Optimization of Sample Preparation for Metabolomics Exploration of Urine,Feces, Blood and Saliva in Humans Using Combined NMR and UHPLC-HRMS Platforms

Currently, most clinical studies in metabolomics only consider a single type of sample such as urine, plasma, or feces and use a single analytical platform, either NMR or MS. Although some studies have already investigated metabolomics data from multiple fluids, the information is limited to a unique analytical platform. On the other hand, clinical studies investigating the human metabolome that combine multi-analytical platforms have focused on a single biofluid. Combining data from multiple sample types for one patient using a multimodal analytical approach (NMR and MS) should extend the metabolome coverage. Pre-analytical and analytical phases are time consuming. These steps need to be improved in order to move into clinical studies that deal with a large number of patient samples. Our study describes a standard operating procedure for biological specimens (urine, blood, saliva, and feces) using multiple platforms (¹H-NMR, RP-UHPLC-MS, and HILIC-UHPLC-MS). Each sample type follows a unique sample preparation procedure for analysis on a multi-platform basis. Our method was evaluated for its robustness and was able to generate a representative metabolic map.     

Selectable one-dimensional or two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with simultaneous olfactometry or element-specific detection

A novel selectable one-dimensional (¹D) or two-dimensional (²D) gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (selectable ¹D/²D GC–MS) system with selective detection was developed by using capillary flow technology and low thermal mass GC (LTM-GC). The main advantages of this system are the simple and fast selection of ¹D GC–MS or ²D GC–MS operation without any instrumental set-up change (e.g.²D GC–MS can be run just after ¹D GC–MS run), and simultaneous mass spectrometric and olfactometry or element-specific detection for both ¹D and ²D separation to assure selection of a heart-cut region and correct identification of compounds of interest. The feasibility and benefit of the proposed system with selective detection, e.g. olfactometry, nitrogen phosphorus detection (NPD), and pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD), was demonstrated with an identification of trace amounts of aroma components in beverages (beer and coffee). Using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and selectable ¹D/²D GC–Olfactometry/MS on a beer sample, β-damascenone could be determined at 1.9 ng mL⁻¹ (RSD 3.1%, n = 6) as a potent aroma compound. In a coffee sample, two odor active compounds were clearly resolved from a 4.2 s heart-cut and were assigned probable identifications as 4,5-dimethyl thiazole and dimethyl trisulfide based on a NIST library search, dual linear retention indices (dual LRI) and elemental information obtained by SBSE in combination with selectable ¹D/²D GC–NPD/PFPD/MS.     

Identification of the Impurities in Bopu Powder® and Sangrovit® by LC-MS Combined with a Screening Method

Bopu powder^® and Sangrovit^® were developed from Macleaya cordata and are widely used in agriculture and animal husbandry, but their impurities have been rarely reported in the literature. Impurity analysis is of great importance to the quality and safety of veterinary drugs. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a screening method was used to screen and characterize the impurities in Bopu powder^® and Sangrovit^®. A total of 58 impurities were screened from Bopu powder^® and Sangrovit^® using the screening strategies, of which 39 were identified by their accurate m/z value, characteristic MS/MS data, and fragmentation pathways of references. This established method was used for impurity analysis for the first time and proved to be a useful and rapid tool to screen and identify the impurities of Bopu powder^® and Sangrovit^®, especially for those at trace levels in a complex sample. In addition, this study marks the first comprehensive research into impurities in these two products and has great significance for the systematic detection of impurities in other plant-derived drugs.     

Selectable one-dimensional or two-dimensional gas chromatography-olfactometry/mass spectrometry with preparative fraction collection for analysis of ultra-trace amounts of odor compounds

A novel selectable one-dimensional ((1)D) or two-dimensional ((2)D) gas chromatography-olfactometry/mass spectrometry with preparative fraction collection (selectable (1)D/(2)D GC-O/MS with PFC) system was developed. The main advantages of this system are the simple and fast selection of (1)D GC-O/MS or (2)D GC-O/MS or (1)D GC-PFC or (2)D GC-PFC operation with a mouse click (without any instrumental set-up change), and total transfer of enriched compounds with thermal desorption (TD) on the same system for identification with (2)D GC-O/MS analysis. Recovery of PFC enrichment with 20 injection cycles of 15 model compounds at 500pg each (e.g. alcohol, aldehyde, ester, lactone, and phenol) was very good with recoveries in the range of 98-116%. The feasibility and benefit of the proposed system was demonstrated with an identification of off-flavor compounds (e.g. 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), and geosmin) in spiked wine at odor perception threshold level (5-50ngL(-1)). After parallel stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) for 20 aliquots of a sample and subsequent PFC enrichment for the odor-active fractions from the 20 stir bars, three off-flavor compounds were clearly resolved and detected with TD-(2)D GC-O/MS in scan mode. The good efficiency of SBSE-PFC enrichment in the range of 71-78% shows that all analytical steps, e.g. SBSE, TD, (1)D/(2)D GC-O/MS, and PFC, are quantitative and identification of off-flavor compounds at ngL(-1) level in wine is possible.     

Synthesis and evaluation of molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres for highly selective extraction of an anti-AIDS drug emtricitabine

The molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres (MIPMs, 3～5 μm), used as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) packing materials for anti-AIDS drug emtricitabine (FTC), were synthesized by precipitation polymerization. The effects of ratio of chloroform to acetonitrile on the morphology and diameter of MIPMs were investigated. The prepared MIPMs were characterized by HPLC. The imprinting factor (2.26) suggests that the resultant MIPMs exhibit good recognition and affinity to FTC. In addition, the MIPMs were used in SPE as packing material for separation and enrichment of FTC. The recovery of FTC on MIPMs cartridge was 97.6 % in standard solution. Finally, the MIPMs cartridge was applied to extract the FTC in human serum samples. Impurities in sample have been mostly removed, and the average recovery of 92.5 % was obtained with a detection limit of 0.005 μg/mL and a linear range of 0.02～4.0 μg/mL. The method established can be used to monitor the FTC in human serum sample with good accuracy and selectivity.     

Pressurized liquid extraction of mate tea leaves

The objective of this work is to investigate the influence of process parameters on the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of Ilex paraguariensis leaves. A factorial 2⁶⁻² experimental design was employed using responses as the extraction yield and the chromatographic profile of the extracts. The extraction time, polarity of solvent, amount of sample, numbers of PLE cycles, flushing volume and extraction temperature were selected as independent variables (factors). Results obtained indicated that the solvent polarity was the most significant variable in the study, while the amount of sample and extraction temperature also showed significant effect. The other variables did not present significant influence in the yield of extraction. GC/MS analysis of the extract enabled the identification of saturated hydrocarbons, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, phytosterols and theobromine in the extracts. Quantitative analysis of four compounds presented in the extracts (caffeine, phytol, vitamin E and squalene) was performed by the GC/MS in the SIM mode.     

Syntheses and evaluation of fluorinated benzothiazole anilines as potential tracers for β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease

[¹¹C]2-(4′-(Methylamino)phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([¹¹C]PIB) is a most potential PET tracer for detecting the β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Here the syntheses of three fluorinated PIB, namely 2-(4′-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-fluoroethoxybenzothiazole (O-FEt-PIB), 2-(4′-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-fluoro-benzothiazole (F-N-Me) and 2-(4′-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-6-fluorobenzo-thiazole (F-N,N-Me), and the radiosynthesis of one corresponding ¹⁸F-labeled PIB compound, [¹⁸F]O-FEt-PIB, as well as their in vitro/in vivo biological characters were reported. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, EI/ESI-MS, elemental analysis and HRMS techniques. The radiolabeled product was characterized by radio-TLC and radio-HPLC and purified by semi-preparative radio-HPLC. The suitable biological characters showed these tracers were potential to be developed as probes for detecting β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.     

Characterization of Acacia mangium polyflavonoid tannins by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and CP-MAS C NMR

The MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) and solid state CP-MAS ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic technique were introduced to characterize Acacia mangium tannin (condensed tannins). The MALDI-TOF MS illustrated a series of peaks corresponding to oligomers of condensed tannins of up to 11 flavonoid units (3200 Da). A. mangium condensed tannins were found to consist predominantly of prorobinetinidin combined with profisetinidin and prodelphinidin. Both the MALDI-TOF mass spectra and the solid state CP-MAS ¹³C NMR indicated that the A. mangium tannins obtained from Kudat, had an almost completely linear structure; In addition, Lembah Beringin, consist of “angular” polymer structure; and Tawau, has included “twice-angular” polymer structures present in oligomers type of up to 7 flavonoid units. The high degree of polymerization of linear, angular type, twice-angular structures and longer oligomer (3200 Da) chains have not been observed in previous studies of condensed tannins. The spectra also indicated that A. mangium tannins are more heavily branched and have higher degree of polymerization (>7.0) compared to commercial mimosa (A. mearnsii) tannin (4.9). Because tannins are phenolic, it was expected that they can be used to replace phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives.     

Chaetominedione, a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor isolated from the algicolous marine fungus Chaetomium sp.

A marine fungal isolate, identified as Chaetomium sp., was cultivated and found to produce a novel benzonaphthyridinedione derivative, chaetominedione (1). In addition to the known fungal metabolites, 2-furancarboxylic acid (2) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxylic acid (3) were obtained. The structures of all the compounds were determined based on extensive spectroscopic measurements (1D and 2D NMR, MS, UV, and IR). The total extract and compound 1 had significant inhibitory activity toward p56^lck tyrosine kinase (18.7% and 93.6% enzyme inhibition at 200 μg/mL, respectively).     

Simple preparation of baicalin from Scutellariae Radix

A simple, rapid and reproducible method was developed to isolate high-purity baicalin from Scutellariae Radix, the dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The method involves partition/recrystallization steps without repeated column chromatography or special instruments. Isolated baicalin was characterized by comparisons of TLC, HPLC, IR, MS, and NMR data with an authentic sample. Moreover, beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis of baicalin sequentially yielded glucuronic acid and baicalein as confirmed by co-TLC with authentic samples. The purity of baicalin was more than 97% with yield ca. 8.7% (w/w). The method presented here appears suitable for commercial application.     

Development of a method for comprehensive and quantitative analysis of plant hormones by highly sensitive nanoflow liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry

In recent plant hormone research, there is an increased demand for a highly sensitive and comprehensive analytical approach to elucidate the hormonal signaling networks, functions, and dynamics. We have demonstrated the high sensitivity of a comprehensive and quantitative analytical method developed with nanoflow liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS) under multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) in plant hormone profiling. Unlabeled and deuterium-labeled isotopomers of four classes of plant hormones and their derivatives, auxins, cytokinins (CK), abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellins (GA), were analyzed by this method. The optimized nanoflow-LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS method showed ca. 5-10-fold greater sensitivity than capillary-LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) of several plant hormones were in the sub-fmol range. The results showed excellent linearity (R² values of 0.9937-1.0000) and reproducibility of elution times (relative standard deviations, RSDs, <1.1%) and peak areas (RSDs, <10.7%) for all target compounds. Further, sample purification using Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges significantly decreased the ion-suppressing effects of biological matrix as compared to the purification using only Oasis HLB cartridge. The optimized nanoflow-LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS method was successfully used to analyze endogenous plant hormones in Arabidopsis and tobacco samples. The samples used in this analysis were extracted from only 17 tobacco dry seeds (1 mg DW), indicating that the efficiency of analysis of endogenous plant hormones strongly depends on the detection sensitivity of the method. Our analytical approach will be useful for in-depth studies on complex plant hormonal metabolism.     

Anti-Stokes Yb3+ emission--valuable structure information in spectra of rare earth compounds measured with FT-Raman spectrometers

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful and simple method which proved to be very useful in studies of solids. The most widely used Raman spectrometers are FT-Raman instruments with YAG:Nd(3+) laser as an excitation source. However, in the case of samples containing rare earth elements, the quality of FT-Raman spectra is often low due to strong fluorescence effects. We show that, in such cases, anti-Stokes part of the Raman spectra often contains strong, well resolved bands identified as multiphonon-assisted emission bands of Yb(3+) present as an impurity. We show on several examples that analysis of these bands may provide useful structure information, similar to that obtained by "Eu structure probe" method in optical spectroscopy. The Yb(3+) emission can be also measured using standard luminescence detection systems. However, the application of FT-Raman system allows one to obtain good quality spectra in a much cheaper, easier and faster way (in times as short as a few seconds). Moreover, high-sensitivity of FT-Raman spectrometers allows to detect even very small amounts of Yb(3+) impurity.     

Synthesis and characterization of mixed-morphology CePO4 nanoparticles

Cerium phosphate nanoparticles with diameters of 10-180 nm were synthesized by a variety of solution techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) determined the crystalline phase(s) present in each sample. Population, shift, and spin-lattice relaxation ³¹P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements accounted for all the ³¹P nuclei expected in each sample, and were able to distinguish between phosphorous nuclei in different environments and phases. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterized the morphology and crystallinity of the powder samples as well as of the sintered compacts of the powders. In conjunction with TEM, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) provided a measure of the composition of the bulk intergranular regions within each CePO₄ sample. The presence of an amorphous, phosphate-rich intergranular phase was found in those samples prepared by dissolution of ceria in H₃PO₄ under various conditions.     

Synthesis of functional Δ-1,3,5-oxazaphospholene and 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes via catalytic ring expansion reactions of a 2H-azaphosphirene complex

Catalytically-induced ring expansion of 2H-azaphosphirene complex 1 using ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate and acetone (2), diethylketone (3), cyclohexanone (4), benzaldehyde (5) or para-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (6) furnished selectively the Δ³-1,3,5-oxazaphospholene complexes 7-11, whereas with ortho- and para-hydroxy- or ortho- and para-amino-substituted benzonitriles the 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes 16-19 were obtained. Two further findings are noteworthy: (1) The significant decreased reaction time in the case of the sterically more demanding carbonyl derivatives 2-4 and (2) the formation of diastereomers in the case of 10 and 11 with a ratio of 8:1 and 9:1, respectively. All products were characterized by NMR, MS and elemental analysis and the configuration of complexes 7 and 10a were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis.     

Direct monitoring of ochratoxin A in cheese with solid-phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An in situ application of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) as a sampling and sample preparation method coupled to HPLC-MS/MS for direct monitoring of ochratoxin A (OTA) distribution at different locations in a single cheese piece is proposed. To be suited to the acidic analyte, the extraction phase (carbon-tape SPME fiber) was acidified with aqueous solution of HCl at pH 2, instead of the traditional sample pre-treatment with acids before SPME sampling. For calibration, kinetic on-fiber-standardization was used, which allowed the use of short sampling time (20 min) and accurate quantification of the OTA in the semi-solid cheese sample. In addition, the traditional kinetic calibration that used deuterated compounds as standards was extended to use a non-deuterated analogue ochratoxin B (OTB) as the standard of the analyte OTA, which was supported by both theoretical discussion and experimental verification. Finally, the miniaturized SPME fiber was adopted so that the concentration distribution of OTA in a small-sized cheese piece could be directly probed. The detection limit of the resulting SPME method in semi-solid gel was 1.5 ng/mL and the linear range was 3.5–500 ng/mL. The SPME–LC-MS/MS method showed good precision (RSD: ∼10%) and accuracy (relative recovery: 93%) in the gel model. The direct cheese analysis showed comparable accuracy and precision to the established liquid extraction. As a result, the developed in situ SPME–LC-MS/MS method was sensitive, simple, accurate and applicable for the analysis of complicated lipid-rich samples such as cheese.     

Circular dichroism of sesquiterpene-umbelliferone ethers and structure elucidation of a new derivative isolated from the gum resin “Asa Foetida”

The CD spectra of 16 naturally occurring sesquiterpene-umbelliferone ethers, including the complete set of farnesiferol A isomers with all acetates and 6-oxoderivatives, are reported over the significant wavelength range of 350–200 nm. 11 compounds were isolated from an Asa Foetida sample and 5 further derivatives, already known as natural products, were obtained by acetylation orJones oxidation. In addition, a new compound — kamolonol (14) — was isolated. Its structure is characterized by twofold methyl migration in the drimenol derived sesquiterpene moiety.¹H-NMR, MS, IR, UV, and CD data of the new compound are discussed.Herrn Prof. Dr.K. Schlögl mit den besten Wünschen zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Trimethylsilyl derivatives of N-Boc-cytosine and their effect on I2-mediated nucleosidation of O-MTM ethers

Mono- and bis(trimethylsilyl) derivatives of N⁴-Boc-cytosine were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR. Only the mono(trimethylsilyl)-N⁴-Boc-cytosine participates in the iodine-mediated nucleosidation of N-Fmoc-O-methylthiomethyl serine benzyl ester to produce the cytosine nucleoamino acid, while the bis(trimethylsilyl) derivative failed to give any product. A tentative mechanistic explanation is proposed.     

Automated thermochemolysis reactor for detection of Bacillus anthracis endospores by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

An automated sample preparation system was developed and tested for the rapid detection of Bacillus anthracis endospores by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for eventual use in the field. This reactor is capable of automatically processing suspected bio-threat agents to release and derivatize unique chemical biomarkers by thermochemolysis (TCM). The system automatically controls the movement of sample vials from one position to another, crimping of septum caps onto the vials, precise delivery of reagents, and TCM reaction times and temperatures. The specific operations of introduction of sample vials, solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling, injection into the GC–MS system, and ejection of used vials from the system were performed manually in this study, although they can be integrated into the automated system. Manual SPME sampling is performed by following visual and audible signal prompts for inserting the fiber into and retracting it from the sampling port. A rotating carousel design allows for simultaneous sample collection, reaction, biomarker extraction and analysis of sequential samples. Dipicolinic acid methyl ester (DPAME), 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid methyl ester (a fragment of anthrose) and two methylated sugars were used to compare the performance of the autoreactor with manual TCM. Statistical algorithms were used to construct reliable bacterial endospore signatures, and 24 out of 25 (96%) endospore-forming Bacillus species were correctly identified in a statistically designed test.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of quaternary ammonium alkaloids from Rhizoma Corydalis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry coupled with a selective precipitation reaction using Reinecke salt

A major problem hampering the use of MALDI-MS for quantitative measurements is the inhomogeneous distribution of analytes and matrices in sample preparations. In this study, an aerospray method was utilized for sample preparation method to improve sample homogeneity across stainless steel targets for quantitative analysis of quaternary ammonium alkaloids (QAAs). A selective precipitation reaction with Reinecke salt known to selectively trap QAAs was used to facilitate the separation and purification of QAAs from the complex crude plant extracts. Palmatine and berberine as the representative QAAs in commercial Rhizoma Corydalis were successfully quantified by introducing an internal standard with similar molecular properties as analytes. The LODs were found to be 0.07 fmol, for palmatine, and 0.24 fmol, respectively, for berberine. The content of QAAs of three commercial Rhizoma Corydalis was between 0.201 and 0.245% for palmatine, and 0.049-0.057% for berberine. Furthermore, MS/MS experiments based on the accurate-mass measurements were carried out by infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) for QAAs and the corresponding tertiary alkaloids, which offered additional selectivity for this quantitative analysis method. In the fragmentation of precursor ions from QAAs, only cleavage of substituted groups attached to the A- or D-ring was observed, while cleavage between B- and C-ring from tertiary alkaloids had occurred. This study offers a perspective into the utility of MALDI-FTMS as an alternate quantitative tool for QAAs, especially in complex plant extracts.     

Quantification of the neurotransmitters melatonin and N-acetyl-serotonin in human serum by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

The aim of this study was developing a supercritical fluid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS) method and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method, for the analysis of N-acetyl-serotonin (NAS) and melatonin (Mel) in human serum, and to compare the performance of these methods. Deuterated isotopologues of the neurotransmitters were synthesized and evaluated for suitability as internal standards in sample preparation. Liquid-liquid extraction was selected as sample preparation procedure. With chloroform, the best extraction solvent tested, an extraction yield of 48 ± 2% for N-acetyl-serotonin and 101 ± 10% for melatonin was achieved. SFC separation was accomplished within 3 min on a BEH stationary phase, employing isocratic elution with 90% carbon dioxide and 0.1% formic acid as well as 0.05% ammonium formate in methanol. For the 4 min UHPLC gradient separation with 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol, respectively, a Kinetex XB-C18 was used as stationary phase. Both chromatographic techniques were optimized regarding mobile phase composition, additives to the mobile phase and column temperature. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis was used for quantification of the metabolites. Both methods were validated regarding retention time stability, LOD, LOQ, repeatability and reproducibility of quantification, process efficiency, extraction recovery and matrix effects. LOD and LOQ were 0.017 and 0.05 pg μL⁻¹ for NAS and 0.006 and 0.018 pg μL⁻¹ for Mel in SFC-MS/MS compared to 0.028 and 0.1 pg μL⁻¹ for NAS and 0.006 and 0.017 pg μL⁻¹ for Mel in UHPLC-MS/MS.