Identification of degradation products of indigoids by tandem mass spectrometry

The study concerns identification of photodegradation products of indigotin, indirubin and isoindigo. Experimental methodology consists of degradation of standard solutions of indigoids in a solar box and analysis of samples taken at different aging time by using capillary high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric and spectrophotometric detectors. Identification of the formed compounds was based on careful interpretation of the electrospray ionization MS/MS spectra. Apart from the well‐known degradation products of indigoids: isatin, isatoic anhydride and anthranilic acid, another seven species were also identified, and their proposed structures were confirmed by high‐resolution molecular masses measurements; according to the best knowledge of authors, they have not been reported so far. The obtained results formed the basis for postulating mechanism of the process. Moreover, the MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) method was developed for the identification of natural dyes and their degradation products in textiles of historical value. Apart from such colorants as indigotin and flavonoids, also presence of degradation products of indigoids was confirmed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Differentiation of betamethasone and dexamethasone using liquid chromatography/positive electrospray tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis

Betamethasone and dexamethasone are two corticosteroids differing in the stereoisomery of their C-16 methyl group. These two compounds are imperfectly separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and their mass spectra are very similar, leading to a difficult unambiguous identification according to European criteria. A method is proposed for differentiating betamethasone and dexamethasone using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis. Multiple analysis of variance was used for the justification and the selection of diagnostic ions. Principal component analysis permitted the suitability of the approach to be tested on a large number of samples. Discriminant factorial analysis was finally performed to build a decisional model based on the six most significant ions. This novel utilization of mass spectrometric data appeared efficient for the unambiguous identification of the target analytes in urine samples.     

荔枝中抑霉唑和嘧霉胺残留量的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定荔枝中抑霉唑和嘧霉胺的方法,对提取试剂、流动相、质谱条件进行了研究,并对抑霉唑和嘧霉胺可能的断裂机理进行了推测。待测样品直接用乙腈提取,采用电喷雾离子源(ESI)、多反应监测正离子模式扫描,外标法定量。抑霉唑、嘧霉胺的质量浓度在1.00～20.0μg/L范围内与峰面积呈良好线性,方法的检出限为0.005mg/kg;添加水平为0.005、0.010、0.020mg/kg时抑霉唑和嘧霉胺的平均回收率分别为91%～96%和83%～90%,相对标准偏差分别为6.5%～8.4%和9.5%～11.1%。该方法快速、简便、准确,可用于荔枝中抑霉唑和嘧霉胺残留量的定性与定量检测。     

Combination of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the detection of 21 anabolic steroid residues in bovine urine

For the detection of anabolic steroid residues in bovine urine, a highly sensitive liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed using both positive and negative ionization. For four compounds the ESI mode was not sensitive enough and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric GC/MS detection was therefore still necessary as a complementary method. The sample clean-up consisted of solid-phase extraction (SPE) on a C(18) column followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and a second solid-phase extraction on a combination of a C(18) and a NH(2) column. After this last SPE clean-up, the eluate was split into two equal aliquots. One aliquot was further purified and after derivatization used for GC/MS analysis. The other aliquot was analyzed with LC/MS/MS in both ESI+ and ESI- modes. The method was validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Decision limits (CCalpha) were between 0.16 and 1 ng ml(-1) for the compounds detected with the LC/MS/MS method. The developed method is used in routine analysis in our laboratory.     

Software Assisted Multi-Tiered Mass Spectrometry Identification of Compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Dalbergia odorifera as an Example

The complexity of metabolites in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hinders the comprehensive profiling and accurate identification of metabolites. In this study, an approach that integrates enhanced column separation, mass spectrometry post-processing and result verification was proposed and applied in the identification of flavonoids in Dalbergia odorifera. Firstly, column chromatography fractionation, followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used for systematic separation and detection. Secondly, a three-level data post-processing method was applied to the identification of flavonoids. Finally, fragmentation rules were used to verify the flavonoid compounds. As a result, a total of 197 flavonoids were characterized in D. odorifera, among which seven compounds were unambiguously identified in level 1, 80 compounds were tentatively identified by MS-DIAL and Compound Discoverer in level 2a, 95 compounds were annotated by Compound discoverer and Peogenesis QI in level 2b, and 15 compounds were exclusively annotated by using SIRIUS software in level 3. This study provides an approach for the rapid and efficient identification of the majority of components in herbal medicines.     

Derivatization of beta-dicarbonyl compound with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to enhance mass spectrometric detection: application in quantitative analysis of houttuynin in human plasma

Houttuynin (decanoyl acetaldehyde), a beta-dicarbonyl compound, is the major antibacterial constituent in the volatile oil of Houttuynina cordata Thunb. In the present work, detection of houttuynin in human plasma based on the chemical derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) coupled with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was described. The primary reaction products between the beta-dicarbonyl compound and DNPH in aqueous phase were identified as heterocyclic structures, of which the mass spectrometric ionization and fragmentation behavior were characterized with the aid of high-resolution multistage mass spectral analysis. For quantification, houttuynin and internal standard (IS, benzophenone) in plasma were firstly converted to their DNPH derivatives without sample purification, then extracted from human plasma with n-hexane and detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry performed in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. This method allowed for a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1.0 ng/ml using 100-microl plasma. The validation results showed high accuracy (%bias < 2.1) and precision (%CV < 7.2) at broad linear dynamic range (1.0-5000 ng/ml). The simple and quantitative derivatization coupled with tandem mass spectrometric analysis facilitates a sensitive and robust method for the determination of plasma houttuynin in pharmacokinetic studies.     

HPLC–MS/MS determination of flavonoids in Gleditsiae Spina for its quality assessment

Gleditsiae Spina, the thorn of Gleditsia sinensis Lam., has been used as an anti‐inflammatory, anti‐tumor, and anti‐bacterial traditional medicine for hundreds of years in China. This study used high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods to allow the fast and accurate identification and quantification of the flavonoids compounds in Gleditsiae Spina, and created reliable criteria for accurate identification of Gleditsiae Spina and its adulterants. This research provides good evidence for the classification and quality evaluation of Gleditsiae Spina. Firstly, eight flavonoids compounds were detected and identified on the basis of their mass spectra, fragment characteristics, and comparison with published data. Then the mass spectroscopic fragmentation pathways of these compounds were determined and, in addition rutin, isoquercitrin, and quercitrin were detected in Gleditsiae Spina for the first time. The quantification was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multi‐reaction monitoring mode, and the baseline separation of the eight bioactive flavonoids components was achieved within 13 min. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied for simultaneous quantitative determination of the eight Gleditsiae Spina compounds and adulterants obtained from different sources in China. Then, we built a classification model which showed a high level of accuracy predicting 100% of the samples, correctly.     

Metabolite profile of sibutramine in human urine: a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometric study

We present a detailed experimental approach to detection and subsequent structural characterization of unknown metabolites of sibutramine, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric techniques. The full-, precursor ion, and constant neutral loss scan modes of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer were used for screening sibutramine metabolites in human urine. The structural assessment of unknown metabolites was based on MSn ion trap mass spectrometric analysis and comparison of MSn spectra between the standards and compounds detected. Two phase-I (M1 and M2) and eight phase-II (M3-M6) metabolites of sibutramine were found in human urine. Metabolites M1 and M2, which were found as minor metabolites, originated from N-demethylation of sibutramine. Carbamoyl glucuronides formed from metabolites M1, M2, and their hydroxylated analogs were the main metabolites of sibutramine and were characterized by tandem mass spectrometric analysis and by the chemical modification of their structure. We demonstrate the usefulness of the chemical derivatization approach for estimation of the site of glucuronidation and propose the formation of hydroxylated regioisomers of metabolites M4 and M6.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱测定多种食品中抑霉唑、嘧霉胺、克百威、三唑磷、多菌灵的残留量

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定苦瓜、木瓜、菠萝、绿茶饮料等4种食品基体中抑霉唑、嘧霉胺、克百威、三唑磷、多菌灵的方法,对提取条件、净化条件、流动相、质谱条件进行了研究.待测样品直接用含1%冰乙酸的乙腈提取,乙二胺-N-丙基硅烷(PSA)吸附剂除杂,采用电喷雾离子源(ESI)、多反应监测正离子模式扫描,外标法定...     

牛奶中多种中性与酸性药物残留的高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定

首次建立了牛奶中64种中性和酸性药物的高效液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)同时测定方法。样品中的残留药物用乙腈提取,经正己烷液-液分配除脂和HLB固相萃取柱净化后,以乙腈和甲酸-乙酸铵缓冲溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,采用HPLC-MS/MS电喷雾正离子(ESI+)电离,多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,基质匹配外标法定量。方法的定量下限(LOQ)为1~100μg/kg,加标回收率为54%~100%,相对标准偏差小于12%。该方法操作简便,灵敏度、准确度、精密度均满足残留分析的要求。     

复杂样品的固相微萃取-直接质谱分析技术研究进展

常压离子化质谱分析技术由于具有无需样品预处理、操作简单、分析效率高等特点,现已在复杂样品的快速分析方面发挥了重要作用。但是,该技术在质谱分析时将样品基质和待测化合物同时进行电离,样品基质对目标化合物的质谱分析造成了严重干扰。为了解决这一问题,在质谱直接分析前先采用固相微萃取技术对复杂样品中的目标化合物进行富集或基质去除,可极大地提高待测化合物的质谱分析灵敏度。该文着重综述了近几年发展起来可直接与常压电离源相联用或可原位电离目标化合物的固相微萃取技术,介绍了它们的原理及在复杂样品分析领域的应用,展望了固相微萃取-直接质谱分析技术的发展趋势。     

Characterization and quantification of chemical constituents in Fuzhuan brick tea using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Fuzhuan brick tea, a distinctive dark tea fermented by microorganisms, is a traditional beverage in China throughout history. Recently, it has attracted considerable attention owing to its unique quality characteristics and potential health benefits. The aim of this study was to establish a method for the quality control of Fuzhuan brick tea for stable production. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify Fuzhuan brick tea, and the major components were chosen for further quantitative analysis. Subsequently, a quantification method was developed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry, and its reliability was verified through methodological validation. Finally, a total of 30 compounds were identified, including catechins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids. The established method was reliable for methodological validation and was applied to the quantitative analysis of Fuzhuan brick tea. This study provides a fundamental basis for the quality control and further studies on the component analysis of Fuzhuan brick tea.     

Identification of flavonoids in Dendrobium huoshanense and comparison with those in allied species of Dendrobium by TLC,HPLC and HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization multi‐stage tandem MS analyses

Dendrobium huoshanense, a unique species in the genus Orchidaceae, is only found in China and is known as “mihu”. Due to the lack of quality control, the use of D. huoshanense in the herbal market has been limited. In this study, methods based on thin‐layer chromatography, high‐performance liquid chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify the flavonoids in D. huoshanense and distinguish this species from other Dendrobium species. Using thin‐layer chromatography, a characteristic band was observed for D. huoshanense, and this band was absent from the thin‐layer chromatography plates of other Dendrobium species. Then, using high‐performance liquid chromatography, nine peaks of flavonoids were observed in the chromatograms of ten batches of D. huoshanense. Ultimately, 22 flavonoids in D. huoshanense were identified by multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry, and 11 of these compounds are being reported from D. huoshanense for the first time. In addition, two compounds both with molecular weights of 710, were identified as being unique to D. huoshanense; one of these compounds, apigenin‐6‐C‐α‐L‐rhamnosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucoside‐8‐C‐α‐L‐arabinoside, was proven to be responsible for the characteristic thin‐layer chromatography band of D. huoshanense. These analysis methods can be applied for the identification and quality control of D. Huoshanense.     

高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联四极杆质谱法研究人尿中毛果芸香碱代谢产物

本文采用高效液相色谱-电喷雾串联四极杆质谱法对人口服毛果芸香碱后的尿样的代谢产物进行了研究.     

Development of a Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Identification of Flavonoids in Ginkgo biloba

A rapid, selective and sensitive method for analysis of trace flavonoids and its glycoside derivatives in ginkgo has proposed. Ultrasonic‐assisted extraction of sample preparation was adopted to extract trace flavonoids in ginkgo leaf and its processed product. The compounds were identified using liquid chromatography negative electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The neutral loss scan mode of MS/MS was used to screen flavonoid compounds and those compounds with acid group, or having rhamnosyl, glucosyl, or coumaroyl moiety in the samples. The successive data‐dependent product ion scan mode of MS/MS was used to identify the structure of the components. The analytical results represented three aglycone flavonoids and seven flavonoid glycosides in ginkgo. The method detection limits were evaluated for the analytes analyzed in the range of 0.88 to 2.67 μg/mL.     

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for comprehensive analysis of urinary acylcarnitines

We report an enabling mass spectrometric method for the analysis of lipid metabolites in order to define better the lipid metabolome in terms of chemical diversity and generate fragment ion spectra of these metabolites as a potential resource for unknown metabolite identification. This work focuses on the analysis of one important class of lipid metabolites, the acylcarnitines. Current analytical methods have only detected and identified a limited number of these metabolites. The method described herein provides the most comprehensive acylcarnitine profile in urine of healthy individuals up to date. It involves an optimized solid phase extraction technique for selective analyte extraction using cartridges containing both lipophilic and cation-exchange properties. The captured analytes are then subjected to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) separation, followed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis using information-dependent acquisitions and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The urine of six healthy individuals was analyzed using this method. A total of 355 acylcarnitines were detected; only 43 of them have been previously reported in the urine of healthy individuals. Detection of this large number of acylcarnitines illustrates the great diversity of the lipid metabolome as well as the usefulness of the method for profiling acylcarnitines. Furthermore, the MS/MS spectra of the 355 acylcarnitines will be uploaded to a public human metabolome database as a mass spectrometric resource for unknown metabolite identification.     

Ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for the rapid phenolic profiling of red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves

The red maple (Acer rubrum) species is economically important to North America because of its sap, which is used to produce maple syrup. In addition, various other red maple plant parts, including leaves, were used as a traditional medicine by the Native Americans. Currently, red maple leaves are being used for nutraceutical and cosmetic applications but there are no published analytical methods for comprehensive phytochemical characterization of this material. Herein, a rapid and sensitive method using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry was developed to characterize the phenolics in a methanol extract of red maple leaves and a proprietary phenolic‐enriched red maple leaves extract (Maplifa™). Time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry experiments led to the identification of 106 phenolic compounds in red maples leaves with the vast majority of these compounds also detected in Maplifa™. The compounds included 68 gallotannins, 25 flavonoids, gallic acid, quinic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and nine other gallic acid derivatives among which 11 are potentially new and 75 are being reported from red maple for the first time. The developed method to characterize red maple leaves phenolics is rapid and highly sensitive and could aid in future standardization and quality control of this botanical ingredient.     

超高效液相-串联质谱法同时测定蜂蜜中15种喹诺酮类药物残留

建立了蜂蜜样品中15种喹诺酮类兽药残留的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱检测方法。蜂蜜样品用磷酸盐缓冲溶液溶解提取后,用Oasis HLB固相萃取柱净化,超高效液相-电喷雾串联四级杆质谱检测,外标法定量。测定时用Acquity UPLC BEHC18色谱柱(50 mm×2.1 mm,1.7μm)分离,体积分数0.1%甲酸溶液-乙腈系统梯度洗脱,质谱测定采用多重反应监测(MRM)模式。15种喹诺酮类兽药的检出限均低于或等于1.0 ng/mL,回收率均在78.6%～112.9%范围内,相对标准偏差均在10%范围内。该方法各项指标均能满足国内外各项法规的要求,可用于蜂蜜样品中喹诺酮类药物残留的定量和定性检测。     

直接进样-液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定水中的5种苯胺类化合物

建立了直接进样测定生活饮用水及其水源水中5种苯胺类化合物(苯胺、3-硝基苯胺、4-硝基苯胺、2,6-二氯-4-硝基苯胺和六硝基二苯胺)的液相色谱-串联质谱法。水样经0.22μm 聚醚砜滤膜过滤后直接进样,目标化合物在 HSS T3色谱柱上经梯度洗脱,于4 min 完成分离,多反应监测模式检测。5种苯胺类化合物在各自线性范围内线性良好,相关系数 R≥0.995。方法的检出限为0.773~1.88μg/ L(S/ N =3),定量限为2.58~6.27μg/ L(S/ N=10);峰面积的日内和日间相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为0.8%~1.9%和3.3%~4.9%;样品加标回收率为84.1%~105.0%,加标样品的 RSD 为1.0%~3.1%。应用本方法对35份水样进行了分析。结果表明,本方法准确、灵敏、快速,适用于生活饮用水及其水源水的常规分析,可为苯胺类化合物的污染评价提供技术支持。     

基于快速高分辨液相色谱串联质谱技术的代谢组学尿液分析方法的建立

采用快速高分辨液相色谱(RRLC)分离系统与QTRAP型及QTOF型MS/MS仪联用技术,通过考察尿液样本前处理方法,优化液相色谱条件和质谱检测参数,建立了用于尿液中代谢物分析的RRLC-MS方法.采用本方法对尿液浓度下的20种代表性代谢物进行了检测,考察了方法的灵敏度和精密度,证明本方法适用于尿液代谢组学的研究.对穿...