Determination of Pesticides in Carrots by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A sensitive and selective method was developed to determine pesticides in carrots by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry following the development of an optimized extraction procedure. The method was validated for 30 organochlorine pesticides for gas chromatography with electron capture detection obtaining limit of detection from 0.18 to 0.92?µg/kg except for cis- and trans-permenthrin. Twenty-six carrot samples were analyzed and six pesticides were detected. The results compared with the accepted maximum residue levels in correlation to crop origin.     

Determination of Herbicides in Corn Flour by Novel Extraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

A simple and efficient procedure was developed to determine eight herbicides in corn flour by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in selected ion-monitoring mode. Samples were prepared with a modified, quick, easy, rapid, effective, rugged, and safe procedure. The type and volume of extraction solvent, type and amount of adsorbent, and time of sonication were optimized. The protocol method was rigorously verified. The mean recoveries were from 85 to 108% at various fortification levels with relative standard deviations below 15% and limits of quantification from 4 to 48?ng g^?1. The method was used to determine herbicides in corn flour.     

Determination of Preservatives in Water-Based Adhesives by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

This study establishes an analytical method for the determination of eighteen preservatives in water-based adhesives. The method was based on liquid–liquid extraction by methyl tertiary-butyl ether and subsequent determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Experimental conditions (instrumental parameters, extraction solvent, extraction mode, dispersant volume, and extraction time) were optimized and validated. When the method was applied to water-based adhesives, the limits of detection and recovery were 2.29–17.59 milligrams per kilogram and 85.7 ? 93.9 percent, respectively, and the repeatability was below 5 percent for all analytes. None of the analytes were found in five cigarette adhesives.     

Optimized Ultrasonic Extraction for the Determination of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil is an issue of concern due to their harmful effects on human health. The goal of this study was to optimize ultrasonic extraction to establish an efficient, easy, and low-cost method for the determination of 16 priority PAHs in soil. The time of extraction and solvent systems were optimized with the analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method was validated, and the optimum results were obtained using 1:1 cyclohexane:acetone and 1:1 hexane:acetone solvent systems with 30- and 60-min sonication times.     

Determination of n-Alkanes in Jet Fuel by Cold-electron Ionization Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

A rapid, easy, and reliable method was developed for the characterization of jet fuel with minimal sample preparation. A standard solution of 13 aliphatic n-alkanes in hexane was used to evaluate and validate the separation using cold-electron ionization gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method was evaluated and validated by the linearity, accuracy, and precision for all analytes. The limits of detection and quantification for each n-alkane were also evaluated. Nine major n-alkanes from n-octane to n-hexadecane were positively identified and quantified in jet fuel due to the enhanced molecular ion in the mass spectra. Major n-alkanes and their corresponding isomers in jet fuel were also identified from the extracted ion chromatograms. n-Undecane, n-dodecane, n-tridecane, and n-tetradecane were present at the highest concentrations in jet fuel at approximately 7% (v/v). The total concentrations of total straight chain alkanes were 34–37% in jet fuel that was comparable with the standard value of 32%.     

Determination of Aromatic Microbial Metabolites in Blood Serum by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

We present the results of the determination of eight aromatic microbial metabolites, phenylcarboxylic acids (PhCAs), by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry after their liquid–liquid extraction from serum samples and derivatization. The analytical range for the analytes is 0.5–40 μM. The concentration of phenylcarboxylic acids in the serum of healthy donors (n = 40) and the time profile of the concentration of different PhCAs in serum samples of four patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) are studied. The results correlated with the severity of the clinical state of patients.     

Determination of the Origin of 19-Norandrosterone in Urine by Gas Chromatography–Isotope-Ratio Mass Spectrometry for Doping Control

The most difficult task in antidoping control is the identification of compounds whose origin can be either endogenous or exogenous. This paper presents a procedure for determining the origin of 19-norandrosterone based on the extraction of target components from urine, their multistage purification by semipreparative HPLC, acetylation, and quantification by gas chromatography–isotope-ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Effects of isotope fractionation were not observed in sample preparation. The degree of extraction of the target analytes was 80 ± 5%.     

Determination of Volatile Disinfection Byproducts in Water by Gas Chromatography–Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Chlorination disinfection byproducts have drawn significant attention in water quality research during the last decades, due to their adverse effects on public health. A method is reported for the determination of trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, and chloropicrin based on liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The optimum electron ionization energy was determined and precursor ions and product ions for thirteen volatile disinfection byproducts were identified. The method provides rapid chromatographic analysis (10 minutes) and good separation. The linear dynamic range extended from 0.05 to 100 µg L^?1 (r² = 0.9983 – 0.9997, n=10) and the limits of detection (LODs) were between 0.003 and 0.014 µg L ^?1 . The intra-day (n=5) and inter-day (n=6) relative standard deviations were in the ranges of 2.81–8.22% and 3.48–10.85%, respectively. The method was validated by measurement of the recoveries of fortified surface, ground, and wastewater to be 74.7–115.4%, 86.1–120.6%, and 81.6–126.1%, respectively.     

Determination of δ-Hexadecanesultone in Anionic Surfactants and Detergents by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - A method is proposed for the determination of sultones in the anionic surfactant sodium α-olefin sulfonate (AOS Na) and products based on this surfactant. The...     

Novel Sorbent and Solvent Combination for QuEChERS Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent priority contaminants, and the development of fast, reliable and accurate methods for their determination is of essential importance. The soil is a part of the environment which easily accumulates PAHs, making them available for transport to the air and water over long time periods and by plants through the food chain to humans. The aim of present study was to introduce a novel sorbent to the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique for soil sample preparation for the determination of 16 European Union priority PAHs by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Two solvent systems, 2:1 (v/v) hexane:acetone and ethyl acetate, were investigated in combination with five clean-up sorbents [Primary secondary amine (PSA), C18, florisil, clinoptilolite, and diatomaceous earth] in this study. The highest overall recovery of the method was achieved by the combination of hexane:acetone with clinoptilolite (recoveries of 70–110%) with limits of detection in the range of 0.60–1.53?µg?kg^?1. The analysis of 20 soil samples from Ni?, Serbia resulted in the identification of 11 samples with concentration greater than the values prescribed by law. The ratios of phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene were used to elucidate the origin of the PAHs as pyrolytic.     

Determination of Volatiles in Water Lily Flowers Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Volatile organic compounds in the stamens, petals, and pistils of 56 water lily cultivars were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The stamens released a majority of the volatiles. A total of 117 volatile organic compounds were determined. Alkanes and alkenes were the most abundant, followed by aldehydes and ketones. Cluster analysis was used to divide the cultivars into three subsets characterized by specific aromatic compounds and associated aromas. Discriminant analysis confirmed the results of the cluster analysis. Three tropical water lily cultivars Colorata, 34, and Ai Ji Bai and one hardy water lily cultivar Somptuosa had particularly high aromatic compound concentrations and are recommended to produce fragrant, colorful, and hardy specimens.     

Retention Time Locking in the Determination of Narcotic Drugs by Chromatography and Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

The use of retention time locking (RTL) in the development of unified procedures for the detection and quantitative determination of drugs in biological fluids was considered. With consideration for the use of RTL, a chromatographic procedure with flame-ionization and mass-selective detection was developed for the detection and quantitative determination of opiates and their synthetic analogs; phenylalkylamine derivatives; cocaine; ketamine; and other narcotic drugs, their derivatives, and metabolites in urine. The analytical ranges for chromatography–mass spectrometry were 0.05–1000 and 0.005–1000 g/mL under the conditions of total ion current (TIC) scanning and selected ion monitoring (SIM), respectively. With flame-ionization detection (GC–FID), the analytical range was 0.5–1000 g/mL.     

Determination of Phytate in Urine by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

An indirect method is described for determination of phytate in human urine. The method is based on hydrolysis of the phytate and determination of myo-inositol, one of the hydrolysis products. Chromatographic separations were performed on an Aminex HPX-87C column with Milli-Q water as mobile phase; 5 mM ammonium acetate was added post-column. The detector counted positive ions by monitoring m/z=198, which corresponds to the adduct of myo-inositol with the ammonium cation. The relative standard deviations obtained for standards containing 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg L^–1 phytate were 4.1, 3.0, and 2.7% respectively (n=5). The limit of detection was 60 g L^–1. Different urine samples were analyzed both by this method and by an alternative analytical method based on GC–MS. The results from both methods were comparable.     

Determination of α-Tocopherol in Olive Oil by Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Olive oil has great human health benefits and is an important component of the Mediterranean diet. Its quality, sensory attributes, and oxidative stability are linked to the presence of minor compounds. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a key component in these properties. In this work, solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for the determination of α-tocopherol in olive oil. The analytical performance of the method has been assessed in fortified olive oil with negligible vitamin E concentrations. The calibration curve was linear from 0.020 to 0.500?mg/g. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.006 and 0.021?mg/g, respectively. Intraday and interday relative standard deviations were 3.2 and 10.0, respectively, and were concentration independent. The method was used for the determination of α-tocopherol in virgin and extra virgin olive oil, reporting average concentrations of 0.044?±?0.03 and 0.200?±?0.05?mg/g, respectively. Overall, the method is simple, sensitive, rapid, and solvent free, and provided high recoveries of 97.7?±?3.1%. In addition, vitamin E stability in extra-virgin olive oil was characterized by a shelf-life study.     

Determination of Toluene and Ethanol in Urine by Headspace and Cryotrapping Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Toluene is the major volatile organic compound found in glue and is often used as a hallucinogenic for abusers. Use with alcohol increases the risk of adverse effects from toluene exposure. In this study, a headspace and cryotrapping gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of toluene and ethanol in urine. Experimental and instrumental variables were investigated to optimize the method for sensitivity. Excess sodium sulfate was used as the salting-out reagent before the headspace protocol. Linear least squares regression with a 1/x weighting factor was used to construct calibration curves from 0.002 to 0.4?µg?mL^?1 for toluene and 10 to 2000?µg?mL^?1 for ethanol. The correlation coefficients exceeded 0.9993. The limits of detection were 0.0005?µg?mL^?1 for toluene and 0.21?µg?mL^?1 for ethanol. Intraday and interday precisions were within 5.4 and 11.5%, while intraday and interday accuracies were between ?11.3 to ?4.0% and ?11.0 to 1.2%, respectively. The method validation results for selectivity and stability were satisfactory. The validation results were used to estimate the expanded uncertainty and the contribution of individual steps in the method for the quantification of toluene and ethanol. The relative expanded uncertainties were 14.1% for toluene and 4.6% for ethanol.     

Determination of Phthalate Esters in Textiles by Solid Phase Extraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive and rapid method was developed for the determination of seven phthalate esters in baby waterproof fabrics, decorated waterproof tarpaulins, and printed textiles by solid phase extraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The method showed good linearity with correlation coefficients between 0.9958 and 0.9999 and limits of quantification and detection from 23 to 274 micrograms per liter and 7 to 82 micrograms per liter, respectively. The maximum recoveries were between 96.2 and 100.9 percent with relative standard deviations from 1.06 to 6.87 percent. The protocol was applied to the determination of phthalate esters in textiles: the samples contained more than 0.1 percent phthalate esters, which exceed relevant standards.     

Prospects for Using Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Lipids in Clinical Cardiolipidology

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - Cardiolipidology – a new direction in cardiology – is developing intensively owing to the method of mass spectrometry. This method has acquired...     

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Determination of Pregabalin in Human Plasma Using Derivatization Method

A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the determination of pregabalin in human plasma is described. The procedure involves precipitation of protein, liquid–liquid extraction with ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and derivatization with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide as additive. Separation was attained on HP column (30 m × 0. 25 mm ID, 0.25 μm) coupled with mass spectrometric detector using electron impact selected ion monitoring. The assay showed an excellent linearity in the concentration range of 0.36–10 μg mL^?1 with correlation coefficient (r²) values of 0.999. The intra- and inter-day assay variations for three different concentration levels were less than 10%. The limit of quantification was detected at 0.36 μg mL^?1. The method is highly specific, precise, accurate, and reproducible and could also be applied for the determination of pregabalin in human plasma.