Validation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the quantification of aerosolized Jet Propellant 8

The retention and the separation of the enantiomers of 1-phenylpropanol (1PP), 2-phenylpropanol (2PP), and 3-chloro-1-phenylpropanol (3CPP) on silica-bonded quinidine carbamate under normal phase HPLC conditions were investigated. A relatively high selectivity of the stationary phase for 3CPP and 1PP (alpha approximately 1.07-1.09) was achieved with eluents containing ethyl acetate as the polar modifier. These mobile phases were examined in detail. Based on the set of chromatographic and thermodynamic data collected, conclusions regarding the mechanism of enantioselectivity and the structure of the selector chiral center are made.     

Evaluation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the quantification of carboxymethyllysine in food samples

An accurate method for the quantification of carboxymethyllysine (CML) in food samples is evaluated. CML, a stable advanced Maillard compound, is considered as an useful marker of protein damage in severely heated foods. The proposed GC-MS method stipulates double derivatisation of amino acids and quantification by selected ion monitoring. Relative error of repeatability was further improved from 5 to 1% by replacing internal standard by isotope dilution. Comparison with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on infant formulas, with satisfactory results in powdered but not in liquid formulas. Quantification of CML in several food matrices allowed evidencing CML formation in food products containing reducing sugar only.     

Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in animal liver by gas chromatography using triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

Two methods for extracting organochlorine (OCs) and organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides from animal liver have been developed. The determination was carried out by gas chromatography with electron impact ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC-(EI-)MS/MS) using a triple quadrupole (QqQ) analyzer. First, a liquid-solid extraction performed with a high-speed homogenizer (Polytron) using ethyl acetate as solvent, and a subsequent clean-up by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was applied, determining 34 pesticides. Secondly, a matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction with octadecylsilyl (C(18)) sorbent combined with a Florisil clean-up and ethyl acetate elution was performed, analyzing 25 compounds. These methodologies have been tested and compared in the sample pre-treatment due to the fatty nature of the matrix. The GPC method was finally selected and validated, yielding recoveries in the range 70-115%, with precision values expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) lower or equal to 20%, at the spiking levels of 25 and 50 microg kg(-1), and limits of quantification (LOQs) lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by the European Union in animal products, except for isofenphos. Linearity was also studied ranging between 5 and 300 microg kg(-1) for most of pesticides. This method was applied to the analysis of real liver samples of chicken, pork and lamb.     

Determination of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/triple mass spectrometry in a quadrupole ion trap

The determination of tetra- to octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and tetra- to octachlorodibenzofurans (PCCD/Fs) by high-resolution gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS/MS) and high-resolution gas chromatography/triple mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS(3)) in a quadrupole ion trap, equipped with an external ion source, is presented. MS/MS involves a typical four-step process, namely ionization, parent ion isolation, collision-induced dissociation (CID) and mass analysis of the daughter ions. For the MS(3) experiment, the MS/MS scan function is used with the addition of selected daughter ion isolation, their CID and the mass analysis of second-generation product ions called 'grand-daughter ions.' For both methods, the energies necessary for the CID of the 17 PCDD/Fs were determined and optimized using multiple scan functions with different CID amplitudes. The CID efficiency, defined as the signal ratio of fragment ions detected from the major dissociation channels to molecular ions isolated, was 1.15-2.40 V for parent ion dissociation (MS/MS) and 1.05-1.50 V for daughter ion dissociation (MS(3)) and for all the chloro congeners. The same sensitivity (1 pg microl(-1)) can be reached with both the MS/MS and MS(3) methods and linear responses were obtained between 1 and 100 pg microl(-1) injected.     

Analysis of pesticides residues in fresh produce using buffered acetonitrile extraction and aminopropyl cleanup with gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, gas chromatography/ion trap detector mass spectrometry, and GC with a halogen-specific detector

A rapid and inexpensive multiresidue method for determining pesticides in fruits and vegetables is presented. Extraction of a 15 g sample with 15 mL acetonitrile was followed by buffering with magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate dihydrate, and disodium citrate. Acidification with formic acid prior to dispersive cleanup with aminopropyl sorbent and magnesium sulfate was used to stabilize base-sensitive pesticides such as chlorothalonil. Extracts were concentrated to 2 g/mL. Analyses were conducted by GC/ion trap detector MS, GC-halogen-specific detector, and LC/triple quadrupole MS. Accuracy and repeatability for 166 compounds in tomato, potato, and cabbage were 70-120% and <20% CV in 85% of the compounds, respectively. Reproducibility over a 4 month period in multiple commodities and analytical conditions was 62-124%, with CVs better than 30% for 91% of the compounds. Supply cost/sample was reduced 66%, and time to extract a batch of 24 samples was reduced by half compared to the prior method that used a 50 g sample, 100 mL acetonitrile, multiple SPE columns, and additional instrumentation. Additional extraction studies were conducted in tomatoes, oranges, and green beans at 4 g/mL using a GC/MS triple quadrupole system with a programmable temperature vaporization inlet. Recoveries of 70-120% were achieved in 93% of all compounds in green beans, 95% in tomatoes, and 97% in oranges.     

Simultaneous determination of three organophosphorus pesticides in different food commodities by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of three organophosphorus pesticides, namely, chlorpyrifos, malathion, and diazinon in three different food commodities (milk, apples, and drinking water) employing solid‐phase extraction for sample pretreatment. Pesticide extraction from different sample matrices was carried out on Chromabond C₁₈ cartridges using 3.0 mL of methanol and 3.0 mL of a mixture of dichloromethane/acetonitrile (1:1 v/v) as the eluting solvent. Analysis was carried out by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry using selected‐ion monitoring mode. Good linear relationships were obtained in the range of 0.1–50 μg/L for chlorpyrifos, and 0.05–50 μg/L for both malathion and diazinon pesticides. Good repeatability and recoveries were obtained in the range of 78.54–86.73% for three pesticides under the optimized experimental conditions. The limit of detection ranged from 0.02 to 0.03 μg/L, and the limit of quantification ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 μg/L for all three pesticides. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied for the determination of three targeted pesticides in milk, apples, and drinking water samples each in triplicate. No pesticide was found in apple and milk samples, but chlorpyrifos was found in one drinking water sample below the quantification level.     

Screening method for pesticides in air by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method for determining more than 70 pesticides in air has been validated using a single injection with gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). The method validation considered both stages of sampling and analysis. The sampling method, based on active sampling using sorption in sorbent cartidges, was validated by generating standard atmospheres. Performance parameters of the method were evaluated, with a reduction in the limits of quantification by injecting a higher volume of sample extract, and increase of selectivity by the use of MS/MS detection mode. The method was based on solid-phase extraction, which permits a degree of automation. The best adsorbents were found to be Chromosorb 106 and Tenax TA. The retention capacity of these sampling sorbents allows up to 1440 L of air to be sampled without any breakthrough for most of the compounds. Data were generated for assessing the potential exposure of bystanders. The application of the method to the analysis of the air in urban locations near agricultural areas showed that pesticides were present in most of the samples.     

Multiresidue liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of 52 non gas chromatography-amenable pesticides and metabolites in different food commodities

A multiresidue method is developed for the screening, quantification and confirmation of 43 pesticides, belonging to different chemical families of insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, herbicides and plant growth regulators, and 9 pesticide metabolites in four fruit and vegetable matrices. Pesticide residues are extracted from the samples with MeOH:H2O (80:20, v/v) 0.1% HCOOH, and then a cleanup step using OASIS HLB SPE cartridges is applied. The SPE eluate is concentrated and the final volume adjusted to 1 mL with MeOH:H2O (10:90, v/v) before injection into LC-MS/MS. Analyses are performed using electrospray ionization (ESI) and triple quadrupole (QqQ) analyzer. The method has been validated based on the SANCO European Guidelines for representative samples that were chosen to study the influence of different matrices: high water content (tomato), high acidic content (lemon), high sugar content (raisin) and high lipidic content (avocado). Special attention has been given to minimize the degradation of some pesticides into their metabolites and the losses observed in the evaporation step. Under the optimized conditions, the recoveries were, with a few exceptions, in the range 70-110% with satisfactory precision (CV < or = 15%). The quantification of analytes was carried out using the most sensitive transition for every compound and by "matrix-matched" standards calibration. The method can be used for the accurate determination of 52 pesticides and metabolites in one single determination step at the 0.01 mg/kg level. Confirmation of residues detected in samples is performed by an independent injection into the LC-MS/MS system by acquiring additional MS/MS transitions to that used for quantification. The acquisition of the highest number of available transitions is suggested for unequivocal confirmation of the analyte.     

Screening method for the addition of bovine blood-based binding agents to food using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

We report the development of a qualitative method to detect the addition of blood-based binding agents to food products. The method is based on the detection of species-specific marker peptides, fibrinopeptides, released from the blood protein fibrinogen during gelling of the blood protein by thrombin. The fibrinopeptides were isolated from foods spiked with commercial bovine binding agent by acid precipitation followed by enrichment using solid-phase extraction and analysed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Fibrinopeptide A was found to be an effective marker in fresh, processed and cooked food matrices spiked with 5% (v/w) bovine binding agent.     

Absolute quantification of cardiac troponin T by means of liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric method for absolute quantification of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in mouse heart tissue is presented. Even in such a complex biological sample, the multiple reaction monitoring acquisition mode allowed the selective and sensitive determination of a specific peptide, obtained by cTnT enzymatic digestion. The concentration of this cTnT-specific peptide was considered as a representation of the concentration of its parent protein. Quantification was carried out by means of the matrix-matched calibration curve, constructed by adding the synthetic standard of the target peptide and another synthetic structurally analogous peptide as internal standard. Method identification limit and method quantification limit were estimated as 60 and 110 ng of cTnT per mg of total extracted proteins, respectively. The developed label-free approach has been applied for the absolute quantitation of cTnT because of its diagnostic and prognostic value as cardiac disease marker. However, the method could be of general application, since it requires only the synthesis of two suitable peptides, a protein tryptic cleavage product and an internal standard.     

Combined use of liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in systematic screening of pesticides and other contaminants in water samples

As a suitable way for routine screening of pesticides and control of other organic contaminants in water, the combination of liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC–QqQ-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography–hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF-MS) has been applied to the analysis of 63 surface and waste water samples after conventional solid-phase extraction (SPE). The extracts were screened for 43 pesticides or degradation products by LC–QqQ-MS/MS achieving limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.04 to 2 ng L⁻¹. Of the 43 selected pesticides, 33 were detected in water samples. The ESI–QTOF MS instrument was run using two simultaneous acquisition functions with low and high collision energy (MS^E approach) and acquiring the full mass spectra. A home-made database containing more than 1100 organic pollutants was used for substance identification. Around 250 of these compounds were available at the laboratory as reference standards. Five pesticides and 3 of their degradation products, different to those selected in the QqQ method, were detected by QqTOF-MS. Thirteen pharmaceuticals and two drugs of abuse were also identified in the samples. In practice, the sample preparation proved to be suitable for both techniques and for a wide variety of substances with different polarity. Mutual confirmation and evidence of co-occurrence of several other organic contaminants were the main advantages of the combination of both techniques.     

Multi-residue determination of 130 multiclass pesticides in fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-residue method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification and confirmation of around 130 multiclass pesticides in orange, nectarine and spinach samples by GC-MS/MS with a triple quadrupole analyzer. Compounds have been selected from different chemical families including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and acaricides. Three isotopically labeled standards have been used as surrogates in order to improve accurate quantitation. Samples were extracted by using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with ethyl acetate. In the case of spinach, an additional clean-up step by gel permeation chromatography was applied. Determination was performed by GC-MS/MS in electron ionization mode acquiring two MS/MS transitions for each analyte. The intensity ratio between quantitation transition (Q) and identification transition (q) was used as confirmatory parameter (Q/q ratio). Accuracy and precision were evaluated by means of recovery experiments in orange, nectarine, and spinach samples spiked at two concentration levels (0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg). Recoveries were, in most cases, between 70% and 120% and RSD were below 20%. The limits of quantification objective for which the method was satisfactorily validated in the three samples matrices were for most pesticides 0.01 mg/kg. Matrix effects over the GC-MS/MS determination were tested by comparison of reference standards in pure solvent with matrix-matched standards of each matrix. Data obtained showed enhancement of signal for the majority of analytes in the three matrices investigated. Consequently, in order to reduce the systematic error due to this effect, quantification was performed using matrix-matched standard calibration curves. The matrix effect study was extended to other food matrices such as raisin, paprika, cabbage, pear, rice, legume, and gherkin, showing in all cases a similar signal enhancement effect.     

Determination of priority pesticides in baby foods by gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for the determination of twelve priority pesticides, and transformation products (e.g. metabolites) specified in the EU Baby Food Directive 2003/13/EC is described. Prior to GC-MS/MS analysis, co-extractives were removed from acetonitrile extracts using dispersive solid phase extraction with octadecyl (200 mg) and primary secondary amine (50 mg) sorbents. The clean up proved essential for the satisfactory long-term chromatographic performance during the analysis of a range of representative commercially pre-prepared baby food samples. Extracts spiked with pesticides at 1-8 microg kg(-1), yielded average recoveries in the range 60-113% with relative standard deviations less than 28%.     

Determination of mycotoxins in different food commodities by ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A rapid multianalyte‐multiclass method with little sample manipulation has been developed for the simultaneous determination of eleven mycotoxins in different food commodities by using ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS). Toxins were extracted from the samples with acetonitrile/water (80:20, v/v) 0.1% HCOOH and, after a two‐fold dilution with water, directly injected into the system. Thanks to the fast high‐resolution separation of UHPLC, the eleven mycotoxins were separated by gradient elution in only 4 min. The method has been validated in three food matrices (maize kernels, dry pasta (wheat), and eight‐multicereal babyfood (wheat, maize, rice, oat, barley, rye, sorghum, millet)) at four different concentration levels. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained (70–110%) and precision (expressed as relative standard deviation) was typically below 15% with very few exceptions. Quantification of samples was carried out with matrix‐matched standards calibration. The lowest concentration successfully validated in sample was as low as 0.5 µg/kg for aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in babyfood, and 20 µg/kg for the rest of the selected mycotoxins in all matrices tested. Deoxynivalenol could be only validated at 200 µg/kg, due the poor sensitivity for this mycotoxin analysis. With only two exceptions (HT‐2 and deoxynivalenol), the limits of detection (LODs), estimated for a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 from the chromatograms of samples spiked at the lowest level validated, varied between 0.1 and 1 µg/kg in the three food matrices tested. The method was applied to the analysis of different kinds of samples. Positive findings were confirmed by acquiring two transitions (Q quantification, q confirmation) and evaluating the Q/q ratio. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous analysis of 260 pesticide residues in agricultural products by gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A method for simultaneous analysis of about 260 pesticides by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) with a triple quadrupole analyzer (QqQ) has been studied. The pesticides were extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned up by a bilayer cartridge. A single injection method was developed for the monitoring of all of the targeted pesticides. Two MS/MS transitions were selected for each analyte using the intensity ratio obtained from them as a confirmatory parameter. By using matrix-matched standards, 260 pesticides could be determined in most matrixes with recoveries of 70-120% and a standard deviation of < or = 20 at 2 different fortification levels of 0.02 and 0.1 microg/g. The developed method was applied to the monitoring of 173 agricultural product samples from the local market. The sensitivities of this method were lower than with most of the selective GC detectors, such as flame photometric or single MS. The selectivity of QqQ gives a very clean chromatogram, making compound identification and confirmation easy. The quick and reliable monitoring was achieved by combination with rapid extraction and cleanup.     

Development and validation of a routine multiresidue method for determining 140 pesticides in fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry

A GC/tandem quadrupole MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of the residues of 140 pesticides in fruits and vegetables. Pesticides were extracted from samples by using a miniaturized acetonitrile-based extraction technique known as the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. Validation studies were carried out on carrots, tomatoes, and strawberries. In order to reduce systematic errors due to a matrix-induced effect, quantification was carried out using matrix-matched standard calibration curves. The recovery and precision results satisfied the European Union criteria (i.e., average recoveries were in the range 70-120% with RSDs < or = 20%) for 125 of the 140 pesticides at a spiking level of 0.01 mg/kg. At the higher spiking levels, there were just two instances of overall average recovery < 70% (chlorothalonil and captan). The measurement uncertainty was estimated following a "top down" approach as being 21 and 35%, on average, based on validation and ongoing recovery data, respectively (coverage factor k = 2, confidence level 95%). Practical application to 541 samples of apples, tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, currants, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, pears, onions, and gooseberries under strict QC conditions demonstrated the ruggedness of the total procedure.     

Multi-determination of organic pollutants in water by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A multi-determination method has been developed for the determination and confirmation of 68 organic pollutants in water samples by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The following chemical families were determined in a chromatographic run of less than 26?min: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), and pesticides (organochlorine, organophosphorus, triazine and others). The sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure, obtaining recoveries ranging from 70 to 130% when dichloromethane was used as the extracting solvent. The detection limits of the proposed method were between 0.75 and 19.8?ng?L^?1. Samples from the Maipo River in central Chile were taken from 29 different points. Seven pesticides and two PAHs were detected in field collected samples with concentrations ranging from 10 to 95?ngL^?1. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene in environmental samples ranged from 25 to 33?ngL^?1 and were near the maximum levels established by the European Union Directives (50?ng?L^?1).     

三重串联四级杆气质联用法测定化妆品中的三种邻苯二甲酸酯类增塑剂

建立了一种快速、灵敏、准确的三重串联四级杆气质联用(GC-MS/MS)法,将其用于同时检测化妆品中的三种邻苯二甲酸酯(邻苯二甲酸二丁酯、邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯、邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯)增塑剂.化妆品经甲醇提取,HP-5MS柱分离,采用GC-MS/MS的多反应监测模式,以保留时间和离子对(母离子和子离子)信息比较定性,以母离子和响应值高的子离子进行定量.结果表明,该方法的检出限为12～28ng/g,相对标准偏差为1.6%～7.54%,目标物的加标回收率为86.4%～121.1%;该方法可用于检测日常化妆品中邻苯二甲酸酯的含量.