Gas chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (GC-API-MS): Review

Although the coupling of GC/MS with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) has been reported in 1970s, the interest in coupling GC with atmospheric pressure ion source was expanded in the last decade. The demand of a “soft” ion source for preserving highly diagnostic molecular ion is desirable, as compared to the “hard” ionization technique such as electron ionization (EI) in traditional GC/MS, which fragments the molecule in an extensive way. These API sources include atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI), electrospray ionization (ESI) and low temperature plasma (LTP). This review discusses the advantages and drawbacks of this analytical platform. After an introduction in atmospheric pressure ionization the review gives an overview about the history and explains the mechanisms of various atmospheric pressure ionization techniques used in combination with GC such as APCI, APPI, APLI, ESI and LTP. Also new developments made in ion source geometry, ion source miniaturization and multipurpose ion source constructions are discussed and a comparison between GC-FID, GC-EI-MS and GC-API-MS shows the advantages and drawbacks of these techniques. The review ends with an overview of applications realized with GC-API-MS.     

Comparison of the sensitivity of mass spectrometry atmospheric pressure ionization techniques in the analysis of porphyrinoids

The porphyrinoids chemistry is greatly dependent on the data obtained in mass spectrometry. For this reason, it is essential to determine the range of applicability of mass spectrometry ionization methods. In this study, the sensitivity of three different atmospheric pressure ionization techniques, electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization, was tested for several porphyrinods and their metallocomplexes. Electrospray ionization method was shown to be the best ionization technique because of its high sensitivity for derivatives of cyanocobalamin, free‐base corroles and porphyrins. In the case of metallocorroles and metalloporphyrins, atmospheric pressure photoionization with dopant proved to be the most sensitive ionization method. It was also shown that for relatively acidic compounds, particularly for corroles, the negative ion mode provides better sensitivity than the positive ion mode. The results supply a lot of relevant information on the methodology of porphyrinoids analysis carried out by mass spectrometry. The information can be useful in designing future MS or liquid chromatography–MS experiments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Can crude oils be distinguished by different component distribution obtained by laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and evaluated by chemometrics?

Fourteen different crude oil samples were analyzed as collected by mass spectrometry. For two of them the results obtained by means of different techniques, i.e. electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, laser desorption/ionization, were compared. The latter technique leads to the best results: even if unable to give specific information on heteroatom-containing components, it allows a general view to be obtained of the panorama of the oil composition in terms of molecular weight distribution. The statistical evaluation of the mass spectrometry data by multivariate techniques, such as cluster analysis (Average Linkage) and correspondence analysis, allows evidence for the differences and similarities among the crude oils under study.     

Immobilized artificial membrane chromatography coupled with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatographic separations on monolayers of cell membrane phospholipids covalently immobilized to silica particles at high molecular density is used for mimicking solute partitioning into biological membranes that generally correlates with membrane transport. This technique called immobilized artificial membrane chromatography usually employs ultraviolet (UV) detection where a single compound is analyzed in a chromatographic run limiting thereby its throughput for drug discovery applications. For coupling with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry, the phosphate-buffered saline mobile phase was replaced with one that used ammonium acetate as a volatile buffer. While atmospheric pressure chemical ionization accommodated a purely aqueous effluent, interfacing with electrospray ionization required effluent splitting and the addition of an organic modifier (5%, v/v, acetonitrile). Neuropeptide FF antagonists as early-phase drug candidates were used for the comparative evaluation of the methods. Whereas electrospray ionization produced essentially no fragment ions, several compounds involved in our study yielded low-abundance molecular ions with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. The use of mass spectrometry yielded data that correlated well with those obtained by the method employing UV detection. Both atmospheric pressure ionization methods permitted the simultaneous determination of the k'(IAM), capacity factors and, therefore, an increased-throughput ranking of potential new leads emerged from the drug discovery process based on affinity to artificial membranes.     

Comparison of analytical strategies for the chromatographic and mass spectrometric measurement of brominated flame retardants: 1. Polybrominated diphenylethers

The chromatographic and mass spectrometric (MS) behaviors of 49 polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) homologues toward various techniques is investigated. Special attention is paid to chromatographic separation, ionization processes, and signal acquisition modes. Different liquid chromatographic (LC) separation systems and gas chromatographic (GC) temperature program parameters are studied. For LC-MS experiments, the ionization efficiencies of electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) are evaluated. For GC-MS experiments, negative chemical ionization with ammonia as reagent gas as well as negative and positive electron impact (EI) ionization are studied. Thus, fragmentation pathways of PBDEs are investigated, with the main objective being to determine the sensitivity/specificity balance of each tested technique with respect to their potential respective application (parent compound focusing, metabolite identification, and screening of analogue compounds). Finally, performances of the different tested techniques are compared and evaluated in terms of detection limits on standard solutions for each homologue group. In terms of ionization, EI remains the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity with possible complementary applications in MS-MS and high-resolution MS. Nevertheless, APPI appears to be a promising alternative.     

Determination of carotenoids by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: effect of several dopants

Various carotenoids were analyzed by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). Three different techniques to ionize the carotenoids were compared: electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). For all of the carotenoids tested, it was possible to obtain characteristic transitions for their unequivocal identification using each ionization technique. APCI was shown to be a more powerful technique to ionize the carotenoids than ESI or APPI. Transitions to differentiate carotenoids that coelute were determined to distinguish antheraxanthin from astaxanthin and lutein from zeaxanthin. In addition, four dopants were evaluated to improve ionization and enhance the carotenoid signal strength in APPI. These dopants were acetone, toluene, anisole, and chlorobenzene. Carotenoids improved their response in almost all cases when a dopant was used. The use of dopants allowed the enhancement of the carotenoid signals strength up to 178-fold.     

Evaluation of ionization techniques for mass spectrometric detection of contact allergenic hydroperoxides formed by autoxidation of fragrance terpenes

Hydroperoxides formed by autoxidation of common fragrance terpenes are strong allergens and known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a common skin disease caused by low molecular weight chemicals. Until now, no suitable methods for chemical analyses of monoterpene hydroperoxides have been available. Their thermolability prohibits the use of gas chromatography and their low UV-absorption properties do not promote sensitive analytical methods by liquid chromatography based on UV detection. In our study, we have investigated different liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) ionization techniques, electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), for detection of hydroperoxides from linalool and limonene.Flow injection analysis was used to evaluate the three different techniques to ionize the monoterpene hydroperoxides, linalool hydroperoxide and limonene hydroperoxide, by estimating the signal efficacy under experimental conditions for positive and negative ionization modes. The intensities for the species [M+H]+ and [M+H-H2O]+ in positive ionization mode and [M-H]- and [M-H-H2O]- in negative ionization mode were monitored. It was demonstrated that the mobile phase composition and instrumental parameters have major influences on the ionization efficiency of these compounds. ESI and APCI were both found to be appropriate as ionization techniques for detection of the two hydroperoxides. However, APPI was less suitable as ionization technique for the investigated hydroperoxides.     

Comparison of APPI, APCI and ESI for the LC-MS/MS analysis of bezafibrate, cyclophosphamide, enalapril, methotrexate and orlistat in municipal wastewater

The applicability of three different ionization techniques: atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was tested for the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of five target pharmaceuticals (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, bezafibrate, enalapril and orlistat) in wastewater samples. Performance was compared both by flow injection analysis (FIA) and on-column analysis in deionized water and wastewater samples. A column switching technique for the on-line extraction and analysis of water samples was used. For both FIA and on-column analysis, signal intensity and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the target analytes in the three sources were studied. Limits of detection and matrix effects during the analysis of wastewater samples were also investigated. ESI generated significantly larger peak areas and higher S/N ratios than APCI and APPI in FIA and in on-column analysis. ESI was proved to be the most suitable ionization method as it enabled the detection of the five target compounds, whereas APCI and APPI ionized only four compounds.     

Limitations and perspectives in the determination of carbofuran with various liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry interfacing systems

Column liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS) has been widely accepted as the preferred technique for the identification and quantification of polar and thermally labile compounds at trace levels. Over the last decade many different types of LC-MS interfacing techniques have been used for the determination of carbamate pesticides and especially for the N-methylcarbamate carbofuran. This article addresses the difficulties encountered with the various types of LC-MS interface and discusses recent alternatives for the determination of carbofuran. With thermospray and particle beam interfaces the quantification of carbofuran is affected by both the ion source pressure and temperature, whereas quantification using the recently developed atmospheric pressure ionization interfaces, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, electrospray, and ionspray, is less dependent on these parameters.     

Mass spectrometric and tandem mass spectrometric behavior of nitrocatechol glucuronides: A comparison of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and electrospray ionization

The mass spectrometric (MS) and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) behavior of six nitrocatechol-type glucuronides using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was systematically studied, and the effect of operation parameters on the fragmentations are presented. The positive ion APCI- and ESI-MS spectra showed an intense protonated molecule and the respective negative ion spectra a deprotonated molecule with minimal fragmentation. The main fragment ions in the MS/MS spectra of the protonated and deprotonated molecules were [M + H - Glu]+ and [M - H - Glu]-, respectively, formed by the loss of the glucuronide moiety. The measured limits of detection indicated that ESI is a significantly more efficient ionization method than APCI in the negative and positive ion modes for the compounds studied. MS/MS was found to be less sensitive, but more reliable and simple than MS due to the absence of chemical noise.     

Dimerization of ionized 4‐(methyl mercapto)‐phenol during ESI,APCI and APPI mass spectrometry

A novel ion/molecule reaction was observed to occur under electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photo ionization (APPI) conditions, leading to dimerization of ionized 4‐(methyl mercapto)‐phenol followed by fast H^· loss. The reaction is particularly favored during ESI, which suggests that this ion/molecule reaction can occur both in the solution inside the ESI‐charged droplets and in the gas‐phase environment of most other atmospheric pressure ionization techniques. The dimerization reaction is inherent to the electrolytic process during ESI, whereas it is more by ion/molecule chemistry in nature during APCI and APPI. From the tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data, accurate mass measurements, hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, two methyl sulfonium ions appear to be the most likely products of this electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The possible occurrence of this unexpected reaction complicates mass spectral data interpretation and can be misleading in terms of structural assignment as reported herein for 4‐(methyl mercapto)‐phenol. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of underivatized amino acid mixtures using high performance liquid chromatography/dual oscillating nebulizer atmospheric pressure microwave induced plasma ionization-mass spectrometry

A dual oscillating capillary nebulizer (OCN) in conjunction with an atmospheric pressure microwave induced plasma ionization (AP-MIPI) source was applied to the analysis of underivatized amino acid mixtures. It was found that, compared to the single OCN, the dual OCN enhanced the sensitivity of detection several fold. Enhanced sensitivity was compound dependent. For small molecules, such as amino acids, it was 2-5 times more sensitive, while for larger molecules such as peptides it was more than an order of magnitude. The increase in sensitivity was attributed to the enhanced nebulization of the new torch. By using water/ acetonitrile containing 0.1% nonafluoropentanoic acid as the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) mobile phase and a C18 column, all common amino acids were separated and detected. A comparison between the results obtained using microwave induced plasma, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and electrospray ionization (ESI) at flow rates compatible with micro LC (10-100 microL/min) showed a higher sensitivity of detection with the AP-MIPI technique for the analysis of underivatized amino acids.     

Nebulization ionization and desorption ionization analysis of reactive organofunctionalized silanes in nanofilm products

Three different and recently developed desorption ionization techniques, transmission-mode desorption electrospray ionization (TM-DESI), low temperature plasma (LTP) ionization and nano-assisted laser desorption ionization (NALDI), are compared with electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) for the analysis of two nanofilm products (NFPs) for surface coating, which contain hydrolysates and condensates of organo-functionalized silanes. The NFPs were characterized in different states from the liquid phase to the fully formed surface film. The LTP spectra were dominated by the silanes, while the corresponding di-, tri- and tetrasiloxanes were common in ESI, APCI and TM-DESI. This indicates readily condensation of the silanes during the ESI and APCI ionization processes leading to the observed siloxanes. NALDI showed larger siloxane structures than the other techniques, indicating film formation on the NALDI target. Real-time monitoring of the film formation on a glass surface by LTP showed a decreasing abundance of the silanes, while the abundances of the di-, tri and tetrasiloxanes increased significantly within the first 100 s. LTP was superior in showing the non-reacted content of the NFPs, while ESI, APCI and TM-DESI were characterized by artefact formation of siloxanes. NALDI was ideal for showing the siloxane structures of the formed film. The applicabilities of each of the ionization techniques were examined, showing the advantage of utilizing more than one ionization technique for the analysis of reactive species.     

Investigation of chromatographic peak broadening in supercritical fluid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Multimode ionization source allows for switching between different ionization techniques, for example, electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, within a single analysis. Supercritical fluid chromatography can handle a wide polarity range of substances from hydrophilic to lipophilic in a single run and can undoubtedly benefit from versatility of this ion source. Nevertheless, we observed a significant chromatographic peak broadening effect in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mode during supercritical fluid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of volatile flavor compounds with a dual ion source named ESCi (Waters). Surprisingly, this effect was not related to the separation process but was triggered solely by the ion source conditions. Neither of photodiode array detector, electrospray mode nor a dedicated atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source suffered from such a phenomenon. Chromatographic peak profiles of ten test substances obtained with the dual ion source were compared with photodiode array detector data as a reference. The broadening effect was more pronounced for volatile compounds with low polarity. Dependence of peak broadening on the ion source settings was systematically investigated. Tuning of desolvation gas flow and its temperature dramatically reduced peak distortion and increased detection sensitivity.     

血清脂质组学研究中多重离子化液相色谱-质谱方法的比较

系统地比较了3种常用的离子化技术电喷雾电离(ESI)、大气压化学电离(APCI)、大气压光致电离(APPI)对脂类化合物的离子化效率、检测灵敏度和覆盖范围,以探讨多重离子化液相色谱-质谱(LC-MS)方法在血清脂质组学研究中的适用性.血清样本经甲基叔丁基醚萃取后,采用Ascentiss Express C8 色谱柱(150 mm×2.1 mm, 2.7 μm)和二元线性梯度洗脱分离,流动相(A)为乙腈-水(3∶2, V/V, 含0.1%甲酸, 10 mmol/L甲酸铵),B为异丙醇-乙腈(9∶1, V/V, 含0.1%甲酸,10 mmol/L甲酸铵),分别采用ESI、APCI和APPI离子源正、负离子模式进行质谱检测.结果表明,ESI离子源对脂肪酸类、甘油脂类、甘油磷脂类化合物、鞘磷脂类化合物的离子化效率最高,对异戊烯醇脂类化合物的离子化效率与APPI离子源相当,APPI离子源对胆固醇(酯)类化合物的检测灵敏度最高,APCI离子源对各类化合物的检测灵敏度均低于ESI或APPI离子源;采用ESI和APPI离子源相结合的LC-MS脂质组学分析方法可以提高分析方法的整体灵敏度和血清中脂类信息检测的完整性.     

Direct probe CI-MS and APCI-MS for direct materials analysis

Direct probe in vacuo chemical ionization (isobutane CI-MS) and Pyroprobe atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI-MS) are complementary techniques for the analysis of polymeric materials. Both techniques can generally be used to detect residual chemicals and more volatile additives (via thermal desorption), as well as polymeric components (via pyrolysis).Isobutane CI-MS is often a “softer” technique than APCI-MS, giving less background, less fragmentation, and more predictable and reproducible spectra. APCI, on the other hand, provides a higher maximum temperature and a means to carry out sample heating at atmospheric pressure (to simulate TGA). Pyroprobe APCI with high performance instruments has the added features of high resolution mass measurement (to determine atomic compositions) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS, to obtain fragmentation patterns).     

Evaluation of a dual electrospray ionization/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source at low flow rates (∼50 µL/min) for the analysis of both highly and weakly polar compounds

The atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source for a commercial mass spectrometer was modified to operate as a dual source in both the electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) techniques by simultaneously utilizing the electrospray probe and the corona discharge needle. A switching box was designed to operate in either manual or programmable modes to permit rapid switching between ionization techniques without changing sources, probes, or breaking vacuum. The source can be operated using the following ionization techniques: ESI only, APCI only, ESI/APCI simultaneously, and ESI/APCI alternatingly. The optimum operating conditions for these ionization techniques were similar to the manufacturer’s original specifications except that the APCI flow rate was lower (～50 µL/min versus 1000 µL/min) and externally heated nebulizing gas was found to be desirable. A four-component mixture, introduced by flow injection, was used to demonstrate the versatility of the dual ESI/APCI source.     

Thin‐layer chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled using proximal probe thermal desorption with electrospray or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

An atmospheric pressure proximal probe thermal desorption sampling method coupled with secondary ionization by electrospray or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization was demonstrated for the mass spectrometric analysis of a diverse set of compounds (dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals, explosives and pesticides) separated on various high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography plates. Line scans along or through development lanes on the plates were carried out by moving the plate relative to a stationary heated probe positioned close to or just touching the stationary phase surface. Vapors of the compounds thermally desorbed from the surface were drawn into the ionization region of a combined electrospray ionization/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source where they merged with reagent ions and/or charged droplets from a corona discharge or an electrospray emitter and were ionized. The ionized components were then drawn through the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice into the vacuum region of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and detected using full scan, single ion monitoring, or selected reaction monitoring mode. Studies of variable parameters and performance metrics including the proximal probe temperature, gas flow rate into the ionization region, surface scan speed, read‐out resolution, detection limits, and surface type are discussed. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.