Pressure Chemical Ionization Ion Trap Research Articles

Removal and degradation of sodium diclofenac via radical-based mechanisms using S. sclerotiorum laccase

The recently isolated Sclerotinia sclerotiorum laccase was used for the degradation of sodium diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely found in the aquatic environment. The Michaelis-Menten parameters, half-life of diclofenac at different pH values in presence of this enzyme and potential inhibitors were evaluated. Diclofenac-based radicals formed in presence of laccase were spin-trapped and detected using EPR spectroscopy. Almost complete diclofenac degradation (> 96%) occurred after a 30-h treatment via radical-based generated oligomers and their rapid precipitation, thus ensuring an unprecedented green formula suitable not only for degradation but also for straightforward removal of the degradation products. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS) analyses of the degradation products of diclofenac in aqueous dosage revealed the presence of at least seven products while HR Orbitrap MS analysis showed that the enzymatic treatment produced high molecular weight metabolites through a radical oligomerization mechanism of diclofenac. The enzymatically formed products precipitated and its constituting components were also characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Evidence for the Involvement of Cytokines Modulation and Prokinetic Properties in Gastric Ulcer Healing Effects of Helicteres sacarolha A. St.-Hil. A. Juss.

Preparations of Helicteres sacarolha (Malvaceae) leaves and roots are used in the form of decoction, infusion or maceration, to treat gastrointestinal disturbances, among others. Studies supporting some of its ethnomedicinal uses are still incipient. The present study aimed to investigate it potential effect on chronic ulcer, ulcerative colitis and possible prokinetic activities as part of its mechanism of action. The powdered leaves of Helicteres sacarolha (HEHs) was prepared by maceration in 70 % hydroethanolic solution. Its qualitative phytochemical constituents were investigated by direct flow injection analysis coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-APCI-IT-MSn ). The gastric ulcer healing effect was evaluated in acetic acid induced chronic ulcer in mice and the lesions were evaluated, including analysis of blood plasma cytokine levels. The prokinetic properties (gastric emptying and intestinal transit) were carried out in mice. Potential anti-ulcerative colitis activity was evaluated in rats using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (5 % TNBS) -induced colitis. All animal experiments were carried out at the doses of 20, 50 and 250 mg/kg (p.o.). Eight compounds were putatively identified, specifically lariciresinol, and its derivatives, kaempferol derivatives and Tricin-O-Glc. The extract promoted increased gastric ulcer healing at all doses tested. Modulation of the cytokines involved inhibition of some key pro-inflammatory cytokines with maximum effect on IL-1β (70 %, 50 mg/kg, p<0.05), TNF-α (79 %, 20 mg/kg, p<0.01), and in the anti-inflammatory cytokines, namely IL-10 (57 %, 50 mg/kg, p<0.05) and IL-17 (79 %, only at 50 mg/kg, p<0.05). Histological findings demonstrated a mitigated inflammatory activity, and tissues undergoing regeneration. HEHs treatment caused delayed gastric emptying, and increased intestinal transit, but had no effect in the experimentally induced ulcerative colitis. We report for the first time putatively the presence of Lariciresinol and tricin derivatives from the hydroethanolic leaves extract of H. sacarolha. Its possible mechanism of actions of gastric ulcer healing involves cytokines modulation, mitigation of inflammatory response and tissue regeneration and provoked opposing effect in the gastrointestinal system. The present study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of H. sacarolha leaves used in Brazilian ethnomedicine in the treatment of chronic gastric ulcer.

LC-PDA/APCIitMS identification of algal carotenoid and oxysterol precursors to fatty acid esters in hydrolyzed extracts of the freshwater mussel Dreissena bugensis

Carotenyl fatty acid esters (carotenyl-FAEs) were extracted in acetone from freeze-dried Dreissena bugensis (Lakes Erie and Ontario) and hydrolyzed to identify the carotenoid precursors. Analysis by liquid chromatography (LC) with photodiode array (PDA) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry (APCIitMS) revealed the major hydrolysis products: fucoxanthinol (FOH) from fucoxanthin (FX, diatoms); mactraxanthin (MX) from violaxanthin (VX, chlorophytes); 4-fold higher levels of an unknown, tentatively identified as an adduct of two closely eluting C27H46O3 and C27H48O3 steryl triols. Enzymatic hydrolysis (Candida rugosa) of dreissenid extracts yielded FOH and MX, but residual carotenyl-FAEs remained. Alkaline hydrolysis yielded isoFOH, MX, and steryl triols, without residual carotenyl-FAEs: isoFOH decreased, but two FOH hemiketal by-products increased, when the dose of potassium hydroxide in methanol was too high. The PDA detector profiled carotenyl-FAEs and products of enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis, without interference. The APCIitMS detector revealed carotenoid and oxysterol products of alkaline hydrolysis but was adversely affected by background from bile salts used for enzymatic hydrolysis. LC retention times and elution order were correlated to solubility parameters, calculated from the analyte structure, to cross-check MS interpretations. A multiple linear regression of LC retention times on solubility parameters for 12 carotenoid standards included FOH, isoFOH, and MX (r 2 0.97). The model revealed the close similarity of polar carotenoid metabolites to C27-steryl triols tentatively identified by APCIitMS, suggesting that further LC-MS analyses would be beneficial, to explicitly link oxysterols and the polar carotenoids, as metabolites of algal precursors in the dreissenid diet. Graphical abstract Methods of analysis and major neutral products of hydrolysis from fatty acid esters in D. bugensis.

In-Line Reactions and Ionizations of Vaporized Diphenylchloroarsine and Diphenylcyanoarsine in Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

We propose detecting a fragment ion (Ph2As(+)) using counter-flow introduction atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry for sensitive air monitoring of chemical warfare vomiting agents diphenylchloroarsine (DA) and diphenylcyanoarsine (DC). The liquid sample containing of DA, DC, and bis(diphenylarsine)oxide (BDPAO) was heated in a dry air line, and the generated vapor was mixed into the humidified air flowing through the sampling line of a mass spectrometer. Humidity effect on the air monitoring was investigated by varying the humidity of the analyzed air sample. Evidence of the in-line conversion of DA and DC to diphenylarsine hydroxide (DPAH) and then BDPAO was obtained by comparing the chronograms of various ions from the beginning of heating. Multiple-stage mass spectrometry revealed that the protonated molecule (MH(+)) of DA, DC, DPAH, and BDPAO could produce Ph2As(+) through their in-source fragmentation. Among the signals of the ions that were investigated, the Ph2As(+) signal was the most intense and increased to reach a plateau with the increased air humidity, whereas the MH(+) signal of DA decreased. It was suggested that DA and DC were converted in-line into BDPAO, which was a major source of Ph2As(+). Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

In-Line Ozonation for Sensitive Air-Monitoring of a Mustard-Gas Simulant by Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

A highly sensitive method for real-time air-monitoring of mustard gas (bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, HD), which is a lethal blister agent, is proposed. Humidified air containing a HD simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2CEES), was mixed with ozone and then analyzed by using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometer. Mass-spectral ion peaks attributable to protonated molecules of intact, monooxygenated, and dioxygenated 2CEES (MH(+), MOH(+), and MO(2)H(+), respectively) were observed. As ozone concentration was increased from zero to 30 ppm, the signal intensity of MH(+) sharply decreased, that of MOH(+) increased once and then decreased, and that of MO(2)H(+) sharply increased until reaching a plateau. The signal intensity of MO(2)H(+) at the plateau was 40 times higher than that of MH(+) and 100 times higher than that of MOH(+) in the case without in-line ozonation. Twenty-ppm ozone gas was adequate to give a linear calibration curve for 2CEES obtained by detecting the MO(2)H(+) signal in the concentration range up to 60 μg/m(3), which is high enough for hygiene management. In the low concentration range lower than 3 μg/m(3), which is equal to the short-term exposure limit for HD, calibration plots unexpectedly fell off the linear calibration curve, but 0.6-μg/m(3) vapor was actually detected with the signal-to-noise ratio of nine. Ozone was generated from instrumentation air by using a simple and inexpensive home-made generator. 2CEES was ozonated in 1-m extended sampling tube in only 1 s.

Determination of phytosterols in oenological matrices by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and ion-trap mass spectrometry

The aim of the present study is the identification of plant sterols and the development of an analytical method that allows for the quantification of such family of compounds in oenological matrices. The application of liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-ITMS) to sterol characterization is a useful tool and was selected to perform this research. Sterol separation was achieved using a C8 column with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile under gradient conditions and column temperature of 35°C, which leads to analyte elution in less than 25min. Retention times, precursor ions and MRM transitions of analytes allowed for the identification and sensitive quantitative determination of phytosterols in oenological matrices at trace levels. The method showed a dynamic linear range over the concentration ranges from 0.02 to 320mgkg−1 for the different parts of grapes and from 8 to 100ngmL−1 in case of wine. The most abundant phytosterol in all samples was β-sitosterol. The seeds are the richest source of phytosterols having a great amount of β-sitosterol, 314mgkg−1 fresh berry mass, followed by stigmasterol, fucosterol and campesterol at much lower concentrations (ranging from 3 to 10mgkg−1).

Real-time air monitoring of mustard gas and Lewisite 1 by detecting their in-line reaction products by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry with counterflow ion introduction.

A new method enabling sensitive real-time air monitoring of highly reactive chemical warfare agents, namely, mustard gas (HD) and Lewisite 1 (L1), by detecting ions of their in-line reaction products instead of intact agents, is proposed. The method is based on corona discharge-initiated atmospheric pressure chemical ionization coupled with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) via counterflow ion introduction. Therefore, it allows for highly sensitive and specific real-time detection of a broad range of airborne compounds. In-line chemical reactions, ionization reactions, and ion fragmentations of these agents were investigated. Mustard gas is oxygenated in small quantity by reactive oxygen species generated in the corona discharge. With increasing air humidity, the MS(2) signal intensity of protonated molecules of mono-oxygenated HD decreases but exceeds that of dominantly existing intact HD. This result can be explained in view of proton affinity. Lewisite 1 is hydrolyzed and oxidized. As the humidity increases from zero, the signal of the final product, namely, didechlorinated, dihydroxylated, and mono-oxygenated L1, quickly increases and reaches a plateau, giving the highest MS(2) and MS(3) signals among those of L1 and its reaction products. The addition of minimal moisture gives the highest signal intensity, even under low humidity. The method was demonstrated to provide sufficient analytical performance to meet the requirements concerning hygienic management and counter-terrorism. It will be the first practical method, in view of sensitivity and specificity, for real-time air monitoring of HD and L1 without sample pretreatment.

Tandem mass spectrometric fragmentation behavior of lignans, flavonoids and triterpenoids in Streblus asper.

An unambiguous identification of compounds can be achieved by comparison of known fragmentation patterns. While the literature about fragmentation mechanisms of lignans, flavonoids and triterpenoids is few. So the present study analyses the fragmentation mechanisms of these compounds isolated from Streblus asper. Electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-ITMS) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (APCI-ITMS) were used to obtain the MS(n) spectra of the compounds. By analyzing the differences between the ions, the fragmentation mechanisms of these compounds were explored. Of the 29 compounds detected, 17, 7, and 5 were lignans, flavonoids and triterpenoids, respectively. The majority of lignans were found to give [M - H](-) ions of sufficient abundance for MS(n) analyses. The flavonoids were prone to the loss of CO and H2O. The triterpenoids always lost one formic acid molecule and two hydrogens, or one H2O from [M - H](-) to form the most abundant product ion in the MS(n) spectrum. ESI/APCI-ITMS were demonstrated to be fast, effective and practical tools to characterize the structures of flavonoids, triterpenoids and lignans. Results of the present study can help identify the analogous constituents by analyzing their MS(n) spectra.

An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ion-trap mass spectrometer for the on-line analysis of volatile compounds in foods: a tool for linking aroma release to aroma perception.

An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion-trap mass spectrometer was set up for the on-line analysis of aroma compounds. This instrument, which has been successfully employed for some years in several in vitro and in vivo flavour release studies, is described for the first time in detail. The ion source was fashioned from polyether ether ketone and operated at ambient pressure and temperature making use of a discharge corona pin facing coaxially the capillary ion entrance of the ion-trap mass spectrometer. Linear dynamic ranges (LDR), limits of detection (LOD) and other analytical characteristics have been re-evaluated. LDRs and LODs have been found fully compatible with the concentrations of aroma compounds commonly found in foods. Thus, detection limits have been found in the low ppt range for common flavouring aroma compounds (for example 5.3 ppt (0.82 ppbV) for ethyl hexanoate and 4.8 ppt (1.0 ppbV) for 2,5-dimethylpyrazine). This makes the instrument applicable for in vitro and in vivo aroma release investigations. The use of dynamic sensory techniques such as the temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) method conducted simultaneously with in vivo aroma release measurements allowed to get some new insights in the link between flavour release and flavour perception.

Sensitive and Comprehensive Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents in Air by Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Ion Trap Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Counterflow Introduction

A highly sensitive and specific real-time field-deployable detection technology, based on counterflow air introduction atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, has been developed for a wide range of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) comprising gaseous (two blood agents, three choking agents), volatile (six nerve gases and one precursor agent, five blister agents), and nonvolatile (three lachrymators, three vomiting agents) agents in air. The approach can afford effective chemical ionization, in both positive and negative ion modes, for ion trap multiple-stage mass spectrometry (MS(n)). The volatile and nonvolatile CWAs tested provided characteristic ions, which were fragmented into MS(3) product ions in positive and negative ion modes. Portions of the fragment ions were assigned by laboratory hybrid mass spectrometry (MS) composed of linear ion trap and high-resolution mass spectrometers. Gaseous agents were detected by MS or MS(2) in negative ion mode. The limits of detection for a 1 s measurement were typically at or below the microgram per cubic meter level except for chloropicrin (submilligram per cubic meter). Matrix effects by gasoline vapor resulted in minimal false-positive signals for all the CWAs and some signal suppression in the case of mustard gas. The moisture level did influence the measurement of the CWAs.

Photodegradation of several triazidic and organophosphorus pesticides in water by pulsed light technology

Abstract Pulsed light technology consists of a successive repetition of short duration (325 μs) and high power flashes emitted by xenon lamps. These flashlamps radiate a broadband emission light (approximately 200–1000 nm) with a considerable amount of light in the short-wave UV spectrum. In the present work, this technology was tested as a new tool for the degradation of several herbicides in water: simazine, atrazine, phosmet, azinphos-methyl, methyl-parathion, pirimiphos-methyl and chlorpyrifos-ethyl. To evaluate the presence and evolution with time of these herbicides, as well as the formation of derivatives, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (atmospheric pressure chemical ionization) ion trap operating in positive mode was used. The degradation process followed first-order kinetics for all studied compounds except for parathion. Fluences about 4.65 J/cm 2 induced 50% reduction of simazine, atrazine, phosmet, azinphos-ethyl and pirimiphos-ethyl, independently of these compounds were PL treated separately or mixed in an aqueous solution. A higher fluence (9.81 J/cm 2 ) was needed to induce 50% reduction for chlorpyrifos-ethyl, being more difficult to degrade it in presence of other pesticides in the same solution. While simazine and atrazine were degraded, no chlorinated photoproducts were formed. Partial dechlorination was also observed for chlorpyrifos-ethyl. For the rest of organophosphorus pesticides different kinds of reactions could be suggested such as oxidative desulfuration, oxidation of ethyl groups or N-dealkylations. The molecular structures for some of derivatives could be proposed. The different formation profiles of photoproducts suggested that the degradation pathway may include several successive and competitive steps, with subsequent degradation processes taking part from the already formed degradation products. According to the degradation efficiency, the short treatment time and the type of derivatives, this new technology could be considered as an alternative for water treatment.

In situ submicron organic aerosol characterization at a boreal forest research station during HUMPPA-COPEC 2010 using soft and hard ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract. The chemical composition of submicron aerosol during the comprehensive field campaign HUMPPA-COPEC 2010 at Hyytiälä, Finland, is presented. The focus lies on online measurements of organic acids, which were achieved by using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) ion trap mass spectrometry (IT-MS). These measurements were accompanied by aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of filter samples, all showing a high degree of correlation. The soft ionization mass spectrometer alternated between gas-phase measurements solely and measuring the sum of gas and particle phase. The AMS measurements of C, H and O elemental composition show that the aerosol during the campaign was highly oxidized, which appears reasonable due to high and prolonged radiation during the boreal summer measurement period as well as the long transport times of some of the aerosol. In order to contrast ambient and laboratory aerosol, an average organic acid pattern, measured by APCI-IT-MS during the campaign, was compared to terpene ozonolysis products in a laboratory reaction chamber. Identification of single organic acid species remains a major challenge due to the complexity of the boreal forest aerosol. Unambiguous online species identification was attempted by the combinatorial approach of identifying unique fragments in the MS2 mode of standards, and then comparing these results with MS2 field spectra. During the campaign, unique fragments of limonene-derived organic acids (limonic acid and ketolimononic acid) and of the biomass burning tracer vanillic acid were detected. Other specific fragments (neutral loss of 28 Da) in the MS2 suggest the occurrence of semialdehydes. Furthermore, an approach to determine the average molecular weight of the aerosol is presented. The campaign average organic molecular weight was determined to be 300 g mol−1. However, a plume of aged biomass burning aerosol, arriving at Hyytiälä from Russia, contained organic compounds up to 800 Da (MWom&amp;amp;approx;450 g mol−1), showing that the average molecular weight can vary significantly. The high measurement frequency of both AMS and APCI-IT-MS enabled the partitioning of selected organic acids between gas and particle phase as a function of the total particulate mass to be quantified. Surprisingly high fractions of the higher molecular weight organic acids were observed to reside in the gas phase. These observations might be a consequence of large equilibration timescales for semi-solid boreal forest aerosol, as has been recently hypothesized by Shiraiwa and Seinfeld (2012).

Online atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (APCI-IT-MS&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;n&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;) for measuring organic acids in concentrated bulk aerosol – a laboratory and field study

Abstract. The field application of an aerosol concentrator in conjunction with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometer (APCI-IT-MS) at the boreal forest station SMEAR II at Hyytiälä, Finland, is demonstrated in this study. APCI is a soft-ionization technique allowing online measurements of organic acids in the gas and particle phase. The detection limit for the acid species in the particle phase was improved by a factor of 7.5 to 11 (e.g. ∼40 ng m3 for pinonic acid) by using the miniature versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (mVACES) upstream of the mass spectrometer. The APCI-IT-MS was calibrated in the negative ion mode with two biogenic organic acid standards – pinic acid and pinonic acid. Pinic acid was used as a surrogate for the quantification of the total amount of organic acids in the ambient aerosol based on the total signal intensities in the negative ion mode. The results were compared with the total organic signal of a C-ToF-AMS during the HUMPPA-COPEC 2010 field campaign. The campaign average contribution of organic acids measured by APCI-IT-MS to the total submicron organic aerosol mass was estimated to be about 60%, based on the response of pinic acid. Very good correlation between APCI-IT-MS and C-ToF-AMS (Pearson's R = 0.94) demonstrates soft-ionization mass spectrometry as a complimentary technique to AMS with electron impact ionization. MS2 studies of specific m/z ratios recorded during the HUMPPA-COPEC 2010 field campaign were compared to MS2 studies of selected monoterpene oxidation products formed in simulation chamber experiments. The comparison of the resulting fragments shows that oxidation products of the main VOCs emitted at Hyytiälä (α-pinene and Δ3-carene) cannot account for all of the measured fragments. Possible explanations for those unaccounted fragments are the presence of unidentified or underestimated biogenic SOA precursors, or that different products are formed by a different oxidant mixture of the ambient air compared to the chamber ozonolysis.

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of macrocyclic lactones in milk by liquid chromatography with diode array detection and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry

Eprinomectin (EPRI), abamectin (ABA), doramectin (DOR), moxidectin (MOX) and ivermectin (IVM) were determined in milk samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD) coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in negative ion mode ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-IT-MS/MS). Milk proteins were removed by precipitation with trichloroacetic acid and the analytes were preconcentrated using 2mL of acetonitrile containing 200μL of chloroform as extraction mixture. The effect of several parameters for the liquid–liquid microextraction efficiency was evaluated. Standard additions method was used for quantification purposes, the correlation coefficients were better than 0.9970 in all cases and the quantification limits ranged from 1.0 to 4.7ngg−1 and from 0.1 to 2.4ngg−1 when using DAD and MS, respectively. The DLLME-LC-APCI-IT-MS/MS optimized method was successfully applied to different milk samples and none of the studied analytes was detected in the samples studied. The recoveries for milk samples spiked at concentration levels ranging between 0.5 and 50ngg−1, depending on the compound, were between 89.5 and 105%, with relative standard deviations lower than 9% (n=135). Simplicity, rapidity and reliability are important advantages of the proposed method, while the sample preparation step can be regarded as environmentally friendly.

Production of the Quinone-Methide Triterpene Maytenin byIn VitroAdventitious Roots ofPeritassa campestris(Cambess.) A.C.Sm. (Celastraceae) and Rapid Detection and Identification by APCI-IT-MS/MS

Establishment of adventitious root cultures of Peritassa campestris (Celastraceae) was achieved from seed cotyledons cultured in semisolid Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 2% sucrose, 0.01% PVP, and 4.0 mg L−1 IBA. Culture period on accumulation of biomass and quinone-methide triterpene maytenin in adventitious root were investigated. The accumulation of maytenin in these roots was compared with its accumulation in the roots of seedlings grown in a greenhouse (one year old). A rapid detection and identification of maytenin by direct injection into an atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometer (APCI-IT-MS/MS) were performed without prior chromatographic separation. In vitro, the greatest accumulation of biomass occurred within 60 days of culture. The highest level of maytenin—972.11 μg·g−1 dry weight—was detected at seven days of cultivation; this value was 5.55-fold higher than that found in the roots of seedlings grown in a greenhouse.

Secondary processes in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry: a case study of orotic acid

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization is known for producing unusual artifacts of the ionization process in some cases. In this work, processes occuring in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/MS of orotic acid that afforded ions accompanying protonated and deprotonated orotic acid molecules in the spectra were studied. Two processes ran in parallel in the ion source: decarboxylation of neutral orotic acid and collision-induced dissociation of its protonated or deprotonated form. A procedure discerning pre-ionization decomposition and post-ionization dissociation by manipulating ion source parameters was proposed. Experiments with isotopically labeled solvents confirmed ion-molecule reactions of the product of collision-induced dissociation of protonated orotic acid with solvent molecules in the ion source and even under vacuum in the ion trap.

Comparative HPLC-MSn analysis of canine and human meibomian lipidomes: many similarities, a few differences

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipidome of meibomian gland secretions in canines (cMGS) – a common pet and laboratory animal – and to compare it with that of human MGS (hMGS), to determine whether canines could be used as a valid experimental animal model in studies of the biochemistry and physiology of the human ocular surface in general, and of the Meibomian glands in particular. The MGS of both species were evaluated using HPLC in combination with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry. The main lipid classes found in cMGS were very long chain cholesteryl esters, wax esters, (O-acyl)-omega-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFA), and cholesteryl esters of OAHFA. The lipidomes of cMGS and hMGS were found to be qualitatively similar, which implies similar biosynthetic and biodegradation pathways in canines and humans. However, some quantitative differences between the two were observed.

Determination of triclosan metabolites by using in‐source fragmentation from high‐performance liquid chromatography/negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

Triclosan is a widely used broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that acts by specifically inhibiting enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase. An in vitro metabolic study of triclosan was performed by using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat liver S9 and microsome, while the in vivo metabolism was investigated on SD rats. Twelve metabolites were identified by using in-source fragmentation from high-performance liquid chromatography/negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI-ITMS) analysis. Compared to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) that gave little fragmentation for triclosan and its metabolites, the in-source fragmentation under APCI provided intensive fragmentations for the structural identifications. The in vitro metabolic rate of triclosan was quantitatively determined by using HPLC/ESI-ITMS with the monitoring of the selected triclosan molecular ion. The metabolism results indicated that glucuronidation and sulfonation were the major pathways of phase II metabolism and the hydroxylated products were the major phase I metabolites. Moreover, glucose, mercapturic acid and cysteine conjugates of triclosan were also observed in the urine samples of rats orally administrated with triclosan.

Multi-component analysis (sterols, tocopherols and triterpenic dialcohols) of the unsaponifiable fraction of vegetable oils by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–ion trap mass spectrometry

A simple and sensitive method for the analysis of sterols, tocopherols and triterpenic dialcohols from the unsaponifiable fraction from oil samples in a single analytical run using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was developed. With this method, the compounds could be detected directly after dissolving the unsaponifiable fraction in acetonitrile without necessity of time-consuming sample pre-treatment or derivatization. Separation of the analytes was carried out at room temperature, by using a C18 column (5 μm i.d. 3.0 mm × 250 mm) with a linear gradient of acetonitrile/water (0.01% acetic acid) at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The full scan mass spectra of the investigated compounds were measured by an ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an APCI ion source. The optimized methodology was suitable for the identification of 23 compounds belonging to different families present in olive oil and other kinds of oils, as well as for the quantification of 15 analytes (vs. their commercial standards).

Liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry of bilobalide in plasma and brain of rats after oral administration of its phospholipidic complex

Standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves are widely used in clinical practice for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate dementia syndromes, cerebral insufficiency and for the enhancement of cognitive function. The main active components present in G. biloba extracts are flavonol-glycosides and terpene-lactones. In recent investigations, the sesquiterpene trilactone bilobalide has been described to exert an interesting neuroprotective effect when administered systemically to experimental animals. Oral administration of terpene-lactones either as standardized extracts or purified products is characterized by a low bioavailability. While preparing phospholipidic complex of G. biloba extracts or bilobalide, plasma levels of terpenes and sesquiterpene increase. In the present study, phospholipidic complex of bilobalide (IDN 5604) has been administered orally to rats and bilobalide levels have been determined in plasma and brain by means of a validated method based on liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-ITMS). Due to its sensitivity (about 3 pmol/ml) and specificity, LC/APCI-ITMS method proved to be a very powerful tool for pharmacokinetic studies of Ginkgo terpene-lactones. The results of the present study clearly confirm the improvement of oral bioavailability of bilobalide administered as phospholipidic complex and, for the first time, demonstrate the detection of significative amounts of bilobalide in brain. This last finding agrees with the neuroprotective activity observed for bilobalide.