Neurosteroid analysis by gas chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization–tandem mass spectrometry

A new and simple APPI interface employing commercially available hardware is used to combine GC to MS. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated in the analysis of urine samples for neurosteroids as their trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives. The effect of different dopants (chlorobenzene, toluene, anisole) on the ionization of the TMS derivatives was investigated. With chlorobenzene, the TMS derivatives produced intense molecular ions with minimal fragmentation, and chlorobenzene was selected as best dopant. Protonated molecules in addition to intense molecular ions were produced with toluene and anisole. The performance of the method was verified in the analysis of human urine samples. Chromatographic performance was good with peak half-widths of 3.6–4.3 s, linearity (r² > 0.990) was acceptable, limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 0.01–10 ng mL⁻¹, and repeatability was good with relative standard deviations (rsd%) below 22%. The results show that the method is well suited for the determination of neurosteroids in biological samples.     

Structural changes of ultrasonicated bovine serum albumin revealed by hydrogen–deuterium exchange and mass spectrometry

The structural changes of bovine serum albumin (BSA) under high-intensity ultrasonication were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Evidence for the ultrasonication-induced conformational changes of BSA was provided by the intensity changes and maximum-wavelength shift in fluorescence spectrometry. Matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) revealed the increased intensity of the peak at the charge state +5 and a newly emerged peak at charge state +6, indicating that the protein became unfolded after ultrasonication. Prevalent unfolding of BSA after ultrasonication was revealed by hydrogen–deuterium exchange coupled with mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). Increased intensity and duration of ultrasonication further promoted the unfolding of the protein. The unfolding induced by ultrasonication goes through an intermediate state similar to that induced by a low concentration of denaturant.     

Liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of 36 halogenated flame retardants in fish

A comprehensive, sensitive and high-throughput liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–APPI-MS/MS) method has been developed for analysis of 36 halogenated flame retardants (HFRs). Under the optimized LC conditions, all of the HFRs eluted from the LC column within 14 min, while maintaining good chromatographic separation for the isomers. Introduction of the pre-heated dopant to the APPI source decreased the background noise fivefold, which enhanced sensitivity. An empirical equation was proposed to describe the relation between the ion intensity and dopant flow. The excellent on-column instrument detection limits averaged 4.7 pg, which was similar to the sensitivity offered by gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS). This method was used to analyze a series of fish samples. Good agreement was found between the results for PBDEs from LC–APPI-MS/MS and GC–HRMS.     

Investigation of ligand interactions with human RXRα by hydrogen/deuterium exchange and mass spectrometry

Several different agonists of the retinoic X receptor alpha (hRXRalpha) were examined for their effects on the amide H/D exchange kinetics of the homodimeric protein using mass spectrometry. Some agonists, LG 100268, SR11246, and DHA, bind such that slower deuterium exchange-in occurs compared with 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA), whereas others, fenretinide and methoprenic acid, result in poorer protection during binding and hence faster exchange-in. Protection against H/D exchange by different agonists and the inhibition of H/D exchange kinetics relative to 9-cis-RA varies markedly in different regions of the protein. Agonists LG 100268, SR11246, and DHA generally inhibit faster exchange processes in the ligand binding regions of hRXRalpha than does the native ligand 9-cis-RA. In at least half of these regions, the level of protection by 9-cis-RA lags behind the agonists even after 60 min. Methoprenic acid did not significantly protect hRXRalpha against amide hydrogen exchange. An efficient method is described for comparing the effects of different agonists on the protein structure of the agonist-RXRalpha complex.     

Resin and fatty-acid analysis by solid-phase extraction coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–mass spectrometry

Abstract

DNA biosensors are realised immobilising a DNA structure on a suitable transducer to obtain selective information. In this paper we show how the determination of low-molecular weight compounds with affinity for DNA was measured by their effect on the oxidation signal of the guanine peak of calf thymus DNA immobilised on the electrode sensor and investigated by chronopotentiometric analysis. The DNA biosensor is able to detect known intercalating and groove binding compounds. Applicability to river water samples was demostrated.

Moreover, a piezoelectric sensor coupled to a short oligonucleotide can be used as detector of the hybridisation reaction. We show as a model the detection of a specific mutation in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene.

Biotinylated 23-mer probes were immobilised on the streptavidin coated gold surface of a quartz crystal; the protein was covalently bound to the thiol/dextran modified gold surface. The device was able to distinguish different synthetic oligonucleotides. The hybridisation reaction was also performed using real samples of DNA extracted from human blood and amplified by Polymerase chain reaction PCR. The extension of such procedure to samples of environmental interest is discussed.     

Liquid chromatography–negative ion atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of brominated flame retardants in environmental water and industrial effluents

We describe the development of a liquid chromatography with negative-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC/NI-APPI/MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and five polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153 and BDE-154) in water. A mobile phase methanol/acetone/water was used, where acetone acts also as dopant. NI-APPI produced precursor ions corresponding to [M−H]⁻ for TBBP-A, [M−Br+O]⁻, and [M−2Br+O]⁻ for the BDE congeners studied. Each compound was quantified operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Linearity was observed in the range 0.025–10 ng injected for all compounds. Coefficients of determination R² ranged from 0.9934 to 0.9982. BDEs were poorly retained by solid-phase extraction (SPE) from river water and sewage treatment plant effluent, thus liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) by n-hexane should be used for these samples. The recoveries of TBBP-A and PBDEs from tap water (SPE), river water and industrial wastewater (LLE) were in the range of 81–88%, 78–92%, and 43–99%, respectively, with relative standard deviations below 17%. The limits of detection, based on signal-to-noise ratio of 3, ranged from 0.004 to 0.1 ng injected, and method quantification limits were 0.2–3.3 ng L⁻¹ but BDE47 (20.3 ng L⁻¹). Only TBBP-A was found in a treated industrial sewage at 4 ng L⁻¹, while BDE-99 and BDE-100 were detected on suspended solids.     

A liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of azaarenes in atmospheric particulate matter

The development, optimization and validation of a liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC–APPI/MS/MS) method for the determination of 15 azaarenes (4-azafluorene, benzo[h] and -[f]quinoline, phenanthridine, acridine, 1-azafluoranthene, 4-azapyrene, benz[a]- and -[c]acridine, -10-azabenzo[a]pyrene, 7,9- and 7,10-dimethylbenz[c]acridine, dibenz[a,j]-, -[c,h] and [a,i]acridine) in airborne particulate matter is described. Each compound was detected and quantified operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Extraction of azaarenes was achieved using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with dichlormethane/methanol (50/50, v/v). After extraction, no additional clean-up procedure like solid phase or liquid/liquid extraction was necessary. Limits of quantification (S/N × 10) ranged from 0.2 pg/μl to 1.4 pg/μl, matrix dependent recoveries were between 57% and 94%, with relative standard deviations from 8% to 17%. Applicability of the method was demonstrated analyzing 10 samples of particulate matter (PM_2.5) collected in winter 2008. In all samples dimethylbenz[c]acridines as well as dibenzacridines were below the limit of quantification, concentration of the remaining analytes were in the range from 0.002 ng/m³ to 0.356 ng/m³.     

Screening and quantification of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables making use of gas chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source has been used to enhance the potential of gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry (MS) for screening and quantification purposes in pesticide residue analysis. A screening method developed in our laboratory for around 130 pesticides has been applied to fruit and vegetable samples, including strawberries, oranges, apples, carrots, lettuces, courgettes, red peppers, and tomatoes. Samples were analyzed together with quality control samples (at 0.05 mg/kg) for each matrix and for matrix-matched calibration standards. The screening strategy consisted in first rapid searching and detection, and then a refined identification step using the QTOF capabilities (MS^E and accurate mass). Identification was based on the presence of one characteristic m/z ion (Q) obtained with the low collision energy function and at least one fragment ion (q) obtained with the high collision energy function, both with mass errors of less than 5 ppm, and an ion intensity ratio (q/Q) within the tolerances permitted. Following this strategy, 15 of 130 pesticides were identified in the samples. Afterwards, the quantitation capabilities were tested by performing a quantitative validation for those pesticides detected in the samples. To this aim, five matrices were selected (orange, apple, tomato, lettuce, and carrot) and spiked at two concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg), and quantification was done using matrix-matched calibration standards (relative responses versus triphenyl phosphate used as an internal standard). Acceptable average recoveries and relative standard deviations were obtained for many but not all pesticide–matrix combinations. These figures allowed us to perform a retrospective quantification of positives found in the screening without the need for additional analysis. Taking advantage of the accurate-mass full-spectrum data provided by QTOF MS, we searched for a higher number of compounds (up to 416 pesticides) in a second stage by performing extra data processing without any new sample injection. Several more pesticides were detected, confirmed, and/or tentatively identified when the reference standard was unavailable, illustrating in this way the potential of gas chromatography–QTOF MS to detect pesticides in addition to the ones targeted in quantitative analysis of pesticides in food matrices. Figure

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Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry in biopharmaceutical discovery and development – A review

Protein therapeutics have emerged as a major class of biopharmaceuticals over the past several decades, a trend that has motivated the advancement of bioanalytical technologies for protein therapeutic characterization. Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) is a powerful and sensitive technique that can probe the higher order structure of proteins and has been used in the assessment and development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and biosimilar antibodies. It has also been used to quantify protein-ligand, protein-receptor and other protein-protein interactions involved in signaling pathways. In manufacturing and development, HDX-MS can validate storage formulations and manufacturing processes for various biotherapeutics. Currently, HDX-MS is being refined to provide additional coverage, sensitivity and structural specificity and implemented on the millisecond timescale to reveal residual structure and dynamics in disordered domains and intrinsically disordered proteins.     

High-performance liquid chromatography – atmospheric pressure negative chemical ionisation – mass spectrometry of 2,4-dinitrophenyl derivatives of amines

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) is used to detect 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) derivatives of amines by means of negative chemical ionisation at atmospheric pressure. The high sensitivity and good comparability of UV- and MS-detection of DNP-derivatives of amines is shown by several examples. The high selectivity of the derivatisation and the detection method (UV and MS) is used for the analysis of unknown amines in aqueous phases after hydrolytic degradation of polyamide-amine- or polyamine-epoxide-adducts as well as for the characterisation of commercial products.     

Comparison of electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for multi-residue analysis of biocides,UV-filters and benzothiazoles in aqueous matrices and activated sludge by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes the development of a multi-residue method for the determination of 36 emerging organic pollutants (26 biocides, 5 UV-filters and 5 benzothiazoles) in raw and treated wastewater, activated sludge and surface water using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The target analytes were enriched from water samples adjusted to pH 6 by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis HLB 200 mg cartridges and eluted with a mixture of methanol and acetone (60/40, v/v). Extraction of freeze-dried sludge samples was accomplished by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) using a mixture of methanol and water (50/50, v/v) as extraction solvent followed by SPE. LC–tandem MS detection was compared using electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in positive and negative ionization mode. ESI exhibited strong ion suppression for most target analytes, while APCI was generally less susceptible to ion suppression but partially leading to ion enhancement of up to a factor of 10. In general, matrix effects could be compensated using stable isotope-labeled surrogate standards, indicated by relative recoveries ranging from 70% to 130%. In wastewater, activated sludge and surface water up to 33 analytes were detected. Maximum concentrations up to 5.1 and 3.9 μg L⁻¹ were found in raw wastewater for the water-soluble UV-filters benzophenone-4 (BZP-4) and phenylbenz-imidazole sulfonic acid (PBSA), respectively. For the first time, the anti-dandruff climbazole was detected in raw wastewater and in activated sludge with concentrations as high as 1.4 μg L⁻¹ and 1.2 μg g TSS⁻¹, respectively. Activated sludge is obviously a sink for four benzothiazoles and two isothiazolones, as concentrations were detected in activated sludge between 120 ng g TSS⁻¹ (2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, OIT) to 330 ng g TSS⁻¹ (benzothiazole-2-sulfonic acid, BTSA).     

Simultaneous determination by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of nitrated and oxygenated PAHs found in air and soot particles

An ultra-performance liquid chromatographic-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric (UPLC-APCIToFMS) method for rapid analysis of twelve nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) and nine oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) in particle samples has been developed. The extraction step using pressurized liquid extraction was optimized by experimental design methods and the concentrated extracts were analyzed without further clean-up. Matrix effects resulting in suppression or enhancement of the response during the ionization step were not observed. The suitability of the developed method is demonstrated by analysis of six different particle samples including standard reference materials, atmospheric particles collected by a high-volume sampler at an urban background site, and a soot sample from a burner. Results from these measurements showed clear differences between the different kinds of samples. Concentrations from reference materials are in good agreement with those from previous studies. Additionally a clear seasonal trend could be observed in atmospheric NPAH and OPAH concentrations found in real samples, with higher concentrations in winter.     

Application of pentafluorophenyl hydrazine derivatives to the analysis of nabumetone and testosterone in human plasma by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–tandem mass spectrometry

Two carbonyl compounds, nabumetone and testosterone, were derivatized with pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH) and analyzed by atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization mass spectrometry. The PFPH derivatives underwent dissociative electron capture in negative-ion APCI (ECAPCI) and gave intense [M–20]^– ions in the mass spectra. In positive-ion APCI, the PFPH derivatives underwent efficient protonation and gave intense [M+H]⁺ ions in the mass spectra. In CID, the major product ions of the [M–20]^– ions in ECAPCI corresponded to the partial moiety of PFPH. In contrast, the major product ions of [M+H]⁺ corresponded to the partial moiety of the analyte. By using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) detection, low pg of nabumetone (1 pg) and testosterone (7 pg) could be detected in both ECAPCI and positive-ion APCI. In comparison with the detection limits (SRM) of the underivatized analytes, use of the PFPH derivatives resulted in 2500-fold and 35-fold sensitivity enhancements for nabumetone and testosterone, respectively. The PFPH derivatives were applied to the analysis of nabumetone and testosterone in human plasma by both ECAPCI and positive-ion APCI and were found to enable detection of 0.1 ng mL^–1 nabumetone in spiked plasma. For testosterone, endogenous testosterone in female plasma was detected in both ECAPCI and positive-ion APCI.     

Analysis of aldehydes in beer by gas-diffusion microextraction: Characterization by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode-array detection–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–mass spectrometry

In this work, a recently developed extraction technique for sample preparation aiming the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds named gas-diffusion microextraction (GDME) is applied in the chromatographic analysis of aldehydes in beer. Aldehydes—namely acetaldehyde (AA), methylpropanal (MA) and furfural (FA)—were simultaneously extracted and derivatized with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), then the derivatives were separated and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection (HPLC–UV). The identity of the eluted compounds was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–mass-spectrometry detection in the negative ion mode (HPLC–APCI–MS). The developed methodology showed good repeatability (ca. 5%) and linearity as well as good limits of detection (AA–12.3, FA–1.5 and MA 5.4 μg L⁻¹) and quantification (AA–41, FA–4.9 and MA 18 μg L⁻¹); it also appears to be competitive in terms of speed and cost of analysis.     

Headspace-trap gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for determination of sulphur mustard and related compounds in soil

Methods for trace determination of sulphur mustard (HD) and some related cyclic sulphur compounds in soil samples have been developed using headspace-trap in combination with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Two quite different types of soil were employed in the method optimisation (sandy loam and silty clay loam). Prior to analysis, water saturated with sodium chloride was added to the samples, at a water to soil ratio of 1:1. A detection limit of 3 ng/g was achieved for HD, while the cyclic sulphur compounds 1,4-thioxane, 1,3-dithiolane and 1,4-dithiane could be detected at 0.2–0.7 ng/g. The methods were validated in the concentration range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to hundred times LOQ. The within assay precision at fifty times LOQ was 6.9–7.3% relative standard deviation (RSD) for determination of the cyclic sulphur compounds, and 15% RSD for determination of HD. Recoveries were in the range of 43–60% from the two soil types. As the technique requires very little sample preparation, the total time for sample handling and analysis was less than 1 h. The technique was successfully employed for the determination of cyclic sulphur compounds in a sediment sample from an old dumping site for chemical munitions, known to contain HD degradation products.     

Surface accessibility of cellulose fibrils studied by hydrogen–deuterium exchange with water

A problem with cellulose-based materials is that they are highly influenced by moisture, leading to reduced strength properties with increasing moisture content. By achieving a more detailed understanding of the water–cellulose interactions, the usage of cellulose-based materials could be better optimized. Two different exchange processes of cellulose hydroxyl/deuteroxyl groups have been monitored by transmission FT-IR spectroscopy. By using line-shape-assisted deconvolution of the changing intensities, we have been able to follow the exchange kinetics in a very detailed and controlled manner. The findings reveal a hydrogen exchange that mainly is located at two different kinds of fibril surfaces, where the differences arise from the water accessibility of that specific surface. The slowly accessible regions are proposed to be located between the fibrils inside of the aggregates, and the readily accessible regions are suggested to be at the surfaces of the fibril aggregates. It was also possible to identify the ratio of slowly and readily accessible surfaces, which indicated that the average aggregate of cotton cellulose is built up by approximately three fibrils with an assumed average size of 12 × 12 cellulose chains. Additionally, the experimental setup enabled visualizing and discussing the implications of some of the deviating spectral features that are pronounced when recording FT-IR spectra of deuterium-exchanging cellulose: the insufficient red shift of the stretching vibrations and the vastly decreasing line widths.