Headspace sorptive extraction using silicone tubes for the determination of chlorobenzenes in water

A new approach for headspace sorptive extraction is presented and demonstrated for the determination of 12 chlorobenzenes in water samples. It consists of a silicone tube (15-mm length) arranged around a stainless steel rod. This device is fixed on a septum cap and exposed to the headspace of 50 mL of a salt-saturated water sample. After extraction (60-min optimized extraction time), thermodesorption is carried out by direct insertion of the silicone tube into the thermodesorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Desorption of the analytes is performed at 250 °C for 5 min with a gas flow of 50 mL/min. Repeatability (relative standard deviation 5–10%), extraction yields (9–46%), enrichment factors (129–657), and detection limits (0.002–0.012 μg/L) were determined and four real water samples were analyzed with the headspace tube extraction. The results were verified by standard addition. A comparison of headspace tube extraction with other headspace enrichment techniques underlined the high extraction capacity of the proposed method. A big advantage of tube extraction is the low cost of the silicone material. The tubes can be discarded after single use, avoiding carryover problems and cross-contamination. Figure Scheme of the HS-tube extraction and thermodesorption system     

A simple assay for the simultaneous determination of rosuvastatin acid,rosuvastatin-5<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-lactone,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-desmethyl rosuvastatin in human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

A simple and sensitive assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of rosuvastatin acid (RST), rosuvastatin-5S-lactone (RST-LAC), and N-desmethyl rosuvastatin (DM-RST), in buffered human plasma using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All the three analytes and the corresponding deuterium-labeled (d6) internal standards were extracted from 50 μL of buffered human plasma by protein precipitation. The analytes were chromatographically separated using a Zorbax-SB Phenyl column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm). The mobile phase comprised of a gradient mixture of 0.1% v/v glacial acetic acid in 10% v/v methanol in water (solvent A) and 40% v/v methanol in acetonitrile (solvent B). The analytes were separated at baseline within 6.0 min using a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Mass spectrometry detection was carried out in positive electrospray ionization mode. The calibration curves for all three analytes were linear (R ≥ 0.9964, n = 3) over the concentration range of 0.1–100 ng/mL for RST and RST-LAC, and 0.5–100 ng/mL for DM-RST. Mean extraction recoveries ranged within 88.0–106%. Intra- and inter-run mean percent accuracy were within 91.8–111% and percent imprecision was ≤15%. Stability studies revealed that all the analytes were stable in matrix during bench-top (6 h on ice–water slurry), at the end of three successive freeze and thaw cycles and at −80°C for 1 month. The method was successfully applied in a clinical study to determine the concentrations of RST and the lactone metabolite over 12-h post-dose in patients who received a single dose of rosuvastatin.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the rapid and sensitive determination of UV filters in environmental water samples

The performance of the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) technique for the determination of eight UV filters and a structurally related personal care species, benzyl salicylate (BzS), in environmental water samples is evaluated. After extraction, analytes were determined by gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS). Parameters potentially affecting the performance of the sample preparation method (sample pH, ionic strength, type and volume of dispersant and extractant solvents) were systematically investigated using both multi- and univariant optimization strategies. Under final working conditions, analytes were extracted from 10 mL water samples by addition of 1 mL of acetone (dispersant) containing 60 μL of chlorobenzene (extractant), without modifying either the pH or the ionic strength of the sample. Limits of quantification (LOQs) between 2 and 14 ng L⁻¹, inter-day variability (evaluated with relative standard deviations, RSDs) from 9% to 14% and good linearity up to concentrations of 10,000 ng L⁻¹ were obtained. Moreover, the efficiency of the extraction was scarcely affected by the type of water sample. With the only exception of 2-ethylhexyl-p-dimethylaminobenzoate (EHPABA), compounds were found in environmental water samples at concentrations between 6 ± 1 ng L⁻¹ and 26 ± 2 ng mL⁻¹.     

Dispersive micro-solid phase extraction combined with gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the determination of N-nitrosamines in swimming pool water samples

A simple sample pretreatment technique, dispersive micro-solid phase extraction, was applied for the extraction of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and other four N-nitrosamines (NAs) from samples of swimming pool water. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were systematically investigated. The best extraction conditions involved immersing 75 mg of carbon molecular sieve, Carboxen™ 1003 (as an adsorbent), in a 50-mL water sample (pH 7.0) containing 5% sodium chloride in a sample tube. After 20 min of extraction by vigorous shaking, the adsorbent was collected on a filter and the NAs desorbed by treatment with 150 μL of dichloromethane. A 10-μL aliquot was then directly determined by large-volume injection gas chromatography with chemical ionization mass spectrometry using the selected ion storage mode. The limits of quantitation were <0.9 ng/L. The precision for these analytes, as indicated by relative standard deviations, were <8% for both intra- and inter-day analyses. Accuracy, expressed as the mean extraction recovery, was between 62% and 109%. A preliminary analysis of swimming pool water samples revealed that NDMA was present in the highest concentration, in the range from n.d. to 100 ng/L.     

Quantitative determination of Phakellistatin 13, a new cyclic heptapeptide,in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, followed by a 96-well protein precipitation, has been developed and fully validated for the determination of Phakellistatin 13 (PK13), a new cyclic heptapeptide isolated from the sponge Phakellia fusca Thiele, in rat plasma. After protein precipitation of the plasma samples (50 μL) in a 96-well plate by methanol (200 μL) containing the internal standard Pseudostellarin B (20 ng/mL), the plate was vortex mixed for 3 min. Following filtration for 5 min, the filtrate was directly injected into the LC-MS/MS system. The analytes were separated on an XB-C18 analytical column (5 μm, 50 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) using an eluent of methanol–water (85:15, v/v) and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative multiple reaction monitoring mode with a chromatographic run time of 5.0 min. The method was sensitive with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.1 ng/mL, with good linearity (r > 0.999) over the quantitation range of 0.1–5 ng/mL. The validation results demonstrated that this method was significantly specific, accurate, precise, and was successfully applied in measuring levels of PK13 in rat plasma following intravenous administration of 20, 50, and 100 μg/kg of peptide in rats, respectively, which was suitable for the preclinical pharmacokinetic studies on PK13.     

Determination of Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water by Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction then Gas Chromatography with Electron-Capture Detection

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been used for preconcentration of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water. In DLLME an appropriate mixture of an extraction solvent (20.0 μL carbon disulfide) and a disperser solvent (0.50 mL acetone) was used to form a cloudy solution from a 5.00-mL aqueous sample containing the analytes. After phase separation by centrifugation the enriched analytes in the settled phase (6.5 ± 0.3 μL) were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC–ECD). Different experimental conditions, for example type and volume of extraction solvent, type and volume of disperser solvent, extraction time, and use of salt, were investigated. After optimization of the conditions the enrichment factor ranged from 116 to 355 and the limit of detection from 0.005 to 0.040 μg L⁻¹. The linear range was 0.01–50 μg L⁻¹ (more than three orders of magnitude). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) for 2.00 μg L⁻¹ THMs in water, with internal standard, were in the range 1.3–5.9% (n = 5); without internal standard they were in the range 3.7–8.6% (n = 5). The method was successfully used for extraction and determination of THMs in drinking water. The results showed that total concentrations of THMs in drinking water from two areas of Tehran, Iran, were approximately 10.9 and 14.1 μg L⁻¹. Relative recoveries from samples of drinking water spiked at levels of 2.00 and 5.00 μg L⁻¹ were 95.0–107.8 and 92.2–100.9%, respectively. Comparison of this method with other methods indicates DLLME is a very simple and rapid (less than 2 min) method which requires a small volume of sample (5 mL).     

Determination of 2-ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate using membrane-assisted liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric detection

A flow-cell for micro-porous membrane liquid–liquid extraction with a sheet membrane was used to extract 2-ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate (EDB) from urine of solar-cream users and spiked wine samples. The cell enabled the target analyte to be extracted from 7.9 mL of donor solution into 200 μL of acceptor solution (decane). After extraction, the acceptor solution was transferred to a micro-vial for GC-MS analysis without derivation. In this work, variables affecting the enrichment factor were also studied, such as organic solvent, extraction time, recirculation flow of the donor solution through the donor chamber, presence of potassium chloride and ethanol in the donor solution and pH. The method has been evaluated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, limits of detection and quantification and extraction efficiency. Limits of quantification were 1 and 3 μg L⁻¹ EDB for urine and wine, respectively. Quantitative analysis has been carried out by applying the method of standard additions. Within- and between-day relative standard deviations were lower than 12% and 20%, respectively. EDB was found in the urine of users of cream containing EDB in the concentration interval 1.2–7.2 μg L⁻¹. Therefore, this provides evidence of EDB dermal absorption and subsequent excretion through the urinary tract. EDB was not found in the analysed wine samples.     

LC-MS/MS analysis of phosphatidylethanol in dried blood spots versus conventional blood specimens

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), which is formed extrahepatically by the action of phospholipase D on phosphatidylcholine in the presence of ethanol, has been suggested as a promising marker of alcohol misuse. Analysis of dried blood spots (DBS) is particularly advantageous for the determination of delicate analytes such as PEth. Therefore, measurement of PEth species (18:1/18:1, 16:0/18:1) in DBS versus whole blood was performed to ascertain whether respective results are directly comparable. Samples were obtained from subjects (n = 40) undergoing alcohol detoxification treatment. Analysis involved liquid–liquid extraction from both, DBS and whole blood (100 μL, respectively), with phosphatidylpropanol as the internal standard. Extracts were subjected to LC gradient separation using multiple reaction monitoring of deprotonated molecules. Results from measurements of corresponding DBS and whole blood specimens were compared by estimating the respective mean values and by a Bland and Altman analysis. Concentrations of PEth 18:1/18:1 ranged from 46.1 to 3,360 ng/mL in whole blood (mean, 461.7 ng/mL) and from 35.8 to 3,360 ng/mL in DBS (mean, 457.6 ng/mL); for PEth 16:0/18:1, concentrations were from 900 to 213,000 ng/mL (mean, 23,375 ng/mL) and 922–213,000 ng/mL (mean, 23,470 ng/mL) in blood and DBS, respectively. Estimated mean differences were −4.3 ng/mL for PEth 18:1/18:1 and 95.8 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:1. The Bland–Altman plot of both PEth species showed that the variation around the mean difference was similar all through the range of measured values and that all differences except one were within the limits of agreement. It could be shown that the determination of PEth species in DBS is as reliable as in whole blood samples. This assay may facilitate monitoring of alcohol misuse.     

Determination of 2-isopropyl thioxanthone and 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate in milk: comparison of gas and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been compared for the analysis of 2-isopropyl thioxanthone (ITX) and 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EHDAB). Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was applied for the extraction of ITX and EHDAB from milk and milk-based beverages. Samples were homogenized with sea sand and anhydrous sodium sulfate, and were extracted with ethyl acetate at 100 °C and 10.3 × 10⁶ Pa in one cycle of 10 min at 90% flush. Both, GC-MS and LC-MS/MS were suitable to determine these photoinitiators in the PLE extracts, providing appropriate identification and quantification. The recoveries obtained ranged from 70 to 99% for ITX and from 70 to 95% for EHDAB. These recoveries were equal as those obtained by a conventional liquid–liquid partitioning with acetonitrile and tert-butyl methyl ether–hexane. The quantification limits using GC-MS, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, were 0.5 μg/L for ITX and 1 μg/L for EHDAB. The repeatability of the method, as indicated by the relative standard deviations, was within the range 0.9–16.1%. The same parameters calculated using LC-MS/MS result in quantification limits of 0.1 μg/L for ITX and 0.02 μg/L for EHDAB and repeatability within the range 5.2–19.4%. These results pointed out that both techniques are appropriate to determine these compounds in food samples. The method was applied to milk and milk-based beverages from different supermarkets. The ITX and EHDAB contents ranged from 2.5 to 325 μg/L and from 8 to 126 μg/L, respectively. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of a UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the determination of larotaxel in beagle dog plasma: application to the pharmacokinetic study

A UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the determination of larotaxel in beagle dog plasma. After addition of the internal standard, plasma samples were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether and separated on a 50 × 2.1 mm ACQUITY 1.7 μm C₁₈ column (Waters, USA), with acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium acetate as mobile phase, within a runtime of 3.0 min. The analytes were detected without interference in Multiple Reaction Monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. The linear range was 2.5–5,000 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD, %) were within 9.3% and 10.2%, respectively, and the accuracy (relative error, RE, %) was less than 11.5%. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of larotaxel in beagle dogs after intravenous administration of larotaxel-loaded lipid microsphere with different doses of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg. The area under the concentration–time curve and the peak concentration of larotaxel seemed to increase with increasing dose proportionally, suggesting linear pharmacokinetics.     

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) determination of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and cocaethylene in hair samples

This study reports the development and validation of a method using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) for the analysis of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine (BE), ecgonine methyl ester (EME), and cocaethylene (CE) in hair samples. Decontamination was performed as follows: Firstly, the aliquot of hair was briefly rinsed with 2 mL dichloromethane, then was washed three times with 10 mL 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 6, for 15 min, followed by 2 mL 2-propanol for less than 2 min, and, finally, a last rinse with 2 mL dichloromethane was again done. Cocaine compounds were extracted from 10 mg of hair by incubation with 2 mL 0.1 M HCl at 50 °C for 12 h and purified by solid phase extraction with Oasis MCX cartridges. Analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS using an Atlantis HILIC silica chromatographic column. The method was fully validated. Linearity was established over the concentration range 0.020–10.0 ng/mg for cocaine (COC), 0.010–10.0 ng/mg for BE and CE, and 0.005–2.0 ng/mg for EME, and the correlation coefficients were all >0.99. Extraction efficiency was >70% for all analytes. Limits of detection were 0.0005 ng/mg for CE and 0.001 ng/mg for the other analytes (COC, BE, and EME). Lower limits of quantification were the lowest points of the calibration curves with acceptable accuracy and precision (coefficient of variation ≤20%). Intra- and inter-day imprecision ranged between 1.5% and 9.5% and 0.7% and 12.6%, respectively. Intra- and inter-day inaccuracy ranged from 0.5% to 12.3% and from 0.7% to 7.1%, respectively. With regard to matrix effects, suppression was <27.5% in all cases. The method was applied to the analysis of several samples derived from forensic cases.     

Sensitive quantification of clozapine and its main metabolites norclozapine and clozapine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxide in serum and urine using LC-MS/MS after simple liquid–liquid extraction work-up

An LC-MS/MS method for the determination of the atypic neuroleptic clozapine and its two main metabolites norclozapine and clozapine-N-oxide has been developed and validated for serum and urine. After addition of d4-clozapine as deuterated internal standard a fast single-step liquid–liquid extraction under alkaline conditions and with ethyl acetate as organic solvent followed. The analytes were chromatographically separated on a Synergi Polar RP column using gradient elution with 1 mM ammonium formate and methanol. Data acquisition was performed on a QTrap 2000 tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. Two transitions were monitored for each analyte in order to fulfill the established identification criteria. The validation included the determination of the limits of quantification (1.0 ng/mL for all analytes in serum and 2.0 ng/mL for all analytes in urine), assessment of matrix effects (77% to 92% in serum, 21 to 78% in urine) and the determination of extraction efficiencies (52% to 85% for serum, 59% to 88% for urine) and accuracy data. Imprecision was <10%, only the quantification of norclozapine in urine yielded higher relative standard deviations (11.2% and 15.7%). Bias values were below ±10%. Dilution of samples had no impact on the correctness for clozapine and norclozapine in both matrices and for clozapine-N-oxide in serum. For quantification of clozapine-N-oxide in urine a calibration with diluted calibrators has to be used. Calibration curves were measured from the LOQ up to 2,000 ng/mL and proved to be linear over the whole range with regression coefficients higher than 0.98. The method was finally applied to several clinical serum and urine samples and a cerebro-spinal fluid sample of an intoxicated 13-month-old girl.     

Trimethylsilyldiazomethane derivatization coupled with solid-phase extraction for the determination of alendronate in human plasma by LC-MS/MS

Alendronate is an important representative of bisphosphonates, strongly polar compounds that lack chromophores. With rare exceptions, derivatization of the analytes is necessary for bioanalysis. In this study, a rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method employing pre-column derivatization was developed and validated for the determination of alendronate concentrations in human plasma. The procedure was based on derivatization with trimethylsilyldiazomethane during solid-phase extraction on a weak anion-exchange solid-phase cartridge, which integrated sample purification and derivatization into one step. The alendronate derivative was eluted with methanol. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Capcell PAK-C18 column. The total run time was 6.5 min. The calibration curve was linear in the range 1.00–1,000 ng/mL using d6-alendronate as the internal standard. The lower limit of quantification was 1.00 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precision (in RSD) calculated from quality control samples was less than 15%, and the accuracy was between 98.1% and 100.2%. The validated method was successfully applied to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of alendronate following the intravenous infusion of 5 or 10 mg alendronate sodium to healthy volunteers.     

Determination of dextromethorphan in human plasma using pipette tip solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Dextromethorphan was extracted from human plasma samples (100 μL) using MonoTip C₁₈ tips, which are packed with C₁₈-bonded monolithic silica gel that is attached to the inside of the tip. The samples, which contained dextromethorphan and trimeprazine as an internal standard (IS), were mixed with 200 μL of distilled water and 50 μL of 1 mol/L glycine–sodium hydroxide buffer (pH 10). The mixture was extracted to the C₁₈ phase of the tip by 20 sequential aspirating/dispensing cycles using a manual micropipettor. The analytes retained on the C₁₈ phase were then eluted with methanol by five sequential aspirating/dispensing cycles. The eluate was injected directly into a gas chromatograph and detected by a mass spectrometer with selected ion monitoring in positive electron ionization mode. An Equity-5 fused silica capillary column (30 m × 0.32 mm i.d., film thickness 0.5 μm) gave adequate separation of the dextromethorphan, IS, and impurities. The recoveries of dextromethorphan and the IS spiked into plasma were >87.4%. The regression equation for dextromethorphan showed excellent linearity from 2.5 to 320 ng/mL of plasma, and the limit of detection was 1.25 ng/mL of plasma. The intraday and interday coefficients of variation were less than 10.5% and 14.7%, respectively. The accuracy ranged from 91.9% to 107%. The validated method was successfully used to quantify the plasma concentration of dextromethorphan in a human subject after oral administration of the drug.     

Determination of organophosphate flame retardants in sediments by microwave-assisted extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with electron impact and chemical ionization

An efficient microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) procedure coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) has been developed to determine five organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in marine and river sediments. The effects of various operating parameters on the quantitative extraction of the OPFRs through MAE were systematically investigated. Selected OPFRs were extracted from the sediments through MAE using 40 mL of acetone at 120 °C for 20 min. The limits of quantitation ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 ng/g (dry weight) in 2 g of the sediment samples. Moreover, as the chlorinated alkyl phosphates present no molecular ions in EI, GC–MS with furan-CI (furan-CI) was applied to confirm their determination in complex environmental samples. The recoveries of the selected OPFRs in spiked sediment samples ranged from 62% to 106% (relative standard derivation, 1−11%). The total concentrations of the selected OPFR residues in marine and river sediments ranged from 1.0 to 12.6 ng/g.     

Development and validation of a sensitive,simple, and rapid method for simultaneous quantitation of atorvastatin and its acid and lactone metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

The aim of the proposed work was to develop and validate a simple and sensitive assay for the analysis of atorvastatin (ATV) acid, ortho- and para-hydroxy-ATV, ATV lactone, and ortho- and para-hydroxy-ATV lactone in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All six analytes and corresponding deuterium (d5)-labeled internal standards were extracted from 50 μL of human plasma by protein precipitation. The chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved using a Zorbax-SB Phenyl column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3.5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of a gradient mixture of 0.1% v/v glacial acetic acid in 10% v/v methanol in water (solvent A) and 40% v/v methanol in acetonitrile (solvent B). All analytes including ortho- and para-hydroxy metabolites were baseline-separated within 7.0 min using a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Mass spectrometry detection was carried out in positive electrospray ionization mode, with multiple-reaction monitoring scan. The calibration curves for all analytes were linear (R ² ≥ 0.9975, n = 3) over the concentration range of 0.05–100 ng/mL and with lower limit of quantitation of 0.05 ng/mL. Mean extraction recoveries ranged between 88.6–111%. Intra- and inter-run mean percent accuracy were between 85–115% and percent imprecision was ≤ 15%. Stability studies revealed that ATV acid and lactone forms were stable in plasma during bench top (6 h on ice-water slurry), at the end of three successive freeze and thaw cycles and at −80 °C for 3 months. The method was successfully applied in a clinical study to determine concentrations of ATV and its metabolites over 12 h post-dose in patients receiving atorvastatin.     

Pipette tip solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry for the determination of methamphetamine and amphetamine in human whole blood

Methamphetamine and amphetamine were extracted from human whole blood samples using pipette tip solid-phase extraction (SPE) with MonoTip C₁₈ tips, on which C₁₈-bonded monolithic silica gel was fixed. Human whole blood (0.1 mL) containing methamphetamine and amphetamine, with N-methylbenzylamine as an internal standard, was mixed with 0.4 mL of distilled water and 50 μL of 5 M sodium hydroxide solution. After centrifugation, the supernatant was extracted to the C₁₈ phase of the tip (pipette tip volume, 200 μL) by 25 repeated aspirating/dispensing cycles using a manual micropipettor. Analytes retained in the C₁₈ phase were eluted with methanol by five repeated aspirating/dispensing cycles. After derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride, analytes were measured by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring in the positive-ion electron impact mode. Recoveries of methamphetamine and amphetamine spiked into whole blood were more than 87.6 and 81.7%, respectively. Regression equations for methamphetamine and amphetamine showed excellent linearity in the range of 0.5–100 ng/0.1 mL. The limits of detection for methamphetamine and amphetamine were 0.15 and 0.11 ng/0.1 mL, respectively. Intra- and interday coefficients of variation for both stimulants were not greater than 9.6 and 13.8%, respectively. The determination of methamphetamine and amphetamine in autopsy whole blood samples is presented, and was shown to validate the present methodology.     

Determination of some sulfonylurea herbicides in soil by a novel liquid-phase microextraction combined with sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A novel method for the determination of five sulfonylurea herbicides in soil was developed by a dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) clean-up followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME), prior to sweeping micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). In the DSPE-DLLME, 10 g of soil sample was first extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile containing 5% formic acid (pH 3.0). The extract was then cleaned-up by a DSPE with C₁₈ as sorbent. A 1 mL aliquot of the resulting extract was then added into a centrifuge tube containing 5 mL of water adjusted to pH 2.0 and 60.0 μL chlorobenzene (as extraction solvent) for DLLME procedure. Then, the organic sample extraction solution was evaporated to dryness, and reconstituted with 20.0 μL of 1.0 mmol L⁻¹ Na₂HPO₄ (pH 10.0) for sweeping-MEKC analysis after DLLME. Under optimized conditions, the method provided as high as 3,000- to 5,000-fold enrichments factors. The linearity of the method was in the range of 3.3–200 ng g⁻¹ for chlorimuron ethyl and bensulfuron methyl, and in the range of 1.7–200 ng g⁻¹ for tribenuron methyl, chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron methyl, with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9965 to 0.9983, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 ng g⁻¹. The intraday relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) were below 5.3% and interday RSDs (n = 15) within 6.8%. The recoveries of the method for the five sulfonylureas from soil samples at spiking levels of 5.0, 20.0, and 100.0 ng g⁻¹ were 76.0–93.5%, respectively. The developed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of the target sulfonylurea herbicide residues in soil samples with a satisfactory result.     

Identification and quantification of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and food by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Chances are examined for the identification and determination of pesticides of different types and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 46 items, in water and food by means of gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection. The detection limits make from 0.01 to 0.5 mg/L if the injected volume of samples is 1 μL; the analytical range is 0.02–10 mg/L. In the mode of selective ion registration and preliminary preconcentration by liquid and solid-phase extraction, the detection limits of analytes make from 2 to 100 ng/L in water and from 0.2 to 10 μg/kg for solid samples.     

Direct quantification of cannabinoids and cannabinoid glucuronides in whole blood by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The first method for quantifying cannabinoids and cannabinoid glucuronides in whole blood by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated. Solid-phase extraction followed protein precipitation with acetonitrile. High-performance liquid chromatography separation was achieved in 16 min via gradient elution. Electrospray ionization was utilized for cannabinoid detection; both positive (Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] and cannabinol [CBN]) and negative (11-hydroxy-THC [11-OH-THC], 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC [THCCOOH], cannabidiol [CBD], THC-glucuronide, and THCCOOH-glucuronide) polarity were employed with multiple reaction monitoring. Calibration by linear regression analysis utilized deuterium-labeled internal standards and a 1/x ² weighting factor, yielding R ² values >0.997 for all analytes. Linearity ranged from 0.5 to 50 μg/L (THC-glucuronide), 1.0–100 μg/L (THC, 11-OH-THC, THCCOOH, CBD, and CBN), and 5.0–250 μg/L (THCCOOH-glucuronide). Imprecision was <10.5% CV, recovery was >50.5%, and bias within ±13.1% of target for all analytes at three concentrations across the linear range. No carryover and endogenous or exogenous interferences were observed. This new analytical method should be useful for quantifying cannabinoids in whole blood and further investigating cannabinoid glucuronides as markers of recent cannabis intake.