Effervescent tablet‐assisted demulsified dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet for determination of methadone in water and biological samples prior to GC‐flame ionization and GC‐MS

A novel effervescent tablet‐assisted demulsified dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic droplet was developed to determine methadone prior to gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. In this method, a tablet composed of citric acid, sodium carbonate, and 1‐undecanol was utilized. The resulting effervescent tablet generated carbon dioxide in situ to disperse 1‐undecanol in the sample. Thus, the dispersive and extraction processes were performed in one synchronous step. An aliquot of acetonitrile as the demulsifier solvent was used for the separation of two phases instead of centrifugation. Under optimal conditions, the developed method was linear up to 50 000 µg/L with correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. Moreover, limits of detection and limits of the quantification were in the range of 3‐10  and 7‐30 µg/L in water and biological samples, respectively. Intra‐ and interday precisions (n = 6) of the spiked methadone at a concentration level of 50 µg/L were over ranges of 5.1‐6.8% and 5.7‐7.1%, respectively. The preconcentration factors and recovery values were obtained in the range of 140‐145 and 98.1 to 101.6% in real samples, respectively.     

Multiple mycotoxins analysis in animal feed with LC‐MS/MS: Comparison of extract dilution and immunoaffinity clean‐up

The aim of this study was a performance comparison of two clean‐up procedures (dilutions versus immunoaffinity columns) in the simultaneous determination of eight mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1 & B2, ochratoxin A, toxin T‐2 & HT‐2 and zearalenone) in the animal feed. After extraction the analytes were separated on a Kinetex Biphenyl column with a gradient elution using methanol/0.01 M ammonium acetate as a mobile phase and analyzed with the LC‐MS/MS technique. Both of the procedures were validated by analysis of a series of spiked feed samples (n = 6) at three different concentration levels. Better signal to noise ratios were observed for immunoaffinity clean‐up. The recoveries of analyses were in the range 88–110% for the dilution procedure and 78–120% for the immunoaffinity clean‐up. The dilution procedure was more precise (coefficient of variation of the within‐laboratory reproducibility for it was 7.8–22.4% in comparison to 12–35.5% for the immunoaffinity clean‐up. The results show that both procedures fulfilled the requirements for mycotoxin analysis and can be used successfully in multi‐analyte determination. Although the dilution procedure shows better precision and trueness, the immunoaffinity clean‐up procedure can have advantages in more complex feed samples thanks to lower matrix effect and limits of detections.     

APCI as an innovative ionization mode compared with EI and CI for the analysis of a large range of organophosphate esters using GC‐MS/MS

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are chemical compounds incorporated into materials as flame‐proof and/or plasticizing agents. In this work, 13 non‐halogenated and 5 halogenated OPEs were studied. Their mass spectra were interpreted and compared in terms of fragmentation patterns and dominant ions via various ionization techniques [electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) under vacuum and corona discharge atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)] on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The novelty of this paper relies on the investigation of APCI technique for the analysis of OPEs via favored protonation mechanism, where the mass spectra were mostly dominated by the quasi‐molecular ion [M + H]⁺. The EI mass spectra were dominated by ions such as [H₄PO₄]⁺, [M–R]⁺, [M–Cl]⁺, and [M–Br]⁺, and for some non‐halogenated aryl OPEs, [M]^+● was also observed. The CI mass spectra in positive mode were dominated by [M + H]⁺ and sometimes by [M–R]⁺, while in negative mode, [M–R]⁻ and more particularly [X]^‐ and [X₂]^‐● were mainly observed for the halogenated OPEs. Both EI and APCI techniques showed promising results for further development of instrumental method operating in selective reaction monitoring mode. Instrumental detection limits by using APCI mode were 2.5 to 25 times lower than using EI mode for the non‐brominated OPEs, while they were determined at 50‐100 times lower by the APCI mode than by the EI mode, for the two brominated OPEs. The method was applied to fish samples, and monitored transitions by using APCI mode showed higher specificity but lower stability compared with EI mode. The sensitivity in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio varying from one compound to another. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal 3D‐printed catalytic jet and flame ionization detection for in situ trace carbon oxides analysis by gas chromatography

A gas chromatographic approach for the determination and quantification of trace levels of carbon oxides in gas phase matrices for in situ or near‐line/at‐line analysis has been successfully developed. Catalytic conversion of the target compounds to methane via the methanation process was conducted inside a metal 3D‐printed jet that also acted as a hydrogen burner for the flame ionization detector. Modifications made to a field transportable gas chromatograph enabled the leveraging of advantaged microfluidic‐enhanced chromatography capability for improved chromatographic performance and serviceability. The compatibility with adsorption chromatography technology was demonstrated with in‐house constructed columns. Sustained reliable conversion efficiencies of greater than 99% with respectable peak symmetries were attained at 400°C. Quantification of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide at a parts‐per‐million level over a range from 0.2 ppm to 5% v/v for both compounds with a respectable precision of less than 3% relative standard deviation for peak area (n = 10) and a detection limit of 0.1 ppm v/v was achieved. Linearity with correlation coefficients of R² greater than 0.9995 and measured recoveries of >99% for spike tests were achieved. The 3D‐printed steel jet was found to be reliable and resilient against potential contamination from the matrices owing to the in situ backflushing capability.     

Solidification of floating organic droplet microextraction for determination of seven insecticides in fruit juice,vegetables and agricultural runoff using gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection

Liquid microextraction employing solidification of the floating organic droplet, with vortexing and heating to optimize extraction efficiency, was developed for the determination of seven insecticides in fruit juice, vegetables, and agricultural runoff water. The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography with both flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection for the determination of chlorpyrifos, prothiofos, profenofos, ethion, λ‐cyhalothrin, permethrin, and cypermethrin, respectively. Using 20 μL of 1‐undecanol in 10 mL of aqueous solution containing 1% w/v sodium chloride provided preconcentration factor of 500. The enrichment factor of the analytes was in the range of 355 to 509 with extraction recovery >71%. The linearity ranges were 4–200 μg/kg for gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and 1–100 μg/kg for gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, with limits of detection ranging from 0.04 to 1.2 μg/kg, which are lower than the international maximum residue limits for vegetables and fruit juice. Intra‐day and inter‐day precisions are less than 5.4 and 7.0% relative standard deviation, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the seven insecticides in samples of vegetables, fruit juice and agricultural runoff, with recoveries ranging from 61.7 to 120.8%. The extraction method is simple, efficient and environmentally friendly.     

Determination of organophosphate flame retardants in soil and fish using ultrasound‐assisted extraction,solid‐phase clean‐up,and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A solid–liquid extraction method in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was developed and optimized for extraction and analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants in soil and fish. Methanol was chosen as the optimum extraction solvent, not only in terms of extraction efficiency, but also for its broader analyte coverage. The subsequent clean‐up by solid‐phase extraction is required to eliminate matrix coextractives and reduce matrix effects. Recoveries of the optimized method were 50–121% for soil and 47–123% for biota, both with high precision (RSDs <12% in soil and <23% in biota). The method limits of detection ranged from 0.06 to 0.20 ng/g dry weight and between 0.02 and 0.30 ng/g wet weight for soil and biota samples, respectively. However, samples with a high lipid content produce several problems as solid‐phase extraction cartridge clogging that increase variability and analysis time. The method was successfully applied for the determination of organophosphorus flame retardants in soil and fish from L'Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain). Target compounds were detected in all soil and fish samples with values varying from 13.8 to 89.7 ng/g dry weight and from 3.3 to 53.0 ng/g wet weight, respectively.     

Determination of chemotherapeutic drugs in human urine by capillary electrophoresis with UV and fluorimetric detection using solid‐supported liquid–liquid extraction for sample clean‐up

Capillary electrophoresis was used for the rapid determination of three chemotherapeutic drugs employed to treat colorectal cancer: irinotecan, tegafur, and leucovorin, and their main metabolites (7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin and 5‐fluorouracil), in human urine samples. A phosphate buffer (pH 11.34; 20 mM) was selected as the background electrolyte. A hydrodynamic injection (9 s, 30 mbar) was applied and the separation was carried out using a separation temperature and voltage of 25°C and 25 kV, respectively. A capillary with two detection windows for serial online UV and fluorescence detection was satisfactorily employed. A solid‐supported liquid–liquid extraction procedure was optimized for the clean‐up of the urine samples and the extraction of the analytes. Matrix effects were assessed and signal suppression was observed for three of the analytes, thus, matrix‐matched calibration was used for compensating residual matrix effects on these analytes. The proposed method allows the separation and quantification of the chemotherapeutics in less than 6 min. Detection limits range between 0.01 and 0.30 mg/L. The method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of the target compounds in human urine samples, with recoveries of 92.4–107.7%.     

Efficient sample clean‐up and online preconcentration for sensitive determination of melamine in milk samples by capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection

Based on an efficient sample clean‐up and field‐amplified sample injection online preconcentration technique in capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection, a new analytical method for the sensitive determination of melamine in milk samples was established. In order to remove the complex matrix interference, which resulted in a serious problem during field‐amplified sample injection, liquid–liquid extraction was utilized. As a result, liquid–liquid extraction provides excellent sample clean‐up efficiency when ethyl acetate was used as organic extraction by adjusting the pH of the sample solution to 9.5. Both inorganic salts and biological macromolecules are effectively removed by liquid–liquid extraction. The sample clean‐up procedure, capillary electrophoresis separation parameters and field‐amplified sample injection conditions are discussed in detail. The capillary electrophoresis separation was achieved within 5 min under the following conditions: an uncoated fused‐silica capillary, 12 mM HAc + 10 mM NaAc (pH = 4.6) as running buffer, separation voltage of +13 kV, electrokinetic injection of +12 kV × 10 s. Preliminary validation of the method performance with spiked melamine provided recoveries >90%, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.015 and 0.050 mg/kg, respectively. The relative standard deviations of intra‐ and inter‐day were below 6%. This newly developed method is sensitive and cost effective, therefore, suitable for screening of melamine contamination in milk products.     

Validation of methane measurement using headspace‐GC–MS and quantification by a stable isotope‐labeled internal standard generated in situ

A previous study has shown the possibility to identify methane (CH₄) using headspace‐GC–MS and quantify it with a stable isotope as internal standard. The main drawback of the GC–MS methods discussed in literature for CH₄ measurement is the absence of a specific internal standard necessary to perform quantification. However, it becomes essential to develop a safer method to limit the manipulation of gaseous CH₄ and to precisely control the injected amount of gas for spiking and calibration by comparison with external calibration. To avoid the manipulation of a stable isotope‐labeled gas, we have chosen to generate a labeled gas as an internal standard in a vial on the basis of the formation of CH₄ by the reaction of Grignard reagent methylmagnesium chloride with deuterated water. This method allows precise measurement of CH₄ concentrations in gaseous sample as well as in a solid or a liquid sample after a thermodesorption step in a headspace vial. A full accuracy profile validation of this method is then presented.     

Simultaneous determination of three banned psychiatric drugs in pig feed and tissue using solid‐phase reactor on‐line oxidizing and HPLC‐fluorescence detection

The banned addition of psychiatric drugs such as phenothiazines to animal feed and foodstuffs increases the risk of human organ lesion. Phenothiazines usually exhibit weak native fluorescence and can be oxidized to strongly fluorescent compounds. In this study, a novel, sensitive and convenient method of HPLC‐fluorescence detection based on post‐column on‐line oxidizing with lead dioxide solid‐phase reactor has been developed for simultaneous determination of three banned psychotropic drugs, promethazine, chlorpromazine and thioridazine. Three compounds were successfully separated on an Agilent TC‐C₁₈ column with mobile phase of acetonitrile (A) and water (B), both containing 0.5% (v/v) formic acid. A gradient elution was programmed and fluorimetric detection was performed at λ_ex/λ_em of 332/373 nm for promethazine, 340/380 nm for chlorpromazine and 352/432 nm for thioridazine. The calibration graphs gave good linearity over the concentration ranges of 30.0–4976.4 µg/L for promethazine, 2.0–2153.2 µg/L for chlorpromazine, and 15.0–3088.0 µg/L for thioridazine, and correlation coefficients (r) were ≥0.995. The method was applied to the determination of phenothiazines in pig feed and pig tissue, and the average spiked recoveries were in the range 69.1–115.4%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of sample matrix on sensitivity of mercury and methylmercury quantitation in human urine,saliva, and serum using GC‐MS

A rapid and sensitive method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of monomethylmercury (MMHg) and inorganic mercury (iHg) in human body fluids. The procedure is based on in situ derivatization of MMHg and iHg with sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄) directly in aqueous solutions followed by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS‐SPME). The extracted species from spiked human urine, saliva, and serum are separated by capillary gas chromatography and detected by quadrupole MS (GC‐MS). The optimization of the HS‐SPME conditions like temperature, sample volume, extraction duration, and amount of alkylation agent, was performed in urinary solutions and aqueous solutions similarly buffered. The gas chromatographic conditions like injection temperature, helium flow rate, temperature program, and pressure conditions were also optimized. The recovery was ranged between 85 and 96% for MMHg and 88 and 98% for iHg. The LODs achieved were 10 and 15 ng/L for iHg and MMHg in urine, respectively, 54 and 60 ng/L for iHg and MMHg in saliva, respectively, and 61 and 81 ng/L for iHg and MMHg in serum, respectively. The RSD was ranged between 6.2 and 9.2% for MMHg and 5.0 and 8.2% for iHg.     

Determination of phthalate esters in soil using a quick,easy, cheap,effective, rugged,and safe method followed by GC–MS

A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe procedure was designed to extract pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables with a high percentage of water. It has not been used extensively for the extraction of phthalate esters from sediments, soils, and sludges. In this work, this procedure was combined with gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to determine 16 selected phthalate esters in soil. The extraction efficiency of the samples was improved by ultrasonic extraction and dissolution of the soil samples in ultra‐pure water, which promoted the dispersion of the samples. Furthermore, we have simplified the extraction step and reduced the risk of organic solvent contamination by minimizing the use of organic solvents. Different extraction solvents and clean‐up adsorbents were compared to optimize the procedure. Dichloromethane/n‐hexane (1:1, v/v) and n‐hexane/acetone (1:1, v/v) were selected as the extractants from the six extraction solvents tested. C18/primary secondary amine (1:1, m/m) was selected as the sorbent from the five clean‐up adsorbents tested. The recoveries from the spiked soils ranged from 70.00 to 117.90% with relative standard deviation values of 0.67–4.62%. The proposed approach was satisfactorily applied for the determination of phthalate esters in 12 contaminated soil samples.     

A innovative switchable polarity solvent,based on 1,8‐diazabicyclo‐[5.4.0]‐ undec‐7‐ene and decanol was prepared for enrichment of aluminum in biological sample prior to analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel switchable solvent (SS) extraction methodology has been used for the enrichment of aluminium (Al) in acid‐digested blood samples of patients with neurological disorders before proceeding to flame atomic absorption spectrometry. 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene and decanol in combination made a SS which reversibly changes from hydrophobic (nonpolar) to hydrophilic (polar) according to switch‐on and switch‐off phenomena in aqueous medium by exposure to anti‐solvent trigger (CO₂). The SS polar micro‐emulsion was switched on by bubbling CO₂, and switched off by heating from 40 to 70°C with exposure to N₂ gas. The changes obtained in the structure and physical properties of the SS due to switching from lower polarity to higher polarity were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. The SS was effectively analysed as an extractive medium for hydrophobic chelate of Al with 3,5,7,2,4‐pentahydroxyflavone (morin) and extracted in SS. Then hydrophobic enriched Al‐morin‐SS was treated with 1.0 M HNO₃ and CO₂ purging at various time intervals, switch to a miscible polar hydrophilic monophase state. The SS was easily recycled up to six times for further enrichment process. For the developed method, various parameters were optimized such as pH, volume of chelating reagent, CO₂ purging time and pressure, and rate of heating. Under favourable conditions, enhancement factor and limit of detection were observed as 25 and 0.47 μg l^?1, respectively, for 10 ml of samples/standards solution. The accuracy of the developed method was determined using certified reference material (SRM 3101a), with a standard addition procedure. The method was used for the pre‐concentration of Al in blood samples of patients with neurological disorders.     

Simultaneous derivatization and air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction of some parabens in personal care products and their determination by GC with flame ionization detection

A simultaneous derivatization/air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction technique has been developed for the sample pretreatment of some parabens in aqueous samples. The analytes were derivatized and extracted simultaneously by a fast reaction/extraction with butylchloroformate (derivatization agent/extraction solvent) from the aqueous samples and then analyzed by GC with flame ionization detection. The effect of catalyst type and volume, derivatization agent/extraction solvent volume, ionic strength of aqueous solution, pH, numbers of extraction, aqueous sample volume, etc. on the method efficiency was investigated. Calibration graphs were linear in the range of 2–5000 μg/L with squared correlation coefficients >0.990. Enhancement factors and enrichment factors ranged from 1535 to 1941 and 268 to 343, respectively. Detection limits were obtained in the range of 0.41–0.62 μg/L. The RSDs for the extraction and determination of 250 μg/L of each paraben were <4.9% (n = 6). In this method, the derivatization agent and extraction solvent were the same and there is no need for a dispersive solvent, which is common in a traditional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction technique. Furthermore, the sample preparation time is very short.     

Determination of three antidepressants in urine using simultaneous derivatization and temperature‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection

This paper presents a fast and simple method for the extraction, preconcentration and determination of fluvoxamine, nortriptyline and maprotiline in urine using simultaneous derivatization and temperature‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (TA‐DLLME) followed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC‐FID). An appropriate mixture of dimethylformamide (disperser solvent), 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (extraction solvent) and acetic anhydride (derivatization agent) was rapidly injected into the heated sample. Then the solution was cooled to room temperature and cloudy solution formed was centrifuged. Finally a portion of the sedimented phase was injected into the GC‐FID. The effect of several factors affecting the performance of the method, including the selection of suitable extraction and disperser solvents and their volumes, volume of derivatization agent, temperature, salt addition, pH and centrifugation time and speed were investigated and optimized. Figures of merit of the proposed method, such as linearity (r² > 0.993), enrichment factors (820–1070), limits of detection (2–4 ng mL^?1) and quantification (8–12 ng mL^?1), and relative standard deviations (3–6%) for both intraday and interday precisions (concentration = 50 ng mL^?1) were satisfactory for determination of the selected antidepressants. Finally the method was successfully applied to determine the target pharmaceuticals in urine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid detection of ketamine and norketamine in rat hair using micropulverized extraction and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A new method for the rapid and simultaneous detection of ketamine and its major metabolite, norketamine, in rat hair has been developed by combining micropulverized extraction and ultraperformance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. By using reversed‐phase UPLC, ketamine and norketamine were well separated within 2 min. Using ketamine‐dosed rat hair, the conditions for micropulverized extraction were optimized, and the limits of detection and quantification of the developed method were found to be 1.7 and 5.7 pg/mg hair for ketamine, respectively. The precisions achieved with this method were slightly better than that obtained with conventional acidic methanol extraction method. Using this proposed method, analysis of the washed rat hair could be completed within 16–17 min. This method is expected to be applied for the analysis of the hair samples of not only rats but also ketamine abusers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A clean‐up technology for the simultaneous determination of lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry using a phosphate‐capture molecule,Phos‐tag

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) are growth factor‐like lipids having a phosphate group. The concentrations of these mediator lipids in blood are considered to be potential biomarkers for early detection of cancer or vascular diseases. Here, we report a method for simultaneous determination of LPA and S1P using Phos‐tag, a zinc complex that specifically binds to a phosphate‐monoester group. Although both LPA and S1P are hydrophilic compounds, we found that they acquire hydrophobic properties when they form complexes with Phos‐tag. Based on this finding, we developed a method for the enrichment of LPA and S1P from biological samples. The first partition in a two‐phase solvent system consisting of chloroform/methanol/water (1:1:0.9, v/v/v) is conducted for the removal of lipids. LPA and S1P are specifically extracted as Phos‐tag complexes at the second partition by adding Phos‐tag. The Phos‐tag complexes of LPA and S1P are detectable by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) and quantifiable based on the relative intensities of ions using 17:0 LPA and C17 S1P as internal standards. The protocol was validated by analyses of these mediator lipids in calf serum, a rat brain and a lung. The clean‐up protocol is rapid, requires neither thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) nor liquid chromatography (LC), and is applicable to both blood and solid tissue samples. We believe that our protocol will be useful for a routine analysis of LPA and S1P in many clinical samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on the metabolism of the Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol precursor Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (Δ9‐THCA‐A) in rat using LC‐MS/MS,LC‐QTOF MS and GC‐MS techniques

In Cannabis sativa, Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid‐A (Δ9‐THCA‐A) is the non‐psychoactive precursor of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC). In fresh plant material, about 90% of the total Δ9‐THC is available as Δ9‐THCA‐A. When heated (smoked or baked), Δ9‐THCA‐A is only partially converted to Δ9‐THC and therefore, Δ9‐THCA‐A can be detected in serum and urine of cannabis consumers. The aim of the presented study was to identify the metabolites of Δ9‐THCA‐A and to examine particularly whether oral intake of Δ9‐THCA‐A leads to in vivo formation of Δ9‐THC in a rat model. After oral application of pure Δ9‐THCA‐A to rats (15 mg/kg body mass), urine samples were collected and metabolites were isolated and identified by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS), liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) and high resolution LC‐MS using time of flight‐mass spectrometry (TOF‐MS) for accurate mass measurement. For detection of Δ9‐THC and its metabolites, urine extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The identified metabolites show that Δ9‐THCA‐A undergoes a hydroxylation in position 11 to 11‐hydroxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid‐A (11‐OH‐Δ9‐THCA‐A), which is further oxidized via the intermediate aldehyde 11‐oxo‐Δ9‐THCA‐A to 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid‐A (Δ9‐THCA‐A‐COOH). Glucuronides of the parent compound and both main metabolites were identified in the rat urine as well. Furthermore, Δ9‐THCA‐A undergoes hydroxylation in position 8 to 8‐alpha‐ and 8‐beta‐hydroxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid‐A, respectively, (8α‐Hydroxy‐Δ9‐THCA‐A and 8β‐Hydroxy‐Δ9‐THCA‐A, respectively) followed by dehydration. Both monohydroxylated metabolites were further oxidized to their bishydroxylated forms. Several glucuronidation conjugates of these metabolites were identified. In vivo conversion of Δ9‐THCA‐A to Δ9‐THC was not observed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dissipation behavior of phorate and its toxic metabolites in the sandy clay loam soil of a tropical sugarcane ecosystem using a single‐step sample preparation method and GC–MS

The dissipation of phorate in the sandy clay loam soil of tropical sugarcane ecosystem was studied by employing a single‐step sample preparation method and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.01 μg/g. The recoveries of phorate, phorate sulfoxide, phorate sulfone, and phorate oxon were in the range 94.00–98.46% with relative standard deviations of 1.51–3.56% at three levels of fortification between 0.01 and 0.1 μg/g. The Half‐life of phorate and the total residues, which include phorate, phorate sulfoxide and phorate sulfone, was 5.5 and 19.8 days, respectively at the recommended dose of insecticide. Phorate rapidly oxidized into its sulfoxide metabolite in the sandy clay loam soil. Phorate sulfoxide alone accounted for more than 20% of the total residues within 2 h post‐application and it was more than 50% on the fifth day after treatment irrespective of the doses applied. Phorate sulfoxide and phorate sulfone reached below the detectable level on 105 and 135 days after treatment, respectively as against 45 days after treatment for phorate residues at the recommended dose. Thus, the reasonably prolonged efficacy of phorate against soil pests may be attributed to longer persistence of its more toxic sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites.