Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for Microstructure and Pyrolysis Pathway of Polyester-Polyether Multiblock Copolymer

The composition and sequence distribution of monomeric units in polyester polyether multiblock copolymer were studied by pyrolysis? gas chromatography (PGC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PGC/MS). PGC was applied to study the F t curve of the multiblock copolymer and PGC/MS was used to separate and identify the pyrolyzates. DTA experiment was used to study the decomposition temperature. The results show that the beginning point of elastomer’s decomposition was about 300?℃ and the decomposition temperature of most of the sample was 550?℃. Many pyrolyzates were produced because of the breaking of weak bonds in the sample. The possible microstructure was verified and the pyrolysis pathway of the copolymer was investigated.

Headspace Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC/MS)-Based Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis for Comparing the Volatile Components from 12 Panax Herbal Medicines

Quality control of ginseng currently is mainly based on ginsenoside analysis,but rarely focuses on the volatile organic components.In the current work,an untargeted metabolomics approach,by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC/MS),was elaborated and further employed to holistically compare the compositional difference of the volatile components simultaneously from 12 Panax herbal medicines,which included P.ginseng(PG),P.quinquefolius(PQ),P.notoginseng(PN),red ginseng(PGR),P.ginseng leaf(PGL),P.quinquefolius leaf(PQL),P.notoginseng leaf(PNL),P.ginseng flower(PGF),P.quinquefolius flower(PQF),P.notoginseng flower(PNF),P.japonicus(PJ),and P.japonicus var.major(PJvm).Chromatographic separation was performed on an HP-5MS elastic quartz capillary column using helium as the carrier gas,enabling good resolution within 1 h.We were able to characterize totally 259 volatile compounds,including 82 terpenes(T),46 alcohols(Alc),29 ketones(K),25 aldehydes(Ald),21 esters(E),and the others.By analyzing 90 batches of ginseng samples based on the untargeted metabolomics workflows,236 differential ions were unveiled,and accordingly 36 differential volatile components were discovered.It is the first report that simultaneously compares the compositional difference of volatile components among 12 Panax herbal medicines,and useful information is provided for the quality control of ginseng aside from the well-known ginsenosides.

ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS OF CHINESE MEDICINAL HERBS BY FLASH DISTILLATION/CAPILLARY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY

In present work,the volatile constituents of Curcuma longa L.,A.lancea (Thunb.) DC.,Foeniculum vulgare Mill,and Cinnamomun cassia Presl.have been analyzed by flash distillation/capillary gas chro-matography/mass spectrometry.The results are consistent with those obtained by conventional steam distillation extraction method.The optimum condition of flash distillation has been studied.The experimental results showed that this new technique proved to be a simple,rapid and efficient tool for microanalysis of volatile constituents of Chinese medicinal herbs.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry based metabolomic study in a murine model of irritable bowel syndrome

AIM To study the role of microbial metabolites in the modulation of biochemical and physiological processes in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS In the current study, using a metabolomic approach, we analyzed the key metabolites differentially excreted in the feces of control mice and mice with IBS, with or without Clostridium butyricum(C. butyricum) treatment. C57 BL/6 mice were divided into control, IBS, and IBS + C. butyricum groups. In the IBS and IBS + C. butyricum groups, the mice were subjected to water avoidance stress(WAS) for 1 h/d for ten days. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC-MS) together with multivariate analysis was employed to compare the fecal samples between groups. RESULTS WAS exposure established an appropriate model of IBS in mice, with symptoms of visceral hyperalgesia and diarrhea. The differences in the metabolite profiles between the control group and IBS group significantly changed with the progression of IBS(days 0, 5, 10, and 17). A total of 14 differentially excreted metabolites were identified between the control and IBS groups, and phenylethylamine was a major metabolite induced by stress. In addition, phenylalanine metabolism was found to be the most relevant metabolic pathway. Between the IBS group and IBS + C. butyricum group, 10 differentially excreted metabolites were identified. Among these, pantothenate and coenzyme A(Co A) biosynthesis metabolites, as well as steroid hormone biosynthesis metabolites were identified as significantly relevant metabolic pathways.CONCLUSION The metabolic profile of IBS mice is significantly altered compared to control mice. Supplementation with C. butyricum to IBS mice may provide a considerable benefit by modulating host metabolism.

Determination of 14 Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues in Mutton by Gel Permeation Chromatography-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GPC-GC-MS)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to purify mutton samples by gel permeation chromatography(GPC).[Methods]Fourteen organophosphorus pesticide residues in samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)in selective ion scanning mode(SIM).[Results]The organophosphorus pesticide standard solutions showed good linearity in the mass concentration range of 0.1-10.0μg/ml with correlation coefficients(r)not lower than 0.999,and the detection limits(S=3 N)ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.The average recovery values were in the range of 80.2%-99.7%,with relative standard deviations(RSDs,n=3)in the range of 1.8%-6.3%,at the addition levels of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg.[Conclusions]The method is simple,sensitive and accurate,and can be used for the determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in mutton.

Response to weaning and dietary L-glutamine supplementation:metabolomic analysis in piglets by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A novel metabolomic method based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry （GC-MS） was applied to determine the metabolites in the serum of piglets in response to weaning and dietary L-glutamine （Gin） supplementation. Thirty-six 21-d-old piglets were randomly assigned into three groups. One group continued to suckle from the sows （suckling group）, whereas the other two groups were weaned and their diets were supplemented with 1% （w/w） Gin or isonitrogenous L-alanine, respectively, representing Gin group or control group. Serum samples were collected to characterize metabolites after a 7-d treatment. Results showed that twenty metabolites were down-regulated significantly （P〈0.05） in control piglets compared with suckling ones. These data demonstrated that early weaning causes a wide range of metabolic changes across arginine and proline metabolism, aminosugar and nucleotide metabolism, galactose metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, and fatty acid metabolism. Dietary Gin supplementation increased the levels of creatinine, D-xylose, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, palmitelaidic acid, and a-L-galactofuranose （P〈0.05） in eady weaned piglets, and were involved in the arginine and proline metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. A leave-one-out cross-validation of random forest analysis indicated that creatinine was the most important metabolite among the three groups. Notably, the concentration of creatinine in control piglets was decreased （P=0.00001） compared to the suckling piglets, and increased （P=0.0003） in Gin-supplemented piglets. A correlation network for weaned and suckling piglets revealed that early weaning changed the metabolic pathways, leading to the abnormality of carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism, which could be partially improved by dietary Gin supplementation. These findings provide fresh insight into the complex metabolic changes in response to early weaning and dietary Gin supplementation in piglets.

Determination of selected semi-volatile organic compounds in water using automated online solid-phase extraction with large-volume injection/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A rapid,sensitive,and cost-effective analyticalmethod was developed for the analysis of selected semivolatileorganic compounds in water.The method used anautomated online solid-phase extraction technique coupledwith programmed-temperature vaporization large-volumeinjection gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.Thewater samples were extracted by using a fully automatedmobile rack system based on x-y-z robotic techniquesusing syringes and disposable 96-well extraction plates.The method was validated for the analysis of 30 semivolatileanalytes in drinking water,groundwater,andsurface water.For a sample volume of 10 mL,the linearcalibrations ranged from 0.01 or 0.05 to 2.5μg·L^(-1),and themethod detection limits were less than 0.1μg·L^(-1).For thereagent water samples fortified at 1.0μg·L^(-1)and2.0μg·L^(-1),the obtained mean absolute recoveries were70%-130%with relative standard deviations of less than20%for most analytes.For the drinking water,groundwater,and surface water samples fortified at 1.0μg·L^(-1),theobtained mean absolute recoveries were 50%-130%withrelative standard deviations of less than 20%for mostanalytes.The new method demonstrated three advantages:1)no manipulation except the fortification of surrogatestandards prior to extraction;2)significant cost reductionassociated with sample collection,shipping,storage,andpreparation;and 3)reduced exposure to hazardous solventsand other chemicals.As a result,this new automatedmethod can be used as an effective approach for screeningand/or compliance monitoring of selected semi-volatileorganic compounds in water.

Determination of Methadone and Eight New Psychoactive Substances in Hair Samples by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Many new psychoactive substances(NPSs)with different chemical structures have emerged in the illicit drug market in the last decade.The present work was aimed at the development of a simple method in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(MS)for the determination of NPS of different classes,the use of cannabinoids,and,at the same time,the evaluation of methadone therapy in hair matrix,within our routine analysis control for methadone treatment or from autopsy cases.The determination of synthetic cannabinoids and methadone therapy used an extraction method based on incubation in concentrated sodium hydroxide(NaOH)solution,providing a dissolution of the keratin matrix.The described method was applied on 15 authentic specimens from our cases:five showed the presence of methadone and 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine(EDDP).The described method can be useful not only in the forensic investigation of NPS-related addiction histories but also in epidemiological and retrospective studies on the spread of NPS among specific safety-sensitive social workers.The GC instrument was an Agilent 7820A(Agilent Technologies,Santa Clara,CA,USA),and the detection system was an Agilent 5977B single quadrupole MS operating in selective ion monitoring mode.Wlidation parameters such as limit of detections(LODs),limit of quantifications(LOQs),repeatability,accuracy,and linearity were satisfactory for its application on real specimens.LODs,LOQs,2?2,%CY standard deviation,and the mean concentration for the analyzed compounds are reported in Table lb.Accuracy and repeatability were acceptable for all the analytes at their respective LOQs.Recovery experiments varied from 58.3%to 103.0%,thus allowing the application on authentic specimens.The described method can be useful not only in the forensic investigation ofNPS-related addiction histories but also in epidemiological and retrospective studies on the spread of NPS among specific safety-sensitive social workers,such as drivers.

Determination of Voriconazole in Human Plasma by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Application in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

A sensitive, accurate and robust Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry method has been developed and validated to measure voriconazole trough levels in human plasma. The plasma samples were mixed with fluconazole as an Internal Standard and directed to protein precipitation and drug extraction. An aliquot of 1 μl was injected into the chromatographic system and separated by the Acquity BEH C18 column at a flow rate of 0.30 ml/min in a gradient mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile, Ultrapure water (UPW), methanol and formic acid. Voriconazole was detected by a Triple Quadrupole Detector (TQD) operating on Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) and a positive ion mode Electrospray ionization (ESI) Q1 mass: 350.1 m/z, Q3 mass: 281.1 m/z. Method linearity of the calibration curve (0.10 - 8.00 μg/ml) indicated a correlation coefficient r ≥ 0.99. The intra and inter-assay accuracy was within 85% - 115% and the intra and inter-assay precision was ≤5.76%. Voriconazole recovery percentage was between 97.69 - 119.62%. The method was successively applied in routine voriconazole TDM.

Metabolomics of gastric cancer metastasis detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

AIM:To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of metastasis and to identify the metabolomic markers of gastric cancer metastasis.METHODS:Gastric tumors from metastatic and nonmetastatic groups were used in this study.Metabolites and different metabolic patterns were analyzed by gas chromatography,mass spectrometry and principal components analysis (PCA),respectively.Differentiation performance was validated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves.RESULTS:Twenty-nine metabolites were differentially expressed in animal models of human gastric cancer.Of the 29 metabolites,20 were up-regulated and 9 were down-regulated in metastasis group compared to non-metastasis group.PCA models from the metabolite profiles could differentiate the metastatic from the nonmetastatic specimens with an AUC value of 1.0.These metabolites were mainly involved in several metabolic pathways,including glycolysis (lactic acid,alaline),serine metabolism (serine,phosphoserine),proline metabolism (proline),glutamic acid metabolism,tricarboxylic acid cycle (succinate,malic acid),nucleotide metabolism (pyrimidine),fatty acid metabolism (docosanoic acid,and octadecanoic acid),and methylation(glycine).The serine and proline metabolisms were highlighted during the progression of metastasis.CONCLUSION:Proline and serine metabolisms play an important role in metastasis.The metabolic profiling of tumor tissue can provide new biomarkers for the treatment of gastric cancer metastasis.

Determination of constituents of essential oil from Angelica sinensis by gas chromatographymass spectrometry

Gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with chemometric resolution upon two- dimensional data was employed to analyze the constituents of essential oils of Angelica sinensis. Constituents in essential oils of Angelica sinensis root were identified by GC-MS with the help of subwindow factor analysis (SFA) method resolving two-dimensional original data into mass spectra and chromatograms. 76 of 97 separated constituents in essential oil of Angelica sinensis root were identified and quantified, and they account for about 91.36% of the total content. The results show that ligustilide, butylene phthalide, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, carvacrol, allo-ocimene,2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo-[3,1,1]hept-2-ene are the main constituents in essential oil of Angelica sinensis root.

A study on α-ketoadipic aciduria by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTIONα-ketoadipate(α-KA),an intermediate in thecatabolism of L-lysine,hydroxylysine,and L-tryptophan,undergoes oxidative deearboxylation toform glutaryl-CoA and then dehydrogenates to formcrotonyl-CoA,the latter undergoes furtherdegradation and enters in TCA cycle,as shown inFigure 1.α-ketoadipic aciduria (Mckusick 245130)is a rare inborn error in the metabolism of α-KA

Extraction of essential oil from shaddock peel and analysis of its components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Essential oil, with more than thirty kinds of compounds separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, was extracted from Shatian shaddock peel and Sweet shaddock peel by squeeze-steam distillation and direct steam distillation method. Among their composition, the main components are terpene compounds, which account for 93.926% (mass fraction, the same below) and 85.843% of essential oils extracted from Shatian shaddock peel and Sweet shaddock peel, respectively. Although nootkatone is the major contributor of shaddock characteristic scent, and its contents are 1.069% and 1.749% of essential oils from Sweet shaddock peel and Shatian shaddock peel, respectively. The results show that squeeze-steam distillation gives higher yield and good quality of essential oil and the compositions of essential oils from two kinds of shaddock peels are different, but the main contributors of the shaddock scent are the same.

Analyzing crude oils from the Junggar Basin(NW China) using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC×GC-TOFMS)

As a new technology of analyzing crude oils, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography cou- pled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry （GCxGC- TOFMS） has received much research attention. Here we present a case study in the Junggar Basin of NW China. Results show that the hydrocarbons, including saturates and aromatics, were all well-separated without large co- elution, which cannot be realized by conventional one-dimensional GC-MS. The GC×GC technique is especially effective for analyzing aromatics and low-to-middle- molecular-weight hydrocarbons, such as diamondoids. The geochemical characteristics of crude oils in the study area were investigated through geochemical parameters extracted by GC×GC-TOFMS, improving upon the understanding obtained by GC-MS. Thus, the work here represents a new successful application of GC×GC- TOFMS, showing its broad usefulness in petroleum geochemistry.

Determination of 8 Diuretics and Probenecid in Human Urine by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: Confirmation Procedure

A fast and sensitive method for determination of 8 diuretics (acetazolamide, bendroflumethiazide, bumetanide, chlorthalidone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone, triamterene) and masking agent (probenecid) in human urine using gas-chromatography with mass spectrometric detection is described. The extraction of the substances as function of the nature of organic solvent, mixing time and pH of aqueous phase was studied. The tandem mass spectrometry was used to increase selectivity of diuretics determination due to elimination of background interferences. Fragmentation reactions were studied for each compound and their collision energies were optimized to obtain the best selectivity. The results of method’s validation demonstrate its suitability in routine analysis for confirmation purposes.

Analysis of ethoxyquin and its oxidation products in swine tissues by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for evaluating the feed-toanimal tissue transfer of ethoxyquin and its metabolites

Background:Ethoxyquin(EQ)is a common antioxidant which is widely used in animal feed.But the supplement of EQ in animal feed may lead to the residues of EQ and its major oxidation products:ethoxyquin quinone imine(EQI)and ethoxyquin dimer(EQDM)in animal tissue.Thus,it would pose potential health hazards to consumers.However,the method for the simultaneous determination of EQ,EQI and EQDM in animal tissues is currently not available,and the accumulation extend of these chemicals in animal tissues after EQ administration remains to be evaluated.Results:A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully developed for the simultaneous determination of EQ,EQI and EQDM in swine tissues.The quantitative limits of EQ,EQI and EQDM can achieve to 0.5,5.0 and 5.0μg/kg in swine tissues,respectively.The spiked-recovery ratios of the three analytes(5–2000μg/kg)were in the range of 64.7%–100.7%with relative standard deviations below 11.6%.Moreover,the utilization of this method for the analysis of actual swine tissue samples revealed that the application of commercial EQ additive in swine diet would produce the residues of all the three chemicals(EQ,EQI and EQDM)in fat,kidney,liver and muscle.Conclusions:The assay accuracy and precision of this GC-MS/MS method can meet the requirement of quantitative analysis.Meanwhile,the safety of EQ as a feed additive should be seriously considered with regard to food safety concerns since the oxidation product of EQ may have potential carcinogenicity.

Gel Permeation Chromatography Purification and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Detection of Multi-Pesticide Residues in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The measurement of 23 organochlorine, organophosphorus, and pyrethroid pesticides in typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), flos lonicerae, was made using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) purification and gas chroma- tography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection. The pesticides were extracted with ultrasonic device and 5.0 mL mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane (1:1, v/v). Coextractants from sample matrices which may have interfere to the qualitative and quantitative analysis, such as pigments, were removed using GPC purification. Simultaneous full scan and selective ion monitor (scan/SIM) mode for GC-MS was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis, which pro- vided retention time and characteristic fragments ratio for each pesticide so as to positively identify each analyte. Rela- tive standard deviations (RSDs) were within 7.7% (5.0 - 22.5 μg/kg, n = 3). The recoveries of pesticide standards at the spiked concentration of 5.0 - 22.5 μg/kg were between 87.1% and 110.9%. Limits of detection (LODs) for the analytes were 0.16 - 3.2 μg/kg, which could meet the demand of routine analysis and TCM quality control.

Super Antibiotics, Part II. Hyperforin, Mass Spectroscopy (MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Evidence of Permeability of the Blood-Testis Barrier (BTB) and the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) to Hyperforin

In the first article of this series, we presented some evidence of hyperforin as an antibiotic, antiprotozoal, antiviral, anticancer, and immunomodulatory substance. In the present article, evidence of the permeability of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) to hyperforin and its distribution in other organs of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) are revealed. Seven-month-old male boars with a body mass of 100 kg were fed a diet containing hyperforin. Organs were surgically removed under anesthesia. Organs were suitable prepared and extracted, and then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with supersonic molecular beams (GC-MS with SMB). The presence of hyperforin was recorded in all organs and body fluids. Special attention was paid to the evaluation of the presence of hyperforin in the brain and testes of experimental animals. The presence of hyperforin in the brain and testes of experimental animals was established by GC-MS with SMB. The results are of interest because penicillin and numerous other antibiotics cannot pass through the BTB or BBB if healthy or non-inflamed, which limits their use in patients with meningitis and gonorrhea. The findings are also of interest in cases of penicillin- and multi-antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

Simultaneous Determination of Hexoestrol, Diethylstilbestrol, Estrone and 17-Beta-estradiol in Feed by Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of four kinds of estrogens （hexoestrol, diethylstilbestrol, estrone, and 17-beta-estradiol） in feed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. After the sample was extracted by ethyl ether and cleaned-up on HLB phase extraction column, four kinds of estrogens were derived and quantified in gas chromatographymass spectrometry. The results showed that the linear detectable ranged from 2.5 ng· mL-1 to 250 ng· mL-1for hexoestrol and from 5 ng· mL-1 to 500 ng· mL-1 for three other estrogens with the correlation coefficients （R2） were no less than 0.990. The recoveries were in the range of 76.34%-96.33% and the relative standard deviation was no more than 22.7%. The limits of quantitation （LOQ） for all analytics were between 10 ug· kg^-1 and 20 ug· kg^-1. The method was accurate and sensitive and could meet the actual requirements for the analyses of feed samples.

Occurrence of <i>N</i>-Acyl Homoserine Lactones in Extracts of Bacterial Strain of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>and in Sputum Sample Evaluated by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

This study presents a fast, accurate and sensitive technique using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the identification and quantification of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in the extracts of bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and sputum sample of a cystic fibrosis patient. This method involves direct separation and determination of AHLs by using GC-MS as simultaneous separation and characterization of AHLs were possible without any prior derivatiza-tion. Electron ionization resulted in a common fragmentation pattern with the most common fragment ion at m/z 143 and other minor peaks at 73, 57 and 43. The limit of detection for N-butanoyl, N-hexanoyl, N-octanoyl, N-decanoyl, N-dodecanoyl and N-tetradecanoyl homoserine lactones was 2.14, 3.59, 2.71, 2.10, 2.45 and 2.34 μg/L, respectively. The presence of AHLs in the culture of P. aeruginosa strain and spu-tum of a cystic fibrosis patient was achieved in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode by using the prominent fragment at m/z 143.