Analysis of macrolide antibiotics, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, in food, biological and environmental matrices

Macrolides are a group of antibiotics that have been widely used in human medical and veterinary practices. Analysis of macrolides and related compounds in food, biological, and environmental matrices continue to be the focus of scientists for the reasons of food safety, pharmacokinetic studies, and environmental concerns. This article presents an overview on the primary biological properties of macrolides and their associated analytical issues, including extraction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), method validation, and measurement uncertainty. The main techniques that have been used to extract macrolides from various matrices are solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. Conventional liquid chromatography (LC) with C18 columns plays a dominant role for the determination of macrolides, whereas ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) along with sub-2 microm particle C18 columns reduces run time and improves sensitivity. Mass spectrometry (MS), serving as a universal detection technique, has replaced ultraviolet (UV), fluorometric, and electrochemical detection for multi-macrolide analysis. The triple-quadrupole (QqQ), quadrupole ion trap (QIT), triple-quadrupole linear ion trap, time-of-flight (TOF), and quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) mass spectrometers are current choices for the determination of macrolides, including quantification, confirmation, identification of their degradation products or metabolites, and structural elucidation. LC or UPLC coupled to a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in the multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode (LC/MS/MS) is the first choice for quantification. UPLC-TOF or UPLC-QqTOF has been recognized as an emerging technique for accurate mass measurement and unequivocal identification of macrolides and their related compounds.     

Residue analysis of 500 high priority pesticides: Better by GC–MS or LC–MS/MS?

This overview evaluates the capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) for the determination of a multitude of pesticides. The selection of pesticides for this assessment is based on the status of production, the existence of regulations on maximum residue levels in food, and the frequency of residue detection. GC-MS with electron impact (EI) ionization and the combination of LC with tandem mass spectrometers (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI) are identified as techniques most often applied in multi-residue methods for pesticides at present. Therefore, applicability and sensitivity obtained with GC-EI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS is individually compared for each of the selected pesticides. Only for one substance class only, the organochlorine pesticides, GC-MS achieves better performance. For all other classes of pesticides, the assessment shows a wider scope and better sensitivity if detection is based on LC-MS.     

Control of pesticide residues by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to ensure food safety

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has become an invaluable technique for the control of pesticide residues to ensure food safety. After an introduction about the regulations that highlights its importance to meet the official requirements on analytical performance, the different mass spectrometers used in this field of research, as well as the LC-MS interfaces and the difficulties associated with quantitative LC-MS determination, are discussed. The ability to use practical data for quantifying pesticides together with the option of obtaining structural information to identify target and non-target parent compounds and metabolites are discussed. Special attention is paid to the impact of sample preparation and chromatography on the ionization efficiency of pesticides from food. The last section is devoted to applications from a food safety point of view. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Analysis of pesticides in water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric techniques

Pesticide residues continue to be the focus of many environmental studies, and the number of articles describing the development of more advanced, multiresidue analytical methodologies does not decline. The use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on single quadrupole or ion trap analyzers is consolidated for this purpose. The implementation, in the near future, of more sophisticated mass analyzers, such as triple quadrupole and hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight is anticipated for routine analysis. This article reviews the various works published so far in the literature for the determination of pesticides and transformation products (TPs) in water by means of liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. It discusses the various ionization sources and analyzers used for this purpose, as well as the extraction procedures employed for previous sample preconcentration. Because of the widespread use of triple quadrupole analyzers for the generation of pesticides levels in water using tandem mass spectrometry, a table compiling the transitions monitored for ca. 70 compounds is also included.     

Current mass spectrometry strategies for the analysis of pesticides and their metabolites in food and water matrices

Analysis of pesticides and their metabolites in food and water matrices continues to be an active research area closely related to food safety and environmental issues. This review discusses the most widely applied mass spectrometric (MS) approaches to pesticide residues analysis over the last few years. The main techniques for sample preparation remain solvent extraction and solid‐phase extraction. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) approach is being increasingly used for the development of multi‐class pesticide residues methods in various sample matrices. MS detectors—triple quadrupole (QqQ), ion‐trap (IT), quadrupole linear ion trap (QqLIT), time‐of‐flight (TOF), and quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QqTOF)—have been established as powerful analytical tools sharing a primary role in the detection/quantification and/or identification/confirmation of pesticides and their metabolites. Recent developments in analytical instrumentation have enabled coupling of ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and fast gas chromatography (GC) with MS detectors, and faster analysis for a greater number of pesticides. The newly developed “ambient‐ionization” MS techniques (e.g., desorption electrospray ionization, DESI, and direct analysis in real time, DART) hyphenated with high‐resolution MS platforms without liquid chromatography separation, and sometimes with minimum pre‐treatment, have shown potential for pesticide residue screening. The recently introduced Orbitrap mass spectrometers can provide high resolving power and mass accuracy, to tackle complex analytical problems involved in pesticide residue analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 30:907–939, 2011     

Environmental and food applications of LC-tandem mass spectrometry in pesticide-residue analysis: an overview

An overview is given on pesticide-residue determination in environmental and food samples by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Pesticides comprise a large number of substances that belong to many completely different chemical groups, the only common characteristic is that they are effective against pests. They still constitute a challenge in MS because there is no collective pathway for fragmentation. A brief introduction to the theory of tandem MS permits a discussion of which parameters influence the ionization efficiency when the ions are subjected to different actions. Emphasis is placed on the different tandem MS instruments: triple and ion-trap quadrupoles, and hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF), including advantages and drawbacks, typical detection limits, and ion signals at low concentrations. The instrumental setup, as well as LC and mass spectrometric experimental conditions, must be carefully selected to increase the performance of the analytical system. The capacity of each instrument to provide useful data for the identification of pesticides, and the possibility to obtain structural information for the identification of target and non-target compounds, are discussed. Finally, sample preparation techniques and examples of applications are debated to reveal the potential of the current state-of-the-art technology, and to further promote the usefulness of tandem MS.     

四极杆离子光学和串联振荡电子学系统

四极杆和飞行时间质谱是液相色谱-质谱（LC/MS）、三重四极杆质谱（QQQ）和四极杆-飞行时间质谱（Q TOF）等质谱仪器中必备的核心部件,也是我国亟待研发的国产化仪器。目前,国内对质谱仪器的研制热情日益高涨,得到了国家相关部门的高度认可和广大研发人员的积极响应。本综述基于作者课题组多年的研制经验,从质谱仪器研发的角度介绍实现离子光学系统和电子学系统的技术原理。首先回顾四极杆的基本原理;然后着重讨论加工和装配精度对提高四极杆分辨率的重要性,以及四极杆尺寸选择对射频电压控制的影响;最后重点介绍四极杆串联振荡电子学系统以及在系统中起关键作用的阻抗匹配,希望能为质谱仪器研制提供参考。     

Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry for 13C isotopic analysis in life science research

Among the different disciplines covered by mass spectrometry, measurement of (13)C/(12)C isotopic ratio crosses a large section of disciplines from a tool revealing the origin of compounds to more recent approaches such as metabolomics and proteomics. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and molecular mass spectrometry (MS) are the two most mature techniques for (13)C isotopic analysis of compounds, respectively, for high and low-isotopic precision. For the sample introduction, the coupling of gas chromatography (GC) to either IRMS or MS is state of the art technique for targeted isotopic analysis of volatile analytes. However, liquid chromatography (LC) also needs to be considered as a tool for the sample introduction into IRMS or MS for (13)C isotopic analyses of non-volatile analytes at natural abundance as well as for (13)C-labeled compounds. This review presents the past and the current processes used to perform (13)C isotopic analysis in combination with LC. It gives particular attention to the combination of LC with IRMS which started in the 1990's with the moving wire transport, then subsequently moved to the chemical reaction interface (CRI) and was made commercially available in 2004 with the wet chemical oxidation interface (LC-IRMS). The LC-IRMS method development is also discussed in this review, including the possible approaches for increasing selectivity and efficiency, for example, using a 100% aqueous mobile phase for the LC separation. In addition, applications for measuring (13)C isotopic enrichments using atmospheric pressure LC-MS instruments with a quadrupole, a time-of-flight, and an ion trap analyzer are also discussed as well as a LC-ICPMS using a prototype instrument with two quadrupoles.     

The role of mass spectrometry in plant systems biology

Large-scale analyses of proteins and metabolites are intimately bound to advancements in MS technologies. The aim of these non-targeted "omic" technologies is to extend our understanding beyond the analysis of only parts of the system. Here, metabolomics and proteomics emerged in parallel with the development of novel mass analyzers and hyphenated techniques such as gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) and multidimensional liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The analysis of (i) proteins (ii) phosphoproteins, and (iii) metabolites is discussed in the context of plant physiology and environment and with a focus on novel method developments. Recently published studies measuring dynamic (quantitative) behavior at these levels are summarized; for these works, the completely sequenced plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa (rice) have been the primary models of choice. Particular emphasis is given to key physiological processes such as metabolism, development, stress, and defense. Moreover, attempts to combine spatial, tissue-specific resolution with systematic profiling are described. Finally, we summarize the initial steps to characterize the molecular plant phenotype as a corollary of environment and genotype.     

基于UPLC-Q-TOF MS的吴茱萸致肝毒性部位及入血成分分析

利用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱(UPLC-Q-TOF MS)法分析鉴定吴茱萸肝毒性部位的化学成分和给大鼠灌胃毒性部位后的血中原形成分及代谢产物。在优化的色谱和质谱条件下,采用正离子扫描模式对质量范围m/z50~1 200的化合物进行数据采集,分析时间仅为12min。通过UNIFI软件与人工相结合的方式对采集的数据进行分析,根据高分辨质谱提供的母离子与碎片离子的精确质量信息,初步推测了化合物的分子组成;结合标准品和参考文献数据,共鉴定了肝毒性部位中的29个化学成分,其中包括9个吲哚类生物碱、10个喹诺酮类生物碱、5个三萜、3个黄酮、1个其他类生物碱和1个有机酸。进一步比较了体内外样品的基峰离子色谱图,结合质谱数据和化合物裂解规律,共鉴定出21个入血成分,包括15个原形成分和6个代谢产物(1个为未知成分),并推测了代谢产物的代谢途径。该方法可为揭示吴茱萸肝毒性成分提供可靠的数据支持。     

气相色谱串接三重四极质谱法测定蔬菜中的拟除虫菊酯类农药

A method for determination of 12 pyrethroids pesticides in vegetables was developed by gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. The characteristical ions and collision energy were selected. The method is safe.     

色质联用技术的进步与农药多残留分析方法的发展（之一）

气相色谱-质谱联用技术是农药多类多残留检测分析方法发展的起点,液相色谱-质谱联用技术的发展给极性农药、热不稳定性农药及其代谢物的检测创造了条件,高选择性、高灵敏度、高通量的色谱-串联质谱技术创建了农药的多残留检测方法。本文回顾了色质联用技术的进步及其在农药多残留分析方法发展过程中的重要作用。     

HPLC-Q-TOF MS鉴定条叶榕根茎乙酸乙酯提取物中的主要化学成分

采用高效液相色谱-四极杆飞行时间质谱(HPLC-Q-TOF MS)技术对条叶榕根茎乙酸乙酯提取物中的多种活性化学组分进行了分析鉴定。采用正离子与负离子两种扫描方式,依据高分辨质谱提供的准分子离子峰和碎片离子的精确分子质量信息,确证了有关物质及其特征碎片离子的分子组成。再结合标准品对照与相关文献数据支持,最终鉴定出条叶榕根茎乙酸乙酯提取物中的34种化学成分,其中包括12种多酚、8种香豆素、9种黄酮、4种脂肪酸、1种蒽醌。结果表明,采用HPLC-Q-TOF MS技术可提高中药化学成分的分析效率,有利于新化合物的发现与鉴别。     

基于特征性子离子和中性丢失快速筛查和识别食品中唑类和有机磷类农药

采用基于中性丢失和子离子的敞开式离子化技术,结合高分辨二级质谱,建立了一种快速、便捷地筛查和识别食品中唑类（三唑类、咪唑类、吡唑类）和有机磷类农药的分析方法。通过对待测物在质谱中产生的子离子和中性丢失行为进行归纳,建立了待测物的共性特征子离子和中性丢失库,以及辅助定性子离子和中性丢失库。配合适宜的制样方式、敞开式电离源和数据处理方式,可实现对唑类和有机磷类农药的筛查和识别。该方法快速准确,适用于多种类型食品中唑类和有机磷类农药的检测。     

在线凝胶色谱-串联三重四极杆质谱法测定大豆油中42种农药残留

建立了在线凝胶色谱-串联三重四极杆质谱（GPC-GC-MS/MS）法测定大豆油中的42种农药残留。采用在线凝胶色谱进行在线净化,除去大豆油中大部分油脂,有效缩短样品前处理时间;结合多反应监测（MRM）采集方式,可减少基质干扰,提高方法的选择性。结果表明：在1~50 μg/L浓度范围内,大部分农药的线性相关系数均在0.999以上;方法检出限为0.02~2.59 μg/kg,方法定量限为0.08~8.62 μg/kg;在10、50、300 μg/kg加标浓度下,农药的加标回收率在70.4%~119%之间。以α-666等11种农药为例,比较了GPC-GC-MS/MS法、GPC-GC/MS法、GC-MS/MS法的实验结果,发现采用GPC-GC-MS/MS法的MRM数据采集模式测定大豆油中农药残留具有良好的抗基质干扰能力,可获得最低的方法检出限及最高的回收率。该方法操作简单、灵敏度高、稳定性好,可用于大豆油中农药残留的测定,也适用于复杂基质中痕量农药残留的定性和定量分析。     

直接注射-多级质谱全扫描法快速分析枸杞子化学成分组

由于色谱分离需要耗费大量的时间,导致传统LC-MS研究中药成分的分析通量较低,而多级质谱全扫描（MS/MSALL）采用了气态分段技术（GPF）,可以在直接注射（DI）模式下,采集每个表观质量数MS1信号的MS2图谱,实现MS1-MS2数据列表的高通量构建。为快速表征枸杞子化学成分组,本研究采用DI-MS/MSALL全面采集枸杞子提取物中各化学成分的多级质谱数据,根据高分辨MS1和MS2碎片离子信息推导质谱裂解途径,结合数据库检索以及相关文献,从枸杞子中初步鉴定了38个化学成分,包括1个氨基酸类、19个有机酸类、2个糖脂类、6个苯丙素类、1个黄酮类、6个生物碱类以及3个酰胺类化合物。DI-MS/MSALL可作为中药等复杂体系快速全面定性分析的有力工具。     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the quantitative bioanalysis of anticancer drugs

The monitoring of anticancer drugs in biological fluids and tissues is important during both pre-clinical and clinical development and often in routine clinical use. Traditionally, liquid chromatography (LC) in combination with ultraviolet (UV), fluorescence, or electrochemical detection is employed for this purpose. The successful hyphenation of LC and mass spectrometry (MS), however, has dramatically changed this. MS detection provides better sensitivity and selectivity than UV detection and, in addition, is applicable to a significantly larger group of compounds than fluorescence or electrochemical detection. Therefore, LC-MS has now become the method of first choice for the quantitative bioanalysis of many anticancer agents. There are still, however, a lot of new developments to be expected in this area, such as the introduction of more sensitive and robust mass spectrometers, high-throughput analyses, and further optimization of the coupled LC systems. Many articles have appeared in this field in recent years and are reviewed here. We conclude that LC-MS is an extremely powerful tool for the quantitative analysis of anticancer drugs in biological samples.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定牛奶中舒巴坦和他唑巴坦

A triple quadrupole liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method is presented for the quantitative determination and confirmation of salbactam and tazobactam, the inhibitors of β-lactamase in milk. Milk was extracted with methanol, and the extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS in negative mode. The LOQs of salbactam and tazobactam in milk are 10 μg•L^－1 and 100 μg•L^－1, respectively.     

HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS鉴定重组人白细胞介素-11的一级结构

用液质联用技术分析鉴定重组人白细胞介素-11（rhIL-11)的一级结构。利用电喷雾四极杆飞行时间质谱（ESI-Q-TOF-MS）测定rhIL- 11的精确分子质量，采用高效液相-电喷雾四极杆飞行时间串联质谱技术（HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS）测定其胰蛋白酶酶切后肽段的部分氨基酸序列并结合数据库检索进行结构鉴定。rhIL-11的实测分子质量为19 047.38 u，与理论分子质量19 047.29 u相比非常接近。HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS测定 m/z 664.45、m/z 609.40的肽段的部分氨基酸序列分别为Glu-Pro-Glu-Leu-Gly-Thr-Leu和Leu-Asp-Ser-Thr-Val-Leu。将这两段序列在MASCOT数据库检索，结果表明rhIL-11的结构正确。