On‐line solid‐phase extraction for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of pesticides

Public concern about pesticides in food and water has increased dramatically in the last two decades. In order to guarantee consumers’ health and safety, analytical methods that could provide fast and reliable answers without compromising accuracy and precision are required. Sample treatment is probably the most tedious and time‐consuming step in many analytical procedures and, despite the significant advances in chromatographic separations and mass spectrometry techniques, sample treatment is still one of the most important parts of the analytical process for achieving good analytical results. Therefore, over the last years, considerable efforts have been made to simplify the stage and to develop fast, accurate, and robust methods that allow the determination of a wide range of pesticides without compromising the integrity of the extraction process. This review article intends to give a short overview of recently developed on‐line solid‐phase extraction, preconcentration, and clean‐up procedures for the determination of pesticides in complex matrices by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques.     

Multiresidue determination of UV filters in water samples by solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis

UV filters, contained in sunscreens and other cosmetic products, as well as in some plastics and industrial products, are nowadays considered contaminants of emerging concern because their widespread and increasing use has lead to their presence in the environment. Furthermore, some UV filters are suspected to have endocrine disruption activity. In the present work, we developed an analytical method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of UV filters in tap and lake waters. Sixteen UV filters were extracted from water samples by solid‐phase extraction employing graphitized carbon black as adsorbent material. Handling 200 mL of water sample, satisfactory recoveries were obtained for almost all the analytes. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were comparable to those reported in other works, and ranged between 0.7–3.5 and 1.9–11.8 ng/L, respectively; however in our case the number of investigated compounds was larger. The major encountered problem in method development was to identify the background contamination sources and reduce their contribution. UV filters were not detected in tap water samples, whereas the analyses conducted on samples collected from three different lakes showed that the swimming areas are most subject to UV filter contamination.     

Rapid detection of pesticides in honey by solid‐phase micro‐extraction coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Detection of pesticide residues in food samples is important for safeguarding food quality and safety. Conventional approaches for detection of pesticides in food samples typically involve labour‐intensive and time‐consuming sample pretreatment and chromatographic separation. In this study, solid phase micro‐extraction fibres were used to rapidly extract and enrich pesticides in honey, a popular agricultural product with complex matrix, and then directly coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Three pesticides, ie, atrazine, benalaxyl, and pirimicarb, were investigated using the technique and their analytical performances were evaluated. The limits of detection and limits of quantitation of all the three pesticides could fulfil the cut‐off values of the international standard. Linear calibration curves were constructed with good R² coefficients, and the accuracy and precision were in acceptable ranges for all the pesticides. The analysis time is much reduced, with only minimum sample preparation and no chromatographic separation involved. The technique is simple and easy to set up, and can be extended for analysis of other analytes and sample systems.     

Online molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of hormones in water and sediment samples

The molecularly imprinted SPE directly coupled to RP LC‐MS/MS method has been developed and successfully validated for the determination of six hormones in water and sediment samples. The method is based on the use the home‐made column filled with a molecularly imprinted sorbent (imprinted against estrogens) that was used under nonaqueous conditions. Thus, its high selectivity could be utilized resulting in low matrix components’ coextraction. The method showed excellent recovery (92–105%) and satisfactory sensitivity (LOQs water: 1.9–4.0 ng/L; LOQs sediment: 0.2–0.5 ng/g). The intra‐ and interprecision for water and sediment was in the range of 4.0–6.0% and 4.4–7.6%, respectively. Finally, 20 water and sediment samples collected from the Svratka river were analyzed. Only estrone was quantified in eight water samples (4.4–7.1 ng/L); no analytes were found in sediment samples.     

啤酒中单糖的衍生化HPLC-ESI-MS测定方法研究

单糖类样品在溶液中非常稳定,难于离子化,不适合于进行ESI-MS检测。采用1-苯基-3-甲基-5-吡唑啉酮(PMP)将糖类物质衍生化,HPLC-ESI-MS在线联用,选择性离子扫描方式对几种啤酒样品中的5种单糖进行了分离检测。检出限可达到80pg。     

Determination of sub‐ppb epichlorohydrin levels in water by on‐line solid‐phase extraction liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A new sensitive and selective method based on on‐line solid‐phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer has been developed for the determination of epichlorohydrin (ECH) in different types of water samples. ECH is not easily determined directly by ESI‐MS as it is not readily ionized, and it has a low molecular mass and high polarity. Thus, prior derivatization of ECH was necessary, employing 3,5‐difluorobenzylamine as a derivatizing agent with Fe(III) as a catalyst. In order to achieve accurate quantification, correcting for matrix effects, losses in the derivatization process and instrumental deviations, isotope labelled ECH (ECH‐d₅) was added as an internal standard (IS) to the water samples. The method was validated based on European SANCO guidelines using drinking and other types of treated water spiked at two concentration levels (0.1 and 1.0 µg/L), the lower level having been established as the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method. Satisfactory accuracy (recoveries between 70 and 103%), precision (RSD <20%) and linearity (from 0.05 to 50 µg/L, r >0.99) were obtained. The limit of detection (LOD) was set up at 0.03 µg/L. The method was applied to different water samples (drinking water and water samples collected from a municipal treatment water plant). In order to enhance confidence, five selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions were acquired, thus obtaining a simultaneous reliable quantification and identification of ECH in water, even at sub‐ppb levels. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative determination of DNA adducts using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The quantitative determination of nucleotides from DNA modified by styrene oxide is described using a combination of inductively coupled plasma high-resolution mass spectrometry (ICP-HRMS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), both interfaced to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). LC/ICP-MS (resolution > 1500 to discriminate against 15N16O+ and 14N16OH+) was employed to determine quantitatively the content of modified nucleotides in standard solutions based on the signal of phosphorus; phosphoric acid served as an internal standard. By means of the standard addition technique the sensitivity of the LC/ESI-MS approach was subsequently determined. Since a comparison of UV, ICP and ESI-MS data suggested that in ESI-MS the ionization efficiency of the adducts is identical within the error limits, quantitative determination of all adducts is possible. For LC/ESI-MS with single ion monitoring, the detection limit for styrene oxide adducts of nucleotides was determined to be 20 pg absolute or 14 modified in 10(8) unmodified nucleotides in a 5 micrograms DNA sample, which comes close to the best methods available for the detection of chemical modifications in DNA.     

Magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the extraction and rapid determination of six fluoroquinolones in environmental water samples

In this study, a mixed hemimicelle solid‐phase extraction method based on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate was applied for the preconcentration and fast isolation of six fluoroquinolones in environmental water samples before high‐performance liquid chromatography determination. The main factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the analytes, such as amount of surfactant, amount of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, extraction time, sample volume, sample pH, ionic strength, and desorption conditions, were investigated and optimized. The method has detection limits from 0.05 to 0.1 ng/mL and good linearity (r ≥ 09948) in the range 0.1–200 ng/mL depending on the fluoroquinolone. The enrichment factor is ～200. The recoveries (at spiked levels of 1, 5, and 50 ng/mL) are in the range of 79–120%.     

Storage stability studies for tributyltin determination in human urine samples using headspace solid‐phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry

A headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction (HS‐SPME) method was employed in order to study the effect of storage conditions of human urine samples spiked with tributyltin (TBT) using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. To render the analyte more volatile, the derivatization (ethylation) was made in situ by sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄), which was added directly to dilute unpreserved urine samples and in buffers of similar acidity. The stability of TBT in human urine matrix was compared with the stability of TBT in buffer solutions of similar pH value. Critical parameters of storage conditions such as temperature and time, which affect the stability of TBT in this kind of matrix, were examined extensively. The tests showed that the stability of TBT remains practically satisfactory for a maximum of 2 days of storage either at +4 or 20°C. Greater variations were observed in the concentration of TBT in human urine samples at +4°C and lower ones at ?20°C over a month's storage. The freeze–thaw cycles have negative effect on the stability and should be kept to a minimum. The results from spiked urine samples are also discussed in comparison to those acquired from buffer solutions of equal TBT concentration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for the highly sensitive determination of five iodinated X‐ray contrast media in environmental water samples

A highly sensitive method based on solid‐phase extraction and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for simultaneous determination of five iodinated X‐ray contrast media in environmental water samples. Various solid‐phase extraction cartridges have been evaluated and a combination of LiChrolute EN and ENVI‐Carb solid phase extraction cartridges was selected for sample enrichment. The method was comprehensively validated on ground water, tap water, surface water, drinking water, and waste water by the conventional procedures: linearity, method detection limits, accuracy and precision, matrix effects. Good linearity (R² > 0.999), low detection limits (0.4–8.1 ng/L), satisfactory recoveries (55.1–109.5%) and precision (0.8–10.0% for intra‐day precisions and 0.6–16.5% for inter‐day precisions) were obtained for all the target compounds. Iopamidol, iohexol, and diatrizoate in some matrices were affected by matrix effects, which were slightly eased by using the isotope‐labeled internal standard. The developed method was successfully applied for real samples collected in Shanghai, China, with detected concentrations up to 2200 ± 200 and 9000 ± 1000 ng/L for iohexol and iopamidol, respectively.     

Infrared laser ablation sample transfer for on‐line liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

We have demonstrated an on‐line laser ablation sampling system and coupling of the system to liquid chromatography (LC) using an infrared (IR) laser to ablate and transfer materials into a flowing solvent stream. With this approach, samples are deposited on a microscope slide mounted on a translation stage and ablated in transmission geometry using a pulsed mid‐IR laser. The ablated material is captured in an exposed flowing solvent stream that carries the ablated material to the electrospray source. Post‐ablation separation is accomplished using a capillary column downstream of the capture zone. The performance of the system was assessed using peptide and protein mixtures ablated from the target and analyzed with and without LC separation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Environmentally friendly solid‐phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the determination of biogenic amines in fish samples

In this work, a facile and environmentally friendly solid‐phase microextraction assay based on on‐fiber derivatization coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was developed for determining four nonvolatile index biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine) in fish samples. In the assay, the fiber was firstly dipped into a solution with isobutyl chloroformate as derivatization reagent and isooctane as extraction solvent. Thus, a thin organic liquid membrane coating was developed. Then the modified fiber was immersed into sample solution to extract four important bioamines. Afterwards, the fiber was directly inserted into gas chromatography injection port for thermal desorption. 1,7‐Diaminoheptane was employed as internal standard reagent for quantification of the targets. The limits of detection of the method were 2.98–45.3 μg/kg. The proposed method was successfully applied to the detection of bioamines in several fish samples with recoveries ranging 78.9–110%. The organic reagent used for extraction was as few as microliter that can greatly reduce the harm to manipulator and environment. Moreover, the extraction procedures were very simple without concentration and elution procedures, which can greatly simplify the pretreatment process. The assay can be extended to the in situ screening of other pollutant in food safety by changing the derivatization reagent.     

Compliance analysis of phenylurea and related compounds in drinking water by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry coupled with solid-phase extraction

A liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry method was reported for the compliance analysis of seven phenylurea compounds and two related herbicides (tebuthiuron and propanil) in drinking water. The volumes of the sample and final extract used in the method were 500 mL and 10 mL, respectively. The obtained method detection limits were less than 0.03 microg/L, and the mean recoveries were 74-128% with a relative standard deviation of 2.6-8.3% for all the studied compounds. The peak-to-peak signal-to-noise ratios ranged from 3.3 for cis-siduron to 34.2 for fluometuron. The accuracy and precision resulting from reagent and drinking water samples fortified at higher concentration levels were similar to these results. Several analytes were detected in the drinking water samples, including tebuthiuron at 0.5 microg/L, propanil at 0.7 microg/L, diuron at 0.1-2.1 microg/L, and linuron at 0.1-0.8 microg/L.     

Microcolumn size-exclusion chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Microcolumn (250 x 0.5 mm I.D.) size-exclusion chromatography was implemented for the separation of polydisperse mixtures prior to electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric detection. An improved separation, compared to conventional-bore SEC, was demonstrated upon coupling with ESI quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometry and a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance instrument for the separation of individual oligomers present in octylphenoxypoly(ethoxy)ethanol.     

Quantitative determination of three sulfonamides in environmental water samples using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical method was developed to detect the three sulfonamides para-toluenesulfonamide (p-TSA), ortho-toluenesulfonamide (o-TSA) and benzenesulfonamide (BSA) in environmental water samples at concentrations down to 0.02 microg/L using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Wastewater, surface water, groundwater and drinking water samples from Berlin (Germany) were analysed for all three compounds which appear to be ubiquitously present in the aquatic environment. p-TSA was found in high concentrations in the wastewater (<0.02-50.8 microg/L) and in groundwater below a former sewage farm (<0.02-41 microg/L), and in lower concentrations in the surface water (<0.02 to 1.15 microg/L) and drinking water (<0.02-0.27 microg/L). o-TSA and BSA were detected in considerably lower concentrations. The study makes clear that p-TSA should be monitored because of its comparatively high concentration in Berlin's drinking water.     

Evaluation of matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction for 11 β‐agonists in swine feed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of 11 β‐agonists (clenbuterol, salbutamol, ractopamine, terbutaline, fenoterol, cimaterol, isoxsuprine, mabuterol, mapenterol, clenproperol, and tulobuterol) in swine feed. This rapid, simple, and effective extraction method was based on matrix solid‐phase dispersion. The limit of quantification of clenbuterol, cimaterol, mabuterol, salbutamol, terbutaline, mapenterol, clenproperol, and tulobuterol was 1 μg/kg and that of ractopamine, fenoterol, and isoxsuprine was 2 μg/kg. The recoveries of β‐agonists spiked in swine feeds at a concentration range of 1–8 μg/kg were >83.1% with relative standard deviations <9.3%. This rapid and reliable method can be used to efficiently separate, characterize, and quantify the residues of 11 β‐agonists in swine feeds with advantages of simple pretreatment and environmental friendliness.     

Determination of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water by solid‐phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

Given the potential risks of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the analysis of their presence in water is very urgent. We have developed a novel procedure for determining chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water based on solid‐phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The extraction parameters of solid‐phase extraction were optimized in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method showed wide linear ranges (1.0–1000 ng/L) with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9952 to 0.9998. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification were in the range of 0.015–0.591 and 0.045–1.502 ng/L, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 82.5 to 102.6% with relative standard deviations below 9.2%. The obtained method was applied successfully to the determination of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in real water samples. Most of the chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected and 1‐monochloropyrene was predominant in the studied water samples. This is the first report of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples in China. The toxic equivalency quotients of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the studied tap water were 9.95 ng the toxic equivalency quotient m^?3. 9,10‐Dichloroanthracene and 1‐monochloropyrene accounted for the majority of the total toxic equivalency quotients of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tap water.     

Automatic on‐line solid‐phase extraction with ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of ten antipsychotics in human plasma

An automatic on‐line solid‐phase extraction with ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of ten antipsychotics in human plasma. The plasma sample after filtration was injected directly into the system without any pretreatment. A Shim‐pack MAYI‐C₈ (G) column was used as a solid‐phase extraction column, and all the analytes were separated on a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS III column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% v/v formic acid in water with 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile. The method features were systematically investigated, including extraction conditions, desorption conditions, the equilibration solution, the valve switching time, and the dilution for column‐head stacking. Under the optimized conditions, the whole analysis procedure took only 10 min. The limits of quantitation were in the range of 0.00321–2.75 μg/L and the recoveries ranged from 75.9 to 122%. Compared with the off‐line ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and the reported methods, this validated on‐line method showed significant advantages such as minimal pretreatment, shortest analysis time, and highest sensitivity. The results indicated that this automatic on‐line method was rapid, sensitive, and reliable for the determination of antipsychotics in plasma and could be extended to other target analytes in biological samples.     

Identification of isoflavonoids in several kudzu samples by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Pueraria lobata is a rich source of isoflavonoids. The detection and identification of isoflavonoid components from Pueraria radix (RP), callus and cell cultures, is very important for the safest and most effective use of kudzu as a medicinal plant, and for the studies on quantitative analysis and secondary metabolism of isoflavonoids in vitro cultures. Liquid chromatography is coupled with negative and positive electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS), and photodiode array detection is used to characterize and detect isoflavonoids in root, callus, and cell samples of P. lobata. Characteristic product ions of aglycones, O-glucosides, and C-glucosides were obtained from the full-scan ESI-MS chromatography of the major peaks and the MS-MS spectra of the protonated ions. Five major components of puerarin, daidzin-6"-O-acetylester, genistin-6"-O-malonylester, biochanin A-7-O-glucoside-6"-O-malonylester, and daidzein are detected and identified from the methanolic extract of P. lobata callus cultures. The major isoflavonoid components of P. lobata cell suspension cultures are identified as puerarin, daidzin, daidzin-6"-O-acetylester, genistin-6"-O-malonylester, biochanin A-7-O-glucoside-6"-O-malonylester, genistein-8-C-glucoside-6"-O-malonylester, and daidzein, on the basis of ESI-MS and MS-MS spectra analysis. Likewise, puerarin, daidzin, genistein-6"-O-malonylester, 3'-methoxypuerarin, and daidzein are detected and identified from RP. Of those isoflavonoid components detected, daidzin-6"-O-acetylester is a new isoflavonoid glucoside and is for the first time detected from P. lobata cultures in vitro.