Detection of 36 antibiotics in coastal waters using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more attention to the threat of antibiotics to coastal ecosystems, researchers have often focused on relatively few antibiotics, because of the absence of suitable analytical methods. We have therefore developed a method for the rapid detection of 36 antibiotic residues in coastal waters, including tetracyclines (TCs), sulfanilamides (SAs), and quinolones (QLs). The method consists of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode. The SPE was performed with Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation on a C18 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.1% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 67.4% to 109.3% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), was below 14.6% for all the compounds. The limits of detection (LODs) varied from 0.45 pg to 7.97 pg. The method was applied to determine the target analytes in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea in Liaoning, China. Among the tested antibiotics, 31 were found in coastal waters, with their concentrations between the LOD and 212.5 ng/L. These data indicate that this method is valid for analysis of antibiotics in coastal waters. The study first reports such a large number of antibiotics along the Yellow Sea coast of Liaoning, and should facilitate future comprehensive evaluation of antibiotics in coastal ecosystems.

Bio-analytical method development and validation of Rasagiline by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection and its application to pharmacokinetic study

The most suitable bio-analytical method based on liquid liquid extraction has been developed and validated for quantification of Rasagiline in human plasma. Rasagiline-13C3 mesylate was used as an internal standard for Rasagiline. Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 （2.1 mm × 50 mm, 3.5 um） column provided chromatographic separation of analyte followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The method involved simple isocratic chromatographic condition and mass spectrometric detection in the positive ionization mode using an API-4000 system. The lotal run time was 3.0 min. The proposed method has been validated with the linear range of 5 12000 pg/mL for Rasagiline. The intra-run and inter-run precision values were within 1.3% 2.9% and 1.6% 2.2% respectively for Rasagiline. The overall recovery for Rasagiline and Rasagiline-13C3 mesylate analog was 96.9% and 96.7% respectively. This validated method was successfully applied to the bioequivalence and pharmacokinetic study of human volunteers under fasting condition.

Metabolomic Studies Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Discover Quality Markers for Oriental Beauty (Dongfang Meiren) Tea

In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatograph and an electrospray ionization (ESI) triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TQ MS) detector were used to scan Oriental Beauty tea of different grades and prices. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the profiling data was performed for pattern recognition, clearly showing that the proposed MS profiling method was able to classify Oriental Beauty tea into different grades. The component mass ions primarily responsible for the separation were selected with high loading strength in the PCA for subsequent identification with tandem mass (MS/MS). Caffeine, citrate and salicylate were verified, whereas certain other compounds remained ambiguous. Regression analysis considering caffeine, citrate and salicylate showed a linear relationship between the prices of the Oriental Beauty tea with an adjusted R2 of 0.84. If all the selected marker ions (in addition to caffeine, citrate and salicylate) could have been identified and incorporated into regression analysis, a stronger relationship could have been confirmed. These results suggest that metabolomics can facilitate the determination of real markers in the quality control of Oriental Beauty tea, and may lead to the further application of metabolomics in other food quality controls.

Rapid Quantitative Determination of Isoprene Monomer in Living Taraxacum kok-saghyz by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Taraxacum kok-saghyz(TKS)is rich in natural rubber(NR),a natural organic macromolecular compound composed of cis-1,4-polyisoprene,and may become the second NR-bearing plant for biochemical engineering development.In this paper,a rapid and quantitative ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLCMS/MS)method was established for determination of macromolecular biosynthesis substrate(dimethylallyl pyrophosphate,DMAPP)and initiator(farnesyl pyrophosphate,FPP)contained in TKS.A Kromasil C18 chromatographic column was used for separation,and the multi-reaction monitoring mode(MRM)of triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used for detection.Quantification was performed by external calibration method.The results showed that the limit of detection(LOD)and the limit of quantitation(LOQ)of DMAPP were 2.42μg/L and 7.26μg/L,respectively,and the LOQ and the LOD of FPP were 1.02μg/L and 3.05μg/L,respectively.At a concentration of 1—1000μg/L,both analytes had good determination coefficients(>0.999)of calibration curve.The recoveries of DMAPP and FPP were between 99.0%and 117.1%.In real samples detection,the contents of DMAPP and FPP in TKS samples were between 23.32—82.77μg/L and 12.03—85.67μg/L,respectively.Thus,this approach is a reliable method to quantify DMAPP and FPP in TKS.

Modernization of Chinese herbal compound and the high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS)

Chinese herbal compound is playing an important role on curing human diseases.And it has been a trend that Chinese herbal compound is being used all over the world in 21 century.However,our Chinese herbal compound is facing serious challenge for the lack of canonical system of quality criterion for Chinese herbal compound so it has been a urgent problem to set up the quality control standards and reveal therapeutic basis of Chinese herbal compound.In order to give full play to the advantages of Chinese herbal compound,modern scientific and technological is used to research of Chinese herbal compound,especially the high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS),because it is high sensitive,rapid,and obtain more information.It is very necessary that HPLC-MS is uesed to elucidate the effective components of basic substances of Chinese Herbal Compound,and endow traditional Chinese medicine with modern scientific connotation.

Determination of thyreostats in bovine urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Five thyreostats(TSs),namely tapazole,thiouracil,methylthiouracil,propylthiouracil,and phenylthiouracil,were determined in bovine urine using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)in positive electrospray ionization mode.Extraction and clean-up were achieved using a ChemElut cartridge with tert-butyl methyl ether,without a derivatization step.Separation was achieved on an Acquity UPLC SS T3 column.The mobile phase was acetonitrile and water containing 0.2%(v/v)formic acid.The mass spectrometer was operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode.Urine samples were spiked with TS solution at levels corresponding to 5,10,15,and 20μg/L.The accuracy(internal standard corrected)ranged from 92%to 107%,with a repeatability precision(relative standard deviation,RSD)less than 15%for all five analytes.The RSDs within-laboratory reproducibility was less than 26%.The decision limits(CCα)and detection capabilities(CCβ)were obtained from a calibration curve and were in the ranges of 3.1-6.1μg/L and 4.0-7.4μg/L,respectively.The CCαand CCβvalues were below the recommended concentration,which was set at 10μg/L.The results show that the described method is suitable for the direct detection of TSs in bovine urine.This method can also be used to determine TSs in porcine urine.

Determination of okadaic acid related toxins from shellfish (<i>sinonovacula constricta</i>) by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Consumption of shellfish contaminated with algal toxins produced by marine dinoflagellates can lead to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). It was therefore essential that there are analytical techniques to identify and quantify DSP toxins in shellfish. This new methodology could facilitate DSP monitoring and create a means of rapidly responding to incidents threatening public health. In the last years there were different analytical methods for DSP, such as mouse bioassay and LC-FLD. With the development of instrument, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was substituted for other analytical methods with its good sensitivity and selectivity and without derivatization for the determination of DSP. In this report, a high performance liquid chromatogra-phytandem mass spectrometric(HPLC-MS/MS)method was developed for the simultaneous determination of okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins(DTX1) in Sinonovacula constricta. Optimization of pretreatment experiment was carried out to maximize recoveries and the effectiveness. The analytes were determined under multi-reactions monitoring (MRM) scan type with tandem mass analyzer using negative ion electrospray ionization (-ESI) mode .Finally, the detection and identification of OA and DTX-1 were based upon their retention times (RT) and the fragmentation patterns of their mass spectra. The method of LOQ for the two poisons was 0.02 mg·kg-1.The real sample test showed that this method could be used for sensitive, fast, and accurate determination of the two diarrheic shellfish poisons in shellfish.

Determination of 24 Allergens in Perfume with High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A method of 24 allergens determination in cosmetics were established with high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The targeted compounds were extracted with acetonitrile and determined with LC-MS/MS (MRM mode) with external method. The linearity between concentrations and peak area ratio was obtained from 1.0~5.0 mg/L. The limits of detection were 1.0 mg/L for the instrument and 5.0 mg/kg for the method respectively. The LOQ was 15.0 mg/L. The average recoveries of 24 allergens were between 85.9% and 110.0% at spiked levels of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg with relative standard derivation (RSDs) of 5.5%~12.0%(n=10). The method could be used as a reliable means for simultaneous quantitative determination of allergens in cosmetics.

Determination of Steroid Hormone Residues in Fish Tissues Using Gel Permeation Chromatography and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A highly sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 8 steroid hormones in high-fat fish tissues using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).The 8 steroid hormones were extracted from the tissues with diethyl ether.Differing from other common purification methods,the extract solutions were cleaned by gel permeation chromatography(GPC) using ethyl acetate-cyclohexane solution(1:1,v/v) as the mobile phase.The separation of target compounds was carried out by a BEH C18 column and a gradient elution consisting of acetonitrile and 0.2% aqueous formic acid(v/v).The compounds were detected under the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) mode and quantified with external standard method.This method was validated with respect to linearity,specificity,accuracy and precision.A linearity with correlation coefficient larger than 0.995 was achieved in the range of 0.5 to 50 ng m L^(-1).The average recoveries at the spiked levels of 1.0,5.0,and 10.0 μg kg^(–1) varied between 81.7% and 90.8%,with the relative standard deviations(n=5) ranged from 3.50% to 10.0%.The limit of quantification(LOQ) for 8 steroid hormones ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 μg kg^(-1).It was concluded that this method can be successfully applied for the determination of 8 steroid hormones in complicated matrices including high-fat fish tissues.

Analysis of ganciclovir and its related substances using high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods

Objective High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC/MS)methods were developed for the determination of ganciclovir and its related substances.Methods A Hypersil ODS2 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm)was used with a mobile phase of 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer(pH 6.0)-methanol(92∶8)at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,and UV detector set at 254 nm was used for monitoring the eluents.Results The method was simple,rapid,selective and capable of separating all related substances at trace level with a detection limit of 0.04 μg/mL.It has been validated with respect to accuracy,precision,linearity,and limits of detection and quantification.The linearity range was 10.2-153.0 μg/mL with r=0.9998.The percentage recoveries ranged from 96.7% to 101.6%,and RSD was 1.24%-1.96%(n=5).Conclusion The method was found to be suitable not only for monitoring the reactions during the process development but also for quality control of ganciclovir.For identification of related substances,LC/MS was used.The mainly related substances of ganciclovir active pharmaceutical ingredients(API)were determined as guanine,(1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl acetate,and diacetyl guanine.

Uncertainty Evaluation of Determination of Microcystin MC-LR in Environmental Samples by Solid Phase Extraction-Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

To assess uncertainty of determination of MC-LR in environmental samples by solid phase extraction- ultra performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry,the sources of the uncertainty were evaluated firstly,and the expanded uncertainty was calculated finally.The results show that when MC-LR concentration in the water samples was 0.50 μg/L,the expanded uncertainty was 0.00628 μg/L(k=2).

Simultaneous Determination of Ultraviolet Absorbers and Antibacterial Agents in Textiles by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Orbitrap High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

This paper reported a new analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven benzotriazole ultraviolet absorbers and seven antibacterial agents in textiles. After ultrasonic extraction for the textile samples in methanol, the solutions were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromotagraphy/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC/Orbitrap HRMS). It showed that a good chromatographic separation for these target compounds was achieved by a Hypersil GOLD column (100 mm × 2.1 mm × 1.9 μm) with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution (containing 0.5 mmol/L ammonium acetate). Triclosan and 4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl phenol (PCMX) were detected by the orbitrap HRMS in an electrospray ionization (ESI) negative mode while the other twelve target compounds were detected by orbitrap HRMS in ESI positive mode. Full scan experiment was performed over the range from m/z 100 to m/z 500. These target compounds were routinely detected with mass accuracy below 2 × 10-6 (2 ppm) at the optimized conditions. The results showed that the limits of detection (LODs) were in the range from 0.1 to 0.3 μg/kg. The blank samples were spiked at three levels and their average recoveries varied from 80.5% to 96.3% while the relative standard deviation (RSD) changed from 3.2% to 9.9%. The present method was also applied for the determination of those ultraviolet absorbers and antibacterial agents in the commercial textiles.

Chemical Components of Achyranthes bidentata Leaves by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

[Objectives] To study the chemical components and relative content of Achyranthes bidentata leaves and provide a scientific basis for further development and utilization of A. bidentata leaves.[Methods] The chemical components of A. bidentata leaves were rapidly analyzed using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TOF-MS).[Results] Thirty eight chemical compounds were identified in samples of A. bidentata leaves collected from Wen County of Henan Province, in which seven chemical compounds had the relative content higher than 5%, linoleic acid reached 25.7% and inokosterone A reached 13.8%.[Conclusions] A. bidentata leaves contain many kinds of chemical compounds. This study is expected to provide a certain basis for further extraction of linoleic acid and inokosterone A.

Rapid Determination of Three Kinds of Microcystins in Environmental Water Samples by Disk SPE-Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A method of rapidly detecting three kinds of microcystins( MCs) in environmental water samples by using disk SPE- ultra high performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry( UPLC- MS / MS) was established. Firstly,environmental water samples were extracted by disk SPE column( C_(18)),and three kinds of MCs were separated by Waters BEH C_(18) chromatographic column with acetonitrile- 0. 2% formic acid solution as the mobile phase. After the gradient elution separation,the external standard method was used for quantitative and qualitative analysis under MRM of UPLC- MS / MS. The results showed that the three kinds of MCs in the range of 0. 05- 10 μg / L showed good linear relation,and the correlation coefficients were higher than 0. 999 4,while the method detection limit was 0. 04 ng / L. Under 0. 1,1,and 5 μg / L standard addition for the same environmental sample,the average recovery was 82. 8%- 108. 8%,and the relative standard deviation of determination results was2. 1%- 10. 1%( n = 6). This method is rapid,sensitive and accurate,so it can be effectively applied in the monitoring of MCs in environmental water samples.

Investigations on the degradation of aspartame using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Aspartame is a widely used sweetener, the long-term safety of which has been controversial ever since it was accepted for human consumption. It is unstable and can produce some harmful degradation products under certain storage conditions. A high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of aspartame and its four degradation products, including aspartic acid, phenylalanine, aspartyl-phenylalanine and 5-benzyl-3,6- dioxo-2-piperazieacetic acid in water and in diet soft drinks. Aspartame and its four degradation products were quantified by a matrix matched external standard calibration curve with excellent correlation coefficients. The limits of detection were 0.16-5.8 μg/L, which exhibited higher sensitivity than common methods. This method was rapid, sensitive, specific and capable of eliminating matrix interferences. It was also applied to the study of the degradation of aspartame at various pH and temperatures. The results indicated that aspartame was partly degraded under strong acidic or basic conditions and the extent of degradation increased with increasing temperature.

Characterization of impurities in the bulk drug lisinopril by liquid chromatography/ion trap spectrometry

Two trace impurities in the bulk drug lisinopril were detected by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry(HPLC/MS) with a simple and sensitive method suitable for HPLC/MSn analysis. The frag-mentation behavior of lisinopril and the impurities was investigated,and two unknown impurities were elucidated as 2-(6-amino-1-(1-carboxyethylamino)-1-oxohexan-2-ylamino)-4-phenylbutanoic acid and 6-amino-2-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpro-pylamino)-hexanoic acid on the basis of the multi-stage mass spectrometry and exact mass evidence. The proposed structures of the two unknown impurities were further confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) experiments after preparative isola-tion.

EGFR/cell membrane chromatography-online-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for screening EGFR antagonists from Radix Angelicae Pubescentis

The intracellular kinase domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) in some tumor cells are significant targets for drug discovery.We have developed a new EGFR cell membrane chromatography(EGFR/CMC)-online-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry(HPLC/MS) method for screening anti-EGFR antagonists from medicinal herbs such as Radix Angelicae Pubescentis.In this study,the HEK293 EGFR cells with high expression of EGFR were used to prepare cell membrane stationary phase(CMSP) in the EGFR/CMC model.The retention fractions on the EGFR/CMC model were directly analyzed by combining a 10 port columns switcher with a HPLC/MS system online.As a result,osthole from Radix Angelicae Pubescentis was found to be the active component acting on EGFR like dasatinib as the control drug.There was a good relationship between their inhibiting effects on EGFR secretion and HEK293 EGFR cell growth in vitro.This new EGFR/CMC-online-HPLC/MS method can be applied for screening anti-EGFR antagonists from TCMs,for instance,Radix Angelicae Pubescentis.It will be a useful method for drug discovery with natural medicinal herbs as a leading compound resource.

Detecting N-nitrosamines in water treatment plants and distribution systems in China using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

N-nitrosodimethylamine （NDMA） and several other N-nitrosamines have been detected as disinfection by-products in drinking waters in many countries around the world. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry method with solid phase extraction sample preparation was developed to study the occurrence of N-nitrosamines in several water treatment plants and distribution systems in China. Isotope labeled N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine-dl4 （NDPA-dl4） was selected as the internal standard for quantification. The solid phase extraction procedures including pH, enrichment process and MS/MS parameters including capillary voltage, cone gas flow, cone voltage, collision energy were optimized to give average recoveries of 26% to 112% for nine N- nitrosamine species. The instrument detection limits were estimated to range from 0.5 to 5μg.L-1 for the nine N- nitrosamine species. NDMA and several other N-nitrosa- mines were found at fairly high concentrations in several water treatment plants and distribution systems. NDMA was found in all locations, and the highest concentrations in cities B, G, T, and W were 3.0, 35.7, 21.3, and 19.7 ng. L 1, respectively. A wide range of N-nitrosamines concentrations and species were observed in different locations. Higher concentrations of N-nitrosamines were detected in distribution systems that were further away from the treatment plants, suggesting that the contact time between the residual disinfectant and natural organic matter may play an important role in the formation of these compounds.

Separation and identification of moxifloxacin impurities in drug substance by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

In this paper, a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection and Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry （HPLC-UV/FrICRMS） method was described for the investigation of impurity profile in moxifloxacin （MOX） drug substance and chemical reference substance. Ten impurities were detected by HPLC-UV, while eight impurities were identified by using the high accurate molecular mass combined with multiple-stage mass spectrometric data and fragmentation rules. In addition, to our knowledge, five impurities were founded for the first time in MOX drug substance.

Development of a Rapid and Simultaneous Detection Method for Buprenorphine, Norbuprenorphine and Naloxone in Human Plasma Using Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography- tandem Mass Spectrometer with Solid-phase Extraction

A simultaneous method was successfully established and validated for the separation and determination of bu- prenorphine （BP）, its primary metabolite, nor-buprenorphine （NBP） and a proposed co-formulate, naloxone （NLX） in human plasma. The method used buprenorphine-d4 （BP-D4）, nor-buprenorphine-d3 （NBP-D3）, naltrexone （NTX） as internal standards （ISs）. 100 μL of plasma sample fortified with the ISs was cleaned up by solid-phase extraction （SPE）, and was then separated on a Waters AcquityTM BEH C18 column with gradient elution using methanol and water （containing 0.2% formic） at a flow rate of 0.25 mL·min^-1. The mass spectrometer was used for detection and was operated in the positive electrospray ionization with multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode. The three compounds were effectively separated in 5 min. The linear ranges of the compounds were 0.1--25, 0.25--25 and 0.05--25 ng·mL^-1 for BP, NBP and NLX, respectively, with r≥0.9935. The method had high sensitivity （the lim- its of detection were 0.02, 0.1 and 0.01 ng.mL-1 for BP, NBP and NLX, respectively） and high recoveries （≥97.6%）. The result was shown to be linear and satisfactorily met current acceptance criteria for validation of bio- analytical method： intra and inter assay precisions within the required limits of ≤25% RSD. The LOQs fulfilled the LOQ requirements： precision≤25% RSD, and was fully validated according to the State Food and Drug Administration （SFDA） regulations. The results demonstrated that ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometer （UPLC-MS/MS） with SPE was a powerful detection tool and contributed to pharmaceutical analysis in biological matrices.