Determination of aflatoxins in olive oil by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric with electrospray ionization (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method for determining the four naturally occurring aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1, and G2 in olive oil is proposed. AFs were extracted from oil sample by means of matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPDE), utilizing C18 as dispersing material. No further purification step, such as lipid removal, was performed. Aflatoxin M1, the hepatic metabolite of AFB1, was employed as internal standard. Olive oil extract was analyzed by LC/ESI-MS/MS in positive ionization mode, with multireaction monitoring acquisition. Due to a signal suppression ranging between 4 and 23%, quantitation was performed by matrix-matched calibration curves. The regression line coefficients of determination were above 0.9991. Sample recoveries ranged from 92 to 107%, with relative standard deviations below 13% for spiking levels between 0.5 and 5 ng g⁻¹; method quantification limits ranged between 0.04 and 0.12 ng g⁻¹. The developed LC/ESI-MS/MS method, although not as sensitive as LC coupled to fluorescence detection, is rapid, selective, accurate and precise, thus it can be used as confirmatory assay. The MSPDE appears suitable for application to other oleaginous matrices and for multiresidue investigation.     

Determination of benzophenones in human placental tissue samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Benzophenones (BPs) are a family of compounds widely used to protect the skin and hair from UV irradiation. Despite human exposure to BPs through dermal application of products containing sunscreen agents and the increasing evidence that BPs are able to interfere with endocrine systems, few studies have examined the occurrence of BPs in humans. In this work, we propose a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine six BPs, namely, benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), benzophenone-6 (BP-6), benzophenone-8 (BP-8) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) in human placental tissue samples. The method involves an extraction step of the analytes from the samples using ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step using centrifugation prior to their quantification by LC-MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the positive mode. Benzophenone-d₁₀ (BP-d₁₀) was used as surrogate. Found detection limits (LOD) ranged from 0.07 to 0.3 ng g⁻¹ and quantification limits (LOQ) from 0.3 to 1.0 ng g⁻¹, while inter- and intra-day variability was under 5%. The method was validated using standard addition calibration and a recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 98 to 104%. This method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of BPs in 16 placental tissue samples collected from women who live in Granada (Spain).     

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.     

Simultaneous pressurized liquid extraction and clean-up for the analysis of polybrominated biphenyls by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes a fast and simple pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) method combined with gas chromatography coupled to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) for the determination of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in fish samples. The method is based on a simultaneous extraction/clean-up step to reduce analysis time and solvent consumption. The effect of several PLE operating conditions, such as solvent type, extraction temperature and time, number of cycles, and lipid retainer, was optimized to obtain maximum recovery of the analytes with the minimum presence of matrix-interfering compounds. The best conditions were obtained at 100 °C with n-hexane using 15 g of silica modified with sulphuric acid (44%, w/w) as sorbent for lipid removal. Quality parameters of the GC-ITMS-MS method were established, achieving good linearity (r > 0.998), between 1 and 500 ng ml⁻¹, and low instrumental limits of detection (0.14-0.76 pg injected). For the whole method, limits of detection ranging from 0.03 to 0.16 ng g⁻¹ wet weight and good precision (RSD < 16%) were obtained.     

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.     

A new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of parabens in human placental tissue samples

Endocrine disruptors are a group of organic compounds widely used, which are ubiquitous in the environment and in biological samples. The main effect of these compounds is associated with their ability to mimic or block the action of natural hormones in living organisms, including humans. Parabens (esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) belong to this group of compounds. In this work, we propose a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to asses the presence of parabens most commonly used in industrial applications (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl-paraben) in samples of human placental tissue. The method involves the extraction of the analytes from the samples using ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step using centrifugation prior to their quantification by LC-MS/MS using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface in the negative mode. Deuterated bisphenol A (BPA-d₁₆) was used as surrogate. Found detection limits (LOD) ranged from 0.03 to 0.06 ng g⁻¹ and quantification limits (LOQ) from 0.1 to 0.2 ng g⁻¹, while inter- and intra-day variability was under 13.8%. The method was validated using standard addition calibration and a spike recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 82% to 108%. This method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of parabens in 50 placental tissue samples collected from women who live in the province of Granada (Spain).     

Multi-class determination of around 50 pharmaceuticals, including 26 antibiotics, in environmental and wastewater samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-class method for the simultaneous quantification and confirmation of 47 pharmaceuticals in environmental and wastewater samples has been developed. The target list of analytes included analgesic and anti-inflammatories, cholesterol lowering statin drugs and lipid regulators, antidepressants, anti-ulcer agents, psychiatric drugs, ansiolitics, cardiovasculars and a high number (26) of antibiotics from different chemical groups. A common pre-concentration step based on solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridges was applied, followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) measurement. All compounds were satisfactorily determined in just one single injection, with a chromatographic run time of only 10 min. The process efficiency (combination of the matrix effect and the extraction process recovery) for the 47 selected compounds was evaluated in nine effluent wastewater (EWW) samples, and the use of different isotope-labelled internal standards (ILIS) was investigated to correct unsatisfactory values. Up to 12 ILIS were evaluated in EWW and surface water (SW). As expected, the ILIS provided satisfactory correction for their own analytes. However, the use of these ILIS for the rest of pharmaceuticals was problematic in some cases. Despite this fact, the correction with analogues ILIS was found useful for most of analytes in EWW, while was not strictly required in the SW tested. The method was successfully validated in SW and EWW at low concentration levels, as expected for pharmaceuticals in these matrices (0.025, 0.1 and 0.5 μg/L in SW; 0.1 and 0.5 μg/L in EWW). With only a few exceptions, the instrumental limits of detection varied between 0.1 and 8 pg. The limits of quantification were estimated from sample chromatograms at the lowest spiked levels tested and normally were below 20 ng/L for SW and below 50 ng/L for EWW. The developed method was applied to the analysis of around forty water samples (river waters and effluent wastewaters) from the Spanish Mediterranean region. Almost all the pharmaceuticals selected in this work were detected, mainly in effluent wastewater. In both matrices, analgesics and anti-inflammatories, lipid regulators and quinolone antibiotics were the most detected groups.     

Quantification of human pharmaceuticals in water samples by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An improved analytical method for determination of human pharmaceuticals in natural and wastewaters with ng L⁻¹ sensitivity is presented. The method is applicable to pharmaceuticals from a wide range of therapeutic classes including antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and anti-cancer compounds. Pharmaceuticals were extracted from waters using solid-phase extraction, and after concentration, analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-MS/MS). Identification of each compound was secured using retention time and by the selected reaction monitoring of two transitions, one of which was additionally used for quantification. Limits of detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.96 ng L⁻¹ and were up to two orders of magnitude lower than those of previously published methods. The method was validated using spiked samples prepared from tap, river and sea water as well as wastewater effluents, collected from the North of Scotland. Analysis of wastewater effluents revealed the presence of mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, erythromycin, diclofenac and trimethoprim. None of the selected pharmaceuticals were detected in river, tap or sea water samples.     

Tryptic peptide analysis of protein binders in works of art by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A proteomics approach was used for the identification of protein binders in historical paints: the proteins were digested enzymatically into peptides using trypsin before being separated and detected by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Mascot (Matrix Science) was used to analyse the resulting data and for protein identification. In contrast to amino acid analysis, amino acid sequences could be studied that retain much more information about the proteins. The best extraction strategy was selected based on the number of peptides that were identified in the protein content of paint replicas using different methods. The influence of pigments on the extraction method was studied and the analytical characteristics of the selected method were determined. Finally this method was applied to historical paint microsamples on the anonymous early 15th century panel painting Crucifixion with St Catherine and St Barbara (Calvary of the Tanners), the St Catherine Altarpiece by Joes Beyaert (c. 1479) and two paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Younger (1617-1628).     

Rapid simultaneous determination of major type A- and B-trichothecenes as well as zearalenone in maize by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of the Fusarium mycotoxins nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon-X, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, the sum of 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, diacetoxy-scirpenol, HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone in maize has been developed using gradient RP-LC with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS/MS). Swift clean-up of maize samples was performed with MycoSep #226 columns. Quantification of zearalenone was performed with zearalanone as internal standard (IS), while no IS was used for the trichothecenes. Detection of the mycotoxins was carried out in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Method performance characteristics were estimated after analysis of spiked blank maize samples. Calibration curves were linear between 10 and 1000 microg/kg and the limits of detection ranged from 0.3 to 3.8 microg/kg depending on the mycotoxin. Moreover, the accuracy of the method was confirmed by comparing analytical data to certified values from reference materials for deoxynivalenol and zearalenone.     

Solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of hydroxylated benzophenone UV absorbers in environmental water samples

A procedure for the determination of six derivatives of 2-hydroxybenzophenone, used as UV absorbers, in water samples is presented. Compounds were first concentrated using a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and then selectively determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI). The effect of different parameters on the performance of concentration and determination steps is discussed. The highly polar and acidic 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid (BP-4) required the use of ammonium acetate as modifier during desorption of SPE cartridges and also to improve the performance of its separation in the LC column. Under optimized conditions, the proposed method provided limits of quantification from less than 1 to 32 ng L⁻¹, depending on the compound and the type of water sample. Recoveries from the SPE step (83-105%) remained unaffected by the nature of the matrix; however, the efficiency of electrospray ionization was compound and sample dependant. Real sample analysis reflected the presence of three of the six investigated species (BP-4, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, BP-3, and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, BP-1) in the aquatic environment, particularly in raw wastewater samples. In this latter matrix, BP-4 was the compound presenting the highest concentrations; moreover, it was poorly removed in sewage treatment plants and consequently it also appeared in river water.     

Simultaneous quantitation of 17 female sex hormones in illegal products by validated liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods

The consumption of food and drugs adulterated with female sex hormones can have an extremely adverse effect on human health. Therefore, developing appropriate monitoring methods for the identification of various exogenous female sex hormones is crucial for minimizing and eliminating the related health risks. Herein, 17 female hormones categorized into two groups: estrogen and progestin, were analyzed using reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap or triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The fragmentation patterns for all compounds were discovered, and fragmented structures were also derived from them through liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry followed by qualitative sample analysis. In addition, a quantitative analysis of 67 samples of illicit drugs and dietary supplements was performed using the validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Female hormone components were detected in two samples of an unauthorized injectable solution and a tablet-type drug. Medroxyprogesterone was detected in the samples in the range of 96.4–206 ng/g. Notably, eight components similar in structure to steroids were simultaneously detected as male sex hormones by confirming their fragmentation ion patterns using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry. The developed methods thus offer a dependable and practically applicable approach for the screening and detection of exogenous female sex hormones in real food and drug samples to ensure public health.     

Drugs of abuse and their metabolites in waste and surface waters by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (SPE/LC‐MS‐MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of nicotine, five drugs of abuse (morphine, cocaine, codeine, methadone, and 2‐ethylidene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine) and four metabolites (dihydrocodeine, 6‐acetylmorphine, 11‐nor‐carboxy‐Δ⁹‐tetrahydrocannabinol, and benzoylecgonine) in water samples. A Fused‐Core? particle column was used as an alternative to sub‐2‐μm particles in chromatographic separations to work with low backpressures and high efficiencies in short analysis times. Drugs were extracted from waste and surface water with SPE using Oasis MCX cartridges. Electrospray (ESI) in positive and negative mode and tandem MS selected reaction monitoring mode were used for identification and quantification. Calibration by linear regression analysis with deuterated internal standards was used to compensate the matrix effects. Limits of detection were found as low as 0.5–1 ng/L (surface water) and 1–50 ng/L (wastewater). The method was applied to the analysis of different kinds of samples. Wastewater from a sewage treatment plant was collected from three sampling points (after primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments) for a week. The analysis of the samples revealed a significant presence of these drugs in samples from primary treatments, where maximum concentrations of nicotine (1105 ng/L) and benzoylecgonine (3336 ng/L) were found. Most of the compounds showed values between 相似文献   

High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine in brain and plasma

Interest has increased in the role of N-acyl amino acids in a variety of disease states and as potential pharmacotherapies. Recently, N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine have shown promise in reducing the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and alleviating withdrawal signs in rodent models. Previously published methods for the quantitation of these analytes by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) in tissue were part of extensive lipidomic panels which may result in limited sensitivity and selectivity and also reported low recovery. Presented is a method for the extraction and HPLC-MS/MS analysis of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine. The bias and precision of the assay were determined to be within ± 20%. The method was shown to be reliable and robust, with over 90% recovery for the low-level analytes. Increasing concentrations of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine were quantitated in mouse brain and plasma following exogenous administration. This method was developed to serve to support studies investigating the pharmacokinetics and involvement of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine in drug dependence and other diseases.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定毛发中的司坦唑醇

采用液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)建立了毛发中司坦唑醇的分析方法,并将其应用于单次给药动物实验中的动物毛样品分析。将10 mg样品碱水解后加入戊烷提取,然后进行LC-MS/MS分析,采用正离子电喷雾电离、多反应监测模式测定,方法的最低定量限为25 pg/mg。剃去豚鼠背部中央的毛,以60 mg/kg的剂量于豚鼠腹腔注射司坦唑醇,然后隔天在同一部位剃取其毛,两周内该豚鼠毛中均能检出司坦唑醇;给药后豚鼠毛中司坦唑醇的含量在第1周内保持稳定,在给药后第10天达到峰值。所建立的方法毛发取样量少,特异性强,灵敏度高,适用于毛发中司坦唑醇的分析。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测水产品中15种喹诺酮类药物残留量

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱技术同时检测水产品中15种喹诺酮类药物(氟罗沙星、氧氟沙星、依诺沙星、诺氟沙星、环丙沙星、恩诺沙星、洛关沙星、单诺沙星、奥比沙星、双氟沙星、沙拉沙星、司帕沙星、口恶喹酸、萘啶酸、氟甲喹)残留量的方法.试样中残留的喹诺酮类药物采用乙腈提取,提取液经正已烷液液分配脱脂后,以强阳离子固相萃取小柱净化,液相色谱.串联质谱法测定.对液/质分离条件与样品前处理条件进行了优化,并对喹诺酮类药物在分析过程的稳定性进行了研究.15种喹诺酮类药物在1.0～100 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9924～0.9992.在0.002～0.04 mg/kg浓度范围内,平均加标回收率在79.9%～93.8%;相对标准偏差为4.8%～14.6%.方法可满足水产品中喹诺酮类药物多残留检测与确证的需要.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测红葡萄酒中功效成分

建立了高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定葡萄酒中白藜芦醇、黄酮类、多酚类功效成分的分析方法。葡萄酒样品直接稀释后进样,用C18柱进行分离,以乙腈-0.1%(体积分数)甲酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,通过多反应监测(MRM)模式进行检测。13种功效成分在各自线性范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数均大于0.99。除表没食子儿茶素、没食子儿茶素、儿茶素没食子酸酯、花旗松素的检出限为1.0、1.0、3.0、3.0μg/L外,其他9种化合物的检出限均小于1.0μg/L。回收率为80.9%~112.3%,相对标准偏差小于10%。该方法快速、准确、灵敏度高,适用于葡萄酒中功效成分的快速分析。对实际样品的检测表明,所测葡萄酒样品中均含有儿茶素、表儿茶素、表没食子儿茶素、没食子儿茶素、表儿茶素没食子酸酯/儿茶素没食子酸酯、白藜芦醇、大豆黄素等功效成分,不同品种葡萄酒中这些功效成分含量差异显著。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定水环境中的十氯酮

建立了分析测定水环境中十氯酮的液相色谱-串联质谱法。水样经液液萃取、净化后,采用Eclipse plus C18柱（100 mm×2.1 mm,3.5 μm）分离,乙腈和水为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在电喷雾负离子多反应监测模式下进行检测,同位素内标法定量。结果表明：采用液相色谱-质谱联用技术,证实了十氯酮在甲醇中以半缩醛的形式存在,而在丙酮/乙腈中以偕二醇的形式存在。由于十氯酮极性较强,在净化时难以洗脱,并且不耐酸,所以不能与其他有机氯农药一起分析。十氯酮在5~100 μg/L范围有良好的线性关系,相关系数r²=0.999,检出限及定量限分别为0.70 ng/L和2.8 ng/L;在5、40和100 ng/L 3个浓度添加水平的平均回收率为95.1%~98.9%,相对标准偏差为3.85%~4.72%。本方法具有良好的灵敏度、回收率和重现性,适用于水环境中十氯酮的测定。     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测牛奶中头孢洛宁残留

建立了牛奶中头孢洛宁残留检测的高效液相色谱-串联质谱方法。1 g牛奶经乙腈沉淀蛋白质后,上清液于37 ℃水浴下氮气吹干,用1 mL甲醇-0.1%甲酸水溶液（3：7,v/v）复溶,正己烷除脂净化后检测。流动相为乙腈和0.1%甲酸水溶液,梯度洗脱,经C₁₈色谱柱分离,采用多反应监测正离子模式对头孢洛宁进行定性定量分析。采用基质匹配法对牛奶中头孢洛宁的含量进行标准校正,在2~200 μg/L范围内,头孢洛宁质量浓度与其对应峰面积的线性关系良好,相关系数>0.999。牛奶中加标样品的检出限（按S/N≥3计）为0.5 μg/kg,定量限（S/N≥10计）为2 μg/kg。在定量限、1/2最高残留限量、最高残留限量、2倍最高残留限量添加水平下,牛奶中头孢洛宁的平均回收率为78.5%~86.2%,日内相对标准偏差为1.5%~6.2%,日间相对标准偏差为2.9%~5.6%。该方法可用于牛奶中头孢洛宁的残留检测。     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测牛奶中多种苯并咪唑兽药残留

采用正交试验优化的QuEChERS方法处理样品,建立了牛奶中包括前体药物和代谢物在内12种苯并咪唑类(BZs)兽药残留的高效液相色谱-串联质谱检测方法.方法在1～500μg/kg范围内线性良好,相关系数为0.9980～0.9996,平均回收率72.4%～108.3%,RSD为1.4%～9.7%,检出限低于0.5μg/k...