High-speed characterization and analysis of orange oils with tandem-column stop-flow GC and time-of-flight MS

High-speed GC with time-of-flight (TOF) MS detection is used for the characterization and analysis of oils rendered from the peel of five diverse species of orange including bergemot orange, bitter orange, tangerine, mandarin orange, and sweet orange. With a user-defined signal-to-noise threshold of 100, 44 peaks were found and 36 compounds identified in the various oils. Some major constituent components show large concentration ranges over the five species. A 14-m-long, 0. 18-mm-i.d. column ensemble consisting of 7.0-m lengths of a trifluoropropylmethyl polysiloxane and a 5% phenyl dimethyl polysiloxane column was temperature-programmed at 50 degrees C/min starting at the time of injection to achieve analysis times under 140 s. The TOFMS was operated with a spectral acquisition rate of 25 spectra/s, and automated peak finding software successfully found all of the components, with the exception of one severely overlapping peak pair in bitter-orange oil. Of the 44 peaks, 25 were identified by use of a TOFMS library created for this study; another 11 were identified with a commercial terpene library, and 8 were not identified. A quantitative comparison (percent of total peak area) is presented for 16 components, which comprise 98.8-99.5% of the total peak area for the five orange species. Stop-flow operation of the column ensemble is used to enhance selectivity for targeted component pairs to facilitate single-channel detection for QA/ QC analysis of characterized samples and to enhance column selectivity for TOFMS characterization in cases in which peak overlap is so severe that only a single peak is observed.     

High-speed GC and GC/MS with a series-coupled column ensemble using stop-flow operation

A pneumatically actuated valve is used to connect the junction point of a series-coupled column ensemble to a ballast chamber containing carrier gas at the ensemble inlet pressure in order to periodically stop the carrier gas flow in the first column. When the valve is opened, mixture components, which have migrated across the column junction, are accelerated toward a time-of-flight mass spectrometer that is used as an ensemble detector. Mixture components, which are still in the first column, are frozen in position. This allows for the insertion of time windows into the ensemble chromatogram that can aid in the separation of some overlapping component peaks. The capillary column ensemble (0.18-mm i.d. x 0.18-microm film thickness) consists of a 7.0-m length of polar, (trifluoropropyl)methyl polysiloxane column followed by a 7.0-m length of nonpolar dimethyl polysiloxane column. A flame ionization detector located at the column junction point is used to monitor a portion of the effluent from the first column in order to determine the valve timing sequence needed to enhance the separation of component pairs that are separated by the first column but coelute from the column ensemble. When one of the components of a targeted pair has crossed the junction but the other component is still in the first column, the valve is opened, typically for 1-5 s. The stop-flow system is used to enhance the separation of a mixture containing some common essential oil components and a mixture containing some common pesticides.     

Characterization of asphalt fume composition under simulated road paving conditions by GC/MS and microflow LC/quadrupole time-of-flight MS

A highly sensitive, selective, and reliable analytical method has been developed and validated for characterization of asphalt fume generated under simulated road paving conditions. A dynamic asphalt fume generation system was modified to provide consistent test atmospheres at simulated asphalt road paving conditions. In the process of fume generation, asphalt was initially preheated in an oven to 170 degrees C, pumped to a large kettle, which maintained the asphalt temperature between 150 and 170 degrees C, and then transferred to the generator. The fume was conducted from the generator to an exposure chamber through a heated transfer line. Characterization of the asphalt fume test atmospheres included the following: (1) determination of the consistency of the asphalt aerosol composition within the generation system; (2) quantification of total organic matter of the asphalt fume by electron impact ionization of isotope dilution gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry); and (3) identification of individual priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in asphalt fume by selected ion monitoring. With the developed method, asphalt fumes could be characterized into three fractions: (1) filter collection of a large molecular size fraction over a range of mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios of 173-309; (2) XAD-2 trapping of a medium molecular size fraction over a range of m/z ratios of 121-197; and (3) charcoal trapping of a small molecular size fraction that contained mainly the volatile vapor fraction over a range of m/z ratios of 57-141. Total organic matter of the asphalt fume was quantified over the 5 exposure days. Sixteen specific priority PAHs were monitored and identified. These PAHs were determined at trace levels on the filter fraction. A novel approach, which utilizes collision-induced dissociation of fragmentation pathway leading to a characteristic fragmentation pattern by coupling microflow liquid chromatography to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, was used to further clarify the trace amount of key components present in simulated road paving asphalt fumes. These results demonstrate that asphalt fume composition could be characterized and specific priority PAHs could be identified by this method. The major advantages of this method are its highly sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability for chemical hazard characterization in a complex mixture. This method is suitable for support toxicity studies using simulated occupational exposure to asphalt fumes.     

Hihg-speed GC/MS of gasoline-range hydrocarbon compounds using a pressure-tunable column ensemble and time-of-flight detection

A pressure-tunable series-coupled ensemble of two capillary GC columns is combined with a time-of-flight MS detector for the high-speed characterization of mixtures containing hydrocarbon compounds. The column ensemble consists of a nonpolar 5% phenyl poly(dimethylsiloxane) column and a very polar poly(ethylene glycol) column. The TOFMS instrument uses time-array detection to obtain up to 500 complete electron mass spectra per second. Instrument software allows for automated peak finding and the spectral deconvolution of severely overlapping unknown chromatographic peaks, if their fragmentation patterns are significantly different and if at least two spectra can be recorded between the peak apexes. By adjusting the carrier-gas pressure at the column-junction point, the separations between adjacent peak pairs can be adjusted to enhance the capabilities of the TOFMS detector. The sensitivity of peak-pair separation to changes in junction-point pressure is studied for combinations of alkanes, olefins, and aromatic compounds. When complete separation is required, the use of pressure-tunable column ensembles cannot always provide sufficient control of peak-pair separation for structurally similar compounds. However, complete chromatographic separation typically is not required with the TOFMS detection, and a pressure-tunable column ensemble is very useful for the high-speed characterization of hydrocarbon mixtures.     

丁香罗勒油气相色谱与气质联用分析

目的:建立丁香罗勒油中丁香酚的含量测定方法和鉴定挥发性化学成分。方法:气相色谱法,4mm×2m不锈钢柱,10％SE—30为固定液,Chromosorb WAW 60～80目担体,FID检测器,柱温110℃,水杨酸甲酯为内标物;气质联用,以HP—5毛细管柱,柱温起始120℃保持5min后以5℃/min升温至150℃保持7min,检测质荷比范围10～425。结果:丁香酚在2～10mg/ml范围内具良好线性关系,平均回收率为100.08％,RSD为0.95％;气质联用鉴定了39个化合物。结论:方法简便,快速,准确,可排除其它成分的干扰。     

肉桂油气相色谱与气质联用分析

目的:建立肉桂油中桂皮醛的含量测定方法和鉴定挥发性化学成分。方法:气相色潜法,3mm×4m不锈钢柱,10％PEG-20M为固定液,Chromosorb WAW 60-80目担体,FID检测器,柱温190℃;气质联用,以HP-5毛细管柱,柱温起始120℃保持5min后以5C/min升温至150(保持7min,检测质荷比范围10-425。结果:桂皮醛在2-10mg/mL范围内具良好线性关系,平均回收率为99.98％,RSD为1.3％,气质联用鉴定了39种化合物。结论:方法简便,快速,准确,可有效排除其它成分的干扰。     

液液萃取-GC/MS法分析地表水中的多氯联苯

建立了液液萃取-GC/MS联用分析地表水中的多氯联苯的方法,并对实际水样进行了测定。各目标物的线性回归R值均大于0.999,MDL为0.08-3.9ng/L,RSD为0.25%-6.2%,回收率为87.6%-113%。     

顶空-GC/MS法分析地表水中的苯系物

建立了顶空-GC/MS联用分析地表水中的苯系物的方法,并对实际水样进行了分析。各目标物的线性回归R值均大于0.999,MDL为0.08-0.34μg/L,RSD为2.6%-4.8%,回收率为91.7%-103%。     

P&T-GC/MS法分析地表水中的挥发性有机化合物

建立了P&T-GC/MS联用分析地表水中的挥发性有机化合物的方法,并对实际水样进行了分析。各目标物的线性回归R值均大于0.999,MDL为0.02-0.11μg/L,RSD为1.3%-6.0%,回收率为90.5%-106%。     

Phenyl- and butyltin analysis in small biological samples by cold methanolic digestion and GC/MS

A very efficient technique for the analysis of six butyl- and phenyltin compounds in biota samples has been developed. No special equipment is needed for sample preparation, which is based on cold methanolic digestion with subsequent aqueous ethylation and liquid-liquid extraction. For samples of only 40 mg of biological materials, method detection limits ranging from 4 to 52 ng/g were achieved using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Relative recoveries for the individual butyl- and phenyltins, referring to perdeuterated organotin analogues as internal standards, ranged from 96 to 107%. Organotin concentrations in insect larvae (Chironomus riparius) and a reference mussel tissue (CRM 477) were determined with excellent precision (RSD <5%), and the measured butyltins in CRM 477 were in good agreement with the certified values. Comparison with accelerated solvent extraction confirmed high accuracy, and application for a bioconcentration experiment with phenyltins demonstrated the robustness and suitability of the method for routine analyses. The procedure allows fast, reliable, and simple determination of organotin compounds in low-size biological samples, which was demonstrated for bioconcentration experiments.     

Determination of alpha- and beta-hydroxycarbonyls and dicarbonyls in snow and rain samples by GC/FID and GC/MS employing benzyl hydroxyl oxime derivatization

A flame ionization detector (FID) combined with capillary gas chromatography (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been used to identify multifunctional carbonyls in wet precipitation samples. The carbonyl groups were first derivatized to O-benzylhydroxyloxime (BH oxime) by using O-benzylhydroxylamine. The BH oxime derivatives were then treated with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide for the hydroxyl group to derive their TMS ethers. The BH oxime/TMS derivatives were measured using GC/FID as well as GC/MS on positive EI and CI (isobutane was used as CI gas) modes. Three groups of carbonyl compounds (monoaldehydes, dicarbonyls, hydroxycarbonyls) were identified in the samples by using this method. We have identified, for the first time, a group of alpha- and beta-hydroxycarbonyls, glycolaldehyde, hydroxyacetone, and 4-hydroxy-2-butanone, in wet precipitation samples. Concentrations of hydroxycarbonyls ranged from 0.9 to 53.8 microg/L in the precipitation samples. Their concentration level is similar to that of low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids, which have been reported as major water-soluble organic compounds in rain.     

水果中三唑酮残留量的气相色谱和气相色谱——质谱分析

水果中三唑酮残留用丙酮提取,经液—液分配净化,用气相色谱—电子捕获检测器(GC—ECD)测定,并用气相色谱—质谱(离子选择监测)[Gc/MS(SIM))进行确证。以HP-5大口径毛细管柱和HP-5MS毛细管柱为分离柱,选择出合适的色谱条件,三唑酮的分离效果良好。本方法对苹果样品的测定低限为0.05mg/kg,添加浓度为0.05～1.0mg/kg的三唑酮,回收率为96％以上,变异系数小于4.0％。     

A strategy for identifying differences in large series of metabolomic samples analyzed by GC/MS

In metabolomics, the purpose is to identify and quantify all the metabolites in a biological system. Combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is one of the most commonly used techniques in metabolomics together with 1H NMR, and it has been shown that more than 300 compounds can be distinguished with GC/MS after deconvolution of overlapping peaks. To avoid having to deconvolute all analyzed samples prior to multivariate analysis of the data, we have developed a strategy for rapid comparison of nonprocessed MS data files. The method includes baseline correction, alignment, time window determinations, alternating regression, PLS-DA, and identification of retention time windows in the chromatograms that explain the differences between the samples. Use of alternating regression also gives interpretable loadings, which retain the information provided by m/z values that vary between the samples in each retention time window. The method has been applied to plant extracts derived from leaves of different developmental stages and plants subjected to small changes in day length. The data show that the new method can detect differences between the samples and that it gives results comparable to those obtained when deconvolution is applied prior to the multivariate analysis. We suggest that this method can be used for rapid comparison of large sets of GC/MS data, thereby applying time-consuming deconvolution only to parts of the chromatograms that contribute to explain the differences between the samples.     

GC/MS法结合保留指数分析留兰香油成分

利用GC/MS结合保留指数分析留兰香油成分,并用峰面积归一化法计算各组分相对含量。分析并确定33个化合物,占留兰香油成分97.53%,其主要成分为香芹酮(56.19%),柠檬烯(21.26%),α-松油醇(4.81%),薄荷酮(2.12%),(Z)-二氢香芹酮(2.01%),芳樟醇(1.42%),β-蒎烯(1.46%),α-蒎烯(1.16%),3-辛醇(0.84%),莰烯(0.83%),月桂烯(0.69%)等。采用保留指数来鉴别同系物及同分异构体,提高对留兰香油成分定性准确性,研究结果可为留兰香油产品开发和应用提供理论依据。     

Books and Software: GC/MS guide

A review of GC/MS: A Practical User's Guide.     

Automated Toxaphene Quantitation by GC/MS

Toxaphene is a complex mixture of at least 600 hexa- to decachlorinated bornanes and bornenes, which was used as an insecticide from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. Like PCBs and other environmentally persistent organochlorine pesticides, toxaphene is ubiquitous in the environment. Toxaphene's complex composition makes its accurate quantitation difficult. We report here an automatic, gas chromatographic mass spectrometry method (using electron capture negative ionization) that is precise and fast. This method is implemented by a small QBasic program that compares peak area ratios to the predicted chlorine isotopic ion ratios. This method decreases the time required for analysis while maintaining precise quantitation. The method is verified with standard and unknown samples contaminated with various amounts of other organochlorine pesticide interferents.     

Determination of estrogens in sludge and sediments by liquid extraction and GC/MS/MS

Two methods have been developed that enable the determination of estrogens down to 2 ng/g in digested and activated sludge from domestic sewage treatment plants (STPs) and down to 0.2 ng/g in freshwater sediments. The method for sludge analysis consists of solvent extraction; a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) cleanup step, a 1 g silica gel column; and finally, detection by GC-ion trap MS/MS of the silylated estrogens with MSTFA. For sediments, the solvent extraction was successively followed by silica gel cleanup, solid phase enrichment (SPE), and a HPLC cleanup before derivatization and GC/MS/MS detection. Mean recoveries of the estrogens mainly exceeded 70% in sludge and 90% in sediments. In activated and digested sewage sludge, estrone and 17beta-estradiol were detected up to 37 ng/g and 49 ng/g, respectively, and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol up to 17 ng/g. The occurrence of estrogens in digested sludge indicates that estrogens can be persistent during sludge digestion. In river sediments, estrone and 17beta-estradiol were detected up to 2 ng/g (estrone), and the contraceptive 17alpha-ethinylestradiol was found with a maximum of 0.9 ng/g. Mestranol, a prodrug for 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, was not detected either in sludge or in sediments.     

Hydrogen/deuterium scrambling during quadrupole time-of-flight MS/MS analysis of a zinc-binding protein domain

It remains an open question as to whether experiments involving collision-induced dissociation (CID) can provide a viable approach for monitoring spatially resolved deuteration levels in electrosprayed polypeptide ions. A number of laboratories reported the successful application of CID following solution-phase H/D exchange (HDX), whereas others found that H/D scrambling precluded site-specific measurements. The aim of the current work is to help clarify the general feasibility of HDX-CID methods, using a 22-residue zinc-bound protein domain (Zn-ZBD) as model system. Metal binding in Zn-ZBD should confer structural rigidity, and the presence of several basic residues should sequester mobile charge carriers in the gas phase. Both of these factors were expected to suppress the extent of scrambling. HDX was carried out by employing rapid on-line mixing, thereby mimicking conditions typically encountered in kinetic pulse-labeling studies. Quadrupole time-of-flight MS/MS of pulse-labeled Zn-ZBD provides high sequence coverage. However, the measured fragment deuteration levels do not correlate with the known H-bonding pattern of Zn-ZBD, suggesting the occurrence of extensive scrambling. Instead of showing a uniform distribution, the fragment ions reveal a distinct nonrandom pattern of deuteration levels. In the absence of prior information, these data could erroneously be ascribed to the presence of protected sites. However, the observed patterns clearly originate from other factors; possibly they are caused by modulations of the amide CID efficiency by kinetic isotope effects. It is concluded that scrambling does not represent the only conceptual problem in HDX-CID studies and that control experiments on uniformly labeled samples are essential for ruling out interpretation artifacts.