Direct exposure electron ionization mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques to study organic coatings on archaeological amphorae

Two different analytical approaches, direct exposure electron ionization mass spectrometry (DE-MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), were compared in a study of archaeological resinous materials. DE-MS was found to be an efficient fingerprinting tool for the fast screening of organic archaeological samples and for providing information on the major components. GC/MS appeared to be more efficient in unravelling the sample composition at a molecular level, despite the long analysis time and the need for a wet chemical pretreatment. Both procedures were applied to characterize the organic material present as coatings in Roman and Egyptian amphorae. DE-MS successfully identified abietanic compounds, hence a diterpenic resinous material could be identified and its degree of oxidation assessed. GC/MS enabled us to identify dehydroabietic acid, 7-oxodehydroabietic acid, 15-hydroxy-7-oxodehydroabietic acid, 15-hydroxydehydroabietic acid, retene, tetrahydroretene, norabietatriene, norabietatetraene and methyl dehydroabietate. These oxidized and aromatized abietanes provided evidence that the amphorae examined were waterproofed with a pitch produced from resinous wood of plants from the Pinaceae family. The chemometric evaluation of the GC/MS data highlighted significant chemical differences between the pitches found in the two archaeological sites, basically related to differences in the production techniques of the materials and in their degradation pathways.     

Enlightening the past: analytical proof for the use of Pistacia exudates in ancient Egyptian embalming resins

Mastic, the resinous exudate of the evergreen shrub Pistacia lentiscus, is frequently discussed as one of the ingredients used for embalming in ancient Egypt. We show the identification of mastic in ancient Egyptian embalming resins by an unambiguous assignment of the mastic triterpenoid fingerprint consisting of moronic acid, oleanonic acid, isomasticadienonic and masticadienonic acid through the consolidation of NMR and GC/MS analysis. Differences in the observed triterpenoid fingerprints between mummy specimens suggest that more than one plant species served as the triterpenoid resin source. Analysis of the triterpenoid acids of ancient embalming resin samples in the form of their methyl- and trimethylsilyl esters is compared. In addition we show a simple way to differentiate between residues of mastic from its use as incense during embalming or from direct mastic application in the embalming resin.     

Analysis of an egyptian mummy resin by mass spectrometry

Fast atom bombardment combined with mass spectrometry (FAB/MS), high resolution FAB/MS, FAB tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to determine the composition of the resinous material recovered from the wrappings of an Egyptian mummy believed to be from the Roman period (100–350 A.D.). FAB/MS and MS/MS studies identified several oxidation products of abietic acid as the principal resin components, indicating that one or more species of coniferous trees were used by the Egyptians as a source of the resin. GC/MS studies also identified several n-alkanes with carbon numbers from C₁₉ to C₃₃ in the sample. The relative amounts of these n-alkanes, along with characteristic trace metals, indicate that bitumen, an asphalt native to the region, was added to the resin. The presence of this ancient source of carbon in this sample explains the inconsistent date assigned to the mummy by carbon-14 analysis.     

Investigating the history of prehistoric glues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Although organic materials are very sensitive to biochemical alteration processes, they may be preserved for millennia in various archaeological contexts. Remains of adhesives made during prehistory were discovered at different sites, in the form of residues adhering to flint tools and ceramic vessels or as free lumps in sediment. To characterise the natural substances exploited for adhesive production during late prehistory, we undertook GC and GC/MS analysis of 90 samples from 8 sites dating from the Neolithic to Iron Age periods. This paper discusses our approach to the study of organic adhesives preserved in archaeological contexts, with a particular focus on the presentation of the various categories of organic adhesives that we analysed and the choice of chromatographic conditions adapted to the specificity of such samples. The results obtained show that birch bark tar, a triterpenoid adhesive made by destructive distillation of white birch bark, was predominantly used during the neolithic period even though other materials such as various barks or organic fossil substance were also used. During the Bronze and Iron ages, which follow the Neolithic period, adhesive production is evolving through the expansion of the range of the natural substances used (identification of diterpenoid pine resin) and the addition of beeswax as a plasticiser to birch bark tar. By combining chromatographic analysis and archaeological data, it was thus possible to follow the evolution of adhesive making at the end of prehistory, testifying to the inventiveness of the craftsmen whatever the period considered.     

Characterization of archaeological frankincense by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method has been developed for the characterization of frankincense in archaeological samples. After trimethylsilylation of the methanolic extract, 15 triterpenoids have been found among the chemical constituents of commercial olibanum (alpha-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-alpha-boswellic acid, beta-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, lupeol, 3-epi-beta-amyrin, 3-epi-beta-amyrin, 3-epi-lupeol, alpha-amyrenone, beta-amyrenone, lupenone, 3alpha-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid and 3-O-acetyl-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid). These compounds have been unequivocally identified by retention time and mass spectral comparison with pure standards previously isolated, for the most part, in our laboratory. Within these triterpenes, acid ones, the corresponding O-acetates, and their products of degradation were found to be characteristic of frankincense (Boswellia resin). The presence of these unusual triterpenic compounds in an archaeological resinous sample, recovered during excavations from Dahshour site (Egypt, XIIth Dynasty), enabled us to identify unambiguously frankincense resin among several other materials. Additional chromatographic peaks of this sample were assigned to broad chemical classes using retention time and mass spectra features.     

Analytical pyrolysis with in situ thermally assisted derivatisation, Py(HMDS)-GC/MS, for the chemical characterization of archaeological birch bark tar

An analytical method based on pyrolysis in the presence of hexamethyldisilazane followed by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis, Py(HMDS)-GC/MS, was used for the first time to study birch bark tar, an adhesive that has been used since the Palaeolithic period. Py(HMDS)-GC/MS enabled us to obtain information simultaneously both on polymerised and solvent soluble fractions of birch bark tar. A very particular chromatographic pattern was obtained, which was mainly characterised by the presence of homologous series of linear saturated and unsaturated monocaboxylic fatty acids, and homologous series of straight-chain alkenes and alkanes. The pattern can be linked to suberin and suberan, which are known to be present in birch barks. In addition, lupane-type triterpenoids were also revealed. Py(HMDS)-GC/MS was initially applied to a reference material, and was then used to study the archaeological adhesives from a wooden spindle recovered in a Gallo-Roman burial (3rd century AD) and from the golden sheath of a Thracian dagger (8th-7th centuries BC) recovered in Belogradets (Bulgaria).     

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric investigations of organic residues from Roman glass unguentaria

A combination of gas chromatographic (GC) and mass spectrometric (MS) techniques, including direct exposure-MS (DE-MS), high-temperature GC-MS (HTGC-MS) and GC-MS of neutral and acid fractions, was employed to study the composition and recognise origin of the organic materials used to manufacture balm residues surviving in a series of glass unguentaria recovered from excavations of a Roman villa (Villa B) in the ancient town of Oplontis (Naples, Italy). DE-MS provided comprehensive 'fingerprint' information on the solvent soluble components of the contents of the unguentaria, while GC-MS analyses provided detailed molecular compositions, highlighting the presence of a wide range of compound classes including mid- and long-chain fatty acids, long-chain hydroxy-acids, n-alkanols, alkandiols, n-alkanes, long-chain monoesters, phytosterols and diterpenoid acids. Characteristic biomarkers and their distributions indicate the presence of beeswax, Pinaceae resin and another wax, as the main organic constituents of all of the preparations examined. In particular, the occurrence of phytosterols and long-chain monoesters, in which the acyl moiety was not exclusively palmitic acid, suggested the presence of a second waxy-lipid constituent of plant origin. The results are consistent with beeswax being used in the preparation of the cosmetics preserved in the unguentaria, while the other lipids are most likely the residue of some as yet unidentified plant extract(s), possibly deriving from the cuticular waxes of flowers and/or leaves. The composition of the extracts are consistent with the ancient practices of maceration and/or "enfleurage", in which lipid-based materials, such as beeswax, animal fat or vegetables oils, were used to extract aromatic and fragrant substances from resin, flowers, spices and scented wood, in order to produce unguents and balms.     

Characterisation of natural indigo and shellfish purple by mass spectrometric techniques

Two analytical methods based on mass spectrometry were used in the characterisation of constituents of natural indigo prepared from the leaves of Indigofera tinctoria, and of shellfish purple prepared from the hypobranchial glandular secretions of Murex trunculus, following old recipes. On-line pyrolysis gas chromatography in the presence of hexamethyldisilazane followed by mass spectrometric analysis (Py-silylation/GC/MS), and direct exposure mass spectrometry (DE-MS), were used. Extensive fragmentation of indigoid dyes was obtained by Py-silylation/GC/MS. The following molecular markers were highlighted, which are useful for identification purposes: 1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-one for indigoid dyes, 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one for indirubine, and 6-bromo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-one for shellfish purple. Using DE-MS, 6,6'dibromoindigotine, monobromoindigotine and indigotine were identified as the main components, and the presence of tyrindoxyl, one of the dye precursors, was also assessed.     

Determination of the metabolites of gestrinone in human urine by high performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Gestrinone was studied by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for screening and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for confirmation. When the chromatograms of blank, spiked urine and dosed urine were compared by HPLC, two unknown metabolites were found and these were excreted as the conjugated forms. Metabolites 1 and 2 were tested by LC/MS and LC/MS/MS and both had parent ions at m/z 325. The fragment ion of metabolite 1 was at m/z 263 and ions for metabolite 2 were m/z 307 [MH - H(2)O](+), 289, 279 and 241. LC/MS/MS of m/z 263 as the parent ion of metabolite 1 gave fragment ions at m/z 245 and 217, which were assumed to be [263 - H(2)O](+) and [235 - H(2)O](+), respectively. The trimethylsilyl (TMS)-enol-TMS ether derivative of gestrinone displayed three peaks in its GC/MS chromatogram, formed by tautomerism.     

Chemical profiles of birch and alder bark by ambient mass spectrometry

Desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI) is an ambient mass spectrometry (MS) technique that allows the analysis of both polar and nonpolar compounds directly from the surfaces of various sample types. Here, DAPPI was used to study the chemical profiles in different parts of birch and alder tree barks. Four distinct fractions of Betula pendula (silver birch) bark were collected from three different developmental stages of the stem, after which the chemical profiles of the different tissue types were measured. Of special interest were triterpenoids, a class of important defensive substances, which are found in the bark of the silver birch. Additionally, the chemical profiles of lenticels and the surrounding surfaces in the phellem of B. pendula (silver birch), Alnus glutinosa (black alder), and Alnus incana (gray alder) were screened with DAPPI. Another ambient MS technique, laser ablation atmospheric pressure photoionization (LAAPPI), was further used for the mass spectrometry imaging of lenticels on the B. pendula phellem. All the studied birch bark fractions showed individual chemical profiles in DAPPI. The mass spectra from the young apical stem and the transition zone resembled each other more than the mature stem. Instead, the phellem was found to contain a high amount of triterpenoids in all the developmental stages of the stem. The most intense peaks in the DAPPI mass spectra of the birch bark fractions were those of betulin and lupeol. Betulinic and betulonic acid peaks were intense as well, and these compounds were detected especially in the lenticels of the tree samples.

Graphical abstract

     

A single glucose derivative suitable for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry

The incorporation of stable isotopes improves the assessment of glucose metabolism and, with some researchers using two tracers, (2)H-glucose assessed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and (13)C-glucose by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), a common derivative for both is advantageous. The most commonly used derivatives for GC/MS are inappropriate for GC/C/IRMS as additional functional groups dilute the label. We therefore considered the suitability of six derivatives for both GC/MS and GC/C/IRMS. Glucose alkylboronates were prepared by adding the appropriate alkylboronic acid (butyl- or methylboronic acid) in pyridine to desiccated glucose. The derivatisation was completed by reacting this with either (a) acetic anhydride or trifluoroacetic anhydride (acetate derivatives) or (b) bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide BSTFA (TMS derivatives). All six derivatives were assessed using GC/MS and (13)C GC/C/IRMS.Neither TMS derivative exhibited any signal intensity in the molecular ion, although a M-15 ion showed good agreement between experimental and theoretical data and, whilst still low in intensity, could be suitable for isotope work. Similarly, none of the acetate derivatives showed any intensity at the molecular ion although three key fragmentation series were identified. The most attractive sequence, initiated by the loss of 1,2 cyclic boronate, resulted in the main fragment ion of interest, m/z 240, corresponding to the fluorinated methylboronate derivate. Minimal carbon and hydrogen atoms are added to this derivative making it an excellent choice for stable isotope work, while proving suitable for analysis by both GC/MS and GC/C/IRMS.     

Analysis of red phosphorus in resins using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Although red phosphorus is used as a flame retardant for polymer materials, no analysis methods for it in resins has been established. Analysis methods for red phosphorus in resins were investigated using pyrolysis-gas chromatograpy/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) by paying attention to the fact that it has a sublimation property. We found that the mass spectrum of red phosphorus shows a series of ions at m/z=62, 93 and 124, and a fragment pattern indicating that red phosphorus (P4=124, P=31) was pyrolytically decomposed. The coefficient of the correlation between the content of red phosphorus in the resin and the peak intensity in Py-GC/MS was 0.9781. The relative standard deviations of this analysis method was 6.29% (n=5). Py-GC/MS was applicable not only to qualitative analysis but also to the quantitative analysis of red phosphorus.     

Molecular mass ranges of coal tar pitch fractions by mass spectrometry and size‐exclusion chromatography

A coal tar pitch was fractionated by solvent solubility into heptane‐solubles, heptane‐insoluble/toluene‐solubles (asphaltenes), and toluene‐insolubles (preasphaltenes). The aim of the work was to compare the mass ranges of the different fractions by several different techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis, size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV‐fluorescence spectroscopy showed distinct differences between the three fractions in terms of volatility, molecular size ranges and the aromatic chromophore sizes present. The mass spectrometric methods used were gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), pyrolysis/GC/MS, electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI‐FTICRMS) and laser desorption time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LD‐TOFMS). The first three techniques gave good mass spectra only for the heptane‐soluble fraction. Only LDMS gave signals from the toluene‐insolubles, indicating that the molecules were too involatile for GC and too complex to pyrolyze into small molecules during pyrolysis/GC/MS. ESI‐FTICRMS gave no signal for toluene‐insolubles probably because the fraction was insoluble in the methanol or acetonitrile, water and formic acid mixture used as solvent to the ESI source. LDMS was able to generate ions from each of the fractions. Fractionation of complex samples is necessary to separate smaller molecules to allow the use of higher laser fluences for the larger molecules and suppress the formation of ionized molecular clusters. The upper mass limit of the pitch was determined as between 5000 and 10 000 u. The pitch asphaltenes showed a peak of maximum intensity in the LDMS spectra at around m/z 400, in broad agreement with the estimate from SEC. The mass ranges of the toluene‐insoluble fraction found by LDMS and SEC (400–10 000 u with maximum intensity around 2000 u by LDMS and 100–9320 u with maximum intensity around 740 u by SEC) are higher than those for the asphaltene fraction (200–4000 u with maximum intensity around 400 u by LDMS and 100–2680 u with maximum intensity around 286 u by SEC) and greater than values considered appropriate for petroleum asphaltenes (300–1200 u with maximum intensity near 700 u). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies of structural alterations of humic acids from conifer bark residue during composting by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS)

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS) was used to characterize the humic acids (HAs) produced during the composting of conifer bark. The syringyl to guaiacyl ratios of HAs during composting were estimated from the peak area ratios for 3,4,5-trimethoxy to 3,4-dimethoxy benzene derivatives (0.11–0.50), which are characteristic of conifer species. The peak areas for nitrogen-containing and fatty acid pyrolysate compounds increased significantly during composting, indicating the degree of humification during composting. HA samples from the bark composts contained higher levels of diterpene resin acids, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. To investigate the species of terpenes, the HA was extracted with ethanol, and the components of the extract classified into α-HA and hymatomelanic acid (HMA) fractions, respectively. The peak areas for terpenes in the α-HA fraction were much smaller than those in the original HA, indicating that the majority of terpenes were extracted into the HMA fraction. If terpenes were to bind to HMA via unspecified interactions, no peaks would be apparent for the direct injection of HMA in ethanol into the GC/MS without pyrolysis. A comparison of the total ion chromatograms of HMA for the TMAH-py-GC/MS and GC/MS revealed that terpenes in the HA had been incorporated into polymeric structures of HMA. These results indicate that terpenes are transferred from the raw bark and incorporated into HA fractions during the composting processes.     

Direct analysis of oligomeric tackifying resins in rubber compounds by automatic thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Two analytical methods, automatic thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ATD-GC/MS) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), were applied as direct methods for the analysis of oligomeric tackifying resins in a vulcanized rubber. The ATD-GC/MS method, based on discontinuous volatile extraction, was found to be an effective means for direct analysis of the oligomeric tackifying resins contained in a vulcanized rubber. The oligomeric tackifying resins, such as t-octylphenolformaldehyde (TOPF) resin, rosin-modified terpene resin, and cashew resin, could be directly analyzed in vulcanized rubber by ATD-GC/MS. Much simpler total ion chromatograms were obtained by ATD-GC/MS than by flash pyrolysis with a Curie-point pyrolyzer, permitting much easier interpretation. Ions at m/z 206, 135, and 107 were fingerprints in the characteristic mass spectra obtained by ATD-GC/MS for TOPF resin in the vulcanized rubber. 1H-Indene, styrene, and isolongifolene were observed as their characteristic mass spectra in the pyrolyzate of the rosin-modified terpene resin. From the cashew resin, phenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-(1,1,3, 3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol were obtained as the characteristic pyrolyzates by discontinuous thermal extraction via ATD-GC/MS. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination and excretion study of gestrinone in human urine by high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Gestrinone was studied by HPLC for screening and by GC/MS for confirmation. Three unknown peaks were found by HPLC which are probably the metabolites of gestrinone, and conjugated gestrinone in dosed human urine. The metabolites and gestrinone were excreted as the conjugated forms. The total amounts of metabolite 1 and conjugated gestrinone, recovered after 48 h, were 0.20 and 0.32 mg, respectively. When metabolite 1 was tested by LC/MS and LC/MS/MS, the parent ion was m/z 327, [MH](+), and fragment ions were seen at m/z 309 [MH - H(2)O](+), 291 [MH - 2H(2)O](+), 283, 263 and 239. The TMS-enol-TMS ether derivative of gestrinone has three peaks in the GC/MS chromatogram formed by tautomerism. The reproducibility of the derivatization method was stable and recoveries were over 87% when spiked into blank urine.     

Characterisation of varnishes used in violins by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The correct characterisation and a detailed knowledge of the materials originally used in violin varnishes, like natural resins, is crucial for the conservation in museums and for a suitable restoration technique. The study presented here reports on the potential of pyrolysis (Py) coupled with gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of chemical markers of each resin; this technique is very sensitive and selective, it needs a small quantity of sample and does not require chemical treatments. To improve the chromatographic behaviour of polar compounds the derivatising agent tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) in combination with pyrolysis has been used, in the so-called TMAH thermochemolysis or thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM), or more simply pyrolysis-methylation. The natural resins studied were colophony, sandarac, manila copal, elemi, amber and benzoin, mainly composed of terpenic compounds, with the exception of the latter, composed of aromatic compounds. Many compounds were identified; in particular, methyl esters of resinous acids that, individually or in a group, can be used as chemical markers. However, through this technique it was not possible to distinguish between the sandarac and manila copal resins because their chromatographic behaviour is very similar. Finally, the procedure applied has been employed in the characterisation of original varnish samples.     

Organic mass spectrometry in archaeology: evidence for Brassicaceae seed oil in Egyptian ceramic lamps

An analytical procedure based on alkaline hydrolysis and silylation followed by GC/MS analysis was employed to study the formation of characteristic acidic compounds and the development of a distinctive chromatographic pattern in the course of accelerated ageing tests on Brassicaceae seed oil. On the basis of mass spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives, the main degradation products were identified as alpha,omega-dicarboxylic, omega-hydroxycarboxylic and dihydroxycarboxylic acids, including 11,12-dihydroxyeicosanoic acid and 13,14-dihydroxydocosanoic acid. The mass spectra of both these compounds are characterised by fragment ions arising from the alpha cleavage of the bond between the two vicinal trimethylsiloxy groups, resulting in fragments at m/z 215 and 345 for 11,12-dihydroxyeicosanoic acid, and at m/z 215 and 373 for 13,14-dihydroxydocosanoic acid. Other significant fragment ion-radicals from rearrangement process at m/z [M - 90](+*), [M - 142](+*), 204 as well as fragment ions at m/z [M - 15](+), [M - 105](+), 217 are present in the mass spectra of both the compounds. The results obtained for reference materials were compared with those relating to archaeological organic materials recovered in Egyptian pottery lamps. The occurrence of the same characteristic degradation products found in the reference materials subjected to accelerated ageing indicates an unambiguous origin for the organic archaeological remains and represents the chemical evidence for the use of oil from seeds of Brassicaceae as illuminant.     

Application of tandem mass spectrometry combined with gas chromatography to the routine analysis of ethyl carbamate in stone-fruit spirits

Gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode is currently the method of choice for the determination of the toxic contaminant ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages. However, even after extensive sample cleanup over diatomaceous earth columns, the identity of ethyl carbamate often cannot be ascertained with confidence, due to inconsistent ratios of the SIM ions m/z 62, 74 and 44 because the qualifier ions are highly susceptible to interferences. Therefore, a new method combining GC and tandem MS using a triple-quadrupole instrument is introduced to determine ethyl carbamate in stone-fruit spirits. For quantitative analysis the characteristic transitions of m/z 74 --> 44 and m/z 62 --> 44 for ethyl carbamate as well as m/z 64 --> 44 for the deuterated internal standard ethyl carbamate-d5 were monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. In the validation studies, ethyl carbamate exhibited good linearity with a regression coefficient of 1.000. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.01 and 0.04 mg/L. The recovery of the method was 100.4 +/- 9.4%. The precision never exceeded 7.8% (intraday) and 10.1% (interday) and the trueness never exceeded 11.3% (intraday) and 12.2% (interday) at any of the concentrations examined, indicating good assay accuracy. A good agreement of analytical results between a previously developed GC/MS SIM method and the GC/MS/MS MRM procedure was found (R=0.987). Regarding the validation data, the procedure is sensitive, selective and reproducible. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated by the investigation of 70 stone-fruit spirits from commercial trade. The ethyl carbamate concentration of the samples ranged between 0.07 and 7.70 mg/L (mean 1.21 mg/L). The main advantage of the developed GC/MS/MS method is the reliability of the results without the need for time-consuming confirmatory analyses.     

Method development for the analysis of resinous materials with MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS: novel internal standards and a new matrix material for negative ion mode

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a mass spectrometry (MS) ionization technique suitable for a wide variety of sample types including highly complex ones such as natural resinous materials. Coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass analyser, which provides mass spectra with high resolution and accuracy, the method gives a wealth of information about the composition of the sample. One of the key aspects in MALDI‐MS is the right choice of matrix compound. We have previously demonstrated that 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid is suitable for the positive ion mode analysis of resinous samples. However, 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid was found to be unsuitable for the analysis of these samples in the negative ion mode. The second problem addressed was the limited choice of calibration standards offering a flexible selection of m/z values under m/z 1000. This study presents a modified MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS method for the analysis of resinous materials, which incorporates a novel matrix compound, 2‐aminoacridine for the negative ion mode analysis and extends the selection of internal standards with m/z <1000 for both positive (15 different phosphazenium cations) and negative (anions of four fluorine‐rich sulpho‐compounds) ion mode. The novel internal calibration compounds and matrix material were tested for the analysis of various natural resins and real‐life varnish samples taken from cultural heritage objects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.