Surface-Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Opium Alkaloids

Surface ionization of the opium alkaloids morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine, and narcotine was investigated by mass spectrometry. It was shown that the alkaloid molecules were ionized with high efficiency through surface ionization. The mass spectra of morphine, codeine, and thebaine exhibited series of lines for quasimolecular ions with elimination of up to nine H atoms from the opiates that was accompanied by heterogeneous aromatization of the rings and their skeletal rearrangement. The results were compared with GC-MS data from electron ionization.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定镇咳祛痰药中阿片类物质的含量

建立了镇咳祛痰药中吗啡、可待因、海洛因、蒂巴因、罂粟碱、那可汀6种阿片类物质含量的LC-MS/MS快速测定方法.药品经超声浸取,甲醇稀释过滤后经Waters C18柱分离,以乙腈和10 mmol/L乙酸铵(含0.1％甲酸)溶液进行梯度洗脱,采用电喷雾正离子化(ESI+)、多反应监测模式进行测定.6种阿片类物质在相应的线...     

Mechanism of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of morphine,codeine, and thebaine in corona discharge–ion mobility spectrometry: Protonation,ammonium attachment,and carbocation formation

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionizations (APCIs) of morphine, codeine, and thebaine were studied in a corona discharge ion source using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) at temperature range of 100°C–200°C. Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) and M062X/6‐311++G(d,p) levels of theory were used to interpret the experimental data. It was found that in the presence of H₃O⁺ as reactant ion (RI), ionization of morphine and codeine proceeds via both the protonation and carbocation formation, whereas thebaine participates only in protonation. Carbocation formation (fragmentation) was diminished with decrease in the temperature. At lower temperatures, proton‐bound dimers of the compounds were also formed. Ammonia was used as a dopant to produce NH₄⁺ as an alternative RI. In the presence of NH₄⁺, proton transfer from ammonium ion to morphine, codeine, and thebaine was the dominant mechanism of ionization. However, small amount of ammonium attachment was also observed. The theoretical calculations showed that nitrogen atom of the molecules is the most favorable proton acceptor site while the oxygen atoms participate in ammonium attachment. Furthermore, formation of the carbocations is because of the water elimination from the protonated forms of morphine and codeine.     

Enzymatic inhibition enthalpimetry: The analytical potential of the inhibitory action of a series of physiologically active alkaloids on the activity of serum cholinesterase

A kinetic method is described for the enthalpimetric determination of a series of physiologically active alkaloids based on their inhibitory effect on the cholinesterase-catalysed hydrolysis of butyrylcholine iodide. All analyses are done at pH 8.0 and at 25.0°C (short term stability ± 0.002°C). Precision (< 3.0%) data are reported for the determination of physostigmine sulphate (1.0–4.0 × 10^-8), quinine sulphate (1.0 × 10^-6–4.0 × 10^-5), procaine hydrochloride (1.0 × 10^-5–× 2.5 × 10^-4), atropine sulphate (5.0 × 10^-5–3.0 × 10^-4), morphine sulphate (1.0–8.0 × 10^-4), codeine phosphate (3.0 × 10^-4–2.4 × 10^-3), pilocarpine nitrate (5.0 × 10^-4––6.0 × 10^-3) and thiamine hydrochloride (1.0–5.0 × 10^-3); the linear response ranges in mol dm^-3 are given in parentheses. Complete inhibition curves are presented and relative “potency” is inferred. The effects of several interfering inhibitors are discussed.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of electroactive organic compounds

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode is described for various polarographically active compounds. Diazepam, nitrazepam, papaverine and aromatic nitro compounds can be determined at concentrations of 1 × 10^?9–1 × 10^?6 M with errors of 5–7%. The effects of changing accumulation potentials and times are considered. Interference by other surface-active agents may be removed by prior molecular exclusion chromatography.     

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloid analysis using high‐resolution Orbitrap LC‐MSn

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) have profound implications on human health owing to their potent pharmacological properties. Notable naturally occurring BIAs are the narcotic analgesics morphine, the cough suppressant codeine, the potential anticancer drug noscapine, the muscle relaxant papaverine, and the antimicrobial sanguinarine, all of which are produced in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Thebaine, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of codeine and morphine, is used in the manufacture of semisynthetic opiates, including oxycodone and naloxone. As the only commercial source of pharmaceutical opiates, opium poppy has been the focus of considerable research to understand BIA metabolism in the plant. The elucidation of several BIA biosynthetic pathways has enabled the development of synthetic biology platforms aimed at the alternative commercial production of valuable phytochemicals in microorganisms. The detection and identification of BIA pathway products and intermediates in complex extracts is essential for the continuing advancement of research in plant specialized metabolism and microbial synthetic biology. Herein, we report the use of liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole and high‐resolution Orbitrap multistage mass spectrometry to characterize 44 authentic BIAs using collision‐induced dissociation (CID), higher‐energy collisional dissociation (HCD), and pulsed Q collision‐induced dissociation (PQD) MS² fragmentation, with MS² CID followed by MS³ and MS⁴ fragmentation. Our deep library of diagnostic spectral data constitutes a valuable resource for BIAs identification. In addition, we identified 22 BIAs in opium poppy latex and roots extracts.     

Automated multiple development thin-layer chromatography for separation of opiate alkaloids and derivatives

There are three types of opiate alkaloids. First, the poppy alkaloids: morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine and papaverine; then, the semi-synthetic and synthetic derivatives used in therapy as antitussives and analgesics, such as pholcodine, ethylmorphine and dextromethorphan; at last narcotic compounds, diacetylmorphine (heroin) and opiates employed as substitutes in treatment of addiction: buprenorphine and methadone. For classical thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of opium alkaloids, it is necessary to use complex eluents with strong alkaline substances to obtain a clean separation between morphinan and isoquinoline compounds. This study purposes the planar chromatographic analysis of these substances by the automated multiple development (AMD) compared with results obtained by classical TLC method. The aim of this work was to achieve the best separation of these opiate alkaloids and derivatives by this modern technique of planar chromatography. The AMD system provided a clean separation for each of three opiates groups studied and the best results have been obtained with universal gradient: methanol 100, methanol-dichloromethane 50/50, dichloromethane 100, dichloromethane 100, hexane 100 for opium alkaloids and with gradient A: 5% of 28% ammonia in methanol 100, acetone 100, acetone 100, ethyl acetate-dichloromethane 50/50, dichloromethane 100 for antitussives and substitutes. Two reagents were used for the detection of alkaloids by spraying: Dragendorff and iodoplatinate reagents. The detection limits with these two reagents were 1 microg for ethylmorphine, thebaine, papaverine, codeine, and 2 microg for morphine and noscapine and other alkaloids.     

Separation and identification of illicit heroin samples by liquid chromatography using an alumina and C18 coupled column system and photodiode array detection

The analysis of illicit heroin and opium samples on a coupled alumina and C18 column system is described. The compounds to be analysed can be divided into two groups: those with low pKa values, such as caffeine, papaverine and noscapine, and those with high pKa values, such as heroin, acetylcodeine, O6-monoacetylmorphine, procaine, codeine, morphine and strychnine. The first group can best be separated on a C18 column, whereas alumina is more suitable for the second group. Previously reported criteria for choosing proper buffer systems for ion-exchange separations on alumina were used together with an iterative regressive optimization procedure developed in our laboratory. The system can be used with and without valve-switching, depending on the sample type. The peak purity of the judicially important components heroin and O6-monoacetylmorphine has been checked with a photodiode array detector and by use of advanced software.     

Synthesis of 6β-Halogenodeoxyneopine from Neopine

(-)-Neopine (1), the Δ^8,14 isomer of codeine, occurs as one of the minor constituents in opium from Papaver somniferum L¹. In opium alkaloids of the morphine group the hydroxyl group in position 6 is readily converted with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride or methanesulfonyl chloride into the respective 6α-O-sulfonyl derivatives². The latter in turn form starting materials for the preparation of other derivatives. Thus, with lithium halides, via a S_N2 mechanism³ the 6β-halogen compounds are formed. It is found that, as a result of the allylic system, under slightly changed reaction conditions codeine itself can also yield the 8β-chloro derivative⁴.     

Chemi-ionization reactions of Ba,Sr, Ca with OH

Associative ionization has been observed in the ractions of Ba, Sr, Ca (M) with OH, M + OH = MOH⁺ + e^?, and relative rates have been measured under effusive thermal cross molecular beam conditions. The rates are in the ratio 3 × 10³, 3 × 10¹ to 1 for Ba, Sr, relative to Ca.     

Voltammetric determination of morphine on stationary platinum and graphite electrodes

A voltammetric method for the determination of morphine in poppy seeds, crude morphine and pharmaceutical preparations is described. The method is based on electrochemical oxidation of morphine at a stationary graphite or platinum electrode in basic electrolyte. The mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of morphine and its derivatives are discussed. The proposed method shows good reproducibility, and sample preparation is simple. The working ranges are 6 × 10^-5–10^-3 M with the graphite electrode and 10^-5–10^-3 M with the platinum electrode. There is no interference from various morphine derivatives or minor alkaloids at the 10^-3 M level.     

Enzyme electrodes with substrate and co-enzyme amplification

The enzyme couples horseradish peroxidase/glucose dehydrogenase, glucose oxidase/glucose dehydrogenase, and cytochrome b₂/lactate dehydrogenase are applied in enzyme electrodes. Based on amplification by the recyclization reactions catalyzed by these two-enzyme systems, NADH, NAD⁺, glucose, lactate and pyruvate, are determined with 8–40-fold increased sensitivity compared to the unamplified reactions. Detection limits are 1.0 × 10^?6 M NADH, 1.2 × 10^?6 M NAD⁺, 8 × 10^?7 M glucose, and 3 × 10^?7 M lactate or pyruvate.     

Polymerization of acrylamide with persulfate–thiomalic acid initiator

The redox system of potassium persulfate–thiomalic acid (I₁–I₂) was used to initiate the polymerization of acrylamide (M) in aqueous medium. For 20–30% conversion the rate equation is where R_p is the rate of polymerization. Activation energy is 8.34 kcal deg^?1 mole^?1 in the investigated range of temperature 25–45°C. M_n is directly proportional to [M] and inversely to [I₁]. The range of concentrations for which these observations hold at 35°C and pH 4.2 are [I₁] = (1.0–3.0) × 10^?3, [I₂] = (3.0–7.5) × 10^?3, and [M] = 5.0 × 10^?2–3.0 × 10^?1 mole/liter.     

An amperometric monoamine oxidase biosensor for determining some antidepressants

An amperometric biosensor based on a platinum screen-printed electrode and immobilized monoamine oxidase is developed to determine antidepressants of different classes. Petylyl, pyrazidol, and flu-oxetine can be determined with determination limits of 8 × 10^?9, 8 × 10^?7, and 8 × 10^?10 M, respectively. A procedure is proposed for determining fluoxetine in tablets. It is shown that petylyl can be selectively determined by an immunochemical technique using the developed biosensor and immobilized antibodies in the concentration range from 1 × 10^?4 to 1 × 10^?8 M.     

Determination of the Anticancer Drug Sorafenib in Serum by Adsorptive Stripping Differential Pulse Voltammetry Using a Chitosan/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry (AdSDPV) was applied to the assay of sorafenib in human serum sample. Cyclic voltammetry at a carbon based screen printed electrode (SPE) permitted to detect the irreversible oxidation of SOR with formation of a new compound reversibly oxidized at a lower potential. Quantitative assays were realized using a chitosan/carboxylic acid functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 in the presence of 50 % methanol. The AdSDPV method provided two linear responses within the concentration ranges 1×10^?8–8×10^?8 M and 1×10^?7–8×10^?7 M in serum with LOQ and LOD of 3.2×10^?9 and 9.6×10^?10 of lower linear range, respectively. The recovery of sorafenib in spiked serum was 97.5 %.     

Determination of uranium isotopic composition and 236U content of soil samples and hot particles using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

As a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) the environment was contaminated with spent nuclear fuel. The ²³⁶U isotope was used in this study to monitor the spent uranium from nuclear fallout in soil samples collected in the vicinity of the Chernobyl NPP. Nuclear track radiography was applied for the identification and extraction of hot radioactive particles from soil samples. A rapid and sensitive analytical procedure was developed for uranium isotopic ratio measurement in environmental samples based on double-focusing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DF–ICP–MS) with a MicroMist nebulizer and a direct injection high-efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN). The performance of the DF–ICP–MS with a quartz DIHEN and plasma shielded torch was studied. Overall detection efficiencies of 4×10^–4 and 10^–3 counts per atom were achieved for ²³⁸U in DF–ICP–QMS with the MicroMist nebulizer and DIHEN, respectively. The rate of formation of uranium hydride ions UH⁺/U⁺ was 1.2×10^–4 and 1.4×10^–4, respectively. The precision of short-term measurements of uranium isotopic ratios (n = 5) in 1 μg L^–1 NBS U-020 standard solution was 0.11% (²³⁸U/²³⁵U) and 1.4% (²³⁶U/²³⁸U) using a MicroMist nebulizer and 0.25% (²³⁵U/²³⁸U) and 1.9% (²³⁶U/²³⁸U) using a DIHEN. The isotopic composition of all investigated Chernobyl soil samples differed from those of natural uranium; i.e. in these samples the ²³⁶U/²³⁸U ratio ranged from 10^–5 to 10^–3. Results obtained with ICP–MS, α- and γ-spectrometry showed differences in the migration properties of spent uranium, plutonium, and americium. The isotopic ratio of uranium was also measured in hot particles extracted from soil samples.     

Fluorescence enhancement by gadolinium of the europium or samarium-dibenzoylmethane-diethylamine system

A fluorescence enhancement produced by adding Gd³⁺, Y³⁺, Tb³⁺, La³⁺ or Lu³⁺ to europium or samarium-dibenzoylmethane-diethylamine was observed. Gd³⁺ enhanced the fluorescence intensity by 2–3 orders of magnitude compared with the system without Gd³⁺. The new system was used for the simultaneous determination of traces of Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ in the ranges 1.0 × 10^?9?8.0 × 10^?8 M and 1.0 × 10^?11?4.0 × 10^?9 M, respectively, and the detection limits were 5 × 10^?13 M for Sm³⁺ and 8 × 10^?14 M for Eu³⁺. The luminescence mechanism of the system is discussed.     

Fragmentation pathways of heroin-related alkaloids revealed by ion trap and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

The electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap and quadrupole time-of-flight (QqToF) mass spectra of heroin and seven related alkaloids, i.e., morphine, codeine, O-6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), thebaine, acetylcodeine, papaverine and narcotine, have been extensively investigated in this work. The ESI mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of protonated 6-MAM, heroin, acetylcodeine, and thebaine were comprehensively elucidated for the first time with the aid of high-resolution mass spectrometry. It was found that cleavage of the piperidine ring was the featured fragmentation route of six of the compounds, although not of papaverine and narcotine. In addition, a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based separation method gave baseline resolution of all eight components. This study could play an important role in the screening for these alkaloids in different matrices by HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).     

Simultaneous Square‐Wave Voltammetric Determination of Paracetamol,Caffeine and Orphenadrine in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using a Cathodically Pretreated Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode

An electroanalytical method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PAR), caffeine (CAF), and orphenadrine (ORPH) using the square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) and a cathodically pretreated boron‐doped diamond electrode was developed. The method exhibits linear responses to PAR, CAF, and ORPH in the concentration ranges 5.4×10^?7–6.1×10^?5 M, 7.8×10^?7–3.5×10^?5 M, and 7.8×10^?7–3.5×10^?5 M, respectively, with detection limits of 2.3×10^?7 M, 9.6×10^?8 M, and 8.4×10^?8 M, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied in the simultaneous determination of these analytes in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Highly Selective and Sensitive Membrane Sensors for Copper(II) Ion Based on a New Benzo‐Substituted Macrocyclic Diamide 6,7,8,9,10‐Hexahydro‐2H‐1,13,4,7,10‐benzodioxatriazacyclopentadecine‐3,11(4H,12H)‐dione

Novel PVC membrane (PME) and coated graphite (CGE) Cu²⁺‐selective electrodes based on 5,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐2H‐1,13,4,7,10‐benzodioxatriazacyclopentadecine‐3,11(4H,12H)‐dione are prepared. The electrodes reveal a Nernstian behavior over wide Cu²⁺ ion concentration ranges (1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?1 M for PME and 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?1 M for CGE) with very low limits of detection (7.8×10^?8 M for PME and 9.1×10^?9 M for CGE). The potentiometric responses are independent of the pH of the test solutions in the pH range 2.7–6.2. The proposed electrodes possess very good selectivities for Cu²⁺ over a wide variety of the cations including alkali, alkaline earth, transitions and heavy metal ions. The practical utility of the proposed electrodes have been demonstrated by their use in the study of interactions between copper ions and human growth hormone (hGH) in biological systems, potentiometric titration of copper with EDTA and determination of copper content of a sheep blood serum sample and some other real samples.