Comparative evaluation of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry versus gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of hexabromocyclododecanes and their degradation products in indoor dust

Domestic and office dust samples (n=37) were analyzed for hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) using gas chromatography-electron-capture negative ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-ECNI/MS) and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS). To determine the best method to quantify HBCDs using GC-ECNI/MS, BDE 128 was used as internal standard (I.S.) in all samples, while 13C-labeled alpha-HBCD was used as I.S. in some samples. Total HBCD concentrations (sum of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HBCD diastereomers) were calculated using response factors (RFs) for alpha- and gamma-HBCD as individual diastereomers and using an average RF for both diastereomers. Statistical comparison showed that concentrations obtained via GC-ECNI/MS were statistically indistinguishable (p>0.05) from those obtained using LC-ESI/MS/MS. The closest match between the two techniques was obtained using [13C]alpha-HBCD as I.S. and the average RF for alpha- and gamma-HBCDs. Excellent linear correlations (Pearson coefficient values r>0.9) were obtained between the GC-ECNI/MS and LC-ESI/MS/MS results, with slopes ranging from 0.76 to 1.36. Pentabromocyclododecenes (four isomers) and tetrabromocyclododecadienes (two isomers) were detected in the studied samples and were identified as degradation products of HBCDs after separation from the parent compound on the basis of both retention time and mass spectrum. This finding suggests that the elimination of HBr is the major degradation pathway for HBCDs in dust.     

Analysis of aspartyl peptide degradation products by high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A reversed-phase HPLC method for the analysis of degradation products of the model aspartyl tripeptides Phe-Asp-GlyNH2 and Gly-Asp-PheNH2 after incubation at pH 2 and 10 was developed. Most of the compounds could be separated with a gradient of acetonitrile in water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Resolution of the isomeric pairs L-Phe-alpha-L-Asp-GlyNH2/L-Phe-beta-L-Asp-GlyNH2 and L-Phe-alpha-D-Asp-GlyOH/L-Phe-beta-D-Asp-GlyOH was achieved with a gradient of acetonitrile in phosphate buffer, pH 5.0. Under acidic conditions the major degradation pathway was cleavage of the peptide backbone amide bonds yielding dipeptides and amino acids, C-terminal deamidation as well as formation of succidinimyl peptides. At alkaline pH both deamidation of the C-terminal amide as well as isomerization and concomitant enantiomerization of Asp were observed. The peaks were identified both by reference substances and by online electrospray mass spectrometry. The results were compared to a previous developed capillary electrophoresis method. Diastereomeric pairs ofpeptides that could not be separated by capillary electrophoresis were resolved by HPLC while the separation of corresponding pairs of alpha- and beta-Asp peptides was not always achieved by HPLC in contrast to capillary electrophoresis illustrating that both techniques can be complimentary in peptide analysis.     

液相色谱-质谱法测定水中的苯胺

按照HJ68-2010,建立了液相色谱-质谱法测定水中苯胺的方法.在优化条件后,该方法展示了优异的性能:(a)在10～ 200μg/L范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数R为0.9997; (b)与其它方法相比,有较低的检出限,检出限仅为2.0μg/L;(c)精密度和准确度较好,相对标准偏差RSD<6%,空白水样加标回收...     

毛细管电泳结合高效液相色谱-质谱用于天然产物活性成分的筛选

发展了毛细管电泳(CE)和高效液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-MS)相结合的用于天然产物中活性成分筛选和鉴定的方法。该方法中,用HPLC半制备柱对天然产物粗提物进行分离纯化,再用CE对HPLC纯化后的组分进行活性测试。根据HPLC-MS/MS提供的二级质谱数据,即可确定活性成分的化学结构。以乙酰胆碱酯酶为实验模型,对我们发展的筛选方法进行了验证。从黄连粗提物中确定了药根碱、巴马汀等7种活性成分,并通过CE测定了它们的半抑制率(IC₅₀)值。与传统的天然产物分离纯化和活性筛选方法相比,该方法具有简单、微量、快速、准确的优点。本文建立的方法为天然产物粗提物中活性成分的筛选提供了新技术。     

High precision procedure for determination of selected herbicides and their degradation products in drinking water by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

For target monitoring of selected herbicides in groundwater transport studies, a precise and accurate method for the determination of atrazine (ATR), desethylatrazine (DEAT) and 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) was developed. The method is based on solid-phase extraction and GC-MS analysis. Deuterated standards are used as surrogates for calibration by the overall procedure. For legal requirements the method described was validated and is regularly subject to external quality control. Typical limits of detection are 2 ng/l. Uncertainty contributions were evaluated using the GUM workbench modelling software. At the concentration level of interest (100 ng/l), an expanded uncertainty of no more than 10% was estimated. Accurate data on the distribution of ATR, DEAT and BAM in affected well fields enabled operational changes to be implemented to control the drinking water supply according to legal requirements.     

超高效液相色谱-质谱联用法与气相色谱-质谱联用法分析水性印油印记的主要成分

应用超高效液相色谱-质谱联用技术(UHPLC-MS)与气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS),对环保水性印油中的主要成分(主要颜料与挥发性物质)进行了定性分析。通过超声提取与离心对样品进行预处理后,在ZORBAX Eclipse Plus Phenyl-Hexyl (50 mm×4.6 mm, 1.8 μm)液相色谱柱,15 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液-乙腈为流动相,在UHPLC-MS负离子电喷雾电离条件下以选择离子监测模式定性分析染料及颜料;采用HP-INNOWAX (30 m×0.25 mm, 0.25 μm)气相色谱柱进行GC-MS全扫描,定性分析挥发性物质。研究确认水性印油中的主要颜料成分是酸性红R、水溶曙红Y与颜料红112,主要挥发性物质是甘油、1,2-丙二醇等。本方法快速、准确,可以满足物证鉴定工作中对印记的检测需要,有助于法庭科学中对印油印记的种类区分。     

Separation of peroxidation products of diacyl-phosphatidylcholines by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Lipid peroxidation process has attracted much attention due to the growing evidence of its involvement in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. The monitoring of the lipid peroxidation products in phospholipids, formed under oxidative stress conditions, may provide new markers for oxidative stress signaling and for disease states, giving new insights in the pathogenesis process. Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method coupled to mass spectrometry was developed for the separation of oxidized glycero-phosphatidylcholine (GPC) peroxidation products formed by the Fenton reaction that mimic in vivo oxidative stress conditions. The LC-MS conditions were applied for the separation of peroxidation products of oleoyl- (POPC), lineloyl- (PLPC) and arachidonoyl-palmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (PAPC). The peroxidation products separated included products resulting from the insertion of oxygen atoms in the sn-2 chain (long-chain), and products with the sn-2 chain shortened resulting from cleavage of oxygen-centered radicals (short-chain). Among long-chain products were the keto, hydroxy, hydroperoxide and poly-hydroxy derivatives, while short-chain products included dicarboxylic acids, aldehydes and hydroxy-aldehydes. Separation of long-chain products formed in each phosphatidylcholine was observed, and the reconstructed ion chromatogram of each ion showed an increase in the number of peaks with the increase in the number of oxygen atoms inserted into the phospholipid. Separation of short-chain products took place according to the functional group present at the sn-2 moiety that allowed the elution of dicarboxylic acids distinct from aldehydes. Separation between isomeric structures that were present in short- and long-chain products was also achieved.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of thermal degradation products of common plastics.

The thermo-oxidation of five commonly used materials, namely low-density polyethylene, retarded polyethylene, paper with a polyethylene foil, a milk package and filled polypropylene, was studied. Capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyze the volatile degradation products, while high-performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The results are discussed from the point of view of toxicity of the products.     

The use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the identification of drug degradation products in pharmaceutical formulations

Recent applications of LC-MS in the analysis of drug degradation products in pharmaceutical formulations are reviewed. Drug degradation products are categorized according to their formation mechanism: oxidation, hydrolysis, dimerization and adduct formation with excipients and packaging materials. The oxidative ring opening and dimerization of an indole derivative are discussed in detail. The examples used in this review clearly demonstrate that LC-MS is a very powerful technique for the analysis of low-level degradates in formulations without the time-consuming isolation process. At the same time, limitations and precaution of using LC-MS techniques for unknown identification are also addressed. In some cases, the LC-MS data could become misleading if the ionization process and gas-phase behavior of the analytes are not well understood.     

Ultrapure water for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry studies

Improvements in trace enrichment techniques combined with the sensitivity of mass spectrometry offer enhanced opportunities to analyze ever lower concentrations of drugs, metabolites, pesticides or environmental pollutants. To perform HPLC and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses under optimum conditions, the water used for mobile phase preparation needs to be highly purified and delivered on demand. Indeed, both UV photodiode array detection and MS detection methods are sensitive to organic contaminants (total organic carbon, TOC), and the water quality has a direct impact on the achievable detection limits. The benefits of UV photooxidation on TOC reduction for LC-MS studies were highlighted using electrospray ionization MS detection by comparing HPLC-grade bottled water, freshly produced UV185/254-treated water, and freshly produced non-UV-treated water.     

Probing new approaches using atmospheric pressure photo ionization for the analysis of brominated flame retardants and their related degradation products by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Atmospheric pressure photo ionisation has been evaluated for the analysis of brominated flame retardants and their related degradation products by LC-MS. Degradation mixtures obtained from the photochemical degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A and decabromodiphenylether were used as model systems for the assessment of the developed methodology. Negative ion mode gave best results for TBBPA and its degradation compounds. [M - H]- ions were formed without the need of using a doping agent. MS and MS/MS experiments allowed the structural identification of new TBBPA "polymeric" degradation compounds formed by attachment of TBBPA moieties and/or their respective cleavage products. In the case of polybromodiphenylethers, the positive mode provided M*+ ions and gave better results for congeners ranging from mono- to pentabromodiphenylethers whereas for higher bromination degrees, the negative ion mode (providing [M - Br + O]- ions) was best suited. Under both positive and negative ionisation modes, the use of toluene as doping agent gave better results. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry by means of atmospheric pressure photo-ionisation was applied to the analysis of aromatic brominated flame retardants and their degradation products. This methodology proved to be particularly useful, for the characterisation and structural identification of some compounds which are not amenable to GC-MS, especially in the case of apolar "polymeric" degradation products of tetrabromobisphenol A investigated in this work.     

Identification of degradation products of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry under both electron impact and methane chemical ionization conditions has been used to detect impurities and degradation products present in the mustard simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, with a detection limit of 0.05 area percent. After one and two years of storage at ambient temperatures, the primary degradation product was 1,4-dithiane formed from the degradation of dimeric sulfonium ions. Oxidation and hydrolysis products were not detected.     

Investigating the presence of pesticide transformation products in water by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with different mass analyzers

Many pesticide transformation products (TPs) can reach environmental waters as a consequence of their normally having a higher polarity than their parent pesticides. This makes the development of analytical methodology for reliable identification and subsequent quantification at the sub-microgram per liter levels necessary, as required under current legislation. In this paper we report the photodegradation of several pesticides frequently detected in environmental waters from the Spanish Mediterranean region using the high-resolution and exact-mass capabilities of hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF MS) hyphenated to liquid chromatography (LC). Once the main photodegradation/hydrolysis products formed in aqueous media were identified, analytical methodology for their simultaneous quantification and reliable identification in real water samples was developed using on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE)-LC-tandem MS with a triple-quadrupole (QqQ) analyzer. The methodology was validated in both ground and surface water samples spiked at the limit of quantification (LOQ) and 10 x LOQ levels, i.e. 50 and 500 ng/l, obtaining satisfactory recoveries and precision for all compounds. Subsequent analysis of ground and surface water samples resulted in the detection of a number of TPs higher than parent pesticides. Additionally, several soil-interstitial water samples collected from the unsaturated zone were analyzed to explore the degradation/transformation of some pesticides in the field using experimental plots equipped with lisimeters. Several TPs were found in these samples, with most of them having also been detected in ground and surface water from the same area. This paper illustrates the extraordinary potential of LC-MS(/MS) with QTOF and QqQ analyzers for qualitative/structural and quantitative analysis, respectively, offering analytical chemists one of the most powerful tools available at present to investigate the presence of pesticide TPs in water.     

Screening for sarin in air and water by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A method of screening air and water samples for the chemical-warfare agent Sarin is developed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS). The SPME field kit sampler is ideal for collecting air and water samples in the field and transporting samples safely to the laboratory. The sampler also allows the sample to be introduced into the GC-MS system without further sample preparation. Results of the tests with Sarin using the SPME technique indicate that a sample collection time of 5 min is sufficient to detect 100 ng/L of Sarin in air. For water samples, Sarin is detected at a concentration of 12 microg/mL or higher. This method is ideal for screening samples for quick response situations.     

Synthesis and determination of dicarboxylic degradation products of nonylphenol polyethoxylates by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The synthesis and determination of persistent dicarboxylic metabolites of alkylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs), carboxyalkyl phenoxy ethoxy carboxylates (CAPECs), are investigated. The synthesized CAPECs have three and four carbon atoms and a carboxyl group in the alkyl chain side, and a carboxymethoxy acid group in its para-position (expressed as CA(3)P1EC and CA(4)P1EC in their abbreviation). The synthesis was successfully accomplished via a four-step reaction sequence that started from 4-fluoroanisole. After propylation by a propanol/acetyl chloride procedure, the derivatives of synthesized CA(3)P1EC and CA(4)P1EC were separated and identified by GC-MS with electron impact ionization (EI). The most abundant characteristic ions were produced by benzylic cleavages of carboxyalkyl chain to yield [M-87](+), corresponding to ions of m/z 235 for CA(3)P1EC and m/z 249 for CA(4)P1EC. Recoveries of synthesized CA(3)P1EC and CA(4)P1EC in various spiked water samples ranged from 82 to 92% with relative standard deviations (RSD) lesser than 7%. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) of CA(3)P1EC and CA(4)P1EC were estimated to be 0.005 and 0.01 microg/l in 100ml of water samples, respectively. The concentrations of CA(4)P1EC residues were detected in the aquatic environment ranging from n.d. to 3.24 microg/l. The results show that the synthesized CA(4)P1EC has been successfully applied to more accurately determine the concentrations of CA(4)P1EC residues in water samples.     

Stability of fluorinated surfactants in advanced oxidation processes--A follow up of degradation products using flow injection-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-multiple stage mass spectrometry

The advanced oxidation process (AOP) reagents ozone (O3), O3/UV, O3/H2O2, and H2O2/Fe2+ (Fenton's reagent) were applied to the anionic and the non-ionic fluorinated surfactants perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and N-ethyl-N-(perfluoroalkyl)-sulfonyl-glycinic acid (HFOSA-glycinic acid) or N-ethyl-N-perfluoroalkyl sulfonylamido-2-ethanol polyethoxylates (NEtFASE-PEG), their methyl ethers (NEtFASE-PEG methyl ether) and partly fluorinated alkyl-ethoxylates (FAEO) dissolved in ultrapure water. To monitor the efficiencies of destruction samples were taken during the treatment period of 120 min. After sample concentration by C18-solid phase extraction (SPE) and desorption MS, coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) or electrospray interface (ESI) was applied for detection. No elimination of PFOS was observed while HFOSA-glycinic acid and AOP treated non-ionic surfactants were eliminated by oxidation. Degradation products could be detected and identified. So PFOS was observed during HFOSA-glycinic acid oxidation. Polyethylene glycols (PEG) and PEG methyl ethers were generated from non-ionic fluorinated surfactants beside their oxidation products--aldehydes and acids--all identified by tandem (MS-MS) or multiple stage mass spectrometry (MSn). AOP treatment of FAEO blend resulted in a mixture of partly fluorinated alcohols, separated and identified using GC-MS.     

Identification of degradation products in loxoprofen sodium adhesive tapes by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and dynamic pressurized liquid extraction-solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Rapid and unambiguous identification of three degradation products (DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3) found in heat-stressed loxoprofen sodium adhesive tapes (Loxonin tapes) was achieved by LC-MS and dynamic pressurized liquid extraction (PLE)-solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled to LC-NMR without complicated isolation or purification processes. The molecular formulae of the degradation products were determined by accurate mass measurements and product ion analyses and on-line hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiments provided information about changes in the degradation of loxoprofen. To compensate for the low sensitivity of NMR, on-line dynamic PLE-SPE was employed and higher concentrations of degradation products trapped on the SPE column were afforded in a shorter time than they would be in such time-consuming sample preparations as pre-concentration after extraction. The loop-storage procedure was used in the LC-NMR analysis to allow the acquisition of the (1)H spectra of the three degradation products in one chromatographic run without affecting the peak separation and to avoid the carry-over of previously eluted DP-1 of high concentration by washing the NMR detection cell prior to the measurement of the DP-2 spectrum. Based on the resulting (1)H NMR spectra in combination with the MS results, DP-1 was successfully identified as an oxidation product having an oxodicarboxylic acid structure formed by the cleavage of the cyclopentanone ring of loxoprofen, DP-2 as a cyclopentanone ring-hydroxylated loxoprofen and DP-3 as a loxoprofen l-menthol ester.     

分散固相萃取-液相色谱-串联质谱法测定农产品中吡氟甲禾灵

应用液相色谱-串联质谱联用技术,建立了农产品中吡氟甲禾灵的分析方法.样品经乙腈提取,无水Mg2SO4和NaCl混合盐盐析,N-丙基乙二胺、C18填料分散固相萃取净化;采用乙腈和5 mmol/L甲酸铵水溶液为流动性,二元梯度洗脱,C18(2.1×150 mm,3.5 μm)色谱柱分离;电喷雾正离子模式采集,多反应监测模式...     

Determination of ink photoinitiators in packaged beverages by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new analytical method, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) techniques, was developed for the determination in packaged food beverages of five ink photoinitiator residues: 2-isopropylthioxanthone (ITX), benzophenone, 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EHDAB), 1-hydroxycyclohexyl-1-phenyl ketone (IRGACURE 184) and ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDAB). Samples were extracted from selected beverages (milk, fruit juices and wine) and relative packagings, using n-hexane and dichloromethane, respectively, purified on solid-phase extraction (SPE) silica gel cartridges, and then analyzed in GC/MS and LC/MS. The recovery percentages, obtained spiking the beverage samples at concentrations of 4 and 10 microgl(-1) with a standard mixture of photoinitiators, were in the range 42-108% (milk), 50-84% (wine), and 48-109% (fruit juices). The repeatability of the method was assessed in all cases by the % of correlation value, that was lower than 19%. The lowest limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs), obtained using GC/MS, were in the range 0.2-1 and 1-5 microgl(-1), respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of forty packaged food beverages (milk, fruit juices and wine samples). The most significant contamination was that of benzophenone, found in all samples in a concentration range of 5-217mugl(-1). Its presence was confirmed by an LC/Atmospheric-Pressure PhotoIonization (APPI)/MS/MS analysis. The photoinitiator (EHDAB) was found in eleven out of forty beverages in a concentration range of 0.13-0.8 microgl(-1). Less important was the ITX contamination, found in three out of forty samples in a range 0.2-0.24 microgl(-1). The work proposes a new method to analyze ink photoinitiator residues in polycoupled carton packaging and in contained food beverages.     

Metabolite identification by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Metabolite identification (Met ID) is important during the early stages of drug discovery and development, as the metabolic products may be pharmacologically active or toxic in nature. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has a towering role in metabolism research.This review discusses current approaches and recent advances in using LC-MS for Met ID. We critically assess and compare various mass spectrometers, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Citing appropriate examples, we cover recent LC and ion sources, isotopic-pattern matching, hydrogen/deuterium-exchange MS, data dependent analyses, MS^E, mass defect filter, 2D and 3D approaches for the elucidation of molecular formula, polarity switching, and background-subtraction and noise-reduction algorithms. A flow chart outlines a comprehensive strategy for Met ID, including a focus on reactive metabolites.