Novel approaches in analysis of Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals employing ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry

Rapid, simple and cost-effective analytical methods with performance characteristics matching regulatory requirements are needed for effective control of occurrence of Fusarium toxins in cereals and cereal-based products to which they might be transferred during processing. Within this study, two alternative approaches enabling retrospective data analysis and identification of unknown signals in sample extracts have been implemented and validated for determination of 11 major Fusarium toxins. In both cases, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (U-HPLC) coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HR MS) was employed. ¹³C isotopically labeled surrogates as well as matrix-matched standards were employed for quantification. As far as time of flight mass analyzer (TOF-MS) was a detection tool, the use of modified QuEChERS (quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe) sample preparation procedure, widely employed in multi-pesticides residue analysis, was shown as an optimal approach to obtain low detection limits. The second challenging alternative, enabling direct analysis of crude extract, was the use of mass analyzer based on Orbitrap technology. In addition to demonstration of full compliance of the new methods with Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006, also their potential to be used for confirmatory purposes according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC has been critically assessed.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定不同饲料中30种真菌毒素

采用QuEChERS前处理技术,建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UHPLC-MS/MS)检测不同饲料样品(预混料、浓缩料和配合料)中30种真菌毒素含量的分析方法。饲料样品经5 mL水和5 mL含1%(v/v)甲酸的乙腈溶液提取后,取上清液氮吹至近干,残渣经1 mL 5 mmol/L醋酸铵水溶液-乙腈(80∶20,v/v)复溶后,上机测定。采用基质匹配标准曲线结合同位素内标法进行定量分析。在低、中、高3个添加水平下,30种真菌毒素的平均加标回收率为72.0%~118.4%(n=5),30种真菌毒素在各自的线性范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r 2)≥0.99,检出限(LOD,S/N=3)和定量限(LOQ,S/N=10)分别为0.7~20μg/L和2~50μg/L。该法简单、快速、实用性强,适用于预混料、浓缩料和配合料中30种真菌毒素的定量分析。     

Analysis of multiple mycotoxins in cereals under ambient conditions using direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry

Direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization coupled to an (ultra)high resolution mass spectrometer based on orbitrap technology (orbitrapMS) was used for rapid quantitative analysis of multiple mycotoxins isolated from wheat and maize by modified QuEChERS procedure. After initial evaluation of ionization efficiencies for major groups of mycotoxins achievable with DART technology, sample preparation procedure and instrument parameter settings were optimized to obtain sensitive and accurate determination of most intensively ionizing toxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, zearalenon, actyldeoxynivalenol, deepoxy-deoxynivalenol, fusarenon-X, altenuene, alternariol, alternariolmethylether, diacetoxyscirpenol, sterigmatocystin). The lowest calibration levels (LCLs) estimated for the respective analytes ranged from 50 to 150 μg kg⁻¹. Quantitative analysis was performed either with the use of matrix-matched standards or by employing commercially available ¹³C-labeled internal standards (available for deoxynivalenol, nivalenol and zearalenon). Good recoveries (100-108%) and repeatabilities (RSD 5.4-6.9%) were obtained at spiking level 500 μg kg⁻¹ with isotope dilution technique. Based on matrix-matched calibration, recoveries and repeatabilities were in the range 84-118% and 7.9-12.0% (RSD), respectively. The trueness of data obtained for deoxynivalenol and zearalenon in wheat/maize by DART-orbitrapMS was demonstrated by analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs). Good agreement of these results with data generated by validated ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was documented.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry fingerprinting of beer

After just simple degassing, dilution, pH adjustment and direct flow injection, characteristic fingerprint spectra of beer samples have been obtained by fast (few seconds) electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis in both the negative and positive ion modes. A total of 29 samples belonging to the two main beer types (lagers and ales) and several beer subtypes from USA, Europe and Brazil could be clearly divided into three groups both by simple visual inspection of their ESI(+)-MS and ESI(-)-MS fingerprints as well as by chemometric treatment of the MS data. Diagnostic ions with contrasting relative abundances in both the positive and negative ion modes allow classification of beers into three major types: P = pale (light) colored (pilsener, pale ale), D = dark colored (bock, stout, porter, mild ale) and M = malt beer. For M beers, samples of a dark and artificially sweetened caramel beer produced in Brazil and known as Malzbiers were used. ESI-MS/MS on these diagnostic beer cations and anions, most of which are characterized as arising from ionization of simple sugars, oligosaccharides, and iso-alpha-acids, yield characteristic tandem mass spectra adding a second and optional MS dimension for improved selectivity for beer characterization by fingerprinting. Direct ESI-MS or ESI-MS/MS analysis can therefore provide fast and reliable fingerprinting characterization of beers, distinguishing between types with different chemical compositions. Other unusual polar components, impurities or additives, as well as fermentation defects or degradation products, could eventually be detected, making the technique promising for beer quality control.     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测猪肉中玉米赤霉醇类的残留量

利用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)结合同位素稀释技术测定了猪肉食品中6种玉米赤霉醇类物质。猪肉样品经 β-葡萄糖苷酶/硫酸酯酶水解,甲醇水溶液提取,HLB固相萃取柱富集净化后,以纯水和乙腈为流动相在BEH C18反相柱上分离,采用电喷雾电离源负离子模式(ESI^-)在多反应监测模式(MRM)模式下进行扫描。以2种经氘代同位素标记的玉米赤霉烯醇为内标进行定量。猪肉中6种目标物的线性范围为1.0~100 μ g/L,相关系数大于0.999;各化合物在组织中的检出限为0.03~0.09 μ g/kg;样品在1.0~10.0 μ g/kg的加标回收率为76.7%~100.5%,相对标准偏差不大于20%。该方法具有操作简单,灵敏度高,重现性好等特点,符合食品样品中痕量污染物的检测要求。     

Analysis of saccharides in beer samples by flow injection with electrospray mass spectrometry

Saccharides in foods play important roles, as they are essential substrates for fermentation processes. In brewing, the concentration of maltooligosaccharides influences the characteristics of beers and therefore their determination is of great practical interest. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was applied to identify and characterise maltooligosaccharides in beer samples. The effects due to different cation concentrations and dilution of samples were studied. Furthermore, quantitative analyses of maltooligosaccharides by means of flow-injection ESI-MS (FI/ESI-MS) of 1-microL beer samples (diluted 1000-fold) are described.     

Analysis of isoflavones in soybeans employing direct analysis in real-time ionization-high-resolution mass spectrometry

A direct analysis in real‐time (DART) ion source coupled to a high‐resolution orbitrap mass spectrometer was used for the quantitative analysis of isoflavones isolated from soybeans. For the isolation of genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and their respective acetyl, malonyl, and glucoside forms, an extraction employing 80% aqueous MeOH enhanced by sonication was used. As far as the total isoflavones (expressed as aglycones) were to be determined, an acid hydrolysis with 80% aqueous EtOH and refluxing had to be employed, while in the latter case a good agreement of the results with the data generated by the UHPLC‐orbitrap MS method was achieved, in the case of the analysis of non‐hydrolyzed extracts, some overestimation of the results as compared with those generated by UHPLC‐orbitrap MS was observed. A careful investigation of this phenomenon showed that the free aglycones originated from the conjugated forms of isoflavones in the DART ion source, thus contributing significantly to the “free” genistein/daidzein/glycitein signals during the DART analysis. Good recoveries (95–102%) and repeatabilities (RSD: 7–15%) were obtained at the spiking levels of 0.5, 1, and 0.05 g/kg, for daidzein, genistein, and glycitein, respectively. The limits of detection estimated for the respective analytes were 5 mg/kg.     

应用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱法建立谷物中18种真菌毒素非靶向筛查数据库及确证方法

建立了基于超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)的18种真菌毒素非靶向筛查方法。真菌毒素标准物质用HSS T3色谱柱进行色谱分离后在UPLC-Q-TOF/MS MS^E模式下分别用正、负离子模式采集,获取MS和MS/MS的信息,记录对应保留时间、加合物离子、碎片离子精确质量数等信息,设置保留时间偏移为0.3 min,加合物离子和碎片离子的精确质量匹配容差为5×10^-6,在UNIFI中建立18种真菌毒素的数据库。在稻谷、小麦基质中,以筛查检出限(SDL)作为主要参数对筛查方法进行了验证。18种真菌毒素分为有最大限量和无最大限量两种类型,结果有最大限量的真菌毒素均能在其限量水平被准确筛查,无最大限量的真菌毒素其SDL的范围为2~800μg/kg。基质效应考察表明,稻谷中有14种真菌毒素有中等基质效应,小麦中有11种真菌毒素有中等基质效应。样品经乙腈提取后用QuEChERS萃取盐包和HLB净化柱净化,用建立的方法对25批稻谷、小麦进行筛查,结果2批稻谷中检出4种真菌毒素,2批小麦中检出2种真菌毒素。该方法能准确筛查SDL水平以上的真菌毒素,具有高通量、简便、快捷、准确等特点,可实现无标准品情况下对稻谷、小麦中多种真菌毒素的定性筛查。     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测粮食及其制品中的玉米赤霉烯酮类真菌毒素

建立了粮食及其制品中6种玉米赤霉烯酮类物质(α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、玉米赤霉酮和玉米赤霉烯酮)的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)检测方法。样品用84%(体积分数)乙腈水溶液提取,通过ENVI-Carb石墨化炭黑(GCB)固相萃取柱进行富集净化,用6 mL二氯甲烷-甲醇(7:3, v/v)溶液洗脱,采用UPLC-MS/MS进行测定。在ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18反相柱上分离,梯度洗脱,流动相为水和乙腈;质谱采集模式为电喷雾负离子多反应监测模式。以α-玉米赤霉烯酮-d4为内标,6种目标物的线性范围为0.1～50 μg/L,相关系数(R2)大于0.99,检出限为0.1～0.2 μg/kg, 3个不同水平的加标平均回收率为79.9%～104.0%,相对标准偏差不大于10%。应用该方法对北京市的粮食及相关产品进行了分析,结果发现玉米赤霉烯酮的检出率最高,含量为0.42～220.7 μg/kg;此外还检出了α-和β-玉米赤霉烯醇。该方法具有操作简单、灵敏度高、重现性好等特点,符合食品样品中痕量污染物的检测要求。     

超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法测定焙烤食品及其原料中11种真菌毒素

建立了超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(UPLC-HRMS)测定焙烤食品及其原料中11种真菌毒素的检测分析方法。样品经20 mL含1%(体积分数)甲酸的乙腈-水(9∶1,v/v)溶液提取,经2.0 g无水硫酸、0.5 g氯化钠和300 mg C18盐析、净化后进行检测。采用CORTECS C18色谱柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.6μm),以含0.1%(体积分数)甲酸的2 mmol/L乙酸铵溶液和含0.1%(体积分数)甲酸的2 mmol/L乙酸铵甲醇溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱。结果显示,11种真菌毒素在各自的质量浓度范围内线性关系良好(相关系数r2≥0.996 0),方法的定量限为0.15~20.00μg/kg,样品加标回收率为64.38%~122.61%,相对标准偏差为1.52%~12.99%(n=6)。该方法简单快速、灵敏度高、结果准确、可靠,利用该方法可有效测定焙烤食品及其原料中常见真菌毒素的含量。     

Analysis of trichothecene mycotoxins in human blood by capillary column gas chromatography-ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Capillary column gas chromatography-ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry was found to be an excellent technique for the trace detection and identification of underivatized trichothecene mycotoxins. Abundant (M + H)+ and/or (M + NH4)+ pseudo-molecular ions were observed for T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, T-2 triol, diacetoxyscirpenol, deoxynivalenol and verrucarol under the conditions developed. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of human blood samples spiked with mycotoxins in the 0-500 ng/g range during a recent interlaboratory exercise. T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol were detected in these samples in the 2-180 ng/g range. Detection limits of 0.7 and 3.6 ng/g for T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol, respectively, were possible owing to the specificity of the method.     

加速溶剂萃取-QuEChERS-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定药食同源性食品中16种真菌毒素

建立了加速溶剂萃取-QuEChERS-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱测定药食同源性食品中16种真菌毒素的方法。样品经过加速溶剂萃取后用QuEChERS方法净化,液相色谱分离,在正、负离子同时扫描和多反应离子监测模式下检测,黄曲霉毒素B1和伏马毒素B1采用内标法定量,其余毒素采用基质外标法定量。在较宽的线性范围内,16种目标化合物的线性相关系数(r²)均大于0.99。该方法的检出限为0.008～0.3μg/kg,定量限为0.03～1.0μg/kg,在3个不同添加水平下的加标回收率为70.8%～118%, RSD为2.5%～10.2%。采用建立的方法分别对市面上销售的30个批次的山银花、葛根和沙棘产品进行检测,部分产品检出不同含量的真菌毒素。该方法快速、灵敏,适用于药食同源性食品中多种真菌毒素的同时检测。     

Detection of histamine in beer by nano extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In this study, rapid quantitative detection of histamine in beer was achieved by using nano extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nano EESI‐MS) coupling with standard addition method. Based on the MS² experiment, histamine concentrations in three beer samples were determined to be 1.10 ± 0.12 µg/ml, 0.81 ± 0.09 µg/ml and 0.79 ± 0.09 µg/ml. The limit of detection for this method was calculated to be 0.02 µg/ml. These results show that this novel method can be used for direct, rapid and sensitive detection of histamine in beer without any tedious sample pretreatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

二维超高效液相色谱-四极杆/飞行时间质谱法解析替考拉宁杂质

建立了二维超高效液相色谱-四极杆/飞行时间质谱法（2D-UPLC-Q/TOF-MS）对替考拉宁组分分离和杂质结构解析的分析方法,有效地解决了流动相中含不挥发性磷酸盐的色谱系统不适用于液相色谱-质谱快速鉴定替考拉宁杂质的难题。一维超高效液相色谱以Octadecyl silica （ODS） hypersil色谱柱（250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm）进行色谱分离,以3.0 g/L磷酸二氢钠溶液（pH 6.0）/乙腈=9/1 （v/v）为流动相A、3.0 g/L磷酸二氢钠溶液（pH 6.0）/乙腈=3/7 （v/v）为流动相B进行梯度洗脱;二维超高效液相色谱以Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈色谱柱（50 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm）进行脱盐,以0.01 mol/L甲酸铵（pH 6.0）和乙腈为流动相进行梯度脱盐洗脱。质谱在电喷雾离子源、正离子模式下,采用全信息串联质谱（MS^E）模式采集质谱数据,锥孔气流速50 L/h,锥孔电压60 V,离子源温度120 ℃,雾化气流速900 L/h,雾化气温度500 ℃,毛细管电压2500 V,碰撞能量20~50 eV。根据杂质精确质量数及其二级质谱信息推导其结构,并对替考拉宁主要成分TA_2-2的裂解规律进行了推导,发现了2个母核特征离子;对《欧洲药典》10.0收录的10个组分及22个杂质组分进行二级质谱分析,发现了3个新杂质组分。采用该法既可以使用一维超高效液相色谱根据相对保留时间进行组分准确定位,也可以使用二维超高效液相色谱-四极杆/飞行时间质谱二级质谱信息快速、简便、灵敏地对杂质进行结构鉴定,为替考拉宁的质量控制和工艺优化提供了一种新思路。     

分散微固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱法测定葡萄酒和啤酒中多菌灵和噻菌灵

基于强阳离子交换填料（PCX）,采用分散微固相萃取前处理技术,结合超高效液相色谱-四级杆-静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱联用技术,建立了一种快速测定葡萄酒和啤酒中多菌灵和噻菌灵的方法。通过对分散微固相萃取技术中PCX用量、洗脱溶剂中氨水的体积分数、乙腈的体积分数和洗脱体积的优化,实现了样品中多菌灵和噻菌灵的有效净化。经BEH C₁₈（50 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm）色谱柱分离后,通过静电场轨道阱质谱靶向单一离子监测（targeted single ion monitoring,tSIM）结合数据依赖的二级质谱扫描（data dependent tandem mass spectrometry,ddMS²）采集模式进行定性定量分析。待测物多菌灵和噻菌灵在一定浓度范围内均呈良好线性关系,相关系数R²≥0.9999。在葡萄酒和啤酒基质中,多菌灵和噻菌灵的检出限分别为0.02和0.01 μg/L,定量限分别为0.06和0.03 μg/L。在0.1、1.0、100 μg/L 3个添加水平下,多菌灵和噻菌灵的加标回收率分别为95.6%~110.2%和87.5%~102.8%,日内精密度（RSD_r）分别为1.8%~5.2%和1.3%~4.8%,日间精密度（RSD_R）分别为4.3%~8.7%和4.8%~9.4%。该方法快速、简便、灵敏,适用于葡萄酒和啤酒中多菌灵和噻菌灵的残留检测。     

Analysis of thyreostats in bovine feces using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A method based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography was developed and validated to detect six thyreostatic compounds: tapazole, thiouracil, methylthiouracil, dimethylthiouracil, propylthiouracil, and phenylthiouracil in faeces of bovine. Thyreostats were extracted from the matrix with a mixture of methanol and buffer (pH = 8). Next step was derivatization of analytes with 3‐iodobenzylbromide. The liquid chromatographic separation of derivatives was obtained on a SB‐C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm; 1.8 μm, Agilent) with gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/0.1% acetic acid within 7.5 min. The analysis was performed on a Shimadzu NEXERA X2 ultra‐high performance liquid chromatograph with triple quadrupole MS 8050 instrument operating in positive electrospray ionization mode. Depending on the target compound, two or three diagnostic signals (selected reaction monitoring transitions) were monitored. The procedure was validated according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Recovery and repeatability met the performance criteria specified by this document for banned compounds. The recovery ranged from 97.5 to 110.5%, and repeatability did not exceed 14.1%. Decision limits and detection capabilities were below 10 μg/kg. The highest decision limits and detection capabilities concentrations were observed for phenylthiouracil of 3.48 and 6.96 μg/kg, respectively.     

Membrane-introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS)

Membrane-introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) for chemical analysis involves directly sampling analytes in gaseous, liquid and solid samples through a semi-permeable membrane coupled to a mass spectrometer, yielding selective and sensitive quantitation. Because MIMS is an on-line technique, in which samples can be continuously flowed over a membrane interface, it can yield analytical results in real time without the need for sample clean-up and chromatographic separation. This review highlights trends and developments in MIMS over the past decade and describes recent studies that pertain to its use for on-site, in-situ and in-vivo chemical analysis. We report on advancements in instrumentation, including membrane materials, interface configurations and ionization techniques that have extended the range of analytes amenable to MIMS.We summarize the progress made in the miniaturization of mass spectrometers that have resulted in field-portable systems and review recent applications of continuous mobile monitoring and on-site environmental monitoring to yield both temporally and spatially resolved quantitative and semi-quantitative data. Finally, we describe recent work involving the use of MIMS for in-vivo chemical analysis.     

ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry employing Data-dependent external ion selection and accumulation

Data-dependent external m/z selection and accumulation of ions is demonstrated in use with ESI-FTICR instrumentation, with two different methods for ion selection being explored. One method uses RF/DC quadrupole filtering and is described in use with an 11.5 tesla (T) FTICR instrument, while the second method employs RF-only resonance dipolar excitation selection and is described in use with a 3.5 T FTICR instrument. In both methods ions are data-dependently selected on the fly in a linear quadrupole ion guide, then accumulated in a second linear RF-only quadrupole trap that immediately follows. A major benefit of ion preselection prior to external accumulation is the enhancement of ion populations for low-level species. This development is expected to expand the dynamic range and sensitivity of FTICR for applications including analysis of complex polypeptide mixtures (e.g., proteomics).     

Analysis of natural products by tandem mass spectrometry employing reactive collisions with ethyl vinyl ether

Representative natural products from the diterpene dilactone, psorospermin and quabalactone classes were protonated, mass-selected and reacted with ethyl vinyl ether in a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. Minor differences in the structures of the compounds led to different reactivities toward the reagent, as indicated by the relative abundances of products such as the ethylated and vinylated compounds. Additional information is obtained from the dissociation products formed upon non-reactive, inelastic collisions with the neutral reagent. The daughter spectra have excellent signal: noise ratios and good reproducibility. The results demonstrate that the use of reactive collisions may supplement collision-activated dissociation in chemical analysis of large organic molecules by tandem mass spectrometry.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定果汁中的展青霉素

建立了超高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联三重四极杆质谱(UPLC-ESI-MS/MS)联用技术分析果汁中展青霉素的方法。浓缩果汁样品经酶解,乙酸乙酯提取,Oasis HLB固相萃取(SPE)小柱净化后(澄清果汁直接进行SPE净化),以C18色谱柱为分离柱,以水和乙腈作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,电喷雾离子源电离、负离子多反应监测模式质谱进行定性和定量分析。展青霉素在1.0～500.0 μg/L质量浓度范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.999,方法的定量限为5.0 μg/kg;加标水平为5.0、25.0和100.0 μg/kg时,加标回收率为80.6%～91.8%,相对标准偏差为1.5%～7.3%。实验结果表明,该方法简单、灵敏、准确,各项技术指标均满足国内外法规要求,可用于果汁中展青霉素的检测。