Screening of Brazilian fruit aromas using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Manual headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the qualitative analysis of the aromas of four native Brazilian fruits: cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum, Spreng.), cajá (Spondias lutea. L.), siriguela (Spondias purpurea, L.) and graviola (Anona reticulata, L). Industrialized pulps of these fruits were used as samples, and extractions with SPME fibers coated with polydimethylsiloxane, polyacrylate, Carbowax and Carboxen were carried out. The analytes identified included several alcohols, esters, carbonyl compounds and terpernoids. The highest amounts extracted, evaluated from the sum of peak areas, were achieved using the Carboxen fiber.     

Stir bar sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of tetramethylene disulfotetramine in food: Method development and comparison to solid-phase microextraction

A stir bar sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC-MS) method for the determination of tetramethylene disulfotetramine is presented. The limits of detection (LOD) of the optimized method was 0.2 ng g⁻¹ for extractions from water and 0.3-2.1 ng g⁻¹ for extractions from foods. Recovery was highly matrix dependent (36-130%) and quantification required standard addition calibrations. Standard addition calibration lines had high linearity (R² > 0.97) and replicate extractions had good reproducibility (R.S.D. = 4.4-9.8%). A comparison of the SBSE method and a previously developed headspace (HS)-solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was performed. Generally, SBSE provided higher sensitivity with decreased analysis time.     

Automation of solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry extraction of eucalyptus volatiles

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography (GC)-ion-trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) is employed to analyze fragrance compounds from different species of eucalyptus trees: Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis, and hybrids of other species. The analyses are performed using an automated system for preincubation, extraction, injection, and analysis of samples. The autosampler used is a CombiPAL and has much flexibility for the development of SPME methods and accommodates a variety of vial sizes. For automated fragrance analysis the 10- and 20-mL vials are the most appropriate. The chromatographic separation and identification of the analytes are performed with a Varian Saturn 4D GC-ITMS using an HP-5MS capillary column. Several compounds of eucalyptus volatiles are identified, with good reproducibility for both the peak areas and retention times. Equilibrium extraction provides maximal sensitivity but requires additional consideration for the effect of carryover. Preequilibrium extraction allows good sensitivity with minimal carryover.     

Analysis of furan in foods by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry

A headspace-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS) method is proposed for the analysis of furan in different heat-treated carbohydrate-rich food samples. The extraction efficiency of six commercially available fibres was evaluated and it was found that a 75mum carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane coating was the most suitable for the extraction of the furan. Parameters affecting the efficiency of HS-SPME procedure such as extraction temperature and time, ionic strength, headspace and aqueous volume ratio (V(h)/V(w)), desorption temperature and time, were optimized. Quality parameters were established using spiked water and food samples. Linearity ranged between 0.02 and 0.5ngg(-1) and run-to-run and day-to-day precisions for food samples were lower than 6% and 10%, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method is sample dependent and ranged from 8 to 70pgg(-1), while the limit of quantification is from 30 to 250pgg(-1). Isotope dilution using furan-d(4) is proposed for furan determination providing similar results to those obtained by standard addition with internal standard (US Food and Drug Administration method). The developed HS-SPME-GC-IT-MS method was applied to the analysis of furan in different Spanish food samples from a local market, and concentrations ranging from 0.17 to 2279ngg(-1) were found.     

Characterization of the volatile profile of Antarctic bacteria by using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are significant pathogens in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients and are resistant to a plethora of antibiotics. In this context, microorganisms from Antarctica are interesting because they produce antimicrobial compounds inhibiting the growth of other bacteria. This is particularly true for bacteria isolated from Antarctic sponges. The aim of this work was to characterize a set of Antarctic bacteria for their ability to produce new natural drugs that could be exploited in the control of infections in CF patients by Bcc bacteria. Hence, 11 bacterial strains allocated to different genera (e.g., Pseudoalteromonas, Arthrobacter and Psychrobacter) were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of 21 Bcc strains and some other human pathogens. All these bacteria completely inhibited the growth of most, if not all, Bcc strains, suggesting a highly specific activity toward Bcc strains. Experimental evidences showed that the antimicrobial compounds are small volatile organic compounds, and are constitutively produced via an unknown pathway. The microbial volatile profile was obtained by SPME-GC-MS within the m/z interval of 40-450. Solid phase micro extraction technique affords the possibility to extract the volatile compounds in head space with a minimal sample perturbation. Principal component analysis and successive cluster discriminant analysis was applied to evaluate the relationships among the volatile organic compounds with the aim of classifying the microorganisms by their volatile profile. These data highlight the potentiality of Antarctic bacteria as novel sources of antibacterial substances to face Bcc infections in CF patients.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) analytical method for the simultaneous separation and determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous samples has been developed, based on the sorption of target analytes on a selectively sorptive fibre and subsequent desorption of analytes directly into GC-MS. The influence of various parameters on PAH extraction efficiency by SPME was thoroughly studied. Results show that the fibre exposure time and the use of agitation during exposure are critical in enhancing SPME performance. The presence of colloidal organic matter (as simulated by humic acid) in water samples is shown to significantly reduce the extraction efficiency, suggesting that SPME primarily extracts the truly dissolved compounds. This offers the significant advantage of allowing the differentiation between freely available dissolved compounds and those associated with humic material and potentially biologically unavailable. The method showed good linearity up to 10 μg/l. The reproducibility of the measurements expressed as relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was generally <20%. The method developed was then applied to extract PAHs from sediment porewater samples collected from the Mersey Estuary, UK. Total PAH concentrations in porewater were found to vary between 95 and 742 ng/l with two to four ring PAHs predominating. Results suggest that SPME has the potential to accurately determine the dissolved concentrations of PAHs in sediment porewater.     

Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry applied to quality control in multilayer-packaging manufacture

A method based on headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is proposed for the quality control of multilayer packaging and its manufacturing process. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced in the manufacturing process of the packaging. They can cause organoleptic problems or modify the properties of the packaging depending on the nature and the amount of the VOCs formed. The quantification using packaging samples with a known VOC concentration for the calibration is proposed in order to reduce the analysis time, and the method is validated using a statistical test. Finally, the method is applied to the determination of odour-responsible compounds in multilayer packaging samples obtained under different extrusion-coating conditions, i.e. type of extruder, type of polymer and extrusion speed.     

Aroma compound analysis of Piper nigrum and Piper guineense essential oils from Cameroon using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography,solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfactometry

Three analytical methods were developed for the determination of toxic compounds in recirculating waters of a paper-recycling industry. Three main groups of compounds were considered: (i) wood extractives originated from the raw material; (ii) biocides added during the production process and (iii) surfactants and other adjuvants present in the formulates of these biocides. Wood extractives considered in this study included fatty and resin acids. They were analysed by liquid-liquid extraction using methyl tert.-butyl ether, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for previous formation of the respective trimethylsilyl esters. Water samples were also extracted with Oasis HLB (copolymer [poly(divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone]) solid-phase extraction cartridges of 60 mg and analysed by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry for the determination of additives and biocides. Using these two approaches levels up to 15 mg/l for total resin and fatty acids, 5 mg/l for alkylbenzene sulfonates and 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzotiazol, 100 microg/l for bisphenol A and 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilepropionamide, and 300 microg/l for nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylate were detected in process waters at different production treatment stages. These levels are of relevance since poor water quality affects the paper-recycling process, the primary water treatment process and eventually, the environmental water quality.     

Analysis of formaldehyde formation in wastewater using on-fiber derivatization-solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the quantification of the formation of formaldehyde during the advanced oxidation treatment (AOT) of wastewater destined for reuse. This method uses solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with on-fiber derivatization followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Based on calculated method detection limits (MDL) and ambient background levels, the method reporting (MRL) limit for formaldehyde was set at 10 microg/L. Precision for formaldehyde using this technique resulted in 23% relative standard deviation (RSD), while the internal standard, acetone-d(6), was only 6%. This method was used to evaluate the formation of formaldehyde in bench scale UV-AOT experiments using natural organic matter (NOM) fortified reagent water and tertiary treated wastewater effluent. Results suggest that the formation of formaldehyde increases in both the reagent water and wastewater matrices with increasing UV exposure and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, with overall higher concentrations of formaldehyde in the wastewater samples. No appreciable amount of formaldehyde formation was observed when UV was applied in the absence of hydrogen peroxide in both matrices tested.     

Screening for sarin in air and water by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A method of screening air and water samples for the chemical-warfare agent Sarin is developed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS). The SPME field kit sampler is ideal for collecting air and water samples in the field and transporting samples safely to the laboratory. The sampler also allows the sample to be introduced into the GC-MS system without further sample preparation. Results of the tests with Sarin using the SPME technique indicate that a sample collection time of 5 min is sufficient to detect 100 ng/L of Sarin in air. For water samples, Sarin is detected at a concentration of 12 microg/mL or higher. This method is ideal for screening samples for quick response situations.     

Determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum via headspace derivatization solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study evaluates solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine trace levels of amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum. Headspace post-derivatization in a laboratory-made design with heptafluorobutyric anhydride vapor following SPME was compared with that without derivatization SPME. The SPME experimental procedures to extract amphetamine and methamphetamine in serum were optimized with a relatively non-polar poly(dimethylsiloxane) coated fiber at pH 9.5, extraction time for 40 min and desorption at 260 degrees C for 2 min. Experimental results indicate that the concentration of the serum matrix diluted to a quarter of original (1:3) ratio by using one volume of buffer solution of boric acid mixed with sodium hydroxide and two volumes of water improves the extraction efficiency. Headspace derivatization following SPME was performed by using 6 microl 20% (v/v) heptafluorobutyric anhydride ethyl acetate solution at an oil bath temperature of 270 degrees C for 10 s. The precision was below 7% for analysis for without derivatization and below 17% for headspace derivatization. Detection limits were obtained at the ng/l level, one order better obtained in headspace derivatization than those achieved without derivatization. The feasibility of applying the methods to determine amphetamine and methamphetamine in real samples was examined by analyzing serum samples from methamphetamine abused suspects. Concentrations of the amphetamine and methamphetamine ranged from 6.0 microg/l (amphetamine) to 77 microg/l (methamphetamine) in serum.     

Characterization of three agave species by gas chromatography and solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Steam distillation (SD) extraction-solid-phase microextraction coupled to GC-MS was developed for the determination of terpenes and Bligh-Dyer extraction-derivatization coupled with GC for the determination of fatty acids such as ethyl esters were used. It was found that the three different Agave species have the same profile of fatty acids; the quantity of these compounds is different in each Agave variety. On the other hand, different terpenes were identified in the three Agave plants studied: nine in A. salmiana, eight in A. angustifolia and 32 in A. tequilana Weber var. azul.     

Development of headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methodology for analysis of terpenoids in Madeira wines

A dynamic headspace solid-phase microextraction methodology was developed for analysis of varietal aroma compounds in must and Madeira wine samples, a spirit wine with an ethanol content of 18% (v/v). The factors with influence in the headspace solid-phase microextraction efficiency such as: fibre coating, extraction time and temperature, pH, ionic strength, ethanol content, desorption time and temperature, were optimised and the method validated. The best results were obtained for a 85 μm polyacrylate fibre, with a 60 min headspace for must and 120 min for wine samples, in a 2.4 ml sample at 40 °C with 30% of NaCl. The extract is injected in the splitless mode in a GC-MS Varian system, Saturn III, and separated on a Stabilwax capillary column. The linear dynamic range of the method covers the normal range of occurrence of analytes in wine with typical r² between 0.985 (β-ionone) and 0.998 (linalool) for musts and between 0.980 (α-terpineol) and 0.999 (linalool) for must and wine samples, respectively. For must samples the reproducibility ranges from 2.5% (citronellol) to 14.4% (nerolidol) (as R.S.D.), and from 4.8% (citronellol) to 14.2% (nerolidol) for wine samples. The analysis of spiked samples has shown that matrix effects do not significantly affect method performance. Limits of detection obtained are in low μg l⁻¹ range for all compounds analysed in this study.     

Determination of anethole in serum samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for congener analysis

A rapid headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) method has been developed for the determination of anethole in serum samples. Anethole is a characteristic marker for the consumption of aniseed spirits. This method enabled the detection of anethole with a limit of detection (LoD) of 3.6 ng/ml and a limit of quantification (LoQ) of 5.3 ng/ml in serum samples with a good degree of precision intraday (2.8%) and interday (4.5%). Experiments were conducted with one volunteer, in which the subject consumed the alcoholic drink ouzo on 3 different days under controlled conditions. At defined intervals, blood samples were taken from the subject. Using these blood samples, the concentration-time profiles for anethole were determined. In blood samples taken from 50 drivers who claimed to have consumed drinks containing anethole (ouzo, raki and the German aniseed liqueur "Küstennebel") before the taking of the blood sample, anethole was detected in the serum in concentrations of between 5.4 and 17.6 ng/ml in 10 cases. This is the first report describing the qualitative and quantitative determination of a beverage-characteristic aroma compound - in this case anethole - in serum samples after consumption of alcoholic beverages.     

Direct quantitation of volatile organic compounds in packaging materials by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flexible multilayer packaging materials using headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was studied. The analytes imclude 22 compounds such as aldehydes. ketones, carboxylic acids and hydrocarbons formed by thermooxidative degradation of polyethylene during the extrusion coating process in the manufacture of the packaging, and many of them are involved in the unpleasant and undesirable odour of these materials. External standard calibration using a solution of the analytes in an appropriate solvent was the first approach studied. Aqueous solutions of the analytes provided low reproducibility and the reduction of aldehydes to alcohols under the HS-SPME conditions. Hexadecane was chosen as the solvent since its polarity is similar to that of polyethylene and its volatility is lower than that of the analytes. However, hexadecane should be added to the sample before the analysis as it modifies the absorption capacity of the fibre. A 75-microm Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane) fibre was used to extract the VOCs from the headspace above the packaging in a 15-ml sealed vial at 100 degrees C after 5 min of preincubation. The influence of the extraction time on the amount extracted was studied for a standard solution of the analytes in hexadecane, together with the influence of the volume of the standard solution and the amount of the sample placed in the vial. Standard addition and multiple HS-SPME were also studied as calibration methods and the results obtained in the quantitative analysis of a packaging material were compared.     

Analysis of volatile compounds emitted from fresh Syringa oblata flowers in different florescence by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

In this study, a simple and solvent-free method was developed for determination of the volatile compounds from fresh flowers of Syringa oblata using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The SPME parameters were studied, the optimum conditions of a 65 μm polydimethylsiloxan/divinylbenezene (PDMS/DVB), extraction temperature of 25 °C and extraction time of 30 min were obtained and applied to extraction of the volatile compounds emitted from fresh flowers of S. oblata. The volatile compounds released from fresh flowers of S. oblata were separated and identified by GC-MS. Lilac aldehyde A, lilac aldehyde B, lilac aldehyde C, lilac aldehyde D, lilac alcohol A, lilac alcohol B, lilac alcohol C, lilac alcohol D, α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, myrcene, d-limonene, eucalyptol, cis-ocimene, benzaldehyde, terpinolene, linalool, benzene acetaldehyde, α-terpineol, p-methoxyanisole, p-anisaldehyde, (Z,E)-α-farnesene and (E,E)-α-farnesene were the most abundant volatiles released from fresh flowers of S. oblata var. alba. The relative contents of main volatile fragrance were found to be different in emissions from two varieties of S. oblata flowers (white or purple in color). The four isomers of lilac alcohol and four isomer lilac aldehyde were the characteristic components of the scent of fresh flowers of S. oblata. The main volatile fragrance from fresh flowers of S. oblata var. alba in different florescence ((A) flower buds; (B) at the early stage of flower blooming; (C) during the flower blooming; (D) at the end of flower blooming; (E) senescence) were studied in this paper. The results demonstrated that headspace SPME-GC-MS is a simple, rapid and solvent-free method suitable for analysis of volatile compounds emitted from fresh flowers of S. oblata in different florescence.     

Rapid validated method for the analysis of benzo[a]pyrene in vegetable oils by using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A solid-phase microextraction method coupled with comprehensive gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetable oils has recently been reported. The present paper tested the possibility to use the solid-phase microextraction method coupled with one-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the only benzo[a]pyrene. Furthermore, an in-house validation for benzo[a]pyrene, used as a marker, as requested by the European regulation no. 208/2005, was carried out. Statistical tests were performed to elaborate the data. Linearity was satisfactory (r(2)=0.999), between about 0.5 and 15 microg/kg. Detection limit and quantification limit were 0.17 and 0.46 microg/kg, respectively. In-day and inter-day repeatability were less than 6% in both cases.     

Quality assessment of Flos Chrysanthemi Indici from different growing areas in China by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Flos Chrysanthemi Indici is a common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this paper, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was developed for quality assessment of Flos Chrysanthemi Indici from different growing areas in China. SPME parameters such as extraction fibers, extraction temperature, extraction time and sample mass were investigated to achieve identical results to those obtained by the steam distillation (SD). The selected SPME conditions were as follows: SPME fiber coated with 65-microm PDMS/DVB, extraction temperature of 60 degrees C, extraction time of 30 min and sample mass of 1.0 g. Furthermore, four active compounds (eucalyptol, camphor, borneol and bornyl acetate) presented in the TCM were applied to evaluating the quality of Flos Chrysanthemi Indici from 20 various areas. The quality assessment was successfully performed to compare the similarity value (S) between different sample vector of Flos Chrysanthemi Indici and the standard profile vector (SPV). The results showed that the proposed HS-SPME-GC-MS was an alternative technique for quality assessment of Flos Chrysanthemi Indici samples.     

气相色谱-质谱法检测食品中残留的丙炔氟草胺

建立了多种食品中丙炔氟草胺残留量的气相色谱-质谱检测方法。样品采用乙腈或乙酸乙酯提取,经旋转蒸发去除提取液后,用乙腈-甲苯（体积比为3∶1）溶解残渣,经氨基固相萃取柱净化,净化液由气相色谱-选择离子监测质谱测定,外标法定量。方法的线性范围为0.02～1.0 mg/L,多种食品基质中的平均回收率为79.4%～101%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.242%～7.15%(n=10),检测限均为0.01 mg/kg。该方法灵敏度高,选择性好,可作为多种食品中丙炔氟草胺残留量的常规检测方法。     

Development of a headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the identification of odour-causing volatile compounds in packaging materials

A method for the identification of volatile organic compounds in packaging materials is presented in this study. These compounds are formed by thermooxidative degradation during the extrusion coating process in the manufacture of packaging. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was used as sample preparation technique prior to the determination of the volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The effects of extraction variables, such as the type of fibre, the incubation temperature, the pre-incubation time, the size of the vial and the extraction time on the amounts of the extracted volatile compounds were studied. The optimal conditions were found to be: carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane 75 microm fibre, 5 min of pre-incubation time, 100 degrees C of incubation temperature, 20-ml vial, and 15 min of extraction time. The chromatograms obtained by HS-SPME and static headspace extraction were compared in order to show that the HS-SPME method surpasses the static headspace method in terms of sensitivity. Twenty-five compounds were identified including carbonyl compounds (such as 3-methyl-butanal, 3-heptanone or octanal), carboxylic acids (such as pentanoic acid or hexanoic acid) known as odour causing compounds and hydrocarbons (such as decane, undecane or dodecane). Finally, the method was applied to different packaging samples (one odour-unacceptable, two odour-acceptable, and three odourless samples) and to the raw materials in order to find out the odour-responsible volatile organic compounds and their source.