Use of a moving-belt interface for on-line high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry characterization of polycyclic aromatic compounds of molecular weight up to 580 Da in environmental samples.

The applicability of the moving belt high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) interface to the analysis of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in a complex sample derived from coal tar is investigated. This interface provides good preservation of chromatographic integrity and useful electron ionization spectra of thermally stable PACs of low to moderate volatility up to molecular masses of at least 580 Da. It is concluded that this HPLC/MS technique will be useful in the analysis of such complex samples, provided a large enough suite of standard compounds can be made available.     

Validated analytical strategy for the determination of polycyclic aromatic compounds in marine sediments by liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry

The aim of this work was to optimise and validate the experimental conditions for the analysis of 20 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) [19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dibenzothiophene as polycyclic aromatic sulphur heterocycle (PASH)] in marine sediments by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to photodiode array detection (DAD) and to mass spectrometry (MS). The LC-MS interface used was atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in the positive ion mode. The operational parameters of the APCI interface and MS detection, such as organic modifier, fragmentation voltage, gain, vaporizer temperature, corona current, capillary voltage, drying gas (N2) and nebulizer pressure, were studied. The sediments were subjected to microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MAE) and clean-up by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The relevance of the selected PACs lies in the fact that 16 PACs are classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants; 17 PACs are detected in the Prestige oil spill; and 8 PACs are included in the priority substance list of the EU water policy. Recoveries from 47% to 102% were obtained for SRM 1944 certified reference sediment. The limits of quantitation were lower than 100 ngg(-1) dry weight for most PACs, and good precision was achieved.     

Analysis of the traditional medicine YiGan San by the fragmentation patterns of cadambine indole alkaloids using HPLC coupled with high‐resolution MS

YiGan San (YGS) has long been used in traditional Japanese and Chinese folk medicine and serves as a potent and novel therapeutic agent to treat Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive method based on HPLC coupled with diode‐array detection and quadrupole TOF MS (Q‐TOF‐MS) was designed to reveal the chemical constituents of YGS. Thirty‐six compounds were identified and assigned in YGS, including 14 alkaloids, nine γ‐lactones, six flavonoids, three triterpenoid saponinares, two small molecular organic acids, and two other types of compounds. In addition, the accurate fragment weight and MS/MS fragmentation reactions of a subtype indole alkaloid in Uncariae ramulus cum uncis were summarized for the first time to realize rapid identification without reference substances. For the first time, 11 major constituents were comprehensively quantified with a HPLC coupled with triple‐quadrupole MS method. A three‐section switch was used to realize such multicomponent identification. The contents of saikosaponin B₂ and isoliquiritin, which produce anti‐inflammatory and antidepressant‐like effects, were extremely different, up to 700 times, in two sources of YGS. The developed qualitative and quantitative method was proved to be precise, accurate, and reproducible.     

Direct characterization of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa using HPLC with diode array detection coupled to ESI and ion trap MS

The phenolic fraction and other polar compounds of the Hibiscus sabdariffa were separated and identified by HPLC with diode array detection coupled to electrospray TOF and IT tandem MS (DAD‐HPLC‐ESI‐TOF‐MS and IT‐MS). The H. sabdariffa aqueous extract was filtered and directly injected into the LC system. The analysis of the compounds was carried out by RP HPLC coupled to DAD and TOF‐MS in order to obtain molecular formula and exact mass. Posterior analyses with IT‐MS were performed and the fragmentation pattern and confirmation of the structures were achieved. The H. sabdariffa samples were successfully analyzed in positive and negative ionization modes with two optimized linear gradients. In positive mode, the two most representative anthocyanins and other compounds were identified whereas the phenolic fraction, hydroxycitric acid and its lactone were identified using the negative ionization mode.     

Determination and comparison of flavonoids and anthocyanins in Chinese sugarcane tips,stems, roots and leaves

The flavonoids and anthocyanins in Chinese sugarcane (Saccharum sinensis Roxb.) tips, stems, roots and leaves were separately analyzed by HPLC‐UV diode array detector, respectively. The results indicated that the content of flavonoids in sugarcane leaves was considerably high in comparison with previous reports in Brazil sugarcane (S. officinarum L.) leaves. Moreover, the content of flavonoids in sugarcane tips and roots was also high in comparison with sugarcane stems. For another, the content of anthocyanins in sugarcane roots was higher than that in other parts of the sugarcane, such as leaves, tips and stems. In addition, two anthocyanins, named petunidin 3‐O‐(6″‐succinyl)‐rhamnoside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, were first identified from S. sinensis by HPLC‐UV diode array detector and HPLC‐MS/MS.     

Preparation and certification of solutions of perdeuterated polycyclic aromatic compounds intended for use as surrogate internal standards

Two standard solutions of deuterated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) have been prepared for use as surrogate internal standards. Solution DPAC-1 contains 21 deuterated PACs, and is intended for use with mass spectrometric (MS) detection. Most of the difficulties in certifying concentrations in DPAC-1 arose from the fact that none of the individual compounds was 100% deuterated, so that effects of mass spectrometric fragmentation are convoluted with those of isotopic distributions. The best methods are discussed for using such internal standards so as to minimize these problems, together with those arising from kinetic isotope effects. Solution DPAC-2 contains 6 deuterated PACs, and is primarily intended for use with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD, dual programmed wavelength mode), in which the signals for analyte and internal standard are separated chromatographically rather than via the detector. Full details of the preparation of these solutions are described. In addition, examples of their use in the analysis of a certified coal-tar extract (NIST SRM 1597) are described briefly. In one example a novel HPLC-MS technique was employed, and in the other the HPLC-FLD technique was used.NRCC No. 38030     

Quality evaluation of cortex moutan by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and electrospary ionization tandem mass spectrometry

An high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS(n)) method was developed for quality evaluation of Cortex Moutan through identification of common constituents based on chromatographic fingerprints and determination of key pharmacological compounds. The representative chromatographic fingerprints of Cortex Moutan were obtained by analyzing 10 batches of samples under the optimized HPLC conditions and the results showed that the chromatographic profiles of the analyzed samples were very similar. Total of nineteen common peaks were detected and seventeen of them were identified rapidly by their characteristic UV profile and the information of molecular structure provided by ESI/MS(n) experiments. Simultaneously, five key pharmacological compounds, namely gallic acid, oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, were determined by the validated HPLC-DAD method. The linear calibration curves were acquired with correlation coefficients higher than 0.999. The precisions of intra-day and inter-day were not exceeding 3.1%, and the recoveries of five analytes were from 92.86 to 99.35%. This developed method that combined the chromatographic fingerprints and quantification assay ensured the phytoequivalence and pharmacological effects of Cortex Moutan and was successfully applied to the quality control of Cortex Moutan.     

A general analytical strategy for the characterization of phenolic compounds in fruit juices by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

In the present study, a methodology based on liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC/DAD) coupled to an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the simultaneous identification of phenolic compounds in fruit juices has been developed. 72 available phenolic compound standards from diverse families present in fruits have been studied in order to analyze their fragmentation pattern. As a result, a general strategy for the characterization of unknown phenolic compounds in fruit juices was designed: (i) taking into account its UV–visible spectrum and elution order, assign the unknown polyphenol to a polyphenol class, (ii) identify the quasi-molecular ion using positive and negative MS spectra, being supported by adducts generated with solvent or sodium and molecular complexes, (iii) determinate the pattern of glycosylation in positive mode using ESI(+)-CID MS/MS product ion scan experiments, selecting the quasi-molecular ion as precursor ion, and finally, (iv) study the identity of the aglycone through ESI(+)-CID MS/MS product ion spectra from the protonated aglycone, [Y₀]⁺. This strategy was successfully employed for the characterization of known and unknown phenolic compounds in juices from 17 different fruits.     

液相色谱/电喷雾质谱测定柑桔中的柠檬苦素类似物配糖体

 利用液相色谱 /电喷雾质谱联用技术对柚皮中的柠檬苦素类似物配糖体进行了定向分析 ,在柚皮的乙醇提取物中检测出奥巴叩酮配糖体和诺米林配糖体。利用制备液相色谱对这两种柠檬苦素类似物配糖体进行纯化 ,并用核磁共振对其结构进行鉴定。测定结果表明 ,液质联用法不需标样即可对柑桔中的柠檬苦素类似物配糖体进行定性分析。方法准确、快速、简便。     

Simultaneous extraction and analysis by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometric detectors of bixin and phenolic compounds from annatto seeds

This study was designed to identify and quantify the carotenoids and phenolic compounds from annatto seeds using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometer detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). Furthermore, using response surface methodology, an optimized procedure for simultaneous extraction of these compounds was established. In addition to bixin, known to be the main carotenoid in annatto seeds, hypolaetin and a caffeoyl acid derivative were identified as the main phenolic compounds. The optimized procedure involved 15 extractions using acetone:methanol:water (50:40:10, v/v/v) as solvent, a solid-liquid ratio of 1:9 (m/v) and an extraction time of 5 min. Validation data indicated that the HPLC method proposed provided good linearity, sensitivity, procedure accuracy, system precision and suggested its suitability for the simultaneous analysis of phenolic compounds and carotenoids in annatto seeds.     

Screening of xanthine oxidase inhibitors in complex mixtures using online HPLC coupled with postcolumn fluorescence‐based biochemical detection

Xanthine oxidase (XO) catalyzes the metabolism of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid, the overproduction and/or underexcretion of which could cause the incidence of hyperuricemia such as gout. Herein, the inhibition of XO is recognized as one of the therapeutic approaches to treat gout. In the present study, an off‐line fluorescence‐based microplate method was first developed for an XO assay in which the enzyme converted pterin to its fluorescent metabolite isoxanthopterin. Then, a postcolumn continuous XO assay as a means of bioactivity assessment was coupled to HPLC separation to establish the online HPLC with diode array detection, biochemical detection, and MS/MS system for the screening of XO inhibitors. The availability of the online system was first tested with a positive drug, allopurinol, a well‐known XO inhibitor, and subsequent analysis of Scutellaria baicalensis extract showed that two main bioactive compounds with XO inhibitory activities were observed, indicating that the developed online system was applicable to complex mixtures.     

THE USE OF LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY TO MONITOR THE ALLOMERIZATION REACTIONS OF CHLOROPHYLL a and PHEOPHYTIN a:m IDENTIFICATION OF THE ALLOMERS OF PHEOPHYTIN a

Abstract— This paper reports a new method for monitoring the allomerization reactions of chlorophyll a and pheo-phytin a. Complex mixtures are generated from illuminating pure compounds and monitored using both diode array high-performance liquid chromatography (DAD-HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). LC-MS allows molecular weight and fragment ion analysis of significant HPLC peaks. Five products of the degradation of chlorophyll a can be simultaneously detected in a mixture, namely the monohydroxy allomer, the methoxylactone allomer, pheophytin a and the two corresponding allomers of the pheophytin. It is demonstrated that more than one pathway must be involved in the in vitro photodegradation of chlorophyll a as shown by the simultaneous existence of several intermediates.     

液相色谱-电喷雾电离质谱与电子轰击质谱联用筛选百合中的甾体皂甙

 利用高效液相色谱 电喷雾电离质谱联用仪 (HPLC/ESI MS)、电子轰击质谱 (EI MS)和半制备型高效液相色谱 ,从卷丹百合中筛选出了两种甾体皂甙 ,其中一种为含有 3个糖基与提果皂甙元的甾体皂甙 ,另一种为含有 3个糖基和薯蓣皂甙元的甾体皂甙。结果表明 :在线的HPLC/ESI MS能够准确快速地提供糖甙类化合物的分子质量和糖链部分的有益信息 ,但对甙元部分提供的信息极少 ;离线的EI MS只需极少量 (1mg～ 2mg)的纯品就能准确地提供甙元部分的有益信息 ,但很难获得糖甙的分子离子峰与糖链部分的信息 ,两者有机地结合起来能快速地从植物中筛选甾体皂甙。     

Analysis of polyphenolic antioxidants in star fruit using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Our previous study indicated that star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) is a very good source of natural antioxidants. However, it was still not clear which compounds were responsible for its antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study is to separate and identify compounds that contribute to total antioxidant activity in star fruit using HPLC and mass spectrometry (MS). HPLC coupled with a diode array detector (DAD) was used to characterise antioxidant peak in the juice or residue extract through spiking with free radicals. By analysing the antioxidant capacity and chromatograms of fractions from solid phase extraction, main antioxidants were attributed to phenolic compounds. The peaks were identified as L-ascorbic acid, (-)epicatechin and gallic acid in gallotannin forms. Other antioxidant peaks were further investigated using HPLC-ESI-MS-MS. Identification was confirmed with electronspray ionisation (ESI) MS-MS spectra of pure standards and singly-linked proanthocyanidins from pycnogenol. The major antioxidants were initially attributed to singly-linked proanthocyanidins that existed as dimers, trimers, tetramers and pentamers of catechin or epicatechin.     

Quantitative analysis of Cistanches Herba using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and high‐resolution mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods

We aim to determine the chemical constituents of three species of Cistanches Herba using HPLC coupled with diode array detection and high‐resolution MS. Ten phenylethanoid glycosides were identified and further quantified as marker substances by HPLC coupled with diode array detection method. The separation was conducted using an Agilent TC‐C18 column with 0.1% formic acid and methanol as the mobile phases under gradient elution. The analytical method was fully validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability as well as recovery, and subsequently applied to evaluate the quality of 36 batches of Cistanche plants. The chemometric procedures (i.e., hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis) were used to compare different species of Cistanches Herba, leading to successful classification of the Cistanche samples in accordance with their origins. In conclusion, this study provides a chemical basis for quality control of Cistanches Herba.     

Selective detection of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and constant neutral loss scanning

The development of a method for selective detection of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) among other polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) is described. The method is based on electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), performed with a triple quadrupole analyzer and constant neutral loss (CNL) scanning. When subjected to ESI conditions, nitro-PAHs give rise to M(-), [M - H](-) and [M - H + 16](-) ions, which in turn produce fragments by losing 30 u, most probably NO. Other PACs do not undergo such fragmentations, and these differences can be exploited for selective detection of nitro-PAHs among other PACs. Nitro-PAHs can therefore be monitored through the loss of 30 u occurring under negative ion mode ESI conditions. Toward the full development of a screening method for nitro-PAHs, this article first discusses some general aspects of the negative ion mode full-scan ESI mass spectra obtained for these compounds and other PAH derivatives. Because the extent of observation of the loss of 30 u is sensitive to the ESI conditions used, the effects of ionization parameters such as solvent used, declustering voltage, and solvent flow rate are evaluated and discussed. Setting these parameters is very important, especially when interfacing a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system with the ESI source of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Preliminary results of on-line microbore HPLC/ESI-MS separations of PAC standards are presented, and elution/ionization conditions discussed.     

LC‐MS identification of derivatized free fatty acids from adipocere in soil samples

Free fatty acids were derivatized as amides (DFFA) by reaction with (R)‐(+)‐1‐phenylethylamine, using a simple, fast and robust reaction scheme. A HPLC method with diode array and ESI MS detection was developed for the analysis of the derivatized substances. Six fatty acids were used in the method development: myristic, linoleic, palmitic, oleic, margaric and stearic acids. Under these conditions the elution of the DFFA are well resolved with retention times raging from 6.9 to 16.0 min. Fatty acids were extracted from cemetery soil and from adipocere formation experimental soils using a Soxhlet extraction, using as solvent ether/dichloromethane (1:1). Each DFFA is characterized by three m/z peaks: molecular weight of the substance; molecular weight of a dimer of the substance; the molecular weight of the dimer plus the atomic mass of sodium. The analysis of soil samples detected the six fatty acids used in the method developed plus palmitoleic and pentadecanoic. Beside this set of eight fatty acids other 13 fatty acids were detected in trace quantities or only in some soils and some were tentatively assigned as: 10‐hydroxystearic, myristoleic, heptadecenoic and arachidic acids.     

Mass spectrometrically detected directly coupled high performance liquid chromatography/nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy/mass spectrometry for the identification of xenobiotic metabolites in maize plants

Reconstructed ion chromatograms have been used to identify relevant high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) peaks in a directly coupled high performance liquid chromatography/nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (HPLC/NMR/MS) experiment. This has been applied to a study of the metabolism of a model compound, 5-nitropyridone (2-hydroxy-5-nitropyridine), in maize plants grown hydroponically. By monitoring the on-flow reconstructed ion chromatogram corresponding to the 5-nitropyridone fragment at m/z 143, and additional molecular ions corresponding to metabolites identified as products from similar compounds, relevant peaks were identified rapidly for subsequent stopped-flow 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The combination of coupled HPLC/NMR/MS enabled the direct identification of three metabolites, namely the N-glucoside, N-malonylglucoside, and O-malonylglucoside. This work demonstrates the power of HPLC/NMR/MS for the structural elucidation of xenobiotic metabolites in complex biological matrices (such as plant material) with minimal sample preparation. In particular, using mass spectrometry for the initial identification of relevant HPLC peaks allows the analysis of complex samples without the necessity for other spectroscopic markers, such as 19F NMR signal for fluorinated compounds or UV spectroscopy for molecules with strong UV chromophores.     

Mass-directed fractionation and isolation of pharmaceutical compounds by packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

An automated packed-column semi-preparative supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry (SFC/MS) system incorporating mass-directed fraction collection has been designed and implemented as an alternative to preparative HPLC and preparative HPLC/MS (PrepLC/MS) for the purification of pharmaceutical compounds. The system incorporates a single quadrupole mass spectrometer and a supercritical fluid chromatograph. Separations were achieved using a binary solvent system consisting of carbon dioxide and methanol. Purification of SFC-separated compounds was achieved incorporating mass-directed fraction collection, enabling selective isolation of the target molecular weight compound and eliminating the collection of undesired compounds (e.g., by-products, excess starting materials, etc.). Cross contamination between fractions and recoveries of the system were investigated. Mass spectrometer ionization with basic mobile additives is discussed, and examples of preparative SFC/MS chiral separations are presented. Early experiences suggest SFC will be a powerful and complementary technique to HPLC for the purification of pharmaceutical compounds.