Simultaneous determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2 in peanuts and their derivative products by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A reliable ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2 in peanuts and their derivative products was developed. The sample was extracted by 84% of acetonitrile aqueous solution and the extract was purified by a reliable solid phase extraction-based clean-up method. Then, the analytes were separated on Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm particle size), and eluted with a mobile phase consisting of (A) water containing 0.1% formic acid and (B) acetonitrile/methanol (50/50, v/v). The separated compounds were detected with a Waters Micromass Quattro Ultima Pt tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in positive electro-spray ionization using multiple reaction monitoring mode. The established method was extensively validated by determining the linearity (R² ≥ 0.9990), average recovery (74.7-86.8%) and precision (relative standard deviation ≤ 10.9%). It was shown to be a suitable method for simultaneous determination of the six aflatoxins in peanuts and their derivative products. Finally, a total of 73 samples randomly collected from different areas in Zhejiang province were screened for aflatoxins with the proposed method. The results showed that 31 samples of peanut butter, 14 samples of fresh peanut and 5 samples of musty peanut were contaminated with aflatoxins. Meanwhile, this was the first report on aflatoxins M1 and M2, which were found in unprocessed peanuts and their derivative products.     

液相色谱串联四极杆质谱法同时测定婴幼儿配方食品中甲基香兰素和乙基香兰素

建立了混合阴离子交换固相萃取柱净化,液相色谱串联四极杆质谱法测定婴幼儿配方食品中甲基香兰素和乙基香兰素的方法.样品经水和乙腈提取,CuSO4溶液沉淀蛋白,NaOH调节pH,增加样品溶解性,阴离子交换固相萃取柱净化.目标化合物在梯度洗脱条件下经C18柱分离后采用ESI源负离子多反应监测模式进行检测.分别选取了婴幼儿配方乳...     

亲水作用色谱-串联质谱法同时测定液态奶中三聚氰酸和三聚氰胺

建立了亲水作用色谱-串联质谱同时测定液态奶中三聚氰酸和三聚氰胺的方法。液态奶样品经体积分数2.5%甲酸溶液提取、离心后乙腈稀释,亲水作用色谱柱分离,电喷雾串联四极杆质谱检测器检测,分别在负、正离子模式下测定三聚氰酸和三聚氰胺。三聚氰酸和三聚氰胺分别在0.5～100μg/L、0.1～50μg/L范围内线性关系良好。在0.25～15mg/kg、0.1～7.5mg/kg添加水平范围内,三聚氰酸平均回收率为84.5%～98.0%(RSD为2.1%～6.1%),三聚氰胺平均回收率为85.5%～88.9%(RSD为3.2～5.8%)。三聚氰酸、三聚氰胺定量限分别为0.25mg/kg、0.1mg/kg。     

Improving liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry determinations by modifying noise frequency spectrum between two consecutive wavelet-based low-pass filtering procedures

This paper employs one chemometric technique to modify the noise spectrum of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) chromatogram between two consecutive wavelet-based low-pass filter procedures to improve the peak signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio enhancement. Although similar techniques of using other sets of low-pass procedures such as matched filters have been published, the procedures developed in this work are able to avoid peak broadening disadvantages inherent in matched filters. In addition, unlike Fourier transform-based low-pass filters, wavelet-based filters efficiently reject noises in the chromatograms directly in the time domain without distorting the original signals. In this work, the low-pass filtering procedures sequentially convolve the original chromatograms against each set of low pass filters to result in approximation coefficients, representing the low-frequency wavelets, of the first five resolution levels. The tedious trials of setting threshold values to properly shrink each wavelet are therefore no longer required. This noise modification technique is to multiply one wavelet-based low-pass filtered LC–MS/MS chromatogram with another artificial chromatogram added with thermal noises prior to the other wavelet-based low-pass filter. Because low-pass filter cannot eliminate frequency components below its cut-off frequency, more efficient peak S/N ratio improvement cannot be accomplished using consecutive low-pass filter procedures to process LC–MS/MS chromatograms. In contrast, when the low-pass filtered LC–MS/MS chromatogram is conditioned with the multiplication alteration prior to the other low-pass filter, much better ratio improvement is achieved. The noise frequency spectrum of low-pass filtered chromatogram, which originally contains frequency components below the filter cut-off frequency, is altered to span a broader range with multiplication operation. When the frequency range of this modified noise spectrum shifts toward the high frequency regimes, the other low-pass filter is able to provide better filtering efficiency to obtain higher peak S/N ratios. Real LC–MS/MS chromatograms, of which typically less than 6-fold peak S/N ratio improvement achieved with two consecutive wavelet-based low-pass filters remains the same S/N ratio improvement using one-step wavelet-based low-pass filter, are improved to accomplish much better ratio enhancement 25-folds to 40-folds typically when the noise frequency spectrum is modified between two low-pass filters. The linear standard curves using the filtered LC–MS/MS signals are validated. The filtered LC–MS/MS signals are also reproducible. The more accurate determinations of very low concentration samples (S/N ratio about 7–9) are obtained using the filtered signals than the determinations using the original signals.     

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry determination of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in newborn serum samples

Byproducts of arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oxidation are highly relevant for the study of free radical associated conditions in the perinatal period. Plasma metabolites can provide the clinician with a snapshot of the oxidant status of patients before and after specific clinical interventions (e.g.: supplementation with oxygen). We describe a new andreliable ultra-performance liquid mass spectrometry method to determine F2-isoprostanes and other byproducts (isoprostanes, isofurans, neuroprostanes, neurofurans) in newborn serum samples. Cord blood samples were obtained from severely depressed newborn infants (Apgar score 1 min < 3; arterial cord pH < 7.00), and aliquoted for serum determination and stored at −80 °C. A UHPLC-MS/MS method was employed. It has a series of technical advantages: simple sample treatment; reduced sample volume (100 μL) which is essential for preterm neonates with low circulating blood volume, high throughput of sample analysis (96 samples in less than 24 h) and high selectivity for different isoprostanes isomers. Excellent sensitivity was achieved within limits of detection between 0.06 and 4.2 nmol L⁻¹, which renders this method suitable to monitoranalyte concentration in newborn samples. The method's precision was satisfactory; with coefficients of variation around 5–12% (intra-day) and 7–17% (inter-day). The reliability of the described method was assessed by analysis of spiked serum samples obtaining recoveries between 70% and 120%. The proposed method has rendered suitable for serum determination for newborn babies at risk of oxygen free radical associated conditions.     

Direct analysis of crude plasma samples by turbulent flow chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Summary Turbulent flow chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (TFC-MS-MS) has recently emerged as a potentially fast, sensitive and specific technique for the direct analysis of pharmaceutical compounds from crude plasma. TFC-MS-MS removes the need for time-consuming sample preparation procedures such as solid-phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). A relatively high flow rate combined with the use, of an HPLC column with large porous particles allows the on-line clean up and quantification of compounds in plasma samples. Until, now, the amount of plasma directly injected into TFC systems has rarely exceeded 30 μL in order to prevent rapid column degradation. Increasing the injection volume also induces high carry-over levels, particularly for drugs with basic and/or lipophilic properties. This paper describes the first genetic TFC-MS-MS method developed in a 96-well format, which allows the direct injection of 200 μL of 1∶1 diluted plasma (equivalent to 100 μL neat plasma). An average, of 390 injections was carried out with each extraction column. More than 2000 dog plasma samples were injected into the system without any sign of carryover. The method was fully validated over a 5–500 ng mL⁻¹ range for three basic compounds: doxazosin, CP122,288 and dofetilide. The imprecision was 1.2 to 8.3% for doxazosin, 1.5 to 4% for CP122,288 and 1.6 to 9.2% for dofetilide. The inaccuracy ranged from 6% to 7.9%. This generic methodology was then used to assay two structurally unrelated development compounds, showing that the method accuracy and sensitivity were adequate for the early pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in animals.     

Imatinib (Gleevec, Glivec) tumour tissue analysis by measurement of sediment and by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The analysis of the signal transduction inhibitor imatinib in patient tumour tissue using LC and MS/MS is described. The anticancer agent is eluted over RP-C18 within 2 mm together with its internal standard STI571-d8. Calibration curves were prepared in red blood cells (RBC). For quantitative isolation of the RBC, measurement of sediment was applied. There were no indications of signal suppression by substances originating in the biological matrix. The limit of determination in tumour tissue was in the range of those recorded for RBC and plasma. The assay is selective and sensitive, with its robustness favouring the experimental application in clinical oncology and its routine use in animal experiments. The LOD was 4.5 ng per gram in tumour tissue.     

Multiresidue analysis of beta-agonists in bovine and porcine urine,feed and hair using liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry

The use of β-agonists as growth promoters in cattle breeding is forbidden in many countries for reasons of fair trade and consumer protection. In recent years the use of liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has been shown to be the method of choice for the control of β-agonists. In this study an LC-MS/MS multiresidue analysis method is presented for trace analysis of 22 β-agonists. A truly generic concept has been designed based on mixed-mode solid-phase extraction and positive electrospray ionisation LC-MS/MS operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. This method allows application to a wide variety of sample matrices such as urine, feed and hair, following minor modifications to the analysis procedure only. The method features fit-for-purpose sensitivity in urine as shown by CCα and CCβ values of less than 0.2 and less than 0.5 μg/l respectively, for all β-agonists studied (terbutaline and reproterol, less than 0.3 and less than 1.0 respectively). Similar but semiquantitative application to feed and hair showed CCβ values of less than 10.0 and less than 5.0 μg/kg, respectively. A further simplification and improvement is demonstrated using Ultra Performance LC (UPLC™) and fast-switching MS/MS. The successful validation of this method following the latest EU requirements and its application to real samples demonstrate that a new versatile tool has been achieved for veterinary control of β-agonists.     

Characterization of low-molecular weight peptides in champagne wine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

This paper reports the use of an on-line LC–ESI–MS/MS method for the identification and quantification of di- and tripeptides in champagne wine without laborious sample pretreatment. The identification of these compounds, in their underivatised form, is based on identical retention times and ESI–MS spectra to those of reference standards. The presence of nine dipeptides (Arg–Ile, Ile–Arg, Ile–Val, Lys–Phe, Lys–Tyr, Phe–Lys, Tyr–Gln, Tyr–Lys, Val–Ile) and the absence of two tripeptides (Phe–Arg–Arg and Lys–Met–Asn) have been evidenced in the matrix. Calibration curves for each analyte were established using Phe–Arg as internal standard. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range 0.1–10 mg L⁻¹ with a determination coefficient, r², better than 0.992. The accuracy for the calibration standard was estimated at between 92 and 102%. This method allows high recovery and satisfies the necessary requirements with respect to accuracy, repeatability and sensitivity. The first application of this analytical method to the measurement of di- and tri-peptides in different vintages of champagne wine is reported. Compositional changes in the peptides occurred depending on the vintage.     

超高效液相色谱法快速测定发酵茶叶中的黄曲霉毒素

建立了用超高效液相色谱/紫外检测器测定发酵茶叶中黄曲霉毒素B1、B2、G1和G2的方法.用CH2Q2提取黄曲霉毒素,提取液经浓缩后,用LC-CN固相萃取小柱净化,超高效液相色谱测定.在浓度范围20～200μg/L(B1、G1),15～120μg/L(B2、G2)内具有良好的线性相关关系.黄曲霉毒素的回收率为81.4%～92.3%,相对标准偏差RSD 1.6%～4.2%.检出限为0.32μg/kg(B1、G1),0.18μg/kg(B2、G2)(S/N=3).     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定山茶油中黄曲霉毒素B1

建立了山茶油中黄曲霉毒素B1含量的高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。通过对前处理方法的优化,选择了甲醇和水作为山茶油中黄曲霉毒素B1的提取溶剂,经免疫亲和柱富集浓缩后,采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱进行分析,经C18色谱柱分离,在电喷雾离子化正离子模式(ESI+)及多反应监测模式(MRM)下进行测定,基质匹配标准溶液外标法定量。在优化条件下,该方法线性范围为0.4～6.4μg/L,相关系数r2>0.998,最低检出限为0.026μg/kg,在添加水平为0.008,0.016和0.032μg时,方法回收率在85.9%～93.8%之间;相对标准偏差为1.8%～5.0%。方法可满足山茶油中黄曲霉毒素B1的检测要求。     

Analysis of proteoglycans derived sulphated disaccharides by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the identification and quantitative determination of sulphated disaccharides derived from chondroitin sulphate (CS) and dermatan sulphate (DS) chains attached to proteoglycans (PGs). After digestion with Chondroitinase ABC, the pool of disaccharides can be directly separated by liquid chromatography on a porous graphitized carbon (PGC) column and identified by on-line electrospray mass spectrometry under negative ionization conditions. The relative intensities of the fragment ions obtained by MS/MS allow to distinguish the sulphate position. Calibration with standard disaccharides allows the quantification of the different isomers. The method showed good repeatability in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD < 2%) and linearity between 0.5 and 50 ng (total injected amount) for both 4- and 6-sulphated disaccharides. The limit of detection achieved in full scan mode was 0.1 ng. The methodology was applied to different types of biological samples obtained from patients suffering from chronic lung inflammation such as: lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), induced sputum and urine.     

Analysis of lignans in Magnoliae Flos by turbulent flow chromatography with online solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, a method coupling turbulent flow chromatography with online solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for analyzing the lignans in Magnoliae Flos. By the online pretreatment of turbulent flow chromatography solid‐phase extraction, the impurities removal and analytes concentration were automatically processed, and the lignans were separated rapidly and well. Seven lignans of Magnoliae Flos including epieudesmin, magnolin, 1‐irioresinol‐B‐dimethyl ether, epi‐magnolin, fargesin aschantin, and demethoxyaschantin were identified by comparing their retention behavior, UV spectra, and mass spectra with those of reference substances or literature data. The developed method was validated, and the good results showed that the method was not only automatic and rapid, but also accurate and reliable. The turbulent flow chromatography with online solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method holds a high potential to become an effective method for the quality control of lignans in Magnoliae Flos and a useful tool for the analysis of other complex mixtures.     

Simultaneous determination of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene,and xylene metabolites in human urine using electromembrane extraction combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

For the first time, electromembrane extraction combined with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was applied for the determination of urinary benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene metabolites. S‐Phenylmercapturic acid, hippuric acid, phenylglyoxylic acid, and methylhippuric acid isomers were extracted from human urine through a supported liquid membrane consisting of 1‐octanol into an alkaline acceptor solution filling the inside of a hollow fiber by application of an electric field. Various extraction factors were investigated and optimized using response surface methodology, the statistical method. The optimum conditions were established to be 300 V applied voltage, 15 min extraction time, 1500 rpm stirring speed, and 5 mM ammonium acetate (pH 10.2) acceptor solution. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery, and reproducibility. The results showed good linearity (r² > 0.995), precision, and accuracy. The extract recoveries were 52.8–79.0%. Finally, we applied this method to real samples and successfully measured benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene metabolites.     

Open-tubular liquid chromatography under turbulent and secondary flow conditions

Summary Liquid chromatography in open tubes at flow rates around 0.1 cm · s^–1 and less can generate an enormous number of theoretical plates but suffers from long analysis times. The Golay and van Deemter equations are also obeyed with high accuracy.If straight tubes of circular cross section and very smooth inner surface are used, secondary flow effects can be neglected. Thus the plate height should depend only on the flow velocity and the number of theoretical plates should decrease with increase in linear flow, whereas the number of plates per unit time should be constant.Under turbulent conditions, however, the plate height seems to be more or less independent of linear flow over a wide range. Increasing the flow to several hundred cm · s^–1 causes, for example, 0.2 mm ID capillaries to show the reverse effect and a slight decrease in plate height is found. Alkali treated and silanized capillaries below 100 m i. d. deviate from the Golay prediction before turbulence occurs and a relative decrease in the plate height and thus higher efficiency is found possibly caused be secondary flow effects in the coiled tube or the roughness of the inner walls. These effects allow an increase in the efficiency of given open-tubular systems simply by increasing the solvent velocity drastically. Although plate heights are in the range mm to cm, efficiencies, in theoretical plates per second, similar to classic HPLC, are found. Therefore the quite interesting possibility of overcoming the well-known restrictions of classical HPLC to achieve high efficiency liquid chromatograms exists.Presented at the 17th International Symposium on Chromatography, September 25–30, 1988, Vienna, Austria.     

Rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of yonkenafil and its major metabolites in rat plasma

Yonkenafil is a promising drug for treatment of male erectile dysfunction. Previous studies showed that the piperazine‐N,N’‐deethylation metabolite, piperazine‐N‐deethylation metabolite, and piperazine‐N‐deethylation‐N,N’‐deethylation metabolite were the major metabolites of yonkenafil after extensive metabolism. We developed a sensitive and selective method for the simultaneous quantification of yonkenafil and its major metabolites using high‐throughput liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Analytes and internal standard were extracted from a small quantity of plasma (50 μL) using liquid–liquid extraction with diethyl ether/dichloromethane (60:40, v/v), and the baseline separation was achieved on Zorbax SB‐C₁₈ column using ammonia/water/methanol (0.2:20:80, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. The assay was performed with an electrospray positive ionization mass spectrometry through the multiple‐reaction monitoring mode within 2 min. Calibration curve of the method was linear within the range of 1.00–1000 ng/mL for all the analytes with the intra‐ and interday precisions of 4.0–5.2 and 4.0–5.3% for yonkenafil, 3.1–4.9 and 3.1–5.2% for the piperazine‐N,N’‐deethylation metabolite, 4.8–6.8 and 4.8–7.3% for the piperazine‐N‐deethylation metabolite, and 2.9–6.1 and 5.4–6.3% for the piperazine‐N‐deethylation‐N,N’‐deethylation metabolite, respectively. The recoveries were above 90% with low matrix effects. The validated assay was successfully applied to support a preclinical pharmacokinetic study in six rats using a single oral dose of yonkenafil (8 mg/kg).     

Rapid confirmatory method for the determination of 11 nitroimidazoles in egg using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid confirmatory method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous identification, confirmation and quantitation of 11 nitroimidazoles in eggs by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method is validated in accordance with Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and is capable of analysing metronidazole (MNZ), dimetridazole (DMZ), ronidazole (RNZ), ipronidazole (IPZ) and their hydroxy metabolites MNZ-OH, HMMNI (hydroxymethyl, methyl nitroimidazole), IPZ-OH. The method is also capable of analysing carnidazole (CRZ), ornidazole (ORZ), tinidazole (TNZ) and ternidazole (TRZ). MNZ, DMZ and RNZ have been assigned a recommended level (RL) of 3 μg kg⁻¹ by the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) in Berlin. The developed method described in this study is easily able to detect all the nitroimidazole compounds investigated at this level and below. Egg samples are extracted with acetonitrile, and NaCl is added to help remove matrix contaminants. The acetonitrile extract undergoes a liquid–liquid wash step with hexane; it is then evaporated and reconstituted in mobile phase. The reconstituted samples are analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The decision limits (CCα) range from 0.33 to 1.26 μg kg⁻¹ and the detection capabilities (CCβ), range from 0.56 to 2.15 μg kg⁻¹. The results of the inter-assay study, which was performed by fortifying hen egg samples (n = 18) on three separate days, show the accuracy calculated for the various analytes to range between 87.2 and 106.2%. The precision of the method, expressed as %CV values for the inter-assay variation of each analyte at the three levels of fortification (3, 4.5 and 6.0 μg kg⁻¹), ranged between 3.7 and 11.3%. A Day 4 analysis was carried out to examine species variances in eggs from different birds such as duck and quail and investigating differences in various battery and free range hen eggs.     

Identification of impurities in polymyxin B and colistin bulk sample using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) describes liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV) methods using C₁₈ stationary phases for the analysis of polymyxin B and colistin.Several unknown impurities were detected in commercial samples of those polypeptide complexes. However, the Ph. Eur. does not specify any related substances for polymyxin B and colistin. Since both methods use non-volatile buffers, the mobile phases were incompatible with mass spectrometry (MS). For the identification of related substances in bulk samples by LC/MS, volatile mobile phase systems were developed. However, the LC/MS methods (with volatile additives) showed inferior chromatographic separation compared to the LC-UV method (with non-volatile additives). Moreover, previously identified impurities by LC/MS could not be assigned in LC-UV methods as the separation in both systems was different.In this study, known impurities were traced in the LC-UV methods and new impurities present in polymyxin B and colistin bulk samples were characterized. To achieve this, each peak from the non-volatile system was collected separately and reinjected into an LC system with a volatile mobile phase coupled to MS. This way, collected impurity peaks were rechromatographed on a reversed phase column in order to separate the analyte from the buffer salts. Using this method, out of 39 peaks, five novel related substances were characterized in a polymyxin B bulk sample. Fourteen impurities, which were already reported in the literature were traced as good as possible in the LC-UV method. In the case of colistin, a total of 36 peaks were investigated, among which four new compounds. Additionally, 30 known impurities were traced in the LC-UV method.     

High-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous detection of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in Indian medicinal herbs using QuEChERS-based extraction procedure

Since the discovery of aflatoxins (AFs) in the 1960s, much research has focused on detecting the toxins in contaminated food and feedstuffs. But the quality determination in medicinal plant matrices with respect to AFs is scare. Hence, a simple, accurate and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of AFs AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂ in two Indian popular medicinal herbs i.e. senna (Cassia angustifolia) and kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata). AFs have been extracted from herb matrix using a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe)-based extraction procedure followed by applying primary secondary amine and C18 for further clean-up step and then were quantified under the multiple reaction monitoring together with positive ionisation modes. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification in order to reduce the matrix effect. Validation of the method was carried out in herbs by recovery experiments. Recoveries of the spiked samples were in the range of 61.9–111.5% with an inter-day and intraday relative standard deviation lower than 20.0%. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.41 to 0.95 ng mL^?1 and 1.2 to 3.8 μg kg^?1, respectively. The expanded uncertainty of the method was <21% for all the toxins in both the herbs. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine AF residues in real field samples of senna and kalmegh obtained from different locations in India.     

Elucidation of triacylglycerols in cod liver oil by liquid chromatography electrospray tandem ion-trap mass spectrometry

Though liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS²) has been widely used in the structural elucidation of triacylglycerols (TAG) in vegetable oils, its potentiality for the identification of TAG molecules in omega-3 rich oils remains unexplored till date. Hence, this article investigates the applicability of LC-ESI-MS² for the structural characterization of naturally occurring TAG in cod liver oil without the TAG fractionation during the sample preparation. A computational algorithm was developed to automatically interpret the mass spectra and elucidate the TAG structures respectively. The results were compared against the lipase benchmark method. A principal component analysis study revealed that it is possible to discriminate genuine from adulterated cod liver oil.