-molecule proton transfer can occur via collision-induced dissociation, and one molecule of methane can then be eliminated. The remaining charged fragment ([M+H−CH₄]⁺) reflects the adjacent structure and is specific to the methoxy position. Furthermore, the retro Diels–Alder (RDA) fragmentation of methylated flavonols can generate fragments with the methoxy at the original methylated ring. Combining the position-specific [M+H−CH₄]⁺ fragment with the RDA fragments provides a diagnostic pattern for rapidly identifying methylated regioisomeric flavonols. Along with their retention behaviour, we have successfully identified ten regioisomers of methylated kaempferol and quercetin, which include six compounds previously reported in plants and shown to be biologically active. The developed approach is sensitive, rapid, reliable, and requires few standard compounds. It is highly efficient for characterising the specificity of novel flavonoid O-methyltransferases and can help direct enzymatic or chemical syntheses during the early stages of drug discovery. This method also has potential for use in identifying other methylated isomeric flavonoids.