Quantitation of acrylamide in food products by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A simple and inexpensive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed for the quantitation of acrylamide in various food products. The method involved spiking the isotope-substituted internal standard (1-C13 acrylamide) onto 6.00 g of the food product, adding 40 mL distilled/deionized water, and heating at 65 degrees C for 30 min. Afterwards, 10 mL ethylene dichloride was added and the mixture was homogenized for 30 s and centrifuged at 2700 x g for 30 min, and then 8 g supernatant was extracted with 10, 5, and 5 mL portions of ethyl acetate. The extracts were combined, dried with sodium sulfate, and concentrated to 100-200 microL. Acrylamide was determined by analysis of the final extract on a single quadrupole, bench-top mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization, using a 2 mm id C18 column and monitoring m/z = 72 (acrylamide) and m/z = 73 (internal standard). For difficult food matrixes, such as coffee and cocoa, a solid-phase extraction cleanup step was incorporated to improve both chromatography and column lifetime. The method had a limit of quantitation of 10 ppb, and coefficients of determination (r2) for calibration curves were typically better than 0.998. Acceptable spike recovery results were achieved in 11 different food matrixes. Precision in potato chip analyses was 5-8% (relative standard deviation). This method provides an LC/MS alternative to the current LC/MS/MS methods and derivatization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry methods, and is applicable to difficult food products such as coffee, cocoa, and high-salt foods.     

Structure and Dynamics of Hydrogen Chelates. Part 1. NMR-spectroscopic studies in the quinazoline-2-acetonitrile series

To get informations on both the structure and dynamics of hydrogen chelates 1 of heteroaromatic systems, a great variety of quinazoline-2-acetonitrile chelates were synthesized (see 2–4 ). Similarly to the situation of the corresponding H-chelates in the pyrimidine-2-acetonitrile series, the investigation of these new derivatives 2–4 by NMR spectroscopic methods (DNMR, COSY, NOESY, ROESY, EXSY, HMQC, HMBC) confirms the presence of an equilibrium of the two possible H-chelate structures (two ‘rotamers’ I and II , i.e., (E)/(Z) isomers; see Scheme). The corresponding equilibria I ? II were determined by complete ¹H-NMR signal assignment at low temperatures (after freezing the rotational processes). In addition, the tautomer equilibria A ? B (relative energies of the two minima of the nonsymmetrical double-well potential) for both ‘rotamers’ are ascertained by H,H and C,H couplings. The results are an important basis for the interpretation of both the UV/VIS absorptions and the dependence of fluorescence and fluorescence quantum yields on temperature.     

Untersuchung der Wackenroderschen Reaktion mit Hilfe der radiopapierchromatographischen Methode

Zusammenfassung Es wird beschrieben, wie man unter Anwendung von radioaktiven Stoffen kinetische Untersuchungen an der Wackenroderschen Reaktion durchführen kann. Dabei geht man nach einer papierchromatographischen Methode zur Trennung von Polythionsäuren vor, indem man durch laufende Probenentnahme während des Reaktionsablaufes die jeweilige Zusammensetzung der Wackenroderschen Flüssigkeit festhält. Die auf diese Weise gewonnenen Papierchromatogramme werden durch einen Radiopapierchromatographen ausgewertet. Die Verfolgung der einzelnen Stadien dieses Prozesses ist nur möglich, weil es sich bei der Wackenroderschen Reaktion hauptsächlich um langsame Vorgänge nach Art der Verseifungsprozesse handelt und dürfte daher mit Erfolg auf analoge Systeme zu übertragen sein.     

Schnelle coulometrische Mikrobestimmung einzelner Polythionate

Zusammenfassung Das neue Mikrobestimmungsverfahren beruht auf der coulometrischen Titration von S₂O₃ ^2– nach vorheriger Abbaureaktion der Polythionate mit Sulfit bzw. Cyanid. Es werden 10 ml Probelösung (S₄O₆ ^2–: 5 · 10^–5 bis 1 · 10^–3 M; S₅O₆ ^2–; 2,5 · 10^–5 bis 1· 10^–3 M; S₆O₆ ^2–: 1,66 · 10^–5 bis 1 · 10^–3 M) benötigt. Die Titrationskurve wird von einem Schreiber registriert. Die Reproduzierbarkeit der jeweiligen Einzelbestimmung liegt bei VK _p±0,1 bis ± 1,6%.

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Rapid coulometric microdetermination of individual polythionates

The method described is based on the coulometric titration of S₂O₃ ^2– after a preceding degradation of the polythionates with sulphite or cyanide. 10 ml of sample solution are required (S₄O₆ ^2–: 5× 10^–5 to 1×10^–3 M; S₅O₆ ^2– : 2.5×10^–5 to 1×10^–3 M; S₆O₆ ^2–: 1.66×10^–5 to 1×10^–3 M). The titration curve is recorded. The reproducibility of a single determination is VK _p±0.1 to ± 1.6%.

     

Versuche zur fraktionierten Extraktion von Kationen und Anionen

Zusammenfassung Bei der sukzessiven Zugabe von Jodid zu einer schwach salpetersauren Lösung von Hg²⁺, Bi³⁺, Cd²⁺, In³⁺ und Zn²⁺ werden diese Elemente mit Tributylphosphat oder Cyclohexanon in der angegebenen Reihenfolge extrahiert. Es ist demnach möglich, aus einer Lösung mit mehreren Kationen einzelne Elemente fraktioniert zu extrahieren. Auch die Anionen Jodid, Bromid und Chlorid können mit einer Lösung von Quecksilber(II)-jodid in Tributylphosphat fraktioniert ausgeschüttelt werden. Die konduktometrische Indizierung der extrahierten Trihalogenomercurate ergibt die Möglichkeit einer quantitativen Bestimmung von Jodid, Bromid und Chlorid nebeneinander. Die Analyse der Phasen in den einzelnen Systemen wurde bei der Kationenextraktion röntgenfluorescenzspektroskopisch, bei der Anionenextraktion konduktometrisch durchgeführt.Wir danken Frl. S. Altfeld für experimentelle Mitarbeit.     

Über das Auftreten von Polysulfan-diphosphonaten bei der Umsetzung von Monothiophosphat mit Disulfan-diphosphonat

On the Formation of Polysulphane Diphosphonates by the Reaction of Monothiophosphonate with Disulphane Diphosphonate In acid solution SPO reacts with S₂P₂O forming higher polysulphane diphosphonates. The formation of S₃P₂O and S₄P₂O is proved by evaluation of the double labelling with ³⁵S? ³²P after high paper electrophoresis.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [C10N2H10]2[P2Mo5O21(OH)2]·2H2O

The crystal structure of [C₁₀N₂H₁₀]₂[P₂Mo₅O₂₁(OH)₂] · 2H₂O, contains the heteropolyanion, [P₂Mo₅O₂₁(OH)₂]^4—, together with diprotonated 4, 4′‐bipyridine. The heteropolyanion is built up from five MoO₆ octahedra sharing four common edges and one common corner, capped by two PO₃(OH) tetrahedra. The structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonds involving the hydrogen atoms of the 4, 4′‐bipyridine, water molecules and the oxygen atoms of the pentamolybdatobisphosphate. This is the first example that this kind of cluster could be isolated in the presence of a poly‐functional aromatic molecule ion. Crystal data: triclinic, P1¯ (No. 2), a = 9.983(2)Å, b = 11.269(2)Å, c = 17.604(4)Å, α = 73.50(3)°, β = 84.07(3)°, γ = 67.96(3)°; V = 1760.0(6)ų; Z = 2; R₁ = 0.037 and wR₂ = 0.081, for 9138 reflections [I > 2σ(I)].     

Structural Patterns and Dimensionality in Magnesium Borophosphates: The Crystal Structures of Mg2(H2O)[BP3O9(OH)4] and Mg(H2O)2[B2P2O8(OH)2]·H2O

Hydrothermal investigations in the system MgO/B₂O₃/P₂O₅(/H₂O) yielded two new magnesium borophosphates, Mg₂(H₂O)[BP₃O₉(OH)₄] and Mg(H₂O)₂[B₂P₂O₈(OH)₂]·H₂O. The crystal structures were solved by means of single crystal X‐ray diffraction. While the acentric crystal structure of Mg₂(H₂O)[BP₃O₉(OH)₄] (orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁ (No. 19), a = 709.44(5) pm, b = 859.70(4) pm, c = 1635.1(1) pm, V = 997.3(3) × 10⁶ pm³, Z = 4) contains 1D infinite chains of magnesium coordination octahedra interconnected by a borophosphate tetramer, Mg(H₂O)₂[B₂P₂O₈(OH)₂]·H₂O (monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a = 776.04(5) pm, b = 1464.26(9) pm, c = 824.10(4) pm, β = 90.25(1)°, V = 936.44(9) × 10⁶ pm³,Z = 4) represents the first layered borophosphate with 6³ net topology. The structures are discussed and classified in terms of structural systematics.     

Development and validation of two LC-MS/MS methods for the detection and quantification of amphetamines, designer amphetamines, benzoylecgonine, benzodiazepines, opiates, and opioids in urine using turbulent flow chromatography

In the context of driving ability diagnostics in Germany, administrative cutoffs for various drugs and pharmaceuticals in urine have been established. Two liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods for simultaneous detection and quantification of amphetamines, designer amphetamines, benzoylecgonine, benzodiazepines, opiates, and opioids in urine were developed and validated. A 500-μL aliquot of urine was diluted and fortified with an internal standard solution. After enzymatic cleavage, online extraction was performed by an ion-exchange/reversed-phase turbulent flow column. Separation was achieved by using a reversed-phase column and gradient elution. For detection, a Thermo Fisher TSQ Quantum Ultra Accurate Mass tandem mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization was used, and the analytes were measured in multiple-reaction monitoring mode detecting two transitions per precursor ion. The total run time for both methods was about 15 min. Validation was performed according to the guidelines of the Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry. The results of matrix effect determination were between 78 % and 116 %. The limits of detection and quantification for all drugs, except zopiclone, were less than10?ng/mL and less than 25 ng/mL, respectively. Calibration curves ranged from 25 to 200 ng/mL for amphetamines, designer amphetamines, and benzoylecgonine, from 25 to 250 ng/mL for benzodiazepines, from 12.5 to 100 ng/mL for morphine, codeine, and dihydrocodeine, and from 5 to 50 ng/mL for buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine. Intraday and interday precision values were lower than 15 %, and bias values within?±?15 % were achieved. Turbulent flow chromatography needs no laborious sample preparation, so the workup is less time-consuming compared with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. The methods are suitable for quantification of multiple analytes at the cutoff concentrations required for driving ability diagnostics in Germany.     

Size does matter! Label-free detection of small molecule–protein interaction

This review is focused on methods for detecting small molecules and, in particular, the characterisation of their interaction with natural proteins (e.g. receptors, ion channels). Because there are intrinsic advantages to using label-free methods over labelled methods (e.g. fluorescence, radioactivity), this review only covers label-free techniques. We briefly discuss available techniques and their advantages and disadvantages, especially as related to investigating the interaction between small molecules and proteins. The reviewed techniques include well-known and widely used standard analytical methods (e.g. HPLC-MS, NMR, calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction), newer and more specialised analytical methods (e.g. biosensors), biological systems (e.g. cell lines and animal models), and in-silico approaches.