Measurement of PCDDs, PCDFs, and non-ortho-PCBs by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-isotope dilution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-IDTOFMS)

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with isotope-dilution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-IDTOFMS) was used to measure polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (cPCB) concentrations in ash, sediment, vegetation, and fish samples. The GC × GC capability was achieved by using a quad jet, dual stage, thermal modulator. Zone compression of the GC peaks from modulation resulted in a significant increase of the signal intensity over classical GC-IDTOFMS. The GC × GC column set used an Rtx-Dioxin 2 phase as the first dimension (¹D) and an Rtx-500 as the second dimension (²D). The chromatographic separation of the 17 PCDD/Fs and the 4 cPCBs was attained in ¹D except for 2,3,7,8-TCDD and CB126 for which deconvoluted ion currents (DIC) were required to be reported separately. The Rtx-500 phase separated the bulk matrix interfering compounds from the target analytes in ²D. The instrumental limit of detection (iLODs) was 0.5 pg for 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The calibration curves showed good correlation coefficients for all the compounds investigated in the concentration range of 0.5–200 pg. GC × GC-IDTOFMS results compared favorably to those from conventional isotope-dilution one-dimensional gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-IDHRMS). The comprehensive mass analysis of the TOFMS further permitted the identification of other contaminants of concern in the samples.     

Rapid determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in thermally treated soil

Summary Remedial action at an industrial site contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds including PCDD/PCDF involves thermal treatment of soil to reduce levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD below a target value of 60 ng/kg. To guarantee the required quick turnaround for the analyses, a problem-oriented method was developed for the selective determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD on a time scale of 2 – 4 h. Treated soil is extracted with an acidic solvent mixture (ethoxyethanol/toluene/6 mol/l sulphuric acid). The 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the extract is separated from matrix components and other PCDD/PCDF congeners by flash chromatography on alumina. The selectivity attained in this step allows final determination using isotope dilution GC/MS on a non-polar column. The method is in routine operation in an on-site laboratory. With a bench top quadrupole instrument, detection limits around 3 – 5 ng/kg are obtained. Previously: Institut biocontrol, now amalgamated with Institut Fresenius     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with isotope dilution time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the measurement of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls in foodstuffs. Comparison with other methods

A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOF-MS) experimental setup was tested for the measurement of seven 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), ten 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), four non-ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), eight mono-ortho-PCBs, and six indicator PCBs (Aroclor 1260) in foodstuff samples. A 40m RTX-500 (0.18mm I.D., 0.10 microm df) was used as the first dimension (1D) and a 1.5 m BPX-50 (0.10mm I.D., 0.10 microm df) as the second dimension (2D). The GC x GC chromatographic separation was completed in 45 min. Quantification was performed using 13C-label isotope dilution (ID). Isotope ratios of the selected quantification ions were checked against theoretical values prior to peak assignment and quantification. The dynamic working range spanned three orders of magnitude. The lowest detectable amount of 2,3,7,8-TCDD was 0.2 pg. Fish, pork, and milk samples were considered. On a congener basis, the GC x GC-ID-TOF-MS method was compared to the reference GC-ID high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) method and to the alternative GC-ID tandem-in-time quadrupole ion storage mass spectrometry (QIST-MS/MS). PCB levels ranged from low picogram (pg) to low nanogram (ng) per gram of sample and data compared very well between the different methods. For all matrices, PCDD/Fs were at a low pg level (0.05-3 pg) on a fresh weight basis. Although congener profiles were accurately described, RSDs of GC x GC-ID-TOF-MS and GC-QIST-MS/MS were much higher than for GC-ID-HRMS, especially for low level pork and milk. On a toxic equivalent (TEQ) basis, all methods, including the dioxin-responsive chemically activated luciferase gene expression (DR-CALUX) assay, produced similar responses. A cost comparison is also presented.     

Fast-cycle trace analysis of dioxin in flue gas. Monitoring of the incineration of dioxin-containing waste from seveso

The fast trace analysis method used to monitor 2,3,7,8-TCDD in stack gas during the incineration of the waste from Seveso is described. The sampling of volatile organic compounds from flue gases, distributed between all three aggregation states, is based on a micromethod developed for the trace analysis of water using a specially dimensioned adsorptive charcoal filter (1.5 mg charcoal). In conjunction with subsequent GC/MS measurements the rapid “fast cycle trace analysis” ensured specific 2,3,7,8-TCDD detection down to 100 pg per m³ flue gas in cycle times of about 1–2 hours.     

Rapid screening technique for tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins in complex environmental matrices by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with an ion-trap detector

A capillary column gas chromatographic/ion-trap tandem mass spectrometric (GC/MS/MS) technique was applied to the determination of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (TCDDs) in complex environmental matrices. A detection limit of 500 fg μl^-1 injected, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 6:1, was obtained when MS/MS was combined with broadband ion ejection of matrix ions and selected ion isolation. Calibration graphs were constructed from extracted fragment ion mass chromatograms and were found to be linear over the range 0.5-200 pg. Concentrations of total TCDDs and of 2,3,7,8-TCDD were determined for extracts from fish, air and soil; in most cases, the results found by GC/MS/MS were comparable to those obtained by high-resolution MS and triple quadrupole MS.     

生物样品二恶英分析中两个常见干扰峰的鉴定

利用高分辨气相色谱/高分辨质谱联用仪（HRGC/HRMS）和高分辨气相色谱/低分辨质谱仪（HRGC/LRMS）对实际生物样品中二恶英（polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans,PCDD/Fs）的分析过程中¹³C标记的2,3,7,8-四氯代二苯并呋喃（¹³C₁₂-2,3,7,8-TCDF）监测碎片离子通道的两个常见干扰峰进行了分析鉴定。通过实际样品分析结果首先推测这两个干扰峰可能为有机氯农药类化合物滴滴涕（DDT）降解产物滴滴伊（DDE）的两个异构体,其次采用DDE的标准溶液（包括o,p’-DDE和p,p’-DDE）进行分析确认。通过HRGC/HRMS的色谱峰分离效果分析、色谱保留时间匹配以及与DDE碎片离子的理论丰度比进行比较,最终确认实际样品分析中的两个干扰峰依次为o,p’-DDE和p,p’-DDE。本文可为生物样品中二恶英的准确识别提供重要参考。     

Evaluation of multiple alternative instrument platforms for targeted and non‐targeted dioxin and furan analysis

The use of gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution magnetic sector mass spectrometers (GC‐HRMS) is well established for dioxin and furan analysis. However, the use of gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole (MS/MS) and time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) and traditional electron ionization (EI) for dioxin and furan analysis is emerging as a viable alternative to GC‐HRMS screening. These instruments offer greater versatility in the lab for a wider range of compound identification and quantification as well as improved ease of operation. The instruments utilized in this study included 2 API‐MS/MS, 1 traditional EI‐MS/MS, an API‐quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (API‐QTOF), and a EI‐high‐resolution TOF (EI‐HRTOF). This study compared these 5 instruments to a GC‐HRMS using method detection limit (MDLs) samples for dioxin and furan analysis. Each instrument demonstrated acceptable MDL values for the 17 chlorinated dioxin and furans studied. The API‐MS/MS instruments provide the greatest overall improvement in MDL value over the GC‐HRMS with a 1.5 to 2‐fold improvement. The API‐QTOF and EI‐TOF demonstrate slight increases in MDL value as compared with the GC‐HRMS with a 1.5‐fold increase. The 5 instruments studied all demonstrate acceptable MDL values with no MDL for a single congener greater than 5 times that for the GC‐HRMS. All 5 instruments offer a viable alternative to GC‐HRMS for the analysis of dioxins and furans and should be considered when developing new validated methodologies.     

Certification of the contents of five polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (D48, D54, D66, D67, D70), and six polychlorodibenzo-furans (F83, F94, F114, F121, F124, F130) in a fly ash extract (CRM 429)

Summary A fly ash extract was prepared and studied for the homogeneity and the stability (CRM 429) with respect to five polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (D48, D54, D66, D67 and D70) and six polychlorodibenzofurans (F83, F94, F114, F121, F124 and F130). The certification exercise is described; the analytical techniques used for the certification and the quality control guidelines that were followed are also given. The difficulties encountered in the determination of F118 are discussed.Abbreviations CI Confidence interval - CV Coefficient of variation - D48 2,3,7,8-T4CDD - D54 1,2,3,7,8-P5DD - D65 1,2,3,4,6,9-H6CDD - D66 1,2,3,4,7,8-H6CDD - D67 1,2,3,6,7,8-H6CDD - D70 1,2,3,7,8,9-H6CDD - ECD Electron capture detector - FID Flame ionization detector - FT Film thickness - F83 2,3,7,8-T4CDF - F89 1,2,3,4,8-P5CDF - F94 1,2,3,7,8-P5CDF - F114 2,3,4,7,8-P5CDF - F118 1,2,3,4,7,8-H6CDF - F119 1,2,3,4,7,9-H6CDF - F121 1,2,3,6,7,8-H6CDF - F124 1,2,3,7,8,9-H6CDF - F127 1,2,4,6,8,9-H6CDF - F130 2,3,4,6,7,8-H6CDF - GC Gas chromatography - HR High resolution (MS) - H6CDD Hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - H6CDF Hexachlorodibenzofuran - H7CDD Heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - H7CDF Heptachlorodibenzofuran - IR Infra Red spectroscopy - IS Internal standard - LR Low resolution (MS) - MS Mass spectrometry - OCDD Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - OCDF Octachlorodibenzofuran - P5CDD Pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - P5CDF Pentachlorodibenzofuran - PCDD Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - PCDF Polychlorodibenzofuran - RSF Relative sensitivity factor - SIM Selected ion monitoring - T4CDD Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - T4CDF Tetrachlorodibenzofuran     

Structure and Structural Nonrigidity of Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin Radical Cations

Ab initio calculations showed that the tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin radical cations (TCDD RCs) with a planar structure have two steady states with asymmetric dioxin cycles. The activation barriers between these states are up to 2 kcal/mole, so that the RCs may be regarded as being structurally nonrigid within the dioxin cycle. The 2,3,7,8-TCDD RC is more stable than the 1,4,6,9-TCDD RC, the energy difference being 5.2 kcal/mole. The adiabatic ionization potential of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (7.54 eV) is 0.1 eV smaller than the corresponding potential of 1,4,6,9-TCDD. These factors account for the increased hemoproteide affinity and hence increased biological activity of 2,3,7,8-TCDD.     

Determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in commercial chlorophenols and related products

Summary We have recently published a procedure [1] which allows the selective determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the presence of a large excess of other polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF). This method was applied for the determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in several samples of chlorophenols and related products.Analytical results are reported for pentachlorophenol, sodium pentachlorophenate, 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, hexachlorophene, and chloranil. While 2,3,7,8-TCDD could not be detected at a limit of detection of about 0.03 ng/g (ppb) in pentachlorophenol and chloranil, 2,3,7,8-TCDD could be shown to be present in all samples of sodium pentachlorophenate and also in the samples of 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, 2,4-D, and hexachlorophene. With the exception of 2,4-D, the concentration of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in these samples was below 1 ng/g (pbb).

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Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin in handelsüblichen Chlorphenolen und verwandten Produkten

Zusammenfassung Ein von uns beschriebenes Verfahren [1] erlaubt die selektive Abtrennung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD von den übrigen PCDD und PCDF durch Fraktionierung an Alumina Woelm B Super I. Diese Methode wurde nun zur Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD in verschiedenen Proben von Chlorphenolen und verwandten Produkten angewandt.Analysenergebnisse für Pentachlorphenol, Pentachlorphenol-Natrium, 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorphenol, 2,4-Dichlorphenoxyessigsäure, Hexachlorophen und Chloranil werden berichtet. Während in Pentachlorphenol und Chloranil 2,3,7,8-TCDD bei einer Nachweisgrenze von ca. 0,03 ng/g (ppb) nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte, wurde 2,3,7,8-TCDD in allen übrigen Proben nachgewiesen. Mit Ausnahme von 2,4-Dichlorphenoxyessigsäure lagen die Konzentrationen an 2,3,7,8-TCDD unter 1 ng/g (ppb).

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This work was supported by the Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und Forsten, Baden-Württemberg. The skilful technical assistance of Roland Kerzenmacher and Heinz Tichaczek is acknowledged.     

Determination of the enantiomer fraction of PBB 149 by gas chromatography/electron capture negative ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode

Enantioselective determination of the atropisomers of 2,2',3,4',5',6-hexabromobiphenyl (PBB 149) in a purified sample from a bird egg was attempted in this work. By application of the classic method for PBB determination, i.e. gas chromatography coupled to electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-MS) using the bromide ions, the enantiomers interfered with another brominated compound. Subsequent measurements clarified that this interference did not occur in the mass chromatogram of the molecular ion of PBB 149. Therefore, a GC/ECNI tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was developed, based on the fragmentation of [M]-. A suitable precursor-product ion transition was found for m/z 627.5 --> 80 +/- 1.5, representing the most abundant ion trace of the molecular ion and the bromide ions. Optimization of the ion source temperature, the methane gas pressure, and the collision voltages resulted in a robust method that could solve the problem. Subsequent injections of a technical PBB product (Firemaster BP-6) resulted in the anticipated racemic proportion (enantiomer fraction (EF) = 0.50 +/- 0.02 (n = 8)). By contrast, the EF in the purified extract of a bird egg was found to be 0.42 +/- 0.02 (n = 10), indicative of a significant enantioenrichment of the second eluting atropisomer. Additional measurements were performed on a non-chiral column. These measurements allowed for the detection of 16 hexabromobiphenyls (hexa-BBs) in Firemaster BP-6. These comparisons verified that PBB 149 enantiomers did not interfere with an isomer that could falsify the enantiomer fraction in the sample. The novel method using GC/ECNI-MS/MS in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode was eight times more sensitive than application of conventional GC/ECNI-MS selected ion monitoring (SIM) analysis of the molecular ion.     

Theoretical Study on Destruction Mechanism of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by O3 and NO3

In order to improve the destruction effciency of dioxins and also for developing new dioxin control technology, the destruction mechanisms of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodihenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) by O₃ and NO₃, were investigated employing quantum chemical calcula-tions. For involved reactions, the microcosmic reaction processes were analyzed and de-picted in detail based on geometry optimizations made by the B3LYP/6-31G(d) method. At the same time, the reaction activation energies were also calculated at the MP2/6-311G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Configuration analysis indicated that 2,3,7,8-TCDD could be destroyed by O₃ and NO₃ in two different ways. The destruction of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by O₃ proceeded via the addition of O₃ and the cleavage of C=C while the destruction of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by NO₃ proceeded via the substitution of chlorine by NO₃. Calculated re-sults show that, the activation energy of the destruction reaction of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by NO₃ (267.48 kJ/mol) is much larger than that of the destruction reaction of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by O₃ (51.20 kJ/mol). This indicated that the destruction of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by O₃ is much more effcient than that of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by NO₃. The reason why the activation energy for the destruction reaction of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by NO₃ is so large, is also discussed.     

Optimization of solid-phase microextraction for the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of persistent organic pollutants

In this work, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been applied as an alternative for the selective extraction of 3 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47); 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-99); and 2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-100), and 2 alkylphenols, 4-tert-OP and 4-NP, prior to their analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The advantages of this technique are mainly its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and time-saving sample preparation, as well as being a solvent-free technique. With the aim of optimizing the conditions for an efficient extraction of the studied compounds, different fiber coatings and the main parameters affecting the extraction procedure have been evaluated. The results obtained showed a good linearity in the range of concentrations investigated, and adequate relative standard deviation values were found according to the range accepted for SPME. Recovery values were in the range of 78-108%, and good detection and quantitation limits at ppt levels were obtained for both methods, allowing the determination of the selected compounds in samples at trace levels. The results obtained clearly show the potential of SPME for efficient concentration of the target compounds and also demonstrate the reliability of this extraction technique for their GC/MS analysis.     

Comparison of series 5 gas chromatography column performances from a variety of manufacturers for separation of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans using high-resolution mass spectrometry

An extended study of seven fused silica capillary gas chromatographic (GC) columns has been conducted with regard to separation of international toxic equivalent factor (I-TEF) isomers (tetra- through octa-chlorinated at 2,3,7,8 positions) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) from closely co-eluted other isomers using high-resolution gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS). The data are explicated in mass chromatograms of Series 5 GC columns from a variety of manufacturers (Varian CP-Sil 8 CB LowBleed/MS, Phenomenex ZB-5UMS, Agilent HP-5MS, Restek Rtx-5MS, Supelco Equity-5, J&W Scientific DB-5 and DB-5MS), according to relative retention times, and 2,3,7,8-substituted isomer concentrations for each of the columns tested. Results showed differences between 5% phenyl methyl silicone and 5% silphenylene (Si-arylene) silicone polymer type GC stationary phases in separation of 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs/PCDFs from closely co-eluted isomers. The separation differences for Si-arylene type columns resulted in lower toxic equivalence (TEQ) values compared to the siloxane-based columns. Because of differences in product nomenclature and manufacturing practices by various manufacturers, incorrect assumptions and comparisons may be made regarding the interchangeability of these columns for PCCD/PCDF separations. The data presented are the most comprehensive to date and provide a valuable addition to operational criteria for the standard US Environmental Protection Agency methods 1613b and 8290.     

Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometric Detection (GC × GC/MS) Applied to the Analysis of Petroleum

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection (GC × GC/MS) is a three-dimensional analytical method. In its application to petroleum analysis, the high peak capacity of GC × GC produced chromatographic resolution of over 750 peaks from a marine diesel fuel. The MS detector provided a full-scan mass spectrum for each resolved peak. The integration of an MS detector with GC × GC provides increased capability to identify minor components, determine members of homologous series, and characterize ordered peak patterns of related components that are visible in the GC × GC chromatogram.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin from sediment samples

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a promising technique for the extraction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) from environmental matrices such as contaminated sediments. The ability of SFE to solubilize many organic contaminants is well documented in industrial processes but its analytical applications were exploited just recently. In this study supercritical carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide and their mixtures with 2% methanol were used to extract 2,3,7,8-TCDD from aquatic sediments. An attractive feature of this process is that the carbon dioxide, being a virtually inert fluid, leaves no solvent residue on the processed sediment. Almost 100% of the 2,3,7,8-TCDD can be extracted from a sediment spiked with 200 μg/kg 2,3,7,8-TCDD in 30 minutes by using supercritical carbon dioxide + 2% methanol. Cleanup procedure is compared with the Soxhlet extraction procedure currently used as a standard method for extracting dioxins from sediment samples.     

A post-modification approach to independent compo-nent analysis for resolution of overlapping GC/MS signals: from independent components to chemical components

Independent component analysis (ICA) has demonstrated its power to extract mass spectra from over-lapping GC/MS signal. However, there is still a problem that mass spectra with negative peaks at some m/z will be obtained in the resolved results when there are overlapping peaks in the mass spectra of a mixture. Based on a detail theoretical analysis of the preconditions for ICA and the non-negative property of GC/MS signals, a post-modification based on chemical knowledge (PMBK) strategy is pro-posed to solve this problem. By both simulated and experimental GC/MS signals, it was proved that the PMBK strategy can improve the resolution effectively.     

大体积进样技术在气相色谱-质谱法测定 二英类化合物中的应用

利用大体积进样技术(large volume injection,LVI),结合气相色谱-质谱方法对二英的测定效果进行了研究。同时与传统分流/不分流进样技术进行了对比。对进样体积为1,5,10,25,50和100 μL的色谱图进行了分析。研究表明使用大体积进样方式,在不影响色谱分离度的同时,大幅度提高了分析灵敏度。通过对土壤样品的检测,证明该方法可以用于环境样品的实际测定。     

Selective determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the presence of a large excess of other polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans

Summary A procedure is described for the selective separation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from all other PCDDs and PCDFs. For this purpose the mixture of PCDDs and PCDFs is fractionated on Alumina Woelm B Super I in such a manner that all PCDDs and PCDFs are eluted prior to 2,3,7,8-TCDD. This procedure allows a more sensitive quantitative determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in samples which contain 2,3,7,8-TCDD only as a very minor fraction of the other TCDDs or PCDDs and PCDFs. Determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in pentachlorophenol and in a waste sample from 2,4-dichlorophenol production by this procedure is described.

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Selektive Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin in Gegenwart eines großen Überschusses anderer polychlorierter Dibenzodioxine und polychlorierter Dibenzofurane

Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren wird beschrieben, das die selektive Abtrennung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD aus einer Mischung von allen PCDDs und PCDFs erlaubt. Dies geschieht durch Fraktionierung an Alumina Woelm B Super I, wodurch eine getrennte Elution aller PCDDs und PCDFs von 2,3,7,8-TCDD erreicht werden kann. Dieses Verfahren erlaubt die quantitative Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD mit höherer Nachweisempfindlichkeit in Proben, die andere TCDDs bzw. PCDDs und PCDFs in extremen Überschüssen im Vergleich zu 2,3,7,8-TCDD enthalten. Am Beispiel der Bestimmung von 2,3,7,8-TCDD in Pentachlorphenol und in einem Produktionsrückstand von 2,4-Dichlorphenol wird die praktische Anwendbarkeit nachgewiesen.

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This work was supported by the Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und Forsten, Baden-Württemberg.The skilfull technical assistance of Roland Kerzenmacher is acknowledged.     

PTV-LV-GC/MS/MS as screening and complementary method to HRMS for the monitoring of dioxin levels in food and feed

Recent developments in trapping efficiency inside ion trap mass spectrometer permitted to lower instrument detection limit (IDL). An IDL of 200 fg μl⁻¹ injected with a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1 for tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was obtained by gas chromatography coupled to a quadrupole ion storage mass spectrometer in tandem mode (GC/MS/MS). Coupling large volume programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV-LV) injection to GC/MS/MS provides an alternative and complementary method to classical splitless-GC injection connected to high-resolution mass spectrometry (splitless-GC/HRMS) method for dioxin monitoring in food and feed.

An injection volume of 10 μl was found to be the best compromise between the sensitivity requirements and the robustness required for a high throughput method. PTV-LV-GC/MS/MS and Splitless-GC/HRMS were compared by performing analysis on five different matrices such as beef fat, yolk eggs, milk powder, animal feed and serum samples covering a concentration range of two orders of magnitude (i.e. 0.2–25 ng WHO-TEQ kg⁻¹). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out. Fisher tests pointed out that the method effect for all the 2,3,7,8 congeners was not significant, indicating that the null hypothesis (H₀: μ₁=μ₂=…=μ_n) was not rejected. Moreover, the interaction effects between methods and matrices were not significant for most of the 2,3,7,8 congeners. However, three congeners (2,3,7,8-TCDF; 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD) were characterized by P-values lower than the significance level (=0.05). In toxic equivalence (TEQ), the study showed that no significant bias was observed between the two methods. Consequently, PTV-LV-GC/MS/MS is an attractive technique and can be used as a cost effective complementary method to HRMS for dioxin levels monitoring in food and feed.