Electrospray ionization-multistage tandem mass spectrometry of complex multitin organometallic compounds

The series of 14 complex organotin(IV) compounds containing many tin atoms and noncovalent bonds in the structure was characterized by electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)). The mass spectra were measured in both polarity modes to obtain complementary structural information. The characteristic pattern of ten natural tin isotopes allowed the determination of the number of tin atoms in the molecular adducts and fragment ions by comparing theoretical and experimental isotopic distributions. Positive ion ESI spectra show unusual adduct formation depending on the type of organic solvent used for the direct infusion analysis owing to the ion-molecule reactions in the ion source. On the basis of the detailed spectral interpretation of organotin(IV) compounds, the fragmentation patterns of multitin organometallic compounds have been proposed. Noncovalent bonds in polymeric complexes are fragmented first, which is then followed by characteristic neutral losses in monomeric units.     

Speciation of organotin compounds by tandem mass spectrometry

The collison-induced dissociation of a range of organotin compounds has been examined by tandem (MS–MS) mass spectrometry in order to investigate the potential of the technique for speciation without prior chromatographic separation. Tables of parent–daughte ion relationships are prepared for a group of six closely related compounds. The results obtained are sufficiently characteristic to distinguish between the isolated compounds and to identify the individual components of a simple mixture. This procedure has potential applications for less volatile compounds and for quantitative analysis.     

热脱附-气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱法测定环境空气中的挥发性有机物

采用热脱附(TD)结合气相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)建立了环境空气中23种挥发性有机物(VOCs)同时检测的分析方法。空气样品通过主动采样的方式富集到装有Tenax-TA填料的热脱附管中,热解吸后在选择反应监测(SRM)模式下用GC-MS/MS进行检测,内标法定量。结果表明,23种VOCs在0.01~1 ng和1~100 ng低、高两个范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r²)均大于0.99,方法定量限为0.00008~1 μ g/m³。加标水平为2、10和50 ng时,23种VOCs的平均回收率为77%~124%。除了最低加标水平的氯苯,相对标准偏差(RSD, n=6)均小于20%。对市内3个采样点的环境空气进行测定,其中苯、甲苯、乙苯、二甲苯、苯乙烯、1,2,4-三甲基苯和六氯丁二烯均有检出。实验证明,该TD和GC-MS/MS相结合的检测方法具有准确、可靠、灵敏度高等优点,适用于环境空气中VOCs的同时测定。     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定人尿液中全氟有机化合物

采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)联用技术,建立了对人尿液中12种全氟有机化合物(PFCs)的分析方法。首先在尿液样品中加入相应的同位素内标,以2%(体积分数)甲酸甲醇溶液超声萃取、离心后,将提取液用弱阴离子交换固相萃取柱净化,采用UPLC-MS/MS测定,内标法定量。12种目标化合物在0.05～50 μg/L质量浓度范围内线性良好,相关系数(r)均大于0.992,检出限在0.44～3.47 ng/L之间。在20、100、500 ng/L添加水平下,平均回收率范围为80.3%～116.2%,相对标准偏差(n=6)在5.5%～13.8%之间。该方法灵敏度高、重现性好、回收率高、操作简单,适合人尿液中PFCs的测定。     

Gallium metal affinity capture tandem mass spectrometry for the selective detection of phosphopeptides in complex mixtures

Metal affinity capture tandem mass spectrometry (MAC-MSMS) is evaluated in a comparative study of a lysine-derived nitrilotriacetic acid (N(alpha), N(alpha)-bis-(carboxymethyl)lysine, LysNTA) and an aspartic-acid-related iminodiacetic acid (N-(4-aminobutyl)aspartic acid, AspIDA) as selective phosphopeptide detection reagents. Both LysNTA and AspIDA spontaneously form ternary complexes with Ga(III) and phosphorylated amino acids and phosphopeptides upon mixing in solution. Collision-induced dissociation of positive complex ions produced by electrospray produces common fragments (LysNTA + H)(+) or (AspIDA + H)(+) at m/z 263 and 205, respectively. MSMS precursor scans using these fragments as reporter ions allow one to selectively detect multiple charge states of phosphopeptides in mixtures. It follows from this comparative study that LysNTA is superior to AspIDA in detecting phosphopeptides, possibly because of the higher coordination number and greater stability constant for Ga(III)-phosphopeptide complexation of the former reagent. In a continuing development of MAC-MSMS for proteomics applications, we demonstrate its utility in a post-column reaction format. Using a simple post-column-reaction 'T' and syringe pump to deliver our chelating reagents, alpha-casein tryptic phosphopeptides can be selectively analyzed from a solution containing a twofold molar excess of bovine serum albumin. The MAC-MSMS method is shown to be superior to the commonly used neutral loss scan for the common loss of phosphoric acid.     

Determination of polar organic compounds in atmospheric aerosols by gas chromatography with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography with ion trap mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the analysis of 27 polar organic compounds in atmospheric aerosols. The target analytes were low‐molecular‐weight carboxylic acids and methoxyphenols, as relevant markers of source emissions and photochemical processes of organic aerosols. The operative parameters were optimized in order to achieve the best sensitivity and selectivity for the analysis. In comparison with the previous gas chromatography with mass spectrometry procedure based on single ion monitoring detection, the tandem mass spectrometry technique increased the analytical sensitivity by reducing detection limits for standard solutions from 1–2.6 to 0.1–0.4 ng/μL ranges (concentrations in the injected solution). In addition, it enhanced selectivity by reducing matrix interferences and chemical noise in the chromatogram. The applicability of the developed method in air quality monitoring campaigns was effectively checked by analyzing environmental samples collected in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) in different seasons. The obtained results indicate that the ion trap mass spectrometer may be an ideal alternative to high‐resolution mass spectrometers for the user‐friendly and cost‐effective determination of a wide range of molecular tracers in airborne particulate matter.     

Determination of collision-induced dissociation mechanisms and cross-sections in organophosphorus compounds by atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Nineteen organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) of the generic classes (dialkyl alkyl′-phosphonates (twelve compounds) and tri-alkyl phosphates (seven compounds) were investigated by atmospheric pressure ionization (API) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). All OPCs showed consistent and comparable collision-induced dissociation (CID) pathways allowing for a generalized scheme for dissociation. When the alkyl groups are equal to or larger than ethyl, CID mechanisms are dominated by McLafferty rearrangements and neutral losses are stable molecules in all cases except cleavage of P? C or O? C bonds to form alkyl fragment ions. CID cross-sections for the OPCs were determined with excellent reproducibility and a good correlation was found with a simple model. Inferences with respect to ionic structures were made from observed trends in the cross-section measurements. Limitations in API-MS/MS instruments of this design are found in the energy distribution of the ionization and ion sampling events.     

离子色谱-串联质谱法检测茶叶中的高氯酸盐

建立了离子色谱-串联质谱检测茶叶中高氯酸盐的分析方法。选用高容量、强亲水性的IonPac AS20阴离子交换柱（2 mm）进行分离,以淋洗液自动发生器在线产生的70 mmol/L氢氧化钾为淋洗液等浓度淋洗,TSQ Quantiva三重四极杆质谱仪作检测器,采用电喷雾电离源负离子（ESI^-）模式、多反应监测（MRM）模式进行分析,内标法定量。结果表明,高氯酸盐在0.02~10.0 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数（r）为0.9991,定量限为2 μg/kg。运用该方法测定5种茶叶中的高氯酸盐,加标回收率为87.3%~112.2%。该方法具有操作简单、专属性强、灵敏度高等优点,可满足茶叶中高氯酸盐的检测要求。     

Drug binding revealed by tandem mass spectrometry of a protein-micelle complex

The protein-micelle complex formed between the protein EmrE and the lipid dodecylmaltoside has been examined by mass spectrometry. The results show that despite the unfavorable hydrophobic environment in the mass spectrometer it is possible to preserve protein submicelle complexes in the gas phase. The peaks assigned to the submicelle complexes are broad in nature and consistent with a heterogeneous distribution of lipid molecules attached to the protein complex. As such, the spectrum cannot be interpreted. To simplify this complexity we used a tandem mass spectrometry procedure in which discrete m/z values are isolated from the peak and subjected to collision-induced dissociation. These spectra reveal clusters of DDM molecules as well as sequential release of TPP+ and EmrE from the complex as the collision cell voltage is raised. Taken together, the results provide direct evidence for drug binding within a relevant gas-phase protein-micelle complex.     

Determination of selected non-authorized insecticides in peppers by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, two analytical methods based on liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-TOFMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) are described for the identification, confirmation and quantitation of three insecticides non-authorized in the European Union (nitenpyram, isocarbophos and isofenphos-methyl) but detected in recent monitoring programmes in pepper samples. The proposed methodologies involved a sample extraction procedure using liquid-liquid partition with acetonitrile followed by a cleanup step based on dispersive solid-phase extraction. Recovery studies performed on peppers spiked at different fortification levels (10 and 50 microg kg(-1)) yielded average recoveries in the range 76-100% with relative standard deviation (RSD) (%) values below 10%. Identification, confirmation and quantitation were carried out by LC/TOFMS and LC/MS/MS using a hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap (QqLIT) instrument in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The obtained limits of quantitation (LOQs) were in the range 0.1-5 microg kg(-1), depending on each individual technique. Finally, the proposed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of suspected pepper samples.     

Determination of nitrofuran and chloramphenicol residues by high resolution mass spectrometry versus tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography based method, coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS), was developed to permit the detection and quantification of various nitrofuran and chloramphenicol residues in a number of animal based food products. This method is based on the hydrolysis of covalently bound metabolites and derivatization with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde. Clean-up is achieved by a liquid/liquid and a reversed phase/solid phase extraction. Not only are the four conventional nitrofurans (nitrofurantoin, furazolidone, nitrofurazone and furaltadone) detected, but also nifursol, nitrovin and nifuroxazide. Furthermore, an underivatizable nitrofuran (nifurpirinol) and another banned drug (chloramphenicol) can be quantified as well. The compounds are detected in the form of their precursor ions, [M + H]⁺ and [M − H]⁻, respectively. The mass resolving power of 70,000 FWHM, and the applied mass window ensure sufficient selectivity and sensitivity. Confirmation is obtained by monitoring the HRMS resolved product ions which were derived from the unit-mass resolved precursor ions. The multiplexing capability of the utilized Orbitrap instrument provides not only highly selective, but also sensitive confirmatory signals. This method has been validated according to the CD 2002/657/EC for the following matrices: muscle, liver, kidney, fish, honey, eggs and milk.     

Detection of Amadori compounds by capillary electrophoresis coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-MS) is reported for the first time as an alternative and powerful analytical method for the characterization and monitoring of N-substituted 1-amino-1-deoxyketoses (Amadori compounds). It allows rapid separation and identification of Amadori compounds, while benefiting from the well-known advantages of MS, such as specificity and sensitivity. Amadori compounds of several amino acids, such as glycine, valine, isoleucine, methionine, proline, and phenylalanine, as well as a cysteine-derived compound, were separated and/or discriminated using CE-MS/MS under standard conditions. The technique may also be useful to study the stability and degradation kinetics of other labile charged Maillard intermediates that play an important role in food and medical science.     

同位素稀释液相色谱-串联质谱法测定化妆品中的N-亚硝基二乙醇胺

建立了化妆品中N-亚硝基二乙醇胺(NDELA)的同位素稀释液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。水溶性化妆品样品以水为提取溶剂提取,样品提取液经高速离心处理后,上清液过Oasis HLB固相萃取柱净化。脂溶性化妆品样品用二氯甲烷和水混合溶剂进行液-液分配萃取。NDELA经Waters Atlantis T3色谱柱(150 mm×2.1 mm,3 μm)分离后在多反应监测模式下进行串联质谱定性及定量分析,以d8-NDELA为内标定量。NDELA的方法定量限为50 μg/kg;在50-250 μg/kg的3个添加水平范围内的平均回收率为89.1%～98.2%,日内精密度均小于9%,日间精密度均小于11%。该方法能够满足化妆品中NDELA的检测要求。     

Determination of gestagens in kidney fat by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The use of gestagens in animal fattening is prohibited within the European Union. Recently, the use of spectrometric methods for the detection and confirmation of banned substances was made obligatory. Therefore, conventional high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods have been superseded. It has been possible to couple a previously described HPLC method for the determination of acetyl-gestagens in kidney fat to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The decision limits CCalpha and the detection capability CCbeta are found to be below the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) established for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) at 1 microg kg(-1). The calculated values for CCalpha are as follows: megestrol acetate (MGA)--0.15 microg kg(-1), melengesterol acetate (MLA)--0.15 microg kg(-1), chlormadinone acetate (CMA)--0.37 microg kg(-1) and for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)--0.24 microg kg(-1). The CCbeta values for these compounds have been determined as 0.19, 0.19, 0.47 and 0.32 microg kg(-1), respectively.     

Determination of ephedra alkaloids by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

In conjunction with an AOAC Task Group on dietary supplements, a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was validated for measurement of 6 major alkaloids in raw ephedra sinica herb, ephedra extracts, ephedra tablets, complex dietary supplements containing ephedra, and a high-protein drink mix containing ephedra. The amount of ephedrine-type alkaloids present was determined by LC with mass selective detection. Six replicates of each matrix were analyzed on 3 separate occasions. The presence of 6 ephedrine-type alkaloids was detected at a level > 0.5 microg/g based on a 0.5 g sample. The standard curve range for this assay is from 0.02 to 1.0 microg/mL. Appropriate dilutions covered a wide range of specific alkaloid concentrations. The calibration curves for all 6 analytes had correlation coefficients > 0.995.     

Determination of quaternary ammonium pesticides by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the direct determination of paraquat, diquat, chlormequat and difenzoquat in water samples, using an on-line solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system was developed. No sample preparation was required and the detection limits were below the European Union maximum residue levels. The chromatographic separation was performed using an XTera MS C8 column. The concentration of the ion pair reagent, the pH and the gradient elution were optimized to give high recoveries and good chromatographic resolution between quats. The detection was carried out using an ion trap as mass analyzer. Parameters such as the magnitude and duration of the resonant excitation voltage and the magnitude of the trapping RF voltage for full scan tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) experiments were studied to establish the optimal experimental conditions. Moreover, the accurate optimization of these parameters allowed MS-MS experiments of low mass ions, below m/z 200, providing unambiguous peak identification. Finally, the reproducibility of the proposed method was shown by good run-to-run and day-to-day precision values and its applicability to the determination of quats in drinking water was evaluated using spiked samples.