Headspace mass spectrometry methodology: application to oil spill identification in soils

In the present work we report the results obtained with a methodology based on direct coupling of a headspace generator to a mass spectrometer for the identification of different types of petroleum crudes in polluted soils. With no prior treatment, the samples are subjected to the headspace generation process and the volatiles generated are introduced directly into the mass spectrometer, thereby obtaining a fingerprint of volatiles in the sample analysed. The mass spectrum corresponding to the mass/charge ratios (m/z) contains the information related to the composition of the headspace and is used as the analytical signal for the characterization of the samples. The signals obtained for the different samples were treated by chemometric techniques to obtain the desired information. The main advantage of the proposed methodology is that no prior chromatographic separation and no sample manipulation are required. The method is rapid, simple and, in view of the results, highly promising for the implementation of a new approach for oil spill identification in soils. Figure PCA score plots illustrate clear discrimination of types of crude oil in polluted soil samples (e.g. results are shown for vertisol)     

Rapid separation and identification of Strychnos alkaloids metabolites in rats by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap Orbitrap mass spectrometry

An in vivo study of Strychnos alkaloids metabolites in rats by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap Orbitrap MS is reported for the first time. Two major Strychnos alkaloids compounds including strychnine and brucine were investigated. To obtain optimal extraction efficiency, samples were pretreated by using an SPE plate. The structures of metabolites and their fragment ions were characterized based on the accurate mass and MSⁿ data. Forty‐seven metabolites were identified in rat urine, of which 25 were reported for the first time. Four new metabolism pathways were proposed on the basis of the identified metabolites. This study provides a practical approach for rapidly identifying complicated metabolites, a methodology that could be widely applied not only in forensic and clinically toxicological relevant cases, but also for the structural characterization of metabolites of other compounds.     

基于真菌毒素污染差异的液相色谱-串联质谱法鉴别板栗粉中掺假小麦粉

建立了分散固相萃取-超快速液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定板栗粉和小麦粉中43种真菌毒素的方法,对48份板栗粉和80份小麦粉样品的污染状况进行调查,筛选出5种专属于小麦粉的标志性真菌毒素.样品采用84％(v/v)乙腈水溶液提取,提取液采用C18结合增强型脂质去除净化剂(EMR-Lipid)净化,采用响应曲面-中心组合设计优...     

Ganglioside analysis in body fluids by liquid-phase separation techniques hyphenated to mass spectrometry

The expression of gangliosides in central nervous system is a few times higher than in the extraneural tissue, a characteristic highlighting their major role at this level. Although in very low amounts, gangliosides are ubiquitously distributed in body fluids too, where, depending on many factors, including pathological states, their composition fluctuates, thus having diagnostic value. Ganglioside investigation in biological fluids, which, except for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), may be sampled noninvasively, was for years impeded by the limited sensitivity of the analytical instrumentation available in glycomics. However, because the last decade has witnessed significant developments in biological mass spectrometry (MS) and the hyphenated separation techniques, marked by a major increase in sensitivity, reproducibility, and data reliability, ganglioside research started to be focused on biofluid analysis by separation techniques coupled to MS. In this context, our review presents the achievements in this emerging field of gangliosidomics, with a particular emphasis on modern liquid chromatography (LC), thin-layer chromatography, hydrophilic interaction LC, and ion mobility separation coupled to high-performance MS, as well as the results generated by these systems and allied experimental procedures in profiling and structural analysis of gangliosides in healthy or diseased body fluids, such as CSF, plasma/serum, and milk.     

ToF‐SIMS spectrometry to observe fatty acid profiles of breast tissues in broiler chicken subjected to varied vegetable oil diet

This study is aimed to observe changes in fatty acid profiles by time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) in breast muscle tissues of broilers. Four different groups were identified. The source of fat in group I was soy oil (rich in linoleic acid, ω‐6), group II received linseed oil (ω‐3), and the third group was fed a mixture of the two mentioned oils. Broilers in the control group were fed with beef tallow, used in mass commercial production. The results reveal that the use of vegetable oils in animal nutrition determines the lipid profile of fatty acids. ToF‐SIMS measurements showed that the lipid profile of muscle fibers and intramuscular fat reflect the composition of fats used as feed additives. In both structures, the ratio of ω‐6/ω‐3 fatty acids, which is most favorable for human health, was found in the groups in which a mixture of vegetable oils and a supplement of linseed oil were used.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定面粉及其制品中的联二脲

建立了面粉及其制品中联二脲的液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）测定及确证方法。采用纯水振荡提取样品中的联二脲,联二脲经高锰酸钾氧化后,转变为偶氮甲酰胺,再加入对甲苯亚磺酸钠使偶氮甲酰胺衍生为对甲苯磺酰氨基脲。以乙腈和2 mmol/L乙酸铵溶液（含0.2%（v/v）甲酸）为流动相进行梯度洗脱,经Shimpak XR-ODSⅡ色谱柱（150 mm×2.0 mm,2.2 μm）分离,电喷雾正离子模式电离（ESI⁺）,多反应监测（MRM）模式检测,同位素内标法定量。方法的线性范围为1~20000 μg/kg,相关系数为0.9999,定量限为5 μg/kg;当添加水平为5.0、10.0与50.0 μg/kg时,联二脲的平均回收率为78.3%~108.0%,相对标准偏差（RSDs）不大于5.73%。本方法新颖、可靠、灵敏、线性范围广,而且实用性强,可用于面粉及其多种制品中联二脲的测定和确证。     

Metabolism profile of scutellarin in urine following oral administration to rats by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Scutellarin, a flavone glucuronide of 5,6,4′-trihydroxyflavone-7-O-glucoronide, is the main active component of the traditional Chinese botanic drug Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz. In this study, a method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC/TOF MS) was established and validated to profile the metabolites of scutellarin in Sprague-Dawley rat urine following oral administration of single dose of scutellarin at 80.8 mg/kg. The column utilized was an Acquity BEH C18 (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). The mobile phase was 0.2% formic acid and acetonitrile with gradient condition. Two standard curves of scutellarin were obtained for the concentration range of 1.065-10.65 μg/mL and 10.65-63.92 μg/mL, respectively. By automating the data processing of the software Masslynx developed by Waters Ltd., 17 metabolites of scutellarin were found and determined in rat urine, with the corresponding reactions in vivo such as isomerism, reduction, methylation, glucuronide conjugation, hydroxylation, hydroxylation and methylation, etc., most of which were discovered for the first time. For most metabolites, the time (T_p) of peak excretion was 8-12 h. Calculated as scutellarin, the cumulative urine excretion rate of the metabolites was 1.93%.     

Rapid identification of efavirenz metabolites in rats and humans by ultra high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

An in vivo study of efavirenz metabolites in rats and human patients with ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry combined with MetabolitePilot^MT software is reported for the first time. Considering the polarity differences between the metabolites, solid‐phase extraction and protein precipitation were both applied as a part of the sample preparation method. The structures of the metabolites and their fragment ions were identified or tentatively characterized based on the accurate mass and MS² data. As a result, a total of 15 metabolites, including 11 from rat samples and 13 from human samples, were identified or tentatively characterized. Two metabolites and several new metabolism pathways are reported for the first time. This study provides a practical approach for identifying complicated metabolites through the rapid and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry technique, which could be widely used for the investigation of drug metabolites.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of isomangiferin in rat plasma with application to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was firstly developed for the measurement of isomangiferin in rat plasma. Chloramphenicol was selected as the internal standard. Sample preparation was carried out through a simple one‐step protein precipitation procedure with methanol. Negative electrospray ionization was performed using multiple reaction monitoring mode with transitions of m/z 421.1/301.1 for isomangiferin, and 321.1/151.9 for chloramphenicol. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.1–600 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantification at 0.1 ng/mL. The intra‐ and interday precisions (relative standard deviation) were no more than 8.2% and accuracies (relative error) were within the range of –8.4 to 2.2%. The recovery, matrix effect and stability under different conditions were all proved acceptable. The validated method has been successfully applied to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study of isomangiferin in rats for the first time.     

Multiresidue analysis of 47 pesticides in cooked wheat flour and polished rice by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry was used to directly quantify of 47 pesticide residues from cooked wheat flour and polished rice, which are the most widely consumed cereals in the Republic of Korea. The sample clean‐up was carried out according to the method established by the Korea Food and Drug Administration. The mobile phase for liquid chromatograpy separation consisted of water and 5 mm methanolic ammonium formate. Tandem mass spectroscopy experiments were performed in electrospray ionization positive mode and the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The matrix effects estimated for the 47 pesticides had a mean value of 99% and ranged from 45 to 147%. High recoveries (70–140%) and relative standard deviations (≤20%) were achieved for most of the pesticides tested. The method used in this study allowed for rapid quantification and identification of low levels of pesticides in cooked wheat flour and polished rice samples. Of the screened pesticide residues, only tricyclazole and fenobucarb were found in polished rice samples. However, no samples contained residues above the MRL established by the Korea Food and Drug Administration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of aflatoxins in olive oil by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric with electrospray ionization (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method for determining the four naturally occurring aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1, and G2 in olive oil is proposed. AFs were extracted from oil sample by means of matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPDE), utilizing C18 as dispersing material. No further purification step, such as lipid removal, was performed. Aflatoxin M1, the hepatic metabolite of AFB1, was employed as internal standard. Olive oil extract was analyzed by LC/ESI-MS/MS in positive ionization mode, with multireaction monitoring acquisition. Due to a signal suppression ranging between 4 and 23%, quantitation was performed by matrix-matched calibration curves. The regression line coefficients of determination were above 0.9991. Sample recoveries ranged from 92 to 107%, with relative standard deviations below 13% for spiking levels between 0.5 and 5 ng g⁻¹; method quantification limits ranged between 0.04 and 0.12 ng g⁻¹. The developed LC/ESI-MS/MS method, although not as sensitive as LC coupled to fluorescence detection, is rapid, selective, accurate and precise, thus it can be used as confirmatory assay. The MSPDE appears suitable for application to other oleaginous matrices and for multiresidue investigation.     

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。     

气相色谱-飞行时间质谱法测定食用植物油中197种农药残留

建立了气相色谱-飞行时间质谱(GC-TOF-MS)同时测定食用植物油中197种农药残留的方法.样品经乙腈超声提取,冷冻除脂,C18和PSA吸附剂共同净化;目标物经HP-5MS UI毛细管柱(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25μm)分离,电子轰击源电离,全扫描模式采集质谱信息;MassHunter软件对数据进行定性与定量...     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定食用植物油中的棉酚

建立了食用植物油中棉酚的液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）分析方法。待测物经无水乙醇涡旋振荡提取,C18色谱柱分离,以乙腈和0.1%（v/v）甲酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,LC-MS/MS测定,外标法定量。方法的测定低限（S/N>10）为1 mg/kg;在添加浓度为1、2和200 mg/kg水平下,棉酚的加标回收率为87.4%~100%,相对标准偏差为3.9%~12.2%。结果表明,本方法灵敏度高,测定结果准确,回收率稳定,可用于食用植物油中棉酚残留的确证检测。     

Characterization of crude oil biomarkers using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Oil samples from Recôncavo basin (NE Brazil), previously analyzed by traditional techniques such as gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, were evaluated using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry and comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry along with simplified methods of samples preparation to evaluate the differences and advantages of these analytical techniques to better understand the development of the organic matter in this basin without altering the normal distribution of the compounds in the samples. As a result, the geochemical parameters calculated by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry described better the origin, maturity, and biodegradation of both samples probably by increased selectivity, resolution, and sensitivity inherent of the multidimensional technique. Additionally, the detection of the compounds such as, the C(14α‐) homo‐26‐nor‐17α‐hopane series, diamoretanes, nor‐spergulanes, C₁₉–C₂₆ A‐nor‐steranes and 4α‐methylsteranes resolved and detected by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry were key to classify and differentiate these lacustrine samples according to their maturity and deposition conditions.     

全二维气相色谱-飞行时间质谱联用技术分析重馏分油中芳烃组成

通过对升温速度、二维补偿温度、调制周期等关键实验参数的优化,建立了全二维气相色谱-飞行时间质谱(GC×GC-TOF MS)分析重馏分油中芳烃组分的方法,得到了重馏分油芳烃组分按环数分布的二维点阵图。根据谱库检索、标准化合物对照及文献报道,对重馏分油芳烃组分中菲、甲基菲及芘、苯并蒽等常见多环芳烃(PAH)进行了准确定性,并将该方法应用到重馏分油加氢处理工艺研究中,对菲、芘的加氢处理产物进行了定性分析。该研究为重馏分油芳烃组分的准确定性提供了新的技术手段,为加深对油品加氢规律的认识提供了技术支持。全二维气相色谱与普通一维色谱对比,在重馏分油的芳烃组分分析上体现了极大优势。     

Speciation analysis of arsenic compounds in edible oil by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used as an ion chromatographic (IC) detector for the speciation analysis of arsenic in edible oil. The arsenic species studied include arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine and arsenocholine. Gradient elution using (NH(4))(2)CO(3) and methanol at pH 8.5 allowed the chromatographic separation of all species in less than 8 min. Effluents from the IC column were delivered to the nebulizer of ICP-MS for the determination of arsenic. The concentrations of arsenic species have been determined in several used and fresh vegetable oil samples. In this study, a microwave-assisted extraction method was used for the extraction of arsenic species from oil samples. The extraction efficiency was better than 92% and the recoveries from spiked samples were in the range of 90-105%. The precision between sample replicates was better than 8% for all determinations. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.008-0.024 ng mL(-1) for various arsenic species based on peak height, which corresponded to 0.08-0.24 ng g(-1) in the original oil sample. The major arsenic species in the used oil samples varied based on the food items cooked.     

Chemical characterization of aromatic compounds in extra heavy gas oil by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) was used for the characterization of aromatic compounds present in extra heavy gas oil (EHGO) from Brazil. Individual identification of EHGO compounds was successfully achieved in addition to group-type separation on the chromatographic plane. Many aromatic hydrocarbons, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds, were detected and identified, such as chrysenes, phenanthrenes, perylenes, benzonaphthothiophenes and alkylbenzonaphthothiophenes. In addition, triaromatic steroids, methyl-triaromatic steroids, tetrahydrochrysenes and tetraromatic pentacyclic compounds were present in the EHGO aromatic fractions. Considering the roof-tile effect observed for many of these compound classes and the high number of individual compounds identified, GC×GC-TOFMS is an excellent technique to characterize the molecular composition of the aromatic fraction from EHGO samples. Moreover, data processing allowed the quantification of aromatic compounds, in class and individually, using external standards. EHGO data were obtained in μgg(-1), e.g., benzo[a]pyrene were in the range 351 to 1164μgg(-1). Thus, GC×GC-TOFMS was successfully applied in EHGO quantitative analysis.     

气相色谱-串联质谱法测定食用油中两种非邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂

建立了气相色谱-串联质谱同时测定食用油中对苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯和偏苯三甲酸三（2-乙基己基）酯两种非邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂的方法。样品采用乙腈提取,于-20℃冷冻除脂净化,用气相色谱-串联质谱选择反应监测模式测定。两种化合物的检出限为0.03 mg/kg,定量限为0.1 mg/kg,线性范围为0.1~10 mg/kg。3个添加水平（0.1、0.3和1.0 mg/kg）下的回收率为81.04%~108.31%,相对标准偏差为0.70%~9.91%。该方法简便、准确,适用于食用油中对苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯和偏苯三甲酸三（2-乙基己基）酯的检测。     

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.