Failure of immunocompetitive capillary electrophoresis assay to detect disease-specific prion protein in buffy coat from humans and chimpanzees with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

The emergence of a new environmentally caused variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the result of food-born infection by the causative agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has stimulated research on a practical diagnostic screening test. The immunocompetitive capillary electrophoresis (ICCE) assay has been reported to detect disease-specific, proteinase-resistant prion protein (PrPres) in the blood of scrapie-infected sheep. We have applied this method to blood from CJD-infected chimpanzees and humans. The threshold of detection achieved with our ICCE was 0.6 nM of synthetic peptide corresponding to the prion protein (PrP) C-terminus, and 2 nM of recombinant human PrP at the optimized conditions. However, the test was unable to distinguish between extracts of leucocytes from healthy and CJD-infected chimpanzees, and from healthy human donors and patients affected with various forms of CJD. Thus, the ICCE assay as presently performed is not suitable for use as a screening test in human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).     

Separation and identification of higher fullerenes in soot extract by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Summary Two-step liquid chromatographic separation (LC) has been applied to soot extract and the identification of higher fullerenes has been accomplished by LC-MS measurements using an ESI interface. The first separation step is preparative-scale LC using a 50 mm i.d. column packed with monomeric octadecylisilica (ODS) because elution is mainly controlled by relative molecular mass. 39 batches of five fractions each were collected and then as the second separation step each fraction was analysed by analytical-scale LC using a conventional column of a polymeric ODS phase which can elute fullerenes according to shape and structure. This stationary phase can also separate many isomers of higher fullerenes, consequently the existence of several higher fullerenes larger than C₈₆ has been confirmed and their UV-Vis spectra were obtained by the photodiode array detection system coupled to the analytical LC.     

Determination of tocopherols and tocotrienols in cereals by pressurized liquid extraction-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A rapid analytical method including pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) has been developed for the determination of tocopherols and tocotrienols in cereals. The pressurized liquid extraction parameters were optimized in order to maximize the extraction efficiency. The use of methanol as extraction solvent at a temperature of 50 °C and a pressure of 110 bar, using one cycle of extraction with a static time of 5 min, provided the best results. A good LC separation was achieved using a C₁₈ column and a solution of 6.0 mM ammonia in methanol/water (97:3, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL min⁻¹. MS coupling with an ESI interface in the negative ion mode was used as the detection technique. In the present work, it is shown that the addition of a base to the mobile phase is required to enhance the ionization of tocopherols and tocotrienols in negative ion mode electrospray ionization. The applicability of the method to cereal samples was confirmed. The reproducibility of the procedure was good, with relative standard deviations in the 6-10% range. The recoveries of added tocopherols from cereal samples ranged from 91 to 109%.     

Determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in water samples by liquid chromatography-UV detection and confirmation by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the separation and determination of individual (C₁₀-C₁₃) linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS). New sets of conditions have been established for routine analysis of individual chemical forms of four LAS surfactants, i.e. C₁₀-C₁₃ LAS. Under a condition set using a mobile phase containing 1.5 mM ammonium acetate in methanol/water 80:20 (v/v) mixture, detection limits obtained were in the range 1.5 ppb (for C₁₀ LAS) to 11.5 ppb (for C₁₃ LAS). This offers the advantages of significant improvement in resolution, short separation time and using less amount of common salt under isocratic condition. In addition, the use of simple mobile phase containing a simple low amount of salt cannot deposit at the entrance of mass spectrometric detector. The method is applicable to the simultaneous determination of LAS surfactants in various water samples. LAS surfactants presented in these samples were also successfully confirmed by using electrospray mass spectrometry.     

多维液相色谱-质谱用于酶解猪血蛋白中活性肽的研究

以强阳离子交换柱（SCX）为一维色谱柱,反相柱（RP）为二维色谱柱,采用在线捕集接口形式,通过10通阀连接一、二维色谱柱,构建了二维液相色谱分离系统。将该系统用于酶解猪血蛋白中对血管紧缩素Ⅰ转移酶（ACE）具有活性抑制作用的肽进行分离、鉴定,共检测出104个组分。收集一维馏分,离线注入LC—MS,鉴定出其中含有SAL、DKF、ESF、STVL及FESF5个小肽。     

液相色谱-质谱联用分析土壤中的双(2-羟乙基)亚砜

建立了液相色谱 质谱联用技术测定土壤中双(2 羟乙基)亚砜的方法。对影响检测灵敏度的流动相组成、流速、探头温度等因素进行了优化,在优化实验条件下,方法线性范围在0.05～20mg L之间,最低检测质量浓度为0.025mg L(S N>3),对比了3种萃取剂对4种土壤中的双(2 羟乙基)亚砜的萃取率,结果表明,用水作萃取剂的萃取效果最佳,回收率在92%以上,RSD均小于4%。     

Validation of a confirmatory method for the determination of melamine in egg by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method was developed and validated for detection and confirmation of melamine in egg based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Trichloroacetic acid solution was used for sample extraction and precipitation of proteins. The aqueous extracts were subjected to solid-phase extraction by mixed-mode reversed-phase/strong cation-exchange cartridges. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode, melamine was determined by LC-MS/MS, which was completed in 5 min for each injection. For the GC-MS analysis, extracted melamine was derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoracetamide prior to selected ion monitoring detection in electron impact mode. The average recovery of melamine from fortified samples ranged from 85.2% to 103.2%, with coefficients of variation lower than 12%. The limit of detection obtained by GC-MS and UPLC-MS/MS was 10 and 5 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. This validated method was successfully applied to the determination of melamine in real samples from market.     

气质联用法测定含蛋白食品中的甜蜜素

建立了一种用于检测含蛋白食品中甜蜜素的方法.用三氯乙酸对样品进行蛋白变性,次氯酸钠作衍生剂将甜蜜素定量转化为N,N-二氯环己胺,正己烷萃取与基体分离后由气相色谱-质谱联用技术进行测定.在2～50 μg/mL范围内方法的线性良好,5,10和25mg/kg等3个添加水平下,回收率稳定在75.0%～100.0%之间,RSD≤12.1%,灵敏度高,检出限为1.0 mg/kg.     

Diffusion of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored bovine prion protein (PrP) in supported lipid membranes studied by single-molecule and complementary ensemble methods

In this work cellular bovine prion protein (PrP^c) was incorporated in supported lipid membranes and its lateral diffusion was studied by single-dye tracking (SDT) and a complementary ensemble method, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). PrP^c was purified from calf brain with its native glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor and reconstituted into DMPC lipid vesicles. Homogeneous spreading on solid supports over macroscopic areas was confirmed with fluorescence microscopy. FRAP results demonstrated very high mobile fractions of up to 94%, confirming that most of the GPI-anchored PrP^c are freely diffusive in the fluid supported membrane matrix. Moreover, the lateral diffusivity of PrP^c significantly depends on the pH of the buffer, suggesting that the conformation of PrP^c and thus the frictional drag exerted to the protein molecule (and thus the effective hydrodynamic radius) is influenced by the effective net charge. To complement the ensemble results obtained by FRAP, the statistical variation of lateral diffusion coefficients of individual PrP^c molecules in the supported membranes were measured with SDT. Simulation-based statistical analysis indicated that in addition to the expected statistical scatter there is a significant spread of diffusion coefficients, while the average of the diffusion coefficients of individual proteins obtained by SDT is in excellent agreement with those measured by ensemble FRAP. In further experiments, PrP^c was laterally concentrated in the membrane by the application of tangential electric fields (membrane electrophoresis). However, the equilibrium concentration profile reached after 20 min was different from an exponential gradient. This finding suggests that PrP^c purified from bovine brain possesses non-uniform net charges. As the lateral diffusion coefficient of proteins in two-dimensional lipid membranes sensitively depends upon the frictional drag, the combination of SDT, ensemble FRAP, and membrane electrophoresis can be used as a powerful tool to gain insights into protein–protein binding and oligomer formation that would play a crucial role in infectious protein transmitted diseases such as BSE.     

Identification of anthocyanins in wines by liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance

Liquid chromatography (LC) was used for the fractionation of particular anthocyanins in glycoside form from methanol extracts of red grape skins and solid phase extracts of red wine. By the combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and LC-mass spectroscopy the identification of 13 anthocyanins in a particular LC fraction and hence the in particular peaks in chromatograms were obtained. Peaks areas in the chromatograms obtained under the semi-quantitaive conditions of the solid phase extracts of red wines Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Coastal wine-growing region in Slovenia, produced in 1999, were used as input data in chemometric analysis. The chemometric methods used were hierarchical clustering analysis and regularised discriminant analysis. The results of both methods give 100% correct classification of wines regarding the vine variety.     

Simultaneous analysis of anthocyanins and flavonols in petals of lotus (Nelumbo) cultivars by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A fast and reliable HPLC method for the simultaneous separation of anthocyanins and flavonols in lotus petals was developed based on the study of four candidate solvent systems. Fifteen flavonoids were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection/mass spectrometry. Among them, two anthocyanins and nine flavonols were discovered in lotus petals for the first time. This work is valuable for both the hybrid breeding on lotus oriented to flower color and the utilization of lotus petals as functional food materials.     

Identification and quantification of tamoxifen and four metabolites in serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

We have developed a method for the determination of tamoxifen (tam) and its metabolites 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHtam), N-demethyltamoxifen (NDtam), N-dedimethyltamoxifen (NDDtam), tamoxifen-N-oxide (tamNox), and 4-hydroxy-N-demethyltamoxifen (4OHNDtam) in 50 microl human serum. Serum proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile. Deuterated-tamoxifen (D5 tam) was added as internal standard. Sample supernatant was injected into an on-line reversed-phase extraction column coupled with a C18 analytical column and analytes were detected by tandem mass spectrometry. The lower limits of quantification were 0.25 ng/mL for 4OHtam, NDtam and tam, 1.0 ng/mL for NDDtam and tamNox. Ranges of within- and between-day variation were 2.9-15.4% and 4.4-12.9%, respectively.     

Analysis of anthocyanin pigments in Lonicera (Caerulea) extracts using chromatographic fractionation followed by microcolumn liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Anthocyanins from the fruit Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica (blueberry honeysuckle, Caprifoliaceae) were studied via (semi)preparative chromatographic fractionation followed by MS and μLC/MS analysis. The extraction procedure was optimized with respect to analytical purposes as well as its potential use for the preparation of nutraceuticals. The highest yield of anthocyanins was obtained using acidified methanol as the extraction medium. A comparable total anthocyanin content was obtained using a mixture of methanol and acetone. However, when Lonicera anthocyanins were in contact with acetone, a condensation reaction occurred to a large extent and related 5-methylpyranoanthocyanins were found. The effect of other extraction media, including ethanol as a "green" solvent, is also discussed. The potential of two fractionation procedures for extract purification differing in their chromatographic selectivity and scale was studied (i.e. using a Sephadex LH-20 gel column and a reversed phase). Fractions obtained by both procedures were used for a detailed analysis. MS and μLC/MS(2) methods were used for monitoring anthocyanin and 5-methylpyranoderivatives content as well as identifying less common and more complex dyes (dimer of cyanidin-3-hexoside, cyanidin-ethyl-catechin-hexosides, etc.). These more complex dyes are most likely formed during fruit treatment.     

Determination of biogenic amines in wines by pre-column derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

A new HPLC method for determining biogenic amines in wines is developed. This method is based on pre-column amine derivatization, further separation of derivatives and on-line hyphenation of HPLC to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS). Biogenic amines have been derivatized with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate at 65 °C and pH 9.2 for 5 min. The separation of derivatives has been accomplished in a C₁₈ analytical column using an elution gradient based on increasing the percentage of methanol. Derivatives have been ionized in positive mode and detected by selected ion monitoring. The operating conditions of the APCI-MS system (voltages, temperatures and gases) have been thoroughly optimized to obtain the maximum sensitivity for all analytes. In the selected conditions, APCI-MS spectra display little fragmentation and good signal-to-noise ratio. Depending on the amine characteristics, the main spectral peaks are due to mono- and di-derivative products. Figures of merit of the method have been established under the selected conditions using red wine samples. Recoveries ranging from 94% to 106% have been obtained which prove excellent accuracy of the method in the determination of histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine and serotonin in red wines. The proposed method has been applied to the analysis of commercial wines from different Spanish regions.     

Testing organic solvents for the extraction from fish of sulfophenylcarboxylic acids, prior to determination by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

The present paper describes the use of different solvent mixtures to extract from fish various sulfophenylcarboxylic acids (SPCs of C₆ to C₁₃), and their originating compounds, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS of C₁₀ to C₁₃). The analytical method utilized involves pressurized liquid extraction, followed by preconcentration of the samples, purification by solid-phase extraction, and finally identification and quantification of the target compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using a system equipped with an electrospray interface operating in negative ion mode. The SPCs and LAS were extracted from spiked fish first with hexane to remove interference from fats, then with different mixtures of solvents: dichloromethane followed by methanol; 50:50 dichloromethane-methanol; and 30:70 dichloromethane-methanol. The LAS recoveries obtained with these three extraction options were high (between 68.5 and 80.8%); however, owing to the low percentages obtained for SPC homologues (13.5, 13.1, and 15.9%, respectively), another extraction procedure with methanol was developed in order to increase these recoveries. The percentage of recovery for total SPCs with the methanolic extraction was higher (90.1%), with a standard deviation of 9.9, and the LAS recoveries also increased (99.9%). Detection limits were between 1 and 22 ng g^?1 for LAS, and between 1 and 58 ng g^?1 for SPCs. Quantitation limits were between 4 and 73 ng g^?1 for LAS, and between 2 and 193 ng g^?1 for SPCs. This method has been applied to measure the biotransformation of 2ØC₁₀ LAS (where Ø is a sulfophenyl group) in fish exposed in a flow-through system, and enabled the separation and identification of SPCs from 5ØC₆ to 9ØC₁₀.     

Identification of impurities in acarbose by using an integrated liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach

The usefulness of applying an integrated LC-NMR and LC-MS approach to acarbose bulk drug impurity profiling is demonstrated. LC-MS and LC-NMR methodologies were employed for the online separation and structural elucidation of a final drug product. Combining data provided by the stop-flow LC-NMR and LC-MS experiments made it possible to identify the main components present in the acarbose sample. Spectral analysis revealed that A and B were known impurities while C was an unknown compound. LC-MS and LC-NMR analyses revealed that C was a pentasaccharide differing from the acarbose in number and nature of sugar subunits in the molecule. It was subsequently isolated and its structure was confirmed by the offline 1- and 2-D NMR experiments, and atom assignment was made.     

Simultaneous separation and identification of hashish constituents by coupled liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS)

Summary This paper reports the use of liquid chromatography for the separation and determination of the major cannabinoids extracted from hashish samples. The direct coupling to the mass spectrometer enables the selective identification both of neutral and acidic cannabinoids. The developed method does not require any preliminary derivatization and should, therefore, be of interest in forensic analysis for simple and unequivocal determination of hashish constituents.Part of this work was presented at the 2nd Italian-Spanish Joint Meeting of Medicinal Chemistry, 30 August–3 September 1995, Ferrara, Italy.     

基于气相色谱-质谱联用与液相色谱-质谱联用的非靶向代谢组学用于3类茶叶中化学成分分析（英文）

茶叶中的化学成分是构成其风味特征的物质基础。本研究建立了基于气相色谱-质谱联用和液相色谱-质谱联用的非靶向代谢组学方法。完成预处理及分析条件优化后,使用标准样品考察方法的线性、回收率及重复性,结果表明方法整体稳定且结果可靠。将该方法用于绿茶、乌龙茶和红茶中化学成分的分析。通过超声辅助溶剂提取及气相色谱-质谱联用分析共获得1812个特征峰,而使用加热溶剂提取及液相色谱-质谱联用分析可获得2608个特征峰。结合保留规律及质谱数据库,共定性173种化合物(109种随后经标准样品验证),其中只有9种化合物在上述两类分析中被同时检出,表明方法互补性良好。3类茶叶数据的偏最小二乘判别分析结果表明,三者间存在显著差异。结合模型的变量重要因子(VIP)与非参数检验共筛选出90种化合物,其中包含儿茶素、氨基酸、糖、有机酸和黄酮苷类等众多与茶叶滋味密切相关的化学成分。     

Identification of novel circulating coffee metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study reports a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the detection of polyphenol-derived metabolites in human plasma without enzymatic treatment after coffee consumption. Separation of available standards was achieved by reversed-phase ultra performance liquid chromatography and detection was performed by high resolution mass spectrometry in negative electrospray ionization mode. This analytical method was then applied for the identification and relative quantification of circulating coffee metabolites. A total of 34 coffee metabolites (mainly reduced, sulfated and methylated forms of caffeic acid, coumaric acid, caffeoylquinic acid and caffeoylquinic acid lactone) were identified based on mass accuracy (<4 ppm for most metabolites), specific fragmentation pattern and co-chromatography (when standard available). Among them, 19 circulating coffee metabolites were identified for the first time in human plasma such as feruloylquinic acid lactone, sulfated and glucuronidated forms of feruloylquinic acid lactone and sulfated forms of coumaric acid. Phenolic acid derivatives such as dihydroferulic acid, dihydroferulic acid 4'-O-sulfate, caffeic acid 3'-O-sulfate, dimethoxycinnamic acid, dihydrocaffeic acid and coumaric acid O-sulfate appeared to be the main metabolites circulating in human plasma after coffee consumption. The described method is a sensitive and reliable approach for the identification of coffee metabolites in biological fluids. In future, this analytical method will give more confidence in compound identification to provide a more comprehensive assessment of coffee polyphenol bioavailability studies in humans.     

Application of matrix solid phase dispersion to the determination of imidacloprid, carbaryl, aldicarb, and their main metabolites in honeybees by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detection

A method based on matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) using C18 as dispersant and dichloromethane-methanol as eluent and liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of imidacloprid, 6-chloronicotinic acid, carbaryl, aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, and aldicarb sulfone in honeybees.The proposed method was compared with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) combined with LC-APCI-MS analysis. Spiked blank samples were used as standards to counteract the matrix effect observed in the chromatographic determination. Recovery studies were performed at different fortification levels. Average recoveries by MSPD varied from 61% of 6-chloronicotinic acid to 99% of aldicarb sulfoxide and relative standard deviations were equal or lower than 14%. Limit of detections ranged from 0.004 mg kg⁻¹ for imidacloprid to 0.09 mg kg⁻¹ for 6-chloronicotinic acid. Results obtained by both methods were compared, MSPD showed higher recoveries and sensitivity than LLE for most pesticides, except for carbaryl. As MSPD is easier to perform, faster, consumes less sample and organic solvents than LLE, its application for pesticide analysis in honeybees is suggested.