Evaluation of high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry for the analysis of the mycotoxin zearalenone

A high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS)-based method for the determination of the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZON) and its metabolites α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), β-zearalenol (β-ZOL), and β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), in a cornmeal (maize) matrix is described. Detection limits achieved using the FAIMS device coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) and mass spectrometric (MS) detection are 0.4 ng mL⁻¹ for ZON and 3 ng mL⁻¹ for α-ZOL + β-ZOL, and β-ZAL. This represents a significant improvement when compared to detection limits determined using ESI-MS or ESI-tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) analytical methods. The developed flow-injection (FIA)-ESI-FAIMS-MS method was applied to reference materials ERM-BC-716 and ERM-BC-717 certified for ZON and excellent agreement with the certified values was observed.     

Development of a liquid–chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry method for the quantitative determination of zearalenone and its major metabolites in chicken and pig plasma

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of zearalenone (ZEN) and its major metabolites (α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β-zearalenol (β-ZEL), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL) and zearalanone (ZAN)) in animal plasma using liquid chromatography combined with heated electrospray ionization (h-ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and high-resolution Orbitrap^® mass spectrometry ((U)HPLC–HR–MS) is presented. The sample preparation was straightforward, and consisted of a deproteinization step using acetonitrile. Chromatography was performed on a Hypersil Gold column (50 mm × 2.1 mm i.d., dp: 1.9 μm, run-time: 10 min) using 0.01% acetic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as mobile phases.     

高效液相色谱–串联质谱内标法测定动物源性食品中玉米赤霉烯酮及其代谢产物

建立高效液相色谱–串联质谱法(HPLC–MS/MS)测定动物源性食品中玉米赤霉烯酮及其5种代谢产物(α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、玉米赤霉酮)残留量。在样品中加入4种同位素内标(13C18–玉米赤霉烯酮,D7–α-玉米赤霉烯醇,D7–β-玉米赤霉烯醇,D5–α-玉米赤霉醇)后,经β-葡萄糖苷酶/硫酸酯酶酶解,用叔丁基甲基醚萃取,取上清液氮吹至近干后用三氯甲烷复溶,再用氢氧化钠溶液反向萃取,以HLB固相萃取柱净化后,用HPLC–MS/MS检测。结果表明,玉米赤霉烯酮及其代谢产物在1.0~100.0μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.996,方法的检出限为0.04~0.13μg/kg,定量限为0.11~0.43μg/kg。在1.0、4.0、10.0μg/kg三种加标浓度水平下,回收率为77.7%~105.5%,测定结果的相对标准偏差为4.8%~9.8%(n=6)。该方法准确、可靠,灵敏度高,适用于动物源性食品中玉米赤霉烯酮及其代谢产物的定量分析。     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测粮食及其制品中的玉米赤霉烯酮类真菌毒素

建立了粮食及其制品中6种玉米赤霉烯酮类物质(α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、玉米赤霉酮和玉米赤霉烯酮)的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)检测方法。样品用84%(体积分数)乙腈水溶液提取,通过ENVI-Carb石墨化炭黑(GCB)固相萃取柱进行富集净化,用6 mL二氯甲烷-甲醇(7:3, v/v)溶液洗脱,采用UPLC-MS/MS进行测定。在ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18反相柱上分离,梯度洗脱,流动相为水和乙腈;质谱采集模式为电喷雾负离子多反应监测模式。以α-玉米赤霉烯酮-d4为内标,6种目标物的线性范围为0.1～50 μg/L,相关系数(R2)大于0.99,检出限为0.1～0.2 μg/kg, 3个不同水平的加标平均回收率为79.9%～104.0%,相对标准偏差不大于10%。应用该方法对北京市的粮食及相关产品进行了分析,结果发现玉米赤霉烯酮的检出率最高,含量为0.42～220.7 μg/kg;此外还检出了α-和β-玉米赤霉烯醇。该方法具有操作简单、灵敏度高、重现性好等特点,符合食品样品中痕量污染物的检测要求。     

Analysis of zearalenone and α-zearalenol in animal feed using high-performance liquid chromatography

Different extraction and clean-up techniques used before HPLC analysis were compared in order to obtain a reliable method for the quantitative determination of zearalenone (ZEA) and α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) in animal feed. Immunoaffinity clean-up was compared to C₁₈ and Florisil column clean-up. Extracted samples were analysed by reversed-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection (λ_ex=274 nm, λ_em=440 nm). A mobile phase of acetonitrile:water (50:50 (v/v)) and a flow-rate of 1.0 ml min⁻¹ resulted in a good separation between ZEA and α-ZOL. Using immunoaffinity clean-up the linear range was between 25 and 600 μg kg⁻¹ for ZEA and α-ZOL in maize. Intra-laboratory coefficients of variation (CV) (under repeatability conditions) were 9.16% for ZEA and 2.18% for α-ZOL. Recoveries for spiked ZEA and α-ZOL samples ranged from 89 to 110% with CVs between 5.2 and 11.2% (under within-laboratory reproducibility conditions). Using C₁₈ and Florisil solid-phase clean-up, matrix interference was too high. Therefore, naturally contaminated animal feed samples were analysed using the developed HPLC method coupled to the immunoaffinity clean-up.     

Application of a new anti-zearalenone monoclonal antibody in different immunoassay formats

Monoclonal antibodies against zearalenone (ZEA) were raised in mice according to the hybridoma technology and applied in different immunochemical techniques. More specifically, three formats based on the competitive direct enzyme immunoassay principle were developed: an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a flow-through gel-based immunoassay column and a flow-through membrane-based immunoassay. In ELISA, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 0.8 ng/mL, and the limit of detection for ZEA standard solutions was 0.1 ng/mL. The antibodies showed a high ZEA (100%) and α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) (69%) recognition, while cross-reactivities with α-zearalanol, zearalanone, β-zearalenol and β- zearalanol were 42%, 22%, <1% and <1%, respectively. For standard solutions, a cut-off level at 10 ng/mL could be established for the gel- and membrane-based enzyme immunoassays. Assay time of both non-instrumental tests was 25 min for 10 samples. By including a simple sample extraction procedure, the methods were applied to wheat with IC50s in ELISA of 80 and 120 μg/kg (dilution up to 5% and 15% (v/v) of wheat matrix, respectively). The cut-off level of the gel- and membrane-based immunoassays was established at 100 μg/kg. Potentials and limitations of the developed methods were compared. The possible application for multi-mycotoxin analysis of the ELISA method based on a single monoclonal antibody was investigated. Therefore, principal component analysis and partial least squares regression data modelling were used to separate the immunoassay responses of two cross-reactants (ZEA and α-ZOL).      

Complexation of zearalenone and zearalenols with native and modified β-cyclodextrins

The complexation of the oestrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) and its metabolites α- and β-zearalenol (ZOLs) with native β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) and modified hydroxypropyl-β-CD and dimethyl-β-CD was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray-mass spectrometry. The formation of the inclusion complex was confirmed by NMR studies of zearalenone:β-CD solution. NMR, ESI-MS and fluorescence data are in agreement with the formation of a 1:1 complex between zearalenone and β-CD, characterized by the deep insertion of the phenolic moiety inside the cavity of the CD from its secondary side. The complexes formed between the guests and native β-CD are characterized by high stability constants (>10⁴), as measured by fluorescence titrations.     

快速高分离液相色谱-串联质谱法测定植物组织中雌激素玉米赤霉醇类化合物

应用快速高分离液相色谱-串联质谱仪(RRLC-MS/MS),建立了植物组织中玉米赤霉醇类化合物(α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、玉米赤霉酮、玉米赤霉烯酮)的检测方法.植物组织样品采用乙腈提取,碱性水溶液反萃取,经混合阴离子(MAX)固相萃取柱进行净化和富集后,用RRLC-MS/MS检测,多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行定性与定量分析.结果表明:玉米赤霉醇类化合物在0～20 μg/kg的线性范围内均具有良好的线性关系,方法检出限(LOD)为0.5 μg/kg,定量限(LOQ)为1.0 μg/kg,6种玉米赤霉醇类化合物的平均回收率为75.8%～105.4%,相对标准偏差为2.4%～12.1%.本方法可用于植物组织中玉米赤霉醇类化合物含量的测定.     

Determination of anabolic steroids in muscle tissue by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive multi-method based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC–APCI–MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of 20 anabolic steroids in muscle tissue (diethylstilbestrol, β-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, α/β-boldenone, α/β-nortestosterone, methyltestosterone, β-trenbolone, triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, flumethasone, α/β-zearalenol, α/β-zearalanol, zearalenone, melengestrol acetate, megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate). The procedure involved hydrolysis, extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether, defattening and final clean-up with solid phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis HLB and Amino cartridges. The analytes were analyzed by reversed-phase LC–MS/MS, in positive and negative multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, acquiring two diagnostic product ions from each of the chosen precursor ions for the unambiguous confirmation of the hormones. The method was validated at the validation level of 0.5 ng/g. The accuracy and precision of the method were satisfactory. The decision limits CCα ranged from 0.03 to 0.14 ng/g while the detection capabilities CCβ ranged from 0.05 to 0.24 ng/g. The developed method is sensitive and useful for detection, quantification and confirmation of these anabolic steroids in muscle tissue and can be used for residue control programs.     

免疫亲和固相萃取-超高效合相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定牛奶中6种玉米赤霉醇类化合物残留

建立了免疫亲和固相萃取（IAC-SPE）-超高效合相色谱-串联质谱（UPC²-MS/MS）同时测定牛奶中α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、玉米赤霉烯酮和玉米赤霉酮残留的分析方法。样品用去离子水稀释,经IAC-SPE富集净化后,采用Waters ACQUITY UPC² Torus 2-PIC色谱柱（50 mm×3.0 mm,1.7 μm）分离,以超临界CO₂和0.1%（v/v）甲酸甲醇溶液为流动相,经梯度洗脱后在ESI^-模式下检测。经过稀释离心的牛奶样品采用免疫亲和柱净化后没有明显的基质效应,6种目标化合物在1~200 ng/mL范围内线性关系良好,相关系数（r²）≥0.9957;6种目标化合物在3个加标水平下的平均回收率为75.9%~106.5%,日内和日间精密度均≤11.4%。该法专属性好,操作简便,有机溶剂使用量小,与已有的样品测定方法比较更绿色环保,可用于牛奶中α-玉米赤霉醇、β-玉米赤霉醇、α-玉米赤霉烯醇、β-玉米赤霉烯醇、玉米赤霉酮和玉米赤霉烯酮的残留检测。     

Trichoderma versus Fusarium—Inhibition of Pathogen Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis

This study evaluated the ability of selected strains of Trichoderma viride, T. viridescens, and T. atroviride to inhibit mycelium growth and the biosynthesis of mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), zearalenone (ZEN), α-(α-ZOL) and β-zearalenol (β-ZOL) by selected strains of Fusarium culmorum and F. cerealis. For this purpose, an in vitro experiment was carried out on solid substrates (PDA and rice). After 5 days of co-culture, it was found that all Trichoderma strains used in the experiment significantly inhibited the growth of Fusarium mycelium. Qualitative assessment of pathogen–antagonist interactions showed that Trichoderma colonized 75% to 100% of the medium surface (depending on the species and strain of the antagonist and the pathogen) and was also able to grow over the mycelium of the pathogen and sporulate. The rate of inhibition of Fusarium mycelium growth by Trichoderma ranged from approximately 24% to 66%. When Fusarium and Trichoderma were co-cultured on rice, Trichoderma strains were found to inhibit DON biosynthesis by about 73% to 98%, NIV by about 87% to 100%, and ZEN by about 12% to 100%, depending on the pathogen and antagonist strain. A glycosylated form of DON was detected in the co-culture of F. culmorum and Trichoderma, whereas it was absent in cultures of the pathogen alone, thus suggesting that Trichoderma is able to glycosylate DON. The results also suggest that a strain of T. viride is able to convert ZEN into its hydroxylated derivative, β-ZOL.     

Investigation on Non-covalent Complexes of Cyclodextrins with Li+ in Gas Phase by Mass Spectrometry

To investigate the non-covalent interaction between cyclodextrins (CD) and lithium ion, a stoichiometry of α-CD, β-CD, heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-CD (DM-β-CD), or heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-CD (TM-β-CD) was mixed with lithium salt, respectively, and then incubated at room temperature for 10 min to reach the equilibrium. In posi-tive mode, the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) results demonstrated that lithium ion can conjugate to α-, β-, DM-β- or TM-β-CD and form 1:1 stoichiometric non-covalent complexes. The binding of the complexes was further confirmed by collision-induced dissociation. The dissociation constants K_d1 of four complexes (Li+α-CD, Li+β-CD, Li+DM-β-CD, and Li+TM-β-CD) were determined by mass spectrometric titration. The results showed K_d1 were 18.7, 26.7, 33.6, 30.5 μmol/L for the complexes of Li+ with α-CD, β-CD, DM-β-CD, and TM-β-CD, respectively. K_d1 for the Li⁺ complexes of β-CD is smaller than that of DM-β-CD due to its steric effect of the partial substituted -CH₃. The Kd1 for the Li⁺ complexes of DM-β-CD is nearly in agreement with that of TM-β-CD, indicating Li⁺ is more likely to locate in the small rim of DM-β-CD's hydrophobic cavity. The DFT results showed through electrostatic interaction, one Li+ can strongly conjugate to four neighboring oxygen atoms. For the (α-CD+Li)⁺ complex, one Li⁺ may also situate the small rim of α-CD's hydrophobic cavity to form a non-specific host-guest complex.     

Conjugate addition of grignard reagents to N-(α,β-unsaturated)acylpyrazoles. Diastereoselective β-alkylation using 3-phenyl-l-menthopyrazole

The conjugate additions of N-(α,β-unsaturated)acylpyrazoles were carried out by the treatment with Grignard reagents in the presence of cuprous halides. The reaction of 2-(α,β-unsaturated)acyl-3-phenyl-l-menthopyrazoles 3a-h occurred in higher chemical yields and with asymmetric inductions on β-position, where the addition of magnesium bromide as a Lewis acid influenced to the yields and the diastereoselectivities. In the case of α-methylated 2-(α,β-unsaturated)acyl-3-phenyl-l-menthopyrazoles 3i-n , the excellent asymmetric induction on the α-position was also observed through the diastereofacial protonation.     

Application of an innovative matrix solid-phase dispersion–solid-phase extraction–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analytical methodology to the study of the metabolism of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone in rainbow trout liver and muscular tissue

The metabolic fate of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone in rainbow trout is presently unknown. In this study, the tissue concentration of zearalenone and its principal metabolites (α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol) was determined. A known amount of zearalenone was administered as a single bolus to ten fish, and the biological tissue concentration was determined at various times following administration. The analytes were extracted from liver and muscular tissue using an on-line matrix solid-phase dispersion–solid-phase extraction sample preparation protocol, and their concentration determined by HPLC–Turboionspray–tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that zearalenone is mainly metabolized into α-zearalenol in both liver and muscular tissues. The maximum concentrations of each analyte found in liver were 76.1, 211.2 and 63.7?ng/g respectively for zearalenone, α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol, while in muscular tissue they were 10.7, 8.2 and 6.5?ng/g. These values were reached after 2?h in liver tissue and 12?h in muscular tissue. Moreover the data obtained showed that the elimination rate in liver is quite fast since 48?h after the exposure less than 7% of the maximum concentration found is still present. In muscular tissue, however, about one-third of the maximum concentration found is still present after 48?h.     

Doubly diastereoselective conjugate addition of enantiopure lithium amides to enantiopure N-enoyl oxazolidin-2-ones: a mechanistic probe

The doubly diastereoselective conjugate addition of the antipodes of lithium N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to a range of enantiopure N-enoyl oxazolidin-2-ones has been used as a mechanistic probe to determine that the reactive conformation is the anti-s-cis form. The β-amino carbonyl products resulting from these conjugate addition reactions are useful templates for further elaboration into an α,β,α-pseudotripeptide.     

Synthesis and reactivity of alkenyl- and alkynyl-substituted β,β-dihalo-and β,β,β-trichloroamines

β,β-Dihalo- and β,β,β-trichloroamines, obtained by Lewis acid-promoted Petasis-type reaction of α,α-dichlorinated and α,α,α-trichlorinated imines or reduction of α,α-dihaloaldimines, were subjected to a reactivity study and turned out to be remarkably stable compounds. In general, only the bases KO^tBu and NaOMe cause a 1,2-dehydrochlorination with formation of unsaturated α-chloroimines or unsaturated α,α-dichloroimines. Hydrolysis of the α-chloroimines with aqueous oxalic acid resulted in the formation of the corresponding unsaturated α-chloroketones. The reaction of simple β,β-dihaloamines with NaOMe and KO^tBu generated 2-haloprop-2-enylmines and 2,2-dimethoxypropylamines.     

Evaluation of the molecular recognition of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for sensitive detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by indirect competitive surface plasmon resonance immunoassay

Detection of TNT is an important environmental and security concern all over the world. We herein report the performance and comparison of four immunoassays for rapid and label-free detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The immunosensor surface was constructed by immobilization of a home-made 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl–keyhole limpet hemocyanin (TNPh–KLH) conjugate onto an SPR gold surface by simple physical adsorption within 10 min. The immunoreaction of the TNPh–KLH conjugate with four different antibodies, namely, monoclonal anti-TNT antibody (M-TNT Ab), monoclonal anti-trinitrophenol antibody (M-TNP Ab), polyclonal anti-trinitrophenyl antibody (P-TNPh Ab), and polyclonal anti-TNP antibody (P-TNP Ab), was studied by SPR. The principle of indirect competitive immunoreaction was employed for quantification of TNT. Among the four antibodies, the P-TNPh Ab prepared by our group showed highest sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.002 ng/mL (2 ppt) TNT. The lowest detection limits observed with other commercial antibodies were 0.008 ng/mL (8 ppt), 0.25 ng/mL (250 ppt), and 40 ng/mL (ppb) for M-TNT Ab, P-TNP Ab, and M-TNP Ab, respectively, in the similar assay format. The concentration of the conjugate and the antibodies were optimized for use in the immunoassay. The response time for an immunoreaction was 36 s and a single immunocycle could be done within 2 min, including the sensor surface regeneration using pepsin solution. In addition to the quantification of TNT, all immunoassays were evaluated for robustness and cross-reactivity towards several TNT analogs.      

Asymmetric synthesis of cyclic β-amino acids and cyclic amines via sequential diastereoselective conjugate addition and ring closing metathesis

Diastereoselective conjugate addition of lithium (S)-N-allyl-N-α-methylbenzylamide to a range of α,β-unsaturated esters followed by ring closing metathesis is used to afford efficiently a range of substituted cyclic β-amino esters in high d.e. Alternatively, conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated Weinreb amides, functional group conversion and ring closing metathesis affords cyclic amines in high d.e. The further application of this methodology to the synthesis of a range of carbocyclic β-amino esters via conjugate addition, enolate alkylation and ring closing metathesis is also described. Application of this methodology affords, after deprotection, (S)-homoproline, (S)-homopipecolic acid, (S)-coniine and (1S,2S)-trans-pentacin.     

Enantioselective gem-chlorofluorination of active methylene compounds using a chiral spiro oxazoline ligand

Highly enantioselective gem-chlorofluorination of active methylene compounds was carried out by using a copper(II) complex of a chiral spiro pyridyl monooxazoline ligand. This reaction yielded α-chloro-α-fluoro-β-keto esters and α-chloro-α-fluoro-β-keto phosphonates with up to 92% ee. The resulting dihalo β-keto ester was converted into various α-fluoro-α-heteroatom-substituted carbonyl compounds via nucleophilic substitution without loss of optical purity. A fully protected β-amino acid with a gem-chlorofluoromethylene function was also synthesized.     

Stereoselective synthesis of novel N-(α-l-arabinofuranos-1-yl)-l-amino acids

In lead detoxification, the α-anomer of N-glycocyl-l-amino acid is more potent than its β-anomer. Here a six-step-reaction route for stereoselectively preparing N-(α-l-arabinose-1-yl)-l-amino acids is reported. Treating l-arabinose with acetic anhydride and sodium acetate provided 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranose in 90% yield. After removing the 1-acetyl group, the thus formed 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranose and N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-l-amino acid t-butylesters were treated with triphenylphosphine to perform Mitsunobu dehydration and form 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranosyl-l-[N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)]amino acid t-butylesters 2a–f, and the ratios of their α- to β-anomer ranged from 8/1 to 9/1. Chromatographic separation provided epimerically pure 2a–f-α and 2a–f-β. In the presence of CF₃CO₂H, 2a–f-α and 2a–f-β were converted to α- and β-anomers of N-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranosyl)-N-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-l-amino acids, 3a–f-α and 3a–f-β, in 87–92% yields. While in the presence of NaOCH₃, 3a–f-α and 3a–f-β were converted to α- and β-anomers of N-(l-arabinofuranosyl)-N-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-l-amino acids, 4a–f-α and 4a–f-β, in 90–96% yields. Treating 4a–f-α and 4a–f-β with N-ethyldiisopropylamine (DIPEA) and thiophenol, their 2-nitrophenylsulfonyl groups were removed, and the α- and β-anomers of N-(l-arabinose-1-yl)-l-amino acids were formed in 70–79% yields. The bioassay confirmed that the lead detoxification activity of the α-anomer was significantly higher than that of the β-anomer.